Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Land's Edge Vineyard Pinot Noir scoots out of the glass with ready-to-go scents of wild strawberries, kirsch, and redcurrant jelly plus wafts of dried herbs, damp soil, and wet slate. The medium to full-bodied palate is refreshing and crunchy, with energetic red berry flavors and fine-grained tannins, finishing with a mineral lift. Native strains were used for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and the wine is unfined and unfiltered. Land's Edge Vineyard is sourced from Hartford Court's two Sonoma Coast vineyards, Far Coast and Seascape, both within 4 miles of the Pacific Ocean.

One of the few brands proudly proclaiming ingredients on the bottle, this bottling reflects the stony, rocky nature of Chalone, starting with aromas of crushed rocks, Meyer lemon curd and Asian pear. It’s tightly woven and restrained in that regional style, as lemon rind, almond and light honey take a backseat to the impressively rocky mineral flavors.

Rounded and bold aromas of strawberry, tobacco, black tea and clove kick off the nose to this bottling. The palate showcases a rounded red cherry core with incense, cola, thyme and eucalyptus leaf flavors adding nuance. Firm with tension, and protected by a screwcap. So drink now–2041.

The generously proportioned 2022 Chardonnay Wombat Creek Vineyard delivers rich veins of nicely, focused aromas, with a strong core of hazelnut supported by nectarine and spicy, well integreated oak. Full- bodied and flavorsome, it possesses an underlying firm, drying acidity, topped by gentle stony nuances and subtle smoky tones. A finely tuned and embryonic finish with icing on this cake.

The 2022 Chardonnay Applejack Vineyard is well controlled and elegant as it offers up pristine, focused aromas of grapefruit, pear and gentle florals, backed by just-ripe nectarine and a smoky/flinty edge. Then very tight and fresh, ribbons of chalky acidity provide a vibrant start before building texture and weight. Flavors of citrus and creamed cashew add complexity over a lengthy finish. This is young and built to last.

Light straw-yellow hue. Ripe pear, almond meal and north African spices all show on the nose and palate. A savoury and delightful wine that glides and flows through all the corners of the mouth. Finely structured, both acid and tannins working their magic to ensure great length and focus. It's very intriguing and evolves in the glass. A wine that is built for matching with food.

This is a delicious wine with a lot of character. Dark and red fruit with hints of crushed stone and toffee on the nose. Fresh and crisp fruit with a tangy character. Smooth tannins with a crisp finish. Vines are on sandy soils at 400 to 500 feet altitude. Drink or hold.

Lemon curd and nutmeg aromas with a distinct freshness and texture. Everything is in balance, with a supple and refined character. The palate exhibits flint and minerals with bright citrus notes, followed by a wonderfully refreshing finish. 982 cases produced. Drink or hold.

Savory notes of fresh lemons and peaches leading to a palate punctuated by juicy citrus notes and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied with concentrated fruit, good balance and bright acidity. A smooth and refreshingly long finish. This is certainly drinkable now but give it a little time. Drink or hold.

The Saralee’s Vineyard became La Crema’s home base in 2013, after the Jackson family purchased the property from Richard and Saralee Kunde. The vineyard’s pedigree shows in this supple blend, with mellow spice and the flavor of cantaloupe just coming into ripeness. The wine’s tannins give it the feel of a cotton terry-cloth robe, then it lasts on scents of orchard blossoms and those mouthwatering tannins. For a veal chop. (184 cases)

An exuberantly floral, full-bodied shiraz, with the inherent elegance of Blewitt Springs, a grand cru in local parlance. Iodine, saddle leather, dried lavender and lilacs, with notes of boysenberry and cream. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

A beautiful opening act from a splendid source of quality McLaren Vale grenache. Notes of dried rose petals, spruce and kirsch. A little hard, rustic and ferrous at the end, although nothing a stiff decant or a short stint in the cellar can’t remedy. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. Screw cap.

A late-released single-block bottling. Exciting aromas of porcini mushrooms, dashi, wood, mulch and a mocha oak element. This is delicious now, but I'd drink it up relatively soon, evidenced by the dryness across the finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

A late-released, full-bodied, bottle-aged wine from a single prized block. Old-school Aussie shiraz, boasting maritime accents of kelpy iodine amid darker notes of mocha, camphor, star anise and mulled red plums. The tannins are a bit drying. I'd drink this soon. Drink now.

Plenty of class here. Crushed currants, paprika, spiced Damson plums and a touch of pimento. More medium-bodied and savory than previous vintages. The oak is a perfect framework. This is not as spectacular as this bottling has proven in the past. And yet the poise and drinkability cannot be disputed. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

The 2021 ‘Estate Cuvee’ opens with bright red fruits with a smooth texture and citrus rind accents on the palate. Soft and refined, with a smooth texture and plenty of salty soil accents, this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2024-2032.

The outstanding 2022 Penner-Ash ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay is located with rich pear, peach and stony minerals on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with a gorgeous texture, this is a marvelous bottling that will drink well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032

The 2021 Penner-Ash ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful warm vintage wine that displays good flavor density and finesse. Layers of rich plum and spice cake combine with red currants and tobacco leaf on the palate. Rich and viscous, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. This is really serious for an entry-level Pinot. Drink 2024-2034.

Silene is the “entry” level wine of Capensis, which suggests the very high standards of this winery. Aromatically, it shows sumptuous scents of citrus and orchard fruit kissed by hazelnut. Beautifully focused on the palate with a sense of minerality. A blend of Stellenbosch vineyards fermented in a variety of vessels and matured in 25-30% new French oak. 14% alc.

Deep, almost impenetrable ruby red colour. Mulberry, mocha and black olive tapenade aromatics. Rich and dense black and purple fruits fill the senses. It carries serious fruit intensity but as it builds we see layers of ferrous minerals and rosemary undertones. Good length with finely built tannins ensuring a dry finish. Still youthful, and cellaring will be well rewarded.

Ink black core into a deep purple toned rim. Blackberry, broken dark slate and pastrami aromatics. Full bodied and powerful with dark fruit intensity driving it. With that fruit there’s ample savoury complexity as well, dark minerals and peppered beef undertone. A subtle acid lift ensures that power doesn’t sit heavily and the ripe tannins drive the finish very long and leave a supple dryness lingering. With food this will step up even further.

Feels a little fuller and rounder, though not lacking in drive, offering damson plum, cherry and red licorice notes flecked with savory and red tea. Super fresh through the finish, with a brighter, more distinctly savory feel than the ’10. Drink now.

A touch reticent on the nose, offering hints of sous bois and black tea before giving way to a slightly more mature fruit profile as the damson plum, black cherry and raspberry fruit brings a gently mulled note. There’s a bright savory streak through the finish, which then echoes prettily. Drink now.

Very expressive, with a juicy, open feel to blood orange sorbet, damson plum coulis and cherry fruit notes flanked by the wine’s typical rooibos and savory details. This is the one vintage in the flight where the fruit is ever so slightly steeped in feel, and Brewer notes this was the rare Sta. Rita Hills vintage marked by an elongated heat spell, which shows in the forward aspect here. Drink now through 2030.

The 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley was
matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It has youthful aromas of yellow peach and apples, cashews, toast and creamy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features generous, layered flavors delivered in an alluringly creamy texture. It
has a foil of bright acidity and a long, energetic finish. 3,600 cases were made.