Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is dusty with tart bing cherries. On the palate, the tart cherries continue along with some plums. This has some depth to it. Light tannins. Drinks easily with nice acidity. This will work with a wide variety of foods. It does have the slightest bit of sweetness to it. Enough to notice, but not enough that is an issue one way or another. Retails for around $16 or less. Made from organic grapes.
Purple/ruby in color. The nose is nice with dusty cherries, raspberries and carob. On the palate, this has a nice acidity. Soft texture. Some complexity. Raspberry fruit with underlying dry earthiness. Good finish. Served to a group, this was quite a crowd pleaser among wine lover (not wine geeks). This should be pretty versatile with most foods. This retails for $25 which is a very nice value in California Merlot.
Bonterra wines are made from organically farmed grapes. This is a blend of mostly Merlot and Petite Sirah. It is a different take, a bit lighter and easier, but a delicious and well priced wine. Deep ruby in color, lighter at the rim, mostly clear and bright. The nose has raspberries and cranberries with a bit of char. On the palate, this has raspberries and candied cherries with an underlying char. Some complexity. This is clean and easy drinking. It is not likely to get any better but should be good over the next three to five years. It drinks well on its own and will work with f
This is an excellent wine. A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot with grapes from Atlas Peak and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Consumed over two days, this was better on Day 2. Purple in color. On day one, the nose shows black cherries, slight cedar and a clove/bitters quality to it that is very interesting. On the palate, this is not a big, bold wine. Rather, there are plenty of concentrated fruits, mostly cherries and black cherries with a slight bitterness (again in a good way) to it. On Day 2 (re-corked and left on the counter), this wine really open
Luna made some nice wines. This was certainly one. Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, milk chocolate, spice, and slight plums. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is easy drinking but also has some depth. Chocolate covered cherries with a slight bit of undergrowth. Good finish. Nice on its own, this is a classic burger wine as well. Drink over the next ten years.
This is from grapes that are grown 63% IN Napa and 37% in Sonoma. It also contains 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a difficult vintage, yet this is a nice wine. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries and coffee. Also a hint of clove. Medium bodied. On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some underlying spice. A slight green note on the finish. Nice acidity. The fruit is not under ripe but just barely. This drinks well but will work better with food. Fried chicken might be nice. Drink over the next few years.
