Aromas of blackberries and cocoa waft up on the nose. Huge, ripe black fruits lead on the palate, black currant, plums, and elderberry, with milk chocolate and espresso adding depth on the mid-palate. Tannins are grippy. This requires red meat and fat - try it with lamb chops with béarnaise
Black currant, plum, espresso and cherry all waft up on the nose. On the palate, loads of flavors explode, starting with black currant and boysenberry, then black cherry, with vanilla, unsweetened cocoa, tar, and nutmeg. Drink with well-marbled ribeye. Highly Recommended. 92 points. DBH WHO: Castello di Amorosa WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon,
Plums and brambles show on the nose. The palate brings plums, black currant, and chocolate covered cherries, with dust and leather in the background. Tannins are smooth, barely dusty and well integrated. Drink with ropa vieja. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO: Zolo WHAT: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Merlot WHEN: 2016 DESIGNATION: Signature Red
There is more blueberry pie than cherry pie in this fruit-forward, silky Merlot. Coffee and chocolate add depth and interest on the mid-palate, through the finish. Drink with a good bone-in strip. Highly Recommended. 92 points. DBH WHO: Murrieta’s Well WHAT: Merlot WHEN: 2014 DESIGNATION: Small Lot WHERE: Livermore Valley, California HOW MUCH: $44
The nose is redolent with blackberry, black currant, plum, and baking spices. Spices take the lead on the palate, with cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg, followed by black currant and plum. A bit of meaty smokiness from the Syrah comes out on the mid-palate. Tannins are muscular. The four different grapes
The nose is fabulous, sending aromas of sweet black fruits, mocha, and herbs out of the glass. Blackberry, plums, and boysenberry explode on the palate, carried along by rich mocha, hints of herbs, and velvety tannins. Drink with dry-aged Strip with shallot butter. Very Highly Recommended. 95 points. DBH WHO:
Bing cherry, vanilla, and milk chocolate waft up from the glass. Cherry and cranberry lead on the palate, some chocolate comes through on the mid-palate. Tannins are dusty bordering on grainy. This offers high-toned red fruits with a chocolate base. Drink with sweetly-sauced duck. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO: Columbia
Red fruits and green peppers show on the nose. On the palate, the small percentage of Pinotage shows in the mix, with green pepper and rubber cutting through red and black fruits. Tobacco and cranberry come through on the mid-palate. This is an interesting wine for somebody curious about South