In this issue, new Pinot Noir takes its place at center stage with a small supporting cast of older wines from 2004 adding its voice from the wings. A smattering of new sparkling wines and a luscious bunch of sweet, late harvest whites round our February report.

As new Pinot Noir releases arrive, our regard for the stellar 2012 vintage only rises, and the high quality displayed by the first from 2013 suggests that we will have more than enough very good Pinot, if that is possible, to enjoy over the next couple of years.

Pinot has been proving its mettle in California for enough years now that it is entirely reasonable to see how some of the better bottlings have held up with age.

A handful of new releases has appeared on our doorstep since last we looked at sparkling wines, and they simply cannot be ignored. The Rosés handily steal the scene.

Late harvest white wines are all about sweetness and unctuous richness, but they are not always about Riesling or Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, and this issue includes a few less-than-conventional offerings that will make dessert complete.

Zinfandel, Merlot and Chardonnay are the focus of our monthly round up of good values, and, as the smart shopper will find, comfortable prices need not come with a sacrifice in fine quality.