The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Bear Point Vineyard is laced with all sorts of earthy and mineral notes. Iron, smoke, wild cherry, mint, cedar and tobacco give the 2017 a good bit of aromatic nuance as well as complexity. In the glass, the 2017 remains a bit compact. It will be interesting to see if it gains more body with time.
The 2017 Merlot Jackson Park Vineyards is racy and energetic. Far from an easygoing Merlot, the Jackson Park needs time to unwind. Black cherry, lavender, espresso, licorice and menthol add character to the wine's dark, virile personality. I would give it a few years for the tannins to melt away. This is an especially tense, nervy style.
The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Bennett Valley) shows just how captivating Sauvignon can be in the cool vineyards of Bennett Valley. Lifted, airy and weightless yet with remarkable depth, the 2018 is captivating from the very first taste. Tangerine oil, lemon confit, mint, white flowers and light tropical accents all grace this striking Sauvignon Blanc from Matanzas Creek.
The 2017 The Silks is a new Cabernet Franc-based wine in the range. Bright red berry fruit, floral overtones and bright acids give the 2017 its distinctive personality. This is an especially refined wine that shows a more gracious, restrained side of Stonestreet.
The 2017 Farrier is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Black cherry, espresso, menthol, licorice, plum and spice notes all meld together in this racy, super-expressive red. A whole range of savory and mineral nuances lend terrific energy, while beams of supporting tannin give the wine a real sense of vibrancy and its shape. I would cellar it for at least a year or two, as the contours could use some time in bottle to soften.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is an attractive wine. Unlike most vintages, the 2017 needs time to soften, as the acids and tannins are a bit edgy at this stage. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol infuse the 2017 with terrific depth and plenty of complexity.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard is laced with intense mineral and savory notes that give the wine so much character and personality. Graphite, licorice, lavender, grilled herbs and menthol infuse the 2018 with tons of complexity to fill out its broad, ample frame. Vivid and wonderfully nuanced, the 2018 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine.
The 2017 Merlot Bennett Valley is laced with dark cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice, menthol, dried herbs and a touch of oak. Medium in body, with terrific pliancy and plenty of character, the Bennett Valley Merlot has a lot to offer. I especially like the way it broadens on the mid-palate and into the finish.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana is a very pretty wine with lovely red/purplish berry fruit character, sweet, perfumed aromatics and soft contours. The purity of the fruit is just remarkable. I imagine the 2018 will drink well pretty much upon release. It is so showy today.
The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Alexander Valley) is an intriguing wine that deftly balances the floral, citrussy character of Sauvignon with tropical notes that add a real sense of exoticism along with an extra kick of body, both of which work so well here. This is such a delicious and inviting wine.
The 2017 Merlot Alexander Valley is bright, bold and punchy, with lovely red fruit character and bright acids driving its profile. This mid-weight Merlot offers fine balance and plenty of character. Rose petal, blood orange and spice perk up the translucent finish.
The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County) is an absolutely delightful wine, and a fabulous value. Bright and crisp, with terrific depth, the 2019 has so much to offer. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, mint and white flowers all grace this expressive Sauvignon Blanc from Matanzas Creek. Marcia Monahan-Torres makes a number of fabulous wines at Matanzas Creek, but the more value-oriented offerings are especially of note for both their quality and value.
Winemaker Jeff Stewart produces a dizzying array of outstanding Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels at this Forestville winery. Most are at the pricey end, yet this wine delivers a lot of bang for the buck. It’s medium full-bodied, melding aromas and flavors of golden apple, poached pear, and caramelized spices with a refreshing citrus edge.
Siduri. Founded by Adam Lee and Dianna Novy in Sonoma County but now producing wine from all over California, Siduri's appellation wines are fine expressions of each selected region. The 2017 Russian River Valley exudes warmth with light spice and juicy fruit.
Red, white and pink wines for the Fourth of JulyLa Crema is known for producing outstanding pinot noir and it is indeed the predominate grape in this new sparking wine. It smells floral and the tiny bubbles hold promise of a good time. A vibrant wine with strawberry, lemon and a touch of ginger, it’s like summer in a glass.
Beyond Burger RedsThis pinot is a tasty Beyond Burger match because it has crisp acid coupled with bright red fruit – cranberry and raspberry. It’s also a touch spicy, with a hint of white pepper and cumin, which adds dimension to the pairing. Edgy.
Medium-weight in the glass; purple colour with red edges. Its complex - cured meats, mixed berries and spicy oak. Plush and open when sipped - cinnamon with red and blue berries - certainly ripe. Tannins equally ripe. Terrific length unfurls off pristine fruit. Delicious.
Robust yet structured at the core, with multilayered raspberry, orange peel and green peppercorn flavors that build tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030.
Loaded with presence and personality, this features a multilayered backbone of lively acidity and tannins, framed by robust raspberry and blackberry flavors that take on nutmeg and black licorice accents. Drink now through 2030.
Coming from the home estate of Pierre Seillan, who’s behind the incredible wines of Vérité in Sonoma, the 2019 Lassègue sports a deep purple color as well as a great nose of blueberries, mulberries, tobacco, dusty earth, and flowery incense. It’s an exotic, full-bodied Saint-Emilion with beautiful balance, plenty of ripe tannins, the vibrancy and freshness of the vintage, and a great finish. It’s a beautifully complex 2019 that’s going to evolve nicely for two decades or more.
Plush, yet precise and structured, with rich blackberry, green peppercorn and dried sage flavors that finish with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.
This bursts with fresh and floral boysenberry aromas and flavors, gathering black licorice and smoky cracked pepper notes on the way to refined tannins. Drink now through 2030.
Jammy and bursting with lively raspberry flavors, laced with smoky anise, allspice and pepper notes that linger on a polished finish. Drink now through 2028.
Toasty nose, fresh, smooth and tangy with bright fruit and good balance, ripe and creamy with notes of vanilla, long and charming.
Medium ruby color, cherry and earth nose; smooth and juicy with bright acidity; fresh and tangy with generous cherry fruit, silky and long.