The high-toned nose features of honeysuckle, caramel, chamomile, and lime pith. Medium bodied with lightweight, juicy acid that flutters about, refusing to integrate with the structure; even on the finish it remains apart. May be a sign of youth. Flavors include slightly bitter green apple, lemon verbena, damp earth, and white pepper minerality. It finishes on a sweet orange note. I’d love to revisit this in two or three years because if that acid integrates, this improves dramatically.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay Estate was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. It gives up notes of guava, fresh yellow apples and white peaches plus hints of chalk dust and candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is elegant and refreshing with good length and a mineral kick on the finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 27% new. It delivers vibrant notes of black cherries, kirsch and mulberries with suggestions of garrigue and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of ripe, juicy black and red berry flavors, supported by soft tannins, finishing with a lively red berry kick.

This medium purple colored Syrah from Copain opens with a blackberry and black cherry bouquet with hints of anise, smoked beef jerky and boysenberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with gentle acidity. We also found it to be balanced and round. The flavor profile is a red plum and red raspberry blend with notes of cedar and tart cherry. We also detected hints of star anise, crushed stone, and strawberry. The finish is dry and is flavors and moderate tannins build-up and last for a very long time. The Panel would pair this Syrah with duck à l'orange, or with marinated venison steaks.

Subtle white, with subdued herbal notes, but cream and salted butter emerge midpalate together with notes of citrus and yellow apple. Hints of orange and mint linger on the long, well-defined finish. Drink now through 2026.

COMMENTARY: The 2019 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is an attractive, soft-spoken wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright with green apple, dried herbs, and spice in its aromas and flavors. Pair it with chicken tamales and mild salsa.

Deep garnet color, smooth, silky and juicy with sweet plum, black raspberry and cherry fruit; mellow and balanced, charming and long.

The 2018 Tourdion Cuvée Blanc is a brand new bottling composed of 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Gris. The nose is bright and fresh with scents of apples, white blossoms, bakers yeast and beeswax. The light-bodied palate offers loads of crunchy fruits and juicy acidity, finishing long with a touch of texture. This is a fun, fresh wine to drink immediately, but it offers enough fruit intensity to pique my interest in what this will taste like with another 2-3 years of bottle age.

The 2018 Chardonnay Willamette Valley has touches of candle smoke and flint over floral-laced white peaches. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded and slowly expands to gently honeyed fruits, finishing long and lifted.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley has classic scents of tea leaves, tar and earth with a core of red and black berry fruits. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh, with a ripe frame, earthy fruits and a lifted finish.

The 2018 Chardonnay Willamette Valley has a savory nose of baked apples, beeswax and baker's yeast with touches of dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is silky and super fresh with crunchy, uplifted fruits and an energetic finish.

57% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir. Another pale wine in the glass, just a hint of pinkish-orange with a fairly muted nose. Eventually, some creamy strawberry-rhubarb ekes out, but only just barely. The palate is tart with different flavors than what I normally expect. I can’t really place the fruit, but it is certainly tart and nuanced. Again, this is not what I expect from a rosé sparkling, but I do know that I like it. Perhaps a lot. Excellent.

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.