In growing seasons where Summer gives us a few more days of warm weather, ripe flavors show up in the finished wines with abundance and intensity.  This 2017 Merlot shows intense aromas of cherry jam, warm chai tea, anise seed, cedar, dark chocolate, and a tiny hint of savory bacon.  Bright and soft at entry, the fresh cherry flavors up front give way to notes of baked plum, cinnamon bark, bay leaf and cocoa nibs.  The texture starts out broad and silky and continues until the last bit of flavor slowly fades, and retains a tremendous sense of bright, fresh fruit from start to finish.