Very deep, dark, saturated red/purple colour; the bouquet is savoury, walnutty and dried-bayleaf scented. The wine is very full-bodied, super-ripe and almost opulent in its proportions. It has density and generous extract, licorice hints and spicy nuances. The finish rolls on and on. A big, bold, solid wine, which will live for decades. Outstanding and loaded with character. (25% whole bunches; 40% new oak; 482 dozen made. Grown on ironstone and sand.

Peach and apricot flavors mix seamlessly with citrus to create a delicious, balanced rosé from Monterey County. Yep, Barrymore is Drew Barrymore's wine and it's delicious.

La Crema is late getting into the rosé game but it offers a decent debut with this pink pinot noir. Cherry, cranberry and a touch of watermelon highlight this quaffable and balanced rosé.

New to the KJ portfolio, this rosé uses the brand's formula of drawing grapes from several counties. Most of it is pinot noir with a little syrah and other thrown in. Fresh and vibrant with a touch of grapefruit to add to the strawberry flavors.

Longtime K-J winemaker Randy Ullom has done wonders with the Vintner's Reserve program, consistently crafting impressive wines despite the significant volumes. The 2014 Vintner's Reserve Merlot is an excellent example. Well balanced and refined, it has an elegant mouthfeel, is very dry and shows nuances of red currants and plum, with a touch of wood spice and beautifully integrated tannins.

Siduri winemaker Adam Lee, based in Sonoma, sources fruit from a range of vineyards. This full-bodied, darkly fruited Pinot displays both the power and the elegance of the vaunted Pisoni Vineyards.

All the hallmarks of cool-climate California rosé are here, from the refreshing acidity to ripe, youthful flavors — think bright, juicy red cherries versus plush black ones. This bottle is perfect with picnic foods like creamy cheeses, chips and dip, BLTs and more.

Offers spicy raspberry, black cherry and wilted rose notes.

Bright ruby-red. Musky black raspberry, espresso, mocha and caramel on the nose. Plush, seamless and strong; wonderfully energetic, delineated dark raspberry, tobacco and mocha flavors are lifted by a floral element. Finishes with terrific breadth, grip and lift, but the very firm, serious, palate-saturating tannins do not come off as dry. Like a powerful version of a Pomerol. Quite spicy throughout, especially on the subtly rising finish. Has plenty of structure for a long life in bottle.

Smoky, lightly toasty and dark fruit on the nose. Walnut too. Full body, layered and intense. Shows incredible depth. What a wine. Screw cap. Try it in 2019.

There's a mineral backbone to this juicy and medium fruity wine. Medium to full body, light caramel and cedar. Linear and so intense. I love the traditional Northern California style to this pinot. Drink or hold.

Bright ruby-red. Black fruits, tobacco leaf, licorice and violet on the nose; a bit like Cheval Blanc on steroids. Broad, ripe and plush but still a bit youthfully aggressive and in need of softening. Showing little easy sweetness; in fact, there's an inky, graphite mineral character that makes this wine seem a bit youthfully brutal. Finishes firm and alive, with the spine and energy for a long evolution in bottle. The broad tannins became increasingly chewy--even a bit youthfully tough--with air. This is still a baby. Extended time in the recorked bottle brought sexy game and coffee elements without any loss of freshness, and, if anything, the wine gained a bit in sweetness.

Blueberry, shitake mushroom and floral aromas follow through to a medium to full body, fine and silky tannins. Long and flavorful. A fascinating blend of various clones that comes up so well. Screw cap. Drink now.

Wet earth and mushroom with rose petal and dark fruits on the nose. Full and deep fruit. Fruit forward yet intense and poised. Intense finish. Screw cap. Drink now.

Aromas of dried meats, spice, mushroom, and dried fruit. Medium body, super-integrated tannins and a long and caressing finish. Love the texture. Fantastic wine. Screw cap. Drink or hold.

Full bright ruby. Very reticent but pure aromas of cassis, licorice, violet, espresso and spices. Penetrating, tight wine with terrific energy to its intense flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, minerals and licorice. But still extremely unevolved and not yet showing its inherent complexity. Finishes with serious, firm-edged tannins that still need time to soften. The least yielding of the three Vérité 2007s, and the least sweet. But this very long Médoc blend has all the elements for a long and glorious evolution in bottle.

Aromas of dark berry and plum. Hints of mushroom. Medium to full body, beautiful balance and texture. Lots of light chocolate and spice. Extremely well done for the vintage. Drink now.

Very complex aromas of blackberry, dried mushroom and hot stone. Medium body, very fine tannins and a juicy finish. Delicious. Screw cap. Drink now.

Black cherry and bramble berry aromas follow through to a full body, round and savory tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely fruit and lightly toasted oak character here. Drink now.

A very floral and energetic nose of blueberries and blackberries. Ripe and clear fruit. Full body, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Bright and linear. Lovely texture. Screw cap. Drink or hold.

Ripe berry and smoke aromas follow through to a full body, round and velvety tannins and a savory finish. Lots going on here. Drink or hold.

Silky and fruity reds with plum and berry character. Lemon undertones. Medium body, fresh finish. Drink now.

Who knew that Freemark Abbey made excellent Sauvignon Blanc? Of course, they are an iconic producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and some incredibly lush sweet wines. It’s crisp and laser-like, with a snappy bite that is not aggressive. Plenty of body and depth balances its knife-like cutting edginess. It has none of the tropical fruit-like over ripeness that can plaque so many Sauvignon Blanc from Napa. Try it this summer before it fades with grilled fish, shellfish, or frankly, anything.

Bright medium ruby. Cassis, black cherry, tobacco, mocha and leather on the rather wild nose. Juicy and penetrating, with nicely delineated, high-pitched dark berry, licorice and peppery herb flavors dominating. Shows a cool mountain character and excellent subtle depth and intensity. This distinctly firm, long, lively midweight may yet soften further with bottle aging.

Fruit-forward and powerful with loads of dried strawberries and citrus fruit. Full-bodied, dense and very fruity. This is for those that love the super fruity style. Drink now. Screw cap.