It is exactly like having really good chocolate-- there are chemical benefits and psychosomatic benefits. Better yet, have a glass of wine AND really good chocolate.

Merlot is a little too dry for my liking...and yeah, that makes a ton of sense. Most wines sort of have "staged" flavors to them...they'll have a flavor when they first hit your tongue, another when you have it in your mouth, and then an aftertaste. And they will often be very dissimilar!