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This is 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mixed Blacks (a vineyard blend of dark red grapes).  This is a different take on Zinfandel from a cooler climate vineyard.  The wine was still able to get to 14.9% Alc due to a long growing season.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has sour cherries.  There is also a black olive note which is very nice and likely from Rhone varietals as part of the mixed black make up.  In addition, there is a classic bramble and black pepper note.  Slight tannins on the wine.  This is a more elegant side of Zinfandel.  Black cherry fruit.  Some depth but a lot of intensity that

Wow.  It has been a while since I have tried any of the single vineyard wines from Ravenswood.  This is great!  Really glad to revisit these.  Made in Dry Creek Valley on gravelly clay loam soils.  15.1% Alc but no hint of it.  Ruby/purple in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is earthy and dusty with black cherries and a bit of pepper.  With air, an underlying char shows thru.  On the palate, this is soft and smooth.  It starts easy which is nice before picking up weight.  Sour black cherries and some blueberries.  The mid-palate has some black licorice too.  Plenty of depth here.  Medium

This is a vineyard blend from an older vineyard in Sonoma.  This is how wine used to be grown as opposed to blending in the winery.  Sometimes in these older vineyards, its not clear what is growing without doing DNA tests on each vine.  This vineyard has 60% Zinfandel, 25% Carignane and 15% comprised of 22 othr varietals.  The wine is purple with ruby swirls.

This is their basic Cabernet in addition to the single vineyard wines that they make.  It sells for around $65.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice.  More black cherry, some cassis and with air some plum.  Also spice and slight cedar.  It sounds lighter perhaps from those descriptors, but that is certainly not the case.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Plenty of black cherry fruit along with some cassis.  Very intense and focused right now.  It opens nicely in the glass.  Nice finish.  This should improve a bit over the next few years as it matures and comes to

This is their basic wine (they also make some single vineyard releases).  it sells for around $65.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with cassis, cedar, some chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a nice juicy acidity.  Firm tannins at this point.  Cassis, slight chocolate and spice.  Long finish.  Still quite young, this needs another three years to open and really won't peak for ten.  That said, it is delicious now with some air.  Certainly some upside improvement likely.  

I love Carlisle Zinfandels.  Mike Officer makes a bunch of them, but this is my favorite one.  Purple in color.  The nose has some bramble, dark cherries and a bit of pepper.  What i find I like consistently from vintage to vintage, however, is the texture.  It is round, lush, and delicious without being over the top.  Black cherries, raspberries, and black licorice.  No heat.  Each sip makes we want to take another.  It is food friendly, but these seem to go down too quickly.  Its hard to not gulp.  This should age easily for another five years and probably ten or more.  

Opened and allowed to breathe for 12 hours before serving.  It could have used double that.  That said, this is a spectacular Syrah from one of the best, if young track record, producers.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and slight roasted herbs, violets and yet still black olives.  On the palate, a wonderful texture.  Great purity of fruit; black raspberries with some black pepper, char and slight meatiness.  Deep, it unwinds in the glass.  Pin point balance.  Worked great with food.  Spectacular wine.  

This was fun as it is by far the oldest KB wine I have had.  It is still quite a big wine especially for a Sonoma Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, slight roasted herbs and black pepper.  very nice.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper, some char, some earth.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  Slight heat.  It is drinking just fine at this point and probably at peak.  Some depth, but a lot but plenty of delicious fruit left.  Worked fine with food.  Seems to easily have five to ten more years.  

Russell Bevan makes one of the best California Sauvignon Blancs but this may be the best vintage yet.  Pop and pour and this was off and running.  Light golden in color, slight green.  Gorgeous nose of tangerine, floral notes, slight vanilla and caramel.  With air, a bit of clean pine as well.  Great texture.  Slightly oily, full bodied and lush.  Deep and powerful.  Flavors of tangerine, pine, vanilla and slight papaya.  Persistent and fresh.  Worked great with food.  Got better with air.  At around $35, this is well priced.  

I believe this is a $5 wine from Trader Joe's (at least it used to be).  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries.  On the palate, this is light with cherry jam flavors.  Some heat on the finish.  I suppose for $5 there is good value here.  Nice choice for people on a budget.  Seems to be holding up ok, not sure how much life it has left.