Decanter 95/100: "multi-layered and intensely flavoured with freshly baked bread, spiced white peach, and tangy acidity... very engaging and accomplished". Jancisrobinson.com 17.5 "very confident". Roederer's superb cool-climate California estate, since the 80s and on best-ever form now.

J. Suckling 94/100 "focus, precision, refined tannins, beautiful fruit, firm, polished, tight center palate of fruit and tannins. " Vinous: “performs well above its station."

Parker 92 "excellent... aromas of crushed currants, plums, candied violets and baked clay... rich and youthfully chewy, with a crunchy core of fruit and fine-grained but firm structuring tannins"

Serious classic, a benchmark of Burgundian style in California. Broad-boned, multi-layered savoury/saline/mineral complexity. Packs an impressive punch at the price.

Made with incredible craft and passion by owner Byron Dooley, this wine is made from 100% Luminous Hills fruit and is built for early approachability as a richer wine, but with backbone and vibrancy.

92 points - James Suckling: "attractive, bright, red-cherry aromas with a wealth of fresh flowers and an attractively defined palate that delivers smooth, glossy and ripe tannins that carry plenty of vibrant fruit. Good definition here. Drink or hold."

Based on Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2013 Optimus offers lots of graphite, earth and peppery herbs to go with tons of red and black fruit characteristics. A full-bodied, rich and layered red that epitomizes Paso Robles, it has beautiful freshness, a silky texture and a great finish. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.

Steve Kistler, started as a winemaker at Ridge (long-term fave of ours and true California royalty) in the 1970s. He and his dedicated long-standing team founded this winery in his favourite coastal one in eastern Sonoma, cool and perfect for gloriously complex, aromatic Pinot Noir. His skill and dedication are peerless, his wines a sensual joy. Very rare, we only get a few dozen a year from the tiny UK allocation. A must-try Parker "The 2018s from Occidental are simply magnificent" "While everyone knows of Steve Kistler’s remarkable chardonnays, I believe his pinot noir will ultimately prove even more historic." - ROBERT PARKER, JR.

Chateau Montelena 2012 92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Rather Chablis-like aromas of apple and resin, plus a hint of honey. Sweet and ripe in the nature of the vintage, offering a touch of creaminess to the flavours of fresh peach, apple, herbs and spices. Shows a broad spectrum of ripeness without any obvious extremes. A very successful vintage for this wine. (ST) Chateau Montelena’s Napa Chardonnay showed that the new world could create classically balanced and complex wines in its own voice, and that from the right sites and with perseverance, the results could equal anything made the world over. Through fads and trends, Montelena has never changed in its philosophy of bringing the sunshine of California in a style that is structured, balanced and age worthy. In 1976, in what is now memorialized as “The Judgment of Paris”, Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was the top-ranking wine against four white Burgundies and five other California Chardonnays in a blind tasting with a who’s-who of the French food and wine industry judging. And as they say, the rest is history. The wine opens with fresh peach, apricot, and honeydew amidst citrus blossom and rose water. The diversity of aromas in this vintage is astounding as the floral characteristics begin to take center stage with time in the glass along with ample fresh pear and cinnamon. The palate is lush viscous, and driven by lemon curd, the palate leans toward creaminess but with enough bright acid, green apple, and toast to bring balance and finesse. The ripeness of the vintage drives the mouthfeel as the flavors exude freshness and vibrancy, a unique combination. The finish is concentrated and persistent, again stone fruit appear, albeit in candied form, along with a hint of white pepper and plenty of orange zest.

Chateau Montelena’s Napa Chardonnay showed that the new world could create classically balanced and complex wines in its own voice, and that from the right sites and with perseverance, the results could equal anything made the world over. Through fads and trends, Montelena has never changed in its philosophy of bringing the sunshine of California in a style that is structured, balanced and age worthy. In 1976, in what is now memorialized as “The Judgment of Paris”, Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was the top-ranking wine against four white Burgundies and five other California Chardonnays in a blind tasting with a who’s-who of the French food and wine industry judging. And as they say, the rest is history. The wine opens with fresh peach, apricot, and honeydew amidst citrus blossom and rose water. The diversity of aromas in this vintage is astounding as the floral characteristics begin to take center stage with time in the glass along with ample fresh pear and cinnamon. The palate is lush viscous, and driven by lemon curd, the palate leans toward creaminess but with enough bright acid, green apple, and toast to bring balance and finesse. The ripeness of the vintage drives the mouthfeel as the flavors exude freshness and vibrancy, a unique combination. The finish is concentrated and persistent, again stone fruit appear, albeit in candied form, along with a hint of white pepper and plenty of orange zest.

All estate fruit from the original Monte Bello estate, from lots considered not inferior, but more suitable for early consumption rather than the grand vin's 30-yr window approach. So, effectively the 2nd wine of Monte Bello. Minimal intervention as ever, natural and organic. 20 months in air-dried American oak, half new. The first vintage from these vineyards was 1892, and the oldest vines making this wine were planted in 1949. Eric the winemaker, visiting us in Cambridge, tipped us off that this is a smart buy.

"A Mediterranean blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouchet, Syrah and assorted mixed blacks fermented with native yeasts and aged in primarily neutral containers (15% in new French oak), it is a California version of a high-class Cotes du Rhone. Lots of berry fruit intermixed with lavender, pepper and meaty black cherry and black currant flavors emerge from this satisfying, round, expansive, generous red. An outstanding, killer value that should provide pleasure over the next 1-2 years. If there is a better value in California wine, I would like to know about it." - The Wine Advocate.

Matthew Jukes,MatthewJukes.com, 5th February 2021 "Of course one has to be prepared for a full-framed style when dealing with Californian Chardonnay, so I was impressed to see that under the expressive, cool-climate, Russian River-influenced fruit there is a beating heart of refreshing acidity which electrifies this dynamic wine. Made from a blend of fruit from three vineyards, each with their specific microclimates, this is a seriously fascinating new release and I was fully prepared for a fifty-pound price tag attached to this terrific flavour. So, if you are searching for a top-flight Californian Chardonnay which doesn`t cost the earth then here it is and if anyone puts you on the spot, I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about!"

Made with incredible craft and passion by owner Byron Dooley, this wine is made from 100% Luminous Hills fruit and is built for early approachability as a richer wine, but with backbone and vibrancy.

Made by all female star team of owner Lindsay Hoopes, Anne Vauter (ex Screaming Eagle) and Jennifer Rue this has richness and eleganc in equal measure. Extended barrel ageing has softened the wine, as has some bottle age, making it exquisite to drink now. It will keep but why wait?

Strawberries and blackberries aromas slowly rise out of the glass. Overtime, more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. Currently, the wine is young with mouth filling intensity and suppleness. Complexity will increase as the wine ages, but this wine should stay “fresh” for 6 or 7 years. In its youth, match this wine with lamb or dried meats. After a few years, as the flavors coalesce, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta.

Parker 90pts: 'The medium ruby colored 2017 Zinfandel Sonoma County is scented of spiced peaches, warm raspberries, blueberries and potpourri with notes of cinnamon, dried leaves and exotic spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied, soft and lush with juicy acidity and a long, flavorful finish. This is an easy-drinking but nonetheless delicious Zinfandel and a great value.' Drink: 2020 - 2026

A huge, berry-scented mouthful; a blend of mostly cab, with merlot and petit sirah in supporting roles. Silky but crisp with wild blackberry and currant, the wine shows ripe fruit and ripe tannins and is a bargain at the price point for a wine made from mainly Oakville (Screaming Eagle country) fruit.

Bright and crisp with refreshing notes of citrus, apple, ripe pineapple and tropical fruits and a creamy mouthfeel. And it has the Hoopes family beloved dog Dante on the label. How adorable!

The Crusher Pinot Noir is powerfully aromatic, with notes of pomegranate, rose petal and nutmeg. Juicy and spicy on the palate, this wine exudes flavours of plum, glazed strawberry and cinnamon bread from 12 months of French oak aging.

From one of California’s top-rated vineyards, this outstanding Chardonnay displays fleshy brioche and ripe citrus flavours. Made in more of a Burgundian style rather than the big, rich, overly oaked examples that are becoming past fashionable. Beautifully constructed, fresh pear and white peach scents are sharpened by citrus notes. Great food wine, chicken or creamy cheeses pair especially well.

"The 2017 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from a Grand Cru site in the Santa Maria Valley and was fermented and aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. This Burgundian beauty gives up lots of caramelized citrus, toasted bread, and spice-driven aromatics and shows medium-bodied richness on the palate, with bright acidity and some classic Santa Maria salinity and seaside-like nuances. You can drink bottles today, yet they'll also keep for over a decade." Jeb Dunnock 94pts

Long-established star winery of Santa Barbara. Creamy vanilla, rich but all in balance. Impressive. Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a beautiful example of the Au Bon Climat style. The flinty, stony aromas stand out while in the background is a hard spice note from “sur lie” barrel aging. There are notes of lemon-lime and soft vanilla.

Opens with bold aromas of boysenberry, black cherry and a bevy of vanilla nuances. On the palate, this wine is fruit-driven with flavours of pomegranate, black cherry, fresh cranberry and nutmeg.

Zinfandel-based, ancient vineyards. Lovely richly-spiced, open style. Great vintage.

SIngle-vineyard wine since 1966. Zin-based, vines up to 125 years old. Natural winemaking, organic farming. Collectable classic, but gorgeous now.

Decanter Magazine Outstanding (95-97pts) December 2020 "Reserved plum and blackberry nose. Plump and svelte, concentrated and fleshy, with fine-grained tannins and enough acidity to give some persistence. Well made. Dark chocolate finish." WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 points || This wine is a richly layered and softly approachable expression of the variety. Blackberry, plum and caramel are wrapped in a viscous, velvety texture that lasts through an impressive finish. Before grapes dominated the landscape, the oak studded Napa Valley provided rich grazing land for sprawling horse and cattle ranches. Black Stallion is located on the historic Silverado Trail in Napa Valley`s Oak Knoll District, and was once home to the Silverado Equestrian Center, an indoor arena that welcomed up to 3,000 visitors. The property`s name pays homage to this equestrian history, and today its 32 hectares cover some of Napa`s most prestigious vineyards. Dedicated to producing small-batch, site-specific Cabernet Sauvignon, they have built a stellar reputation for their age worthy, expressive wines with dense, dark berry fruit and medium high acidity. Since acquiring the property in 2010, the Delicato family have expanded the range to include a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir, as well as a Limited Edition range that includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. All these wines are sourced from a selection of exceptional Napa vineyards and adhere to the same principles that made Black Stallion`s original Cabernets famous. In the cellar, winemaker Ralf Holdenried treats each lot gently and individually, from vineyard to fermentation to barrel. Each wine is blended from dozens of individual lots to express its varietal character and the diversity of the Napa Valley.

I've been a fan of this from the start. 100% Zin, organic and minimal intervention as ever. To sum up this is a wine of serious character and intrigue - a proper, honest, shamelessly Californian Zin, whilst also filling the role of ready-to-pop take-to-a-smart-dinner-party treat full of deep plum-skin joy and vanilla silk. JebDunnuck.com: 93 Points “All Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley, the 2018 Zinfandel East Bench offers up a great, pure, medium to full-bodied style that carries lots of classic spice, brambly herbs, incense, and plum-laced fruits. Nicely balanced, structured, and with solid length, this terrific Zinfandel will be even better with a year in bottle and keep for a decade.” – Jeb Dunnuck (May 2020) Wine Spectator: 92 Points “Appealingly old-school and just rustic enough to highlight the vibrant, briary wild berry flavors, laced with dried sage and licorice notes, building tension toward lively tannins. Drink now through 2028.” – T.F. (March 2020) Blue Lifestyle: 92 Points “Rich plum, sec and vanilla nose; silky and crisp; juicy and fresh, lively with hints of earth and spice, silky, energetic and long. Organic.” – Anthony Dias Blue (April 2020)

Tiny vintage of this old vine zin-based classic, super-rare.

All estate fruit from the original Monte Bello estate, from lots considered not inferior, but more suitable for early consumption rather than the grand vin's 30-yr window approach. So, effectively the 2nd wine of Monte Bello. Minimal intervention as ever, natural and organic. 20 months in air-dried American oak, half new. The first vintage from these vineyards was 1892, and the oldest vines making this wine were planted in 1949. Eric the winemaker, visiting us in Cambridge, tipped us off that this is a smart buy.

Bright garnet, good attack, creamy and polished, perfumed, perfect, very long and serious. Biodynamic Organic.

Decanter 92/100 "Pure and spicy, with a silky texture, fine-grained tannins from 10 months in oak and a lush core of cherry fruit... shows the Burgundian side of RRV Pinots."

Fuller bodied and off-dry with a juicy, fruity finish. Low alcohol at 11%.

Parker 90 pale to medium ruby in color and has an herbal/earthy nose with sage and mint, bitter citrus peel, amaro, tart red cherries and wild blackberries. The palate is light to medium-bodied with herbal and bitters-tinged fruit and spicy berries notions, grainy tannins and great juicy freshness on the finish. 325 cases produced.

JancisRobinson.com: 'Aged in 50% new Francois Frères French oak barrels. The wine was racked in the spring and then aged another 20 months (24 months total). ‘Estate bottled’ is emblazoned on the front label. Fairly subtle aroma of violets and a very dry finish. Serious wine that is still in its infancy.'

Vinous Media 94+/100 (Previous Vintage) " fabulous wine.. Dense and powerful... striking depth and tons of character... superb quality and pedigree... cassis, graphite, lavender, mint ..."

Fuller bodied and off-dry with a juicy, fruity finish. Low alcohol at 11%.

A fantastic rosé from California's flagship variety. Delicate ripe watermelon, appealing strawberry and a hint of dried cranberry swirl together with a gentle sweetness and a crisp, balanced finish. Try with grilled prawns or seared salmon steaks.

Serious classic, a benchmark of Burgundian style in California. Broad-boned, multi-layered savoury/saline/mineral complexity. Packs an impressive punch at the price.