Blackberry and sweet blueberry shine on the nose. The palate is voluptuous, with flavors of berries baked in pie, vanilla, and clove. The pie sensation lingers. Drink with lamb chops. Highly Recommended. 91 points. DBH WHO: Decoy WHAT: Zinfandel WHEN: 2013 WHERE: Sonoma County, California HOW MUCH: $25 (media sample)
This is opaque, almost black, at the middle, and dark garnet around the edges. Plums and black currant aromas roll up from the glass. Plums, blackberry, and jalapeño show on the palate. This is dark-fruited, herbaceous, and angular. Drink with a barbecued beef sandwich. Recommended. 86 points. DBH WHO: BenMarco
The nose is complex, with blackberries, cassis, and freshly dug mushrooms, still covered with black earth. Blackberries and cassis lead on the palate, with earthy complexity, touches of vanilla and spices, then hints of raspberry offering high notes all run through the mid-palate. Tannins are fine. This is rich and
Aromas of tobacco, baking spices, black cherry and cassis come out on the nose. It is silky and extracted on the palate, leading with flavors of blackberry and black cherry baked in a pie, followed by black currant, tobacco, and mocha. This is round, soft, opulent, layered with rich, elegant
The color is beautiful, almost completely opaque at the center, and sparkling like rubies at the edges. The nose only teases at what is to come, leading with milk chocolate, then dark chocolate and a touch of espresso. A deeper pull reveals blueberries baking in a pie and hints of
The nose is a bit shy, offering light aromas of cherry and dried raspberry. Cranberry and raspberry dominates on the palate, with soft tannins and racy acidity. It is fresh and clean, and rather straightforward. Drink with fried pork tenderloin. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO: Roco WHAT: Pinot Noir WHEN: 2013 DESIGNATION: Gravel Road
Rich black cherry aromas come up from the glass. On the palate, cherry gives way to raspberry, then pomegranate, with a background of roses and lavender. Tannins are structured, acids racy. This runs through a whole palate of red fruits, with great florals and firm structure. Drink with clay oven
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and violets waft up from the glass. Blueberry and boysenberry explode on the palate, violets, licorice, and unsweetened chocolate follow. Violets linger forever. Drink with mojo-marinated skirt steak. Highly Recommended. 94 points. DBH WHO: Ben Marco WHAT: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon WHEN: 2013 DESIGNATION: Expresivo