Bubblegum and strawberry aromas meet with wet gravel and pink grapefruit on the zesty nose of this bottling. There is a great tang of lemon peel as well as cherry and strawberry flavors on the palate.

Juicy, offering nectarine, green apple and lemon tart flavors. Lively acidity lingers into the finish, with hints of dried mint and lemongrass.

Juicy flavors of apple tart, poached pear and red peach are plush and lightly creamy. Buttered toast notes show on the finish.

This wine has a delicious core of supple, satisfying black-cherry and blackberry flavors accented by light oak spice and salt and pepper. While full bodied, the wine's texture is quite smooth and only mildly tannic to keep it in balance.

Smoke, dried white peach, orange rind and pear flesh show on the nose of this bottling from one of the Jackson family's more coveted estates. The palate is all about classic California Chardonnay, with butter and fine-grained oak flavors balanced by bright lemon.

Decadent buttery notes flank the ripe white fruit and spice flavors. Hints of mocha show on the creamy finish.

Light in the glass, this bottling offers aromas of green-apple flesh, key lime and an earthy, somewhat metallic minerality. The palate is crisp with key lime and pear-flesh flavors, dusted with sandy undertones.

Medium-bodied and juicy, with crushed green herb notes to the apple and white berry flavors. Crisp finish.

Wine of the Day A much more serve version of Santa Barbara County Syrah than you’d expect from a wine with close to 15% natural alcohol this 2017 vintage details a more austere style than the last year with plenty of wild herbs, loam, bramble/briar spiciness and less, at this stage, forward fruit with more subdued layers of blackberry, blueberry, tangy currant and cranberry on the powerful palate. This wine moves to its own agenda and with a snails pace adding crushed pepper, olive and anisette notes before revealing pretty violets, kirsch and a vinous mouth feel. I will put a few bottles away for another year or two and revisit, as I felt it is more of tease at this point, hinting at more pleasure and poise to come. Best to decant this and or serve with hardy cuisine, including grilled meats, hard cheeses and or lamb dishes.

Rosé Is Always Sweet — and Other Popular Rosé Myths, Debunked Myth: Rosé Is Always Sweet Not usually! In fact, most rosés are actually on the dryer side. When tasting wine, it’s important to remember that fruity doesn’t always mean sweet, and just because a wine may have notes of strawberry and guava, it doesn’t have to be sugary. Take La Crema 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé for example. This elegant bottle boasts aromas of pink grapefruit and mandarin and hits you with flavors of watermelon and strawberry. Don’t be fooled though — the undertones of minerality round out the wine, proving the very important fact that light, fruity and fun rosés aren’t always sweet. La Crema winemaker Craig McAllister says, “Despite fruit forward, delicately sweet aromas and flavors, this wine is bone dry. What I love the most about our rosé is its balance; it is light on its feet with fresh-crisp fruit, juicy acidity and just enough minerality to bring some structure.”

What to sip this weekend: A guilty pleasure wine The pick: Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, 2017, a guilty pleasure wine if there ever was one. Backstory: Chardonnay is a victim of its own success. It became so popular in the 1980s and 1990s that it even inspired a backlash known as ABC—Anything but Chardonnay. Some ABCers objected to the dominance of Chardonnay in that it was literally squeezing out other varietals, since growers had to plant acres and acres to keep up with demand. Others, though, came to resent a particularly popular version of the wine, namely, the heavily-oaked Chardonnay that was especially common in California. The oak-ageing, some argued, disguised the virtues of the grape and, since it was less acidic than a more “naked grape” and didn’t pair well with a lot of food. Oaked Chardonnay-lovers responded by continuing to buy it, especially Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve, which remains one of the top-selling Chardonnays in North America. Why you’ll like it: If you like rich and indulgent whites with a full body and a lot of vanilla, this one’s for you. The 2017 Vintner’s Reserve is rich, smooth, full of cantaloupe and vanilla notes—all in perfect harmony with the buttery character that the oak-ageing brings out. Not everyone appreciates that buttery aspect of oaked wine, which is good news to the legions of loyal fans who don’t particularly want to share their special treat. Pair it with ceviche, sashimi or a short story collection.

This is a classic Napa Cabernet. Graceful and elegant and quite understated with a lovely, lifted nose of blackcurrant, spearmint, dark chocolate and pencil lead. The nose is complex and very refined with nicely integrated aromas. It is fullbodied, dense and firm and wonderfully dry, with no mocha and no jam. This is a fine elegant cabernet that will age well.

Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. A flamboyant wine with aromas of pineapple, yellow apple and buttery croissant. On the palate there is a rich display of well-ripened citrus and honey flavors with a delicate backing of toasty oak. Soothing in texture with integrated alcohol.

This is a classic, more traditional Napa cab that shows blackcurrant/cassis ripeness without losing cabernet's herbal, foresty complexity. Then all is nicely framed by oak resin, vanilla and spice. It is certainly full bodied, fairly thick, dense and soft, with firm tannin. The length is excellent. Should age well for a decade, but try it whenever if you give it some time to aerate.

Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, and oak-driven spice and toast lead to a full-bodied experience sporting waves of oak-kissed, almost syrupy, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Very ripe fruited with toasty oak suppressing the Russian River Valley footprint.

Pretty (delicious) in Pink The 2019 Guide to PNW Rosé Wine Passionfruit and zested grapefruit with minerality and luscious mouth feel.

42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot. This is a cabernet blend. It’s worth studying. It has finesse, it has flavour, it’s finely-tuned and it feels flush through the finish. Oak and fruit are on great terms, tannin is perfectly formed, and acidity adds a line of freshness to the wine without moving a petal. It’s not a sweet wine but it’s ripe; it’s not bitter but there are layers of herbs; it’s not ‘big’ but it spreads across the palate impressively. It’s worth every cent.

Hooray for Chardonnay The Cambria estate is located within Santa Barbara County and the wines here express the unique terroir of one of the very few cool-climate pockets in California. Produced under sustainable practices, Cambria’s Clone 4 chardonnay is sourced from a spot that sits 400-800 feet above sea level and thrives on a daily dose of fog-swept maritime weather that funnels in from the Pacific Ocean. Notes of tropical fruit, tangerine, apples, and citrus dominate the senses and carry on through the tasting experience ultimately leading to a bright, crisp and very pleasant finale.

Hooray for Chardonnay Tropical flavours abound in this traditional warm climate Napa Valley chardonnay made by one of California’s most prestigious producers. Leaping from the glass are aromas of mango, peach, pear, citrus and banana – not something you’d generally get from cooler climate chardonnays. The palate is likewise complex with flavours of green apple, peach cobbler, vanilla, nutmeg and complete with a lively backbone of lemon-lime acidity. It’s creamy, contemplative and will compliment a wide array of dishes, including Thanksgiving turkey with all of the fixings!

Charming, with ripe berry and maraschino cherry flavors that are bright and appealing. Clove, cinnamon and dark chocolate highlights linger on a smooth frame.

Wine of the Week AU This has to be one of the best value wines in Australia. Glorious, fragrant, dark fruit with an intricate, yet silky, tannin frame. The flavours are incredibly pure, poised and vibrant. It is a serious wine, yet incredibly drinkable in its youth. Outstanding value. Drink now or age for further complexity.

This is a big wine in every sense, including the price, the amount of alcohol (14.5%), the excessive weight of the bottle, and -- most important -- the wine’s delightfully robust tastes and textures. In this Bordeaux-style blend of red grapes (dominated by Merlot) you’ll find complex and generous flavors of blackberry and dark cherry, plus hints of spice and a touch of chocolate. The tannins are satisfyingly plump and the finish lingers pleasantly on.

Uncorked: A New Wine Just in Time for Summer Picnics Have you tried the 2018 Kendall-Jackson Avant? This wine is fully unoaked and cold-fermented in 100% stainless steel. Avant captures the purest expression of the Chardonnay grape. This is perfect for summer picnics. WHY an Unoaked from Kendall-Jackson? By adding this new Avant the diverse Kendall-Jackson portfolio, they now showcase the full spectrum of Chardonnay -- from Avant’s crisp, vibrant unoaked profile, to the beloved Vintner’s Reserve with its creamy, barrel fermented sur lee flavor domains -- and demonstrate Kendall-Jackson’s versatility with Chardonnay. 2018 Kendall-Jackson Avant - Sourced from coastal vineyards in Mendocino, Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties, Avant is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks, sees no oak at all, and offers crisp apple and pear flavors with hints of tropical citrus. Available nationwide, and www.kj.com. Avant is youthful and lively, providing a superb affinity for food. Avant’s vivacious character will attract consumers seeking a bright portrayal of Chardonnay, in an unexpected and refreshing style.

Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2019: Gold

Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2019: Gold