Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here The nose here is refined, showing freshly picked blackberries, oyster shell, slate and a hint of undergrowth. Full body, grainy tannins and a chewy finish. Drink in 2019. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here The nose to this shiraz is quite unique with fresh citrus and orange peel running through layers of blackberry crumble, crushed stones and vanilla. Full body, ripe tannins, uplifting acidity and a fine finish. Drink now or in 2018. Screw cap.

Medium-dark to dark purplish ruby color; very attractive, rich, deep, intense, briary, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of dried herbs and cracked pepper; full body; big, rich, layered, brambly, blackberry jam flavors with a touch of mocha and a full, rich, plush mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Forward, rich fruit makes the wine very appealing to drink and enjoy now in its youth. Very highly recommended.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Fascinating aromas of tea, rose hip, rose petal and dried strawberry. Some peach undertones. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a juicy finish. Very intense and flavorful. Needs time to come together in the bottle. Better in 2019. Screw cap.

Take Note: Real Australian Wine Is Here Custard apple, apple pie and lemon notes too. There's a fluid palate texture with honey and lemon flavor. Neatly balanced. Drink now. Screw cap.

The longtime cult Pinot house of winemaker Adam Lee, whose vineyard sources range from Willamette Valley to the Santa Rita Hills. Ripe cherry nose; silky with bright berry fruit and racy acidity.

Dark ruby color. Aromas of juicy red currants, cherries, mixed with rhubarb, wild herbs, creosote, clove, pepper, lots going on! Medium/full-bodied with plenty of weight and structure but the tannins are accessible and the acidity is fresh. Plump but tangy red an black cherry fruit, along with clove, rose petals, rhubarb, spicy herbs. Hints of mushroom and sage will peek out more with time, this will be even better in three years or so but still very good now.

Medium-light ruby; attractive, floral, raspberry and cherry fruit aroma with hints of clove, anise, and pepper; medium body; spicy, elegant, nicely balanced, red fruit flavors with bright acidity and some suppleness in the silky mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, earthy, cherry and strawberry fruit aroma with hints of clove, cinnamon, anise, and forest floor; medium to medium-full body; moderately rich, elegantly styled, red fruit flavors with firm acidity, notes of baking spices, and a pleasing, silky mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, pear, ripe apricot, and Meyer lemon aroma; medium-full body; fleshy, supple, citrus and stone fruit flavors with oaky undertones, mineral notes, a rich, stylish, slightly creamy mouthfeel, and balanced with ample acidity; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

Dark purplish ruby; forward, deep, ripe, intense, briary, slightly jammy, raspberry and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of tobacco and baking spices; full body; rich, ripe, concentrated, plummy, red and black fruit flavors with good depth and acidity, and a plush mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very appealing to drink and savor now, while also having some aging potential. Very highly recommended.

There's a nice floral component to this, as well as some blackcurrant and vanilla character. Full body, round tannins and a fruit-driven finish. Screw cap.

Weekend Wine Picks Expect an expressive ripe, fruity nose of pineapple, guava and peach reflecting a mix of cooler sites including Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Carneros, and Suscol Creek. The palate is fresh with a linear tone and a complex, spicy nutmeg underbelly with creamy pear, citrus, green apple. The wood and lees is subtle but present with 67 per cent of the wine barrel fermented and no malolactic fermentation. A solid, fair-priced California Chardonnay. Perfect for a lobster dish.

Medium yellow color. On the nose, this bursts with white peach, lemon zest, apricot, an oily note, honeycomb, new tennis ball, yellow flowers – lots going on here! The palate is medium-bodied with brisk, mouth-watering acidity, and the wine feels near bone dry but shows plenty of ripe fruit (orange, lime, peaches). Balanced with saline, minerals, tennis ball, orange marmalade, a long, lingering finish. Complex, delicious, beautiful stuff.

Hidden Gems from California's Central Coast for Under $30 The Jackson family has mastered making Chardonnay in large quantities at fair price points, and this bottling fits that theme perfectly. Soft white peach, sea salt, brown butter and guava aromas lead into a palate that’s tightly wound with apricot, pan-seared apple and salty smoke flavors. Editors’ Choice.

Light coral color; medium-light, fragrant, strawberry and cherry fruit aroma; medium body; crisp, bright, red fruit flavors with good acid balance, some mineral notes, and a slight richness in the pleasing mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, spicy, raspberry and cherry fruit aroma with earthy notes and hints of clove and cardamom; medium body; rich, textured, spicy, cherry and red berry fruit flavors with good depth and balance, bright acidity, and hints of Asian spices; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Appealing to drink now. Very highly recommended.

Summer Rosé Wine Pick From actress Drew Barrymore and winemaker Kris Kato, this Monterey County rosé is as delicate and fresh as one would expect. Crisp and fruity on the palate, this 100% Pinot Noir wine exhibits notes of red berries, white peach, and apricot, along with sweet orange and citrus flower on the nose. A nice, balanced acidity, this rosé will pair well with shellfish, Asian-inspired dishes, and grilled vegetables like zucchini or romaine hearts with a Dijon vinaigrette dressing. 89 points.

Medium straw color with a slight spritz. So much floral explosion on the nose: honeysuckle, orange blossom, dandelion, along with honey, peach nectar, green pear and guava. Full-bodied and plump but not heavy due to the moderating acidity. Pulses with lime, guava and white peach, lots of floral perfume and orange blossom along with honeycomb, waxy notes, and a lingering sense of minerals and saline. Big but vibrant for Viognier, a very pretty interpretation. All stainless steel, sourced from vineyards in the Rogue and Columbia Valleys. 89 points.

This pale straw colored Sauvignon Blanc opens with a fragrant and attractive apple and pineapple bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and balanced between its acidity and fruit. The flavor profile is an Anjou pear and mild grapefruit blend with notes of nicely integrated minerality and tangerine. I also detected hints of white pepper and a touch of peach pit towards the end. The finish is dry and its flavors fade away nicely. This is a good value Sauvignon Blanc that will be quite refreshing on a hot summer day. I would serve it chicken lo-mein. 89 points. Very good.

Sonoma Coast is gently kissed by cooling fog therefore creating a cool climate and wines which are higher in acidity and crispness than Napa Valley wines. This 2014 La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast has a medium gold colour. On the nose, there is big pineapple, mango, Golden Delicious, and pineapple upside down cake. On the palate, there is certainly a generous dollop of American oak. There is also a burst of pineapple, musk melon, and white grapefruit topped with sugar and baby powder. Relatively short finish. Given the oak influence, this is definitely a Californian Chardonnay, but with freshness and enough acidity to have me state ABC does not apply here; Anything But Chardonnay. Nonetheless you must really appreciate an oaked Chardonnay before you wave the flag for this one. 89 points.

Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, rose and complimentary oak lead to a concentrated presence on the palate of darker fruits, prominent oak notes, some drying tannins, and a sweet fruited finish. 88 points.

Medium-light yellow; fragrant, grapefruit and white peach aroma; medium to medium-full body; crisp, citrus and white peach flavors with a slight viscosity in the mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. 87 points.

Earthy with dusty loam and forest scents, this wine is intensely rich, with grippy, chewy tannins. Fine-grained oak notes support dark chocolate, clove and tobacco flavors, accented with fruit-forward elements that recall wild blueberry and blackberry. Structured to age, it will be best from 2023 through 2030.

This wine is a steal for its quality—well-rounded, expressive and complemented with additions of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. Cherry and vanilla flavors predominate, accented with cedar and tobacco, the texture remaining soft and smooth.