* Editors' Choice * The vineyard is severely vintage-dependent, with some years much better than others, but the superbly generous 2007 harvest has resulted in this delicious mountain wine. It’s perfectly ripe, offering an array of blackberries, cherries and currants wrapped into beautifully mature tannins and grounded with a firm minerality. Defines the elegant concentration of a high Mayacamas Mountain Cabernet. Drink now and over the next 10 years, at least. (03/2012)

Who doesn't love a $40 overachiever? This is a price point where you can find truly handmade wines with fine quality and expression of terroir, but perhaps aren't famous enough to charge as much as their neighbors. In this case, we have a fine mountain vineyard in a fantastic vintage that happens to be on the Sonoma side of the county line. Serious structure, rugged mountain tannins, and a deep and complex profile mark this Cabernet that blows away a great many wines from the Napa side at more than twice the price. It's classically proportioned, not jammy or overripe, and features a fine acidity which makes it very versitile with food. From the winery: "Hidden Ridge 2007 55% Slope Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months in French oak, 85% new, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. A very deep ruby black color with aromatics of cedar, blackberry and spices. The flavors are richly textured with traces of black tea, mocha and anise and a creamy core of dark cherry fruit."