A nose of darker oak and toast notes underscore the black plum and wild strawberry. Soy and savory herb can also be found; similar flavors, plus vanilla and tart blackberry on the long finish; which shows a bit of alcoholic heat.

Andrew was enamored of the light body, the hint of orange peel and soft, grassy notes of the 2007 Murphy-Goode The Fumé, whose mere three months on French oak gave it the slightest toastiness.

A complex, elegant pinot with a soft texture. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, vanilla and toast. Wild and bramble. Good tannin. Long Finish.

Medium to dark ruby in color, this wine has a surprisingly Old World nose of earth, graphite, and the unmistakable scent of green bell pepper, which manages to hover well below the range of objectionable. In the mouth that greenness manifests as a hint of green wood studded in a matrix of bright cherry fruit dusted with fine tannins. Beautiful texture and a long finish make for lingering pleasure on the palate. 49% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a splash (0.1%) of Malbec.

Dark ruby in color, this wine has a brawny nose of pipe tobacco, cola, and incense. In the mouth it reminds me of an operatic baritone -- rich, clear and resonant with flavors of cherry, tobacco, cola, and beautiful cedar notes that merge with the drying, powdery tannins. Hot damn I wrote in my notebook, this is definitely the best Bordeaux blend I've ever had from Sonoma County. And all the while the finish kept going and going and going. 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec.

Inky ruby in color, this wine has a rich nose of dark roasted espresso, leather, and forest floor aromas that jump out of the glass. In the mouth it is surprisingly lithe given its powerful nose, and once past a deeply earthy first impression it offers beautiful flavors of cherry, tobacco, cassis and notes of herbs that seem like a light haze mixed in with the fine dusty tannins. The finish is long and dry. A very pretty wine. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.

What's most delightful about this widely available California Sauvignon Blanc is that it doesn't try to hide the herbal, grassy nature of the grape. It celebrates it, with Lake County fruit that delivers a pleasing, herbal-infused mix of melon, fig and pear flavors. It's full-bodied, broad-shouldered and beautifully balanced.

A complex viognier with vibrant flavors. Floral, with notes of Golden Delicious apple, peach, melon, tangerine and spice. Long finish. Balanced.

Among the virtues of this Cabernet are that it is very concentrated in ripe fruit character - and yet it is not overly huge and powerful. The concentration comes from the vineyards, which, at 900 to 2,200 feet, are high and have shallow, poor soils typical of mountain sites that foster small, concentrated grapes. Another virtue is the soft, velvety tannin that makes the wine very enjoyable even at this young age. A large glass will enhance the wine's warm blackberry, toffee and dusty-earth aromas, as well as its ripe black cherry and cassis flavors; a narrower glass will enhance the wine's concentration.

Ripe plums and black currants come to mind when tasting this medium-to-full-bodied red, which seduces the drinker with hints of mint and soft tannins. Kendall-Jackson may be best known for its wines under $20, but this strong effort can hold its own with the big reds of Napa.

A Cabernet lover's dream come true. Here's proof positive that power and balance are capable of coexisting in harmony. The complex array of ripe, berry-driven fruit are skillfully monitored by deeply tiered layers of chewy black minerals, graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied, spicy and loaded with rich deep texture and nuance, this Cab gives plenty to enjoy now; it's also capable of delivering pleasure with a future in mind. In my book, that's a win-win any way you slice it.

Rich, racy flavors of blueberries, cola and hugely appealing brown sugar and spice; lush, and breathtaking.

One of the riper of the Highland Estate's current crop of Cabernets, the Hawkeye Mountain shows intense varietal character. It's rich in black currants and cedar, with a tangy minerality and firm but pliant tannins. A beautiful Cabernet, at its best now and through 2015.

Just might be the best $25 Chard out there. Gorgeous, dramatic and opulent, with a creamy texture and ripe tropical fruit, smoky oak and vanilla flavors. There's a long, honeyed, buttercreamy finish.

Rich and concentrated with ripe cherry and extracted, deep, robust flavors; powerful, intense and spicy yet quite elegant.

Made from 34-year-old vines, this wine is bright and fresh with minerals, earth, dark cherry and concentrated notes of black tea; balanced yet full of complexity.

Shows the polish and finesse of a wine costing far more. Made from selected Monterey vineyards and with considerable new French oak, the wine is flashy and complex, with cherry, cola, pomegranate and spice flavors and a rich earthiness that suggests sautéed mushrooms or truffles. Really notable for its balance and depth.

The vineyard gets the benefit of cool breezes via the Petaluma Gap. The structure is very polished, with firm tannins and brisk acids framing blackberry, cherry, blueberry, cola and spice flavors. Notable for its richness and finesse, and a great success for a California Merlot.

Made from an average of 85-year-old vines; elegant and wonderfully juicy, with velvety texture, ripe plum and luscious black raspberry.

Here's a floral, minerally wine, with wildflower, orange spice and honey aromas almost like a Viognier. In the mouth, it erupts in fruit so sweet, it's almost like a dessert wine, with pineapple custard and lemon cream flavors. A little off-beat for a Chard, but very good.

Made from the young vines at Arrendell which produce a bright and seductive wine with silky spices, bing cherries, brown sugar and tea.

Cool climate elegance and floral notes with aromatics, spice and lively high tones; racy, long and bursting with bright citrus.

Ruby-red color. Intensely perfumed bouquet of spiced red berries, candied cherry and baking spices. Deep and sweet, with supple raspberry and cherry preserve flavors, soft tannins and a touch of finishing warmth. Ample, broad and sappy on the back, with the ripe red fruit flavors repeating. Not for Old World palates.