Donati Family Vineyard The Immigrant Central Coast 2012
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. The aromatics are quite complex with scents of wet, fallen leaves, earth, mineral, dense black fruits, tart cherry, and brown baking spices accented by a generous dose of toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose with a dense berry-driven core flanked by generous notes of dried herbs, earth, spice, and oak. This is a big wine with impeccible balance and great length with moderate tannins. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Donati Family Vineyard Claret Paicines 2012
Darkest, inky ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red cherry, nutmeg, cocoa bean, and mineral, with hints of dried herbs and toasted oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich and bold fruit centered core with hints of tart cherry supporting the ripe red cherry. Medium to full-bodied with great balance thanks to a fresh dose of acidity with soft, chewy tannins and great length. $22 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Donati Family Vineyard Merlot Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red color with hints of ruby. Dense, ripe red and black cherries take the lead with a generous dose of brown baking spices in support. The palate echoes the nose with tart cherries supporting the ripe fruit, notes of wet earth, mineral, toasted oak. and hints of black pepper. This is a big and bold wine with great balance as well offering a bright dose of acidity and soft tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Donati Family Vineyard Sisters Forever, Unoaked Chardonnay Central Coast 2013
Pale straw color. The aromatics are unexcpected, focused more on tropical fruits rather than orchard fruits with rich, sweet scents of pineapple, mango, star fruit, and hints of lychee. The palate confirms the nose - soft Medium-boded with succulent fruit with fresh acidtiy and delicate mineral notes. $16 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Kennedy Shah Picnic White Columbia Valley 2013
Bright, pale straw color. The nose offers delicate floral notes with scents of hay, citrus, pomello, mineral, and green apple. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering fresh and vibrant flavors. Soft and crisp this is a a beautiful, medium weight wine ready to drink. $14 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Hudson Shah Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. Lovely ripe red and black fruits (with red cherry and blackberry battling fore the lead) fill the nose with accents of mineral, spice, and soft earth notes. The palate confirms the nose delivering a juicy, ripe fruit core with tart berries, brown spices, and mineral in support offering complexity. Full bodies and generous with silky fruit and complex spice notes adding interest with little to no tannins in the mix. $14 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Dussek Family Cellars Syrah Columbia Valley 2012
Deep, dark ruby red with purple edges. The nose is wonderfully fragrant and floral with violets in the lead married with ripe cherry, plum, and cassis with hints of dark roast coffee, allspice, and vanilla. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich and concentrated fruit centric core with loads of brown baking spices, cigar box, chocolate, and sweet earth tones in support. This is a generous Syrah with its greatest attribute being balance and complexity. It doesn't hurt that it's a pure pleasure to sip. Made with 100% Syrah. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Kennedy Shah Tempranillo Columbia Valley 2011
Brilliant, bright ruby red color. The nose reveals a lush and juicy wine with loads of black and red fruits with violets, brown baking spices, and hints of vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a big and juicy fruit forward wine with ripe, sweet cherry and blackberry supported by hints of tart berries, and spice. Lush and decadent this wine is made for drinking today with great balance and soft, subtle tannins. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Kennedy Shah Merlot Columbia Valley 2012
Deep garnet red color. Dense, concentrated red and black berries take the lead with mineral, earth, and brown spices in support. The palate is just as rich with black cherry taking the lead with accents of cassis, coffee bean, earth, and oak. This is a bold Merlot with moderate, firm tannins, and long lingering earth tones. $14 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Kennedy Shah La Vie en Rouge Columbia Valley 2012
Brilliant ruby color. Deep black plum notes take the lead with scents of raspberry and blueberry with hints of earth, spice, and black coffee. The palate confirms the nose with a ripe berry fruit focus supported by notes of tart cherry, brown spices, oak, and dried herbs. Round and full with great balance, complexity, low-tannins, and a very welcomed moderate dose alcohol. $14 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
