Though not shy on toast, this red offers delicious notes of anise and licorice snap that back up its
core of dark cherry and plum fruit. Drink now through 2027. 801 cases made.

The big, expressive and lively nose of this wine gives a ton of juicy cherry, mushroom, orange peel and sage. Plenty of raspberry, barrel spice, caramel and cola arise on the powerful palate before a finish that lingers with some warmth. 

This spicy and classic Sonoma Coast Pinot gives aromas of dried cherry, raspberry compote, black tea and orange peel on the nose. The palate is plush and textured, with a berry freshness and pleasant crunchiness at the finish.

A forward red, displaying overt notes of boysenberry and cherry compote laced with sassafras and licorice accents. The fruit is ever so slightly jammy but offers enough juicy energy to keep this going. Drink now through 2026. 202 cases made.

This winery was a huge factor in bringing pinot Noir to the masses. A well-made product at an attractive price with consistent quality from vintage to vintage — not an easy feat with this fickle grape. The cool Sonoma Coast AVAs yielded intense, concentrated flavors. Mainly hand-picked fruit underwent cold soak and open tank fermentation. Aging was in French oak for six months. Beautiful combination of classic European style with vibrant California fruit. Rich fruit aromas of plum and cherry highlight the rich color and soft finish. A great value for the pinot category.

An open-knit red, with a mix of mulled strawberry, raspberry and black cherry notes gliding along atop a silky structure, while hints of sassafras and anise dart in the background. There's a red tea echo on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 225 cases made.

An enticing version, with a burst of mulberry and blackberry compote flavors backed by a lightly singed anise note. There's a subtle bramble echo through the broad, fleshy finish. Drink now through 2030. 256 cases made.

Freemark Abbey has long been one of the best-known and most-respected wineries in California. This outstanding wine illustrates why. Spicy, flinty and peppery straight out of the bottle, these intense lively flavors take about 20 minutes to mellow out. Once they do, the wine tastes silky smooth with soft fruit flavors (especially blackberry) and subtle tobacco notes.

Misty, dense white wine with subtle hints of caramel, sea salt and floral-like aromas and flavors. There’s a hint of sweetness as well in the first few sips which quickly evolve into ethereal fog-like notes. It’s also astounding how bright and vibrant the fruit flavors are for this 16-year-old California chardonnay.

Arcanum is Tenuta di Arceno's 100% Cabernet Franc, sourced from a variety of small blocks across the estate. The wine is matured for 12 months in 70% new French oak. Leafy blackberry and blackcurrant scents rise from the glass, with just a hint of petrichor and thyme. In the mouth it's surprisingly nimble, the soft intensity of fruit there but also not there, in quite an ethereal way. Bitter herbs, peppery spice and pressed violets provide lift and interest, while refined and soft tannins lurk in the background. Some wood is evident on the long, breezy finish but on the whole this is an extremely poised and polished wine.

Almost a year on from my initial taste of this superb new Gran Selezione from Tenuta di Arceno, the co-fermented Sangiovese and Colorino from a high elevation vineyard is showing some lovely red fruit aromas – even a hint of blueberry – along with crushed rock and peppery spice. Incredibly vibrant, concentrated and zingy, it offers a saline mouthful of juicy dark berries which soak up the alcohol with ease, subtly framed by wood, herbs, graphite and earth. It ends with a floral and blueberry lift and a sprinkle of spice. Sapidity and verticality are the order of the day here.

Sourced from a single 2ha block of Sangiovese, this 2021 Strada al Sasso has a gorgeous nose of fleshy, balsamic cherries which leads into an equally forward and fleshy palate of succulent, sapid red and black fruits. Fine, chalky tannins underline this vibrancy, while herbal and balsamic notes provide lift. Salinity emerges on the mid-palate and extends the fragrant dried cherry and herb finish. It's focused and vertical despite the opulence and fleshiness on display, and remains in balance even with its 15% alcohol.

The backbone of the estate’s Riserva comes from La Porta vineyard, from Sangiovese planted between 1998 and 2000. Cabernet Sauvignon grown at an altitude of 485 metres is blended in for mid-palate structure. Matured in second- and third-passage barriques, the 2021 displays intense blackcurrant nuanced by spicy green herbs. The palate is well padded with red and black currants, and accents of espresso and mint enhance it. The tannins have a slightly dusty, gravelly character yet remain refined. Well mannered and affable.

Appealing for its handsome structure and precise flavors of rasberry and pomegranate, which take on forest floor and dusky spice accents as this moves toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 387 cases made. -T.F.

Supple and crisp, with easygoing raspberry, strawberry and spice flavors. Drink now. 14,359 cases made.

Supple yet crisp at heart, with expressive orange blossom, green apple amd white peach flavors that glide on the vibrant finish. Drink Now. 982 cases cases made. -T.F.

Displays alluring, smoldering red tea and sandalwood notes out in front of elegant details of mulled blood orange, persimmon and raspberry fruit. Savory and mulling spice echoes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2034. 220 cases made