Toasted Head Merlot, North Coast, 2009

The 2001 Toasted Head Merlot has layers of ripe cherry, dark roasted coffee and vanilla with herb and spice highlights. Tannins are moderate and balanced. Aged in American and French oak, Toasted Head wines get their name from the tradition of toasting the barrel staves and heads, which imparts mellowed oak flavors to the wine. Alc 13.5% by Vol.