The 2010 Proprietary Red Josephine is composed of 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36.9% Merlot, 17.9% Cabernet Franc and 6.7% Malbec (talk about being precise). This wine comes from a vineyard situated near Colgin's Tychson Hill site. Stunning aromatics of bouquet garni, black cherries, black currants, graphite and licorice emerge from this dense purple-colored 2010. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, pure and long, it can be drunk now and over the next 15-20 years.

The inky/purple-colored 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain exhibits asphalt, camphor, burning ember and sweet blackberry and cassis notes in a deep, full-bodied, rich, supple style. Even when exceptionally well made (as these four cuvees are), the 2011s are still low in acidity with soft tannins, making them very accessible. The Diamond Mountain Cabernet should drink well for 10-15 years.

The backward, Bordeaux-inspired 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder reveals sweet black currant, oak, forest floor and underbrush characteristics. Full-bodied with terrific ripeness and richness as well as a long finish with moderately high tannins, it should be forgotten for 3-4 years and drunk over the following two decades.

Winemaker Christopher Carpenter, who is also responsible for the wines of Lokoya, has fashioned an opaque ruby/purple-colored 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon offering notes of black cherries, black currants, and spicy oak, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, low acidity and light but sweet tannin. Another strong effort in this challenging vintage, it should drink well for 10-12 years. Cardinale's Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot aged in 90% new French oak, has always been one of the most impressive offerings from the Kendall-Jackson portfolio.

The 2011 Merlot W. S. Keyes from the Kendall-Jackson site on Howell Mountain is a blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon offering a deep ruby/purple color as well as serious old vine richness, and a full-bodied, brooding, powerful mouthfeel. It ratchets up the level of intensity, and seems even deeper and longer than the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. There are plenty of chocolate-infused berry fruit, mocha and espresso notes in this impressive 2011. Drink it over the next decade

From a well-known Rutherford vineyard, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot aged 29 months in 67% new oak. Backward with a Bordeaux-like framework as well as wonderfully sweet notes of unsmoked tobacco, cassis, fruitcake and cedar, this dense, pure, medium to full-bodied 2010 needs 2-3 years of cellaring and should age for 25+.

The brilliant 2011 Malbec comes close to what this grape can achieve in Argentina. Delicious floral, blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with notes of licorice, camphor and forest floor jump from the glass of this deep, medium-bodied, elegant yet authoritatively flavored red. One hundred percent Malbec aged in 70% new French oak, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next decade.

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged in 90% new French oak. Winemaker Christopher Carpenter, who is resurrecting this estate to its glory days of the early nineties, has hit pay dirt with this 2011. More charming than one normally expects of a Howell Mountain Cabernet, it possesses sweet tannin, low acidity, and lots of blueberry and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, underbrush and foresty notes. Medium-bodied and approachable, this endearing 2011 is best drunk over the next decade.

The 2012 Chardonnay is a non-malolactic, old style California Chardonnay that sees little new oak (about 15% new French is utilized). Lots of pear, lemon oil and citrus notes emerge from this crisp, medium-bodied, fresh, lively Chardonnay. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa shows beautiful cedary, Christmas fruitcake, black currant and black cherry notes as well as excellent ripeness, medium body and a long, spicy, heady finish. Composed of 82.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot and small dollops of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, it should drink well for 10+ years.

Two-thirds of the 2012 Viognier is barrel-fermented. The wine reveals more tropical orange marmalade and apricot notes intermixed with crisp, steely, mineral characteristics. This medium-bodied, fresh, lively Viognier should drink well for 2-3 years.

As for the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Intrada (94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Semillon), this wine exhibits copious notes of wet rocks, caramelized grapefruit and citrus oil in a medium-bodied, Pessac-Leognan-like style. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.

Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2011 Merlot exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, notes of white chocolate, espresso roast, black cherries, other berry fruit, a hint of tobacco leaf, and a rich, fleshy, supple, juicy personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Very rocky volcanic, dry soil; a warm site that ripens grapes into a plush, exotically perfumed cabernet.

A cool site with clay-laden volcanic soils; picked later than Montana, so more depth, more punch; dense, packed, powerful, many-layered.

The winery's cool-climate chardonnay, aged in neutral oak and stainless steel, is crisp and bright in fresh apple, pear and tropical fruit goodness, a crowd-pleasing wine that can successfully open up the night as an aperitif or wedge its way seamlessly into a range of mid-week meals, from seafood to chicken to Thai.

The La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012, $25, truly reflects the difference cool climate fruit makes — good acidity, brambly fruit flavors, a very Burgundian profile. It’s a celebration red if there ever was one. It has a deep garnet color, vibrant red cherry, cola, sweet spice aromas all seamlessly woven with the spice and smoke of toasted French oak.

The La Crema Sonoma Coast 2012 Chardonnay, $23, is an essence of ripe pear, green apple, lemon drop and orange zest — all delicately infused with smoky, toasty oak.

The Bennett Valley (this is the microclimate where the winery is located) Sauvignon is crafted in the style of Bordeaux blanc, with a richness and mouthfeel that is absent in most Sauvignon from either New Zealand or the Loire Valley. With complex aromas of pear, peach, tropical fruits and citrus, this is the thinking man's Sauvignon Blanc that would be equally satisfying as an aperitif or as a match for grilled fish or mild cheeses.

A full-bodied, well-rounded, buttery wine with lovely balancing acidity and citrus fruit notes.

A bright sauvignon blanc with a lot going on. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, lemon zest and papaya. Seamless texture. Balanced.

Rich comfy date and figgy smelling with a touch of walnut and wafts of cherry wood. And this is how it tastes: there’s a lustiness and swagger. And ferrous sweet-soy tastes. Another couple of years will bring on more.

Toasty aromas, flavors of cassis and bittersweet chocolate, assertive acids and tannins, spicy.

This is a layered chardonnay with exotic flavors. Notes of nectarine, white peach and crème brulee. Complex. Nice length. At $20, this is also a steal for the quality.

Juicy and lush with pure, tangy citrus and lively acidity; balanced, fresh and complete with a long, expressive finish; complex and lovely.