Yalumba Viognier 2016

89
Yalumba
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Australia
Appellation: Eden Valley
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: Brilliantly crafted quality Viognier. This white entices with delicate floral and nectarine notes. On the palate, the wine is mouth-coating: citrus, pear and apple backed with ginger spice and white pepper with a slightly bitter finish, making this an excellent wine with a variety of foods. One of the most interesting viogniers on the market.
Yalumba Viognier 2016

The Hermit Crab White 2016

90
The Hermit Crab
Varietal: White
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Australia
Retail Price: $16

Tasting Notes: Viognier and marsanne have never tasted this good! Much like a young Chateauneuf du Pape, this lip-smacking, full-bodied white will do wonders for anything fried.
The Hermit Crab White 2016

Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2015

91
Finca Decero, Remolinos Vineyard
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Argentina
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: This is an elegant, fresh style malbec. It exhibits bright, juicy cherry, plum and currant flavors, with an underlying ginger spice and integrated tannins.
Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2015

H Mynor Zinfandel 2015

92
H Mynor
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: Ruby in color. Aromas of raspberry, blueberry and vanilla. The palate is bold and full of red fruit and fresh pepper.
H Mynor Zinfandel 2015

Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore Red 2015

92
Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: Bing cherry and raspberry dominate the nose and palate, accompanied by notable leather and spice notes. This wine hits well above its weight class with a lot of power and a smooth-as-could-be texture that is my favorite thing about it.
Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore Red 2015

Crossfork Creek Merlot 2016

93
Crossfork Creek
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: This wine has a beautiful nose and palate of blueberries, blackberries and some nice toasted oak notes. Has fantastic power, balance and a lingering finish that’s impressive to say the least.
Crossfork Creek Merlot 2016

Tarima Hill Monastrell Red 2015

93
Tarima Hill Monastrell
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Alicante D.O.
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: Dry-farmed from old vines with strict organic practices and aged 12 months in French oak. The wine exudes spicy black cherry and leather aromas. On the palate, the wine shows full-bodied, balanced flavors of dark cherries, blackberry, plum and a light smoky character backed by a dark-cocoa finish.
Tarima Hill Monastrell Red 2015

Malabaila Barbera d’Alba Mezzavilla Barbera 2015

93
Malabaila Barbera d’Alba
Fanciful Name: Mezzavilla
Varietal: Barbera
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Barbera d'Alba
Retail Price: $21.99

Tasting Notes: Reminiscent of blueberry pie, this gem is exploding with dark fruit, blackberry and plum. The New World flavor is silky and jammy, with balanced acid and a lip-smacking never-ending berry finish.
Malabaila Barbera d’Alba Mezzavilla Barbera 2015

Requiem Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

93
Requiem
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Washington
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: I’m not sure the guys at Banshee make a bad wine. Their new project out of Washington is setting the bar high. Somehow they have packed fruit from Champoux, Wallula, Sevein and Loess Vineyards into a $20 wine. Aromas of dark berry, cedar and plum on the nose with chocolate, blackberry and a nice earthy funk on the nose. Wow!
Requiem Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Butternut Chardonnay 2017

93
Butternut
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $15.99

Tasting Notes: Apple, pear and buttercream on the nose lead to a creamy, buttery finish. The oak seems to be dialed back a touch this year and it really lets the fruit shine through.
Butternut Chardonnay 2017

Averaen Pinot Noir 2017

93
Averaen
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: Oregon
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: This wine is loaded with dark cherry and earthy spice. Loads of acidity bring this insane value of a wine full circle and checks all the boxes.
Averaen Pinot Noir 2017