In a cool growing season like the one we enjoyed in 2023, the vines take their time maturing the grapes – we harvested on October 9 — and we were rewarded with a wine of handsomely dark color, subtle yet exotic aromas of blackberries and plums, and complex spices — Cardamom, Nutmeg, and Allspice. Most attractive though, is the long, delicious finish that surrounds the wine, making it gratifying to drink.

The 2022 Sage Canyon Red is a beauty. The color is bright, and the aroma is attention-grabbing, combining the exotic perfume of pit fruits, like peach and apricot, with wild cherry. There are traces of mineral and earth – a charming, rustic component from the stems.

This 2019 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and offers heady oak spices, blackberry fruit, and tobacco notes. A powerful wine on entry, revealing tart red berry fruit intertwined with ripe blackberry, and laced with dark chocolate notes.

My respect for the publication only increased when I learned a few years ago that they had hired Bay Area journalist Jonathan Cristaldi to augment their reporting on California wines.