A well-defined saline edge accents the bright red fruit, blueberry and spice flavors. The zesty finish offers flinty and brambly details. Drink now through 2022.

Balanced, with crunchy, well-structured flavors of dark currant and dried raspberry. Fresh minerality and hints of black pepper emerge on the svelte finish. Drink now.

Taut and savory, featuring red currant flavors, framed by crisp acidity. Dried strawberry and thyme hints show on the finish. Drink now.

A sinewy character defines the dried cherry and berry flavors, backed by firm acidity. Tea and cola notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2023.

Juicy, with flavors of raspberry, red currant and cherry tart, backed by crunchy acidity. Hints of red licorice show midpalate, leading to a snappy, spicy finish. Drink now through 2022.

Trim, with juicy red plum and strawberry flavors, backed by crisp acidity. Undercurrents of fresh herb show on the finish. Drink now through 2022.

Mineral-driven, with freshly crushed red cherry and macerated plum flavors that offer plenty of toasty accents. Spicy finish. Drink now.

Intense notes of underbrush flank the crushed red fruit flavors, offering hints of dried mint. Delivers a crisp finish, with accents of white pepper. Drink now through 2022.

Oaky nose and fairly heavy on the palate: rich, mouth-coating and lush, with a medium finish. Highly drinkable and fun if you like the ultra-rich style.

Evocative of club leather, yet retaining crunchy red fruits and cherry jam couched in spices and toasty oak.

A generous chardonnay that smells of benchland warmth, this leads with aromas of nougat and roasted nuts, opening to tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of lemon. It’s got the brightness for savory dishes, like black cod.

Salty and lean, with a sea-wrack scent and lemon-lime flavors framed by nutty lees notes, this is chalky and brisk, well put together for char-grilled chicken.

This is a steal: Simple and clean, with scents of lemon and lime dusted with zinc, this has a brushed-steel smoothness and invigorating acids; for a chicken sandwich.

This light straw-colored Chardonnay from Copain opens with a mild oak and pineapple bouquet with notes of pear. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and slightly acidic. The flavor profile is an oak influenced green apple with notes of butterscotch. I also detected hints green tea and spice. The finish is dry and its flavors are nicely prolonged. This Chard would pair well with chicken cordon bleu.

Mango, melon, pear and juicy peach supported with citrus flavors and a cleansing acidity.

The dark cherry, mulberry and red currant flavors at the core are juicy and lively. Peppery hints show midpalate, with a finish that offers sanguine and hot stone notes. Drink now through 2023.

Features a smoky aroma, while the palate exhibits notes of toasted hazelnut and brioche that frame the core of peach and citrus flavors. The beautiful texture expands over the palate. Sweet spice details emerge on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024.

Nice to see California moving to serious rose wines that aren't white zinfandel. There is California weight and warmth to this pinot noir rose but it maintains freshness and even a sense of delicacy. Expect vague sour cherry and floral aromas and flavours with a touch of grapefruit on the finish. The length is very good.

A dry pinot noir rose that is a delicate salmon pink with fine mild aromas of red cherry and strawberry fruit with mineral and floral notes. The palate is midweight and creamy with a little fruit sweetness and soft acidity and lots of flavour. Excellent length. Enjoy on its own or with seafood or mildly flavoured cheese.

Nose shows a lot of smoky, peppery, soy tones with earth, clay, roasted red pepper, on top of black cherries and mulled currant fruit. Medium-bodied, structured but refined tannins, moderate acidity. This shows tangy cherries and currant fruit, laced with loam, tar, earth, charcoal, violets. Refined, smooth, tangy, this is in a good drinking window but has time ahead, too.

This ruby colored Pinot Noir opens with an earthy black raspberry and strawberry bouquet with hints of light oak and cinnamon. The medium bodied palate is smooth, juicy and slightly dry. The flavor profile is a blend of ripe black cherry, red licorice, oak, light strawberry and minerality. The tannins and acidity are well-balanced on this crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir. The pleasant finish is dry and extended. I would pair this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with prime rib.

Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018sThe 2018 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) is a delicious wine that shows how compelling this vintage is. Sweet red cherry, mint and rose petal are beautifully lifted. The 2018 is vibrant, detailed and enticing.

Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018sThe 2018 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Apricot, tangerine oil and tropical accents grace this delicious, inviting Chardonnay from Nielson. Best of all, the 2018 should be a terrific value.

Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018sThe 2017 Pinot Noir Barbara's Clone 667 is dark and ample in the glass, with a real sense of resonance that comes through. A veil of reduction makes the 2017 hard to read today. Perhaps time in bottle will help. If opened young, I would give the 2017 quite a bit of air. I imagine the 2017 might have more to offer than what is evident today.

Easy to drink, and lip smacking good, may be the best way to describe the initial offering of Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc from LaCrema. This 2019 Sauvignon Blance is another good choice for a "Smooth Operator", summertime wine.The nose is quite fragrant with a fresh apple scent accompanied by a brisk citrus breeze. The flavors are ripe golden delicious apple, with a little melon and a tangy lemon backbone. The finish is clean and pleasant, although it fades a little bit at the end. The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.A bottle of the 2019 LaCrema was a great choice for our broiled salmon and zucchini- yellow squash medley. This one would also be a great choice for a chilled shrimp salad. Bring on the Dog Days of summer, we are ready for it!