California

Country: US / Starmont Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Merryvale / Napa Valley Merryvale has a terrific record with their Starmont Chard, and they haven’t raised the price for many years. The ‘06 is right up there with the best of them. It’s rich and creamy, filled with true Chard flavors of peaches, pears, honey, buttered […]

Country: US / Private Reserve Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Carter Estate / South Coast Well-integrated aromas of dried mint and black cherry meet with baking spice, cappuccino and dried-beef notes on the nose of this bottling. Dried cherry, smoked beef, bittersweet chocolate and coffee flavors show on the sip, where a solid tannic structure […]

Country: US / Estate Bottled Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Talley / Arroyo Grande Valley Daffodils, lemon rinds and yellow apples rise on the nose of this bottling like a delicate flower petal. The palate is also finely toned, light in style and easy to enjoy, with hints of limestone, sea salt, Meyer lemon and Gravenstein […]

Country: US / Estate Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Stony Hill / Napa Valley Light, lithe and elusive, this wine begs for time in the glass to develop, and it changes as it goes, maintaining a persistence of exotic Asian spice and citrus, stony minerality and a dash of lemon peel. Green apple also shines through, […]

Country: US / La Rinconada Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Sanford / Sta. Rita Hills Violet, lavender, mulberry, black cherry, cola, graphite and a touch of sarsaparilla lead the nose on this bottling from this vineyard planted in 1997. Tart cranberry, pencil lead, dried orange rind, bay leaf, fennel and bay leaf all show […]

Country: US / Jewel Collection Series Estate Reserve Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Ruby Hill Winery / Livermore Valley This wine is big in every dimension, from an unusually deep gold color, to a smoky, oaky, toasted-baguette aroma to almost sweet flavors like poached pear that are backed by more buttery, smoky nuances and surprisingly good […]

Country: US / Variety: Viognier California Winery: Calera / Mt. Harlan This is one of the harder grapes to tame in California, yet those wanting to walk the razor blade balance between ripeness and freshness should copy this Josh Jensen version. Candied nectarine, white peach, cherimoya and jasmine show on the ripe, honeyed nose, but […]

Country: US / Variety: Primitivo California Winery: Boeger / El Dorado This full-bodied but stealthy and deep wine looks very dark in color. It has moderate ripe fruit and spice aromas, but doesn’t really show its cards until the flavors almost explode with boysenberry and blackberry jam, and nuances of wood smoke and dark chocolate […]

Country: US / Hawkeye Mountain Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Jackson Estate / Alexander Valley From a site with elevation rising as high as 2,200 feet, this wine delivers tremendous complexity and minerality, the grapes from volcanic soils. Meaty, with a wisp of smoky char, it’s ripe and full bodied in cherry and cassis, nuances […]

Country: US / Variety: Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: Andretti / Napa Valley Shows unusual depth and finesse for a Sauvignon Blanc, with scads of palate impressions ranging from lemondrop candy, zesty wintergreen, apricot nectar and white pepper. Yet it’s dry and smooth, with crisp acids.

Country: US / Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Testarossa / Santa Lucia Highlands A very good wine while somehow failing to rise to expectations. Is it the vintage? All the elements are there, including ripe fruit flavors enriched with herbal and spicy complexities, generous acids and silky smooth tannins. Yet the wine […]

Country: US / The Novelist Meritage Variety: Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: M. Cosentino / California Oak from barrels stars front and center, overshadowing the citrus, melon and fig flavors underneath. Feels great in the mouth, creamy and lush. By summer 2003, it will be better. A blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon.