772 | Wine | Red | Page 5

"Trim and restrained, with a narrow beam of currant, tobacco, cigar box and cedar. Well-made, focused and persistent."

"The effect of the destemmer was significant on our 2011 Heritage Vines Zinfandel because it removed almost all of the stems. With this wine, our goal for the maceration was to aggressively extract during the first half of fermentation and then drain and press the wine off the skins prior to drying. This technique allowed us to coax out the depth of the ripe, racy fruit that lurks within Zinfandel grapes and also to avoid some of the roughness that can be leeched out of the skins at the end of fermentation. We employed the use of both French and American oak in the aging of this wine. Toast levels on these barrels were deep enough to impart chocolate and roasted coffee features into the finished wine."

A semi-sweet red wine from the Tabor Hill Winery in Buchanan, Michigan.

"Displays aromas of blackberry, plum and a hint of mocha. This elegant wine has dark fruit flavors framed by plush tannins. Finely integrated characteristics of black spice black pepper and maple combine to create a long, velvety finish."

"Deep ruby-red with pleasant reflections of violet. Intense and covered, notes of currant stick out, wild strawberries, and pomegranate. Soft and velvety. Distinct characteristics of fruitiness come forth."

"The opaque purple-colored 2010 Tarima Hill exhibits notes of chocolate fudge, pen ink, graphite, blueberries and blackberries. This full-bodied, 100% Monastrell should drink well for a decade or more. These amazing efforts taste more like they should cost $30 to $50 as opposed to the mid-teens." -Robert Parker

"An excellent wine from a challenging vintage, with aromas of black cherry and spice opening to rich wild berry, mineral and toasty sage flavors that wrap around a concentrated core of acidity and tannins."

"Complex aromas of red and dark berries, Indian spices and violet, with slow-building smokiness. Taut and focused on the palate, offering lively bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that pick up weight with air. Juicy and nicely concentrated Cotes du Rhone with strong finishing punch and lingering spiciness."

"A tasty, opulent 2005 from proprietress Helene Garcin, this sexy wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple color followed by a sweet bouquet of licorice, black cherries, blackberries, oak, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, opulent, fleshy, and disarming, it will drink well in 2-3 years, and should age for 12-15." -Robert Parker