Artesa 2004 Tempranillo Alexander Valley Reserve ($25). Ripe and aromatic, with bold red berry and cherry flavors layered with dark chocolate, loads of spices and touch of smoke and leather that stay in the background and linger on the finish. Appealing structure. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 03/08)

B Cellars 2005 Blend 24 Napa Valley($38). Does not disappoint. Sort of a Napa-styled Super Tuscan, with concentrated black cherry and berry aromas and flavors accented with sweet tobacco, mineral and a touch of mint on a meaty frame. Long, complex finish. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), Merlot (30%), Sangiovese (20%) and Petite Sirah. Benefits from a bit of decanting now to smooth things out, but should continue to age nicely for nearly a decade. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-01-03)

Beauzeaux 2005 Red Wine California ($10). Fun and juicy, this blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Charbono, Petite Sirah and several more is pronounced BoZo and adds a lively array of flavors to any meal or gathering. Ripe red cherry, blackberry, blueberry, sweet vanilla, warm spices and a lipsmacking finish make it appealing. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/07)

Bennett Lane 2005 Maximus Red Napa Valley ($35) continues the winning streak with an elegant blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Merlot (25%) and Syrah that offers layers of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, dusty cocoa, brown spices and cedar that come together on a rich, full-bodied finish. Delicious now and over the next four or five years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (Picks & Nibbles 05/08)

Beringer

Big House Wine 2005 Red California ($10). Juicy red fruit — strawberry, cherry, raspberry — is the star here, with light accents of baking spices and sweet vanilla. A fun, easy to slurp wine. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 10/07)

Big Moose 2002 Red California ($10). Easy and slurpable, with ripe red berry and cherry fruit along with anise and warm spices and dried rose notes. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/05)

Casa Nuestra

Chimney Rock 2006 Elevage Stags Leap District Napa Valley ($76). A blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (41%) and Petit Verdot. This one is plummy and generous, offering waves of blueberry, deep chocolate, sweet smoke and spices, with a mineral notes on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.  (2011-09-07)

Clos du Bois

1996 Marlstone ($37). What I like best about this wine is that it combines complex full flavors with a smoothness that makes it very easy to drink. This wine is full of berry and cherry flavors with just a hint of oak. There is also a light herbal taste that lingers with the excellent finish. Although some may prefer a slightly heartier wine, the combination of full flavor and smoothness makes this one of my favorites. (Splurge Wine, 04/00)

1995 Marlstone ($NA). This wine is full of flavor and boasts plenty of smoothness. However, it is noticeably earthy and herbal, and even has a hint of cedar. Its aftertaste is long and dry. This wine would benefit from more cellaring time and will only get better with age. (Splurge Wine, 04/00)

Concannon 2004 Assemblage Red Central Coast Limited Release ($14). Nice richness and balance at this price point, with smooth black cherry, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors that linger nicely on the velvety finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Merlot, Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot. (Weekend Wine 02/07)

Crush Pad Red 2002 Red Table Wine California ($12). Like biting into a perfectly ripe strawberry, this aromatic red blend is fresh and pretty and bursting with red raspberry and strawberry flavors, picking up light touches of herbs, vanilla and toasty oak. A perfect summer red! Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/05)

Deerfield Ranch 2001 Super Rex California North Coast ($45). Very good — ripe and lush with cranberry and red cherry fruit, nice balance, appealing spiciness and a focused, lingering finish. Drink now and over the next 2-3 years. A twist on a Super Tuscan, with predominantly Sangiovese (73%), plus Cabernet Franc (14%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) and Dolcetto (5%). We loved it with a Greek feast, but it would be fantastic with any Mediterranean cuisine. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)

Domaine Alfred 2003 DA Red Edna Valley ($18). Cute, casual name matches the basic table red inside, with straightforward red berry and cherry flavors accented with toasty, vanilla oak. A blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Would be happier with this wine if it were a few bucks less! Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 12/05)

Domaine Chandon 2000 Pinot Meunier Carneros ($29). Soft spices and fresh black cherry combine with deep currant, earth, and sweetly smoky oak to make this interesting wine that is rarely seen as a stand-alone varietal wine. Somehow elegant and earthy at the same time. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Robyn’s Picks 08/02)

Franciscan 2004 Magnificat Napa Valley ($50) is nearly 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with just a tiny dash of Cabernet Franc. It’s delicious, frankly, full of rich blackberry and black cherry fruit and offering up intriguing accents of smoky chocolate, baking spices, toast and vanilla on the long, long finish. Tempting now, it should age beautifully over the next five or six years. (Picks & Nibbles, 03/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Jade Mountain 2004 Mourvedre Contra Costa County Evangelho Vineyard Ancient Vines ($20). Very nice! Intensely aromatic red and blackberry flavors are laced with toasted spices, smoke and fresh herbs. Finishes with a burst of bright, mouthwatering acidity. Quite food friendly. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 08/06)

Joe Blow Wine Cellars 2005 Red California ($12). Tasted like pie filling, with waves of ripe blueberry and cherry, smooth vanilla and toasty notes. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting 02/08)

Joseph Phelps 1998 Le Mistral California ($N/A). This red blend of Grenache (51%), Syrah (21%), and Mourvedre (9%), along with splashes of Alicante Bouschet, Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah, is complex but highly drinkable. Versatile with food, it displays bright red plum, cherry, and currant fruit, with plenty of peppery zip. Quite good now, but will age very nicely over the next five years. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)

L’Aventure

Laurel Glen 1999 Reds Rouge Rosso Tinto California ($9). A mouthwatering blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and other red varietals, this wine has been an insider’s favorite for years. Medium-bodied with a surprisingly complex profile that includes an earthy truffle note along with ripe blackberry fruit and spice. Ready to drink now. Wonderful paired with charcuterie items like grilled sausages and country pâtés, as well as roasted chicken and just about any kind of cheese (try a walnut-studded Brie!). (Weekend Wine, 03/01)

Mills Reef 2000 Elspeth One ($35) is a blend of five varietal wines — Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Malbec (14%), and Syrah (14%). So it is essentially a Bordeaux blend, with a healthy dose of Syrah added. The Syrah lends additional concentration and spice to the mix, and the overall package is really delicious. It is a powerful, full-bodied wine, showing deep cherry, berry and pretty plum fruit. Accents include meat, earthy mushroom, black pepper, and spicy oak. Nice complexity and balance. Full, ripe finish. Delicious now and over the next four or five years. This wine is quite versatile, especially with an array of meats — grilled, roasted, braised, you name it. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

Niebaum-Coppola 1998 Rosso ($9). Just dandy. Nothing complicated, just easy to drink wine. This red table wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese. I’m a Zinfandel freak and with it’s Zin base, the Rosso did not let me down. The other varietals smoothed this baby out to make a well-rounded red. (ETFOFW, 04/00)

Novella 2000 Synergy Paso Robles Estate Bottled ($13). Our clear favorite of the tasting, this wine is a blend of 45% Sangiovese, 45% Zinfandel and 10% Petite Sirah. Jammy black cherry and blueberry fruit, with hits of licorice and nutmeg, and waves of sweet vanilla oak on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now. It’s a great food-friendly choice and would match well with a wide range of foods. We paired it with bruschetta topped with crème fraiche, prosciutto, fresh figs and cracked black pepper – delightful! (Bargain Wines, 10/02)

Parducci 2006 Sustainable Red Mendocino County ($11). Not bad for the price — and a great burger wine. A blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignane, this tasty red offers black currant and black cherry fruit accented with black pepper and fresh herbal notes. Medium bodied, with a moderate finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-08-09)

Quivira 2008 Grenache Dry Creek Valley Wine Creek Ranch ($26). Full-flavored, smooth, mouthfilling black cherry and plum fruit is accented with touches of toast, smoky black peppercorn and sweet baking spices. With a plush, lengthy finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-10-29)

Rancho Arroyo Grande 2007 Mourvedre Arroyo Grande Valley Dry Farmed ($45). I happened to have a handful of California Mourvedre samples — not something that happens everyday — and this one was the winner, without even a close second. Full-bodied and rich, with pretty black cherry and cassis fruit, plenty of savory spice and cedar notes, and a long, silky finish. Ready to drink now. (2009-08-05) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Robert Hall 2004 Rhone de Robles Central Coast ($18). A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise, this well-priced red offers bright, concentrated red cherry and blueberry fruit laced with anise, black pepper and toast. Lush, generous finish. Great with all kinds of grilled and spicy meat dishes. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 02/07)

Skylark

2007 Las Aves Mendocino County ($25). A smooth, appealing red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Carignan (38%) and Syrah, with lifted floral aromas introducing black and blue fruit flavors – currant, blackberry, blueberry — and spicy dark chocolate notes through the rich finish. Nicely done. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-02-03)

2007 Grenache Mendocino County ($26). Not your everyday Grenache (in other words, I really liked it!), with red cherry and berry flavors that are so bright and racy you almost miss the core of admirable structure — this is serious wine. Intense concentration and accents that include pepper, dried herbs, currant and light earthy notes. Long, complex finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-02-03)

Stephan Ridge 2001 Red Paso Robles ($25). A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers a lovely combination of ripe fruit and pretty floral notes, including red cherry and berry flavors, creamy chocolate, rose petal, and clove. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine, 04/04)

Sullivan Vineyards 2004 Red Wine Napa Valley Red Ink ($25). A blend of Merlot (60%), Syrah (23%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), this slurpable red offers ripe red berry and plum aromas and flavors, laced with kicky spices, toasty vanilla, a touch of mint on the lush finish. You find yourself reaching for another pour before your glass is even empty… Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Splurge Wine 10/06)

Tamás Estate 2005 Barbera Livermore Valley ($17). Bold red berry aromas and flavors are accented with an earthy, gamey note. The fruit builds through a long, mouthwatering finish, picking up a touch of toasty vanilla along the way. Very nice. Try with your next grilled t-bone for a change of pace! Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Weekend Wine 09/07)

Trenza 2008 Tinto San Luis Obispo County ($30). Delicious. Ripe blueberry, blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors are appealingly laced with savory spices, roasted herbs, and touches of briar and mint through the peppery finish. Nice balance of acidity, tannins and flavor. It worked beautifully with an array of strong cheese that included Mahon, Double Gloucester and Parmigiano Reggiano. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2012-02-06)

Trinafour 2007 Carignan Mendocino County Niemi Vineyard ($20). Honestly, this is the wine that sealed the deal for me that night. It’s an old vine Carignan with made with a ripasso of unpressed Petite Sirah skins. I mean really… Really? And don’t worry — if that doesn’t mean anything to you, then just enjoy this deep, fragrant, concentrated wine for all its intense blackberry character and smoky suppleness. This is crazy good — and I typically don’t even like Carignan — and totally affordable to boot. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-02-03)

Viader 2005 Tempranillo Napa Valley DARE ($40). It’s easy to fall for this wine at first whiff, with its pretty wild strawberry, floral and sweet cedar aromas. Supple red fruit flavors pick up soft earthy notes through the finish, along with dashes of brown spice and toast. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 03/08)

Viansa 1997 Prindelo ($N/A). This is a blend of Zinfandel, Primitivo and Teroldego. The Zin adds spice, Primitivo a soft lushness, and Teroldego a dark, rich berry flavor. We all enjoyed the Prindelo, but agreed it will be better in a couple more years. It is a little harsh on the finish, and the rich berry flavor is still masked. But it is vastly improved from the original tasting. I look forward to trying it again in a couple years. (Weekend Wine, 09/00)

Yorkville Cellars

Zaca Mesa 2005 Z Cuvée Santa Ynez Valley ($18). A blend of Mourvedre (48%), Grenache (29%), Syrah (20%) and Cinsault, this well-priced red offers juicy red berry fruit that picks up touches of aromatic blackberry jam, smoke, bacon, baking spices and mineral, finishing with a bit of grip. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Winery Spotlight 06/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.