Great balance, complex spices and dark fruits light up this medium-bodied, fresh and refreshing but also well-structured wine. It’s a wake up call for the taste buds, as bright cherries and raspberries meet black tea, rhubarb and redwood forest nuances that last through a lingering finish. Matured in 40% new French oak on the lees, which were stirred monthly. Editors’ Choice. —J.G.
Mint and black currants in the nose and rich, silky black-fruit flavors in the mouth give a flavorful yet elegant expression to this attractive, well-balanced wine, showing that it wasn’t a difficult vintage for everyone. Its soft, integrated tannins are classic for Oakville, making this beauty easy to enjoy. —J.G.
Great concentration, handsome oak spices and ripe and fresh blackberry and blueberry flavors bring this wine to a high level of quality. Moderate tannins are softened by the rich fruit expression, making the wine enjoyable through at least 2030. —J.G.
This has lots of fun energy, with a mix of bramble, sassafras and violet skittering through a core of sleek cassis and black cherry reduction. Reveals a kick of roasted apple wood on the finish. Tasty! -J.M.
Cedar, cinnamon and hints of rosemary give a tempting scent to this medium-bodied wine. Nicely tangy red cherries and rhubarb notes follow on the palate. The very good balance is aided by light to
moderate tannins. —J.G.
A very complex nose of earth, black raspberry, blackest cherry, herb garden and a hint of oak leads off. Hearty in a mid-weight plus style, with mouth filling and compelling dark cherry and berry flavors. Very long in the mouth through the cherry-laced finish. – R.G.
This tasty, varietally true wine lifts the senses with scents of mesquite, toast, red and black currants and red cherries. Then fresh acidity and light tannins carry along flavors of cranberries, red cherries and a touch of rhubarb. The wine shows great balance and good complexity. —J.G.
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, rose petal and Doublemint gum lead the way. Light to mid-weight in style and highly agreeable with plenty of black cherry flavor saturating the midpalate and finish. Perfect harmony insures the wine’s allure at the dinner table – R.G.
Whole-cluster pressed then fermented and aged in neutral barrels, this impressive wine shows medium body weight and light, fresh layers of grapefruit, tangerine and cherry. It's lengthy and balanced throughout. – V.B.
A delightful blend of 75% Marsanne and 25% Roussanne from a well-established, higher-elevation vineyard (460m) in the Sierra Foothills. Opens with buttery brioche aromas followed by ripe apple, pear and concentrated honeyed notes. Barrel fermentation and lees ageing add to the creamy layers, smooth texture and enduring richness. – S.L.
Deep, layered and rich in texture, this full-bodied wine is not overtly fruity or oaky, but delivers plenty of flint and mineral aromas, white-pepper and peach-skin flavors. It was fermented in neutral barrels and aged on the lees, adding to its creamy mouthfeel. – J.G.
Dark cherry aromas are embellished with notes of oak-driven mocha and perfumery red rose petal. More richness of flavor than the Russian River Valley bottling in a middleweight style. Intense and provocative black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors that really wake up the palate. Oak shows less presence on the palate. Gentle tannins make for easy approachability but a few years in the cellar would pay dividends. The finish is quite lengthy as befits a reserve wine. – R.G.
Light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, cola and baking spices. The wine is bursting with cherry goodness in a mid-weight style with an added compliment of purple berry fruits and a shadow of oak. The tannins are very suave and the overall impression is brightness and balance. A classic Russian River Valley AVA Pinot Noir. – R.G.
Well-packed, with lush blackberry, fig and boysenberry notes augmented with sweet black licorice and a hint of bay leaf. Richly layered through the finish, with a subtle loamy tug at the very end. Best from 2022 through 2034. -J.M.
This is a very solid wine featuring blackest cherry and black raspberry fruits that are married perfectly with the tannins and acidity. Peaking over time in the glass, this lovely wine has a lavish finish replete with fresh dark fruits that hang on – R.G.
Fleshy and fruity, with a depth of black tea and dried herb, this light, bright and delicate wine shows good integration of both tannin and oak. The fruit is a mix of blood orange and wild strawberry, flecked in cardamom and white pepper. – V.B.
Earthy cherry, strawberry and watermelon glide across the palate with ease, taking on a candied quality that works against the nuanced neutral oak. Medium bodied, it presents as unctuous and herbal. – V.B.
Fat and buttery, this full-bodied wine puts all its cards on the table. Ripe pears and apples, vanilla, fig and toasted oak all come together on a creamy, viscous texture. – J.G.
Concentrated, spicy and lingering in dark berry, white pepper and cardamom, this wine is juicy and well-integrated, with a fruit-forward style. It finishes in black tea and earthy forest notes that impress against the balanced richness. – V.B.
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of earth-dusted Bing cherry and cola. Discreetly concentrated spiced black cherry goodness with a hint of tobacco oak in the background. Silky and refined on the palate, with gentle tannins and a lengthy, cherry-laden finish. This wine is not a blockbuster, but is more in line with what most prefer in a Pinot Noir. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. –RG
Striking, offering a tight, focused core of snappy wild berry, loamy earth, cedar and graphite flavors, ending with a berry jam finale. Best from 2019 through 2026.- J.L.
Herbal in mountain sage and lavender, this robust red lingers in dusty crushed rock elements and a meaty core of red fruit. Robust and full bodied, it softens on the finish, allowing the oak to show but not distract. – V.B.
Offers an intensely fruity and floral aroma, with concentrated flavors of ripe dark fruit and Asian spice. Mocha and cream details show on the finish. Drink now through 2022. — KM
Great concentration, full body and an almost thick texture make a big statement in this no-holds-barred wine that was barrel-fermented in old barrels that don’t add oaky flavors. It smells like honey, cream and vanilla, tastes nutty and buttery and coats the palate with a richness that continues to linger even after the last sip. – J.G.
This big but harmonious wine made from white Rhône grape varieties pulls off the fully oaked style very well, starting with its buttered baguette aroma and continuing on the palate with baked apple and ripe pear flavors and smooth, creamy texture. It has a wonderful, lingering finish too. – J.G.
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of Montmorency cherry, spice and complimentary oak. Prudently concentrated, with bright flavors of dark cherry, plum, cola, tobacco and spice. Silky in the mouth with good harmony, tactful oak in the background, and a deep cherry finish. -R.G.
Plush, lush and warmly seasoned in Asian spice, this wine offers length and balance, with a delicate layering of black cherry and cola flavors. -V.B.
This is a voluptuously honeyed wine, a celebration of baked pear and apricot that’s also floral and svelte. It takes a measured approach to layering in texture and body, interweaving the slight sweetness as it develops in the glass. -V.B.
A small-production Pinot that’s earthy in just-picked strawberry, this offers light color and smooth, soft, silky tannins that have integrated well, though the wine remains young and fresh in the glass. It becomes weightier on the finish, expressing just the right amount of oak. -V.B.
Offers creamy, toasty oak and a vivid, focused core of zesty wild berry, raspberry, anise, dried herb and gravel flavors, ending long and persistent, with mouthwatering tannins. Drink now through 2021. -J.L.
Floral in aroma, this was aged in one-third new French oak and left unfined and unfiltered. It offers tart cherry and wild strawberry notes in a light-toned, ripe package, the secondary characteristics herbal and earthy. -V.B.