($28): There’s not a lot of Albariño, a white grape that makes an aromatic and energetic wine in Rías Baixas (an area in northwest Spain’s Galicia area), grown in California.  Indeed, at last count (2013) there were just over 200 acres of the grape planted in the entire state. … Read more

($40): Petite Sirah is, of course, misnamed because there’s nothing petite about it.  And that’s its major attraction and, simultaneously, its major flaw.  Many Petite Sirah can be overwhelming — boisterous and alcoholic and nothing else.  Clayhouse Estate is robust and intense, yes, but it is balanced and not overdone considering the grape. … Read more

($55): Despite being one of the pioneer wineries in Napa Valley, ZD Wines, established in 1969 and named after the founders, Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi, flies under the radar of many consumers.  Originally focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Carneros, they added a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon a decade or so later. … Read more

($14): It’s abundantly clear that David Stare’s decision in 1972 to plant Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley was brilliant.  That grape brought — and continues to bring — acclaim to Dry Creek Vineyard.  The 2014, labeled, as always, Fumé Blanc (an allusion to the Loire Valley’s Pouilly Fumé) is marvelous with a rich texture offset by grapefruit rind-like bitterness and delicate bite. … Read more

($18): Dave Stare, who founded Dry Creek Vineyard, always made superb Sauvignon Blanc.  Though he is no longer making the wines, the tradition continues.  For the first time, they are including two clones, estate grown Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Musqué, with Sauvignon Blanc. … Read more

($11): This Viognier is an unbelievable bargain.  Viognier is notoriously difficult to get right because it often comes across as a heavy wine.  McManis got this one right.  It leads with a delicate whiff of white flowers and then dances delicately on the palate, finishing with a bright and racy signature. … Read more

($92): Miljenko “Mike” Grgich put California wines firmly on the world’s wine map in 1976 when a Chardonnay he made when he was Chateau Montelena’s winemaker beat out a bevy of white Burgundies for first place at a comparative tasting in Paris. … Read more

($60): The Nickel & Nickel Harris Vineyard Merlot, though similarly floral to their Suscol Ranch bottling, is firmer with more backbone and structure at this stage.  The tannins are more apparent, but still not aggressive or astringent.  It delivers a marvelous leafy character that compliments and reinforces its dark, warm fruit and dense minerality. … Read more

($42): If all Merlot tasted like this one from Grgich Hills Estate, the varietal would not be lampooned but rather lionized.  This one manages to be plush and seductive without be flabby.  Indeed, its structure shows it’s serious wine, not to be confused with the “I’ll a glass of Merlot” category. … Read more

($60): Nickel & Nickel specializes in single vineyard wines — not as a marketing tool, but because the wines are different and unique.  Their two 2012 Merlots, sourced from Suscol Ranch and Harris Vineyard, show, in clear relief, the value of their approach. … Read more

($40): One word describes this wine — graceful.  Truchard Vineyards has resisted the temptation to join the crowd with an over-the-top blockbuster Cabernet.  Instead, they’ve chosen the graceful path with a wine displaying an alluring herbaceous quality without being under-ripe.  There’s plenty of power here, but it doesn’t scream or overwhelm your palate — or the food for that matter. … Read more

($20): Beckman, known best for the stylish red and white Rhône blends, also produces a Sauvignon Blanc, a grape not known to the Rhône Valley, from their own grapes.  The 2014 is a balanced version with a touch of expected bite offset by a hint of creaminess. … Read more

($40): Matanzas Creek, a pioneering Sonoma County winery founded in 1977, produces five different and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc, each reflecting the origin of the grapes.  You can practically taste and feel the volcanic soil in this Helena Bench bottling, which gives the wine individuality rarely found with this variety in California. … Read more

($32): Matanzas Creek has always had a reputation for top-notch Sauvignon Blanc.  With this Bennett Valley bottling, they maintain their exceptional track record.  It’s a beautifully balanced wine with an innervating bite you’d expect from Sauvignon Blanc couple with a suave richness. … Read more

($60): Jayson, Pahlmeyer’s second label, offers an introduction to the luxurious style for which Pahlmeyer has become known at a lower price.  The wines are typically released earlier — the 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is Pahlmeyer’s current release — because they are more approachable. … Read more

($65): The Pinot Noirs from EnRoute (a winery started by the same talented people who founded Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce) just get better and better.  The 2013, only the 7th release, shows considerably more complexity and suaveness than previous vintages. … Read more

($53): I am an enthusiastic fan of Jordan’s Cabernets because the team there has, thankfully, resisted the California trend toward super ripe, super rich, bombastic wines.   Although much has changed at Jordan since their founding — the grapes no longer come solely from their vineyards — they continue to focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and continue to produce harmonious wines. … Read more

($38): Kristy Melton, Clos du Val’s new winemaker, has achieved her stated goal of making a bolder style of wine with the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.   Though the texture is still silky and suave, some will complain about the diminished subtly in the flavor profile. … Read more