($45):  Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, part of the Kendall-Jackson portfolio, prides itself on the mountainous location of its vineyards.  The conventional wisdom is that higher elevation vineyards are cooler, which allows slower ripening, better flavor development and better retention of acidity.  This Chardonnay, a blend from several vineyards, supports that idea. … Read more

($60):  Compared to their regular (multi-vineyard blend) Chardonnay, the one from Bear Point Vineyard has better density and is more elegant.  Although the concentration is what’s immediately noticeable, its elegance, especially in the finish, is what sticks in your mind. Judicious oak aging adds a subtle creaminess to its citrus-tinged flavors, making it a good choice for chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce.  … Read more

($100):  Stonestreet produces single vineyard Chardonnay, which, when tasted side-by-side, are distinctly different. Whether the differences are worth the price differential is something for you and your banker to decide.  Upper Barn Vineyard, at 1,800 ft elevation, must be an even cooler site because the wine is racier compared to the Bear Point Chardonnay.  … Read more

($82):  Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst bottling comes from a combination of their grapes that don’t make the cut for their top wine along with purchased grapes.  In that sense, it’s the Bordeaux equivalent of a “second” wine.  Second wines, whether in Bordeaux or California, are a good introduction to a producers’ style at a lower price. … Read more

 ($20):  This wine, like most made from Cabernet Franc, is lighter and more herbal than wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon.  Less fruity with more emphasis on the savory flavors, it has lovely restraint without being austere.  The balance of fruitiness and earthy qualities sings. … Read more

($42):  Don’t let the lack of an upscale appellation deter you from this sensational Sauvignon Blanc.  Although legally it must be labeled as California because less than 85 percent of the grapes came from a more particular AVA, the grapes have excellent provenance — one-third come from Napa County while two-thirds come from Sonoma County.  … Read more

($38):  Cuvée 20 was originally inaugurated to celebrate 20 years of sparkling wine production by J, founded in 1986.   A blend of almost equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (with a drop of Pinot Meunier), it is now one of their beloved bottlings. … Read more

($28):  This is Kendall-Jackson’s mid-tier Cabernet Sauvignon, positioned between their Vintner’s Reserve and their Alexander Valley Jackson Estate bottlings.  A balanced blend of five Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon [81%], Petit Verdot [9%], Merlot [5%], Cabernet Franc [3%] and Malbec), it’s focused on dark fruit flavors. … Read more

($40):  Kendall-Jackson’s Jackson Estate bottling is a giant step up from their other Cabernet Sauvignon offerings, presumably because it comes from a more rigorous selection of their grapes.  With more character and complexity, it mingles olive-tinged and herbal savory elements with a dark plum or cassis-like fruitiness. … Read more

($24): Gary Eberle has been making wine for decades, having founded his eponymous estate in 1982.  His experience shows in his wines, both this charm-filled Chardonnay and in his equally impressive Cabernet Sauvignon.  With his 2017 Chardonnay he walks the line beautifully between delivering too little and too much. … Read more

($34):  While Jason-Stephens’ Cabernet and Merlot bottlings exhibit savory elements that complement their dark fruitiness, this bottling embraces bold fruitiness.  A ripe blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Merlot (30%), with equal parts of Malbec, Carmenere, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it weighs in at 15.1 percent stated alcohol. … Read more

($24):  Intriguing and welcome leafy and herbal nuances, a hallmark of real Merlot, complements the dark fruitiness that otherwise dominates.  A hint of chocolate, presumably from oak aging, either enhances or detracts, depending on your point of view.  The silky tannins in this blend of Merlot (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Malbec make it ideal for current consumption.   … Read more

 ($28):  Though the focus is firmly on dark fruit flavors, lovely olive-tinged savory notes come through in this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (76%) Bordeaux-blend.  Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc round out the blend. The oak influence is better integrated at this stage compared to their Merlot. … Read more

 ($70):  Freemark Abbey, one of the iconic Napa Valley Cabernet producers, continues their streak with this concentrated and deep 2013 rendition.  Under its hulking frame lies elegance and refinement.  The tannins have a lovely dusty quality, appropriate for a youthful Rutherford Cabernet. … Read more

($25):  Lovely herbal elements balance and enhance the dark fruit flavors in this Cabernet.  Lip-smacking acidity imparts life and energy.  Although a generous Cabernet, it is not out-sized.  The “not just fruit” savory notes add complexity and supple tannins allow current consumption. … Read more

($35):  Knights Valley of Sonoma County has long been known as an excellent site for Cabernet Sauvignon.  With good depth and length, this wine supports that region’s reputation.  Subtle herbal notes accent its ripe dark fruit focus.  Polished tannins mean it’s fine to drink this winter.  … Read more

($20): Petite Sirah is a difficult variety to tackle, with producers often overdoing everything.   French Bar manages to contain themselves with this one.  Weighing in at a modest — at least by Petite Sirah standards — stated 14.2 percent alcohol, this one is still robust, but with an enhancing spiciness that actually modulates its power.  … Read more

($36):  Merry Edwards is clearly a very talented winemaker because not only does she produce stunning Pinot Noirs, she also makes incredible Sauvignon Blanc.  Her 2017 seamlessly balances a subtle and welcome bite characteristic of the variety with a creamy, mineral-infused elegance to produce a dazzling array of flavors. … Read more

($17):  Some would say that Kendall-Jackson (or “KJ” as it is sometimes called) created or at least stimulated America’s love-affair with Chardonnay with their “Vintner’s Reserve” decades ago.  It has since become this country’s best-selling Chardonnay for 25 years, according to their website. … Read more

 ($48): The line-up of five 2016 Pinot Noirs from Merry Edwards is her best ever, in my opinion.  The five include this one from the Sonoma Coast, three single vineyard ones, Klopp Ranch, Flax Vineyard and Meredith Estate, from the Russian River Valley, and one labeled just “Vintage 20,” a blend of her top barrels from those and other vineyards she created to celebrate her 20th vintage. … Read more

($63):  In terms of density, Merry Edwards 2016 Pinot Noir from the Flax Vineyard falls in between that of the one from the Sonoma Coast and the Klopp Ranch. It delivers a wonderfully complex combination of red fruit flavors, spice and herbs. … Read more

 ($66):  Merry Edwards’ Pinot Noir from the Klopp Ranch is spectacular, delivering black fruit-like power seasoned beautifully with spice and minerals.  With all its density, it’s still fresh and thankfully does not venture into the “Pinot-Syrah” category.  Despite its power, it’s paradoxically still restrained and amazingly complex. … Read more

($68):  Merry Edwards’ Meredith Estate Pinot Noir is always one of my favorites in her line-up.  Is it a stand out because it’s one of her own vineyards, purchased and planted about 20 years ago?  Whatever the reason, the 2016 is particularly magnificent. … Read more

($120):  This special bottling, a blend of the best barrels from selected vineyards, celebrates Merry Edwards’ 20th vintage under her name.  Aside from the sheer deliciousness of the wine, it makes an important point — single vineyard wines are not always superior to those made from a blend of several vineyards. … Read more