($37):  Though based in Yountville in Napa, Stewart Cellars, a family-run winery established only in 2000, finds growers in Sonoma with whom to work.  I, for one, am glad they did.  This fine Chardonnay, for example, comes from the cooler Sonoma Mountain area, which likely explains, at least in part, its finesse. … Read more

($13):  One of the great things about New World winemakers is their willingness to experiment because they are not constrained by regulations. This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer (roughly 60/40) is a case in point.  Where else in the world would you find a blend of those two grapes? … Read more

($32):  Arguably, Kendall-Jackson is largely responsible for Americans’ love of Chardonnay.  So, it’s not surprising that they should expand their portfolio with site-specific bottlings of that variety.  This one, from Santa Maria Valley, delivers fruity, spiced pineapple-like flavors along with the opulence for which KJ is known.… Read more

($38):  The uniqueness of Santa Maria Valley, as a whole, stems from its east-west orientation, instead of the usually north-south orientation of most California valleys.  This orientation allows the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean direct access to the vineyards.  Indeed, vineyards just a few miles inland are considerable warmer, producing grapes and wines with different flavor profiles, than ones further west. … Read more

($31):  It’s hard to understand how one producer can master so many different wines.  But Grgich Hills does.  Their Chardonnays are iconic, certainly among California’s best.  Their Cabernet Sauvignons are thrilling and develop wonderfully with bottle age.  Even their Zinfandel charms. … Read more

($30):  A big step up from Edna Valley’s regular Sauvignon Blanc, this one, part of their Winemaker Series level, has more depth and a richer texture while maintaining vibrancy.  It enlivens the palate without being aggressive.  A balanced wine, it has a Sancerre-like sensibility. … Read more

($14):  This refreshing and straightforward Sauvignon Blanc delivers a tingling bite without being aggressive.  Clean and bright, it’s a well-priced go-to kind of wine for the heat and humidity that is about to descend.
86 Michael Apstein Jun 19, 2018… Read more

($33):  As with their splendid Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan produces refined Chardonnay.  Crisp and creamy with a display of citrus, their 2016 Chardonnay caresses, rather than assaults, the palate.  It’s an elegantly styled Chardonnay whose charm reveals itself as it sits in the glass. … Read more

($18):  Roussanne is a grape grown in the Rhône Valley and often, along with Marsanne and Viognier, is used with to make white wines from that region.  Similar to their Syrah, what’s in the bottle is far superior to what’s on the bottle, so don’t be put off by the name. … Read more

($19):  Many people in the wine trade tell me that they avoid Cabernet Franc because it can deliver vegetal flavors if not entirely ripe.  It can.  But it can also be the basis for a spectacular wine — think Bordeaux’s Château Cheval Blanc — by providing a needed savory component. … Read more

($45):  So much Merlot is consumed thoughtlessly as a pre-dinner drink — as in “I’ll have a glass of Merlot” — that consumers could be excused if they think grape is incapable of producing serious wine.  Chappellet’s 2015 Merlot should dispel that idea. … Read more

($18):  I was predisposed to dislike the wine because of its cutesy name.  But, just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you need to taste to fairly evaluate a wine.  This is a well-proportioned Syrah that brings black fruit, smoky and peppery notes together seamlessly. … Read more

($56):  I admire Jordan because they have never veered from their style of making refined and polished Cabernet Sauvignon.  They’ve avoided the “bigger is better” trap, and have remained focused on elegance and refinement.  Take this 2014 Cabernet.  From the moment you smell it, you know you’re in for a treat. … Read more