The 2004 Yarden Merlot Ortal Vineyard combines strong blackberry, cherry and raspberry fruit notes with nuances of fresh herbs, dried flowers and orange zest. A background of rich oak helps frame the sensory picture. The wine is quite concentrated in flavor with good body and a long, complex finish. While enjoyable now, Yarden Merlot Ortal Vineyard will continue to improve in the bottle for years to come and should stay in great drinking condition for a decade or more from the vintage. The wine’s rich character pairs well with something served with a red wine reduction sauce, such as a rib eye roast, or a stew cooked long with roasted stock bones.