Altos de Cristimil Albariño Rias Baixas 2015
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is quite vibrant and fragrant filled with the scents of spring flowers, freshly cut grass, lemongrass, green apples, and citrus with hints of mineral and fresh herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous but sprite fruit-centric core with a pronounced tart and sour fruit note that adds so much dimension and intrigue while it finishes with hints of candied ginger, mineral, and lemon zest. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with waves of ripe and tart fruits. Made with 100% Albariño. $12 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Ktima Kir-Yianni Samaropetra Vyd. Roditis & Sauvignon Blanc Florina 2015
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is wonderfully fresh and crisp offering scents of hay, green apple, tomato leaf, and mineral with supporting notes of tropical fruits and lime zest. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright, fruit-driven core that brings citrus notes ranging from red grapefruit to lime to the party. Medium-bodied with vibrant, crisp acidity giving this wine perfect balance and a steely finish. $18 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Troon Estate Tannat Applegate Valley 2013
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red color. It is intensely fruity with dense black and red berries, plum, and black cherry with supporting notes of allspice, toasted oak, and hints of smoked meats. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and robust fruit-driven core with vibrant tart cherry notes that keep the wine lively and incredibly long trailing black fruits with firm but accessible tannins. Medium to full-bodied this Tannat is ideally balanced and so vibrant on the palate that it never seems heavy while also being quite intense. $29 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Troon MT Reserve Southern Oregon 2013
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, dark ruby red to purple. The nose is very complex and compelling with ripe, red berries in the lead supported by brown baking spices, cocoa nibs, coffee, and tart cranberries. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and dense fruit-centric core with waves of spice, soft earth tones, and subtle oak notes. Medium to full-bodied with dense fruit and perfect balance with a bright dose of acidity and soft, structuring tannins. $50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Giesen Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014
Brilliant, translucent ruby red color. The nose is very expressive and complex offering scents of red plum, wild red berries, and cherry with supporting notes of clove, anise, mineral, and hints of earth. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and juicy core with flanking notes of brown baking spices, earth, and mineral that adds structure and length. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and great length with long trailing tart fruit and spice accents and soft tannins. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is fresh, vibrant, and complex with scents of kumquat, lime, green apple, and kiwi rising from the glass. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, multilayered fruit core with bright acidity in support that finishes strong with subtle green apple skin notes. Medium-bodied with perfect balance thanks to a generous dose of bright acidity. $20 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
60 Souls Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is complex and beautiful offering scents of raspberry, blackberry, and cherry with supporting notes of red currants, forest floor, oak, and allspice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense but very vibrant fruit-centric core that features both sweet, ripe berries with tart berries and subtle accents of earth, spice, and oak. Medium-bodied with generous fruit, soft, supple tannins, and perfect balance due to a bright dose of fresh acidity. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Domaine du Grand Cros Rosé Cotes-de-Provence 2015
Brilliant pink salmon color. The nose is wonderfully expressive and generous with waves of wild red berries, strawberry, raspberry and cherry with accents of red grapefruit and mineral. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a vibrant red berry-focused core with supporting wild herb and spices, citrus zest, and mineral. Medium-bodied with bright, fresh acidity that helps create a perfect balance with long trailing spice and tart fruit flavors. $14.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Domaine du Grand Cros Esprit de Provence Cotes-de-Provence 2015
Brilliant, light peach color. The nose is fresh and compelling offering scents of ripe citrus with tropical fruits and hints of raspberry and mineral. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant fruit core with the red berries showing more prominence with red grapefruit and subtle tropical notes before finishing with a slightly pithy, citrus zest note. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with a bright dose of acidity and tart fruits. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
VIONTA Limited Release Albariño Rias Baixas 2014
Brilliant, pale, golden straw color. The nose is vibrant with scents of white peach and green melon in the lead with supporting notes of mineral, green apple, and citrus. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose with a round but sprite orchard fruit core flanked by accents of mineral, citrus zest, and green herbs. Medium-bodied with perfect balance thanks to a generous dose of bright acidity and crisp, tart fruit notes. Made with 100% Albariño. $15.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
