Dense and firm with rich spice; deep with complex flavors of plum; lovely.

Napa Valley’s Extraordinary 2016 Cabernets - Part 1 The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most distinctive wines in this range from La Jota. Powerful and vertical in feel, the 2016 offers quite a bit of energy. A rush of blueberry jam, dark chocolate, licorice and grilled herbs give the wine its drive and pure power, while savory overtones add lovely aromatic complexity.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain is the largest cuvée (2,675 cases) and a blend of all five Bordeaux varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. It’s a beauty. Opaque purple, with notes of licorice, charcoal, lead-pencil shavings, blackcurrants and spice, the wine is full-bodied, opulent, lavishly rich and pure, with sweet tannin and a long finish. This wine is approachable now, but promises to age beautifully for 20-25 years.

Tight, firm and austere; smooth with fine structure; elegant, tangy and long; balanced and made to last a long time.

Fat, fleshy and ripe, showing masses of blackberry nectar, smoky-sweet new oak, vanilla, cocoa and Asian spices that are delivered with pinpoint focus and depth. Crisp acidity gives it a fresh, clean feel. Flamboyant and impressive now for its sheer opulence, but Howell Mountain tannins give it the room to gain bottle complexity through at least 2018.

The 2017s From Sonoma From a site on true Sonoma Coast that lies above the fog line and consists of goldridge soils, the 2016 Pinot Noir Shell Ridge reveals a vibrant purple/ruby color as well as complex notes of red currants, blood orange, spice, and exotic flowers. Medium-bodied, it has a perfumed, high-toned character, notable elegance, and a pretty, complex, satisfying style. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.

Expressive and well-structured, with lively and layered raspberry, violet and flint notes, finishing with refined tannins.

Sizzling acidity enlivens the succulent, juicy fruit in this lush expression of the appellation. Made from grapes sourced in the Olivet Lane area, it builds in exotic spiciness, with forest, herb, earth and tea accents that grace the foundation of strawberry and blackberry flavors.

From two separate sites, the 2015 Pinot Noir Fog Veil was destemmed and saw a slightly longer time in barrel, being bottled after 15 months. Black cherries, plums, violets, and spring flower notes, medium body, beautifully integrated acidity, and a clean, elegant finish all make for a seriously good Pinot Noir. It’s one of the gems in this lineup.

Fleshy cherry and dark spice with a long, naughty finish on this California Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and satin smooth like lingerie. A supple red wine with cherry-berry mouth-filling wonder and flavours. Just enough oak for hedonists. Layered yet not heavy. This pinot has been one of my favourites for years. Satin seduction in a glass. Pair with roasted turkey or chicken.

Spicy pomegranate and strawberry ride along a road of thick concentration and tannin in this hearty vineyard-designated red. Perfumed aromatics deftly balance the richness with a freshness of sea spray and Asian spice persisting on the long finish.

This wine is made in decent quantities, enough to hopefully find, and that's good news, given its quality for the price. Juicy, spicy and just the right amount of herbal, it has sizzling acidity that livens and refreshens the palate, dotted in chocolate-covered cherry, plum and clove.

The grapes for this full-bodied red wine are grown in Sonoma's Russian River Valley appellation, a cool climate that adds a racy, nervy edge to the wine. This classic Californian red wine is pure liquid satin in the glass! Black cherry seduction with mouth-watering yearning for more. Complex with layered of dark berries that intermingle with a judicious use of oak. Cherry and raspberry jam on the midpalate: rich and delicious. Only about 12,000 cases were produced of the 2014 vintage of this Californian Pinot Noir from the Russian River. Drink now or save for a few years: you have the luxury of that choice with this wine. Pair with holiday turkey. Highly recommended.

Black cherry and bramble berry aromas follow through to a full body, round and savory tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely fruit and lightly toasted oak character here. Drink now.

Fleshy cherry and dark spice with a long, naughty finish on this California Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and satin smooth like lingerie. A supple red wine with cherry-berry mouth-filling wonder and flavours. Just enough oak for hedonists. Layered yet not heavy. This pinot has been one of my favourites for years. Satin seduction in a glass. Pair with roasted turkey or chicken.

This bold, intense expression of the variety entices with an exuberant nose of white pepper, clove and cardamom scents, a spark of pine needle fragrance just underneath. Tingly acidity provides freshness and added succulence to its otherwise rich texture and black cherry decadence.

Stunning Californian Pinot with the richness and depth that's rarely paralleled in this state. The cool-climate of Monterey is definitely an influence here. Fleshy wild berry notes, some spice. Pair with many chicken and seafood dishes.

This classic Californian red wine is pure liquid satin in the glass! Black cherry seduction with mouth-watering yearning for more. Complex with layered of dark berries that intermingle with a judicious use of oak. Cherry and raspberry jam on the midpalate: rich and delicious. Drink now or save for a few years: you have the luxury of that choice with this wine. Pair with holiday turkey. The grapes for this full-bodied red wine are grown in Sonoma's Russian River Valley appellation. Highly recommended.

Fleshy cherry and dark spice with a long, naughty finish on this California Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and satin smooth like lingerie. A supple red wine with cherry-berry mouth-filling wonder and flavours. Just enough oak for hedonists. Layered yet not heavy. This pinot has been one of my favourites for years. Satin seduction in a glass. Pair with roasted turkey or chicken.

Smooth and spicy with strawberry and spice; crisp and racy with bright fruit and a long, mellow style with tangy acidity and depth.

Stunning Californian Pinot with the richness and depth that's rarely paralleled in this state. The cool-climate of Monterey is definitely an influence here. Fleshy wild berry notes, some spice. Pair with many chicken and seafood dishes.

Liquid velvet! Black cherry seduction with mouth-watering yearning for more. Please! Complex with layered of dark berries that intermingle with a judicious use of oak. Cherry and raspberry jam on the midpalate: rich and delicious. Drink now or save for a few years: you have the luxury of that choice with this wine. Pair with holiday turkey. The grapes for this full-bodied red wine are grown in Sonoma's Russian River Valley appellation. Highly recommended.

Love this silky Pinot Noir! It seems to get better every year. Beautiful cherries and field raspberry notes roll in first, then there's fresh earth aromas after a spring rain followed by some baking spices and a long finish. This Pinot has been one of my favourites for years. Satin seduction in a glass. Some comforting mocha on the finish. 4.6/5 Pinot Noir food pairings: turkey, pork tenderloin, coq au vin, grilled salmon.

Brilliant ruby. Heady aromas of black raspberry, incense, floral pastilles and cola are underscored by a suave mineral quality. Sappy, incisive red and dark berry flavors put on weight with air, displaying excellent clarity and spicy lift. A smoky nuance builds with air and carries through the subtly tannic, strikingly persistent finish, with the dark berry and cola notes echoing strongly. This bottling represents 204 cases of the 18,378 of pinot noir that La Crema produced in 2011.

Whenever I see La Crema pinot noir on a restaurant wine list, I know it's going to be a great meal, no matter what we're having food-wine. This subtle red is silky smooth enough not to clash with seafood yet it's loaded with fleshy cherry flavours for meatier dishes. Perfection though is roast chicken or planked salmon. Absolutely phenomenal for this price.