Textbook 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, CA ($21)

 

There's a lot to like about this Textbook brand from Napa-based Jonathan and Susan Pey. The wines are exactly what the brand suggests: wines that show great typicity of variety and place, and they're made in a very straightforward, direct way. The prices are also pretty damn good. The wine business is tough these days, but that seems like a pretty good formula for success, especially if you're buying grapes in a flooded bulk market. Coming in at a consumer-friendly $20 or so, this is a fine Sauvignon Blanc with the exact grapefruit, grass, and clover notes that you'd expect to get from a coastal California Sauvignon Blanc. The depth of flavor is impressive, and it comes in at a nice, mild 12.8% alcohol. Definitely recommended. (91 Points)

-Tim Teichgraeber 

Textbook 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($23)

 

 

This gorgeous Chardonnay from Jonathan and Susan Pey (formerly known for their cool-climate Marin County wines) is a steal. It's bursting with pineapple and apricot fruit with lemon curd, orange zest and subtle vanilla notes. It's a sunny, juicy California Chardonnay with great acidity and brightness as well as a satisfying roundness. Highly recommended. (92 Points) 

- Tim Teichgraeber 

Textbook 2022 Pey Family Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)

 

 

I know Jonathan Pey best for his work in Marin County (a very cool climate just north of the Golden Gate Bridge), where he made Riesling and some other wines for many years. His newer value-oriented brand, Textbook, makes Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and Paso Robles, red blends, and a couple of white wines. In 2019, as the brand was seeing good growth, it was sold to Distinguished Vineyards and Wine Partners (a subsidiary of Kirin), but Jonathan Pey stayed on as winemaker. As Napa Cabs go, this one is a good value if you can get it for under $40. It's very well-made, velvety, has rich black and red fruit, and has nice structure for short-term drinking. Recommended.

- Tim Teichgraeber