Cornerstone Cellars Corallina Rosé of Syrah Napa Valley 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant pale salmon color. The aromatics are decidedly floral with generous scents of wild strawberries, white peach, red cherry, lavender, heather, and orange zest with accents of mineral in support. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex and vibrant core of red berries and cherry, fresh herbs, spring flowers, orange, and mineral. Ultra vibrant with crisp acidity while offering generous portions of fruit with perfect balance and great length. $25 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley 2012
Deep, brilliant ruby red color. The nose reveals a dense Cabernet with waves of ripe blackberry, raspberry and black cherry with hints of cassis, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose offering a rich and dense fruit core with accents of mineral, earth, brown baking spices, and oak. Wonderfully rich and full while being dry and ideally balanced with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. $30 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Lucas & Lewellen Viognier Santa Barbara County 2013
Brilliant straw color. Wonderfully fragrant and floral with scents of honeysuckle, ginger, spring flowers, lychee, and apricot with hints of lime zest, and grapefruit. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a slight sweeter and richer than expected with silky honey and orchard fruit notes flanked by citrus. Full-bodied with waves of ripe fruit while being ideally balanced with crisp acidity. Made with 100% Viognier. $22 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Lucas & Lewellen Malbec Santa Barbara County 2012
Deep, bright ruby with hints of garnet. Scents of ripe and dried black fruits and cassis with loads of mineral and earth in support. The palate is in full agreement with the aromatics with a rich and semi-tart black fruit driven core with flanking notes of black pepper, mineral, and toasted oak. Dense and rich with perfect balance offering a fresh dose of acidity and soft but framing tannins. Made with 100% Malbec. $28 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Lucas & Lewellen Rosé of Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant salmon color with hints of ruby. The nose is quite floral with waves of fresh, ripe berries and a hint of mineral and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush, fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, strawberry, semi-tart red cherry, and plum with accents of mineral, citrus, and cranberry. It's perfectly balanced with a ripe, full center and vibrant acidty. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $18 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is amazingly complex with citrus and green melon scents in the lead with accents of fresh cut grass, gooseberry, red grapefruit, star fruit, spring flowers, and fiddlehead fern tips. The palate mirrors the nose with big fruit flavors at the core supported by notes of green herbs, citrus and oak. It is surely a big style of Sauvignon Blanc with a firm oak note that adds weight and length. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Reserve Napa Valley 2012
Pale gold color with loads of legs showing its weight. Rich and intense nose with waves of peach and nectarine supported by notes of mineral, bread dough, lemon curd, thyme, and kiwi. The palate echoes the nose with a silky, fruit-driven core with accents of oak, mineral, and a champagne like yeasty backdrop. This is a big and rich Sauvignon Blanc with evident oak influence. $40 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc California 2013
Pale straw color. The nose is fresh and vibrant with scents of citrus with supporting tropical fruit notes and hints of green herbs, and fresh-cut green grass. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright and freshing fruit centered core with accents of mineral, fresh green herbs, and green apple skins. It's a fresh and zesty wine with great balance and a clean finish. $13 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Donati Family Vineyard Ezio Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red with accents of ruby. The nose is vibrant with scents of forest floor, red and black berries, toasted oak, and loads of brown baking spices and hints of cedar. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich and generous berry-driven core with notes of spice, earth, and oak in support. Big and bold while being perfectly balanced offering a fresh dose of acidity, soft tannins, and long, lingering flavors finishing with sweet spice notes. $40 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Donati Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, sweet cherry with more red berries and accents of vanilla, allspice, and toasted oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a lush and silky fruit-driven core with generous brown spice notes, vanilla tinged oak, and hints of cassis. Medium to full-bodied with generous flavors with a good balance and little to no discernible tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
