America

95 Points! The 2024 Riesling Eroica truly impresses, from grapes grown at Evergreen Vineyard in a year that saw extreme cold in January but more typical temperatures the rest of the growing season. There’s minerality and salinity from the site, coming from various blocks, and gorgeous perfumed notes of petrol and stone. The fruit profile is sleek and light-bodied in apricot and lime, unfettered by oak, aged 10 months in stainless steel to retain purity and acidity. There’s an enduring freshness here that should last another 10-12 years. 1.90 g/100 ml residual sugar. - Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com

92 Points! This white shows verve and sleek acidity, with just a hint of juicy sweetness, plus accents of lime, lemongrass and green apple. - Wine Spectator

The 2022 Machete is a big, inky, unapologetic California red built on Petite Sirah. The nose is immediately expressive: Blackberry cobbler, black plum and blueberry up front, then licorice, dark chocolate and a savory, grilled-meat smokiness behind the fruit. On the palate, this carries far more muscle and grip than your typical California blend. Waves of dark fruit get a smoky sweetness from the oak, but a bright twist of orange peel and surprisingly fresh acidity keep all that power moving. The tannins are classic Petite Sirah, thick and chewy, driving a long, dark-fruited finish.

94 Points! This appellation cuvée is a winner, beginning with aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, loamy soil and minty pine on the nose. The palate is tense in texture, as sticky, even waxy tannins frame flavors of ripe cherry and forest herb. - Wine Enthusiast

Just gorgeous now. The folks at Highlands have wrapped up their business and sold us a small cache of their older goodies at INSANE prices. This wine at $29.98 is simply RIDICULOUS. Howell Mountain, 20+ years of bottle age, great vintage, and under $30. Wow.

96 Points! The 2023 Gemellaia, a varietal Merlot in this vintage, is dusty and floral, enticing with an array of crushed violets, white pepper, cedar shavings and wild blueberries. It is seamless and supple, with a savory mix of red and blue fruits underscored by crisp mineral tones, as an air of lavender gathers toward the close. It is dramatically long, staining and structured, with a web of fine tannins, yet maintains excellent freshness and verve. The 2023 Gemellaia is simply stunning. No fan of Merlot should be without it. – Eric Guido, Vinous

96 Points! A fresh and perfumed wine with aromas of sandstone, roses and lavender. Silky tannins and refreshing acidity with a long finish that carries flavors of wild blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate. – JamesSuckling.com

95+ Points! A dramatic departure from the history of this wine, the 2023 Gemellaia is composed of 100% Merlot and is an absolutely transcendent expression of the variety. Bounding from the glass with a sophisticated, red- and black-fruited nose with sandalwood, turned earth, underbrush and dark chocolate aromas, the palate is rich and saturated yet equal parts slender and spry. It culminates with a lifted, savory finish that lingers with refined, chalky tannins and remarkable length. This is the only thing like it in the Central Coast, and I look forward to following its evolution. – Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com

92 Points! A sleek and flavorful red with aromas of dark raspberries, licorice, orange peel, toasted hazelnuts and bay leaves. Full-bodied with a fine-tannin frame. Excellent balance. 92% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! The 2021 Red Blend Estate opens with a dark and brooding blend of crushed ashen stones, grilled herbs, violet pastille and blackberries. This is juicy and round in feel, with vibrant acidity and masses of ripe red and blue fruits. It finishes long and finely structured with dusty tannins, leaving hints of licorice and confectionary spice to fade. - Eric Guido, Vinous

93 Points! Cassis, currants, tobacco, and lead pencil notes define the 2022 Ballentine Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Darker earth and graphite emerge with time in the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, with ripe tannins and impressive purity. This killer value shows authentic Napa character and will drink well for a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! I loved the 2023 Cabernet Franc Estate, which is based on 90% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec, all raised 18 months in 50% new French oak. Ripe red and black berry fruits, cedary herbs, spice, and floral nuances all emerge from this beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced, and elegant, with finely polished tannins and outstanding length. This terrific wine will evolve nicely over the coming 10-15 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

93 Points! Luscious and forward, showing black cherries, plum skin and blackberries with vanilla bean, bay leaves, tobacco and toasty spices on the nose. Flavors of ripe black fruit, tar and vanilla. The palate is broad and creamy but framed with a judicious amount of new French oak. A blend of two estates in Calistoga and St. Helena. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! It offers deep and compelling aromas of red and black fruits, lead pencil, and traces of oak spices. This full-bodied, concentrated, and chewy wine is thick, dense, and gorgeously defined for such a massive wine. Its combination of power and elegance brought to mind the 1986 Margaux, one of the finest wines ever produced by that illustrious estate. When I first tasted this wine at the estate in Snohomish, Golitzen was worried that it was too big and powerful. I found myself in the all-too-rare position of defending a wine's qualities to the person who had made it! At a subsequent tasting, the wine had lost some of its youthful exuberance and Golitzen was enthused to see that it was gaining focus and elegance. This is a truly magnificent wine, and it will age remarkably well. - Pierre Antoine Rovani, robertparker.com

100 Points! An inky/plum/purple color is accompanied by a stunning bouquet of violets, charcoal, creme de cassis and a hint of toast. Prodigious when it hits the palate with a full-bodied expansiveness, there is not a hard edge to be found in the 1997, only velvety tannins, compelling depth and fruit intensity, and stunning purity. It is a perfect expression of Napa viticulture and wine that should continue to age effortlessly for two decades or more. An ideal warm, dry spring, June and July was followed by a surprisingly cool August that slowed down what looked to be rapid sugar accumulation in the grapes. September's temperatures were average to above average, without any potentially damaging heat spikes. This allowed the harvest to unfurl slowly, with no stress or imminent danger. For many Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, this resulted in one of the top vintages of the nineties. Consumers, observers and wine critics will undoubtedly argue for decades over which vintage of the nineties turned out to be the finest – 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 or 1997. The 1997 Insignia is a 20,000-case blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, with 60% coming from estate vineyards and 40% from growers. The alcohol came in at 13.8%. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com 2013