The palate is tart and fresh, with cranberry, rhubarb, and wild strawberry. Some forest floor and dry herbs add layers. It is racy and fruity, and just a bit rough around the edges. Drink with wild boar sausage. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO: Dutton Goldfield WHAT: Pinot Noir WHEN: 2016
Blackberries, wood smoke, and black pepper roll across the palate in this polished, accessible wine. Some red currant shows on the mid-palate, adding a little zing. This is well- made and well-priced. Drink with short ribs. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO: Dry Creek Vineyards WHAT: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Primitivo WHEN: 2016
Dusty cherry aromas rise up from the glass. Raspberry and cranberry roll through the palate, supported by brambles and sage. Drink with roast pork loin. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO: Davis Bynum WHAT: Pinot Noir WHEN: 2016 DESIGNATION: Jane's Vineyard WHERE: Russian River Valley, California HOW MUCH: $27 POINTS: 88
Black fruit, brown sugar, and a single tendril of wood smoke roil up from the glass. The palate is big, chewy, mouth-filling, with black and blue fruit, molasses, and pepper. Pencil lead and blackberries dominate the finish. Tannins are firm but well-tamed. Drink with beef ribs. Highly Recommended. 93 points.
This is an absolutely ebullient wine, lively, exciting, with sweet cherries and blueberries dancing across the palate, cassis on the mid-palate, mint and rich earth running throughout. It is full-bodied and chewy, and lusciously fat. Drink with filet mignon with truffle butter. Very Highly Recommended. 96 points. DBH WHO: Ridge
Cherries and raspberries lead a lovely bouquet. Full-bodied and round, with chewy tannins and tart acidity. Cherries, from tart to sweet. Buy it a nice steak. It deserves it. Highly Recommended. 94 points. DBH WHO: Ridge Vineyards WHAT: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet WHEN: 2016 DESIGNATION: Pagani Ranch WHERE: Sonoma Valley,
The color is lovely, a bright garnet with jewel-like clarity. Blackberry, brambles, and a touch of tobacco leaf waft up from the glass. Big, fleshy, and full bodied, the palate explodes with a basket full of fruit, blackberries, raspberries, and plums. Herbs, pepper, and mint add layers and complexity. Blackberries
Fruit-forward and full of zing, this wine begs to be on the table. Blackberry, tomato, and herbs roil up from the glass. Firm and fleshy, with more acid than tannin, blackberry and raspberry have a touch of tomato in the background, and herbs and zing on the finish. Drink with