Cornerstone Cellars Michael's Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeepest, darkest ruby red color. The rich and dense fruit is the first thing that grabs your attention. Rich, concentrated black cherries take the lead followed by cassis, raspberry, black plum, and wild red berries are supported by a melange of brown spices, earth, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, concentrated fruit core that is framed by spice, black pepper, leather, oak, and dusty tannins. It's simply gorgeous and what every Napa Cabernet lover is seeking. Full-bodied with deep, concentrated fruit and spice flavors displaying perfect balance and incredible length. The only down side is that this bold and wine drinks so well now that it won't be properly cellared allowing it to show its full character. $75 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Bogle Pinot Noir California 2013
Brilliant, deep, ruby red color. The nose is quiet fetching with scents of violet, ripe strawberry, and red cherry supported by accents of mineral, subtle leather notes, cigar wrapper, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit core with tart cherry flavors offering the perfect foil to the bright, ripe red fruits with trailing spice, oak, and soft earth tones. Ideally balanced with layers of fruit and spice flavors and soft, chewy tannins. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2013
Deep, dark garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics are dense with loads of red and black cherry, cassis, plum, and blackberry with supporting notes of allspice, nutmeg, cocoa nibs, and sweet vanilla-soaked oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and chewy fruit-driven core with a generous dose of sweet spice and oak to round out the flavors. This is a classic California Cabernet offering rich and jammy fruit and soft, juicy tannins with just enough acid to keep it from being heavy. $20 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Summers Estate Rosé of Charbono Napa Valley 2014
Deep salmon color. The nose is dense and expressive offering scents of strawberry, cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate with loads of mineral and red grapefruit in support. The palate echoes the nose delivering rich, nearly red wine-like flavors that linger on for minutes. It shows ideal balance with more intensity than you would expect from a pink wine. Made with 100% Charbono. $28 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Rocks! By Cornerstone Red California 2013
Brilliant, ruby to garnet red color. The aromatics open with ripe, freshly crushed red and black berries (more red than black) with supporting notes of baking spice, pepper, and subtle earth tones. The palate is in full agreement as ripe fruit and spice take the lead with accents of leather and earth. It finishes with a touch of dried berries and a subtle tart fruit note. Perfectly balanced with enough bright acidity to keep it fresh while never trampling on the ripe fruit core. $15 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Rocks! By Cornerstone White California 2014
Brilliant, light straw color. The nose is incredibly floral with ripe peaches, pear, star fruit, melon, and pineapple with a balancing citrus zest. The palate echoes the nose offering a lush and ripe fruit core that is more tropical than the nose with lime zest and tangerine notes rising on the finish. It's certainly fresh and fruity with generous proportions without ever being heavy. It delivers a vibrant dose of acidity that keeps it fresh and ever so quaffable. $15 – 4 Stars – 91 points
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
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
Bargetto Pinot Grigio Monterey County 2014
Brilliant pale to golden straw color. The aromaticas are wonderfully floral with scents of bright green melon, Granny Smith apple, pear, and kiwi. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and vibrant fruit-driven core with a pleasingly fruity character (not sweet) that features tasty tart apple and citrus notes. This is a beautiful expression of the varietal offering bold, fruity flavors with perfect balance via a bright dose of fresh acidity. $16 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Bargetto Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains 2013
Bright ruby red with a translucent center. The nose is complex and deep with scents of ripe and tart black cheery and cranberry supported by generous notes of mineral, plum, toasted oak, allspice, and hints of vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a charming melange of ripe and tart fruit with trailing spice and oak notes that linger on. Perfectly balanced with a vibrant dose of acidity that along with the seductive fruit core keeps you coming back for more. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $28 – 5 Stars – 97 points
