Medium ruby color; forward plum and herbal aromas; ripe, forward plum and cherry flavors with some herbal/oak notes; good structure and balance; long finish. Forward, fruity Pinot that will work well with a lot of food choices.

Here is a big wine that wears its ripeness surprisingly well, for while checking in at just over 15% alcohol, it is comparatively well-balanced and hides its heat behind lots of deep and well-defined blackcurrant fruit. It is at once both very full-bodied and slightly supple in feel, and the finishing toughness that comes from its young Cabernet tannins will ease and be made moot by four or five years of age.

Made in the slightly sweet style that made this bottling famous, this Chardonnay's pineapple, orange and peach flavors are balanced by crisp, coastal acidity. It's a fine sipper at an affordable price.

Hartford Court Winery, a.k.a. Hartford Court,...produces a dozen or more Pinot Noirs, but my favorite usually is its Far Coast Vineyard, near Annapolis in the north. This baby needs time; it will be long-lived, and is destined to be one of Hartford Court's greatest wines.

Here's a nicely fragrant pinot that hits all the high notes: red, raspberry fruit, some floral aspects and good balance.

The Arroyo Seco 2007 is a deeper, earthier wine, rather different in style and not as widely available.

Soft and a bit sweet, with pronounced attractive floral aromas, this popular pinot from Santa Barbara County has long been a thoroughbred in the Jackson Family stable of wines.

The much-harder-to-find Anderson Valley bottling was my favorite of the tasting.

This good-quality pinot noir reflects the cool climate of Sonoma County's coastal appellations, with the added advantage of being widely available.

Made in a simple, crowd-pleasing style, this tastes like pinot noir - which, despite the duh factor, is saying something for a wine under $20. ...I suspect it will find fans in many consumers who want a wine to enjoy without having to think too much about it.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. The 2009 Byron offers a good preview of the structure, concentration, and ripe flavors typical of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Santa Barbara County, where long east-west valleys funnel cooling Pacific influences, is home to two great pinot noir regions. At the northern end of the county, the Santa Maria Valley sources a growing number of wineries. My tastings revealed an impressive portfolio from one of the pioneers of the area.

Wines labeled with a California designation are most likely to sport an everyday price. The 2008 Murphy-Goode offers a good varietal character for the price.

The Sonoma Coast is the new hot region for Pinot Noir. It is a large and largely isolated area but already contains several of the most-respected pinot vineyards.

California's central coast also is a wellspring of outstanding pinot noir. Certain microclimates in Monterey County have been cultivated successfully by small, quality-minded producers. Two wines crafted from select vineyards within Monterey - 2009 La Crema Winery...are a good introduction to the region.

Wines labeled with a California designation are most likely to sport an everyday price. The 2009 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve offers good varietal character for the price.

Lovely and rich with butter-oak richness. White peach, lime and green apple. Full-bodied.

Carefully selected from the top 1% of all Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc lots, this Grand Reserve represents qualities that Sauvignon Blanc lovers enjoy. The color is a brilliant light gold with a pale green cast, while the nose displays hints of vanilla, citrus and a blend of floral and subtle grassy notes. Dry and textured, the flavors show inviting mineral accents. Nicely balanced with juicy flavors, this Grand Reserve finishes with 14.3% alcohol and layers of fruit.