Carol Shelton Karma Zin Zinfandel Sonoma County 2012
Deep, darkest garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics reveal a dense and rich Zin with layers of ripe and dried red and black berries with accents of allspice, earth, oak, nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark chocolate. The palate fulfills the promise of the nose showing even more concentration of fruit with generous spice and oak notes adding interest and structure. Full-bodied with great balance as well thanks to a bright dose of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Gundlach Bundschu Estate Gewürztraminer Sonoma Coast 2014
Beautiful pale straw color. The nose reveals a classic Gewürztraminer showcasing lovely orchard fruits with accents of jasmine, rose water, honeysuckle, lemon curd, and ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex fruit melange with white peach, apple, and pear in the lead supporting by generous spice, rose water, ginger, and jasmine with mineral and subtle citrus accents. Medium-bodied and incredibly delicate while filling the palate with waves of fruit and spice. Made with 100% Gewürztraminer. $22 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Summers Estate Villa Andriana Vineyard Charbono Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is complex and unique offering bright scents of red plum, blueberry, bramble berry, and wild raspberry with sweet herbs, cigar box, and earth. The palate echoes the nose delivering a concentrated fruit core that offers wave of red and black berry fruits with spice, earth, and oak. Full-bodied and rustic while being nuanced and sophisticated with perfect balance and silky tannins. Made with 100% Charbono. $34 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Summers Estate Two-Acre Zinfandel Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is wonderfully expressive with waves of ripe blackberry, cherry, and blueberry with bramble berry, hints of leather, and rich black fruit jam. The palate echoes the nose delivering rich fruit-driven core with a frame of mineral, brown spice, and black pepper. Full-bodied with waves of dense, concentrated fruit while it offers a nice balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity. Made with 100% Zinfandel. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Mount Veeder Reserve Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep garnet to maroon color. The nose is wonderfully complex — imagine Bordeaux meeting Napa hillsides. Scents of blackberry, blueberry, plum, and cassis take the lead supported by fresh herbs, toasted oak, allspice, nutmeg, and hints of dark chocolate, leather, and licorice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, fruit-driven core with a wildly complex mix of earth, cigar, brown baking spices, sweet herbs, and oak to add intrigue. It's certainly full-boded but this wine offers more nuance than heft as it's never brooding while constantly changing from sip to sip. $90 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Tie Dye Red Blend North Coast 2013
Brilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose is intensely fruity and complex with waves of raspberry, black cherry, Boysenberry, and cassis competing for the lead with accents of fresh herbs, eucalyptus, brown baking spices, and subtle toasted oak notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a lush and multifaceted, fruit-driven core with depth and length. The herbal and spice notes rise on the finish that lingers with jammy black fruits. Full-bodied while balanced and complex as it never seems heavy, offering a bright dose of acidity with soft, round tannins. $18.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Bogle Essential Red California 2013
Deep, bright ruby red. The nose is generously proportioned with the scents of freshly crushed red and black berries with supporting notes of brown baking spices, blueberry, black currant, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering a lush but incredibly vibrant, fruit-driven core with tart fruit acidity, oak, spice, and a hint of earth. Wonderfully intense and rich without being heavy or brooding with a lovely dose of acid and chewy tannins that offer structure. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Bogle Petite Sirah California 2013
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. The nose is dense with bramble berry and blackberry that is equally tart as it is ripe with loads of brown baking spices in support, as well as generous dose of American oak. The palate is equal to the nose delivering a concentrated, fruit forward core with waves of tart, jammy black fruits. This is a very intense Petite with a generous dose of acidity and framing, gripping tannins. $12 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon California 2013
Deep, bright ruby red. The nose is filled with the scents of black fruits with ripe red and black cherry supported by accents of earth, toasted oak, vanilla, clove, allspice, and fresh green herbs. The palate is equal to the aromatics delivering a lush fruit core with dry oak and spice accents that give way to a mild green, live herbs garden note. Medium to full-bodied with lush, silky fruit and a fresh dose of acidity and soft, minimal tannins. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Cornerstone Cellars Oakville Station Merlot Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics are incredibly deep with layers of red and black cherry with hints of raspberry, blackberry, plum, cocoa nibs, allspice, anise, vanilla bean accented toasted oak, herbes de Provence, and black pepper. The palate is equal to the nose delivering an impossibly complex array of berry fruits with spice, earth, oak, and more subtle nuances than can be documented here. Full-bodied and wonderfully structured and silky with countless layers and perfectly integrated tannins. $75 – 5 Stars – 100 points
