Smooth, Medium-Bodied Reds

Other terms used to describe these reds are round, juicy, balanced, and silky. They are usually darker red in color, tending toward ruby and garnet, and a bit higher in alcohol (12.5 to 13.5 percent). Their flavors and aromas can be described as blackberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, mint, eucalyptus, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, mushrooms, and, because of moderate oak aging, toasty, vanilla, and sweet spice. Popular varieties in this style include Merlot, Pinot Noir, some Cabernets, Sangiovese, and Syrah/Shiraz (two names for the same grape).