PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $24
Well integrated fruit and soil harmonizing blackberry, plum and currant with dusty cocoa and earth. Notes of cardamom, bay, dried mushroom and coffee. Moderately big bodied and well balanced (masking a very high 15.5% alcohol). From the top 1,000 vines of a steep hillside vineyard where the soil holds the least rain. An excellent wine and a great value. (Reviewed 3/12/11)