Aromas of deep black cherries, blackberries and currants, topped in violets, pepper, earth, leather, cocoa. Medium/full-bodied with silky but solid tannins, and fresh acidity balances the wine out nicely. Crunchy but deep plum, currant and black cherry fruit. Pretty, complex elements of smoky earth, cocoa, violets, sage, roasted red pepper. This deserves time, but is already harmonious and balanced. Classic 2016 stuff, here.

This winery has long been known for value, and this vintage of its Sonoma Coast pinot noir is a great example. Modestly priced but ambitiously crafted, it delivers layered aromas of cherry and pomegranate, a subtle note of oak spice and beautifully integrated tannins.

Crisp and clean aromas of strawberry, watermelon, chalk and citrus pith make for a very compelling nose on this bottling. There’s a great snap to the palate, where pure but delicate strawberry flavors leveled by an ashy streak.

Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018sThe 2017 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is marked by strong savory aromatics. Crushed rose petal, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs all open up nicely. Here too, there is some reduction, but it gradually starts to blow off, revealing an ethereal, gracious Pinot. I would prefer to drink this on the early side.

Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018sThe 2018 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is a very pretty, translucent wine. Sweet red cherry, wild flowers, mint, cinnamon and blood orange are all nicelty lifed, but what stands out most about the appellation wine is its superb balance and class. The 2018 is fabulous.

This is one of the best values around in high class Bordeaux from a good vintage. A blend of 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc, Les Cadrans is the second label of Chateau Lassegue, the Right Bank property guided by the estimable Pierre Seillan. This vintage is plush and supple, showing aromas of black cherry, red fruits and wood spice, with nicely integrated tannins and impressive length on the finish. Drink now or over the next eight to ten years.

The 2018s from Santa Barbara CountyMoving to the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Arroyo Seco was all destemmed and brought up in 36% new French oak. Impressive black raspberry and mulberry fruits as well as plenty of spice and incense notes emerge from this beauty, which is medium-bodied and has a supple, fruit-forward style that's a joy to drink. Enjoy bottles over the coming 3-5 years.

The 2018s from Santa Barbara CountySpiced peach and white currant fruits as well as some toasty notes emerge from the 2018 Chenin Blanc Jurassic Vineyard, a medium-bodied red with good purity, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a terrific example of Chenin Blanc from California that should drink nicely for 2-4 years.

The 2018s from Santa Barbara CountyPeppery herbs, green olives, violets, bacon fat, and ample darker, almost blue fruits emerge from the 2018 Syrah Ex Post Facto. Medium-bodied, with a juicy, elegant, Saint Joseph-like texture and a clean, lengthy finish, it's a classy, character-filled Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years.

Shimmering ruby. Oak-spiced aromas of dark berries and cherry cola take on a floral overtone with air. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, cola and rose pastille flavors and hints of mocha and spicecake. Shows strong, spicy lift on a long, spice-driven finish shaped by even, slow-mounting tannins. 37% new French oak.

Glistening ruby-red. Fresh blackberry, cherry liqueur, mocha and a spicy nuance on the deeply perfumed nose. Sweet, palate-coating red and blue fruit and cola flavors pick up floral pastille and smoky notes with aeration. Shows smooth, velvety texture and turns spicier on the long, youthfully tannic finish, which echoes the mocha note.

The second vintage of this wine, the 2018 King's Wood Shiraz comes from a single east-facing parcel, includes 25% whole clusters and aged in a 2,500-liter foudre. At only 13.5% alcohol, it may surprise people who are expecting a traditional South Australian style of Shiraz, but it's meant to. Spicy and slightly herbal on the nose, it offers boysenberry fruit and an uncommon sense of balance. Medium-bodied and suave in feel, it's an elegant, refined style of Shiraz that can be consumed over the next 6-7 years.

Toasty nose, fresh, smooth and tangy with bright fruit and good balance, ripe and creamy with notes of vanilla, long and charming.

Medium dark ruby. The Pinot Noir Ewald Vineyard offers earthy aromas and flavors of cherry. pomegranate and smoky spice. The palate reveals brambly notes of blueberry and blackberry with moderate intensity. The wine is well-balanced with good acidity, fine grained tannins, and a persistent finish. Ewald is a 3.1 acre vineyard of clones 115 and 777 located directly behind the Kistler winery in the Vine Hill area of Forestville. Matured in 30% new French oak for 14 months.

The Pinot Noir John Sebastiano displays a medium ruby color and aromas of spicy and brambly red berry fruit. On the palate it is seamless with an elegant texture, good concentration and a long finish. Planted in 2007, John Sebastiano is a relative newcomer to Sta. Rita Hills; it’s located on the eastern end of the appellation with steep vineyards and highly varied aspects, some exposed to strong winds.

The Siduri Santa Rita Hills displays pretty red fruit with a touch of spice. Full in the mouth, it is nicely balanced with good acidity and a pleasant finish. An easy drinking wine.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is medium ruby-purple and dark-fruited on the nose, with black cherries and berries accented by forest floor, mushroom, spices and minty touches. The medium-bodied palate offers bright, earth-laced fruits with a grainy frame, good freshness and long finish.

This is a grown-up wine that offers more than simply fruit or oak and boasts a good, moderately tannic texture that’s quite appetizing. It develops nice complexity on the palate, showing blackberry, black pepper and a touch of tobacco.

South Africa's renowed viticulturalist Rosa Kruger selected some of Western Cape's finest Chardonnay plots for this wine - its maiden vintage - where the purity of the orchard fruit is not masked by the toasty new oak which has softened with time. It is creamy and round, with just enough acidity to balance.Drinking Window 2017 - 2023

Minerally freshness accents the structured Gala apple and white cherry flavors, backed by a zesty core of acidity. Savory hints and lemon drop notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2025.

Plush, pillowy and lavishly spiced. Apple and peach pastry flavors dominate, with a creamy texture. Tropical fruit accents show on the rich, juicy finish. Drink now through 2024.

This brilliant and almost clear colored Sauvignon Blanc from Matanzas Creek opens with a fragrant white grapefruit and lime bouquet with hints of pineapple, limestone and Granny Smith apple. On the palate, this wine is light to medium bodied, nicely balanced and delicate. The flavor profile is a mild gooseberry and flinty mineral blend with notes of lime. We also detected hints of white grapefruit, pineapple and a touch of peach pit towards the end. The finish is dry and its flavors are pleasantly prolonged. The Panel suggested pairing this very good Sauvignon Blanc with fried scallops or grilled swordfish.

COMMENTARY: The 2017 WillaKenzie Estate Chardonnay is a packed and satisfying wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers a full experience on the palate and in the finish. Enjoy its concentrated aromas and flavors of ripe fruit and oaky notes with a well-seasoned Porchetta.

COMMENTARY: The 2017 Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is on point. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright and lively with beautiful and abundant red fruit aromas and flavors. Pair it with a grilled fillet of salmon.

Golden color, smooth, lush and juicy with depth and style; rich, toasty and tangy and lovely pear fruit and a long, balanced finish.