Tasting 2008 Oregon Pinot Noirs at Age 10 On the lighter side, with refreshing, open-textured guava and cherry flavors.

Well-made, with lots of apricot, caramelized citrus, honeysuckle and floral notes all emerging from the glass, the 2016 Viognier Saralee's Vineyard is clean, has plenty of texture, and nicely integrated acidity. It's a rock-solid expression of the variety to drink over the coming year or two.

Leading off the reds, the 2015 Merlot Alexander Valley offers classic cedary spice, tobacco, and black cherry notes in a rounded, supple, open knit style. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years.

Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of cherry, sandalwood and fertile earth. Forward-drinking style, offering satisfying flavors of black cherry, dark red raspberry and the slightest hint of oak. Soft tannins make for easy drinking and the modest finish is just good enough. Score: 89

Mostly barrel fermented, the 2016 Chardonnay is a clean, classy effort that has solid ripeness and depth. Orange blossom, white peach, and a touch of tangerine all give way to a juicy, clean, pure, textured effort that's not going to make old bones, but will dish out pleasure over the coming year or two.

Coming from the Neely and Barham vineyards in Santa Barbara County, the 2016 Syrah Jackson Estate Alisos Hills offers a classic bouquet of black fruits, scorched earth, camphor, and charred meats. Nicely balanced on the palate, with medium body, integrated acidity, and some smoke, meaty characteristics, it’s a rock-solid Syrah that has real character. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot (there are even small amounts of Syrah and Grenache), the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve is a delicious, high quality, classic Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherries, some tobacco, and cedar notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, classy, balanced, delicious red.

A small step up in price, the 2016 Chardonnay Grand Reserve comes from Santa Barbara and Monterey counties and was brought up all in French oak, 29% new. This cuvée goes completely through malolactic fermentation. Similarly colored to the Vintners Reserve, with vibrant notes of pineapple, mango, spice, and honeyed citrus, it’s clean, nicely balanced, and textured, with loads of charm. It’s another well-made, borderline outstanding Chardonnay to drink over the coming couple of years.

The uniqueness of Santa Maria Valley, as a whole, stems from its east-west orientation, instead of the usually north-south orientation of most California valleys. This orientation allows the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean direct access to the vineyards. Indeed, vineyards just a few miles inland are considerable warmer, producing grapes and wines with different flavor profiles, than ones further west. Although Camelot Highlands is still in Santa Maria Valley, Kendall-Jackson’s Chardonnay from there is quite different from their other Santa Maria bottling, demonstrating the diversity of that valley. This one delivers more spiced tropical fruit flavors balanced by lively acidity. Tasting the two side-by-side shows that location does matter. 89 points.

Brought up all in old wood and completely destemmed, the 2016 Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble reminds me a quality Côte de Beaune with its pretty red fruits, flowers, and earth. It has lively acidity, excellent purity of fruit, light tannin, and a clean, precise style on the palate.

Made from 100% Chardonnay, the 2016 Chardonnay Tous Ensemble is a juicy, clean, crisp expression of Chardonnay. From the Cloud Landing and Carneros Hills West vineyards, its classic bouquet of lemon curd, rose petal, salty minerality, and earth all give way to a medium-bodied, fresh, lively, Chablis look-alike that will drink nicely for 3-4 years.

Brought up all in neutral barrels, the 2016 Chardonnay Sky Crest is another Anderson Valley release. Spiced apples, pear, dried earth, and dried thyme-like nuances all emerge from this medium-bodied, juicy Chardonnay that has both a sweet and savory style. There’s an evolved feel on the bouquet, but it’s vibrant and juicy on the palate, with good purity. Give bottle 6-12 months and it should keep for 3-4 years.

Tasting 2008 Oregon Pinot Noirs at Age 10 Firm in texture, with gritty tannins around a juicy core of blueberry, plum and savory flavors. 88 points.

Sourced from three sites in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the 2016 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast offers more tart, medium-bodied notes of cherries, mulberries, dried herbs and earth. It’s fresh, lively, short, and easy-drinking, with solid overall balance. Aged 15 months in 40% new French oak, drink it over the coming 4-5 years.

American wines for your July 4 party In 1979, Kendall-Jackson acquired La Crema, a small Russian River winery. Under that label, they produce multiple wines, including the 2016 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. Made from purchased grapes throughout the appellation, the translucent cherry hue is eye appealing. Its black pepper and herbal aroma and flavor relinquish their primacy after 45 minutes of aeration, leaving the cherry and strawberry characteristics to come to the fore. The medium body and easy accessibility make this a go-to red wine for everything from grilled hamburgers to steaks. 88 points.

Black cherries, toasted spice, and a kiss of earth all emerge from the 2016 Pinot Noir, which is a forward, supple, charming Pinot Noir that has solid depth and richness. This cuvée comes all from the Sonoma Coast and spent 8 months in 25% new French oak.

This dark coral colored wine from Kendall Jackson opens with red cherry and strawberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and slightly acidic. The flavor profile is a mild mineral infused strawberry with notes of tangerine and a hint of red cherry. The finish is dry and its flavors and acidity are nicely prolonged. This Rose would pair well with shrimp cocktail. 88 points.Very good.

Spicy and creamy textured up front, smokier and oakier midpalate on, offering plum, black cherry, anise and cedar flavors. A sturdy style that's easy to drink, with room to grow.

Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2016 Vintners Reserve comes all from coastal sites and was brought up in 20% new French oak. At 17 bucks, you get a juicy, red fruited, lively effort that has real typicity, a light texture, and a clean, balanced finish. At the volume for this cuvée (around million cases), the quality is shockingly good. It’s solid stuff.

Arguably, Kendall-Jackson is largely responsible for Americans’ love of Chardonnay.  So, it’s not surprising that they should expand their portfolio with site-specific bottlings of that variety.  This one, from Santa Maria Valley, delivers fruity, spiced pineapple-like flavors along with the opulence for which KJ is known. 88 points.

Meyer lemon, hazelnut and Gravenstein apple aromas show on the clean and restrained nose of this Chardonnay that comes from Santa Barbara and Monterey counties. Rounded peach blossom, Bartlett pear and more roasted nuts appear on the tightly wound sip.

The value-priced 2016 Chardonnay Vintners Reserve comes all from coastal sites and was brought up in a mix of French and American oak, 11% being new. It offers a clean, balanced, undeniably delicious profile of white peach and orchard fruits, with subtle spice and honeyed notes with time in the glass. It’s textured, balanced, and easy drinking, and is perfect for a house white. Drink it over the coming year or two.

Trim and rustic, with modest cherry, spice and tobacco flavors.

This opens with earthy aromas of scorched earth, tobacco leaf and black plum. The dense palate puts espresso, vanilla, clove and a hint of black cherry alongside taut tannins.

Light yellow color. Aromas of yellow pear, peaches and apples, mixed with notes of yellow flowers, honeycomb, white tea, whipped butter. Creamy and bold texture on the palate with medium acidity, and juicy fruits (bruised pear, baked apple) cinnamon notes, toasted almond, with white and yellow flowers and whipped butter. Rich and stylistically forward but well made. Aged eight months in 1/3 new French oak. 87 points.