I arrived early at the airport to catch my flight out west. With time to kill I went to the wine tasting bar Vino Volo where I got to try this stunner. A huge nose of Blackcurrants and oak greeted me and prepared me for what was about to happen. A layered attack of black cherry, currant, plums and pencil hit the palate with a gratifying rush. Melded tannins give structure and there is a finish of mint and herbs with tailings of wood. Delicious and balanced, this wine was absolutely gorgeous. Retailing at about $33 it is a 91 point wine worthy of 4 stars in my books. I’m a huge fan of this winery and for good reason, the Santa Cruz mountains are definitely a go-to region for my tastes. Perfect by itself, it would also pair nicely with braised beef, coq-au-vin and a host of other Autumn dishes. Salut….