Solid Monterey Pinot, with hints of green herbs adding complexity to black cherry fruit. Cinnamon, cola, and caramel round out the finish of this medium-weight wine.

A nose of leather, tar, black pepper and bitter almond. Firm, tannic, rich, spicy black fruit flavors. Big and sinewy, immature and mostly closed, yet very promising. Wait five to 10 years for this one.

Kendall-Jackson's longtime winemaker, Randy Ullom, has a deft hand with Syrah and his expression of this classic grape variety in the Vintner's Reserve lineup never seems to disappoint. This vintage shows a bit of heft through the mid-palate with notes of blueberry and plum. A touch of spice adds to the overall complexity but it really sings on the finish.

Value Picks of the Month On the heels of coffee-plum and chocolate aromas, earthy tones continue the journey with brighter notes of pomegranate and blackberry following. The finish mellows out with silky dark chocolate.

Kendall-Jackson's 2014 Syrah Vintner's Reserve is an attractive, fruit-forward wine to drink over the next 2-3 years, while the fruit retains its juiciness. Dark blue and purplish stone fruits, sweet spices and leather are front and center. This is an especially succulent style. The 2014 benefits from a little air, so I would open it in advance.

Winemaker Randy Ullom does a consistently remarkable job with the Vintner's Reserve line at K-J, crafting wines that have impressive dimension and outstanding balance despite high production numbers. Spicy on the nose, the 2013 Syrah exhibits layered richness on the palate and notes of blackberry and plum, with a savory, meaty aspect as well.

A good value in a wine this rich and complex. It's very full-bodied and dry, with immensely deep blackberry, currant, black pepper, roasted meat, smoke and spice flavors that linger long on the finish.

Here's a good buy in a big, rich, decadently delicious Syrah. Soft and dry, with refined tannins, it offers flavors of currants, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, licorice, Dr. Pepper cola, black pepper and spices. Easy to like, yet complex.

The 2005 Syrah Alisos Hills displays the smoky lard and bacon fat notes of this varietal. Dark ruby/purple-colored with some charcoal, pepper, and spice, the wine (all from Santa Barbara) should drink nicely for 5-7 years.

While some of its cousins make a large splash by way of ripeness and sweet oak, this well-constructed young opus displays plenty of both while setting its sights primarily on fruit. With elements of ripe plums and red berries leading the way, it is a balanced, medium-full-bodied Syrah with a sense of polish that its tannins and finishing stiffness do not negate. We like its impressions of potency and well-defined fruit, and five years of steady improvement seems a forgone conclusion.

Alexander Mountain Ranch is the new name for the former Gauer Estate, now owned by Kendall-Jackson, and the source for this single vineyard merlot. Lush sweet berry flavors fill out this wine from beginning to end. It has the appealing richness of the grape, while maintaining a firm, dry structure. Packed with fruit and tannin, this could use some cellaring to soften - or enjoy it now with seared filet mignon.

Loaded with cassis and raspberries on the nose; big texture in the mouth, with firm tannins and fruit from start to long finish.

The 2014 Merlot Jackson Estate Taylor Peak comes from Bennett Valley and is made from clone 181, which is believed to be the clone that dominates the Petrus vineyard in Pomerol. This 100% Merlot is outstanding, displaying mulberry, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, some licorice, incense and Asian spice. It is ripe, full-bodied, opulent and a fairly hedonistic Merlot. Sadly, only 395 cases were produced. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

A great value with black plum, cassis and notes of chocolate; rich, deep and dense with sweet oak and toast.

Smooth and luscious with black plum, cassis and notes of chocolate; rich, deep and dense with sweet oak and toast; long and balanced.

There's tremendous value in this well-made wine. It's savory in its mix of dried herb and plum notes, with smooth, softened tannins and judicious use of oak that lends richness to the palate. It'll appeal broadly.

Jammed with fruit and well-structured, this offers bold black raspberry and mocha aromas and appealingly zesty red currant, spiced herb and toast flavors.

This is a sumptuous, well-crafted wine, nearly 100% varietal and dark purple in color. It offers leathery chocolate and red cherry flavors around still-dense tannins that seem to soften in the glass. Given more than a year in oak, only a small percentage of it new, it’s lively and refined.

Kendall-Jackson's 2012 Merlot Grand Reserve is dark, rich and explosive, with gorgeous intensity through the mid-palate and terrific overall balance. Mocha, plums, smoke, tobacco and dark spices all flesh out in the glass. This is one of the more explosive, powerful wines in the range.

Expressive in leathery plum and blueberry aromas and flavors, with a soft, spicy streak that lifts the experience, this wine finishes in a dusting of cocoa powder.

An expressive version of the variety, this includes tiny percentages of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Leathery plum and blueberry are the standouts in terms of aromas and flavors, with a soft, spicy streak that lifts the experience, finishing in a dusting of cocoa powder.

This Merlot is dry, full-bodied and delicious in fruit and oak. Black cherries, currants, mocha, plums, vanilla and fragrant sandalwood all come together to provide a complex drink that’s firm in tannins and fancy in the finish. Drink now.

Smooth and ripe with lush flavors of plum and spice; silky and nicely structured with soft herbs and notes of mocha; long and balanced.

Lovely rich and balanced; generous and deep with blueberry, plum and soft spice; vanilla oak and lush texture; long and smooth; charming.

Zesty and polished, with red currant aromas and well-structured dark cherry, caramel and herb flavors, finishing with ripe tannins.