United States Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The  Wine Advocate 94 Points | Saline and graphite give way to baked apples, acacia and yogurty aromas on the 2020 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard. Medium-bodied with a gentle phenolic grip, it offers bursts of refreshing acidity, mineral-driven flavors and a long, elegant finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Brought up in 25% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard sports a light gold hue as well as a great nose of ripe green apple, honeyed flowers, and toasted bread. It's medium-bodied, bright, and vibrant on the palate, with a chiseled, focused style that's going to age gracefully.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Crisp, sleek and polished, with fresh and crisp notes of orange blossoms, lemon bar, candied ginger and lime sherbet. A toasted, salted hazelnut accent emerges on the finish. Drink now. 389 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of citrus, toasted hazelnut and white flowers. Very expressive, displaying lemon confit and wet rocks while a touch of hazelnut adds charm. A full palate balanced by crisp acidity, bright, detailed and nuanced, this wine has a lot going on aromatically, while the minerally stone fruits on the palate are racy with a long finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Decanter 94 Points | Winemaker Mike Grgich turned 100 on April 1, 2023. That's no April Fool's joke. It would be almost unthinkable that even in a challenging vintage, after innumerable challenging vintages, that Miljenko Grgich, the immigrant from Croatia who crafted the Chardonnay that took top honors at the 1976 Paris Tasting, would not bottle a wine in 2020. It's a good thing he did. Grgich's 2020 Napa Cabernet is a bright, energetic, savory-styled Napa classic. Its effusive black fruits and spearmint aromas give way to a medium to full-bodied red with a dusty tannin backbone framed by almost electric acidity. This impressive, tightly-knit, lovely structured Cabernet will prove a standout of the vintage.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sweet red and purple berries, dried hibiscus, moss and thyme. Full-bodied with firm tannins. The aromas continue onto the palate, with the sweet fruit as the star of the show.

Winemaker Description 

This elegant, graceful wine opens with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, sweet blackcurrant and ripe black cherry, supported by hints of vanilla and sandalwood. The flavors on the palate are of fresh, red and black berry fruit accompanied by hints of rosemary and violets. The richness of the fruit is balanced with a bright acidity and soft, smooth tannins leading to a long and vibrant finish.

Pair with Gorgonzola gnocchi, beef bourguignon, seared steak and ratatouille.

Winemaker Description 

Cloudline Pinot Noir carries the familiar ruby red color of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, but with a darker shading at its core. On the nose, the fresh aromatics convey the vibrancy of the vintage, and on the palate, there are deep cherry and berry notes ahead of the pleasing finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Wine & Spirits Magazine 94 Points | This profound and powerful Chardonnay exhibits a rich, complex intensity that can only be found in unfiltered wines. The grapes are predominantly grown in the Carneros region where bay breezes and morning fog combine to create the cooler climate ideal for growing Chardonnay rich with concentrated flavors.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Newton's 2021 Chardonnay Unfiltered is light gold-hued and offers a great nose of sauteed stone fruits, honeyed white flowers, and spicy oak. Textured and medium-bodied, with bright acidity and terrific balance, it's made in a richer style but still stays wonderfully pure and balanced.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Subtle oak spices mingle with lots of golden apple, yellow peach and pineapple flavors in this lightly oaked, medium-bodied wine that was barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | A Napa classic, Newton's 2021 Chardonnay Unfiltered continues a long tradition of excellence, delivering scents of toasted grain, caramelized pineapple and ripe melon. It's medium to full-bodied, starting off generous and round, then tightening up and turning citrusy on the finish.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Strikes an appealing balance between rich, spicy notes and a fresh thread of acidity and a juicy core of apple, pear and peach flavors and fresh-grated ginger. Reveals lingering hints of almond croissant, nutmeg and marmalade. Drink now. 5,600 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

This profound and powerful Chardonnay exhibits a rich, complex intensity that can only be found in unfiltered wines. The grapes are predominantly grown in the Carneros region where bay breezes and morning fog combine to create the cooler climate ideal for growing Chardonnay rich with concentrated flavors.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2020 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (20% new French oak) has a touch of chamomile in its perfumed aromatics of golden apple, honeyed toast, spice, and subtle green almonds. Complex and nuanced aromatically, it's medium-bodied on the palate, has high yet nicely integrated acidity, terrific balance, and outstanding length.

91 Wine Spectator | Displays wonderful density, offering nectarine and lemon sorbet notes at the core, with a touch of salted, roasted almond. This white shows a hint of crunchy sea salt, with lemon verbena and lemon blossom aromatics. Firming acidity adds a refreshing punctuation point. Drink now. 331 cases made

Producer Description 

This Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay is bright, beautifully layered, and nuanced. Meyer lemon, candle wax, and cut straw all grace this very savory Chardonnay. Orange marmalade, stone fruits, and chamomile work seamlessly with the rich textures on the palate. This wine is natural with richer dishes and even light game.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 94 Points | This gorgeous wine is fragrant with cinnamon, rose petal and cedar aromas, then rich in black cherries, plums and flowers with a medium body and moderate tannins. A firm texture and balancing acidity lead to good length in the finish.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Refined and precise, this red serves up handsome flavors of raspberry and cherry accented by savory tea and mineral tones while building tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Estates has alluring scents of pomegranate, rhubarb, blood orange, tobacco and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is finely chalky with fireworks of fresh acidity. Its deep core of spicy fruit is immediately approachable, and a flourish of floral perfume defines the long finish.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 | From two blocks next to the winery, with three different clones planted in 1995, the ripe red-hued 2021 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais is lush with notes of wild raspberry, wild herbs, and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it is approachable up front but has great underlying structure. It’s drinking well now but has lots of life ahead over the next 8-10 years if stored properly.

Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.

James Suckling 94 | A fresh and pretty pinot with fresh raspberries, orange zest, pomegranates, rose petals and nutmeg on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, with sleek, fine tannins and crunchy acidity. Lots of energy on a vibrant finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now or hold.

Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Dynamic yet elegantly layered, with a beam of fresh acidity that drives vibrant cranberry and cherry flavors. Reveals crushed stone and dusky spice accents, finishing with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Producer Description 

Winemaker Description 

Our family winery has hand-crafted fine wines for four generations. We harvest grapes at their peak of ripeness from our 1,850 acres and prime California vineyards creating wines to be enjoyed every day – whatever the occasion. Our Chardonnay is a delightfully crisp wine with aromas of lemon and citrus.

• Flavors of apple and pear mingle with a hint of oak in this medium-bodied wine that is smooth and refreshing

Winemaker Notes

Aromatically the wine is perfumed with apricots, lemon, golden apples, and honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine is nutty with hints of lemon zest, orange blossoms, and a touch of honeycomb.

Critic Notes

94 Points Wine Spectator | Fragrant, focused and precise, offering flavors of lemongrass and lemon blossoms, with Meyer lemon and green papaya accents, plus a touch of tangerine. Shows green tea, lemon balm and white pepper notes on a mouthwatering frame, with a hint of salinity that lingers.

94 Points Vinous | The 2021 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is another dense, ample wine in this range. The Woolsey Road has a good deal of phenolic intensity. There's real breadth and resonance here. Lemon confit, white pepper and dried herbs are nicely amplified.

93 Points James Suckling | Richness and concentration are the hallmarks of this full-bodied, mouth-filling wine. Deep in Bosc pears, baked apples and baking spices, it offers a creamy texture balanced by moderate acidity.

Winemaker Description 

This wine features bright and sunny fruit aromas with flavors of baked apple and pear. Hints of melon and citrus peel with toasted sweet oak, butterscotch, and baking spice complement a rich, round mouthfeel and a creamy, long finish.

Producer Description 

The unique traits of Wiemer’s Magdalena Vineyard are featured in this lush Riesling. A beneficial air exchange with Seneca Lake moderates the temperatures, creating a warmer and more protective site in the colder months and a cooling effect throughout the summer. The airflow keeps the vineyard dry, and deep soil provides room for spreading root growth. The lime silt loam soil that the site is celebrated for is crucial to the development of flavor intensity in the grapes. Magdalena wines are striking and powerful, and develop very well over time– whether in the glass or in the cellar.

Critic Notes 

The Wine Enthusiast by Christina Pickard writes 95 Points | Still a spring chicken, this top Riesling—if drunk now—needs a few good swirls in the glass before releasing delicate orange citrus, jasmine and honeysuckle aromas from the clutch of more reductive ones. There's richness and intensity on the dry, slippery palate, cut with citrusy acidity and a chalk dust minerality to the ultralong finish. This is a wine of complexity and class that should cellar until 2032 or longer.

Producer Description 

Bursting forth with red berry fruit in abundance briar before leading into a slightly chewy and structured herbal quality. Before you've finished you'll be treated to fennel, roasted sage and a touch of earth. Tannins are there, but so well integrated you hardly notice...

70% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah & Carignane. The now mature "Bambino" vines were planted in 2000 and represent Bucklin's "young vine" Zinfandel. Fermented with indigenous yeast without any nutrient additions. Aged in neutral French oak for approximately 10 months.

Producer Description 

This bright, lively wine showcases an abundance of berry flavors and aromas. Red raspberry, wild blackberry, and a touch of cranberry are balanced with spicy notes of anise and cinnamon. This medium-bodied Zinfandel lingers for a long, smooth finish.

Pair with barbecue, blue cheese and cheeseburgers.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Jammy and generous but not blowsy, this Zin is loaded with blackberry and cherry flavors that are accented with hints of pepper and licorice.

Producer Description 

Livingston Cellars Rhine is a pleasantly sweet California Rhine that balances a crisp mouthfeel with bright fruit flavors. Livingston Cellars offers affordable award-winning wines that consistently exceed expectations.

Producer Description 

This new red wine blend is produced from Suisun Valley, a remarkable AVA that has become the Wagner family's second home. A 30-minute drive from Napa, Suisun has ideal soils and climate for a variety of grapes. The Walking Fool is named after a long-ago relative who was often seen traveling by foot - thus earning this affectionate moniker. Featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this wine is smooth and lively, with juicy raspberry, notes of espresso and softly fine tannins.

James Suckling 94 Points: Blackcurrants, spiced cedar and dark spices with bark undertones. Full-bodied with very fine, velvety tannins. Textured and compact with a firm, lingering finish. Tight at the end. Needs time to open.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points: This powerful, densely packed wine bursts with aromas of late-picked blackberries, blueberries and cassis that give way to bold black fruit and dark-chocolate flavors accented by cloves, black pepper and cedar. The tannins are full and firm, needing several years to mellow for best enjoyment.

The Wine Advocate 93 Points: There should be around 30,000 cases of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted as a final blend, taken from tank, it reveals plenty of cherries, plus a backdrop of darker, riper fruit flavors, like cassis and blueberry. There's the requisite cedar and vanilla, from aging in oak, but it's balanced. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied, silky-velvety smooth and easy to drink, plush without being creamy or overdone, with a long, mint-accented finish.

Wine Spectator 93 Points: A freshly plowed humus note pokes out first, with further coaxing in the glass revealing dense black currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors. On the back end, bittersweet cocoa and espresso crema notes give this a dark, slightly rugged persona, but should smooth out with some brief cellaring. For fans of the toasty style. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points: Coming mostly from the estate (70 acres), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot. Bottled in March of this year, it has a deep ruby/purple hue to go with a pure, ripe, seamless, medium to full-bodied profile as well as ample cassis and darker raspberry-like fruits, classic tobacco, and spicy, chocolaty oak. 

Producer Description 

Located in the cool Russian River Valley, the DCV Block 10 vineyard tends to ripen slowly, providing grapes that are deliciously balanced.  This balanced Chardonnay carries aromas of peach, green apple and lime with notes of candied ginger, allspice, cream soda and a touch of minerality.

The palate is full of intense, rich flavors of Asian pear, mango and Meyer lemon, with striking nuances of ruby grapefruit, honeydew melon and vanilla bean. 

Traces of spice from its brief barrel aging contribute to its harmonious and bright mouthfeel. Excellent immediate drinkability, although the wine does have potential to age well for 1–3 years." 

Producer Description 

Our Napa Valley Merlot opens with lively bright red fruits and a soft, lush texture. Delicate floral aromas combine with ripe blackberry, milk chocolate, wet stone and barrel spice. The finish is bright and spreads out on the palate to reveal mineral notes that support the silky tannin structure.

Deep ruby in color, the 2019 Napa Valley Merlot features a tempting nose with hints of violet, ripe cherry and warm baking spices. The palate is supple in texture with luxurious layers of brambly red fruits, cocoa, and dusty tannins. This classic Napa Valley Merlot finishes long and vibrant with lingering notes of graphite.

Producer Description 

Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, lime zest, white flowers, white peach, lemon grass, and orange peel. On the palate are aromas of pineapple, guava, tropical fruit, Asian pear, candied lemon, and green melon. The wine has a bright acidity and wonderful texture on the mid-palate.

 While the core of this wine is Sauvignon Blanc, the Musqué, Sémillon, and Viognier add a lot of floral notes and viscosity to this vintage. We captured these wonderful floral notes by fermenting each variety separately in concrete eggs, stainless steel drums, and tanks.

The French oak barrels, in which 10% of the wine aged in, were very lightly toasted to preserve the delicate fruity aromas and provide a creamy texture to the mid-palate of the wine.

Producer Description 

Our Merlot is medium-bodied with deep blackberry aromas and a soft, satisfying finish. Enjoy its smooth flavors with Grilled Pork Chops with Apples or Rosemary-Braised Lamb Shanks.

Producer 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.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 92 Points | Attractive crunchy character with spiced pears, lemon pith, white tea, lemongrass and orange peel. It is full-bodied with creamy texture, vivid acidity and juicy crunchiness. It is both rich and fresh with a polished, mineral finish. From organically grown grapes. (v.2021).

Wine & Spirits 92 Points | Zesty reduction gives the meatier aspects of this wine a run for their money. This is generous, dynamic and cool, needing some bottle age to shed the reductive scallion notes and reveal more of its underlying complexities.(v.2021).

Producer Description 

Layers of fresh raspberry and plum with hints of candied violets and earth. Vivid red notes carry throughout with tart cherry and hibiscus, with an undercurrent of sassafras and vanilla. Bright acidity on the palate, with velvety, yet structured tannins on the finish.

Producer Description 

A blend of five of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites, this Chardonnay captures the fantastic character of the 2021 vintage. Fusing fresh lemon and white floral aromas with a throughline of minerality, this versatile Chardonnay is simultaneously easygoing and complex.  

Peak Drinking Window: 2023 – 2029. 

98 Points, James Suckling
​94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 
90 Points, Wine Spectator

Expert Review

James Suckling 98 Points | Extremely focused and energetic nose of sliced limes and Meyer lemons with lemongrass. Some stone and hints of flint. Full-bodied with superb density and structure and phenolics that you can feel. It goes on for minutes. Slightly chewy at the end. From Wente clones planted in 1974. (v.2021). 

Producer Description 

The 2020 Petite Sirah has lovely floral aromatic intensity showcasing notes of fresh violet, candied floral blossom and black raspberry. On the palate, these notes are echoed, with layers of creamy blueberry, ripe Bing cherry, raspberry gelato, and black cherry liquor.

There is a richness and opulence to this wine, with intriguing power and intensity while the tannins come across fresh and chewy adding structure, finesse, and complexity. Secondary notes of roasted coffee bean, dark chocolate, and cocoa-nibs harken to the well-integrated subtle oak character that leads to a lengthy mouthwatering finish.

This is a perfect example of classic Petite Sirah from Napa Valley, certain to age and provide enjoyment for many years to come.

Expert Review

James Suckling 94 Points | A very fine-tannined red with blackberry, chocolate, dried chili, ink pot, and oyster shell aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very structured, with a flavorful and lightly austere finish. Top petite sirah. Drink or hold. (v.2020).

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Oak char and black pepper aromas lead to drenching blackberry and blueberry flavors in this rich and intensely tannic wine. The color is black to a reddish rim, the texture is thick and a bit drying, and the body is full. This wine needs time and/or a good decanting to loosen up. Best from 2027.(v:2020). 

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Aged entirely in American oak (19% new), the 2020 Petite Sirah pairs an interesting mix of garrigue-like notions with mocha and cigar box, plus notes of blueberries, licorice and dark chocolate. It's full-bodied and a bit chewy on the palate but ripe, juicy and long.

Producer Description 

All Manischewitz Wines are made and bottled under the strict Rabbinical supervision of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. All of our fine products carry the mark of quality that signifies adherence to Orthodox Union guidelines.

This sweet and fruity wine is bursting with the essence of freshly harvested dark Blackberries. The crisp acidity balances the sweetness and up front fruit aromas. Fermentation at 65 degrees in stainless steel tanks allows the wine to maintain the refreshing aroma and spiciness of fresh Blackberries. The natural fruitiness of fresh Blackberries allow this wine to be served chilled as an aperitif. The wine goes wonderfully with roasted meats with fruit sauces or paired with berry based desserts.

This affordably hedonistic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with delicious flavor. Dark fruits fill the bouquet with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, violets, ripe plums and creme de cassis. Full bodied in the mouth, smooth and velvety in texture with unfolding layers of toasty oak, espresso roast, licorice and dark chocolate. Silky tannins add structure with a  lovely touch of vanilla on the long finish. Drinking perfectly.

Bart Hopkins