La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino 2015
Brilliant, medium garnet/ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of boysenberry, red cherry, and baking spices with supporting notes of forest floor and violet. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry and earth. The finish is long and lingering with soft tannins. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. The La Gerla Rosso is made from 15 year-old vines on the estate and then aged one year before release (eight months in Slovenian oak). $23 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Celler Masroig Sola Fred Montsant 2017
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry and slate with supporting notes of black fruits, sour cherry, and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of cassis and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety texture. This wine boldly proves that you don't need oak to create a complex red. Made with 100% Carignan and it's absolutely delicious! $13.99 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Bacana Red Sangria Portugal NV
Brilliant, medium ruby color with a medium bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of raspberry and citrus zest with supporting notes of hibiscus flower and lime. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of wild berries. The finish is long and lingering with a hint of cranberry and lime. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture and soft sweet and tart fruits. Made from Aragonez, Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro varietals with citrus. $14.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Bacana White Sangria Portugal NV
Brilliant, light pale straw color with a medium bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of tropical fruit and spring flowers with supporting notes of citrus zest, green melon, and honeysuckle. The palate confirms the nose delivering a tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of pineapple and passion fruit. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a juicy texture. Made from Arinto and Fernão Pires varietals with tropical fruits, citrus, and mint. $14.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Troon Vineyard Estate - Kubli Bench Zinfandel Applegate Valley 2017
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, medium violet color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of blueberry, black currant, and rhubarb with supporting notes of cranberry and fig. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. This Zinfandel is co-fermented with 3% Petite Sirah (a frequent varietal partner) and the wine is matured in seasoned, mature oak for a period of 12 months. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Troon Vineyard Estate - Kubli Bench Cuvée Côt Malbec Applegate Valley 2016
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry and five spice with supporting notes of leather, black tea, plum, and balsamic. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry and sour cherry with accents of earth and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with firm tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent texture. $35 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Troon Vineyard Estate - Kubli Bench Blanc Applegate Valley 2017
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, medium green/gold color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of sudachi, persimmon, and beeswax with supporting notes of slate and apricot stone. The palate confirms the nose delivering an eclectic fruit-driven core with flavors of quince and hay. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a waxy and slightly oily texture. Made with a blend of 52% Marsanne and 48% Viognier. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Troon Vineyard Estate - Kubli Bench Roussanne Applegate Valley 2017
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, medium green/gold color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of persimmon, citrus zest, chamomile tea, and soursop with supporting notes of pear. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of dry Sherry, beeswax, and mildly oxidized orchard fruits. The finish is crisp with accents of pear skin. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. $30 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Adelaida District 2016
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry, cassis, and eucalyptus with supporting notes of black tea, black cherry, and smoked meat. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, hibiscus flower, and anise. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins and sweet mineral accents. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent texture. Made with a blend of 46% Mourvedre, 31% Syrah, 18% Grenache, and 5% Counoise. We have loved every release of the great Esprit de Tablas but this may be our favorite. $60 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Troon Vineyard Estate Orange Wine - Kubli Bench Vermentino Applegate Valley 2017
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium gold/green color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of dry Sherry, soursop, and quince with supporting notes of green melon, orange peel, and wet stones. The palate confirms the nose delivering a tropical fruit-driven core with flavors of mangosteen and kiwi. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture foiled by bright, semi-tart acidity. Made with 100% Vermentino. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
