Highly recommended
90-94pts
Fess Parker, Clone 115, Sta Rita Hills 2018
RS 95 JD 94 SK 94 £53
Amathus Drinks
Elegant nose of cherry and blackcurrant, summer berries, hints of chocolate chip. Full but balanced, quite intense with a lovely freshness. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 14.1%
Fess Parker, Sta Rita Hills 2019
RS 93 JD 95 SK 91 £29
Amathus Drinks
Ripe nose displaying scents of red berries, sour cherry, violet and mushroom. With smooth tannins, this is lush and vibrant, quite elegant with a persistent finish.
Drink 2022-2028 Alc 14.1%
Solomon Hills Estate, Santa Maria Valley 2018
RS 95 JD 92 SK 93 £49.68
Armit
Fresh nose of tart red cherry, ripe raspberry with herbal notes and hints of baking spice. Vibrant acidity on the palate with solid finegrained tannins. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13%
Lucia, Santa Lucia Highlands 2018
RS 94 JD 91 SK 90 £54
Noble Green
Earthy nose with notes of tea leaf, black pepper, sweet black cherry and hints of smoke and vanilla. Lush and rich on the palate. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14%
Kutch, McDougall Ranch, Sonoma Coast 2018
RS 95 JD 94 SK 92 £60
Roberson
Concentrated nose full of dark cherries, kirsch, cola and chocolate, savoury hints. Deep and rich, with pleasing grainy texture, very persistent. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13.5%
La Crema, Russian River Valley 2019
RS 93 JD 94 SK 92 N/A UK lacrema.com
Harmonious aromas of summer fruits, cola, dark cherry and plum. Precise on the palate with fruit balanced by savoury notes and a lovely, fine-grained tannic structure. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14.5%
Domaine de la Côte, Memorious, Sta Rita Hills 2018
RS 93 JD 89 SK 93 £80
Roberson
Dark nose of bramble, hawthorn with deep smoky concentrated fruit over violet and pepper undertones. Fresh on the palate with grainy tannins. Drink 2024-2032 Alc 13%
Mount Eden Vineyards, Domaine Eden, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017
RS 94 JD 92 SK 90 £46
Roberson
Floral and elegant nose showing violet, sour cherry and very ripe redcurrant and strawberry. Lively acidity with grainy tannins and a lifted finish. Drink 2025-2035 Alc 14.5%
Au Bon Climat, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley 2018
RS 94 JD 93 SK 92 N/A UK aubonclimat.com
Lifted nose displaying lovely red fruit and cherry scents with notes of vanilla and earth. Supple tannins with a floral and spicy character. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13.5%
Patz & Hall, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros 2019
RS 92 JD 93 SK 93 £75
The Great Wine Co
Pure red fruit with notes of dark cherry and a touch of vanilla. Classy palate, with concentrated black fruit, ending on a silky long finish. Drink 2022-2030 Alc 14.5%
Fess Parker, Parker West, Sta Rita Hills 2018
RS 91 JD 96 SK 89 £53
Amathus Drinks
Smoky aromas of roast meats and earthy notes of mushroom with minty nuances. Complex and nuanced, with elegance and finesse. Drink 2021-2025 Alc 13.7%
Paul Hobbs, Russian River Valley 2018
RS 93 JD 92 SK 90 £53.99
Alliance Wine, Hennings, The Vineking Intense aromas of sweet cherry and strawberry with oaky and leathery notes. Crunchy acidity on the palate with polished tannins. Drink 2024-2030 Alc 14.1%
Anthill Farms, Comptche Ridge, Mendocino County 2018
RS 90 JD 92 SK 92 £51
Stannary Wine
Youthful aromas of dark cherry, black tea, black pepper and hints of vanilla. Sandy tannins supported by very concentrated flavours. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13%
Domaine Carneros, The Famous Gate, Carneros 2017
RS 93 JD 89 SK 91 £65
D Byrne & Co, The Surrey Wine Cellar Complex herbal and smoky nose with cherry and raspberry fruit, chocolate and leathery aromas. Vibrant style with a spicy finish. Drink 2022-2030 Alc 14.5%
Price Family Estates, Three Sticks, Sonoma Coast 2019
RS 89 JD 89 SK 95 £61
The Wine Reserve, The Wine Treasury
Herbal and spicy aromas with notes of pencil shaving, tea leaf, black pepper and cardamom over black cherry. Polished, with chocolatey fruits. Drink 2021-2032 Alc 14%
Twomey, Anderson Valley 2019
RS 90 JD 91 SK 92 £69
The Wine Treasury
Bright red cherry and strawberry aromas with notes of oak, then vibrant on the palate with silky tannins; pure and fresh.
Drink 2021-2029 Alc 14.4%
Banshee Wines, Sonoma County 2019
RS 92 JD 92 SK 90 £30
Bibendum Wine, Matthew Clark
Fresh nose with very pure red berry aromas over hints of sweet spices. Creamy texture, with peppery touches and a refreshing finish. Drink 2022-2029 Alc 14.2%
J Lohr, Fog’s Reach, Arroyo Seco 2019
RS 90 JD 92 SK 91 £39
The Vineyard Cellars
Bright and concentrated aromas of raspberry, minty strawberry, sweet cherry and violets. Lush and fruity with wellintegrated fine tannins. Drink 2021-2029
Alc 14.5%
Schug, Carneros 2019
RS 90 JD 94 SK 90 £33
Field & Fawcett, Handford, The Wine Treasury, WoodWinters
Aromas of cranberry, redcurrant, violets and vanilla. The palate is fresh and lush with vibrant acidity and well-resolved tannins. Drink 2021-2025 Alc 13.9%
Zotovich, Sta Rita Hills 2019
RS 93 JD 89 SK 90
£40 Four Corners
Complex and elegant nose displaying notes of caramel, vanilla, black cherry and smoky bacon fat notes. Rich and intense with a long finish. Drink 2022-2030 Alc 14.6%
Bien Nacido Estate, Old Vines, Santa Maria Valley 2018
RS 91 JD 92 SK 89 £77.68
Armit
Vibrant cherry and strawberry fruit with rhubarb and tart cranberry nuances. Elegant and a little herbal with a violetscented finish. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 13%
Masút, Estate, Eagle Peak Mendocino County 2019
RS 93 JD 94 SK 86 N/A UK masut.com
Tutti-frutti nose with notes of strawberry, gummy bear, black pepper and perfumed florals. Delicious, elegant with fine-grained tannins. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 14.5%
Schug, Sonoma Coast 2020
RS 92 JD 89 SK 91 £39
Handford, Shoreditch Wine House,
The Guildford Wine Co, The Wine Treasury
Pure red fruit character with intense aromas of cherry, cola and forest floor. Lovely focused palate, elegant with bright acidity. Drink 2021-2032 Alc 13.8%
Bien Nacido Estate, The Captain Reserve, Santa Maria Valley 2018
RS 88 JD 90 SK 92 £77.68
Armit
Baked fruit and vanilla notes on the nose, then a broad palate that shows plummy fruit balanced by a fresh and lively acidity. Drink 2021-2029 Alc 13%
Brewer-Clifton, Sta Rita Hills 2019
RS 91 JD 91 SK 89 £58
Rouge Wine & Cheese, The Wine Treasury Lovely floral aromas, black cherry and strawberry, mushroom and earth. A rich and powerful style with seamless tannins.
Drink 2022-2030 Alc 14.5%
Calera, Ryan Vineyard, Mt Harlan 2016
RS 92 JD 87 SK 90 £69.99
Top Selection
Concentrated aromas of dark berry fruit, kirsch, black pepper and chocolate. Youthful palate with rich fruit cake flavours. Drink 2025-2032 Alc 15%
Failla Wines, Sonoma Coast 2018
RS 90 JD 92 SK 88 £38
Stannary Wine
Floral aromas with scents of black cherry, strawberry confiture and forest floor. Elegant and seductive, with silky tannins.
Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13.5%
J Vineyards, Russian River Valley 2019
RS 91 JD 90 SK 89 £38
The Vineyard Cellars
Rich and voluptuous, with fresh red berry and cherry fruit and almond essence notes. Smooth, fresh and vibrant. Drink 2021-2026
Alc 14.3%
Calera, Central Coast 2017
RS 92 JD 89 SK 89 £35.49
9 Elms Wines, The Solent Cellar
Ripe and elegant fruit on the nose, bright raspberry and strawberry. Quite fresh on the palate, silky tannins. Drink 2022-2026 Alc 14.5%
Copain Wines, Tous Ensemble, Sonoma Coast 2017
RS 90 JD 91 SK 88 N/A UK copainwines.com
Perfumed nose showing summer fruits, crushed violets and a bit of vanilla. Lively acidity supported by ripe concentration. Drink 2022-2028 Alc 13.2%
Goldeneye, Gowan Creek Vineyard, Anderson Valley 2017
RS 91 JD 91 SK 88 £78.99
Top Selection
Fresh and open nose of dried strawberry and black cherry fruit with sweet spice undertones. Full on the palate with grippy tannins. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 14.5%
L’Usine Cellars, Sleepy Hollow, Santa Lucia Highlands 2018
RS 93 JD 90 SK 86 N/A UK lusinecellars.com
Rich aromas of vanilla beneath forest floor, coffee and dark fruit notes, followed by richness and intensity on a big, solid palate. Drink 2021-2026 Alc 15.1%
Calera, Mills Vineyard, Mt Harlan 2016
RS 91 JD 90 SK 89 £77.99
Top Selection
Lifted minty nose showing aromas of orange peel, earth and coffee. Very elegant tannins and fresh acidity on the palate. Drink 2021-2029 Alc 14.5%
Donelan Wines, Two Brothers, Sonoma County 2014
RS 86 JD 95 SK 88 £71
The Vineyard Cellars
Savoury aromas of earth, Marmite and mushroom with notes of orange peel and floral touches. Quite long on the finish.
Drink 2021-2025 Alc 14.2%
Hahn, SLH, Santa Lucia Highlands 2018
RS 87 JD 91 SK 91 £38.50
Castelnau Wine Agencies
Sour cherry and cardamom aromas, with vanilla and earthy nuances. Savoury on the palate, it combines lush fruit with elegance. Drink 2024-2029 Alc 14.5%
MacMurray, Russian River Valley 2018
RS 92 JD 92 SK 86 £29.50
The Great Wine Co
Youthful nose of cherry fruit, yoghurt, chocolate and coffee. Savoury on the palate, with richness and concentration. Drink 2024-2030 Alc 14.3%
Ondine Chattan, Barrel Select Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County 2018
RS 92 JD 90 SK 87 N/A UK us.nakedwines.com
Meaty nose with peppery notes and dark coffee undertones over sweet cherry fruit. Full and deep on the palate. Drink 2024-2030 Alc 14.1%
Radio-Coteau, La Neblina, Sonoma Coast 2017
RS 86 JD 89 SK 95 £52.75
Vinvm
Refined notes of cedar wood, dark fruit and vanilla. Polished, with very concentrated black fruit flavours, and long on the finish. Drink 2021-2025 Alc 13.5%
Patz & Hall, Sonoma Coast 2018
RS 90 JD 85 SK 94 £55
The Great Wine Co
Earthy on the nose with red berry and spice aromas. Vibrant and bright, very pure and fruit-driven. Drink 2021-2026 Alc 14.5%
Spell Estate, Nichole’s Blend, Sonoma County 2014
RS 87 JD 95 SK 88 £32
Wanderlust Wine
Spicy nose with notes of fresh tobacco, forest floor and herbal undertones. Concentrated summer fruit on the palate.
Drink 2021-2025 Alc 14%
Peake Ranch, Sta Rita Hills 2019
RS 89 JD 92 SK 90 £40
Four Corners Wine
Complex nose of cherry, cola, vanilla and coffee. Opulent and rich, creamy on the palate with a vibrant finish. Drink 2022-2028
Alc 14.5%
Twomey, Russian River Valley 2019
RS 88 JD 89 SK 92 £69
The Wine Treasury
Bright red fruit and herbal aromas with notes of rosemary and mint. Very pleasing grainy tannins, polished style. Drink
2021-2025 Alc 14.5%