Neville Blech
Cathy Corison produces a small amount of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a variety of top quality benchland vineyard sites. Unlike many wines produced by her Napa neighbours, the Corison Cabernet is not overblown and has considerable depth and finesse. Aged in around 50% new French oak the wine…
Colgin now offers a number of super-premium bottlings. All are extremely expensive (the winery release prices can also be rapidly dwarfed by trading prices at auction) and two are based on Cabernet Sauvignon, although the Cariad red is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (all sourced from…
Now a fairly substantial operation which the Cakebread family have been running for well over two decades. Production now runs to 18 wines, including an extensive premium range.
Chardonnay and Sauvignon are both rich and oaky in style, with the Reserve Chardonnay adding an extra element of depth…
The Caldwells now produce just one Cabernet Sauvignon having sold their Aida Vineyard to VINEYARD 29. The pure varietal Esedra Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Bella Vista (Calistoga), Beckstoffer (Silverado Trail) and Vybony (Oakville) vineyards.
It is impressively rich and concentrated with a…
Good, well-priced wines with a focus on Italian varieties. While these have often struggled to achieve the quality in California that they do at home, those of Benessere are among the better examples. The top label Phenomenon is a Sangiovese-dominated blend with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and…
Historic Napa winery founded in 1900. The Beaulieu reputation was established by the legendary André Tchelistcheff. While quality was distinctly variable during the 1980s, the late 90s though saw a marked improvement. An enormous range of wine is offered under Coastal, Maestro Collection, Napa…
1. You’re always looking for products that cater better for your wine needs.
2. And your glass always ends far too quickly.
3. Even if you’re having a big glass with some fried chicken, you still feel classy AF.
4. But when you’re trying to be healthier you know it means also cutting back on…
The Barnetts have one of the most spectacularly sited properties on Spring Mountain, with steeply terraced vineyards at an elevation of 600m (2,000ft). Because they sit above the fog line they gain up to three extra hours of sunlight a day compared with the valley floor, providing for a long, even…
Small 20 ha (50-acre) property south of Calistoga, founded in 1994. As well as Merlot and the Barrouge blend (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), the Smiths produce varietal Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, a Sauvignon Blanc and a little rosé However with a planned production ceiling of just 2,000…
Claus Janzen’s small operation is now the source of a number of labels. The Bacio Divino red is a very stylish, impressive and unusual blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. Part of Claus Janzen’s inspiration was tasting the red at Domaine de Trevallon in Provence, itself a blend…
This small winery is a collaboration of five friends, including winemaker Michael Lancaster who manages its daily operation. The business name emanates from the old barn found on the Sonoma Coast where Lancaster sources his earthy, cool climate Syrah. Other wines include grassy and lightly citrusy…
Based in the cool Green Valley appellation, Miguel Torres’’ sister Marimar established this operation in 1986, planting the small 33 ha (81 acre) Don Miguel vineyard equally between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Small plantings of Albariño, Syrah and Tempranillo have followed. A varietal Albariño as…
This winery was originally established in 1876 by the immigrant Italian Simi family and is now a part of the Constellation Brands Icon Estate range. The wines here have been improving across recent vintages, they are altogether more accessible than previously, particularly in the case of the lower…
A relatively small operation producing small lots across a fairly extensive range with several wines only available at the tasting room in Healdsburg. However if you are travelling in the area it is well worth a visit. Throughout the range the wines offer generally excellent value for money. The…
Champagne house Louis Roederer has set up its California outpost in the cool Anderson Valley. Unlike a number of their competitors they concentrate on producing just four wines. The regular Brut NV, made from all three Champagne grapes, and Rosé, from Pinot Noir, provide good value and a riper,…
The Rochioli family have been grape growers for far longer than they have been wine producers. They do however produce some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River, along with impressive Sauvignon Blanc. A Pinot Noir rosé is also made and Estate Syrah and Valdigué are also now…
No longer small, this Sonoma winery has a major focus on good to very good Zinfandel. The winery was founded in 1976 by winemaker Joel Peterson and partner Reed Foster, who have now sold a controlling interest to Constellation Brands. Vintners Blend is a good budget label, including Zinfandel,…
Small family-owned winery producing four separate Pinot Noirs, two Chardonnays, a Syrah, an oldvine Zinfandel and a striking example of old-vine Carignane. The George’s Hill Chardonnay is in a tighter, leaner style than others from the region, with notes of apple and pear, rather than more exotic…
Novy was recently purchased by KJ, having been run by Adam and Dianna Lee of Siduri and Dianna’s family, the Novys. The wines which are dominated by Rhône styles, including a Russian River Viognier, are made at the Siduri facility in Santa Rosa. The intention is for Siduri to remain focussed on…
The first commercial vintage was as recent as 1998 at this very new, small but high-quality warehouse winery with a range of single vineyard Pinot Noirs and two special clonal selections, Pommard Clones and 777 Clones, which are touch pricier. There is also a small amount of Zinfandel from the Dry…
Sizeable family run winery producing an extensive and generally impressive range of wines sourcing fruit from both the Sonoma and Napa Valleys and producing wines in relatively small lots. In addition to the wines profiled here Pinot Gris from the Balleto Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and an easy…
The Muellers established their small family winery in the centre of Healdsburg in 1991. Since then production has gradually risen to a few thosand cases a year of good, rich and stylish Syrah Block Eleven, Zinfandel Old Vines, Sauvignon and Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir from a number of sites,…
Medium-sized operation producing mainly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and an increasing amount of impressive Pinot Noir. Matanzas Creek produced some stunning wines during the late 1980s and early 90s, and the winery looks to be right back in the top division. Small amounts of a powerful…
David Macrae sources Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from the Bacigalupi Vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Stagecoach Vineyard owned by the Krupp Bothers at VERAISON in the Napa Valley. Winemaker Kerry Damskey is charged with making wines that are true to their terroir, all being…
Very fine and stylish Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are made on this property by winemaker Eric Stern. During the mid-1990s roving wine consultant Helen Turley of MARCASSIN provided additional input and direction. There is a commitment here to producing wines from the ripest fruit from low-yielding,…
Small operation with some 16 ha (40 acres) of prime vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon is very much the dominant variety. The property has thin, rocky and superbly drained soils which provide an excellent base for producing explosive Cabernet…
A significant winery in the Kendall-Jackson empire, La Crema was originally established in 1979. It produces a now extensive range of good, well-crafted and reasonably priced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with Pinot Gris, and Viognier. There are particularly good value wines taking the Sonoma…
Vast, private family owned wine company, founded by the late Jess Jackson, producing an extensive range under its own label and also owning or part-owning a considerable number of wine operations in the premium-wine sector throughout California. Leading brands include ARROWOOD, EDMEADES, and LA…
Like MARIMAR TORRES, Iron Horse is located in the cool Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA (which may very shortly become officially known as Green Valley), where it produces some of the best sparkling wines in California. These are sourced from the lower-lying sites most affected by early…
Estate in the south-western Mayacamas range with vineyards at an altitude of 335-440 m (1,100-1,450 ft), growing the Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc as well as Petite Sirah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Syrah. The meagre, volcanic, rocky soils rarely produce…
Founded in 1993 by Don Hartford and his wife Jennifer Jackson-Hartford, of the KENDALL-JACKSON clan, this operation is dedicated to producing Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Winemaker Mike Sullivan purposely crafts very Burgundian styles of Chardonnay and Pinot – tighter, more structured wines…
Winemaker Paul Hobbs spends the northern-hemisphere spring months vinifying wines in South America, where he has helped in shaping the style at VALDIVIESO in Chile and CATENA in Argentina. Indeed he also produces his own premium Argentine Malbec, COBOS, from high altitude vineyards in the Upper…
This is a substantial operation with an extensive range. The California Series varietal wines are generally sound and tend to emphasize straightforward fruit characters. With the exception of the Sonoma County Chardonnay the other wines take the California appellation. A level up are the wines…
Dan and Margaret DUCKHORN are responsible for distinctive, once almost ferocious Napa Merlots as well as the Paraduxx Zinfandels. Goldeneye is their Anderson Valley property, specialising in Pinot Noir and also now making Pinot Gris from the Split Rail Vineyard and estate grown Confluence Vineyard…
Fritz was established as long ago as 1979 and production is still small and bespoke. Grapes come from both the Dry Creek Valley and the cooler Russian River, which provides an excellent source for Chardonnay, particularly the famed Dutton Ranch. Helen Turley of MARCASSIN spent a couple of years…
One of the world’s largest wine companies, E & J Gallo, is known the world over for its Gallo and Turning Leaf volume labels – the former hugely successful and very commercial. There is also a Coastal range from the giant facility at Modesto in California’s Central Valley, but it is the top two…
Small Rhône specialist with further interesting releases from Carignane, Mourvèdre, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Noir and Counoise are made as well as the wines below. Bill Frick produces bespoke wines from 2 ha (5 acres) of vines on a small property established in 1976 in a cooler sector of the Dry…
Mendocino-based winery, producing an extensive range of full, brambly Zinfandels as well as a Gewürztraminer. The Mendocino vineyards for the Zinfandel are above the coastal fog line and the warm sunny days are complemented by cool nights, providing good acidity for structured wines. They are…
Very impressive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from a range of sites, mostly in the cool Green Valley. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are both sourced from the cooler Dutton Ranch, which is family owned. The east-facing Rued Vineyard is planted to Chardonnay now over 40 years old. The resulting wine has both…
Medium-sized winery notable for good, well-priced Fumé Blanc in a very much more herbaceous style than many and a number of rich and impressive Zinfandels. The latter have been produced consistently over a number of vintages and while full and vibrant they are rarely overblown. With oldvine…
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