Carol Shelton Wild Thing Chardonnay Sonoma County 2015
Brilliant, light green/yellow color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of honeysuckle, lychee, and pear with supporting notes of kiwi and lemon curd. The palate confirms the nose delivering a green fruit-driven core with flavors of minerals and flowers. The finish is crisp with a dose of citrus zest. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $18 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Carol Shelton Coquille Blanc Paso Robles 2015
Brilliant, medium green/gold color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of honeysuckle, peach, and pear with supporting notes of blanched almonds, citrus zest, and oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of nuts and oak. The finish is long and lingering with flavors of butterscotch and oak. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with an opulent texture. $24 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry, cassis, and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of pomegranate. The finish lingers with supple tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $40 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Natura Carmenere Colchagua 2015
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black tea, forest floor, blackberry, and cocoa with supporting notes of eucalyptus and leather. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of truffle and oak. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $11.99 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Troon Whole Grape Ferment Riesling Applegate Valley 2016
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, medium golden/orange color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of apricot, apple cider, bread dough, and orange peel with supporting notes of truffle, and pineapple. The palate is in substantial agreement with the nose delivering a green fruit-driven core with flavors of wet stones. The finish is tart with with trailing, sour tropical fruits notes. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Riesling. $20 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Natura Un-Oaked Chardonnay Bio-Bio 2016
Brilliant, light yellow color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of citrus zest, kumquat, and pineapple with supporting notes of slate and grapefruit. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of orange peel. The finish is crisp with a gently trailing note of green apple and citrus. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Run Riot Chardonnay Central Coast 2015
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose reveals a big and buttery Chardonnay with a generous note of lees harmonizing with ripe peach, lychee, and tropical fruits. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a rich and chewy fruit and brown butter core with flanking notes of tropical fruits, lemon curd, and brioche. This is a big Chardonnay with fat butter and fruit notes foiled by a bright dose of citrus and firm lees accent. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $16.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Chateau Lassègue Les Cadrans de Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose offers bright scents of black fruits with a generous dose of baking spices, dried herbs, earth, and mineral with accents of oak. The palate fully concurs with the nose offering a dry, black fruit, and earth core with flanking accents of spice, black pepper, and subtle oak notes. Medium to full-bodied with dry spice and mineral-soaked fruit that is framed by big but supple tannins. $35 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
The Federalist Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2014
Bright ruby red color. The nose is wonderfully complex with waves of ripe wild berry fruit, with oak, fresh and dried herbs, bramble and brush with tart cherry notes on the finish. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush berry-driven Zin with generous herbal and spice flanks that linger on to a dry finish. Full-bodied with dense fruit and bright acidity to keep it fresh and balanced. $22 – 3.5 Stars – 86 points
Vina Robles Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of freshly crushed berries with loads of plum and accents of brown spices and dark chocolate. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a lush and fruity berry-driven core with waves of cocoa and subtle earth notes. Medium to full-bodied with generous fruit and a fresh does of acidity. $24 – 3 Stars – 85 points
