Napa Valley Rutherford Reds

Trinchero Winery, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Chicken Ranch Vineyard, Merlot 2005 Give the wine a bit of air for 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of funk. Then the plummy fruit combines with the wet forest floor and a bit cedar in the nose. In the mouth plums and raspberries come through on a soft carpet, light-bodied and easy drinking. Winemaker Mario Monticelli. Grown, produced and bottled in St. Helena 13.5% $35 at the winery for the latest vintage ’07 Trinchero Napa Valley

Sawyer Cellars, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Estate Bottled, Bradford Meritage 2005 Cigar box and evolving fruit are joined by a bit of volatility. In the mouth, the wine is plush, creamy and a little warm. P&B in Rutherford 14.1% $44 at the winery Sawyer Cellars

Sawyer Cellars, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Estate Bottled, Bradford Meritage 2004 With a little air the fruit really pops, amped up by a little volatility. The mouth is densely packed with fruit, there’s an acidic frame and polished edges. P&B in Rutherford 14.1% This vintage is sold out at the winery but the ’03 is still available for $48 Sawyer Cellars

Frank Family Vineyards, Rutherford, Napa Valley, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 There’s a strong sense of eucalyptus and sweet oak in the nose while the palate shows off vanilla with black fruit, structured yet very silky and long. V&B in Calistoag 14.5% sold out at the winery but the ’06 is available on allocation – contact the winery Frank


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