Nia Pinot Noir California 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose reveals complex aromas of ripe, red cherry with raspberry and tart cherries supported by accents of mineral, dried herbs, and soft earth tones. The palate echoes the nose delivering a fruit-centric core that features both ripe, sweet cheery along with tart cherries, cassis, and raspberry framed by earth and spice. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with a vibrant fruit core that is flanked by earth and spice notes. $9.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Troon MT Reserve Southern Oregon 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, dark, ruby red color. The nose is very complex and compelling with ripe, red cherry in the lead with hints of boysenberry and cassis with silky accents of allspice. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a dense, red fruit-centric core with waves of spice, rich red jams, vanilla, and subtle brown spice notes. Full-bodied with dense fruit and perfect balance and harmony with a bright dose of acidity and soft, round, supple tannins. $50 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Troon Estate Tannat Applegate Valley 2014
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewDeep, darkest ruby red to purple. The aromatics reveal a dense and complex wine with enthralling ripe, red and black berries in the lead supported by brown baking spices, dried blueberry, and toasted oak with accents of mineral and dried herbs. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and very dense fruit-centric core with waves of spice, soft earth tones, and subtle oak notes. Full-bodied with dense, concentrated fruit supported by spices and earth with bright acidity present to keep it fresh and lively. Made with 100% Tannat. $35 – 4 Stars – 91 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
Run Riot Pinot Noir Central Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, ruby red color. The nose presents a dense marriage of black cherries and blackberry with a healthy dose of brown baking spices, dark chocolate, and hints of smoky bacon and cassis. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and jammy black fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices and subtle earth tones finishing with soft, chewy tannins. This is bigger and more jammy than your typical Pinot Noir but it is quite vibrant with bright acidity and framing tannins that provide ideal balance. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Troon Black Label G*S*M Reserve Southern Oregon 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, ruby red color. This wine is wonderfully aromatic offering scents of red and black fruits with tart fruits rivaling the sweet ripe fruits and accents of brown baking spices, damp earth, and subtle oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but amazingly sprite fruit-driven core with ripe red cherries and bright cranberries taking center stage with waves of blackberry. Full-bodied while being very nimble with a lovely velvety texture matched by a bright dose of acidity that keeps it fresh and lively. $50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée Sonoma County 2013
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of blackberry, raspberry, and plum with accents of cherry, black tea, vanilla bean, and soft oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, sweet oak, cocoa nibs, and vanilla with silky tannins. Medium-bodied with a lush fruit core and bright acidity that gives it shape. $20 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red with hints of purple. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red and black berries with supporting notes of earth, mineral, dried herbs, forest floor, nutmeg, and hints of leather that emerge after extended aeration. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but very vibrant fruit-driven core with generous accents of earth, spice, and oak finish that lingers on for minutes. Medium to full-bodied with ideal proportions and balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh acidity. The wine's texture is equal to the pleasing flavors as it feels weighty without ever being heavy. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $65 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros 2014
Brilliant pale, golden straw color. The nose is filled with the scents of spring flowers, white peach, and ripe tropical fruits with bold accents of vanilla and lychee with hints of blanched almonds and soft washed rind cheese. The palate echoes the nose with a stone fruit core flanked by vanilla soaked oak with citrus notes rising on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a rich, semi-chewy core and bright acidity at the edges. $35 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Scott Dijon Clone Chardonnay Arroyo Seco/Monterey 2014
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is filled with scents of orchard fruits with a soft lees note and a delicate waves of hazelnut, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit core with accents of lemon curd and roasted nuts. Medium-bodied with silky fruit and barrel notes. $18 – 4 Stars – 90 points
