14.9%; zinfandel, syrah, grenache, petite sirah, mourvedre, carignane; from Paso Robles, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley. Nice long cork. Black color. In your face aroma. Full assault of black fruit, peppercorn. More California fruit sweetness after tasting a Rhone range. Not a pandering sort though. This is seriously complex. Plenty of sweet fruit. Rangy, aromatically and texturally. Eminently well balanced. Power to the end. 92+/100.

2017: 84% zinfandel, with syrah, grenache, mourvedre, and petit sirah. From Dusi, Paper Street, and French Camp vineyards. Aged 11 months in seasoned French barrels. Intense, bright, clear, and penetrating. Pure black raspberry. Rangy, oaky, Paso sweet and powerful at 15.2%. Yes, juicy raspberry flavor. Sweet fruit. Good flow. No tannin bite. Full, strong, direct, ample. Delivers. 93+/100.

Tasting Panel 93; Wine Spectator 92: 'Plump and piquant, with expressive blackberry and orange zest aromas and lots of personality, accenting smoky cracked pepper and black olive flavors that build toward zesty tannins. Drink now through 2022. $30.'

Est. 2018; vineyard at 400 feet above Kenwood. Heavy Bottle Award. A fresh, lower-alcohol take, as intended. Sweet red raspberry and cranberry. Takes the pedal off the metal. Good, bright acidity. A dash of VA, for better or worse. Perfumed. Very fine tannin. Never had a zinfandel like this before. New tack. 91+/100.

13.5%. Heavy Bottle Award. Jolly color. Sweetish Lodi fruit aroma. And flavor. I detect some RS. Short of syrupy though. Good acid. 89/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'Textured and grippy, this light-bodied, high-acid white is refreshing and complex, with layers of Meyer lemon, grapefruit rind and tangerine. It rides the palate with a seamless energy of lasting freshness and subtle herbaceousness that appeals. $25.'

Medium sweet. Plenty fresh. Lush and sweet fruit flavored. Cranberry and blueberry. Acid-sweet balance is admirable. Very tasty. 92/100.

4 clones. Shale, lime, sandstone, mica soils. Kabinett style. Trim and racy, with the right balance of sweetness and acid. The fruit is fresh and crisp. Yes, balance, juice, flavor. Citrus and stone fruit. Juicy feel and flavor. 92/100.

2012: Wine Spectator 92 - TOP 100: Deeply colored and voluptuous, with a lush, spicy aroma and rich flavors of blackberry, blueberry and dark plum. Concentrated chocolate mousse notes emerge midpalate, leading to a cream-filled finish that ends with plenty of mocha accents. Drink now through 2021.'

Est. 1927; ninth generation vigneron at Odenas; 50-60 year old vines on sand and granite soils; whole cluster fermented by wild yeasts. Not much nouveau-ish about this one either. It's Villages and old vines large too. Ready to apply. Yes, large, structured, and bountiful on the palate. Good acid and extract. Serious stuff. 92+/100.

80% jaen, 10% tinta roriz, 5% alfrocheiro, 5% others; granite and clay soils. Red-black color. It's Dao solid, yet there's some sense of yield, of fruit forgiveness at the core. A proper Dao, that's for sure. And well priced. More fruit give on the palate. Dry and structured. Quite tannic, though not aggressively so. Another well priced cellarworthy wine. 91+/100.

2011: Crisp, compact and neat as usual. Bright, purple fruit. No young mencia reduction. Barrel aging sees to that. Good vintage of this. A bit firm yet. I like the form. No rough edges. Good potential. 91+/100.

Fresh, crisp, right. Slate-y. Again. Mineral salts. Right. Yes. 92/100.

Family estate; garnacha, samso, & syrah; 30-50 yrs old; on slate and granite; half aged in French foudres and barriques. Seems to be pretty well along in bouquet development in early maturing 2017. An accommodating style of Montsant. Well, the palate has a large measure of freshness and vitality I wasn't expecting to find. And a measure of tannin too. One unique, serious, and adventuresome Montsant. Totally mealworthy. Popular with the group. 91+/100.

Half each brachetto, moscato. Good, subtle muscat display complemented by brachetto pink fruit. Rich, round, pomaded. Cold cream aromatics and feel. Rose, peach, cherry creme. Spot on. Uber appeal. Doesn't get any better than this. 93/100.

Lithe. Has varietal ID, subtly offered. More texture and varietal character than the nose suggested. Off dry. Good length, ending with that characteristic varietal bitter twist. 91/100.

Wine Spectator 93: 'An intense nose of ripe blackberry, black cherry and black currant fruit is supported by hints of wild juniper, rosemary, sage and iron. Silky in texture and well-structured, this is long and charming from beginning to end. Drink now through 2025. $42.'

Wine & Spirits 91: 'Flavors of roasted figs and chestnuts play a starring role in this wine. It's nearly as dense as maple syrup, but there's a salinity in the background that keeps the wine balanced. Drink it as a dessert in itself.'

Wine Spectator 92: 'A deep, garnet-hued rose Champagne, with mouthwatering acidity and a delicate herbal overtone layered with flavors of dried raspberry, blood orange peel and star anise. A light chalkiness firms the lingering finish. $95.'

I think the berries come from Maine. Real blueberry aroma without the added sweetness. One of the purest blueberry wines I've tasted. 92/100.

Lots of citrus tang and sweet spices to balance. Asian spices. Pretty exciting stuff. Great quality. 95/100.