The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Highland Estates Trace Ridge is made from 100% estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in French oak. From an elevation between 500 and 1,000 feet, this wine exhibits notes of wet rocks, scorched earth and a Bordeaux Graves-like character. Medium-bodied with plenty of red and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of mulberries, licorice and forest floor, this complex, fully mature Knight's Valley offering should drink well for another 7-8 years.

Grown at the Jackson family's Alexander Mountain estate, this wine leads with tannin and ends with more savory tannin. In between, there's plenty of wild cherry and fresh black currant flavor to cut through the dense blackness. A sophisticated, foresty cabernet with the structure to evolve for a decade, this could be made accessible sooner by pairing it with a grilled T-bone.

A huge red, this big, black cabernet is full and complete all the way through. It tastes like a rich man's wine, solidly built, significant in structure and chocolate-warm.

Lightly fruity, exhibiting simple berry notes and firm tannins.

Delicious, almost sweet fruit flavors are wrapped in firm, velvety tannins for a seriously enjoyable experience. There’s a feeling of polish in the texture, and careful balance between full body, good tannin structure and lively acidity.

From mountain vineyards, with a touch of Petite Sirah, Grenache and Caringnane, this tastes like an old-fashioned field blend. It has that wild explosion of berries and stone fruits, but the winemaking was very fine, resulting in fine tannins and a soft, dry mouthfeel.

The 2012 Viognier Jackson Estate Alisos Hills is 100% Viognier aged in neutral American oak on its lees for ten months. Shockingly good, it boasts a terrific nose of spring flowers, wild berry fruit, lychee and apricots. This dry, rich, full-bodied Viognier may lack some minerality, but it compensates with extravagant fruitiness. Enjoy it over the next year or so.

Soft, sumptuous and velvety with lovely fruit and complex, round flavors.

The 2012 White Meritage Grand Reserve (60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc) also comes from estate vineyards in Mendocino and Lake County. Nearly 60% of this wine was barrel-fermented, but no new oak was employed. Lovely notes of white peach, apricot, candle wax, honeysuckle and citrus oil, but not a hint of oak are found in this luscious white. It would be perfect with grilled salmon.

Offers a floral bouquet, with rich, spicy apple, pear, fig and melon flavors, turning elegant and refined, finishing with touches of hazelnut and toasty oak.

Bright pear, peach, pineapple, ginger snap and floral notes grace a fresh, fragrant nose. The palate's exotic tropical fruit, ginger and lychee nut flavors mingle beautifully in a medium-full, though perhaps slightly sweet, package. Elegant and appealingly fresh.

A beautiful orchestration of rip fruit and oak, with touches of cream, toasty oak wrapped around layers of lemon- and nectarine-scented pear and apple. Long, lingering aftertaste.

The Great Estates offerings are impressive...A sensational effort, the 1999 Great Estates Chardonnay Sonoma Coast...This singular Chardonnay exhibits a big, smoky, leesy perfume of orange marmalade, honeysuckle, lemon rind, and ripe pineapples. Dense, rich, and full-bodied, this terrific white...All of these Chardonnays are excellent values considering their high quality.

Remarkably complex, with rich tropical fruit flavors framed by pretty toast, vanilla and smoky oak notes. The core flavors of peach, fig and nectarine are bright and complex, gaining nuance on the finish.

Brimming with complex flavors, this wine comes from one of the best vineyards in Central Coast region of California.

"Elegant and flavorful, ripe and creamy, with juicy pear, apple, melon and fig notes that fan out on the finish where a nice touch of spicy oak adds dimension." (Also appeared 5/15/97).

"Ripe, rich and complex, with tiers of spice, toast, honey and nectarine accented by hints of peach and pineapple. An up-front and openly fruity style that is appealing now." (Also appeared 2/28/97).

Lush and creamy, long and dense.

Lemon drops, butterscotch, earth, spice. Zippy acids keep fruit lively. Slightly creamy thanks to an abundance of integrated oak. Richly textured and well made.

Exploring The Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond The 2017 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) is one of the more expressive wines in this range. All of the nuance and pedigree of Santa Maria comes through in an open-knit, beautifully layered Chardonnay. Lemon peel, apricot, almond and dried flowers are all woven together in a wine of finesse.

The 2017s From Sonoma Lots of stone fruits, orange blossom, white flowers, and some exotic notes emerge from the 2017 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Fulton Ranch, which comes from the old Château de Beaune vineyard in the Russian River Valley. It’s medium-bodied, with good purity and outstanding length. It’s rock solid. This cuvée was aged 9 months in 29% new French oak.

Exploring The Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond The 2017 Chardonnay Camelot Highlands offers a bit more density and structure than the Santa Maria Chardonnay, and yet retains a good bit of freshness as well. Apricot, chamomile, vanilla, hazelnut, dried flowers and tangerine all develop in a juicy, layered and laid-back Chardonnay. The Camelot has a remarkable sense of textural depth that builds as the wine sits in the glass.

The 2016 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Santa Maria Valley opens with compelling apricot, pink grapefruit and guava notes with hints of ginger, lemon peel and brioche. Medium-bodied, the palate features juicy tropical and stone fruit flavors with just enough toastiness, finishing with a zesty lift.

The 2016 Chardonnay Grand Reserve is sourced entirely from estate vineyards in Santa Barbara and Monterey. Pliant and supple, with terrific depth, the Grand Reserve is another wine that punches above its weight. Apricot, orange peel, mint, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all add nuance.

USA, California, Northern California: Napa & Some Sonoma New Releases Aged 11 months in 78% new French oak, the 2016 Jackson Estate Arroyo Seco Chardonnay delivers musk melons, guava and lychee scents with a floral undercurrent and loads of allspice and honey sparks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tropical and spicy fruit with loads of freshness and a long, pleasantly oily finish.