USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesComposed of 98.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 38% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers notes of warm cassis, baked plums and warm red currants with nuances of dried herbs, garrigue and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture supporting the generous black and red fruits with beautiful freshness, finishing long with a lively lift.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Sevens Bench Vineyard was aged for 17 months in French oak barrels, 37% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, it bursts with notes of red currant jelly, black cherries and mulberries plus exotic touches of cumin seed, cloves and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with red and black berry flavors, framed by grainy tannins, finishing long and spicy.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with bold expressions of black cherries, mulberries and wild blueberries plus suggestions of tobacco leaf, fragrant earth and lilacs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with freshly crushed red and blue fruits, supported by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 64% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little swirling to reveal notes of warm cassis, baked blackberries and garrigue with nuances of dried mulberries, bay leaves and tapenade plus a hint of fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has nice, bright, expressive black berry and savory flavors, supported by grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesFermented in neutral puncheons and foudres and stirred monthly during aging, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Aurora Point Vineyard charges out of the glass with bold notes of ripe peaches, pink grapefruit and passion fruit with hints of struck match and lemongrass plus a waft of elderflower. Medium-bodied, the palate packs a wallop, delivering bags of citrus flavors and a lively backbone, finishing long and zesty.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesComposed of 80.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.8% Merlot, 4.7% Cabernet Franc and 2.3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Proprietary Red Wine was aged in French oak barrels, 43% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it saunters out of the glass with graceful red currant jelly, warm cassis and fresh blackberries scents plus hints of wild sage, lavender and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture supporting loads of red and black fruit layers, finishing savory.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2019 Chardonnay Russian River Valley was 100% barrel fermented in French oak barrels, 26% new, and aged for 9.5 months. It slips slowly, cautiously out of the glass with crushed rocks and sea spray scents over a core of green and yellow apples and Bosc pears plus a hint of marzipan. Medium-bodied, the palate bursts with apple and pear flavors with a racy backbone and savory finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesMade from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (coming from the vineyard surrounding Cardinale winery), the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 58% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts on the scene with bold cassis, plum preserves and red currant jelly scents plus hints of pencil shavings, dusty soil and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with a firm, grainy texture and bold freshness, it delivers bags of black fruit and a lively herbal lift on the finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2019 Chardonnay underwent 50% malolactic and spent nine months in oak barrels, 40% new. It opens with expressive poached pears and apple pie scents plus nuances of powdered ginger, honey toast and mandarin peel. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating spiced-apple flavors with a racy line and great length.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay Estate was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. It gives up notes of guava, fresh yellow apples and white peaches plus hints of chalk dust and candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is elegant and refreshing with good length and a mineral kick on the finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 27% new. It delivers vibrant notes of black cherries, kirsch and mulberries with suggestions of garrigue and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of ripe, juicy black and red berry flavors, supported by soft tannins, finishing with a lively red berry kick.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley spent 27 months in French oak barrels, 37% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with notions of baked plums, boysenberries and crème de cassis with hints of sautéed herbs and tree bark. Medium-bodied, elegant and refreshing, the palate is packed with soft-textured, spicy fruit, finishing with a menthol lift.

Treat yourself with these winesShowcasing the pinnacle of Kendall-Jackson using grapes that are estate- grown on the mountains, hillsides and ridges of Alexander Valley and Knights Valley. Deep and plush, ample forest and spice notes harmonize with enticing fruit.

Chateau Lassegue is a Right Bank gem operated by vignerons Pierre and Nicolas Seillan. This, the chateau's flagship wine, is sourced from the hillsides surrounding the chateau and is undoubtedly one of the finest values in Bordeaux today. The 2017 vintage is nearly equal parts merlot and cabernet franc, with a hint of cabernet sauvignon in the blend. The nose offers a hint of violets and spice, leading to a palate that is supple and smooth, with richly layered red-fruit aromas and a subtle note of wood spice. It needs another few years in the cellar to be at its best, but it will be worth the wait.

This deep ruby colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Kendall Jackson opens with black raspberry bouquet with hints of wet slate, black licorice and cigar box. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with plus acidity. It is easy to drink with round edges and juicy fruit. The flavor profile is a gentle black plum and acai berry blend with notes mild limestone minerality, black currant and cedar. I also detected hints of oregano and black coffee towards the end. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins stick around for a while. I would pair this Cab with grilled steak tips or slow cooked beef brisket.

Their best in recent memory will revive your faith in both Australia & Merlot.

This medium purple colored Syrah from Copain opens with a blackberry and black cherry bouquet with hints of anise, smoked beef jerky and boysenberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with gentle acidity. We also found it to be balanced and round. The flavor profile is a red plum and red raspberry blend with notes of cedar and tart cherry. We also detected hints of star anise, crushed stone, and strawberry. The finish is dry and is flavors and moderate tannins build-up and last for a very long time. The Panel would pair this Syrah with duck à l'orange, or with marinated venison steaks.

2018 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – a strong representation of the Willamette Valley, this wine has notes of cranberry, spice, orange peel, berries, earth, cherry and herbs.

2018 Siduri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – such an easy drinking wine with notes of berry, red cherry, rose petal, mushroom, nutmeg and a touch of cedar.

2018 Siduri Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir – this was an elegant and savory wine with notes of cherry, violets, plum, mushroom and herbs with a touch of spice.

Inky garnet in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry, licorice, and earth. In the mouth, fleecy tannins wrap around a core of black cherry and cocoa powder that has a faint herbal bitterness to it. Excellent acidity and lovely sawdusty depths make for complex and delicious wine. Beautifully balanced and graceful to the last drop.

Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry and chocolate. In the mouth, rich cherry cola and cocoa powder flavors are gorgeously juicy thanks to excellent acidity. Cola nut and floral flavors mix with mouthwatering cherry fruit as gauzy tannins coat the mouth. Fantastically balanced and delicious. Impeccable in every way. Effortless to drink, impossible not to love.

Inky garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry and tobacco leaf. In the mouth, lush, velvety flavors of cherry, green herbs and dark plums are smooth and supple as they move across the palate. Excellent acidity, powdery faint tannins and impeccable balance. This is a poised, regal wine with confidence and grace. Herbal notes linger in the finish with a touch of licorice.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is such a great example of the appellation. It is at once powerful and yet light on its feet. Red berry fruit, iron, dried herbs and rose petals infuse the 2018 with myriad layers of nuance that reveal themselves with time in the glass. The 2018 needs time to fully come together, we are on Mt. Veeder after all, but it has so much potential. Red fruit, pomegranate, blood orange, gravel and dried herbs linger. The 2018 is impenetrable and massively tannic, and yet it comes across as so sophisticated.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and sumptuous right out of the gate. Soaring aromatics and silky tannins add finesse to the dark mountain fruit. It's hard to remember a vintage with this much sheer appeal in the early going. As always, Cardinale is a blend of choice hillside blocks. In 2018, the core is built around Stags Leap, Atlas Peak and St. Helena. Winemaker Chris Carpenter has backed off some of the overtness of the past years, and that is a huge benefit in allowing the wine to be more natural, more relaxed. The 2018 spent 21 months in 80-90% new oak, and clearly has the stuffing to handle the oak. It is one of the most refined Cardinales I can remember tasting.