Another winner, the impressive 2007 Journey Proprietary Red is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. An elegant, medium to full-bodied, pure, rich, Bordeaux-styled red, it offers up scents of cedar wood, licorice, smoked herbs, creme de cassis, and background oak. It is good to see the resurrection of Matanzas Creek continue under their new French winemaker, Francois Cordesse. It has been a challenge for Jess Jackson to get this winery back in shape since he acquired it a few years ago. However, these are the most reassuring wines to emerge from Matanzas Creek since he took over. Tel. (800) 590-6464; Fax (707) 571-0156

This is a tough, tannic and difficult wine to enjoy or evaluate now. It’s full-bodied and dry, with good blackberry and currant flavors, and is well constructed. But it’s very astringent; cellar it and see what happens. Try after 2013. ——S.H.(3/1/2011)—— 87