MacPhail Vine Hill Road Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2014
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is wonderfully complex marrying white flowers with toasted yeast bread, lychee, lemon and vanilla cream, and white peach with accents of charred oak and butterscotch. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright, fruit-driven core with generous flanks of oak, lees, and vanilla bean with vibrant citrus notes rising on the finish. Full-bodied with a rich, ripe fruit heart with loads of butterscotch and oak in support. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $45 – 4 Stars – 91 points
MacPhail Wightman House Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is quite complex offering scents of ripe, sweet red cherries with equal portions of tart cherries flanked by toasted oak, subtle earth accents, and a hint of clove. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a very rich and concentrated fruit core with the sweet and sour red fruits still competing for domination. On the back palate we find trailing notes of spice and oak finishing with firm but well-integrated tannins. Full-bodied with dense fruit and decadent wood flavors and a refreshing dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $55 – 4 Stars – 93 points
MacPhail Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2014
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is complex and inviting offering scents of red cherry and raspberry with generous accents of toasted oak, anise, allspice, and subtle earth notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit-driven core with pretty oak and spice notes in the flanks finishing with soft, silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied with lush, bright fruit and a beautiful creamy texture that is equally vibrant thanks to generous dose of acidity. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $49 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
HobNob Wicked Chardonnay Central Coast 2014
Briliant golden color. The nose is filled with the scents of pear and green apple with supporting notes of honeysuckle, blanched almonds, and hints of lychee. The palates echoes the nose delivering a fruit-focused core with accents of oak and mineral and a gently trailing dry finish. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh citrus-like acidity. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $11.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
HobNob Wicked Red Blend IGP Pays d'Oc, France 2015
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose reveals a wonderful fruit offering scents of blackberry and blueberry with accents of mineral, black currant, and hints of oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush and fruity berry-driven core with waves of subtle spice, mineral, and oak notes. Medium-bodied with ideal balance due to the bright acidity and subtle spice notes found in this cheerful red. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Carlos Serres Old Vines Rioja 2014
Deep, dark ruby red to pruple. The nose is inviting offering scents of freshly crushed red and black fruits with blackberries and raspberry in the lead supported by accents of vanilla-soaked oak with allspice and violets as well. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, fruit-forward attack of ripe berry fruit with flanks of vanilla and spice with subtle oak notes emerging on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with decadent fruit at its core presented with perfect balance thanks to a bright note of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $10 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Carlos Serres Crianza Rioja 2012
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose is alluring with ripe black fruits and soft earth and spice notes seamlessly woven with hints of anise, allspice, and oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core that explodes with sweet ripe berries supported by tart cherries and brown baking spices. Medium-bodied with an ideal acid balance and perfect proportions of fruit, spice, and oak. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Carlos Serres Reserva Rioja 2010
Bright garnet red. The nose reveals a classic Rioja red in the best possible way offering scents of ripe and aged black fruits with accents of earth, brown baking spices, and oak. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich and complex fruit core with flanking notes of earth, oak, and spice with hints of leather and cigar box. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and great length finishing with rounded tannins. $15 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Carlos Serres Blanco Rioja 2015
Brilliant, pale golden straw color. The nose is filled with ripe and tart orchard fruits featuring green apple, pear, white peach, and bright citrus fruits. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a vibrant, slightly tart fruit-driven core with waves of green fruit and bright acidity. Medium-bodied with a perfect balance of fruit and bright acidity delivered in a wine with modest alcohol. $10 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2015
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekPale straw color with hints of green. The nose is quite fruity without being sweet offering scents of green apple, white peach, pear, and soft red grapefruit notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant fruit-driven core that is both ripe and sufficiently tart to create balance and length with soft trailing accents of citrus and mineral. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with fresh, citrus-like acidity and crisp fruit notes. Made with 100% Pinot Grigio. $14.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
