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Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Winery: Ancient Peaks
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20

Review:
Aromas of blackberries, cassis, and plums meld with suggestions of dark chocolate and woodsy notes on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry, currants, and black cherry with accents of vanilla and anise. A rich, dark Cab with plentiful tannins, fans of fairly dry, fruit driven reds will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 89

Calcareous Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winery: Calcareous
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: York Mountain
Price: 30-35

Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries and currants is accented by notes of vanilla, cedar, and chocolate on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry, currant, and cherry along with suggestions of dark chocolate and dusty earth. Fans of smoother, more elegant Cabs will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 92

Coquelicot Mon Amor 2006
Winery: Coquelicot
Grape(s): Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Mon Amor
Price: 35-40

Review:
Aromas of cherries, currants, and blackberries are accented by suggestions of dark-chocolate and oak on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cassis and blackberry rounded out by notes of anise and dark-chocolate. A smooth wine that's rich with dark fruit, it has balanced tannins, making very approachable.
Rating: 91

DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Winery: DAOU
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (12%), Merlot (10%), Petite Verdot 3%
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Reserve
Price: 50-55

Review:
Notes of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries are accented by chocolate, spice, and oak on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and black cherry meld with suggestions of dusty earth, dark chocolate, and spice on the palate. A mouth-filling red with generous tannins, if you enjoy concentrated fruit with a nice structure, this is a bottle to try, especially since it's very food friendly
Rating: 90

Ferrari-Carano Perit Verdot 2008
Winery: Ferrari-Carano
Grape(s): Perit Verdot
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 30-35

Review:
Rich dark fruit is accented by a touch of caramel on the nose. Supple flavors of currants, blackberries, and blueberries are rounded out by notes of cocoa, toasty oak, and a bit of earth. A mouth-filling wine with solid tannins that has dark-dense fruit but still manages to be quite balanced and approachable. Fans of full-bodied red will enjoy this one.
Rating: 91

Heller Estate Malbec 2009
Winery: Heller Estate
Grape(s): Malbec
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Organic Vineyards
Price: 35-40

Review:
Aromatics of dark berries, black pepper, sweet spice, and and smoked meat greet the senses. A sip unfurls with flavors of blueberry and boysenberry accented by burnt spice, earth, and sweet spice. A dark, dense red with solid tannins, pair it with spicy Mexican dishes made with beef.
Rating: 86

Hoyt Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winery: Hoyt Family Vineyards
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: (none)
Price: N/A

Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, plums, and earth rise up from a glass. Cherry and blackberry flavors come together with suggestions of oak and forest floor on the palate. A Cab that offers of balance of dark fruit and earth, fans of that style will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 88

Hunt Cellars Cabernet 2005
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Caberne
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2005
Special Designation: Cab-Ovation
Price: 70-75

Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, oak rises up from a glass. The palate offers rich black cherry and bramble fruit flavors with accents of vanilla and oak. An elegant, yet dry Cab with a bold oaky character, it can be enjoyed with food now but there's still plenty of aging potential, too.
Rating: 92

Jankris Crossfire 2009
Winery: Jankris
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) & Merlot (50%)
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Crossfire
Price: 25-30

Review:
Black cherry and plum aromas mingle with hints of anise and earth, as well as herbaceous and floral notes. A sip reveals flavors of cherries, blackberries, and plums accented by suggestions of black licorice, dusty earth, and herbaceous notes. A wine with a soft mouthfeel, if you enjoy laid-back red, this is a bottle to try.
Rating: 86

Midnight Cellars Merlot 2007
Winery: Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2007
Special Designation: Estate
Price: 20-25

Review:
Aromas of cherries, plums, and blackberries with accents of chocolate, coffee, and oak rise up from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of red plum and cherry that melds with suggestions of dark chocolate and spice. A fairly dry red with supple tannins and bright fruit, if you're tried of overly fruity Merlots, try this bottle.
Rating: 90

Murrieta's Well The Spur 2009
Winery: Murrieta's Well
Grape(s): Cabernet, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: The Spur
Price: 20-25

Review:
Lovely aromas of blackberries, blueberries, dark-chocolate, cedar, and sweet spices rise up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of dark berries, dark-chocolate, clove, licorice, and a hint of cedar. A very smooth, easy-drinking wine that's fruit-driven and ideal for fans of lush reds.
Rating: 90

Peju Merlot 2007
Winery: Peju
Grape(s): Merlot and Petit Verdot
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2007
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 30-35

Review:
A lovely bouquet of blackberries, cassis, and cherries opens up into hints of chocolate, clove, and mint on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherry and blackberry rounded out by dark-chocolate, sweet spice, and a bit of oak. A lush wine that is still nicely structured, it has layers of underlying fruit with a few sweet barrel notes making this Merlot very approachable, even for naysayers of the varietal.
Rating: 92

Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winery: Raymond
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: (reserve)
Price: 30-35

Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cassis, and blueberries is accented by suggestions of chocolate, oak, and black licorice. A sip unfurls notes of blackberry, blueberry, and cherry, rounded out by hints of oak, dark-chocolate, and anise. A smooth, more elegant Cabernet that still has nice structure and is fairly dry with just a hint of sweetness, it's a treat for fans of nicely balanced wines.
Rating: 92

Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winery: Round Pond
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Estate
Price: 50-55

Review:
An alluring nose of plum, cassis, and blackberries that melds with suggestions dark-chocolate, sweet spice is quite enticing. A sip unfurls with notes of cassis, and blackberry accented by flavors of dark-chocolate, oak, and herbs. A very smooth wine with rich fruit, nice structure, and slightly sweet undertones, it's perfect for fans of more elegant Cabs.
Rating: 93

Sawyers Cellars Bradford Meritage 2007
Winery: Sawyers Cellars
Grape(s): 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot 2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2007
Special Designation: Bradford Meritage
Price: 45-50

Review:
A lovely bouquet of rich blackberries, currants, and plums with accents of chocolate and clove greets the senses. On the palate, blueberry and blackberry flavors meld with notes of oak, coffee, and dusty minerals. An elegant, fruit driven wine, that still offers some nice layers, fans of softer, supple reds will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90

Sawyers Cellars Merlot 2007
Winery: Sawyers Cellars
Grape(s): Merlot
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2007
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 45-50

Review:
On the nose, aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums mingle with notes of vanilla and fennel seed. Flavors of cherry and blackberry come together with suggestions of oak, black licorice, and vanilla. A fairly light, smooth wine, if you enjoy soft approachable reds, this is a bottle to try.
Rating: 89

Sawyers Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Winery: Sawyers Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2007
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 45-50

Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, currants, and black cherries meld with suggestions of chocolate and cedar. With a sip, flavors of cherry, blackberry, and cassis come together with notes of oak and anise. A smooth, fairly lush Cab, if you like fruit-driven reds that also offer some other layers, this bottle is well worth a try.
Rating: 91

Steele Wines Stymie 2008
Winery: Steele Wines
Grape(s): Merlot
Region: Lake County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Stymie
Price: 40-45

Review:
Aromas of plums, currants, and chocolate covered cherries meld with notes of fennel seed and smoke on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, cassis, and plum with accents of white pepper, tobacco, and roast coffee. A nicely structured, nicely layered wine with bright, robust flavors, it's a clear standout from all those wimpy Merlots.
Rating: 93

Steven Kent Petit Verdot 2008
Winery: Steven Kent
Grape(s): Petit Verdot
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Ghielmetti Vineyard
Price: 45-50

Review:
A bouquet of cherries and blueberries mingles with notes of violets and chocolate on the nose. Blackberry and blueberry flavors come together with floral, dark chocolate, black licorice, and earthy suggestions on the palate. A smooth, floral, layered wine with moderate tannins, fans of fairly light, complex reds will really enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 93

Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winery: Steven Kent
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Home Ranch Vineyard
Price: 55-60

Review:
On the nose, aromas of blackberries, cherries and cassis meld with notes of oak and sweet spice. Bramble fruit and cherry flavors with accents of vanilla, oak, and cinnamon emerge on the palate. A rich Cab with opulent tannins, fans of more elegant reds with ample dark fruit will enjoy this bottle very much.
Rating: 91

Veris Cellars Nova Vita 2008
Winery: Veris Cellars
Grape(s): Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Nova Vita
Price: 40-45

Review:
Rich aromas of blackberries and currants mingle with floral notes and hints of earth on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of bright blueberries and bramble fruit with accents of violets, dusty earth, and a bit of oak. If you like dark fruit with a somewhat lighter body, this is a bottle to try.
Rating: 90

Yorkville Cellars Richard the Loin-Heart 2008
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Richard the Loin-Heart
Price: 30-35

Review:
The nose has excellent depth as blackberries, currants, and black cherries are complicated by suggestions of earth, floral notes, dark-chocolate, and a hint of oak. Rich dark fruit flavors dominate the palate, rounded out by a bit of earth, oak, cocoa, and floral suggestions. Complex, fairly dry and bright, it's a wonderful wine for food. Roast chicken, lamb, or a juicy hamburger would all pair nicely.
Rating: 92