This has lift and drive, with a racy-edged set of pomegranate, blood orange and red currant coulis flavors that are well-defined and course through, while red tea, mineral and savory accents add mouthwatering range through the finish. Shows nice coiled-up energy for cellaring, too. Drink now through 2032.

Packed with bramble-laced blackberry and mulberry fruit, this has excellent energy from start to finish, with mouthwatering anise and apple wood notes in the background. Shows a subtle singed sandalwood edge that provides a touch of perfume. Distinctive and delicious. Drink now through 2030.

Stunning, with terrific focus and intensity to the core of Earl Grey tea, firm, juicy cherry, raspberry and white pepper flavors. Notes of clove and green cardamom linger on the finish, with a touch of salted caramel. Drink now through 2034. From Australia.

A salty, savory version, this red offers woodsy underbrush and loam notes, along with sanguine, iron, leather and meaty cherry aromas and flavors. Lively and balanced, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and herbs. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2029.

Lively and vibrant, with fresh cherry and rhubarb flavors accented by green tea and spice. Lingers on the supple finish. Drink now through 2030.

This is mellowing nicely, with plum and black cherry flavors fading while earth, mushroom, tobacco, spice and woodsy notes are emerging. Harmonious, ending with lingering savory accents. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030.

Delivers a long beam of raspberry and mulberry coulis notes carried by fresh, nicely embedded acidity, while black tea, dried anise and rooibos notes add fuel for the finish. Shows really nice energy. Drink now through 2029.

This offers some alluring red currant, raspberry and blood orange coulis notes that are stitched together with fine acidity, while flecks of savory, incense and red tea fill in judiciously through the finish. Shows nice length and detail. Drink now through 2029.

A solidly built red hallmarked by violet, black cherry and blackberry, with leather, earth and menthol accents that add interest. Ends with a firm grip of tannins. A potential match for steak or lamb, this needs a bit more time in the bottle. Best from 2025 through 2038.

This crackles with juicy and well-defined black cherry, pomegranate and boysenberry fruit flavors on a nicely open-knit frame, while anise and apple wood accents line the finish. Drink now through 2028.

A touch earthy in aroma initially, giving way to cherry, blackberry, violet and iron flavors. Taut, well-sculpted and vibrant, with a dense base of tannins elevating the finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Rich and dense, this is saturated with plum, blackberry, coffee and spice flavors. The juicy finish reveals a touch of earth. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2027.

Delivers lively raspberry and pomegranate flavors infused with a mouthwatering savory streak, ending with red tea and mineral notes on the finish. Structured but with an open feel. Drink now through 2024.

Ripe but restrained and focused, with mulberry and raspberry puree notes driving through, this delivers fresh acidity against a backdrop of red licorice and tea. Subtle savory freshness adds perk to the finish. Drink now through 2025.

A juicy, crowd-pleaser style, with a mix of blood orange, cherry and boysenberry notes backed by brambly energy on the finish. Drink now through 2024.

Ripe and direct, revealing raspberry and red licorice notes that roll through, with sweet spice and toast on the finish. Drink now.

Hello Merlot!
The 2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. was another dense and rich merlot grown in the volcanic soils of Howell Mountain. Both wines show promising cellar-worthy characteristics.

Hello Merlot!
From the mountain terrain of Mt. Veeder, the 2019 Mt. Brave was bold yet elegant, displaying a luxuriously flavorful finish.

Within Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley lies a rugged, high-elevation sub-AVA that was established over ten years ago but is still relatively unknown as the entire 4600-acre region has only 230 acres planted to vines (via Sonoma County). The Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA lies at altitudes of 1660 – 3000 feet above sea level. Here, sitting at some of the highest elevations, Capture Winery grows rustic, bold, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon for its Capture Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Cabernet Sauvignon. With structured power and an elegant frame, the wine melds earthy graphite and dried tobacco characteristics with black and blue fruit, woody herb, and cedar. Pair this wine with any protein you are grilling tonight!

North of Sonoma County lies Anderson Valley. It is a region with a maritime climate heavily influenced by the Pacific, thanks to its close proximity to the ocean. It is home to some of the most exciting cool climate Pinot Noir wines produced in California today. From one end of the valley to the other, the cool-climate variety can take on red or black fruit notes, earthy forest floor, and herbal flavors, all while melding rustic tannin with lively acidity. Siduri brings fruit from three vineyard sites for its Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, showcasing blue and blackberry, cranberry, and pomegranate with an underlying note of herbs de Provence.

This premium Napa Chardonnay is sourced from the Ahmann and Huichica Vineyards in Carneros, the Keyes Vineyard in Howell Mountain, and the Rancho Sarco Vineyard on the north east edge of Napa. The nose shows tropical fruits, russet apple, caramel, delicate sweet spices and wet stone. Medium-full bodied with a creamy and refreshing texture, look for ripe stone fruit and orchard fruit on the long finish.

The 2018 Capensis is matured in 45% new oak that comes from three cooperages, though I found the wood component supremely well disguised. It has a pretty bouquet that demands a little coaxing, eventually offering dried yellow flowers and touches of dried mint. Quite understated compared to its peers. The palate is well balanced with a lovely, slightly waxy texture counterbalanced by a fine bead of acidity. Nicely focused, nothing extravagant on the finish yet everything feels neatly embroidered together with fine persistence.

The 2018 Fijnbosch comes from fruit on their own Fijnbosch estate in the Groot Drakenstein mountains in the Banghoek Valley. It is an amalgam of blocks designed to represent the property, originally contributing to the main Capensis blend before being parsed out to create this cuvée. It has a precise bouquet with citrus fruit, white peach and light floral scents; this is nicely focused, but like the regular Capensis, remains quite understated for its class. The palate is medium-bodied with more roundness and depth than the Capensis, certainly more power and concentration, though perhaps the Capensis has a touch more tension on the finish.

The 2020 Silene is a cuvée that used to be sold off in bulk that comes mainly from younger vines supplemented by out-sourced fruit from the Stellenbosch hillsides. It essentially undergoes the same maturation as the Capensis, whole bunch pressed at around 2.6 bars and raised in foudres, small French oak and cement. It has an attractive lime leaf and citrus peel-scented bouquet that unfolds in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a phenolic, texturally-satisfying opening. Fine weight and acidity with a light sour lemon note on the finish. Enjoy this over the next five to seven years.

21 Cheap Wines That Will Please Even Your Pickiest Guests
Cheers to saving $$$!
We've said it once and we'll say it again: There's absolutely nothing wrong with cheap wine. Not all celebrations call for shelling out big bucks for a bottle, especially if they're simply the "we made it through another day!" kinds of celebrations. So to help you enjoy yourself without spending a small fortune, we've rounded up 21 bottles of inexpensive wine. Pop the cork and enjoy!
#11 - Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Kendall-Jackson has been America's #1 selling Chardonnay for 25 years. You'll taste tropical flavors with citrus notes in this wine.