This is an affordably priced Barolo ($30 on release) that is reasonably modern in style.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight floral nose and baking spice.  On the palate, this is accessible if not at peak.  It has nice cherry fruit.  There is a fair amount of oak showing and medium firm tannins which suggests another three to five years would be beneficial (and what one should expect for a Barolo in this class).  It is food friendly with a nice bit of acidity.  Pasta in a cream sauce would work well.  This should be good for the next ten to fifte

This wine has really taken a long time to come around, but is now drinking great.  This is there basic Syrah.  Purple in color, deep ruby at the rim.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats and slight roasted herb.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Lovely medium bodied texture.  Black raspberry fruit layered with dry, charred earth.  Good finish.  This should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  A great match with Indian food, it should also work well with casseroles or roasts.  

This took about an hour to open and then was drinking great.  It is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4.5% Petit Verdot and 3.5% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cigar box and cherries.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Ripe fruit.  Lighter tannins.  Flavors of Cherries with some cassis, chocolate and clean(er) barnyard.  Good finish.  This is about at peak now but should be here for at least another five to seven years.  It will go well with roasted meats or fowl. 

This is drinking quite well at the moment.  Seemingly at peak, no reason to wait.  Deep ruby in color, a bit lighter at the rim.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, forest floor and slight hay.  On the palate, this has layers of cherries, dried cherries and a damp forest floor.  Really lively acidity.  Nice texture.  Good finish.  This will work well with meat, fowl or pasta dishes.  It is better with food.  Still should have five to seven more years and then slowly fade.  

This is a Tempranillo wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries,black cherries and baking spice.  Also some dustiness.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  It is warm and dusty with black cherry fruit.  Some complexity.  Nice finish.  This will still get better but it is drinking well right now.  Another few years and it should be close to peak.  It will go well with roasts and grilled meats.  

Ulises Valvez was one of the great American success stories in the wine world.  An immigrant to this country, he built his vineyard and winery into a top notch winery.  Sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago at far too young of an age.  His winery carries on.  This is a Zinfandel blend that also has 17% Peite Sirah and 5% Grenache.  The vineyard was originally planted in 1888 and hand farmed by Ulises Valdez since 1988.  There are some very old vines.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, some raspberries, a bit of spice and bramble.  Nice texture.  Juicy acidity.  There is s

Pop and pour, this is still youthful and needs a bit of air.  Deep ruby with some ruby swirls.  The nose has cherries, strawberries, spice and a slight char to it.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Nice cherry fruit with just a hint of candied cherries over a mineral/earthiness.  Light tannins.  This is young and will continue to mature.  It drinks grat on its own now but another few years and it might still improve.  Either way, it has at least ten to fifteen more years at the top.  This will work well with roasted fowl, pasta or casseroles.  

From a magnum.  A blend of Corvinone (40%), Corvina Grossa (25%) and Rondinella (20%).  Opened and allowed to breathe for about one and a half hours before pouring.  Bussola is in my mind, a close third on the hierarchy of Amarone producers (following Quintarelli and Dal Forno).  His wines are pricey but doable.  This is his base bottling.  Purple in color with some ruby.

Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, cherries, bell pepper and slight spice.  On the palate, this is a bit candied (cherry) with some fresh cherries.  There is no bell pepper on the palate.  Medium finish.  This is an easy drinking red that is a nice value.  It should be drunk in the next three to five years.  Pairs nicely with pasta or pizza.  

This is always one of the really good values in Zinfandel.  It is consistently a solid wine in every vintage and this is no exception.  A blend of 87% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Syrah and 1% mixed reds.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, sandalwood and slight bramble.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Cherries and black cherries.  Slight tannins.  Easy drinking.  This will work great with burgers or pizza.  It should be drunk in the next three to five years.