Dark for a pinot with a candied nose of darker red fruit and a bit of earth. The palate is nicely balanced and finishes well. Very Nice. Excellent. 92 Points.

Fairly dark, with lots of fruit on the nose, rich, dark, and deep. Nice. The palate is loaded with fruit, but the acidity is initially lacking. It comes in on the finish, though, rounding out the wine nicely. Excellent. 92 Points.

This seamless blend of red and white grapes glides across the palate, spreading raspberries, red cherries and red-tea flavors amid subtle acidity and light tannins. The wine has a charming, lively quality that will be easy to pair with food. —J.G.

2021 was a cool vintage in McLaren Vale and this “egg” wine takes its time opening. When it does, the perfume evokes fresh blue and red berries, dried florals, some peppery spice and an autumnal, just-fallen-leaves vibe. The succulent, silky palate is framed in fine, talc-like tannins that never overwhelm the berry fruit or spice. A lift of acidity and long finish take this cool-edged wine to a place that suggests that more time in bottle will reward. Sovereign Wine Imports. Cellar Selection. —C.P.

This complete and well-balanced wine is a pleasure to drink soon, but will also develop more nuances for a few years. Fresh blackberries and blueberries are accented by light vanilla and cinnamon-scented oak spices on a lightly tannic texture. —J.G.

Appetizing aromas of Marcona almond, Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese immediately waft out of the glass. This varietal Pinot Noir made in the style of a white wine has a unctuously rounded, fleshy body with vivacious acidity that cuts right through the center. The palate adds notes of Meyer lemon, mango, honeydew melon, honeysuckle and agave nectar. Editors’ Choice. —S.B.

This wine lives up to its song name with pronounced, layered aromatic intensity that reverberates with red and black cherry, cacao, crusty toast, red and black plum and black pepper spice. Fine-grained, sandy tannins create a pleasing mouthfeel, while joyous acidity uplifts the nuanced flavors, adding rose and violet potpourri, forest floor, dried wood and nutmeg to the chorus. And with that long, lingering finish— unforgettable, indeed. —S.B.

Good balance and mouthwatering acidity bring a zesty expression to this mediumbodied wine. Green apples, apricots and a hint of coconut light up the flavors. Light oak and mineral accents develop with more sips, adding extra interest. —J.G

This monument to blazing acidity, and perhaps Lucy Lawless, leads with aromas of lemon curd, white pepper and traces of papaya and mango chutney. Fans of crisptextured Chardonnays that have some weight should flock to this wine and its Meyer lemon, cayenne and toasted filbert flavors. —M.A.

The 2019 Fijnbosch, which is not produced every year, is aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. This is quite different from the regular Capensis Chardonnay insofar that is more airy and ethereal, with hints of pine, pressed white flowers and orange blossom, the new oak barely noticeable. The palate is medium-bodied with a seductive, slightly honeyed texture, the keen thread of acidity counterbalancing the richness. There's just a touch of bitter lemon bite on the finish. This is a sophisticated Chardonnay that will age with style.

The 2018 Chardonnay Capensis is sourced just under half from the Fijnbosch vineyard and aged in French oak, 38% new. This has a more Burgundian bouquet, light fume scents intermixed with hints of peach skin and yellow flowers, the oak neatly integrated. The palate is well-balanced with the waxy texture that I found in the bottle last year, quite saline, with a silver bead of acidity, fine weight and a focused finish. This is drinking beautifully now but will age over the next decade.

Young and vibrant with elegant ripe fruit. Aromatic and nuanced with a savory, earthy tang. Fruit underpinned by fresh acidity.

Vivid and youthful,displaying aromas of dark cherries, raspberry and floral notes. Toasty, sweet oak on the palate with concentrated fruit tempered by racy freshness. Tasty.

A rare wine that is not Pinot Noir from Siduri, the Willamette Valley Chardonnay is classically Oregon in its style. Fresh lemon cream and cardamom aromas announce this wine. The palate is a study in what makes Oregon the new hotspot for Chardonnay: freshness delivered with complexity and depth: Lemongrass and beeswax, white pepper and crushed chalk minerality.

A fresh and lively Pinot Noir from three vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Dark blue fruits and violet aromas show a balanced wine owing to the long growing season here. The palate has lovely acidity and lift, with fig, clove, barrel spice and delicious minerality.

A blend of the Seascape and Sealift Vineyards combine for a wine that shows Siduri's take on the Sonoma Coast, fresh and savoury yet plenty of ripeness. Grilled blood orange aromas, sea spray, and ripe figs make way for mountainside rosemary. The palate is earth-driven, with notes of soy, balsamic, ample mountain berries and smoked sea salt making an appearance. The finish is fresh, marked by mint.

A blend of 11 Willamette Valley sites, including Zena Crown and Gran Moraine. Overtly aromatic and fresh, the ripe stems give it a carbonic, pungent floral element. Fresh berries and savoury herbs mark the palate, carried to the finish by a lifted acidity and note of evergreen tips.

The 2014 Blanc de Blancs was on the lees for seven years and had a dosage of 1.5 grams per liter. It has aromas of golden apples and apricot pit with accents of brioche, iodine and flint. The medium-bodied palate is bone dry with shimmery acidity and energetic mousse, although it offers a satisfying core of savory fruit as a foil, ending with a flavorful finish. 178 cases were made.

Matured for 10 months in 35% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay Estate opens with savory undertones and flinty streaks before giving way to a core of white peach, panna cotta and allspice. The palate is ripe, concentrated and mouth-coating, although its lively acidity creates balance. It ends with an expansive, savory finish. Drink it over the next 5-8 years. 2,064 cases were made.

Giving off scents of crushed strawberries in a bowl, this is mildly smoky on the edges. It's a suave red, the fruit deepening to red cherry, right, tense and light with a sense of energy and a wild-strawberry snap of acidity.- P.J.C.

Savory and ripe, the 2021 Chardonnay Upland is a deep golden-straw hue and offers up umami richness in its aromas of brothy saline, golden peach, and chamomile. Medium-bodied, the palate opens to juicy ripe orchard fruit, with a kiss of candied citrus and a pithy texture on the finish. Drink this over the next 5-6 years.

Pouring a transparent red hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Elevee Vineyard is ripe and red-fruited, with well-balanced spice and floral aromas, preserved raspberry, and baking spices. Juicy and medium-bodied, with a silky texture and its more primary fruit filling the palate, it offers fine tannins and loads of sweet mixed berries. It’s approachable and drinking well now and should continue to drink well over the next 4-6 years.

A darker ruby hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Bella Vida Vineyard takes on dark fruit of black raspberry, gravelly earth, and black licorice candy. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, it displays a darker savory profile, with notes of turned earth and tea leaf on the finish. It’s also rather approachable now but will continue to drink well over the coming 5-6 years.

Pouring a bright, youthful yellow hue, the 2020 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton takes on a pure and fresh style, with notes of quince, pear, lemon curd, and a hint of baking spice. Medium-bodied, with a wonderful soft, stony texture, an elegant mouthfeel, and a clean finish, it’s a very pretty wine to enjoy over the next 5-7 years.

Taking on a nearly opaque red color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Clairiere is packed with a brooding, almost Syrah-like savory character, with black pepper, wet stone, olive, and sunbaked black cherry notes. Meaty and full-bodied, with ripe fruit, sweet tannins, and a good freshness of acidity underneath (but certainly not pronounced), it also offers toasted notes of smoky cedar on the finish. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.