La Crema is well known for its chardonnays (and pinot noirs) made in California’s Sonoma Coast appellation. From time to time, we see other labels from the portfolio, like this concentrated and inviting chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. Made in a medium-bodied and layered style, this offers attractive apple and citrus fruit with cream, toast and spicy accents. It has the generous nature you’d expect from California without losing focus or freshness on the palate. Drink now to 2025.

Such a beautiful example of mountain fruit with spice, red and black berries, herbs, juniper flowers and elegance.

Another expression of mountain fruit, yet a very different one. This one is a force of nature – I tasted red fruit, dried plum, earth, herbs and graphite and chocolate.

Delivers a dense, concentrated laser beam of flavor, with fleshy ripe peach, Bartlett pear and salted Crenshaw melon showing accents of lemon zest. Packs a crisp mineral edge, with hints of spice and oolong tea on the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2027.

Another big version, but the great brambly mountain fruit and acidity give it some nice balance.

Not only does winemaker Shane Moore produce fantastic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but his 2014 Blanc de Blancs from Yamhill-Carlton is stunning, an estate-grown gem with aromas that are reminiscent of warm scones, brioche, lemon clotted cream, and mineral. The palate is lively and fresh, with fantastic concentration and propulsiveness to flavors of lemon oils, phyllo dough just out of the oven, brown butter, and green apples.

You know a wine’s great when it doesn’t last a second day. That was definitely the case with this subtle, mellow wine with deep, dense flavors, aromas and textures. Flinty yet slightly fruity with hints of blackberry pie and roasted cherries, this light, bright wine tasted terrific straight out of the bottle and three hours later. Sorry I can’t tell you what it tasted like the next day. This wine was just too good not to finish.

I realize this wine’s price crosses over into the three-figure territory. But if you’re searching for an inky, dark, intense wine, you’ll hopefully enjoy this magical merlot as much as I did. Its voluptuous texture reminds me of thick velvet and cotton candy. Flavor wise, this wine contains generous helpings of melted blackberries and roasted cherries. Best of all, this wine somehow manages to be smooth and subtle while also being bigger, bolder and louder than the other merlots on this list. Definitely a wine worth splurging on for special occasions.

Winemaker Chris Carpenter draws the best from the grapes grown in Mt. Veeder’s high elevations through rocky soils perched on steep slopes. Big in body, rich in style, it has dense blackberry and mineral notes.

Grown in volcanic soils on Howell Mountain, this long-living giant has dense plum and raspberry flavors with floral aromas and herbal, mineral notes that are sure to evolve with a decade of aging.

Welcome to the debut Ovitelli Blanc release. A magnificent wine, there is plenty going on as you'd expect from Yangarra Estate. The back label states, "Renowned for our Grenache and respecting the distant homelands of this variety, we planted its white varietal cousins." Lovers of texture and interest ought to dip their oar in.
This is one serious piece of masterful blending of Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, Clairette, Piquepoul and Bourboulenc (50/25/12/9/4). Fermented exclusively in ceramic eggs, 59% saw skin contact for 90-126 days, which comes through in the mouthfeel. Great width through the mouth, it's all pears, quince, pie apple and a dash of lemon juice. Wonderfully weighted, it rolls through with ease - a ball of pleasure if you will. A minerally drive takes a back seat with an ever-so-soft nuttiness. Cinnamon spices close things out leaving a tonic-like texture in its wake. This has the potential to be something special for Yangarra Estate - watch this space.

Bright purple color. The nose shows juicy black cherries, red currants, laced with charcoal, tar, tobacco, balanced with this brighter floral and spicy herbal tones. Structured well, delightfully chewy tannins and moderate-plus acidity makes for a juicy but fresh wine with raspberries, black cherries and currant fruit. Complex notes of tobacco, sage, black olive, violets and black pepper add complexity, but they need air and some time to show their stuff. Drink now or hold for a while, but this is a solid Chianti Classico.

Sinewy and tightly focused, with black cherry, smoked meat and cracked pepper flavors that finish with a tannic bite. Best from 2023 through 2030.

Boasts tangy tangerine, Key lime and lemon notes that are appealing and juicy, with a touch of candied ginger on the finish. Drink now.

This has such precision with aromas of blackberries, cloves, raspberries, black tea, rooibos, dried rosemary and iron shavings. Dark and mineral with a medium body and a firm, very fine and tight tannin frame. Fantastic tension and freshness. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better from 2024. Screw cap.

This has a complex and expressive nose of iodine, dried thyme, blackberry fruit, tar, cloves and crushed stones. Beautifully framed, with sleek and firm tannins providing an elegant support to the dark fruit and minerals. Slowly unwinds. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better from 2024. Screw cap.

A linear and tight grenache with long and very intense fruit and tannins. Blackberry, dark cocoa powder and dusty. Chewy and very fine tannined. Excellent length and power. Needs three or four years to come around. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2024.

More dark plum fruit and purple flowers here with a deep minerality of crushed stones, clay and tea leaves. It’s medium-bodied and well structured with firm, tightly formed tannins. Mineral freshness. Dips in and out of a deep, dark and brooding character. Still tight but round textured and then chewy at the end. Grenache from vines planted in 1946. Fermented and remains on skins for 170 days, with total maturation in ceramic eggs for 11 months. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2023. Screw cap.

Gorgeous nose of hazelnuts, black cherries, blackberries, mocha and bay leaves. Hints of spearmint. Seamlessly integrated, with a concentrated and delicious core of dark fruit, herbs and seductive spice. Muscular, fleshy tannins. Showing beautiful cabernet character with a long life ahead. 57% cabernet sauvignon and 43% shiraz. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

This is an open and focused red with blackberry, cloves and dried flowers. Pencil shavings, too. Some black cherry. Medium to full body, firm and balanced, fresh and bright. Peppery. Flavorful and savory. Open for this wine already. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

So expressive with white pepper, orange blossom, dried lemons, dried pineapples and spice. Powerful and spicy with a medium to full body and oily, yet fresh and vibrant layers. Lots of energy. 59% extended skin batch. Matured in ceramic eggs. From biodynamically grown grapes. This can age nicely. Screw cap.

Aromas of sliced strawberries, pitted red cherries, white pepper, grated nutmeg and rosemary stem. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, textural tannins. Transparent and clear with pretty red fruits and berries washing over the palate with lovely definition and drive. Vibrant and bright. Excellent finish. Best after 2024.

A creamy and fine-tannined grenache with perfectly ripe strawberry and hints of tile. It’s medium-bodied. Fresh and fine. Lightly chewy. Orange peel. Refined and elegant. Terracotta. No wood. Excellent aging potential. Drink or hold.

This has an open and polished nose of black cherries, blueberries, olives, mint chocolate, rosemary and nutmeg. Bright and silky with fine yet firm tannins wrapping a textured, creamy core of fresh and spiced black fruit. All interwoven. 52% cabernet sauvignon and 48% shiraz. Already drinkable, but better from 2025. Screw cap.

A rich and textural chardonnay with tons of ripe pear fruit and floral complexity. On the concentrated palate this has a serious tannin structure and a bright mineral acidity that interlocks very neatly. Long, generous and complete finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.