A savory, mineral-driven nose tees up a palate of excellent concentration, where crunchy yet still somehow pliant tannins frame flavors of cassis, blackberry and black cherry liqueur, pencil led, and melted chocolate, all spiced with star anise that shimmers through the finish. Great now, and with lots of time left—easily another 15 years or more.

Taut and generous at the same time, with aromas of Chinese five-spice powder, goji berries, and pomegranates before a palate of sweet, generous fruit that’s framed by sweet tannins, all of it dusted with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. The suggestion of sage smolders in the background, as well as a hint of rosemary and mint. It’s cut through with mouthwatering acidity, making this particularly food-friendly. Enjoy over the next decade…or right now.

Wine of the WeekBright gold with hints of peach and citrus fruit aromas. Well balanced with a core of concentrated fruit flavors and sharp, focused finish.

Women of Wine: The Best Wines From Today's Female WinemakersKate Ayres of Oregon's Penner-Ash is all about uniquely expressive styles of Oregon Pinot Noir. The Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018 is sourced from six regions, resulting in a complex yet balanced bottle full of strawberry jam and ripe cherry as well as plum and peppercorns.

#WineWednesday: Everything’s Coming Up RosésLa Crema Sparkling Brut Rosé dances on the palate with lovely notes of lemon meringue, wild strawberries and fresh ginger. A special pour for a special day.

Ayres introduced the flagship Penner-Ash 2018 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir as the wine that put Willamette Valley on the map. It is sourced from 18 vineyards in nine sub-appellations and is a snapshot of the region.According to Kate, sub-appellations like Dundee Hills add spice tones, while Eola-Amity and Chehalem Hills offer red fruit and texture. Ribbon Ridge to the north gives the blend dark fruit qualities and southerly McMinnville adds white pepper.Aged in 23% new French oak, the Penner-Ash release expressed an earthiness with balanced red and black fruit flavors. A slight sweetness on mid-palate finished with a fresh acidity and savory notes. Tonya spoke of the black fruit and black tea flavors as a perfect pair with grilled salmon.

I like the way so many French vineyards do not brag on their labels with effusive notes and poetry. This is a straightforward Saint-Émilion with all of the richness that you expect from a grand cru. It is predominantly or perhaps all Merlot, maybe with some Cabernet Franc (locally called Bouchet) in the blend. At $60 it is not a wine to pop the cork on every day, but for a fairly special meal with friends who really enjoy wine this will make them very happy this summer.

Another refined example of Willamette Valley terroir, showing that a cool climate is kind to grapes like Chardonnay that can be so easily manipulated. It spent 10 months in 25% new French oak, which gives it just enough of a sweet undertone and maintains a good balance of acid. This is the ideal white wine for grilled salmon and almost every shellfish.

The Best Wines For Celebrating Summer 2021Best Wines For a Beach BonfireYangarra Ironheart Shiraz, McLaren Vale, AustraliaFor a different take on syrah, turn to this full-bodied shiraz from Australia. This robust red shines with flavors and aromas of black pepper, plum, and blueberry. Juicy and structured, it feels as cozy as the bonfire itself. It’s food-friendly but great on its own.

A bit on the richer side for WV, but wows with complexity and textural interest.

Medium ruby in the glass with a touch of garnet in it, this wine smells of bright cherry fruit. In the mouth, intense cherry fruit has an incredible purity to it and a stony backdrop against which hints of dried flowers and dried herbs emerge. Mostly, however, this is a ringing crystalline chime singing the flavor “cherry” more intensely than you can imagine is possible. Outstanding. Gorgeous acidity, perfect poise. There is wood here, but it is so well integrated into the wine, it is but a whisper of the leathery tannins and a whiff of toasted espresso. Pierre Seillan strikes again.

A Sauvignon Blanc From SonomaAfter a small test release last year, La Crema is making a sauvignon blanc widely available just in time for summer.It’s never too late to try something new. La Crema, a Sonoma County winery that is known for chardonnay and pinot noir, has introduced a sauvignon blanc. The winery, established in 1979, released the 2019 sauvignon blanc on a limited basis last summer; now the 2020 is widely available. It’s a lovely summer quaff. “The climate and soils of northern Sonoma County are ideal for producing world-class Bordeaux varietals, particularly sauvignon blanc,” said Craig McAllister, the head winemaker. Bordeaux is the operative term here. The wine, in a clear Bordeaux-style bottle, displays more subtle fruit, notably citrus and pineapple, integrated with good acidity, than the grassy herbaceousness typical of sauvignon blancs from other regions.

A solid cab with notes of blackberry, blueberry and a kiss of vanilla. Nice length. This tasty cab is a smart buy for wine lovers looking for everyday wine to uncork.

A Guide To The Sauvignon Blanc Varieties Around The WorldRepresenting the U.S.: The 2020 La Crema Sauvignon Blanc, only in its second vintage, is fruit driven with pronounced nectarine and tropical fruit notes. A little barrel fermentation gives it greater texture and less brisk acidity than the austere sauvignon blanc from other regions. If you like your sauvignon blanc with more weight and richness, California sauvignon blanc is for you.

Some options to help celebrate Mother's DayBroadly appealing, especially on the palate with fullish body, superb fruit, medium-soft oak and an extended finish.

12 Wineries & Wines That Innately Celebrate the Essence of Mother’s DayTreat mom to Wuethrich's sleek, fresh, and weighty Maggy Hawk Anderson Valley White Pinot Noir.

12 Wineries & Wines That Innately Celebrate the Essence of Mother’s DayTreat mom to Ayres’ Willamette Valley 2018 Pinot Noir.

12 Wineries & Wines That Innately Celebrate the Essence of Mother’s DayTreat mom to the 2018 Terracea Spring Mountain District Riesling; it’s like springtime in a glass.

Grapes plucked from Hyland Vineyard, one of Oregon’s largest and oldest vineyards, comprise this Old Vine Riesling from Penner-Ash. The remote vineyard’s high elevation and location at the foothills of the Coast Range mean cool temperatures in the summer and warm temperatures in the winter, making it ideal for growing Riesling.With aromas of apricots, lemon rind, and petrol and a palate of grapefruit and honey, it has little residual sugar and great minerality.

This northern Syrah with well-drained subsoils of maritime influences traces a clean and refined profile, with the deep fruitiness of tapenade and stone, all framed with admirable freshness.

Appearance: Deep gold;Nose: Tropical fruit led by mango and pineapple. Peaches. Yellow apples; Palate: Weighty mouthfeel. Confirmation of the fruit, peach particularly prominent. Phenolic backbone adds an additional facet. Medium acid keeps the wine lively. Big fruity finish;Good value.Winery is Certified Sustainable.

The Best Mother’s Day Wines for Every Kind of MomFor the Foodie Mom Kendall-Jackson 2019 Vintner’s Reserve California Chardonnay Moms who love to cook and enjoy family meals together will love the food-friendly Kendall-Jackson 2019 Vintner’s Reserve California Chardonnay. The fruit-forward wine boasts tropical flavors such as pineapple, mango and papaya with citrus notes, while aromas of vanilla and honey and a hint of toasted oak and butter swirl around. Pair this sip with lobster or alfredo dishes for a truly special Mother’s Day meal.

Make mom feel extra special this Mother’s Day with the 2021 ultimate gift guideFresh, fruit-forward wines are the perfect pairing for this Mother’s Day — sip on a grapefruit and strawberry forward rosé like Kendall-Jackson’s 2018 Vintner’s Reserve Rosé and pair it with your favorite charcuterie plate combination.