The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru is a darker, more smoky, backward effort. Currants, scorched earth, roasted herbs, tobacco, and chocolate notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced 2017 that has present...

Moving to the two Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Cleary Ranch The Settler from the Cleary Ranch Vineyard was all destemmed and brought up in 38% new French oak. It has a rocking nose of spiced cherries, raspberries...

A cuvée made for winemaker Brennen Leighton's wife and a field blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 5% Syrah, the 2017 Gratitude ranks with the finest Mourvèdres to come from the state. Awesome notes of black...

Cabernet Franc (42%) is in the lead on this wine, with Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Petit Verdot (17%) and Merlot following. Brooding aromas of black currant, anise, dried and fresh herb, scorched earth and boysenberry lead...

(97+ points) Coming all from Yountville and 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2017 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard ranks with the top wines of the vintage and...

The Merlot-dominated 2017 Merlot Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard (there's 4% Cabernet Franc in the blend) is also straight-up brilliant, showing tons of ripe black cherry, chocolate, coffee bean, and truffly herb...

Dazzling spicy aromas and vibrant black-fruit flavors converge beautifully in this bold but balanced wine. Scents of wood smoke, toasted oak, cardamom and black pepper meet black cherry, aged beef and blueberry on the...

The 2017 Tapteil is 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, and as with all these releases from Ben Smith, there's not much to go around, with just 350 cases produced. Ripe black and blue fruits...

I loved the nose of the 2017 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley. It just screams Pinot Noir with its spiced cherry, raspberry, white pepper, and sappy herb aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, fresh, and lively...

Vivid ruby-red. Spice- and mineral-accented red berry, cherry and floral pastille scents show sharp definition and pick up suggestions of licorice and exotic spices with air. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering...

95+ Another great vintage for this cuvée, which was first released in 2015, the 2017 Parvata is based on 43% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Counoise and Cinsault. It’s a powerful, backward effort (not...

Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyards was aged 15 months in 25% new oak. The nose features red licorice, cardamom, tree bark and bitters over a core of red and black cherries and raspberries. The...

Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some...

98+ The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is another Bordeaux look-alike (Latour?) with its density, structure, and regal style. It offers blackcurrant, graphite, crushed rock, and lead pencil shaving aromas and flavors...

Tightly wound in strong, powerful tannin, this vineyard-designate shows coastal intensity and savory elements of earth, black tea and forest floor. The fruit is subtle in cranberry and rhubarb, with a wisp of orange peel...

Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some...

A very beautiful, succulent red, showing lavender, sage, conifer and rosemary with black and blue fruit. Full-bodied with firm, lightly chewy tannins and a sturdy, very elegant finish. 80% cabernet franc, 17% merlot and...

This wine is starting to show some age, but that's only making it more interesting, with soy, dried meat, mulberry and pepper aromas on the nose. Tertiary flavors of dried meat, soy and seaweed show on the briny palate as...

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier from a site in Knights Valley, is rich, deep and unctuous, with all of the character that makes wines from this site so exciting. Graphite, inky blue/purplish fruit, spice and...

The medium ruby colored 2017 Pinot Noir Nobles Vineyard was aged 15 months in 25% new oak. The nose has lovely scents of cinnamon stick, tree bark and an appealing smoky reduction, with a core of licorice-laced ripe black...

I’ve always loved the Two Acres cuvée from Officer, and his 2017 Two Acres doesn’t disappoint, although I think it’s a small step back from the 2016. Mostly Mourvèdre from deep loam and clay soils, it offers tons of...