The signature wine for many California wineries is their proprietary red blend, the idea being that an artful mixture of grapes will lead to a more nuanced and complete wine. The following 12 wines certainly do nothing to counter that idea.

2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley), $175.
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Big, deep, rich, voluptuous, black fruit, mocha and nutty oak flavors — stunning stuff. BEST OF SHOW

2007 J. Lohr Cuvée Pau (San Luis Obispo County), $50. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot. Elegant. Blackberry. Oak spice and fig with rich blackberry flavors.

The Kunde Family © Timm Eubanks Photography

2007 Kunde Meritage 202 (Sonoma Valley), $30.
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Big, rich, earthy, mouthfilling, black fruit, coffee, mint and vanillin flavors.

Ridge Vineyards wine team: David Gates, VP of Vineyard Operations; Eric Baugher, VP of Winemaking at Monte Bello; Paul Draper, CEO and Winemaker; and John Olney, VP of Winemaking at Lytton Springs

2007 Ridge Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mountains), $145.
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Big, deep, dense, chewy, utterly riveting, black fruit, roasted nut and coffee flavors.

2007 Signorello Padrone (Napa Valley), $110.
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Big, rich, round, earthy, black fruit and French roast flavors.

Ty and Kristen Caton

2008 Ty Caton Tytanium Caton Vineyard (Sonoma Valley), $80.
31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, 12% Merlot and 9% Malbec. Big, rich, round, plush, black fruit, mocha and toasted nut flavors.

2008 Audelssa Summit (Sonoma Valley), $48.
95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Deep, rich, juicy, black fruit, graphite and French roast flavors.

2007 Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Tapestry (Napa Valley), $60.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Big, deep, dense, chewy, black fruit, anise and nutty oak flavors.

2007 Bernardus Marinus (Carmel Valley), $28.
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Nice, plump, lush, round, mouthcoating, black and red fruit flavors. BEST VALUE

2006 Ferrari-Carano PreVail West Face (Alexander Valley), $55.
64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Syrah. Rich, concentrated, well-balanced, black plum and nutty oak flavors.

2007 Ferrari-Carano Tresor (Alexander Valley), $58.
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Rich, round, velvety, black fruit, mocha and nutty oak flavors.

2007 Sterling SVR Reserve (Napa Valley), $30.
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. Big, rich, succulent, black fruit, coffee and nutty oak vanillin flavors.

2007 Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage (Alexander Valley), $55.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Rich, texturous, well-knit, cassis and coffee flavors — very Bordeaux-like.