La Carrière is consistently the most mineral and Burgundian of the Peter Michael Chardonnays...
William Kelley
Peter Michael Winery, Ma Belle-Fille Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2009
The 2009 Ma Belle-Fille is larger-scaled than La Carrière, but boasts similar tension and freshness...
Peter Michael Winery, Le Caprice Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2013
The Peter Michael wines are probably the most exciting Pinot Noirs being made in the Fort Ross-Seaview, benefitting from impeccably chosen vine material (from a famous vineyard in Vosne-Romanée) and…
Peter Michael Winery, Au Paradis Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013
The finest rendition yet of Au Paradis, the 2013 opens in the glass with notes of red and black cherry, violets, menthol, liquorice and a framing of rich new oak...
Peter Michael Winery, Les Pavots Estate Blend, Sonoma County 2007
Notes of black cherry, cassis, mocha, black truffle and subtle top-notes of grilled meats and espresso...
William Kelley’s top American fine wines of 2016
2016 has been a year filled with great wines and thrilling tastings...
Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, USA 2011
An appealing bouquet of cassis, graphite, rich soil and subtle tar...
Schrader Cellars, Beckstoffer Original To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley, USA 2001
This wine has more than a little historical significance, as it was the first to bear the name 'To Kalon'
Mayacamas Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 1975
Older Napa Cabernets can be spectacular—if you pick the right ones...
Andrew Will, Two Blondes Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington State, USA 2012
Napa tends to garner all the attention where US Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends are concerned...
Robert Mondavi Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley, USA 1973
A stunning bouquet of rose petal, fragrant red-black fruit...
Rivers Marie, Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir Old Vine, Sonoma Coast, USA 2014
This is a wine which really rewards some years in the cellar...
Sandhi, Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills, USA 2014
On the palate the wine is concentrated, intense and deep...
Kalin Cellars, Chardonnay Cuvée LV, Sonoma County, USA 1995
Reminiscent of an old-style white Burgundy...
Heitz Cellar, Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 1975
I have nothing but admiration for Heitz Cellar...
Williams Selyem, Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, USA 1988
The 1988 Summa Vineyard is cruising along beautifully...
American Rhône by Patrick J. Comiskey: Book review
Read William Kelley's review of American Rhône by Patrick J. Comiskey - 'an important addition to North American wine literature'...
California’s new garage sparkling – and the winemaker behind it
William Kelley visits a garage off Highway 101...
Burgundy 2016 harvest report: Who survived nature’s wrath
Scarcity is the word, says William Kelley...
Oak barrels: What they do to wine
What does it do to your wine...?
Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2013
Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, rich earth, spice and liquorice are followed by a palate of striking persistence and structural amplitude...
Harlan Estate, Oakville, Napa Valley 2013
Alluring aromas of juicy mulberry, black raspberry, graphite, dried herbs and rich cigar tobacco introduce a large-scaled wine framed by an ample and refined tannic chassis...
Spottswoode, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena, Napa Valley 2013
Nuances of clove, tar and graphite marry with aromas of crunchy dark fruit, introducing a firmly structured and intensely concentrated wine that displays striking cut and energy...
Cain, Five, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley 2013
A fragrant but savoury bouquet of perfumed blackberry, rich earth, fennel seed and cigar tobacco leads to a wine with lovely cut, vibrancy and concentration, structured around firm but refined…
Corison, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013
Beautifully perfumed aromas of rose petal, violets, blackberry, dark chocolate and incipient cigar tobacco burst from the glass in a striking array, the prelude to a wine that’s structured around…
Opus One, Oakville, Napa Valley 2013
Red and black fruits, graphite, incense and incipient cedar meld together in a youthfully reserved bouquet that should blossom in bottle...
Cruse Wine Co, Sparkling Valdiguié Pétillant Naturel, Rancho Chimiles Vineyard, Napa Valley 2015
Light-pink in colour, the Valdiguié pét-nat leads with a bouquet of candied red fruits...
Cruse Wine Co., Sparkling St. Laurent Petillant Naturel, Ricci Vineyard, Carneros 2015
A deeper pink hue and more savoury aromas of wild berries...
Ultramarine, Blanc de Blancs, Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 2011
Notes of lemon curd, brioche and oyster shell...
California vineyards for sale
August has already witnessed a slew of significant vineyard purchases in California wine country...