2012 Ghost Pines - Red Blend

A real winner is the 2012 Proprietary Red, a 29,000-case blend of 32% Zinfandel, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah and the rest Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Tannat aged in tank with French oak staves. It achieved 14.6% alcohol as well as a pH of 3.7, giving it a lush, plump, corpulent mouthfeel. Loads of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with notions of steak tartare, lavender and Provencal herbs are found in this rich, medium to full-bodied, fleshy, seductive red. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Ghost Pines is a part of the Gallo umbrella of wineries where traditional barriers of AVAs are thrown out and the winemaking team assembles the best blend they can for the price at which these wines are meant to sell. The following two wines stood out in my tastings. Tel. (866) 599-8477