Okay, they shocked me with their Shiraz and also their blends featuring Shiraz and/or Cabernet Sauvignon. This time, I finally relented and tried their Merlot, and I must say that I was surprised in a good way.

It's funny that 'Sideways' was on yesterday, and there is the famous/infamous point at which he doesn't want another Merlot. However, Merlot is a great grape, and can produce some wonderful wines bursting with flavor.

This wine is a delicious shade of deep purple in color, with a nose that reminds me of roses. The taste is chock full of dark plums and blackberries, with just a little bit of leather on the back of your tongue.

This is one of those cases when something mass-produced does some justice and delivers a nice kick in the mouth.