2006 Cupcake Merlot

when i first started to drink wine, merlot was the go to grape. it was fruit forward without the drying tannins of a cab. i still enjoy a good merlot and this one from cupcake vineyards was very nice. the nose was red berries and i also got a coffee note. on the palate this red is cherry and cocoa and maybe a little spice. a very well balanced red, this is not a super complex wine. just a nice easy drinking red that will go well with food. i think it would go especially well with italian fare . and the price is nice at about $14 a bottle.