This beautifully polished and firm-textured wine seamlessly combines opulent, juicy blackberry and red cherry flavors with subtle oak spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger that top it off nicely. One of the best value statewide in Zinfandel.

Fijnbosch is a single-site Chardonnay from clay-rich soils in the Banghoek Valley, deliberately released with a little bottle age. Honeyed, textured and well structured, it combines stone fruit sweetness with a mineral core, subtle reduction and some toasty oak.

Winemaker Peter Fraser is riding high in McLaren Vale, as evidenced by this single vineyard 98/2 shiraz/viognier grown at 180m on North Maslin Sands, which is estimated to be 54 million years old. Intense dark fruit, bright spice, and supple tannins tell the story in this impeccably balanced wine. The finish is long and persistent with perfect tannin balance and more dark fruit and licorice. The texture is amazing. Fraser works with 47 acres of shiraz to choose from, divided into thirteen individual blocks, each defined by different aspects and subtle variations of the sand and Ironstone soils. 2018 was a fine vintage, and Fraser went 50% whole berries with 20% whole bunches cold-soaked, and was wild fermented in open top tanks. It's aged in French oak for ten months on its lees (20 percent new).

Blueberries, blackberries and hints of espresso mingle on the nose of the 2019 King's Wood Shiraz, which matured in a large (2,500-liter) foudre. Without obvious wood impact and with 25% whole bunches, it's reminiscent of a good Saint-Joseph, melding fruity and savory notes into a harmonious whole. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple on the palate, with just a hint of menthol appearing on the long, silky finish.

Hickinbotham's 2019 The Revivalist Merlot features classic varietal notes of black cherries, mocha and gentle tobacco-leaf shadings. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, showing unexpected crispness to offset the wine's formidable heft. Rich, velvety tannins coat the palate, while the finish lingers. It's a rich, concentrated Merlot that surpasses many other New World versions.

Marked by notes of vanilla and creosote on the nose, the 2019 Brooks Road Shiraz follows those opening salvos with blueberry and plum fruit, cedar shavings and dark chocolate. It's medium to full-bodied, supple and ripe, with a plush feel and a long, licorice-tinged finish. There's ample concentration and power, but the wine is already approachable and I'd expect it to age relatively quickly. Drink it over the next decade or so.

This is a fresh, crisp, dry style that’s made with grenache that has all the attractive peach, strawberry and floral allure you’d expect in a modern Australian rosé. The palate has a mouthwatering, sleek feel. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.

This is a very pure, super-young style of shiraz that is all about the unadulterated taste of blueberry and red-plum shiraz fruit. Smooth, open-knit and plump, it has no sulphites added – hence the preservative-free acronym. Drink now. Screw cap.

Fresh and attractive fruit, in the pear and apple spectrum, with some light, pastry-like notes, too. The palate delivers a smooth, crisp impression with a gently chalky finish. I like the restraint here. A blend of 49% grenache blanc, 18% picpoul, 15% Claudette, 13% roussanne and 5% bourboulenc. Drink now. Screw cap.

2019 Pinot Noir, Zena Crown Vineyard The nose is wild blossoms, licorice and crème de cassis punctuated with tobacco and graphite. The palate entry is dry, solid black cherry with a textured core of tannins, menthol and spice. Finishes with lean, delicate red berries. Drink 2021 - 2027.

2019 Pinot Noir, Garys' Vineyard The nose is pure black cherry with notes of graphite and pie spice. The palate entry is forward, polished with a leaner, fresh red fruit in the core, backed by bright textured grapefruit acidity that persists through the finish. Drink 2021 - 2027.

2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley The nose is spiced cherry and herbed raspberry leading to a palate entry of broad, polished red plum and desiccated raspberry with a silky-textured core of red and blue fruits. A nice example of classic Russian River Valley from Siduri. Drink 2021 - 2026.

This dark red and clear colored Pinot Noir opens with a pomegranate and red raspberry with notes of cinnamon and clove. On the palate, this wine is light bodied with medium acidity. It is bright and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is juicy ripe red plum and cinnamon blend with note of pomegranate I also detected hints of cocoa dust and maraschino cherry. The finish is dry, and its flavors and gentle mild tannins fade away nicely. This Pinot Noir is delicate and food friendly. I would pair it with cherry amaretto chicken.

Broad-textured Gala apple and white peach flavors show lemongrass notes, with firm minerality midpalate, followed by accents of dried savory spices on the pure and direct finish. Drink now through 2025.

Both the 2017 and ‘16 Stonestreet Estate Cabs are excellent values; 92 McD under $45 for a top-flight Alexander Valley 100% Cab, aged 19 months in 38% new French oak, is a bargain. Both are just entering their window.

Both the 2017 and ‘16 Stonestreet Estate Cabs are excellent values; 92 McD under $45 for a top-flight Alexander Valley 100% Cab, aged 19 months in 38% new French oak, is a bargain. Both are just entering their window.

Aromas of baked berry biscuit and some gentle reductive nuances that add a charcuterie-like edge here. The palate has assertive, driving pomegranate and cherry flavors, as well as a flex of fine tannin that adds depth. Drink or hold.

Dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of blackberry jam, ripest cherry, dark red rose petal, earthy flora and vanilla. Blackfruited in a mid-weight-plus style with a good compliment of spice. Very gutsy with plenty of sap but everything in focus and balance. More giving when tasted several hours later from a previously opened bottle. Decant if you must drink now.

Sourced from the proprietary plot of 70+yo bush vines, all unirrigated, hand picked, mechanically sorted and fermented as 50% whole berries. Long. Matured briefly in an assemblage of puncheons, barriques and eggs. A light ruby. The nose, transmitting a crunchy energy from the first impression. Raspberry, sour cherry, orange zest, cranberry and pumice. Alive! Long and detailed with the sort of tannins that suck the saliva and force the 2nd and 3rd glass.

A savory style, with vibrant acidity to the fresh-cut green apple and ruby grapefruit flavors that are layered with dried tarragon acidity. Shows minerally richness on the lithe finish.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve is beautifully done. Deep, pliant and super-expressive, the 2018 has so much character. Iron, cedar, tobacco, menthol and licorice are some of the many notes that shape this inviting Sonoma Cabernet.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) is another very pretty wine in this range. Bright red toned fruit, cedar, iron, sweet pipe tobacco and mint add a striking aromatic upper register to this mid-weight, highly nuanced wine. Firm tannins and the energy of this site at 2,200 feet in elevation extend the finish effortlessly.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Stature is done in a full-throttle, oaky style that offers plenty of immediacy, if not much subtlety. Blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice and generous new oak are front and center. The sweet, unctuous style is a bit much, in my view. The Stature is a blend from sites in Knights Valley and Alexander Valley, but much of that pedigree is buried under all the oak.

The 2019 Chardonnay Camelot Highlands is a classy Santa Maria Chardonnay. Tropical fruit, mint, chamomile, baked pear tart and marzipan lend nuance to this airy, understated Chardonnay. All the elements are so well balanced.