($45): William Hill’s Bench Blend Cabernet Sauvignon represents a blend of wines made exclusively from Cabernet Sauvignon grown in their best vineyards, according to Ralf Holdenried, their winemaker.  Similar to their Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which contains a dollop of other varieties, this Bench Blend is dense and dark with a harmonious interplay of herbs and black fruit and an appealing bitterness in the finish. … Read more

($30): This is serious Merlot — dark and dense with even chocolate nuances.  And a touch of leafiness, just to reinforce it is real Merlot.  The tannins are polished, but it’s not a soft wine, so I wouldn’t recommend sipping it before dinner. … Read more

($62): The age of the vines — the vineyard’s 40 years old — shows in this wine’s complexity and refinement.  It combines the brightness and liveliness character of Edwards’ Sonoma Coast bottling with the intensity of her Georganne Pinot Noir.  What’s most amazing is the way it unfolds in the glass, revealing more and more pleasure over a couple of hours. … Read more

($60): Edwards’ Coopersmith bottling is always one of her most gorgeous Pinot Noirs, perhaps because the vineyard is named for her husband.  The epitome of power and grace, this Pinot Noir combines everything you’d want from that variety — floral notes, earthy minerality and plenty of fruit. … Read more

($40): This fine wine shows the gorgeous combination of herbal and fruit — cassis — flavors that makes Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon so enthralling.   The tannins are remarkably fine for such a dark and almost brooding wine.  A refreshing even so slightly bitter finish adds to its appeal. … Read more

($39): Merry Edwards shows that the French have no monopoly on the concert of terroir.  Her Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is refreshingly different from her Russian River bottlings.  It delivers bright berry-like flavors intermingled with spicy and earthy nuances.  It’s a lively and invigorating wine that combines succulence and spice without being overdone. … Read more

($57): From her youngest vineyard, which was planted in 2006, Edwards’ Georganne is a bigger and weightier wine than her Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir bottling.  Conveying more black than red fruit-like flavors, it has an attractive burly presence.  Almost chewy, Edwards magically prevents it — and all her Pinot Noir — from being heavy. … Read more

($25): With their Fiddletown bottling, Renwood Winery has produced a lush and simultaneously, briary Zinfandel, filled with dark fruit flavors and spice.  It has depth and the ripe fruit notes come across as a touch sweet, but yet, overall, the wine remains in balance and not overblown. … Read more

($135): This concentrated and bold — 15% stated alcohol — Cabernet does manage to contain itself.  The breeding of Napa Valley is apparent with rich cassis-laden fruit flavors combined with haunting herbal nuances.  Tightly wound with fine, but firm tannins, the 2010 Mondavi Reserve is best cellared for several years.  … Read more

($24): With this Sauvignon Blanc, their first commercial offering, Clos du Val shows they are as talented with their whites as with their terrific reds. Pleasantly pungent with a marvelous balance of creaminess, it has lovely depth while avoiding heaviness.  Though spicy and bright, it still doesn’t shake you by the lapels but rather awakens your palate and makes you want to take another sip. … Read more

($20): Once again, location matters.  Amador County has a great reputation for Zinfandel and it shows in the character of this wine.   Fresh bright fruit flavors, dried fruit notes, and spice all come together in this bold, yet not massive, Zinfandel. … Read more

($15): There’s nothing petite about wines made from Petite Sirah.  This robust red, actually purple, wine delivers jammy fruit flavors seasoned with licorice and spicy oak.  It would work well with a hearty pasta dish.
85 Michael Apstein Oct 29, 2013… Read more

($15): This unusual blend of Zinfandel (86%) with a touch of white grapes (Roussanne, 2%) and a grape I’d never heard of (Souzao, 1%) had me running to Jancis Robinson’s Wine Grapes.  The remainder of the blend is Primitivo and Mourvèdre. … Read more

($20): Sweet cherry-like flavors dominate in this Central Coast Pinot Noir.  Lots of spice from oak aging and a whiff of savory notes compete with the ripe fruit flavors, but they are ultimately forced into the background by the unbridled fruitiness. … Read more

($38): Thankfully, Clos du Val retains their hallmark style of restraint and elegance with their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.  And they do it without sacrificing intensity or weight. This wine amazes with its plethora of flavors.  There’s the expected mix of black and red fruit flavors, but there is also alluring nuances of herbs, savory notes and even olives. … Read more

($45): Location matters.  Spellbound’s Napa Valley bottling of Petite Sirah is a big step up from their less expensive “California” one.  With spicy deep dark berry scented flavors accompanied by moderate tannins, this is quintessential Petite Sirah.  Winemaker, Rob Mondavi, Jr.,… Read more

($35): Clos du Val, one of the pioneer Napa Valley wineries, fortunately has never varied from it style that values finesse over power.  Admirable restraint in this clean Merlot allows you to savor it.  Though focused on fruit flavors, an appealing earthiness, characteristic of Merlot, appears in the finish. … Read more

($23): This bright Pinot Noir showcases the ripe sweet fruit of the Russian River Valley.  Concentrated, but not over the top into the Pinot Syrah category, its polished tannins make it ready to drink.  Indeed, it could stand alone for those who relish a glass of red wine before dinner, but would also be a fine choice for roast duck.… Read more

($10): It’s hard to find a drinkable $10 Chardonnay these days.  So when I ran across one that was not only drinkable, but good, I was thrilled.  There’s no subtlety here, just rich ripe fruit and, most importantly, balance.  Easy to sip before a meal, this straightforward Chardonnay is an especially good choice when serving a crowd.… Read more

($40): Decades ago Robert Mondavi coined the name Fumé Blanc for his wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It has always been one of California’s most distinctive, and the Mondavi 2011 continues that track record.  The grapes have traditionally come from the famed To Kalon vineyard near the winery and they’ve opted to now put the vineyard name on the label. … Read more

($32): Clos du Val, thankfully, has resisted the trend toward overripe, boisterous wines.  With this lacey and pure Pinot Noir, they deliver bright clean red fruit with a hint of minerality.  It is precise with delicate savory elements in the finish. … Read more

($14): This wine exemplifies why we need to regulate the term “Reserve.”  Red Rock Winery produces 40,000 cases of this Pinot Noir annually from grapes that come from anywhere in California.  That’s hardly a Reserve wine.  Slightly sweet and soft, this fruit-focused wine works perfectly as a stand-alone aperitif. … Read more