"Ashes & Diamonds “Merlot №1"” is an opaque maroon at the dining table but more of a cranberry ink in daylight. The nose is warm and opulent, like pulling a cashmere sweater of toasted blueberries over your head and curling up in a plum sauce blanket. It tastes like ripe black cherries wrapped in clove, held by a hem of zinging acidity, with a just-ever-so chocolatey finish and tannins that hang out like good friends long after the party’s over."