Clones 114, 1145, 667, 777, Pommard. Aged 10 months in 31% new French oak. Dark ruby robe, light body, seamless structure. An infusion of floral and violet notes meld effortlessly into savoury, dark red fruit and black tea on the finish.

Just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, the Sealift Vineyard sits in the “true” Sonoma Coast, where a small enclave of dramatic vineyards thrive in this cool climate, creating stunning Pinot Noirs.The sandy loam soils were shaped from ancient marine terraces turned up from the bottom of the ocean during tectonic movements millions of years ago, which resulted in well-drained, nutrient-poor soils perfect for concentrated flavor development. Rich and complex, the Sealift Pinot Noir opens with intense aromas of blackberry and ripe raspberry with hints of clove, cocoa and herbs.A powerful expression of raspberry, sage and cardamom with a deep intensity on the palate and a long, complex finish.

The historic Edmeades Vineyard sits on a plateau above the Navarro River, just west of the small town of Philo. High density vines are planted in clay loam soils. This causes a beneficial struggle for nutrients and the development of rich, concentrated flavors in the fruit. From the nearby ocean, chilly coastal breezes sweep in each day around 3pm, maintaining cooler temperatures and allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. The bright red raspberry, Bing cherry and savory herb complexity display signature Mendocino character. Across the palate, the texture is juicy and rich, with subtle earthiness and smooth tannins. The finish is long and vibrant.

The Skycrest Vineyard is a steep hillside vineyard perched over the town of Boonville in Mendocino. Above the fogline, the grapes experience cool, sun-filled days and long hang times that give this wine its intense flavors and vibrant red fruit profile.The pitch of the vineyard slope requires that the grapes be handpicked, which allows for precise control over phenolic ripeness and harvesting at the peak of maturity. The resulting wine displays a rugged intensity indicative of its dramatic landscape.A lively red cherry and cranberry fruit profile evolves with intense grip and power on the palate. The bright texture extends across the long finish, carried by firm tannins and notes of clove and spice.

The Bloomfield Vineyard sits at the southern end of the Russian River Valley near the town of Sebastopol. Foggy mornings and cool, windy days allow the grapes to ripen slowly over a long growing season for complex flavor development.The sandy loam soils, derived from ancient marine terraces, have excellent drainage and low fertility, producing smaller yields of intense fruit. The result is an elegant wine with balanced ripeness and a vibrant profile. Grapes are selected from a single block of the vineyard. Ripe cranberry and morello cherry introduce the wine, joined by fragrant spices and light mocha aromas.

Grown on the western ridge of the Mayacamas Mountains, the grapes for the Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay benefit from complex soils and cool sunshine.Sitting just above the fogline, the vines receive a cooling influence from below and abundant sun from above. This idyllic combination allows for complex flavor development over a long growing season.A mixture of volcanic rock and sedimentary deposits, the diverse soils impart a distinctive minerality. Sourced from two of the older blocks in the vineyard, the wine is made of 100% Chardonnay. The mountain pedigree gives this wine its powerful aromatic expression and character. Yellow apples, Meyer lemon, toasted hazelnuts and vanilla bean yield to a soft, voluptuous texture across the palate. The finish is long and focused with stony minerality and acidity.

The famous Saralee’s Vineyard has a rich history and reputation for producing stunning Burgundian varieties.Located in the Russian River Valley, the vines sit near the Petaluma Gap, where wind and fog whip through daily from the Pacific Ocean. This cooling influence allows the grapes to ripen slowly, developing rich, complex flavors.The vineyard is dry farmed and the vines, which are over 30 years old, extend deep in the ground for nutrients and water, creating a vivid expression of terroir in the fruit. Sourced from two adjacent blocks within this famed vineyard, the Chardonnay shows classic aromas of golden apple and ripe pear. Toasted oak frames the fruit as the flavors extend through a creamy, round palate, lifted with hints of lemon curd across the long, lingering finish.

Wines for Father’s Day and summer grilling$60s+ - Maggy Hawk 2018 Pinot Noir Jolie recommended.

Wines for Father’s Day and summer grilling$30s-$50sThe most enjoyable, impressive white tasted in this price range has appealing color and a powerful nose that presage full body, beautiful fruit, excellent complexity, notable refinement and attractive personality.

Wines for Father’s Day and summer grilling$30s-$50sDon’t make assumptions based on its medium color depth, as this excellent Zin exhibits impressive strength, rich fruit, beautiful balance, engaging complexity and attractive integration, all expressed for great length.

10 best dry white wines for summertime sipping: From pinot grigio to chardonnayBest oaked white – Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard chardonnay 2017.Any survey of dry white wine can’t ignore the superb cool-climate crus of California. Sisters Katie and Julia Jackson run the Cambria Estate in Santa Barbara, which includes Katherine’s Vineyard on the coastal Santa Maria Bench. Its position means that it benefits from the Pacific sea breezes that funnel in and allow the longest growing season in the state. This well-balanced chardonnay, aged for six months in French oak, has intense orchard and floral flavours and a satisfying minerality that carries through to a long and satisfying finish. Enjoy it by itself or with a variety of fish dishes.

The nose on this wine is absolutely outrageous: Spearmint and chamomile are joined by gently singed sage, mineral, and then clear-as-day currants, cassis, violets, and cedar, setting the stage for a wine of magnificent balance, concentration, length, and poise. The currants, cherries, and brambly berries fan out on the palate, flashing with notes of sweet cigar tobacco, chocolate, cafe mocha, black cherries, lifted hints of fenugreek, licorice, and sarsaparilla. It finishes with a pulse of soy sauce through the long, savory, generous finish. Fantastic already, and with the promise of evolution to 2051 and beyond.

Gumbo & Wine in New OrleansGumbo Pairing: Brewer-Clifton 2018 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Few wines scream ‘drink me!’ like Californian Pinot Noir — huge, up-front fruits of black cherry, strawberry and raspberry wash over the lush, succulent palate. Officially the Santa Barbara appellation, Nielson pulls fruit for this bottling from Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos, and Santa Rita Hills. Their respective zones contribute aromatics, weight and power, harmonizing to create a wine of great substance.

These Are the Best Wines to Drink with Your Favorite Grilled FoodAnd Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2015 is a fun fit with Grilled Pork Chops with Peach-Tomato Barbecue Sauce. Pour a splash of zinfandel into your barbecue sauce for a little extra complexity and the ultimate summer treat.

These Are the Best Wines to Drink with Your Favorite Grilled FoodChardonnay is grown worldwide and is made in diverse styles, from rich and buttery to crisp and citrusy. We like to think of it as pure sunshine in a glass. The breezy, Cali-coast attitude of La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018 pairs perfectly with BBQ Chicken Tenders.

Wines We LoveA great example of why grenache is so hot right now. Savoury, aromatic, refined and with a commanding web of tannin, this is compelling stuff.Raised in ceramic eggs, this spent 158 days on skins post fermentation, resulting in a wine that is both delicate and savoury. There’s a perfume of red fruits and florals, with dried orange peel, sun-warmed terracotta and dried cranberries. It’s hard not to think of nebbiolo, but it’s firmly grenache, even if the assertive but finely textured tannins pull you further in the other direction. There’s a fineness through the wine, a neatly pitched elegance, but with the generosity of the variety underpinning it, too.

World-famous for its Pinot Noir, the Willamette Valley is also an ideal growing region for beautiful sparkling wine. This Chardonnay-led Brut Rosé, a non-vintage bubbly, encapsulates just what is so exciting about Oregon wine right now. It’s a single vineyard, estate-grown wine from the Gran Moraine Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Willamette Valley. Aromatic, exotic citrus fruit, ripe peaches, toasted almonds and a sprinkling of dried rose petals. Mouthwatering acidity is balanced with supple tannins all the way.

Rosé Season Is Here: The 12 Best New Bottles of Pink to Drink This SummerDusty rose marks the nose on this pale beauty from Sonoma’s Hartford Family Winery, with wild strawberry joining in the perfume. This one is dry and refreshing yet generous, its red fruit running from raspberry to cranberry, ripe peach, grapefruit and tangerine zest all underlined with minerality.

ABC - AKA – Always Bring Chardonnay I would love to serve this in a blind tasting for people who usually ONLY DRINK BURGUNDY! This wine takes a bit of time to open up in the glass but once it does you will be rewarded with crystalline granny smith apple freshness, nervy citrus peel tension, a coquettish brioche whisper which is whipped into place with a saline savoury finish. A super serious and elegant option which could contend with certain sites in Burgundy, especially at the price!

ABC - AKA – Always Bring ChardonnayBaked pear ripeness gives away this wine’s Cali roots but it’s a bit more restrained on the oak front. Think Werthers Original tanginess as opposed to butterscotch. This is what Brits order to enjoy Cali Chard without actually having to go too far out of their comfort zone!