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The ‘B 22 00 RCV TOU’ Rosé is crafted in a Vin Gris style, with a brief skin contact lasting just minutes before fermenting in stainless steel and aging in neutral barrels prior to bottling. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Barbera, it delivers bright grapefruit and tart cherry flavors with a light- to medium-bodied finish. Wild herb notes build gracefully on the palate, adding lift and complexity.
A bold, dark-fruited Merlot that pulls no punches—bursting with kirsch, ground espresso, and cedarwood aromas, along with a subtle walnut husk character. The palate is dense and brooding, with ripe currant fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that carry through to a firm, structured finish. This is a hefty, full-throttle expression of Merlot—decidedly not for the faint of heart.

This Viognier from Ron Yates, sourced from the Nogalero Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, is aged for nine months in a combination of 15% new French oak and stainless steel. The result is a wine with a soft, medium-bodied richness, showcasing subtle orchard and stone fruit notes, complemented by a hint of pressed wildflowers.A lively thread of saline minerality runs through the palate, adding vibrancy and balance. The finish is long and gently spiced, making this Viognier refined and engaging.
Ron Yates’ 2022 Sangiovese from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains offers vibrant, crunchy red currant fruits, complemented by notes of sagebrush and aromatic lime zest. Light- to medium-bodied, the wine is framed by super intense tannins that grip the palate, leading to a finish marked by a powerful limestone minerality.

Is it the label, or does this wine truly radiate gorgeous rose petal florals? Yes—it absolutely does. Those perfumed aromatics are joined by red berry fruit and French pastry notes, with a hint of pistachio cream and coriander unfolding on the long, enveloping finish. Native yeast fermented, it’s a beautifully balanced and complex wine.
A gentle giant of a Tempranillo. Red-toned fruit, cedarwood, and crushed cacao nibs rise on the nose and carry through the medium-bodied palate, where powerful, burly tannins build toward a towering finish. Give this a good decant and pair it with well-salted ribeyes. From Folin Vineyard, which has been ripped out. Fermented in bins, with twice daily punchdowns and pumpovers, and aged 24 months in 50% new French oak.

This blend of 55% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 9% Mourvèdre was 85% whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in entirely neutral oak. Exceptionally approachable and medium-bodied, it delivers a vibrant burst of crunchy red berry fruit, supported by a fragrant underbrush undertone and a touch of crushed cocoa nib. Ground espresso and dried blood orange rind bring added complexity, while paprika and white pepper lend aromatic intrigue. The finish is nicely chalky, leaving a savoury and textural impression.

The 2022 Samsara Chardonnay hails from Francesca Vineyard, a windswept, seven-acre site on the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills, where sandy-loam soils and full Pacific exposure yield intensely concentrated fruit. Aromatically, it lifts from the glass like a perfectly buttered bowl of popcorn—rich with caramel, smoky toasted oak, and butter croissant notes. Despite the decadent nose, the palate is more focused and linear, with plenty of mid-palate richness layered with baking spices. Bright lemony acidity keeps it taut, balanced by citrus oil richness—think lemon and tangerine—finishing with salted, toasted almonds. A bold, generous expression of Chardonnay from this extreme coastal site.
This Syrah hails from John Sebastiano Vineyard—one of the crown jewels of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Windswept and wild, it’s an exceptional site for Syrah, and this 2022 rendition from Samsara is a case in point. High-toned and aromatic, it opens with violet, rose petal, dried lavender, bay laurel and black truffle charcuterie, all laced with a dusting of sweetly smoked paprika. The palate is beautifully supple, medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins that carry an intriguing mineral edge—think crushed red rock or iron. It finishes with slate-like texture and tension, leaving a vivid, dynamic impression. A knockout effort from winemaker Matt Brady and the cellar team. Joan and Dave Szkutak, owners of Samsara, continue to assemble an impressive portfolio of utterly riveting wines.

This Santa Barbara County Grenache comes from Sans Liege, a Tin City–based producer in Paso Robles, with fruit sourced from Alta Mesa Vineyard in the Cuyama Valley. The label is incredibly cool—and the wine delivers, too. It’s zesty and zippy, driven by vibrant acid tension that resolves into a chalky mineral texture. Medium-bodied and expressive, it’s rife with dark cherry, raspberry, and strawberry fruit, layered with notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and dusty dried rose petal.

A very pretty and elegant red-fruited Pinot Noir, this wine opens with fragrant aromas of baking spices, espresso bean, clove, and a delicate touch of coriander. Juicy blood orange acidity brings lift and vibrancy, framing a lengthy, nuanced finish marked by pink sea salt and gentle, well-integrated tannins.

Aged for 20 months in 87% new French oak. Shows classic Cabernet Franc character, with high-toned dried herb and tart red berry fruit aromatics. Firm tannins frame the palate, leading to a focused, mineral-driven finish.

This Tempranillo is sourced fruit for now, but estate-grown vines are on the way. Fermented in smaller oak fermenters and then aged for 18 months in 58% new French oak. The wine shows tart red berry fruit with refined, smooth tannins and good acid grip that carries through the long finish. A touch of toasty oak and baking spices is layered throughout, but the wine remains fresh, focused, and inviting—an ideal match for barbecue.

A blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Sangiovese, with just 654 cases produced. Aged for 20 months in 68% new French oak. Fragrant red berry fruit and warm baking spices lead the nose. The tannins are elegant, landing like a velvety pillow on the palate, with a lengthy, tension-filled finish.

Fermented in large upright oak fermenters, then aged for 18 months in 51% new French oak. The nose is bright and ripe, showing classic Zinfandel character with forward red fruit, baking spice, wild herbs, and a hint of vanilla bean. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with ripe dark berry fruit, blue fruit nuances, and toasty oak weaving around the fruit and supple tannins. Easygoing and fruit-forward, this has become a guest favorite at the winery—a pricier porch pounder, but worth every penny.

A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Franc from Lahey Vineyards, aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. Rich, toasty oak aromas are married to dark berry fruit, with espresso bean and toasted nut nuances building in the glass. Medium-bodied on the palate, with saline-laced tannins and a lengthy, toasty oak–infused finish.

The 2022 Syrah from Somar is a vivid, red-fruited expression with blue fruit nuances woven throughout, framed by velvety tannins and supple fruit layered with baking spices, a hint of vanilla, and crushed rock minerality with espresso bean and violet nuances. All too easy to drink.

A rich and frothy mousse lifts generous notes of red berry fruit and apricot, layered with warm baking spices and a lovely baked fruit character that carries through the lengthy, bright, and generous finish. Head winemaker Gilles Martin was born at the gates of the Champagne region and studied at Champagne Deutz. From 1990 to 1996, Gilles served as assistant winemaker at the acclaimed Roederer Estate in California.
Spicewood Vineyards’ 2019 “The Independence” is a fragrant Cabernet Franc that opens with rose petal and lavender notes, interlaced with black cherry and red currant fruits. Medium-bodied on the palate, the bright florality counterbalances the wine’s dense red fruit and spice characters, while sappy, fine-grained tannins provide a smooth, structured mouthfeel. The wine glides to a satisfying finish.

The 2022 Louisa from Spicewood Vineyards is a 100% Sémillon that shines with simplicity and charm. This easy-drinking, straightforward wine offers lively citrus character, accented by a subtle hint of crushed Marcona almonds. The bright, clean saline finish adds a refreshing touch, making it an enjoyable and approachable expression of Sémillon. Perfect for casual sipping or pairing with light dishes.
Sourced from Ghielmetti Vineyard, this Cabernet Franc was fermented in multiple open-topped 1.75-ton bins, punched down for extraction, and aged in neutral French oak puncheons. It’s just about everything you want from a New World Cabernet Franc—and distinctly different from anything you’ll find in Napa or elsewhere in California. Steven Kent Winery nails the balance: beautifully ripe and pure currant and plum fruit, accented—never overwhelmed—by sage, mint, and eucalyptus, all woven around tobacco leaf notes. The medium-bodied palate builds with intensity, framed by refined tannins that are firm yet inviting, with a suppleness in the 2022 vintage that’s hard to beat. Round and gentle, it glides into a long, nuanced finish layered with black sea salt, crushed sage, and bright thyme. You won’t want to put this down—and honestly, you’d better pair it with herb-dusted pork loin (or be damned).

This is a barrel selection of the 2022 Cabernet Franc, sourced entirely from Ghielmetti Vineyard. Compared to the larger production bottling, it offers more heft and structure, with firmer tannins and a deeper mid-palate. Notes of dried herbs, a pop of fennel, and the earthy scent of a redwood forest after rain give the wine a savory, umami-rich character. Red and black fruit carry through the finish, layered with black truffle and graphite minerality. Spectacularly balanced, complex, and remarkably approachable—even now—yet built with the bones to age gracefully for two decades or more.

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Steven Kent Winery comes from the Home Ranch in the Tesla District, blended with Merlot from Zayante Vineyard and Cabernet Franc from Ghielmetti Vineyard. Each component was vinified separately in open-topped 1.75-ton bins, inoculated for primary fermentation, with spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Wines were punched down for extraction and aged in neutral puncheons and one second-use barrel. And it’s downright delicious—exciting, fresh, and inviting. I want a case right now, and so do you. Here’s why: the nose is beautifully refined, with nuances of tobacco and sagebrush layered over black and red currant fruit. On the medium-bodied palate, generous, plump tannins provide a firm structure for all that ripe fruit and savory spice. Notes of curry, cardamom, and dark sea salt emerge on the long, expressive finish. As polished and compelling as Cabernet blends get from Livermore Valley.

L’Avion is the tête de cuvée of the estate’s white wine program, fermented and aged for 19 months in all new 500-liter puncheons. From its beautiful orange-hued golden color emerges a deeply expressive wine, with aromas of honeycomb, wildflowers, and chamomile. The silky palate is laser-focused, driven by vibrant saline acidity that carries through a long, lingering finish. Elegant, precise, and quietly powerful.
The Tatum Cellars 100% Grenache Rosé is a delightful and approachable wine, perfect for casual enjoyment. Light in body, it exudes delicate aromas and flavors of white strawberry, plum, underripe fig, and watermelon rind. Pair it with lighter fare, or enjoy its charms on its own.
Alluring cinnamon and allspice-dusted red berry fruit lead the charge in this medium-bodied, fragrant, and tension-filled red. Strawberry notes, along with savory charcuterie nuances, add layers of complexity and depth. The wine balances vibrant fruit with rich, savory elements, creating a nuanced palate profile.

Just six barrels of the Texas Wanderer Red were produced in this vintage, blending 61% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault, 14% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Petit Sirah all sourced in the Texas High Plains AVA. Cinnamon-dusted red-toned fruit and dark brown spicec notes lead to a medium-bodied palate with muscular tannins. Black olive notes stand out on the dry finish.

This dry Muscat, crafted by Kim McPherson for the Texas Wine Collective, is delightly aromatic . It opens with inviting notes of chamomile tea, honeysuckle, and jasmine, creating a beautifully floral bouquet. These floral characteristics continue seamlessly on the medium-bodied palate, which is supported by a firm spine of acidity. Balanced with a chalky mineral intensity, the wine finishes long and floral-driven, with a subtle hint of emerging honeyed sweetness.
This 2022 Rosé from the Texas Wine Collective is an aromatic blend of 78% Muscat, 10% Viognier, 5% Riesling, 5% Trebbiano, and 2% Mourvèdre. It opens with honeysuckle and jasmine florals that carry through to the medium-bodied palate. Vibrant red-toned fruits also emerge, interwoven with a bright, cool, and wet granitic minerality.
Crafted by Kim McPherson, this aromatic blend consists of 80% Muscat, 10% Viognier, 5% Riesling, and 5% Trebbiano. The wine bursts with bright wildflower and honey aromas, complemented by delicate chamomile tea notes.Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers deep and lasting flavors of lemon oil and chamomile, with just a hint of sweetness on the finish. Elegant and refreshing, this wine is both delightful and incredibly crushable.
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From the experimental Julia Vineyard—a nursery site cultivating an eclectic mix of European varieties—this red blend (Cabernet Franc 35%, Blaufränkisch 33%, Zweigelt 13%, Affentaler 8%, Lagrein 4%, Schioppettino 2%, Merlot 2%, Cabernet Sauvignon 2%) is hand-picked, hand-sorted, and aged in 500L neutral Hungarian oak. It’s a hearty, meaty wine with Old World gravitas and unmistakable Finger Lakes character. Notes of leather, cured meat, black olive, and tobacco wrap around a core of dark blue-toned fruit and wet stone minerality, with lithe, dusty tannins and a finish that evokes cold river rock and brooding earth.

This single-vineyard Riesling from the Magdalena site benefits from the moderating effect of Seneca Lake, allowing for extended hang time and greater ripeness. Multiple selective harvest passes through the same blocks build aromatic intensity and palate weight while preserving balance. It shows generous orchard fruit and citrus zest, underpinned by a deep vein of saline minerality and smoky, stony tension. There’s a sense of drive and energy here, with remarkable length and purity that carries on for minutes. A stunning wine.
Made from 100% Cabernet Franc sourced from Patrician Verona Vineyards—a 70-acre, sustainably certified estate in the Cayuga Lake AVA—this is a pretty and complex wine. The fruit was racked into a mix of neutral French and American oak barrels, and aged for eight months. With source vines dating back to 1990 and the youngest planted in 2017, the resulting wine showcases elegant red berry fruit layered with brown baking spices, earth, and rose petal nuances. Juicy notes of blood orange and cranberry brighten the mid-palate, while lithe, sinewy tannins frame the supple texture of this medium-bodied expression.

I had this with a mortadella dish from The Park Inn in Hammondsport, NY—a glorious stack served on grilled focaccia with olives and orange mustard—and the pairing absolutely soared. It has a nutty, brown-spice depth that turns into cherry-almond marzipan on the palate. Paired with that mortadella, it draws out all the savory, nutty nuance and then rinses the fat clean with precision and lift. Do yourself a favor: recreate this pairing, or you’re missing out. Winemaker Phil Plummer is like a modern-day Icarus, flying just a little too close to the sun with his experiments—but the results are golden. Keep flying, Phil.
100% Tempranillo, farmed at 15 clusters per vine with yields around 1.5 tons per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns over 7–10 days. Malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel, followed by 12 months in 20–30% new French oak, then transferred to neutral barrels for an additional 6–12 months prior to bottling. Aromas are bright and clean, with tart red berry fruit, baking spices, and subtle cedarwood notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, supported by very fine-grained tannins and crunchy red berry fruit. The wine is savory-spiced, with excellent fruit purity and mouthwatering acidity.

Absolutely fantastic, this Chardonnay shows Chablis-like minerality and lemon-lime freshness with tremendous tension. Medium-bodied, it features a satiny core of apple and pear fruit layered with crushed almond, all leading to a long, saline-acid finish. Bright, fresh, and assertive—a standout. 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.
Total elegance—this Pinot Noir weaves conifer notes around bright red berry, cherry, and pomegranate fruit, accented by flinty minerality and gorgeous cedarwood. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers cherry, blood orange, and cranberry, all lifted by crunchy cranberry acidity. The tannins are fine, firm, and taut—beautifully elongated and persistent through the long, spicy finish. A superbly built and absolutely delicious Pinot Noir. 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.

The nose is beautifully fragrant, with savory conifer and dried pine tips layered with incense and underbrush, interwoven with bright red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by gentle tannins and lifted by vivid blood orange acidity. The long, lingering finish offers a delicate kiss of sweetness balanced by a subtle, amaro-like bitterness. Bright, vivid, and wonderfully complex. 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.

Only five barrels were produced of this Rhône blend from Jaffurs, and it’s a beauty. The nose is utterly captivating—candied violets, black cherry, and vanilla layered over ironstone minerality. The palate is soft and juicy on entry, bursting with plump cherry, blackberry, and spiced plum fruit. Zesty, mouthwatering acidity lifts the wine, while that perfumed violet character returns and lingers through a pretty, medium-length, mineral-driven finish.

Expressive red berry fruit and white peach notes find their stride on the medium-bodied palate, supported by a rich, frothy, and airy mousse that finishes bone dry yet fruit-laden. Made méthode champenoise style from hand-picked Pinot Noir grown on the estate’s 4.5-acre vineyard, planted about 12 years ago on 3309 rootstock. A blend of Clone 777 and Précoce, the fruit underwent a slightly firmer pressing to extract more color, with one year of bottle aging prior to release.
Two acres of own-rooted Chambourcin are grown on the estate, planted in the late 1990s, which source this wine. Fermented on the skins for seven days, the wine was then aged in French and Hungarian oak, with 75% new oak used for extraction. Perfumed aromas of red fruit, rose petals, and espresso bean lead into a medium-bodied palate that layers sweet strawberry and raspberry with hints of passion fruit. Brown baking spices emerge on the long finish.

A powerful and impressively robust expression of Grenache, this wine carries its 15.1% alcohol with remarkable balance, showing no perceptible heat but delivering full-bodied richness and textural weight on the mid-palate. Spicy red berry fruit leads the aromatic charge, layered with honeysuckle, apricot, and tangerine peel. Notes of guava, cacao bean, and a subtle touch of caramel on the lengthy finish.

Kalasi’s 2022 RAJ Collection (Green Label) delivers on the promise of the standout 2021 release, offering a fragrant bouquet of brown spices layered with red and black currant, cherry, and plum. Hints of white pepper, cinnamon, and a trace of curry powder add complexity and lift. Medium-bodied on the palate, with soft, supple tannins and impressive mid-palate concentration. The finish is long, pleasing, and well-balanced. The “RAJ Collection,” named after the family’s son, is a special label crafted only in exceptional vintages. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak.

This Sagrantino, the first optically-sorted example of the variety in Texas, is a standout wine. Grown near the Malvasia Bianca blocks on the historic 140-acre Narra Vineyards site in the Texas High Plains, this low-yielding variety thrives in its unique terroir. A true powerhouse,it boasts hefty, muscular, broad-shouldered tannins, complemented by rich red berry fruits, Indian spices, and a touch of cinnamon. The clean, dry finish underscores its structure and aging potential. This is a wine built for the cellar—lay it down to see its full complexity unfold. A remarkable achievement for Texas viticulture.

I had the pleasure of tasting three vintages of this wine: the inaugural 2017, the 2018, and the 2022, which introduced new French oak and optical sorting (production was limited in 2019, with none made in 2020 and 2021). There’s no question that the 2022 vintage is the most polished and refined of them all. These reds are rich, showcasing black currant and red berry fruits, leather, and layered with pressed flowers and floral elegance. Aged for 24 months in 25% new French oak, the 2022 vintage takes this profile to the next level, adding a richer blue fruit and violet character, complemented by polished tannins and a plump, rounded texture. Crisp, vibrant structure supports the wine’s overall framework, making it both complex and approachable.

Planted in 1998 and nestled in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the Fiddlestix Vineyard benefits from a northwest-facing slope that’s blanketed in cool morning fog and refreshed by afternoon Pacific breezes. In 2022, it delivered a deeply flavorful and expressive Pinot Noir. Aromas of spearmint, pine forest, and black cherry lead into a palate that shifts toward pomegranate, revealing a deep mid-palate of saline-laced acid tension. The tannins are exceptionally fine-grained, providing structure without weight, while the finish unfurls with notes of spiced plum, coriander, and cumin, accented by the faintest whisper of crème brûlée.

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