Arrowood's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County is plump, juicy and forward, with lovely depth and terrific overall balance. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate, spices and new leather flow through to the effortless, gracious finish. Dollops of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc round out the blend in this stylish red.

A new offering, or at least the first time I’ve tasted it, is the 275-case 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Justi Creek Vineyard from Sonoma. This shows more roasted herbs, red and blackcurrants, a hint of vanilla, and a creamy, fleshy, mouthfeel without the complexity or delineation of the Reserve Speciale. Nevertheless it has outstanding density and potential. This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a combination of French and American oak, of which 38% was new. It should drink well for at least 10-15 years, although I doubt that it ever hits the heights that the Reserve Speciale will.

More serious, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard possesses terrific color saturation in addition to sweet, concentrated blackberry and currant fruit intermixed with underbrush and smoke characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered, and impressive, it is one of the finest Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted. Given its opulence, it will be accessible young, and should age well for 10-15 years.

Medium ruby. Black fruits, licorice, menthol and a slightly syrupy note on the somewhat medicinal nose. Quite tight and tannic today, and not yet as pliant as the 2006. In a tough stage, displaying solid underlying minerality but currently hiding its fruit sweetness.

Good full, bright ruby. Slightly reduced aromas of crushed cassis, minerals and bitter chocolate. Full and broad but quite dry, and still a bit reduced. Juicy and intensely flavored, but not as expressive today as the Montana. Finishes with tongue-coating tannins and lingering black fruit flavors. A very strong performance for vines that are less than ten years old. Comes across as more tannic, but lower in acidity, than the Montana.

Dark red fruit, with a touch of funk, dominate the nose, with touches of anise, black pepper, and the Oxford comma. Fruity and rich on the palate, with a bit of stewedness, a healthy dose of acid, and some earthy spice. While this is a bit outside of my “normalcy” this is a healthy, vibrant cross between the old and new worlds. And that is a good thing. Excellent.

USA, Oregon: 2016 Vintage – Part Two A barrel sample, the 2017 Pinot Noir Kiana is pale ruby-purple in color with a nose of red cherry pie, blueberries, strawberry and raspberry jam plus nuances of exotic spice, wood smoke, dried leaves and tobacco with a classy frame of new oak. Light to medium-bodied, it offers wonderful concentration of juicy fruits in the mouth with layers of earth and spice, framed by smooth, velvety tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and spicy.

USA, Oregon: 2016 Vintage – Part Two A barrel sample, the pale ruby-purple colored 2017 Pinot Noir Emery has a savory nose of black fruits, wood smoke and fresh tobacco leaves with hints of herbs and tar and a touch of alcoholic heat. Medium-bodied, it's very earthy in the mouth with soil and tar notions over black fruits, framed with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and savory. This needs more time to come together but shows promise.

The 1995 Merlot is potentially a bigger and richer wine than either the 1994 or 1993. It is powerful and rich as a result of the extended maceration (30 days on the skins) and slow fermentation (because of the use of natural yeasts). A blend of 84% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc, this wine possesses exceptional potential. Moreover, it will last for 12-15 years. (Also appeared 12/20/96).

An impressive, full-bodied, low acid, dense, powerful wine, it possesses plenty of black currant and berry fruit intertwined with licorice, smoke, and vanillin scents. This layered, chewy, broad-shouldered, husky wine should be drinkable when released, and keep for two decades.

The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, much like its Merlot counterpart, is even more powerful and fuller-bodied, with impressive levels of extract, as well as a forward, low acid, richly fruity character emphasizing plenty of smoke, chocolate, black cherry, and cassis fruit. Despite its preciousness, this Cabernet is a candidate for 15+ years of cellaring, although it will be drinkable upon release.

The lighter 2003 Legacy Proprietary Red (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot) is sweet and spicy with plenty of power, potency, and flavor. It will merit consumption during its first 10-12 years of life.

There's a tiny 200 cases of the 2015 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard as this vineyard was hit by frost. Violets, black and blue fruits and dried flowers all emerge from this spice-filled, primary, medium to full-bodied effort that shines for its depth of fruit.

The 2015 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard is primary and unevolved (more so than the 2014 was at this stage) and has perfumed, exotic notes of passion fruits, spring flowers and violets. Medium-bodied, rich and nicely concentrated, with high quality tannin, it should certainly be an outstanding wine to drink on release and over the following 7-8 years.

Another terrific barrel sample from the Santa Lucia Highlands, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard offers lots of creme de cassis, licorice, crushed violets and hints of sweet oak in its sappy, floral and vibrant personality. Again, the fruit profile here leans towards the darker end of the spectrum. Like the other 2015s, I suspect it will shine right out of the gate given its purity of fruit and nicely balanced style. There are 125 cases made.

Brilliant ruby-red. Sexy, spice-accented red fruits and rose pastille on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Shows appealing sweetness and no rough edges, with a spine of juicy acidity adding structure. Quiet forward, with smooth, nearly invisible tannins lending shape to the wine's fruit on the long finish.

The 2014 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills should be a classic expression of the region, showing lots of spice, red fruit and dried soils aromas and flavors. Balanced, polished and elegant with plenty of fruit, it should certainly be an outstanding wine, and at the price, is an excellent value in Pinot Noir.

Scheduled to be bottled in August, the 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands bottling comes more from the northern part of the appellation in 2014 (the 2013 was mostly from the southern end). It has lots of sweet cherries, roast, violets and minty characteristics as well as a ripe, voluptuous and still lively feel on the palate. More red-fruit dominated than the 2013, it's similarly styled and should certainly be an outstanding wine.

Showing a more savory edge, with lots of dried herbs, leather, autumn leaves and assorted red fruit characteristics, the 2014 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is medium-bodied, nicely texture and has fine tannin that emerge on the finish. Despite the savory aromatic slant, it's sweetly fruited and balanced on the palate. I suspect it will show nicely on release.

The 2014 Zinfandel Limerick Lane Vineyard captures the essence of this historic site. The flavors are dark, bold and intense, throughout, with plenty of ripeness, richness and overall intensity yet also good acidity throughout. With time in the glass, the wine gains freshness and focus. The Limerick Lane is a big boy, that is for sure.

Novy's 2014 Zinfandel Papera Ranch Vineyard is defined by a touch of Carignane in the vineyard that gives it a sense of aromatic lift and its red-toned fruit character. Pomegranate, sweet red cherry, wild flowers and white pepper are all nicely delineated in the glass.

Offers more intensity, layers of flavor, and enticing texture as well as length.

Good saturated medium ruby. Briary aromas of cassis, bitter chocolate and menthol, along with a floral aspect. Lush and thick, with fruit-driven flavors of bitter cherry and menthol. Rich, dense and layered, but given shape by the firm acidity of the vintage. This should develop slowly and last well.

...dense purple-colored (Merlot) is superb. From a vineyard planted at 2, 500 feet with very poor soils...this formidably-endowed Merlot poseses aromas and flavors of roasted coffee, black fruits, iron, and smoke. Full-bodied, chewy, and muscular, yet accessible, it should drink well...