A big but mild-mannered wine, this has subtle oak and butter aromas plus ripe pear, butterscotch and white-peach flavors. A nicely thick texture carries all the complexity through the finish.

Blended with 7% Syrah and smaller proportions of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and other grapes, this well-made wine is restrained in style. It shows crisp red fruit, orange and cranberry loaded around dusty tannins, big oak and chocolate.

Dark cherry and plum fruit aromatics are evident, spiced with clove, cinnamon and wood smoke. Dark cherry again on the palate with strawberry, boysenberry and olallieberry along with brown baking spices. Fifteen months in French oak (15 percent new) gives this wine an exalted pedigree not usually associated with bottlings at this price point (those French barrels have become really expensive). A pinot that's juicy, refined and elegant yet still full of vigor and life. Open-knit and well-modulated, it's very mouth-filling and tasty all the way to the rich and lengthy finish.

The bright berry fruit on the nose just jumps out of the glass: raspberry, cherry and cranberry with hints of rose petal. Straightforward and direct, it's fruit focus follows the aromatics: black cherry and raspberry, along with candied violets and brewed and steeped black tea. Not necessarily complex or textured, it nevertheless engages you on midpalate with very accessible drink-me-now (in gulps) flavors. A pinot for immediate consumption and a good weeknight choice for casual dining with friends. Don't overthink it, just drink it.

Why make a different chardonnay? Because you can! And, in fact, this is something completely different. You can immediately sense that this chard is more structured, more linear and more focused. Peach and nectarine show up on the nose, along with orange/tangerine peel. A pleasant soft landing in the mouth of stone fruit, orange and peach blossom along with barrel spice from 10 months in French oak (30 percent new). Very much a stricter and more classical interpretation of local chardonnay; less of a cocktail wine and more of a food wine with its finely chiseled acidity.

Plenty of apple, citrus and pear on the nose with a bit of tropical influence (pineapple) as well. Remarkably fresh, fruity and vibrant on the palate. The tropical fruit becomes more evident, but it's brisk and breezy, not overwhelming, with apple and citrus making another appearance. Bright and sunny, it has a modicum of texture on midpalate. Well-balanced and well-structured, it's a great expression of what Santa Barbara County chardonnay is all about. It's actually quite remarkable that this bottling comes in under $20. Most chardonnays at this price point are boringly generic; this one offers character and a distinct sense of place.

Reasonably priced, this pinot noir from the Santa Maria Valley has interesting earth notes that remind us of Burgundy. Big cherry flavors with a dash of currant and spice.

Intense aromas of flowers and black raspberries, flavors of dark chocolate, spices and herbs, long, smooth finish.

Aromas of toasty oak and black cherries, flavors of black raspberries and black pepper, big, mellow tannins, full body.

Bright and fruity, with aromas and flavors of pineapples and mangos.

Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Brooding, mysterious aromas of blackberry compote, meaty black grapes and iron. Clearly a special, full-bodied and luscious wine that balances power with charm. The array of heady black fruits is dusted by earthy complexity and framed by mellow tannins that are unusually tame for a Pisoni Pinot Noir. There is beautiful integration of acidity, oak and alcohol, with a remarkably long, royally endowed finish. The pedigree really stands out in this sublime offering.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Pleasing combination of black cherry reduction sauce, black raspberry preserves and caramel apple aromas. Fruit-laden but carefree, with uplifting flavors of black cherry and black raspberry that attack the mid palate with purpose. Quite luscious and juicy, with modest tannins, a bright thread of acidity, and a very long, fruit-laden finish.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose seduces with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and spice. Very giving on the palate with a well-ripened onslaught of purple and black fruits tempered by ripe tannins and a tender dose of oak. The silky texture and lingering finish are both special features of this fine wine.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Riper and more darker red fruited than usual for Rosella’s in this vintage, but the quality of the fruit really shines from entry to finish. The fruit has a slightly cooked quality, but still seduces. The oak is deftly managed, the tannins are complimentary, the texture is smooth, and the fruity finish is noticeably generous.

Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. A very savory and distinctive wine of great interest. The nose leads with the scents of cherry, tea leaves and dried herbs. The mid weight essence of black cherry fruit has an earthy underpinning as well as accents of green tea and subtle oak. Nicely balanced with silky tannins and a generous finish that speaks more of unrefined, composted and feral nuances than fruit.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Challenging to evoke any identifiable aromas in this wine. Much better, even very tasty, on the palate with a full-bodied and focused arrow of blackberry and boysenberry fruits that are expansive and demonstrative. A luscious, very approachable wine that was still delightful the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle when a bit of spice showed up and the aromatics were more giving.

Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This wine blends the best of both worlds of power and elegance in a harmonious package. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, black plum, black tea, tobacco and a hint of tarry oak are pleasingly boisterous in this impressive value priced wine.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Plenty of toasty oak engages the black cherry, ripe strawberry and underbrush aromas that hold up over time in the glass. The discreetly concentrated core of black cherry, dark raspberry and blueberry fruits are embellished with oak-driven notes of toast, spice and anise. The raspberry-imbued and spicy finish has noticeable persistence. Despite the 15.0% ABV, this wine is in balance.

Aged 14 months on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The nose offers aromas of apple core, nori, lemon, yeast and gardenia. Soft on the palate with integrated, sound acidity, offering flavors of lemon-lime and briny apple. Lacks the lusciousness we have come to expect from Russian River Valley Chardonnay, seemingly even a bit faded as the wine is now four years old.

Aged 14 months on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 26% new. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The nose opens with some reductive aromas of sulfur and flint, improving over time in the glass although no fruit shows up. Better on the palate, with flavors of lemon, peach, caramel and crème brûlée. Soft and slightly viscous, with a moderately long and chalky-textured finish.

Using grapes from Mendocino and two other North Coast regions, this California gem has balanced acidity and ripe peach and apple flavors. Creamy mouthfeel and generous aromatics.

California is this bottle's origin, with grapes from five counties — half merlot, 22 percent syrah, and smaller amounts of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petite sirah, carignan and other. I promise you, those are grapes. This wine has plum, raspberry, licorice and a hint of spice.

Terrific wine! Juicy purple plums and brambleberries. Lovely juiciness and supple layers. Zinfandel food pairings: pork tenderloin en croute served with Honeycrisp apple sauce.

Lush and spicy nose; smooth, lush and showing smoke, raspberry and savory notes; a bright, juicy and stunning Burgundian wine.

Silky and smooth with vanilla, mellow spice and lovely balance; bright and juicy with finesse and crisp acidity.