This is a well-crafted wine that’s dense and delicious in juicy red fruit, black currant, licorice and nutmeg. With much of the fruit sourced from the Alexander Valley, this wine shows a managed level of ripeness and oak aging. Structured and lengthy on the finish, this is a nicely put-together package.

It’s hard to find a tastier Pinot Noir for this price. Aromas of rose petals, pungent violets and raspberry juice show just a touch of chai tea, and the palate proves juicy and fun, with cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry elements. Black tea and mocha flavors add just enough seriousness.

The palate has fun red-fruit notes, as well as just-serious-enough black tea and mocha flavors.

The aromas of blueberry and wild berry are taut and firm, with snappy acidity and vibrant tannins that sustain the flavors, ending crisp and lively.

This is a sumptuous, well-crafted wine, nearly 100% varietal and dark purple in color. It offers leathery chocolate and red cherry flavors around still-dense tannins that seem to soften in the glass. Given more than a year in oak, only a small percentage of it new, it’s lively and refined.

An expressive version of the variety, this includes tiny percentages of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Leathery plum and blueberry are the standouts in terms of aromas and flavors, with a soft, spicy streak that lifts the experience, finishing in a dusting of cocoa powder.

The ripe, rich red berry and dark berry flavors are front and center, bold and layered, appropriately youthful and snappy in their vibrancy. The youthful core of blackberry, wild berry and raspberry is appealing now.

Actress Drew Barrymore’s project with Carmel Road shows aromas of sliced golden and red apples, wet cement and freshly cut grass. It’s slightly salty on the palate with a tremendous amount of apple cider-like zing that runs through the whole sipping experience, showing both the floral and bitter flavors of ruby-red grapefruit pith.

Firm and vibrant, with fresh, snappy wild berry, fresh earth and cedary notes that are intense and persistent, if a bit clipped on the finish.

Smooth and creamy with lush texture and juicy apple and citrus fruit; balanced and fresh.

Nicely fruited, constant in focus and sporting a fair measure of oaky richness, the latest effort from Carmel Road is a moderately full-bodied Pinot whose depth and definition make it a standout at the price. It is fleshy and firm with a bit of youthful coarseness yet to lose, and, if it promises to gain in polish with a bit of age, service with food will smooth its way in the short term. GOOD VALUE.

A bit richer at first in the nose than it is distinctly fruity, this wine initially favors sweet, slightly spicy oak with an element of fresh, red cherries gradually coming into play. Fruit assumes a slightly more central role in the nimble, mid-density flavors that follow and stays the course through to a firm, slightly ragged finish, and, if hardly a wine that demands lengthy aging, it will benefit from a year or two of waiting.

Tight and tannic, this majority Cab wine is distinguished by a thickness of black fruit and herbaceous back palate that gives it density, separated by bursts of vanilla and oak. Give it time to open and notes of mocha chocolate should also come through.

Sonoma Coast vineyards enjoy a long, cool growing season due to the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean, and its fogs and winds that blow inland. This is perfect for slowly ripening grapes to develop complex flavours and nuances without lots of sugar that translates to heavy alcohol. Classic Californian Chardonnay with toast, oak and green apple on the nose. Full-bodied, and generously layered. Generous flavours of pear and peach on the palate with a long, dry finish and a hint of wild white flowers in a spring rain. Perfect for roast chicken or mild curries.

Decently priced, this fruit-forward pinot noir is loaded with black cherry flavors and a hint of vanilla.

A bright chardonnay with zesty citrus notes. White peach and pineapple are in the mix. Its layered flavors makes it appealing. A steal for the price.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is subdued upon opening, but blossoms over time in the glass to reveal aromas of dark cherry liquor, spice, and plenty of floral goodness including violets and roses. The nose was even more captivating the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and was reminiscent of capturing a whiff of seductive perfume on a beautiful woman. The mid weight plus core of dark cherry and raspberry fruit is incredibly flavorful and reveals many nuances over time including spice, conifer, rosehips tea and just the right touch of oak. Elegant and sleek with amazing length, this wine is the whole package. Compared to the 2011 vintage, this wine is a bit more elegant, more fashionable and shows more adroit oak integration. I have tasted this wine on three other occasions and was blown away each time. An exemplar.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is more earthy than fruity, with aromas of mulch, mushroom and a hint of blackberry jam. Very soft and silky in the mouth with impressive harmony, this mid weight wine offers layers of sweet dark blackberry, black raspberry and spiced plum flavors accented by complimentary mocha-laced oak. The tannins are satiny and folded in nicely. The fruit intensity builds in the mouth, culminating in an orgasmic finish that never seems to want to go away.

Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. A very charming wine that aims to please with inviting scents of dark cherry, spice, rose petal and anise-laced oak. The full-bodied attack of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry flavors are accented with a hint of spice. The most tannic of the Maggy Hawk Pinot Noirs, but has the fruit concentration to balance. The velvety mouthfeel is very seductive and the head-turning finish ramps up the intensity level a few notches.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely scent of black cherry mash, spice, rose petal and grilled mushrooms. More sappy and concentrated than the 2011 version, with a bombastic array of redder cherry and berry fruits touched by oak. Deft winemaking here with suave tannins, and bright acidity that flatter the fruit core. Like all the 2012 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noirs, the finish is noteworthy for its generosity and persistence.

Gorgeous moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. This wine has an Oh God! nose offering sexy aromas of Bing cherry, cardamom spice, dark chocolate and vanilla bean. The delicious black cherry core saturates the mid palate, expands in the mouth, and carries over to a finish that seems to last a minute. Suede-like tannins frame the fruit which is accented by oak-driven notes of spice, mocha and vanilla. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle, the aromatic goodness was still in full dress. The only nit I have is that the oak is a little heavyhanded.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose leads with effusive aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, redwood and forest floor. Soft and smooth on the palate with a mid weight array of dark cherry and berry flavors complimented by a savory, woodsy tone that is hard to describe but very likable. Oak-driven notes of anise and toast play in the background. Juicy acidity brings the wine on target.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of Bing cherry, blackberry, dried herbs and vanilla lead to a mid weight palate of enticing spicy black cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with a thread of herbs and oak vanillin in the background. The tannins are ripe, firm and well-proportioned, the mouthfeel is soft and smooth, and the finish has impressive length. The wine was even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with deep cherry flavor and a ridiculously long finish.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy aromas of dark cherry and berry with a hint of marzipan and spice. Well-endowed with luscious cherry and berry fruits with a noticeable oak overlay that compliments rather than intrudes. The tannins are modest and supportive, and the finish has a generous richness.

A good value, this light-bodied wine with citrus notes is an easy quaffer. Round in the mouth with delicious fruit flavors.