J. Rickards Winery - 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel 1908 Brignole Vineyard

Good wine

Ghost Pines 2012 Merlot - Winemakers Blend

From Natalie Maclean:
"Mocha, dark chocolate and espresso on the nose from the enticing oak aging on this Californian red wine. Full-bodied and smooth with lots of layers of fleshy black plums. Try it tonight with grilled pork chops. The Merlot grapes are gently delivered whole-berry to the fermenter, avoiding bitterness while brining out fresh fruit flavours.

Merlot food pairings: grilled meats and poultry, hearty tomato-based pastas, pork chops."

This is one of the best Merlot blends I have had recently. Light, but stays with you for quite a while.