Pepperwood Grove Merlot

Seven bucks? Not bad at all. Sometimes Merlots seem a bit too mellow, too non-committal, too white bread, like the ultimate in PC blasé. This one doesn't fall victim to that trap. It has flavour. It's cool and smooth and tastes of Mid Eastern spices. Has one of those crazy foam corks as well and a fun label on warm smoked glass. I'm a sucker for design.