1999 Dry Creek V. Merlot

[jackl]

1999 Dry Creek Vineyards Merlot, Sonoma

I haven't had much experience or success with New World merlots, but this was just about the best I've had. Deeply colored, even opaque in the glass. I got cassis and maybe a little vanilla in the aroma. The taste was primarily of dark cherries with a bit of plum, followed by milk chocolate on the finish. The texture of the wine stood out as much as the actual flavor. It was softer and smoother than many wines I've had. One thing that I couldn't decipher, though, was where the fruit left off and where the oak took over. Can the suggestion of chocolate or cocoa be attributable to the oak or is this a characteristic of the merlot itself? I've this descriptor used before, so I don't think too far off in picking up on it. Any opinions?

jackl