Wine of the Week: 2012 Taken Red Wine, Napa Valley, California

The 2012 Taken Red Wine is a 60/40 cabernet to merlot blend to which I am quite taken. It makes a stunning first impression: humid cabernet herb aromas, wood vanilla and deep blue fruits. Very dark, the wine is rich and fat on the palate. Its creamy textures and vibrant sweet black fruits are a nice build-up to the mild tannic grip. There's a lot of appeal in this one -- it's a crowd-pleaser to be sure. Taken is a collaboration between high school friends Josh Phelps and Carlo Trinchero. Both grew up in Napa Valley and so, naturally, wine is in their blood. Costs about $30.