There are Rosés that steer to acidy firmness and others that are softer and rounder in tone, and this one joins the latter, yet, for all of its open and slightly juicy appeal, it does lapse into candied softness and is well-supported by integral acidity. While its scant bit of residual sugar and fruity insistence make it a winning wine for drinking without food, it is sufficiently balanced to do double duty as a tasty foil to any number of lighter poultry dishes. 1 star, good value.

Bright as can be with overtones of cherries and a freshening element of watermelon evident throughout, this spry, squeaky clean, slightly juicy Rosé is so nicely balanced that its trim of sweetness is subordinate to lively fruit. It makes no claims to complexity but is an inviting, immensely likeable offering that will drink equally well with or without food, and it is well worth seeking out, especially when discounted as it often is. 1 star, good value.

This is a good, reliable unoaked style of wine that will please a lot of different drinkers. It has mild pear and apple aromas, fresh-tasting fruit flavors and a good lively texture that refreshes the mouth.

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché is a Napa Valley Classic I’ll admit that I spend my wine days and nights in New York chasing the obscure. Bring me all your wonderfully weird wines! Sometimes, though, this is at the expense of the classics. Case in point would be the Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché. I had the pleasure of tasting this wine with Ted Edwards, director of winemaking. He’s been responsible for the wines at Freemark Abbey for over three decades. Now that’s a hell of a tenure. After a very nice 2016 Chardonnay (extremely satisfying for $30) we dove into two library wines. The 2003 was in an outstanding place. I have to confess to not liking super-old wines. OK, if you want to open a top Bordeaux from 1945, 1961, 1982, etc. for me I would be absolutely delighted. But in general I do not like wines that have lost all their fruit, particularly white wines. So at 15 years, this wine was perfect. Plenty of primary fruit flavors with a blend of those secondary, more savory characteristics that only come with bottle age. The decade-old 2008 was remarkably youthful.

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché is a Napa Valley Classic I’ll admit that I spend my wine days and nights in New York chasing the obscure. Bring me all your wonderfully weird wines! Sometimes, though, this is at the expense of the classics. Case in point would be the Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché. I had the pleasure of tasting this wine with Ted Edwards, director of winemaking. He’s been responsible for the wines at Freemark Abbey for over three decades. Now that’s a hell of a tenure. After a very nice 2016 Chardonnay (extremely satisfying for $30) we dove into two library wines. The 2003 was in an outstanding place. I have to confess to not liking super-old wines. OK, if you want to open a top Bordeaux from 1945, 1961, 1982, etc. for me I would be absolutely delighted. But in general I do not like wines that have lost all their fruit, particularly white wines. So at 15 years, this wine was perfect. Plenty of primary fruit flavors with a blend of those secondary, more savory characteristics that only come with bottle age. The decade-old 2008 was remarkably youthful.

Out of the ordinary wines for Father's Day Forward fruit and attractive complexity on the nose presage similar characters on the palate and are joined by tannins that call for pairing with burgers, brats, barbecue and much more.

Pink wines continue to grow in popularity From California, I found several (in order of my preference, but all are recommended) from various appellations... • Mendocino County: Copain Tous Ensemble ($25) intense, earthy.

Try These 20 Great Rosés From France and the West Coast Another pinot noir rosé, this elegant wine from Mendocino County has crisp acidity and strawberry flavors.

As part of an ongoing wine dinner series on June 7, Carmel Road Winery joined the Whaling Station Steakhouse for an exquisite meal paired carefully with its best varietals, those that Monterey County is known for: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir… To round out a beautiful savory meal came a beautiful savory dessert: a lush, velvety, very small-batch 2014 North Crest Pinot Noir alongside a cheese plate serving burrata, brie, blue cheese and a new local standout: honeycomb from Carmel Honey Company. Dried cherries, walnuts and raspberries dotted the yummy dish. Although the honeycomb went well with all the cheeses, particular deliciousness emerged when the golden sweetness combined with pungent blue cheese, finished with deep, acidic tones of dark berries.

As part of an ongoing wine dinner series on June 7, Carmel Road Winery joined the Whaling Station Steakhouse for an exquisite meal paired carefully with its best varietals, those that Monterey County is known for: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir… Then came a turn to reds for the main course and dessert. Carmel Road’s 2014 Panorama Vineyard Pinot stood up to each soft, hearty bite of filet mignon, made even heartier when forked together with flavorful green peppercorn sauce, sauteed spinach and scalloped potatoes. Since the filet comes lower in fat, it made a match in heaven with the very fruity Pinot—low on tannins but high on berry brightness.

Out of the ordinary wines for Father's Day This well-priced, SIP-Certified Pinot has strengths across the board with rich fruit evident on its attack, followed by growth of complexity and fine tannins. Long and expressive on the finish.

As part of an ongoing wine dinner series on June 7, Carmel Road Winery joined the Whaling Station Steakhouse for an exquisite meal paired carefully with its best varietals, those that Monterey County is known for: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir… The second course, a decadent salad topped with two blackened prawns, went along smoothly with Carmel Road’s 2015 East Bend Chardonnay–a juicy, apple-y and quite traditionally lovely Chard with just a hint of oak. The strong butter sat well with the well-spiced prawns and delicate dressing.

Napa’s New Hot Wine List Here are our picks of the top 2016 Cabernet lots from Barrel Auction 2018. Cardinale With the tight structure of youth (yes, these wines are young), the Cardinale ($68,900) still gives up lovely raspberry flavors laced with fresh herbs and minerality. This has the power to live a long time in the cellar.

Pink wines continue to grow in popularity From California, I found several (in order of my preference, but all are recommended) from various appellations... • Santa Maria Valley: Cambria Julia’s Vineyard ($25) spicy, tangy.

Try These 20 Great Rosés From France and the West Coast From pinot noir grapes grown in the Santa Maria Valley, this broadly flavored rosé has bright notes of strawberries and grapefruit.

Wines of the Week Julia’s Vineyard at Cambria Estate Winery in the Santa Maria Valley was planted beginning in 1974 making it one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the area. Mature vines yield the finest fruit, and my tasters appreciated cranberry and cherry fruit with earthy mineral and baking spices. A nice acid balance makes for excellent pairing with our grilled salmon.

Have a blast this Fourth of July with American wines Some people think zinfandel is a bit rustic or just too high in alcohol for the weather. The most flexible barbecue drink may be the popular and lighter pinot noir. Cambria “Benchbreak” 2014 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir smells earthy and full of black cherry with tastes of baking spices and cherry liquor and a light finish.

Wine of the Week California wines don't feature here as often as I would like, or as often as perhaps they should. There are any number of wines I'd like to recommend, but the problem is usually price – expensive compared to wines from elsewhere. But that's just the way it is: land is expensive, there's a ready domestic market, etcetera. That said, the price of this single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the cool, coastal Santa Maria Valley seems eminently fair. With a few years under its belt, it still has sea-breeze freshness and sweetly fragrant cranberry, cherry and spice flavours, but there are now delicately mature, savoury, nutty, Earl Grey tea notes adding complexity. For those who want a world context: yes, it has Burgundian style, As for serving, it has good structure, so it's a wine for food, but I wouldn't overwhelm it with strong spices, heavily reduced sauces or sharp dressings, Herbs such as rosemary and thyme work well, and mature Pinot loves mushrooms, especially morels.

14 Great Rosés Under $20 To Drink This Summer Apparently, it’s National Rosé Day, so drink up! Drew Barrymore is good at a lot of things: acting, sharing ingenious beauty tips, and making wine! Don't believe us? Try this pinot noir rosé with flavors of red fruits, fragrant notes of peach and apricot, and a crisp citrus finish.

As part of an ongoing wine dinner series on June 7, Carmel Road Winery joined the Whaling Station Steakhouse for an exquisite meal paired carefully with its best varietals, those that Monterey County is known for: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir… Swirling, sniffing and sipping the first pour, it became clear why he might want to indulge, as the Pinot Grigio delivered an aroma of ripe, honeyed stone fruit, and a very crisp, clean and sharp (even bordering on effervescent) mouthfeel. The biting zest fit well with Whaling Station’s starter, housemade short rib ravioli. The creamy herbed butter sauce plus red wine reduction on short rib that Executive Chef David Stember had been braising all day made for a rich and luxurious beginning that was tempered by the Pinot Grigio’s tartness.

Then came the 2011 Arcanum, an Italian Super Tuscan with 77 percent cabernet franc. Ryan decided to test us by serving it to us blind. I was able to guess that it was red. Ryan was blown away by my skills of perception. Terry had to show me up, of course. She opined that it was an Italian wine, not sure of the varietal. As is often the case with European wines, it will shine with food, especially something hearty like a ribeye steak.

We started with the 2014 Zena Crown Conifer Pinot Noir from Oregon. It presented unlike most California pinots, with a bright bouquet and a powerful finesse, but not a strong berry flavor. Not a fruit bomb – more European in style. At $75/bottle, one to consider but I recommend you taste it first if possible.

13 of the best red wines to be drinking this winter Grenache Of course, Grenache is an established variety in Australia, but has too long been used as a blending wine only, typically with Shiraz. Recently, though, Australian wine makers have started producing some top quality single variety Grenache, primarily in the South Australian regions of Barossa and McLaren Vale, which are definitely the ones to go for in the winter months. The fact that Grenache has been grown here for decades already means the vines are older than many of the other varieties listed here, and likely to produce more complex wines. Grenache is fine-textured in terms of tannin structure, and low in acid, with notes of cherry and white pepper. Old-vine Grenache is a great choice when looking for an interesting premium red for winter. Two to try... Yangarra 'High Sands' Grenache, 2014, McLaren Vale.

Pink wines continue to grow in popularity From Oregon’s Willamette Valley...and juicy WillaKenzie Estate.

Wines of the Week The WillaKenzie Estate winery is in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Their Gisele Pinot Noir is crafted from selected lots from the estate and aged for 10 months in French oak, 20% new. Look for aromas and flavors of bright red fruits with tangy notes of cola, herbs, barrel toast and cocoa. Good acidity makes it a natural to pair with salmon.