I don't know that I've ever had an unpleasant wine from Benziger Family Winery, dating to the time when its sauvignon blanc (which is no longer made) was a regular in the $10 Hall of Fame. Benziger is a pioneer in organic and sustainable wines, and remains a family business -- which is saying something in California these days. More importantly, the family makes quality wines, and especially in the $15 to $25 range where so much of what California produces is chain wine made to get a certain score.
The Signaterra ($50, sample) highlights what Benziger does so well. It's a red blend that is true to its terroir and to the varietal character of the cabernet sauvignon and merlot used to make it. It's still a young wine, and will improve with age. But you can drink it now, for the tannins, acid and alcohol are already in balance. It's full of dark and cherryish flavors, but it will probably get darker and less fruity as it gets older.
This is a fancy dinner wine, the sort of thing one serves when the in-laws come over or the boss is angling for an invitation. It's a red meat wine as well, prime rib and the like.
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