California

Country: US / Crane Ranch Vineyard Variety: Syrah California Winery: Crane Brothers / Napa Valley This Syrah has a lovely mouthfeel, with soft, plush tannins, clean acids and a dry, balanced finish. The flavors are of black currants, roasted meat, violets, anise and crushed black pepper. Has some green notes, but it’s a nice glass […]

Country: US / Dry Variety: Gewürztraminer California Winery: Londer / Anderson Valley With only .01 residual sugar, this Gewurz really is dry, as the label says. With grapes sourced mainly from the well-known Ferrington Vineyard, it’s very spice, with zesty lemon, pineapple, lychee and green apple flavors.

Country: US / Sultry Red Bistro Style Wine Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Hey Mambo / California In calling this southern Rhône-style blend Bistro Style, the winery means to suggest friends gathered in a nice restaurant, having fun and not being fussy about what’s in the bottle. That perfectly describes this dry, soft red wine, […]

Country: US / Epicenter, Old Vine Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Mettler Family Vineyards / Lodi Estate-grown from one of the family’s oldest Zin blocks, this wine is hugely toasty and oaky, with hits of bacon and dark coffee overshadowing an underlying layer of blackberry flavor.

Country: US / Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Joseph Cellars / Napa Valley Oak sticks out on this wine, with a buttered-toast note dominating the modest underlying fruit. There’s also an herbal quality, which is sometimes found in Napa Valley Chardonnays.

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Merlot California Winery: Dante / California This may be a little soft and simple, but overall it is a tasty Merlot that’s rich in milk chocolate and cherry jam, with a touch of smoky oak. Drink it at a party.

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Dante / California This tastes like it could be anything from Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc to Grenache Blanc, but it’s rich in honey, orange and buttered toastflavors. It’s seems a little sweet, but it has a good cut of acidity.

Country: US / Barrel Select Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Rutherford Hill / Napa Valley This wine is sharp and minty, with wintergreen flavors accompanying the riper blackberry and currant. That tartness gives this blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a dry bite. Drink now.

Country: US / Variety: Merlot California Winery: Buena Vista / Sonoma County This Merlot is soft, simple and seemingly sweet in fruit and oak. With ripe cherry, mocha and spice flavors, it will partner well with a cheeseburger.

Country: US / 181-Merlot Variety: Merlot California Winery: Noble Vines / Lodi A large-production wine that’s simple and straightforward in its dark cherry flavor and soft texture, this wine is a crowd-pleaser. It finishes quick but satisfying.

Country: US / Variety: Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: Martin Ray / Russian River Valley With some tart pink-grapefruit and lime flavors, this bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc is fine to drink now. The acidity gets the tastebuds watering.

Country: US / Steel Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Lincourt / Sta. Rita Hills This is dry, crisp in acidity and clean, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors. With no oak, the fruit stars. There’s a touch of apricot that gives it an eccentric taste.