California

Country: US / Alexander Valley Estate Variety: Petite Sirah California Winery: Trentadue / Sonoma County Soft and somewhat sweet, this rustic Petite Sirah has candied flavors of raspberries, mocha, bacon and black pepper. An easy sipper to enjoy now.

Country: US / Bandolero Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Daniel Gehrs / Paso Robles A young, freshly fruity wine, with a gassy berry-cherry liveliness and silky texture similar to Beaujolais. The finish on this Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon blend is dry and spicy.

Country: US / Variety: Merlot California Winery: Bandit / California There’s a lot going on in this Merlot, which is likeable now for its rich blackberry, cherry, cranberry, cola and spice flavors. It’s dry and balanced.

Country: US / Variety: Riesling California Winery: Ty Caton / Central Coast It’s dry to slightly off-dry, with clean, zesty acidity and decent flavors of citrus fruits, green apples, Asian pears and peaches.

Country: US / Tytanium Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Ty Caton / Sonoma Valley Fruity, dry and immediately appealing, showing ripe raspberry, cherry, blackberry, cola, licorice, bacon and sandalwood flavors. Could use greater complexity, especially at this price. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Malbec.

Country: US / Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Talbott / Santa Lucia Highlands Talbott’s style is always exotic and eccentric, with the grapes tasting so ripe, they have an almost botrytised, apricotty flavor. So it is with this ’06, which also brims with grilled pineapple and sweet smoky oak. Best now.

Country: US / Variety: Sangiovese California Winery: Silverado / Napa Valley Simple but elegant, with cherry, red currant, pepper and sage flavors wrapped into firm tannins. Has an elegantly silky mouthfeel, like a good Pinot Noir. Drink now.

Country: US / Estate Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Mettler Family Vineyards / Lodi An exuberantly ripe, fruity Cabernet, brimming with polished flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants and sweet smoky oak. Shows a fine enough structure of crispness and firm tannins for balance.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Gris California Winery: Mendelson / Napa Valley Very sweet and rich in honeyed citrus and vanilla flavors, this dessert wine suggests white cookies and cakes as partners. It’s not particularly complex, but it is deliciously easy to drink.

Country: US / Estate Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: McIntyre Vineyards / Santa Lucia Highlands The grapes had no problem getting ripe, to judge by the opulent cherry jam, red currant and black raspberry flavors, with their edge of toasty oak and mocha. Crisp coastal acidity provides needed crispness for balance. Drink now for freshness.

Country: US / L de Lyeth Variety: Merlot California Winery: Lyeth / Sonoma County This Merlot over-delivers for the everyday price. It’s bone dry and classically structured, with rich, ripe tannins and mouthwatering acidity framing flavors of cherries, red and black currants, dusty spices and cedar. Sommeliers, scoop this one up. More than 15,000 cases […]

Country: US / Cargasacchi Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Loring Wine Company / Sta. Rita Hills Very rich and fruit-forward in currants, cola, cedar and figs, with an exotic complexity suggesting dried dates and figs. Delicious, but a bit full-bodied and heavy. Could develop.