This is an enormously ripe, extracted red wine. It shows California’s heat in the jammy raspberries, cherries and chocolate, as sweet and thick as the filling in a pie. Shows the strength of Paso Robles, which is ripeness, and its weaknesses, excessive alcohol, sweetness and a flabby structure. ——S.H.(2/1/2012)—— 84

Tastes unevenly ripened, with blackberry and vegetal flavors side by side, and seems to have residual sugar. The sweetness is compounded with high alcohol.——S.H.(10/1/2010)—— 81

Heavy, sweet and soft, with syrupy flavors of milk chocolate, blackberries, anise and pepper. Will appeal to those who like this rustic, easy style.——S.H.(9/1/2009)—— 83

Here’s a tasty young Zinfandel that shows off how well Paso Robles ripens this variety. Soft and dry, it shows pepperspice, black currant, black cherry, anise and tobacco flavors, with a finish of melted milk chocolate. Drink now. ——S.H.(12/15/2008)—— 87