Vibrant and fresh, with tart apple and lemon flavors accented with lively yeast roll and spice flavors that linger on a bright finish. Drink now.

The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Alexander Valley) is an intriguing wine that deftly balances the floral, citrussy character of Sauvignon with tropical notes that add a real sense of exoticism along with an extra kick of body, both of which work so well here. This is such a delicious and inviting wine.

One of the lighter pinots, at least in color thus far. Hints of funkiness and red fruit, this is a bit shy on the nose. Fruity, good acid, balance. This might be a touch overly-fruity for me, but it works. Excellent.

Quite the muscular wine on the nose here with firm red fruit, a touch of heat, and minerality. The palate also comes off a tad hot, but there is more than ample fruit and plenty of chutzpah. Excellent.

Given time in both oak and stainless steel, this lively white is grassy and lively in stone fruit, with an enduring crispness to the texture. Bright and food-friendly, it offers wide appeal and elegance.

Mellow and rich, this is a creamy chardonnay with peach and white-chocolate fullness. Yet it feels completely clean, open and cleansing, orange-zesty and dry. Well worth cellaring for a year or two, this will benefit from bottle development.

Restrained, with delicate hints of green apple, grapefruit pith and white peach, while the herbaceous palate has a yellow liquorice finish.

Hints of toasted almond, lemon curd and pastry crust evoke an almost dessert-like sensation on the nose of the 2019 Chardonnay. The medium-bodied palate is silky and generous but crisp and dry, finishing with mouthwatering savoriness and length.

COMMENTARY: The 2018 Cambria Estate Winery Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is bright, persistent, and alive. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of dried herbs, ripe fruit, and sandalwood. Enjoy it with grilled lamb chops.

COMMENTARY: The 2019 Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé of Pinot Noir is a delicious and jazzy wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine comes to the fore with aromas and flavors of red fruit, dried earth, and mineral notes. Enjoy with fresh salmon and avocado hand rolls.

Dense tight nose of blackcurranty fruit and fine oak.Drinking Window 2020 - 2035

This is the first vintage of Hickinbotham Cab Franc, planted by American Winemaker Chris Carpenter. McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate and the use of quite a lot of new French oak gives this a riper feel. A perfume of ripe red and blueberry fruit is backed by savory, earthy nuances, green herbs and a blanket of highly polished, mocha-like barrel influence. There’s a tangy lift to the fruit, with textural, granular tannins. Drink 2021–2030.

Made in a light, delicate style, with ample acidity and a minimum of subtle French oak, this tastes of cinnamon and cherry, with citrus-laden undertones that emphasize its brightness.

Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2018 Chardonnay was a medium yellow gold color clearing towards the rim.Smells of Mandarin zest, green melon rind, Lemon meringue pie, and a hint of white pepper were excellent.Medium-plus body managed soft acidity, and good flavors of cantaloupe and apples, with a touch of vanilla and ginger.Finished well on a balanced 14.1% alcohol (I thought it might be a tad higher), a whisper of oak, and the fading palate.Paired perfectly with my salt and vinegar fried chicken wings.

COMMENTARY: The 2015 Cambria Estate Vineyard & Winery Pommard Clone 4 Pinot Noir shows substantial weight and drive on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits attractive aromas and flavors of savory spices, red and black fruits, and a note of licorice. Pair it with grilled lamb.

Freshly crushed plum and cherry flavors are supported by crisp acidity. Flinty accents show on the juicy finish, with cocoa powder and floral hints.

Expressive, silky, harmonious.Forest berries and sour cherry, vanilla, tealeaf, red plums and licorice, violets and exotic spice aromas are expressed. It is supple and fresh with generous fruit; concentrated yet vibrant it trails spice and pipe tobacco on a persistent finish.

A nice dichotomy exists in Stonestreet's Alexander Valley chardonnay between rich and fresh. Although this wine has seen a bit of ageing in bottle now, it hasn't lost its fruit. The toasty oak is still dominant but it doesn't fight for supremacy over the fruit. Lightly nutty with notes of caramel, apple, poached pear and candied lemon rind. Very good length.

Maturing, dense, rich, concentrated chardonnay here from Stonestreet's spectacular Alexander Mountain property in Sonoma, the richer, softer and more readily drinkable bottling. The palate is full and fleshy, soft and comforting, with good length. Ready to drink.

This clear medium purple colored Pinot Noir from Siduri opens with a slightly musty stewed plum and cola bouquet with hints of black raspberry and dried herbs. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with medium-plus acidity. It is also satiny smooth and very fruit forward. The flavor profile is a spiced red plum and red licorice blend with notes of cinnamon and red raspberry. We also detected hints of fine minerality, lavender and some oak in the background. The finish is dry with gentle fine-grained tannins that fade away nicely. This Pinot is food friendly. We would pair it with Food and Wine’s fennel-scented duck breasts with Pinot Noir sauce.

A broad, substantial chardonnay that focuses on earthy notes and buttery richness, this is tightly structured and firm for its size. Full and generous, it will stand next to roasted white meats and creamy mushroom sauces.

This marks Ryan Zepaltas’s first vintage at Copain, after years of splitting his winemaking style between the opulently ripe Siduri releases and his own tight cool-climate wines under the Zepaltas label. He made thiswine from a vineyard in the eastern hills of Anderson Valley, the vines planted in 2011 at 2,200 feet in elevation. It balances a feeling of cool altitude with leesy, oxidative notes of buttered almonds and floral spice.

This starts off all smoke and lees, then becomes loamy and rich, with caramelized apple flavors and a honeyed texture, rich and composed.

Light and brightly crisp, this white tastes of sour apple and white flower, with a subtle imprint of oak. Meaty, with potent acidity, it resolves on the palate into a balanced, refined and steely offering of varietal elegance.