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.

Critic Notes

Winemaker Notes

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 

Tropical fruit, guava and peach notes. Oak barrel aging contributes notes of caramel and spice.

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. 

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.

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.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | A robust, full-bodied wine with nicely ripe fruit, ample oaky, toasty accents and a mouth-filling texture. Baked apples and poached pears are lifted by tangy, citrusy acidity for good balance despite the richness.

Winemaker Description 

Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay is a luscious, bright and fruit-forward white wine. Aromas of vanilla and brioche mingle with notes of mandarin orange, pineapple and melon, offering an inviting palate. Following the dense tropical fruit nuances, there is a soft, wonderfully clean finish with a touch of minerality and hard spice notes. A highly versatile Chardonnay wine, Talbott Kali Hart is delicious on its own or served with any meal. Serve this estate-grown Chardonnay from California's Central Coast chilled.

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 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 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.

Expert Rating (2021 Rating)

Tasting Panel 90 Points | Following dusky aromas of briar, cinnamon mocha, and dark cherry notes of tobacco and chocolate licorice coat the earthy palate Dense and syrupy blackberry jam mingles with cedar

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

Tasting Panel 91 Points Fruit from both estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley and top growers in the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys make up the blend of this well-structured red. Aromas of dark plum, oak, and coffee lead to firm tannins on the palate, where crushed violets teem in waves of mocha and boysenberry. Black pepper and Italian herbs season cedar and espresso on the finish .esn..St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon offers classic aromas and flavors of ripe black currant, spicy tobacco and cedar are accompanied by full body and firm structure. 

Jim Gordon writes:  A good, solid-quality wine with plenty of ripe fruit flavors, a full body and medium tannins. Elements of sweet oak like cinnamon, cedar and vanilla bean top off good red and black cherry notes. Drink now.  - James Suckling

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

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 

This clean Chardonnay is accentuated by fruit-forward aromas of apple, pineapple and melon, ending with a smooth, slightly buttery finish. Pair this crisp Chardonnay with herbed pork loin or pasta with your favorite cream sauce. 

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.  

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 

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.

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. 

The J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay exhibits youthful hues of light straw. The enticing aromas are reminiscent of ripe orange, fresh nectarine, and hazelnut, which are complemented by the palate flavors of apricot, ripe peach, and honey. The rich texture and balance on the palate from aging sur lie gives way to flavors of vanilla, citrus cream, and a hint of oak on the long finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Rich flavors of dark plum and black cherry with a hint of spice and ripe tannins with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and dried cranberry. This vibrant, fruit forward wine is laced with flavors of toasted oak and hints of warm brown spice, and finishes with velvety tannins. Elegant and food friendly, this wine is sure to please.

Elegant and food friendly, this wine is sure to please. Enjoy it with grilled portobello mushroom burgers, grilled steak with blue cheese butter, braised short ribs, pizza with sausage and mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Expert Rating

Silver Medal - 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Expert Rating

James Suckling 90 Points |  Blackberry fruit, oyster shells, sage and roasted herbs on the nose. It’s savory with a medium to full body and tight tannins. Nice freshness. Drink now or in the next few years.  (2021). 

Jeb Dunnuck 89 Points |  Coming from multiple sites throughout the Central Coast, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a juicy, medium-bodied, nicely balanced style in its ripe cherry and plum fruit as well as notes of ripe herbs and chocolate. It's a terrific value that brings plenty of classic Cabernet style. (2021). 

Erin Brooks writes:  The 2022 Fundamental Cabernet Sauvignon is scented of red and black cherries and nuances of allspice, milk chocolate, tobacco and cedar. The medium-bodied palate is approachable and easygoing, with an alluring combination of concentrated, spicy fruit and savory tones. It finishes with satisfying freshness.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Winemaker Notes

Critic Notes

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 Notes

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 Notes

Winemaker Description 

Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with aromas of ripe golden apple, white peach, and light oak. On the palate, apple and pear characteristics are balanced by fresh acidity, and the finish is clean, with appealing hints of apple and lemon intermingling with notes of minerality.

This is a versatile pairing wine—enjoy it with grilled seafood and nearly any selection of cheeses. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Light and juicy, this glides along with a harmonious, fruit-forward mix of juicy green apple, lime sherbet and lemon meringue. Details of ginger, lemongrass and shortbread linger in the background. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator 90 Points

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 

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2021 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard Signature Collection is bright and super-focused. Citrus peel, mint, white flowers and tangerine peel all grace this exquisite, intense wine. The 2021 was fermented in tank and aged in barrel, of which 50% new. The Katherine's Vineyard comes from own-rooted vines planted in the 1970s. Readers should plan on giving this a bit of time, as it is quite nervous today. - Vinous 95

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Beautiful orchard fruits, toasted bread, and some sappy flower notes all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant wine that has nicely integrated acidity as well as a supple, up-front, delicious style. - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Alder Yarrow writes:  Smells of lemon curd and butterscotch. Flavours of lemon curd and white flowers have a nice mineral undertone and lemon-pith chalkiness. Excellent acidity with just a whiff of vanilla in the finish.  - Jancis Robinson 16.5

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Remarkably balanced, with details of fresh, crisp apple, citrus and pear that mingle with salted butter pastry and touches of brown sugar on a supple, creamy frame. Reveals a touch of lemongrass on the finish. Drink now. - Wine Spectator 90

Winemaker Description 

With luxurious aromas of ripe mango, pineapple, Mandarin orange and sweet citrus zest, this vibrant Chardonnay beckons a first sip. On the smooth, supple palate, refreshing acidity adds poise and polish to the tropical fruit flavors, with hints of vanilla and toasted almonds adding complexity to a long, lush finish.

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. 

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of white peach, fresh herbs and cut grass. Flavors of key-lime and juicy green Anjou pear throughout. A textural richness midpalate with fleshy fruit and crisp acidity. Lingering notes of wet stone and citrus notes of lemon and lime. Winemaker Description.

Expert Review

Stacey Briscoe of the Wine Enthusiast writes 89 Points | Editors' Choice. This bang-for-the-buck Sauvignon Blanc packs a lot of flavor: lemon, lime, green apple, cut grass, chamomile blossom and struck match. The medium body brings with it a smooth texture, creating a roundness that balances out the elevated acidity's sharp edges. Altogether engaging and fun, it's the perfect casual sipper for any occasion. 

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.