As it is still in the U.S. market, Larry McKenna opened a superb bottle of the 2013 Kupe Chardonnay. It's certainly at its peak, offering honeyed melon and citrus notes on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it boasts a generous, layered and richly mealy texture and tremendous length on the finish.

Medium ruby purple colored, the 2013 Kupe Pinot Noir has a youthfully muted nose revealing suggestions of black berries plus whiffs of charcoal, bay leaf, lavender and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, taut and firmly textured at this early stage, it gives gentle mineral laced black fruit flavors and has very good persistence.

All own-rooted Abel clone. 60% whole bunch. Aged 18 months in barriques (50% new). Very deep blackish garnet. Rich and sweet. Luscious sweetness. Big and bold and almost Californian with a hint of mint. Just a little dry on the end. But a very good, exciting rendition. Not burgundy-pure but a perfectly valid expression of original owner Larry McKenna and Pinot! Just slightly too tannic on the end but lots of fun. (JR)