This wine has a lot going for it, starting with its light red color. Why it actually looks like Pinot Noir for heaven's sake, not Syrah as far too many California Pinots do. And-surprise! surprise!-it even tastes like a delicate Pinot instead of a fruit-filled Syrah (another pet peeve of mine is California Pinto Noir in Syrah drag). This elegant wine is light in body, with classic notes of strawberry and cranberry. It you love simple, well made Burgundies as I do, this California version will undoubtedly please you.

Top Value of 2008

Behind the rich flavors and textures a refreshing zippiness pops out, just the way it does when you bite into a perfectly ripe (but not TOO ripe) peach. Among the wealth of appealing flavors you'll find tangerine, pineapple, and vanilla here.

This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and a small amount of Semillon is mostly tank fermented, with less than 5% of the juice undergoing barrel fermentation and then aging in French oak. The aromas are mineral and citrus with subtle fig notes, while the flavors show more stone fruit and minerality. It has good texture and plenty of fruit, with a hint of heat in the finish from the 13.5% alcohol.

It's hard to find a decent Pinot at this price, and Carmel Road's is quite decent indeed. While not as deep and complex as the same producer's Arroyo Seco Pinot (a much costlier wine), it nonetheless offers offers plenty of pleasure with its powerful hints of cherry and other red fruits, plus notes of carpaccio and a little smokiness.

Fresh and fruity, with elements of peaches, melon and lemon meringue, this is an honest Chardonnay whose natural virtues are allowed to shine without being shrouded in massive oakiness or blowsy fruit. A nice crisp finish makes it a winning wine to accompany a variety of seafood and poultry dishes, and it's pretty good as well with a simple pan-grilled pork chop.

Top Value of 2008

Vanilla and fresh lumber notes lead the way, but gardenia and stone fruits emerge in the mouth and lead to a long, creamy finish reminiscent of a peach milkshake. A final kick of acidity keeps the whole thing balanced.

Made in the familiar style that is K-J Vintner's Reserve, this Chardonnay shows pineapple, lemondrop, mineral and spice flavors balanced with crisp coastal acidity.

Spicy black cherries and licorice; opulent and ripe.

The venerable Sonoma County producer continues to make outstanding merlot and this one won't let you down. The aromas range from thyme to clove and the concentrated flavors include blackberry, cherry and quince. Soft and approachable, it's a good wine for stews and wild game.

A new appellation for an old favorite.

Closed, but quite fresh and lively. Well-defined. Balanced and ripe. Some nice fleshy fruit present and good acidity.

Generous cassis nose, ripe, but not overly.

Deep, resonant cassis/mulberry nose. Refined structure, good core of fruit, long satisfying finish- this is terrific.

Suave blackberry backed by tangy acidity; silky and bright with gorgeous structure and flavors.

This is a big, fat, unctuous Chardonnay marked by exceptional ripeness and smoky oak. Yet it never loses sight of balance. It's powerful in candied or pie-filling pineapple jam, Mandarin orange zest, apricot brûée and vanilla custard flavors that are completely dry and accented with crisp acidity. This is an amazing price for a wine of this quality. Sommeliers, buy this beauty by the case.

Matanzas Creek's 2005 Merlot is a quintessential fine California Merlot. It is properly dry, with nearly full body and soft, velvety texture of fairly soft tannins. Its aromas and flavors, medium in intensity, suggest fresh dark plum and blackberry and subtle herbal notes, with the slightest floral nuance and a definite mineral element.

The 2006 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve is also a decent value. Crisp underlying acidity focuses the plum, black cherry, and earthiness of the wine as well as the dark ruby color and soft tannins. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

Absolutely brilliant, but very limited production...the 2007 Highland Estates Chardonnay Seco Highlands.

The most limited production cuvee is the 2006 Trace Ridge Proprietary Red, a spectacular offering. It's deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of sweet cassis, crushed rocks, licorice, earth, and graphite. Full-bodied and deep, it is another excellent example of what Knight's Valley can produce.

A knock-out effort is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Mountain Mt. Veeder. Mt. Veeder can produce extraordinary wines, but it is apparently a tricky area in which to work. However, those who get it right seem to produce some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons outside of the Oakville Corridor. This dense ruby/purple-colored 2006 exhibits aromas of blackberries, blueberries, cedar, incense, graphite, and spice. It is big, rich, well-balanced, long, and heady.

Absolutely brilliant, but very limited in production...the 2007 Highland Estates Chardonnay Piner Hills.

The 2007 Highland Estates Chardonnay Camelot Vineyard exhibits abundant amounts of pineapple, honeysuckle, and peach along with hints of brioche and caramel. It's full-bodied, luscious finish exhibits a subtle note of oak.