Bargetto Pinot Grigio Monterey County 2014
Brilliant pale to golden straw color. The aromaticas are wonderfully floral with scents of bright green melon, Granny Smith apple, pear, and kiwi. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and vibrant fruit-driven core with a pleasingly fruity character (not sweet) that features tasty tart apple and citrus notes. This is a beautiful expression of the varietal offering bold, fruity flavors with perfect balance via a bright dose of fresh acidity. $16 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Les Dauphins Reserve, Rouge Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Deep, crimson red with hints of ruby. The nose classically represents the region offering waves of ripe and dried tart berries with accents of earth, wild flowers, brown baking spices, and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a juicy core of ripe black fruits with flanking notes of herbs, earth, and spice. Medium-bodied with ideal balance along with a vibrant dose of acidity and soft tannins. $12.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Les Dauphins Reserve, Blanc Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is fresh and floral with scents of red grapefruit, white peach, and apricot with hints of mineral and citrus zest. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a vibrant, fruit-driven core with flanking notes of mineral and crisp lemon zest. Medium-bodied and vibrant with a generous dose of crisp acidity. Made with a classic blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 15% Marsanne, 10% Clairette, and 10% Viognier. $12.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley 2012
Deep, brilliant ruby red color. The nose reveals a dense Cabernet with waves of ripe blackberry, raspberry and black cherry with hints of cassis, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose offering a rich and dense fruit core with accents of mineral, earth, brown baking spices, and oak. Wonderfully rich and full while being dry and ideally balanced with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. $30 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Lucas & Lewellen Viognier Santa Barbara County 2013
Brilliant straw color. Wonderfully fragrant and floral with scents of honeysuckle, ginger, spring flowers, lychee, and apricot with hints of lime zest, and grapefruit. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a slight sweeter and richer than expected with silky honey and orchard fruit notes flanked by citrus. Full-bodied with waves of ripe fruit while being ideally balanced with crisp acidity. Made with 100% Viognier. $22 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Lucas & Lewellen Malbec Santa Barbara County 2012
Deep, bright ruby with hints of garnet. Scents of ripe and dried black fruits and cassis with loads of mineral and earth in support. The palate is in full agreement with the aromatics with a rich and semi-tart black fruit driven core with flanking notes of black pepper, mineral, and toasted oak. Dense and rich with perfect balance offering a fresh dose of acidity and soft but framing tannins. Made with 100% Malbec. $28 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is amazingly complex with citrus and green melon scents in the lead with accents of fresh cut grass, gooseberry, red grapefruit, star fruit, spring flowers, and fiddlehead fern tips. The palate mirrors the nose with big fruit flavors at the core supported by notes of green herbs, citrus and oak. It is surely a big style of Sauvignon Blanc with a firm oak note that adds weight and length. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014
Very, very pale straw color. The nose offers a complex melange of citrus juice and zest with red grapefruit in the lead supported by notes of green grass, English cucumbers, and star fruit. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush but sprite fruit-driven core with beautiful waves of semi-tart citrus nd hints of green herbs. This is an ultra refreshing wine with great balance and incredible depth. Made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. $16.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Donati Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, sweet cherry with more red berries and accents of vanilla, allspice, and toasted oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a lush and silky fruit-driven core with generous brown spice notes, vanilla tinged oak, and hints of cassis. Medium to full-bodied with generous flavors with a good balance and little to no discernible tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Donati Family Vineyard The Immigrant Central Coast 2012
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. The aromatics are quite complex with scents of wet, fallen leaves, earth, mineral, dense black fruits, tart cherry, and brown baking spices accented by a generous dose of toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose with a dense berry-driven core flanked by generous notes of dried herbs, earth, spice, and oak. This is a big wine with impeccible balance and great length with moderate tannins. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
