Does a great job of providing a dry, balanced and even sophisticated Merlot at an everyday price. The grapes are from southern Monterey County, and the wine shows polished cherry, currant, orange rind, sage, mint, pepper and smoky flavors wrapped into firm tannins.
— S.H.
(11/1/2008)
Just shows you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good red wine. Dry and full-bodied, it shows deeply ripe black currant, plum, leather, unsweetened chocolate and spice flavors, wrapped into rich, sturdy tannins. Should develop for a couple years.
— S.H.
(5/1/2009)
Pretty smooth and balanced for such an inexpensive wine, this does a good job of intertwining ripe fruity flavors with earthy, herbal ones, then adding a tasteful level of oak. It finishes dry, with a scour of tannins.
— S.H.
(11/1/2007)
Lush, round and flavorful, this Cab pleases for its array of fruit. Made in a soft, gentle style, its blackberry, currant, cherry and cocoa flavors finish in a swirl of sweet anise and pepper.
— S.H.
(11/1/2008)
Hard to say if this is a dessert wine or a rosé, because it’s fairly sweet. Let’s call it a rosé. And a pretty one it is, with savory orange, raspberry and vanilla flavors, balanced with acidity.
— S.H.
(11/1/2011)
The California appellation on the label doesn’t tell you, but the grapes are from Hames Valley, an interesting little region midway between the cool Salinas Valley and warm Paso Robles. The wine has good acidity and treads a delicate line between cherries and more herbal notes. Light and food-friendly.
— S.H.
(11/15/2006)
Decent price for a lusty Zin like this. It’s big and tannic and powerful, with a flood of dried fruit, berry, leather, mocha and spice flavors. Good with short ribs and barbecue.
— S.H.
(4/1/2009)