Carol Shelton Pizazz Zin/Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi 2013
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is quite subtle with soft, ripe red fruits mingling with chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry jam. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering an ultra soft and silky fruit-driven core with sweet jam and vanilla accents. Medium-bodied and super, super lush with virtually no tannins at all keeping its structure with a bright dose of acidity. $19 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Carol Shelton Rocky Reserve Zinfandel Sonoma County 2013
Deep, darkest garnet red color. The aromatics are dense and with red and black berries supported by dried berries, mineral, vanilla bean, cassis, loads of brown baking spices (especially cinnamon), black pepper, and dried blueberry. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering layers of concentrated berry fruits with generous spice and oak notes giving this wine dimension and depth. Medium to full-bodied with sexy spice and oak notes delivered with perfect balance and length. $35 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Carol Shelton Karma Zin Zinfandel Sonoma County 2012
Deep, darkest garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics reveal a dense and rich Zin with layers of ripe and dried red and black berries with accents of allspice, earth, oak, nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark chocolate. The palate fulfills the promise of the nose showing even more concentration of fruit with generous spice and oak notes adding interest and structure. Full-bodied with great balance as well thanks to a bright dose of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Gundlach Bundschu Estate Gewürztraminer Sonoma Coast 2014
Beautiful pale straw color. The nose reveals a classic Gewürztraminer showcasing lovely orchard fruits with accents of jasmine, rose water, honeysuckle, lemon curd, and ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex fruit melange with white peach, apple, and pear in the lead supporting by generous spice, rose water, ginger, and jasmine with mineral and subtle citrus accents. Medium-bodied and incredibly delicate while filling the palate with waves of fruit and spice. Made with 100% Gewürztraminer. $22 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Summers Estate Villa Andriana Vineyard Charbono Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is complex and unique offering bright scents of red plum, blueberry, bramble berry, and wild raspberry with sweet herbs, cigar box, and earth. The palate echoes the nose delivering a concentrated fruit core that offers wave of red and black berry fruits with spice, earth, and oak. Full-bodied and rustic while being nuanced and sophisticated with perfect balance and silky tannins. Made with 100% Charbono. $34 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Summers Estate Two-Acre Zinfandel Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is wonderfully expressive with waves of ripe blackberry, cherry, and blueberry with bramble berry, hints of leather, and rich black fruit jam. The palate echoes the nose delivering rich fruit-driven core with a frame of mineral, brown spice, and black pepper. Full-bodied with waves of dense, concentrated fruit while it offers a nice balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity. Made with 100% Zinfandel. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Mount Veeder Reserve Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep garnet to maroon color. The nose is wonderfully complex — imagine Bordeaux meeting Napa hillsides. Scents of blackberry, blueberry, plum, and cassis take the lead supported by fresh herbs, toasted oak, allspice, nutmeg, and hints of dark chocolate, leather, and licorice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, fruit-driven core with a wildly complex mix of earth, cigar, brown baking spices, sweet herbs, and oak to add intrigue. It's certainly full-boded but this wine offers more nuance than heft as it's never brooding while constantly changing from sip to sip. $90 – 5 Stars – 98 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
Tie Dye Red Blend North Coast 2013
Brilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose is intensely fruity and complex with waves of raspberry, black cherry, Boysenberry, and cassis competing for the lead with accents of fresh herbs, eucalyptus, brown baking spices, and subtle toasted oak notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a lush and multifaceted, fruit-driven core with depth and length. The herbal and spice notes rise on the finish that lingers with jammy black fruits. Full-bodied while balanced and complex as it never seems heavy, offering a bright dose of acidity with soft, round tannins. $18.99 – 4 Stars – 91 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
