This is 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) from Ribera del Duero in Spain.  Deep garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is more classic with black cherries, cherries, anise, slight coffee and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Loads of red cherries with some black cherries along with a bit of coffee and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  This would work well with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This is a beautiful 100% Tinto del Pais (Tempranillo) from Ribera del Duero in Spain.  It is a great example of the style of wine often found in RdD these days.  It's a bit more "modern" and fruit forward than classic Rioja (the region next door).  Purple in color with a think ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cherries, black raspberries, fresh tobacco, baking spice and slight char.  Great energy and balance.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, this is big but not overdone.  Delicious.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, char

With vineyards in both Santa Cruz and Mendocino counties, Rhys can pull from a variety of sources to make a variety of Pinot Noir. With Bearwallow, their vineyard in the Anderson Valley, there is a delicate and quite lovely feel to this – something as smooth as silk. The softness texturally belies its layered complexity. Yes there is the requisite black cherry, boysenberry, loganberry and light strawberry, but there is also black tea leaf, light resin and sandalwood.

Back around the turn of the century, I drank a lot of this wine from the 90's and the 00's.  For no reason in particular, it fell off my radar, so it was fun to revisit this.  And, I plan on buying more.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great.  Powerful with black raspberries, cedar, black pepper, spice, dust and slight gravel notes.  Firm tannins.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries, black cherries, some gravel and spice.  Long finish.  This is a big wine but not over blown.  Fresh with lots of energy.  This is nice on its  own and will work well with

This is mostly Tempranillo but also has 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (according to the label).  This is everything one wants in a Gran Reserva including a reasonable price!  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and forest floor.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity and depth.  Flavors of cherries, black cherries, wild herbs, spice and slight tobacco notes.  Long finish.  Mature but plenty of life left.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  This  is great on its

This is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo from Rioja in Spain.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, vanilla, spice, and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cherries, slight charred cherries, spice and forest floor notes.  Some complexity and depth.  This shows some maturity but there is room for further development.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  This is nice on its own and has an introspective quality but also will work well with food.  A nice wine with stews or

One of the  best values in top Chianti, this is fairly priced, ageable and outstanding.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood, spice, slight anise and black cherries.  Medium bodied.  Excellent acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries with some black cherries, anise and spice.  Long finish.  This is very nice on its own but it is made for food.  It will work with most foods (not seafood) and is a great choice with pasta or pizza.  Drink over the next twenty years.  

From the people who brought you Pingus.  This is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha.  It is a big, fruit forward wine.  Inky purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is meaty with black raspberries, black cherries, white pepper and wild herbs.  Medium tannins.  Full bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black cherries with some black raspberries, spice and char.  Long finish.  Although young, this has nice depth and complexity.  It is drinking nicely but will improve with some short terms cellaring.  Hold for a couple of years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.

Chateau Musar is an amazing winery located in Lebanon.  This is their introductory value wine.  It is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard with vines averaging 30 years of age.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, balsamic (volatile acidity?), black olives and black raspberries.  Complex.  Ripe.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, black cherries, black raspberries and a bit of raisin.  Long finish.  For the money, this is a great value.  This is drinking well now

This was a staple around 15 or 20 years ago.  It was the "value" wine in the Palacios portfolio, but I hadn't tried it in years.  It is a blend of 72% Garnacha and 28% Carinena.   Tasted blind, the guess was Chateauneuf du Pape.  For a wine of this quality, it is still nicely priced especially for a wine from Priorat.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, wild herbs and spices.  Great texture.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries, black cherries, slight char and spice.  Long finish.  This drinks well now and s