America

Some of the oldest vineyards in the world thrive in the Mokelumne River AVA between Lodi and the Sacramento Delta. The Bechthold Vineyard is indeed the oldest Cinsaut planting in the world, struck on its own roots in 1882 and farmed organically. Nearby, the Royal Tee Vineyard was planted in 1889, comprising 82% Zinfandel, 8% Carignan and the remainder a mix of Flame Tokay, Black Prince, Mission and Muscat table grapes. The majority of this blend is Carignane from the “1900 Block” of Jessie’s Grove, which includes 10% of the almost extinct white grape Monbadon, also known as Berger. All of these vines are own-rooted, dry-farmed and certified heritage vineyards.

The 2021 Vintage was extremely dry and ”cold, with frosts during the early growing season. The resulting harvest was very light, with less than half the crop expected on many vines. Harvested from early September (Zin) to early October (Carignan).

Moderately dark in color, this wine presents a complex nose with dark fruits, earth and hints of woodruff. The palate presents well-sculpted tannins supported by a good acid backbone that leads to a long, lingering finish echoing the fruits first found on the nose.

Mokelumne River, Lodi, 14.6% Alcohol by Volume, 316 cases produced, <.01 residual sugar, 3.7 pH, 6.5 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.

94 Points! This distinctive version is rich and ripe, as well as lively and zesty, with a burst of blueberry, raspberry and black currant flavors that mesh nicely with a vibrant set of sweet bay leaf, violet and sassafras notes. The fruit and savory sides race through the finish, where a subtle iron note emerges. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. - Wine Spectator

For fans of the fruit-forward, richly-appointed style of the Chardonnays from Robert Talbott! Less oak here, but all the joy. A couple select sites throughout Monterey County. 2021 was a pretty normal year down there. Regardless of where you are the wind and mild, steady coastal temps make for wonderfully balanced Chardonnay. Harvest September 4th-17th. 20% new French oak aging.

This is sourced from a handful of select sites throughout Santa Barbara County. 2021 was a pretty normal year down there with a couple early July heat spikes into the upper 70s low 80s. The marine influence and the wind buoy and temper the bright fruit flavors in the resulting wines. Harvest September 9th-25th. 25% new French oak aging.  

96 Points! A light golden hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Beyond The Threshold is layered with honeyed citrus and delicate smoke and flush with floral perfume that expands in the glass. This has another gear on the palate, with more fresh acidity and notes of candied lime, green apple, and warming spices that last on the finish. It’s very attractive and will be great over the next 10 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! The 2021 Beyond the Threshold Chardonnay comes from a single block in Sanchez Vineyard in Petaluma Gap. It slowly unfurls to reveal notes of pear tart, butterscotch, lemon curd, and grapefruit giving way to wafts of allspice and toasted almonds. The full-bodied palate is rich and opulent with a creamy texture and wonderful tension, finishing long and spicy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, TWI

A ridiculously good value-priced blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from the Gamble Family Estate in the heart of the Napa Valley!

The (Gamble Family) Mill Keeper White Wine Napa Valley 2021 is a blend of fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc and round, fruity Chardonnay. As some of you may recall from these pages before, the Gamble Family Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best in the valley. But did you know that Gamble’s Chardonnay fruit is the foundation of the Beringer Reserve Chardonnay program? Crazy, right?

Together, that blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chardonnay aged in 21% new French Oak for 10 months delivers an easier, rounder hypothetical mash-up of those two wines. The Sauvignon gives vibrancy and focus, and the Chardonnay provides an ample middle. What a ‘white wine’ for the money!

100 Points! In 2002 very small yields produced only about 3,000 cases at 14.7% natural alcohol and a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc. This wine is going from strength to strength since I first tasted it prior to bottling. Now a perfect wine, the incredible perfume of blueberries, black raspberries and cassis, along with white flowers and camphor is extraordinarily fragrant and intense. That is easily matched by the magnificent full-bodied richness and compellingly layered mouthfeel of this wine that is rich, full-bodied and a still youthful vintage that remains capable of another 25-30 years of cellaring. This is a dramatic vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is always fascinating to taste a top winery’s 2001 and 2002 next to each other because they are both such great years. However, the 2002s tend to be the more flamboyant wines, and the 2001s the more structured and broodingly backward. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com, 2016

96+ Points! No wimpy wine, the 2006 Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard (76% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, and 6% Grenache) has over 16% alcohol. It possesses phenomenal texture, stunning purity, and remarkable freshness, which, again, is attributable to the limestone soils as well as the proprietor’s brilliant hands-off winemaking philosophy. A complex perfume of roasted meats, black fruits, spring flowers, charcoal, and spice is followed by a wine of enormous richness (yet it is neither overweight nor heavy). Beautiful freshness permeates the wine’s black fruit flavors and full-bodied power and length. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. This 2006 should evolve for 12-15+ years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

92 Points! The estate’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Juicy dark berries, flowers, mint and cloves all come together nicely in the glass. Today, the 2010 is open and expressive, with soft, silky tannins and tons of near-term appeal, all qualities entry-level Cabernets should have. The 2010 is mostly valley floor fruit, with dollops of Panek, Corona and GIII. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

93 Points! The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Roberto Corona Vineyard, from a site on the Oakville bench, is the richest of these 2009 Cabernets from Rivers-Marie. It bursts from the glass with jammy, opulent fruit and a big, full-bodied personality. Blue and black fruit, mint, licorice and sweet spices wrap around the finish. The 100% new oak comes through here. I am not sure this wine needs all the oak and makeup. There is plenty of pedigree already. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

94 Points! The 2005 The Tempest (52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 18% Petit Verdot) offers attractive aromas of blueberry jam, cassis, and a creamy, espresso/chocolatey character. This opulent, round, hedonistic, voluptuously-textured, super-pure 2005 will provide pleasure over the next 12-15 years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

96 Points! Funky and woody on the nose, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon still has elements of dried red cherry and black raspberry reduction with cinnamon-covered currants on the nose. I am sensing some bottle variance, but the full-bodied wine goes on to show a delightful structure that should hold together for a few more years in the bottle. Ultimately, the wine ends with a tannic edge over the long conclusion, ending with mature flavors of stewed fruit compote with an element of old oak and pine bark. - Anthony Mueller, robertparker.com

92 Points! The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III (F Block) is all about pure power and muscle. A blast of dark fruit hits the palate as this immediate, juicy wine shows off its open, accessible personality. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

90 Points! An exotic, voluptuous wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard wraps around the palate with serious depth. The 2009 is big, full-bodied and super-intense. It doesn’t have the aromatic high register of the 2010, but instead has more depth and immediacy. Waves of fruit build to a huge, enveloping finish. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

95 Points! The 1998 Maya (500 cases from a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Cabernet Sauvignon) is an amazing effort, possessing multiple layers of fruit, sweet tannin, and no herbaceousness, astringency, or thinness. This is an amazing tour de force in winemaking for the vintage. It is loaded, with impeccable balance. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com, 2002