The nose smells of chalk and blood oranges with whiffs of saline and mint. The palate entry is sharply defined luscious peach and apricot and a pervasive jasmine in the core finishing with impression of baking spices and silky acidity. Drink 2023-2027.

Opulence meets restraint in this Mt Brave bottling from the high elevation Mt Veeder AVA in Napa Valley. Aromas of spiced black plums, cinder, smoke and dried floral notes are underpinned by an esoteric mint note. The palate is lush, rich and brooding. Dark plum flesh, Christmas spice and blackberries meld together with rich raisin and chocolate notes. There is a savoury balance that brings acidity to lift the proceedings.

Medium color with a very lovely nose of Bing cherry and earth. Nice. The palate is harmonious and tasty with solid fruit and great balance. Whoa. Outstanding.

Bright aromas of cherry and cranberry are underpinned by white pepper, savory spice and a slight meaty nuance, with a stony, mineral core. Succulent red-berry flavors are lifted by tart acidity on the midweight palate, and a line of chiseled, textural tannins weaves it all together. This is a still tightly wound vintage of High Sands that should evolve nicely with time in bottle, for a decade or more. Sovereign Wine Imports. Cellar Selection. —C.P.

This wine has a deep, dark and tempting core of black fruits and oak spices that is surrounded by the velvety, welcoming texture expected from a Merlot. Blackberries, blueberries, toasted wood and cedar bring out complexity on the palate and linger on the finish. Best through 2030. —J.G.

Supersaturated with black fig and dried cherry aromas, this full-bodied wine dives into more deep, pure and ripe-tasting fruit flavors on the palate, accented by dark chocolate and blueberries. Mild tannins and a full body lend a mouthfilling texture that contributes to a lingering finish. —J.G.

At over 730m the, Christopher's site produces concentrated Cabernet with freshness and lift. It is a rugged vineyard site atop the Stonestreet estate mountain complex—aromas of evergreen bough, chicory root, crushed raspberries, and mineral notes of smashed black stone. The palate shows a density of black fruits lifted by bay leaf, Chinese five-spice, crushed stone minerals and pine tar. It's still coming along at nearly a decade.

From the Upper Barn vineyard at over 480m in the Alexander Valley planted in 1982 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, old vines in this part of California for Chardonnay. Aromas of roast corn husk, peach fuzz, and savoury herbs flanked with a crushed chalk mineral character. The palate is finely etched in its precision, honeyed apricot, lemon cream and candied ginger with a laser-focused minerality. This Chardonnay is evolving beautifully.

A polished Pinot Noir from the Mendocino County Docker Hill site. Savoury aromatics of mountain herbs with cocoa nibs and blue fruits. The palate shows ample elegance, structure and gorgeous texture. A core of blue fruits, evergreen tips, cocoa nibs, and a finish lifted by fresh mint.

A beautiful, elegant Pinot Noir from the Sta Rita Hills site, John Sebastiano. Silky, textured, and fresh, this wine flashes delicate purity and minerality. Pungent floral aromas of dried violets, sois bois and evergreen tips are accented by seaspray minerality. The palate is a study in beautiful blue fruits, crushed stone and grilled orange peel. This Pinot shows ample depth and a true sense of the wonder of the Sta Rita Hills.

A very pretty, properly Oregon Pinot Noir from Siduri, this Zena Crown vineayrd from 2019 is revelatory. Elegant and finely etched, with lovely, pungent floral aromatics backed by red fruit and spice. The palate shows fleshy berries, basalmic umami character, savoury dried fennel, and thyme accents. Elegance and depth are both on display.

A gorgeous Pinot Noir from the Gran Moraine site shows crushed raspberries on hot stone, cassia bark and dusty gravel. The palate is elegant and refined; delicate red and purple fruits are framed by blue florals; there is a depth of umami character marked by soy, balsamic and wet moss. Wonderful.

This vintage of Ironheart is particularly open and fruit-forward. Luscious blueberry and blackberry preserve aromas are in the fore, underpinned by cedar, spice and licorice. The rich palate is equally voluptuous with plush, silky fruit framed by powerful yet fine tannins and lovely acidity. There’s a raw spiciness that seems to come more from variety and site than the well-tucked oak. Drink now with decanter and a rich protein like roast beef, or cellar another 7-10 years. Jackson Family Wines. Cellar Selection. —C.P.

An evolving red, supple and boasting cherry, raspberry, vanilla, coffee and spice flavors. Fresh and harmonious, fluid on the palate, with fine tannins uplifting the long finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2038. 1,393 cases made, 983 cases imported.

The herbal side of Cabernet Franc is on display in this red -- in the best sense. Delivers grassy, bell pepper and rosemary notes that mingle with black currant, blackberry and licorice flavors. Balanced and long, with the fruit extending on the finish. Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,744 cases made, 1,402 cases imported.

Silene is the lowest priced of Capensis’ three Chardonnays, but it's a pretty special white in its own right. Partnering fruit from three sites - two on the Helderberg and one in Banghoek - this is way less oaky than it used to be, showing taut, mouth-watering acidity, a dab of crème fraîche, very subtle wood spices and lots of energy, drive and citrus fruit flavours. 2023-29

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Christopher's Vineyard was matured in 79% new oak for 20 months. Its aromas uncoil slowly from blueberry and blackcurrant to finer nuances of bitter chocolate, roasted coffee, cigars, thyme and violets. The full-bodied palate is surprisingly youthful and fresh with concentrated, nuanced fruit, gently softening tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. 502 cases were made.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended with 1.5% Petit Verdot and matured for 20 months in 35% new oak. It's bursting with gregarious blackcurrant, blueberry, mint chocolate and lilac plus touches of cigar ash, licorice and coffee beans. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet despite its deep core of perfumed fruit, with a frame of grainy tannins and juicy acidity that calls you in for another sip. This is wonderfully easy to drink despite offering plenty of complexity. 8,028 cases produced.

The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, matured in 50% new oak for 10 months, is reticent on the nose, taking a lot of time to segue from flint to baked apples, panna cotta and toast. The light-bodied palate features savory flavors complemented by lively acidity, and it has an expansive, spicy finish. Give it another 2-3 years in the bottle. 802 cases were made.

This Gran Selezione comes from the fairly high-altitude (420-450m asl) La Porta vineyard, named after late owner Jess Stonestreet Jackson (hence Strada al Sasso), whose dream was always to produce a varietal Sangiovese here. Still very young, the 2021 shows some reductive meatiness over fruit that remains dark and compact, though ferrous notes and sweet violets gradually waft out. The entry is full of dark plum fruit, while the mid-palate has tender flesh clinging to a central pillar of tannins, which are already showing a pleasing elasticity. Drinking window 2023 - 2033

This was a preview of the new Campolupi Gran Selezione, a high-altitude site that’s more than 600m asl) at the northwestern end of the estate. It will be released in July 2024. Winemaker Lawrence Cronin was struck by the fact that the acidity was softer at these heights than from the lower vineyards. The overall impression is one of suavity and affability, even at this early stage. The colour is strikingly purple and opaque, likely a product of the Colorino in the blend as well as youth. The purple tonality continues on the nose, which offers violets and a little plumminess, along with some black olive brine and salted liquorice. The texture is fluid, losing (?) a winsome floral perfume on the front-palate. Chalky tannins appear midway back to form a rounded central presence, while acidity is present but diffuse. Drinking window 2025 – 2035

This far-coast wine has a scent of Crème de Violette introducing the fruit, then it hits a tannic wall and melts away into gentle richness. Long and lovely, polished and powerful, this will benefit from bottle age.- J.G.

Taking on a significant jump up in complexity and purity, the ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Dropstone reveals aromas of wet gravel, black raspberry liqueur, and lifted notes of red fruit and blood orange. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a graceful mouthfeel and texture, it has good length and a clean finish. It’s attractive now and will have a solid 6-8 years of prime drinking.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Barbara's Clone 667 is a powerful, dense wine that is going to need a few years to soften. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, cedar and blood orange fill out the layers nicely. Time in the glass brings out the wine's density and volume. The 2021 has a ton to offer. Its best days lie ahead.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Mesa Terrace soars out of the glass with myriad floral and savory top notes. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, spice, cedar and pipe tobacco are nicely lifted throughout. This gracious, expressive Pinot Noir is a joy to taste.