Brutocao
1998 Merlot Riserva d'Argento

Appellation: Mendocino, California

A pleasant Merlot, though by no means a powerhouse. (This is something of a broken record for many California Merlots.) The nose is an appealing mix of ripe dark cherry, mocha, and cassis. In the mouth the wine has a balanced, ripe, though straightforward feel. The finish is clean though not extensive. A bit more stuffing would bump this wine's rating up several more points, as the right components all seem to be there.