Deep ruby color; complex, deep spice and toasty cherry aromas; big, dense earthy cherry with spice and oak notes; some tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, spicy Pinot with nice structure.

There is no mistaking the familial pattern here. The wine comes loaded with intensely pungent, weedy, green and juniper bush characteristics, and while there are those who are going to adore its “varietal” focus, others will find it too much of a good thing. For our part, the wine is seen for what it is and for the great joy it will bring to those who like it.

A very rich, jammy wine, in fact a little heavy, with extracted black cherry and cola flavors, liberally enhanced by oak. Sure is delicious, but not an ager, so drink soon.

Deep ruby color; deep, earthy, herbal berry aromas with some oak notes; complex, berry and cherry flavor with herb and oak notes; good structure and balance; long finish. Complex, herbal Pinot with lots of depth.

This doesn’t show a ton of apparent Riesling character, beyond a petrol note. But it is a fine wine, dry, elegantly constructed and crisp, with a sleek, minerally architecture housing citrus and peach flavors.

And then there is the widely available version of the “big green” approach delivered in each of the Matanzas Creek bottlings. It is less deep in central fruit yet every bit as given over to dandelion greens and pine bushes as it mates, and its bracing acidity further marks it as a member of the Matanzas Nation. It can handle a bit of cellaring.

This wine has an accent of clover honey to the lemon, lime and peach aromas and flavors. It’s crisp in acidity, which balances the ripe fruit flavors. Drink now with charcuterie, or bagels and lox with weekend brunch.

It is not about to challenge the top Sauvignons of 2012 when it comes to fruity depth or real range, but this very clean, nicely made effort speaks directly to the grassy, green melon traits of the grape, and its well-balanced suggestion of juicy sweetness makes it easy-to-like on its own or with a plate of fried chicken.

Dependable, consistent, good. Dark fruit, almost full-bodied.

So much prettiness and power at once for so little money; gorgeous ripe fruit, teasingly soft texture, haunting persistence of flavor; perfect Aussie shiraz.

A lovely chardonnay that's well integrated. Toasty, with notes of ripe apple, melon and crème brulee. Nice length. A standout.

A complex and full-bodied chardonnay that makes an impression. Layered flavors of melon, apple, toast and a hint of crème brulee. A chardonnay lover's chardonnay.

A striking zinfandel with powerful flavors of blackberry, cassis, and cracked black pepper. Full-bodied. A standout.

In any case, several of the Murphy-Goode team members thought they were in a position to do something to help active-duty soldiers and veterans by financially supporting their families. Their solution was to make a tasty wine called Homefront Red ($15) and donate 50 cents of each bottle to Operation Homefront. Given the economics of wine, which includes a markup from the distributor and the store, Murphy-Goode actually gets less than $5 a bottle, so they are donating a pretty big piece of their final take. All of this would just be a nice thing, but thankfully the wine itself is scrumptious. It is a blend of massive red grapes like Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Merlot. Given that heritage, you might expect a high-alcohol wine that fights with food. Instead, it's an easy-to-drink, food-friendly wine that would pair perfectly with any type of grilled meat, whether a sizzling Porterhouse or a plump burger. Murphy-Goode wines are available all over town, but Homefront Red is new to the market, so you might have to ask for it.

Smooth and floral with creamy texture and lovely ripe fruit; rich, lush and deep with mineral notes.

Medium to dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of struck match and cherry cordial. In the mouth cherry fruit is backed with somewhat stiff tannins. Excellent acidity keeps the fruit bright and juicy, even as the tannins seem to have a darker earthier quality. Nothing wrong with this wine, if you're looking for a basic Chianti.

Abundant, rich aromas of blackberry, fresh ground coffee, dark chocolate and a hint of smoke and cedar. Bright, tart flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate, mincemeat pie and fine, well-integrated tannins.

I was thinking of Goose Island on a recent tour of Alexander Valley, Calif., when I was smitten by a particular cabernet sauvignon. With its dark, intense flavors of blackberry and dark cacao and its firm tannins, it certainly spoke to where the grapes were grown—wind-swept cliffs hanging high above the valley below. The owner of these vines explained that they typically vinify a mind-numbing 200-plus separate lots (some less than acre in size), each with its own unique characteristics. She also said that the 900-acres of vineyards (many of which cannot be accessed by tractors due to the extreme slope) are spread out over her 5,100-acre estate. The wine that bowled me over was the 2009 Stonestreet “Rockfall” Cabernet Sauvignon ($75). The owner in question is Barbara Banke. Banke’s “other” winery is Kendall-Jackson.

A floral sauvignon blanc with vibrant fruit on the palate. Notes of pear, lemon and thyme. Crisp finish.

Matanzas Creek has long been one of California's leaders in sauvignon blanc, and the 2012 reaffirms that distinction. Not grassy and cutting like some of this varietal, this full-bodied dry white wine offers bold flavors of figs, herbs, green apple, gooseberries, vanilla, almond and mint. This is far more complex than most whites in this price range.

A lively sauvignon blanc with layered aromas and flavors. Notes of pear, melon and lime. Great minerality. Lingering finish.

Latour-like in structure and range of flavors, this is pure, rich and juicy, offering ripe plum, wild berry, spice, tea and cedar notes, ending with tannins that reveal a loamy earth flavor and texture.

Cherry-berry mouth-filling wonder. Just enough oak for hedonists. Full-bodied, layered yet not heavy.

Sleek, modern nose of purple fruits and spices, such as clove and black pepper. Great intensity, with touches of leather, cigar box and a plush, silky feel. Certainly has ample fruit and swagger, and plenty of energy to carry through onto the long finish.

Rich tarry blackcurrant nose, dense and imposing. Truckloads of high-quality oak and powerful black fruit with a textured earthiness. A touch extracted, but there's persuasive fruit here and a long, robust finish. Needs time before it's truly ready.