Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Pine Ridge Onyx (Napa Valley) 2000

This Malbec and Tannat-based proprietary red blend’s name is an homage to the “black wines” of Cahors. And, of course, it immediately invites comparisons to the increasingly important Argentinean Malbecs. To my taste, however, this is a quintessentially Californian wine. Big, high alcohol (over 14%), tons of extract (great legs), very ripe fruit, toasty French oak. Not that that’s a bad thing, of course.

The 2000 is ready to drink, although it still has enough structure to support medium-term cellaring. Blackcurrants, raspberries, and blackberries, spiced with espresso and cocoa. Grade: B+