Picardy Merlimont 2019

65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Merlot offers so much in a Cabernet blend, especially when the fruit is good, and the treatment is kind. A nose you want to sink into, all plush red and black fruits, sweet vanilla spice, a little woodsy understory and a nice lick of oak. A whiff of anise kicks in just before the palate unfolds. Loose knit tannins have a softness and approachability to them, while the sweet core of fruit tickles across the mouth. Juicy acidity brightens the picture, and although it doesn’t have the longest length, there is a juicy ease of drinking that deserves a place at the table.