2006 Viña Robles "Signature" Paso Robles Red Blend (Previously $28.99)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Softly tannic and creamy, and bone dry, with black and red cherry, red currant, cinnamon, cocoa, bacon, black pepper and violet notes that have a pleasantly bitter bite on the finish. This complex wine gets better as it breathes in the glass. It's a blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah." (9/30/2009) And, according to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Vivid purple. Blackberry and singed plum on the nose, with notes of dried flowers and black pepper adding complexity. Juicy, vaguely jammy dark berry flavors are braced by a tangy mineral quality and framed by dusty tannins. Packs a serious punch but carries no excess fat. Finishes with good grip and an echo of tangy dark berry skin." (Nov/Dec '09) The Signature is a wine I have been looking for for a long time. It is difficult to find a Petit Verdot that is a high quality wine at a reasonable price. The Vina Robles Signature is that wine. A very dark purple color emerges from the bottle and the nose is full of plum, black pepper and a hint of vanilla. The fruit explodes in the mouth with a beautiful streak of minerality. The tannins are big but fairly lush. This is a wine for now but will hold for a couple of years. (Mike Jordan, K&L Wine Merchants)