Rutherford Red Blend

Blackberry, black pepper, and dark cherries. Powerful bouquet. Very easy to drink, tastes younger than 12 years old. Well integrated at this point.

2012 - $40 retail, purchased at less than half; extraordinary value; luscious, fruit forward bouquet that takes a few minutes and some swirling to open up; medium body, with slightly tannic, medium finish; bought a case, plan to buy more; a diamond in the not so rough; 81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon; a great varietal marriage.

Very nice blend, smooth. Got it for a great price as well.

At home eating Babbo takeout with Paul. What a surprise, this delicious blend at a good price. . Ya would buy it again.

Spicy prunes! Mild dark cherry flavor.

Spicy black fruit bomb. Smooth and easy drinking, medium tannins, with a long finish.

Deep faintly translucent Ruby color and full bodied. Black currant with lots of pepper and firm tannins on the finish. Could probably have been left another couple of years to allow the tannins to mellow and soften.

Great nose. Nice balance.

Full bodied blend with lush tannins. Notes of coffee, black currants and oak on the palate.

Mostly merlot (81%, with the rest CS), made from Rutherford fruit by Aaron Pott. Lovely bouquet from the get-go, but the palate really benefits from 90 minutes of air, becoming smoother and more integrated over that time. If I had more, I'd wait another year or so before opening them but there's plenty to like at present for those who'd rather not wait. Solid value at $34 locally.