California Wine Reviews

Lodi, Uvaggio Primitivo, California 2012

This Primitivo has a light nose of cherry, dried fruit and spice. There is a soft texture to the palate and a cranberry-laced acidity...

Peter Michael Winery, La Carrière Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2009

La Carrière is consistently the most mineral and Burgundian of the Peter Michael Chardonnays...

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 attentive viticulture...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Under the Wire, ‘Alder Springs Vineyard’, Sparkling Chardonnay 2012

This bottle of single vineyard bubbles feels a bit riper than Champagne might...

Massican, ‘Annia’, Napa Valley 2015

An expressive blend of Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Chardonnay...

Tatomer ‘Paragon’ Grüner Veltliner Edna Valley 2015

Graham Tatomer seems to have mastered the art of making Austrian varieties...

Ceritas, ‘Marena’, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2014

Pour this wine blind for a roomful of wine experts...

Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2014

Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr make their Pinots taste effortlessly elegant...

Robert Sinskey POV Carneros 2012

Robert Sinskey’s biodynamically-farmed reds show a refreshing...

Arnot-Roberts ‘Clary Ranch’ Syrah Sonoma Coast 2014

Winemaking duo Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Roberts sourced the grapes...

Long Meadow Ranch, EJ Church, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, California, USA 2012

Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California, USA 2011

Hobo Wine Co, Folk Machine Parts & Labour, California 2015

A forward-thinking winery in Sonoma, using grapes from interesting vineyard sites with old vines...

Mount Eden Vineyards, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2013

A very classy Chardonnay made in a Burgundian style, with notes of ripe apple and white peach and very fine use of oak...

Hess, Collection Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2015

Hess use massal selection in the Su’skol vineyard to encourage aromatic complexity from the nine different Chardonnay clones...

Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Napa Valley 2013

Beautiful kirsch and cassis nose with cocoa and damp, earthy undertones. Incredible vibrancy with beautiful fine grained tannins. Layers of cocoa, graphite, baked earth and superbly concentrated dark fruits on the palate...

Hanzell, Sebella Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2014

Somewhat restrained on the nose, as a consequence of some bottle shock. However, the palate is rich and broad, giving a weighty style that’s balanced by sufficient acidity to keep it from being overbearing...

Ridge, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2008

There’s real intensity on the nose, which delivers spicy blackberry and vanilla aromas. Palate is suave, creamy with good underlying acidity...