Vinous (92)

The 2018 Chardonnay (Mt. Harlan) is bright, focused and translucent. A wine of striking character, the Mt. Harlan Chardonnay captures the essence of this rugged site in its savory complexity. In 2018, the Mt. Harlan is a bit lighter than it usually is, with a distinctly airy feel, and yet it has plenty of personality. Dried pear, mint, citrus oil, sage and dried flowers are some of the notes that develop over time.

Vinous (95+)

The 2014 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is a powerful, bombastic wine with huge fruit and equally imposing tannins that demand patience. Waves of dark, deeply sketched fruit hit the palate in a virile Pinot Noir that is going to need at least several years to truly come into its own. By no means a shy wine, the Ryan also has tremendous potential. In 2014, the Ryan was done with 70% whole clusters, which is a bit lower than normal.

Vinous (92)

The 2015 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is dense and powerful in the glass, with a real sense of gravitas that gives the wine its somber feel. Vertical in construction and yet also dense, the Ryan is another wine that is going to need bottle age to be at its very best. There is plenty of potential though, that much is obvious, although the elevated ripeness and hints of slightly roasted fruit are impossible to fully escape.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is quite deep and heady in this vintage. Red fruit, iron, white pepper and savory herbs give the Ryan its distinctly incisive, feral personality. Hints of blood orange, raspberry and spice add an exotic flair. There is plenty of character here, that is for sure.

Wine Advocate (96)

Chris Carpenter has done a fabulous job with the 2010 Cardinale. The wine boasts a huge center of fruit backed up by equally firm, imposing tannins. Layers of dark red fruit, mocha, cinnamon and new leather explode from the glass. The 2010 is a huge Cardinale endowed with superb depth, power and richness. At the same time, there is a mid-palate generosity and pliancy that leads me to believe the 2010 will drink beautifully once the tannins soften a touch. Hints of tar, graphite and iron add personality on the full-bodied, intense finish. The 2010 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, predominantly from mountain sites. The ability to blend fruit from various top-notch sites works great here. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030.

Vinous (95)

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cardinale from Cardinale is totally seamless and textured on the palate, with layers of ripe, racy fruit, tons of intensity and an opulent, voluptuous finish that captures the essence of this style to the T. Dark red stone fruits, cinnamon, cedar, tobacco and new leather linger on the creamy finish. Winemaker Chris Carpenter draws across the entire range of Kendall Jackson's Napa Valley properties to craft Cardinale. In 2012, the blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot from nine vineyards in a total of seven AVA's (Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Stags' Leap, Yountville and St. Helena).

Vinous (95)

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cardinale from Cardinale is totally seamless and textured on the palate, with layers of ripe, racy fruit, tons of intensity and an opulent, voluptuous finish that captures the essence of this style to the T. Dark red stone fruits, cinnamon, cedar, tobacco and new leather linger on the creamy finish. Winemaker Chris Carpenter draws across the entire range of Kendall Jackson's Napa Valley properties to craft Cardinale. In 2012, the blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot from nine vineyards in a total of seven AVA's (Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Stags' Leap, Yountville and St. Helena).

Vinous (97)

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is simply stunning. A real head-turner, the 2013 possesses superb density and tons of pure power. The flavors are deep, powerful and explosive. Mocha, new leather, and licorice wrap around a core of dark, sumptuous fruit. This dense, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will require considerable patience, but it is super-impressive. And then some. Chris Carpenter crafted the 2013 from an assortment of parcels, most of them mountain sites on Diamond Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain. This is a real stand out.

Vinous (96)

A powerful, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking. Intense, expressive aromatics make a strong first impression. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and leather. Deep, unctuous and beautifully layered throughout, the 2014 Cabernet is a fabulous wine in this vintage. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Just about as close to perfection as a wine can get, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Chris Carpenter comes mostly from mountain vineyards and is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. This full-bodied, rounded, thrillingly textured beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, new saddle leather, barbecue smoke, and scorched earth. It has perfect integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and oak, carries remarkable power and intensity, yet still glides over the palate with no heaviness or sensation of weight. It’s going to be a legendary Napa Valley Cabernet and will have 3 decades or more of longevity.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is based on a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that spent 22 months in 81% new French oak. It’s a wonderfully complete, borderline perfect wine that shows the class of this estate as well as the vintage, revealing a seamless, full-bodied style that carries lots of blackcurrant, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco aromatics, a deep, layered mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and flawless balance. As with most of Chris’s 2018s, it’s a wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a layered, singular character. It’s a gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today with ample pleasure, but it will ideally be given 4-6 years of bottle age, at which point it should evolve gracefully for 30-40 years.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Featuring a deep garnet-purple color, it sashays out of the glass with gregarious notions of baked plums, warm cassis and blueberry compote with suggestions of kirsch, dusty soil and Indian spices. The palate is full-bodied and laden with bright, lively, energetic black fruits, supported with firm, super ripe tannins and finishing on a persistent exotic spice note. 500 cases were made.

James Suckling (97)

Wonderful aromas of blackcurrants, dark plums, mint, sage, and dried wood. Some sandalwood. Full- to medium-bodied with tannins that have the texture of fine velvet and run down the length of the wine. Extremely polished and refined. Sophisticated. Firm at the end. This will age beautifully. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2026.

Wine Spectator (97)

Wow. This '95 Special Selection is a classic. Amazingly complex, it displays a wide range of flavors--including currant, wild berry, herb, sage, coffee and tobacco--gains in nuance, delicacy, elegance and finesse, and unveils pretty oak shadings on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases made.

Tantalise your palate with the exquisite Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Chardonnay 2020. Hailing from the lofty ridges of Santa Cruz, California, it epitomises precision, balance, and terroir expression. The prestigious Ceritas winery, renowned for its minimalist approach, ensures each vintage mirrors the unique character of its vineyard. Its meticulous craftsmanship involves native fermentation in neutral French oak barrels, lending unusual depth and complexity.

The Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Chardonnay 2020 presents a tantalising meld of citrus zest, orchard fruits and saline minerality, underpinned by subtle oak nuances. Its vibrant acidity and linear profile provide an elegant structure that unfurls into a persistent, cool-climate finish. This quintessential Chardonnay proffers a purity of fruit and eloquent expression of place rarely encountered. A true connoisseur's delight, the Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Chardonnay 2020 will not disappoint.

Renowned for its exceptional character, the Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020 hails from the prestigious winemaker Ceritas, set within the heart of California's esteemed Sonoma Coast. Each bottle encapsulates the ideal maritime climate and diverse soil, which culminate to produce nuanced acidity levels and complex flavour profiles. The Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020 boasts a vibrant mix of ripe citrus, stone fruits, and subtle mineral undertones, underpinned by a lively crispness that makes it exceedingly palatable.

The esteemed winemaker, John Raytek, adheres strictly to organic farming methods and minimalist winemaking; this approach lets the unique terroir of each carefully chosen vineyard express itself fully within the wine. Grown on mature vines that grace the high slopes of the Bailhache Vineyard, each grape is meticulously handpicked at peak ripeness, simultaneously ensuring the utmost quality and preserving the delicate balance of the wine.

Indulge in the Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020, an embodiment of the complexity and elegance of Californian terroir.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Colima, a blend from five different vineyards, pours a deep ruby hue and offers pure, layered, red-fruited aromas of fruit punch and framboise along with pine and pencil shaving. The palate reveals fine tannins, with outstanding refinement of structure, notes of ripe redcurrant, gravelly earth, and forest herbs, and fresh acidity throughout. This vibrant and high-toned, energetic wine captures what Cab from Sonoma can be all about.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2020 Pinot Noir Cuvee Chloe is highly aromatic and moves into a more classical perfume of cherry cola and forest floor. The palate is generous with its fruit of cranberry cocktail, rose petal, and fine tannins that emerge on the finish. Drink over the next 15 or more years.

The Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 is an enlightened expression of complexity and class. Cultivated in Sonoma County, California, Ceritas focuses on delivering wines of character rooted in the region's unique climates and soils. The 2021 release of their Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir is testament to their artisanal practices. Each grape is handpicked and fermented naturally, showcasing great dedication to traditional techniques whilst employing modern understanding.

The minimalist intervention approach employed by Ceritas allows for the Pinot Noir's true character to shine. Deeply aromatic with notes of wild berries and ground spice, this wine cascades across the palate with exceptional balance and textured depth. Its lingering finish delivers an unforgettable impression.

Made by the widely respected winemaker, John Raytek, Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 offers an absorbing insight into the expressive beauty of California Pinot Noir. A captivating ensemble of craftsmanship and terroir - this is a wine of unmistakable pedigree and charm.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Elliott Vineyard is one of the more nervous, edgy wines in this lineup. Readers will want to give it a few years to soften, as it is reticent and tightly wound in the early going. Bright mineral and savory notes drive a core of sweet red berry fruit. When I taste the 2018 I think of a lyric tenor voice that, while maybe not big in size, has the resonance to be heard all the way in the cheap seats. The Elliot is a cool, introspective Pinot that will reward those who can spend some time with it.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Elliott is packed with layered aromas of gravelly mineral earth, framboise, and wild herbs. Profound and balanced, with outstanding structure and gripping ripe tannins, it reveals notes of crunchy cherry, fresh earth, and a refined, elegant perfume on the finish. It continuously evolves in the glass and is an absolutely stunning and singular wine.

Vinous (92)

The 2019 Chardonnay Marena bristles with coastal energy and tension. Citrus peel, white flowers, chalk, white pepper and mint are finely sculpted in this gorgeous appellation-level Chardonnay from Ceritas. Aeration brings out gorgeous depth and resonance. All the elements are so well balanced. The Marena is a blend from a south-facing block at Zephyr planted with Clone 4 Chardonnay and the thin canopy sections at Heintz, where the fruit is more exposed, in other words all fruit that is a bit more forward and generous than what is used in the vineyard designate bottlings.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2020 Pinot Noir Occidental Vineyard is savory with fresh mint and more masculine aromatics, including cherry fruit and dark minerality. The palate is structured and long, with a more iron-rich quality, pomegranate seed, red cherry, and spice. Hold 2-3 years and drink over the following 15 years.

Introducing the Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, valuable addition to the cellar of any discerning oenophile. This radiant Pinot Noir is produced by Ceritas, maestros of viniculture with a predilection for crafting small batch wines reflective of their unique terroir. Nestled within the-aesthetic cool-climate of Sonoma Coast, California, the Occidental vineyard's maritime influence enhances the grape qualities, cultivating distinctive flavours.

The Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is an homage to artisan winemaking traditions - hand harvesting and indigenous fermentations lead to minimal intervention. This expression is marked by eloquent layers of red cherry, clove, wild herbs and orange peel, juxtaposed against a robust structure. The wine's finish is noted for its gripping minerality and liveliness, making it age-worthy and versatile.

Its precise balance between rustic charm and sophisticated depth presents the Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 as a pure expression of its prestigious origin, ready to tantalise the palette of the patient connoisseur.

Jeb Dunnuck (93)

Carex is the Latin name for a type of grass that grows in the vineyard. The 2020 Chardonnay Carex has delicate floral aromatics of fresh honeysuckle, apple blossom, wet stone, and lime zest. The palate is full of energy and fresh acidity and is zippy with lemon zest, wet stone, and green apple skin. Drink this over the next 10 or more years.

Indulge in the nuanced thrill of the Ceritas Sonoma Coast Carex Chardonnay 2021. Forged in the heart of Sonoma County's true cool climate, this offering embodies authentic Californian winemaking. Meticulously cultivated on an ancient uplifted seabed, the grapes are granted a unique mineral intensity, embellishing the wine's vivacious charm. Produced by Ceritas, a family-run establishment helmed by revered winemakers, John and Phoebe Raytek, this Chardonnay encapsulates their testament to crafting wines that reflect the land's character.

A blend of expressive tropical fruit, floral undertones and structured minerality define this elegant elixir. Attention to hand-harvesting and a natural fermenting process contribute to the wine's rich complexity. The Ceritas Sonoma Coast Carex Chardonnay 2021 showcases a well-sculpted palate of crisp apple vibrant acidity, underpinned by subtle oak influences and a lingering finish. A remarkable addition for collectors and enthusiasts, this heirloom Chardonnay is a living tribute to vineyard-centred winemaking.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Senna is medium ruby in the glass and offers seductive aromas of dried lilac, black tea leaves and orange peel with an earthy, black berry core. Medium-bodied and silky, it's expansive and expressive in the mouth, with a broad, ever-changing spectrum of flavors and a long, nuanced finish. This is stunning already, but it will take a bit more time to show all it's got.