A very consistent wine from vintage to vintage.  This is a big wine that drinks more "new world'.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, char, spice, slight blueberries and a hint of roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is up-front and delicious.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some smoke and spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another twenty years.  Great on its own, this works well with big flavors.  It can stand up to chorizo sausages.  

From Mike Officer's home vineyard, another in the Carlisle collection of excellent Zinfandels.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight leather and citrus.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, and spice.  Some minty on the finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or ribs off the grill.  

Palisades is one of the best Petite Sirah Vineyards anywhere.  Now, that is somewhat a backhanded compliment as there just aren't that many of those vineyards.  Still, this is one worth checking out.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, juicy black raspberries with underlying gravel and char.  Long finish.  This is very young and although approachable, it will get better.  It could really use about ten years in the cellar.  Patience will be rewarded.  In any event, this makes good drinking

This is their basic Gewurztraminer (they have many higher end ones worth exploring).  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lychees, slight minerality, and lemon peel.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is pretty much dry.  Notes of lemon and minerals.  Great texture.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next few years.  Very nice on its own, this will work nicely with Thai food.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, bramble and black pepper. Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity. On the palate, this is upfront with good black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well now and should for another five to eight years.  A nice wine with pizza.  

The label lists this as 33 year old vines.  Great showing.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cola, cherries, spice and slight earthiness.  Wonderful round texture.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, this seems to be at peak.  Black cherries with slight cherries and a bit of spice.  No signs of age but certainly mature.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

The label proclaims the grapes were from 20 year old vines.  What a treat to taste this at age 29.  Drinking beautifully.  Ruby color, clear and bright.  Just the barest tinge or browning.  The nose is great with cherries, slight rhubarb, slight cola, dust and spice.  Medium bodied.  This is mature but if it is past, it hides it very well.  Impressive.  The palate has cherries, rhubarb and an underlying earthiness.  Complex.  Nice finish.  This seems like it would still have life left but given bottle variation with older wines, be prudent.  Nice on its own or with food.  This deserves a ni

Jamie Kutch makes some of the best values in top quality (expensive) Pinot Noir.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is good with cherries, char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Tannins seems fully integrated.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and just a bit of char.  Good balance.  Long finish with a slight green herbal note.  Delicious. This is still young but closing in on maturity.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work well with fowl or pork.  It would also go great with Vietnamese food.  

The definition of a feminine Pinot Noir.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is beautiful with cherries, slight strawberry, char and earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Almost delicate but too persistent.  Cherries, slight black cherries, with spice and forest floor.  Long finish.  This is near maturity but may have a bit more to go.  it should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own, probably better with food.  Pan Roasted duck with wild mushrooms would be perfect.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens with air.  Sweaty with a burnt note along with cherries and slight cola.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, sweet black cherry fruit.  Deep.  This drinks very easy but it has a complexity that should come out with age.  This drinks well today and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with food.  Mushroom pizza would be a great match.