Teal Lake Cabernet Merlot is quite dry and loaded with tannins. It's surprisingly spicy with black pepper flavors that remind me of the Teal Lake Shiraz. The pepper flavor dominates the milder plum and wild cherry flavors. It's surprising to find such spicyness in a wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. It certainly comes from the Merlot, not the Cab. Kosher for Passover, Mevushal