Close your eyes, Cab lovers, and just listen: 90 points, four stars, “wine to buy” ranking. You want that wine, and here it is. Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley is the warm, hillside secret behind some of California’s “cult” Cabs. Rich clay and loam soils in these vineyards are perfect for Cabernet.

Whole berry fermentation helps keep all the fruit flavors right up front here. A mix of French, U.S. and European oak holds it all together, showing cedar, hints of vanilla and dark chocolate on the finish.

Looking for a 100 % barrel-fermented Russian River Chardonnay that actually tastes like the grapes? Here it is. Great varietal character from California’s most famous place for Chardonnay. A long, cool growing season and the strong maritime influence show up in the structure.

A big, intense wine with lighter pear and peach flavors melded with citrus, lemon and a little toasty oak. Frei Brothers says its wines are “terroir based.” There’s no place like the Russian River Valley.

Andrew Frei, who put his name on this Dry Creek winery back in the 1890s, would love this Merlot. A big, round blend with some Cabernet Sauvignon for structure. Dark ruby, but not heavy. Full malolactic fermentation, and aging in French and European oak produced a luscious, well-integrated wine.

Classic Merlot flavors: blackberry and cherry, a little spice, a little vanilla, not too much oak. Very balanced, with a long, lush finish.

This well-balanced brick red Pinot Noir comes from the Emerald Palace for Pinot-philes. Not just the Russian River, but the tiny sub-appellation of Green Valley. The wine starts fast and keeps on giving. No flat spots. That’s what comes from seven and a half months of conditioning in small oak barrels.

Red and black fruit aromas, a little rose petal, black cherry. Flavors of red cherry under those earthy blue and black berries. See if you get the notes of violets as the wine evolves in the glass.

There may not be enough room here to list the cascade of flavors and aromas this wine delivers: passion fruit, pineapple, citrus peel, warm pear and white nectarine, fresh-cut grass and roasted bell peppers. It’s all laid out nicely, very distinctive. A little Semillon in the blend gives it a well-organized complexity.

The winemakers used neutral oak barrels to integrate the flavors and textures. The oak is present, but not obvious. Make it your house wine year-round.

Russian River means cool climate, right? Syrah means warm climate, right? Yes…and no. Cool climate Syrah has really caught on because you get all that Syrah fruit flavor and texture, with a touch of elegance in the structure. Winemakers used two different designer yeasts to draw out structure, flavor and aromas.

Earthy smoke and toast, dark blue and black berries, black pepper spice.Tannins that caress the palate on the finish.