Lots of rich, sweet flavors of raspberry, cherry and mocha appear in this vigorous, young Merlot. Blended from vineyards around the valley, it emphasizes fruit.

In 2004, this iconic winery produced a proprietary wine called Josephine - a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc. I don't think I have ever tasted it before. Most of it comes from the estate vineyards near Tychson Hill, well-known as a single-vineyard site of Colgin Cellars, which is adjacent. Deep, dark garnet with a big sweet kiss of black cherries and tobacco leaf, this medium to full-bodied wine has excellent ripeness, a round generous mouthfeel and a lush, succulent texture. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.

Marked by dry, gutsy tannins, that drying presence and savory herb mix of flavors turns this one in the direction of austerity and brevity. Ends with a dusty, cedary character.

The 2020 Chardonnay Vintner's ReseThe 2020 Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve comes from Monterey, Mendocino and Santa Barbara counties. Ninety-four percent of it was barrel fermented, and the wine was matured for six months in about 11% new French and American oak. It has savory aromas of yellow apples, cheese rind, cream and flint. The medium-bodied palate has dense flavors, a somewhat tacky texture and a hint of bitterness. 1,888,120 cases were made. Drink it over the next year or two.rve comes from Monterey, Mendocino and Santa Barbara counties. Ninety-four percent of it was barrel fermented, and the wine was matured for six months in about 11% new French and American oak. It has savory aromas of yellow apples, cheese rind, cream and flint. The medium-bodied palate has dense flavors, a somewhat tacky texture and a hint of bitterness. 1,888,120 cases were made. Drink it over the next year or two.

Full medium ruby. Aromas of black fruits, licorice and bitter chocolate. Supple and juicy, with a saline quality adding interest to the black fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes fresh and fairly suave, with finer-grained tannins than past vintages of this wine.

(produced at Chateau Lassègue, from the lower portion of this property) Full medium ruby. Aromas of black fruits, licorice and bitter chocolate. Supple and juicy, with a saline quality adding interest to the black fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes fresh and fairly suave, with finer-grained tannins than past vintages of this wine.

Deep medium ruby. Deep aromas of black fruits, game and smoke. In a rounder style than the Lassegue, with musky black raspberry and game flavors showing good intensity but less flesh and density than the estate's flagship cuvee. But this offers good mouth coverage, even if the broad tannins are a bit less successfully buffered. This should offer earlier drinkability even if it comes off as a bit muscular today. Seillan ferments this in stainless steel, giving it a gentler vinification, with less post-fermentation maceration to respect the fruit.

Displays straightforward cherry and black currant fruit flavors intermixed with spice box, cedar, herbs ad earth. While it does not possess much weight, it is more charming as well as friendlier than the 1999. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.

This French outpost of California's Kendall-Jackson empire has produced an extracted, dense ruby/purple-colored 2011 that is big, burly, hard and tannic. There is no doubting its level of extract and richness, but the tannins are severe and the oak treatment is elevated. If the wine comes together with time, it could turn out to be outstanding, but I have serious reservations.

Under screwcap. Cherry cola and sweet on the nose. Others said this was downright stinky. I could not find that initially but did after a repour. The palate, however, was a bit different: Fruity, but there is a bit of astringency on the finish. Not sure what to think. Did not have a second bottle so I tried what we had again yep, same. Good to Very Good.

Similar in style was the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley, which seemed straightforward, with notes of roasted coffee beans, underbrush, loamy soil notes and red and blackcurrants.

Should prove to be much better, with smoky black cherry aromas and flavors, meduim body, good acidity, but much more lushness and ripeness.

could turn out to be excellent given its saturated ruby/purple color, attractive, moderately intense crème de cassis and blackberry-scented nose, and fruity, medium-boded flavors. Soft, with low acidity, and spicy, peppery notes in the background, it should age nicely for 4-5 years.

.exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, followed by a sweet nose of cassis and smoky oak, and an excellent layered, supple, rich, concentrated palate with intense, ripe flavors.

The 1994 Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is richer, with sweeter fruit, as well as an attractive black currant/chocolatey character, good acidity, medium to full body, and a slightly tannic finish.

More sassafras characteristics along with sweeter fruit and underlying acidity are found in the 2002 Pinot Noir Seascape. There appears to be more to this vintage, but the wine was closed and unevolved when I tasted it.

Reveals an impressive, saturated purple color, and a blackberry and and crème de cassis-scented nose... It has copious fruit... because this wine is certainly concentrated and very well-made just

Other very good efforts in the Grand Reserve program are the 1994 Grand Reserve Merlot... The Merlot exhibits medium body, plenty of mocha/coffee, ripe berry fruit, a soft texture, and fine finish. The 1994 Grand Reserve Merlot reveals tannin in the finish, but that component is not out of balance with the wine's concentration. At $40 a bottle, this wine hardly qualifies as a good value, but it should drink well for 6-8 years.

…is a deeper, richer wine with more color, body, and glycerin. Both of these Syrahs are made in a soft, round style meant to be drunk over the next 3-5 years.

The Bordeaux-like 1999 Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon...Notions of cedar, tobacco, red and black currants emerge from this structured, muscular Cabernet, but high tannin dominates its personality.

Aromas of red currant, sour cherry, toffee and earth. Tightly wound and firm, even a big muscle bound, with elevated acidity keeping the sour cherry fruit under wraps today. Finishes with some greenness but the tannins are ripe.

Fresh pear, Fuji apple and peach flavors are appealing for their ripeness and juiciness in this straightforward style, with notes of ginger and toast on the finish. Drink now. 1,504 cases made.

Offers forward notes of raspberry and black cherry preserves, with touches of warmed licorice and rose hip, but the edges are just a touch blurry, and the underlying structure shows a hint of grain. Drink now through 2026. 352 cases made.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve is blended with 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. It was matured for 14 months in French (52%) and American oak (28%). It has understated aromas of redcurrant and cherry, menthol, vanilla and allspice. The palate is full-bodied and somewhat rustic with ripe fruit, chewy tannins and muted freshness. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. 182,645 cases produced.

The nose of this unique Pinot shows a wealth of forest and underbrush aromas alongside a core of candied raspberry fruit. The palate is exceptionally dry with evergreen, pepper and espresso flavors dominating before a very tannic finish that is reminiscent of Aglianico.