Pazo de Villarei Albariño Rias Baixas 2016
Brilliant, light pale straw color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of white peach, and hay with supporting notes of spring flowers, and apricot and orange peel. The palate confirms the nose delivering a green fruit-driven core with flavors of passion fruit and citrus. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $15 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Gran Passione Bianco IGP Veneto 2017
Brilliant, medium pale straw color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of honeysuckle, pear, and jasmine with supporting notes of passion fruit, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a green fruit-driven core with flavors of lychee. The finish lingers with subtle tropical and citrus accents. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a creamy texture. Made with a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Garganega. Garganega is a local grape utilized in the iconic Soave wines. $13 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
LC Villa Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of raspberry, and strawberryry with supporting notes of lavender, and hibiscus flowers flower. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of freshly crushed red berries. The finish lingers with supple tannins. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $13 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Clavel Cordélia Chusclan Cotes-du-Rhone, Rouge 2015
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black cherry, raspberry, and dried herbs with supporting notes of black tea, mineral, and pomegranate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of wild berries and baking spices. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Carignan. A great food wine especially with game. $16 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Troon Whole Grape Ferment Riesling Applegate Valley 2017
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium orange to gold color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of apricot, orange peel, and peach with supporting notes of kumquat, slate, and green tea with hints of dry Sherry. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of nectarine. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $20 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Andre Farjon Rouge Ventoux 2015
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of raspberry, and blackberry with supporting notes of slate, dried herbs, and cocoa. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of crushed red berries with accents of earth. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with a classic blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 12% Syrah, and 3% Maresellan. $15 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles 2016
Brilliant, deep and dark ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry, plum, and cigar box with supporting notes of blackberry, black pepper, and star anise. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of cassis with hints of lavender. The finish is long and lingering with dusty but chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 52% Syrah, 31% Grenache, 11% Counoise, and 6% Mourvedre. $25 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Francois de la Roche Touraine 2016
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of citrus zest, and grapefruit with supporting notes of gooseberry, mineral, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of white peach. The finish is crisp. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. $15 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Tablas Creek Dianthus Adelaida District 2017
Brilliant, deep salmon color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of jasmine, strawberry, and raspberry with supporting notes of rose petals and boysenberry. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of cranberry and accents of mineral. The finish is crisp with lingering tart fruits mingling with the ripe red berries. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture while being a seriously "meaty" rosé. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Tablas Creek Vermentino Adelaida District 2017
Brilliant, light gold/green color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of lime, and apricot stone with supporting notes of honeysuckle, and orange peel. The palate confirms the nose delivering a green fruit-driven core with flavors of nectarine and pineapple. The finish is long and lingering with faint tropical accents and citrus zest. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Vermentino. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
