Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Vales Edge emerges from a site in Alexander Valley at 450 feet above sea level. Dried flowers, spice, menthol and licorice give the 2016 lovely aromatic presence to match its mid-weight personality.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Pinot Noir Parsons' Vineyard is a supple, fruity and easy-going wine with all of the soft curves and overall approachability that are typical of Russian River Pinots. Dried cherry, dried flowers, spice, mint and cedar meld together in an open-knit, curvy Pinot to drink now and over the next few years.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Pinot Noir Lingenfelder Vineyard is pretty and fragrant, if a touch lithe in this vintage. My impression is that this fruit might have been picked just a touch early, as the 2017 lacks some mid-palate presence. On the other hand, it is fresh and not at all cooked, so that is a positive.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesIn the 2017 GSM, kirsch, hard candy and sweet floral notes are front and center. Medium in body, this supple, easygoing wine will drink well upon release. There is lovely aromatic lift here, but the fruit profile leans decidedly toward the riper end of the spectrum.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Soft, open-knit and inviting, the Santa Maria Chardonnay offers lovely immediacy. Pineapple, passion fruit, apricot, orange peel and a touch of new French oak grace this creamy, inviting Chardonnay from Kendall-Jackson.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay Sable Mountain Vineyard emerges from a site in Anderson Valley and is a new wine in this range. Creamy, open-knit and supple, the 2018 is forward and inviting. Tropical accents and a kiss of new French oak add to the wine's immediate appeal - which is considerable.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve, the Kendall-Jackson flagship, is gorgeous. Pretty tropical accents add complexity to a core of citrus and floral notes. Orange confit, white and yellow flowers and mint all grace this delicious, inviting Chardonnay. This is such a pretty wine.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak) is the first wine from the estate's vineyards. Lemon confit, mint, sage, tomato leaf and white flowers all add nuance. The 2018 offers lovely textural depth and impeccable balance.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley) is a very pretty wine. In this vintage, the Knights Valley Cabernet is decidedly medium in body because it was made only from pre-fire lots, where ripeness levels were naturally a bit lower, but that also makes it easy to drink. Wild flowers, mint and red berry notes lead into the finish.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesSuper-ripe dark cherry, red plum, chocolate, flowers and sweet spice are all kicked up in the racy, flamboyant 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve. Drink it over the next handful of years. This is so nicely done, especially considering its production of 160,000 cases. That's probably more than the sum of all the high-flying Napa Cabernets put together!

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2017 Merlot Jackson Hills is a bold, powerful, savory wine. Dark cherry, lavender, chocolate, sage, menthol and grilled herbs give the 2017 notable aromatic complexity. The tannins are pretty rugged though. Far from an easygoing wine, the Jackson Hills has rather rugged mountain tannins that will probably always be a part of the wine's makeup.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesThe 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition is a bright, grassy Sauvignon to drink now, while varietal flavors remain bright. This is an especially nervy, taut style.

Wine pairings for Easter that you won't have to hunt forFor most of us, this Easter Sunday our menus and gatherings will stray from tradition. For many food and wine enthusiasts, I have a feeling, the care and attention to food and wine choices will not change, even if you reflect and celebrate with only the family members living in your house versus our traditional large get-togethers. Because many of us are minimizing our shopping (including wines) to either delivery or minimal trips I wanted to focus on the wines that are plentiful and easy to find.Roast ChickenThe wonderful aspect of pairing wine with chicken is you can choose a red or white. Lighter style red wines such as gamay are ideal. For whites, one of my favorites is the toasty balance of a crisp, refreshing chardonnay.The Values - 2018 Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay

Wine pairings for Easter that you won't have to hunt forFor most of us, this Easter Sunday our menus and gatherings will stray from tradition. For many food and wine enthusiasts, I have a feeling, the care and attention to food and wine choices will not change, even if you reflect and celebrate with only the family members living in your house versus our traditional large get-togethers. Because many of us are minimizing our shopping (including wines) to either delivery or minimal trips I wanted to focus on the wines that are plentiful and easy to find.Roast ChickenThe wonderful aspect of pairing wine with chicken is you can choose a red or white. Lighter style red wines such as gamay are ideal. For whites, one of my favorites is the toasty balance of a crisp, refreshing chardonnay.The Splurges - 2018 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay

I seldom — come to think of it never — open a $125 bottle of wine just for myself, but these trying times can make some of us do unusual things. And so, after chilling the wine, I took a deep breath, popped the cork and poured myself a glass of Stonestreet’s “Upper Barn” Chardonnay. One whiff of the cherry-blossom charged perfume and I was hooked. The haunting flavors (guava, ripe fresh fig, pear, lime zest), underpinned by a shimmer of minerality, provided sheer delight, as did this Chardonnay’s perfectly balanced and elegant texture. On the second night the wine was just as fresh and flavorful. Solo drinking may not be the best way to enjoy a bottle of superior wine, but am I sorry I opened it? Not at all.

The 2017 Gran Moraine Pinot Noir underwent 20% whole cluster fermentation before being aged for ten months in French oak barrels (32% new). The palate shows wonderful brightness and verve with a vibrant sense of minerality. Ripe dark cherry, rose water, blood orange zest and tobacco leaf flavors combine with the damp earth and peat tones tones on the palate. This shows seriously good range for the price as this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next decade.

Fairly dark in the glass, even eight years out. Dark berry fruit, a bit of spice, a tad of heat on the nose. The palate is a lesson in balance: fruit, acidity, earth, lovely. I have been a fan of Siduri for as long as I can remember and if this is what the “new” Siduri shall be under Jackson Family ownership, then I welcome it with open arms.

The 2016 Gran Moraine Chardonnay is an outstanding wine that was aged for fifteen months in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel before bottling. Toasty brioche, Macadamia nut and shades of Pink Lady apple all fill the nose. The palate is beautifully balanced with a vibrant sense of acidity. With marvelous length, this beautiful bottling will be best enjoyed over the next seven to ten years.

This midnight purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a black cherry and milk chocolate bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is a mild oak, black cherry and blackberry blend with notes of faint minerality, anise and black tea towards the end. The finish is dry and its medium tannins stick around for a quite a while. This Cabernet does benefit from a little air. So, give it a good swirl or decant it before serving it with grilled steak tips.

This dark red colored Pinot Noir from Copain opens with a strawberry and pomegranate bouquet with notes of oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and easy to drink. The flavor profile is a mild strawberry and gentle oak blend with notes of red plum. I also picked up hints of red raspberry and red cherry at the very end. The finish is dry and fades away nicely. This Pinot, while not complex, will be a crowd pleaser and not last long. It is quite versatile and will pair with many foods. I would pair it with grilled mahi-mahi.

What to Drink Now: Wine During a PandemicWild yeast fermented and concrete egg aged, from estate-grown fruit in Australia’s McLaren Vale, Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne is well rounded, fresh, and lively, with spicy ginger, apricot, honey, and tangerine.

What to Drink Now: Wine During a PandemicFrom Santa Maria Valley Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay opens with aromatic citrus blossom followed by mandarin and green fig.

Very dark purple in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry, graphite and black plum. In the mouth, black cherry, tobacco leaf and pencil shavings mix with darker earthier notes of licorice and dried flowers. Excellent acidity and muscular tannins.

Brambles, oak spice on the nose. Cherry, cola, pencil, minerality on the palate. A bit hot, but with a lingering finish. Good plus.

This dark ruby colored Pinot Noir opens with fragrant black raspberry and chocolate cherry cordial bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, soft, smooth and nicely balanced. The flavor profile is an oak influenced mulberry with notes of mild minerality and black cherry. I also detected hints of black plum and clove. The finish is dry and its mild tannins and flavors linger nicely. This Pinot is on the savory side. I would pair it with Peking duck.