This is specifically for big red lovers. I spent the weekend in Sonoma trying a few new wineries and a couple old favorites and thought I'd share some thoughts.

The 2004 Napa Cabs are turning out to be spectacular. I wouldn't say they're up there with the 1997s but they may be with a couple more years aging. I tried a couple great ones on this past trip including Ferrari-Carrano, Chateau St Jean and Pride Mountain.

In addition, Pride's merlot drinks like a cab and has been drinking well right now. I tried Chateau St Jean's merlot and it too was big like a cab.

I still have some bottles of Whitehall Lane and Flora Springs from my last trip which are aging well and could be great.

I tried a couple of whites which were nice but nothing really outstanding. Napa is currently shifting their focus from the buttery Chards to the more crisp. I don't like this move but at least I'll always have Rombauer.

Most of the wines mentioned should be available in restaurants, wine shops, BevMos, online and in some cases Costco. The Pride is much harder to find but I've been able to locate the merlot away from the winery.

As a side note, I have become very disappointed with the wineries in the Carneros region. We've been making a yearly trip every April for 5 years to the region to enjoy their event and each year the wines have gotten worse. The region is known for pinot's and apparently the winers there have completely lost their touch. If pinot is your thing, find a solid Napa or Sonoma winery who gets their grapes from the region.