It's not the first time that Cambria's Katherine's has performed at the top of our chardonnay tasting - the past two vintages have both scored 90 or above. This may be a big, buttery wine, with lots of corn-silk richness, but it is also remarkably fresh, continuing to express a lively, honeyed ocean-coast minerality the day after it's first opened. The firm, compact structure is all seashells, layered in white. That contrasts the earthier elements of mushrooms, ferns and dried honeycomb. In balance, it stays cool for all its size and alcohol, a zesty, substantial white for pork or turkey long-brined then roasted.

Here's a strong argument for more syrah in the Santa Maria Valley, especially at the Tepusquet vineyard where Cambria grows 19 acres of the variety. This isn't the most complex wine in the world, but it feels so good in the mouth, perfectly balanced, statuesque. Dark plum skin plays a role in the color and in the savor of the aroma. And there's a mouthwatering, gentle acidity, like that of a rich, ripe pear. The flavors are persistent and dynamic, soft and concentrated, moving out in all directions. Get a case.

The 2013 Pinot Noir Clone 23 is a dark, mysterious beauty. Graphite, smoke, lavender and spices are some of the notes that gradually open up. Virile and imposing, the 2013 finishes with explosive energy and tons of nuance. Drink this superb, distinctive Pinot Noir over the next 5-7 years.

Deep and hearty mulberry aromas meet with condensed rose petals, cinnamon, clove and hot gingerbread on the earthy, spicy nose of this clonal bottling by longtime winemaker Denise Shurtleff. The sip is thick and full of chaparral herbs at first, then opens toward rounded red cherry, cranberry and cinnamon before diving into fennel and peppercorn. It's amazing for one clone to be so complex.

Classic Cambria Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley, this is translucent in color, silky in texture and bone dry, yet unbelievably concentrated. Full bodied and warm in alcohol, it has massive flavors of cherry compote, cranberry, persimmon, sweet, smoky oak and crushed spice. It should age gracefully over the next six years.

Rich, juicy and deep with black cherry, caramel and soft oak; lush and dense with finesse, elegance and complexity; long and lovely.

Warm, full aromas of wood smoke, with hints of coffee and black plums. Rich and complex. Smoky, meaty flavors vie with sweet fruity ones in a nicely framed, mouth-filling treat of a wine. Well balanced and lingering.

Santa Barbara Dreamin'…Part Two The 2015 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard is the most impressive wine in the range today. Powerful, dense and explosive, the 2015 pulses with both energy. An exotic mélange of inky dark fruit, creme de cassis, lavender, black pepper and spice builds as this striking wine shows off its pedigree.

A vivid taste profile of Chardonnay in its finest California persona, French oak tempering the suggestions of apples, pears, melon, adding the intrigue of wood incense.

Santa Barbara Dreamin'…Part One The 2016 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard is a total knockout. Dense, powerful and unctuous, with tremendous depth, the 2016 hits all the right notes. Even with all of its natural intensity, the 2016 possesses striking aromatic presence as well as freshness to play off the generous inky blue fruit. There is almost no perception of tannin in this impeccably balanced Pinot from winemaker Jonathan Nagy. The 2016 was done with fully destemmed fruit. Don’t miss it.

There's a prominent but relatively restrained sense of cherry juice on the nose of this bottling alongside gamy meat, sagebrush and composting rose-petal aromas. The palate is framed by strong energy, which delivers red fruit, sharp red spice and tinges of spearmint and tarragon.

From a cool climate site in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2015 Pinot Noir Rita's Crown delivers beautiful minerality as well as elegance in its medium-bodied, seamless profile. Black raspberries, gunpowder, crushed rocks, and ample forest floor notes develop beautifully with time in the glass, and this beauty can be drunk today or cellared for a decade. This cuvée spent 16 months in 57% new French oak.

There’s a great deal of sagebrush on the nose of this bottling from a vine yard in the eastern Sta. Rita Hills, along with red cherry, pencil lead and sandalwood. Dark cherry and cranberry flavors power the palate, the fruit wrapped in hickory smoke. Thyme flavors carry into the tannic finish.

Lush fresh cherry nose; silky and ripe with bright cherry and tangy acidity; supple, balanced and juicy; long and lovely.

This best-of-barrels bottling is intended to impress with its weight and gravitas, and it succeeds despite exhibiting more restraint than in previous vintages. Plush red strawberry and plum fruit is spiced with star anise and clove on the nose. The palate combines a sanguine element with smoky oak notes. Vanilla bean and ginger snap flavors extend toward the finish, which proves rather refreshing.

While the 2014 Pinot Noir Monument Hill was slightly closed aromatically, it offers fabulous purity, depth and richness on the palate, with ripe tannin and a great finish. From the Nielson Vineyard outside of Santa Maria, and a mix of terroirs (sand, shale and limestone) and clones, give it a year in bottle and enjoy this beauty through 2024.

A solid step up over the classic Nielson Vineyard (it also comes all from the Nielson Vineyard), the 2014 Pinot Noir Monument is a mix of clones, was completely destemmed, barrel fermented (80%) and saw 14 months in 77% new French oak. It gives up loads of black raspberries, spice, dried flowers and underbrush/forest floor notes in its rich, textured, layered personality. It has terrific mid-palate depth, equally terrific complexity and sweet tannin, all suggesting it's going to keep for a decade. Originally founded in 1984, Byron is now owned by Jackson Family Wines with the wines made by Jonathan Nagy. The oak treatment sticks out slightly in a number of these wines, but as I hope the scores show, there’s tons to love here. These are ripe, classic Santa Barbara wines.

The pinnacle power-showing bottling of each vintage, this wine is brawny on the nose, reminiscent of hearty black cherry, bay leaf, crushed clove, roasted game and leather. The intriguingly herbal character is lavish on the palate, where dark cranberry and deep pomegranate gain complexity from peppercorn and thyme, showcasing very well-blended flavors.

From the oldest commercial vineyard in Santa Barbara County comes this heady bottling, showing aromas of deep black raspberry, vanilla bean, beef carpaccio, black pepper and sesame oil. Black and white pepper and bay leaf spice up the acid- and mineral-laced palate, where dark but sharply focused fruits of elderberry and boysenberry gain a savory touch from smoked pork.

The winery’s top-end bottling, this presents rich aromas of black cherry and blackberry pie, with sweet hickory smoke, pipe tobacco and graphite shavings. The expertly balanced palate is quite broad, with ripe pomegranate and raspberry fruit, yet it’s not jammy at all, thanks to black clove, Earl Grey tea and violet candy. Ample tannins and acidity enliven the mouth.

This best of barrels selection from Byron's considerable number of vineyards in Santa Maria Valley is a stunner. It's immediately likeable for its soft, creamy mouthfeel, and the way the raspberry, cherry, currant, bacon, cocoa and sandalwood flavors finish so rich, yet so dry. Seems too soft for the long haul despite the firm tannins, but should provide beautiful drinking over the next six years.

A brilliant wine, massively sculpted and monumental, that shows how great this vineyard is. The wine shows densely concentrated flavors of blackberries and licorice, with the loveliest accent of sweet worn leather and rhubarb, flourished with the dusty spices that always characterize a fine Santa Maria Pinot Noir. Best now - 2013.

It's impossible to imagine this wine could have existed even five years ago, even though it hails from the extraordinary Nielson Vineyard that for many years has yielded Byron's best Pinot Noirs, as well as Chardonnays. The ripeness level is something only modern techniques could achieve, and the 2007 vintage was great. Ultra-rich in blackberries, cherries and dark chocolate, the wine retains a silky texture and is imposingly full-bodied. Drink now - 2013.

It's been a pleasure to taste through Byron's 2006 Pinots, because they show that this winery hasn't lost the magic tough after all these years. This bottling, a barrel select from their best vineyards, is magnificent. Fully drinkable now for its lush berry-cherry and cedar flavors, it has rich Santa Maria spicy tannins that enable it to age effortlessly for up to a decade.

Where Byron's regular '03 Pinot is all about immediate gratification, this single-vineyard release, a year older, is a darker, brooding wine. Instead of red cherries, you get black ones. Cassis, too, and sautéed mushrooms with a splash of balsamic. Still there's a delicious core of mocha. It's an exquisite, silky Pinot Noir, firm and classic, and addictively drinkable.