Over the years I’ve cellared up a bunch of Turnbull reds. I look forward to seeing how they evolve over time; it’s the kind of “research” that requires lots and lots and lots of tasting!

Hands down, Sonoma produces some of the best Cabs and Chards.

If there ever was a case to say YMMV, a bottle from Mount Veeder Winery (St. Helena) may very well be the exclamation point.

By Napa Cab standards, the prices ($70 Alexander Valley, $110 Napa Valley) aren’t earth shattering expensive. Sure, they’re likely not daily drinkers for most of us. But you get tier 1 quality here at not necessarily tier 1 prices.

This wine is a lush, well-made Cab that shows off a sophisticated intensity so familiar to the Chaulk Hill sub AVA in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.

At $27 this Napa Valley Pinot is a wonderful every day wine. Robert Mondavi Winery has been farming the variety since 1969, and the experience shows.

The label on this Australian wine states, “The 2006 selection of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Shiraz (30%) and Merlot (20%) is another masterful blend”. And I would agree. This is a nice twist on the typically excellent Shiraz we see coming out of McLaren Vale. A nice plus is this blend results in a dialed-down boldness [...]

82 Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2005. A little boring, but not entirely bad. Light traces of fruit including blackberry and cassis. Some tannins thankfully provide some structure. Beringer produces much better than this value label. $7.99 — C.S.

88 Kathryn Kennedy Lateral, Saratoga 2004. An elegant Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (54%), Cab Franc (21%), Cab Sauvignon (20%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Nose is wonderfully balanced with berries, slight chocolate with hints of vanilla. Complex in the mouth with lots to discover, long finish. Pair with grilled meats, paella. $36 — C.S.

Beautiful aroma, nice complexity.