Beringer 2022 Chardonnay Private Reserve Napa Valley California

James Suckling 96 Rating

Golden apple, yellow plums, and a touch of banana peel followed by chamomile tea leaves, hawthorn, browned toast and seductive sweet baking spices. Medium- to full-bodied and creamy textured with soft acidity that beautifully balances out the wine. Very precisely framed with underlying herb and mineral layers. Aged for 11 months in 60% new French oak. Predominantly from the vineyards in Oakville.

Ramey 2018 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard Russian River Valley

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Rating

From another gem of a vineyard in the Russian River, the 2018 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard offers loads of honeyed lemon fruits as well as medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity, some subtle toasty, nutty, creamy nuances, and one heck of a great finish. This is another serious, age-worthy beauty from Ramey that will keep for 10-12+ years.

Domaine de Ferrand 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Southern Rhone Valley France

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating

The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as 90% Grenache and the rest 3% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Bourboulenc, with a splash of Cinsault, brought up all in tank. It has a deep, layered, powerful yet elegant style as well as notes of black raspberries, crushed violets, blueberries, ground pepper, and earth. With a rounded, sexy texture, no hard edges, fine tannins, and a beautiful finish, it’s a fabulous wine in the vintage.

Epoch Estate Wines 2016 Authenticity Red Paso Robles California

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating

The 2016 Authenticity checks in as 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre that spent 19 months in 70% new French oak. It’s always the most powerful, opulent wine in the lineup, and the 2016 is no exception, revealing a deep purple/blue color as well as a heavenly bouquet of black and blue fruits, crushed violets, graphite, liquid rocks, and chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a building sense of meatiness, ample tannins, and a huge finish, it’s another magical wine from this estate that needs to be tasted to be believed.

Herman Story Wines 2020 First Time Caller Paso Robles California

Antonio Galloni 94 Rating

Inky black-purple in the glass, the wine is totally opaque, thickly coating the glass. All about massive opulence and pleasure-giving fruit, this bodacious 15.9% ABV Petite Sirah is dark as night in the glass. Layered and substantially more complex than it initially seems, there is real structural definition underneath the hedonism. A line of energy and a framework of fine tannins supports the array of blackberry, black cherry, coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper and smoke notes. Pair with spicy ribs or grilled ribeye, by itself or even a cigar. A seriously cool wine of great impact!

Robert Craig 2019 Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley California

Vinous 92 Rating

Pliant, racy and super-expressive. A burst of red cherry fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol and licorice give this boisterous blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec tons of appeal. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. This red blend from vineyards in Coombsville is terrific.

Altamura 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley California

The Wine Independent 96 Rating

The 2018 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly unfurls to reveal intense scents of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves, and dried lavender, plus suggestions of crushed rocks and black olives. Full-bodied, the palate delivers vibrant, lively black fruit and mineral layers, supported by velvety tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Really different.