The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley lifts from the glass with a pretty blend of wildflowers, candied lime, chamomile and white peach. Seductively round, it offers a contrasting mix of ripe orchard fruit and salty mineral tones that pepper the senses. Lemony concentration puckers the cheeks and leaves the mouth watering for more.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2023 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands soars from the glass with bold notes of pomegranate, juicy strawberries, and raspberry leaves, leading to hints of rose bud tea, dried mint, and powdered cinnamon. The medium to full-bodied palate is silky and seamless with bags of juicy red berry flavors and a perfumed finish.

Aromas of baked cherry, raspberry compote, lemon peel and rose petal dominate the nose of this charming Pinot. The lavishly textured palate brings flavors of Bing cherry, cocoa powder, baking spices and anise. Layers of raspberry-lime acidity and purple flowers echo across the finish. —T.R.C.

This robust but focused wine comes from one of Sonoma County’s highest vineyards and was aged in stainless steel, amphorae and large-format oak. It displays aromas of tart pineapple, lemon peel, thyme and ginger on the nose. The palate brings nervy acidity and flavors of fresh lime zest, white flowers and chalk that vibrate across a lengthy finish. —T.R.C.

Vibrant aromas of juicy pear, apple, lemon peel, cinnamon and honeysuckle burst from the glass on the nose of this wine. The palate delivers flavors of roasted apple, marzipan, pineapple and citrus, with waves of salty lemon peel and toasty oak along the finish. —T.R.C.

The nose of this wine explodes with aromas of roasted cherry, dark chocolate, cinnamon and leather. The palate displays flavors of blackberry, plum skin, purple flowers and spice. Give this a few years in the cellar and enjoy with a coffeecrusted ribeye. —T.R.C.

Winemaker Kristy Melton notes that all estate fruit is now certified organic and
regenerative, and she has continued to refine the winemaking approach. Beginning with the
previous vintage, Melton shortened the oak aging period for the Napa-tier Cabernet
Sauvignon from 24–30 months to 18–20 months. Starting with the 2022 vintage, all singlevineyard wines will also be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2022 Cabernet reflects the
ripe, juicy dark-fruit profile of the warm vintage, with layers of blue fruit compote and
kirsch. On the palate, it’s plush and satiny, with impressive depth of fruit, plump, finegrained tannins, and a long fig-laced finish. Approachable now, but structured enough to
evolve beautifully over the next decade. Aged 20 months in 47% new French oak.

Winemaker Kristy Melton discovered a Chardonnay block in eastern Napa Valley, planted to Clone 4 in 1978. Known for producing large clusters that retain high natural acidity, Melton notes that this clone develops more nuanced, elegant flavors as the vines age. This site contributes approximately 50% of the vintage, with additional fruit sourced from Huichica Creek in the Carneros AVA. Fermentation is conducted primarily in barrel, and the wine is aged for nine months in 44% new French oak. Aromatically generous, it opens with sweet baking spice, toasty oak, and rich citrus fruit layered with honeyed white flowers. On the palate, the wine surprises with more tension than expected, balancing plush, silky fruit with notes of candied ginger and lifted florals that carry through to an enduring, spicy, and fragrant finish. It’s a natural with roast chicken and mashed potatoes

Precise and well-knit, this offers appealing raspberry and pomegranate flavors laced with dusky spices and black tea, ending with refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. -T.F.

This handsome red is structured and focused, with appealing cherry and red plum flavors that gather green tea and dusky spice tones as this moves toward medium-grained tannins. Drin now through 2032. -T.F.

A sleek red, exhibiting black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, earth and eucalyptus flavors. Driven by vivid acidity before ending with beefy tannins and a vegetal note. A bit rangy, these needs time still to absorb its tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027- 2038. – B.S.

Generous and plush-textured, with flavors of purple plums, crushed blueberries, flowers and cocoa powder. It’s elegant and energetic, with a very subtle touch of savoriness in the finish. Full of charm. Drink now or hold, but there’s really no need to wait.

The 2024 Matanzas Creek Chenin Blanc offers bright pear and starfruit on the nose alongside cashew nut accents. The palate is fresh and vicious with bright acidity. Drink 2025-2030

The really good ‘Kelli Ann Vineyard’ Chardonnay delivers nice freshness and verve on the mouth, with a round mouthfeel. Juicy melon and brioche notes fill the palate alongside salty soils. Drink 2025-2031

 The really good 2022 La Crema ‘Kelli Ann Vineyard’ Chardonnay offers brioche and baking spices on the one with marzipan and shades of Meyer lemon cream. Round and rich on the mouth, with good depth and flavor density, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031

The 2022 La Crema ‘Sealift Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this site near the Pacific in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Tart red fruits mingle well with red rose petals and Satsuma orange zest on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture. Drink 2025-2031

Another outstanding release, the 2021 Copain ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay shows off ripe pear and salted apple flavors that mingle well with stony soils and orange zest. Offering good freshness considering the heat of the vintage. Enjoy now. Drink 2025–2032.

The 2022 ‘Sealift Vineyard’ offers a generous and delicious mélange of tart red fruits alongside orange peel, menthol, and salted rocks on the palate. Delicious now; enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2025–2031.

The 2024 Copain ‘Daybreak’ White Wine is a delicious, mineral-laden, and neatly textured bottling that begs for a hot summer day. Mango and papaya notes mingle well with salted lime and copious minerals on the palate. Really well done. Drink 2025–2031

Chenin is exceptional as a variety that can retain acidity in warm climates. This first release from Matanzas Creek shows not only promise but secured success, with restrained but notable floral aromas followed by flavors recalling pear and white melon with a squeeze of fresh lime.

The 2023 Pinot Noir West Sonoma Coast pours a bright medium red hue and comes from the Seascape and Sealift vineyards. Lifted in the glass with ripe cranberries, fresh salty earth, orange zest, and fresh wildflowers, the palate is juicy and inviting, with a medium-bodied frame. It has a bit more of a linear feel without feeling austere and has a lovely, savory, spiced feel on the finish. Drink 2025-2032.

The 2021 Merlot Bennett Valley comes from the cooler subregion of the Bennett Valley and boasts a deep purple/red hue. The nose is ripe and pretty and has a lovely mineral lift, with notes of dark stones, black plum, pressed violets, and mocha. The palate is full and refreshing, with a well-managed, elegant feel, refreshing ripe acidity, chalky tannins, and a clean finish. It’s a beautiful wine that has the structure to drink well over the next 6-8 years, although I enjoy the youthful definition it offers now.

Pouring an inky black/purple color, the 2022 Malbec Knights Valley includes the small addition of 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s ripe and feels more fruity and primary on opening, with notes of blueberry and blackberry compote, violets, and sweet earth. The palate is fullbodied and rich, with ripe tannins and a fruity, grippy structure. It would be fantastic with burgers or BBQ and has a youthful charm, although it will become more earth-noted as it develops.

The second vintage of this wine, he 2022 Marsanne Roussane Saralee's is a bright yellow hue and includes 25% Viognier in the mix this time. Fermented in neutral puncheons, it opens to notes of golden citrus, beeswax, golden melon, almond, and honeycomb. It’s full-bodied and offers a creamy, fresh feel with a silky, even finish. It’s a texturally lovely wine that stays opulent but never feels blousy. Drink 2025-2032. The original plantings of this site go back to 1989.