The 2020 Pinot Noir 459 is intensely savory and brooding in this vintage. Dark fruit, tobacco, incense and dried herbs emerge with some coaxing, but only reluctantly. Time brings out a slightly more elegant, nuanced side to the 459. It will be interesting to see where things ultimately settle. Readers should plan on giving this a few years to soften.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Machado presents a distinctly dark profile and greater breadth than the other wines in the range, a reflection of the clay-rich souls in this parcel. Dark red/blue fruit and big tannins convey quite a bit of primary intensity. This brooding Pinot will need a few years to soften.

The 2020 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a terrific appellation-level wine. Hints of pear, mint, lemon peel and white flowers all grace this expressive, sculpted Chardonnay from Brewer-Clifton. My only quibble is a slightly aggressive edginess that hopefully will soften over time.

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is bright and punchy, with effusive aromatics, vibrant red fruit and fine balance. Drink this supple, vibrant Pinot over the next few years, while red flavors remain vibrant.

The 2020 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard is a powerful, driving wine. Black cherry, licorice, gravel, dried herbs and earthy undertones add to an impression of virile intensity. Savory and earthy flavors dominate, while fruit is pushed to the background in this decidedly powerhouse Pinot from Siduri. I would open this well in advance, as aeration works wonders here.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is bright, punchy and full of character. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, spice, mint, star anise and dried herbs give the 2020 lovely exotic flair. This mid-weight, nervy Pinot from Cambria is all class.

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Crushed flowers, raspberry, mint and cinnamon are nicely pushed forward in this tasty, mid-weight Pinot from Siduri. Drink it over the next handful of years.

Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
With the 2007, things are unfurling nicely, with the fruit stretching out over the top of the structure as the spice and floral notes also expand. At 15 years of age, a point at which many valley floor Cabernets would be at their peak, this bottling is still quite youthful, pure and vibrant.

Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
It’s with the 2009 that some evolution finally seems to be occurring, with the fruit showing a lightly mulled hint as the sleek, iron-edged tannins are giving some ground, slightly.

Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
The 2013 hasn’t moved much in comparison, as it too is still youthfully locked in by its coiled energy and iron spine. But the fruit is taking on a succulent edge as it ever so slightly starts to work its way to the fore.

Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
The 2018 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District shows the wine in its youthful stage, brimming with spice box and floral aromas and a core of mulberry, red currant and red plum fruit flavors allied to sleek and very lengthy structure. Bramble, violet and sweet bay notes check in as well, and despite how densely packed it is, it provides a mouthwatering edge on the finish.

Earthy cherries, dark plums and a swath of forest floor and licorice combine to take this sweet Pinot to the next level.

Vibrant and savory, with bright cherry and raspberry flavors laced with cured meat, smoked anise and pepper tones that finish with finely grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.

Ripe and concentrated, with a fleshy core of steeped plum and blackberry preserve flavors wrapped in a singed vanilla note and backed by a tobacco hint on the finish. Drink now through 2025.

Solid, with a core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit lined with singed cocoa and tobacco accents. Modest in scale, but nicely balanced. Drink now through 2025.

Less-expressive fruit on the nose with more earth and savory components. Dark fruit flavors; black cherry and dark, ripe plum mingle with a dusty coffee bean and espresso note. At this price, buy a half dozen and open them up over the next few years; it's a wine that will reward a little patience.

So friendly in its initial red fruit flavors that embrace your palate. Cherry, cigar wrapper and vanilla bean on the nose give way to strawberry and cherry flavors. There's a minerality on the finish that is sneaky good. The quality of the wine at this price is very hard to beat.

All the slippery pleasures that make pinot so special, specifically ones from the Sta. Rita Hills; subtle red fruit flavors, loamy earth and a mysterious spice note.

Pinot's mysterious spice note qualities take center stage in the Siduri Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Fresh ground nutmeg, Chinese Five Spice and cracked pepper are a spice melange that props up the pomegranate, cranberry and black plum flavors.

The Siduri Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2020 was a dark pinot with an impressive personality. There were dried violets and cinnamon stick on the nose, black cherry and plum fruit flavors with an underlying savory note that includes bacon fat, mushroom and wet leaves.

Tasted over a two-day period, the Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2020 developed into a stellar wine. There were cherry and eucalyptus notes on the nose. Wet earth, cherry, tea and cigar-wrapper flavors emerged on what was a dark and mysterious pinot. It wasn't brawny though; it was still medium in weight, which furthered its charm.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Slope is rich with kirsch, umami with dried porcini, lavender, and licorice, and on the palate, it is fleshy with blackberry, fresh leather, and iron-rich earth. Drink 2024-2034.

The 2019 Chardonnay Dropstone is flinty with reduction and has a dark mineral feel, a delicate bit of orchard fruit, and chamomile. The palate is tension-driven, with a stony mouthfeel. It has great mineral depth and concentration, with notes of citrus pith and green almond. drink 2024-2034.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Dropstone is rich with black cherry candy, fruit, cedar, toasted incense, and licorice. The palate is fresh with black raspberry, turned earth, and violets. Offering gorgeous structure without weight, this is a fantastic wine to hold until 2025 and drink through 2035.

The 2019 Pinot Noir The Sum utilizes 50-60% whole clusters and is fresh with red raspberry, cinnamon, and fresh herbs. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with grenadine, orange peel, and baking spice. Drink 2023-2033.