Grand Cru Wine Merchants

Rounded, toasty and very flattering, with mocha and roasted vanilla leading the way for hints of maple-cured bacon, crushed plum and melted licorice. The finish is long and fleshy. Drink now. 1,100 cases made. -89pts WS

The 2008 Bonarda Estela Armando Vineyard is opaque purple-colored. Plums, blueberry, and floral notes lead to a sweetly-fruited, ripe, savory, easy-to-understand wine with no hard edges. Drink it over the next 4 years. -89pts WA (JM)