Powerful is a way to describe the 2009 PlumpJack Merlot. Primary aromas of baked plums, cardamom, mulling spices and blackberry are followed by aromas of chocolate, vanilla beans and coffee. On the palate flavors of berry cobbler, plums and cocoa are followed by flavors of herbes de Provence, cedar and cigar smoke. The 2009 shows more firmness than the 2008 and will be at its best with two hours of decanting. We like to describe this wine as the "vin de garde" of the last three vintages of Merlot.