The first vintage of this wine, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Collina was set to be bottled in January 2024, after my late-year visit. Marked by scents of cedar and cherries, with a subtle herbal undercurrent and hints of mint and vanilla, it's medium to full-bodied in the mouth. Elegantly framed by fine-grained tannins and long on the finish, it's not a show-stopper, just a really nice, balanced Napa Cabernet.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford was scheduled to be bottled in January 2024, so I tasted a barrel sample during my visit. A blend of fruit from Sycamore, Bosché and Red Barn Ranch, it offers up copious cherries with an undercurrent of mocha on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, richly tannic and concentrated but still somewhat approachable, with a long, softly dusty finish.

Sourced from estate sites in Oakville and Calistoga and incorporating purchased fruit as well, there are 11,000 cases of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, about half the usual volume. Aged in just under 50% new French oak, it easily marries cherries with notes of vanilla and brown sugar. It's full-bodied and concentrated, richly tannic but ripe, with a lingering, dusty finish.

A blend of fruit from Carneros (60%) and Coombsville (40%) and barrel fermented in 43% new French oak, the 2022 Chardonnay features subtle buttered toast notes, paired with pear, melon and pineapple fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with partial malolactic fermentation, this plump, round wine is pretty standard Napa stuff but done really well. Fruity and fresh yet not overly simple, boasting ample concentration and length, it's a pleasure to drink.

Steeped blood orange, fresh damson plum and bitter cherry coulis notes knit together nicely, with flashes of singed savory and sandalwood on the silky finish. Drink now through 2027. 650 cases made.

A big, broad, velvety wine that’s tempting to drink now for its lush, ripe black fruit and alluring oak spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Very concentrated black cherries, spearmint, blueberries and hints of dark chocolate. Certified sustainable grapes. Drink or hold.

Savory notes of fresh lemons and peaches leading to a palate punctuated by juicy citrus notes and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied with concentrated fruit, good balance and bright acidity. A smooth and refreshingly long finish. This is certainly drinkable now but give it a little time. Drink or hold.

Aromas of citrus and flowers, with a concentrated palate and bright acidity. Light- to medium-bodied with notes of sliced lemons and honeysuckle. Ends with a tangy and refreshing finish. This is an enjoyable and interesting wine that sees approximately 25% new oak. Drink now.

Offers bright and mouthwatering flavors of Meyer lemon, mango and lemon sherbet, with details of flinty minerality, ripe peach, candied ginger and buttery shortbread. Notes of orange blossom and wild fennel add aromatic complexity and linger on the long finish. Drink now through 2034. 1,147 cases made, 150 cases imported.

This white's flavors of plump nectarine, melon, pear and lime are fresh and focused, with hints of lemon blossom and litsea oil. Offers sleek details of salted, preserved lemon on an elegant, supple frame. Drink now. 513 cases made, 150 cases imported.

This big but elegant wine is blended from selected lots of grapes from top-quality spots across the 92 acres of grapes on the estate. Full-bodied, rich in red and black fruit, subtly spiced with new oak and presenting a suede-like texture that’s soft on the surface but firm underneath. To be released in April 2025. Best from 2027.

Fresh red and black fruit backed up by a crushed stone character. This is a full-bodied wine but with smooth tannins. It exhibits good balance and tension, with multiple layers. Ends with a long, savory finish. This is a wine not to be missed. Try after 2026.

The nose of orange peel and lemon zest gives way to a creamy texture with very fine bubbles. Outstanding length and focus. This is serious sparkling wine with a dry and delicious finish. Mostly stainless steel and some neutral barrels. Dosage of 3 grams per liter. Disgorged August 2023. 191 cases made. Drink or hold.

As its name suggests, this wine is deep, dark and steep, full of powerful black fruit backed by firm but fine-grained tannins. Dense and saturated, with hints of graphite, cocoa and oak char that layer between the velvety tannins. Made from certified sustainable grapes. Tempting to drink soon with a grilled steak, but best from 2028.

Expressive citrus and pears on the nose with lemon curd and a mineral character on the palate. This is a medium-bodied wine with great texture, concentration and light tannins. Limited use of new oak leads to a bright wine with a long, sophisticated finish. Drink or hold.

Deep, dark plums and black cherries saturate this broad, full-bodied and lush-tasting wine. It’s quite ripe, opulent and deep, with full tannins weaving through the black fruit and subtle oak spices. Certified sustainable. Drink now or hold.

This fragrant, medium-bodied wine practically melts in the mouth, all flowers and fruit on a silky texture. Grown on the coolest part of the WillaKenzie Estate, it offers rose petals, violets, creme de cassis, cocoa and Bing cherries that rest softly on mild tannins and tangy acidity. Drink now or hold.

Lovely nuanced nose of citrus, persimmons and a hint of cinnamon leading to a complex and concentrated palate of cardamom, lemons and peaches. A medium-bodied wine with very balanced tannins and acidity. Long and lovely finish. This is a special wine that is enjoyable now but should get better over time. Drink or hold.

This is a delicious wine with a lot of character. Dark and red fruit with hints of crushed stone and toffee on the nose. Fresh and crisp fruit with a tangy character. Smooth tannins with a crisp finish. Vines are on sandy soils at 400 to 500 feet altitude. Drink or hold.

Lemon curd and nutmeg aromas with a distinct freshness and texture. Everything is in balance, with a supple and refined character. The palate exhibits flint and minerals with bright citrus notes, followed by a wonderfully refreshing finish. 982 cases produced. Drink or hold.

Aromas of dried cherries and herbs lead to a palate of cherries and raspberries with hints of spices. A balanced, medium-bodied wine with smooth tannins and a seductive finish. Starting in 2018, production of this wine was cut in half to bring more of the single-block vineyards into the blend to provide a better representation of the estate. Drink or hold.

Aromas of red cherries, moist earth and dried flowers leading to a refreshing palate of red and dark fruit. A medium-bodied wine with smooth tannins and nice balance that has a crunchy, satisfying finish. Drink now.

Vibrant and floral, showing pretty flavors of lemon and pear accented with honeysuckle and spice notes. Drink now.

Plump, friendly black cherry and mulberry puree notes give this red a succulent edge, while light anise, red tea and iris accents fill in prettily on the sleek finish. Drink now through 2027. 750 cases made.

La Crema continues to elevate its Monterey Pinot Noir by doing a diligent job of expressing the character of its AVAs. 2022 has just the right amount of sweet strawberry to counterbalance the red florals and cool, red plum, rhubarb on the mid-palate. It was a wet spring and a regular growing season before a warm fall culminated in slightly lower yields. It aged 8 months in new and used French oak barrels. Ready to drink and an excellent match for a sweet soya poke, salmon steaks, or duck pizza.