Very nice showing for this wine.  It is in a great place right now.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, coffee, cedar and graphite.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Mature but plenty of time left.  Complex and deep.  Flavors of cassis, cocoa, spice and nice minerality.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next ten years or so.  Besides the usual spices, this would work well with bacon wrapped steaks. 

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot made with Estate grown fruit.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, clay, slight plums, spice and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Complex and deep.  It could use some time to develop.  It will improve with some cellaring but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  This would go nicely with Grilled Stuffed Portobellos.  

This is Heidi Barrett's winery.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Ripe, lush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well and should for at least another ten years.  This would actually work well with smoke/spicy Tofu for those looking for vegetarian ideas.  

Inky purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is big with cassis, dust and spice.  Great texture.  Very tannic.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, chocolate, graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is open and delicious.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Classic Cabernet pairings would work well but also maybe a Mushroom Risotto.  

This is a wine from the late Dennis Malbec.    Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, chocolate, cedar and spice.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  Flavors of cassis with some graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten years at least.  Great drinking on its own, this would work well with Roasted Eggplant dishes (and of course, beef).  

Most of the fruit for this is estate fruit from Spring Mountain.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, iron, iodine and spice.  Softer texture than expected.  Flavors of cassis, cedar and chocolate.  Some heat on the finish.  Overall a nice Cab but it needs a bit more time to come together.  Hold for a few years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  A nice wine to pair with Braised Lamb Shanks.

Dow has a long history with Port wines, but over the last few decades they have been making great strides with still red and white wines. They have consistently produced quality still wines that I have reviewed for several vintages. Their “everyday” red and white wines from Vale do Bomfim - line priced at a mere $15 - are terrific quality for the price. This red, a blend of traditional Port grapes not made into a sweet wine, includes Touriga Nacional (40%), Tina Roriz (30%) and smaller amounts of Tinta Franca and Tinta Barroca.

A new winery for me, but this is excellent.  In a recent tasting of Mountain cabs it finished first.   It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet France, 7% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis cedar and spice.  Full bodied.

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens to shows cedar, cassis, graphite and slight chocolate.  Soft texture.  On the palate, dark cherries and cassis with some chocolate and char.  Some black licorice on the finish. This is drinking well right now.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  A nice with a chunky stew.  

Sadly an off bottle.  This was pretty well oxidized.  Likely a faulty cork.  Other bottles in the case had shown much better.