Refreshing rosés for hot weather Here are my favorite Pinot Noir Rosés:...Barrymore Monterey County, plush and spicy; La Crema Monterey, soft, hints of cream and spice; Cambria Santa Maria Valley, juicy with cinnamon…

Rosé All Day Hardly discovered that it is already a classic. Aromas of raspberry with fresh citrus strawberries. The flavors of fresh red berries, watermelon and tangerine are balanced perfectly with a pleasant minerality. Delicate and perfectly balanced.

Very balanced, watermelon notes on this rosé are matched with a spicy backbone and herbaceous notes, ideal for pairing with food.

White Night - A Night in California A nice nose, not too pronounced, just right. In the mouth it is rather notes slightly sweeter, but always fruity with papaya, pate and tangerine, but with a spicy touch and minerality. All with a well-balanced acidity.

The Chardonnay Curve, a guide to a former California favorite that’s making a flavorful comeback Flavors of baked pear and Cara Cara orange; aromas of golden peach, orange blossom, and key lime.

Refreshing rosés for hot weather Plus two very good pinot noir and syrah blends: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve, delicate apple and watermelon…

The New California The characteristic dark purplish color of the Cabernet is found in this wine. In the nose, it is a complexity tinged with fruity and vegetable aromas. There is also woodland. One is always as a dry wine, but rather fresh. Pleasant in the mouth despite the presence of tannins.

This is a refreshing quaffer with layered flavors. But what makes it a hit is its lime citrus note coupled with its minerality. Other flavors fall in line – pear, melon and herbs. A steal for the price. 3½ stars.

White Night - A Night in California Creamy and buttered in the nose, one perceives a certain roundness. On the palate we note the presence of tropical fruits comem papaya and mango, but which are very well balanced with a taste of honey and vanilla. A lively and easy wine.

Well-heeled wine lovers courted with luxury chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve has an admirable track record as one of America’s best selling chardonnays. The winery produces more than two millions cases each vintage, with fruit sourced exclusively from the winery’s own vineyards spanning from Monterey, Santa Barbara, Mendocino and Sonoma counties. The result is a rich, refreshing style that’s appealingly ripe and round that makes this an enjoyable Chardonnay.

The Chardonnay Curve, a guide to a former California favorite that’s making a flavorful comeback Pineapple, mango and papaya with a creamy, rich palate. Notes of cinnamon, lime, and crème brûlèe on the finish.

Lush, crisp and naked — breaking down good Chardonnay People want to condemn K-J chardonnay because it's so common on the market, but bang for your buck it provides a consistent, well-made value chardonnay, albeit a tad sweet.

Uncorked: Spire Collection a portfolio of all stars Charlie Seppelt joined Carpenter to form a winemaking supergroup on Hickinbotham Brooks Road Shiraz 2014 from McLaren Vale in South Australia. There’s a hint of wild game on the nose and flavors of plum and cranberry. The sloped vineyards have produced some of Australia’s most collectible wines and the Shiraz, from vineyards planted in 1971, is a dynamic wine that represented a historic site well.

Overall score: 17.5 (9 for quality, 8.5 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with three scores of 9 or higher. "Lovely black fruit. Herbal notes." My score: 9.2. "Nice structure. Tannic, elegant." Winemaker Laura Díaz Muños blends fruit from Atlas Peak, St. Helena, Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain vineyards, ages the finished wine for 20 months in French oak – about half of it new – then bottles it unfined and unfiltered.

Palest greenish gold in the glass, this wine smells of green apple and celery and lime zest. In the mouth, lime zest and lime juice vibrate with searing acidity and the slight bitterness of citrus pith and green apple skin. Nice. 9.0

Sauvignon Blanc ideal in the summer heat As consumer friendly as those wines are, I found more complexity and flavor interest as prices escalated: ...2015 Galerie "Naissance" Napa Valley lychee, stone fruit, melon; ...and 2015 Stonestreet Alexander Valley complex, grassy.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Sexy red with meat, earth, blackberry and quartz aromas that follow through to a full body, round and velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Loads going on here. Love it. Drink now. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Lifted nose of ripe fruit, flower, fresh leather and tar follow through a tight and concentrated center palate of dark fruits and a ultra-fine tannins. Linear and very fine grained. Impressive. Better in 2020. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here A much more complex wine here. This has a different palate structure too with a more sleek, polished and elegant texture. Superb freshness and gently layered, pastry-like texture. A long, satisfying finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

Pretty rose/ruby color. Takes time but opens up to show deep red currant, red and black cherries, rose petals, spicy white pepper, clove, tilled soil. Crisp acidity frames the palate so well, but the tannic structure provides plenty of support without being harsh, and the balance is superb. Graceful but tart red and black cherries, some cranberry, tons of spiced black tea, tobacco, rose petals, white pepper, sage and earthy, floral complexities that linger long on the finish. This is a tightly structured wine that will probably see its best days five years from now, and age beautifully, but this an impressive young Shea Pinot from Penner-Ash.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here The nose explodes with lots of decadence in the form of cassis, plenty of eucalyptus, forest fruits, tar, licorice and ink undertones. Full body, mouth-coating tannins and a powerful but savory finish. This needs time. Drink in 2019. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here A savory and tangy red with hints of blueberries, meat and cloves. Medium to full body, chewy tannins, a fresh finish and citrus undertones. Drink now. Screw cap

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Serious grenache with strawberry, mineral and citrus character. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a chewy finish. Little old school. Needs time to soften. Drink in 2020. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Dense and layered shiraz with loads of ripe fruit, yet remains vivid and lively. Full body, velvety tannins and a long, savory finish. Drink or hold.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Very aromatic with blackberries, spices, orange peel and tea. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a tangy finish. Energetic and focused with juicy fruit. Blend of 68% grenache, 26% shiraz and 6% mourvèdre. Drink now. Screw cap.