The Cabernet may define K-J's red wine portfolio. This is an excellent wine, made almost entirely of cabernet sauvignon grown in Napa, Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. Good complexity and depth of flavors, broad mouthfeel with soft tannins and layers of blackberries, plums, cassis and cedar.

Made from coastal grapes, this chardonnay has all the bells and whistles: barrel fermentation, whole-cluster pressing and malolactic fermentation. Forward tropical fruit flavors, butterscotch oak and butter aromas. Maybe there's too much going on here, but it doesn't lack flavor.

We have been an avid follower of this Anderson Valley producer's zinfandel, so we are delighted to discover another reason to buy this label - pinot noir. Grown in a cold climate, pinot noir can offer some dense, serious wines. That's what you have here - good complexity, forward raspberry fruit and a nice earthy note. The zinfandel remains good wine, too.

Complex and medium-bodied. Ripe raspberry, pomegranate and blueberry flavors. Notes of leather and anise.

Delicate in style, with spicy cherry, raspberry and elegant earthy nuances. An excellent value.

Zinfandel from California's Mendocino County has a character all its own - a high-tones fruit flavor and racy acidity that distinguishes it from the more cabernetlike Napa Zins and blockbusters from Sonoma. This brilliant wine from Edmeades captures that Mendocino character beautifully. It's an exceptionally intense red wine with penetrating black-raspberry flavor and a nice touch of chocolate.

A zin lover's zin. A fruit bomb, with juicy boysenberry and cherry concentrated flavors. Notes of licorice and spice.

Berry and cherry fruit, smoky touch.

From Jess Jackson's mountain estates, and still fairly tannic. Packed with spicy black fruit, reflects its home terrior to a T. Hold for 2-3 years.

Just what you would expect from a long, cool vintage and hillside vineyards - a tightly wrapped, dense wine that needs some time in the cellar to unfurl its flavors and chocolate, cassis and lead pencil. Has richly textured mouthfeel and, despite some drying tannins, finishes with enough juicy fruit to more than compensate.

Like the Christopher's Cab, this wine is firmly structured; it also has higher-toned aromatics consisting of red cherries and mint. Then the flavors come in waves of black cherry, plum and cassis, finishing long and chocolatey.

Like the Christopher's Cab, this wine is firmly structured; it also has higher-toned aromatics consisting of red cherries and mint. Then the flavors come in waves of black cherry, plum and cassis, finishing long and chocolaty. Drink 2005-2015

Kendall-Jackson's foray into OZ produces a fairly tannic, ripe and spicy shiraz that needs another year or two in the cellar. Cherry, blackberry, mocha and eucalypt aromas. Very ripe and creamy berry fruit matched by good acidity and tannic grip. Fairly complex and exhibiting impressive depth and structure.

This is from the vineyard that Helen Turley originally made famous under her Marcassin label, from old vines that are slowly succumbing to phylloxera. It's the biggest and most explosive Chardonnay from Stonestreet, with smoke and toast backed by oranges, peaches and hints of hazelnut and a rich custardy mouthfeel.

This is from the vineyard that Helen Turley originally made famous under her Marcassin label, from vines that are slowly succumbing to phylloxera (winemaker Westrick says that 2003 may be the last vintage before replanting). It's the biggest and most explosive Chardonnay from Stonestreet, with smoke and toast backed by oranges, peaches and hints of hazelnut and a rich, custardy mouthfeel.

A light and tangy merlot that is focused and consistent from start to finish. Fresh nose of red berries and cedar with some floral notes in support. Taut and crisp with red berries spread out on a medium bodied frame. Not overpowering but tasty.

Not overpowering on the nose but fragrant with blackberry, cassis, plum, anise, cedar and vanilla cream notes. Charming palate of dark fruit with some tannic backbone and correct acidity. There is a pleasant sweetness that runs like a seam through the wine.

Despite being entirely barrel fermented, this doesn't come across as anything like the winery's Chardonnays. There's some smoke, but also pungent gooseberries along with melon and grapefruit. Only 10-15% of the oak is new, so it's not overdone.

Like many 2000 North Coast Cabernets, this shows a touch of green to its cassis base, blending herbs and tobacco into a solidly structured wine. A bit tight now, but not a long-term proposition either, try 2004-2008.

Less fruity, more minerally, it's more restrained than the Upper Barn, with melon and citrus playing supporting roles before toasty oak comes on in a rush at the finish.

Dried cherry and licorice aromas with a touch of toffee and mocha. Sweet and supple with ripe berry, mocha and lingering creamy notes. Some tannin is present on the finish. Good structure and length. Decent value.

This is a great example of varietal correctness shows aromas of black cherries, mocha and herbs, followed by earthier flavors of tobacco and black cherries. It's the kind of Merlot you wish you saw on more restaurant lists - easy to recognize and easy to like.

A blend of Russian River and Carneros fruit, with just a pinch of estate fruit for seasoning, this is California as we all expect it: Pear, baked apple and citrus flavors dressed up in butter and toast. Soft and easy to drink.

Bold, ripe and generous in flavor, aristocratic in structure, with delicious blueberry laced currant and plum flavors that remain round and appealing as they linger on and on. Beautifully structured, and it can grow in the cellar.

A pinot that's a little rustic. Smoky, gamy and earthy. A racy mouthfeel. Rich and plush. Flavors of cherry, cranberry, leather and mushroom. Lingering finish.