90+ Points. Robert Parker. Actually, I liked the 2012 Reserve Merlot a little less than the straight 2012 Merlot label, only because the oak adds structure, firmness and suppresses some of the glorious fruit found in their basic bottling. Nevertheless it's meant for longer-term aging, and I'm sure with some time in the bottle the fruit character will dominate over the wood. For now the wine is well-made, pure, but needs several years of bottle age.