Sonoma County

• Alexander Valley
• Bennett Valley
• Best of Sonoma
• Dry Creek Valley
• Fort Ross/Seaview
• Moon Mountain
• Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak
• Russian River Valley
• Sonoma Coast
• Sonoma Mountain
• Sonoma Valley
• Knights Valley

Landmark has consistently produced this affordable, classic California Chardonnay, and 2020 repeats history. A terrific balance of all the essentials for Chardonnay, good fruit sourced from well-established vineyards, malolactic fermentation, oak aging, natural yeast, all judiciously applied. This offers lemon, lime, white peach, Asian pear, guava, light mango, resin, a wisp of butterscotch while still providing a solid acidity. There is also a nice creaminess - a viscosity that makes this ideal with a variety of foods.

What a treat to try this at age 10.  Deeper gold but with a bit of yellow hues, clear and bright.  The nose has lemons, minerals, slight hazelnut and some oak/spice.  Full bodied.  Nice velvety texture.  On the palate, lemons and minerals.  This is slightly past its prime but drinking well.  Plenty of depth and interest.  This drinks well on its own but probably better with food at this point.  It would pair well with lobster.  Drink over the next few years.  

Beautiful example of a non-full throttle California Pinot Noir.  Purple at its core, ruby toward the edge as it sits in the glass.  The nose takes some time to open up and then cherries, strawberries, black cherries with some herbal notes and slight spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, slight cedar, and a bit of tarragon on the finish.  Great texture.  Long finish.  Intense.  This could use time or a few hours in a decanter but is drinking well with some air.  It should drink well for the next twenty years.  It would work great with roasted fowl.  

Love these wines.  They deserve more attention.  A middle of the road Zinfandel in style.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, char, slight bramble and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cherries, some black cherries with underlying char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is drinking great now and should continue to for seven to ten more years.  It drinks well on its own and would work great with a burger and roasted corn.  

A nice Cab from California from this old school producer.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, slight saddle leather, baking spices and slight cedar.  Medium to full bodied,  On the palate, cassis, some spice with underlying char and a slight herbal note.  Some depth and complexity.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  This will continue to age and mature for another seven to ten years.  Great on its own and will work well with a burger or a steak.  

Sonoma’s Alma de Cattleya wines have steadily proclaimed themselves and year after year, they turn out truly wonderful wines. The 2020 chardonnay is lively, light, delicate, hinting at fruit aroma but not coming right out and saying it. There is a simplicity to this, a subtle beauty. Yes there are the notes of lemon lime, guava, but it is more subdued creating an enjoyable drinking experience because it is not an overwrought wine.

I am a big fan of this (and the regular bottling) and find it some of the best values in high end Cabernet from California.  This is still young and tight and in need of some air or better, cellar time.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, coffee and char.  Just a lovely texture hinting at a bright future.  Tingly acidity.  Firm tannins.  Lots of fruit.  Cassis with underlying char.  Deep.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This will drink well for the next fifteen, maybe twenty years.  Great on its own, this would work great with a really great burger

This is the kind of wine that makes sense to buy more than a few bottles of if you see it on sale. It might be a stretch, it might be an everyday drinker depending on your budget, but either way it is priced very fairly for the quality. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, char, spice and slight coffee. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is a cooler climate styled Cab but no issues with ripeness. Plenty of depth, this is still young and should gain in complexity with some age. Cassis, some black cherries, char and spice in a delicious Cabernet.

This is a white field blend of 41% Muscadelle, 39% Sémillon, 11% Colombard and 1% Palomino.  Yellow gold in color with slight green hues.  The nose has minerals and slight lime.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily.  On the palate, limes with tangerine peel.  Good acidity.  The finish is really interesting lemons, almonds and a slight bitter note. This is mature but should drink well for another five years.  It would be great with sea food or lighter pasta dishes.  

Purple in color, opaque but flat.  The nose is dusty with cassis.  With air some dark cherries come out.  A slight minty note on the end.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, some cassis with a velvety lush texture.  The nose full mature and a probably a bit past prime.  Good balance.  Still drinking well.  Drink up.  This will work better with food.  Roast chicken is a nice choice.