Katherine’s Vineyard is located at coastal Santa Maria and is typically fog-covered and cool most mornings, providing a surface asset to match the underground fossilized seashells, shale, limestone and sand soils. The winery describes Katherine’s Chardonnay as an “ocean-influenced, single vineyard expression of refrigerated sunshine.” The wine is rich in flavour yet fresh with intense citrus, ripe red apple, tangerine and honey, supported by a cool underside of acidity and minerality. Food-friendly halibut dishes make a great match for this generous Chardonnay.

La Crema does a remarkable job of expressing the character of the various sub-AVAs where it makes pinot noir, which is no mean feat given its substantial output. The 2021 Monterey Pinot Noir is a snappy edition with bright red florals and cool, red plum leading the way. It spends eight months in French oak barrels (21 percent new). It was a long, cool growing season with some heat spikes that bumper the alcohol weight and texture of the wine, adding to its drinkability. We enjoyed this with a sweet soya poke, but salmon steaks would be fine too.

This renowned Yarra Valley producer’s multi-vineyard Chardy neatly demonstrates the paradox between the variety’s power and freshness Down Under. Fleshy peach, citrus and ginger are underpinned by toasty, mineral, lactic nuances. The palate walks a similar tightrope between richness and vibrancy, with length and structure amidst heaps of tangy fruit and subtle oak. Sovereign Wine Imports.

A nose of baking spices offers cinnamon and vanilla guiding the senses to a fruit focused palate. Cranberry, cherry and red plum are accented by barrel-driven spices, adding pleasant sweet flavors. Moderate acidity provides balance while a light note of herbs freshens the finish. Sovereign Wine Imports.

Dark fruited aromas, dried herbs, a touch of mint and dark spices. Full flavoured, plenty of plum, mulberry, spice and textured, savoury tannins. Long, mouth-filling and generously flavoured

Deep, dark red-purple colour, with a sweet blackberry jam aroma, the fruit sweetness and jammy flavours re-appearing on the palate where it has medium intensity and medium length. Lots of up-front charm here and an impression of sweetness.

The entry-level Tenuta di Arceno 2020 Chianti Classico reveals ripe cherry, rosemary, potting soil and blue iris. This is a lively expression with medium fruit weight and easy-drinking appeal. It plays its cards well in terms of freshness and accessibility. Within the greater Arceno portfolio, this wine hits that sweet spot between being approachable and pleasurable. This is an ambitious production of 147,500 bottles.

Easy-to-like aromas of strawberry and wet stone converge on the nose of this bottling. The palate combines subtle flavors of watermelon, cotton candy and bubblegum, with ample acidity and a chalky texture.

Perfumed with sweet red and blue fruit, the 2020 Chianti Classico is Sangiovese with the addition of 15% Merlot. Forward with primary fruit, pressed flowers, and wet stone, it Is round and supple on the palate, with a silky-smooth texture, notes of black cherry and mocha, and crunchy red plum on the finish. This versatile and clean style of red can be shared across the table with a variety of dishes. Drink 2023-2028

Fresh and balanced, this medium-bodied white has a toasty overtone to a pretty mix of nectarine and apricot fruit. Reveals hints of heather, ground ginger and salted butter on the finish. Drink now. 550 cases made, 400 cases imported.

The warmth and richness of this Pinot Noir are apparent in the glass, but it’s not over-the-top. The mix of clonal material — 50 per cent Clone 4, 16 per cent Clone 667, 15 per cent Clone 23, 15 per cent Clone 2A and four percent Clone 115 — brings much complexity to the wine. The mix of red and dark fruit, namely dried cranberries and black cherry, is filled with plenty of savoury notes and brown spice in the finish. It’s always charming and silky smooth, and we like to chill the bottle before serving this wine to add a final touch of liveliness to the glass. Drink or hold through 2028.

Displays a nice savory base, with cinnamon bark and herb notes up front, joined by rich flavors of cherry and Santa Rosa plum around fine, minerally tannins. Drink now. 175 cases made, 175 cases imported.

Opens with apple blossom and mineral notes, which are underscored by a crème fraîche cast to the melon and Asian pear core. The finish is driven by vibrant mineral acidity. Drink now. 200 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Sweet dark cherry, plum, spice, licorice, mocha and lavender all come together in the 2019 Pinot Noir Ewald Vineyard. Supple and forward, with no hard edges, the Ewald is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so

The 2020 Chardonnay Four Hearts is a blend taken from several old vine sites in the Russian River Valley. It offers terrific depth for the year married to vibrant energy. Spice, mint, candied ginger, crushed rocks and citrus confit build nicely in this nervy yet mid-weight Chardonnay.

The 2019 Pinot Noir (Zena Crown Vineyard) Warrior Princess Block, from a site in EolaAmity Hills, is an attractive wine done in a lither, gracious style that offers plenty of near and medium-term appeal. Crushed flowers, spice, blood orange and sweet red berry fruit all grace this understated, classy Pinot.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Docker Hill is one of the most reticent wines in this range from Hartford. Bright, taut and classically austere, the Docker Hill is in no mood to show its cards today. Crushed rocks, mint , rose petal and white pepper lend brilliance. I am not sure this will ever fully soften, as the tannins are pretty incisive.

The 2019 Pinot Noir (Marin County) is savory, earthy and full of character. Dried cherry, leather, blood orange tobacco, game, cedar and herbs give the Marin County Pinot its distinctively wild personality. There's lovely depth in the 2019, not to mention a good deal of character too.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Seven's Bench is a soft, fruity wine with tons of upfront appeal.
Sweet red cherry/plum, spice, cola, new leather and cedar are front and center. Medium in body and supple, the Seven's Bench will drink well with minimal cellaring. There's lovely fruit expression here, all in a mid-weight style that is quite appealing.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Abel is attractive, but also a touch fleeting. Sweet floral accents, spice, mint, worn-in leather and dried cherry fruit all open in a stylish, ethereal Pinot that will drink well right out of the gate.

The 2020 Picpoul Blanc Copain Estate is a very pretty white. Light tropical accents and notable creaminess are more a reflection of vintage than variety, but all the
elements are nicely balanced.

This is a great cool-climate Chardonnay. Stone fruit and white pepper hints waft into the senses. It’s fruit-forward and creamy, with a refreshing palate that’s kept in check with good acidity.

There is a reason Cab from Mt. Veeder is nationally recognized. And that reason is in this bottle. Very deep and dark fruit is slightly uplifted by excellent natural mountain fruit acidity. The structure is firm, and the core is sound. It begs for a steak pairing.

Age has brought about the first signs of maturity in this Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon that sits on the throne of the company’s Estates Collection. There can be little doubt that 2017, in spite of a drought season was able to develop concentrated fruit so that this ferment would do well in elévage and emerge as a highly accomplished vintage wine. Which it is, with smart if just slightly furry acidity and the sharpness of trenchant tannins. Which incidentally will take another few years to fully settle and integrate into this highly professional wine. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted January 2023.

This is a very flavourful cabernet that is lighter on its feet than many in California, but still carries good structure. Will appeal to many tastes, which I sense is the drawing board design. Aromas are spot on somewhere between blackcurrant jam and black cherry. It is juicy and sweet-edged with with very good flavour concentration; then considerable sandy tannic grit. There is some immediate drinking appeal but it also has the stuffing to age. Best 2024 to 2028.