...dense fruit (black cherry and plum jam), with whispers of cedar and tobacco; well-knit tannin and a touch of earthy dust; lingers; grilled portobello with herbed butter.

Full yellow colour, bright and mature. Honey and lemongrass aromas; smooth, medium to full-bodied and rich on the palate; dry and silky, with density and depth. Clean and dry on a lingering finish.

Medium yellow colour. Toasted nut and honey bouquet with hints of marzipan and quince paste. Some sweetness countered by frisky acidity, lemony and tangy. Halva. Probably adjusted acidity makes it a tad shrill, but a good wine all the same.

Love this! Beautiful cherries and field raspberry notes roll in first then there's fresh earth after a spring rain followed by some baking spices and a long finish. This pinot has been one of my favourites for years.

Rich and sweet, with black cherry and mocha flavors, hearty and full bodied.

2007 Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot, Bennett Valley: soft, ripe and lush, with aromas and flavors of black plums, anise and cinnamon.

2007 La Jota Vineyard Merlot, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley: powerful, concentrated flavors of black plums, dark chocolate and espresso, firm tannins, long finish.

2008 Freemark Abbey Merlot, Napa Valley: hint of oak, flavors of mulberries and cocoa, full-bodied and hearty.

Crisp and rich, with floral aromas and flavors of ripe apricots and cloves.

Hop in your private jet and head down the California coast 250 miles to the Santa Maria benchlands in Santa Barbara County. The same Pacific Coast influence of morning fogs and ocean breezes affect grape growing in this fast-growing California region as well. Sourced from the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Santa Barbara County, this wine offers the complexity that comes from fruit grown on mature vines. Earthy and floral aromas mingle with cherry, plum and barrel spice leading to a rich palate that adds toffee, toast and mineral to the fruity base defined by the nose.

As you travel north on Highway 101 through Sonoma County, you are passing through the Sonoma Coast AVA. All vineyards that were sourced for this Pinot Noir are within 30 miles of the Pacific Ocean, moderated by cool fogs and ocean breezes that extend the ripening time of cool climate varietals for greater complexity and acid retention. Bright strawberry and cherry aromas give the first clue that this will be a great salmon wine. The palate offers cherry and vanilla flavors along with notes of caramel and orange blossom. Tasty!

Looking for a delicious, full-bodied cab? Here it is. Opulent blackberry and chocolate aromas with hints of clove and rich cherry and cassis flavors.

Matanzas Creek Winery uses 86 percent merlot and 14 percent cabernet sauvignon for, of course, its muscle.

Merlot also plays well with the other grapes. La Jota Vineyard adds nothing, going with 100 percent merlot grapes because it gets such powerful fruit from Howell Mountain in Napa.

When paired with seafood, zesty California Sauvignon Blanc acts a little like a spritz of lemon, which is especially nice with these fragrant grilled shrimp.

Freemark Abbey's Napa Valley merlot is a triumph of precision blending - 79 percent merlot, 11.2 percent cabernet sauvignon, 8.9 percent petit verdot, 0.53 percent petite sirah. 0.23 percent malbec and 0.14 percent cabernet franc. When new flavours are added almost by the eye-dropperful, it might sound like too little to make a difference. But I've gone to many blending demonstrations, and I can attest that even 1 percent can create a change you can taste.

Dark, lush and dense with wild cherry, spice, and vanilla oak; juicy, deep and nicely structured; intense.

Dense, ripe and spicy; dark and concentrated, juicy and youthful with rich texture; supple, balanced and complex.

Ripe and fresh with tangy plum fruit and smooth vanilla in the nose; bright and lively, clean, complex and balanced.

Rich chocolate and vanilla nose; dark and dense with ripe plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors; velvety textured and complex with lovely acid structure and a long, luxurious finish.

Racy, nervy and showing pinpoint focus and tangy, elegant flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice; pretty, pure and stylish with great finesse and balance.

Rich and luscious with ripe cherry and juicy raspberry; crisp yet powerful and dense, complex and showing minerals and lovely floral notes; long and bright.

Love the berry and strawberry aromas here with hints of citrus fruit. Medium bodied, with a lovely intensity of fruit on the palate and a bright acidity. Super fine tannins. Racy and clean. Lovely now to drink.

Bright and racy (no malolactic) with minerals, tangy acidity, pure, focused flavors and elegant style; vibrant, lush and balanced with good length and a lively finish.

Velvety, ripe and rich with dense plum and black raspberry fruit; supple, rich and showing notes of mocha, spice and oak; long, balanced and stylish.