The Murphy-Goode touch with Sauvignon Blanc is evident here, producing a plush sauvignon that shows richness and softness on the palate with notes of tropical fruit, melon and grapefruit. Easy to drink and enjoyable to the last drop.

An easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc that's fermented in barrel and stainless steel, this has a depth of pear, tangerine and lime flavors. Creamy and rich, it will make a consistent companion to most fish dishes.

This is a light-bodied, mildly fruity wine that accents apple and pear flavors with a sprinkling of dried herbs. It's soft and dilute in terms of mouthfeel but works well as a basic white wine.

Starting out with a full flush of appley fruit on the nose and staying on track through to its finish, this unexpectedly fleshy and surprisingly well-balanced Chardonnay is not particularly complex, but it stays clear of the candied confection typical in wines of its price and is persuasively fruity every step of the way. Its varietal honesty earns it an enthusiastic vote for fine value, GOOD VALUE.

Aged in white oak barrels from Minnesota, the winemaker’s home state, this wine offers exotic honeysuckle and baked pineapple at its core, beautiful aromas that gain weight on the texture. Toasted caramel and coconut define the finish.

The 2001 Syrah exhibits deep colors, but had hard tannins, a certain austerity, and a noticeable lack of texture as well as persistence on the palate.

Full medium red. Musky aromas of roast coffee, menthol and fresh herbs. Highly aromatic but a bit foxy in the mouth, with a candied mint, chocolate, spice and herbal flavors more than primary fruits. A supple wine with modest density.

It is a straightforward, lemony, melon, and grapefruit-scented and flavored wine, with elegance, crisp acidity, and light to medium body. Drink it up, as it already seems to be drying out.

As longtime readers know, the Journey produced by Matanzas Creek is one of an increasing number of absurdly priced, good yet unexciting California wines. Of course, one can cite many examples from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and elsewhere that are overpriced, but isn't it time consumers begin saying no to wines that prey on a group of consumers with more discretionary income than taste? There are 235 six-packs of this wine, which has a dark ruby color, as well as earthy, cherry currant, and herb-tinged aromatics intermixed with toasty new oak. The wine tastes attenuated as well as austere. If my instincts are correct, it is already beginning to drop its fruit. Caveat emptor. This chunky, spicy wine is a bad value at one-third the price. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

The 1999 Chardonnay, which was put through the 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel, is a smoky, well-textured, richer effort, with notes of creamy tropical fruits and spices. This clean, medium to full-bodied white is best drunk over the next 1-2 years.

Thick and warm with the black smoke and graham cracker spice of oak, this syrah shows a little anise flavor with air. It may take more shape with time; for now, its a one-glass-at-a-time Philly cheesesteak wine.

The 1997 Merlot is a straightforward, medium-bodied, monolithic offering with good cranberry and cherry fruit intermixed with a touch of herbs, wood, and earth. Lake many overpriced California wines, it is too expensive for what is delivers.

Bright-ruby red. Aromas of currant, game, cola, cocoa powder, herbs, tea and leather. Cool but supple in the mouth, with suggestions of black raspberry, menthol and brown sugar. Distinctly riper and sweeter than a couple of merlots I tasted from this producer, but the tannins nonetheless turn a bit tough on the back.

The last offering, the 2013 Pinot Noir Hawkster comes from clone 2A, and displays plenty of almost strawberry and cherry-like fruitiness, with a real elegance, light tannin and medium body in a sexy, lush style. None of these are very big Pinots, but they are all elegant and savory.

The 2013 Pinot Noir Afleet, which comes from a specific block of the Maggy Hawk Vineyard and the Pommard clone (probably better known in Oregon), offers more raspberry and cola notes and an earthier, darker, more muscular style, without quite the finesse of the Jolie. Drink it over the next 3-5 years.

The 2011 Pinot Noir Jolie, from Dijon clone 115, spent 14 months in 47% new French oak. It displays a dark ruby color as well as a charming, up-front style with lots of blueberry, sweet and sour cherry, loamy, earthy undertones, and a medium-bodied, silky finish. This is a delicate, pretty style of Pinot Noir to drink over the next 3-4 years.

Shows good intensity to the lemon and green apple flavors, set on a light body, with crunchy acidity and a whiff of fresh fennel on the finish.

A correct, straightforward Cabernet Sauvignon, La Jota's 2003 possesses minerality along with blue and red fruits and medium body, but not the concentration, depth or richness one would expect from this site. The 2003 was produced from the Ink Grade, Dodge and La Jota vineyards. The final blend included 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot. Fully mature, it should be consumed over the next 4-5 years.

Light pink color. Aromas pop with nettle, sliced cucumber, white tea, honeysuckle, over top of watermelon and lemon. Juicy on the palate with a creamy texture and medium acidity. Watermelon and lemon and white peach mix with nettle and spicy oregano notes. Fun, fresh, spicy stuff.

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.

Crisp and lively, with bright red currant and anise flavors that will match well with food.

Delicate and balanced, with spicy, tea, cola and cherry flavors that linger on the soft finish.

Bright saturated ruby cast. Medium-bodied. Full acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly tannic. Minerals, black fruits. A racy fruit-driven nose leads to a firm and intense palate. Crisp, lean and vibrant through the finish.

Medium cherry red. Moderately light-bodied. Moderately extracted. Moderately oaked. Mildly tannic. Red berry fruit aromas. Cranberry and strawberry flavors have an astringent backbone with sweet tobacco notes lingering on the finish.