Byron C Mayes

9.0

Deep gold. Inviting nose of baked apple and underripe banana. Medium full palate of baked app, birch, tropical fruit, and a hint of vanilla stone al wrapped around a firm backbone of juicy acidity. Typically moderate finish. An almost Burgundian Willamette Valley Chardonnay sourced from four prestigious vineyards and finished in a combination of stainless steel and French oak. Take it anywhere you’d take a fine Meursault including firm white fish, scallops, or rich casseroles. Drink now through 2027. Maybe even beyond. — 21 hours ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark red purple. Abundant nose of cedar and black raspberry. Medium full palate yields black raspberry, dried plum (not prune), red licorice, light graphite. Juicy medium plus acidity. Medium plus tannins. Medium finish. Classic French food wine that’s ready for lighter cuts of beef and hearty Sud-Ouest stews (drop a cup or so in the stew to make your own Julia Childs moment!). Drink now through 2026. — 7 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

This has never been Carneros, just Napa Valley. Vibrant pink. Inviting nose and medium palate of rose and red cherry with a touch of seltzer on the moderate finish. Medium plus acidity. Another triumph from Courtney Benham. Plenty of fruit balanced by juicy acidity and earthy floral overtones. Ready for summer fare and summer sipping. Drink now I either situation. — 15 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark purple with a near black core. Inviting nose and full-bodied palate of blueberry compote, black currant, and blackberry cobbler all in a balsam bowl. Medium tannins and sneaky medium acidity from entry to lengthy dark finish. Now this is a nice example of what California does best. Smooth enough for a sipper but with enough structure to accompany light to medium cuts of beef. Put it up against any modern “cult” blend and it will show beautifully. Drink now through 2023. — 18 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.6

Transparent garnet purple. Inviting nose and medium-bodied, fruit forward palate of dark red cherry, blackberry, and red currant with slight vanilla overtones. Juicy medium acidity. Very low tannins. A bit lighter than the typical Paso Cabernet which, along with the fruit forward style, makes for an attractive cookout Cab. Give it a slight chill for a slight bump in structure before taking it outside. Drink now. — 3 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.4

Clear ruby red. Shy nose and full palate of cherry Ludens and red licorice. No tannins and low acidity. Lengthy cherry candy finish. Porto Rosê is just what you expect: a lighter, less tannic expression of the Porto flavor profile. Like your Tawny Port with a cigar? Try this with a cigarillo. Prefer your Ruby Port with dark chocolate? Try this with a lighter milk chocolate or mint infused mousse (or white chocolate of you swing that way for some reason). Or experiment. It’ll keep for a bit. — 7 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple with near black core. Inviting nose of black plum and graphite. Full-bodied palate confirms the nose with moderately firm tannins and medium plus acidity. Lingering dark graphite finish. This is what a “stinkin’ Merlot” should be like. Big, plush, and dark fruity. The almost Bordeaux-like mineral note adds to its capacity as a classic accompaniment to light cuts of beef, medium cheeses, or everyday casseroles. I’m enjoying with beef stroganoff. Drink now through 2025. — 14 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Star bright straw gold with rose gold highlights. Dried apple and dried flowers on the inviting nose. Firm acidity leads the medium light palate of baked quince, dried white flowers, white pepper, and a hint of flint all of the way through to the moderate finish. Laser focus on this Austrian beauty. Pork, game fowl, or scallops will have an excellent match. Drink now through 2028. — 4 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Star bright straw gold with rose gold highlights. Inviting nose and medium light palate of baked quince, dried white flowers, and stony underripe white peach. Fleshy mouthfeel wraps a firm, bracing acidity and leads to a moderate earthy finish. Grillo is a “workhorse” variety most often found (in the US) in Marsala or in crisp, light sippers. The application of the “passito” method — air drying the grapes into raisins before pressing— results in a complex white that’s worthy of the Friday dinner table. All at a “summer sipper” price. Upgrade your white wine game. Pair with pasta carbonara or primavera from now to 2024. — 5 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

100% Pinot Noir. Brilliant carnation pink. Abundant , slightly musty nose of earthy red cherry. Medium palate echoes the nose with a bit of cinnamon candy (without the heat) and red apple peel layered in. Medium plus acidity runs through all of that fruit. More rustic than its cousin under the Samuel Robert label, making it a bit more of a food wine, but it will do well as a summer sipper. Drink now. — 16 days ago