California

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Castle / Sonoma Coast A lovely young Pinot, filled with fresh fruits and spices, wrapped into a fine, silky texture. The flavors of raspberries, cherries and cola have a rich, meaty, leathery edge that adds complexity and earthiness. Good now, and should hold for several years.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Schug / Sonoma Valley A very nice Cabernet that’s superdrinkable because of its soft, appealing fruit, but also has plenty of complexity. Cherries, blackberries, blueberries and dark chocolate are enriched with spicy oak notes, leading to a long, balanced finish.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: J. Davies / Diamond Mountain District More tannic than in previous vintages, and not as immediately rich, this Cab-dominated Bordeaux blend will benefit from decanting. It needs some air to open up and reveal its heart of cassis. Will develop with six or so years of aging, […]

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Frank Family / Rutherford Ripe and fleshy in young fruit, this Cab, with minor amounts of Cab Franc and Merlot, shows black currant, plum, cherry and cedar flavors, with a dry-sweet dusting of crushed brown herbs and spices. Fairly tannic and tight now, it’s balanced enough […]

Country: US / Yates Family Vineyard Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Napa Redwoods Estate / Mount Veeder Made very much in the modern cult style, this is an enormously rich, soft, immediately delicious wine, with a milk chocolate edge to the blackberry, cherry and new oak flavors. It’s not an ager; drink now.

Country: US / Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Patz & Hall / Napa Valley Dry and crisp and with some complexity. The oak is 50% new and very evident in the smoky caramel, while the fruit veers toward peaches and pineapples. As is often the case with Napa Chard, there’s a sweet, herbal quality. Drink now […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Gloria Ferrer / Carneros Made from a selection of clones from the winery’s large estate vineyard, this polished, very pretty wine is a classic Carneros Pinot. Dry and elegant, it has an herbal, tobacco edge to the cherry, rhubarb and spiced plum flavors. Very rewarding. Easy to […]

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Syrah California Winery: Frei Brothers / Russian River Valley Not only extremely drinkable, but shows real varietal elegance and class. Dry and fairly tannic, the wine brims with flavors of blackberries, blueberries, chocolate, sweet leather and Provençal herbs, with good acidity for balance. Best now.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Blanc California Winery: Tangent / Arroyo Grande Valley Tangent’s been on a roll with dry white wines from the cool appellations of San Louis Obispo. Here’s a Pinot Blanc that shows real varietal character. It’s marked by peach, mango and white pepper flavors boosted by the high natural acidity of […]

Country: US / Unfined & Unfiltered Estate Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Chalk Hill / Chalk Hill They pulled out all the stops on this white Burgundy-inspired Chard. It tastes quite leesy, with a Champagne-like yeastiness riding over the tropical fruit and oaky, caramelized flavors. Complex and intriguing, this unfined, unfiltered Chard should drink well for […]

Country: US / Rosella’s Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Bernardus / Santa Lucia Highlands Showing classic Santa Lucia highlights of enormously ripe cherries, Asian spices and acidity, this wine flatters the palate with the sheer force of its fruit and new oak. It’s a young, fresh, vibrant wine that’s at its best now.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Hanna / Alexander Valley Balance and complexity are the hallmarks of this Cab from veteran producer Hanna. It’s deep and long in spicy, oaky blackberry and cherry fruit, while the structure is defined by soft tannins and good acids. Delicious now, and should hold for a decade.