2014 181 Merlot Noble Vines

First, notice the manly presentation. Its a solid bottle with a black label. The 181 stands out in red. Lodi, California is front and center. Credence Clearwater Revival once sang a sad metaphor about being stuck in Lodi again. The dark red foil peels back to a great cork with a little crown inked on top. Maybe real California cowboys like to have a target for their corkscrew. It pours a deep red with strong legs. Its fruity enough. It is balanced enough. It feels pretty good in your mouth. It is a little tangy for my Merlot taste, probably because California has been hot. Put on the CCR song, have a 2nd glass and wonder what the weather was like in 1969 when Fogerty was stuck in Lodi again.