Rocks! By Cornerstone Rosé California 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, ruby red color being one of the most deeply colored Rosé wines of the season. The nose explodes with the scents of ripe red raspberry, strawberry, and boysenberry with hints of cranberry and cherry, mineral, and rose petals. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex marriage of ripe and tart berries with accents of dry cassis and rhubarb. This is a big and chewy Rosé with lots of gusto while being absolutely bone-dry and perfectly balanced with a generous dose of bright acidity. $15 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Matassa Cuvée Marguerite Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2013
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is wonderfully floral with both sweet and tart notes featuring pomello, red grapefruit, quince, and lemon with accents of mineral and fresh bread dough. The palate echoes the nose delivering layers of ripe citrus juice with zest and complex pithy green fruit notes supported by mineral and a rich leesy quality redolent of Champagne. This is a wonderfully vibrant wine with a rich and layered center that delivers perfect balance with long trailing tart fruit notes. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Domaine le Vieux Chene Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is subtle and fresh with scents of wild spring flowers with ripe peaches, green apple, and crisp citrus notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a vibrant, tart fruit core with bright lemon zest and mineral accents being totally dry. It's medium-bodied with zesty green fruits and great balance offering bright citrus notes. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Dom. Brial Chateau Les Pins Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant straw color with hints of gold. The nose is wonderfully intense and complex with layers of ripe peach, apricot, orange zest, lemon, and mint with accents of honey, and white flowers. The palate is equal to the nose delivering waves of ripe orchard fruits with supporting tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and bright citrus elements. It's beautifully layered with complex fruit notes and a perfect dose of citrus juice to keep it fresh and compelling. $18 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Chateau de Jau Muscat De Rivesaltes 2010
Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is simply beautiful with bright notes of honey, apricot, lush and sweet tropical fruits with loads of wild flowers accents of mineral and mango. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and silky fruit core with enough acid to keep it clean with notes of fresh herbs emerging on the finish. Beautifully intense with a rich, chewy center and a crisp line of acidity that runs from head to toe. $19 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Deneufbourg le muscat Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant, pale straw cololr. The nose reveals an intensely fruity wine with layers of baked peach, pineapple, apple, and star fruit with hints of candied ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very sweet and fruity core with lingering notes of cotton candy and concentrated pear juice. This is a very sweet wine that's stuffed with fruit but I would love to see a bit more citrus-like acid to add a lift and a vibrant edge. $12 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Biltmore Blanc de Blanc Brut California NV
Brilliant, pale straw color with a persistent stream of fine bubbles. The nose is fresh with scents of green apple, Asian pears, lemon zest,and toasted almonds with accents of rising bread dough, and mineral. The palate echoes the nose striking the perfect balance of richness and vibrancy ideally marrying ripe orchard fruits with bread-like flavors supported by bright citrus notes. Perfectly balanced with a vibrant dose of acidity and a persistent effervescence. Made with 100% Sparkling Blend. $24.99 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Santa Cristina Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is very fresh and floral with assertive citrus notes and accents of kiwi, pineapple, and green apple. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a crisp and vibrant fruit-driven core with waves of tart citrus juice and zest, ripe kiwi, gooseberry, and fresh lemon on the finish. Medium-bodied with a a very vibrant and semi-tart character. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The aromatics are very floral being led by white, spring flowers with supporting notes of peach, apple, and citrus with accents of orange peel and ginger. The palate echoes the nose offering a sprite, tart fruit core with mineral, citrus zest, and fresh grass. Medium-bodied with crisp green apple and citrus notes conspire to make this a very refreshing wine. $12 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Santa Cristina Cipresseto Rosato Toscana IGT 2014
Bright salmon color. The nose is fresh and floral supported by notes of raspberry, cranberry, and mineral, with hints of citrus zest. The palate is in full accord delivering a crisp, fruit-driven core with vibrant red berries being equaled by citrus and hints of herbs. Moderately intense with low alcohol and loads of tart fruits. $14 – 3 Stars – 85 points
