California

Country: US / Old Vine Street Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Parkers Estate / Sonoma County With blackberry, tobacco and oak flavors, this is a sound Cabernet to drink with everyday fare. It’s dry and smooth through the spicy finish.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Frank Family / Napa Valley Frank Family is one of those wineries that Cab lovers should know more about. This, their basic Napa Cab, is a solid hit, tannic, dry and balanced. It shows classic flavors of black currants, with contributing notes of chocolate, anise and cedar.

Country: US / Poseidon’s Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Molnar Family / Carneros Made in a direct style to appeal now, and succeeds. Dry, soft and silky, the wine seduces with lush black cherry, raspberry, red currant, mocha and spice flavors that are deeply satisfying. Not an ager, but nice now through 2010.

Country: US / Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Stevenot / Sierra Foothills What a great Sierra Foothills mountain Zin. It’s big, dry and brawny, with thick, sticky tannins that call for rich beef dishes. But it’s also balanced. The official alcohol is below 14%, and the blackberry, currant, leather, tobacco and baker’s chocolate flavors are streaked […]

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Round Pond / Rutherford There’s a pure, sweet Cabernet in the bottle that wants to come out, but it’s held back right now with sturdy tannins that make for a palate astringency. The flavors are explosive, of blackberries, cassis, cherries, chocolate and smoky new oak. Needs time. […]

Country: US / Mistral Vineyard Variety: Port California Winery: Williams Selyem / Central Coast For drinking now, this red dessert wine satisfies for its soft, luxuriant texture, sweetness and depth of flavor. Offers blackberry jam, cherry marmalade, melted milk chocolate and smoky vanilla flavors accented with cinnamon, anise and pepper.

Country: US / Monte Bello Road Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Jason-Stephens / Santa Cruz Mountains This intriguing wine shows the depth and staying power of this historic region. Aromas of grape seed, pressed boysenberry, chaparral scrub and woody fruits show on the nose, while the palate offers a leaner Concord grape flavor and a […]

Country: US / Reserve Old Vine Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Ironstone / Lodi This wine has full aromas and flavors of rich, ripe strawberries and blackberries. The texture is both smooth and slightly gripping at the same time, with a medium to full body and a dry, lingering finish lingers.

Country: US / Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: The Tribe / Lodi Luscious melon aromas, creamy fruit-tart flavors and a silky texture make a pleasing combination in this wonderfully soothing wine. A crisp core of lemon and apple flavors are surrounded by a layer of vanilla and hazelnut. The plus texture carries the flavors through a […]

Country: US / Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Pellegrini / Sonoma County Made with just 10% new oak and in both American and Hungarian barrels, this wine celebrates both juicy red plum and raspberry, offering sizable power in an elegant package. Soft tannins and measured acidity maintain a freshness in the glass, with a nuanced, easygoing […]

Country: US / Campbell Ranch Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Papapietro Perry / Sonoma Coast Floral and pretty on the nose, this coastal Pinot offers soft layers of wild strawberry and tangy acidity while pushing the boundaries of lower ripeness. Lean, it finishes with a suggestion of earthy mushroom and savory tea.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Mossback / Chalk Hill This wine offers some remarkable value for the quality, from a good appellation to boot. Plum and cassis form around smoothly layered tannins and subtle oak, finishing in a seductive wave of black pepper and graphite.