California

• Amador County
  • Shenandoah Valley
• Carmel Valley
• Carneros
• Central Coast
  • Edna Valley
  • Mt. Harlan
  • Paso Robles
• Contra Costa County
• El Dorado County
• Lake County
• Lodi
• Mendocino
  • Anderson Valley
  • Yorkville Highlands
• Monterey
• Napa Valley
  • Atlas Peak
  • Best of Napa
  • Calistoga
  • Conn Valley
  • Diamond Mountain
  • Howell Mountain
  • Mt. Veeder
  • Oak Knoll
  • Oakville
  • Pope Valley
  • Rutherford
  • Spring Mountain
  • St. Helena
  • Stags Leap
  • Yountville
• North Coast
• Santa Barbara
  • Santa Lucia Highlands
  • Santa Rita Hills
  • Santa Ynez Valley
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Maria Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• 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

Purple/Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cassis.  Light nose overall.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this starts out sweet then shows some cassis and slight graphite notes.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  An interesting charred Rosemary on the finish.  Overall, an inexpensive California Cab that will please those looking for a wine to drink on the back patio or to serve at parties.  It probably drinks better on its own, but if serving with food, BBQ Ribs would be hearty enough to match well.  

A delicious, easy drinking value in California Merlot.  This is a blend of 76% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, menthol, and baking spices.  With air, some black cherries emerge.  Full bodied with a velvety texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with a bit of milk chocolate.  Long, tannic finish.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own, and would work great with a (veggie) burger.  

This is a very nice, inexpensive California Rosé.  Bright pink in color with some copper hues, clear and bright.  The nose is fragrant with peaches and cherries.  Somewhat viscous texture which is nice.  On the palate, this has the perception of sweetness but drinks dry.  Cherries with slight acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy on its own but will also work well with lighter foods.  It would be a nice match with chicken salad.  Fun packaging.  

This is a serious Rose made from Pinot Noir grapes in California.  Very pale orange/pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has light strawberries and some watermelon.  A nice, slightly oily texture.  The palate has nice strawberries.  Very clean.  Refreshing.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with foods.  Grilled salmon would be a nice choice.  

This is a great value in an easy to drink white that has some personality.  Very pale in color, light gold, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with a bit of mango, slight grassy note and slight citrus.  A lovely almost velvety texture.  Light tannins.  Dry.  Semi crisp on the palate.  Tropical fruit notes with a slight herbal note on the back end.  This improved over two days.

This is a relatively new release.  It is an inexpensive ($14), easy to drink Chardonnay that is a great choice for parties and events.  Pale green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has hay, slight spice, slight grapefruit, and some green apple.  Medium bodied.  Low acidity.  On the palate, there is some minerality.  An interesting lanolin note, along with spice and slight butterscotch.  A bit more lime returns for the finish.  This is the kind of wine that works well with a diverse crowd.  It drinks well on its own.  Attractive packaging.  

This is an excellent value in wine that comes from south of  San Francisco.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, the black raspberry fruit comes thru.  Some complexity.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and works well with meat, pork or fowl dishes.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.