A dozen complex red wines for winter by Darryl Beeson The following red wines pack power and complexity, sometimes merely gently, and may be priced accordingly for the fine quality. Serve with lamb, Sonoma lamb if you can find some (even with the Napa wines), or with lusty winter vegetable stews that include cracked pepper and pinches of rosemary from the remaining garden. These reds are perfect with flamed filet mignon or big, thick sirloin, seared rare and cut upon the bias, then sprinkled with minced, fresh herbs. Maybe consider a thick-crust gourmet version of a meat-lovers pizza, sprinkled with fennel seed. Arrowood Syrah 'Saralee's Vineyard' Russian River 2003 Price $36 Rating 97 Notice the intense blackberry, cassis, pepper, hints of leather and exotic spice throughout the long, complex experience. To learn more, visit www.arrowoodvineyards.com. Shannon Ridge Syrah, High Valley 2006 Price $19 Rating 94 Situated high in the mountains of Clear Lake, California, this red speaks of a specific origin. Steep slopes, great drainage and volcanic soils contribute to the wine's uniqueness. Go to www.shannonridge.com to learn more. Ravenswood Syrah, Sonoma 2004 Price $18 Rating 93 Founder Joel Peterson boasts rightfully of this red's floral complexity, smoke, along with concentrated, jammy black cherry. There are hints of pepper and leather. This syrah has good, complex length on the palate. Go to www.ravenswoodwinery.com. Curtis Winery 'Heritage Cuvee' Santa Barbara 2005 Price $14 Rating 96 The blend is Rhone inspired, being 50% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre and 13% Cinsaut. Wine maker Chuck Carlson is an important part of California's so-called 'Rhone Ranger' wine movement. Concentrated black fruit aromas with nuances of strawberry, exotic spice, then big flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla and hints of tobacco. The wine is balanced, with soft tannins on the finish. Learn more info at www.CurtisWinery.com. Finca Sandoval Syrah, Manchuela 2001 Price $35 Rating 93 Note complex aromatics of earth, intense cassis and blackberry, pepper, licorice, and a nuance of mocha or maybe chocolate, followed by smooth tannins. This wine originates from east-central Spain from an altitude of over 2,500 feet. It contains 7% Mourvedre grape to offset the powerful Syrah. Being a work in progress, well-known Spanish journalist Victor La Serna is bringing the world's attention the long-forgotten Manchuela appellation. This, an older vintage, maybe harder to locate. Any vintage will likely be impressive. Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2004 Price $20 Rating 89 There are aromas of black cherry, plum, a touch of herb and oak nuance. The very good concentration is nicely balanced with soft tannins and crisp acidity. They have recently hired the renowned consultant Riccardo Cotarella to assist in winemaking duties. As Cotarella has a part in many of Italy's finest wines, look for those of Castello di Volpaia to earn new levels of complexity and regard. Gascon Malbec, Mendoza 2006 Price $12 Rating 89 The sip begins with blackberry and blueberry fruit followed by dark chocolate and earthy notes throughout the finish. Green, herbal, earthy aromas dominate the nose, saddled by black fruits and black pepper. On the palate, it's all black, ripe fruit, with black pepper, cedar spice and wrapped with ripe tannins and a good level of acidity. Learn more at www.gasconwines.com. Moon Mountain Estate Grown Malbec, Sonoma 2004 Price $45 Rating 94 The aromas and flavors are packed with dark, ripe fruit, with hints of mocha and tobacco. The length is long and complex. High in the Mayacamas Mountains on the western side of Mt. Veeder, more than 1,000 feet above the Sonoma Valley, Moon Mountain Vineyard has some of the most difficult winegrowing conditions in California. Organic farming keeps the vines in balance and healthy, while enhancing the grapes' flavors. Details are at www.moonmountainvineyards.com. Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvee Terroire, Loire 2005 Price $17 Rating 92 This is an old world, dank and sediment ladened red, perfect for old world foods Black fruit and 'brett' are the order of the day. Learn more at www.charlesjoguet.com. The wine is imported by Kermit Lynch. Domaine Mark Kreydenweiss 'Perrieres' Costières de Nimes 2003 Price $17 Rating 93 Third generation Alsatian producer and fervent follower of Bioynamie (strict biodynamic principles), Marc Kreydenweiss now spends quality time in the South of France and crafts this red plum and blackberry beauty from the Carignan, Grenache and Syrah grapes. The importer is Wilson-Daniels. Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa 2005 Price $28 Rating 93 This always dependable Cabernet is well-balanced, with concentrated dark fruit, especially currant, black cherry, complex and elegant earthiness, herbal nuances and cedar/vanilla oak notes. While profoundly tannic, this luscious red has a balance of elegance and refined grace that makes it smooth on the long, complexly layered length. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and interestingly enough, 1% Syrah. Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa 2004 Price $125 Rating 95 This powerhouse of concentrated Napa Cabernet Sauvignon runs the gamut of layers, complexities, ripe fruit and balanced, long-chain tannins, There is an array of black fruit, fennel, brown spice and cedar in the long, complex length. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Go to www.robertmondaviwinery.com.   For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.