(97-99 points) The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon continues to show brilliantly. (I rated it 97-100 from barrel last year.) It has a quintessential Cabernet nose of pure crème de cassis, crushed stone, lead pencil, graphite, and...

This is a layered yet expertly restrained and mineral-driven Chardonnay. Aromas of white flower petals, grapefruit pith and the slightest hint of toast are wrapped in ashy and chalky elements on the nose. The palate is...

Lovely floral aromas of lavender and rose petal with ripe yet fresh strawberries. Crushed stone. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and bright acidity. Subtle mineral and salt notes with gorgeous fruits. But always...

Lovely aromas of cherry pie and damp mint make for a fresh and complex nose on this estate bottling, one of the more affordable ones in the Melville lineup. The palate is firm in texture and blasted with acidity, showing...

A blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Optimus has a deep ruby color and a deep core of red and black cherries, chargrill, thyme, charcuterie and desiccated violet. The full-bodied...

Broad but precise in texture, this exudes green and yellow fruits interspersed with salted caramel and fennel. Justin Willett of Tyler Winery partnered with a group of mentors for the Racines label: Étienne de Montille...

The 2020 Côte a Côte is a beautiful blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre and one of the most successful wines I tasted from the challenging 2020 vintage. Deep ruby-purple, it offers pure aromas of...

Dark cherry and juicy strawberry aromas fit well into the Melville lineup, but this bottling is more brooding, with dark bay leaf and peppercorn depth. Zippy in acidity, the palate is loaded with patchouli and incense...

The 2019 Mourvèdre was blended with 20% Syrah and matured for 17 months in 80% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and pretty scents of blackberries, tar, blood orange and tobacco. The full-bodied palate is...

The 2019 Ingenuity is a supple, fragrant blend of 71% Petite Sirah, 14% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache and 3% Syrah. It takes plenty of time to unwind its aromas of candied blueberries and blackberry jam, plus touches of violet...

My favorite of the Pinot Noir releases, the 2021 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard comes from a terrific vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Mostly destemmed (10% whole clusters) and aged 11 months in 55% new...

The 2021 Pinot Noir (Central Coast) is a fabulous introduction to this range. Bright, floral and punchy, the 2021 delivers tons of flavor complexity in its mid-weight frame. Dried herbs, flowers, mint, spice and herbs are...

The 2021 Chardonnay (Central Coast) is a very pretty entry-level offering. Lemon peel, white flowers and light tropical accents all grace this mid-weight, understated Chardonnay from Calera. The 2021 is pure class, not to...

This is a very powerful Monte Bello with currants and blackberry, black licorice and smoked meat. Mint. Some sesame seed, too. It's full-bodied with incredible darkness and saltiness like volcanic salt. Umami. Grilled...

The 2019 Veracity shows nicely, with ample red, blue, and black fruits as well as ground pepper, candied orange, and violet aromas. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated on the palate, this blend of 44% Mourvèdre, 43%...

(95+ points) The 2020 Pinot Noir Anna's Block is also brilliant, with crunchy black cherry and mulberry fruit as well as notes of iron, loamy earth, and darker herbs. This is a broader, more powerful, medium-bodied Pinot...

The 2019 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender and spice open in a mysterious, sensual Pinot loaded with class. Vineyards site are Domaine de la Côte, La...

Dusty rose and earth tones introduce the 2019 Syrah York Mountain, further evolving to show white pepper, kalamata olive and blackberry aromas. This is cool-toned and racy in style, savory as well, with depths of...

Showcasing the Pisoni signature of huge, bold fruit, this wine has ripe and savory flavors of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, persimmon. The wine tastes of oak, too, in the form of vanilla and smoky butter. It's a...

Matured for 15 months in 52% new oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills has a very pretty expression this vintage. The nose features detailed scents of blueberries, strawberries, Earl Grey tea leaves and forest floor...

Pale ruby-purple, pure raspberry and pomegranate define the 2020 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict, with touches of charcuterie, cracked pepper, mushroom and forest floor emerging as it spends time in the glass. The palate is...

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...

The 2021 Chardonnay La Hermana is striking. Bright, focused and wonderfully nuanced, the Hermana captures all the personality of Santa Maria, namely that mix of vibrant acids and tropically-leaning flavors. There is an...

(96-98 points) The 2022 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard ratchets up the intensity and has a saturated purple hue as well as a killer nose of ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, ground pepper, and crushed stone-like...

The 2021 White Blend, a blend of Albariño, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris, has intense aromas of peach, lemongrass, fresh citrus, honey and flint, opening to new aromatic nuances with each return to the glass. The...

(93-95 points) Always a good value, the 2018 Todos checks in as a kitchen sink blend of 45% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 9% Petite Sirah, and the rest Merlot and other miscellaneous varieties. Its...

(94+ points) The 2019 Chardonnay Estate comes from own-rooted vines planted in 1973. It was barrel fermented and matured for 12 months in oak and six months in stainless. It's scented of golden apples, dried hay and...

The 2021 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard saw a touch more stems and was fermented with 35% whole clusters, with the aging spanning 11 months in 45% new French oak. It needs air to show at its best and gives up beautiful red...