I also liked the soon to be released 2012 Arrowood Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet, made from the Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, although it was still quite tannic and closed.

The Arrowood winery lies in Sonoma County, tucked between the Mayacamas and the Sonoma Mountain ranges. Grapes for this wine were sourced from the Sonoma, Knights and Alexander Valleys. The wine has just the right amount of oak – mostly French, 20% new – and is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Look for aromas of blueberry and plum with notes of orchard blossom and dark cherry. The palate adds nuances of baking spice and anise, yielding to a soft and flavorful finish.

This is a tasty cab with flavors of cassis, plum and black pepper. Firm tannins. Supple texture. Aromatic, reeling you in with notes of blackberry and plum. Lingering finish. Lovely.

Floral aromas, flavors of black cherries and spice, ripe tannins, mellow.

Good or bad, vintage assessments for Napa cabernets tend to spill over onto the reputations of cabs from Sonoma County. But there are some good examples from Sonoma that are still available. For example, the 2011 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon ($35), which is a good buy, is bright and savory, with red fruit, notes of anise and olive, and drying tannins.

You’d be hard pressed to find an equally delicious and full-bodied cabernet for this price. Arrowood produces a dependable cabernet sauvignon, although we could argue that it doesn’t have any unique qualities. Blended with merlot and petit verdot, it has an enjoyable roundness with generous aromatics and juicy raspberry and black cherry flavors.

A cabernet with great bones (structure) and ripe fruit. What makes this impressive is its concentration of fruit - blackberry and black raspberry. Notes of herbs and spice in the mix. Lush texture.

This reasonably priced cabernet sauvignon is ready for drinking with fruit-forward character and ripe plum and cherry flavors.

This is a complex cab, with layered flavors and great structure. It has firm tannins with aromas and flavors of cherry, currant, cassis and plum. A smart holiday pick.

Hint of oak, aromas and flavors of black raspberries and dark chocolate, big, ripe tannins, full body.

Dark, rich nose of minerals, smoke, oak and savoury notes. Opulent, in-your-face caramel and toffee cake with some grip on the back palate. Quite interesting.

This is a very nice cabernet sauvignon that is aged in both American and French oak. A plum and cassis nose leads to black cherries and a bit of oak in the mouth. Great now but should age well for at least three to five years.

Concentrated flavors of black cherries and cassis with pleasant additions of chocolate and black pepper. Round mouthfeel and fruit-forward style make it a delicious wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County often has a dried plum or black currant note, perfect with these earthy, deeply flavored steaks.

A tangy cabernet sauvignon with good acid and nice focus. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and spice. Good length.

Push the boat out with these very limited-production Sonoma Cabs.

Heady cassis nose, sumptuous and perfumed. Suave, concentrated and tannic, with a firm structure that should ensure a long life ahead. From 2009.

2003 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon Arrowood Vineyards produces a powerful yet elegant Monte Rosso Cab; the 2003 offers firm structure and ripe black cherry flavors accented by cedar and spice.

ARROWOOD VINEYARDS THREE AND A HALF STARS 2002 SONOMA COUNTY CABERNET

This is a flashy, Rhone-style blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Grenache. It's enormously rich in pear, pineapple, honeysuckle, butterscotch, vanilla and smoky flavors, with a savory touch of lime. The tart bite of acidity calls for rich fare, such as seafood in cream sauce.

Floral aromas, flavors of ripe peaches and oranges.

Oftentimes, viognier is all about aromatics — and only aromatics. But this gussied-up viognier from the cool Russian River Valley has great flavor with hints of apple, lime, orange and peach.

This tasty viognier is layered with tasty aromas and flavors. Notes of white peach, nectarine, apricot and honeysuckle. This is a great wine to uncork with your pumpkin pie and for that reason, an irresistible holiday pick.

Aromas of lemons, honey and spice, full-bodied and rich $30

An aromatic viognier with notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom. Lush and lively. Spot on.