The 2018 Zinfandel Winberrie Knolls was sourced from 100+-year-old vines coming from two vineyards farmed by Don and Jenny Hartford's neighbors. It was aged in French oak, 33% new, for 10 months. Medium garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with rambunctious notes of raspberry pie, blackberry preserves and blueberry compote followed by nuances of Chinese five spice, black pepper and clove oil with a waft of plum sauce. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with spicy black fruit preserves plus a chewy texture and lively backbone, finishing long and exotic.

The 2018 Zinfandel Dina's Vineyard was aged in French oak, 56% new, for 10 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully fragrant nose of red roses, spice box, tilled earth and truffles with a core of prunes, blackberry preserves and kirsch, plus a waft of licorice. Full-bodied, concentrated and wonderfully structured, it has a firm, grainy backbone and long, layered and refreshing finish.

Napa Valley’s 2018sYou don’t see many Chardonnays from Howell Mountain, but don’t let that stop you, the 2018 Chardonnay W.S. Keyes Vineyard is terrific and well worth seeking out. Revealing a medium/lighter gold hue as well as an exotic nose of orange blossom, melon, honeysuckle, and white flowers, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a textured, rounded mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This rich, textured Chardonnay stays nicely balanced and is certainly a joy to drink. It picks up a touch of hazelnut on the finish with time in the glass and should drink nicely for 4-5 years.

This well-integrated, complex and structured wine from the mountain appellation is substantial in red fruit, toasted oak and powerful concentration. Cassis, black cherry and sage perk up a broadly rich, lively palate of bright, lasting acidity and savory dried herb and earthiness. This will do well in the cellar; enjoy best from 2027–2032.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesMade from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with notes of black cherry compote, kirsch and black currant jelly plus hints of menthol, dark chocolate, cinnamon stick and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of taut, muscular fruit with a firm, finely grained texture and bold freshness, finishing with great length and impressive vibrancy.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Warrior Princess was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. Medium ruby-purple colored, it springs from the glass with bold expressions of red currant jelly, pomegranate, rhubarb and wild thyme followed by hints of lavender, underbrush and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tight-knit and intense, featuring loads of mineral and earth layers with a firm, grainy frame and long, energetic finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 28% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, it gives up the most gorgeous perfume of red roses, Ceylon tea, cinnamon stick and garrigue with a core of kirsch, black raspberries and pomegranate plus a touch of Provence herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate is super intense with a seriously lively backbone and gorgeous plush texture, finishing long and layered.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Chardonnay Sevens Bench Vineyard was 100% barrel fermented in French oak barrels, 18% new, and aged for 15 months. It rolls out of the glass with seductive, spicy notes of allspice and coriander seed over a core of apple pie, ripe peaches and lemon butter with a waft of almonds. Medium-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with loads of chalky sparks and a lively backbone, finishing on a lemon zest note.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2019 Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard was 100% barrel fermented in French oak barrels, 31% new, and aged for 9.5 months. It strides confidently out of the glass with bold, ripe pear and peach notes, plus wafts of pineapple, wet clay, honey toast and fennel seed and a touch of nutmeg. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing with a slight phenolic grip to the texture and a long, steely finish.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyards was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 74% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose features compelling notions of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and boysenberries with suggestions of black olives, fragrant earth and fallen leaves plus a waft of Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, taut, muscular and packed with black fruit layers, it has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins, delivering a long, refreshing finish.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 Malbec opens with a rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petals, lavender and spice. Rich, pliant and super-expressive, the 2018 is a winner in this range from Mt. Brave. All the elements come together beautifully in this sumptuous, structured Malbec. I would cellar the 2018 for at least a few years. It's a gorgeous wine.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 Cabernet Franc is fabulous. Like all of these wines, the La Jota Franc is a wine from Howell Mountain first and foremost. Black cherry, gravel, spice, leather, licorice and intense mineral notes infuse the Franc with so much energy and character. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. This is another super distinctive, ample wine from La Jota. The oak is a bit prominent at this stage, but it dissipates with time as more red-toned Franc nuances emerge.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 W.S. Keyes Chardonnay is so distinctive. Bright, translucent and full of energy, the 2018 sizzles with tension. Blocking the malolactic fermentation brings out a range of citrus and mineral flavors. Lemon oil, crushed rocks, mint and sage open up in the glass, but it is the wine's textural feel and mountain character that impress most. Don't miss it.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) is another impressive wine in this range. Broad, ample and richly textured, the 2017 is fabulous. Dark red cherry, mocha, licorice, chocolate, spice and a bit of new oak all build as this sumptuous, medium to full-bodied wine opens in the glass. There's real presence and character. A dollop of Petit Verdot from Red Barn rounds out the blend.

Refined and structured, this red is enveloped in supple, multilayered cherry and raspberry flavors that pull in orange blossom and spiced tea accents, unfolding toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2028.

Opens with a silky texture and then finds an intense beam of loamy acidity and savory tannins that are framed by spirited cherry and basil blossom accents and build richness and tension on the finish. Drink now through 2029.

The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Knights Valley) is bright and assertive. Citrus peel, sage, tomato leaf, white pepper and crushed rocks all race out of the glass. This is an especially steely, grassy wine that is best enjoyed at the dinner table. I especially admire its translucent and saline-infused energy. This is a reference-point wine that shows why Knights Valley is such a magical place for growing grapes and making wine.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith is a dense, powerful wine. Beams of tannin wrap around a core of rich fruit. Inky, deep and layered in the glass, the 2017 offers tremendous richness allied to the structure that is such a signature of these wines.

That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022.

There are not many noses in this line-up of 54 wines that I find more appealing: rich (but not unctuous) fruit, touches of earth, hints of vanilla. The palate did not disappoint. Great fruit, acidity, and verve. Yeah, I can do this all day long and twice on Sunday. Outstanding.

Napa Valley Cabernet: Best Mount Veeder 2018 winesThe winemaking precision of Chris Carpenter as his team is apparent across all their projects regardless of price point, making the Mt. Brave Howell Mountain particularly impressive as a relative value proposition. Soft but ripe red fruits and briar on the nose. Rich, energetic and attractively dry on the finish. Punches above its weight across all metrics of power, complexity, length, and intrigue. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec.

Napa Valley Cabernet: Best Howell Mountain 2018 winesLa Jota’s Howell Mountain bottling is a distinctively pure and floral. The nose is loaded with ripe blue fruit and fresh purple flowers centered around a dense core of power. As structured as it is, there is a fantastic refinement to the tannin structure and softness to the acidity. A great example of a modern mountain-sourced Napa Cabernet-based blend. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot.

A dark heart of black fruit centers this complex and well-balanced wine. Enticing, spicy clove, cedar and earth aromas lead to a supersmooth but well-structured palate that reveals black-cherry, rhubarb and black-tea nuances. It’s distinctive and should age well in the mid-term. Best from 2023.

If you're looking for a quality pinot noir to drink right now then look no further. This is all about fragrance, juiciness, fruit and flow, a myriad of spice-riddled flavours running wild and free through the palate. It puts a smile on your face; it's joyous. It has tang, smoke, spice and autumn leaf notes thrown through a core of red and black cherry. It's not heavy or profound but it delivers.

Elegant and distinctive, offering fresh raspberry, sage and white pepper notes that are precise, supple and juicy, with a thread of fresh loam and forest floor, supported by polished tannins. A touch of matcha green tea lingers on the finish.