The excellent 2019 Chardonnay W.S. Keyes is a different style of Napa Chard, with only 10% new French oak puncheons and no malolactic fermentation, there's a delicate wood influence akin to pencil shavings, with more emphasis placed on pear, apple and citrus notes. Medium-bodied, this is a crisp, lean and focused effort that retains a pleasantly silky feel and plenty of length.

Still based on Bill Smith's original block from the 1970s, plus some additional plantings, the 2019 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain is 100% Cabernet Franc. Gentle florals and herbal notes of bay leaf and sage appear on the nose, adding savory complexity to the black cherries and red raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, silky, fine and elegant, this is a perennial favorite, drinkable on release and for a decade or more afterward.

At nearly 20 years of age, the deep garnet-hued 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore (part of this year's annual library release) shows some brick at the rim and offers up classic cigar-box aromas of dried tobacco, cedar and vanilla, plus ample notions of dried fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, plush and velvety in feel, with a lingering finish and softly dusty tannins. Fully mature but in no danger of drying out soon, it should continue to drink well for at least another three or four years.

A step up from the blended Napa Valley Cab, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has been bottled on its own since 2015. Sourced from a vineyard adjacent to Highway 29, it's earthier and dustier, more savory in style, but it still retains cassis and cherry fruit. It's full-bodied, firmly built and dense but with a bit of elegance as well and a long, softly tannic finish that hints at clove, cinnamon and lingering earth. At 550 cases produced, it's only available at the tasting room or online directly from the winery.

Amazing aromatics - very fruit forward on the nose full of blackcurrant, black cherry and black pepper. The strawberry, raspberry and cranberry fruit absolutely sings in the glass, punchy with excellent clarity and soft plushness. Silky tannins, barely there except to give a mineral, wet stone texture which is to the fore. It’s profound in terms of depth of flavour - vertical and structured, but not heavy or exuberant with freshness and focus keeping it lifted and graceful. Well balanced, harmonious and full of classicism in the best sense. This is the 19th vintage for winemaker Pierre Seillan, whose son will now take the helm. No chaptalisation needed here. 3.64pH. Ageing in 70% new oak. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040.

Briary and vibrant with lively acidity, this red offers deep and jammy raspberry and blueberry flavors laced with sandalwood and green peppercorn. Features zesty tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2029.

Brooding and concentrated yet expressive, with a mix of both black and red fruit plus smoky anise, tar and dusky spices that speed toward burly tannins. Best from 2023 through 2032.

Balances power and elegance, with terrific purity to the spiced plum, juicy black cherry and framboise notes. Delivers polished and refined tannins, with hints of dark chocolate, green tea and fresh sage as well as a whiff of palo santo on the long finish. Drink now through 2040.

Freemark Abbey's 2020 Chardonnay blends fruit from Carneros, Coombsville (and vicinity) and Howell Mountain. Roughly three-fourths goes through fermentation in barrels, with 30% to 40% new oak (all French, all 228 liters). Subtle toast and butter notes accent ripe melon and peach on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is plump and slightly oily, then clean and mouthwatering on the finish, adding hints of grapefruit and green apple.

A floral note of violets mingles with sage and bay leaf details in this red, with a core of blackberry and currant flavors that are round, juicy and supple. Earl grey tea and black pepper accents linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2040.

Tightly coiled yet expressive, with berry cobbler, river stone and white pepper flavors that build tension and structure toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2023 through 2030.

The 2019 Malbec Mt. Veeder features almost candied blackberries and black cherries on the nose, yet there's also a loam-like earthiness to steer the wine toward savory. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky texture, this bottling isn't that long or complex, but it offers something a bit different and fun.

La Jota's 2019 Merlot Howell Mountain includes 11% Petit Verdot and 7% Tannat. It boasts plummy black cherries and hints of herbs on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky but not that deep or rich. Supple and charming yet not unstructured, this mouthwatering Merlot may be enjoyed on the young side, but it should drink well through at least 2030.

There are an impressive 20,000 cases of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Merlot, 2% each Malbec and Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new oak. About half of the fruit is sourced from estate (organically grown) vineyards, while the balance is purchased. Lovely herb-inflected cassis and hints of ripe cherries appear on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, but with some substance and concentration, finishing with soft, dusty tannins. Good concentration, balance, length.

Juicy and very open in feel, with loganberry and red licorice notes melding with hints of red and black tea. A flash of singed vanilla lines the finish. Crowd pleaser. Drink now through 2025.

A juicy and friendly version, with a core of strawberry, blackberry and plum flavors that are lined with a subtle black licorice note and glide through easily. Offers a toast-influenced finish, but the fruit keeps the upper hand. Drink now through 2025.

Firm, with an appealingly chewy quality to the chamomile, melon and apricot flavors. Generous and focused on the lush, spicy finish. Drink now.

The 2019 Cabernet Franc Mt. Veeder comes across as slightly herbal and even almost pickle-y, with nice black cherries but also a hint of bell pepper. Full-bodied, with dusty tannins, it seems a bit underripe from a flavor perspective, lacking the ripeness and generosity of the other Mt Brave bottlings this year.

The 2018 Chateau Lassegue has an eyecatching youthful purple-ish tint to its black-cherry color. A bouquet of dark chocolate, plum and black olives is complemented with palate-pleasing blackberry, red plum and milk-chocolate flavors, gliding on soft tannins to a long finish. It’s well made and ready for early drinking.

In Bordeaux, nearly every chateau produces a second wine with prestigious DNA, but often at good value. At Lassegue, the 2018 Les Cadrans de Lassegue is brimming with floral and black-cherry aromas. Its medium body is wrapped in tasty blueberry and blackberry flavors that are instantly appealing and drinkable.

A sumptuous wine that manages to hold its cards of spice and flamboyant fruits close to a chest of riches. Unirrigated blocks contribute. 50% of the cuve was crushed to open-tops, resplendent with 20% whole bunches; 20 days on skins, extended time on lees and élévage in both new and used puncheons, before a blending of the best to a foundre and concrete egg. This sits on a diplomatic cushion between the Rhône-inflected contemporary styles that splay pepper, clove and blue fruits about the mouth, and a richer, more lustrous regional note. The tannins etch the cheeks and wind down the side of the tongue, keeping to the path of righteousness. Fine indeed.

Hand picked and destemmed to whole berries. Wild fermented after a brief cold soak; 21 days on skins. Pressed to classy barriques (50% new). Full bodied, suave and dense, yet does not stray into decadence. Fine drinking. Damson plum, vanillin oak, spice and a swathe of dusty tannins driving across the finish. Forward and certainly approachable already. Fine drinking. More to come?

Delicate violet scents and the suggestion of lots of fruit to come on the palate. A little sweet with a suggestion of raspberry jam. Gently made with the finest of tannins, but I wouldn't mind just a tiny bit more freshness. The wine is impressively persistent.

Ripe pear juice on the nose. Much richer than the Applejack and Wombat Creek 2021 bottlings, although there is some citrus acidity on the finish. A little bit of a putty/linseed aroma too. Quite a bit of chewiness on the end. Just a little hard on the finish at this point.

Pale garnet verging on ruby. Pale rim. A bit more meaty and savoury than the Primavera Vineyard Pinot on the nose. Light and fresh with definite sweetness, as well as the vegy savour, but more refreshing than the Primavera and with a nice lick of light tannins. Delicate texture. It tastes as though it were made with kid gloves. A definite success.