The 2017 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard, from a site next to Coastlands, is one of the most compelling wines in this range. Clean mineral notes frame citrus peel, white flowers, mint and crushed rocks. Vivid and finely cut, the Seascape will appeal most to readers who enjoy energetic Chardonnays.

Elegant aromas of toasted brioche with almond cream and white-peach compote make for a stunning nose on this bottling by Winemaker Jill Russell in one of her first complete vintages for the brand. There is a great sizzle of lime zest acidity to the sip, which gives way to creamier flavors of nectarine and crushed macadamia nut.

This excellent Pinot offers aromas of dried cherry, toasted sage and roasted strawberry that lead into a palate that’s snappy and light, yet with tons of weighty stuffing. Flavors of bright raspberry and wild thyme lead into a vanilla-kissed finish.

This impressive wine possesses just over 16% Merlot and touches of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Using a small percentage of new French oak, it offers dusty texture and well-defined flavors of dark cherry, plum, rock and earth. A sweetness of oak doesn’t get lost in the overall structure and cohesion.

Mineral-driven and bright in acidity, this wine is smooth and supple, integrated and complex. With length and breadth, its forceful flavors of dust, juicy black cherry and dried herb combine effortlessly into toasted oak and a length of nutmeg and black pepper.

With the ease and verve of a wine minimally handled, this red shows fragrances of plum, rhubarb, blueberries and fistfuls of flowers followed by earthy, more mineral nuances. Yangarra’s signature tightrope walk of elegance and power on the palate creates a yin and yang effect that weaves taut, fine tannins through delicate fruit and nuanced texture.

The nose is dense soy-like tapenade with mixed herbs and underbrush. The palate is a lush black currant, mineral and blue plum. The core is beautifully polished black plum. Drink 2020 - 2026.

The nose is subdued herb and dusty underbrush perfume with spiced black stone fruit, beautifully poised currant. The palate entry is ripe and expansive with densely-structured plum and supple berry nectar in the core. Drink 2020 - 2026.

The nose is a juicy, herbal plum and sandalwood. The palate entry is a deeply flavored black fruit, spice with saturated core of cocoa and supple, lingering blueberry. Drink 2020 - 2026.

The nose is a lean rhubarb and pomegranate with underlying hard cherry candy and allspice. The palate entry is bright, firm red fruit and cedar showing beautiful raspberry and spice vibrancy through the core. Drink 2020 -2027.

Barbara Banke purchased the Field Stone estate in 2016, bringing its ancient petite sirah vines—survivors from 1894—into the Jackson Family Wines portfolio. Graham Weertsharvested the fruit from those vines when it still retained freshness, its dark flavors brisk and austere as a cold desert night. There’s a green note of agave to the flavors of deepredpeach and black-skinned blueberry, the fruit filling a vast tannic structure, remarkably nimble for a wine of this size. It’s the kind of wine that’s so big you can’t really take all of it in at once, but it’s not overpowering or heavy, just mysterious and anxious to rest in the cellar for years.

USA, Oregon: Searching for Hidden Gems from Willamette Valley's 2017 VintageMedium ruby-purple, the 2016 Pinot Noir The Sum is scented of Earl Grey tea, tar, loamy earth, lavender and garrigue with black currants and black cherries at the core and hints of smoked meats and peppercorn. Medium-bodied and silky, it offers an intense dark fruit core with grainy tannins and seamless freshness on the very long, savory finish.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Pinot Noir Jory Hills Vineyard is an extroverted, luscious Pinot loaded with character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice come together in a bold, creamy Pinot endowed with plenty of richness and exuberance. The Jory Hills, from Oregon's Willamette Valley, is a bit out of place in this range of Anderson Valley Pinots, but it is undeniably impressive.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is one of the more refined and pedigreed wines in this range. Rich and deep, yet also finely cut, the 2017 captures the magic of the coastal sites that go into the blend. Inky purplish fruit, sage, lavender, mint and spice all build as this super-expressive Pinot shows off its pedigreed personality. The 2017 is so nicely done.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard is creamy and voluptuous in the glass, with tremendous richness. A wine of real substance, the Fog Dance is going to need at least a few years to come together. Red and purplish fruit, pomegranate, blood orange, lavender and star anise build as this potent Pinot shows off its multi-faceted personality.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesOne of the standouts in this tasting, the 2017 Pinot Noir Jennifer's is fabulous. Super-ripe red and purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, game and blood orange infuse the 2017 with striking character. The Jennifer's is one of the more savory wines in the range. I especially admire the wine's aromatic depth, but there are many dimensions here to discover.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Chardonnay Jennifer's is bright, finely cut and nuanced. Lemon confit, crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and a whole range of saline notes run through the 2017. This is one of the more precise, sculpted wines in the range.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Chardonnay Fog Dance Vineyard from a vineyard in Green Valley, is rich and unctuous in the glass. Apricot, orange jam, wildflowers and light tropical tones infuse the Fog Dance with lovely textural depth and resonance.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard is another super-expressive wine in this range. Rose petal, mint, lavender and inky red and purplish fruit all infuse the 2018 with notable dimension that reveals itself fully with aeration. Head-trained vineyards in this site on Wood Road yield wines of real character. The 2018 is layered, silky, and most importantly, flat-out delicious.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard is rich, boisterous and super-expressive, with tremendous energy and real presence. A wine of character and presence, the Highwire exudes depth, richness and power. Inky dark cherry and plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol add to an impression of gravitas.

Big bottle. Big price tag. Big wine. Despite the all-around size, it is wonderfully balanced and nuanced, combining richness and verve. Matanzas Creek, which has been an iconic source in Sonoma County since 1977, notes on its website that they’ve built its reputation on Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, which is true. They should probably add Chardonnay to that list, judging by this wine.

This sublime Chardonnay has pretty much everything going for it. Elegant yet concentrated, with gorgeous fruit flavors tempered by lively acidity plus a delicate streak of minerality. The oak is judiciously balanced, suggesting spice rather than wood. Bear Point Chardonnay, whose vines grow at 1000 feet altitude, is complex as well as firm and creamy on the palate without being heavy. It is refreshing, great with food, and has a satisfyingly long and lavish finish.

Italy’s Incredible Year: About 6,400 Wines Rated A muscular Chianti Classico, offering a dense and rich palate with blue-fruit and slate character. Full-bodied, chewy and muscular. Needs two or three years to soften. Better after 2021.

Central Coast: The 2017s and 2018s The 2017 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard comes from a valley floor, cooler site, and it saw 50% stems and spent 16 months in 40% new French oak. This juicy, rounded effort has some exotic cherry, mulberry, Asian spice, lead pencil, and liquid violet-driven aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, bright, beautifully balanced, and incredibly elegant, it's a rock star effort to drink over the coming decade.

Central Coast: The 2017s and 2018s I loved the 2017 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard. It has a remarkable bouquet of darker cherries, currants, Asian spices, incense, and earth. Deeper, richer, beautifully balanced, and textured, it's a brilliant wine. This saw one-third whole cluster and 40% new French oak for 11 months. It's one of the standouts in the lineup.