Santa Carolina 2006 Reserva Merlot (Colchagua Valley); $10

I think Merlot is one of the most under-appreciated and maligned grapes. Cedar, chocolate and big blueberry stand up to the prominent toasty oak rather nicely. Full bodied on the palate with undertones of espresso, blackberry and other ripe fruit. Finishes off with toffee, smoke and green herbs, offering a surprising complexity for a wine of this price.