Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles (California) 2015

 This soft, succulent red will charm novices with its texture even as it impresses aficionados with its complexity.  A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, it shows ripe fruit without seeming over-ripe, with accents of dried herbs and baking spices lending layering to the aromas and flavors.  There’s just enough tannic grip in the finish to help this work with robust foods, but not so much that this can’t be enjoyed as a stand-alone sipper.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2018 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge.