Tannic but still juicy, this is a very interesting example of California Pinotage made by Rich Parducci, the son of Mendocino winemaking pioneer John Parducci. Dark and full-bodied, the wine tastes like a ripe, jammy blackberry pie with a smidgen of clove, though there’s not much else that’s subtle about this wine. Worth trying.——V.B.(7/1/2011)—— 88

Dry, with ripe cherry and black plum flavors and rich tannins that turn dryish on the finish. Has the weight, although not the distinction, of a fine Merlot.——S.H.(12/15/2004)—— 84