Here are some recently tasted wines, roughly in order of preference: --Three Sticks 2021 One Sky Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain, Ca., $85. Earth, pencil and cherry on the nose.
Rich cherry, earth and spice on the well-structured palate, with a long finish. Very good. --Rombauer 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Ca.
, $75. Cedar, blackberry, brambly aromas. Lush, rich, smooth and full-bodied, with cedar and black fruit, and a long finish.
Very good. -- 1853 Old Vine Estate Selected Parcel 2019 Malbec, Mendoza, Arg., $30.
Black fruit, forest brush, tobacco aromas. Meaty with leather and pepper on the palate. Very good.
--Bouchaine 2021 Swan Clone Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, Ca., $65. Cherry, pomegranate and spice aromas.
Relatively light-bodied, fairly tannic but smooth and elegant, with cinnamon/clove spice and cranberry/tart cherry fruit through a long, graceful finish. Very good. People are also reading.
.. --Presqu’ile 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Maria Valley, Ca.
, $28. Peach, citrus and herbs, with a lingering finish. Good plus.
--Camp alla Sughero Adeo Bolgheri Rossi 2021 Toscana, Italy, $50. Herbs and plum on the nose. Smooth and ripe plum and cherry with earthy brush.
Juicy with a persistent spicy finish. Good plus. --Rodney Strong 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Ca.
, $30. Roses and cherries on the nose. Good acidity, with strawberry, cherry, citrus and a bit of peach on the juicy palate.
Good plus. --Coto de Imaz 2018 Reserva Rioj.