One of the winery's most celebrated releases each year, this blend of all five major Bordeaux red varieties is an excellent showcase of Carmel Valley's class. Freshly squeezed blackberry and blackcurrant fruit meet with beef char, charcoal and dried lilacs on the nose. The palate tastes of lava rocks, dark chocolate, fresh boysenberries, dried mint and beef jerky, all woven together with a touch of smoke. MATT KETTMANN

The 2012 Marinus is the estates Bordeaux release and is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. This ruby colored effort offers a deep, layered, supple style to go with impressive notes of red and black currants, bay leaf, olives, and cedary spice. It's ripe, medium to full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, building tannin and a great finish. It's certainly an outstanding wine and I suspect will see its 20th birthday in fine form.