Sophisticated and polished, this Monterey Pinot Noir is brimming with brambly red and black cherry, a hint of tobacco, clove and toast from oak. Features a slightly warming finish but overall very well balanced. Voluminous and with a luxurious feel created by supple but not understated tannins. Very good length. Best now to 2026. Tasted February 2023.

Lower alcohol, high tones and even higher intensity define this cool climate ante upped pinot noir for Monterey for La Crema. Richness and creaminess are far less than that of Sonoma and the vintage is clearly not one to warm, nurture and cream this tart fruit. That’s perfectly fine because the honesty and transparency are noted, not to mention the abiding winemaking that takes what’s available and interprets the truth. Pretty much just about as Burgundian as it gets for California, in old world and days of yore style. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted February 2023.

The warmth and richness of this Pinot Noir are apparent in the glass, but it’s not over-the-top. The mix of clonal material — 50 per cent Clone 4, 16 per cent Clone 667, 15 per cent Clone 23, 15 per cent Clone 2A and four percent Clone 115 — brings much complexity to the wine. The mix of red and dark fruit, namely dried cranberries and black cherry, is filled with plenty of savoury notes and brown spice in the finish. It’s always charming and silky smooth, and we like to chill the bottle before serving this wine to add a final touch of liveliness to the glass. Drink or hold through 2028.

The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (90% Sangiovese and the rest Merlot) takes on more spiced layers of smoke, cedar, menthol, and blackberry. It is full-bodied, with snappy acidity and fine tannins, and is noted with redcurrant, orange zest, tea leaf, and clove. Hold another year or two and drink 2025-2035.

Deeply structured and expressive, with brooding blueberry, tarragon, sandalwood and other dusky spice flavors that gather richness and tension toward full-bodied tannins. Drink now through 2030.

A handsome red, refined and well-structured, with tightly focused blueberry and cherry flavors highlighted by licorice and dusky spice accents that finish with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030.

A robust red that retains a sense of grace and structure, this offers expressive raspberry and tart blueberry flavors that mingle with rose petal, dusky spice and stony minerals as it builds richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029.

Shows a concentrated and mouthwatering mix of pineapple, ruby grapefruit and yuzu fruit flavors, with notes of crunchy Honeycrisp apple, saline and matcha lingering on the finish. Drink now.

Produced from 100% Sangiovese, the 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Strada Al Sasso is concentrated and potent with fresh pine, worn leather, sage, and black cherry. It is medium to full-bodied, with a driving linear feel to its acidity, and reveals angular tannins, notes of dusty baked earth, orange peel, rosemary, and cedar, and a citrus-tinged finish. Drink 2025-2035.

Perfumed with sweet red and blue fruit, the 2020 Chianti Classico is Sangiovese with the addition of 15% Merlot. Forward with primary fruit, pressed flowers, and wet stone, it Is round and supple on the palate, with a silky-smooth texture, notes of black cherry and mocha, and crunchy red plum on the finish. This versatile and clean style of red can be shared across the table with a variety of dishes. Drink 2023-2028

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is packed with dark red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, mocha, spice and licorice. Plush and explosive, with terrific energy, the 2019 has a ton to offer. All the energy of this mountain appellation wine comes through beautifully. The 2019 offers tons of fruit intensity in a mid-weight, savory style that is hugely appealing.

The 2019 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard is a classic Russian River Chardonnay built on texture and oiliness. Apricot, honey, tangerine oil, chamomile, spice and butter notes all come together nicely. This mid-weight, fleshy Chardonnay is loaded with up-front appeal and charm.

Dark fruited aromas, dried herbs, a touch of mint and dark spices. Full flavoured, plenty of plum, mulberry, spice and textured, savoury tannins. Long, mouth-filling and generously flavoured

There is a reason Cab from Mt. Veeder is nationally recognized. And that reason is in this bottle. Very deep and dark fruit is slightly uplifted by excellent natural mountain fruit acidity. The structure is firm, and the core is sound. It begs for a steak pairing.

The popularity of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve label, which blends grapes from the Jackson family’s vineyards across California to produce consistently flavourful and concentrated wines, might make some underestimate this Alexander Valley Cabernet. That would be a mistake. Alexander Valley in Sonoma County is a choice spot for cabernet in California, rivalling Napa in terms of quality and character. This estate-grown cabernet includes 22 per cent merlot in a red wine with a sweet and vibrant character. Drink now to 2030. Available in Ontario.

The 2017 Cabernet Franc Arcanum is a brooding and expressive wine made entirely from Cabernet Franc. Musky aromas of graphite, cassis, cigar box, sage, and incense evolve in the glass. Weightless and full, it has ripe tannins and a refined arch of black fruit, mocha, and earth. Its ripeness is balanced with fresh acidity and delicate salinity. Drink 2024-2044.

Produced from 60% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2017 Valadorna is rich and polished, with a luxurious influence of sweet, wooded spice. A ripe perfume of black plum, vanilla, leather, and cedar emerges with a warming and sunny feel. It is full-bodied, with ripe tannins, velveteen texture, and a blanket of fruit without feeling heavy. Dried currant, turned soil, and herbs of amaro all move through the palate, and it speaks to the warmth of the vintage. It will drink well now or over the next 15-20 years.

Spiced aromas of roasted sage, black cherry liqueur, and cedar emerge from the 2020 Il Fauno di Arcanum, which is composed of 41% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a splash of Petit Verdot. It is approachable and full-bodied, with generous fruit through the mid-palate, and reveals a silky texture with fine tannins. This is a solid and easy drinking wine to drink 2023-2030.

Age has brought about the first signs of maturity in this Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon that sits on the throne of the company’s Estates Collection. There can be little doubt that 2017, in spite of a drought season was able to develop concentrated fruit so that this ferment would do well in elévage and emerge as a highly accomplished vintage wine. Which it is, with smart if just slightly furry acidity and the sharpness of trenchant tannins. Which incidentally will take another few years to fully settle and integrate into this highly professional wine. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted January 2023.

The 2018 Lassègue has a deep garnet color. The bouquet shows notes of cassis and violet. The palate reveals lots of red and black fruit, and silky tannins evolving in a long, complex finish.

A 2019 Mt Brave Merlot is based on a grape that is known for its softness by its nature, and this three-year-old was velvety and fruit driven, having spent 21 months in barrel, then bottled without filtration, which preserved elements of flavor that might otherwise be lost.

This is a great cool-climate Chardonnay. Stone fruit and white pepper hints waft into the senses. It’s fruit-forward and creamy, with a refreshing palate that’s kept in check with good acidity.

This is a very flavourful cabernet that is lighter on its feet than many in California, but still carries good structure. Will appeal to many tastes, which I sense is the drawing board design. Aromas are spot on somewhere between blackcurrant jam and black cherry. It is juicy and sweet-edged with with very good flavour concentration; then considerable sandy tannic grit. There is some immediate drinking appeal but it also has the stuffing to age. Best 2024 to 2028.

La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, with its plum, blackberry, toasted coffee bean, was more elegantly structured, where the tannins were silky, and the fruit flavors flowed right over them. It was amazing the amount of flavors on display for such a young wine.

Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 was dark purple in the glass, and had dried roses, blackberry, blueberry and cigar wrapper on the nose. Concentrated flavors of blackberry and plum were big and bold, but balanced by a eucalyptus note on the finish. The tannins were a thrill ride on the finish, and propped up the flavors.