Duxinaro Monterey Pinot Noir 2022 ($25). Reasonably priced, this pinot noir from Monterey County has plum and cherry notes with hints of vanilla and oak. 

Clos Pegase Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 ($110). This Napa Valley exclusive is incredibly dense and complex. Black cherry and plum notes with fleeting dashes of currants and espresso.  This property is back under the direction of Jay and Tammi Adair after the bankruptcy of Vintage Wine Estates in 2024.  This sturdy wine will get even better with years of cellaring. 

Tenuta Ammiraglia Alie Rosé 2021 ($24). This Tuscan blend of syrah and vermentino is stunning. Floral and herbal aromas with citrus flavors. 

Priest Ranch Block 50 Zinfandel 2023 ($75). Only 150 cases were made of this mountain-grown zinfandel from Napa Valley. Vibrant, crisp cherry aromas with ripe raspberry and cherry preserve flavors. Soft tannins. Duxinaro Monterey Pinot Noir 2022 ($25). Reasonably priced, this pinot noir from Monterey County has plum and cherry notes with hints of vanilla and oak. 

Clos Pegase Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 ($110). This Napa Valley exclusive is incredibly dense and complex. Black cherry and plum notes with fleeting dashes of currants and espresso.  This property is back under the direction of Jay and Tammi Adair after the bankruptcy of Vintage Wine Estates in 2024.  This sturdy wine will get even better with years of cellaring. 

Tenuta Ammiraglia Alie Rosé 2021 ($24). This Tuscan blend of syrah and vermentino is stunning. Floral and herbal aromas with citrus flavors. 

Priest Ranch Block 50 Zinfandel 2023 ($75). Only 150 cases were made of this mountain-grown zinfandel from Napa Valley. Vibrant, crisp cherry aromas with ripe raspberry and cherry preserve flavors. Soft tannins. 

 Starfield Vineyards Viognier 2024 ($36). Simple and delicate, this aromatic viognier is blended with a little roussanne and marsanne. White peach and citrus notes with a thread of minerality.  

Starfield Vineyards Hope Rising 2024 ($36).  Our favorite white of the tasting, this is a blend of equal amounts of marsanne and roussanne, plus 10 percent viognier, the latter of which lifts the aromas. Tropical fruit, stone fruit, vanilla, herbs and slate. 

Starfield Vineyards Grenache 2023 ($42). Strawberry and other red fruit flavors with a bit of white plum, vanilla and spice.  

Starfield Vineyards The Miner’s Inch 2023 ($38). This is a collection of grenache, aglianico, tempranillo, petite sirah, mourvedre, cinsault and roussanne. Medium in body with black and red fruit character and layers of spice. 

Summer champagne 

Don’t wait for the next wedding to enjoy champagne, a treat that is often replaced by inexpensive plonk at these celebratory occasions. Pop a bottle when there is no reason other than to feel good. Here are some great French champagnes we recently tasted: 

Billecart-Salmon Le Reserve Champagne NV ($69).  Always a reliable champagne for the price, this producer continues to make a luxurious signature cuvee. Apple and pear notes with a hint of spice. Unlike many champagnes, it is dominated by 43 percent pinot meunier with the balance made up of chardonnay and pinot noir. Exquisite. 

De Saint -Gall Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blanc N/V ($50-60). Produced by a cooperative, this 100 percent chardonnay delivers especially for the price. Subtle citrus and yeasty notes are enveloped in a toasty aged shell that outperforms the asking price.  

Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut ($74). Using all three grape varieties, this classic wine has white

Champagne Nicolas Feuillate Reserve Exclusive Rose ($60). Deep in color and dense, this rich champagne has effusive raspberry and blueberry notes. It’s a perfect wine to pair with fruit or salmon. 

Dom Perignon Vintage 2017 ($250). This limited edition from the well-respected producer is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir. Citrus aromas with ripe red fruit flavors. Very smooth on the finish.  

Wine picks 

Wente Family Vineyards Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2024 ($45). New to Wente’s portfolio, this cool-climate pinot noir reveals plum and cherry flavors in a medium body. Simple but tasty with a hint of dried herbs. 

Mendes & Symington Contacto Alvarinho 2025 ($22). This incredible collaboration between vinho verde pioneer Anselmo Mendes and the Symington Family Estates hails from northern Portugal. Alvarinho, genetically the same grape variety as Spain’s albarino, has nice mineral notes complementing a citrus core. Fresh acidity and a dash of grapefruit make this wine an excellent summer quaff. 

Bodegas LAN Verdejo Rueda 2025 ($14). This is an insanely great value for anyone who would enjoy an alternative to sauvignon blanc. It has layers of citrus, white peach and grapefruit flavors with fresh acidity. Perfect sipper on a hot day that would do well with a charcuterie or fruit plate.