An earthy pinot with notes of mushroom, herb, cherry and spice. Layered flavors. Nice acid.

Stonestreet Fifth Ridge Alexander Mountain Estate

Oak dominates this 100% barrel-fermented Chardonnay, giving vanilla creme brulee and buttered toast notes, but they marry well with the pineapple and pear tart flavors of the fruit. The overall impression is flashy and elaborate. The grapes come from the highly regarded Nielson Vineyard.

Here's a very dry, steely and streamlined Chardonnay. Brims with mineral-infused pineapple tart, buttered toast and honey flavors. Feels wonderfully elegant and balanced, and will pair beautifully with barbecued salmon. The vineyard is located on the so-called Santa Maria bench, one of the region's prime growing areas.

Great price for a Chardonnay this rich and attractive. Although the alcohol is relatively high, the wine feels balanced, with a proper tension between ripe fruit, oak, alcohol, lees and acidity. Offers savory flavors of lemondrop candy, pineapple tart and buttered toast.

Juicy and fresh; lovely red fruit; generous and ripe; lush and tangy.

Very rich, reflecting 100% barrel fermentation in partial new oak and 100% malolactic fermentation. Under the creamy lees and buttered toast are scads of pineapples, pears and papayas. The grapes come from the Nielson Vineyard.

Smells bright, citrusy and clean, an impression followed in the mouth, where intricate flavors of pineapple, lemondrop candy and Key lime pie turn spicy on the finish. The acidity is brisk; the wine did not go through malolactic fermentation. Just shows that a great Chardonnay doesn't need oak, although sur lies aging gives it a notable creaminess.

Smooth, bright and fresh with restrained fruit; lively balanced and long.

A bit untamed, but loaded with personality, showing cooked black cherry and smoky sage aromas, as well as superripe plum, licorice and cracked pepper flavors. Drink now through 2014.

Jammy and appealingly briary, featuring boysenberry and woody herb aromas and ripe black cherry, dried jalapeno and pepper flavors. Drink now through 2016.

Bright ruby-red. Black fruits, licorice and minerals on the nose. A dense, rich midweight with slightly chunky flavors of blackberry, currant, dark chocolate and menthol. Boasts very good stuffing but could use a bit more verve and lift. Finishes with nicely ripe, chewy tannins.

Ripe, jammy and a hint sweet, showing notes of cherry pie, sage and spice. Drink now through 2015.

Purply red, with a spicy cinnamon nose, this wine has a sweet cherry flavor spiked with a sprig of mint. Not a lot of tannins, but the structure is there.

Outstanding '08s: densely packed with fruit but still elegant.

A charismatic white blend for warm days. Relatively new to the market is Kendall-Jackson Summation, a charismatic kitchen-sink concoction of eight different grapes from five different California wine regions (mostly Lake, Mendocino and Santa Barbara counties). Sauvignon Blanc gives it a crisp backbone and minerality, Viognier and Chardonnay add body and a lush texture and Rousanne, White Riesling and Muscat Canelli add bright fruit and floral aromas.

Round, cherry/berry fruit.

A blend of Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley fruit results in jamminess and well-rounded, soft tannins.

There is something to be said for wines blended from different appellations. The climate and geology of each area provides fruit that varies in aroma and flavor, giving the winemaker more artistic potential in creating a perfect wine. Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve offers elegant black cherry and raspberry aromas with notes of plum and toasty oak. The palate shows rich fruit flavors with a fruity finish graced by notes of vanilla and cedar.

Aromas and flavors of green apple, pear, vanilla and toast. Rich texture. Elegant.

Look for aromas of cherry and raspberry with notes of vanilla and floral perfume. Frill your Copper River salmon to accompany flavors of black cherry, brown spice, vanilla and smoky, toasty oak. Tannins are soft and yielding making this a great sipping wine as well.

Aromas and flavors of melon, pear, herbs, toffee and spice. Oak lovers will really go for this. Good length.

Golden apples and spice, with a tart lemony finish.

Menthol, celery salt, barnyard, tea, herbal, sour cherry aromas. Round, supple, full palate with good textures and acidity. Celery, cherry jam, strawberry, coffee, resin, tea, tobacco leaf flavours. ..the palate has good texture and balance for current drinking.

The '08 California Summation ($17), the first release of a rich and honeyed, floral and nutty blend of nine white grape varieties.