~$40-50US 100% Syrah, Rockpile AVA, Sonoma, California

16.1% ABV required about 3+ hours for the heat to blow off…

Color: Aubergine
Nose: Very concentrated berry fruits, iodine, iron
Palate: Sappy, explosive fruits, still mineral water, mouth-coating, disciplined oak, tannins deliver solid structure
Finish: Oily, measured in minutes, black licorice

This California Syrah is very expressive and bursting with mountainy, rocky character. Hits the tongue with serious intent - power, volume, weight, sweet, and savory. Much more interesting (to my palate) than the majority of Australian Shiraz’s I have had in the last year. It not only offered fine tannic structure without over-oaking, but brought a whole family of mineral, stone, and medicinal components into the mix in a very compelling way.  I could see enjoying this a hearty beef and root vegetable stew, or drinking it on it’s own.

~$25-30US 100% Chardonnay, Sonoma
I want to start by saying this was an enormous surprise, and one of the best chardonnays I’ve had in awhile. Very pale straw color in the glass. Aromatically auspicious, with green apples, pears, lime, and watermelon Jolly Ranchers up front. On the palate this wine shows it stuff as a stunningly-well crafted chardonnay. Full-flavored, but medium in body. Just the right amount of oak to bring in some cinnamon and a tiny bit of vanilla and toast, but these notes support and add complexity to the fruits. The dance of sweetness and acidity make this very exciting on the tongue. Becomes more tropical and complex in the midpalate with some more coconut, peach, lime and even a little strawberry, beyond the apple and pear. A curious mushroom flavor shook things up into the otherwise clean finish, for a final twist. Not only great with food, but simply appetizing. A stunner.

An awesome expression of American chardonnay. This wine rocks the fresh fruit, liveliness, and complexity with style.

~$17US Mostly Zinfandel / A little Petit Sirah, Sonoma California

Rich deep purple color. Totally candy-store on the nose; Skittles, Spree, Jollyranchers.Full-bodied on the palate. 15.2% alcohol (noticeable) with some oak and medium tannins keep this a few more steps away from grape Kool Aid. Mixed blackberries, raspberries and Sprees, all stewed together with a few pine-needles. A strange waxy note, like a box of crayons shows up in the mid-palate. Fun and easy to drink, especially after a little of the alcohol blew off (45 minutes?). More of a cocktail wine than a meal-pairing one.

Party Juice! Big fruit and a great wine to share with friends. A benchmark over-the-top style Zinfandel, under $20.