The 2014 Pinot Noir Benchbreak is a blend of eight clones on the property, which makes it essentially Cambria's estate Pinot. There is lovely breadth and creaminess to the dark cherry and plum flavors. Hints of spice develop in the glass, adding further shades of nuance.

Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. A strong butter note accompanies aromas of citrus peel, nuts and vanilla. Richly styled and quite succulent on the palate, with flavors of lemon, pear, apple, caramel and honey. Viscous in texture with well integrated acidity. A Caliesque style of Chardonnay that is quite popular. Score: 89

The 2015 Pinot Noir 459 is another of the riper wines in this range. The 459 offers plenty of fruit density and texture, but next to the other wines in the range, there is less nuance and overall complexity, while the fruit veers toward the riper, candied side of things. To be sure, much of the wine's personality can be attributed to the very specific qualities of the growing season. Some readers may find more pleasure here than I do.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands gives intense notes of crushed cranberries and red cherries with hints of dried herbs and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and finely crafted on the red-fruited palate, it has soft, silky tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. 89 points.

Medium-light to medium ruby; fragrant, spicy, red cherry fruit aroma with hints of clove and cocoa; medium body; crisp, moderately rich, cherry fruit flavors with earthy notes and bright acidity; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Easy to drink now. 89 points. Highly recommended.

Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is both fruity and oaky (charcoal, tobacco, BBQ spices). Sweet fruited in a mid weight style featuring black cherry and black raspberry with a serious investment in oak. Well proportioned tannins and acidity with good persistence on the finish that offers black cherry and sweet tobacco aromatics. Score: 89

Moderately light garnet color in the glass. A straightforward wine featuring aromas and flavors of red cherry, cranberry and toasty oak. Modest in attack and finish modes, with easy going tannins and integrated acidity. Score: 89

Moderate garnet color in the glass. There is definitely terroir at work in this individualistic wine but not necessarily in a favored way. Aromas of dusty black cherry, dark raspberry, savory herbs and smoke. The mid weight purple and black fruits are framed by substantial tannins. A brambly herb and earthy mountain character runs through this wine that is more savory than fruity. A slight bit of alcoholic warmth shows up on the finish. Score: 89

The 2015 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) is a blend of fruit from five different sites. Dark red cherry, cola, spice and a touch of new oak are some of the signatures. Readers should expect an especially bold, racy expression of the Santa Maria Valley. Drink this tasty, fruit-driven Pinot Noir over the next few years. 89 points.

Red cherry and plum aromas from the cork. In this glass, this has medium-high intensity aromas of red cherry, raspberry, sweet tobacco, earth and whiffs of black tea and strawberry. The palate is medium bodied and fleshy with a mixed berry medley of blackberry, cherry, and blueberry flavours layered on top of oak spice notes. Some tea leaf notes on the mid-palate. Succulent acids are fresh and juicy. Fine tannins offer a smooth mouthfeel. Cherry, earth, exotic spice, and tea leaf notes linger on the long finish. I really like the subtle tea leaf note that's found throughout. A fine, balanced wine from a reliable producer to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

Chardonnays to suit all palates and pocketbooks As usual, La Crema Sonoma Coast 2015 rings the bell. Floral, lemon, green apple nose with hints of oak and barrel spice. On the palate white stone fruit, lemon and honeydew melon supported with good concentration and balanced acidity that clean up the long finish, 89 points.

With cooler weather coming your way, grab some charcoal and a bottle of this wine for your next outdoor cookout. Grown on steep mountainous vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Aged in both French and American barrels, the wine offers layers of spice and toasty oak nuances, which will complement the charred flavours of the grill. A lively palate of lush wild cherries, cassis and blackberries are framed with hints of anise, mocha and cedar. Robust and full-bodied with chewy tannins that will go perfectly with the last steak of the summer. Time t fire up that grill. 89 points.

Dark in color with a mild black cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some solid black cherries to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some lovely velvety tannins, a hint of sweetness and some nice oaky noes. There’s some lively acidity that lingers nicely in the mouth, and some nice complexity to the wine, to do with the blend. I would give it an 88+. A very nice wine for the money.

Saline-scented, this dense Mendocino Zinfandel is from nearly 30-year-old vines, sourced from across the AVA. Old vineyards are the heart and soul of Edmeades, with Ciapusci Vineyard planted in 1878, Perli Vineyard planted in the late 1800's, Zeni Vineyard planted in 1910 and Piffero Vineyard planted in 1930. Wild yeast fermented, this was bottled, unfined and unfiltered. Dense smoked plum, cassis jam, ripe blackberries, violets, cracked peppercorn and a dusky, musk perfume. There is a swell of acidity here to carry, but the finish, at 15%, is still warming and cinnamon clad. 88 points.

The 2014 Pinot Noir Clone 4 is sleek, racy and expressive. Freshly cut flowers and bright, red-toned fruit, along with silky contours, give the wine its open-knit, expressive personality. Drink this attractive midweight Santa Maria Pinot over the next few years.

Cambria's 2015 Chardonnay Benchbreak is an attractive wine to drink now and over the next few years. Subtle and understated, it has a lovely flintiness that plays off the pastry, lemon peel, white flower, almond and mint flavors.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills has a subdued nose of tar, dusty earth and wet pebbles with hints of cranberries and pomegranate, plus a touch of white pepper. The palate is soft, straightforward and lively with good length. 88 points.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is scented of red currants, cranberries and red cherries with an earthy undercurrent and a touch of spice box. Softly textured, medium-bodied and with a pleasant savoriness in the mouth, it finishes with good length. 88 points.

The 2015 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley has a medium ruby-purple color and nose of black cherries, red and black plums, tar and underbrush with a waft of herbs. Medium-bodied, with a chewy texture, it has plenty of earthy-laced fruit and decent length. 88 points.

The 2015 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County offers notes of ripe apples, fresh peaches and cream with a hint of almonds. Medium-bodied, this is a delicate and refreshing expression with appealing purity and good intensity. 88 points.

The wine is a bright ruby red color. The comforting nose has black cherries, flinty minerals, forest floor, cola, tart red cherries and baking spices. This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity. On the palate black cherries, minerals and baking spices come out on the front end with forest floor and a touch of cola coming in later. The finish has nice length with tart cherries providing some needed depth. Not a lot of complexity but that doesn’t make it less tasty. This has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork. 88 points.

Pale to medium ruby colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Panorama Vineyard has dusty earth and kirsch notes with hints of cinnamon stick and potpourri. Medium-bodied, with a nice texture of fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness, it has a good core of uncomplicated berry flavors and decent length.

From the first hint of the bottle opening there is something beyond ordinary in this wine. Bottomless dark aromatics; cherry, spice box, currant in a richly dense balance. The palate is uncannily precise on entry with bright essences of cranberry, supple orange that give way to enormously silky textured dark cherry, spice and forest floor. Exceptional and utterly flawless. Tasted over three days with consistent results.

This is one of the most exciting wines I have tried in a long time. Wildly intense with bright maraschino cherry aromas and flavours. The palate is young, taut and tactile with cherry pip vibrancy and shimmering spice. The barely perceptible savouriness gives the wine depth and character. Highly recommended. Drink 2017 - 2023

A stunning rosé that is perfect served as an aperitif. Aromas of fresh lemon and new-season apples. The palate is tight, nervy and textured with gentle framing tannin. A unique style that is highly recommended. Drink 2017 - 2019