($55): Jordan consistently makes a beautifully graceful Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 2012 is even more so, full-flavored, yet elegant with a suave texture.  Although a mouth-filling wine, it is not heavy.  It impresses with its elegance and complexity, not brute force.  Layers of red and black fruit flavors intermingle with herbal earthy notes. … Read more

($68): One of the things I love about Migration’s Pinot Noirs is that their vineyard designation is not a marketing tool, but rather reflects where the grapes are grown.  Take this one from the Bien Nacido Vineyard.  Riper fruit flavors dominate with fewer savory elements compared to their 2013 Dutton Ranch bottling (previously reviewed). … Read more

($60): One of the things I love about Patz & Hall is that they specialize in making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from individual vineyards, highlighting the differences among them.  With this approach, they’ve shown that the French don’t have a monopoly on terroir. … Read more

($120): In 1997 when Duckhorn, a top Napa Valley producer that focuses on Merlot, embarked on producing Pinot Noir, they wisely sought vineyards in an area more conducive to that variety.  Broadly speaking, Merlot does best in a warm climate, whereas Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climes. … Read more

($27): Sangiacomo Vineyard is one of the most acclaimed growing sites in California.  Located in the Carneros region, where cooling air from the Pacific Ocean flows in via the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, it is an ideal locale for edgy Chardonnay. … Read more

($18): Dry Creek Vineyard consistently makes an array of easy-to-recommend fine wines.  This Sauvignon Blanc is one of them.  The winemaking team incorporated a touch of Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Musqué, two “relatives” of Sauvignon Blanc, into the blend.  Those varieties add a bit of depth and weight that balances the grassiness and edginess of Sauvignon Blanc.  … Read more

($25): This could be the best-value California Pinot Noir on the market.  Full disclosure:  I’ve not tasted them all, but I’m waiting to find a better one at the price.  It has the alluring ying-yang-like savory-fruity combination.  The emphasis is on the savory earthy nuances that Pinot Noir can transmit when it’s not overdone. … Read more

($40): A hint of savory notes offset the bright cherry-like flavors in this generous wine.  A lush suave texture is engaging and makes it ideal for current consumption.  Those who prefer a hint of ripe fruit bordering on sweetness in the finish will embrace this Pinot Noir. … Read more

($23): Though a fruit-focused Pinot Noir, it delivers a hint of leafy flavors that keeps it in balance.  Mild tannins lend support without intruding on its plush texture so it would be a good choice for drinking this summer.  It finishes bright, not sweet, which is another plus. … Read more

($55): Albatross Ridge, a producer that has, sadly, been under my radar, hit the bull’s eye with this Pinot Noir.  It’s a near magical combination of smoky savory notes with ripe black fruit nuances.  Its “not just fruit” character makes it seductive and charming — and keeps you coming back for more. … Read more

($55): Goldeneye, the Pinot Noir-focused winery in Anderson Valley, was founded in 1997 by the Napa-based Duckhorn winery.  Their 15+ years of experience there with Pinot Noir shows in their wines, even this one, which is a blend from more than one site in the Anderson Valley. … Read more

($13): Even though the grape variety is Chenin Blanc, Dry Creek Vineyard labels it as Dry Chenin Blanc for emphasis, which is appropriate.  Fresh and vibrant, it’s a blissful harmony of fruit and zing.  Think sushi or poolside.  Buy it by the case for the summer.… Read more

($50): This big and bold Napa Cabernet is surprisingly harmonious and not over the top.  Full-bodied and robust, it remains balanced with a texture that alternates between chewy and suave.  There’s a captivating savoriness and a lush, but not sweet, finish. … Read more

($32): With more creaminess than bite, Merry Edwards’s expression of Sauvignon Blanc is reminiscent of white Bordeaux rather than Sancerre.  Long and refined, it’s a seductive wine with a glossy texture accented by a touch of electricity that reminds you it is, in fact, Sauvignon Blanc. … Read more

($29): Who knew that Duckhorn, well known for their brilliant red wines, made such an invigorating Sauvignon Blanc.  Tension filled, it combines a pleasing bite with a hint of creaminess.  A great ying and yang wine.
92 Michael Apstein May 17, 2016… Read more

($43): Grgich Hills Estate consistently produces superb Chardonnay.  And even the release of their super-duper Commemorative bottling has not detracted from their “regular” bottling.  The team at Grgich Hills has managed to combine ripeness with enormous energy in this Chardonnay.  It’s balanced, long and refined, with a hint of spice in the finish. … Read more

($42): This straightforward Pinot Noir is bright and full of cherry-like fruit.  A hint of savory herbal notes adds complexity.  Mild tannins allow for immediate consumption.  It would be a good choice for grilled salmon.
88 Michael Apstein May 17, 2016… Read more

($40): One of the reasons I admire MacRostie’s Chardonnays is that their single vineyard offerings are sufficiently different from each other to make separate bottlings actually meaningful. They are unique wines.  Contrast that approach with wineries whose “single vineyard” bottlings reflect a marketing strategy, not a difference in site.… Read more

($35): Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is already making a name for itself despite being founded less than a decade ago.  This, their “basic” Chardonnay (though hardly basic at all), is energetic and refined, finishing with uplifting, lip-smacking citrus notes instead of sweetness. … Read more

($45): This, Presqu’ile’s single vineyard Chardonnay, is truly a singular wine.  In a word, it’s graceful.  There’s a luxurious creaminess, but it’s not in your face or over the top and it’s balanced by perfect lemon-y notes.  Long and lacey, it reveals itself slowly in the glass. … Read more

($46): MacRostie is on a roll with their Chardonnays.  Despite a stated alcohol of 14.6%, the wine is restrained, but not lacking in flavor or energy.  There’s a touch of spice that adds interest.  The overall impression is one of harmony and balance. … Read more

($28): This ripe (14.5%-stated abv) and toasty Chardonnay delivers plump melon-y flavors on a soft-ish background, even finishing a touch sweet.  It’s fine as a stand alone — “I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay” — or to accompany spiced Asian fare. … Read more

($32): With California Chardonnays and white Burgundies commanding high prices, it’s a delight to find an excellent one at a reasonable price.  Jordan makes two wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon and this Chardonnay.  Both are consistently excellent.  In a word — Okay, two words — Jordan’s 2014 Chardonnay is bright and rich. … Read more

($93): Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, as much as anyone, is responsible for the world taking California wines seriously.  In 1976, while he was winemaker at Chateau Montelena, he made a Chardonnay that astonished the world by beating out a bevy of white Burgundies for first place at a comparative tasting in Paris. … Read more

($35): Ever since J Vineyards produced its first sparkling wine, it was clear that it was serious about the category.   Extremely impressive, this cuvée is as distinctive as the label — J Vineyards’ stylish yellow J.  The overall impression is that you are drinking a creamy green apple-like custard. … Read more

($100): Hanzell, one of the pioneers in California with Pinot Noir, sometimes gets lost among the hoopla of the bolder wines made from that grape.  Hanzell’s Pinot Noir is a study in how a delicate wine can convey extraordinary excitement.  Savory elements are a wonderful counterpoint to the elegant fruitiness and by contrast, actually accentuate it. … Read more

($48): Merry Edwards is one of my favorite California Pinot Noir producers.  One of her many virtues is that she’s not trying to make red Burgundy.  Her wines express the climate and warmth of California without being overly ripe or heavy. … Read more

($63): Merry Edwards’ Coopersmith Pinot Noir is proportioned similarly to her Georganne bottling.  At this stage the black fruit is more apparent with the savory notes playing in the background.  It has the same suave texture, with juicy acidity and well-polished tannins. … Read more

($60): In addition to consistently making a fabulous array of Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards is a genius with her single vineyard bottlings.  She embraces the Burgundian magic of terroir:  How the same grapes grown in different vineyards express themselves differently in the respective wines. … Read more

($65): With a different profile than her other Pinots — more red than black fruit intermingled with the hard to describe “leafy” character — Merry Edwards’ Olivet Lane shows the virtue of single vineyard bottlings.  Though all of the hallmarks of Merry Edwards’ wines are there:  Beautiful balance, well structured but not oppressive tannins, and freshness, the wine is still unique. … Read more

($25): Let’s hope that this example of lighter, fresher and more vibrant Chardonnay from California is truly here to stay.  There’s still plenty of richness, but the overall impression is lightness and vivacity.  The winery attributes the character of this stylish Chardonnay to their vineyard’s location near the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean. … Read more

($150): Dominus Estate has become a California icon in barely over 3 decades since Christian Moueix purchased the famed Napanook Vineyard in 1982.  The first vintage, 1983, was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and Merlot.  Over the decades the Bordeaux focus has been constant while the blend has shifted to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon supplemented with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. … Read more

($26): This is the style of Cabernet Sauvignon that made California famous for that variety.  It’s balanced and discreet, with haunting herbal influences that complement the ripe fruit flavors.  Not overdone, over extracted or over oaked, the multifaceted flavors of Cabernet come through. … Read more

($46): Roederer Estate is my favorite California sparkling wine producer.  Their quality can be traced to the philosophy of the Roederer Champagne house — the mother ship — and their ownership in Anderson Valley of sufficient vineyards to supply their needs. … Read more

($26): This stylish Chardonnay shows restraint without sacrificing flavor.  It’s plenty creamy, yet crisp.  It manages to be full flavored without being heavy or ponderous. In short, it’s long and refined — and at a good price.
92 Michael Apstein Nov 3, 2015… Read more

($25): A cutesy name and equally unconventional label makes me skeptical.  But it’s important to taste.  Here’s a clean and bright Chardonnay with a slightly creamy element and a hint of pepper-like spice that adds brightness.  Thankfully, restrained, but not vapid, this is a refreshingly vibrant wine. … Read more

($27): It’s almost impossible to find this complexity in Pinot Noir at this price.  Not that $27 is inexpensive, but it is for Pinot Noir, a whine whose quality tanks quickly as yields go up in an effort to keep costs down. … Read more

($40): This Russian River Pinot Noir is fresh and vibrant with supple tannins, which create a suave texture.  Savory elements balance the fresh fruit notes.  Not overdone, this Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for current drinking.
90 Michael Apstein Oct 20, 2015… Read more

($35): This well-priced Pinot Noir delivers toasty black fruit notes complemented by savory nuances.  It’s a hefty Pinot Noir, to be sure, but it is not over the top.  A hint of sweetness and heat from alcohol peaks out in finish. … Read more

($35): You taste the Carneros pedigree immediately.  Lively and bright, red fruit flavors dominate but don’t overwhelm.  The unique character of Pinot Noir — flavor without weight — is apparent.  If only the heat of alcohol didn’t peek out in the finish it would get higher marks.… Read more

($40): The wines from Bouchaine, the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros District, according to their website, fly under the radar.   I certainly can’t explain it given the stature of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which show why Carneros is a prized area for those varietals. … Read more

($30): The grapes come from Monterey, Sonoma and San Benito Counties — hence the name of this cuvee.  It’s a sweet and lush expression of Pinot Noir ready to drink now.
87 Michael Apstein Oct 20, 2015… Read more

($60): Power and grace.  That sums it up.  Mike Grgich is the undisputed master of Chardonnay.  He proved that almost 40 years ago at the “Judgment of Paris” tasting when the Chardonnay he made for Chateau Montelena beat out top white Burgundies for first place. … Read more

($90): Grgich Hills, world famous for their Chardonnays, also produce stunning Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is the first release of a specially selected Cabernet that comes from Austin’s Vineyard, which surrounds the winery in Rutherford.  As you’d expect from a Napa Valley Cabernet, it’s full of flavor. … Read more

($40): Those consumers looking for “a glass of Merlot” before dinner should avoid this wine.  Those, however, who want to see for themselves the complexity that the varietal can deliver should embrace it.  There’s a hint of leafiness and earthiness that, frankly, a Merlot-based wine should deliver to accompany and complement the black fruit notes. … Read more

($75): Though Dave and Emily Miner founded their eponymous winery less than 20 years ago, they must be included among any list of the top tier of Napa Valley producers, at least judging from their current releases from there.  This Cabernet Sauvignon has the captivating — and paradoxical — combination of an almost chewy yet very polished texture. … Read more

($90): The packaging — heavy bottle, name starting with “The”– had two strikes against before I even pulled the cork.  But, as the saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover.  This luxurious Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is stunning. … Read more

($185): There’s no question that Grgich Hills’ Yountville Selection Cabernet ranks with California’s greatest red wines.  Once again, the winemaking team at Grgich Hills manages to convey great power without overdoing anything.  Indeed, the marvel of this wine is its elegance, which is in keeping with the Grgich Hills style. … Read more

($28): This refined Pinot Noir focuses on ripe, but not jammy, fruit flavors complemented by subtle spice and enough savory nuances to keep it interesting.  The mild tannins appear even milder because they are so polished, giving a pleasing overall texture. … Read more

($45): Merry Edwards consistently makes a stunning array of Pinot Noirs.  Four recent releases from the 2012 vintage continue her streak.  This one, a blend from grapes grown in several vineyards in the Russian River Valley, delivers a wonderful tension between ripe fruit flavors and smoky savory nuances. … Read more