Michael-David, Lodi (California) Cinsault 2010

 Kevin Phillips, VP of Operations for Michael-David, also manages the 127-year-old Bechthold Vineyard, believed to be the oldest Cinsault vineyard in the world. This wine takes those lively grapes and runs them through the oak-driven Michael-David style. The grapes win: while you smell plenty of oak, it’s not as strong on the palate, which is mostly fresh Bing cherry with very nice acidity. It’s an intense wine and perhaps the oak will make it even more interesting a few years down the road, but it’s pretty nice now.