California Wine

Winemaker’s notes

La Crema Monterey Chardonnay offers aromas of grilled pineapple, citrus blossom, tangerine, and papaya. On the palate, white peach, key lime, and honeydew melon are complimented by a touch of barrel spice, and a river stone minerality.

The winery's original name, La Crema Viñera, means "best of the vine," setting the standard for all the team has done since 1979. For more than 35 years, the family-owned and operated winery has focused exclusively on cool-climate appellations, from its original home in the Russian River Valley, to Monterey and, now, the Willamette Valley. La Crema is continually exploring these very special regions—passionate in the belief that they make uniquely expressive and elegant wines. Thorough vineyard site selection and boutique winemaking techniques ensure the consistently distinct, naturally balanced wines La Crema is committed to producing.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Jonathan Cristaldi writes:  This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 30% new American oak for up to 16 months. A snapshot of California from vintners Joel and Sarah Gott, the grapes are sourced from select sites in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lake County, Mendocino, Lodi, and Central Coast appellations. Sampled in mid-October 2024, the 2021 vintage is a youthful, easy-drinking Cabernet, perfect for weeknight consumption. Alluring blackberry, sandalwood, and ripe blackcurrant notes intermix with dried rose petals and mulling spices. Medium-bodied with intriguing cola spices, blackcurrant jam, a hint of white mocha, and a spine of zippy acidity, bracketed by fine tannins and a chalky mineral finish. It delivers a satisfyingly dry finish with just 1.7 g/L of residual sugar and a pH of 3.73. Joel Gott Wines was founded in 1996 by Joel and Sarah Gott. The '815' Cabernet is their flagship wine, named after their daughter’s birthday (15th August).  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Decanter 92

James Suckling writes:  Blackcurrants, black and green olives, rosemary and some crushed walnuts on the nose. Fresh and refined, with a medium to full body and fine-grained tannins. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

James Molesworth writes: Ripe, fresh and polished, this delivers unencumbered red and black cherry fruit notes laced with a tickle of tobacco, all backed by a just firm enough finish to keep this balanced and engaging. Drink now through 2025.  - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 Joel Gott Blend No. 815 Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of raspberries, blackberries, plum, and mocha with notes of cinnamon and cedar. The wine opens with red fruit flavors, followed by velvety tannins on the mid palate and notes of black pepper on the long, textured finish.

Winemaker Description 

Beautifully integrated tropical flavors such as pineapple, mango and papaya, with citrus notes that explode in your mouth. These flavors delicately intertwine with aromas of vanilla and honey to create depth and balance throughout. A hint of toasted oak and butter rounds out the long, lingering finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Monterey’s combination of moderate climate and marine influences from the Pacific Ocean keep the grapes balanced and able to develop fully ripe flavors. A classic Central Coast Chardonnay, this wine offers tropical aromas of grilled pineapple with a hint of star fruit and vanilla.

Nicely balanced, Hess Select Chardonnay is medium-bodied with layers of sliced peaches and golden delicious apples, finishing crisp and clean with well-balanced acid. 

Winemaker Description

This wine opens with enticing aromas of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, guava, and mango. The palate offers lush layers of lemon cream, peach, and papaya, elevated by notes of crisp lime zest. The cool, stainless steel tank fermentation delivers a beautiful freshness to the wine, while the subtle oak character from neutral French oak barrels adds body, complexity and depth.

Fumé Blanc pairs well with simple seafood and poultry dishes, and also holds up nicely with veal and pork. This wine has lively flavors that go well with spicy and ethnic cuisines such as Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Mexican and Southwestern dishes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 92 Points | A bright and crisp white with sliced lemon, lime and hints of grass on the nose and palate. Flowers too. Medium-bodied, fresh and vivid. Hints of green papaya. Firm phenolics frame it. Drink now. 

Winemaker Description

This alluring Cabernet Sauvignon draws you in with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, mocha, savory blueberry and sweet baking spices. On the palate, silky tannins and a supple, rounded texture frame the voluptuous dark berry flavors, with notions of barrel spice adding nuance and complexity to the long, lush finish.

Winemaker Description

Bright with a deep ruby core that lightens at the rim of the glass, with moderately thick, slow forming tears. Aromatic with ripe black cherry, red berries and blackcurrant fruit with spice notes of vanilla and cinnamon with fresh sage, subtle dried rose petal, and toasted oak. Nearly full-bodied with red plum, ripe bing cherry, and blackberry on entry with savory dried herbs, baking spice and toasted oak on the midpalate supported with balanced, fine tannins. The complex finish shows sustained ripe fruit and spice mixed with dried flower and camphor elements.

The 2020 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon is remarkably balanced and complex, with a fresh palate that not only invites another sip on its own, but also pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Try this wine with grilled chicken or burgers at your next cookout or with a classic filet mignon at your favorite steakhouse.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Clive Purshouse writes:  It is a departure for Ridge, as it's not a single vineyard wine but instead a blend of 10 different sites from throughout Sonoma County. Bright and delightful with savoury herbs, tart early-season blackberries, and muddled mint leaves, all vie for attention in this wine's generous aromatic show. A melange of wild mountain berries, mouthfuls of dried savoury garrigue and lavender, dashes of white pepper and an incredible lift to the finish which lingers for an eternity. Concentrated and refined.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.  - Decanter 94

Tim Fish writes:  A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033.  - Wine Spectator 92 

Billy Norris writes:  A blend of 65% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane and 14% Petite Sirah, the 2022 Three Valleys is super-welcoming and disarming from the get-go. A superb introduction to the Ridge house style, it balances the savory and the fruity—tobacco, cedar, dark berry fruit and loads of spice, all hemmed in by fresh acidity and insistent but yielding tannins. It’s hard to go wrong here.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.  - Vinous 91

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

The Beringer Founders’ Estate Cabernet boasts flavors of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and cinnamon spice. It has a round mouthfeel, supple tannins and a long, lingering finish. A food-friendly wine, it pairs beautifully with a grilled rib-eye steak, roasted vegetables, or aged cheddar.

Winemaker Description

The 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is bright, forward, balanced and approachable. Enticing aromas of apple, peach, vanilla, and spice are lifted by elegant floral characters. With its cool-climate influences, this chardonnay has remarkable varietal intensity, balanced acidity and mineral notes on the long finish.

Winemaker Description

The wine owes much of its complexity to its varied upbringing, unifying grapes from California's most notable winegrowing regions. Meiomi Pinot Noir brings you structure and depth seldom seen in a Pinot Noir wine, thanks to its unique and meticulous aging process. Aged for six months in French oak barrels, this California red wine's juicy strawberry flavor and notes of dark berries and toasted mocha add complexity and depth on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, black licorice, and exotic tea notes.  Flavors of red cherry, plum, and boysenberry, subtle hints of espresso and cocoa nib underpin notes of spice and toast. Firm yet integrated tannins and bright acidity drives a long finish.

#1 Top Value Wine Wine Spectator, February 2024

Expert Reviews

James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator writes 89 Points | A ripe, friendly, open style, with black tea and anise notes infusing a core of raspberry and cherry compote flavors. Shows a light sandalwood echo on the finish. Drink now through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 

Samantha Cole-Johnson of Jancis Robinson writes | Pale ruby with a purple hue. Fresh red and black cherry with a light spiciness. Sweet fruit on the palate. Viscous, with fine-grained tannins and high, fresh acidity. Fresh finish with light spice.  100% French oak, 22% new; 8–9 months in barrel.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.  

Winemaker Description

This wine is rich and round, opening with aromas of Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, graham cracker, and buttered popcorn. The palate shows incredible depth with a full mouthfeel and layers of flavor. Ripe peach, pineapple, and caramel lead to hazelnut and baking spice notes on the finish.

This versatile Chardonnay pairs perfectly with seafood, poultry, white meats and dishes with cream sauces. Try preparations that include citrus, butter, cream, cheese, bacon, nutmeg, thyme, basil or toasted nuts.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling writes:  Mineral and sliced cooked apples with lemon zest and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied with some phenolics and tension and a fruity finish. Drink now. Screw cap.  - James Suckling 91

Audrey Frick writes:  The bright yellow 2022 Chardonnay Sonoma County is forward and ripe in the glass with aromas of ripe melon, tangerine, and sweet oak spices. Full-bodied, generous, and persistent on the palate, it has a rounded feel and a fresh lift on the finish. It’s a charming and ripe style to drink over the next year or two. Bottled under screwcap.  - Jeb Dunnuck 

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Generous and round, this shows notes of butterscotch, peach preserves and apple pastry on a ripe, creamy frame, with nutmeg and clove details on the finish. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Description

Vivid notes of black raspberry, fresh pomegranate juice, with wild blueberry, sassafras, subtle licorice, toasted oak an earthy backbone, and grippy tannins. 

Expert Rating - Vintage 2021 

Tom R. Capo of the Wine Enthusiast writes 86 Points | This wine has a bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibe. The nose is charming, showcasing aromas of dark chocolate, candied raspberries, soy sauce and black pepper. The palate is another matter entirely, displaying monstrous tannic force that really needs some time to settle down. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 92 Points | This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.

92 Points Wine & Spirits | This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.

Winemaker Description 

This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.

Winemaker Description 

Our Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine we made. This is the wine that started it all, setting the exacting standards that we hold ourselves to for all of our varietals. Round and juicy, our Cabernet Sauvignon has flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

We love pairing this wine with well-seasoned meats like beef, pork, or lamb, and indulgent chocolate desserts.

Winemaker Description 

This is a bold and classic California Chardonnay from team Rombauer, the winery who arguably made bold, rich, butter-scented Chardonnays the standard across California. This one comes from the cool stretches of Carneros, and balances bright citrus and orchard fruit flavors with bright, refreshing acidity and just enough oak-driven spice.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 91 Points This full-bodied, round and buttery chardonnay has notes of baked apples, toast and brown butter. Ripe, soft and generous. 

Winemaker Description

A fresh, youthful and textured Chardonnay with flavors and aromas of pear, floral, white peach, citrus, baking spices and honey.

This versatile wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif with a triple crème or Humboldt Fog goat cheese, or to accompany entrées such as fresh seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, or chicken piccata

Winemaker Description

This lush and alluring Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea and sage, as well as rustic hints of earthy forest floor. On the palate, the generous ripe berry flavors are framed by bright, balanced acidity and refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, silky finish. 

Winemaker Description

The deep ruby color indicates a luxe complexity, while aromas of black cherry, cassis and rich earth are abundant in this classic Cabernet Sauvignon. On entry, currants and black plums generously lead to a plush mouthfeel. There are ample tannins carrying the fruit to the long lingering finish. Aging for 12 months in 1-year-old American oak barrels created notes of baking spices, nutmeg and hints of caramel.

This versatile wine pairs well with a variety of foods like rib-eye steak with blue cheese butter, roasted eggplant with provolone cheese and dark chocolate mousse with fresh berries.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | For $11, this California Cab packs bags of flavor. Find notes of black cherry, plum and currant, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, crushed violets and toasted wood alongside mouthcoating tannins and modest acidity. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 91 Points | Fresh nose with white peaches, sliced apples and white blossoms. Medium-bodied, crunchy and lightly salty on the palate, with juicy acidity coming through. Vibrant in the finish.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Offers a light-bodied, charming mix of peach, honeysuckle and pear flavors that are crisp and fresh. A touch of lime sherbet lingers on the finish alongside a note of freshly grated ginger. Chenin Blanc and Viognier.

Winemaker Description 

Crisp, bright, and vivacious! The Chenin aromatics bring citrus characters of tangerine, yuzu, pear, orange blossom, and honeydew melon. The Viognier aromatics tend to be a little heavier on stone fruit of peach and mango with hints of honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is clean, crisp with no oak or malolactic fermentation. The slight residual sugar and acid are in balance to add a viscous mouthfeel in the mid-palate with a crisp finish.

This versatile wine pairs well with a number of dishes, from light salads to seafood, and most notably with foods with a hint of spiciness – its subtle sweetness provides balance alongside a touch of heat.

Our Professional Review

Debra 67Wine.com | This wine shows lovely flavors of ripe stone fruits, citrus and orchard apples . Balanced with aromas toasty oak, coconut and vanilla lead into a generous finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Pair with cheeses, grilled chicken,  broiled fish and salad. Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer 

Fresh notes of Bosc pear, lemon zest, touches of pineapple, and subtle vanilla on the finish. Fresh and spicy.  Pairs effortlessly with fresh fish tacos and mango salsa. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

On the nose, beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, melon and perfumed lemon mingle with hints of slate, wet chalk and intriguing floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. The lush tropical fruit is echoed on the velvety palate, with flavors of pineapple and guava giving way to layers of stone fruit, Key lime pie, Asian pear and yellow apple, all of which flow to a long, luxurious finish.

Our Professional Review 

Debra of 67Wine.com writes | This fleshy medium bodied wine offers plentiful flavors of tropical fruit, baking spice, and zest, with an underlying subtle oak influence. Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is harmoniously balanced with ample acidity and a buttery, creamy mouth coating finish. 
- Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 93 Points | Achieves excellent balance between a tangy feel and generous flavors. Quite toasty, flinty and nervy in aromas before a ripe, buttery palate delivers good richness and length. Minerals and sea salt on the nose, then bright pineapple, baked apple, butter and lemon zest on the palate.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Aromas of honey drizzled on ripe honeydew melon invite the nose into this comfortingly classic style of California Chardonnay. Toasted hazelnut and apple pie flavors on the palate are balanced by brisk lemon, cinnamon and star anise spices.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Impressive for its intensity and harmony, with caramelized pineapple, ripe Bosc pear, papaya and apricot flavors at the core, accented by touches of wildflower honey, brown sugar and vanilla. Mouthwatering acidity keeps everything in focus.

Winemaker Description

An undeniably juicy Pinot Noir that bursts with cherries, raspberries and a touch of cassis. Rich flavors of fresh fruit join with soft oak to create a beautifully long, smooth finish filled with sweet vanilla.

This wine goes well with roasted mushrooms, duck breast and dog-earing another page in your favorite book.

Winemaker Description

Lovely dark fruit aromas waft from the glass with notes of spice and eucalyptus. Blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry flavors are accentuated by hints of vanilla, espresso and baker’s chocolate. The finish is round and supple. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 Points | Fragrant, almost-sweet aromas lead to ripe red cherries, strawberries and cinnamon on the palate. Generous, mouth-filling and full-bodied, with good underlying acidity and moderate tannins for an appetizing texture.

Winemaker Description

This wine is rich, ripe, and focused with flavors of sweet black currant and juicy blackberry intermingled with hints of shaved chocolate and tobacco. Delicious flavors framed by toasty oak and silky tannins, meld together throughout the wine’s lingering finish.

Expert Reviews  - Vintage 2022

James Suckling writes |  A fruit-driven, creamy and mellow cabernet sauvignon with cassis, baked cherries and blossoms. It’s medium- to full-bodied with creamy tannins and texture. Deliciously fruity finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Wine Enthusiast | Approachable and mouthwatering, this generous wine delivers flavors of black fruits layered with musk and oak spices. Supple tannins are carried by bright acidity into a long finish. Elaine Chukan Brown 89 Points

Winemaker Description

The 2020 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and dark at the core. Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and currant are accented by notes of toasted pastry, hazelnut, and vanilla from our extensive barrel aging program. Big, juicy red-fruit flavors infuse the palate while softly textured tannins lead to a long, gratifying finish.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020 

92 Points Tasting Panel | Thanks to their certified sustainable properties in five of Paso Robles' 11 sub-AVAs, the folks at J. Lohr are able to produce a super high-quality Cab at this price point. With 9% Petite Sirah plus some Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, it has a deep purple hue that enhances the immediate rush of blueberry in a stream of silky tannins. Spiced black tea takes heather, fennel, hazelnut, and vanilla bean on a long ride toward the finish.

91 Points Wine Enthusiast |  For about a million cases, this is a reliable stud of a wine. Deep, dark blackberry and light wood aromas on the nose lead into berry jam, wood spice and caramel flavors, with amplified tannins promising at least a few years of freshness.  Editors' Choice

Winemaker Notes

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Tasting Panel 91 Points | A creamy wash of toasted brioche settles on the palate as perky acidity livens up notes of lemon sorbet, white tea, and fresh melon. Wine Spectator 90 Points | Vibrant and expressive, with a terrific mix of nutmeg-scented pear, Fuji apple and peach flavors that are delicate and precise but not shy on concentration and generosity. Sleek, precise acidity and hints of lemon meringue linger on the finish.

Wine Enthusiast 89 Points | Broad aromas of pear, honeydew and cantaloupe draw the nose into this freshly styled bottling. There is ample tension to the palate, where those melon flavors are layered in light coconut and jasmine elements.

Winemaker Description 

The 2023 Morning Fog Chardonnay bursts with aromatics of citrus and green apple complemented by hints of toasty oak and vanilla from barrel-aging. This wine is balanced by a lingering minerality and natural acidity to create a beautiful wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Tonya Pitts of Wine Enthusiast 88 Points | This wine is concentrated with tropical fruit, stone fruit, herb spice, cardamom, nutmeg and mulled orange. The wine has a dry finish.   

Winemaker Description 

The color is classic California golden straw. The flavors are dominated by the tropical notes that have become a signature of their Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay: pineapple, mango and melon. The 60% malolactic fermentation adds a creamy texture and a touch of butterscotch; oak aging adds the note of vanilla. The dash of verdejo brightens the wine with a lift of minerality. This delicious chardonnay has a satisfyingly plump mouthfeel balanced by the crisp, fresh fruit that lingers in the finish.

Winemaker Description

This tried-and-true Cabernet has been a dinner table staple for more than 40 years. A rich ruby hue fills the glass along with aromas of fresh vanilla, lush red fruit and herbaceous nuances. On the palate, bright cherry notes mingle with warm cocoa and sweet oak. The finish is unbelievably smooth with soft, gorgeous tannins. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 90 Points | Notes of ripe pineapple and waxy lemons, with hints of walnuts, honeysuckle and vanilla. Full-bodied, seamless and creamy on the palate, with good fruit concentration and a spiced, slightly nutty undertone. Juicy finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Balance and proportion best describe the character of their 2020 Russian River Chardonnay; it displays abundant floral/ stone fruit aromas lightly accented by toasty, graham cracker sur-lie qualities. The mouth feel is creamy and full but the natural acidity of the Russian River fruit carries this velvet textured package to a long, clean finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

California white wine with vibrant aromas and flavors of pear, apple, peach, oak and toast.

Medium-bodied white California wine with balanced acidity and a rich, toasty finish
Table white wine that pairs well with light appetizers and hearty entrees.