Medium ruby in the glass with a touch of garnet in it, this wine smells of bright cherry fruit. In the mouth, intense cherry fruit has an incredible purity to it and a stony backdrop against which hints of dried flowers and dried herbs emerge. Mostly, however, this is a ringing crystalline chime singing the flavor “cherry” more intensely than you can imagine is possible. Outstanding. Gorgeous acidity, perfect poise. There is wood here, but it is so well integrated into the wine, it is but a whisper of the leathery tannins and a whiff of toasted espresso. Pierre Seillan strikes again.

Vérité: Now at age 10The 2011 La Joie is also gorgeous and about as classy as they come. Based on 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and the rest small quantities of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, it's a Bordeaux look-alike with its cassis and darker currant fruits as well as lead pencil, flowers, and cedary herb-like aromatics. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific tannins, a wonderful sense of elegance, and a great finish. This is just a classic California Cabernet Sauvignon that blossoms with time in the glass, has wonderful balance, and another 15-20 years of prime drinking ahead of it.

Vérité: Now at age 10More mint, black cherry, mulberry, cedar, candied violet, and floral notes emerge from the 2011 Le Desir, and it blossoms with air, developing even more classic Franc herbal and chocolate nuances. With medium to full body, it's more angular and structured than the La Muse yet still beautifully balanced. Possessing ripe tannins, good acidity, and outstanding length, it's another impressive wine from this estate that unquestionably has a Bordeaux-like sense of structure and acidity. It promises another 15 years of prime drinking and will have a gradual decline after that.

Vérité: Now at age 10There were a little over 2,000 cases of the 2011 La Muse produced, and this Merlot-dominated beauty checks in as 89% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It has a Cheval Blanc-like bouquet of darker currants, cherries, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and graphite that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. More medium to full-bodied on the palate, it doesn't have the density of a bigger, riper year but has terrific overall balance, ripe, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. As with the other releases, it's still youthful (there's no hint of bricking or amber at the edges), and while it's drinking beautifully today, it has another 15 years or so of prime drinking.

A Sauvignon Blanc From SonomaAfter a small test release last year, La Crema is making a sauvignon blanc widely available just in time for summer.It’s never too late to try something new. La Crema, a Sonoma County winery that is known for chardonnay and pinot noir, has introduced a sauvignon blanc. The winery, established in 1979, released the 2019 sauvignon blanc on a limited basis last summer; now the 2020 is widely available. It’s a lovely summer quaff. “The climate and soils of northern Sonoma County are ideal for producing world-class Bordeaux varietals, particularly sauvignon blanc,” said Craig McAllister, the head winemaker. Bordeaux is the operative term here. The wine, in a clear Bordeaux-style bottle, displays more subtle fruit, notably citrus and pineapple, integrated with good acidity, than the grassy herbaceousness typical of sauvignon blancs from other regions.

Zinfandel of the Month – 2019 Hartford Family Winery Zinfandel Russian River Valley Old VinePurple in color. 15.1% ABV. Awesome nose of red fruits, peach and baking spices. Medium body with perfect acidity. Absolutely bursting with bright, sweet fruits. The purity of the fruit is notable. Cherry, strawberry, raspberry liqueur and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Stunning Zinfandel that is on par with the glorious 2015. Just a baby. This will drink well for 4-6 years.

The tasting began with the first sauvignon blanc vintage from a known producer of Sonoma County pinot noir and chardonnay. After winemaker McAllister, with roots in New Zealand, joined La Crema, it was only a matter of time. Sourced from the warmer north County vineyards, the 2020 La Crema Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley is partially barrel-fermented in neutral oak for 28 days, which gives the wine, according to Craig, more texture with minimal oak notes. A vibrant bouquet of tropical and stone fruits with floral hints carried through the flavors and a long finish. Craig pairs this wine with oysters, ceviche and fried fish.

A Guide To The Sauvignon Blanc Varieties Around The WorldRepresenting the U.S.: The 2020 La Crema Sauvignon Blanc, only in its second vintage, is fruit driven with pronounced nectarine and tropical fruit notes. A little barrel fermentation gives it greater texture and less brisk acidity than the austere sauvignon blanc from other regions. If you like your sauvignon blanc with more weight and richness, California sauvignon blanc is for you.

This vintage of single-block, biodynamically grown Shiraz is more textbook than the cooler 2017. While it lacks the sexiness of ’17, it still offers more restraint and elegance than many of its South Aussie counterparts. An aromatic lift of tangy blueberry, raspberry and plum fruit interlaces gentle baking spice, ground pepper and terra-cotta notes. There’s muscle to the highly textural tannins (both chalky and granular), but it’s woven into layers of flavor. A charming yet serious wine for drinking now until 2030.

Winemaker Pete Fraser’s passion for Rhône varieties shines bright on this wild-fermented Roussanne, which is aged in ceramic eggs with half of the fruit on skins for several months. The nose is an expressive mix of orchard blossoms and citrus peel with a hint of honey, beeswax and a cool stone character often seen in “egg” wines. The palate also has a beeswax feel about it both in flavor and texture. Pale gold, it’s round and rich but buoyed by crunchy acidity. A characterful detour for Chardonnay lovers.

Where the cool 2017 brought increased elegance to Hickinbotham’s muscular reds, this vintage returns to the powerful expression of warmer years. A big wine it may be, with a nose of strawberry and cherry preserves, mint, medicinal herbs and a toasty, vanillin underbelly, but it’s also precise and site expressive. Tannins are fine yet powerful, and the oak is present, but this is a baby, worthy of many years in the cellar.

Showing excellent depth and impressive concentration, this full-bodied and well balanced wine impresses with focused black-fruit flavors, a creamy texture and beautifully integrated tannins that afford a velvety mouthfeel. So delicious now, but it will be best after 2024.

Organic/biodynamic. Destemmed to 50% whole berries. A blend that defines the resolute urgency of now: 45/19/19/12/4/1% grenache/carignan/mourvèdre/shiraz/cinsault/counoise. The 45% younger-vine grenache in this red blend provides a medium of freshness as much as the lithe tannic spine, following 109 days on skins. Biodynamic writ large, showing holistic handling with intelligence. Pour big. Drink large. Raspberry, violet and briary sap. Everyday wine from the heavens.

This fruity, juicy version of Cab is on the lighter side in terms of body, but it still has a deep color, creamy texture, moderate tannins and good varietal character.

Some options to help celebrate Mother's DayLa Crema 2019 Pinot Noir Rosé “Monterey” - recommended

Some options to help celebrate Mother's DayBroadly appealing, especially on the palate with fullish body, superb fruit, medium-soft oak and an extended finish.

Stunning, a generous, deep mix of wild blackberry, blueberry and cassis flavors at the core that are juicy and fresh, while meeting notes of dark chocolate, cumin and a touch of smoked paprika. Tannins are thick and velvety, adding a wonderful density and toothsome quality. Shows plenty of harmony on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2040.

A measured yet powerful grip holds interest from beginning to end of the palate. This is just dripping with salinity from crushed stones, graphite and slate - a physical presence that balances beautifully with the fleshy black cherry and damson fruits, and the chocolate shavings. An excellent quality Lassegue, hard hitting and muscular but with pace and persistency. 52% new oak barrels (from 15 different forests - always a key signature of this estate's ageing policy). 3.6pH, average vine age between 50 and 60 years old.

Complex and impressive, mixing power and finesse. Wild blackberry and black currant flavors are ripe, fleshy and plump at the core, but details of black tea, loam, white pepper minerality and chicory add dimension and nuance. Tannins are dense, but velvety and polished. Everything is harmonious on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030.

Big and rich, offering well-structured flavors of red currant and plum tart that show notes of forest floor, followed by loamy touches on the direct, savory finish, with hints of dried mint. Drink now through 2025.

Fragrant and complex, red licorice and framboise mingle with blueberry and raspberry flavors. Candied violet and blood orange notes follow, with terrific precision and polish. Drink now through 2030.

Dark chocolate, chicory and sarsaparilla aromatics add complexity and a touch of richness to the dense blackberry, cassis and blueberry flavors. Hints of savory herbs, tobacco and cedar linger on the firming, dusty tannins. Drink now through 2035.

Svelte and elegantly styled, with dried cherry and berry flavors that feature fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Sandalwood, tea and cooking spice notes fill the rich finish. Drink now through 2024.

There's good cut to the McIntosh apple, white berry and Asian pear flavors in this white, backed by vibrant acidity. Ends with notes of mineral and spice on the lithe finish. Drink now through 2024.

Grapes plucked from Hyland Vineyard, one of Oregon’s largest and oldest vineyards, comprise this Old Vine Riesling from Penner-Ash. The remote vineyard’s high elevation and location at the foothills of the Coast Range mean cool temperatures in the summer and warm temperatures in the winter, making it ideal for growing Riesling.With aromas of apricots, lemon rind, and petrol and a palate of grapefruit and honey, it has little residual sugar and great minerality.