($9):  Fetzer, which made its name with well-priced wines, continues to do so with this bargain priced Chardonnay. Not an overdone style, it manages a delicate balance–especially hard to accomplish at this price range–between oak nuances and subtle tropical fruit flavors. … Read more

($18):  Winemaker and owner Bill Easton bottles his wines made from Rhône grapes–Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier–under the Terre Rouge label, using the eponymous name for those made from other varietals.  All of the vineyards that produce grapes for this wine face west, hence its name, Les Côtes de l’Ouest. … Read more

($17): A blend of fruit from Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties–with no one area exceeding the magical 85% number–means the label carries the general California appellation.  But that should not deter you from buying this solid, enjoyable Cabernet.  Blended with Syrah (8%) and Merlot (4%), this Cabernet Sauvignon delivers ripe flavors–without being overdone–supported by fine tannins. … Read more

($30): With Clos du Val’s location in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley and owner Bernard Portet’s Bordeaux heritage, it’s not surprising that they make superb Cabernet Sauvignon.  What continues to surprise me–although it shouldn’t since they have been doing it consistently over the years–is how good their Pinot Noir is. … Read more

($25): Certainly compared to the Robert Young Chardonnay (reviewed this week and previously), this is a full-blown–yet not ‘over the top’–Chardonnay.  A buttery, toasty quality seems to magnify the ripe tropical fruit flavors. Adequate citric-like acidity holds it all together and despite the richness and power, it’s not over done. … Read more

($40): Named after the granddaughter of Clos La Chance owners Bill and Brenda Murphy, this unusual blend–Grenache (40%), Syrah (20%), Carignan and Alicante Bouchet (15% each), Cinsault and Petite Syrah (5% each)–actually works to produce a wine with depth and complexity. … Read more

($11): Those who complain that California cannot produce a lovely inexpensive wine need to try this bargain priced beauty.  A Bordeaux blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), it has far more complexity–not just a gooey fruit bomb–and class than its price tag predicts. … Read more

($20): The aromatics accurately predict pleasure.  Supple, without being soft, this ripe and succulent Merlot is a winner.  It has surprising complexity for a $20 wine, showing nuances of wet earth, herbal notes, and a touch of chocolate.  The impeccable balance betrays the 14.5% stated alcohol.… Read more

($36): This satisfying Cabernet delivers spicy and herbal elements that balance the lush, almost sweet, black cherry-like flavors.  Ripe, but not over the top, the wine is balanced structurally by mild, finely polished, tannins that keep it in check.  It’s a good choice for current consumption.… Read more

($50): Clos LaChance uses all five of the traditional Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc) grown in their home vineyard for their Meritage red wine.  Despite a hefty dollop (almost 20%) of Petit Verdot and Malbec (12%), which helps explain the wine’s deep color and weightiness, it’s a well-balanced wine showing nicely integrated oak, black fruit-like flavors and spice even at this youthful stage. … Read more

($35): A blend from 15 different vineyards scattered throughout Carneros, this is a classic expression of Pinot Noir from that region.  It’s a balanced mixture of pure–but not sweet–red fruit flavors with hints of spice and earthy, savory notes.  Mild, supple tannins allow for immediate enjoyment. … Read more

($44): The Ferguson Block, located on the Sonoma side of Carneros, is part of Stemmler’s estate that was planted in the 1970s.  The age of the vines undoubtedly contributes to the lovely complexity of the wine.  Like all good Pinot Noir, this wine delivers more than just sweet fruit flavors, although there are plenty of those. … Read more

($60): Richard Ward, one of the owners of Saintsbury, believes this is their ‘best estate vineyard.’  As good as their multi-vineyard Carneros blend is (also reviewed this week), the Brown Ranch bottling just has more of everything while maintaining impeccable balance. … Read more

($28): Acacia has an excellent and well-justified reputation for their Pinot Noir.  This one, their ‘entry level’ wine, comes from fruit grown in several vineyards (as opposed to their several single vineyard bottlings) and represents a good introduction to their style, which combines subdued fruitiness with an alluring earthiness. … Read more

($49): Although it is sourced from a relatively cool region, Carneros, which borders San Pablo Bay and is often blanketed by a cooling fog, this wine’s ripeness suggests a warmer area.  This robust Pinot Noir combines pleasing, but slightly heavy, flavors of dried and fresh black cherries. … Read more

($40): The Ceja family represents the American dream.  The family emigrated from Mexico in the 1960s, worked hard in Napa Valley vineyards, saved money and in the 1980s, bought land in Carneros, where they now produce this mid-weight stylish Pinot Noir. … Read more

($55): Goldeneye is Duckhorn’s estate in Anderson Valley.  It focuses on Pinot Noir from single vineyards, as well as this one, which is made from grapes from a variety of sources.  A ripe and concentrated style of Pinot Noir, this one stops short of landing in what I refer to as ‘Pinot Syrah’ category. … Read more

($24): Primitivo, according to many authorities, is the European equivalent of Zinfandel.  With briary deep black fruit flavors, Sobon’s version is certainly Zinfandel-like.  Big and almost overblown, it has an attractive rusticity.  Spicy oak and slight heat in the finish–15.1% stated alcohol speaking-definitely means you’ll want this wine on a cold winter’s night.… Read more

($18): This juicy Zinfandel carries the stated 14.5% alcohol well without notes of over ripeness or excessive extraction.  Briary nuances balance the dense black fruit flavors.  Still, it’s a big wine that Zinfandel fans should enjoy. 87 Michael Apstein Nov 18, 2008… Read more

($40): Grandpère is the name of the vineyard, which according to Renwood has the oldest clone of Zinfandel in California.  The age of the vines (130 years) certainly explains the uncommon complexity and subtlety–for Zinfandel–found in the wine.   The heat in the finish of this robust–15.5% stated alcohol–Zinfandel sadly detracts from the otherwise lovely layers of ripe fruit, spice and even tobacco-like nuances.… Read more

($35): Domaine Carneros, the California outpost of the Champagne firm Taittinger, makes excellent sparkling wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, so it comes as no surprise that they should also try their hand at still wines from those varietals.  Their Estate Pinot Noir, the lower of two tiers of Pinot, emphasizes the pure, cherry-like fruit aspect characteristic of many California renditions of this grape variety. … Read more

($68): This wine, Domaine Carneros’s super-duper cuvee, undoubtedly a blend of their best barrels, has the graceful marriage of fruit and earth flavors you’d expect from a top-end Pinot Noir.   It shows more complexity and haunting non-fruit nuances, but less of the direct sweet cherry-like flavors than their regular ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir (also reviewed this week). … Read more

($60): Often times Cabernet-blended wines show more complexity than wines made from any of the single Bordeaux varieties.  The flavor profile of Merlot or Cabernet Franc, in particular, seems to be an especially well-suited foil to Cabernet.  But in this case, Rodney Strong’s Symmetry–a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), Merlot (15%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Malbec (3%)–takes a back seat to their excellent Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. … Read more

($50): Although this concentrated style of Cabernet emphasizes ripe primary fruit, it is not overdone or over-extracted.  Mellow tannins complement the sweet succulent fruit.  At this stage, it lacks complexity, but since it is balanced, additional flavors will likely emerge over time, so there’s rush. … Read more

($18): A blend of 94% Syrah with the remainder comprised of Grenache, this wine speaks to the plummy, ripe style of Syrah as opposed to the peppery, spicy style that grape can also exhibit.  It’s thick and rich without being heavy-weighing in at ‘only’ 13% alcohol–thanks to lively, blackberry-like acidity. … Read more

($50): Since its establishment three decades ago, Jordan has always been rightly known for its elegantly proportional Cabernets.  The 2004 vintage is no exception.  The dark fruit flavors have a curious combination of depth and delicacy.  An elusive hint of cigar box-like smokiness adds intrigue, while fine tannins support the entire package.… Read more

($28): Truchard had fallen off my screen, but this Merlot–along with their Zinfandel and Chardonnay–reminded me that they make stylish wines.  Truchard avoids the solo note of bright ripe fruit flavors by incorporating alluring herbal, leafy and earthy elements into this serious Merlot. … Read more

($8): One of the many Gallo labels, this straightforward–but good–wine challenges the proposition advanced by Michael Franz, my colleague at WRO, that California fails to produce many good inexpensive wines.  At a minimum, it is one wine that can be chalked up as a win for California. … Read more

($25): Carneros has the reputation as an area for producing fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot.  After tasting this wine, perhaps Zinfandel should be added to the list.  But then again, it’s not your typical Zinfandel.  It certainly has the slightly jammy, distinctly grapey flavors mixed with spice characteristic of the variety. … Read more

($8): Part of the Gallo empire, the Redwood Creek Cabernet is an excellent value.  Ripe–but not sweet–mid weight red fruit flavors dominate and are balanced by a hint of supple tannins.  It’s a simple everyday Cabernet at the right price. 84 Michael Apstein May 27, 2008… Read more

($60): Those who complain that California Pinot Noir is simply sweet cherry juice need to try this wonderfully complex wine.  Laetitia’s ‘regular’ Pinot Noir is very good and easy to recommend, but if you run across this one, their single vineyard bottling, go for it. … Read more

($18): This lovely blend of mostly (77%) Syrah-the remainder is Grenache (12%), Mourvedre (5%), Carignan (4%) and Petite Syrah (2%)–delivers a harmonious balance of black and red fruit flavors complemented by spicy notes. Mild tannins add needed support, and uplifting acidity keeps it fresh and lively. … Read more

($18): Another in their line of Hummingbird names–Buff-Bellied–this Zinfandel gets added complexity from inclusion of small amounts of Petit Syrah, Primitivo and Alicante Bouchet in the blend.  Still plenty ripe, with hints of jammy flavors, delightful spice keeps it from being overdone.… Read more

($12): This friendly wine has the plush ripe forward fruit character that has made Merlot so popular.  But, in addition, it conveys nuances of an earthy leafiness that add more complexity than you’d expect at the price. 86 Michael Apstein Apr 22, 2008… Read more

($19): Year in and year out, KJ does it.  Blending wine from grapes grown in Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties, Kendall-Jackson walks the line between a sipping ‘aperitif’ Merlot and one with sufficient structure and stuffing to accompany food.  Accessible, upfront, cherry-like fruit makes it easy to drink a glass before dinner, but richness and good weight buttressed by supple tannins and good acidity makes it a fine choice with a meal.… Read more

($18): Clos LaChance has chosen the hummingbird as their symbol, which explains why many of their wines, such as Crimson Topaz, carry their names.  This artful blend of primarily Merlot (63%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), Cabernet Franc (11%)–the remainder is Malbec and Petit Verdot–delivers grace and finesse. … Read more

($35): Although the emphasis in this wine is on sweet, lush, California fruit flavors, earthy and smoky elements add complexity.  Its elegance is marred only slightly by heat of alcohol apparent in the finish. 88 Michael Apstein Feb 5, 2008… Read more

($22): Tasted side-by-side with their regular–North Coast–Merlot, the superiority of the Reserve bottling is readily evident and, in my mind, worth the extra four dollars.  As expected, it has more sweet fruit flavors, more apparent oak aging and more supporting tannins. … Read more

($11): I’ve never been enamored of the label of this brand, owned by Hahn Estates, the high quality Monterey-based winery.  But the wine in the bottle shows very well in blind tastings and consistently offers excellent value.  This 2005 Pinot Noir continues in that vein, delivering an alluring earthy/leafy component atop bright fresh red fruit flavors.… Read more

($30): Bouchaine Vineyards specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grapes that thrive in cooler climates, because of their location in the Carneros region.  Carneros spans the southern parts of both Napa and Sonoma and is cooled by influences from the San Pablo Bay. … Read more

($34): The Syrah grape can deliver peppery or plummy flavors depending on where it’s planted.  MacRostie manages to get both, perhaps because the grapes came from two different blocks within its Wildcat Mountain Vineyard.  The result is a lovely plummy, slightly peppery Syrah with nuances of smoke and bacon fat. … Read more

($30): MacRostie used a combination of its  own Wildcat Mountain Estate and purchased fruit for this stylish wine.   An alluring earthiness marries nicely with bright raspberry fruit flavors and is balanced by good acidity and mild tannins.  It carries the 14.2% alcohol nicely.… Read more

($18): KJ — as it is affectionately called in the trade — obtains grapes from all over California to fashion this classy Merlot.  Not overwrought, the hint of leafy quality characteristic of that grape complements the bright red- and black-fruit elements. … Read more

($18): With so many disappointing Merlots on the market, it’s especially gratifying to find one like Clos LaChance’s.  A lovely mixture of herbs and black fruit is immediately apparent in the nose and follows on the palate.  A hint of creamy oakiness is well integrated and adds to the allure. … Read more

($21): This wine explains why Merlot is so popular.  Attractively gamey and earthy flavors–not just fruit–come across in the nose and carry onto the palate and are balanced by supple tannins.  Not a ‘fruit bomb,’ its layers of flavor persist throughout the finish.… Read more