Intense blackberry and Asian spice. Ripe, with silky tannins and a mineral streak. Voluptuously fruity yet with a solid backbone.

Dark, viscous and monumental, this Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend detonates on the palate with black currants, chocolate and cedar, wrapped into the most perfect tannins. Outstanding, and should age for many years. Only 277 cases of this wine, which was grown on steep hillsides, were produced.

The vineyard is in the interior part of the appellation, toward Carneros, and the wine displays the firm, acidic minerality of that cool, foggy region. It has fantastic limpidity. The oak is remarkable for the purity of vanilla and smoky honey, while the underlying flavors of Meyer lemons, pineapples, nectarines and kumquats are decadently good. A masterpiece of Chardonnay.

This is from a block of younger vines made from Dijon clones within the larger Arrendell Vineyard. The wine is quite full-bodied and robust, almost rustic, which is mainly due to the powerful, young tannins. With explosive berry, currant and mocha flavors, this powerful wine should hit its stride in mid-2010.

A gorgeous Cab that shows the density and concentration, but also the elegant structure, of a fine mountain vineyard. Dry and richly tannic, this 100% Cabernet has pinpoint flavors of currants, plums and cedar. Brilliant now, and should evolve through at least 2012.

A blend of various vineyards from the far or true Sonoma Coast, and also Hartford Court's highest-production Pinot Noir. Always beautiful and balanced, the '07 in particular is remarkable for its silky tannins and overall seamless quality. Really excites for the complexity of currant, cola, licorice and cedar flavors. Now through 2013.

High acidity marks this vibrant wine, which is from one of Kendall-Jackson's coolest coastal vineyards. The crispness lends a vibrant tension to the intense flavors of Meyer lemons, orange blossom and minerals, while oak adds softer, spicy notes. Feels racy and nervy all through, in a delicious way.

Here's a big, sumptuous, fat, oily Chardonnay, massive in tropical fruits, spices, minerals and smoky buttered toast. The creamy texture makes it feel especially rich. Aged in 57% new oak, it's truly decadent - but balanced - Chardonnay.

From the winery's Annapolis Vineyard, at the cool, northern tip of the true Sonoma Coast, comes the chunky young Pinot Noir. Although the grapes were determined before fermentation, the tannins are significant, a reflection of the low yields and tough skins the berries develop. In fact, the wine is almost Zinny in its full body and spicy, briary fruit. It clearly needs time. Best after 2011.

Classic Monterey Pinot, dry, crisp, silky and ripe. The fine 2007 vintage has made it explosive in cherries, currants, sassafras and cola, with refined, new oak notes of smoke and spice. Drink this rich wine now through 2013.

Inky dark and tannic, with a full-bodied mouthfeel. Shows very ripe flavors of red and black cherries, currants, anise, dark chocolate and smoky cedar. Quite rich, if a bit ponderous now, but should develop lightness and purity over the next 6-8 years as the tannins drop out.

It's all there with this rich Merlot. Fabulously lush in currants, mocha and cedar, it also displays great balance and charm. The tannins are superfine. Drink this beauty now through 2010.

Shows the soft tannins and slight herbal quality of a top Alexander Valley Cab, along with low-yield mountain concentration of red and black currants, mocha and spice. Drink this polished, supple wine though 2012.

You'll find lovely floral notes to this wine that make it almost Alsatian. But it's Chardonnay all the way, with rich, complex flavors of peaches and tropical fruits and rich creamy texture. New oak adds lush notes of buttered toast and spices.

The vintage was a good one for all K-J's Cabernets, and this Grand Reserve offers lots of bang for your buck. It's full-bodied and dry, with rich blackberry jam, red currant, licorice and cedar flavors that finish long and spicy.

Monterey's cool-climate flavors of lemons and limes marry richer, more tropical Santa Barbara notes in this creamy smooth Chardonnay. Oak plays a prominent role, lending an edge of vanilla and buttered toast. This is a very good price for the quality.

This is a tremendously rich Merlot, made from top Sonoma vineyards. Dry and tannic, it has potent flavors of cherries, blackberries, currants and cedar. Could develop in the bottle through 2012 with careful cellaring.

A nice, lush and tart Pinot whose dryness comes as a welcome surprise, given the massive fruit. Cherries, raspberries, currants, cola and smoky cedar flood the mouth, yet the finish is crisp and balanced. With its silky texture, this deep end wine is best now and for a few years.

A lovely, polished Cab, brimming with fresh flavors of blackberries, currants, cedar and spice. With its dry, lush mouthfeel and firm tannins, it provides quite a bang for your buck.

This is a big, powerful, tannic Pinot Noir, almost Rhône-like in its weight and density. Shows flavors of plums, blackberries, cola, mocha and cedar. Rustic now, but could develop soft complexities over the next six years.

Here's a supple, polished Merlot that shows lots of North Coast class. It's fully dry, with rich, smooth tannins and complex flavors of black currants, cedar and herbs. good buy for under $20.

K-J figured out California Riesling: It doesn't have to be flabby and sweet. This one has some sweetness, but it is balanced by a siren of citrus, minerality and floral notes. The aromas pierce the nose long, long after you open the bottle. The palate is sturdy, body is big. Alcohol is 13 percent--now that's California. The finish is so impressive--so intense, dry, crisp and minerally. When I have an open bottle of K-J Riesling in my fridge, it's an arsenal of flavor to embolden sauces with. This is a hidden gem on store shelves. Trust me.

The huge, thick tannins are all from the wine's 1,500-foot mountain vineyard, but they're so soft and refined, the wine is instantly drinkable, although it will age for many years. Tastes dramatically luscious for the depth and length of black currant, olive, chocolate and cedar flavors.

California Merlot doesn't get much better than this. Shows the tannic weight and density of its mountain origins, a huge, gigantic Merlot that will take some cellaring. But it's fully drinkable now for the ultra-rich black currant, licorice, grilled meat, mocha and cedar flavors.