The 2019 Merlot RCF Vineyard offers some spicy oak and floral notes as well as some plummy, almost blue fruits, medium body, and a charming, balanced, elegant style on the palate. I think it’s outstanding and would drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.

The Merlot-based 2019 RCF Vineyard is packed with dark plum fruit, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and menthol. There is terrific density, and yet the 2019 retains that super-classic Fisher sense of structure. Give this a few years to come together fully.

Black cherries, currants, toasted spices, and a touch of chocolate all emerge from the 2018 Merlot RCF Vineyard, which is a plump, medium to full-bodied, rounded Merlot that has lots to love. With no hard edges, plenty of fruit, and a great finish, drink this delicious, gulpable (in the best sense of the word) Merlot over the coming decade.

The 2018 Merlot RCF Vineyard is serious wine with quite a bit of heft. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the Merlot packs plenty of Calistoga punch. Dark fruit, licorice, spice and leather abound in a wiry Merlot that bristles with character. The tannins are a bit brawny, but a few years in bottle should help. Even just a few hours of air really helps the 2018 shine as more red-fruit and floral overtones develop, adding a palpable sense of brightness. Dollops of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot round out the blend.

The 2016 Merlot RCF Vineyard is powerful and also surprisingly intense, with a little more structure than I am used to seeing in this wine. Not that that is a bad thing at all. Dark red cherry, mocha, leather, licorice and espresso notes are boldly rendered in this juicy, super-expressive Merlot. Dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out the blend.

The 2016 Merlot RCF Vineyard checks in as a blend of 76% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent a full 22 months in 80% new French oak. It has loads of black cherries, tobacco, and chocolate notes, medium body, a rounded, nicely textured mouthfeel, and an outstanding finish. Drink it anytime over the coming decade or so.

The 2015 Merlot RCF Vineyard is plump, juicy and absolutely delicious. Ripe red cherry and raspberry fruit are pushed forward in a succulent, expressive Merlot that surprises with its freshness and overall finesse. Dollops of Malbec and Cabernet Franc round out the blend. This is very nicely done.

The 2014 Merlot RCF Vineyard is fruity, forward and expressive, with lovely savory overtones and plenty of aromatic nuance. Beams of supporting tannin give the wine its shape and overall proportion. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and new leather are nicely pushed forward. Far from an easygoing wine, this is a Merlot with structure, not to mention considerable pedigree and depth.

The 2013 Merlot RCF Vineyard is racy, sensual and totally sexy. Dark red cherry, mocha, new leather and spice are all pushed forward. This is an especially succulent, open-knit 2013 that should drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet floral and spice notes add an attractive element of lift on the close. The RCF is a blend of 78% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon taken from 8 blocks of estate vineyards in Calistoga.

Good deep red. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, tobacco, menthol and flowers. Sweetly spicy flavors of red fruits, licorice and mint. Not at all a blockbuster but moderately dense, bright and ripe. Finishes with big, dusty tannins and good persistence. Showing well today.

Ruby-red. Aromas of plum, iron, tobacco and dried flowers, with a menthol coolness. Intensely flavored, juicy and cool, with flavors of raspberry and mint. Finishes with broad tannins that coat the lips and cheeks. A fairly large-scaled merlo t with plenty of personality.

Good saturated deep ruby. Vibrant aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and smoky oak. Like the best 2001s, this boasts the near-confectionery sweetness of the vintage, but lively acids give shape to the crystallized black raspberry flavor. Densely packed merlot, finishing with big but even tannins and excellent length.

Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry, menthol, licorice and tar. Sweet and creamy but serious, with dense, well-defined flavors of dark raspberry, tobacco leaf and fresh herbs. A fairly large-scaled but sappy merlot, finishing with lovely ripe tannins and excellent length.

Medium ruby. Aromas of blueberry, lead pencil and flint, along with a slight leafy quality. Sweet, fat and chewy, with pliant flavors of cassis and minerals. Persistent and lush on the back end, with ripe tannins.

(includes 20% cabernet franc) Bright medium ruby. Enticing aromas of blackberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, licorice and jasmine. Intense dark berry flavors offer excellent freshness. Firmly tannic, youthfully fruity merlot with serious structure.

Ruby-red. Reticent, slightly medicinal nose hints at raspberry, redcurrant, graphite and cassis leaf. Then dense and generous in the mouth, with almost confectionery sweetness leavened by bright, harmonious acidity. The dusty, even tannins hit the palate late.

This winery consistently does a fine job with Merlot. The 1999 Merlot RCF Vineyard (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc; 470 cases) is performing better out of bottle than it did from cask. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of sweet fudge, cola, smoke, earth, and black fruits. It is medium to full-bodied, sweet, and lush, with excellent purity and length. It will drink well for 7-8 years.

The 1992 Merlot RCF Vineyard (a vineyard situated near the famed Eisele Vineyard in northern Napa Valley) is a super-intense, chocolatey, black-cherry-scented Merlot that is bursting with flavor, glycerin, and alcohol. This rich, chewy, sumptuous Merlot is even better from bottle than the cask sample I reviewed in issue #92. Expansive and round, it offers an up-front, flattering style. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.