Pietra Santa Pinot Noir Cienega Valley 2012
Bright ruby red color. The seductive nose offers scents of raspberry and black cherry with accents of strawberry, allspice, oak, heather, wild herbs, and hints of vanilla. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering a silky fruit-driven core with flanking notes of brown baking spice, mineral, and toasty oak. Perfectly balanced with a refreshing dose of acidity and subtle tannins. Ideally proportioned and full of charm and style. This beautiful Pinot needs nothing but a glass but it compliments grilled beef tenderloin, braised meats, and charcuterie. A steal at under $20. $18 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Pietra Santa Signature Collection Pinot Noir Cienega Valley 2011
Deep ruby red color. The nose is complex and multilayered offering waves of mineral notes with a dense berry center and accents of wild flowers, heather, black pepper, and toasted oak. The palate fully concurs delivering a concentrated, fruit-forward core with plenty of tart cherry notes to match the sweet raspberry and strawberry flavors. The rich fruit core is framed by toasted oak, brown baking spices, and omnipresent mineral notes. A generous dose of fresh acidity keeps this Pinot fresh and alluring. It finishes with mild tannins and a pretty spice melange. Please decant this wine and allow it to breathe for 30 minutes to reveal its many charms. $35 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Route 152 Pinot Noir Central Coast 2012
Bright ruby red color. The aromatics feature ripe and vibrant notes of raspberry with sweet red cherry and wild strawberries supported by barrel notes that included allspice, black pepper, and cardamon with hints of vanilla. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush but crisp mouthfeel dominated by a ripe fruit core with flanking notes of spice, oak, and subtle earth tones. Ideally balanced with lingering tart berry and oak flavors. This is an undisputed “Best Buy” and perhaps the greatest Pinot value I have ever encountered. $10 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Helfrich Grand Cru Riesling Alsace 2011
Brilliant straw color with hints of gold. The nose reveals a classic Riesling offering waves of orchard fruits with exotic tropical notes, a fine minerality, and varietal/terrior based petrol tones. The palate affirms the nose offering waves of complex fruit, floral, and mineral flavors. Each sip reveals formerly hidden nuances. Perfectly balanced and ideal for the dinner table pairing well with everything from roast pork to grilled firm fish and shellfish. $25 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Pietra Santa Sangiovese Cienega Valley 2010
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, burgundy red color with just a bit of transparency. The aromatics are wildly complex with scents of ripe and dry red berries in the lead at one passing and then pepper, leather, earth, and brown baking spices take center stage. You can nose this wine for hours. The palate is lush and silky without being the slightest bit heavy or flabby as it is blessed with a generous dose of fresh, vibrant acidity that helps accentuate the complex melange of oak, earth, dried herb, and brown baking spices that flank the fruit core. Wonderfully generous with perfect balance thanks to the bright acidity and subtle tannin structure. $18 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Pietra Santa Merlot Cienega Valley 2010
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBeautiful deep ruby to garnet red color. The aromatics are complex and refined with black cherries and plum in the lead with accents of dry earth, mineral, cedar, bark and cigar box. The palate is true to the nose delivering a complex and subtle fruit attack with a generous dose of earth, forest floor, black pepper, and semi-tart cherries. Ideally proportioned with a generous dose of acid and moderate, dry tannins. This wine is all about the superb balance. There is plenty here to chew on but the charm is found in its multi layers. Made with 100% Merlot. $18 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Pietra Santa Cabernet Sauvignon Cienega Valley 2010
Deep, dark ruby red to garnet. The nose reveals a classic and nuanced Cabernet offering scents of black cherry, blackberry, and plum with supporting notes of cassis, earth, clove, cocoa, and oak. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose offering layers of dry and ripe berry driven fruit with accents of spice, oak, and subtle earth tones to offer intrigue. This is one beautifully woven set of complex flavors mingling in the glass. Balance, balance, and balance is the hallmark of this beautiful Cabernet. It is not a California blockbuster style - it's absolutely seductive finishing with soft, dry tannins. Made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. $20 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Pietra Santa Sassolino Cienega Valley 2010
Deep, darkest burgundy color. The aromatics are so concentrated with the scents of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum with bold accents of cocoa nibs, brown baking spices, and oak. The palate opens with a ripe fruit explosion with loads of baking spices to add depth and intrigue. It's simply delicious with layers of lush fruit mingling with oak, spice, and subtle hints of vanilla bean. This is a wine that you can chew but it's so vibrant and fresh thanks to a smart dose of acidity and silky tannins. $24 – 5 Stars – 97 points
