This might be my favorite Pinot Noir in the under fifty dollar range, as I have enjoyed many superb vintages over the last two decades, and the 2015 vintage is simply delightful! We enjoyed a bottle with our Christmas Feast, which featured medium rare beef tenderloin. The scent of fresh made jam wafts up from the bottle to add to the aroma of the Christmas Dinner table. The flavors are thick and juicy with a preponderance of cherry and strawberry. There is an undercurrent of plum and raspberry which lead to mild toasty oak tannins. The finish is powerful and long, and sails off into the night begging for another sip! The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 92. The wine was superb with our roasted tenderloin, but I have also enjoyed this wine with grilled salmon, and once with broiled cold water lobster tails. I don't think you can find a better Pinot Noir for under fifty dollars.

OC Very unusual mix of marzipan, dry chocolate and blackcurrant. It is quite tannic, but does have some violet scent and sap to lift it. SJE Textbook aromas: blackcurrant with a hint of green pepper. This is a modern and glossy approach to Cab. Fleshy blackcurrants and a firm undertone of cedar. TG Quite a jammy Cab, but still has that cassis and green pepper note, plus soft vanilla oak and grippy tannins.

Appealing blackberry and mulberry aromas with a touch vanilla cola and licorice. Good density on the mid-palate. I enjoy the plush nature of the palate, the depth of fruit and the distinct vein of spice. A stunning example of a preservative-free wine.

Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, part of the Kendall-Jackson portfolio, prides itself on the mountainous location of its vineyards. The conventional wisdom is that higher elevation vineyards are cooler, which allows slower ripening, better flavor development and better retention of acidity. This Chardonnay, a blend from several vineyards, supports that idea. Balanced and not overdone, it combines delicate fruitiness with uplifting acidity. Subtle influences of oak aging add to its appeal.

This is a fine expression of the best elements of Anderson Valley -- cool climate acidity and bright cherry fruit. Fall spice and a touch of stemmy character add interest and lengthen the finish. It would be a solid pairing partner for roasted chicken, turkey and the like.

This pale straw-colored Chardonnay from Freemark Abbey was well liked by our tasting group. It opens with a very very faint pineapple and oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and very easy to drink. The flavor profile is like the nose. Those flavors are light oak, with some mild green apple and a touch of pineapple and ginger. The finish is dry and refreshing for a Chard. We all thought it was food friendly and would pair nicely with garlic chicken.

Hints of earthiness and peat support the wine’s bright strawberry and cherry flavors. Lightly spiked with oak and vanilla, this Pinot Noir has just the right amount of acidity as well as a good glossy texture and generous finish.

Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Enviable aromas of dark fruits, wilted rose, pepper and mulch. The mid weight core of black cherry and blackberry fruit is expansive in the mouth, holding on with vigor through the finish. Nicely composed with good harmony, a silky demeanor, and a pleasing finish.

Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, deep, ripe, pear, apricot, and pineapple aroma with a hint of honeysuckle; medium-full body; rich, textured, stone fruit and tropical fruit flavors with crisp acidity and a pleasing mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

8 California Chardonnays at 90+ Points Poached pear and apple tart flavors are rich and well-crafted in this creamy style. White chocolate hints show on the crisp finish.

This bright red colored Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley was well-received by our tasting group. It opens with a very fragrant ripe red raspberry bouquet with hints of red plum. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and quite approachable. The flavor profile is a tasty spiced plum with notes of minerality. I also detected hints of black raspberry and black tea. The finish is dry and its mild tannins drift away nicely. This Pinot is versatile and food friendly. I would pair it with a pork chop.

I pulled this out for a cheese plate with some friends over and it was fairly well received. Obviously made before the sale to Jackson Family Wines, this is surprisingly golden in the glass with decided lemon notes and a hint of oak. The fruit is still hanging on, but it is showing signs of waning on the palate. The acidity is still strong, though, but nonetheless I am going to get to my two remaining bottles soon. Outstanding.

North Coast Part 1: Napa Valley’s Incredible 2016s Readers looking for a charming, delicious Pinot Noir that has plenty of character yet doesn't break the bank should check out the 2017 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County from Adam Lee. It has plenty of classic strawberry and cherry fruits, some subtle forest floor and spice nuances, medium body, and a fruit-forward, balanced style.

There is nothing particularly flashy going on here, instead this is a straightforward, comforting, dependable wine. Reasonably dense and layered, it offers notes of dark berries with underpinnings of spice, vanilla, and gradations of oak.

Mainly Zinfandel, with 6% Alicante Bouschet and a few drops of other, undefined varieties. The color is very dark. The aroma is spicy and earthy, with notes of blackberries, cassis, blueberries and cocoa nib, as well as some overripe raisins. Dry and tannic, a big, ripe barbecue wine, although a little too robust for my taste.

Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice and fertile earth lead off. Silky in the mouth, with middleweight flavors of cherry, strawberry and sneaky oak. Fresh, forward and simple with a modest finish.

This dark yellow Chardonnay from California opens with a pleasant pear bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and a little juicy. The flavor profile is a mild mineral and Anjou pear blend with notes of oak. I also detected hints of pineapple and apple pie spice towards the end. The finish is dry and lingers nicely. This Chard is both affordable and friendly. It would pair well with Dijon-tarragon cream chicken.

The number of different La Crema Chardonnay appellations is impressive, including Monterey, Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley. Although these are all relatively cool growing regions, La Crema’s Chardonnays tend to be rich and ripe, with expansive aromas and flavors, no matter which region they come from or what the vintage might be. This 2016 Russian River Valley may be the boldest example I’ve yet tasted. Dark golden yellow in color, the wine exhibits all the boisterous energy and exuberance of a herd of wild horses. If you’re looking for a subtle and delicate white wine this one is not for you, but if you’re seeking forthright taste and texture do try La Crema 2016 Russian River Chardonnay.

This bright red colored entry-level Pinot Noir opens with a very fragrant red raspberry and oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and juicy. The flavor profile is a gentle oak and red plum blend with notes of minerality. I also detected some hints of red cherry and a dash of cinnamon. The finish is dry and its flavors and mild tannins subtly fade away. This Pinot is friendly given the price point and would pair well with mahi-mahi sandwich.

This is Kendall-Jackson’s mid-tier Cabernet Sauvignon, positioned between their Vintner’s Reserve and their Alexander Valley Jackson Estate bottlings. A balanced blend of five Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon [81%], Petit Verdot [9%], Merlot [5%], Cabernet Franc [3%] and Malbec), it’s focused on dark fruit flavors. Suave and soft tannins make it ideal for current consumption.

Winemaker Dave Ready Jr. adds a splash of Chardonnay to his Pinot Grigio and the result is a touch more body and spice to go with the citrus notes typically associated with this grape variety. The perfect summer quaffer.

The Murphy-Goode touch with Sauvignon Blanc is evident here, producing a plush sauvignon that shows richness and softness on the palate with notes of tropical fruit, melon and grapefruit. Easy to drink and enjoyable to the last drop.

North Coast Part 1: Napa Valley’s Incredible 2016s Unfortunately, there won’t be a 2017 due to the fires, but the perfect 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder should certain tide you over. This literally off-the-charts effort is a good as Cabernet Sauvignon gets, offering complex blueberry and blackberry fruits, violets, bay leaf, and forest floor aromas and flavors. It’s a big, structured mountain Cabernet, yet it has a seamless texture, incredible elegance paired with full-bodied power, building tannins, and a great, great finish. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it will keep for 3+ decades. Good luck keeping your hands off it, though. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2051

25 good California wines that you can get for $25 or less From a well-respected Sonoma winery, this cabernet-dominant Bordeaux blend lets the fruit shine through. It features 7 percent syrah and smaller proportions of petit verdot, malbec, cabernet franc and other grapes. A beautifully balanced wine, it’s restrained in style, giving up hints of crisp red fruit, orange and cranberry, followed by dusty tannins, big oak and chocolate.

Wine+Food pairing recommendation