Inspiration Vineyards Zinfandel 2012 Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County, California

For National Zinfandel day I opened one from Sonoma County.

This is the second time I’m trying this 7 year old Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley. This time I decided to let it open for 4 hours. Not much change.

Showing red fruits with earth notes, tobacco, vegetables, wood, earth and oak.

Soft and elegant with a tart finish and light bell pepper notes.

A nice food wine. At this point it does resemble an Italian Primitivo, which is nice to see.

Was probably better a few years ago, if you’re looking for a fruit forward Zinfandel. Interesting nonetheless.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers by the pool.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

87 points.

$25.

Chiron Wines The Paint of Moonlight Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, knights Valley, California

It’s time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from Knights Valley, California.

Deep purple in color (very dark) with a short purple rim.

On the nose blueberries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, light wood, earth, barnyard, light vegetables and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, red currants, blueberries, oak, light vanilla, spices, alcohol, peppercorn and dark coffee.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a very enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.

This Single Vineyard is not fully balanced yet, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. I let it open for 3 hours, and it feels like it needs more time. Mid palate is still very tangy. Will be better in a few years.

Good by itself or with food. Tangy and spicy. I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in New French oak barrels for 22 months.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$70.

Lake Sonoma Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Alexander Valley, California

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here’s a nice one from Sonoma.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, wood, cloves, vanilla, spices, espresso, chocolates, metals, green vegetables, light bell pepper and earth.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, bell pepper, green vegetables, coffee, chocolates, light earth, tobacco, beef jerky and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with firm tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Fruity and rich, with lots of bell pepper notes.

Still young and needs another few years in the bottle to mature properly. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins (60 minutes).

Fruit forward, tasty and good by itself or with food. Solid and dependable.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25.

Prohibido Wines Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir 2015, California

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with bing cherries, oak, strawberries, light vanilla, spices, espresso, wild flowers and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with strawberries, cherries, raspberries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, tobacco leaf, light vanilla, light vegetables, dark coffee and chocolates.

Nice finish with spices and fine tannins.

This is a very nice Pinot Noir from Sonoma Mountain. Easy drinking and tasty.

Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Better when lightly chilled.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and good for parties.

Easy drinking and engaging with a great nose.

Although not my usual drinker, I really enjoyed it.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers by the pool.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$30.

Peter Michael Winery Les Pavots 2005, Sonoma County, California

For my 5,000th review on Vivino, it’s time for a special bottle. Here is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Gorgeous nose of blueberries, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, smoke, eucalyptus, black pepper, tobacco, herbs, leather, wet leaves, earth, vegetables and graphite.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Smooth and elegant.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, figs, licorice, wood, vanilla, sweet cherries, graphite, spices, earth, wet leaves, herbs, light vegetables and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

What a great surprise. This Bordeaux blend is drinking so beautifully right now. Well balanced and very complex. Gentle with lots of fruits and earth notes.

This 14 year old from Knights Valley needs a couple of hours to open up properly and really show up. Delicious.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 95 points.

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit verdot.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$200.

Covenant Wines Neshama Proprietary Red 2015 Sonoma County, California

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, chocolates, spices, peppercorn, light vegetables and pencil lead.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, chocolates, tobacco, coffee, peppercorn and pencil lead.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This is a great, Petit Verdot based, red blend from Sonoma County. Nicely balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up, with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Drinking nicely now, and will age nicely in the next 5 years. I had it a year ago and it is drinking better now.

Thank you Barry for sharing this with me.

A blend of 60% Petit Verdot, 30% Malbec and 10% Syrah. Kosher. Not Mevushal.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$72.

Crux Winery Russian River Valley GSM 2014 Sonoma County, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, cloves, coffee, chocolates, peppercorn, tobacco, leaf earth, herbs, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, red currants, oak, smoke, vegetables, vanilla, earth, tobacco, spices, coffee, cola, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with soft tannins and tangy strawberries.

This is a very nice GSM blend from California.

Balanced and tangy with a nice mouthfeel. Spicy with enough fruits for the earthy notes.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (90 minutes).

A blend of 58% Grenache 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 2% Petite Sirah.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and light appetizers.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$46.