California Wine Month

This wine displays luscious, wild redberry fruit with strawberry jam and chocolate notes. The concentration and spice of the 2018 vintage are wonderfully balanced by the wine’s crunchy acidity and rich tannins.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Fresh red morello cherries dominate the nose, supported by strawberries and a lift of musky perfume. The wine is generous and ripe, with an enticing clove-and-cinnamon spice character; it feels relaxed and gentle. Fine tannins leave a very slight grip on the long, pure and refreshing finish.

Drink now to 2028

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

We are so proud to once again work with Ramey Wine Cellars for our 2021 Sonoma County Chardonnay. The wine has a fresh lemon and lime nose, complemented by a subtle savoury twist. The palate is full of yellow apple, along with a gorgeous citrus focus and salty precision. The long finish echoes with gentle hints of roasted almonds. This is an utterly delicious and delightfully fresh Californian Chardonnay.

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This well-judged Cabernet Sauvignon has an elegant, blackcurrant-perfumed nose with a sweet hint of liquorice and spice. A herbal note brings freshness alongside a gravelly minerality reminiscent of Bordeaux. The palate is medium weight with the dark, ripe berry fruit lifted by a refreshing lick of acidity. This is a supremely drinkable wine. Fine tannins and a savoury twist complete the rewarding finish. This is best served slightly cool to bring out that lovely perfume.

Drink now until 2026

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

The Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced primarily from two vineyards in St. Helena - the 'Only One Vineyard' and the 'Spring Valley Vineyard'. Matured in a combination of new and used large oak casks and smaller barriques for two years, followed by a further year in bottle prior to release.

The nose of the 2018 Heitz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is scented with fine raspberry and blackberry aromas mixing with macerated red cherries, herbal notes of wild oregano and a top note of sweet spice. What makes this an absolutely brilliant wine on the palate, however, is the combination of its beautiful, layered fruit character with such unbelievable freshness. There is a superb precision and line to this whilst a dusting of chalky tannins adds more refreshment on the long, savoury-lined finish. This is a wine that leaves the palate superbly invigorated, making you want to have at least another glass. It is absolutely delicious and so, so fine compared to what you might expect of Napa, especially at this price.

Drink 2024 - 2038

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

From a great site in the Russian River Valley and just about all destemmed and aged 16 months in 55% new French oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Treehouse Vineyard reveals a slightly deeper ruby/purple hue as well as more black cherry and slightly darker fruits that give way to more spice, violet, bouquet garni, and white flower notes with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied and balanced, with ripe tannins and a classic Burgundian style, it's another stunning Pinot Noir from this estate that can be drunk today or cellared for over a decade. Drink 2020-2032

{***}{region}California, USA{region}
{color}Red{color}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{ratings}

[]James Suckling::97/100

[]Wine Advocate::92/100

[]Wine Spectator::95/100

[]Jeb Dunnuck::96/100 {ratings} {***}

Joey Tensley was inspired by the wines of the Rhône Valley so it is hardly a surprise that he has made such a lovely red blend based on Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and a little bit of Viognier. Sweet red cherry fruit dominates the nose. Red cherries and strawberries continue on the palate, yet the forward fruit is perfectly offset by a savoury edge, adding interest and complexity. The wine is balanced and fine, and the nuanced flavours linger on the generous, fresh and elegant finish.

Drink 2024 - 2026

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

The 2013 Opus One offers splendid aromas of blueberry, cassis, and blackberries with highlights of rose, anise and baking spices. A creamy entry gives way to layers of complexity which unfold in the mid-palate with velvety tannins enrobing a center of concentrated black-fruit with juicy freshness. Elegantly balanced, the acidity and core structure deliver a persistent finish with hints of dark chocolate. The 2013 Opus One promises enjoyment for decades to come.

Component lots received an average of 18 days of skin contact during fermentation and maceration before aging in 100% new French oak barrels for 17? months. The 2013 Opus One is composed of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec.

Brought up in 45% new French oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard reveals a medium ruby/translucent color as well as a complex bouquet of redcurrants, leafy herbs, damp earth, iodine, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, with an elegant texture, lots of classic Russian River spice, and outstanding length. it shows the more elegant streamlined style of the vintage, yet I suspect it's going to age gracefully. Give bottles 2-3 years and it should keep for a decade. Another estate that has changed their style (for the better, I think), Kosta Browne’s latest 2018s have beautiful purity and elegance as well as richness. They’re certainly in the top handful of wines in this report. Drink 2022-2032.
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (May 2020)

{***}{region}California, USA{region}
{color}Red{color}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{ratings}

[]James Suckling::96/100

[]Wine Advocate::91/100

[]Wine Spectator::91/100

[]Jeb Dunnuck::94/100 {ratings} {***}

100% Chardonnay

Santa Barbara County's climate and terroir allow Au Bon Climat to consistently make balanced and lively Chardonnays year after year. Our 2022 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is from five well-farmed vineyards: Bien Nacido Vineyard, Los Alamos Vineyard, Rancho Real, Gold Coast, and Premier Coastal Vineyard. Throughout September, the fruit is carefully handpicked and sorted in the vineyard.

After harvesting, the grapes are whole cluster pressed, and juice is quickly settled, chilled, and put into a barrel. Barrel fermentation and malolactic fermentation are completed. The following summer, the lots are blended, and wine is bottled. For eight months, surface barrel ageing in neutral François Frères barrels provides an intriguing spice note of clove and nutmeg. The wine industry will continue developing and increasing complexity over the next decade.

Winemaker notes

Santa Maria Valley, one of California’s coolest wine-growing regions, is perfect for quality Pinot Noir. This wine is sourced from two top vineyards: Bien Nacido, known for its magnificent aromatics, and Runway, noted for its density and richness. We ferment our Pinot Noir in 5-ton open-top fermenters, punching down the cap at least twice daily to extract the best flavours. After pressing to complete dryness, the wine is aged 16 months in 10% new Francois Frères French oak barrels to highlight the vibrant fruit. It was lightly fined, and then bottled unfiltered.

Tasting note

This is a tighter, more structured Pinot emphasising the distinctive, vibrant fruit character of the Santa Maria Valley appellation. Wonderful cranberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, and earthy spice aromatics and flavours are supported by a medium-full palate and a long finish. It is a wonderful pairing with grilled salmon, barbecued pork ribs, or lamb chops.

Winemaker notes

The 2020 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection is a powerful, expressive wine. Dark fruit, lavender, cloves, leather and incense fill out the layers. Dynamic and full of energy, the 2020 has a ton to offer. I would give it a few years to settle down. Readers will find a Pinot of real substance. This bottling is intended to be the best lots from Sanford & Benedict done with a high percentage of stems, about 50% in this vintage.

Drink 2024 - 2032

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (September 2023)

The 2021 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) emerges from a parcel on the Bohan ranch planted in 1972. Airy and effusive, it offers scents of lemon confit, white pepper, and dried flowers, all in a delicate, understated style that is super appealing. This gracious Chardonnay is a total charmer.

Drink 2023 - 2031

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (August 2023)

Deep crimson. Very complete and luscious on the nose. I'd be very happy to drink this as a nightcap – great balance if you don't mind the warm finish – but I think it could be a bit of a knockout blow at the dinner table. Certainly very well made. Very typical Napa Valley Cab well done.

Drink until 2023

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (October 2014)

The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is bright, focused and finely cut. Dark cherry/plum, fruit, lavender and spice are nicely delineated in a vibrant, mid-weight Pinot that introduces this range with a bang. All the elements are very nicely balanced. Vineyard sites are Bohan, McDougall and Falstaff.

Drink 2024 - 2033

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (August 2023)

This Sta. Rita Hills-focused label between Justin Willett and Étienne de Montille takes a 'low and slow' approach to the winemaking process, contrasting the relatively delicate, high-toned style of the Tyler wines. Pinot Noir at La Rinconada Vineyard tends to exude a burly and structured style, as is the case with the 2018 Racines bottling. Sourced from a plot just feet away from that which supplies Tyler, a savoury and soft nose introduces a weighty, wide and tannic showing that is built to last.

Drink 2022 - 2045

Matthew Luczy, Decanter.com (July 2020)

Racines is a collaboration between Tyler Winery’s Justin Willett, Domaine de Montille’s Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve, and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne Pierre Péters, working with entirely Sta. Rita Hills fruit. For the most part, the entire lineup levels up the intensity and structure of the Tyler wines, as is the case with their Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Sourced from multiple sites across the appellation with a backbone of La Encantada Vineyard. Meaty, dense and reminiscent of a damp forest on the nose and palate, with a balanced, dark-fruited, saline-heavy finish.

Drink 2022 - 2035

Matthew Luczy, Decanter.com (July 2020)

Usually an exotic wine, the 2015 Promontory comes across as much more laid back today. Time seems to be bringing out more freshness, aromatic lift and brightness in its fruit, which I don't really know how to explain given the intense heat of the year. It will be interesting to see where the 2015 goes from here. Today, it certainly appears to have a very bright future, although it does appear to be going through some sort of transitional phase. 97+/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous

{***}{region}Napa Valley, USA{region}
{color}Red{color}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{ratings}

[]Vinous::97+/100

[]The Wine Advocate::98/100

{ratings} {***}

The 2005 Red Rock Terrace has a slightly more saturated, ruby/purple color, with a little more backward and introspective personality, more noticeable tannin, and a blacker, more primordial personality. Fuller-bodied and denser, it is rich, young and seems years behind the more precocious and evolved Gravelly Meadow. There is great acid buttressing a youthful, promising, budding superstar of the vintage. Forget it for another 5-6 years, and drink it over the following two decades plus. (RP) 95+ 

{***}{region}Napa Valley{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 95+/100

[] Robert Parker:: 95+/100

{ratings} {***}