For value hunters, Ravenswood from Sonoma is a safe bet. Although labeled California, the grapes were grown in several sub-appellations within Sonoma County. It was a very good year for Cabernet, winemaker Joel Peterson admitted, which made this darkly hued wine intense. Up front, the aromas are boldly spicy and meld with blackberry, plum, and currant flavors on the palate. A good value at $18.50, it can be found at lower prices at BevMo! or Trader Joe’s.
This article appears in Mar 24-31, 2011.