This robust blend offers a lot of punch in relation to its relatively modest price. Blended from Syrah, Petite Sirah,...
Hill Top Winery, San Diego County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
This is a quite successful rendering of Cabernet Sauvignon, showing plenty of aroma and flavor without any excess weight,...
Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi (California) Albarino 2016
This is a very big wine for an Albariño, with a lot more ripeness and weight than you’ll find in classic renditions...
Pear Valley, Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) Tempranillo 2014
The Tempranillo grapes from which this wine was made seem to have been very, very happy in Paso Robles. The wine gets off...
Darjean Jones, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Franc 2014
An excellent rendition of Cabernet Franc, this shows medium-plus body appropriate to the variety. Not as thick or heavy as...
Tertulia Cellars, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) Carmenere 2013
This is a very serious Carmenere that shows all the variety’s best attributes (very dark, intense blackberry fruit)...
Graton Ridge Cellars, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Lifted scents of pie cherries and tomato leaf show a bright character, but a delicious layer of sweetness shows full ripeness...
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection, California (United States) Pinot Grigio 2016
One could argue whether this is closer to the profile of a northeastern Italian Pinot Grigio or a New World Pinot Gris, but...
Avinodos, Coombsville, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
This youthful Cabernet shows very successful balance between sweet-seeming blackberry and black cherry fruit and fine grape...
Miguel Aime Pouget, Mendoza (Argentina) Malbec 2016
This youthful Malbec from Argentina shows all of this variety’s virtues with none of the vices that sometimes afflict the...
Giovinazzo, California (United States) Nero d’Avola 2015
This wine won’t confuse you into thinking you tasting something from Sicily rather than California, but with that noted,...
Mirassou Sun, California (United States) Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
A terrific value, this performs very well based on interplay between fully ripe, slightly sweet fruit, soft tannins, and fresh...