10,000 Hours Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2019
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant and black tea with supporting notes of blackberry, mocha, five spice, and forest floor. The palate is in substantial agreement with the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of sweet black cherry, black tea, and intense oak. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and straddling balanced with a juicy and meaty texture. $35 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
10,000 Hours Red Blend Red Mountain 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry and raspberry with supporting notes of vanilla, anise, and hibiscus flower. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, five spice, black tea, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with an opulent texture. $35 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Be Human Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and blueberry with supporting notes of black currant, dried herbs, and violet. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, baking spices, oak, and red currant. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a rich texture. $17 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Markham Merlot Napa Valley 2018
Brilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, hibiscus flower, and raspberry with supporting notes of wild blueberry and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, cocoa nibs, violet, and red currant jam. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a blend of 87% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Syrah, and 2% Syrah. Merlot is the star but the supporting grapes add so many layers and deep intrigue. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Cinder Tempranillo Snake River Valley 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of raspberry and forest floor with supporting notes of red currant, black plum, dried herbs, graphite, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, cranberry, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $33 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Tongue Dancer Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2019
Brilliant, medium golden color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of lemon curd, lychee, and honeysuckle with supporting notes of honeysuckle, baked apple, passion fruit, and vanilla. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of apricot, white peach, meringue, and hints of ginger biscuits. The finish is long and lingering with rich custard notes foiled by citrus zest. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. An amazing Chardonnay and very reminiscent of their great 2016 vintage from the same vineyard. $50 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2020
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of raspberry and wild strawberry with supporting notes of mineral, baking spices, cocoa, red currant, black tea, and hints of graphite. The palate confirms the nose delivering a generous, ripe red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of wild berries, black plum, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with juicy, ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid White Applegate Valley 2020
Slightly hazy, medium straw color. The aromatics are wonderfully intense, offering scents of spring flowers, apricot, and orange peel with supporting notes of tropical fruit, wildflower honey, and hints of jasmine. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, quince, and lemon curd. The finish is long and lingering with bright citrus accents. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant but slightly waxy texture. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Paso Robles 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black plum and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea, forest floor, violet, and five spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, graphite, balsamic, cocoa, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a dense, meaty texture. $60 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Tablas Creek Mourvedre Paso Robles 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black plum, leather, and mineral with supporting notes of dried herbs, black tea, and cardamon. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, baking spices, forest floor, and dried herbs. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. $45 – 4.5 Stars – 96 points
