Aromas of black tar, chocolate and berries lead to a wine that is so effortlessly delicious that it's easy to forget the power the Merlot gives it. The center is round, but dark, filled with sweetness; the outer layers are full of red jelly and toast. There are tannins, but they, too, are sweet.

Dark in color, with intense aromas of crushed berry, toasty oak and hints of raisin, turning to fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with a big, juicy, velvety texture and a long aftertaste of coffee, coconut and berry. This is powerful and muscular for Palmer. Best after 2012.

($290-$350) Good deep red-ruby. Deep, brooding aromas of blackberry, kirsch and chocolate mint, with a distinctly roasted, jammy character showing today. Compellingly sweet and explosive on the palate, with great fat to the flavors of plum, mulberry, coffee and mocha; like a cocktail of jammy fruits. This is downright massive, not to say decadent, for Palmer-at 14% alcohol the highest ever recorded here. A pure liquid confection.