2001 Fisher Merlot 1-5-7 Estate

(merlot with 18% syrah; from a 1998 planting) Bright red-ruby. Dusty aromas of bitter cherry, currant, minerals, tobacco and licorice. Sweet, lush and creamy, with expressive flavors of bitter cherry, tobacco, cedar and eucalyptus. Then finishes with big, tongue-dusting tannins and good length. With a bit less mid-palate stuffing, this shows a slight dry edge on the back.