California

Country: US / Fiddlestix Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Pali / Sta. Rita Hills Dark cranberries, violet and sagebrush form the core aromas, with a bit of buttery crust on the edges of this blend of four clones. The flavors are black and bitter, with strong, plum-skin tannins currently hiding the riper fruit and spice […]

Country: US / Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Fritz / Russian River Valley Crème brûlée informs the creamy backbone of an otherwise high-toned Chardonnay, the acidity brisk on the palate without veering over the edge. Layers of apple and pear give additional lift in between a yeasty texture.

Country: US / Estate Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Cebada / Santa Ynez Valley Charred oak characterizes the nose of this wine from an estate just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean, but chopped dill takes the place of overpowering butter aromas. The herbs show up on the palate, hovering on pine needles, sandalwood and oak […]

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Sangiovese California Winery: La Chertosa / Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley stalwart Sam Sebastiani returns to the winemaking fold with this small-production Sangiovese. A juicy study in robust, powerful tannins and fresh plum, it has a trace of anise on the back of the palate. Blended with 8% Petite Sirah and […]

Country: US / Variety: Malbec California Winery: Keating / Rockpile There’s considerable earthiness to the nose of this Malbec, grown in Zin-heavy Rockpile. Soft and wrapped in cinnamon spice, its sizable tannins are offset by just enough acidity to keep the wine mouthwatering and mellowed.

Country: US / Jonquille Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Joullian / Carmel Valley A pleasant minty character, somewhere between purple Thai basil and toothpaste, emerges from this 60% Zinfandel and 40% Syrah blend, along with strawberry pie aromas. It’s still tightly wound and tart on the palate, with hints of red and black licorice that […]

Country: US / T Bar T Ranch Variety: Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: Hall / Alexander Valley With a handful of Viognier blended in, and nine months spent in new French oak, this wine offers deep layers of melon and peach surrounded by a wall of floral aromatics. Delicious and ripe, the wine holds enough structure […]

Country: US / Jack’s Masterpiece Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Hall / Napa Valley The 4% Petit Verdot in this dark, inky Cabernet Sauvignon is doing its job in terms of color and structure, adding much of both to the mix. Overall the wine is savory and full-bodied on the palate, with bits of spicy […]

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Fort Ross Vineyard / Fort Ross-Seaview Dark purple in color, this is a fully realized Pinot Noir, aged longer in bottle before release, to great effect. Spicy and earthy, it offers a density that’s not overwhelming but gives the wine an ideal combination of style and […]

Country: US / The Limit Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Babcock / Sta. Rita Hills Coming from the Radian Vineyard atop the Sta. Rita Hills, the appellation’s veteran Bryan Babcock delivers aromas of pineapple cake, fresh apricot and lemon butter. The wine is well oaked, so expect vanilla and baking spice, but there’s a lemony acidity […]

Country: US / Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Stephen Ross / Santa Barbara County Rich, forward and delicious, this has pineapple and peach jam flavors, with elaborate notes of buttered toast and caramel from the oak aging. It finishes dry.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Cuvaison / Carneros One of Cuvaison’s best basic Pinots in years, this is charming with its dry, crisp structure, silky elegance and fine flavors of raspberries, cherries and toasty oak. While not an ager, it’s a beautiful wine to pair with tuna, salmon, lamb or steak.