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,
Aromas of raspberry and a touch of blueberry come up on the nose. Raspberry lead on the palate, with spices, strong herbal notes and hints of vanilla. This offers layers of fruits and flavors that keep coming from attack to finish. Drink with flank steak. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO:
The nose shows incredible depth and richness, with black currant, plums, dark chocolate and hints of tobacco leaf. Black currant, plums, and unsweetened chocolate lead, and brighter red fruit follows on the mid-palate, with touches of menthol and tobacco. Tannins are muscular, in this young wine that will integrate and
Deep black fruits with green olive come through on the nose. The palate is true to the nose, as blackberry and mulberry, nutmeg and cinnamon, and olive all run through their paces. Tannins are soft. This is a very good and very typical Chilean Carmenere. Drink with churrasco with cilantro.
Rich aromas of chocolate covered cherries waft up from the glass. They lead on the palate, too, quickly followed by raspberry, milk chocolate, and leather. Smooth, fine-grained tannins and just enough acidity to keep the balance offer a lovely mouth-feel. Red fruit and chocolate linger. This is an opulent, round,
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
Waxy black fruits, cherries, and leather are followed by milk chocolate. Sweet fruit and pastry create a simple crowd-pleaser at a reasonable price. Drink with barbecue pork sandwiches. Recommended. 87 points. DBH WHO: Pedroncelli WHAT: Zinfandel WHEN: 2014 DESIGNATION: Mother Clone WHERE: Dry Creek Valley, California HOW MUCH: $17 (media sample) POINTS: 87