South Africa: The 2016 & 2017 Vintages and the Future of South African Wines – Part 1 The 2015 Chardonnay begins with a structured nose of Meyer lemon and a soft mintiness to the aromatics, with subtle oak edges, underripe golden apples and corn kernels with mild brown baking spices. The palate shows pomaceous fruit and expresses flavors of subtly spiced pears sprayed with lemon juice. Medium-bodied, the Chardonnay ends with a balanced, lingering finish that reminds me of Margret River Chardonnay, with a touch of saltiness on the back end. 1,000 cases made.

The nose has a nice combination of black plum, boysenberry, muddled and mulberry-spiced blueberry and violet, though it has a slightly alcoholic kick at the very end that I imagine will fade with time. Its medium bodied with slightly thin acid and diffuse, fine-grained tannin. The structure has everything it needs to be complete but isn’t actually cohesive or substantive. Similar to the nose, The fruit flavors are blue, though the blueberry far out plays the boysenberry here. Mocha swirls around the fruit, as does pencil shavings and purple florals. There are attractive elements to this, but it’s hard to get past what feels like a missed opportunity to build a more substantive structure.

Weekend Wine Picks The fruit comes off three dominant Pinot Noir growing regions in Santa Barbara County. Santa Maria Valley, one of California’s coolest AVAs, brings the aromatics. Los Alamos, a slightly warmer site, brings the riper, darker fruit flavours. South of Santa Maria Valley and Los Alamos, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and its steep slopes add stony minerality and some austerity. Look for fresh, brambly red fruit aromas that spill onto the palate with more dense, vibrant black cherry fruit flavours. All the blocks are harvested separately to allow for a wide choice of tastes and styles — a distinctive style that has turkey written all over it.

Lively floral components accent the finely textured flavors of red currant and dried red cherry, matched to firm acidity. Lithe and minerally on the finish. Drink now through 2024.

An intense saline note accents the freshly cut apple and citrus flavors, giving this plenty of verve. Stony hints show on the fresh finish. Drink now through 2024.

Fresh and vibrant, with lively cherry, mineral and spice flavors that finish on a snappy note. Drink now through 2024.

Refined and well-built, with expressive blueberry, licorice and smoky meat accents that lead to fine-grained tannins on the finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.

A fresh and focused style, with a beam of red currant and cherry notes, laced with subtle savory and vanilla details. A light tug of earth at the end keeps this honest.

Dark plum and mulberry flavors dominate this ripe, brambly style. Notes of chocolate nibs and loam show midpalate, with a finish that features tea and mocha accents.

Hints of dried rose petal accent the concentrated roasted plum and dried cherry flavors. Tea and cola notes extend on the rich, savory finish. Drink now through 2023.

A dense, black mouthful of black currant, cassis and chocolate with a smooth, persistent finish. A solid example of the varietal and very true to type.

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 Medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Unforgettable, aged in 43% new French oak, opens to aromas of old leather, roasted cranberries, toasted coconut, rhubarb and pomegranate with notes of black cherries, saddle leather and roasted blackberries—this has discernible Brettanomyces character. It's medium-bodied and silky with earthy red and black fruits, juicy freshness and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long. Fans of a more rustic style will enjoy this. 287 cases produced.

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 The 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast comes about 48% from the Russian River Valley. It was mostly barrel fermented and aged about eight months in 18% new oak. It surprises with its freshness and restraint. The nose is scented of toast, candle smoke, white peach and poached pears with accents of hay and honeysuckle. It's medium-bodied with a slightly creamy texture and great flavor intensity, refreshed by juicy acidity and finishing long and toasty. This is an incredible value—well made, balanced and tasty. 530,000 cases produced.

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 Aged nine months in 18% new oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Vintner’s Reserve has a pale to medium ruby color and opens with dried cranberries, cinnamon toast, bright red cherries, autumn leaves and potpourri with notes of citrus peel and sweet spice. It's light to medium-bodied with good intensity, a soft frame and juicy freshness to enliven the finish. Great Value. 117,765 cases produced.onoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve is a blend of 92.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, aged 12 months in 65% French and 35% American oak (14% new overall). Deep ruby-purple, it opens with cassis, grilled black plum, blueberries, vanilla bean and pie spices with red fruit sparks. Medium to full-bodied, it offers great flavor intensity, a grainy frame and juicy acidity to lift the long finish. This is approachable right out of the gate and great value. 163,442 cases produced.

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition comes 76% from Alexander Valley and 24% from Lake County, made in stainless steel with lees stirring. It offers gregarious scents of tarragon, chive and mown grass with kiwi, gooseberry, white peaches, flint and lychee notes. The palate is light-bodied and lively with pure fruits, bright acidity and a long, refreshing finish. 7,500 cases produced.

USA, California, Sonoma: 2017 Vintage – Part 2 Pale cherry-pink in color, the 2018 Rosé of Sangiovese opens with raspberry leaves, tarragon, white pepper, spiced pears, red berries and crushed stone. The palate is light-bodied, clean and flavorful with a refreshing finish. 325 cases produced.

From several vineyard sites and combining all five red Bordeaux varieties, this wine is fermented in stainless steel before it rests over two years in both French and American oak. Powerful, it retains an elegance amid a tannic, grippy entry of toasted oak and black cherry, and a rich textured finish accented in cinnamon and chocolate.

Tangled in its tannins when first opened, this wine requires a day of air to take shape. The acidity hits the tannins with the spark of crushed stone, while flavors of tart plum and peach skin fill out the hard edges. Blended from 20 vineyards and five varieties (it’s 75 percent cabernet sauvignon, with merlot, franc, petit verdot and malbec), this needs bottle age to soften.

Tangled in its tannins when first opened, this wine requires a day of air to take shape. The acidity hits the tannins with the spark of crushed stone, while flavors of tart plum and peach skin fill out the hard edges. Blended from 20 vineyards and five varieties (it's 75 percent cabernet sauvignon, with merlot, franc, petit verdot and malbec), this needs bottle age to soften.

A no nonsense Napa cabernet with chocolate, berry and plum character. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Fun to drink.

Smooth and spicy with plum, cassis and racy acidity; toasty, nicely structured and long.

Napa Valley: 2007 Retrospective - Napa's Turning-Point Vintage Medium to deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyards has a maturing crème de cassis, dried mulberries and baked blackberries nose with hints of sandalwood, leather and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, it gives a good amount of slowly evolving, juicy black fruit flavors with a chewy frame and lively finish.

My favorite red wine is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard which is planted in clay and loam soils in Rutherford. It exhibits loamy, earthy soil notes intermixed with toasty oak, black currant, black cherry, Christmas fruitcake and spice box. Medium-bodied with plenty of tannin, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and should last for 15+ years. Freemark Abbey continues to be a work in progress as proprietor Jess Jackson moves aggressively to get this estate back to its glory days of the late sixties and early to mid-seventies.

Napa Valley: 2007 Retrospective - Napa's Turning-Point Vintage Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard has some medicinal and fried herbs wafts over a core of baked black plums and stewed cherries plus hints of tobacco and new leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate provides oodles of freshness and a pleasantly chewy frame supporting the straightforward black fruits, finishing earthy.