California Wine Advisors

Our oh-so-discerning (a.k.a. snobby!) tasting team is rarely impressed but we ALL fell in love with this glorious new Chardonnay. The praise was unanimous! Captivating aromas of buttered croissant lead to golden delicious apples, grilled pineapple, and magical hints of butterscotch and crème brulée on the tantalizing finish. Wow!

This dazzling white wine features gorgeous aromas of pear, grapefruit, orange blossom and lemon sorbet. These captivating notes open up on the palate to include white peach, kiwi and melon notes with a luscious, silky texture. This mouth-watering wine shows tremendous crispness of fresh fruit with a subtle minerality to boot. Enjoy over the next...

This is the best vintage yet of this already iconic bottling from the Kistler family. Blended from their array of celebrated vineyards on the far Sonoma coast, the 2024 Freestone-Occidental offers a thrilling, energetic bouquet of bright cherry and ripe red berries. Very racy on the palate, with generous and bold fruit, blood orange zest,...

A superb bargain that delivers on every level, this wine is delicious and impressively well built, with a super juicy bouquet of strawberry, black cherry, and flashy blueberry. The palate is packed with ripe, brambly black and blue fruits, lifted by high-toned brightness and balanced by creamy oak. Notes of vanilla and dark cocoa add...

This thrill ride embarks with characteristic Pisoni flavors of racy raspberry, creamy strawberry, lightly toasted oak, and a hint of milk chocolate that flow throughout this sensuous experience. The palate of this monumental crowd-pleaser is deceptively soft and lush at first, then leads into a plethora of ripe blackberry, Bing cherry, clove, smoke and the...

As Hobbs himself notes, he was given first choice of the blocks in Andy Beckstoffer’s famous ‘Grand Cru’ site in western St Helena. The Dr Crane continues to be the most dominant of the lineup of thoroughbreds in Hobbs’ Cabernet portfolio with its array of flavors that will dazzle fans of Napa Valley at its...

This delightfully impressive debut bottling features a velvety texture and sumptuous notes of of black raspberries, truffles and chocolate mints that lead to Havana leaf tobacco and baking spices on the gorgeous finish. This well-balanced wine already shows firm, ripe, finely grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the energetic, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and...

From the southern valley where it’s cooler, the Nathan Coombs estate Cabernet again shows impressive poise and concentration. The dark color and dense berry flavors show the influence of the site, which Hobbs harnesses to craft an exotic, layered wine. Absolutely thrilling to sip now, but will be even more enjoyable in 5-7 years.

A gloriously flashy, succulent, and satisfying Pinot that will enhance a multitude of menus. Paul Lato is a true master of balance and finesse, with ripe cherry and raspberry perfectly balanced by savory baking spices and subtle hints of creamy vanilla on the finish. A sense of fresh fruit plus acidity and oh-so silky tannins...

A stunningly complex wine with hints of  licorice and Italian herbs. Muscular and intense with a deep complex mix of leather and cigar. Grippy tannins reveal gorgeous oak, a long finish and a mid-palate that just lingers.