ZINFANDELS
 

2008 Martinelli Vineyards Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch Russian River Valley

($50) Deep, bright ruby. Seductive aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola and incense accented by violet and rose. Full-bodied, gently sweet dark berry flavors are complicated by musky herbal and floral qualities. The lush fruit quickly absorbs the dusty tannins and lingers with impressive, spice-driven persistence. This would be great with a strongly seasoned piece of grilled lamb.  91 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.

2008 Martinelli Vineyards Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard Russian River Valley

($75) Opaque violet. Vibrant, highly aromatic nose displays spicy red berries and potpourri complicated by cola and smoky spice notes. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors show a liqueur-like sweetness and are brightened by emphatic notes of candied flowers and black pepper. The spicy note lingers on the lively, smoky, long finish, which repeats the red fruit and floral notes. I really like this wine's vivacity and clarity, especially given its power.  94 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

SYRAHS
 

2007 Martinelli Vineyards Syrah Chico's Hill Vineyard Russian River Valley

($75) Opaque purple. Red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of violet, black olive and smoky minerals. Juicy, refreshingly bitter red and dark berry flavors offer good nervy punch and show little in the way of tannins. This sleek rendition of California syrah finishes with impressive clarity, spiciness and persistence. I'll bet that this will age well on its balance.  93 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($75) Glass-staining purple. Strongly scented bouquet evokes dark berry and cherry compote, violet, and Indian spices, plus an exotic note of apricot. Deep but lively blackcurrant and blueberry flavors gain sweetness and depth with air, picking up a suave smoky character and a touch of bitter cherry pit. The finish repeats the apricot note and lingers with very good, sweet persistence. This evolves a lot in the glass and deserves some patience.  92 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

PINOT NOIRS
 

($60) Vivid ruby. Expressive, high-pitched aromas of black raspberry, Indian spices, cola and dried flowers. Strong red and dark berry flavors show liqueur-like depth and are brightened by smoky minerals and a hint of fresh rose. Fresh and pure, with excellent finishing clarity, sappy persistence and a lingering note of sassafras.  92 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($60) Deep red. Aromas of red berries, licorice and mocha, with a hint of musky underbrush. Juicy, youthfully bitter cherry and redcurrant flavors are framed by chewy tannins and gain sweetness with air. Tight but gently sweet on the finish, which echoes the bitter cherry note and clings nicely. Give this some air.  90 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($60) Dark red. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complemented by baking spices, potpourri and a hint of cola. Deep black raspberry and cherry on the palate, with a strong lashing of Asian spices on the back half. Silky tannins add support on the finish, which delivers superb juicy punch and excellent persistence.  92 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($60) Bright ruby. Sexy aromas of dark berry preserves, cola, clove, rose and anise. Round, fleshy cherry-vanilla and floral pastille flavors are enlivened by baking spices and smoky minerals. An open-knit, invitingly sweet pinot displaying minimal tannins, this finishes with very good lift and lingering licorice and spice notes.  91 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($60) Saturated red. Pungent aromas of dark berries, cherry, dried flowers and licorice. Youthfully brooding, offering deep black and blue fruit flavors and smoky incense and potpourri character. Die-hard fans of graceful pinot won't go for this, but I do. The floral and licorice notes gain strength on the long, strikingly spicy finish. This could handle a piece of grilled lamb with ease.  91 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($60) Bright gold. Deep, smoky aromas of pear, orange pith and spicecake lifted by a mineral topnote. Fat, dense and rich, with powerful orchard fruit and spice flavors and a sneaky mineral quality coming up with air. This opulent, palate-staining wine benefits greatly from its spine of minerality, which adds focus and cut to an impressively long, sweet, spicy finish.  92 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($50) Light gold. Pungent aromas of iodine, anise, Meyer lemon, smoky lees and dried flowers. Broad, palate-coating citrus and orchard fruit flavors are complicated by smoked meat, hazelnut and tarragon qualities. Becomes spicier on the finish, with the lees and iodine notes echoing. Impressively complex and powerful enough to handle shellfish, poultry or cheeses.  92 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.
 

($48) Yellow-gold. Fresh melon, peach, smoked meat, toasty lees, iodine and white flowers on the nose, perked up by exotic Indian spices; lots going on here! Deep, chewy orchard and pit fruit flavors are firmed by juicy acidity and underscored by brown butter, herbs and spices, with smoky lees carrying into the finish. Offers remarkable vivacity for such power and depth, and a finish that refuses to let up. For the quality, this is an absolute steal.  94 points, Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar.