The 2016 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is fresh, fruity and forward, all qualities that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Ripe red cherry, plum, spice and cola are pushed forward in this racy, succulent Zinfandel. Soft contours and bright acids add to the wine's considerable appeal. Simply put, the 2016 is gorgeous.

Another gorgeous wine, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Latro offers a compelling mélange of dark red cherry, plum, herb, graphite and mocha notes. The mineral and savory-driven brightness that makes Knights Valley wines so compelling comes through loud and clear in this very pretty, singular Cabernet Sauvignon. Sadly, production is just one-third of normal.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Kiser En Haut is absolutely gorgeous. In 2016, the Kiser En Haut has a bit more depth and textural richness than it has had at times in the past, most likely the result of a growing season that was quite favorable. The 50% whole clusters are very well-integrated. I am shocked how well the 2016 shows given it was racked just a few days prior to this tasting.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Kiser En Bas is deep, pliant and super-expressive. Wells Guthrie opted to work with fully destemmed fruit for the Kiser En Bas 2016. Interestingly, the two Kiser Pinots are not as differentiated today as I would have thought. It will be interesting to see where things end up when the wines are bottled.

The 2016 Syrah Brosseau is shaping up to be a real beauty. Silky, layered and polished, the Brosseau has a tone of potential. The 50% whole clusters are barely perceptible. Delicate and nuanced, with superb persistence and depth, the 2016 has a lot to offer.

The 2017 Lassegue displays a deep garnet-purple color and quite a spicy nose giving up black pepper, cinnamon and cloves notes over a core of crème de cassis and preserved plums with a waft of dusty soil. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of chewy tannins and tons of black fruit layers, finishing long and spicy.

The 2016 Red Wine (Sonoma County) is laced with the essence of blackberry jam, chocolate, mocha, new leather and licorice. Bold and ample on the palate, with quite a bit of structure, the 2016 is decidedly ripe and also virile in style. The 2016 is shaping up to be the best wine from Cenyth yet.

Copain's 2015 Syrah Baker Ranch is deep, pungent and very savory, with a lot of whole cluster influence from the 100% stem inclusion. There is good aromatic intensity, but readers should expect a somewhat compact, austere style, especially on the mid-palate, where the wine is presently very shut down. It will be interesting to see if time helps the 2015 find a bit more generosity. Rose petal, white pepper, chalk and bright red fruit are all nicely delineated.

The 2015 Chardonnay Laureles Grade has an attractive stony/flinty quality that gives the wine its slightly nervous, tense personality. Apple, pear, wet stone and white flowers are very nicely delineated. Medium in body and a touch compact in feel, the 2015 has plenty to offer. This is nicely done.

The 2015 Innovant, Captûre's Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, is terrific. Juicy red berry, tobacco, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice and cedar are all nicely put together in this pliant, supple red. Open-knit and silky, the 2015 will drink well upon release. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.

A ripe, lush style, with honeycomb, white ginger, warm brioche and creamed yellow apple and pineapple flavors gliding through. A light verbena thread keeps this fresh enough, but this is squarely on the showy, crowd-pleasing side of things.

The 2016 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers up a bright bouquet of honeyed citrus, preserved lemon, apple and beeswax, framed by a touch of nutmeg-like leesiness. On the palate, the wine is mediumbodied, with lovely glossy texture underpinned by lots of cut, finishing with good length and grip. This is one of Brewer-Clifton's largest cuvées, and it's keenly priced too.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Van Der Kamp Vineyard is gracious and airy in the glass, with lovely aromatic complexity and less overt fruit than is found in many of the other wines in the range. Readers should expect a gracious, understated style. Here, too, my impression is that the wine will be even better in another few months, once the whole clusters assimilate into the wine more fully.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Lingenfelder Vineyard is laced with dried cherry, rose petal, spice, mint and lavender. Silky and medium in body, the 2015 has terrific purity of fruit. The 2016 appears to still be recovering from its recent bottling a few months ago. The 30% whole clusters are nicely integrated, even at this early stage.

The 2016 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is a very pretty, appellation-level wine from Novy. Pliant, silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2016 has so much to offer. Lifted floral notes add brightness to the red berry and purplish fruit. Best of all, this juicy, mid-weight Zinfandel offers serious quality for the money.

The 2014 Desvelado is a new Merlot-based wine from Matanzas Creek. Succulent, forward and racy, the 2014 has quite a bit to offer. The blend of Merlot with dollops of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot works very well. Best of all, the 2014 will drink well upon release.

The 2015 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is gorgeous. Supple, creamy and inviting, the 2015 offers lovely depth in a forward, friendly wine that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Apricot, tangerine, pineapple and buttery notes all flesh out in this super appealing, plush appellation-level Chardonnay. All the elements are very nicely balanced.

A wine of impact, the 2016 Pinot Noir Outland Ridge offers striking depth to match its bold personality. Succulent dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather and licorice are all pushed forward in this deep, fleshy Pinot from Kendall-Jackson.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkeye Mountain is open-knit and inviting, with attractive mineral and savory notes that add nuance. Grilled herbs, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and sage add nuance to this deeply flavored yet mid-weight mountain wine.

The 2016 Chardonnay Grand Reserve is sourced entirely from estate vineyards in Santa Barbara and Monterey. Pliant and supple, with terrific depth, the Grand Reserve is another wine that punches above its weight. Apricot, orange peel, mint, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all add nuance.

Lushly ripe pear and butter flavors are backed by vibrant, lemony acidity in this wine. It has good depth, medium body and a creamy texture, but stays balanced and fresh on the palate, leading to a lingering finish. Another outstanding vintage for a classic California wine.

Kendall-Jackson's 2016 Chardonnay Camelot Highlands is bright and nicely lifted. Candied lemon peel, white flowers, mint and chalk give the Camelot its distinctive top notes. Medium in body and super-refined, the 2016 is a wonderfully inviting wine to drink now and over the next handful of years.

The 2015 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard is forward, fruity and absolutely delicious. Although not especially complex nor subtle, the 2015 packs a serious punch in its dark red/purplish berry character. Plush and voluptuous on the palate, with silky tannins, the 2015 is wonderfully accessible today.

This dark red colored Pinot Noir from Oregon opens with a mild black cherry bouquet with hints of raspberry tea and cigar box. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, refined and smooth. The flavor profile is a gentle red plum and flinty minerality blend. We also detected notes of black cherry and oak along with a hint of cinnamon. The finish is smooth and dry while its flavors fade away nicely. The Panel suggested pairing this Pinot with a veal chop or venison.

Galerie's 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Pleinair is laced with the essence of black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and licorice. Drink this juicy, flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon over the next decade or so. There is plenty of near to medium-term appeal. This is the first vintage that includes fruit from Bosché, one of the most famous vineyards in Napa Valley.