We’ve been showcasing the wines of Hook & Ladder Winery for the last eight years - for good reason. They are fantastic, and they deliver a high-end drinking experience at prices that are affordable.

Today’s Hook & Ladder 2011 Estate Bottled Merlot is a really terrific wine. It is bold, juicy, dark and very delicious. This wine has a beautifully aromatic nose, with black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, Alpine strawberry, spiced cherry candy, cedar, sweet oak, baker’s chocolate and a hint of black pepper.

On the palate, the wine is delightfully and darkly juicy and delicious. It is loaded with rich flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry and smoky blueberry in the lead. Under these, you’ll enjoy dark chocolate, sweet spice, leather and cassis with subtle savory spice and black pepper.

Winemaker Jason De Loach really knocked it out of the park with today’s highly recommended wine.