Welcome to rush week, pledges! Over the next few days, we will be administering a series of "tests" to decide who we will admit into the fraternity of Screw Kappa Napa.

We've decided, this year, to forgo the traditional hazing methods. There will be no paddles, no streaking, no excessive drinking or eating, none of that. Instead, you will each be given a glass of 2009 Merlot. You will drink the glass, slowly, and then you will be given a quiz in which you will identify each aromatic note - the cinnamon stick, the black raspberry, the cardamom, the eucalyptus, all of it. From there you will move on to the flavors; if you leave a SINGLE ONE off your list - the coco nibs, the dried cherries, the red currant - you'll be sent packing, understand?

Wait... did I just... Ugh! I always do this! I always give it away! Well fine, I guess we're chugging expired milk and eating raw eggs. Again. Everyone grab a mug.

2009 Merlot 6-Pack

• Varietal:  92% Merlot, 8% Petite Sirah
• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2009
• Winemaker: Greg Kitchens
• Half of this wine was aged in French oak barrels (20% new), and half in stainless steel to provide balance and freshness
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• pH: 3.65
• TA: 0.66 g/100 mL

Open a bottle of this Merlot with a pan-roasted pork loin served with a balsamic reduction sauce, or polenta with mushroom ragu. A flourless chocolate cake would also be a perfect match for the richness of the dark berry flavors in this Merlot.