Poplar Grove's second label, Monster Vineyards are wines that are as easy to drink as they are fun. The Merlot follows the previous vintage and leads with dark chocolate cherries and plum cake underscored with vanilla, fennel seed, sweet spice and coffee. It's an affable wine, supple, generous and approachable with similar black fruit and mocha layered with oak spice and vanilla. There's just enough fine tannin to sink your teeth into.