From a 1ha vineyard on the west side of Santa Rosa, California, in the Russian River Valley, this Pinot is a riper, classically California-styled wine. Sweet cherry aromas leap forth with a kiss of savoury herbs and mint. The palate is ripe, with smoky cherry notes, ample oak influence and, in turn, almost jammy. Ripe, robust and with heat on the finish.

The 2020 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard was matured for 10 months in 40% new oak. It feels reticent and coiled at this stage, with delicate notes of burnt lemon peel, iodine, apricot and flint. The light-bodied palate has delicate, zesty flavors and some leesiness on the finish. Drink it over the next few years. 804 cases were made.

From 30-year-old vines on the Willakenzie Estate, the 2021 Gamay Noir Flavorscape pours a medium ruby hue and needs a little air on opening before revealing ripe mixed red and blue berries, red flowers, and a hint of cracked pepper. Bright and medium-bodied, it offers a silky mineral texture, with a clean finish, and is fresh with poppy fruit throughout. It’s refreshing and perfect for youthful drinking with a light chill.

Hints of lime and shortbread, aromas of blanc de blancs Champagne on the nose.
Dried mango, fresh fig and lemon peel on the palate. Concentrated, creamy yennot heavy. Drink 2023-2029 Alc 12.7%

The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley pours a dark but transparent hue and is ripe and forward with blackberry fruit, turned earth, and purple flowers. Medium-bodied, with ripe fruit and a modest finish, it lifts cleanly off the palate with a bit of earthy texture on the finish. Drink 2023-2028.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvee pours a deep ruby-purple hue and offers aromas of ripe red and black berries, dusty earth, and pine. Generous and rounded in its fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a supple texture, sweet tannins, and notes of mocha on the finish. It is a nice lens into the estate's ripe style to enjoy over the next few years.

The dark ruby 2021 Pinot Noir Aliette takes on toasty and ripe aromas of wet asphalt, toasted baking spices, black cherry pie, and purple flowers. Full-bodied and loaded with ripe, sweet black and blue fruit, as well as ripe tannins, it has modest acidity but nice lift on the finish, although a touch of sweet fruit edges just shy of cloying. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

Pouring a ripe yellow hue, the ripe and juicy 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is forward with aromas of honeysuckle, ripe pear, and lemon custard. Full-bodied and generous, with a creamy texture and notes of vanilla oak spices lasting on the finish, it’s a seductive style to drink over the next few years.

Seared pineapple and lemon peel aromas draw the
nose into this bottling. The palate is tight at first
and then opens toward popcorn, buttered peach and
sea-salt flavors. —M.K.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is an
up-front, total charmer offering attractive red and
black cherry fruit, some spicy, herbal nuances,
medium body, and a soft, elegant texture. Drink
this undeniably delicious, impeccably made Pinot
Noir over the coming 4-5 years

Ripe strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, and spicy underbrush notes all emerge from the 2021 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard, a beautifully textured,medium-bodied, elegant Pinot Noir. It's already
hard to resist, and I see no need to delay
gratification.

All varietal, the 2022 Viognier Tepusquet Vineyard is terrific as well, with a light hue as well as perfumed, exotic notes of sappy, minty herbs, lemon pith, and orange blossom in a clean,medium-bodied, vibrant profile. It’s an outstanding example of the variety to drink over the coming year or so.

Juicy and direct, with tasty plum compote and black cherry preserves mixed with light bramble and sweet spices on the flattering finish. Drink now through 2025. 353 cases made.

Quite deep in color and rich in black fruits, the wine wraps blackberries and blueberries in moderate tannins and a full body. It will be fun to glug this hearty, fruity wine with pizza, burgers and barbecue. —J.G.

A deep but transparent red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is floral and juicy with ripe red and black berries, forest floor, and cinnamon spice. Medium-bodied, it offers tangy berries, tea leaves, and dark mineral earth, with green herbs on the finish. Drink this over the relative near term.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley pours a deep red, with ripe and expressive
aromas of classic appeal, including cola spice, saturated black cherry, and damp forest floor. Ripe with red plum that is forward on the palate, it reveals a note of black tea, angular, ripe tannins, and turned earth. It’s ripe and meaty, with a good sense of place. Drink it over the next few years.

Ripe and generous, the 2021 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast pours a shimmery golden hue and delivers honeysuckle, candied lemon, and ripe green apple aromas. This rounded, fullbodied white is approachable with ripe melon, frangipane, and baking spice. It offers a good balance between richness and freshness and is perfect for youthful drinking. A lot of wine for the price, the consistency La Crema achieves at this scale is genuinely impressive, with 672,000 bottles produced.

The 2021 Chardonnay Anderson Valley offers up ripe notes of pear, candied orange, and white flowers. Full bodied, an initial note of hazelnut, waxy viscosity, and a soft
mouthfeel are given a bit more lift on the finish, with a light touch of saline in its
otherwise rounded sweet melon fruit, with ripe peach and delicate sweet baking spices.Drink it over the next few years.

A youthful ruby with a purple tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is ripe with black raspberry liqueur, cola spice, and purple flowers. Full-bodied, with a crunchy, more angular structure, it offers sweet tannins, ripe red berries and wild herbs, a gravelly texture, and a bit of toasted cedar. Drink 2024-2030.

A deep but transparent red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve is ripe with red plum,
candied flowers, and sweet cedar. Medium to full-bodied and lush with ripe cherry fruit, turned forest floor, and sweet tannins, it offers ripe structure and a lot for the price. Drink it over the next few years.

Pouring a golden hue, the 2021 Chenin Blanc Jurassic Vineyard is fresh and expressive with ripe pineapple and wet stone, and yellow flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with an attractive soft texture, it’s ripe and juicy with ripe yellow peach, orange pith, and fresh with a long, clean finish. This is drinking well now, so drink it
while it’s young.

Dark and structured, with black-raspberry scents and a mild clove-like spice, this lively wine has plenty of acidity to lend elegance and finesse to its dark fruit character. -P.J.C (189 cases)

Santa Lucia with an edge: This starts out classically dark, with blackberry and plum scents, and the thick-skinned depth of fruit from the windy Highlands. Fresh raspberry flavors play on the palate, lithe with a juicy lift for cured salmon. -P.J.C (1,530 cases)

An inky opaque purple/black hue, the 2020 Syrah Brosseau is ripe and smoky with black
plum, blackberry, violets, and cracked pepper. Full-bodied without being heavy, it offers savory richness, with meaty fruit, briny black olive, sweet tannins, and a long finish that reveals a hint of roasted earth. A clean red with good length, it’s drinking well now but would benefit from another year in the cellar. Drink 2025-2035.

Remarkably balanced, with details of fresh, crisp apple, citrus and pear that mingle with salted butter pastry and touches of brown sugar on a supple, creamy frame. Reveals a touch of lemongrass on the finish. Drink now. 70,000 cases made.