Force of Nature Mossfire Ranch Zinfandel Paso Robles 2013
Deep purple with hints of ruby red. The aromatics are quite complex deftly marrying ripe blueberry, raspberry, and plum with cracked black pepper, cardamon, allspice, clove, pink peppercorns, and cocoa nibs. The palate equals the complexity of the nose. It's much more than fruit ideally weaving in a wide array of spice, with subtle earth tones and oak. Being a Zin from Paso you know it's going to be a mouthful but this multilayered beauty gets kudos for its subtlety as well. Made with 100% Zinfandel. $22.50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Force of Nature Murmur Vineyard Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley 2013
Brilliant pale golden color with moderate viscosity evident. The nose is filled with the scents of wild, spring flowers, orange zest, ripe white peach, subtle tropical fruit tones, and lemon curd. The palate is is full accord with the nose delivering lush, ripe orchard and tropical fruits with subtle mineral and citrus zest notes to keep it vibrant. This is a fairly intense Chardonnay with an explosive fruit core with a silky viscosity from entry to finish. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $22.50 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Force of Nature Red Wine - Mossfire Ranch Paso Robles 2013
Deep, bold ruby red to purple, the kind of ruby that would make Barbie blush. The nose reveals a lush fruit bomb with character and style. The ripe, lush cherry, raspberry and plum are foiled by scents of forest floor, oak, dark chocolate and subtle hints of clove. The palate is just as rich as the nose if not more. It's a carnival of freshly crushed ripe red berries with some black berries mixed in for interest. The secondary earth, spice and oak notes are rather secondary as lush, ripe fruit is the focus here. This is a big wine but not at all brooding or flabby. The alcohol is well in check and there is enough acid to keep inviting sip after sip and the cold, black tea tannins on the finish offer structure and depth. $18 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2011
Deepest, darkest ruby red veering toward purple. Vibrant and inviting aromatics of blackberry, cherry, blackcurrant, and plum with accents of mineral, allspice, nutmeg, cocoa nibs, and oak with hints of French roast coffee. The palate is just as complex and sophisticated with tremendous structure and length, waves of ripe fruit, and vibrant acidity. While this is surely a Napa wine it does have a lot in common with the great wines of Bordeaux. Its rich while restrained palate will remind many wine lovers of the modern Pauillac style with an unmistakable Napa heart. $65 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Cornerstone Cellars Black Label Syrah Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeepest, darkest, ruby red with purple highlights. After aerating (you must decant this wine) the true aromatics emerge offering scents of red and black cherry, plum, and blueberry with waves of heather, wild herbs, allspice, anise, and hints of vanilla bean. The palate absolutely confirms the fruit signature of the nose with subtle forest floor and smoked bacon notes joining the chorus. The spice signature builds on the finish with black pepper lingering for minutes. This is a rich and chewy wine with perfect balance so it never feels heavy or brooding. Subtle, soft tannins rise on the back-palate to offer structure and length. $40 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Helfrich Grand Cru Steinklotz Gewürztraminer Alsace 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBeautiful pale golden color with dozens of legs streaming down the glass. The aromatics leap from the glass offering a complex melange ranging from wild flowers to citrus, tropical, and stone fruits with a brilliant mineral edge. Delivers waves of ripe and semi-tart tropical and orchard fruits with candied ginger, mint, and exotic Asian spice notes. Like all great Alsace Grand Cru wines this one offers seductive, rich flavors while never losing its vibrancy. $25 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2011
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is quite guarded at first, packing a good bit of intensity but not wanting to show us its many layers. Time in the glass and a bit of warming up reveal green grass, gooseberry, red grapefruit, mountain flowers, pomelo, and star fruit with accents of mineral, and citrus zest. The palate fully delivers the promise of the nose delivering a full yet vibrant core with crisp acidity in support. A powerhouse Sauvignon Blanc with finesse. Be sure to let this breathe for 30 minutes or you will miss all of this wine’s most precious secrets. Enjoy now or cellar for five years. $30 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Bodega Garzon Albariño Garzon 2013
Brilliant pale straw. The nose is wonderfully fragrant and complex with notes of apricot, red grapefruit, nectarine, green papaya, dark oolong tea, and mineral. The palate is fully simpatico with the aromatics offering a vibrant entry with lingering ripe and tart orchard fruit notes, accents of ginger, and lemongrass. A beautiful example of the varietal’s panache and power to refresh. $16.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Bodega Garzon Sauvignon Blanc Garzon 2013
Very pale straw color. The aromatics offer bright and lively scents of greens leaves, grapefruit, lemon zest, and tart tea berries. The palate is in full agreement delivering a rush of tart citrus driven fruit with a healthy dose of grapefruit pith and Key lime. This is vibrant aperitif wine begging for chilled shellfish, baba ghanouj, or farm cheese. $16.99 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Bodega Garzon Tannat Garzon 2013
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. The nose is rich and super concentrated with scents of roasted black berry, black plum, cherry, and eucalyptus, pomegranate, cigar box, and a bit of lapsang souchong. The palate fulfills the promise of the nose and then some delivering a mouth-coating black fruit essence with plenty of dried leafy herbs, mineral, and cocoa nibs in support. A real beauty that just gets better and better with more aeration so be sure to throw this in a decanter to discover its full potential. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
