The 2007 Vintner’s Reserve Summation Proprietary Red is a blend of 46% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot, all from estate vineyards. Soft and spicy with briery mountain fruit, licorice, herb, red and black fruit characteristics, this medium-bodied, lusty, soft 2007 can be drunk over the next 2-3 years. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis a vis price for its wines.Tel. (800) 769-3649; www.kj.com

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better wine at this price. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel, sourced only from coastal counties, it’s totally dry, full bodied, firm in tannins and drinkable now for its wealth of blackberry, currant, black cherry and oak flavors. Production was 52,000 cases.——S.H.(2/1/2011)—— 90