Gonzalez Byass Alfonso Oloroso Jerez-Xeres-Sherry NV
Brilliant, medium tawny/amber color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of roasted nuts, leather, and savory fruitcake with supporting notes of orange peel, apricot stone, mineral, and dried mushrooms. The palate confirms the nose delivering an earth and dried fruit-driven core with flavors of apricot, sultanas, green tea, and oxidized kumquat. The finish is long and lingering. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $17 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Gonzalez Byass Solera 1847 Cream Jerez-Xeres-Sherry NV
Brilliant, deep mahogany color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of fig and toffee with supporting notes of leather, date, baking spices, and oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich dried fruits-driven core with flavors of sultanas, roasted nuts, and orange peel. The finish is long and lingering. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $17 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Camille Cayran Le Chene Noir Cotes-du-Rhone, Rouge 2019
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of raspberry and black currant with supporting notes of lavender, boysenberry, five spice, and dried herbs. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black fruits, violet, hibiscus flower, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah. $25 – 4 Stars – 93 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
Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles 2020
Brilliant, medium gold/green color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of apricot stone, honeysuckle, and lemon curd with supporting notes of jasmine, slate, and sandalwood. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of nectarine, white peach, salt, and custard. The finish is long and lingering with subtle tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
