it

This earthy and spicy Barbera possesses an intense fragrance of black cherry, plum, clove and herb. The palate shows ripe black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and hints of well integrated oak and roasted coffee beans.

de

Dusty, stony minerality penetrates from start to finish on this dry, full-bodied Riesling. The palate is austere in flavor with bristling notes of lemon pith and dried herbs, but the mouthfeel is rich and round with a luscious mineral-oil viscosity.

US

A very pretty expression of Cabernet Franc with notes of cherry, chocolate and floral notes. It's elegant in style with a textured, satiny mouthfeel and a tart, lingering finish.

cl

Pointed, powerful aromas of herbs, olive and tobacco scream cl. The palate on this blend of Syrah and Cabernet is moderately complex, albeit a bit clipped. Cassis, red plum, herbs and tobacco dominate the flavor profile, while the finish is smooth, with zero heat or bite. Drink through 2015.

it

This lovely expression of Arneis has an enticing floral and fruit fragrance. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with creamy green-apple and exotic fruit sensations. This is perfect with insalata Caprese or fish dishes.

it

This straight Barolo shows delicate floral and cherry aromas and a hint of underbrush. The linear palate shows restrained red fruit and hints of spice, but it lacks the richness to balance the aggressive and rather drying tannins.

au

This is a sleek, refined middleweight, throwing soft yet punchy notes of cassis, cherry, dried herb and cedar. The vanilla is a bit prominent on the long finish, but at this price, who's complaining? Drink nowC2022.

au

This medium-bodied Shiraz is supple, immediately drinkable and complex what more could one want for under $15? Find plummy fruit, meaty elements, cracked pepper and hints of mocha and a long, savory finish here.

au

Filled with scents and flavors of black earth, cedar and dark fruit, this impressively full-bodied wine demands to be served with something similarly big and meaty. Despite its size, it's open-knit and accessible, with just enough coarse tannins on the finish to cut the richness of beef steaks or braises.

US

This Riesling actually tastes off-dry, to judge by the honey and vanilla bean sweetness that accompanies the citrus fruits. It's brisk in acidity and refreshingly low in alcohol. Continues a string of successful, restaurant-fancy Rieslings from Trefethen.

US

Lots of ripe, lush blackberry and cherry jam, mocha and cassis liqueur flavors in this full-bodied Cab. Tastes younger than it really is, with some brisk acids and firm tannins. Give it another 3C4 years in the cellar to let the parts continue to evolve.

US

From one of Steven Kent's favorite Livermore Valley vineyards, Ghielmetti, this vintage of Lola is 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% S millon, the SB picked first off the vineyard; the S millon last of the whites. Whole-cluster pressed, it is briny, with a marine-like influence of savory and steely characteristics. Rich, but not too rich, it's freshened by notes of lemon and lime.

US

This is a delicious Merlot for drinking now. It's Martin Ray's best in years, a dry, smooth, soft wine, with elaborate cherry pie, blackberry jam and oak flavors that are complex and spicy.

fr

A rich, sweetly fruity wine, its ripe black plum fruit balanced by fine acidity and layered with wood. It is a solid and dense wine, firm and with great juiciness. Likely to age well for 4C5 years.

au

Marked by potent aromas of green apple and lime sherbet, this is an intense, flavorful Riesling that just lacks that little bit of finesse. It's dry and medium-bodied, with a slightly oily, slightly coarse texture. Drink it young.

at

The perfume develops slowly before blossoming into an enticingly exotic, bergamot-flavored wine. Acidity keeps it fresh but it does end up with a slighty confectionery finish. Glass stopper.

cl

This is black in color, and on the nose it's jammy and intense, with slightly reduced blueberry and exotic cumin scents. The palate offers a smooth texture, depth and balance alongside toasty, blackened flavors of berry, cassis and pepper. A chocolaty, lightly toasted finish is a fine ending to this lively, tasty Malbec.

US

This Rh?ne-style blend of Grenache, Mourv dre and Cinsault is a good followup to the winery's 2011 vintage. It's delicate and dry, with subtle dried fruit, herb and spice flavors, and the acidity is nice and crisp. What a tremendously versatile food wine.

US

Crisp and bright in lemon and apple, Atrea also has a honeyed richness to it, especially on the finish. A blend of almost equal Roussanne and Viognier, the latter comes from Lolonis's very old, dry-farmed vines. Refreshing, this wine is begging for spicy food.

US

This Foursight Pinot is one of two, in amount of oak used (40% new oak in this case).This is light in color, earthy with mushroom-y spice tones and a darker fruit and oak expression than other, lighter-styled Anderson Valley Pinots. The vineyard is closer to Boonville and thereby typically warmer than the valley's Deep End.