This bottling offers a twist on the classic cabernet, with a streak of high-toned pomegranate running through its rich black fruit. It also has notes of mineral, cedar and leather in the mix. Jackson Family Wines now owns Freemark Abbey, which was founded in 1886 and was one of the first cabernet producers in Napa Valley.

Aromatically expressive with scents of red and black cherries accented with spicy undertones and a note recalling tomato plant leaves that often results from some whole cluster fermentation. Stylishly light in color and weight, this still offers plenty of flavor, though thankfully without any excess oak, nor any sweetness that doesn’t seem to emanate from the fruit

will elevate your holiday meal when paired with stuffed mushrooms. Daybreak is crafted from a harmonious fusion of seven distinctive white grape varieties, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Picpoul, and Chenin Blanc—a truly exceptional and one-of-a-kind choice for your holiday celebrations.

Again, at this price, not everyone will appreciate the refinement of this Merlot from Mt. Veeder, whose underpinning of a seabed’s mineral-rich soils and cooler climate make this Merlot multi-dimensional with a delectably long finish. From winemaker Christ Carpenter, who established the Mt. Brave project in 2007, the berry flavors have concentration, not too tannic, and quite ripe for this vintage.

Plump and open, with cherry and singed vanilla notes wrapped together through a lightly toasted finish. Drink now. 100,000 cases made. -J.M

This is mountain Merlot at its best. The grapes were sourced from a vineyard in Napa’s Howell Mountain AVA that sits at an elevation of 1,600 feet. That altitude keeps daytime temperatures cooler, while the location above the fog line leads to warmer evenings, resulting in a long, slow growing season. The long hang time allows the fruit to develop deep and complex flavors while maintaining acidity. This particular bottle has a nose of rich dark berries with a wisp of pepper and baking spices from oak aging. The acidity and slight tannic grip balance out deep fruit flavors on the palate.

A distinctive version, with a velvety core of blueberry and blackberry notes that show a touch of huckleberry, accented by fresh rosemary, bay leaf and sage notes, plus details of tobacco, salted black licorice and oolong tea that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2034. 207 cases made, 100 cases imported. -M.W.

Opulence meets restraint in this Mt Brave bottling from the high elevation Mt Veeder AVA in Napa Valley. Aromas of spiced black plums, cinder, smoke and dried floral notes are underpinned by an esoteric mint note. The palate is lush, rich and brooding. Dark plum flesh, Christmas spice and blackberries meld together with rich raisin and chocolate notes. There is a savoury balance that brings acidity to lift the proceedings.

Medium color with a very lovely nose of Bing cherry and earth. Nice. The palate is harmonious and tasty with solid fruit and great balance. Whoa. Outstanding.

From vines with 100 years of average age, up to 120 in the oldest vines from 60m above the valley floor, comes a mountain Zinfandel grown in cooler climes – savoury with fresh fennel frond, mint and sage with ample blackberry aromas. There is an absolute freshness to this Zinfandel,...

Coastal vineyards from Mendocino and native fermentation produce a concentrated and balanced expression of mountain Zinfandel. Aromas of Christmas spice, cinder and baked blackberry tart introduce this rich Zinfandel from small growers throughout Mendocino County. Lushly fruited, the palate shows concentrated

Fairly dark, with lots of fruit on the nose, rich, dark, and deep. Nice. The palate is loaded with fruit, but the acidity is initially lacking. It comes in on the finish, though, rounding out the wine nicely. Excellent. 92 Points.

Undeniably drinkable and fresh, the North Coast Zinfandel from Kendall-Jackson may serve as a bellwether of the style of wine the grape can produce with a depth of dark fruits that is lifted by undeniable freshness. Aromas of mountain scrub, wild violet, pine bough and stone give way to ripe...

Fairly light in color with a somewhat dirty nose (stem inclusion?) of light cherry and maybe even some funk. Light on the palate as well, but pretty well balanced and a lengthy finish. Not as boisterous as others but very nice.. Excellent. 91 Points.

Medium to dark in color. A lovely nose of subtle fruit (black cherry, plum) but also a bit of heat. Ample fruit on the palate but this seems to be lacking a bit of acidity to keep up. Very Good. 89 Points.

Concentrated black fruits, kirsch and damson, this is pristine yet exuberant, full of life and pleasure, majoring on expresso, mocha, damson, cassis, cocoa bean and softer waves of rose petals and iris. Just seven vineyards provide the fruit source in this vintage, with over half located on Spring Mountain. Even 24 hours on it is very clearly still structured in its tannis architecture, suggesting you have years ahead for enjoying the wine. 100% French oak, 93% new. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Just a beautiful wine, this is filled with silky smooth tannins, sage, fennel, chocolate, liquorice, bright blueberry and damson fruits, slate tannins and a juicy signoff. One of the standouts of the vertical, from a vintage that was balanced and steady, allowing for full ripeness without excessive heat spikes. Harvest 23 September to 30 September to 30 October. Throwing some deposit at this point, make sure you carafe. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined. All estate vineyard grapes, from six vineyard sites, dominant Mount Veeder.

What a stunning wine, and although still vibrant and concentrated, it is at a gorgeous moment to drink, really opened up with rose petal aromatics, mouth wateringly juicy and supple tannins, along with rosemary and sage spice wound through damson and blueberry fruit. Harvest 6 September through 1 November, after a relatively cool growing season, with very few days topping 100 degrees (38C), even in the warmest locations. This gave it a measured reception on release, but at this point showcases the beauty of Cardinale, where it can maintain its signature punch while leaning in to the cooler fruit character of the vintage. Throwing some deposit at this point, make sure you carafe. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Luxurious, balanced, supple tannins running through damson, black cherry and pomegranate fruits, wrapped up in curls of cigar box, gunsmoke, liqurorice root and grilled coffee bean. As it opens up, brighter notes of star anise, fennel and turmeric appear, this is beautifully complex and arresting 100% French oak, 81% new. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined. Sourced from 12 vineyards, with Spring and Diamond Mountains dominant. This was the first vintage on the Place ode Bordeaux.

Intense, spicy and concentrated, this was a low yielding year, and even at 9 years old feels just at the start of its life. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy it already though, as the tannins are supple, with blackberry and brambled autumnal fruits wrapped in cigar box, cocoa and fragrant sage showcasing the mix of loud and quiet notes that Cardinale does so well. 100% French oak. 84% new. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined, with grapes selected from 12 different vineyard sites, the dominant being Veeder Peak.

Rollicking yet savoury – and wild strawberry-stashed – this classic, upbeat pinot noir is from a top cool-climate spot.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva possesses rich fruit aromas of ripe plum, floral notes of honeysuckle and earthy hints of forest floor. An incredibly silky palate carries through the beautiful balance of fruit and earth flavors - like eating wild blueberries off the vine - with dominate notes of bright red cherries and dark chocolate. The finish is long and intriguing, showcasing classic notes of orange peel with undertones of cedar and tobacco. The vibrant acidity suggests the wine will age gracefully for years to come and that 2018 will be remembered as a great year.

The Cabernet Franc grapes that are used in this stunning Italian wine come from the estate’s L’Apparita and Belvedere blocks which are known for their sandy soils with ample clay deposits. The winemakers were very happy with the 2017 season and harvest because the grapes got to spend more hang time on the vine, which allowed for riper flavors and balanced acidity. This wine introduces itself with aromas of red raspberry, black plum, and whiffs of eucalyptus that lead to flavors of black cherry, red plum, cigar box, and anise. The tannins are rounded and there’s a note of freshly ground white pepper in the finish.

Biggest of these in power, breadth & structure, but perfectly proportioned to avoid heaviness. Oak (50% new) also important part of whole. Full expression of usual dried orange peel, lees-enriched complexity yet to emerge but 2019 driven by intensity to resounding length. A grand future beckons.

Enticing aromas of strawberry, spice and florals billow from the glass. The palate is medium to full bodied, by Grenache standards, with oodles of plump, juicy fruit girdled by spicy, fine tannins and lovely acidity. The cool 2021 vintage has ramped up the aromatics here (and the acidity), and it’s drinking beautifully now but will age gracefully for at least eight to 10 years. Sovereign Wine Imports. —C.P.