5.     Buena Vista The Count 2014

The winery’s colorful founder, The Count of Buena Vista, pioneered premium winemaking in California. A tireless and passionate devotee of California wine, The Count imported hundreds of premium vines from Europe, dug Sonoma’s first wine caves, introduced innovative viticulture techniques, and wrote the first treatise on California wine. Buena Vista Winery honors his legacy, bold vision, and commitment to excellence through this red wine – the Founder ’s Red Wine. The 2014 Founder's Red Wine offers enticing aromas of rich, dark chocolate and soft baking spices. Upon the palate, dark berry flavors, plum skin and mocha mingle with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Nicely structured and well-balanced, this wine has a long, dense finish that lingers long after the first sip. Try it alongside BBQ beef or country-style pork ribs.

91 Points ~ Wine Advisory Board

4.     Cambria Benchbreak Pinot Noir 2014

From California to Oregon to Burgundy, Pinot Noir continually delivers and shows itself as the king of wines. Cambria's offering is medium to full-bodied with intense red fruit flavors, floral notes and hints of spice and herbs. As Robert Parker's Wine Advocate points out, this is a wine with "a lot of varietal expression and sense of place for this price point without sacrificing flavor, which is a dorky way of saying, it rocks!" It is sitting perfectly in its drinking window right now but can be cellared for another couple of years! 

90 Points ~ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

3.     Chateau d'Aigueville Massif d'Uchaux Cotes du Rhone 2015

Wines from the Cotes-du-Rhone are often overlooked as the labels can be confusing and wine drinkers don't know what they are made from! Let me tell you that this is one bottle that you should not miss! A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan come together to form a decadent, dark and robust wine with flavors of black fruit, blackberry and a hint of spice. It is a powerful wine with silky tannins that are a must for your holiday table! Pair with lamb, beef roasts, filet mignon and crown roast of pork. Buy a few and cellar for 5-8 years to see how beautifully it ages!

2.     J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 2015

1.     Torchbearer Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Torchbearer Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vineyards located in the heart of the Oakville AVA. This singular growing area is defined by deep alluvial soils and exceptionally high gravel content resulting in small berry sizes and intense varietal fruit. Famous throughout the world as one of Napa's hallmark vineyard appellations, the wines from this region represent a very small percentage of the wines produced in the Napa Valley. Enjoy this sophisticated wine with well-aged beef, cheeses and exceptional company!