Produced from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 4% Malbec fruit from choice vineyards in the Napa Valley and under the supervision of none other than Christian Moueix of Dominus Estate and Château Petrus fame. Lovely deep ruby in color with aromas redolent of a fine winegrowing soil, cassis, sweet tobacco leaf, toasted baguette; supple on entry, then expanding to polished and round with smooth soft tannins that carry fresh vivid Cabernet flavors long to the finish. Superb value in classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

The 2009 Geyserville is a gorgeous wine. It shows expressive inner perfume, sweet black cherries, menthol and minerals. This is an understated, exceptionally elegant red endowed with considerable finesse and fabulous overall balance. A round, sensual finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. In 2009 the blend is 74% Zinfandel, 17% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mourvedre. Drink: 2012-2029. Rated 94.. ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 196, August, 2011

The 2009 Zinfandel East Bench is a big, burly wine loaded with dark cherries, flowers, tobacco and sweet herbs, all of which come together on a medium-bodied frame. It shows lovely length and personality, although some rough edges remain. With air, though, some of those angular contours begin to soften. Drink: 2012 - 2019. Rated 91. ‑ Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 196, August 2011

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red is produced from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane primarily from vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, replicating the old Cal‑Ital field blends there. Characteristically deep ruby in color with forward Zin aromas suggesting blackberry and spiced plum; at once balanced and generous, lush and supple on the tongue with a nicely rounded and mouth‑filling finish — the same up‑front and delicious wine we've come to know and love over these last fifty‑something lots. And, true as its ever‑blue label, Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red remains steadfast in its value.

From multiple vineyards, varietals and vintages, ex and always-Aussie proprietor Rob McDonald has fashioned a signature wine in what would appear from here as a nod to his late great Aussie pal, Dr. Bailey Carrodus at Underhill, Yarra Yering, Victoria, Australia. The Messenger Telegram Red Wine Number Two is produce of 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 3% Viognier from sustainably farmed vineyards in northern California. Discreet aromas with a fine balance of grape and earth and spice; supple and round on the tongue, then building in volume, becoming quite sumptuous and satisfying, with a nice burst of complex flavors supported and carried on by ripe round tannins. This is good ol' California daily-drinkin' red wine alright, but at a such a down-under price. Regularly $13.75 the bottle, on sale now at:

Following in the unfairly outmoded fashion of the old California field-blends, Contra is an inspired mingling of 55% Carignane, 16% Grenache, 14% Mourvèdre, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Zinfandel and 3% Syrah from mostly older vineyards located primarily in Contra Costa County, balancing the earthy rusticity of old vines Carignane with complimentary softer, more luscious fruitiness of the Grenache and Zinfandel et al. "Rocks and raspberries," as winemaker Randall Grahm has put it, the wine demonstrates a lovely deep ruby in color with aromas that quite clearly communicate this is a wine made from grapes, good grapes, and lots of them; fleshy berry fruit and stony earthen aromas predominate; firm and purposeful but just rounded at the edges on the tongue with ample concentrated flavors that burst resolutely and last long and warm on the finish — yes, this Bonny Doon Vineyard Contra Old Vine Field Blend brings it all deliciously into balance.

The Pellegrini Family traces its heritage in winemaking to the early 1900s when brothers Nello and Gino Pellegrini arrived in New York City from their native Tuscany. They soon made their way to the West Coast and in 1925 became Sonoma County grape merchants, shipping grapes throughout the states for home winemaking. In 1933, after repeal of Prohibition, the brothers established the original Pellegrini Wine Company, shipping grapes from Sonoma County and producing quality wines for many of San Francisco’s finest shops and restaurants. Nowadays, Nello’s grandson Robert Pellegrini is at the helm overseeing winegrowing at two vineyard sites in the Russian River and Alexander Valleys, as well as production and sales. Pellegrini Family Vineyards’ Cloverdale Ranch is situated on 55 acres of deep gravelly soil in the northern Alexander Valley. Extending from the base of the Mayacamas Mountains to the east bank of the Russian River, this vineyard produces outstanding Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The 2009 Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful deep red in color with purple highlights; opulent aromas of cassis, violet, black cherry, spiced plum and tobacco leaf; rich and ripe and round, mouthfilling with smooth curvy tannins and ripe flavors that last and last. This is California Cabernet Sauvignon at its flavorsome best and priced to drink, to boot!

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 2009 Three Valleys is actually a blend of 70% Zinfandel happily commingled with 10% Petite Sirah, 15% Carignane, 3% Grenache and 2% Mataro 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 wonderfully wholesome American red wine. Brilliant value, too! Regularly $23.75 the bottle, on sale now at: