Marietta Cellars are quietly producing among the very finest values in California wines. Deep dark almost opaque purple to bluish red at the edges in color with aromas suggesting a mélange of ripe berries, ripe Italian blue plums, hints of the Sonoma soil itself, orange peel and baking spices; rich, ripe and round on the tongue with satisfying flavors of berries and spice, with gentle ripe tannins and berryish acidity holding all in balance through the long, flavorsome finish.

Marietta Cellars is located in Geyserville, Sonoma County, California on property once known as the Angeli Ranch. The property had been in the Angeli family since 1886 prior to its purchase in 1990 by Chris Bilbro, owner of Marietta Cellars. Angeli Cuvée now represents the pinnacle of the production of Marietta Cellars. It is produced from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane fruit grown in Alexander Valley. It is no small wine. Deep, deep, late night ruby purple in color, the wine rather unambiguously announces itself on the nose a quite strapping thing; ultra-ripe fruited, sporting big, big aromas of plump blackberry, black cherry, spice and a healthy winegrowing soil; lush and rich and mouthfilling, just bursting with flavors of spice and berry and earth that resonate soundly, bold and long in the baritone register.

Did we not mention Zinfandel? Around here, Ridge Vineyards, given the likes of their iconic Geyserville and Lytton Springs bottlings, is perhaps the preeminent name in Zinfandel-based wines from Sonoma County (and other parts California); but they do tend to be a bit low-key about it all. Allow us to toot their horn. Their 2008 Three Valleys is actually a blend of 74% Zinfandel happily commingled with 11% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane, 4% Mataro and 3% each Syrah and Grenache from select vineyard sites in valleys three Dry Creek, Alexander and Sonoma. Alluring crimson red in color with aromas that suggest blackberries, blueberries, dried cherries, holiday baking spices, shaved chocolate and more; pleasingly medium-full in body with rich textures freshened by zesty berryish acidity that carries spicy berry flavors long to the finish; absolutely delicious and wholesome American red wine. Brilliant value, too! Regularly $21.25 the bottle, on sale now at:

Gundlach Bundschu, established in 1858, was Bonded Winery Number 64 in California. For almost 150 years now, as they say, "since buffalo roamed the plains, through an earthquake, prohibition, beat poetry, and disco," Gundlach Bundschu has been growing world class wine grapes and producing world class wines. The winery operation itself was resurrected by fifth generation family member, Jim Bundschu, in the early 1970s. Gundlach Bundschu have since been producing superlative wines from their Rhinefarm Vineyard, some 300 acres of contiguous vineyards in the southeastern corner of Sonoma Valley. And they’ve been producing this fine Sonoma Valley Merlot since before anybody cared about “Merlot,” and then when they did, then didn’t, did, didn’t and now again do. Gundlach Bundschu Merlot transcends fashion. Lovely ruby red in color; aromas suggesting a whole panoply of red fruits like plum, cherry, cranberry and pomegranate, with hints of savory herbs like oregano and sage; elegantly textured, supple and ripe and round on the tongue with a nice nudge of fruity acidity that keeps flavors bursting fresh and lively into the long, warming embrace of a finish. It’s time for wine.

Michael Honig and crew are long-time among our favorite sources for delicious Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at - drum roll, please - fair and reasonable prices. Their 2006 vintage continues a string of delicious successes, produced from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc from Honig's own sustainably farmed vineyard in Rutherford and additional vineyards in Napa Valley. Aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, one-third new, this 2006 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon is characteristically elegant in style, with demure aromas that suggest blackberry, cherry and plum and spice; richly-textured on the tongue with polished, nicely-rounded tannins and gentle intensity of refined flavors that stretch out long on the warm, invigorating finish.

The 2005 J. Daniel Cuvee has put on considerable weight since last year, and the good news is that there are 1,400 cases of it. Dense ruby/purple in color with notes of graphite, black currant, coffee bean, crushed rock, chocolate, and spice, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, powerful, tannic, and seems to combine the best of both a top Bordeaux and a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030. Rated 94+. ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 174, December 2007