Reference

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Robert Mondavi / Carneros Fairly standard Pinot, but with some silky qualities of interest. It’s dry and tart, but with ripe cranberry, raspberry, vanilla and spice flavors. A very tasty wine for drinking now.

Country: US / Variety: Merlot California Winery: Robert Mondavi / Napa Valley This pleasant Merlot is a little tough and gritty, but it’s rich and candied in blackberry and cherry, roasted almond and vanilla flavors. Give it some time to breathe in the glass.

Country: US / Variety: Meritage Virginia Winery: Rappahannock Cellars / Virginia This offers an aromatic core of blackberry, cherry and plum notes that are offset by tobacco, leather and brown-spice accents. A touch of prune surfaces on the lush, round palate, and the acids stand out on the cherry-skin-flavored finish.

Country: US / Variety: Meritage Virginia Winery: North Gate / Virginia Scents of leather and turbinado sugar surface on the nose first, which are offset by accents of blackberry, forest floor and pepper. The medium-to-full palate feels supple and expansive, until the finish where the tannic muscle kicks in. Overall, the flavors are intense and […]

Country: South Africa / The Winemaker’s Reserve Variety: Pinotage Western Cape Winery: Nederburg / An easygoing, approachable wine to be enjoyed now, this offers upfront notes of blackberry, underripe plum, cured meat and soft tar. A kiss of vanilla lingers through to the medium-length finish. Drink now.

Country: US / Lomax Reserve Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Virginia Winery: Granite Heights / Virginia This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot was aged for 15 months in American and French oak. It shows a nice balance of earth, fruit and oak flavors in the form of turmeric, red flower, […]

Country: US / Halcyon Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Winery: Cloudlift Cellars / Horse Heaven Hills A pleasant Bordeaux-style blend, this has a light dusting of milk chocolate, along with ripe fruit flavors of berry.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Franc California Winery: Clarksburg Wine Company / Clarksburg True to type, this Cab Franc from cool-climate Clarksburg is very herbal and dry, with a back beat of black cherry. Rich on the finish, herb flavors turns to chocolate and clove. A good wintertime wine.

Country: France / Clotilde Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux Winery: Château Maison Neuve / Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Dusty tannins push to the front, resulting in a firm, wood-aged wine that shows smokiness, ripe blackberry flavors and a firm core. This should be at its best in 2–3 years.

Country: Argentina / Reserva Variety: Syrah Other Winery: San Huberto / Argentina This Syrah leads with standard berry and chocolate aromas. The mouthfeel is largely fresh, and while there’s creamy oak as part of the flavor package, there’s also good berry character and mint.

Country: US / Primo Rosso Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Monte Volpe / Mendocino County A liquid tribute to old Mendocino, this wine is a blend of mostly Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, with smaller proportions of Sangiovese, Carignane, Negromaro, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Syrah. Medium bodied with spicy black pepper, leather and stewed plum flavors, it […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir New York Winery: Hosmer / Finger Lakes Sweet smelling notes of cherry pie and spice introduce this rich, concentrated Pinot Noir full of slightly ruddy redcherry and plum fruit. Vibrant acidity and soft tannins add backbone and composure.