us

this is a very rich, ripe, flamboyant pinot, made in the lush california style. it's flashy in complex tiers of raspberries, cherries, red currants, licorice, cocoa and cinnamon spice, yet is silky and dry. the fruit comes from sonoma coast, green valley and the middle reach. an impressive followup to the inaugural '07, and a bottling to watch.

us

a little too sweet, this has candied flavors of lemon, lime and vanilla. brisk acidity provides balance, but it would be better if it finished drier.

fr

this is almost as impressive as gerin's la champine syrah, which is a tremendous achievement as viognier seems much harder to do well. hints of crushed stone and struck flint add nuance to the ripe apricot aromas, while the exotic, tropical fruit flavors of mango and pineapple are reined in by a touch of citrus-pith bitterness. drink now–2018.

es

yeasty, bready aromas reflect time in the bottle, although for a gran reserva this is still young. depth and cushion are present on a slightly foamy palate, while this wine is less about ripe fruit flavors and more about sourdough and fermented citrus notes prior to a lasting finish.

hu

bartlett pear and freshly squeezed lime juice carry the nose, while flavors of green apple, pear and lime rind drive the crisp, elegant palate. the finish shows nuance, with a slightly astringent mouthfeel.

it

hailing from the oldest vines on the castello nipozzano estate, this offers enticing aromas of fragrant violet, iris, perfumed berry, aromatic herb and baking spice. made with sangiovese and small percentages of malvasia nera, colorino and canaiolo, the silky, linear palate offers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and a hint of licorice framed in smooth tannins and fresh acidity.

de

whiffs of hazelnut and raspberry introduce this dry blanc de noir, a white wine made from pinot noir grapes. red berry flavors on the palate run a touch ruddy, but vibrant acidity brightens the finish. drink now.

fr

lots of apple tones, some rounded, some tart, are coralled into a core of bright, lemony freshness on this simple, refreshing and dry riesling. this is a lovely, easy and versatile wine with enlivening spikes of acidity.

us

an easy-drinking pink wine, this has sweet flavors of raspberry and cherry soda, honey and vanilla.

au

vanilla and pepper aromas lead to sexy, vanilla and black cherry flavors on the palate and finish. a very good effort and an enjoyable wine, though a little heavy on the vanilla.

us

forward and immediately delicious, this has a mix of peach, pear, apple and the more expected red fruits; it's a wild panoply of fruit flavor, with balancing acids and tannins. round, forward, full bodied and textural, it is a uniquely flavorful wine with distinctive fruit-laden profile.

ar

ripe berry aromas come with a smoky accent of tree bark. this wine is extracted and brimming with black-fruit tannins. flavors of blackberry and cassis are secure and framed by toasty, slightly burnt oak. blocky, big and long-running on the finish; drink through 2022.

us

this wine is made by paso robles-based jeremy weintraub, who also works at adelaida winery. aromas recall beeswax, light banana, ripe nectarine, lemon curd and white flowers. soft once sipped, it proves easy to drink, with flavors of chamomile tea, yellow pear, yellow apples and roasted nuts.

fr

dominated by ripe sémillon, this is a rich wine. it has a touch of herbaceousness, but the yellow fruits, pears and stroke of lemon give a full-bodied, rounded feel. wood aging adds further to the satisfying flavors.

us

with its rich, tropical fruit, citrus and vanilla flavors, accented by crisp acidity, this is a nice chardonnay to drink now.

it

bright red fruit, raspberry and blueberry open the bouquet of this pleasantly fragrant lambrusco. there's a touch of sticky sweetness in the mouth followed by creamy foam.

fr

this crisp, dry rosé is very fresh with delicious acidity. it has a bright character, lively and full of raspberry flavors. drink now.

pt

smooth, rounded wine, with vanilla, ripe pear and a bitter herbal finish. the wine feels fat, unfocused.

us

delicious drinkability is the hallmark of this pinot noir, which comes from the winery's vineyard in the carneros district. the wine is dry and silky, with complex flavors of berries, cherries and spices, brightened with brisk acidity. should hold and develop in the bottle over the next five years.

it

packaged with a grape cutting tied to the neck of the bottle, this generous wine shows aromas of ripe melon, apricot and tangerine skin. there's a fresh note of sweet honeysuckle on the close.