From the slopes of Mount Veeder, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerhouse. It showcases the lively acidity often found in mountain fruit, and its fruit character leans heavily in deep, dark blackberries. A hearty protein will help soften its firm structure — as will some extra time in bottle if you can wait.

This mountain-fruit Cabernet lives up to Kendall-Jackson’s rich winemaking heritage. It shows expressive fruit depth, the tannins are present but not intrusive, and active acidity gives its weighty body verve. This is a great holiday wine.

This zesty Zin delivers black cherry, roasted anise and spice flavors that finish with briary tannins. Drink now through 2027.

This distinctive white offers a mix of marzipan, spice and fresh hops to mingle with the citrus, apple, pear and tangerine flavors, with a fresh thread of acidity and a smooth texture working in harmony. Drink now.

Strikes a terrific balance between crisp and minerally notes, with ripe peach, melon and tangerine flavors that show a touch of orange blossom on the finish. Drink now through 2030.

Ripe but restrained and focused, with mulberry and raspberry puree notes driving through, this delivers fresh acidity against a backdrop of red licorice and tea. Subtle savory freshness adds perk to the finish. Drink now through 2025.

You can tell immediately that this is Napa Valley merlot, unmistakable for its darker, resinous and brewed reds, edging into the black fruit spectrum. Feels like more wood than the cabernet sauvignon with its black tea, soy and hematic swells, followed by an almost iodine inkiness. A tonic triad if you will in which the intervals are repeats of that third note, the ensanguined crimson fruit that seems to ooze in and out of every crack. Chalky tannins at the finish indicate the best years have yet to truly begin.

27 of the Best Chardonnays for 2022 From Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, this small-production wine serves a high-definition expression of Chardonnay. A creamy nose suggests it went through full or partial malolactic fermentation, and the sweet scent marries nicely with stone fruit scents and a hint of white pepper. Acidity, alcohol, and fruit character land in equal proportions on the palate.

Lush, plush texture gives into an earthy, floral nose of rose petal in this full-bodied, powerfully built vineyard designate. Vanilla and cherry flavors are accented in cola and black tea, finishing in a supple richness of great intensity.

Earthy and oaky, with a lift of rose petal, this is a thick and intensely full-bodied red, stemmy and plush in style. It shows the exuberance of the appellation in a rich, lasting note of cola.

Juicy with supple tannin and a broad approachability, this is a hearty, full-bodied red brimming in cola, cherry and black tea.

A delicious combination of black fruits, milk chocolate and baking spices gives this full-bodied wine a tempting aroma and warm, mouthfilling flavors.

Dried lemon, orange peel, appleflesh, white-flower and sea-salt aromas make for a compelling introduction to this bottling. The flavors warm up on the sip, where toasted hazelnut, browned butter and salted nectarine flavors align.

Tart lime aromas meet with richer guava flesh on the nose of this bottling. There’s a plumeria and tuberose character to the palate, where tropical guava flavors are cut by tangerine rind and orange pith.

This Rhône-style white blend, matured in ceramic eggs, is built around young plantings of Grenache Blanc (50%), Clairette (12%), Piquepoul (9%) and Bourboulenc (4%), and the addition of 25% older Roussanne. While fleshy Roussanne dominates, there’s a curious sharp-sour note, with the apple bite of Grenache Blanc and saline lick of Piquepoul. In subsequent vintages, this blend will comprise different percentages and maturation regimes, but the initial version has intriguing tension and texture.

Rich and concentrated with ripe, blackcurrant fruit and some balsamic notes and earthy undertones. Elegant, with a vibrant acidity.

Toasty nose with some layers of herbs and vibrant dark fruits. It shows a nice depth of fruit well-supported by rounded tannins.

Perfumed scents of spiced plums, blueberries and vanilla. Well-balanced soft style with a lively acidity. Persistent finish.

Earthy and savoury nose with lots of ripe black fruit and creamy oak notes. Serious and classic, with grippy tannins.

Aromas of cinnamon, red cherry, and an earthiness were pleasant.
This was a medium-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, supportive layer of tannin, and excellent flavors reflective of the aromas with a touch of red pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a touch of red raspberry, a hint of watermelon, and a well-balanced 13.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked ham dinner.

This medium ruby colored Pinot Noir from Oregon opens with a fragrant and inviting blueberry and black cherry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, smooth, viscous, and dense for a Pinot Noir. The flavor profile is a stewed black plum and cola blend with notes of smoky oak, earthy loam, and cinnamon. I also detected hints of stony minerality and pomegranate towards the very end. The finish is dry, and its flavors are nicely prolonged. I would pair this Pinot with a juicy and tender pork tenderloin roast.

A juicy and friendly version, with a core of strawberry, blackberry and plum flavors that are lined with a subtle black licorice note and glide through easily. Offers a toast-influenced finish, but the fruit keeps the upper hand. Drink now through 2025.

Firm, with an appealingly chewy quality to the chamomile, melon and apricot flavors. Generous and focused on the lush, spicy finish. Drink now.

Medium ruby-red hue. Wood oil, plum jam and cola spices. A rich and full style, plummy fruit fills the middle then the remainder of the palate relies on oak richness and complexities. Decent length and is very silky into the finish.

This medium purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Arrowood opens with a black cherry and mild craisin bouquet with hints of cola and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, smooth and lush. The flavor profile is a juicy black currant and cherry-cola blend with notes of oak and mocha. There is a hint of cranberry and oregano at the very end. The finish is dry and its mild tannins and flavors drift away nicely. This Cab is a very good mid-week offering. It would pair well with grilled steak tips or with your favorite juicy burger.