2020
CheckMate 2020 Opening Gambit Merlot Magnum
Black cherry, cassis and blueberry lead, lifted by violets and savoury spice. The palate is rich yet energetic, layering raspberry, blackberry and tart cranberry with dark chocolate, tobacco, clove and black pepper. Fine, polished tannins give the wine firm shape, while lively acidity and a subtle saline note carry the finish.
Therianthropy 2020 Claire de Lune Riesling
Crystalline lemon and ripe citrus lead a powerful, textured white, with wax, fine spice and honey adding depth. A saline, marine edge gives the layered fruit distinctive savoury detail, while lively acidity keeps the palate precise. Wild fermentation and unfiltered, unfined handling preserve energy through a long, mineral finish.
Orofino 2020 Dourado
La Stella 2020 Fortissimo Okanagan Valley 375 mL
Black and red cherry, dark plum and spiced fruitcake unfold beside aromatic herbs, cured tobacco and dusty desert scrub. Bold and layered on the palate, it combines ripe fruit with fresh acidity, savoury depth and well-integrated oak that stays in the background. Baking spice and tobacco extend the long finish. Excellent with braised veal, roast lamb or hearty vegetables.
Catena Zapata 2020 Malbec Argentino
Blackberry and blueberry lead a dense, richly fruited profile, with savoury earth and gentle spice bringing contrast. The palate is powerful but polished, its ripe fruit carried by firm, fine-grained tannins rather than sheer weight. A fresh line keeps the concentration balanced. The finish is long and seamless, leaving dark berries, mineral depth and a quietly earthy note.
Joie 2020 Tiny Bubbles Sparkling White 250 mL Can
Bright and lightly sparkling, with savoury pineapple and fresh gooseberry leading a decidedly tropical profile. Viognier brings a soft, aromatic curve while Sauvignon Blanc keeps the palate fresh and brisk. Clean acidity and lively mousse carry the fruit through a dry, upbeat finish. The single-serve can is made for picnics, patios or a quick aperitif; pair with fish tacos, salads or fresh chèvre.
One Flock 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Pale straw in the glass, with a bright, restrained nose of white stone fruit. The palate is crisp and well balanced, delivering clean fruit through lively, precise acidity. More composed than overtly grassy, the Sauvignon Blanc favours subtle freshness and an easy, refreshing finish, making it a polished alternative to more pungent expressions.
Cakebread Cellars 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Freemark Abbey 2020 Huichica Hills Vineyard Chardonnay Napa Valley
Apple cobbler, crème brûlée and ripe pineapple open with orange marmalade and fresh peach. The palate is supple and integrated, layering stone fruit, candied lemon zest, baking spice, ambrosia and vanilla through a creamy texture. Vibrant acidity keeps the richness balanced, carrying the fruit into a long, nuanced and lingering finish.
Forman 2020 Chardonnay Napa Valley
A restrained, fresh white whose fruit is framed by lively acidity and subtle lees-aged richness. Older barrels bring gentle texture rather than overt oak, allowing the clean fruit to remain central. The palate is composed and balanced, with quiet aromatic complexity and a precise, refreshing finish that favours clarity over weight.
Trim Wine 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi
Cherry and bright red fruit lead, joined by baking spice and softly perfumed wood. The palate is generous yet immediately approachable, with supple tannins shaping the ripe fruit rather than adding weight. A smooth texture carries the Cabernet through a balanced finish, where savoury spice and gentle oak detail linger behind the fruit.
Stolpman Vineyards 2020 Combe Trousseau Ballard Canyon
Bright red fruit leads with strawberry and cherry, followed by dried herbs, lavender and a gentle earthy note. Light in body but softly textured, partial whole-cluster fermentation brings gentle spice and a velvety feel, while neutral oak keeps the profile restrained. Freshness carries the wine through a savoury, quietly persistent finish.
One Flock 2020 Red Blend Napa Valley
Ripe red fruit and wild berries open with violet, lavender, allspice, sandalwood and roasted nuts. The palate turns darker and more generous, layering blackberry, plum and black cherry with chocolate truffle, black pepper, cardamom and clove. A light touch of toasted oak frames the fruit, bringing warmth, spice and a composed, lingering finish.
Carlisle 2020 Zinfandel Sonoma County
Black cherry and black raspberry lead a bright, deep-garnet profile, joined by char and a brambly savoury edge. The palate is medium to full-bodied, open and smoothly textured, with fresh acidity keeping the generous fruit lively. A persistent finish gathers dark berries, subtle smoke and gently earthy spice into a polished close.
Au Bon Climat 2020 Isabelle Pinot Noir
Wild red and black berries open with tea leaf, underbrush and a subtle iodine note. The palate is light-bodied yet supple, carrying juicy fruit through fine tannins and a distinctly earthy line. Fragrance and freshness keep the wine lifted despite its savoury depth. The finish is long and composed, leaving berry fruit, dried herbs, forest floor and a quiet mineral trace.
Fort Berens 2020 Reserve Riesling
Apricot, peach and elderflower form an aromatic, inviting opening. The palate is rich and creamy yet remains juicy, with measured sweetness balanced by lively acidity and a clean sense of freshness. Concentrated stone fruit carries into an off-dry, composed finish, showing enough structure and depth to continue developing gracefully in bottle.
Painted Rock 2020 Merlot
Cherry, blueberry and chocolate lead an inviting nose. The palate moves into blackcurrant and ripe cherry, with spice adding savoury definition around the fruit. Eighteen months in French oak brings quiet depth and polish without obscuring the wine's freshness, carrying the dark fruit into a composed, persistent finish.
Painted Rock 2020 Red Icon
Black cherry, blackberry, plum and blueberry lead a layered, concentrated profile, with blackcurrant, spice and chocolate adding depth. The palate is firm but polished, showing composed tannins and enough freshness to keep the dark fruit in focus. Decant if serving now, particularly alongside roast beef, lamb or grilled mushrooms.