J. Jacaman Wines
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $40.00: Savory and dark on the nose, with faint barnyard and rubyish red cherry. Soft, slightly sweet edges but it’s generous and warm. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Manchester Ridge Mendocino County $46.00: At the end of a silky roll across the palate it has a satisying grip on the finish – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Marin County $42.00: All polished oak on the nose, with cinnamon stick and cooked strawberry and blueberry. But a lively core and fine tannins push through and provide definition amid the sweetness. – Jon Bonne
J. Lohr Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Seven Oaks Paso Robles $17.00: A pleasing harmony of lively fruit, easy tannic structure and zingy acidity – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carol’s Vineyard Napa Valley $40.00: Rich chocolate and sweet plum aromas. Mostly about oak flavors on the palate, lots of creamy wood flavor, rich. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, October Night Vineyard Arroyo Seco $25.00: Fresh and easy-drinking, this Chardonnay will pair up with dishes from salads to roast chicken and grilled salmon – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 White Riesling, Bay Mist Monterey County $9.00: Subtle floral aromas and flavors, sweet, ripe fruit, but acidity keeps the finish clean and fresh. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Carol’s Vineyard Napa Valley $24.00: Lots of weight and richness – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Jacob’s Creek
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve South Australia $11.99: Leads with aromas of violets and cassis, the vanilla of oak isn’t far behind. The fruit is soft and elegant, black plum and cassis couched by oak flavors but admirable restraint and surprising elegance for an oak-driven wine. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2004 Merlot, Reserve South Eastern Australia $11.99: Almost floral high tones above the bright cherry, some tobacco and black tea, with fine grippy tannins and an impressive structure. – Jon Bonne
Critics Platinum NV Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir Australia $11.99: Lovely, full and rich; complete – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve South Australia $11.99: Exceptional food wine, showing good balance between fruit, acidity and alcohol. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio South Eastern Australia $9.99: A lean, crisp style of Pinot Gris with light pear aromas and flavors and a long clean finish. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Platinum 2007 Riesling, Reserve South Australia $11.99: Gorgeous nose of minerals, bright acid; long and stylish, well balanced. Slight residual sugar amplies flavors; especially the lime-juice brightness – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2006 Riesling, Steingarten Barossa Valley $27.99: Wet slate nose and bone-dry palate. Tart citrus, mineral palate. Lean, very crisp, mouthwatering. – Linda Murphy
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Rosso di Sette Frattelli Sonoma Coast $15.99: Very ripe, rich and sensuously sweet — especially in the bouquet. – Paul Lukacs
Jade Mountain
Critics Gold 2005 La Provencale California $15.00: Black currant scents with a top-note of india ink. Flavors are fine and very composed, good firm texture, lovely acidity. – Patrick Comiskey
Jarvis Vineyards
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown, Cave Fermented Napa Valley $70.00: Supple and soft, with a superior mouthfeel, and a long finish that delights even though it is somewhat sweet. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Cave Fermented Napa Valley $38.00: For fans of buttery Chardonnay. – Robert Whitley
Jean Farris Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Tempest Reserve Kentucky $55.00: Another gigantic wine whose assertive tannins need food, but the fruit is lovely – Marguerite Thomas
Jekel Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Arroyo Seco $14.99: Minerals plus cassis! Big wine, almost over the top, but not. Big, intense style wine, but with more than that going for it. Great nose; would be far better with less alcohol, but still pulls it off. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey County $17.99: Well balanced and spicy. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Gravelstone Monterey $12.99: Expressive apple and citrus flavors in a refreshing style. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling Monterey $11.99: A lusty, full-bodied, ripe-fruit style of Riesling – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Joe Blow Wine Cellars
Critics Silver 2005 Red California $11.99: Punchy blueberry and ripe blackberry; straightforward and balanced. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2005 White California $11.99: Clean; pleasant – Ed McCarthy
Juniper Crossing
Critics Silver 2007 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River $20.00: Bit heavy on the grassy, chivey Sauvignon Blanc notes. Refreshing and precise, with grated lime and gooseberry. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2005 Shiraz Margaret River $20.00: Rather tight scents of iodine and violets. A tense wine at this stage, tannins and minerals keeping the wine dark and a bit mysterious. – Patrick Comiskey
Kaleidos
Critics Silver 2005 Osiris Paso Robles $28.00: Black currant scents with a top-note of oak. Flavors are of plum compote with a chewy texture. – Patrick Comiskey
Kendall-Jackson
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hawkeye Mountain, Highland Estates Alexander Valley $55.00: Yes! Great balance; perhaps a mountain Cab? Bordering on Platinum – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Trace Ridge, Highland Estates Knights Valley $70.00: Very ripe and yet not pruny or grapey, this offers a lot of immediate appeal on the strength of its fruit, and yet it also provide enduring interest on account of exceptionally attractive oak notes, which show complex but restrained notes of toast, vanilla and spices. A complete, thoroughly convincing Cabernet. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Mountain, Highland Estates Mount Veeder $70.00: Rich and ripe – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot, Taylor Peak, Highland Estates Bennett Valley $40.00: A curvaceous, plush red that captures the allure of Merlot. Think of wrapping yourself in cashmere when you sip it. Pair with lamb chops, filet mignon, or hearty lentil soup and prepare to be wowed. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Camelot Highlands, Highland Estates Santa Maria Valley $25.00: Perfumed nose but a touch artificial. Broad, rich, succulent, with a hint of sweetness and rather low acidity. Drink soon. – Stephen Brook
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay, Piner Hills, Highland Estates Russian River Valley $30.00: Rich voluptuous apricot nose. Full-bodied, toasty, and creamy, but not heavy or flabby. Has weight and spice and complexity but cries out for a cream sauce! – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Seco Highlands, Highlands Estates Arroyo Seco $30.00: Subdued nose, pears. Silky, lifted thanks to fine acidity, a delicate and invigorating style with apple and apricot flavours and an appealing long finish. – Stephen Brook
Kenneth Volk Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Negrette, Caleri Vineyard San Benito County $24.00: Cherry and oak aromas. Sleek, fresh, quite concentrated, has some vibrancy and a bracing sour cherry finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Cuvee Santa Maria Valley $26.00: On the sweeter spectrum for Pinot, but with lovely aromas. – Robert Whitley
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyards Santa Maria Valley $24.00: Seductive aromas of spice and pear are layered with a silky texture in a wine that manages to remain elegant while still delivering power and complexity. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Cuvee Santa Maria Valley $24.00: Lovely aromas of pear and baked apple, and unusual delicacy and restraint. – Robert Whitley
Kenwood Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County $18.00: Dense and quite ripe, with very soft texture but enough structure thanks to ripe, fine-grained tannins. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jack London Vineyard Sonoma Valley $30.00: Sweet black cherry fruit is very open and appealing, yet there is real substance and depth in this wine, as well as structure from wood and tannin- — though the structure shows up very late in the sensory experience as a result of the sheer sweet opulence of the fruit. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Jack London Vineyard Sonoma Valley $25.00: With an appealing touch of minerality, this bright and fresh merlot belongs with food where it shines. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot Sonoma County $17.00: Notes of cedar and spice are echoed with smoky flavors and ripe fruit. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $18.00: With tart plum flavors balanced by softness and silkiness, this Pinot will embrace yet challenge you. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2005 Zinfandel, Jack London Vineyard Sonoma Valley $25.00: In a drier style, but the plum and dark carob scents come through and the wine has a smoky, cherry flavor that is lifted by some nice acidity. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County $15.00: Lean oaky nose, pears. Soft, delicate, ripe pears. Has some bite and vigour, silky and balanced, with a long elegant finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County $13.00: Clean, crisp and refreshing- — a nice hot weather wine. – Paul Lukacs
Killer Juice
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $19.99: Dry and medium-bodied with surprisingly complex flavors of red fruits and herbs – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
King Fish
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot California $5.99: Ripe, rich red fruit dominates. The wine isn’t especially complex, but the fruit is so tasty that it manages to delight. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $5.99: Smoky oak overrides the fruit at present. Light but fresh, a graceful style. Balanced and enjoyable if not too strong on personality. – Stephen Brook
Kiwi Cuvee
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Vin De Pays D’Oc $7.99: Round and rich, thick textured, lots of fruit. – Elin McCoy
Knapp Vineyards & Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Dry Riesling Cayuga Lake $18.95: Clean and fresh with good depth and attractive grapefruit flavor; great length – Mary Ewing-Mulligan