Taster’s notes: Smooth, rich and juicy, plum, red currant, walnut, full body, fresh acidity, velvety tannins, elegant structure, persistent red-fruit finish.

Wine of the WeekThis Grand Cru from Saint-Emilion is deep red in color with black cherry, currants and spice aromas. Medium bodied along with ripe, plush fruit and crisp acidity.

This off-dry wine has the right touch of sweetness to balance the crisp acidity and make for a delicious, round wine with stone fruit flavors.

Strawberry and a tiny note of raspberry, with red rose on the nose. Very nicely balanced with with a lift of lemon.

This Pinot Noir-based rosé from Willamette Valley is light and austere with white strawberry, pink grapefruit, and fleshy lemon.

Also from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Gran Moraine (part of the Jackson Family Wines‘ Oregon collection) bottles this small-lot wine of sparkling Pinot Noir and releases it once annually. Aromatics run the show in the clean and crisp bubbler, with rose petal, just-ripe strawberry, brioche and pear notes transferring to the palate. Orange and tropical fruits meld with sharp acidity that makes this a match-made for triple cream cheese.

This is a bold styled pinot noir that can stand up to pretty much all meat dishes. Big cherry elements in a soft tannin structure, this wine is a delight to drink.

Tasting Notes: Les Cadrans de LassègueColor: Beautiful bright red.Aromas: An earthy scent, along with sweet and tart cherry pie notes and a hint of iron. When slightly chilled, even more of the fruit characteristics came out. Taste: Dry and slightly spicy with hints of smokiness; very savory, with a slight chalkiness on the finish; well-balanced by the fruity flavor of black cherries. The well-integrated, medium-low tannins are fine and silky-textured. The wine’s bright acidity paired beautifully with sweet, tart tomatoes and buttery, creamy cheese.

Chilled Red Wines: A Trend That's Here To Stay?A Few Chill-Worthy Reds Les Cadrans de Lassègue 2016. This delicious red Bordeaux is made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Lush and opulent, the wine’s freshness and fruit are enhanced by a slight chill. Read more about the wine here, and pair it with tomato, basil and burrata salad.

The second label from Château Lassègue in Bordeaux, this is an affordable Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wine. It has a wonderful nose of violets, cherry, pomegranate and prosciutto. Fresh on the palate with more cherry, cranberry and a pleasing amount of acidity. A delightful wine, it’s made predominantly from merlot and is particularly good with a tomato and goat cheese tart.

For those who prefer a New World style, here is a Pinot with more fruit in the bottle. The 2017 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir shows bold, ripe cherry fruit flavors with smooth tannins and an easy-drinking medium body. La Crema is a popular California label that is approachable, with solid brand consistency. This is a crowd-pleasing Pinot that is widely available and perfect for entertaining.

Wines to discoverA wine column wouldn’t be complete without highlighting a few incredible discoveries, so check out the choices below, hand-picked as some of the top wines to delve into right now.Brewer Clifton Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2016

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersCabernet and FamilyTop 2021 Cabernet and Family Wines

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersCabernet and FamilyTop 2021 Cabernet and Family Wines

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersCabernet SauvignonTop 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersShiraz2021 Best Shiraz Wines

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersShiraz2021 Best Shiraz Wines

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersShiraz2021 Best Shiraz Wines

The Best of the Best: 2021 Varietal WinnersGrenache and Family2021 Best Grenache And Blends

Wine of the Week: Beat the heat with sauvignon blancs Every time I try the 2018 Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County, I am momentarily transported back to a porch overlooking the Russian River Valley. The wine is partially fermented in neutral oak and has a touch of Semillon blended, which accents the charming scents of white peaches, melon and nectarines in the bouquet.Bright flavors of melon, Lychee and passion fruit dominate on the front of the palate, while grilled nectarine notes accent the crisp finish. Enjoy with your favorite rocking chair or hammock.

If you need a change from the Red Blends you're currently drinking, give this Bordeaux blend from Italy a chance. It has the powerful depth of fruit and grippy tannins you love and heightens everything on the palate with good acidity. This is a wonderfully balanced wine that can go a few more years in the bottle, but can also be enjoyed now.

White pinot noir is becoming more popular in California. Whole clusters of grapes are immediately pressed after harvest, so the wine has no time for color. Viscous with white peach and sweet apple flavors with hints of white raisins and honey.

Zepaltas combines co-fermented pinot noir and pinot gris – the two “Ps” – to create a unique wine that for us was like a cross between rosé and Beaujolais. Bold and fruit, it has a candy-like appeal and juicy strawberry flavors. Zepaltis calls it a “super fun wine to chill.”

Lighter in color, this medium-bodied and elegant wine has a Burgundian feel. Low in alcohol at 13.1 percent, it has raspberry aromas with cherry flavors.

The most complex and boldest of the pinot noirs, the Afleet has a reserve quality. Rich, layered and tannic, it shows off floral aromas and an earthy combination of red and black fruit.