2024 marks the 20th vintage for Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst label. The original goal is still the same: use all five Bordeaux varietals and pull fruit from the estate as well as other exceptional Napa vineyards, all of which are organically grown. In doing so this wine allows for, “a broader expression of Napa Valley, while applying the same philosophy that shapes our Estate Cabernet,” says winemaker Aron Weinkauf.

For nearly 25 years, Rhys has been quietly making wine out of the underappreciated Santa Cruz Mountains. There is a delightful, earthy quality to this Pinot suggesting subdued fruit, green and black tealeaf and pomegranate. The acidity is spot on supporting the fruit along with the mild use of oak and the wines’ inherent tannic structure. However, this deviates from a lot of traditional bright-fruit-dominate California Pinot Noir because the Santa Cruz Mountains brings forth a brambly, earth equality that most other regions cannot attain. Their Mt.

Prosecco has a long and varied history, originally made as a still wine it eventually morphed into the world’s most popular sparkling wine. And now Voga has decided to take Prosecco back to its roots, and is making a “still Prosecco,” specifically without bubbles. Comprised entirely of Glera (the grape name which was also called Prosecco at one point) this offers softer notes of apricot, resin, and light guava, but this is not a fruity wine – there are more stone fruit characteristics – white peach, quince and loquat.

Not many family-run business can claim over 300 years in business, but the Saget family starting working with wine back in 1790. And leave it to the French to produce a very enjoyable Pinot Noir for under $20. Created in a lighter style this Pinot, at this price point, is a very good value and provides good quality fruit, tannic structure, and acidity. It offers red raspberry, light strawberry, delicate cherry, cranberry, worn leather, resin, a mild earthiness and a suggestion of cola. The wine is seamlessly blended and therefore drinks well.

A peach Bellini is a simple drink, originally made in Venice, Italy with white peaches and Prosecco. These days there are any number of iterations such as ready-to-drink, or in recipes that have their own riff on the ingredients. But what you want is a Bellini that approximates the original. The Artigiano - perhaps ironically made in Germany, not Italy – is a very balanced blend of white wine and fruit purée. This is not a complicated drink, however, it is a very refreshing and very enjoyable drink.

Known for Pinot Noir, Kosta Browne has embarked on a Chardonnay program for a number of years but only recently has given the single vineyards wines turbo-charged attention.” “Elevating our Chardonnay to the same level as our Pinot Noirs is something our team takes great pride in,” says winemaker Julien Howsepian. This stellar example of Chardonnay allows for light malolactic fermentation, bright acidity, crisp fruit and minerality. This offers seductive notes of crème brûlée, lemon chiffon, lime kefir, sweet resin, apricot, white peach and delicate herbal wildflowers.

Chappellet excels at most anything they do. So this Hideaway Vineyard Cabernet, a 100% Cabernet, should be no surprise that it’s a deftly made wine. From the outset this is a rich, structured wine. It begins with moderate to heavy tannins, which support black cherry, blackberry, light campfire smoke, rhubarb, black tea leaf, soft cedar, wild flower and herbs, and light clove. Aged in mainly new French oak to subdue the tannins, this high elevation Cabernet fruit from Pritchard Hill is classic Napa Cabernet – ripe but restrained.

FIOL was only founded in 2010 but has since created a strong following. Their 2021 iteration is a blend of 15% Pinot Noir and 85% Glera, which together create creamy bubbles that lead into a soft and pleasant patch of strawberry, raspberry, light lemon notes, hints of cranberry and red delicious apple. This is not an overly complicated wine, it is deceptively simple, and simple sometimes is difficult to create. This is a very enjoyable wine, especially during the summer months when all you want is something pleasing and flavorful.