I am always looking for reasonably priced wines and this one sells for around $25 locally.   It is a very nice wine that is worth picking up a bottle or two of if you like Sonoma Cabs.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight cassis, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this is ready to drink now.  The black cherry fruit carries thru.  Light tannins.  Some depth and complexity.  Solid finish.  It will work well with burgers or grilled foods.  It should be consumed in the next five years.  

Some of the best values in the wine world are from Chianti.  Figure out the best wineries, and buy the second or third best wines.  Of course, the top wines are great too, but they can be pricey.  This wine can be found for under $30 and it is excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, tea leaves/tobacco and slight cedar.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Nice acidity.  Black cherry fruit of char and forest floor.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well with light tannins.  It will continue for ten years, so no hurry.  A great match

This was opened and poured and enjoyed over six hours.  It is still young and really hit its stride after around four hours though the last glass was the best.  A wonderfully delicious wine.  Deep purple in color; shiny, bright and opaque.  The nose is great with black cherries, dark chocolate, slight soy, plum and char.  On the palate, this still has firm tannins though they are not overwhelming.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some underlying gravel and also some chocolate.  This is not a baby at age 15, but still needs about ten years until peak.  The finish is long, smooth and has a ni

A very nice showing for this wine that is just starting to come out of its shell.  Pop and let breathe for 30 minutes (not decanted), it took about another hour to open up.

This is 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from Northern Spain.  It is a big wine that is delicious and drinks great.  At age 8, it is just getting into a nice wheelhouse showing some complexity and depth and the fruit fades just a bit.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has raspberries, black cherries, milk chocolate, and slight coffee notes.  Full bodied.  Smooth.  On the palate, lots of black and red raspberry fruit.  Light tannins.  Enough acidity to work with food.  Good finish.  This still drinks great on its own and worked great with a spicy chili.  It will also work well with roaste

This is Sauvignon Blanc from winemaker Dave Phinney who had originally brought you The Prisoner wines.  The label lists 12.6% ABV, but it seems like it might be a bit higher.  A very enjoyable wine.  It is a non-vintage wine.  Pale yellow golden in color.  The nose has lots of grapefruit but just a touch of gooseberries.  Very clean.  Slightly viscous but dry.  Crisp enough acidity.  On the palate, yellow grapefruit with a persistent finish.  It went very well with a spicy chili but should work well with lighter foods too.  

This is a producer who first got recognition for their fantastic Gigondas wines.  They have since expanded their releases all over the southern and northern Rhone.  Their Chateauneuf is also stellar.  It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose is tight upon opening.  With air, raspberries, black raspberries and mineral/gravel emerge.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some raspberries.  Medium tannins.  Bright acidity.  This will work well with roasts and casseroles.  I

Opened at a holiday party to join in the fun with a "Chanukah" wine as it is made in Israel.   Israel is making some excellent wines these days and this is an outstanding Syrah.  Deep purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very meaty with black raspberries, bacon fat, and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is somewhere between a Rhone style Syrah and one from California.  It is delicious but slightly restrained fruit.  Black raspberries over roasted meat and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will work well with stews and roasts.  It should drink well for the