Talley Vineyards Rincon

95
Talley Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Rincon
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $45

Tasting Notes: Perfect combo of minerality and butter. Rich, silky, elegant with a super-long finish. Aromas are like a field of wildflowers. A true treat.
Talley Vineyards Rincon

Quinta De La Rosa Red

95
Quinta De La Rosa
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Douro
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Deeply colored, with a berry, brambly nose, this outstanding example of a Douro Valley red has plenty of structure. It's a versatile red, matching a number of dishes: meat from the grill, aged cheeses and more.
Quinta De La Rosa Red

Darioush Chardonnay

95
Darioush
Varietal: Chardonnay
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $49.99

Tasting Notes: The mouthfeel and depth of flavor are the first things that make you pause after the first sip. You are then hit with rich butterscotch, a slight pop of apple and then a silky buttery finish. 
Darioush Chardonnay

Dowdell Pinot Noir 2014

95
Dowdell
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Retail Price: $65

Tasting Notes: Rich black-currant aromas lead to big dark fruit flavors with crushed stone and notes of tobacco that finish with soft and subtle tannins. Certainly a value for the price.
Dowdell Pinot Noir 2014

Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

96
Sullivan
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Rutherford
Retail Price: $95

Tasting Notes: A balanced and structured cabernet sauvignon, that is elegant and focused with berry and currant notes, as well as chocolate and spice undertones. Full-bodied, with surprising density, yet very polished and pretty. Should open up quite nicely after being in bottle for a few years
Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

96
Austin Hope
Varietal: Cabernet
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $55.99

Tasting Notes: An amazing cabernet with dark rich fruit followed by hints of eucalyptus and a lingering finish. This could be a Hall of Fame wine! 
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

Eroica Riesling

96
Eroica
Varietal: Riesling
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Washington
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: Such a great wine at this price — an amazing value! Bright and clean, with fresh tropical and citrus notes, this is both a world-class riesling and a tremendous bargain. It's a real buy, by-the-case, summer refresher, as well as an exceptional food-friendly wine for the holiday season.
Eroica Riesling

Il Pollenza Red

97
Il Pollenza
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Marche IGT
Retail Price: $124

Tasting Notes: You can think of this as a “Super Marche,” produced from the central eastern region of Marche. A touch of merlot and petit verdot are part of the cabernet sauvignon-dominated blend. Exceptionally deeply colored in the glass, the nose is composed of dark fruit and touches of spice. In the mouth the wine has plenty of weight — and fruit. The finish lingers on and on, showcasing the wine's complexity and quality.
Il Pollenza Red

Chateau de Beaucastel Red 2015

97
Chateau de Beaucastel
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Retail Price: $85

Tasting Notes: What an amazing wine! Opens up with red fruit on the nose, hints of spice, star anise and a slight floral aroma. On the palate it confirms these flavors and the addition of blackberries, mineral and slightly dried fruits start to evolve with each sip. The balance of tannin-to-acid really creates a wonderfully long finish, and lifts the aromas of this wine to the very end.
Chateau de Beaucastel Red 2015

Miner Family Winery The Oracle Red 2013

97
Miner Family Winery
Fanciful Name: The Oracle
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $100

Tasting Notes: A lovely red blend, with a bit more than half cabernet sauvignon. Supple and elegant, with a mixture of black and some red fruit on the nose. Touches of spice and tannin add to the complexity on the palate.
Miner Family Winery The Oracle Red 2013

Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

98
Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve
Fanciful Name: Georges de Latour Private Reserve
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $145

Tasting Notes: From one of Napa Valley's long-time iconic producers, their top wine is an outstanding combination of dark fruit, power and elegance. A spectacular representation of Napa Valley winemaking.
Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Apothic Rosé

85
Apothic
Varietal: Rosé
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $10.99

Tasting Notes: A fresh and fruity approach to rosé, with hints melon and berry fruit. The soft and pretty berry flavors give way to an airy tartness with a clean finish. This would be a great summertime cocktail wine. 
Apothic Rosé