California Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This earthier Pinot Noir is a deep garnet color, with flickering hints of a darker edge glint as the glass swirls. The nose is a woodsy affair, with aromas of cedar, black tea and tart black cherry emerging. Savory, lithe and balanced, the palate has a woodsy tannic grip at the finish.

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a beautiful vibrant red color, and a deep brooding aroma reminiscent of dried herbs, toasted hazelnuts, and blood orange peel. The flavors are bright from acidity, and deep from concentration at the same time having flavors of shiitake mushrooms, bay laurel, lavender, and cooked red and blackberries. The wine is amazingly complex, bright, rich, and inviting. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Flavors of pear, apple, and ripe tropical fruit. Well-balanced with vanilla and oak notes. Pair with grilled chicken or fish.

Beringer is known for establishing many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. We were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand-dug caves and cellars. We were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. We are the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine.

Winemaker Description 

Bogle’s “heritage” Petite Sirah is known for its concentration and jammy, luscious flavors. Lush with touches of cacao and roasted coffee bean on the nose. The decadent aromatics are followed by dark and jammy flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and blueberries, picked ripe off the vine. Silky and luxurious in texture, the wine embraces your senses with a cozy familiarity. And the finish, ample and complex after aging in American oak for 12 months, is full of spicy vanilla and sweet clove…lingering long after the last sip.

Certified by the California Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, Vegan Frindly & Gluten-Free

Winemaker Description 

This elegant wine presents butterscotch, baked apple and orange blossom aromas before bright flavors of D’Anjou pear, fresh apple, almond and Meyer lemon zest emerge. The creamy mouthfeel is balanced with refreshing minerality on the finish. 

Winemaker Description

A medley of fresh fruits including plum and a hint of nectarine; semi-sweet baking chocolate, damp earth and a backdrop of toasted oak aromas. Flavors of chocolate cake with coconut shavings, crème de cassis, stone fruit, nutmeg and clove, smooth tannins. Dry yet rich, with lavish fruit and a smooth texture. Be daring and drink slightly chilled to reveal an unexpectedly refreshing red wine.

Pair with Asian or Indian cuisine; Mexican tacos and fajitas; smoked meats or anything that fits on a grill. 

Expert Reviews 

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 91 Points | A beautiful platinum pink with orange hues in the glass. The NV Brut Rosé Mirabelle opens with a perfumed blend of nectarines, ginger and spiced orange rind. This impresses with a sweet and sour combination of citrus and minerals carried across a core of zesty acidity. A chiseled bead of bubbles massages the palate. The Mirabelle finishes quite savory yet fresh. A salty flourish mingles with toasty brioche notes.  Drinking 2023 - 2025.  

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The NV Mirabelle Brut Rose has a pale cherry-pink color and scents of green melon, citrus blossoms and creamy undertones with stony wafts. The palate is rounded and floral with fragrant flavors, energetic mousse and a long, flavorful finish.  Drinking 2022 - 2025. 

91 Points James Suckling | Lush fruit aromas of tangerines, ruby grapefruit and raspberries followed by brioche and bread crumbs. Full-bodied with creamy beads and crisp acidity. Glossy and citrusy. Nice crunchiness at the end. Drink now.  

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is delicious but subtle as it weaves tempting notes of raspberry and cream with toasted nut and baked bread nuances that provide complexity and layering. It has both a vivid crispness and a subtle smoothness that coats the mouth and helps the finish linger.

Winemaker Description 

The Mirabelle Brut Rosé is a specially crafted blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Schramsberg's select cool-climate vineyards in Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the Sonoma and Marin coastal areas of Northern California. Pinot Noir lots, including a few fermented with skin contact, provide brightness of berry fruit and body, while Chardonnay lots lend length and zest to the palate. Additional flavor depth and aromatic complexity results from the blending of base wine lots aged in barrels and tanks for one or more years. The finished Brut Rosé exhibits fresh, elegant and toasty aromas of red berries and lemon-lime. Upon first sip, flavors of juicy red apple, pineapple, and orange lead into a lively and delicious finish on the palate.

Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Sonoma Coast | Unprecedented conditions on Sonoma County’s far coast require resolute Chardonnay vines to persevere against stealthy fog and little sunlight.

At first sip, this Chardonnay is fruit-forward and refreshing. Crisp green apple, Asian pear and lemon meringue pie take center stage in our classic, cool-climate Chardonnay. More subtle tones of stone fruit, honeysuckle and yellow plum develop in the mid-palate while barrel fermentation and sur lie aging finish this Chardonnay with rich flavors of vanilla bean, butter cream and subtle hints of baking spices and clove. Well balanced acidity gives this lively wine structure and the perfect amount of bite.

Winemaker Description

100% Pinot Noir 60% estate grown fruit from Olivet Ranch vineyard in the Russian River Valley and 40% from Failla’s other single vineyard sources.

Expert Review

Vinous 92 Points by Antonio Galloni  | The Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a fabulous wine at this level. Sweet spices, rose petal, mint and succulent cherry/plum notes all lift from the glass. Supple and beautifully layered throughout, the Sonoma Coast hits all the right notes. A final burst of fruit rushes across the palate on the refreshing, inviting wine. There is so much to like.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Aromatic, juicy and fragrant, with Key lime pie, tangerine, lime sherbet, fresh-cut green apple and fresh-grated ginger all singing on a mouthwatering frame. Long, expressive finish. Drink now.

James Suckling 90 Points | A crisp and fresh white with notes of gooseberries, lime zest and green apples. Medium-bodied, lively and clean. Drink now. Screw cap.

Winemaker Description

The careful selection of grapes from vineyards in Monterey, Napa and Lake Counties yields an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has great complexity and structure which balances the fruit and acidity.

Joel Gott sourced the fruit from the cool, coastal vineyards of Monterey which allow the grapes to mature slowly and develop intense citrus flavors with crisp minerality Combined with richer, more complex grapes from the sun-drenched Napa Valley, the blend evolves into a more structured, balanced wine.

Grapes from Lake County enhance the wine's acidity and heighten its tropical flavors. Together, these locales produce a wine with aromas of guava, watermelon, Meyer lemon and a long, juicy finish. Aging this well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel preserves the intense fruit aromas and flavors without the cloaking presence of malolactic fermentation.

The screw cap enclosure and the UV safe green glass package ensure that our wine maintains freshness throughout its life.

Winemaker Description

The bouquet of this Merlot is complex with scents of violets, sweet plums, and vanilla bean. On the palate, the wine is velvety and soft in texture, with flavors of plums, blackberries and cherries, and a long cocoa powder finish.

Pair this medium-bodied wine with medium-bodied dishes, pair the fruit and floral characteristics of the wine with savory ingredients like mushrooms, or enjoy with lighters proteins like chicken or anything with a tomato based sauce. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Notes

The wines at Chateau Montelena are often described as having classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit, and the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is emblematic of this style. These wines tend to have more acid and more moderate alcohol levels as compared to some of the “cult” Cabs. This combination of classic chemistry and California sunshine allows them to offer immediate pleasure and complexity on release, and the ability to develop beautifully.

The wine is crafted from Montelena estate and prime neighboring vineyards located in the northern end of the Napa Valley, in and around Calistoga, next to primary or secondary tributaries of the Napa River. More specifically, each site has been selected for its alluvium soil profile, which provides an earthy, complex and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is softened by the judicious addition of Merlot, more than the Estate Cabernet, and is aged similarly to the Estate Cabernet, just a few months fewer, and it requires fewer months in barrel before release.

Pomegranate, plum & dried blackberry, with aromas of barrel toast, potpourri & black pepper. Bright fruit & tannin tie together with fresh mint & graphite. Finishing notes of earth, baking spices & toasted almond are complemented by chalky tannins.

This is a wine that can handle bold flavors and is a great match for a juicy steak or event wild pheasant and duck. It also pairs well with dishes such as beef stew, pot roast, or grilled veal or lamb. Consider enhancing your pairings with rich sauces, like a dark mushroom sauce, red wine reductions, or a hearty peppercorn sauce.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Expert Reviews

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger 67Wine.com | The wine opens with beautiful aromas of lavender, clove and sweet pipe tobacco. The flavors are a bold, complex mix of blueberry, cola, chocolate, anise and fig. The texture is thick with a nice grip of tannins up front that mellow to a silky smoothness in the finish.

Expert Rating

91 Points Wine Enthusiast: This full-bodied wine stands out for its potent aroma of blackberry jam and its lush and concentrated yet incredibly fresh dark-berry flavor. It's big and flavorful, ready to drink with your choice of rich proteins.

Winemaker Description 

Matchbook Estate Bottled Petit Verdot showcases the advantage of the Dunnigan Hills appellation's long growing season: the varietal characteristics of deep, rich flavors develop fully when allowed to slowly ripen well into the fall. The long, giving aromas of plum, prune, blueberry and vanilla show up in the mouth-filling flavors. An earthy note of tobacco mixed with flavors of mocha, cream cola and rhubarb adds complexity. The lingering, dusty finish hangs on the palate. Pair this hearty red with aged cheese, lamb shank or roasted pork loin.

The 2022 Rose is a light salmon color with brilliant edges. Aromas of fresh white alpine strawberry, ripe apricot and crisp Canary Melon waft from the glass.

The wine is medium bodied and starts with bright flavors of orchard fruits that weave into a mouthwatering and snappy, saline inflected finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Sea Sun Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry, light toasted wood, dry earth, clove and a hint of s'mores. The flavors echo the cherry on the nose, with raspberry on the finish. Bright and fruit-driven, with lush cherries and a strikingly soft texture.

Winemaker Description

Balanced and elegant with full, bright fruit and complex earth notes that hail from our carefully selected cool Sonoma Coast vineyards.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Vinous Media 93 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a huge overachiever. Bright, punchy and super-expressive, the 2021 offers up boisterous red/purplish fruit. Lavender, rose petal, spice and mint are all dialed up in this heady, explosive Pinot. Readers will have a very hard time finding a Pinot with this much quality for the money. All of the fruit is estate. I am not sure I have ever tasted a California Pinot this good for $40 a bottle.  

James Suckling 92 Points | This is so bright and fruity, with vivid cherry, hibiscus and lime. Medium to full body. Tangy. Bitter orange at the end. Drink or hold. 

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir is made from 100% estate fruit this year. Bottled under screw cap, it takes a minute or two to reveal cranberry sauce, baked rhubarb, red cherries and mint with touches of mushroom and mossy bark. The light-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with concentrated, earthy fruit, and it has a satisfying finish that draws you in for another sip.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 92 Points | A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, Girard's 2021 Artistry Red Wine constitutes a solid value in the realm of Napa Valley. There's an attractive mix of cherries and black cherries on the nose, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate and the tannins are supple, making the wine easy to drink already. There's plenty of fruit character, some loam-like earthy scents and decent length, framed by soft, dusty tannins.

Wine Spectator, 93 Points | Attractive nose with wild berries, currants, mulberries, dried herbs and hints of tar. It’s medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Textural with a rich core of creamy blackberries and some chocolate flakes, too. Focused finish with excellent length.

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 Artistry is a complex and sophisticated wine. The nose reveals aromas of cassis, black cherry swirling with aromas of vanilla, espresso and tobacco. The palate is rich and full-bodied with flavors of ripe, lush black fruits, hints of chocolate and savory spice. Firm and refined tannins framed by well-integrated oak provide structure and balance leading to a lingering finish.

Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This bottling delivers the ripe power that so many want in a package that’s balanced by savory elements. Dense aroma of tar, char, asphalt, cassis and cocoa show on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy, loaded with coffee bean, coconut husk and baked fruit flavors.

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 vintage delivers yet another bewitching blend with trademark Pessimist flair. An intensely aromatic nose begins with fragrances of blueberry, boysenberry and black plum. Deeper layers reveal lavender, truffle, cocoa and tamarind spice with hints of cherry pipe tobacco, leather, mint and smoked meats. A bright, vibrant palate offers generous flavors of black cherry, cranberry, crème de cassis and pomegranate. Notes of lilac, anise and black olive complement the rich fruit while the mouth is flooded with lush, silky textures. Lingering accents of blueberry and raspberry round out this elegantly balanced wine.

Blend: 60% Petite Sirah, 22% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah, 2% Lagrein 

Barrel Aging: 10 months in 50% new French oak

Alcohol: 14.9%

Winemaker Description

This beautifully aromatic wine leaps out of the glass with concentrated notes of red currant, boysenberry, cassis, roasted coffee and dark chocolate, along with savory undertones and notions of sweet oak. On the palate it is rich and mouthcoating, with a seamless texture and supple tannins framing luxurious layers of dark berry fruit, barrel spice and fresh herbs. 

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain offers a slightly darker, earthier profile that carries beautiful black and blue fruits, charcoal, bouquet garni, and some obvious minerality as well as a whiff of espresso. It's rich, full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully done. Drink it over the coming two decades. Based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% each of Merlot and Malbec, and the rest a mix of varieties, it spent 21 months in 80% new French oak.

James Suckling 94 Points | This has a very attractive, fresh array of ripe dark-berry and cherry aromas with notes of purple olives, stones and iodine. There are such fine tannins here with a very fluid, concentrated build of pure, fresh dark berries. Impressive. Drink or hold.

Tasting Panel 94 Points | Exceptionally generous and rich, with velvety texture and concentration. Elegant and layered with fine balance and savory style; complex, sophisticated, and long.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of ripe green and golden apple, accented by fresh white peach and light oak notes. Across the palate, this golden wine is silken in texture with flavors of apple, citrus and pear balanced by refreshing acidity. The long finish is clean, with underlying hints of minerality, vanilla and lemon.

Winemaker Description 

An elevated everyday choice, the 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay arrives right on time by awakening the nose with notes of crisp green apple, and the warm sweetness of honey. First sips bring the strong citrus and unmistakable acid of preserved lemon peel, followed by the comfort of toasted graham cracker crust and a subtle whisper of light oak.

Enjoy on a summer evening alongside a chicken piccata or roasted seasonal squash

Winemaker Description 

With crisp, bright, refreshing citrus and tropical aromas and flavors, our Sauvignon Blanc is a fruit-forward wine that shines alone and alongside food.

A lovely accompaniment to seafood and light chicken dishes, our Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect complement to seared scallops over linguine. The wine’s bright style also pairs nicely with warm-weather dishes such as fresh spring salad with chèvre, and fresh appetizers such as oysters and crab cakes. Enjoy our Sauvignon Blanc slightly chilled. 

Winemaker Description

Vibrancy of fruit is focal point of this wine. Featuring aromas of plum and blackberry with a hint of olive. Flavors of black stone fruit, clove, and dried herbs with solid tannin structure result in a flavor-forward Cabernet Sauvignon with balanced acidity. Producer Description. 

Winemaker Description 

The 20th vintage of Klinker Brick's flagship Zinfandel, where it all started! This wine is made from vineyard blocks up to 120 years old. Delta breezes and the associated fog allow us to retain above average acidity for the region, providing aromas of dark cherry and spices on the nose. Barrel fermentation provides additional structure to a thin skinned varietal. 

The extremely low yields of century old vineyards bring notes of plum and cranberry, with a hint of black pepper. The result is a balanced and complex Zinfandel perfect for both Summer barbecues and Fall fire pits.

Winemaker Description 

District 7 Chardonnay is a focused, elegant wine that strikes the perfect balance between rich and refreshing. Aromas of vanilla, orange blossom, and yellow delicious apple complement the judicious use of oak. Lush and ripe flavors of pineapple, Asian pear, vanilla and citrus finish with a hint of creamy, honeyed oak. 

Winemaker Description 

VINEYARD The Hendry Vineyard is located on bench lands just west of the town of Napa. The vines grow on thin stony soils between 200 and 300 feet above sea level. Morning fog and afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay moderate our climate. We are just a mile or so from the Carneros region of Napa, and enjoy similar marine-layer influence.

This wine is a selection from our three Chardonnay blocks: Block 9 (Old Wente/KD Clone, planted 1974) which has just reached 50 years of age, Block 19 (Dijon 96, planted 1996), and Block 20 (Dijon 95, planted 1996).

VINTAGE In 2023, budbreak in the Chardonnay blocks was March 23rd. Bloom took place between May 30th and June 1st, and veraison on August 7th, setting the pace for a later harvest than usual. Harvest took place from September 11th through the 15th. Average bloom to harvest was 105 days. Yield was 2.46 tons per acre in the old Block 9, and 3.41 tons per acre in 19 and 20.

WINEMAKING At harvest, half of the fruit from these blocks is whole-cluster crushed and fermented entirely in stainless steel at a cold temperature, about 50 degrees. It is protected from oxygen exposure to prevent oxidation. These two measures help to preserve the fresh fruit flavors of Chardonnay grown in our cooler climate. It is not allowed to go through malolactic fermentation and remains in stainless steel for cold-settling until bottling. Screw-cap closure.

This unassuming, unadorned wine highlights the beauty and purity of our Chardonnay fruit. Blocks 9, 19 and 20 are all small-yielding, producing concentrated, flavorful fruit. The variety of clones contributes to the complexity of these wines. 

NOTES Pale straw color. Aromas of green and pink apples, stone fruits. Light-bodied, with pleasing flavors of tangy apple and citrus. Balanced palate. Fresh and vibrant, with green apple and lemony acidity in the surprisingly long finish. Keep it light when pairing with this wine. Try grilled chicken breasts, lemony hummus or guacamole with chips, mozzarella with prosciutto and summer fruit, and other light, bright foods--or just sip all by itself!

Wine Specs
Alcohol: 14.3
Cases Produced: 1,066