A full and layered red with lots of plums and chocolate with dark chocolate and crushed stones. Full and layered. From old dry-farmed, head-pruned merlot and cabernet sauvignon vines, all Calistoga. From the owner of Napa’s Hundred Acre winery. Drink or hold.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 The Diplomat shoots out of the glass with bold notions of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and mulberries followed by suggestions of dusty soil, Indian spices, and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully plush, with a refreshing line to support the generous black fruit and exotic spice layers, finishing with a compelling red berry burst. "This is a classic Claret (it says Teralc on the label, which is Claret backwards) with a lot of old-vine Merlot in the blend," says owner Jayson Woodbridge. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The Merlot-dominated 2019 The Diplomat comes from a handful of sites and would give a great Pomerol a run for its money with its darker red and black fruits, smoky herbs, and earthy goodness on the nose. These carry to a full-bodied, rounded, opulent 2019 with sweet, building tannins and a great finish. Give it a few years.

Riper and substantially more expressive than the 2018, Fortunate Son's 2019 Red Wine The Diplomat is a plush, luscious wine, laden with black cherries, mocha and loam notes. It's full-bodied, rich, velvety and supple, with a lingering finish. Like the previous vintage, it's mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a fair whack of Merlot. - Joe Czerwinski