Bright ruby-red. High-toned, sexy aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice, graphite and sweet oak. Plush, sweet and pliant, with a wonderfully polished texture to the intense flavors of brambly dark berry, coffee and licorice. Finishes lush and very long, with building, fine-grained tannins and considerable elegance. This will be even better for five or six years in the cellar.

Medium ruby. Reticent but very pure aromas of blueberry, cassis, licorice and menthol. Shockingly rich and sweet but very young, showing superb concentration to its cassis flavor complemented by sexy oak tones. This really vibrates on the very long finish, where the wine's powerful mountain tannins are buried in fruit. Less showy today than the Howell Mountain cabernet but with outstanding long-term potential.

Good medium ruby. An essence of cabernet on the nose, with blackberry, licorice and floral aromas complicated by an exotic suggestion of fruity tropical chocolate. Then large-scaled, fat and sweet in the mouth, with highly concentrated black raspberry and chocolate flavors. The powerful mountain tannins coat the front teeth. Like a cabernet syrup today, in need of at least seven or eight years of aging and likely to be long-lived.

Good full ruby. Elemental, extremely primary nose features grapey blackberry, licorice and violet pastille. Big, sweet, broad and creamy; a huge, powerful wine with slightly rustic flavors of dark chocolate and minerals. Finishes with compelling sweetness of fruit, and very broad tannins that arrive late. From a block of vines that was recently torn out due to phylloxera. The richest of this trio of cabernets. Winemaker Chris Carpenter notes that the intention here is to make three wines of place by using neutral winemaking techniques. The only difference among the wines is maceration times, he added. All three of these bottlings are close to 15% alcohol.

The 2022 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton was matured for 16 months in 15% new French oak and an additional four months in stainless steel. “This vineyard got hit very hard with frost, and we got about one ton per acre,” winemaker Shane Moore says. “But the quality I thought was really, really high.” It has singular, arresting aromas of ripe stone fruit, honey, dried mushrooms and soft ripened cheese. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and mouth coating with powerful, honeyed flavors. It’s balanced by slowly building acidity and has a long, dynamic finish. 1,456 cases were made.

Matured in 43% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has intense aromas of pomegranate, rhubarb, damp earth, mushrooms, tea leaves and spice. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamless with layered, nuanced flavors, vibrant acidity and a long, spicy finish. 4,818 cases were made.

Base wines for the 2017 Blanc de Blancs were matured in barrels and stainless steel without malolactic conversion, and it spent six years en tirage. Disgorged in March of 2024, it has savory aromas of brioche, honey, roasted almonds and flint. The medium-bodied palate is dry and savory with a very fine, small-beaded mousse. Its energetic acidity is tempered by three grams per liter dosage, and it has a long, seamless finish. 201 cases were made.

The 2023 Grenache Flavorscape was fermented with 20% whole clusters and matured in around 50% new oak. It has a medium ruby color and gregarious aromas of raspberry, blueberry, cherry, powdered sugar and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with elegant berry flavors and offers tempered ripeness. It’s framed by soft, chalky tannins and bright acidity and has a long, spicy finish.

Silene uses grapes from three comparatively cool sites in Stellenbosch and is the cheapest of Capensis' outstanding range of Chardonnays. Fermented in 30% new oak, as well as Austrian foudres, it has subtle wood spices, some cream from full malolactic, peach and citrus fruit flavours and a balanced finish. 2026-32

From Helderberg fruit, 2023 includes splashes merlot & cab franc. Masterclass in seamless integration of firm but lithe tannins into sumptuous core of dark fruit. Composed & fresh, 14 months in 30% new oak adding some dry cedar spicing to plush texture. Approachable, should give many more years drinking pleasure.

The 2018 Armoniza is a very pretty, appealing Knights Valley red. Dark plum fruit, mocha, incense, gravel and dried flowers all build in the glass. Persistent, sustained Knights Valley tannins lend shape and energy throughout. A closing burst of fruit punctuates the finish. The 2018 is impeccably done.

The 2021 Chardonnay Journey caresses the palate with tangerine oil, sweet spice, marzipan and a kiss of French oak. Understated and quite gracious, the 2021 emphasizes softness over textural richness. Floral and tropical overtones lend an exotic flair throughout.

The 2022 Pinot Noir is a delight. Forward, juicy and expressive, the 2022 offers tons of immediacy. Succulent red cherry fruit, rose petal, cinnamon, spice and new leather fill out the layers effortlessly. This is such a pretty and delicious wine.

While more golden in color than pink, this rosé bubbly, from one of England’s best-known producers, needs a bit of brief aeration in glass before those flinty reductive notes make room for the gentle citrus and strawberry and cream aromas. There’s a lovely ping of high-toned acidity and persistent fizz on the palate, those red fruit notes flowing to the finish.

This bright and juicy Chard shows aromas of fresh apple, lemon, pineapple, and white flowers on the nose. The palate is nimble and fresh, with flavors of Gala apple, citrus blossom, candied ginger, and Meyer lemon lingering on the finish.

The nose of this wine brings aromas of concentrated Bing cherry, orange peel, fried shiitake, and flowers. On the palate, flavors of black plum, pithy orange, and spice mélange join with focused acidity, weighty texture, and a long finish.

Gobs of juicy berry, cherry pie, and cinnamon aromas swirl on the nose of this wine. The palate is acid driven, with flavors of berry gastrique, pomegranate juice, orange peel, shiitake, and cola spice dancing in a light, approachable framework.

Broad, textural and medium-bodied with aromas of black cherries, red plums, earth, roses and savory herbs. Vibrant acidity and espresso-like tannins give the wine a lot of length. Drink or hold

A ripe, pretty, full-bodied wine, showing subtle aromas of citrus oil with flavors of spiced peaches, pears, Meyer lemons and salt. This has a fuzzy orchard-fruit feel with a plush palate and a long finish. Drink now.

This has exuberant stone and orchard fruits, including fresh pears, white peaches, chalk, salt and a touch of green mangoes. The medium-bodied palate is juicy and mouth-filling, showing delicious acidity with citrus and pear skin in the finish. Drink now.

A lovely range of aromas from dusty roses and bright red fruit to cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and crisp acidity. Juicy flavors and floral notes on the palate lead to a pleasing earthiness in the sour-cherry finish. Drink now.

Purple and blue fruits with dusty minerality on the nose as well as roses, violets and wild bramble. High-toned yet darkly fruited on the medium- to full-bodied palate with pine resin and an almost volcanic feel to the chalkiness. Drink or hold.

A dark, compelling and brooding nose of blue and purple fruits with bramble and subtle notes of cocoa. The long, lifted, medium-bodied palate feels very tense at this young age. Drink from 2027.

A mix of 48% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Meunier from estate vineyards, this catches your attention with a lightly toasty nose that leads into a palate of tart red berry and cherry fruit at its focused core. The lasting flavors extend on through a brisk, fresh, palate-cleansing finish. I saw no indication of a vintage on the label so I’m assuming it’s a non-vintage blend.

The 2023 Chardonnay 3D is again the most glossy and opulent of the Chardonnays, although here it is rendered with the contained, classy and vibrant nature that defines the 2023 vintage. Aromas of pastry cream, hazelnuts and golden apples are followed by a creamy, suave palate with ample textural generosity before closing with a refreshingly classy and understated finish.