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From a 375ML.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, nice cassis flavors.  Not too ripe but nothing green.  Depth.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should drink well for another seven to ten years.  It drinks well on its own and would be a nice wine with a burger.  

This is the basic Pinot Noir from the home winery of winemaker Thomas Rivers-Brown.  An excellent value in Pinot Noir.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and sour cherries with some char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Some depth.  Lots of cherry and sour cherry notes.  Long finish.  This will improve with a few years in the cellar though it drinks nicely now.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with Roasted Chicken.  

Having run several wine departments, a question I’m always asked is, Is there an inexpensive Pinot Noir that’s any good? Answer: Yes. Pinot is not an easy grape to work with and it becomes more expensive given its inconsistent growing qualities. However Laetitia has a proved  track record with Pinot Noir and has made a solid, comprehensive and affordable Pinot from California’s Central Coast. The 2021 provides notes of strawberry, black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, along with mild tannins, good acidity and a hint of vanilla spice.

This is my personal favorite of the Zinfandels in the Carlisle lineup.  It seems a bit softer yet plenty of fruit and depth.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black raspberries, char and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and spice.  Great texture.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  Great on its own, this is a nice match with a (Veggie) Burger.  

This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, chocolate, slight blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is deep, complex and layered as it unwinds in the glass.  Great texture.  Flavors of black cherries and chocolate with a bit of char and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is young but drinking well.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work with foods.  Roasted chicken would be a nice matc

Andremily makes some of the best Rhone varietal wines anywhere.  This on is 92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 3% Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with  plums, black cherries, coffee, spice and anise.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, plums and anise.  Some coffee/chocolate add to the finish.  Drinking well now if still a bit young.  This should drink well for another ten to fifteen years (and probably more).  Great on its own, this would go very well with a cassoulet.  

This is is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, pencil lead, cedar and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a big but not over sized Cab.  Lots of cassis with some char and minerality.  Drinking well now but may still improve a bit.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this would be a classic pairing with a roast or steak.  

This is a blend of 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah, and 9% Petite Sirah.      Purple in color with some ruby hues.  Opaque and dark.  The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, cherries, char and spice. Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is drinking at peak and delicious.  Complex and deep.  Notes of black cherries, cherries, and plums with underlying asphalt/gravel.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  Great on its own, this will need big food.  Ribs off the grill would be a good match.  

Tensley is an excellent source for excellent wines at fair pricing.  This one is a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache.  This was a Magnum only release.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and a hint of floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberry fruit with some pepper and underlying char.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  Very nice on its own, this would also be nice with roasted vegetables.  

Of course, this is the "It" wine right now as it was just named the Wine Spectator Wine of the Year.  It proved to be love or hate at a recent tasting with many rating it as their favorite and a few putting it closer to the bottom.  Of course, even the later voters thought it was a fine wine overall.  It also proved pretty easy to pick out blind as most or the group was able to.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has a strong cotton candy note (others said sweet tarts or "Smarties) along with some cassis.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palat