For 40 years Calera has been producing terrific wines in a rather unlikely place, in the Gavilan Mountains at the dividing line for San Benito and Monterey counties. This 2021 offers black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, pomegranate, with back notes of strawberry and Bing cherry. There is a rustic quality to this Pinot, hints of sage and earthiness. Aged just 10 months in French oak, a scant 10% of those barrels were new, therefore the fruit expresses itself quite clearly. It has solid acidity and tannic structure, making it an incredible value for the price.

Like most of Beddrock's basic level bottlings this is a tremendous value )in Sauvignon Blanc).  Light golden in color with some green hues.  The nose is nice with lemon and lime notes, melon, and just a hint of tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, lemon-lime and honey-dew.  Good finish.  Tasty.  This is nice on its own and will work nicely with fish or lighter foods.  A nice wine for Sushi.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.      

The last time I tried this (2018) this was shut down.  It was nice to revisit this as it wakes up.  It still could use more cellar time.  Patience will be rewarded.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some sulfur but much less than Prum wines of twenty years ago.  Aromas of sulfur, smoke, minerals, slight pineapple and lemon.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous texture.  Great lively acidity.  On the palate, minerals, lemons and slight pineapple.  This is sweet but the acidity keeps it from being heavy.  Long finish.  This needs a few more years in the cellar at this point

You may not know it, but La Crema has been producing wine for over 40 years. This 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is part of that proud heritage. This offers light lemon-lime, quince, honeysuckle, resin, apricot and guava notes. It’s a lighter style wine that makes it inherently better with a diversity of food. The acidity is in check due mainly to the use, predominately, of stainless steel, and just 27% went into neutral oak allowing for a flinty, tactile expression. ORIGIN: Sonoma County.  ALCHOL: 13.5%

This is in a lovely place right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight black cherries, violets, spices and just a hint of funk.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is complex, layered and delicious.  Cherries and black cherries with some char, spice and earthiness.  Long finish.  This is just about at peak right now and should be at this level for five to eight more years, but this will drink well for another five to ten after that.  Great on its own, this will work 

Another new wine.  There are so many.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, spice, slight lumber and some red fruits.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this drinks well.  Still youthful.  Cassis, black cherries and spice.  Nice finish.  This will continue to improve for a while. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  A classic steak wine.  

This is very young but really showing some stuffing.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with limes, white pepper, and slight grapefruit.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice, slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this is dry.  Notes of lemons, limes and some black pepper.  Good acidity.  Long finish. This could use five years in the cellar, but it is drinking well now.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would be nice with Veal Chops.  

Sandlands makes some of the more interesting wines around.  I am a huge fan of their whites (and the reds are good, too).  This is a blend of 60% Chenin Blanc and 40% Semillon from various regions in California.

This is a blend of Furmint, Hárslevelű, Leányka, and Cserszegi Fűszeres, four white varietals.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has  a nice minerality with a bit of peaches.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is past prime but still some peach fruit.  Moderate finish.  If you own a bottle, drink up.  Better with food at this point.  A nice wine with chicken paprikash.  

Bedrock makes a very nice Sauvignon Blanc that is an excellent value.  Golden in color with green hues.  The nose is great with a slight grassy note along with some melons and a hint of grapefruits.  Medium bodied.  Lovely slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It drinks very easily with a persistent finish.  Great on its own, this would be very popular for a summer party.  It also works well with lighter foods.  It went great with vegetarian (Tofu) Tacos.  Drink over the next three to five years.