Sue Straight – The Wine Wench

I have always thought of Zinfandel as the Labrador Retriever of the wine world, because
it is a big, juicy, happy tail-waggin’ kind of wine that almost everyone loves. It is incredibly versatile and many Zinfandels are reasonably priced.

Zinfandel is considered California’s red wine grape because it is not well known in the rest of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought to California in the mid 1800s.
Zinfandel pairs well with many foods, including grilled salmon, seared Ahi tuna, pizza, hamburgers, spicy pasta dishes and grilled vegetables.

The following seven Zinfandels rocked my world:

Five Stars
Edmeades
2007 Mendocino County $20
This wine is big, plush, sassy, spicy and stylish – think Queen Latifah packed into a black leather dress, eating a slab of warm blackberry pie with her hands and you get the picture. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, raspberry, plum, cocoa and peppery spice abound, all zipped into a balanced, complex mouthfeel. A total steal for $20!

Five Stars
Manzanita Creek
2005 Stealth, Alexander Valley $55
Note the 2005 vintage on this wine – it is showing really well! Generally, Zinfandels aren’t known for their age-ability, but this bad boy is simply gorgeous! Big, graceful and powerful, like Pau Gasol loping down the court, this Zinfandel has what it takes to go the distance. Aromas and flavors of blackberry jam, caramel and pepper delight the senses. A worthy splurge!

Five Stars
Manzanita Creek
2007 Carreras Ranch, Dry Creek Valley $42
As spicy as Lady Gaga’s Rolling Stone cover shot, this is another rockin’ good Zin from Manzanita Creek! Brown spices, molasses, pepper, plum and citrus set the stage, from the first sniff, through the huge, juicy mouth and on through the finish. Yum!

Four Stars
Dancing Bull
2008, CA $9
OK, I admit it – I’m a huge fan of Dancing Bull and Rancho Zabaco wines, because they consistently make excellent, varietally correct wines at bargain prices and this Zin is no exception to the rule. One sniff brought images of blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with cinnamon and black pepper to mind and made my mouth water. These aromas continue as flavors with good intensity and linger through the finish. Buy some. Buy some now!

Four Stars
Murphy-Goode
2007 Liar’s Dice, Sonoma County $21
This tasty Zin should come with a warning label because it is entirely too easy to drink! Aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry are enhanced by a pinch of peppery spice. The mouth is luscious and full bodied and chock full of black fruit and spice flavors. Oh Yeah!

Four Stars
Sierra Vista
2007 Reeves Vineyard, El Dorado $22
Wow! This pretty Zin packs a plethora of pepper! Aromas of white and black pepper, raspberry and blackberry with a hint of rose petals lure the taster into a juicy mouthful of consistent flavors. Absolutely mouthwatering!

Four Stars
Sierra Vista
2007 El Dorado $15
Juicy raspberry, cherry, orange peel, rose petals and pepper play nicely together in the nose and in the layered, medium bodied silky mouth. Simply gorgeous, and a great price too! Delicious!

Pinot Noir is like that childhood poem about the girl with the curl on her forehead “When she was good, she was very, very good and when she was bad, she was horrid.” Done well, Pinot Noir can be complex, elegant, voluptuous, silky, sexy and multi-faceted. Done poorly, Pinot Noir can be funkier than James Brown, stemmy, weedy, thin and tart.

Please note – sometimes a winery will send me a few of the same varietal (in this case, Pinot Noir) from different vineyard designations and/or vintages. If the wines are good, I’ll write about all of them. If they aren’t good, I won’t. Gotta be fair, you know!

I had the pleasure of tasting a goodly handful of Pinot Noirs from all over California. The following wines were my favorites:

Panel Favorite!
Five Stars
Sojourn
2008 Sonoma Coast $38
OK, I’ll admit it – It’s a good thing I taste sitting down, because this wine literally made my knees get weak! Mouthwatering aromas of juicy, ripe cherry, rose petals, forest floor and brown spices lure the taster into a silky, sexy mouthful of consistent flavors that linger through the finish. Oh yeah!

Five Stars
Sojourn
2008 Sangiacamo Vineyard, Sonoma Coast $47
This wine reminded me of how much I love my job – it is truly a pleasure to taste wines of this caliber! Aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry, vanilla and spice box abound, all wrapped up in a seamlessly smooth mouthfeel. Gorgeous!

Four Stars
Sojourn
2008 Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast $47
Picture walking through a rose garden, eating a big slice of strawberry/rhubarb pie with a graham cracker crust and you’re almost there! This wine is absolutely delicious, from first sniff, through the luscious juicy finish. Yum!

Four Stars
Hahn
2008 Monterey $12
Really pretty wine and a bargain at that! The nose is sassy and spicy, with pepper, clove and cinnamon, balanced by black cherry and rose petal notes. The mouth is satiny-smooth and layered with cherry, vanilla, spice and floral flavors. This is a fantastic Pinot and the price can’t be beat!

Iron Horse
2008 Russian River Valley $50
This Pinot Noir is, in the words of Richard Thompson, “fine as a bee’s wing!” It is delicate and feminine, with balanced aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, spice and a touch of sweet vanilla.

Four Stars
Thumbprint
2008 Russian River Valley $47
Drew Barrymore eating strawberry Pop Tarts and drinking a cherry Coke while wearing a crown of violets in her hair. Can you say “sexy, sassy and approachable?” I knew you could.

Four Stars
Sojourn
2008 Rogers Creek Vineyard, Sonoma Coast $47
This classic Pinot Noir is earthy, spicy and beautiful! Think Jennifer Hudson in a low-cut, clingy red dress, smoking a clove cigarette and you’ll have a good idea of what I’m talking about. Strawberry, rhubarb and cherry accented by pepper and mushroom notes set the stage I the nose and don’t disappoint in the silken mouth.

The coals are almost ready, the table is set and your friends and family are showing up. Its time to open a bottle of wine!

Here at Rancho Wine Wench, we happily drink everything from crisp Sauvignon Blancs and sassy Rieslings to big, bold Cabernets and Zinfandels with BBQ fare. We believe that anything goes with BBQ! C’mon, be adventurous with your food and wine pairings.

We tasted a fun variety of wines from all over the world – the following wines were our favorites:

Five Stars
Panel Favorite!
Alice White
2008 Shiraz, South Eastern Australia $9
OMG! Winegasm! This wine is amazing and it’s only $9 ! It’s loaded with aromas and flavors of huge black fruit (plum, blackberry, blueberry), pepper, violets, lavender and smoked meat, all lovingly wrapped up in a velvety-smooth, lusciously dense mouthfeel. Even I would buy this delicious bargain of a wine!

Four Stars
Clayhouse
2008 Malbec, Paso Robles $25
Jam bomb!  This easy-drinking wine is all about berry jam, orange peel and baking spices, from the first sniff through to the finish. Balanced, smooth and really yummy!

Four Stars
Cass
2006 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles $36
Ain’t nuthin’ petite about this wine! The first sniff reveals blackberry, blueberry, plum and black cherry, playing very nicely with cracked pepper and smoked meat. These aromas continue as flavors in the densely textured mouth. Oh yeah!

Four Stars
Red Guitar
2007 Tempranillo Garnacha, Navarra, Spain $9
Dusty roses, cocoa powder, pepper and blackberry aromas lure the taster into a juicy mouthful of consistent flavors. Think Antonio Banderas in his Zorro outfit, strewing rose petals around a semi-darkened bedroom and your halfway there.

Four Stars
Pear Valley
2009 Rosé, Paso Robles $14
Freshy, fresh, fresh! Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry, cranberry and sour watermelon Jolly Ranchers™ candy are enhanced by a squeeze of citrus and a pinch of fresh herbs. The mouthfeel is bright and zippy, with strawberry, cranberry and herbal notes.  This pink wine rocks!

Four Stars
Kendall-Jackson
2007 Riesling, CA $12
Sweet & sassy, like Paula Dean after enjoying her morning Mimosas. This wine is delicious and very easy to drink. Aromas and flavors of honeysuckle and rose petals, green herbs and a hint of spice play nicely together all the way through, from the mouthwatering aromas to the juicy finish. It’ll make y’all happy!

Four Stars
Husch
2008 Chardonnay, Mendocino $15
Crisp pear, Granny Smith apple, toasted almonds and a hint of butter set the stage, in the nose and in the mouth. This pretty Chardonnay is perfectly balanced, with a crisp, clean mouthfeel. Yum!

Four Stars
Husch
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino $13.50
Grapefruit, melon, lemongrass and freshly mown hay aromas delight the nose and lure the taster into a vibrant mouthful of consistent flavors. Absolutely lovely and deliciously refreshing!

OK, I’ll admit it – Chardonnay is not usually the first thing I reach for when I have a hankering for something cool and white (if I truly had my choice, it would be Eric on the HBO series, “True Blood”). Aromatic white wines like Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc really blow my skirt up, so I usually go for those first, but there are some excellent Chardonnays out there, don’t get me wrong – wine is all about personal preference.

I did taste some really nice Chardonnays the other day – the following are my favorites:

Four Stars
Iron Horse
2007 Russian River Valley $27
Green apple, crisp pear, toasted hazelnut and pretty floral notes all play nicely together in the nose, in the mouth and all the way through the finish. Delicious!

Four Stars
Husch
2008 Mendocino County $15
Mouthwatering aromas of melon, tropical fruit, buttered toast and baking spices continue as flavors in the clean, balanced mouth. Oh yeah!

Four Stars
Iron Horse
2007 UnOaked Russian River Valley $26
Baked apples with cinnamon, juicy pear and white flowers delight the nose. In the mouth, flavors of apple, pear, melon and a hint of butter linger on and on. Yum!

Three Stars
Sierra Vista
2007 UnOaked El Dorado County $18.50
Peach, caramel corn and white flowers set the stage here, in the nose and in the balanced, juicy mouth. This wine is way too easy to drink!

Three Stars
Seven Heavenly Chardonnay
2008 Lodi $16
Over-the-top style. The first whiff was cherry pipe tobacco, then it morphed into toffee, baked apple and buttered toast (heavy on the butter). These aromas continue as flavors in the big, lush mouth.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite white varietals because it’s a pert, sassy wine with a ton of personality. Really! Let me lure you away from big-ass, buttery Chardonnays and lean, sometimes insipid Pinot Grigios into the adventurous arms of Sauvignon Blanc. Strap yourself in, it’s gonna be a fun ride!

My panel and I tasted 11 Sauvignon Blancs. The following 8 wines were our favorites:

Five Stars
Panel Favorite!
Cupcake Vineyards
2008 Marlborough $13.99
Think Pink performing “So What?” and you’re halfway there. This wine is super sassy! Mouthwatering aromas of lime zest, cut grass, green apple, melon and mineral lead into a zippy mouthful of consistent flavors and linger through the juicy finish. A rock star of a wine at a value price!

Five Stars
Hop Kiln
2008 Rosetti Vineyard, Mendocino County $18
Sassy and rich too…hmm…Lady GaGa in gold spandex comes to mind. Scents and flavors of pineapple, pink grapefruit, ripe melon and freshly mown grass abound, all presented in a rich, balanced mouthfeel. Yum!

Five Stars
Merryvale
Starmont 2008 Napa Valley $18
Complex, balanced and lovely – like Diana Krall singing Tom Waits’ “Temptation.” Aromas of lemon peel, alfalfa hay, melon and mineral notes harmonize perfectly. These aromas continue as flavors with good intensity in the luscious mouth and on through the finish.

Five Stars
Ferrari-Carano
2008 Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County
Oooh! Pretty! Alluring aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon, grapefruit and ripe pear are enhanced by subtle mineral notes.  The mouthfeel is bright and refreshing and the zesty finish leaves you wanting another sip. And another…

Five Stars
Clayhouse
2008 Paso Robles $14
This beautiful wine is super-floral (jasmine, lemon blossom and gardenia), with ripe melon, lemongrass and hay accents. In the crisp mouth, these aromas are replicated as flavors and linger through the finish. Oh yeah!

Four Stars
White Oak
2007 Russian River Valley $16
Poached pear, lemon zest, cut grass and a hint of toast are featured in the aromas and flavors of this tasty wine. The mouthfeel is rich, balanced and refreshing.

Four Stars
Napa Station
2008 Napa Valley $12
This is what my friends and I call a “patio pounder,” because it is so easy to drink. Engaging scents and flavors of lemon blossom, honeysuckle, melon and lime all play nicely together. This wine is a delicious bargain at $12!

Four Stars
Navarro Vineyards
2008 Mendocino County $18
The nose on this wine is incredible! Aromas of rose petal, green apple, hay, mineral and spice notes keep unfolding with every sniff. The mouthfeel is clean and brisk, with flavors of spiced apple, citrus, mineral and hay.

I love the complexity of blended wines – something simply something magical occurs when you mix a little Syrah here, a little Grenache there, throw in a dab of Mourvédre – you’ve got yourself a gorgeous red Rhône blend! My panel and I tasted six red Rhône blends – the following four were our favorites:

Five Stars
Kiamie
2006 R’own Style Blend, Paso Robles $26
Bobby Flay at the grill, shrouded in smoke, drinking a cherry coke and dripping with BBQ sauce – you get the picture. Black cherry, vanilla, wood smoke and peppery spice play nicely together from the first sniff, through the silky mouth and on through the finish.

Five Stars
Hearthstone
2005 Slipstone, Paso Robles $25
Marie Callender’s® has nothin’ on this delicious wine – it’s freshly baked cherry pie all the way! The nose lures you in with aromas of baked cherry, toasty crust and vanilla and the mouth doesn’t disappoint either. Delicious!

Four Stars
Sierra Vista
2006 Fleur De Montagne, El Dorado $29
Aromas of red cherry, strawberry and vanilla are enhanced by fresh herbal and floral notes, which continue as flavors in the luscious mouth. Think Drew Barrymore, chewing a big, juicy wad of strawberry Bubble Yum®, running through a field of wildflowers and you’re halfway there.

Four Stars
Hop Kiln
2007 Rushin’ River Red, CA $23
Wow! A berry blast of blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry and strawberry, balanced with mocha delight the nose and continue as flavors in the lushly textured mouth. Dangerously easy to drink!

OK, I’ll admit it. I prefer expensive Champagne from France. I do. Just can’t afford to buy the stuff as much as I would like, so I buy the bubbles I can afford. There are some really good, affordable bubbles from other places, too and this piece is all about them.

Sparkling wines go great with lots of foods and occasions – picnics, Sunday brunches and midnight trysts all come to mind (I’m a sassy wench – can’t help myself!). Bubbles – not just for Valentine’s Day any more!

My panel and I tasted 20 sparkling wines from around the world (mostly from CA). I was very tempted to fill up the bathtub with the open bottles when we finished tasting, but I showed some uncharacteristic restraint and gave the open bottles to neighbors and friends. I did actually take a wine bath in leftover Syrah one time. I emptied the open bottles in the tub and topped it up with hot water. Ahhh! It was great! I was very relaxed and it did wonders for my skin. Hic!

Back to this review… The following 12 sparkling wines were our favorites:

Five Stars
Gloria Ferrer
Va de Vi Ultra Cuvée $22
Rich and sultry, like Scarlett Johansson rocking a white low-cut velvet dress, with diamonds at her throat and ears. Intense aromas and flavors of lemon meringue, buttered toast and ripe peach are all wrapped up in an effusively bubbly mouthfeel.

Five Stars
Iron Horse
2006 Wedding Cuvée $38
Tropical fruit, melon and buttered toast notes set the theme here, from the aroma, through the vivacious mouthfeel and on through the finish. Really nice!

Five Stars
Gloria Ferrer
2005 Blanc de Blancs $28
This opulently rich sparkler is done in the yeasty, toasty style that makes me do things I might regret. Or not. The nose beckons with toasted almond, yeast bread and luscious, ripe peach. These aromas continue as flavors in the vibrant mouth.

Five Stars
Gloria Ferrer
2002 Royal Cuvée Brut $35
Ooooh! Gorgeous! This is one to keep on hand for special occasions! Alluring scents and flavors of poached pear, caramel, toasted almond and yeast delight the senses. Brilliant mousse in the mouth. Yum!

Five Stars
Barefoot
NV Extra Dry $10.99
This is Dolly Parton in a glass! Sweet, spicy and very bubbly! One sniff says “Hi ya’ll!” Aromas and flavors of gingerbread, baked apples and ripe pear make this sweeter style bubbly a little too easy to enjoy.

Four Stars
Gloria Ferrer
NV Sonoma Brut $20
Zippaty doo da, zippity ay, my, oh my what a zippity wine! This refreshing sparkler boasts aromas and flavors of crisp pear, apple and citrus, all zipped together in a bright, clean mouthfeel. Great!

Four Stars
Gloria Ferrer
NV Blanc de Noirs $20
What a pretty wine! Notes of strawberry, pear, apple and citrus are enhanced by toast and spice, both in the nose and in the mouth. Yum!

Four Stars
Barefoot
NV Pinot Grigio Champagne $10.99
This straightforward sparkler is perfect for sipping in the hot tub with non wine-geek friends. It is loaded with aromas and flavors of ripe peach, pear and apple.

Three Stars
Barefoot
NV Chardonnay Champagne $10.99
An easy-drinking bubbly, bursting with pear, citrus and green herb aromas and flavors, this wine is affordable and enjoyable.

Three Stars
Toad Hollow
NV Amplexus $16
This pretty sparkler is toasty, spicy and fruity, all at the same time. What more could you ask of a delicious, reasonably priced wine? Aromas and flavors of toasted almond, buttered toast, pear, apple and baking spices meld happily in the nose and in the mouth.

Three Stars
Callaway
NV Bella Blanc $28
Do you remember the Roald Dahl story “James and the Giant Peach?” Well, this wine is “Callaway and the Giant Nectarine.” Seriously. From the first sniff, through the effusively bubbly mouthfeel and on through the finish, this wine is sparkling nectarine all the way! It is juicy, slightly sweet and delicious.

Three Stars
Villa Sandi
Prosecco, Valdobbiandene D.O.C. $14
Pull this crisp, refreshing Italian sparkler out for porch or poolside sipping. Scents and flavors of brandied pear, ripe peach and citrus delight the nose and palate. This wine is waaay too easy to drink!

We bloggers are now required by law to state the following: “All wine samples were provided complimentary by the participating wineries.” And they were. Thanks wineries!

Next up: Red Rhône Blends from CA and Other Places

Warning – this review is super-wenchy! Must be all the rain on my brain..

If I hear one more tasting room visitor sing “Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be” when I offer to pour a taste of Syrah in their glass, I might just vault over the bar and throttle the poor, unsuspecting consumer. Or I might say something clever to them like “wow, that’s really funny! I’ve never heard that one before!” I would never actually hurt a tourist, but I certainly think about it. That happens when you’ve worked behind a tasting bar for almost 30 years – the mental scenarios are hilarious. One of my favorite fantasies is the hidden trap door that the tourists are standing on in front of the bar. If anyone gets too drunk or obnoxious, I merely push a button and whoosh! The offender drops through the trapdoor and slides oh-so-gently down a chute that deposits them outside. Grin.

The moral of this story is to be nice to your tasting room server. They might have a secret trap door…

OK, back to Syrah – the wine I’m writing about today. Sorry for the rant!

Syrah (also called Shiraz in Australia) is originally from the Rhône Valley in France, but it is grown in many parts of the United States and is becoming one of Australia’s top wines. Syrah (and Shiraz) tends to be a big, full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, cherry, green herbs, leather and smoked meat.

There is no, I repeat NO relation between Syrah and Petite Sirah.

Try pairing Syrah with hearty dishes, such as roasted lamb, eggplant parmesan, grilled and smoked meats, stew, chili and robust cheeses.

My panel and I tasted 15 Syrahs from all over California. The following 9 were our favorites (There were lots of rockin’ good wines in this flight!):

Five Stars
Arrowood
2004 Saralee’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley $40
In a word, gorgeous! This Syrah seduces with aromas of rose petal, violet, raspberry, cherry and peppery spice. These aromas continue as flavors in the big, velvety mouth. Well worth the price!

Five Stars
Sierra Vista
2006 Reserve, El Dorado County $25
There is a French word, “garrique,” that one of my wine geek friends turned me on to – it means “hillside wildflowers.” One sniff of this lovely wine and you’re Julie Andrews, running down a wildflower covered hillside, singing “the hills are alive…” I love my job. Seriously, though – aromas of garrique, red cherry, red raspberry, vanilla and spice set the stage, both in the nose and in the mouth. Delicious!

Five Stars
Vina Robles
2006 “Syree,” 84% Syrah/16% Petite Sirah, Paso Robles $39
Think Halle Berry decked out in black thigh-high seamed stockings, stiletto heels and very little else, and you’re halfway there. This sexy, spicy wine abounds with aromas and flavors of mocha, plum, black cherry, pepper and a little slap of clean leather, all wrapped up in a big, luscious mouthfeel.

Five Stars
Earthquake
2006 Lodi $28
Huge. Flavorful. Intense. Delicious! Freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate, black cherry, plum and exotic spice meld seamlessly in the nose and in the mouth. This decadently rich wine should come with a warning label, because it’s waay too easy to drink and it packs a 15.5% alcohol content. Oh yeah!

Five Stars
Sierra Vista
2006 Red Rock Ridge, El Dorado County $32
Just be glad that I’m not Elmer Fudd reviewing this delightful wine – Wed Wock Widge fwom El Dowado. Sorry – couldn’t help myself! It really is a wonderful wine!Mouthwatering aromas of juicy red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, red cherry), baking spices and smoke delight the nose and continue as flavors in the seamless, silky mouth. Delicious! Serve with wabbit.

Five Stars
6^th Sense
2007 Lodi $16
I had a feeling about this wine…it is fantastic and a bargain at that! Alluring aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, plum, white pepper and smoke delight the senses. Medium bodied.

Four Stars
White Oak
2005, Napa Valley $26
Spicy, sassy and delicious – think Anthony Bourdain, BBQing pork spare ribs, wearing only a smirk, while smoking a clove cigarette and drinking a cherry Coke and you get the picture. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, smoked meat and spice abound. Don’t miss this one!

Four Stars
Eberle
2006 Steinbeck Vineyard, Paso Robles $21
Oodles of black fruits (black cherry, blackberry, plum) are enhanced by smoked meat and peppery spice, both in the nose and in the mouth. This tasty wine reminded me of sharing a BLT with a side of fruit salad with a loved one, while sitting in a starlit hot tub. Smoky, spicy and slightly naughty, but oh so good!

Four Stars
Hahn
2007 SLH Estate, Santa Lucia Highlands $22
Big, luscious and velvety, like Queen Latifah wearing a red velvet dress and singing her heart out, this wine beguiles and delights. Aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, coffee, chocolate and spice linger through the finish. Delightful!

We bloggers are now required by law to state the following: All wine samples were provided complimentary by the participating wineries. Thanks wineries!

One of my winemaker buddies was grumbling about my last post – Cabs under $20. He contends that any winemaker producing wines that sell for under $20 should be shot because it undercuts the medium (wines $20-$40) price range wines. He works for a winery that produces fantastic wines in the medium price category, so the sales of those $20 and under wines directly impacts the sale of his wines. This is a valid point – it is a jungle out there in wine-sales-land, but there really are a bunch of GREAT wines available under $20. Nuff said.

This post is all about great Cabs priced between $20 and $30.

Check this out ~ these wines come from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, El Dorado County, Paso Robles and Lodi. These appellations ALL produce rockin’ good Cabs! Neener, neener, neeener – good Cabs don’t come from Napa Valley exclusively!

Oh yeah – we bloggers now have to say this ~ all wine samples were provided complimentary by the participating wineries. Thanks wineries!

My panel and I tasted a goodly handful of Cabernet Sauvignons, priced between $20 and $30. The following five wines were our favorites:

Five Stars
Panel Favorite!
Starmont Merryvale
2006, Napa Valley $27
One sniff and you know you’re drinking a classic Cab! Black cherry, cassis, mocha and baking spices delight the nose and carry on as flavors in the seductively smooth mouth.

Five Stars
Kendall-Jackson
2006 Grand Reserve, Sonoma County $25
Tempting scents of blackcurrant, cherry, vanilla, cigar box, pine and mint lure the taster into a richly textured mouthful of consistent flavors.

Five Stars
Sierra Vista
2005 Reserve, El Dorado County $26
Think about a big slab of warm cherry pie with vanilla ice cream and you’re halfway there! This Cab is absolutely delicious and balanced, with aromas and flavors of cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and toasty oak, all wrapped up in a velvety mouthfeel.

Four Stars
Vina Robles
2007 Huerhuero, Paso Robles $26
This is a wine that could get you into trouble – it is waaaay too easy to drink! A berry basket (blackberry, raspberry and black cherry) of fruity aromas meld seamlessly with brown spices and vanilla. These aromas continue as flavors in the big, rich mouth. Dangerously delicious!

Three Stars
Earthquake
2006, Lodi $28
Dark, brooding and seductive, like a black velvet Elvis. This is not a wine to be trifled with. Intense aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, black cherry and wintergreen romance the nose and palate. The mouthfeel is huge and velvety smooth.