William Kelley is better known as the Wine Advocate's mould-breaking wine critic. Yet he is also a very gifted winemaker and now, winegrower. Kelley’s micro-Burgundy project released its first wines from the 2019 vintage, and the ambitious pricing has not dampened the fervour—the wines are as remarkable as they are rare. Yet Kelley’s first foray into winemaking did not start in Beaune, Pommard or Gevrey-Chambertin but in the quiet, pastoral AVA of Clarksburg on the outskirts of Sacramento. Rolling back to 2016, Kelley recalls that he and friend-slash-business partner Frank Ingriselli were looking for organically farmed old vines in Californian sub-regions where variety aligned with climate, which led them to Chenin in Clarksburg. “We then applied artisanal French winemaking techniques and sort of waited to see what happened,” he recalls. What happened is that Beau Rivage promptly reset the conversation around the potential to craft world-class Chenin Blanc from Californian soils. Made in Calistoga, this increasingly impressive Chenin Blanc is drawn from some of Clarksburg’s oldest vines, planted in the 1960s and sourced from a long-term organic grower. The grapes are picked in two lots: those from the sunny side of the vine were crushed to release extract, while fruit from the shadier side was pressed as whole clusters using a very long, firm cycle. The musts are fermented with indigenous yeasts and were raised in eight-year-old, low-toast Burgundy barrels. William Kelley uses more and more solids each year, with the wine building texture and drive from its time on lees. Expect a tension-filled and chalky white marrying the engaging texture of well-ripened Chenin Blanc with lovely clarity, fine-boned texture and impressive length. It doesn’t seem too early to call this out as a new Californian benchmark for the variety.

This is a classic expression of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon that combines exceptional structure and concentration with graceful purity and poise. The aromas reveal deep layers of blackberry, cassis and anise along with notes of cedar and violet. The palate is velvety and rich, with underlying tone and structure. Dark fruit flavors are accompanied by hints of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and oak spice that carry through to a long, satisfying finish.

Deep and rich, this is a classic expression of hillside Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, offering alluring aromas of boysenberry, black currant, and dark chocolate, as well as subtle layers of sweet oak, savory herbs, and fresh-roasted coffee. On the palate, ripe fruit and plush, radiant tannins create a velvety mouthfeel and an almost liqueur-like richness that carries through to a long, lingering finish.

The Acaibo 2017 is a bold and rich red wine from the prestigious Trinité Estate in California, USA. On the nose, this vintage offers intense aromas of dark berries, black cherries, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the wine showcases a deep ruby colour with a full-bodied structure and velvety tannins. Flavours of ripe plums, dark chocolate, and black pepper mingle together, creating a complex yet harmonious taste. The 2017 vintage has a long and lingering finish, leaving a satisfying warmth on the palate. This wine is a true representation of the exceptional terroir of California and is perfect for pairing with hearty dishes such as beef stew or grilled steak. Enjoy now or cellar for a few years to fully appreciate its potential.

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon is ripe with fresh flavours of red cherry, blackberry, and subtle dried herbs, elevated by a firm tannin structure.

Cambria was originally part of the Tepusquet Vineyard. Planted between 1970 and 1971, this ambitious venture helped establish Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine producing region. The Cambria portion of property was purchased in 1986 by Barbara Banke. Today, Cambria is still 100% family owned and the wines are 100% estate-grown.Ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors are followed by notes of cranberry, cherry and pomegranate. With a balance of earth and baking spice, this wine offers firm tannins and a long finish.

Murphy-Goode Pinot Noir comes from vineyards up and down the coast of California, including Arroyo Seco, Santa Maria Valley, and Monterey. Cool conditions in these prime growing spots keep grapes at a perfect balance between vibrant dark fruit character and bright acidity. Notes of vanilla from aging in French and American oak add complexity to the intense black cherry aromas and flavours.