Red Blends

Ravenswood Pickberry Red Wine 2008

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Mar 202013
 
2008 Ravenswood Pickberry Red Wine, Single Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain, CA, $50 (S) – Rating 92

A single-vineyard blend of 59% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherries and a heap of peppery spices combine for a rich and luxurious nose. A deep and somewhat complex wine offering flavors dark berry fruit, ripe plums, blackberry and ripe blueberry with a nice earthiness component. Moderate but well integrated tannins with moderate acidity. Pleasant hints of espresso in the finish. Be patient…let this wine open for at least an hour. Buy This Wine

Martin Estate Bacchanal 2009

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Mar 092013
 
2009 Martin Estate Bacchanal, A Napa Valley Red Wine, CA, $48 (S) – Rating 90

A big red blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, plum and dark berries with notes of leather and cocoa. On the palate expect flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and plum with lots of dark spice and hints of white pepper. The tannins are well defined and notes of espresso add complexity to the finish. Buy This Wine

Moone-Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend 2009

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Feb 262013
 
2009 Moone-Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend, Napa Valley, Ca, $85 (S) – Rating 91

A huge fragrant nose of black fruit, licorice, dark spice and eucalyptus. A powerful blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet, typical of Howell Mountain fruit. The wine excites the palate with big flavors of black fruit, black cherry, espresso and cacao with definite earthy notes. Plenty of food pairing acidity to give a med-rare filet a run for its money. Buy This Wine

Buena Vista Winery The Count Founder’s Red Wine 2008

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Jan 132013
 
2008 Buena Vista Winery The Count Founder’s Red Wine, Sonoma, CA, $20 (S) – Rating 89

An excellent Go-To $20 red blend at a value price. Blended from Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, the winemaker pulled the best attributes of each. A nose of black cherry and dark chocolate is the prelude to this crowd-pleasing wine with soft tannins and a touch of fruitiness. Flavors are reminiscent of dark chocolate covered black cherries, ripe plum, blackberry and dark spice with notes of espresso on the long finish. Buy this Wine

Ceja Vineyards Vino de Casa 2009

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Jan 022013
 
2009 Ceja Vineyards Vino de Casa, Red Wine, Napa Valley, CA, $20 (S) – Rating 89

A real “Go-To” red blend with enough acidity to compliment most any meal or just enjoy while cooking with friends. A fun nose of blueberry, plum and dark berry fruit. Fruit forward flavors of blueberry, blackberry and raspberry with notes of spice and smoke are balanced with soft tannins and mouth-watering acidity on the long finish. Paired perfectly with Mexican chorizo stuffed mushrooms! Buy This Wine

Trione Vineyards & Winery Alexander Valley Red Wine 2008

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Nov 132012
 
2008 Trione Vineyards & Winery Alexander Valley Red Wine, Geyersville Ranch, Ca, $48 (S) – Rating 92

A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Petite Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. This richly intense wine with plenty of fruit needs at least an hour in the decanter to unfold its true potential. Patience is rewarded with a nose of blueberry, ripe plum, ripe raspberry and jammy pie spice. The complex flavor profile includes notes of blueberry, ripe raspberry, dark cherry, baking spice and toasty oak. Supple tannins and good acidity makes for good winter dish food pairing. A long finish with notes of dark chocolate. Buy This Wine

Distant Cellars Winery – Amador County, CA

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Nov 112012
 
Distant Cellars is a new family owned (4 brothers and dad) winery. These are their first efforts. They show great potential for future vintages.
2009 Distant Cellars Winery Prospect Zinfandel, Fiddletown, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 87

A blend of Zinfandel from two vineyards (75% estate fruit) with a hint of Alicante Bouschet.  The nose offers notes of cherry, red berries and chocolate coming together with a certain jamminess. Flavors of dark cherry and dark berries are accented with notes of mint, chocolate and dark spice. Let the wine decant to soften the acidity and bold tannins. Buy This Wine

2009 Distant Cellars Winery “Drifter” Red Wine Blend, Amador County, CA, $28 (S) – Rating 3.8

This blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Alicante Bouschet offers a robust nose of dark cherry pie, spice and a little leather giving way to round flavors of dark cherry, ripe raspberry and spice with notes of saddle leather and dark chocolate. Tannins soften with decanting. Buy This Wine

Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee 2009

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Oct 282012
 
2009 Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee, Sonoma County, CA, $24 (S) – Rating 88

A good-value go-to red blend. Very easy drinking with soft and inviting tannins. A nice nose of blueberry, cherry and dark spice. On the palate resides the same dark fruit and cherry flavors with added notes of coca, tobacco box and espresso on the finish. Best after decanting for about 15 minutes. Buy This Wine

Nickel & Nickel C. C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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Oct 012012
 
2008 Nickel & Nickel C. C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, CA, $95 (S) – Rating 92

Opens with a robust nose of blueberry and plum. The full mouth-feel in this 100% Cabernet is accentuated with flavors of dark cherry and dark berry fruit with complex notes of espresso, chocolate and toasty oak. Definite hints of typical Rutherford earthiness combined with well-integrated tannins add character in the long finish. Buy This Wine

August Ridge Vineyards Jovial 2007

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Aug 092012
 
2007 August Ridge Vineyards Jovial, Estate Grown, Paso Robles, CA, $42 (S) – Rating 89

A big Super-Tuscan blend of 64% Sangiovese, 16% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of dark berries, black cherry, tobacco box and a hint of campfire smoke. The palate flavors remind me of black cherry pie with plenty of dark spice combined with rustic notes of cinnamon, saddle leather and smoke. Plenty of acidity to pair with flavorful red meat or game dishes.

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