Dark Fruit Wine Reviews

I drank these 4 wines and tasted chocolate, dark fruit, grippy tannin, red fruit, smooth tannin, soft tannin, spice, stewed fruit, subtle, tobacco. The wines are aged, small production and came from a variety of sources, including wine clubs, wineries, and wine stores.

Wine reviews by: Jessyca Frederick

Inkscape Shiraz

2018 Penrose Hill Firstleaf Inkscape Shiraz

A subtle version of what this grape can produce, but a great introduction to it if you’re not familiar and looking for an alternative bold red wine to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting notes: dark fruit, tobacco, spice, subtle

Brander Merlot, Los Olivos District

2018 Brander Vineyard and Winery Brander Merlot, Los Olivos District

I really enjoyed this Merlot which we paired with my spicy Turkey Chili. Flavors of dark red fruit, soft tannins, and a medium body made it quite enjoyable.

Tasting notes: red fruit, dark fruit, smooth tannin

Hersly Lazare Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Hersly Wines Hersly Lazare Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A true Napa Cab somewhere in the middle of its transformation from young and chewy to smooth and supple. Fruit flavors are fading faster than the tannins are integrating.

Tasting notes: spice, chocolate, dark fruit, grippy tannin

Anthem Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Anthem Winery Anthem Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s hard not to be a fan of Anthem Winery’s transparency on their wine bottles, but what’s in the glass is always enjoyable, too.

Tasting notes: dark fruit, stewed fruit, soft tannin

Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).

Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.

I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.

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