Strawberry and raspberry fruit is plump and direct in this red, which shows a light sparkle of
savory through the friendly finish. Drink now. 155,606 cases made.

Supple and crisp, with easygoing raspberry, strawberry and spice flavors. Drink now. 14,359 cases made.

There's an appealing fresh-cut apple flavor at the core of this firm and juicy white, with notes of tangerine, mango and lemon peel, plus hints of spices and toasted brioche. Drink now. 750 cases made.

This wine has an initially unyielding nose with hints of quince, pear and spicy cinnamon that emerge slowly when coaxed. The palate is driven by oak, with flavors of caramel and toasted almond dominating throughout.

For lovers of ripe, rich Chardonnay—this pour is for you. Yellow apple, Bosc pear, yellow peach, mango skins and banana peel fruit notes intertwine with candied almonds, vanilla, nutmeg and buttery popcorn.

Kendall-Jackson Low Calorie Chardonnay is a different kind of low-calorie wine. According to Kendall-Jackson winemaker Randy Ullom, the initial harvest of grapes is picked earlier to keep the primary sugar low. A secondary harvest later in the season brings complexity and concentration to the wine. It balances the structure in light of its lower alcohol and calories, namely nine percent alcohol and zero sugar, hence the 85 calories. The palate is a blend of grapefruit and other citrus with pineapple and a taut citrus lees that leads to subtle hazelnuts and vanilla in the finish. Its only drawback is a high level of acid, but for fans of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, it should be no problem. It is 78% barrel-fermented and aged in neutral French and American oak, drawing 41/31/28 fruit from Mendocino County/Monterey County/Santa Barbara County. If you want to lower your sugar and alcohol intake while drinking wine, this may be a possible alternative, mainly because it tastes like wine.

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

A pale, watery lemon hue in the glass, this offers aromas that are as delicate as the visual. Predominantly floral tones waft gently from the glass, recalling white rose, lily of the valley, jasmine blossom, lychee, white grape and wet stone. The palate confirms those aromas and brings along a generous level of acidity. A bit of spritz adds extra energy and jazz to the experience. Best Buy. —S.B

An
overall balanced Pinot Noir, this offers notes of red
and black cherries and plums, cinnamon and licorice. The palate has a good dose of acid, a moderate
amount of tactile tannins and a solid finish. —S.B

A rustic style, with briary cherry, underbrush, and pepper flavors that finish with wiry tannins. Best after 2023. 15,000 cases made.

Shows lightly mulled strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors, which mingle with a savory twinge on the open-knit finish. Drink now. 100,000 cases made.

Gentle, with dried rose petal, strawberry and blood orange notes infused with a savory accent. Drink now through 2024. 25,000 cases made.

A simple Zin that incorporates a bit of Petite Sirah in the mix and offers straight-forward notes of blackberry, black cherry, raisin, licorice, chocolate, prune and date.

A simple, straightforward Pinot Noir with notes of red cherry, vanilla, licorice, toasted wood, clove and cinnamon spice

Open, expressive nose of fresh cherries, caramel, and black tea. The style is soft but juicy, with just enough acidity to keep the palate lively through the finish. Look for black cherry, cola, caramel, and vanilla with very little tannin. Ready to drink and a perfect foil to grilled chicken, pork sausages or vegetable pan dishes.

La Crema Sauvignon opens with a whiff of passionfruit and then strays a little more toward the exotic pineapple, guava, and lemongrass sector. It’s softer than any Kiwi version, but the roundness will attract as many as it will reject. The finish is medium-light with a subtle grapefruit mineral undertow. Ready to drink with sushi, chicken fingers, or a Greek salad.

KJ has always been about cool coastal fruit, which should work for sauvignon blanc, a newer wine in their lineup. I note this edition is skinnier than it has been, with a central theme of floral and citrus notes reminiscent of pink grapefruit, melon, lemongrass, and honeysuckle. A 15 percent addition of barrel fermented fruit has softened the edges, giving it a California finish. The fruit is a broad mix: 69% Lake County; 12% Mendocino County; 10% Monterey County; 6% San Luis Obispo County; and 3% Santa Barbara County

A round and smooth version, offering peach, pear and baked apple notes that are elegant and refreshing, backed by a touch of green tea on the finish. Drink now. 41,000 cases made.

Crisp and mouthwatering, with fragrant Key lime, passionfruit and mango flavors. Pure and juicy on a light, sleek frame. Drink now. 100,000 cases made.

Swampy perfume runs with mangrove, wet herbs, decaying fruit character, Chinese five spice. Palate is rich with dark fruit character, peppery spice, finishes short and with bitter coffee ground tannins. Big glob-full of rich wine, but bit disappointing in finish.

The 2012 release was brilliant.
This release is a different story. Strong blackberry, choc-cream and earth flavours, bold and brilliant, but the back half of the wine turns gamey and hard. It has ample redeeming features and the fruit itself is sensational; but in the end it’s out of whack.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Shiraz has a broody tar and earth-scented nose with a core of blackcurrants and black plums plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with earthy, understated black fruit and earth flavors, framed by chewy tannins and finishing with some peppery characters coming through.

Deep red/purple; good colour. Dried banana oak, strangely spicy aroma dominates nose. Very odd wine: simple on nose and palate and not very appealing in its bouquet and flavours. Possibly unripe. There's an impression of green walnuts throughout. Another expression of spice. Later: it's obviously the influence of stems fermented with whole bunches.

Deep purple/red colour. Very raw cherry pip aroma, banana esters are still evident; very fresh and raw, possiby unoaked, the tannins a touch young but agreeable, the wine basically a bit unformed. Fruit juicy. It has drinkability. (Preservative free; biodynamic certified)

Mid-weight, middle of the California stylistic road taken, a cabernet sauvignon amalgamated from many sources crafted in a square peg through a square hole way. Nothing forced, taken for granted, nor excess make-up neither. Just honest to Murphy Goode-ness, chock full of flavour and a chocolate-vanilla swirl. Just a shade too much sugar (6 g/L) but this too is a choice run straight down the centre.