This is a great value in California Cabernets.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very nice with cassis, baking spices, slight figs and slight fresh oak.  On the palate, this drinks easily but also has some structure to it.  Cassis flavors wrapped with spice and char.  Medium tannins.  This drinks well on its own now but will continue to mature and likely improve slightly over the next ten years.  This will work well with grilled and roasted meats or fowls.  

This is the "second label" of star winemaker Helen Keplinger's home winery.  It is made from 31% Sonoma Grapes and 69% Sierra Foothills Grapes.  A blend of 55% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah.  A delicious wine.  Purple in color with ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, gravel and slight plums and earth.  On the palate, this is full bodied but very lively with lots of energy.  Black raspberries dominate at the moment but the black cherries are also present.  There is also a layer of gravel and scorched earth that is a lovely counte

The 20111 vintage was difficult in the Rhone.  Nevertheless, Giraud still crafted a very nice wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is tight but with air shows cherries and raspberries with some spice.  On the palate, this runs a bit sweet/ripe.  Cherry candies.  Low in acidity.  Slight tannins.  Moderate finish.  This is easy drinking on its own but might work better with a some less sweet cookies or chocolate dessert.  It seems to be  nearing the end of its optimal drinking window so it probably should be consumed sooner.  That said, it will still be drinking well for at least the next five y

The 2010 vintage was excellent if quite structured on release.  While they have finally opened up, the structure remains.  Deep purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, roasted meat and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has sweet black cherry fruit with a bit of cherries along with some char and spices.  Mild tannins.  Good finish.  I don't think this will improve from here but should be good for another five to seven years at least.  This will work well with burgers or roasts.  

An excellent wine.  I have been a big fan of Macario Montoya's wines for a while, but I believe this was the first time trying this wine.  I am not sure if there is anything else in this blend other than Grenache.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, chocolate, spice and slight oak notes.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a wonderful texture.  Medium tannins.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight blueberries and a bit of chocolate over a mineral base.  Long finish.  This wine grabs your attention but it is not overblown.  It should last another decade at least.  It

Gigondas can offer great values on a Chateauneuf styled wine for a lot less money.  This is a great example.  And coming, from a less than great vintage, this is drinking quite well at age 5.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight but with air opens to show raspberries, black cherries, char and spice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Juicy and full bodied.  Black cherry fruit over a bed of spice, earth and char.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should be at this level for another five to ten years.  It will go well with stews or roasts.  

The 2000 vintage was not well received on release.  Indeed, in Napa terms, it was one of the rare vintages that was not at least very good or better.  Yet, many of those wines have aged just beautifully.  At age twenty many are a bit past prime but still offering wonderful enjoyment.  Of course, that depends on how you like your wines.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.

This reminded me of a "classic" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from twenty years ago.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, a bit of cola,, spice and a slight funk.  Pretty.  On the palate, this has sweet black cherry fruits.  Moderate tannins.  Good acidity.  Some depth and complexity.  Lot of energy.  This is in a great place right now.  It should be at this level for another 5 to ten years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

One of the interesting things about tasting wine is that everyone is sensitive to different things (especially faults) in wines.  Personally, I am not very sensitive to a bit of oxidation and I really enjoy many wines made in an oxidative style such as Sherry, wines from the Jura, or some Champagnes.  Which brings me to this wine.  This was bought on release and well stored, but at a recent tasting, some found it too oxidized and not enjoyable.  For me, I had no issues with it and found it quite enjoyable.  Your mileage may vary.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but with som

This is in a good place right now and drinking well.   Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but with air shows cherries, sour cherries and an underlying earthiness.  Good balance.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, the sour cherries dominate but the underlying earthiness is still present.  A nice complexity as the layers unwind in the glass.  Seems very clearly of Oregon.  Long finish.  This will go well with fowl dishes.  No hurry, it should easily do another decade and closer to two.