MacPhail Wightman House Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is quite complex offering scents of ripe, sweet red cherries with equal portions of tart cherries flanked by toasted oak, subtle earth accents, and a hint of clove. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a very rich and concentrated fruit core with the sweet and sour red fruits still competing for domination. On the back palate we find trailing notes of spice and oak finishing with firm but well-integrated tannins. Full-bodied with dense fruit and decadent wood flavors and a refreshing dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $55 – 4 Stars – 93 points
MacPhail Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is complex and inviting offering scents of red cherry and raspberry with generous accents of toasted oak, anise, allspice, and subtle earth notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit-driven core with pretty oak and spice notes in the flanks finishing with soft, silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied with lush, bright fruit and a beautiful creamy texture that is equally vibrant thanks to generous dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $49 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
HobNob Wicked Chardonnay Central Coast 2014
Briliant golden color. The nose is filled with the scents of pear and green apple with supporting notes of honeysuckle, blanched almonds, and hints of lychee. The palates echoes the nose delivering a fruit-focused core with accents of oak and mineral and a gently trailing dry finish. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh citrus-like acidity. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $11.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Carlos Serres Old Vines Rioja 2014
Deep, dark ruby red to pruple. The nose is inviting offering scents of freshly crushed red and black fruits with blackberries and raspberry in the lead supported by accents of vanilla-soaked oak with allspice and violets as well. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, fruit-forward attack of ripe berry fruit with flanks of vanilla and spice with subtle oak notes emerging on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with decadent fruit at its core presented with perfect balance thanks to a bright note of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $10 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Carlos Serres Crianza Rioja 2012
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose is alluring with ripe black fruits and soft earth and spice notes seamlessly woven with hints of anise, allspice, and oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core that explodes with sweet ripe berries supported by tart cherries and brown baking spices. Medium-bodied with an ideal acid balance and perfect proportions of fruit, spice, and oak. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Carlos Serres Reserva Rioja 2010
Bright garnet red. The nose reveals a classic Rioja red in the best possible way offering scents of ripe and aged black fruits with accents of earth, brown baking spices, and oak. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich and complex fruit core with flanking notes of earth, oak, and spice with hints of leather and cigar box. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and great length finishing with rounded tannins. $15 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekPale straw color with hints of green. The nose is quite fruity without being sweet offering scents of green apple, white peach, pear, and soft red grapefruit notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant fruit-driven core that is both ripe and sufficiently tart to create balance and length with soft trailing accents of citrus and mineral. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with fresh, citrus-like acidity and crisp fruit notes. Made with 100% Pinot Grigio. $14.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Kaiken Ultra Malbec Mendoza 2014
Deep, darkest ruby to purple color. The nose is filled with the scents of black plum, blackberry, and blueberry with accents of mineral, allspice with dried herbs, and soft earth tones. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, fruit-centric core with waves of spice, oak, and subtle earth notes that merge nicely with the soft, chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied with waves of dense fruit and ideal balance with a bright dose of acidity. Made with 100% Malbec. $25 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2013
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red and black fruits led by blackberry and cassis with black cherry, plum, and a touch of raspberry with a generous dose of brown baking spices, and toasted oak with hints of cigar box. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and jammy fruit-driven core with loads of sexy baking spices and wood accents that are all kept in check by a bright dose of acidity. Medium to full-bodied with superb balance and great length with rich, chewy tannins. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Domanda Prosecco DOC 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekVery pale straw color with a constant stream of fine bubbles. The nose is very fresh offering scents of ripe pear and white peach with supporting notes of honeysuckle, mineral, and citrus zest. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant, fruit-focused core that is framed by crisp green apple and soft citrus like acidity that lingers on to a clean finish. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with fresh fruit blast and a creamy mouthfeel thanks to the persistent mousse of fine bubbles. $9.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
