Wine of the Week: Roots Red, 2007 Sonoma County Red Wine

<p>Scouting for the tastiest Rhone reds.</p><p>Wine writer Peg Melnik had a blind tasting this week of Rhone reds, from syrah to grenache to blends, to highlight some of the varietals that will be poured at the Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting in San Francisco March 28th. (WWW.rhonerangers.org) Our wine of the week winner is the 4-star rated Roots Red, 2007 Sonoma County Red Wine at $20 a pop.</p><p>Top pick:</p><p><b>Jus Soli Winery's “Roots Red” 2007 Sonoma County Red Wine ($20), 14.7 percent alcohol</b></p><p>**** A concentrated blend, with a great core of fruit. Layered flavors with notes concentrated black and red fruit, herbs and spice. Great texture. Juicy. Long finish.</p><p>Others worth noting:</p><p><b>Shafer's “Relentless,” 2006 Napa Valley Syrah, $70, 14.3 percent</b></p><p>**** A syrah that has depth. Notes of black raspberry, plum, herbs and cracked black pepper. Great structure. Balanced. Juicy. The blend is 84 percent syrah, with the remainder petite sirah.</p><p><b>Copain, 2007 “Tous Ensemble” Anderson Valley Syrah, $20, 14.2 percent</b></p><p>**** Bright and crisp, yet has ripe flavors. Notes of blackberry, hint of cranberry, herbs and caramel.</p><p><b>Tablas Creek, 2008 Cotes de Tablas, Paso Robles, $25, 14.5 percent.</b></p><p>***½ This grenache blend is bright and crisp, with great acid. Notes of cherry, rhubarb, herbs and spice. Balanced. Good length. The blend is 42 percent grenache, 21 percent syrah, 20 percent counoise and 17 percent mourvedred.</p>