Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2016

 Any wine drinker who gravitates toward beautifully made full-flavored red wines will love “The Mariner,” and they may especially love the 2016 vintage.  With its generally moderate temperatures, this was a year that seemed especially designed to produce grapes that yielded ripe flavors, lower sugars and good acidity.  Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend also includes Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and a little Cabernet Franc.  Still youthful, this is a powerful wine to be sure, showing off dark fruit flavors (notably berries and plums) accented by cedar spice.