The 2013 Merlot Great Blue Heron also has 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec; aged for 18 months in French oak (only 10% new; the rest two- to five-years-old). This is scheduled for release in November, 2016, an impressive commitment in time as a late release for a $22 wine (the oak treatment, of course, contributing to that). It is fair to say, after talking about this with winemaker John Leo, that this is a wine that is priced for market considerations--and many would charge more. Beautifully focused, tense but balanced, this Merlot has reasonable depth and plenty of character, too. The character is a little obscured early on by the oak overlay, but the crème caramel aspect does moderate with air, leaving a more transparent and fresher wine. While restrained and elegant, it is nonetheless rather solid and ripe this year, too, relative to the region (don't expect the fleshiness you get in very warm climates). It is a very nice buy, likely the best of Onabay's submissions this issue. There were 225 cases produced.