Carpenter makes this wine at the vineyard formerly known as Chateau Potelle, the vines rising above the fog line from 1,400 to 1,800 feet. It has the freshness and concentration of a wine grown at altitude in thin, rocky soils, the grip of its mountain tannins resolving to soft velvet as the wine takes on air. Rich scents of blackberries and black pepper give it depth and brightness, like a steak seared black and blue.

A new wine in this range, the 2013 Merlot Jackson Park is terrific. Succulent black cherry, plum, chocolate, crème de cassis and savory herbs give the Jackson Park its deep, unctuous personality. The 2013 can be enjoyed now, but it will be even better once some of the baby fat melts away.

Richly textured with deep plum and vibrant blackberry; bright and balanced with depth but not heavy; graceful and long.

Journey's 2013 Red is a gorgeous, savory red laced with scents of graphite, gravel, raspberry jam, wild flowers and dark spices. The 2013 marks a stylistic shift as the Red is now a Merlot- based blend whereas in the past, it was a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. Drink the 2013 over the next handful of years.

Dark, bold and pungent, the 2013 Merlot (Alexander Valley) possesses striking aromatic top notes and plenty of mountain tannin wrapped around a core of dark red and purplish fruit. Vivid, nuanced and beautifully sculpted, the 2013 is a real winner.

The 2012 Merlot Jackson Park, from a site in Bennett Valley, is one of the more juicy, supple Merlots in this range. Dark red fruit, grilled herbs, rose petal and wild flowers add layers of nuance. This is another impeccable, harmonious wine from Matanzas Creek and Marcia Monahan.

Matanzas Creek was among the first of the California wineries that came to embrace Merlot and treat it as something other than a filler wine to soften a Cabernet-based blend. Matanzas was also among the best at Merlot and it still is. The 2012 is a thing of beauty, with complex notes of plum, raspberry and bing cherry, firm but integrated tannins, and hints of savory herbs and mocha. A stunning wine for under $30.

The 2012 Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend made predominantly from vineyards in Knights Valley. Dark raspberry jam, mocha, chocolate, cinnamon and new leather flesh out in the glass, followed by attractive floral notes that add lift. Soft contours and a racy personality give the 2012 much of its immediacy and near-term appeal, but there is also plenty of power lurking beneath all the fruit.

Exhibits a tight, rich, supple core of blackberry and wild berry fruit, with cedary oak and hard black licorice details, ending with a long, dense, chewy finish that echoes the core flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2025.

A wonderful wine at a great price. This is complex and delicious in blackberry and black currant flavors, with a savory minerality on the finish. As it starts off with tough tannins, allow it to decant.

Inky purple. Strikingly aromatic bouquet offers smoky cherry and dark berry scents, with licorice, pipe tobacco and cola accents. Deeply concentrated, sappy dark fruit flavors blend sweetness and energy seamlessly, with tangy acidity adding spine and lift. Gains weight on the persistent finish, which features impressively energetic cherry compote and blackberry preserve elements.

Deep ruby. Powerful cherry and blackberry aromas display suave, smoky complexity and slow-building licorice character. Lush, creamy and sweet, with densely packed dark berry preserve flavors, harmonious tannins and a late note of tangy minerals. The smoky note comes back on the long, spicy finish. For a rich wine this is attractively seamless and energetic.

Exploring The Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond The 2016 Encantadora, Matanzas Creek's Merlot-based red, is indeed charming. Bright red berry fruit and floral notes give this mid-weight Alexander Valley blend tons of appeal. A healthy dollop (20%) of Cabernet Franc adds brightness and vivacity. Drink this easygoing, polished red over the next 7-10 years.

The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Journey is powerful, deep and resonant, all qualities that should allow it to develop nicely with time in bottle. Smoke, slate, pear, anise and dried flowers all flesh out in this decidedly authoritative, incisive Sauvignon. Fermentation and aging in barrel gives the wine quite a bit of added power and texture.

The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Helena Bench is the richest and most powerful of these Sauvignon Blancs from Matanzas Creek. Textured and inviting, with striking complexity throughout, the 2016 is distinguished by its mid-palate resonance and exceptional balance. Hints of melon, pear, smoke, apple and jasmine add the closing shades of nuance.

The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is laced with the essence of white orchard fruit, sage, tomato leaf, mint and white flowers. There is plenty of varietal character, but fruit intensity and structure take precedence over greener, grassier notes. This is a rare Sauvignon that has the depth to stand up to fairly hearty foods.

The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Bennett Valley) is beautifully layered and creamy, yet also light on its feet. Lemon peel, mint, white pepper and a host of savory notes give the wine its distinctive personality. This is very nicely done, not to mention absolutely delicious.

The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is hugely inviting, with a gorgeous combination of varietal notes and textural richness. Melon, grapefruit, white flowers and mint are all given an extra level of perfume with the addition of 10% Semillon. Drink this expressive Sauvignon Blanc over the next few years.

Matanzas Creek, a pioneering Sonoma County winery founded in 1977, produces five different and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc, each reflecting the origin of the grapes. You can practically taste and feel the volcanic soil in this Helena Bench bottling, which gives the wine individuality rarely found with this variety in California. The edgy quality characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc is apparent, but not overwhelming. Overall, the Helena Bench bottling has a larger profile than the one from Bennett Valley, but is still impeccably balanced. I suggest that those of you who remain skeptical about the idea concept of terroir try these two Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc side-by-side. Not only will you be convinced, you'll have a difficult job decided which of them you prefer.

The 2012 Journey Sauvignon Blanc (500 cases produced) comes from the three appellations of Knights Valley, Alexander Valley and Bennett Valley. This intense Sauvignon exhibits copious aromas of citrus oil, honeyed grapefruit, figs and melons. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, pure and rich, this cuvee was completely fermented and aged in stainless steel and neutral wood. Consume it over the next 2-3 years.

The Bennett Valley (this is the microclimate where the winery is located) Sauvignon is crafted in the style of Bordeaux blanc, with a richness and mouthfeel that is absent in most Sauvignon from either New Zealand or the Loire Valley. With complex aromas of pear, peach, tropical fruits and citrus, this is the thinking man's Sauvignon Blanc that would be equally satisfying as an aperitif or as a match for grilled fish or mild cheeses.

Juicy and lush with pure, tangy citrus and lively acidity; balanced, fresh and complete with a long, expressive finish; complex and lovely.

This grows on an old riverbed of sand and gravel at the base of Mount St. Helena, where sauvignon ripens to bosky green apple scents and cool, tropical notes of papaya. It's a substantive white enriched by a bit of sauvignon musqué as well as lees aging, its toastiness restrained by tight, fresh fruit.

This grows on an old riverbed of sand and gravel at the base of Mount St. Helena, where sauvignon ripens to bosky green apple scents and cool, tropical notes of papaya. It's a substantive white enriched by a bit of sauvignon musque as well as lees aging, its toastiness restrained by tight, fresh fruit. For roast sturgeon or other meaty fish.