The Hartford family produces over two dozen different wines, and about half a dozen of them are Zinfandels. This says a lot about the family’s love for this variety. This expression from the Russian River Valley offers coffee and cranberry notes on the nose with a dollop of oak. The palate is even and refreshing with a salty minerality that helps contrast the ripe fruit.

The 2014 Fog Dance Blanc de Noirs is made entirely from Pinot Noir. Base wines were matured for 15 months in used French oak, and it spent 88 months en tirage. Disgorged in August of 2024, it has layered aromas of struck flint, rye bread, dried red apples and mushroom powder. Crafted without dosage, the light-bodied palate is dry with enveloping, savory flavors and creamy mousse. It’s balanced by bright acidity and has a long, savory finish. Only 90 cases were made.

Generously juicy and flavorful, this fruit-forward Cabernet shows quite deep color for its price category as well as substantial palate weight. There’s just enough tannic grip to let this stand up to moderately robust food, but natural fruit sweetness makes this a Cab that can easily be enjoyed as a cocktail-style sipper.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Pinot
Noir Willamette Valley has open-knit aromas of red cherry,
cranberry, Earl Grey tea leaves and earth. The palate offers
concentrated yet nuanced flavors. It’s framed by soft, chalky
tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
6,980 cases were produced.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Pinot
Noir Dutton-Perry Ranch is scented of flint, baked raspberries
and strawberries, shiitake mushrooms, charcuterie and earth.
The palate is concentrated, ripe and spicy with dusty tannins,
vibrant acidity and a long, spicy finish. 278 cases were made.

This juicy Russian River Pinot brings textbook aromas of crushed cherry, cola spice and cedar on the nose, giving way to flavors of raspberry, cocoa powder, orange pith and black tea on the palate and through the finish.

Red currant and cinnamon aromas are fairly faint on the nose of this bottling. The palate is broadly styled, showing rhubarb, hibiscus and clay flavors.

If you are looking for a light-bodied, chillable red wine that won't bust your wine budget, look no further than the Unsanctioned. Its bright red cherry, quince and straw aromas lead to flavors of dark raspberries, basil, black pepper and a trace of aged balsamic. This is a spicy, higher-acid Pinot Noir packed with tang and twang.

Classic cool climate Sauvignon Blanc aromas of grated lime zest, grapefruit, jalapeno and cut grass drive the nose of this wine. The tense and acid-drenched palate layers flavors of fresh squeezed lime juice, herbs and candied lemon peel before a floral, citrusy finish. Lovers of a more high-toned style will enjoy this.

Yellow apple, pear peel, and a tinge of earth show on the nose of this bottling. There’s a
decent tension to the palate, where fresh tangerine and grippy chalk flavors align.

This one-two aroma punch of blackcap raspberries and Thai basil knocked me out. There's even a tiny note of a waxy, childhood Halloween chocolate bar lurking in the background. The wine's black cherry and black tea flavors are joined by a burst of carob. Given its alcohol percentage, the wine's lighter body and energetic acidity surprised me. If you need more tart and tang in your life, look up the Warrior Princess.

A distinctive white, offering a fresh, floral mix of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, melon, sliced apple and apricot flavors that are intense and fleshy, with a vibrant thread of acidity and an appealing, firm backbone. Tangerine, citronella and green tea notes emerge on the long, expressive finish. Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Roussanne, Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now. 240 cases made.

Subtle aromas of cherry and raspberry swirl on the nose of this wine, with flavors of cocoa, berry compote, and cedar arising on the weighty and sumptuous palate. Pair with smashburgers and caramelized onions.

Aromas of fresh apple, pear skin, white flowers, and caramel drive the nose of this wine. The palate delivers flavors of ripe nectarine, pithy lemon, candied ginger, and pineapple sage, with barrel spice and floral notes through a generous finish.

A deeper pink color in the glass, this rosé offers lovely cherry and bubblegum aromas on the nose. The palate starts tightly and then opens into cherry and red apple flavors.

Notes of apricot, tangerine and ripe peach are firm and focused, with lemon zest, fresh ginger and Fuji apple accents. Grace notes of salted butterscotch, vanilla cream and toasted brioche linger in the background, with a juicy, bright finish. Drink now. 35,037 cases made.

All Syrah that was completely destemmed and aged 16 months in 25% new French oak barrels, the 2022 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard reveals darker berries, black cherries, peppery herbs, and some underbrush notes with a kiss of leather. It's medium-bodied, has a balanced, polished mouthfeel, lots of complexity, and a good finish. Drink 2025-2032. 

All destemmed and aged seven months in 18% new French oak barrels, the 2023 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard offers framboise, Bing cherries, sappy underbrush, and floral notes that develop nicely with air. It's medium-bodied, balanced, has good depth of fruit, and a complex, satisfying style that would best many a great Village-level red Burgundy. I'd happily drink a bottle. Drink 2025-2030. 

Based on 100% Chardonnay, the 2023 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard offers ripe stone and orchard fruits intermixed with honeysuckle and subtle spice. It’s medium-bodied, plush, round, and supple. Fermentation was split between 30% stainless steel and 70% barrel, and the wine was then aged seven months in French oak, 20% of which was new. This is a well-made, ready-to-drink California Chardonnay that delivers terrific value. Drink 2025-2027. 

Another outstanding effort, the 2022 Chardonnay Fog Tide was brought up all in tank and reveals ripe, honeyed lemon, orange, and subtle tropical aromatics. It's medium-bodied, round, supple, and plush on the palate, with solid purity and depth. Drink 2025-2027. 

Notes of cherrywood, milk chocolate, and rooibos tea stretch across the palate with brisk acidity. Sweet tobacco and dried rose and another layer from midpoint to finish

The 2023 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is another fabulous entry-level wine, if you can even call it that. Bright, rich and forward, the oak is front and center, but it frames and braces the wine nicely. Spice tones and dark red cherry fruit form the core. There's real character and Santa Maria Valley identity here. This is particularly impressive at $25.

The 2024 Pinot Noir is very rich, ripe and forward, with bright cherry fruit and attractive textural suppleness. It's certainly not the last word on complexity, but it impresses most for its harmony and creaminess without exuberance. Purity of red cherry/berry fruit here is really lovely. Greg Brewer is certainly no one-trick pony, showing here that he can deftly handle Pinot Noir without stem inclusion (100% destemmed).

Dry and fruity, the 2023 Viognier Oregon is bright with white pepper, honeydew melon, citrus blossom, and wet stones. It's a refreshing and medium-bodied style that stays light on its feet, with a crisp finish. A quaffable and summery white to drink over the next couple of years, it would be exceptionally well-suited paired with sushi, crudo, and spicy papaya salads. It’s bottled under screw cap.

A fruity and floral wine on opening, the 2023 Chardonnay Willamette Valley leads with peach, powdery flowers, preserved lemon, and saline. Juicy and medium-bodied, it’s a straightforward and approachable Chardonnay, with a light savory touch and hints of tarragon. Drink over the near term.