Falesco Vitiano Rosato Umbria IGP 2014
Deep coral to salmon color. The nose is packed with ripe sweet and tart fruits ranging from strawberry to red cherry and cranberry with hints of plum and red roses. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet and tart fruit-focused wine with plenty of spice and acidity to keep it fresh and appealing. Medium-bodied with generous fruit and ideal balancing acidity. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Stephen Ross Estate Pinot Noir Edna Valley 2013
Deep, dense ruby red color. The aromatics are wonderfully compex with scents of ripe raspberry, blueberry and red cherry with supporting notes of mineral, allspice & nutmeg, oak, and fresh herbs. The palate opens with a flood of ripe red berries that soon give way to spicy mix that becomes hot on the finish with hints of green stem as well. Full-bodied with an assertive ripe fruit focus with accents of tart berries and plum brandy. $32 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Effort Pinot Noir Edna Valley 2013
Deep, quite dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red berries with waves of brown spice, oak, mineral, black pepper, and green herbs. The palate is in full agreemnt with the nose delivering a lush fruit-driven core with generous waves of green vegetation, oak, brown baking spices, and earth. This is a big and fat Pinot with loads of ripe fruit being equaled by spice and earth notes and assertive tannins. $27 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Summers Estate Andriana's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon California 2013
Deepeset, darkest ruby red to purple color. The nose is filled with the scents of black plum, cassis, blackberry, and tart cherry with a generous dose of brown baking spices lead by allspice with rich notes of cedar, earth, and toasted oak as well. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a dense and concentrated core of ripe fruit flanked by spice and oak with a hint of black pepper. Ideally balanced, medium to full-bodied, and intense with ripe fruit held in check by tart fruits, bright acidity, and oak. $19.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Chloe Prosecco DOC NV
Pale straw color with a fine bead of bubbles. The nose is quite floral with ripe peach, sweet apples, pear, and a hint of grapefruit. The palate echoes the nose while reveling a sweeter core than anticipated with baked peach and apple, accents of sweet flowers, and hints of honey. Medium-bodied with a fresh dose of acidity and a soft, sweet citrus-like finish. Made with 100% Sparkling Blend. $17 – 3 Stars – 85 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
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
Domaine le Vieux Chene Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is subtle and fresh with scents of wild spring flowers with ripe peaches, green apple, and crisp citrus notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a vibrant, tart fruit core with bright lemon zest and mineral accents being totally dry. It's medium-bodied with zesty green fruits and great balance offering bright citrus notes. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Deneufbourg le muscat Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant, pale straw cololr. The nose reveals an intensely fruity wine with layers of baked peach, pineapple, apple, and star fruit with hints of candied ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very sweet and fruity core with lingering notes of cotton candy and concentrated pear juice. This is a very sweet wine that's stuffed with fruit but I would love to see a bit more citrus-like acid to add a lift and a vibrant edge. $12 – 3 Stars – 85 points
