Reviews

A ripe cherry cough drop-infused nose also evidences a hint of menthol before marrying into suave, round and agreeably rich flavors that coat the mouth with sap on the moderately warm finish. This notably ripe effort is not really my style though I underscore that it helps greatly to maintain an appropriate serving temperature.

Beautifully crafted, a lighter style that's delicate and perfumed, with rich, vibrant supple plum and black cherry fruit that's deep and persistent. Drink now through 2018. -J.L.

Tart cranberry flavors darken into the finish of this wine. It ends on black fruit, lasting with the warmth of alcohol, leaving a firm impression as well as a note of oak. This needs a year or two in the cellar to evolve. *Best Buy

With a thick coating of caramelized oak and masses of ripe, jammy fruit, this Pinot tastes sweet. But it's complex in its own way, with a pleasant scour of acidity. Drink now with mushroom risotto, lamb chops or, for the best of all worlds, both. -S.H.

A really nice wine, showing the generosity and sheer sexiness that Pinot Noir can offer. With a silky mouthfeel, it has expansive flavors of raspberry and cherry jam, orange zest, vanilla, cinnamon and sandalwood. One of the best Pinots on the market at this price, and easy to find. Editor's Choice. -S.H.

With notes of buttered toast, honey and vanilla cream, this Chardonnay is overpowered by new oak barrel influence. Beneath that are delicious fruit flavors of pineapples, oranges, pears and apricots. Rich and flashy in the popular style, with good acidity, but the heavy hand of oak limits the score. -S.H.

A Chardonnay-like wine, but more citrusy, with tangerine, lemon and mineral flavors. Oak brings sweeter complications of vanilla and buttered toast, while crisp acidity makes it all fresh and clean. -S.H.

Made in the modern California style, new oak dominates this Chardonnay. Even though unused French barrels accounts for only 30% of the blend, the aromas and flavors of buttered toast, vanilla, and caramel swamp what otherwise seems like a good, crisp, tropically fruited wine. Earns an extra point for fine minerality, the result of its pedigreed vineyard origins. -S.H.

Light and breezy, with modest plum, red currant and lavender notes that pick up a pepper hint on the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made. –JM

This delivers a solid, direct beam of cassis, plum skin and black currant fruit notes, with a lacing of anise and raisin through the medium-weight finish. Drink now through 2014. 10,000 cases made. –JM