The Prisoner Chardonnay Carneros 2019
Brilliant, medium gold/green color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of tropical fruit and vanilla bean with supporting notes of honeysuckle and lychee. The palate confirms the nose delivering a tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of roasted pineapple, baked apple, and toasty oak. The finish is long and lingering with buttery overtones. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a creamy texture. Made with a blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Gewürztraminer. $40 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Avignonesi Cantaloro IGT Toscano 2017
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of red cherry and forest floor with supporting notes of cocoa, boysenberry, and violet. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of red currant, red plum, and mineral and hints of wild mint. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of 57% Sangiovese, 31% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. $11.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Bianchi Gran Famiglia Malbec Uco Valley 2018
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense offering scents of ripe red plum and boysenberry with supporting notes of black cherry, cocoa, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, cassis, black tea, and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with ripe, round tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a chewy texture. $29.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Bianchi Particular Malbec San Rafael 2018
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black fruits and black tea with supporting notes of forest floor, five spice, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, cassis, sweet hibiscus flower, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with supple yet substantial tannins and mature oak accents. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety texture. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak (AVA) 2018
Brilliant, intense ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black currant and plum with supporting notes of black tea, graphite, dried herbs, oak, and tapenade. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, cassis, and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins and trailing earth tones. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with an opulent yet firm texture. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black currant and five spice with supporting notes of oak, mineral, and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, cocoa, slate, and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $49.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Stone Castle Reserve Chardonnay Rahovec Valley 2018
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium gold/green color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of apricot stone and grapefruit with supporting notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, and kiwi. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of pineapple, lemon curd, passion fruit, and slate. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture with very subtle oak accents. $24 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Stone Castle Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rahovec Valley 2017
Brilliant, deep ruby/brick color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of blackberry and earth with supporting notes of black tea, black plum, baking spices, and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black currant, cassis, five spice, mineral, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $24 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Muriel Reserva Rioja 2016
Brilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of red cherry and dried herbs with supporting notes of black tea, baking spices, cigar box, and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, plum, star anise, and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $21.99 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Muriel Vinas Viejas Gran Reserva Rioja 2011
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black plum and cigar box with supporting notes of dried herbs, leather, and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black and red fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, red cherry, cigar box, black tea, and clove. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety texture. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $34.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
