This has a forest-like nose with bracken, leaves, red berries, juniper and herbs, all interwoven. The palate has a sleek, graphite-like edge and dark berries are cast in forthright, muscular and intense tannins that hold uncompromising on the finish. A field blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Try from 2022.

Dark red with ruby tones. Black fruits and licorice pastille on the nose. Intense flavors of dark berries, licorice and tar are enlivened by a penetrating violet quality. A powerful spine of tannins runs though this tactile wine, coating the teeth on the very firm finish. This very young Bordeaux blend, from a vineyard that's actually on the Oregon side of Walla Walla Valley, needs at least a couple more years in the bottle to harmonize and soften. -- Stephen Tanzer