14% alcohol, $31
This blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, and I am told sangiovese recently took a gold medal at a Pennsylvania competition. So? Big Deal! Pa. wines.

But wait.....give it a break and try it. Produced and bottled by Paradocx Vineyards of Landenberg, Pa, I was shocked by its seamless continuity of elements and overall quality. Comparable in quality and taste to many of our more expensive California meritage wines, this is a wonderful food wine. Its relatively mild tannins off of 7 year old vines indicates that this is a "drink now" and do not cellar for long wine. This is aged 18 months in French oak as opposed to the non-reserve which is aged 12 months in American oak and is more fruit forward. This wine easily merits an 89-90. Great job from a small obscure vineyard.

Dick