Bodega Norton, ‘Privada’
Bordeaux-Style Blend; Mendoza, Argentina
Ripe blackberry and black cherry aromas are a touch candied, with a hint of tree bark lending earthiness. The palate on this Bordeaux-style blend is full and lush, with a beam of tartaric acidity. Blackberry and cassis flavors weigh in by the ton, while this is toasty and coffee-flavored on a calm, rounded finish • $70
Chateau Picque-Caillou
Bordeaux Blend; France
Deep red with ruby hues. Attractive medium-plus nose offering aromas of ripe red fruits, oak, meat and spices Firm/austere tannins and moderate acidity, with a good balance between fruit and earthy notes—leading into a long bitter finish • $100
Orin Swift ‘Abstract’
Blend (Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah); California
Expansive aromas of ripe red fruits—raspberries, bing cherries and strawberries—and a touch of boysen- and huckleberries open the nose. The aromas continue onto the palate with added layers of charred meat, rhubarb, thyme, surrounding a dark fruit core. Smooth, enveloping and lasting, the wine finishes with a pleasing maraschino cherry note. • $100
Orin Swift ‘8 Years in the Desert’
Blend (Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache); California
Opens with ripe raspberry and blackberry, dark plum preserves and hints of black pepper and clove. An entry of heft, the palate is packed with blueberry and sweet black cherry along with touch thyme, savory and tarragon. Long on the finish, the ripe tannins, a dash of ash, and notes of black tea round out the wine. • $100
Orin Swift ‘Papillion’
Blend (Cab. Sauv., Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cab. Franc, Petite Sirah); California
An inky, dark garnet sits in the glass with bursting aromatics even from afar—ripe blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of Kirsch, Madagascar vanilla and cigar box. Velvety and rich on entry and through the mid, the wine offers flavors of dark plum, blueberry and notes of fennel, fresh leather and a subtle minerality. Plush, layered and dense, the wine finishes with dusty tannins and a lingering touch of black cherry • $200
Bodega Catena Zapata ‘San Carlos’
Cabernet Franc; Mendoza, Argentina
Presents a purple color with red ruby tones. The nose offers elegant aromas of spices, and fresh herbs as thyme and rosemary, red berries, cassis and raspberries, with layers of cedar. The mouthfeel is full and rich with cassis, raspberries flavors and notes of black pepper and oregano . The finish is bright and fresh with finely grained tannins. • $70
Beringer ‘Knights Valley’
Bordeaux-Style Blend (Cab. Sauv. 86%, Merlot 8%, Cab. Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 1%) Knights Valley, California
Aromas of dried herbs, cedar, clove and lavender join flavors of dark red fruit led by figs, black cherry, currants, boysenberry, huckleberry, raspberr, and evident oak spice are joined with more traditional Knights Valley tones of black olive, wild sage and mocha chocolate. Fine acidity and balance with an elegant structure lead to a lingering, memorable finish. • $95
Hess ‘Allomi’
Cabernet Sauvignon; Napa Valley, California
Distinct notes of vanilla and oak spice with red fruit flavors set off by flavors of currant and blackberry with integrated tannins and a round, plush mouthfeel • $100
Jax
Blend (Cab. Sauv 94%, Cab. Franc 6%) Napa Valley, California
Cassis, lush red currants and espresso. The palate shows dark brambly berries and a silky, expansive impression from the Cabernet Sauvignon and exotic spice notes and power from the Cabernet Franc. • $125
Louis Martini
Cabernet Sauvignon; Napa Valley, California
Distinctly layered wine with notes of ripe dark plum, black currant and sage. Rich and full-bodied, this superbly balanced wine has an expansive mid-palate and an exceptionally long finish. • $100
Yohan Lardy ‘Gamay Poppy’
Gamay; Moulin a Vent, France
Light, dry, acidic, and fruit forward. Lot’s of sour cherry, cranberry notes, with underripe raspberry. Slight oak offering sweet spice and vanilla. Medium finish. • $56
Susana Balbo ‘Late Harvest Malbec‘
Botrytized Malbec; Mendoza, Argentina
This sweet wine is lush and brimming with rich blackberry pie and plum flavors, with a touch of violets and spice cake. At only 14.8% alcohol and 72 grams/liter of residual sugar, it is the perfect after dinner wine and maybe one of the few dessert wines that truly goes well with chocolate. • $60 (500 mL)
Susana Balbo ‘Signature’
Malbec Blend (Malbec 92%, Cab. Sauv. 8%) Mendoza, Argentina
Deep violet color with exploding aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and blueberries framed by hints of spices and mint. The palate mirrors and joined by ripe plum fruit and notes of toasty vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, and a hint of mint on the long velvety finish. • $75
Bodega Norton, ‘Lote Negro’
Bordeaux-Style Blend; Mendoza, Argentina
Intense red dark color with a ruby notes. Fruit aromas, such as blackberries and raspberries, are combined with complex spiced notes and mint. A wine with great structure, which is granted by the intense fruit and elegant character with a lingering finish. • $120
Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection: Rum Casks’
Rum-finished Merlot Blend (Merlot, Malbec) Monterey, California
Ruby red in color, it opens with rich, sweet aromas of molasses, cocoa powder, maple, and black plum. Flavors of jammy plum and blackberries with complex nuances of toasted coconut, baking spices, and rich vanilla follow. Ripe tannins and concentrated flavors carry through to a long, and lush finish. • $70
Stag’s Leap
Merlot Blend (Merlot 76%, Cab. Franc 15%, Cab. Sauv. 9%) Napa Valley, California
Generous aromas of crushed berry, dark cherry, plum, mocha, and hints of white pepper and licorice. Medium-bodied and well structured with rich fruit on the palate and a pleasing lingering finish filled with boysenberry notes. • $95
Prisoner ‘Thorn’
Merlot Blend (Merlot 77%, Malbec & Syrah) Napa Valley, California
Aromas of savory spice, black cherry, and mocha with cedar and blackberry. The entry delivers an elegant balance with flavors of black plum and anise, along with hints of grilled rosemary and toasted oak. Velvety, chocolate tannins develop into a robust finish. • $100
Freeman ‘Sonoma Coast’
Pinot Noir; Sonoma, California
Purple hues right to the rim of the glass. A fragrant and youthful aroma of blackberries and tea is followed by a refreshing palate of bright, tart plums, licorice and toasty oak. • $120
Kosta Browne ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyards’
Pinot Noir; Sonoma, California
Aromatics of purple fruit with cherry, raspberry and hints of violets. Full-bodied, defined layers, with hints of salt. • $325
Sojourn
Pinot Noir; Sonoma, California
A complex wine with a myriad of textures and flavors that integrate seamlessly, yet evovle in glass to show off dark cherry aromas with hints of spice and earth. • $120
Prisoner ‘Eternally Silenced’
Blend (Pinot Noir 95%, Syrah 5%); California
Rich and elegant, soft and well-balanced. Aromas of pine needles, cranberry, dark cherry, cedar, clove, and brown spice lead to fresh red berry flavors, an ample structure, and seamless tannins. • $130
Continuum
Blend (Cab. Sauv 46%, Cab. Franc 31%, Petit Verdot 18%, Merlot 5%); Napa Valley, California
Aromas of cacao, black currant, cardamom and savory wild herb. On the palate it is layered and supple, revealing black cherry and roast espresso notes intertwined with mountain minerals and a hint of tangy orange spice. The wine is lush with ripe chocolaty tannins that lead to a long, expressive finish. • $650
Hess ‘Lion Tamer’
Blend (Malbec 40%, Zinfandel 27%, Petit Sirah 21%, Cab. Sauv. 8%, Mourvèdre 2%, Petit Verdot 1%, Merlot 1%); Napa Valley, California
Heady, floral aromas of violets. Bold, juicy, and complex layers of blackberries, milk chocolate, and black plums. Exotic perfume that carries throughout a plush texture and a ripe juicy core of black fruits. A generous palate of black raspberry and surprisingly lush tannins. • $95
Catena ‘D.V. Catena Tinto Historico’
Blend (Malbec 72%, Bonarda 21%, Petit Verdot 7%) Mendoza, Argentina
Black fruit and flowers from Uco Valley Malbec laced with spicy Petit Verdot. Malbec lends freshness and smoothness, while Petit Verdot grants volume and persistence, conferring a lush, rich attack and wonderful length to the blend. • $70
Casiano ‘Rosso di Monalcino’
Sangiovese; Montalcino, Italy
Chopped mint and ripe dark-skinned-berry aromas lead the nose. The juicy, savory palate doles out succulent Morello cherry, baking spice and the same minty note found on the nose. Lithe tannis and fresh acidity provide the easygoing framework. • $80
Barossa Valley Estate ‘E&E Black Pepper’
Shiraz; Barossa Valley, Australia
Aromas of ripe plum, strawberry, coffee and cola. The fruit on the palate veers into jam territory, which sits beside drying, clunky tannins. • $120
Penfolds ‘Bin 28 Kalimina’
Shiraz; Barossa Valley, Australia
Crimson red with a shimmer of garnet on rim. Black jelly beans, then a gentle spectral gradation to red liquorice and red currants, goji berry, wild raspberry and a red-fruited chutney. A transient suggestion of sandalwood spices. Well-balanced. Whirling black fruits and an oscillating shiraz disposition with dried porcini mushrooms; structurally embedded with grainy/sandy tannins. Additionally, tobacco, tobasco and tamarind noted. • $75
Yangarra Estate ‘Iron Heart’
Shiraz; McLaren Vale, Australia
The meaty blueberry hint is sometimes like prosciutto or other dark charcuterie meats; the figgy base tones provide a solid base flavor, the cleansing natural acidity working with the tannins to draw the finish out to a delicious taper with a long aftertaste where those cherries evident in the bouquet re-emerge, sinuous and more-ish. • $80
Ex Post Facto
Syrah; Santa Barbara, California
Aromas of crushed peppercorn, tapenade, twigs, ground pepper, tar and elderberry fruit. The palate combines black currant with tart black-plum skin, thyme, bay and peppercorns, ending on flashes of tar and mocha. • $95
Big Smooth ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’
Zinfandel; Lodi, California
Vivid aromas of black plum, dried cherry, fig, and fresh bramble fruit. Additional notes of soy, black tea leaf and Tahitian vanilla add complexity with each swirl of the glass. On the palate, the silky-smooth tannins are pronounced and mouth coating, leading to a rich, full-bodied palate where juicy fruit flavors of boysenberry and pomegranate mingle with freshly shaved coconut and subtle black pepper notes. • $50
Martinelli ‘Vigneto di Evo’
Zinfandel; Russian River Valley, California
A nose of rich red raspberry, cinnamon, and sweet clove. On the palate, juicy red plum and black cherry give way to exotic spice and a long finish. • $70