We covered Oregon pretty well before Thanksgiving, so here is our list of full, rich reds from our side of the Atlantic.  Good wines as we head into the cold and dark.

2017 Four Vines, Old Vine Zinfandel   $14
A full-bodied Central Coast Zin at a good price.  35-to-80 year old vines. Dark berry notes, a hint of spice, ripe plums and black & blue berries.

2017 Basel Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon  $19
This Cabernet delivers strong nuances of black cherry, stewed fruit, cola and black currant on the distinctive nose. The aromatic, jammy notes are supported well by hints of eucalyptus, mint and pencil shavings.

2017 Gray, Syrah  $17
This 100% Syrah with fruit from the famed Den Hoed Vineyard, was crafted by Kerloo Cellars Winemaker Ryan Crane. It full of dark dry fruit with a bit of earth and spice.

2018 Newsprint, Columbia Valley Malbec  $18
The intense vineyard heat on these berries has yielded a muscular, but not aggressive, wine. Your mouth will be coated with the concentrated flavors of juicy black berry right from the get-go. As the flavor lingers, black pepper and spice will envelop your mouth.

2018 In Sheep’s Clothing, Cabernet Sauvignon  $19
Made in Oregon with Washington fruit from Waluke Slope and Red Mountain fruit, the wolf has lots of cassis, blueberry and black cherry flavors, good acidity and integrated anise, thyme and bay leaf notes.  Not bad for under $20

2018 Gilbert Cellars, Allobroges  $24
37% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre
Very floral with pomegranate and bright tropical fruit notes on the nose. The palate is light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity in the mid-palate that carries thru to the finish. The tannin is rounded out in the attack with just a slight astringency due to the wine’s youthfulness.  Vegan

2014 Darby, Chaos  $25
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec
This Cabernet-based blend is rich and impressively structured, with savory blackberry aromas and accents of dark cherry, currant, anise, and cedar. Gains depth while holding focus and persistence.  Was $35 now $25

2013 Fall Line, Cabernet Sauvignon  $25
Fall Line’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon consists of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Boushey, Artz, and Red Willow Vineyards. The wine has aromas of graphite, herb and red and black fruit lead to a soft palate backed by fine grained tannins.

2018 Orr, Columbia Valley Grenache  $25
91% Grenache, 7% Mourvèdre, 2% Syrah
Rustic and approachable, this hand-picked Grenache was fermented with a touch of Mourvèdre and Syrah and aged in mature French oak. The color is violet ruby and the nose is full of fresh raspberries, pomegranate, plum and black tea. It’s vibrant and lively all the way through to the lifted and mouth-watering finish.

2018 Orr, Columbia Valley Merlot  $25
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Erica’s first Merlot under her own label.  Only 240 cases made.

2016 Animale, Petit Sirah Reserve  $26
Aromas freshly picked blackberries and plums, with exotic hints of menthol, dijon mustard, clove, honey, and orange blossom.  Flavors of blackberry syrup, Italian prune, and dried currant are complemented by the refreshing tangy acidity of pie cherries, pomegranate and citrus peel.  The finish is brambly, offering sensations of black tea and cocoa powder.

2017 Animale, Cabernet Franc  $26
No oak, all stainless steel aging.

2018 Cadence, Coda  $28
37% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot
Rich, deep, expressive nose of dark cherries, minerals and pencil shavings. Very Euro in the best sense of the word. The palate is broad, silky and complex, in part owing to the wonderful texture of Cabernet Franc. Beautifully balanced acidity makes the wine come alive, coupled with the firm, fine tannins.

2016 Dry Creek Vineyard, Old Vine Zindandel  $29
78% Zin, 19% Petite Sirah, 3% Carrignan
This vintage presents enticing aromatics of raspberries, cherry and a hint of toast and black pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of ripe boysenberry and spicy dark chocolate come forward. The wine is complex, with bright acidity complimented by notes of berry syrup and mocha. The tannins are silky and smooth to lend a round, rich mouthfeel.  Dry-farmed Hand-Picked

2017 Meadowcroft, Napa Valley  $26
Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark,  ripe  berries  with  a  hint  of  olive  and  dried  fig,  this structured  and  concentrated  cabernet  sauvignon  shows classic Napa Valley style.   Flavors of dark chocolate and cigar box shine through the structured, mouthfilling tannins.

2018 Elephant Seven, Yellow Bird Vineyards Grenache  $30
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Aromatics of wild flowers, garrigue, and Asian spices. A dense mid-palate with notes of red fruits, kirsch, orange peel, and cured meats, all complimented nicely with a dusty minerality. Seamless and elegant with a long expressive finish.

2017 JB Neufeld, Yakima Valley Cabernet  $36
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
A four vineyard blend in JB’s Yakima Cabernet. A full fisted but not heavy handed Washington Cabernet.

2017 Elephants Seven, Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah  $38
93% Syrah, 7% Viognier
A bright bouquet of lavender, bergamot, and cassia bark. Wet stone, white pepper, and nutmeg accent a core of blueberry and bramble fruit. Expansive and concentrated without overripe fruit and intrusive amounts of new oak. The long, expansive finish is driven by natural tannins and acidity.

2017 Tranche, Cabernet Franc  $40
Floral and herbaceous on the nose with lifted aromas of rose petal, lilac and sage. The wine plush and dense on the palate, layered with dark, seductive flavors of blueberry, licorice and cassis. Herbaceous notes of fennel, black tea and tobacco combine with soft, fleshy tannins and a graphite-like minerality

2018 Woodward Canyon, Artist Series Cab  $55
complex nose of spiced black fruits, herbs, and lead pencil, that integrate beautifully with the subtle attractive oak. In the mouth, the wine is rich and elegant, showing ripe fruit, nice balance, and proportion, with herbs, and tobacco. Integrated tannins enhance the texture; the finish is complex, generous, and long.

2014 Dry Creek Vineyard, The Mariner  $60  Magnum  1.5 liters 
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
This delicious Bordeaux-inspired blend comes from several prized estate and hillside vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley. At first swirl, the wine displays aromas of blueberry, vanilla and cherries. Several more minutes reveal hints of clove, cinnamon, black licorice and mocha characters. The palate has dark berry flavors along with cedar sweetness and cassis. It finishes with black pepper, boysenberry and a hint of barrel spice. Good acidity will help this wine to age beautifully for years to come.  Was $95 now $60

2016 Joseph Phelps, Cabernet Sauvignon   $65
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is ultra-concentrated with dense black fruit, anise, roasted coffee, ripe blueberries, cedar box and graphite. A fresh and focused wine with creamy texture and a long luscious mouth feel with dusty earth, baking spices, sweet vanilla and fresh fig notes.
MAGNUM (1.5 Liter)  $130

2015 Corliss, Red Blend  $75
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
The 2014 Corliss Red Wine needs one hour decant to fully express itself, the wine slowly unveils ripe blueberry compote, sagebrush, Turkish coffee and shades of black licorice candy that all meld together in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and decadent, while also elegant. With a soft mouthfeel, this gracefully glides across the mid-palate revealing copious dark and blue fruit flavors with chocolate covered espresso bean. Marvelous now, this beautiful red blend will have a long life in the cellar.

2012 Woodward Canyon, Old Vine Cabernet  $110
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
From 40+ year old vines, this old guy has aromas of cedar, baking spice, graphite and cassis.  Flavors of black fruits blend beautifully with the exotic spice of new oak.  The texture is silky yet firm with integrated tannins offering a rich, lingering finish.