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This is an intriguing Viognier.  Much of California Viognier comes off as alcoholic or hot and certainly lacks the floral lightness of many of the Rhone counterparts.  This bottle strikes a middle round which is quite nice.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lots of grapefruit with a bit of a floral quality (white flowers?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has a grapefruit juice quality but a bit livelier that say a Sauvignon Blanc.  Not really showing any age at the moment, still, I would drink this sooner than later to enjoy the freshness.  It will go well with all but the heavies

This is an intense and concentrated wine.  While it is drinking well today, proper cellaring will be rewarded.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, coffee and iron.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Deep but tight.  Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice.  Long finish.  It needs about seven to ten years until peak and should be good for fifteen after that.  It drinks well today on its own and will work with bigger foods.  

Sojourn makes some might fine Pinot Noir, this one included.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is bit but pretty with sour cherries, rhubarb, and earl grey tea.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Layers of sour cherries and forest floor.  Clean.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  This will work well with lighter foods and heavier sea foods and fowl.  It is drinking well now but should last another decade or more.   

Torrin is a winery that despite critical acclaim, never seems to get the buzz of others from Paso Robles.  I guess that good as the prices remain reasonable and the wines obtainable.  Not that they are inexpensive.  But they are great!  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight smoke, and some roasted herbs and meat.  Wonderful texture.  This, juicy yet lively.  On the palate, this is still young.  Firm tannins.  It is drinking very well yet, it seems like there is a lot of development still to come.  It has at least another five years until peak.  It shoul

I am a huge fan of Rivers Marie Cabernets.  They make a bunch of single vineyard ones, but this "base" one is always great.  And for Napa, it is a good value.  The release price was $65.  This took some time to open but after an hour or so, it was singing.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, and some coffee.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Cassis over coffee grounds.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This will likely last as long as the single vineyard wines, another decade easily, probably two.  It is delicious on its own right now but should gain in complexity as it mature

What a beauty.  This wine is drinking great and while it may age gracefully, it won't get more enjoyable for my tastes.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has red licorice, black cherries, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy acidity.  Lots of cherry fruit over a bit of char.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own.  Gulpable.  It will work with roasted or grilled meats, veggies or fowl but needs bigger foods.  It should be at this level for another five years and then start morphing into more of a claret style.  

Wow.  This is a wine that is rarely reviewed but just excellent.  Right up there with anything Napa produces.  Opened for my birthday dinner because it also goes great with food.  Deep purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice, slight cedar and plums.  With air, a bit of iodine.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Deep and complex.  Young with firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice and slight char.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This will no doubt continue to evolve over the next decade and closer to two.  It reminds me of St.

 Wow.  Great showing for this wine.  It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot.  A candidate for Wine of the Year.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is deep and complex with cassis, blueberries, gravel, slight cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Full bodied with supple tannins.  Wonderful balance.  Cassis, over a slight dry earth and charred wood.  Long finish.  This went great with a seared Tofu dish but would be great with steak or a roast.  It is still young and will develop but won't get better - just different.  

Holy smokes.  I love this wine, but this was the best showing for it yet.  Light golden/green in color.  Lemon cream, vanilla and slight smoke on the nose.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture which is great.  Crisp acidity.  The lemon and vanilla come thru over a slight charred wood quality.  Deep and complex, this is the most developed bottle I have had although certainly not old.  Layers of fruit, wood and char.  Long finish.  Went great with roasted Shihitto peppers.  If this is a glimpse where this is heading then patience will be rewarded but no harm in opening now.  

My first time trying this Zinfandel.  Its a very nice "middle of the road" in style, Zin.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cedar and slight bramble.  On the palate, this has good acidity.  Not strong but enough to support the fruit.  Overall it is softer on the palate, but the black cherry fruit comes thru.  Good finish.  It drinks well on its own and would work with all sorts of casual food.  I think it is best to drink in the next few years, but it wouldn't be surprising if this is drinking well, albeit in a claret style, in ten years.