Pickberry Red Wine

In two days our daytime temperature dropped from a humid 92 degrees for a high temperature to a dry 65 degrees for a high temperature.  Nighttime temperatures went from the mid 70's degree range to an overnight low of 42 degrees.  We went from chilled whites and rose' weather to big red weather in less than 48 hours.  I much prefer the latter scenario.

The big red I pulled out was a 2008 Ravenswood Pickberry Red Wine from Sonoma Mountain in California.  The wine is a blend of 59% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot.  The wine was deep garnet in color and nearly opaque.  The aromas were ripe berries and dark cherries mixed with a hint of earth and spice, but the fruit was very forward in the nose.  There was nothing reserved about the flavor, it was full on dark fruit flavors of cherries and black plums with a hint or two of pomegranate.  Tannins were doing their thing on the sides of the tongue and that kept the fruit in check somewhat.  At the end there was a good burst of acid that added a red quality to the fruit.  The length of the finish was a little short, but the wine was balanced and tasty and a great start for cooler weather and bigger wines.  This was a wine for a a good steak (pictured below). 

2008 Ravenswood Pickberry Red Wine.  13.7% alcohol and $45.