The 2019 Chardonnay Stature is a blend from vineyards in Los Alamos and Santa Maria. Rich and tropical in expression, the Stature is super-expressive right out of the gate. Tangerine oil, passion fruit and apricot add a very pretty, exotic flair.

The 2018 Pinot Noir MacLean's Block is sourced from a parcel between Occidental and Green Valley. Silky and aromatic, with a touch of whole cluster savoriness, the MacLean's is undeniably attractive. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol inflections build effortlessly over time. This is very nicely done.

The 2019 Chardonnay Four Hearts is another terrific wine in this range. Creamy and layered in the glass, the 2019 is exquisite. Old vines confer a good deal of character and nuance. White flowers, lemon confit, pineapple and pastry build into the creamy, inviting close.

The 2019 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) captures all of the natural exuberance the appellation is known for. White pepper, mint and chalk lift a core of sweet red cherry fruit. Bright acids work so well in giving the wine energy and a real feeling of vibrancy. The 2019 is beautifully done.

The 2018 Winemaster's Blend is a very pretty, Merlot-based red blend from vineyards in Alexander Valley. Bright red cherry/red plum, blood orange, mint, cinnamon and iron all meld together in a wine of real distinction and class. I would give the 2018 a year or two in bottle to soften, as the Cabernet and Petit Verdot tannins are a bit imposing today. This is a strong showing from Kendall-Jackson.

The 2019 Chardonnay Grand Reserve is a selection of top lots mostly in Santa Barbara County, Los Alamos and Santa Maria. Hints of tropical fruit, ginger, spice and flowers make for an airy, mid-weight Chardonnay that offers lovely exoticism and tons of character.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Seven's Bench, from a site in Carneros, is earthy and savory in feel. Dried cherry, mint, cinnamon, sweet pipe tobacco, licorice and soil-driven tones all open in the glass. A touch of whole clusters works well here.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Hailey's Block offers up an especially earthy, savory range of cool-climate flavors. Dried cherry, cedar, tobacco, spice and dried flowers all take shape with a bit of coaxing. The Hailey's Block is the sort of wine that really needs to be enjoyed over time, as it opens nicely with some aeration.

The 2019 Chardonnay (Russian River) is a terrific appellation-level wine. Bright and finely cut, the 2019 is so well-balanced. Lemon peel and white flowers grace this enticing Chardonnay from Hartford. Bright acids and floral accents round out the finish nicely.

The 2019 Pinot Noir (Russian River) is a terrific appellation-level offering in this range from Hartford Court. Blue/purplish fruit, cinnamon, licorice and spice all grace this expressive, mid-weight Pinot. Enjoy it over the next decade.

A new wine in this range, the 2019 Zinfandel Winberrie Knolls is bright, floral and effusive. Sweet floral notes open first, giving the 2019 a feeling of transparency that carries through to the finish. This is an especially silky, sensual Zinfandel.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve is a fabulous entry-level wine. A whole range of savory, earthy notes complement a core of dark red fruit. The nuance and aromatic depth are both so typical of Sonoma Cabernets.

The 2018 Merlot Jackson Hills is a gorgeous wine. Fresh and vibrant in the glass, the Jackson Hills shows a distinctly refined side of Merlot. Floral, savory and spice notes lift a core of blue/purplish fruit. This is such and elegant, laid-back wine.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve is a very pretty wine, especially in its peer group. Floral and airy in feel, the 2019 is so classy. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, blood orange and cinnamon are all lifted in this exquisite, nuanced wine. Value-priced Pinot is so hard to find. This release is a terrific choice for readers on a budget.

The 2019 Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve is very pretty and floral. Citrus, almond and dried flowers open nicely, followed by tropical notes that grace the finish. In 2019, the Vintner's Reserve is a bit lighter than it typically is. Even so, it remains one of the greatest - if not the greatest - value in estate wine made in sufficient scale. It can be found pretty much anywhere.

The 2019 Pinot Blanc Nielson Vineyard is a new wine in this range. I am struck by its textural richness, depth and personality. Citrus and floral-laced overtones linger effortlessly.

The 2019 Chardonnay Sable Mountain Vineyard, from a site in Anderson Valley, is laced with very pretty, exotic floral notes. It is one of the more aromatic wines in the range. I find it just a bit light, but all the elements are nicely balanced just the same.

The 2018 Pinot Noir (Marin County) is a gracious, perfumed wine with lovely aromatic presence and fine balance. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers and spice give this light-bodied Pinot tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Drink it over the next few years. The Marin County Pinot is always one of my personal favorites in this range, as it is again in 2019.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters is an attractive wine, but it is also lacking in body. The aromatics are promising, yet the fruit feels dried out and the wine feels light. I expect more here.

A blend of 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, the 2018 La Muse was matured 16 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose delivers a powerful perfume of cherry pie, blackberry preserves and baked plums, followed by suggestions of red roses, cast-iron pan,underbrush and unsmoked cigars, plus wafts of licorice and oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the black fruit and exotic spice layers flow so gracefully over the palate, textured by plush tannins and lifted with seamless freshness, finishing epically long and achingly fragrant. The intensity and complexity of aromas and flavors—all waltzing in captivating harmony—cannot fail to make your head spin in the best possible way. Electrifying!

“Increasingly convincing, American-owned Tenuta di Arceno (Kendall-Jackson Group), which produces wines of impeccable quality and craftsmanship." - Gambero RossoOn the property they grow 50% Sangiovese and 50% other varieties (mostly international) - the other 10% of this Chianti is Cabernet Sauvignon taken from the highest point of the estate; aged 10 months in French (with never any new used) - total aging ends up being 24 months before release. The alcohol is a high 14.5%, which helps create that rich, round almost sweet dark fruit note to this Chianti, but the balancing act the acidity plays here helps it from being an over-the-top, weighty mess and even shows a freshness and age-ability: Smoky black cherry, floral, tobacco, cassis, cinnamon, aniseed, black licorice, a little char and even some herbal/savoury notes all help add to the enjoyment of this wine. Love the complexity. The tannins are quite tight now but should loosen their grip over the next 10 or so years. (****+)

This new project by the talented Chris Carpenter is mostly sourced from the Yverdon Vineyard (64%) on Spring Mountain. A blend of 77% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot, this really needs a two hour decant to fully show at its best. The nose is simply gorgeous with black florals alongside graphite, Turkish coffee, dark chocolate and shades of huckleberry compote. The palate is extraordinarily refined, with a great sense of salinity, viscosity and tension. The flavor range here is seriously good from iodine and Black Forest cake with espresso bean, dried herbs and creosote. This finishes long and comes off almost weightless. Glorious now after a long decant, this has potential to age for thirty years. Drink 2023-2045.

It’s fascinating to see how the wines of Yangarra have evolved in the last few years. They were always good, but now they feel speccy. And you can see it most clearly in the Shiraz wines – like this Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2018. What a bright, and energetic McLaren Vale Shiraz. Showing none of its 14.5% alcohol, and instead about fruit. I wouldn’t expect it to be this vibrant looking at the winemaking, which is deadly serious.- 25% whole bunches, wild ferment, 32% new French oak. 9 months in barrel, then a barrel selection, with the best blend spending 8 more months in a one-year-old foudre.
Definitely less iron-hearted and more purple fruited this vintage. It smells of blueberries, background oak and rich fruit, followed by a medium to full bodied expression of Blueberry nose. Just enough ferrous grip and some residual oak tannins. The whole thing just jumps out at you with its ripe fruit – too much energy and not much complexity for the moment, but you can see that will come.
Just a lovely Shiraz really.
Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2018. Best drinking: good now, probably even better next year, and will live for 10+ years.

This dark red colored Pinot Noir from Brewer-Clifton is impressive! It opens with a fragrant strawberry and Dr. Pepper bouquet with hints of raspberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, juicy and nicely coats your mouth. The flavor profile is an earthy loam and cherry-cola blend with notes of steeped black tea and red plum. I also detected hints of black pepper and clove. The finish is dry and its fruit flavors and moderate tannins show very nice length for a Pinot. This Pinot would pair perfectly with beef bourguignon.

This wine has a nice, calm smell of vanilla and a whisper of butter. The palate is rich yet refreshing with a slight grip. This is a solid American Chard. Bring this to any event, and it will absolutely please a crowd.