SANTA BARBARA | CALIFORNIA | $38
Concentrated blackberry and layers of roasted plum, black cherry and cassis, spiced with savory cardamom and cola. A glossy wine, fruit forward with natural acidity and a silky mouth feel. Here’s a bold personality — up front, charming and engaging, pushing the repartee, yet sustaining sufficient restraint to allow all to come away dignity intact. A very good wine. (Reviewed 5/1/12)