($14):  Unbelievable.  My first and second — and third — reaction to this wine.  Wine with real Pinot Noir character at $14 a bottle.  Fresh and clean, it’s a delicate, but flavorful wine that finishes ever so slightly sweet.  But fresh acidity keeps it balanced. … Read more

($20):  If you haven’t visited Buena Vista since the new regime came to town, you should definitely stop in and see what Jean Charles Boisset is up to with the restoration, and you can meet the Count while you’re there.  Make sure you ask him to taste you on his namesake’s wine — it’s a fitting tribute to the original Count Agoston Haraszthy, with a sassy spice profile joining bright red fruit. … Read more

($32):  Chardonnay lovers, listen up.  And those who think they don’t care for Chardonnay should also lend an ear.  There’s a delicacy to this wine that makes it very appealing.  Its fruitiness is enhanced by a hint of seductive oakiness.  It delivers richness without being overt, overdone or heavy handed. … Read more

($24):  Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of Zinfandel.  So, it’s a dilemma when I come across one like this.  I don’t personally like it, but that’s beside the point.  It’s really good wine — a fine expression of Zinfandel.  Sure, it’s bold — it is Zinfandel, after all — but tips the stated-alcohol scales at under 15%, which some would say makes it a bantam-weight for that varietal.  … Read more

($35):  A touch (5%) of Petit Verdot and Malbec enhance this delightful Cabernet Sauvignon.  Filled with dark fruit and olive-like savory notes, it’s ready to enjoy now because of its fine, polished tannins.  Juicy acidity in the finish keeps it lively throughout the meal. … Read more

($42):  Although lovely herbal notes appear in this Pinot Noir, the focus is firmly footed on fruitiness.  Suave mild tannins support the juicy red fruit nuances.  The finish has a touch of sweetness, which makes the wine useful as a stand-alone glass before a meal.… Read more

($40):  Another fruit-focused Pinot Noir with good weight and a suave texture.  Not overdone in the “Pinot Syrah” mode, it finishes a touch sweet, which I suspect is due in part to its 14.5% stated alcohol.  Ready to drink now.  I’d be sure to served it ever so slightly chilled to minimize the effect of the alcohol.… Read more

($84):  Though Goldeneye’s Pinot Noir from the Confluence Vineyard conveys more fruity elements than earthy ones, savory nuances appear and add complexity.  Supple tannins lend support without intruding and bright acidity keeps it fresh.  A touch of heat in the finish compared to their other single vineyard bottlings tempers my enthusiasm. … Read more

($84):  Goldeneye, one of Duckhorn’s many labels, has captured the delicacy and charm of Pinot Noir with this single vineyard bottling.  Delicate, red fruit flavors dance on the palate.  Beautifully balanced, subtle bitter notes in the finish complement the sense of sweetness from its fruitiness. … Read more

($84):  Goldeneye’s single vineyard bottlings actually reflect the difference in sites.  Theirs is not a marketing ploy.  This one, for example, is denser and more concentrated, conveying more black rather than red fruit, compared to one from The Narrows Vineyard.  Yet it still conveys the delicacy that makes Pinot Noir so alluring. … Read more

($84):  Showing that you can never judge a wine by the numbers, Goldeneye’s Gowan Creek Vineyard bottling weighs in at a hefty 14.9% stated alcohol yet does not finish hot.  Nor is it overdone.  Indeed, it’s a balanced mixture of black fruit flavors and earthy savory ones. … Read more

($45):  Unlike a Riserva in Italy, Reserve on a label on a California wine has no legal meaning.  A winery can, and sometimes does, label their entire production, all several million bottles, as “reserve.”  Not so with Rodney Strong.  In this case, the winemaker selects the best barrels in the cellar and blends them to create a Reserve bottling. … Read more

($19):  Consumers often avoid Pinot Blanc because they are disappointed by the light weight, often innocuous wine made from that grape.  Well, if you’ve been one of those, you’ll want to grab this one to know what real Pinot Blanc tastes like. … Read more

($24):  The unusual blend here, roughly 30 percent each of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay, with Viognier and Muscat Canelli contributing the rest, works well.  Subtle aromatics are intriguing and lead you into a wine with hints of stone fruits and a glossy texture. … Read more

($19):  Viognier is a tough grape to turn into wine.  It needs adequate ripeness to express its floral character, which often is accompanied by high alcohol from higher sugar levels.  Its traditional home is in Condrieu in the Rhône Valley.  Jed Steele has mastered it in Lake County. … Read more

($50):  Cuvaison was one of the early wineries to discover the virtues of Carneros, one of the coolest areas of Napa Valley.  They planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir there 40 years ago and have enormous experience with how those varieties fare there. … Read more

($14):  This well-priced Chardonnay is another excellent value from J. Lohr.  Overt, but not oily or overdone, it weighs in at a modest 13.5 percent-stated alcohol, which helps explain its balance.  Fruity and toasty flavors predominate and make it a crowd-pleasing choice for broiled fish.… Read more

($14):  J. Lohr has managed to combine a pleasing pungency tempered by a subtle sweetness in this Sauvignon Blanc.  Nicely priced, it could do double duty as a stand-alone aperitif or as an accompaniment to a roast chicken.  A fine value.… Read more

($85):  I suppose you could call Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst their second wine.  The grapes used to make it come from their vineyards, presumably those that don’t make the cut for their flagship Spottswoode Cabernet, along with purchased fruit.  The incredible quality of this wine shows just how fabulous a producer Spottswoode is. … Read more

($28):  This Cabernet shows the diversity of wines coming from Dry Creek Vineyard.  Compared to their 2013 Meritage (also reviewed this week), this Cabernet Sauvignon has more of everything — more alcohol (14.5% stated), more power, more concentration and more fruit dominant flavors. … Read more

($30):  This is classic example of how less is often more.  Weighing in at a modest 13.5% stated alcohol, this blend of Bordeaux grapes displays a panoply of black fruit and savory flavors.  There’s a hint of cassis-like notes and an olive-like nuance among others. … Read more

($17):  Those looking for “killer” Zinfandel should look elsewhere, which probably explains why I like this wine.  It’s a balance of black fruit flavors, spice and a touch of herbal notes wrapped in soft plush tannins.  Not flamboyant, it’s a good choice for burgers, barbeque or a pepperoni pizza.… Read more