retail cost: $15 – $25

Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Verdejo 2022

88
Bodegas Ramon Bilbao
Varietal: Verdejo
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rueda
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: A great example of the crop of “discovery” wines from Spain. Higher altitude sourcing from estate grapes yields vibrant herbaceous fruit. Beautiful yellow/green color highlights the soft floral notes with citrus hints. Fennel and fresh cut grass notes add to the appeal. Medium-bodied with zippy acidity. Great wine to welcome the arrival of spring!
Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Verdejo 2022

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Altocedro Malbec 2021

88
Altocedro
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: La Consulta
Retail Price: $16.00

Tasting Notes: When looking for value, Argentina has the market cornered. A ripe and dark-fruited, powerful Malbec with dusty tannins. Named after the large cedar trees on the property.
Altocedro Malbec 2021

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Prado Rey Tempranillo Sr. Niño 2022

89
Prado Rey
Fanciful Name: Sr. Niño
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Ribera del Duero
Retail Price: $25.00

Tasting Notes: A dark purple tone, with high-intensity inviting aromatics that lead to juicy, fruit and plummy notes on this festive and fun wine. Organically farmed, with carbonic maceration that brings liveliness to its style.
Prado Rey Tempranillo Sr. Niño 2022

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Forever Vineyards Chardonnay 2022

90
Forever Vineyards
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $15.99

Tasting Notes: A chardonnay made for those who enjoy the oaky style with a creamy finish. This wine is bright yellow in color, full-bodied with vanilla, nutmeg and baking spice notes.
Forever Vineyards Chardonnay 2022

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Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

90
Oak Ridge
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Lodi
Retail Price: $16.99

Tasting Notes: Located between the Sierra Foothills and San Francisco Bay, this is a wine for rich and fruit-forward cabernet lovers. The decadent mouthfeel is almost portlike with notes of sweet cedar, blackberry, earth and ripe red fruits.
Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

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Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

91
Bodegas Montecillo
Fanciful Name: Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $20.99

Tasting Notes: Established in 1870, these folks have been pioneers in bringing the best of Spain to America. Sourcing older vines helps yield concentrated flavor. Very regimented fermentation combines the best of old world and new world techniques (stainless and concrete tanks) The magic happens in the aging to achieve the Reserva status. Twenty-four months in mainly French oak is followed by 24 months of bottle aging. Beautiful ruby coloring in the glass leads to red fruit notes. Rich and elegant, with touches of expresso and vanilla on the finish. Incredible value for a wine of the pedigree.
Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

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J. Lohr Red Blend Pure Paso 2021

91
J. Lohr
Fanciful Name: Pure Paso
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: Winemaker Brenden Wood refines his red blend that highlights the real potential of the Paso Robles AVA. Primarily cabernet sourced from their Shotwell vineyard, with the addition of petite sirah (31%) and three other varietals. Stainless steel fermentation is then followed with oak aging for 18 months. Intense inky coloring, silky smooth with notes of anise, pepper and caramel. Time to fire up the grill for some thick rib eyes.
J. Lohr Red Blend Pure Paso 2021

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1858 Red Blend

91
1858
Varietal: Red Blend
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: A dark maroon color greets you upon pouring this plush wine. Baked black and blue fruits, warm spice and sumptuous-but-soft tannins and toasted wood on the finish. This is a smooth but structured and approachable wine from the Wagner Family.
1858 Red Blend

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Les Frères Laffitte Rosé Blend Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé 2022

91
Les Frères Laffitte
Fanciful Name: Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé
Varietal: Rosé Blend
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Côtes de Gascogne
Retail Price: $23.00

Tasting Notes: Complex with blueberry, white plum and a hint of vegetal in the background. Lots of bright acidity that will do justice to a fresh green salad covered with a warm Camembert.
Les Frères Laffitte Rosé Blend Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé 2022

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Domaine de la Pepiere Melon de Bourgogne 2022

91
Domaine de la Pepiere
Fanciful Name: Pépière
Varietal: Melon de Bourgogne
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
Retail Price: $22.00

Tasting Notes: Extended cold fermentation Sur Lie with organic grapes from Maines, produces a brisk, fresh wine full of lemony spring flowers. Medium acid and crushed stone provide a perfect mate for grilled white fish with fresh poached pears. Definitely not your run of the mill muscadet.
Domaine de la Pepiere Melon de Bourgogne 2022

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The Calling Chardonnay 2021

92
The Calling
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Retail Price: $22.00

Tasting Notes: This chardonnay has a silky weight to its mouthfeel. Rich, savory tones of butter are intertwined with pops of Granny Smith apple that are complimented with a beautiful, lingering finish. 
The Calling Chardonnay 2021

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Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2022

92
Hall Ranch
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: This wine exhibits aromas of lemongrass, balmy grapefruit and lime. Those notes continue onto the palate, but with the addition of lychee and bright tropical fruits. Crisp and refreshing.
Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2022

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