2007 Ridge Zinfandel Geyserville

This years' Geyserville is a Zinfandel based blend which includes significant percentages of Carignane, Petite Syrah and a small amount of Mourverde... the nose is filled with red and black fruits, cloves, cedar, chocolate and smoke... the flavors are deep and rich, with a kirsch-like quality, strong structure with moderate acidity and firm tannins which hint at good aging potential... a very enjoyable wine now and one to watch over the next 5-10 years

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

33.00

2007 O'Shea Scarborough The Royale

This Columbia Valley Bordeaux style blend originates in a tiny garage along with a number of highly distinctive and original reds and whites... the fruit is sourced from the Klipsun and Den Hoed vineyards... the nose is full of black fruit, smoke, tar and earth... the flavors are rich and unusual, with cassis, plum, black cherry and prune notes brightened with a citrus-like acidity... there is a hint of heat around the edges but overall the impression is of elegance, richness and individuality... can't wait to try their other wines

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

39.00

2008 Orin Swift The Prisoner

The new vintage of the crowd pleasing red blend is once again mostly Zinfandel, with the wonderfully rich fruit in the Saldo Zinfandel front and center, with support from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Syrah and assorted varietals providing the backdrop... the nose is sensational, with briery black fruit, black cherry, earth, menthol and licorice... the texture of the wine is wonderful, with an elegant viscosity and finely grippy tannins... the flavors are lush and Zinfandel-centered, with black fruit, cassis, plum and port-like aspects... a touch of heat shows through at times, but overall this is another wonderful, easy to love wine at a reasonable price for this level of quality and pleasure

Taste 8 Nose 9 Value 9

35.00

2004 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard

Awoken from its slumber, the Big Turley doesn't disappoint... the nose has lovely contrasts of flowers and black fruits, with dusty cocoa, anise and spices... the flavors are plums and cassis galore, with more licorice, black tea and chocolate... the finish is long and luxurious and the texture of the wine is astounding... a complete success!

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 9

55.00

2005 Ash Hollow Terassa

Consulting winemaker Steve Clifton of Brewer-Clifton note guides this intriguing blend which is 33% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc... it's a subtle, almost feminine wine with with a nose of toffee, rose petals, pain grille and vanilla... flavors of figs, lavender, tobacco and chocolate with a hint of toasted creme brûlée... soft and enjoyable, it's a nice wine but at this price? Hmmm...

Taste 7 Nose 8 Value 6

55.00

2008 Sineann Old Vine Zinfandel

A return to form for this dark, brooding, massive wine after a slightly less impressive 2007 vintage which was somewhat overwhelmed by a cedar/eucalyptus aspect... the new vintage has some of that cedar, but its part of a rich, cohesive experience including roasted plums, briery black raspberry, grilled meats, espresso, vanilla and spice... a wonderful representation of some of the most intense old vine fruit coupled with individual winemaking

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

35.00

2007 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard

This baby is brimming with more of the brooding dark fruit that is showing in so many of the recent Sineann's and it offers a nose of tar, black cherry, earth and cedar... in the mouth more rich, cassis fruit abounds, but the wine is medium in body, with an almost refreshing quality... candied aspects and a cola or rootbeer impression develops, and the wine has a short to medium length finish... relatively high in alcohol, with touches of heat seeping through, but overall it's a fun-but-serious (or is that seriously fun?) Cabernet

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

38.00