Bright ruby-red. Smoky black raspberry and candied cherry on the nose, with sexy floral and mineral scents adding complexity. Sappy red and dark berry flavors show very good clarity, gaining power and sweetness with air. This appealingly forward, seamless pinot blends power with vivacity and finishes sweet, smoky and long.

Pomegranate, dark red cherries, mint, spices and wild flowers flesh out in the 2012 Pinot Noir Clone 2 A. This is one of the more supple, textured Pinots in the Cambria range. The soft tannins give the 2012 plenty of early accessibility, but there is also more than enough depth to support at least a handful of years in the cellar.

Of the nearly 180 Pinot Noirs from 2012 that I've tasted since March, only 60 have scored less than 90 points.

This single-vineyard selection from the Jackson Family’s Santa Maria Valley winery kicks off with scents ranging from red, blistered tomato to pomegranate reduction and mole sauce. On the palate, flavors vary from sweeter berry to tart cherry, with a savory, roasted pork element rounding out the wine.

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, earthy, herbal aromas; deep, stewed cherry flavors with earthy notes, some oak and tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, rich Pinot with lots of earthy notes.

Also outstanding and highlighting pure Pinot fruit, the 2011 Pinot Noir Clone 115 is pretty and elegant, with classic underbrush, crushed flowers and spice giving way to a medium to full-bodied, textured and rich palate feel. Textbook stuff, with a slightly red-fruit slant, it will have another 7-8 years of prime drinking. Drink now-2021.

A rich, round wine the 2011 Pinot Noir Clone 2A wraps around the palate with serious depth. Dark red cherries, cola and spices all flesh out in this radiant, generous Pinot. The style is enveloping, textured and beautifully perfumed throughout. This is one of the showiest wines in the range, and it is very, very pretty.

Ruby-red. Spicy, highly perfumed aromas of black raspberry and candied rose, with a subtle touch of blood orange adding vivacity and lift. Supple and sweet on the palate, offering vibrant dark berry flavors that pick up a deeper cherry pit nuance with air. Closes smooth, seamless and very long, with lingering florality and a touch of vanilla bean.

Deep ruby color; deep, plum aromas with spice and pepper notes; deep, dense plum and cherry flavors with earthy, pepper notes; some tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, dense Pinot with the structure for some age.

Juicy, expressive and layered, the 2011 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard impresses for its silky fruit, perfumed aromatics and lovely overall balance. Absolutely nothing is out of place in a gracious, mid-weight Pinot with tons of near term appeal. A high-toned, floral-infused finish nicely balances the exuberant fruit. This is another fabulous value from Cambria.

Bright ruby-red.  Intense, spice-accented aromas and flavors of candied red fruits and floral pastilles.  Juicy and penetrating in the mid-palate, then energetic on the back end, showing a lingering floral quality.  Gentle tannins make a late appearance but are already playing nicely with the vibrant fruit.

Bright ruby.  Pungent cherry, blackberry and floral pastille aromas, with complicating notes of spicecake and black tea.  Spice-accented cherry-cola and black raspberry flavors are lifted by tangy minerality, which adds focus and refreshing cut.  This rich, energetic pinot finishes with very good breadth, gentle tannins and lingering spiciness.

This is a big, fleshy wine, with evident tannins and acidity that give it bite and structure. The flavors are ripe and pure, suggesting red and black cherry pie filling, with lots of dusty spice and a hint of sweet oak. It will be very nice now and over the next 4-5 years. And with more than 22,000 cases produced, it should be relatively easy to find.

The 2009 Barbara's Pinot is another of the big, super-ripe wines endowed with considerable fatness in its fruit. Hints of leather and spices wrap around the finish. The Pinot Noir Barbara's was fermented in open-top French oak barrels, and aged for ten months in oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Medium ruby color, deep ripe cherry and earthy aromas; rich, ripe, deep, earthy flavors with spicy stewed cherry notes; good structure and balance; long finish. Ripe and full Pinot with really nice flavors and the structure to carry it for a few years at least.

Deep, bright red. Intense, mineral-dominated aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and fresh rose, with a suave incense quality gaining power with air. Firm red berry and cherry skin flavors spread across the palate and pick up baking spice and white pepper notes on the back end. Impressively pure and focused pinot, finishing with excellent lift and lingering florality.

Ironically, already out of stock because of the movie Sideways that never made it up to the spectacular Santa Maria Bench. Look for notes of dill and strawberry mixed with black cherry and rhubarb textures preview bits of cinnamon game and black fruit flavours. Stylish, intense pinot.

The only Syrah I was able to taste from this estate was the 2015 Syrah Tepusquet. It's a smoky, meaty, barbecue-scented beauty that has lots of pepper and dark fruits, medium to full body, a ripe, sexy texture, and a great finish. It has ample character and will keep for 5-6 years.

One of the South Coast's finest wineries. Starts with green apple, peach, buttercup and spice aromas. Amazingly laser-like Great acidity. The finish lasts for a full minute.

The 1999 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is one of the best they have made. The vintage's good acidity buttresses the copious quantities of honeyed orange/pineapple fruit infused with citrus oils and gentle, toasty oak. It is rich, full bodied, undeniably attractive Chardonnay fruit bomb that should drink well for 2-3 years.

Another blockbuster from this Santa Barbara County winery. Rich, fruity and complex, with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. Shows why Santa Barbara has emerged as perhaps the leading Chardonnay region in California.

Young and tight, with spicy citrus, tangerine, pear and pineapple notes that spread out on the finish, showing elegance and finesse.

Brilliant deep straw. Medium-bodied. High extract, moderate oak. Bananas, melon, vanilla. Very aromatic, with a big, ripe, buttery character on the palate. Has just enough acidity to keep it balanced; right through the finish.

The top Chardonnay in Cambria's portfolio is the Chardonnay Reserve, a blend of the best barrels in the cellar. Lush, ripe tropical fruit aromas and flavors are well-displayed in the 1994, as well as more high quality, toasty new oak, and a deeper, more powerful and concentrated feel on the palate. Moreover, this wine provides a hefty alcoholic kick. This is a big, boldly-styled Chardonnay to drink over the next 1-2 years.

A bold, ripe and harmonious California Chardonnay with rich, spicy pear, honey and butterscotch nuances. Picks up a smoky, somewhat leesy note and leaves a wonderful aftertaste.