Chateau Lassègue Les Cadrans de Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose offers bright scents of black fruits with a generous dose of baking spices, dried herbs, earth, and mineral with accents of oak. The palate fully concurs with the nose offering a dry, black fruit, and earth core with flanking accents of spice, black pepper, and subtle oak notes. Medium to full-bodied with dry spice and mineral-soaked fruit that is framed by big but supple tannins. $35 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
The Federalist Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2014
Bright ruby red color. The nose is wonderfully complex with waves of ripe wild berry fruit, with oak, fresh and dried herbs, bramble and brush with tart cherry notes on the finish. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush berry-driven Zin with generous herbal and spice flanks that linger on to a dry finish. Full-bodied with dense fruit and bright acidity to keep it fresh and balanced. $22 – 3.5 Stars – 86 points
Vina Robles Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of freshly crushed berries with loads of plum and accents of brown spices and dark chocolate. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a lush and fruity berry-driven core with waves of cocoa and subtle earth notes. Medium to full-bodied with generous fruit and a fresh does of acidity. $24 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Rutherford Ranch Two Range Red Wine Napa Valley 2014
Deep, dark, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of freshly crushed red and black berries with accents of vanilla, cassis, chocolate, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky fruit-driven core with a generous dose of sweet chocolate and vanilla with raspberry jam rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with sweet, jammy fruit and soft, silky tannins. $25 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
HobNob Wicked Red Blend IGP Pays d'Oc, France 2015
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose reveals a wonderful fruit offering scents of blackberry and blueberry with accents of mineral, black currant, and hints of oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush and fruity berry-driven core with waves of subtle spice, mineral, and oak notes. Medium-bodied with ideal balance due to the bright acidity and subtle spice notes found in this cheerful red. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Carlos Serres Blanco Rioja 2015
Brilliant, pale golden straw color. The nose is filled with ripe and tart orchard fruits featuring green apple, pear, white peach, and bright citrus fruits. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a vibrant, slightly tart fruit-driven core with waves of green fruit and bright acidity. Medium-bodied with a perfect balance of fruit and bright acidity delivered in a wine with modest alcohol. $10 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Montes Spring Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley 2016
Very pale straw color with perfect clarity. The nose is crisp and vibrant offering classic Sauvignon Blanc aromatics like green grass, lime zest, citrus juice, and green apple, with hints of orange zest and apricot stones. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering a vibrant fruit core with the fruit carrying more weight than expected with bright citrus on the edges keeping fresh. Medium to light-bodied with lean fruit notes and bright acidity that keeps it ideally balanced. Made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. $16 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Montes Cherub Rosé Colchagua 2016
Bright and deep pink color. The nose is expressive with the scents of ripe raspberry and strawberry with hints of cranberry and cherry, mineral, and rose petals. The palate echoes the nose delivering a fruit-driven center with hints of supporting flavors. It's a big and fat Rosé with loads of fruit but a bit light on the fresh dose of acidity that many Rosé drinkers are seeking. $16 – 3 Stars – 84 points
Domanda Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT 2015
Brilliant pale straw color. The aromatics are expressive with white roses in the lead supported by notes of peach, red apple, and citrus with accents of orange peel and red grapefruit. The palate fully confirms the nose with the red grapefruit notes rising to prominence with accents of apple and fully ripe peach with soft, tart notes of citrus. Medium-bodied with rich orchard fruit notes and balancing citrus accents. $9.99 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Antigal Uno Malbec Mendoza 2013
Deep, dark violet color. The nose is filled with the scents of black cherry, blackberries, and cassis with supporting notes of young cigars, mocha, and vanilla. The palate equals the nose delivering a lush and fruity core with soft, milk chocolate notes, sweet, vanilla-accented oak, and mocha. Medium-bodied with a rich, silky fruit-driven core flanked by subtle notes of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. Made with 100% Malbec. $18 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
