This is a bold and lush expression very much in line with the Santa Lucia Highlands’ most popular bottlings. Aromas of cherry, chaparral and freshly shaved nutmeg lead from the nose into a palate where leathery tannins float atop cherry candy, star anise and mace flavors.

Bottled under screwcap, this wine’s hint of reduction, gives way to a dark beauty, with its scents of mace, a hint of creosote, black cherry and juicy plum. Its rich middle palate is more than offset by rippling, lively acids, giving, the wine firmness and lift. (460 cases)

Aromas of dried cherries and herbs lead to a palate of cherries and raspberries with hints of spices. A balanced, medium-bodied wine with smooth tannins and a seductive finish. Starting in 2018, production of this wine was cut in half to bring more of the single-block vineyards into the blend to provide a better representation of the estate. Drink or hold.

Aromas of citrus and flowers, with a concentrated palate and bright acidity. Light- to medium-bodied with notes of sliced lemons and honeysuckle. Ends with a tangy and refreshing finish. This is an enjoyable and interesting wine that sees approximately 25% new oak. Drink now.

This wine transcends the 2020 vintage with its lean, spicy, surround sound that speaks volumes of grenache. Layered, red-fruited and lasting, yes, it has heat, but that warmth is incorporated into the fruit. The tight tannins will relent with carnitas and hominy in a warming posole. Sovereign Wine Imports, Santa Rosa, CA

Matt Revelette gets this fruit from the Jackson family’s estate vineyard in Annapolis, a far-coast site one ridge inland from the Pacific. Coastal freshness gives that fruit a bright strawberry essence, satisfyingly rich, simple and subtle. Oak darkens the fruit toward grilled blackberry flavors in the end, long and ripe. (317 cases)

This is a rooty pinot noir; its cherry fruit comes complete with the stems, while the tannins carry some heat as well as intriguing detail—like the bitter sweetness of carrots. Then the cherry-juice notes freshen on the end. (333 cases)

Ferrous, nicely reductive and very savory, boasting grilled meats, camphor, iodine and cloves. A very earthy GSM, far from the fruitier Aussie norm. Plenty to like. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.

A rich, plusher expression of merlot, at least in an Australian context. Tomato leaves, Damson plums and ferrous tannins directing solid length. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Well-knit and precise, with handsome raspberry and blueberry flavors that take on accents of dusky spices and crushed stone as this builds tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 425 cases made.

Delicate, detailed, and light in body but quite expressive in aroma and flavor, it offers dark cherry aromas and flavors with appealing accents of baking spices and just a whiff of toast. Fine-grained tannins firm the finish enough to make this promising for the table, but it could also just be sipped with pleasure.

Packed with jammy black fruits, this bold, full-bodied wine dominated by Malbec and Merlot grapes shows plenty of ripeness in black cherries, dark plums and black figs. Moderate tannins don’t dominate, so the texture is sleek and easy. Best through 2029. —J.G.

A big aroma of cloves, cedar and oak char leads to equally bold and deep flavors like black cherries, graphite, tobacco and singed rosemary. A brawny structure of tannins and firm acidity frames the fruit and spice elements. Best from 2026. —J.G.

The smoked cherry, thyme and crushed brick dust aromas this wine offers up are wildly tempting. Tart raspberry, cranberry and lemon flavors slide along the wine’s glossy palate, where frisky acidity rules the roost. I’d love to pair this light-bodied Pinot with my next batch of Dungeness crab cakes. —M.A.

What a thoroughly enjoyable hedonistic treat. The decadence begins with cinnamon roll, blackberry and anise aromas that get you in the mood for flavors like blackberry jam on a biscuit. Silky tannins and medium acidity provide the wine with a nice sense of balance. —M.A

Buttery, toasty influence on baked lemons and rye over hints of smoke. Creamy on the palate, luscious and textured.

Medium intense ruby-red colour with a fragrant nose of crushed raspberry and mountain herbs. Lovely plump red and black fruits sit on entry and glide through the palate. It's light to medium in weight and still youthful with just a hint of herbal undertones. Tannins are well worked to ensure that fruit stays focused and finishes long.

At first sip, this is almost bracing in its freshness, catching you off guard for a 13-year-old Pinot, with high-toned notes of rooibos tea, bitter cherry and damson plum. Offers perfume and minerality through the finish, which is inviting and open. This red softens slowly and steadily with air, giving way to blood orange coulis and mulled cherry notes. In its secondary phase, but in the way 40 is the new 30, this is a wine that’s taken care of itself. Drink now.

Very juicy, the 2021 Siduri ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from three sites in the Russian River Valley. Tart cranberry and shades of cola with damp soils all combine on the palate. Nicely textured, with salty undertones, this is already drinking beautifully now. Drink 2024-2032

The 2021 Pinot Noir Dutton-Perry Ranch, matured
for 10 months in 30% new French oak, has a
medium garnet color and scents of red cherries,
laurel leaves, aniseed, pepper and underbrush. The
medium-bodied palate is silky and refreshing with a
core of spicy fruit and a long, juicy finish. 287 cases
were made.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County has a medium garnet color and broody scents of blackberries, mushrooms, mossy bark and brewed black tea. The medium-bodied palate has a concentrated core of earthy fruit, silky tannins, bright acidity and a long finish laced with floral perfume. 11,000 cases produced.

Classically styled 2020 sees subtle yet effective interplay of yellow citrus flavours, oak spice, silky texture, lees influence & sustained freshness. Seamless, refined & elegant, with usual distinctive salty length. From several sites; barriques only & 11 months (as Fijnbosch), 38% new.

The 2021 Chardonnay Warrior Princess is expressive with a perfumed blend of gingery spices and dusty florals accentuating peach preserves. This is juicy and fresh in style, with vividly ripe orchard fruits and honeyed inner florals. The 2021 leaves the palate crisply refreshed with a subtle mineral tinge and hints of Asian pear.

From magnum. Under cork. I “won” this bottle at the 2010 International Pinot Noir Celebration at a dinner with Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash and I waited until tonight to open it. And it was fabulous. Fresh and lively fruit on both the nose and the palate with wild cherry and just a hint of rhubarb. Fantastic. Great balance as a lively acidity holds all that fruit in check, leading to a lengthy finish that lasts for quite some time. This wine was made when Lynn was still firmly at the helm and I like to think I can taste her passion both for the variety and the Willamette Valley. Excellent. 92 Points.

This big, full-flavored wine blended from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is scented with blackberries and black pepper, drenched in dried cherry, 100% cacao and espresso flavors that reflect good ripe grapes and the complexifying effect of new oak barrels for aging. Firm tannins and a full body make it quite mouth filling. Best from 2025–2035. —J.G.