Alfaro Family Santa Cruz Mtns Estate "A" Merlot 2021 CS20230516 A glimpse of how the

A glimpse of how the domaine's village wines age - which is to say

Keep a couple in the fridge for the nights that turn into occasions

Star Lane Vineyard offers the classical austerity that defines serious Cabernet: pure aromas of maraschino cherry

The botanicals themselves are much more traditional: the usual Suspects like Juniper

Alfaro Family Santa Cruz Mtns Estate "A" Merlot 2021 CS20230516 A glimpse of how theMerlot from the Santa Cruz Mountains is rare; Merlot at this kind of price is rarer still. Richard Alfaro farms 65 estate acres in Corralitos, the cool, fog pulled southern edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, and his 'A' Merlot comes off his own plantings. Cool climate Merlot here means red fruit over black, more cedar than cassis, and a leaner build than the Napa or Washington style. Three years in bottle has rounded the edges nicely. This is the