Try these nine Champagnes for some Christmas cheer From the Willamette Valley, this vibrant blend of chardonnay and pinot noir has an elegant pale pink color, bright acidity, apple/cherry flavors and a persistent finish.

Similarly, Jackson Family Wines’ Gran Moraine Pinot Noir from the Yamill-Cerlton AVA in Willamette Valley was awarded a Gold medal, proving the prowess of Oregon Pinot, although both wines are in the higher price bracket of HK$400-HK$799. Gold medal.

Asian Pinot Noir Masters: Gold

This wine is very fresh and upfront, featuring flint, apricot, persimmon and kumquat flavours, with a finish as clean as a spring day and with a cleansing balanced acidity. An array of inviting aromas are present, such as Meyer lemon, brown sugar, Asian pear, oregano, a hint of matchstick, white peach, brine, lees and perfume.

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain gives up wonderfully expressive crème de cassis, licorice, tar and underbrush notes with hints of charcuterie and bay leaves. Big, rich, full and opulent in the mouth, it has firm, velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long with spice nuances coming through.

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain leaps from the glass with vibrant black currant cordial, blueberry and black cherry scents with touches of tree bark, black pepper, rose hip tea and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate has a solid structure of firm, chewy tannins supporting the muscular fruit, finishing with great freshness and plenty of latent depth. Give it another 2-3 years in bottle and drink it over the next 30+.

2017 Oregon Chardonnay All-Americans

Very deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard has a compelling savoriness of char-grilled meat and roasted nuts on the nose with a core of crème de cassis, violets and crushed plums plus a touch of garrigue. Medium-bodied and tautly structured with firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, it has a incredible depth of primary fruit and earthy layers, finishing with incredible length and a lovely mineral hint.

2017 California Pinot Noir All-Americans First Team Wines ….ridiculously alluring….flat-out delicious….celebratory black cherry delight.

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain features an evocative red and black currant-scented nose with nuances of spice box, lavender, tilled soil and chargrill plus a hint of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is firm and fine grained, with lovely red and black fruit layers, finishing long and earthy.

Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard offers up the most incredibly perfumed nose of red and purple flowers over a core of kirsch, cinnamon stick, red currant jelly and pomegranate with a waft of black tea. Medium to full-bodied and built like a brick house, it has an incredible texture of very firm, very fine-grained tannins and electric freshness, finishing very long and very layered. Still very young, give it a year or two and drink it over the next 15-20+ years. Totally worth finding for Pinot lovers!

A barrel sample, the 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard features fresh grapefruit, lemon curd and white peach notes with wafts of crushed stones and lime blossom. The medium to full-bodied palate is super intense and wonderfully layered, packed with citrus, floral and mineral notes packaged in a creamy texture and defined by a racy backbone, finishing very long. Wow!

A barrel sample, the 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Jennifer’s Vineyard gives intense lemon drops, pineapple, guava and passionfruit notes with wafts of orange blossoms, brioche and ginger. The medium-bodied palate is positively electric, featuring super-charged citrus and tropical notes with mineral and spice layers in an elegant frame, with a seriously zippy backbone and very long, layered finish.

A barrel sample, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard bursts forth from the glass with vibrant crushed black currants, black cherries and wild blueberries with hints of espresso, sage, dark chocolate and anise plus a waft of violets. Medium-bodied with taut, tightly wound muscular fruit, the palate features a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and layered.

A barrel sample, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard gives up intense baked blackberries, crème de cassis and preserved plums notes with hints of iron ore and underbrush plus a touch of black truffles. Medium to full-bodied and firmly textured with ripe, grainy tannins, it has just enough freshness lifting the densely packed black fruit flavors, finishing long and earthy.

A barrel sample, the 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard has a ripe apple, warm peach and green mango-scented nose with hints of yuzu zest, honeysuckle, crushed rocks and powdered ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals fantastically intense, tightly wound citrus and perfumed stone fruit flavors with a very racy backbone and epically long, mineral-laced finish.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon (containing 10% Merlot) gives beautiful red, black and blue fruit notes with touches of dried herbs, spice cake and unsmoked cigars, plus a waft of cedar. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm structure with plenty of gregarious mid-palate fruit, finishing with a lingering herbal lift. This seductive blockbuster is temptingly drinkable now and it should age gracefully over 15-20 years.

Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Jennifer’s leaps from the glass with exuberant raspberry preserves, cranberry tart and black forest cake notes with touches of wild thyme, red roses and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate simply sings of red and black berry flavors complimented with dried herbs and savory notes, supported by firm, very fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. Should age wonderfully!

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard, composed of 94.1% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5.9% Merlot, has an expressive, savory nose of black olives, roasted nuts and sandalwood with a core of cassis, blackberry pie and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied and laden with black fruits, earth and baking spice notions, it has a firm structure of grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long. Forget it for 2-4 years and drink it over the next 25+.

Very deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard gives up notes of coffee grounds, chocolate box and warm blueberries with hints of black currant cordial and blackberry pie, plus touches of tar and black soil. Medium-bodied and totally laden with tightly packed fruit layers and great tension, it has a very firm frame of grainy tannins and epic length.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith gives up a ripe black cherry, cassis and mulberries-scented nose with suggestions of eucalypt, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a waft of sage. Medium-bodied, muscular and built like a brick house, it has a solid backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long earthy.

This is serious mountain grown Merlot, sourced from vineyards at elevations between 1400 and 1800 feet on Mount Veeder, at the southern end of the Napa Valley. At that elevation the cool nights help red wines retain freshness. This beautifully structured Merlot has exceptional backbone combined with beautiful aromas of blueberry and boysenberry and fresh acidity. Drinking beautifully now, though the tannins are firm and could benefit from another five to ten years in the cellar.

Composed of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1.5% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder gives up notions of crème de cassis, violets, baker's chocolate, licorice and yeast extract with a touch of beef drippings. Full-bodied, concentrated and wonderfully expressive, the palate gives lovely ripe tannins and great freshness, finishing long and earthy.

2017 California Pinot Noir All-Americans Second Team Wines ….vivacious aromas, descriptors don't do justice….gorgeous and delicious….spot-on balance…..extraordinary finish.

Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain has a very deep purple-black color, revealing a drop dead gorgeous perfume of red roses, violets and black tea over a core of kirsch, red currants and black raspberries, with wafts of cinnamon stick and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, very finely textured and refreshing in the mouth, it offers wonderful perfumed red fruit layers and a long, mineral-laced finish.