2017 Wine

jamessuckling.com, 100 points: What a stunning nose of crushed berries, fresh flowers, sandalwood and light vineyard dust. Black olives, too. Very complex. Full-bodied with a beautiful, dense palate of blackberries, chocolate, walnuts and cigar box...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: One of the great values out there, the 2017 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers thrilling notes of white flowers, white peach, currants, and toasted bread. This ripe, sexy wine is unquestionably at the same level as the...

Vinous, 94 points: Deep, shimmering red. Mineral-accented black raspberry, cherry cola and floral aromas are complemented by a spicy nuance and a hint of succulent herbs. Nicely concentrated yet energetic as well, offering densely packed...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: Made of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Belair Monange is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. With a little swirling, this baby comes bounding out of the glass with energetic notes of wild blueberries...

jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: Moving to the reds, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 5% Malbec that spent 20 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-colored with notes of blackcurrants...

jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is really sensational as always with dried-apricot, dried-pineapple and honey character with salted nuts and hints of white syrup. It’s very sweet, yet energetic and intense. It goes on for so long. And then again...

jamessuckling.com, 96 points: A bright and fruity red with a level of tightness and precision that suggests greatness. Medium to full body. Intense tannins give focus to the center palate. Super length and beauty. Celebrates its 25th anniversary. 80%...

Vinous, 95 points: The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is such a gorgeous wine. In 2017, the Frog's Leap Cabernet has a bit more depth and richness, as it often does in warmer years. Cedar, tobacco, mint and sweet red cherry are all pushed forward...

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: 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...

jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Aromas and flavors of blackberries and blueberries with licorice and black-pepper. Medium to full body. Chewy, yet refined and balance. Another two or three years of bottle age would bring it more together. Try after 2021...

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: One of the larger production single vineyards as well as the only one to go out to distribution, the 2017 Chardonnay 3D comes from a more easterly site that was planted in 2007. It's a richer Chardonnay and offers an...

Wine Spectator, 98 points: This is well-packed, offering the vivid plum, boysenberry, cassis and açaí berry fruit profile of the vintage, along with a dark edge of tar, baker’s chocolate and salted licorice that courses underneath. The long finish...

Vinous, 95 points: Fontalloro is exquisite in 2017. It is also such a contrast to the Rancia, as the two wines could not possibly be more different. Fontalloro is bright and vibrant, with more sweet red Sangiovese character than the darker...

jebdunnuck.com, 99 points: Reminding me of the 2009 La Chapelle (which is a personal favorite), the brilliant 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle knocks it out of the park with its massive, opulent personality. Notes of smoked black fruits, scorched earth...