2013 Jeff Cohn Cellars "Smoke & Mirrors" California Red Wine

Jeff Cohn produces a number of proprietary wines, and I tasted three of his current releases. The 2013 Smoke & Mirrors is a Rh̫ne Valley-inspired blend of 37% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 24% Syrah, and the rest smaller quantities of Alicante Bouschet and Grenache, coming from multiple AVAs in California ranging from Amador and Paso Robles to Napa and Sonoma. This is one of his larger cuv̩es with a production of over 2,400 cases. A terrific bargain at $25.00, this seriously endowed, juicy, seductive style of wine is Jeff Cohn's version of a high-end C̫te du Rh̫ne. Plenty of ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, some beef blood and grilled meats along with Proven̤al herbs, spice and licorice are all present in this meaty, medium to full-bodied, lusty wine. Drink this seductive wine over the next 3-4 years for its exuberant fruit. One of my favorite wine producers in California is Jeff Cohn, who seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to accessing special vineyard sites and exploiting them to produce full- flavored, pedal-to-the-metal wines. (RP)