Minty aromas of crunchy red and black fruits. Nice interplay between alcohol and tannins on the palate.

La Crema remains a steady performer, which is no mean task given its substantial output. However, in 2019 it came in with a little more texture and fruit and a little less rhubarb and roots. The alcohol remains a mild 13.5 percent, and it is aged in French oak barrels, about 20 percent new, for eight and half months. The attack is savoury with juicy red plum and dried cranberry with an earthy, spicy underside flecked with minerals. Monterey is a cool, windswept region with spare soils, and its wild nature is never far from the wine. Salmon steaks, anyone?

The second label from Byron, a Central Coast stalwart in Santa Barbara County, this Chardonnay has plenty going on with great fruit (pineapple, citrus, green apple), floral notes (hibiscus, orange blossom), and a pretty evident seashell, salinity thing as well. Bright and fruity on the palate, and while some of the wine spent some time in French oak, I would hazard not much of it was new as the oak influence is rather low. It is quite creamy, though, as some of the wine spent time in concrete and I imagine much of it underwent malolactic fermentation. This tasty, affordable wine falls short of the “Big American Chard” profile, but it has many of those characteristics. Very Good.

This clear and bright straw-colored Chardonnay from La Crema opens with an attractive green apple and ripe honeydew melon bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated mellow acidity. The flavor profile is an Anjou pear and almond blend with subtle hints of oak, pineapple, minerality, lemon verbena, and pastry crust. The finish is dry and drifts away nicely. This crowd pleaser Chard is a nice glass pour option for restaurants. It is versatile and will compliment with many foods. I would pair it with lemon butter chicken with angel hair pasta.

Aromas of meat broth, earth and red berries on the nose. On the palate, it has lovely breadth and presence, red fruits mixed with savoury notes. The tannins are fine yet grippy, adding texture to the finish.

Every couple of years, I come back to this underrated stalwart zinfandel that's been in the market for decades, offering unfailing quality for the price. Expect a fragrant ripe plum nose mixed with garrigue-like wild herbs, sweet black fruit, softish tannins, and just the right amount of acidity to keep it lively. It is old-school zinfandel miles above the commercial labels that plague the market and the reputation of the best zinfandel grapes. Short ribs, anyone? Dr. Donald Edmeades planted vines in western Mendocino in 1963, among a few centenarian vineyards that are at the center of this wine, under the considerable care of the Jackson Family Wines folks since 1988.

At Arceno, the Chianti Classico Annata 2018 was a memorable year. It began with a cool, rainy February and March, a late bud break, then a perfect June and July. The property dodged some early August hailstorms followed by some hydrating rain and an ideal finish under warm sunny days and clear, cool nights. It’s described as exuding the powerful fruit of 2015 with the racy structure of 2013. I concur that the fruit is exuberant and plentiful in a European way with cherry, plum, licorice with a spicy finish. Lush but supple tannins run through the 85/15 blend of sangiovese and merlot. Tenuta di Arceno spreads across 1000 hectares of classic rolling hillside containing vineyards, forests, and medieval stone castles. The vineyards have been replanted and expanded into a series of micro-crus relating to the property’s 12 distinct meso-climates over the last 20 years, vastly improving the fruit that gets to the winery.

Bright violet. Zesty red and blue fruits on the nose, along with a hint of spiciness. Taut and focused in style, offering bitter cherry and dark fruit flavors and a deeper licorice nuance. Shows firm grip and tension on the finish, which leaves behind a hint of botanical herbs.

This well-balanced, moderately fruity wine combines red and black cherries with light cinnamon and toast accents on a medium body. It’s an easy wine to pour and enjoy.

Dark cherry fruit, slightly meaty, just a dash of dark soil, and maybe some rose petal highlight the nose. The palate is laden with fruit–this is not shy or understated–but the acidity works hard to keep that fruit in check. Very Good.

A consistent performer out of Monterey comes in at a sensible 13.5 percent. This aged in French oak barrels (19 percent new) for eight and half months. The attack is savoury with juicy black plum, earthy, spicy notes with flecks of rhubarb and minerals. Ready to drink. Monterey is rocky, cool, windswept, and wild, and there is always a bit of all that in the wine.

There's good cut to the McIntosh apple, white berry and Asian pear flavors in this white, backed by vibrant acidity. Ends with notes of mineral and spice on the lithe finish. Drink now through 2024.

This yellow colored Viognier opens with a fragrant and inviting apricot, ginger and orange-peel bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, round and savory. The flavor profile is an apricot pit and orange marmalade blend with notes of quince and hints of ginger and vanilla oak. The finish is off-dry and its flavors fade away nicely. This wine would pair well with a five-fruit stuffed chicken.

Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley New ReleasesSuper-ripe dark cherry, red plum, chocolate, flowers and sweet spice are all kicked up in the racy, flamboyant 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve. Drink it over the next handful of years. This is so nicely done, especially considering its production of 160,000 cases. That's probably more than the sum of all the high-flying Napa Cabernets put together!

This is a fairly light wine, with crisp apple, a hint of white peach and a lightly buttery finish. The aging for 18 months in 38% new French oak is still integrating, so another year or two of bottle age is recommended.

This wine’s gentle red fruit is clean and fresh, with simple flavors of strawberries and bright notes of Maraschino cherries. There’s some black-pepper spice to the light tannins, directing it toward grilled chicken. Best Buy.

Not unlike the wine above in that it does come with a whisper of enlivening acidity, it nonetheless is broader in its early appeal because of its greater openness at this point. Its aromas are also a tad riper than its mate but with somewhat less depth, and its flavor profile stays more in the red cherry, fresh berry camp. Like the wine above, it can benefit from a bit of age even if having a bit less potential over time. 1 star.

Intense dried blueberry notes accent the dark fruit and spice flavors, flanked by dense, savory notes. Finishes with hints of dried beef. Drink now through 2022.

This very dark ruby colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Arrowood opens with a cherry and almond cookie bouquet with hints of cedar and currant. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and soft. The flavor profile is a mineral infused black currant with notes of cedar. We also detected hints of black plum and black pepper as well. The finish is dry and its moderate dusty tannins build-up before they drift away. The Panel thought this Cab would pair well with Italian beef braciole. Very good.

Santa Barbara: Present & Future The 2017 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is a very pretty wine in this range from Nielson. Tangerine, lemon confit, white flowers, mint and a touch of new oak add layers of texture to this attractive, mid-weight Chardonnay from Nielson. This understated Santa Maria Chardonnay has a lot to offer. Best of all, the Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a terrific value, especially for a wine made entirely from Santa Barbara fruit.

USA, California, Central Coast: The 2017 Vintage in Santa Barbara County The 2017 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County fermented in stainless steel, neutral oak and only 8% in new French oak, with partial malolactic fermentation. It features scents of baker's yeast, Bosc pear, banana chip and touches of spring honey and white flowers. The palate is medium-bodied and creamy with a fresh fruit core, juicy acidity and a refreshing finish. This offers a bit more interest than the average unoaked Chardonnay.

This medium butter yellow colored wine has a rich bouquet of pear, lime and white peach with notes of butter and honeycomb. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with medium plus acidity. It is also supple and slightly creamy, with flavors of pear, pineapple, and vanilla. I also detected some nicely integrated minerality and a hint of baking spice. This finish is clean and elongated. It would pair well with pan seared sea bass. Very good.

Starting off leesy and bright, this savory chardonnay has a whiff of smokehouse. The pear and apple flavors are creamy and plush, with a grippy almond-skin finish that will complement fresh Santa Barbara salt prawns. Best Buy.

Shows good concentration to the brambly flavors of boysenberry and red currant, supported by bright acidity. Flinty notes emerge on the supple finish, with accents of cocoa powder. Drink now through 2022.

Taut and well-framed, this offers roasted cherry and plum flavors, backed by chunky tannins. The ripe finish features smoky notes, and ends on a roasted accent. Drink now.