The Murphy-Goode Zinfandel paired with the Chardonnay Smoked Salt & Cocoa chocolate. The briary, rich ripe fruit notes of the wine and the smokiness of the chocolate were in balance and the chocolate increased the length of the wine’s finish.

The Cambria Estate Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley paired with the Tart Cherry & Cocoa chocolate. The wine with tart cherry, cranberry, red fruit, and baking spice notes was in perfect harmony with the Tart Cherry & Cocoa. Together the cherry flavors exploded in the mouth.

The Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay paired with Almonds with Pink Himalayan Salt. The wine has notes of tropical fruit, baking spices, and vanilla. I loved the nuttiness of the chocolate to match the richness of the wine and the saltiness of the chocolate to cut through the richness and highlight the acidity.

The La Crema Rosé of Pinot Noir from Monterey paired with the Dark Chocolate. The wine has wild strawberry, watermelon, and citrus aromas, bright crisp flavors, and fresh acidity that paired beautifully with the smooth dark chocolate. But, the Rosé was also enjoyed with the Tart Cherry & Cocoa chocolate as the fruit notes of the wine and chocolate were in harmony.

Lighten Up With These Classically Low-Alcohol Wines6 refreshing, flavorful low-ABV wines to tryRipe and refreshing, this wine clocks in at 9% ABV and only contains 85 calories and zero sugar, and yet the juicy flavors of Meyer lemon and pineapple still burst from the bottle.

As the producers are proud to point out, the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County is one of California's coolest spots with a very long growing season. It's a paradise for Pinot, and this wine provided one judge with "an 'ooh' moment. It looks great, smells great and tastes great." Another judge elaborated: "There are black fruits and smoke on the nose, accented by lilac and pepper notes. The palate is quite full and round with a nice, silky mouthfeel."

A "standout" in the flight of Pinot Noir for more than one judge, this single-vineyard red is the work of three female members of Californian winemaking royalty the Jackson Family: Barbara Banke and her daughters, Katie and Julia Jackson. "Raspberries, dark oaky finish, firm but pleasant morello cherries in the mouth...a lovely balanced wine and representative of the style and region," the judges said. "Excellent value for money."

We loved this aromatic chardonnay from mountain vineyards in the Stellenbosch winegrowing region of South Africa. Rich, citrusy and intriguing.

This has a bready, buttery nose, as well as ripe peach and pear fruit. The palate is smooth with nice balance, showing some spicy framing to the soft fruit.

The variety offered in an appellation blend is fun for Kate Ayers. "There are times where I say this is a better wine, as it showcases an entire appellation rather than one single vineyard. It blows up the Willamette Valley picture really big, and that's cool." Darker fruit shines here, loved the tannins and their intensity that surrounded the fruit.

Strand Sarah Wuethrich on a desert island and she wants unlimited Chablis. "I know I could never replicate that, but if you see perfect fruit, then use minimal intervention. Chardonnay is as complex as any pinot noir or red wine grape." Grown at a higher elevation with bud wood from sister winery Stonestreet's excellent Upper Barn Vineyard, it has flavors of honeysuckle, pear, lemon, lime, warm rock and chalk.

California sunshine provided winemaker Gianna Kelly with plenty of tropical fruit flavors. There's a fresh-cut grass, green herb note and mossy rock note that keep things crispy and fresh.

Earth, dark cherry, tea, herbs and spice in this pinot that leans toward full-bodied with firm tannins and lingering finish. Very good.

Full cork-stoppered bottle 1,445 g. From a cooler year for the Clarendon Vineyard, planted in 1971. Chris Carpenter and Peter Fraser are said to be breathing new life into the property. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon from Blocks 315 and 316 and 40% Shiraz from Blocks 221 and 222 – the finest blocks on the estate apparently, picked on 6 and 4 April respectively. Aged for 15 months in 100% new oak. Just 120 cases made. Luscious fruit with black pepper and a saline quality on the nose. Composed and still a little tight on the finish but obviously very carefully made. Just a little minty at the moment but you could certainly enjoy it now.

Hand-picked Gingin clone (some small berries) grown at 130–210 m on grey clay loam over granite and ironstone next to Yarra Yering. All spontaneous fermentation in 500-litre French puncheons and whole-bunch pressed. No malo, no lees stirring. Aged for 10 months in French oak (20% new). Tight nose suggesting complexity to come. Introvert and more burgundian than its peers tasted alongside with everything tightly reined in for the moment. The acidity tastes wholly natural and there's a little chew on the finish. This may become seriously interesting.

California Dreaming…for the 4th of July!Easy-Drinking ChardonnayFor over three decades, Kendall-Jackson has remained unremittingly dedicated to producing fine-quality wines from grapes grown in California’s cool, coastal vineyards. The first release of this famous, come-hither Chardonnay from a hugely popular American wine brand was in 1983 (the first case was sold at the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station), when it became the first winner of a Platinum award for an American Chardonnay at the American Wine Competition. It’s a really lovely, accessible, pretty, yet fulfilling newly-landed release. All the good stuff is here: Pineapple, papaya, vanilla, nutmeg, peach, ginger, honey and apple tart; the oak is integrated and balanced; the finish fresh. Barrel-fermented largely sur lie, it was then aged seven months in French (5% new) and American (7% new) oak. It’s well-shaped, textured and politely powered, but chiefly it’s just exquisitely drinkable. Quality rarely looks this stress-free! California dreaming.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: Reds Winemaker’s Notes:The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is located in Santa Barbara County between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton. It is the only East-West Valley on the north coast of North America. This unusual geography funnels the wind and fog in directly from the Pacific Ocean to the vines and makes this one of our coolest grape growing regions. The soils in our Sta. Rita Hills vineyards are also unique as they possess an extremely high amount of calcium. This combination of unique geography and soils yield smaller berries which leads to our most concentrated, structured, and dark colored Pinot Noirs.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: Reds Winemaker’s Notes:This Merlot-led blend is sourced primarily from the Valadorna and Capraia blocks, which produce the estate’s most complex and mineral-led expressions of this variety. The wine exhibits high-toned aromas of ripe black cherries, vanilla bean and cedar. With bright acidity, the wine expands quickly on the palate. Plush tannins carry through the center with a fine, tingling finish. The palate shows flavors of tart cherry pie, dried red berries and black licorice, with a long finish of white pepper, dusty roses and stony minerality.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: Reds Winemaker’s Notes:This Pinot Noir opens with a complex, site-driven aroma profile characterized by expressive dark fruits interwoven with classic notes of black cherry, black raspberry, baking spices and traces of forest floor.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: RosésWinemaker’s Notes:The 2020 Rosé is refreshing and sophisticated in style. This wine exhibits notes of passion fruit, citrus blossom, guava and watermelon rind. Those flavors carry through to a palate that is energetic, lively and well balanced.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: RosésWinemaker’s Notes:The 2020 Rosé has aromas reminiscent of strawberry, grapefruit, Mandarin orange, white peach along with delicate kiwi and floral hints. The fruit flavors lean towards ruby grapefruit and cranberry with a subtle mineral and refreshing acid component that brings complexity and a food-friendly character to the wine. Enjoy our Rosé at cellar temperature (54? F) for maximum complexity or chilled on a hot summer day as an aperitif.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: RosésWinemaker’s Notes:Presents aromas of strawberry, white raspberry, and mandarin orange followed by flavors of cran-raspberry, blood orange, and flinty minerality. On the palate, the 2019 vintage is delicate, crisp, and vibrant.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: SparklersWinemaker’s Notes:On the nose, aromas of white flowers, Braeburn apple and crushed oyster shell. Flavors of lemon meringue, wild strawberries and fresh ginger on the palate. A lively core of acidity is followed by a vibrant lingering finish.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: WhitesWinemaker’s Notes:This highly textured wine displays aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle and tangerine skin. Fresh flavors of Granny Smith apple and Meyer lemon are intertwined with layers of spice and crystallized ginger. A rich and weighty mid-palate is followed by a very long exotic, mineral-infused finish.

Summer Wine Guides 2021: WhitesWinemaker’s Notes:Aromas of Meyer lemon, gala apple, and Jasmine are followed by flavors of pear, Cara Cara orange, and lemon meringue pie. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and juicy with a lingering finish.