Sorry guys!! It’s the 08 Martin Ranch Merlot not the 07. I just opened a bottle and realized the error. So I’m sitting watching trash tv enjoying this wine! The smell is kind of a classic Merlot smell containing that capsaicin,spicy smell. The initial taste before you swallow is on the sweet side as you swallow you get the spice, capsaicin taste with a hint of green bell-peppers just like it smells but better because you get this initial sweet taste.