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This wine opens with a wild, almost savage nose reminiscent of green or yellow Chartreuse—fennel, licorice, and savory herbs. Then it takes all the fruit you expect from Riesling and, as winemaker Phil Plummer puts it, “puts it on the grill.” The result is a smoky, almost incense-like character on the palate, with crisp, medium-bodied texture and a crunchy mineral core. The finish is long, smoky, and laced with stony intensity.
A staple of the Inwood Estates lineup since 2006, this wine represents an Americanized reinterpretation of a Bordeaux blend—crafted with domestic clones rather than ENTAV selections, which were not yet available at the time. Grown at low yields of 1.5 tons per acre, the wine is built on super dark fruit tones layered with tobacco spice and dark chocolate. Blackberry fruit leads the aromatic profile alongside wild herbs, rich toasty cedarwood, dried fennel, and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied on the palate with sinewy tannins, it finishes with notes of graham cracker crust and warm baking spices.

Ascendance, the top cuvée, offers a lovely creamy texture balanced by exceptional length, with spicy ginger and granitic minerality shining through. Gorgeously medium-bodied, it has a satiny palate feel and beautifully layered notes of Indian spices and ginger. A refined and elegant expression of site and craft. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.
Cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, and grapefruit zest lead the aromatic profile, accented by clove and fresh cherry blossoms. A hint of bergamot emerges on the palate, which is more structured, with firm and robust tannins that resolve beautifully. Chalky minerality and elegant cedarwood notes frame the wine, highlighting its brilliant purity of fruit and spice. Balanced textures and fabulous energy make this a striking and vibrant expression. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Fragrant notes of honeysuckle and jasmine intermix with rich baking spices, apple tarte Tatin, pear, and a dollop of lemon oil—all finding balance on the palate. Candied ginger and a beautifully crisp, pure fruit profile are supported by crunchy acid tension and a touch more richness than the Estate bottling. Totally balanced. A vibrant and refined expression. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.
A touch more elegant and delicate, this Pinot Noir reveals savory notes of black tea and bergamot, with Earl Grey–like tannins framing the medium-bodied palate. Fabulous orange peel nuances carry through, supported by a long, spicy finish that highlights the character of the clone. Refined and beautifully detailed. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

This vineyard selection Syrah—crafted from the winery’s favorite lots—is a commanding expression of the grape, with the volume unapologetically turned up to 11. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, it leads with inky blackberry and blueberry fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that grip with purpose and stay the course. There’s structure and tension, but also lift—thanks to a line of saline-laced acidity that brings freshness and clarity. Complex layers of black sage, candied violets, rose petal, and rose stem add floral dimension, while a dusting of white pepper completes the finish.

Syrah cofermented with a touch of Viognier in the Northern Rhône tradition, Wild Flower lives up to its name. Aromas of wild herbs and wild black raspberries leap from the glass, while the palate delivers sultry layers of savory red fruit interwoven with hints of leather, rose petal, vanilla, pepper, and liqueur. A bold, aromatic, and expressive red with plenty of personality. -JR

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a collaboration of six Livermore winemakers who come together each year to craft a unique blend, with each contributing their own interpretation using wines from their cellars. In this expression, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec to create a rich, harmonious red. The nose is peppery and floral, with savory blackcurrant aromas, while the palate delivers bold flavor with impressive balance—powerful, polished, and delicious. -JR

100% Syrah sourced from Clark Vineyard and Dante Robere Vineyard. A bold and juicy red with white pepper, kirsch, and expressive cedarwood aromatics. Supple, plump tannins support juicy blueberry and blackberry compote, layered with more white pepper, violets, cherry coulis, and graphite. A hint of black truffle charcuterie rounds out the medium-bodied finish.

Cofermented from all five traditional Bordeaux varieties, this blend comes from a field planting of less than an acre in the Davis Vineyard. Intensely savory and deeply expressive, it opens with bold aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, dried herbs, oak, and a touch of vanilla extract. The palate is supple and rich, continuing the savory thread with ripe, plummy dark fruit, impressive concentration, and a lift of blood orange acidity. -JR

Ali‘i is the Hawaiian word for royalty—king, queen, noble—and this Grenache lives up to its name. It’s a wine of presence, crafted for those unafraid of boldness. At 15.2% alcohol, it flexes with power and richness, yet maintains a remarkable sense of balance. The palate is drenched in juicy red berry fruit, layered with cherrywood and mahogany undertones, toasted almond, and a soft veil of brown baking spices. There’s a subtle sweetness reminiscent of toffee and espresso, framed by supple, sap-laced tannins that glide rather than grip.

Originally planted in 2014 at Kalasi’s 140-acre Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this 100% Malbec showcases the region’s potential. Typically ripening around Labor Day, the fruit delivers a wine aged for 24 months in neutral French oak. Bright red berry fruit forms the core of its profile, accented by striking red and purple floral notes. These flavors mingle harmoniously with toasty cedarwood, a hint of molasses, fruit leather, and sweet spices. The palate is structured by firm, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, sweetly spiced finish.

The “Raj Collection,” named after the family’s son, is a special label produced only in the best vintages. This vintage is a blend where Petite Verdot adds richness and depth to Merlot, which can be lighter in this region. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, the wine is both structured and elegant. It features ample red and black currant character, with fig, blood orange, and high-toned notes of dried wild herbs, tobacco, leather, and a hint of white pepper. The palate is balanced by firm, taut, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. This is an excellent effort!

In 2015, Nikhila Narra planted UC Davis-certified Entav Tannat clones on her Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, complementing the Tablas Creek clones already grown there. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, this wine stands out as one of the finest I tasted in Texas. Full-bodied and richly layered, it showcases a complex profile of red and black fruits, including currants and fig, intertwined with mocha spices and toasty cedarwood. These flavors build gracefully to a satisfying, harmonious, and balanced finish, with its exceptional depth and elegance.

This 2021 Barbera was fermented in stainless steel with punchdowns and aged for 30 months in large 500-liter puncheons—about 25% new, primarily French oak with a touch of American. Blending occurred just prior to bottling. The wine opens with fragrant red berry fruit, wet stone minerality, and dusty wild herbs. On the palate, sweet tea–like tannins frame notes of rose petal and rich cedarwood.

A blend of 37% Graciano, 34% Monastrell, 23% Tempranillo, and 6% Garnacha, this wine bursts from the glass with dark cherry, blackberry, and smoky cedarwood accents. On the palate, those aromatics deepen with crushed cocoa nib nuances, red berry fruit dusted with mocha spice, savory dried thyme, and espresso bean. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins framing a bold and satisfying finish.

Dusty red berry fruit and a sourdough-like baking spice lift from the glass. On the palate, this Tempranillo shows a medium-bodied presence, with red currant and tart black cherry intensity. The finish brings in toffee and espresso bean nuances. Tart, bracing, and your best friend for Bolognese.

This is a muscular, savory Pinot Noir that delivers high-toned aromas of violets, charcuterie, black olive, and herbes de Provence. Firm, powerful tannins provide a solid framework, gradually melting into a core of blood orange acidity and white pepper nuances.

From Bien Nacido Vineyard’s iconic Z Block—known as “The Original Hillside”—this Syrah marries elegance with tremendous power. The mid-palate reveals concentrated, juicy dark cherry and plum fruit, layered with notes of cocoa powder, strawberry-rhubarb compote, and candied violets. Fine-grained tannins, carrying a refined bergamot tea quality, are supported by saline-driven acidity that provides lift and tension. The finish is long, spicy, and savory, underpinned by a deep mineral core.

The Artist Series “The Tree” from Llano Estacado leads with savory black olive, licorice, and tar notes. Medium-bodied, it is framed by intense tannins that will benefit from some additional aging to soften. The wine finishes long, with a distinct ironstone mineral quality.

The Kubacak Vineyards Sangiovese Classico from the Texas High Plains is a meaty, savory red, infused with white pepper aromas. Medium-bodied with intense character, it shows hints of pressed wildflowers, green olives, and ends with a very dry finish.

The 2021 Le Claret Classique Red Blend combines 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 24% Merlot into a super savory wine. It opens with notes of peppered charcuterie, black olive, black licorice, and tanned leather, all framed by burly tannins. The wine builds beautifully from medium- to full-bodied, with a long finish that lingers for over a half-minute.

The fancifully named Drinkin’ Buddy Red Wine is a straightforward, unfussy offering with ripe red cherry fruit and toasty cedarwood notes. It is framed by muscular tannins, creating a medium-bodied wine that builds with richness on the mid-palate. As the assertive tannins resolve, the wine becomes more plump and generous. Lingering notes of red licorice and emerging graphite add complexity.

The 2021 Lost Draw Alta Loma Vineyard Sangiovese, sourced from the Texas High Plains, is a well-crafted wine from a site planted by Ronny and Gale Burran, along with Ronnie and Bobbie Jo Floyd. The wine is well crafted, with crunchy red-toned fruit and rich baking spice notes, complemented by mineral-laced tannins that provide presence and depth. Those tannins build through the full-bodied finish, where hints of white pepper, charcuterie, and blood orange zest mingle.

Lost Draw’s GSM—a blend of 38% Grenache, 38% Syrah, and 24% Mourvèdre—is a testament to thoughtful winemaking. Fermented in wooden vats and stainless steel, the wine is aged for 19 months in 20% new French Radoux barrels with American oak heads.This well-built red delivers a medium-bodied expression with balanced tension and good energy. Red-toned fruits and brown baking spice notes dominate, complemented by a subtle meatiness, likely contributed by the Grenache. The muscular tannins provide structure, while the finish is long and red-berried, accented by hints of vanilla and sage. A polished and dynamic GSM blend.

Lost Draw’s Texas Hill Country Sangiovese is sourced from the Uplift Vineyard in the northern part of the Texas Hill Country AVA, which sits atop the Granite Dome—one of the oldest soil series in the U.S. This red is impressively layered, with crunchy red-toned fruit and currant, complemented by vibrant limestone minerality. That minerality is so intense that it practically coats the tannins, giving the wine a dusty texture with subtle crushed rock and white pepper notes. Focused and linear, it has a strong foundation of spicy acidity that gives it both freshness and depth. This is a truly age-worthy Sangiovese, one that I highly recommend considering for collection and cellaring as it will evolve beautifully over time.

This marks the first time a sparkling wine from this iconic vineyard has come across my desk. Crafted in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle, it spent 28 months on the lees, developing lovely baked apple and toasty brioche richness. Lemon-lime aromatics mingle with nougat, while the creamy, enveloping mousse resolves beautifully through a lime-bright acid freshness.
This 100% Pinot Noir from the organically farmed Wild King Vineyard is composed entirely of Clone 114. Fermented in open-top vats and aged in neutral oak, only two barrels were produced. The nose is lifted and spicy, with aromas of rose petal, rose stem, and black cherry. On the medium-bodied palate, sinewy tannins take center stage, giving the wine a firm, structured edge. It finishes with impressive energy and a clean, chalky minerality that lingers.

Compelling and structured, this is a fabulous sparkling rosé made in the Méthode Champenoise style. It offers vibrant apple, pear, and cherry fruit alongside cherry pit, a hint of sea spray, and a touch of incense. The frothy, focused mousse leads to a grippy finish where oyster shell minerality takes center stage.
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Named in honor of James Concannon, a first-generation family member and former stampmaker, The Stampmaker is a bold, expressive red blend. Each of the three grape varieties is fermented separately in stainless steel and open-top fermenters, with punchdowns and pumpovers for optimal extraction. The wine is then aged for 16 months in a mix of 44% new French oak and neutral barrels. Extremely fruit-driven, it opens with ripe red and dark berry fruit layered with baking spices, graham cracker, and cocoa nibs. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features plump, satiny tannins and a generous, lingering finish.

Julien Fayard’s 2021 Covert Cabernet from the Coombsville AVA is a full-bodied, silky, super-enticing wine with heady boysenberry fruit, dark cacao, and sweet oak spices. Plush, velvety tannins form a solid foundation, framing gobs of dark berry fruit, cassis, graphite, wild herbs, and cedar spices. All too easy to drink, and at 14.9% alcohol, balanced as it is, this is a wine to savor with a burger and fries, roast chicken and potatoes, or braised meats and hearty stews.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. It opens with beautiful dark fruit, sagebrush, and perfumed rose petal florals, all building on the palate into a full-bodied expression with richness and density. The tannins are robust, fine-grained, and focused, leading to a bright, lifted finish marked by saline-acid tension.

Relevant is intentionally crafted as a more fruit-forward wine from the estate, says winemaker Simon Faury. It’s sourced from lower parts of the vineyard where loamy soils dominate and there’s less rock. Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 20 months. The nose is rich and dark-fruited, with notes of sage, graphite, and loamy earth, while pretty ironstone minerality lifts the aromatic profile. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers layers of cassis and black cherry, tobacco leaf, and cigar box, with beautifully supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and polished, echoing with dark chocolate and earthy depth.

Aged for 30 months in 62% new French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend showcases fruit from three standout sites: Cabernet Sauvignon from Galles Vineyard (elevation about 1,100 ft), Cabernet Franc from White Cat Vineyard, and Petit Verdot from Smith Ranch. The result is a deeply expressive wine with alluring aromatics of bay laurel, sage, and tobacco leaf, layered with black and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals firm structure and a rich, black truffle charcuterie quality, with a subtle thread of incense on the long, savory finish. Zesty, layered acidity lends freshness and lift, making this an super food-friendly red.

Sourced from the Casa de Viñas Vineyard in central Livermore, this Clone 3 Carménère is planted on 5BB rootstock and trained on a VSP trellis system (planted in 2015 on clay loam soils). The site delivers a deeply expressive, spice-laced red. The variety’s inherent savory character is beautifully integrated, weaving seamlessly with the high-quality French oak used for aging. Red and black currant fruit lead the aromatics, joined by bay leaf, tobacco, and leather. The palate shows leathery tannins and a meaty mid-palate richness, finishing with iron-scented mineral tension and a grippy, satisfying close.

Aged for 30 months in French and American oak, this estate-grown Petit Verdot is a polished, poised, and seductive red, offering refined mulberry and black currant fruit, hints of fig paste, and dried violet aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky fruit and satiny, elongated tannins, this is a stylish and delicious wine—well worth savoring over a long meal of braised meats and roasted vegetables.

This is one of Larry Dino’s more fruit-forward expressions of Carménère, sourced from the Insel Vineyard in Pleasanton, where vines are rooted in sandy loam soils. Aged for 18 months in French oak, the wine opens with aromas of spiced plum and dried currant. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers supple, juicy tannins and generous fruit character—plum, espresso, dark chocolate, and a touch of crushed clove.

Medium- to full-bodied, this red delivers juicy plum, brambly black cherry, and currant fruit layered over wet slate minerality. Intense, robust tannins provide a solid foundation for the vibrant fruit and savory spice notes to shine—think black licorice, cocoa nibs, crushed clove, and a hint of smoked paprika. The finish is long, structured, and full of tension.

Aged for 20 months in 30% new European oak, this Cabernet Franc from Garre Vineyard is savory, meaty, and zesty. It opens with crunchy currant fruit, tobacco, loamy earth, and crushed violets. Medium-bodied on the palate, with more juicy, ripe currant, smoked paprika, and black sea salt, all framed by superfine tannins and a succulent black truffle and charcuterie finish.

From the Drum Canyon Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, this 2021 Pinot Noir carries a graceful, almost ephemeral quality. Delicate red berry fruit and warm spice tones lead the way, lifted by subtle cedarwood nuances. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by chunky, textural tannins that gradually soften into notes of fig, crushed cocoa nibs, and tangy apricot.

From the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA comes this unfiltered 2021 Syrah—just 72 cases made. It’s a vivid, layered, and beautifully perfumed expression of the variety, laced with rose petal and violet pastille aromatics that leap from the glass. The palate offers deep mid-palate concentration, with ironstone minerality at its core, accented by spearmint, wild sage, and savory spice. Firm, taut tannins carry a mineral edge, perfectly balanced by saline-acid tension that extends through the long, focused finish.

A full-throttle, ripe, and boldly expressive Petite Sirah, this wine delivers a rush of blue and black cherry fruit layered with spiced plum, all wrapped in firm, robust tannins. The palate is richly textured, with cedarwood, walnut husk, and cherry pit nuances adding savory depth. Earthy undertones and wet slate minerality drive the long, spicy finish, accented by dried rose petals and violets. A rollercoaster of power and nuance.

Dosage is 8 g/L. Wonderfully expressive, elegant, and precise, with a creamy, articulate mousse and lovely baking spice notes interwoven with bright orchard and zesty citrus fruit character. Builds with layers of white flowers and almonds on a tart, racy, mineral-driven finish.
An elegant blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier made in the traditional method. Citrus and orchard fruit take center stage, framed by saline minerality that anchors the bright, crunchy fruit. The mousse is frothy, assertive, and focused. Super clean, fresh, and inviting.

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