Real nice, real smooth Cab. It's almost like a good single-malt scotch, with that light-heavy, rich, velvety mouthfeel and a tangy, iodine and peat tinge to the cherries and oak. Dry and polished.

Costs a buck or two more than it used to, but the quality of VR has risen, as the winery's grape sources are entirely from estate coastal grapes. This Cab is very ripe and soft, with lavish cherry, cassis and chocolate flavors. The finish is dry and clean.

The 2004 Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily from Sonoma, Mendocino, and Napa County vineyards. There are about 161,000 cases of this cuvee. Elegant, sweet red and black currant notes intermixed with spicy vanillin are found in this excellent, medium-bodied Cabernet. With sweet tannin and good underlying freshness, it will provide tasty drinking over the next 4-5 years.

Reveals a juicy, spicy, earthy, red berry and black current-scented bouquet, sweet tannin, a good texture, and a strong varietal character.

Ruby-red. Dark berries and chocolate on the nose. Creamy but firm-edged in the mouth, with complex flavors of cherry, mocha, espresso, tobacco leaf and fresh herbs.

A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 16 months in French oak, of which 51% is new. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of vanilla, crushed rocks, black currants, spice box, and tobacco smoke. Medium-bodied, with fine ripeness as well as moderate tannin, it will age nicely for a decade.

Nicely focused aromas of black cherries and oak are followed on the palate by equally attractive flavors that combine ripe fruit and sweet oak with a hint of rich, loamy note. It has decent staying power and will serve well over the next few years.

In a blind tasting of California Cabs that for the most part displayed baked-fruit dullness and syrupy sweetness, this wine stood out for its freshness and brightness. It's fruity without being sweet or ponderous, and its concentration of fruit on the finish speaks to its quality.

Another surprisingly strong effort, which comes from a combination of Napa and Knight's Valley vineyards. A French oak-aged (16% new) blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits big, ripe, black currant notes intertwined with cedar smoke licorice and earth. Medium-bodied, with ripe fruit as well as fine balance, this value-priced Cabernet will drink well for 5-7 years.

Ripe and juicy, with fleshy plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit that's well-centered and supple in texture, with a touch of leather and mineral. Drink now through 2007.

Ripe and juicy, with fleshy plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit. Supple in texture, with notes of leather and mineral.

We wonder in quiet amazement at this winery's ability to make such attractive and affordable wines in such sizeable lots...this well-polished and brightly balanced offering is nicely fruited, deftly sweetened with oak and gets the job done at a very fair price.

Lively, with fresh wild berry, blackberry and cherry notes, picking up hints of cedar, sage and cranberry. Nicely balanced.

Lightly fruity, with elegant cherry and wild berry flavors, a touch of pretty oak and modest tannins.

Spicy and tart with lively plum and raspberry fruit and a firm acidity.

Modestly built but appealing, with raspberry and sweet anise flavors.

Those looking for “killer” Zinfandel should look elsewhere, which probably explains why I like this wine. It’s a balance of black fruit flavors, spice and a touch of herbal notes wrapped in soft plush tannins. Not flamboyant, it’s a good choice for burgers, barbeque or a pepperoni pizza. 87 points.

Sweet almost candied purple plums and blueberry jam on this full-bodied, smooth zinfandel. Pair with grilled meats topped with sweet relish and loads of ketchup. Zinfandel food pairings: grilled lamb loin, spaghetti Bolognaise, aged cheddar, grilled duck breast, Italian sausage burgers.

Briary and zesty, offering appealing cherry and herb aromas, with crisp plum, anise and pepper flavors. Tannins sneak in on the finish.

This is a big, full Zinfandel that’s blended with 19% Petite Sirah and 1% Chardonnay. With the right balance between fruit and spice, the wine is a liquid version of blackberry jam on toast.

This is a big, full Zinfandel that's blended with 19% Petite Sirah and 1% Chardonnay. With the right balance between fruit and spice, the wine is a liquid version of blackberry jam on toast.

The 2010 Zinfandel Vintner's Reserve is another attractive, up-front wine in this entry-level series. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, menthol and hard candy are all layered into the expressive finish. The 2010 is varietally true, nicely balanced and reasonably priced. What else can you ask for? The 2010 is 80% Zinfandel and 20% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.

KJ's Mendocino County Zin has both red and black berry fruit flavor and the spiciness one expects from dry-farmed Mendocino County vineyards, though the tannins stick around a bit longer than one might like. Cedar definitely shows up on the finish.

Well-balanced with floral, ripe plum, cherry and wild berry fruit that's supple.

It exhibits this varietal's honeysuckle and apricot-like notes, medium body, good underlying acidity, no noticeable oak, and a touch of residual sugar.