Tooth & Nail "The Fiend" Paso Robles 2012
Deep, vivid purple color with viscosity evident in the glass. The nose is immediately filled with the scents of freshly crushed red and black berries with plum and loads of Herbes de Provence, dark chocolate, cassis, and subtle hints of anise. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose and then some. The rich fruit core is as smooth as silk with layers of berry coming in waves with accents of cocoa, lavender, sandalwood, and allspice. This big red is a mouthful with ripe fruit at its core and virtually no tannins making it ready to drink today. $26.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Tooth & Nail "The Possessor" Paso Robles 2012
Deep, vivid ruby red color with viscosity evident in the glass. The aromatics reveal a great deal of dusty, dry earth accompanying the rich black fruits with supporting notes of red cherry, plum, cardamon, allspice, black pepper, dried pine needle, and oak. The palate concurs with the nose as the concentrated fruit core expands and flurishes with flanking notes of earth, spice, and oak with dried herbs making an appearance on the finish. This is a big and bold wine with a rich core and enough acidity and subtle dry tannins to keep it vibrant. $26.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Force of Nature Red Wine - Mossfire Ranch Paso Robles 2013
Deep, bold ruby red to purple, the kind of ruby that would make Barbie blush. The nose reveals a lush fruit bomb with character and style. The ripe, lush cherry, raspberry and plum are foiled by scents of forest floor, oak, dark chocolate and subtle hints of clove. The palate is just as rich as the nose if not more. It's a carnival of freshly crushed ripe red berries with some black berries mixed in for interest. The secondary earth, spice and oak notes are rather secondary as lush, ripe fruit is the focus here. This is a big wine but not at all brooding or flabby. The alcohol is well in check and there is enough acid to keep inviting sip after sip and the cold, black tea tannins on the finish offer structure and depth. $18 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Pietra Santa Sassolino Cienega Valley 2010
Deep, darkest burgundy color. The aromatics are so concentrated with the scents of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum with bold accents of cocoa nibs, brown baking spices, and oak. The palate opens with a ripe fruit explosion with loads of baking spices to add depth and intrigue. It's simply delicious with layers of lush fruit mingling with oak, spice, and subtle hints of vanilla bean. This is a wine that you can chew but it's so vibrant and fresh thanks to a smart dose of acidity and silky tannins. $24 – 5 Stars – 97 points
