Veterans Day: All California Reds and Whites on Sale!

Boen Belle Glos · Santa Maria Valley, California · 2023

Boen Belle Glos is one of California's most celebrated Pinot Noir projects, sourcing fruit from the fog-kissed vineyards of Santa Maria Valley — a cool-climate AVA where the Pacific Ocean's influence stretches deep inland, preserving natural acidity and coaxing wines of remarkable depth and finesse. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a deliberate growing season: cooler spring temperatures slowed budbreak, while consistent warm days and cool coastal nights through summer allowed each cluster to develop exceptional concentration. Harvesting from late September to early October, the winemaking team captured fruit at peak ripeness.

In the glass, this Pinot Noir opens with a vibrant scarlet red shot through with glimmers of garnet. Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and tart cherry intertwine with subtle hints of tobacco and cocoa powder. On the palate, very ripe boysenberry, blueberry, and plum pie unfold in layers alongside rosemary and cocoa — anchored by firm, structured tannins that carry through to a long, mouthwatering finish. Rich, expressive, and built for the table.

"Vibrant colors, rich flavors of cherry and blackberry, excellent acidity, and smooth tannins — a promising vintage from one of Santa Maria Valley's most distinctive estates."
— Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points. (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Boen Belle Glos
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Santa Barbara County
• Sub-Region: Santa Maria Valley AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, boysenberry, tart cherry, tobacco, cocoa powder, rosemary, plum pie, blueberry
• Food Pairings: Duck confit, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, aged cheeses

A standout California Pinot Noir that delivers cool-climate elegance and Santa Maria Valley's signature coastal character in every pour.

Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley 2024 375ml Half Bottle

Rombauer Vineyards is the definitive name in California Chardonnay — the wine that set the standard for the rich, lush, butter-and-vanilla California style that the world has been chasing ever since. Founded by Koerner Rombauer in 1980 in the Napa Valley, Rombauer draws fruit for their flagship Chardonnay from Carneros — the cool, fog-influenced appellation at the southern end of Napa and Sonoma where cold San Pablo Bay air tempers the afternoon heat and allows Chardonnay to ripen slowly and beautifully, developing extraordinary fruit complexity while retaining the bright acidity that holds everything together.

The 2024 Carneros Chardonnay is quintessential Rombauer — ripe peach, melon, and citrus on the nose, a creamy vanilla midpalate, and a signature buttery finish underpinned by bright, refreshing acidity. This 375ml half bottle delivers the full Rombauer experience in a perfectly sized format for two generous pours or a solo indulgence.

"Lush, ripe, and relaxed — a classic with generous poached pear and peach pie flavors, creamy vanilla, and bright acidity tying it all together."

• Producer: Rombauer Vineyards, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
• Appellation: Carneros AVA, Napa Valley
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 375ml Half Bottle
• Style: Rich, full-bodied, buttery California Chardonnay — barrel fermented and aged on lees
• Tasting Notes: Ripe peach, melon, citrus, creamy vanilla, butter, poached pear, peach pie, bright acidity, long finish
• Best Paired With: Lobster, crab, roast chicken, creamy pasta, brie, or enjoyed on its own.

California’s most iconic Chardonnay in a perfect half bottle — Rombauer Carneros 2024 is the wine that defines a style and never fails to delight.

Ramsay Pinot Noir · California · 2023

Ramsay Pinot Noir brings a fruit-forward California style to the table. Its ruby-red color sets up a generous mix of cherry, raspberry and a touch of cassis, with soft oak lending shape to a long, smooth finish.

Medium-bodied and approachable, this is an easy bottle to open when dinner spans a few different plates. Pair it with herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto or a charcuterie board, then let the conversation run.

Winemaker description

The Ramsay Pinot Noir California 2023 is a beautiful ruby red that bursts with cherries, raspberries, and a touch of cassis. Medium-bodied with wonderful depth of flavor, fresh fruit joins with soft oak to create a beautifully long and smooth finish that satisfies from first sip to last.

Winemaker description

Pairing ideas

• Roasted duck, grilled salmon or herb-roasted chicken
• Mushroom risotto, charcuterie or a classic burger
• Brie, Gruyère or mild aged Gouda

At a glance

• Wine: Ramsay Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Region: California, United States
• Size: 750ml

California Pinot Noir with bright fruit and an easygoing finish.

SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF FLOWERS BUBBLY ROSÉ ZERO SUGAR LOW ALCOHOL | 750ML

🇺🇸 United States — Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot | Greenfield, California

Everything is better with bubbles — and even better when they come guilt-free. Sunny Bubbly Rosé delivers a full sparkling experience at just 9% alcohol and zero sugar. A creamy mousse reveals aromas of fresh strawberry, watermelon, and peach on the nose. On the palate, lime peel and rounded strawberry flavors work beautifully with the fine, persistent bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. Low alcohol, low calorie, and positively delicious.

Made for those who want all the pleasure of sparkling rosé without compromise — a crowd-pleasing bottle that works as an aperitif, at brunch, or any time the sun is out.

91 Points — Wine Enthusiast (★ Best Buy)
“A creamy mousse reveals aromas of strawberry and peach on the nose. The mousse also engages the palate, with lime peel and rounded strawberry flavors working well with the creamy texture.”

Pairs well with: Brunch, fruit salads, light appetizers, soft cheeses, and poolside sipping.

Grapes: Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot
Region: Greenfield, California, United States
Style: Sparkling Rosé — Zero Sugar, Low Alcohol (9%)
Format: 750ml
Score: 91 pts Wine Enthusiast | Best Buy

A dry vermouth rooted in 19th-century Italian craft — Trincheri Dry Vermouth is made from the original family recipe dating to the 1890s, built on a base of French Colombard grapes and infused with 13 carefully selected herbs, spices, fruits, and botanicals. The result is a vibrant, complex dry vermouth with a perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness, and aromatic depth that sets it apart from mass-market alternatives.

Bright and aromatic on the nose with floral and herbal lift. On the palate it’s dry and layered — the interplay of Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, and Orris Root delivering a classic vermouth bitterness, while Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, and Juniper Berries add warmth and brightness. Clean, precise, and exceptionally well-suited to a dry martini or Gibson.

Awards

San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge — 91 Points, Gold Medal | Best Vermouth for Martini or Gibson cocktail.

Producer Description

Based on the original family recipe from the 1890s, Trincheri Dry Vermouth is made from French Colombard grapes and infused with 13 herbs, spices, fruits, and botanicals, including Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, Orris Root, Tansy Herb, Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, Juniper Berries, and Yarrow Flower.

• Producer: Trincheri, Italy
• Style: Extra Dry Vermouth
• Base: French Colombard Grapes
• Botanicals: Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, Orris Root, Tansy Herb, Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, Juniper Berries, Yarrow Flower (13 total)
• Format: 750ml
• Serve: Dry Martini, Gibson, or on the rocks with lemon twist
• Tip: Refrigerate after opening and consume within 4–6 weeks

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 97 Points | Outstanding balance and complexity from the beginning that showcases concentrated black fruits and purple flowers with plenty of spices and subtle yet harmonious toast and cedar aromas. Intense graphite and stony minerality, too. Full- to medium-bodied on the mid-palate with delightful acidity that gives this wonderful crunchiness. Fine-grained juicy tannins. Precisely focused wine that is colorful and sound. Beautiful length, too. Already so drinkable now but will age gracefully, especially for Atlas Peak.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 95 Points | Some blue fruit with iron and lavender character. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a bright finish. Linear and tight. Hibiscus at the end. A blend of declassified barrels from the single-vineyard wines. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The ripe ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley saw the small addition of about 10% whole cluster. The nose opens to a just gorgeous perfume of red and blue fruit as well as fresh violets and cherry candies. Very tasty indeed, the palate is inviting and medium-bodied, and it has a supple, silky texture, with a long, fresh, pure finish. This inviting red is going to have a wide drinking window over the next 6-8 years.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a blend of fruit from Arista’s seven vineyard-designate wines. It has pretty aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, licorice and turned earth. The medium-bodied palate offers layered, spicy flavors structured by finely astringent tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Bright and punchy, offering energetic pomegranate, cherry and loganberry fruit infused with sassafras and hibiscus notes, while fresh and slightly high-pitched acidity gives the finish a racy edge. Drink now through 2031.

Winemaker Description 

The core principle of the winemaking philosophy at Arista is to capture and express the true character and potential of each vineyard. They work with a very carefully chosen handful of grand-cru level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, and are uncompromising in their efforts to maximize the full potential of the wines crafted from these special sites.

The 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends several vineyards from across the storied Russian River appellation, which makes it a prime snapshot of our home region as a whole in each vintage. In 2021, conditions for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley were exceptional, leading to deeply colored, intensely aromatic, wonderfully vibrant wines.

This ruby-hued wine shows classic Pinot Noir aromas of black plum, tart cherry, and cola. Across the palate, similar ripe fruit notes are abundant and buttressed by the tangy acidity. The firm tannins, which are a hallmark of the 2021 vintage, round out the long finish on this quintessential Sonoma Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Description 

Established in 1978, Kistler Vineyards stands as a pioneer in the realm of Californian winemaking, guided by the vision of founders Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. Their belief that exceptional wines of site could thrive in California laid the foundation for a four-decade journey marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Kistler’s Pinot Noirs are come from two heritage selections originating from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy. Both clones contribute to the richness and complexity of the wines. The approach in the vineyard emphasizes low yields, small berries, and a delicate touch to let the individual site characteristics shine through.

Aromas of wild cherries, pepper, spice and earthy floral notes in the 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir lead to a rich, medium-bodied palate of red and black fruits with excellent depth of flavor, elegant balance and a deceptively long lasting finish.

• 100% Pinot Noir
• Heritage Kistler Clones
• Redder soils banded with gravel from the Sebastopol soil series along the Gravenstein Ridge
• Hand harvested at night
• 100% destemmed
• Fermented in open top fermenters
• Only free run juice is collected from the tanks, with no pressing
• Aged 10 months in barrel and racked once to tank
• Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that's almost translucent. Aromatically, bing cherry, briar fruit and some raspberry give way to ripe strawberry and associated red fruits. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift.

There’s a soul to this business and that soul isn’t just from the people who make wine, it’s from everyone who loves wines that make them feel something.” Dave Phinney

Winemaker Notes

Embodying the luxurious beauty of great Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this alluring wine draws you in with complex aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and sweet baking spices. Supple, round tannins frame juicy layers of dark berries and chocolate, with sophisticated hints of white pepper and toasty oak on a long, resonant finish.

About the Wine

The Decoy Limited series represents a step up from the standard Decoy line — sourced from a single premium appellation rather than a broader California blend. This bottling showcases Alexander Valley, one of Sonoma County’s most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon regions, known for its warm days, cool nights, and gravelly benchland soils that produce rich, structured reds.

Backed by the Duckhorn Portfolio — one of Napa and Sonoma’s most respected wine families — Decoy Limited delivers serious quality at a fraction of the flagship price.

Tasting & Pairings

Black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, chocolate, baking spices, white pepper, and toasty oak. Supple and round with juicy dark fruit and a long finish.

• Grilled ribeye or NY strip — the supple tannins and dark fruit are built for steak night.
• Braised short ribs — the chocolate and baking spice notes complement slow-cooked, rich meats.
• Aged cheddar or Gouda — the oak and dark berry character pairs beautifully with firm, nutty cheeses.

Chateau Montelena · Chardonnay · Napa Valley · California · 2023 · 750ml

On May 24, 1976, Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay changed the wine world forever. In a blind tasting judged by a who’s-who of French food and wine critics — now known as the Judgment of Paris — it took first place over Burgundy’s most celebrated whites, announcing California as a serious fine wine region to a skeptical world. Nearly fifty years later, the Montelena Chardonnay remains the benchmark: a wine of extraordinary precision, minerality, and longevity that has never chased trends or compromised its identity. Winemaker Matt Crafton has described the 2023 vintage as one of the best in the last decade — a cool, mild growing season that produced wines of exceptional tension, acidity, and aging potential. At $69.99, this is a piece of California wine history in every bottle.

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with a vivid, pure nose of Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, white peach, and oyster shell minerality — linear, precise, and utterly compelling. On the palate: lush pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, and flinty minerals, with bright, racy acidity that gives the wine extraordinary shape and drive. Marcona almond notes add depth and texture through a long, elegant finish. Decanter called it “vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character… crisp, crunchy acidity provides shape and drive.” Winemaker Matt Crafton notes the mouthfeel is “just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected.” Drink now through 2035+, or cellar for a decade to watch it fully unfold. Pair with lobster, roast halibut, Dover sole, or aged Comté.

• Producer: Chateau Montelena · Winemaker Matt Crafton
• Wine: Chardonnay · Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Napa Valley, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Precise, mineral, age-worthy Napa Chardonnay
• Certifications: Sustainable
• Notable: 1976 Judgment of Paris — 1st Place
• Press: Decanter — “Vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character”
• Drinking Window: Now–2035+
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, flinty minerals, Marcona almond, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Lobster · Roast halibut · Dover sole · Aged Comté

The wine that won the Judgment of Paris — Napa Chardonnay at its most precise and enduring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Vinous 92 Points Eric Guido | More savory than sweet and wonderfully complex, the 2019 Brut Rosé North Coast bursts from the glass with toasty notes of fresh baguette and almonds, giving way to crushed apples and gingery spice. This rushes the palate with an elegant bead of silken bubbles. It is creamy yet energetic, and mineral-tinged orchard fruits add further tension. The 2019 leaves the senses wonderfully refreshed through the long, crunchy finale, as white strawberry and spice cookie notes fade. The Brut Rosé is a pleasure bomb, yet it’s wonderfully balanced throughout.  Drinking 2023 to 2027.    

Wine Spectator 92 Points | A delicate, graceful rosé, with refined strawberry, fresh ginger and yeast roll tones that glide on the supple finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now.  

Winemaker's Notes

Kendall-Jackson · Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc · California · 2023

Kendall-Jackson's Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc is built for drinkers who want the crisp, expressive character of California Sauvignon Blanc without the usual alcohol and calorie load. At just 9% ABV, it delivers the quality Kendall-Jackson is known for at under 100 calories per serving.

At 9% alcohol, the Kendall-Jackson Low Calorie Sauvignon Blanc delivers the quality you know and love with less than 100 calories per serving. This crisp white wine showcases notes of citrus, pineapple, and guava.
— Kendall-Jackson

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points — This wine is clean and crisp, with aromas of apple, guava, citrus blossom and dried herbs. The flavors are papaya, kumquat, white grapefruit and chervil, with a savory dry finish.

Specs

• Producer: Kendall-Jackson
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 9% ABV (Low Alcohol)
• Nutrition: 85 calories, 3g carbs, 0g sugar per 5oz serving
• Dietary: Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Keto & Vegan-Friendly
• Size: 750ml

Hirsch · The Bohan-Dillon Pinot Noir · Sonoma Coast 2024

This 2024 Bohan-Dillon is a generous, youthful Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir built for the table. Cherries, ripe strawberries and cassis lead, followed by plum skin, wet stone and a note of redwood forest as the wine opens in the glass. Its juicy, mouthwatering palate makes it an easy companion to roast chicken, salmon or mushroom dishes.

Producer Description

The Bohan-Dillon is an authentic, handmade Pinot Noir that is delicious young and effortlessly food-friendly. The 2024 Bohan-Dillon is a charming, exuberant wine with lots of personality and character. It opens with a bouquet of cherries, ripe strawberries and cassis. With air, notes of plum skin, wet stone and redwood forest emerge. On the palate, it’s juicy and mouthwatering, with an easy, irresistible drinkability. Delicious upon release and effortlessly food-friendly, this wine can be enjoyed young and pair with a wide variety of foods.

Hirsch · Producer Description

Expert Review · 2024 Vintage

Purity and freshness with sliced strawberries, minerals and hints of flint. Some volcanic undertones. There’s an edge this year that gives it energy.

James Suckling · 94 points

About Hirsch

Hirsch describes its vineyard practices as Biodynamic, organic and regenerative. Since 2011, the estate says it has farmed its 72 acres of vines, along with gardens and orchards, using those practices, with work focused on bringing each vine into balance.

At a Glance

• Producer: Hirsch
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California, USA
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

Decoy Featherweight is a refreshing lower-in-calorie* and lower-in-alcohol* Sauvignon Blanc, delivering delicate citrus notes of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, and lime; complemented by lush, tropical fruit flavors and a long, crisp finish. 

With uncompromising quality, Decoy Featherweight is crafted from the current vintage of Decoy Sauvignon Blanc, utilizing the same premium California fruit sourcing. 

*Compared to Decoy Sauvignon Blanc. Serving facts per 5 fl oz.
Production

Serving Facts (per 5 fl. oz serving) – Calories: 80, Protein: <1g, Carbs: 1.3g, Fat: 0g

Winemaker Description 

Experience the dark side of Ménage a Trois with Midnight, a luxurious dark red blend sure to satisfy your deepest desires. Voluptuous black cherry and berry flavors with hints of mocha and exotic spice play across your lips, urging you to turn out the lights and savor the pleasures of the dark.

Winemaker Description

A youthful nose of fresh berries, cherry, and floral aromas, finishing with a soft texture and a hint of sweetness — designed to be vibrant, flavorful, and enjoyed within four years.

This is a fruitier style of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of sweetness, perfect for those who prefer a softer, more approachable red wine.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Rosé

Woodbridge is Robert Mondavi’s everyday California label — built on the same commitment to quality and approachability that defined the Mondavi name. The Rosé is a light, refreshing California blush crafted primarily from Syrah and Tempranillo, cold-fermented to preserve its fresh, vibrant aromatics. Delicate floral aromas lead the way, with crisp, refreshing flavors of strawberry and watermelon, balanced by lively acidity and a clean, dry finish. Serve well chilled. Screw cap for easy opening anytime.

Food Pairings

Light salads, pasta, seafood, soft cheeses, and charcuterie. A versatile everyday rosé for any occasion.

Blend: Primarily Syrah & Tempranillo
Appellation: California
Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
Format: 750ml | Screw cap

Robert Mondavi spent a lifetime making the case that California could produce world-class wine. Woodbridge is his legacy made accessible — a range built on the same principles of quality and consistency, offered at a price that puts a well-made California white within reach of any table.

The Sauvignon Blanc is bright, fruit-forward, and immediately inviting — the kind of wine that works as well on its own as it does alongside food. Sourced from California vineyards selected for the variety’s natural vivacity, it is vinified to preserve freshness and aromatic lift: crisp citrus, tropical fruit, and a clean, refreshing character that makes it one of the most versatile whites on the shelf.

On the nose, citrus blossom and tropical aromas open with energy and clarity. The palate follows with bright lemon, lime, and a touch of white peach, carried by lively acidity to a clean, dry finish. Serve slightly chilled and enjoy without overthinking it.

• Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Origin: California, United States
• Style: Crisp, fruit-forward white
• Format: 750ml

Food Pairings: Seared scallops, grilled fish, oysters, crab cakes, spring salad with chèvre, and light chicken dishes. An ideal warm-weather white.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | Grapes for the 2021 Angeli Zinfandel are picked in three passes. Proprietor Scot Bilbro notes that Zinfandel's naturally varying levels of ripeness can lead to raisiny flavors if all the grapes are picked at a higher brix. "If you bring Zinfandel in over 25 brix, that means the juice inside is at 25, but the skins have a lot more sugar, and the level will go up to 28 or more," he explains. "So, we pick at 23, 24 and just shy of 25. You can enable the wine to show off layers with those different picks." This strategy led to a gorgeous Angeli in 2021 that is incredibly expressive and perfumed. Blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry give way to wafts of graphite, gobs of violet and even touches of tangerine. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with concentrated fruit and expansive layers of floral perfume and spice. It has a powdery frame, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a very long, nuanced finish. 

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The dark purple 2021 Zinfandel Angeli is from the Angeli estate vineyards in the Alexander Valley and was raised for 15 months in neutral barrels. Concentrated and full-bodied, it reveals layered notes of dried apricot, espresso, blackberry compote, and licorice. The palate is brooding and savory, with a fleshy texture, an earthier profile, and notes of dark chocolate through the finish. A more potent and powerful style.

Winemaker Description 

Showing bright and clear scarlet while poured, the wine in the glass becomes edged with a deeper hue reminiscent of plum skin. With swirling layers of ripe cherry, blood peach, and marzipan this pure Zinfandel is immediately bright, inviting, and nuanced on the nose. Hints of violet, black tea, and spice ground the wine with a dark intensity. Velvety across the palate this exuberant wine finishes dry with a textured foremouth focus and a core of acidity cutting a cleansing path through the richness. This Zinfandel is a seductive, stately celebration of the Angeli vineyard which surrounds the winery.

Winemaker Description

The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch is a refreshing, vibrant Chardonnay characterized by its lush, glass-filling aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and exotic fruit. On the palate it offers a graceful balance of energy and richness, with flavors of white melon, apricot, ripe pineapple, flint, honey, and Crème Brûlée. With its pure, Chablis-like acidity this vintage offers effortless structure and elegant balance with a long, delightful finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment.

James Suckling 96 Points | A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today.

Bogle Vineyards · Essential Red · California · 2023 · 750ml

Bogle Vineyards has been farming the Sacramento Valley since 1968, and the Essential Red is the wine that best captures their philosophy: exceptional quality at an honest price. Sourced from estate vineyards spanning Dunnigan Hills, Clarksburg, and Lodi, the 2023 vintage benefited from a long, temperate summer and extended hang time that allowed for slow, even ripening across all varieties. The blend — 44% Petite Sirah, 32% Teroldego, 15% Syrah, and 9% Zinfandel — is aged for twelve months in a combination of American and French oak, adding warmth and structure without sacrificing the wine's natural generosity. Certified by the California Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free. At $9.78, this is one of California's most compelling everyday reds.

Deep, boldly colored ruby in the glass with an expressive nose of bramble berry, ripe plum, boysenberry, and black currant, layered with warm accents of vanilla, mocha, and a hint of tiramisu from the oak aging. On the palate: generous and full-bodied, with an enveloping mouthfeel and a long, composed finish marked by refined, chalky tannins that provide structure while keeping the wine approachable. Pair with barbecue ribs, seared duck breast, rich pasta with truffle oil and parmesan, or anything off the grill.

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards (est. 1968, Sacramento Valley)
• Wine: Essential Red · California
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Dunnigan Hills · Clarksburg · Lodi, California
• Blend: 44% Petite Sirah, 32% Teroldego, 15% Syrah, 9% Zinfandel
• Oak: 12 months · American & French oak
• Style: Full-bodied, approachable California red blend
• Certifications: Sustainable · Vegan-Friendly · Gluten-Free
• Drinking Window: Now–2027
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Bramble berry, ripe plum, boysenberry, black currant, vanilla, mocha, tiramisu, chalky tannins, long finish
• Pair With: BBQ ribs · Seared duck breast · Truffle pasta · Grilled meats

Sustainable farming, Sacramento Valley soul — California's best-kept everyday red.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This ripe and generous wine smells like a cherry pie and tastes like warm raspberries and cherries dusted with cinnamon and ground cloves. It’s a welcoming, almost-sweet Pinot that is comfy in texture and alluring in flavor.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Juicy and elegant, with a savory edge to the mix of gently mulled raspberry and cherry fruit flavors, revealing a sous-bois accent as they move through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 342 cases made.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Pouring a deep youthful red hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve is ripe and expressive on opening, offering loads of black cherries, sweet herbs, forest floor, and cola. Medium-bodied, it retains good levity on the palate while keeping a ripe feel, with ripe tannins and a clean finish.

Winemaker Description 

Ripe cherry and plum aromas open to a complex mix of rhubarb, forest floor, creamy oak and exotic dark floral tones. The fruit flavors continue a smooth, full bodied palate with forest floor, vinous and dark cherry flavors, finishing with supple volume and balance acidity.

Enjoy this wine now with sweet and spicy Moroccan roasted carrots, truffle risotto or cellar for enjoyment over the next few years.

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a classic, deep red color, rich with cherry and blackberry flavors with a hint of oak and a long, silky finish for a perfectly balanced wine.

Winemaker Description 

This affordable Merlot is medium-bodied with a hint of oak and flavors of cherries and plums. It is rich in the mouth and ends in a soft fruit filled finish!

Matchbook The Arsonist · Dunnigan Hills · 2021

From the Giguiere family's Matchbook label in California's Dunnigan Hills, The Arsonist 2021 is a boldly styled red blend led by Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec round out a wine built for a hearty table and a long conversation.

The Wine Enthusiast review on the existing listing describes concentrated dark berries, violet and clove on the nose, followed by boysenberry, black currant and a dry, grippy finish. Pair it with braised lamb, barbecue brisket or a pepper-crusted ribeye.

Expert review · 2021 vintage

The Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points — This wine is concentrated, with aromas of blueberry, olallieberry, clove, violet and notes of dried vanilla bean on the nose. The flavors on the palate are boysenberry, black currant confiture, paprika and orange cream, with dry, grippy tannins to finish.

At a glance

• Producer: Matchbook
• Wine: The Arsonist Red Blend
• Vintage: 2021
• Region: Dunnigan Hills, California, United States
• Blend listed on the existing page: 52% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec
• Size: 750ml

A dark-fruited California red blend with enough grip for the grill.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Hahn Estate S.L.H. Chardonnay — Santa Lucia Highlands 2021

Hahn Estate’s S.L.H. Chardonnay is one of California’s most compelling cool-climate expressions of the variety — and the 2021 vintage delivers with exceptional clarity and energy. Sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, one of Monterey County’s most celebrated appellations, the vineyards sit at elevations between 1,200 and 2,200 feet, where cool Pacific winds and dramatic diurnal temperature swings preserve natural acidity and build genuine complexity. The result is a Chardonnay of viscous texture, welcoming acidity, and layered fruit — earning 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and representing outstanding value at this price.

The nose is inviting and aromatic: lemon peel, lychee, wet rock, citrus, stone fruit, and hints of banana and vanilla. On the palate, it lands with clean, brisk energy — lime peel, rounded ripe melon, stone fruits, apple, and a touch of spice — with a viscous mouthfeel and a finish that is fresh, focused, and satisfying.

Wine Enthusiast 90 — “Lemon peel, lychee and wet-rock aromas converge on the nose. The palate lands with clean, brisk energy, offering flavors of lime peel with rounded, ripe melon.”

• Producer: Hahn Estate, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, USA
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Elevation: 1,200–2,200 feet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, lychee, wet rock, stone fruit, banana, vanilla, lime, ripe melon, apple, spice
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster bisque, creamy pasta, soft-ripened cheeses

Cool-climate precision at a warm-hearted price — Hahn’s S.L.H. Chardonnay is the Santa Lucia Highlands at its most approachable.

Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma Coast, California 2024

Sonoma-Cutrer is one of California's most celebrated Chardonnay producers — a winery built on precision viticulture, estate fruit, and a commitment to site expression that has earned it a devoted following for decades. The 2024 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is crafted from carefully selected estate vineyard blocks — including the renowned Cutrer and Vine Hill sites — fermented and aged in French oak to build texture and draw out notes of stone fruit, vanilla, and subtle barrel spice. The result is a full-bodied, elegant white that overdelivers at its price point and works equally well at a weeknight table or a formal dinner.

The nose is rich and inviting: ripe pear, golden delicious apple, apple blossom, and honeydew, with warm accents of pineapple and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is lush and medium-to-full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a smooth, lingering finish defined by gentle barrel spice. It is approachable, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Chardonnay that disappears fast.

"Our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay enchants with aromas of stone fruit and apple blossom, complemented by honeydew, pineapple and subtle oak spice. On the palate, it offers a lush blend of ripe pear and golden delicious apple, balanced by bright acidity and a soft mid palate. The finish is distinguished by gentle barrel spice, adding a layer of sophistication." — Winemaker's Notes

• Producer: Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Aging: French oak aging for stone fruit, vanilla & barrel spice complexity
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, golden apple, apple blossom, honeydew, pineapple, vanilla, gentle barrel spice, bright finish
• Best Paired With: Dungeness crab, grilled salmon with lemon-butter, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, soft cheeses

California's benchmark estate Chardonnay at an honest price — Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast is the standard for what site-driven, French oak-aged California Chardonnay can deliver.

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.