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This Cabernet Franc comes from two vineyards—Rossi Vineyard and Camp Four Vineyard—and includes 20% whole-cluster fermentation. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. It’s a meaty, herbaceous, full-throttle Cabernet Franc with chunky tannins and chalky minerality. The palate has real grit. I’m convinced this would be the perfect pairing for the burger at Charter Oak in St. Helena—a smash burger with two patties, jalapeño relish, and white American cheese. That’s exactly where you want to go with this wine.

What a gorgeous aroma: black pepper, wild blackberries, garrigue, lavender, smoked game, and iron. There is a fantastic mouthfeel to go with it, too, one that’s chock-full of red, black, and blue fruit, but also tons of minerals and surprising structure. A stunner, sourced from Côte Rôtie clones planted in the Soberanes Vineyard. – J.R.

This Muscat Ottonel opens with bright aromatics of orange blossom, chamomile, and white flowers, layered with hints of autumn leaves. The palate builds in richness with notes of citrus, mango, green papaya, and underripe pineapple, accented by a twist of lime zest. Crunchy acidity underscores the frothy, refreshing texture of this pét-nat.
A blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Syrah, this is an electric, vividly expressive wine bursting with cassis, strawberry, and black cherry fruit. Brown spices weave through a medium-bodied palate framed by fine, sinewy tannins and a distinct granularity. A salty-chalky mineral core and a spine of juicy, electric acidity give the wine structure and tension. Like most of James Christopher Tracy’s wines, it’s built for the table—food is not optional.

Mosaico is an exotic field blend from a complanted block in the Sylvanus Vineyard on our home farm in Bridgehampton. The 2022 vintage is composed of 32% Pinot Grigio, 29% Chardonnay, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Muscat Ottonel, 8% Gewürztraminer, and 7% Tocai Friulano. All varieties were grown, harvested, pressed, and wild-fermented together in stainless steel. This is a wild beast of a wine—in the best way—bursting with orange oil, tangerine zest, and mouth-puckering acidity. There’s a focused squeeze of lime, lemon, and grapefruit on the palate that makes it incredibly vivid and energetic. An absoulte must with food.
Comstock’s Dry Creek Zinfandel is bold, assertive, and unabashedly rich. Its 16% ABV reveals itself slightly on the nose with notes of kirsch and brandied Morello cherries, yet the alcohol is beautifully integrated on the palate, showing no heat on the finish. Instead, it delivers a lush mix of mixed-berry pie fruit, warm brown baking spices, hints of licorice and aniseed, and crisp tannins that frame the dry, flavorful finish.

This Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is unabashedly full-flavored, leaning confidently into its toasty oak profile, which drives both the aromatics and the finish. Between those layers, notes of lemon, lemon curd, bruised yellow apple, and honeysuckle emerge, adding depth and warmth. Bold and expressive, this is not a Chardonnay for the faint of heart—but it’s one that pairs beautifully with a fine cigar or a contemplative evening.
The 2022 Assemblage Red was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak, with about 45% new barrels. This is a vibrant, expressive red blend with brambly red berry fruit, wild herb spices, and hints of vanilla and strawberry coulis. Medium-bodied, it shows firm, grippy tannins that resolve nicely, framed by subtle cocoa notes and a lift of blood orange. The texture builds beautifully on the palate—this is a wine that begs to be paired with a well-salted steak.

Woody spice, bright lemony lift, and heady floral notes define the seductive nose of this Chardonnay. The medium-bodied palate unfolds with layers of biscuit and toast, complemented by a medley of melon flavors. -JR
Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak, this is a beautifully composed wine with balance, energy, and tension. It bursts from the glass with dark berry, black currant, and black cherry fruit, laced with hints of vanilla, bay leaf, and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it showcases a lovely floral lift that weaves through succulent dark fruit, rich baking spices, and velvety tannins with a chocolaty edge. The finish is long and satisfying, underpinned by a wet slate minerality that adds depth and finesse.

This wine sits comfortably in the stylistic pocket of the 2021 vintage but leans more fruit-forward on the palate, with supple, juicy fruit and expressive, robust tannins. Notes of cherry cola shine through, reflecting the warmth of the vintage, balanced by bright sage, spiced plum, and baking spices. The finish is long, and layered with dark cacao and plenty of structure.

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, with super ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit layered with integrated rose petal nuances and hints of rhubarb. All that perfumed character carries through to a lengthy finish. Crushed cacao nibs and saline-laced acidity add depth, while the finish is marked by impressive freshness and energy.

Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 18 months. The wine is incredibly approachable, with beautifully ripe, juicy fruit that delivers pure pleasure. Elegant plum spice notes weave through, supported by plenty of fine-grained, supple tannins that carry the medium- to full-bodied weight. It doesn’t have the robust tannic structure of the 2021, but it offers the same dark, ripe fruit purity and signature elegance of the estate—along with excellent length. Just open and enjoy now or anytime over the next 10 years.

A blend of 92% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot, sourced from two blocks in the White Cat Vineyard (Clones 01 and 05), and aged for 18 months in French oak (45% new). This wine leaps from the glass—even without a swirl—with expressive notes of dried straw and Livermore Valley prairie grass, interwoven with black currant and subtle blueberry. Polished, silky tannins flood the mid-palate, where blue and black fruit show both weight and elegance. The finish is savory and scented, with building tannins, cocoa powder, and pressed wildflowers. There’s density, freshness, and energy throughout this expertly crafted Cabernet Franc.

Aged for 18 months in a mix of American and French oak, this red delivers a satiny, supple palate feel with full-bodied yet approachable tannins. Dark berry fruit anchors the profile, joined by notes of blueberry, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Easygoing and versatile, this is a red you can enjoy on its own—ideal as a pre-dinner pour. For the main course? Reach for the Purple Label and pair it with a well-salted New York strip.

One of three vineyard-designated Carménère wines by Cuda Ridge, the Insel Vineyard Carménère was aged for 18 months in French oak (50% new). Wow—are we in Chile or the Livermore Valley? You might be just as confused when you nose this super meaty red, packed with licorice and black olive overtones, black cherry and blackberry fruit, and classic cigar box and cedar nuances. Juicy blue fruit compote leads the way to iron-laced tannins—firm, yet soft and satiny at the edges. Layers of loamy earth, pressed wildflowers, dried violets, and lavender round out this complex and compelling red.

This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec from White Cat Vineyard, along with Merlot from Thatcher Bay, was aged for 17 months in 60% new French oak. It’s a dark-fruited, velvety wine with graphite minerality layered with dried sage, scrub brush, and powerful tannins that lay a solid foundation for juicy dark fruit. The palate glides to a savory, mineral-driven finish. It’s a cool wine—in every sense: cooling in its supple dark berry expression, cool in its herbal lift, and just plain cool to drink for its enticing texture.

Fermented in open-top half-ton bins with daily punchdowns, this Merlot-based blend was aged for 19 months in 44% new French oak and 10% American oak. Sourced from Thatcher Bay (Merlot), Smith Ranch (Petit Verdot), and White Cat Vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon), it’s a savory, dried-herb-driven red with rich aromatics and a laser focus. With a pH of 3.46, the wine shows excellent acidity, grip, and tension—making it one of the most food-friendly Merlots in the region. Winemaker Larry Dino notes that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Livermore had set its sights on Merlot as the variety to champion. But with the fallout from Sideways, that focus shifted—today, Cabernet Franc has taken center stage. Still, this wine is a reminder of Merlot’s potential in the Livermore Valley when handled with this level of care and intent.

The Italian city of Alba is a sister city to Medford, Oregon, and Sorella—the Italian word for sister—honors that connection. This 100% Barbera Clone 6 was aged in 28% new French oak and delivers a bold, dark-fruited profile, laced with cherry, cherrywood, raspberry, and spiced plums. Robust, chocolaty tannins and tangy blood orange acidity carry through to the finish, giving this wine both power and vibrancy.

Cabernet Clone 30 (Silverado Clone), in the hands of winemaker Julian Halasz, shows real elegance and a velvety texture, with bright red berry fruit, a pop of minty freshness, and subtle hints of red leaf tobacco and rooibos tea. There’s a generosity to the wine that carries it from a medium- to full-bodied finish. Aged 20 months in French oak; 100% estate-grown. Only 226 cases produced.

Sourced from the Crown Block portion of Stone Patch—a 4-acre parcel on a sloping hillside within a 10-acre vineyard—this is the latest-ripening site for Darcie Kent. The grapes underwent a cold soak before fermentation and were aged for 20 months in approximately 30% new French oak. The result is a power-packed, muscular wine with broad-shouldered tannins and a juicy profile of mulberry and dark fruit. Layers of leather, wild herbs, smoked paprika, and a hint of Mexican mocha shape the finish.

This is exactly the wine you want to be sipping around the firepit late at night. It’s not overbearing or heavy—medium-bodied, with zesty blood orange acidity framing a silky-textured red wine brimming with pure, crunchy red berry fruit and integrated cedarwood spice. Aged 19 months in French Oak.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec from Stone Patch Vineyard, aged for 21 months in French oak. This is a coiled, energetic, and currant-driven Cabernet Franc, marked by zesty acid tension and intensely tart, grippy tannins that resolve beautifully through a streak of blood orange acidity. Pressed wildflowers and crushed cocoa nibs add intrigue, while white pepper and dried sage fuel the long, savory finish.

Sourced from Triska Vineyard, the Pinot Noir for this sparkling wine grows on north-facing slopes under shade cloth, and was picked early—around August 9. Winemaker Julian Halasz partners with a sparkling house in Lodi for aging. The wine spent 19 months on the lees and was finished with a dosage of 8 g/L. It opens with a lovely biscuity nose of lemony brioche and fresh pastry. The mousse is rich and creamy, with a finish marked by crushed Marcona almonds and a hint of vanilla bean. Baked orchard fruit fills in the mid-palate, making this a thoroughly delicious sparkler.
Sourced entirely from the Triska Vineyard, this wine is crafted from multiple picks, each fermented separately in open-top bins with frequent punchdowns to maximize tannin extraction. The lots are gently pressed just before dryness and then aged for 8 months in 40% new French oak. This is a bold, ripe expression, brimming with dark cherry, fig, and mocha notes. Rich toffee and high-toned floral aromatics add lift, while the medium-bodied palate is framed by fine-grained tannins that offer grip and texture. The savory finish lingers with a melange of dried herbs—sage, straw grass, and more—adding complexity.

The 2022 Del Rio Estate Syrah is bold and dark-fruited, with violet aromas and cherry-laced intensity. It shows impressive concentration, supported by a bulwark of velvety tannins that frame all that juicy fruit. Expressive and powerful, yet elegant, it finishes with tremendous length as the violet notes turn candied and are dusted with fragrant Indian spices. A long and deeply satisfying Syrah.

Though labeled simply as “Red Wine” on the back label, this is 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier, likely co-fermented in the tradition of the Northern Rhône. It’s also one of the most unabashedly savory reds you’ll find in the Santa Ynez Valley. Aromatics lean hard into black olive tapenade, black licorice, and dried cherry. The palate is firmly structured, with burly, drying tannins that shape the medium-bodied finish. A brooding and deeply earthy wine that will shine brightest alongside roasted meats or richly spiced fare.

This wine is a conversation piece. It hums with energy and tension, and there’s a real savory component—redolent of walking through a redwood forest—that expands into medium- to full-bodied richness on the palate. Exotic spices, white pepper, clove, deep pine-forest notes, and even a touch of charcuterie weave through the aromatics. There’s more power and intensity here than in the broader Sonoma Coast bottling, as you’d expect from these single-vineyard selections. A wonderful minty freshness mingles with crushed river stones, white pepper, and intriguing umami tones. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with substantial tannins—beam-like in structure, a bit sappy, and balanced by subtle mocha. It feels broad across the palate, building with spicy, textural richness. Dense black cherry, pomegranate, spiced plums, and blood orange deliver real staying power, while the long finish brings warming brown-sugar spice, toffee, and espresso bean. Plenty of heft, balanced by excellent tension. 503 cases made. Dan Kosta’s Convene wines are aged in 30% new oak, while his elevated DK label sees closer to 50% new oak for 15 months and represents specific blocks or barrel selections from single vineyards. Campbell Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley is the winery’s largest holding, planted to clones 777 and 115.

Garys’ Vineyard—Dan Kosta and winemaker Shane Finley’s second source in the Santa Lucia Highlands—is also planted to the Pisoni Clone of Pinot Noir. The site typically ripens about 10 days earlier than Rosella’s, producing wines with less tannin, more finesse, and delicate blue floral character. Dan Kosta has sourced fruit from Garys’ Vineyard since 2005, when it was part of his former Kosta Browne label. The 2022 vintage is a dark-fruited, sumptuous, and savory expression, showing a bit more power and richness on the nose and a broader profile than Rosella’s. The wine opens with super savory aromatics of dried sage, rosemary, and thyme, joined by intriguing notes of yellow curry and red berry fruit that become more defined on the palate. A luxurious mocha richness envelops the senses, balanced by elegant conifer spice, while the long, refreshing finish shows crunchy red apple-skin acidity. It’s simply a delicious wine to drink.

This wine opens with a nostalgic burst of Red Hots hard candy—spicy and cinnamon-driven—alongside hints of blue and black fruit and warm brown baking spices. The palate is vibrant and consistent, offering juicy, plump fruit and velvety tannins supported by crunchy pomegranate seed, ripe black raspberry, and a lively blood-orange acidity that brings tension and lift. A blast of cocoa powder richness builds toward the finish, accented by lingering notes of clove. Sourced from Rosella’s Vineyard, located at the northernmost edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands and planted to the Pisoni Clone of Pinot Noir, this late-ripening, cool site produces thick-skinned berries that yield a more muscular tannin structure. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak.

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nuances, pressed wildflowers, and expressive, well-integrated toasty oak. Full-bodied, with firm, taut, mineral-laced tannins and excellent grippy saline-acid tension underscoring the rich dark fruit and spice character. This is a very well-made wine, showing excellent density and impressive complexity from nose to finish.

A blend of Barbera from the Texas High Plains, Teroldego, and Sangiovese—the predominant variety. Fermented in stainless steel with two to three days of pumpovers, then aged for up to 18 months in a mix of new and neutral French oak. Bright, tart red fruits lead the way, with cherry shining through alongside warm brown baking spices. The tannins are firm and textured, yet carry a velvety edge, giving way to a lengthy finish laced with graphite and limestone notes.

Considered a flagship wine of Augusta Vin, this Petite Sirah offers dark berry and brambly fruit layered with tobacco spices and graphite. Bold and powerful tannins resolve beautifully into rich dark berry fruit, finishing with lingering notes of loamy earth and tobacco. This is one of the most balanced and expressive 100% Petite Sirah wines I have tasted. Excellent on its own at cellar temperature, but equally compelling alongside a full meal.

A combination of Petit Verdot from Washington State’s Columbia Valley and California’s Lodi and Paso Robles regions. Lush dark berry fruit leads, lifted by blood orange acid tension and firm, grippy tannins. Dark berry fruit emerges again on the palate, carried by a lengthy mineral-driven finish.

Made in the Charmat method, with grapes picked around 19 brix. The base wine spent 24 months on the lees in neutral French oak barrels before being racked to tank for secondary fermentation with yeast. Dosage is 12g/L. Bright red berry fruit leads the nose, joined by tart cherry, ripe strawberry, and white flowers, with a delicate hint of honeysuckle. The mousse is rich, creamy, and assertive, yet resolves into a mellow, supple palate expression, with good fruit density carrying through to the finish. Despite the higher dosage, the wine remains beautifully balanced. Crafted by Zachary Raines, head winemaker, along with Josiah Phinney, associate winemaker, Cam McDonald, cellar master, and Frankie Aguilar, cellar technician.
Made in the Charmat method, with grapes picked around 19 brix. The base wine spent 24 months on the lees in neutral French oak barrels before being racked to tank for secondary fermentation with yeast. Dosage is 12g/L. Composed mostly of Counoise with a splash of Gewürztraminer, which lifts the aromatics with high-toned white flowers and a hint of guava that also brightens the palate. The mousse is creamy and vibrant, building energy through a lengthy, mineral-rich finish. Nicely balanced, with plenty of acid tension that carries the dosage seamlessly.
This non-vintage dessert wine is blended in a solera style, with fortification occurring in tank midway through fermentation. Fortified with brandy distilled from wine, it’s a truly delicious and well-balanced example of the style. Aromas of candied cinnamon and red berry fruit lead to a palate brimming with luscious dark fig jam, licorice, and a touch of green olive, all accented by savoury Christmas spice. Despite its richness, the wine maintains a lifted freshness and finishes with crisp tension. A dessert wine you can confidently cellar, as it will develop added volume, intensity, and nutty complexity over time.

This small, organically farmed vineyard sits near Occidental, enjoying morning fog and the area’s famous Goldridge soils. Aged 13 months in 35% new French oak, it’s crafted from Calera and Romanee clones and exhibits some distinctly Burgundian flair. Mint, rhubarb, ripe cherries, cinnamon, and black tea leaf aromas lead the charge. The palate starts silky but has grip, texture, and structure to match its perky acidity. Carefully well-made, it’s classy, excellent, and will get even better with some cellaring. – J.R.

Sourced from Our Lady of Guadalupe, a vineyard owned by Dave Phinney and farmed by Amy Whiteford, this is a ripe, full-bodied, and attractively lush wine. Gobs of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit lead the way, layered with savory wild herbs—redolent of sage and thyme—mingling with espresso bean, crushed cacao nibs, and a splash of blood orange acidity. A bold finish reveals building saline-mineral tension that balances the wine’s richness beautifully. Babcock’s approach here mirrors his method with Pinot Noir: fermentation occurs in small open-top bins with no significant stem inclusion. Ferments are allowed to rise into the upper 80s or low 90s °F, inoculated on day two, and undergo 4–5 punchdowns daily by day four. The wine is pressed off between days 10 and 14 with a touch of residual sugar to complete fermentation in barrel. Malolactic is inoculated, and the wine spends 18 months in barrel, with up to 50% new French oak, depending on the wine’s character.

Perhaps the boldest, most expressive, and structured of the five Balletto wines tasted during my visit to the Sonoma County Vintners offices, this was a clear standout in the lineup. The BCD Vineyard lies on rolling hills that rise toward the coastal mountain range, a site that imparts both freshness and depth. Fermented with indigenous yeast in small six-ton open-top tanks and aged in French oak barrels, the wine opens with sumptuous cedarwood aromas intertwined with cherry and clove, creating an alluring impression of cherry-scented wood smoke. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers supple tannins and concentrated mixed berry fruit, finishing with notes of clove, incense, and wet slate minerality. A wine of impressive length, tension, and energy.

The 2022 Sexton Hill Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a site in the Sebastopol Hills with vines rooted in classic Goldridge soils. Aged 18 months in 25% new French oak, it’s a ripe, orchard fruit–driven wine with crisp, crunchy acidity and lingering notes of buttered croissant and almond pastry. Rich and attractive without ever feeling heavy, it remains lean, focused, and full of flavor
Sexton Hill Vineyard is a steep, north-facing site located about 10 miles from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean. The vines are planted in Goldridge sandy loam soils, and the wine was aged 10 months in 35% new French oak. This is an easy-drinking, focused red with mixed berry fruit, appealing aromatics of clove, anise, and gentle wood smoke. The palate is supple and balanced, finishing with a smooth, velvety texture that makes it effortlessly enjoyable.

The 2022 Twin Ridges Chardonnay is sourced from a site rooted in Goldridge soils and composed of Wente, Robert Young, Clone 96, and Clone 4 selections. Aged 18 months in 30% new French oak, it’s clean, balanced, and beautifully focused, with alluring orchard fruit aromatics accented by hints of ginger and delicate French pastry. The palate shows great energy and tension, with layered flavors and a refined, medium-bodied finish.
The 2022 Ranger Hays is a blend of 74% Malbec, 14% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from vineyards across the Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country. Aged for 24 months in 25% new French and American oak, it’s a savory, medium-bodied red showing notes of dark olive, loamy earth, iron, and crushed rock. Velvety tannins carry through to a starker, mineral-driven finish.

Sourced from the Six Harts Vineyard, owned by Jeter Wilmeth near Tokio and Brownfield in the Texas High Plains, this Reserve Viognier represents a barrel selection of exceptional craftsmanship. The wine bursts with aromas of stone fruit, apricots, and delicate white flowers, all beautifully highlighted by notes of honeysuckle.On the palate, it offers a granular texture, enhanced by a distinctive thread of salty minerality and a chalky character that extends seamlessly through the long, elegant finish. Aged for 16 months in mostly neutral French oak, this Viognier achieves a perfect balance of complexity and approachability. Crafted with precision by Jon Leahy, it is both refined and utterly delicious.
Expressive citrus and orchard-fruit notes lift out of the glass alongside tarragon, wild fennel, almond paste and a gentle touch of cedarwood spice. The palate is zesty and chalky-mineral, lingering with richer tones of lemon curd, grilled herbs and creamy caramel, yet the wine remains crisp, crunchy and beautifully balanced throughout.

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