The Merlot for this exotic-looking private selection, which is matured in former rum barrels, comes from the coastal areas in southern Monterey County. The grapes are harvested at the peak of their ripeness, carefully fermented and the wines are then aged for around ten months in American oak barrels. Some of the wines are aged for at least three of these ten months in former rum barrels. The wood, impregnated with the typical rum aromas, gives the Merlot strong notes of vanilla, molasses and sweet spices that harmonize perfectly with the classic cherry-plum grape variety fruit.