Clean raspberry and cherry themes are the central story here, and, in both aroma and flavor, the wine makes use of a bit of sweet oak. Pleasantly balanced with a slight sense of suppleness on the palate, the wine lingers nicely at the finish.

Although scoring points for its hefty feel and ample sense of stuffing, this ripe and fairly oaky wine treads a bit heavily on the palate and is slightly muddled with regard to defined fruit. Sizeable, but never graceful, it should be useful with strongly seasoned veal stews over the next two or three years.

Firm and spicy. Herb and black cherry flavors.

Soft, overripe fruit and faint earth and spice notes fill the palate. Well balanced and direct with soft acids and tannins.

Irresistible aromas of sweet cherries and strawberry jam will get your attention. Rich and smooth and lush, this wine maintains its focus with just enough acidity, tannin and wood to make it ideal for current consumption.

Hinting at ripe grapes yet showing dried herbs and a suggestion of leather in its aromas.

One of the two best Pinot Noirs of the year.

Ripe cherry notes are joined by brushy and herbal notes in the fairly rich, well-oaked aromas. Medium-full-bodied and supple at entry, the wine tastes of light-medium depth fruit with suggestions of herbs joined by lighter notes of raspberry and cherry.

Light ruby, medium-intense color; fine cherry fruit core in the nose is promising, yet slightly masked by a touch of volatile acidity; and the warm, generous palate seems to develop more toasty oak themes with time, as the volatility passes. Well crafted, with tasty touches.

The texture is opulent and lovely. Considerable earthiness is well-managed and not compounded by undue weight--this is a big mouthful of wine by any measure.

Burgundian in style with earthy notes matching fruit intensity. Well balanced, soft, rich and intense displaying ripe cherry fruit.

This is a big mouthful of wine by any measure.

Mint and oak notes over a decent layer of fruit. Excellent flavors.

This wine delivers the goods with respect to varietal fruit in its ripe and rich aromas and flavors.

Among my top three Pinot Noirs.

Very aromatic nose of cloves and strawberry-cherry fruit, enhanced by a hint of forest floor humus and a note of bacon rind; reminiscent of a premier cru Burgundy. Spicy and complex on the palate, with delicious flavors focusing on cherries and berries, plus spice. A true bargain.

Smooth and slightly velvety.

A light, pleasant red with an appealing scent and fruity taste.

The only wine that the four-person panel on which I sat unanimously agreed should get a gold medal.

Light and lively with a nice bead of raspberry and vanilla aromas and flavors coming through and a gamy edge that adds a bit of character.

A smoky, toasty bouquet, a deep, ripe plum and cherry fruitiness. This is just the kind of light drink-me-now red that pairs wonderfully with veal stew, roast chicken, or, for that matter, grilled salmon.

Pinot Noir and Copper River Salmon - Part 1 Jackson Estate wines showcase the company’s cherished vineyard estate properties located in the prime growing areas of California. The Petaluma Gap AVA is east of the town of the same name and refers to a gap in the Coast Range that allows cooling ocean breezes to moderate the warm summer California days. The wine offers ripe Pinot Noir aromas and flavors of dark cherry and pomegranate with ample toasty oak, caramel and vanilla to please modern palates.

Wines of the Week Here's a ripe and fleshy style of Pinot Noir with a crowd-pleasing full-body and smooth texture. A mix of spice and smoke notes adds interest to the core of fruit, which reveal sweet strawberry and plummy notes. The rich and flavourful style makes it easy to appreciate. Four stars.

Wines made for restaurants solve dilemma Similarly, a 2016 Jackson Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, is a real bargain today. My first thought was that the retail price should be about $50. At that, most restaurants would charge $70 or more. The winery is offering it to restaurants to sell for $42. A bargain. The grapes for this wine were grown in the Petaluma Gap, a newly approved and already near-legendary appellation. It is superb.