During the post-Sideways Merlot backlash, demand for Pride Merlot refused to flag and allocations were still doled out bottle by bottle to those on the mailing list. Though heralded winemaker Robert Foley has handed over the reigns to the dynamic Sally Johnson, his role as consulting winemaker has not diminished the intensity of this estate's famously rich red wines. The vineyards sit atop Spring Mountain straddling a plot of land with views to Napa Valley and Sonoma, and while it may be the perfect place for a picnic, the real magic happens on the vines. The Pride Merlot is as good as it gets for this variety in California. Naysayers won't have much to say after enjoying this wine's gripping plum and blueberry flavors bolstered by supple tannins and a finely tuned finish. A perfect wine to enjoy with pot roast or smoky beef ribs.