Ayala Brut Majeur Champagne NV
Brilliant, pale golden color with a steady stream of fine bubbles. The nose opens meekly but quickly opens up with waves of spring flowers, complex lees and mineral notes, and soft citrus accents. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a complex core of white fruits, toasted brioche, and bright floral notes that linger for minutes while softly competing for dominance. Medium-bodied with a seamless fusion of fruit, lees, mineral, and subtle citrus notes with a vibrant dose of acidity creating ideal balance. $55 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Run Riot Pinot Noir Central Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, ruby red color. The nose presents a dense marriage of black cherries and blackberry with a healthy dose of brown baking spices, dark chocolate, and hints of smoky bacon and cassis. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and jammy black fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices and subtle earth tones finishing with soft, chewy tannins. This is bigger and more jammy than your typical Pinot Noir but it is quite vibrant with bright acidity and framing tannins that provide ideal balance. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Troon Black Label G*S*M Reserve Southern Oregon 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, ruby red color. This wine is wonderfully aromatic offering scents of red and black fruits with tart fruits rivaling the sweet ripe fruits and accents of brown baking spices, damp earth, and subtle oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but amazingly sprite fruit-driven core with ripe red cherries and bright cranberries taking center stage with waves of blackberry. Full-bodied while being very nimble with a lovely velvety texture matched by a bright dose of acidity that keeps it fresh and lively. $50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée Sonoma County 2013
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of blackberry, raspberry, and plum with accents of cherry, black tea, vanilla bean, and soft oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, sweet oak, cocoa nibs, and vanilla with silky tannins. Medium-bodied with a lush fruit core and bright acidity that gives it shape. $20 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red with hints of purple. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red and black berries with supporting notes of earth, mineral, dried herbs, forest floor, nutmeg, and hints of leather that emerge after extended aeration. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but very vibrant fruit-driven core with generous accents of earth, spice, and oak finish that lingers on for minutes. Medium to full-bodied with ideal proportions and balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh acidity. The wine's texture is equal to the pleasing flavors as it feels weighty without ever being heavy. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $65 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros 2014
Brilliant pale, golden straw color. The nose is filled with the scents of spring flowers, white peach, and ripe tropical fruits with bold accents of vanilla and lychee with hints of blanched almonds and soft washed rind cheese. The palate echoes the nose with a stone fruit core flanked by vanilla soaked oak with citrus notes rising on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a rich, semi-chewy core and bright acidity at the edges. $35 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Scott Dijon Clone Chardonnay Arroyo Seco/Monterey 2014
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is filled with scents of orchard fruits with a soft lees note and a delicate waves of hazelnut, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit core with accents of lemon curd and roasted nuts. Medium-bodied with silky fruit and barrel notes. $18 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark garnet red color. The nose is absolutely classic with scents of blackberry, currants, plum with accents of toasted oak, earth, mineral, and hints of leather, vanilla bean and dry cocoa nibs. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering another dimension of black fruit with flanking notes of spice, oak, and soft earth tones. Medium to full-bodied with incredible balance being nimble and depth and soft perfectly integrated tannins. $52 – 4 Stars – 90 points
