2003 Merlot de Campuget

[Thraz]

One reason you may not have recognized it as Merlot (although I'm guessing, I have not had this particular wine): Merlot is not widely planted in the South of France. It is normally a Bordeaux grape. Temperatures in the South are higher, and were even much higher than usual in 2003, which could explain why the wine was heavier than one would expect for a Merlot.