($22): Tasted side-by-side with their regular–North Coast–Merlot, the superiority of the Reserve bottling is readily evident and, in my mind, worth the extra four dollars.  As expected, it has more sweet fruit flavors, more apparent oak aging and more supporting tannins.  But more importantly, it retains nuances of the earthy/leafy character of Merlot and is not overdone.  It’s a harmonious and polished wine and outshines plenty of other Merlots costing twice as much. 91 Michael Apstein Feb 5, 2008