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Nice to revisit this classic wine.  It has been a long time.  This varies widely in pricing from $25 to $40 at retail.  Purple in color.  The nose has the classic Rutherford dust along with some cassis.  Also a bit of an herbal note.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet cassis fruit.  it drinks easy and is ready right now.  No tannins.  Shorter finish.  It is a fund for immediate drinking and over the next five years.  

I haven't had this in a few years but it hasn't changed it seems.  This retails for around $25 and for people who like this style, this is a great price point.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black raspberries and cherries in a very perfumed liqueur package.  Also plenty of "toasty oak".   On the palate, this is warm but juicy.  Plenty of red berry pie filling.  Plenty of toast and spice.  Medium tannins.  Easily gulpable.  More of a love it or hate wine perhaps, but those who love it will drink bottles (and add 2 or 3 points to the score) and for those who don't, one glass will sti

Carlisle makes great reds at fair prices, but they also make a variety of whites as well.  Gruner Veltliner is the grape of Austria, but this is a bit of a different take from California.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  It has pineapple, asparagus and minerals.  Deep and interesting and clean.  On the palate, the pineapple carries thru a bit on the attack.  The asparagus and minerals pick up from there.  Nice slightly oily texture.  Then some citrus/lime on the finish.  Very refreshing but more than just that.  Very food friendly.  Consumed over two nights, it was pro

This wine seems to be hitting a nice stride.  Certainly a long life left depending on how you like your Cabs.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, some spice, a little chocolate, and slight blueberries.  On the palate, this is dense and concentrated.  A little jammy.  Cassis, slight plums, blueberries and also a bit of dry earth and char.  Medium tannins.  Deep with some complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  May improve a bit but it is outstanding right now.  

This is starting to come into its own but still is young and really needs more time.  Pop and pour, this should have been decanted.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, an underlying char with some peppery notes.  On the palate, this is concentrated but has a lot of black raspberry fruit.  Dense.  Medium tannins.  Worked well with spicy Chile Relenos.  It could use a few more years of cellaring and there is some slight upside for that.  

Halcon is making great wines just north of Napa in the Yorkville Highlands.  The wines are stunning values and everyone should sign up for their mailing list and e-mails.  This is a cooler climate Syrah and 2011 was even a bit cooler than typical.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight bacon fat, grilled herbs and a floral note.  There is concentrated fruit but this is more about the minerality.  Complex, this is not yet at peak but getting close.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with some tannins.  Black raspberry fruit.  Sinewy texture.  Great acidity.  Nice finish

Jaffurs makes a lot of wine, this is their basic Syrah and it is one of my favorite value wines from California.  77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 9% Petite Sirah and the Mourvèdre.  This is warm climate Syrah that will drink early and cellar well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, grilled meats, slight black pepper and a bit of roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It is delicious and always a crowd pleaser.  Deep with complexity that opens in the glass but will emerge with more cellaring.  Great on its own or with hearty of fatty foods.  Definite upside potentia

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cassis and chocolate.  Slightly tart acidity.  Cassis.  Tannins are all resolved.  This certainly seems at peak or close to it.  Nice fruit.  Some complexity.  Drink up.  This is not a big fruity wine and likely never was.  More Bordeaux-esque in style.  Still it is very good if not for everyone.  

Groth is one of those wineries that used to get a lot of buzz.  Now, they are somewhat yesterday's news although the truth is, Groth is still making excellent California Cabernet and deserves to still be in the conversation.  This one was from Magnum.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with nice cassis fruit.  Some baking spice as well.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Probably not at peak yet.  Complex layers of cassis and spice with some dry earth.  Medium tannins.  There is a strong backbone of acidity here that is helped by fatty foods.  Nice finish.  At around

This is a great take on Zinfandel using mountain fruit which gives it a bit more concentration and less exuberance.  Purple in color.  The nose  has black raspberries, some blueberries, a bit of bramble and spice and slight black pepper.  On the palate, this has a great dense and lush texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  This is still young and should broaden out over the next decade with cellaring.  That said, it presents a really powerful and enjoyable Zinfandel right now as well.  Works with hearty foods.