Exceptionally well-proportioned and harmonious, this wine is an object lesson in the virtues of balance and...
Trefethen Vineyards, Oak Knoll District (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2009
This delicious Merlot shows a fine balance between rich, flavorful fruit and smoky, spicy oak. These two main...
Fallbrook Winery, South Coast (California) 2008
This complex, impressively integrated Bordeaux-style blend shows excellent breadth and depth of flavor while also...
Crooked Vine Winery, Livermore Valley (California) 2009
This Bordeaux-style blend shows deep flavors and plenty of muscle, and yet the tannins are so fine in grain and the fruit...
Cakebread Cellars, Howell Mountain (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
This is a show-stopper. It is broodingly dark and very dense on the palate, and yet the wine is extremely generous...
Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
This is classic Napa Valley Cabernet, but “classic” in a traditional rather than modern mode, meaning a wine...
Frank Family Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Another winner from this impressively consistent producer, this shows impressive density and depth without turning rough...
David Bruce Winery, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
This admirably delicate, lacy Pinot shows lots of persistent flavor despite its relatively light color and body. ...
Jeff Runquist Winery, Clarksburg (California) Cabernet Franc 2010
This Cab Franc shows just the sort of fine-ness and femininity that I’d be looking for when ordering a Franc rather...
St. Supery, Rutherford (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2009
This exceptional Merlot shows a softness appropriate to the grape variety but also a level of concentration and flavor...
Per Cazo Cellars, Paso Robles (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This powerful, persistent wine shows its Paso Robles origin in its sheer ripeness, which lends just a hint of raisining...
Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2008
Most wines bearing self-congratulating names don’t manage to live up to them, but this one does exactly that. ...