retail cost: $15 – $25

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vignes de Pinot Noir 2012

95
Albert Bichot Bourgogne
Fanciful Name: Vieilles Vignes
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Burgundy
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: The “old vine” grapes for this consistently stylistic and superb wine come from four estates across Burgundy. A bright ruby color. Aromas of not-quite-ripe berry and cherry meld with hints of chalk, loam and flint, which says “Burgundy”! Delicate flavors of red fruits coat the palate, showing strong in the middle, and finishing with firm tannins and more terroir. This is a classic old-world Bourgogne Rouge. The 2012 vintage will develop beautifully for five more years―easily. An excellent value.
Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vignes de Pinot Noir 2012

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Smythe & Renfield Sauvignon Blanc 2014

92
Smythe & Renfield
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: New Zealand
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Alluring notes of fresh-cut grapefruit, lime and citrus are matched with ripe flavors of passion fruit and kiwis. Excellent with grilled chicken, salads and seafood.
Smythe & Renfield Sauvignon Blanc 2014

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Heron Sauvignon Blanc 2012

95
Heron
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino County
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Whole-cluster pressing and a three-week cold fermentation in stainless steel results in a refreshing, fruit-forward style with no oak aging. A lush bouquet of peach and pear with a whiff of lemongrass gets your attention. On the palate, you’ll taste melon, apricot, and citrus with a hint of sweet anise. The finish is long and not-quite dry. A simply lovely style.
Heron Sauvignon Blanc 2012

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St. Supery Moscato 2014

90
St. Supery
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $23

Tasting Notes: This wine presents with brilliant pale yellows and youthful hints of green. Aromas of mandarin and peach blossom dominate, with notes of marmalade and orange zest. Flavors explode with a fruit basket of rich, exotic peach and nectarine with a citrus undercurrent and orange peel on the finish. Enjoy this bright, opulent, sweet wine.
St. Supery Moscato 2014

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Robert Hall Orange Muscat 2014

90
Robert Hall Orange
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: An energetic and bright wine that captures the essence of sweet and refreshing. The floral notes and gentle mandarin orange pop of fruit, combined with the vibrant acidity and the refreshing finish, make this the perfect first-course summer-meal wine.
Robert Hall Orange Muscat 2014

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Armani Moscato Spumante

91
Armani
Varietal: Sparkling
Appellation: Valdadige
Retail Price: $16

Tasting Notes: Complex and interesting, yet still refreshing and smooth, with bright notes of peach, pear and apricot. The spumante mouth feel — and the floral and fruity flavors accompanied by a sweet finish — are balanced, distinct and leave you wanting more.
Armani Moscato Spumante

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Domaine Achard Vincent, Clairette de Die, ‘Tradition’ NV

91
Domaine Achard Vincent
Varietal: Sparkling
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This is a fantastic sparkling summertime sipper that comes from a little-known corner of the Rhone and is raised bio-dynamically. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, it lures you in with loads of ripe peache, brused pear and honeysuckle. Here, the sweetness is balanced by fine acidity, a chalky minerality and just the right amount of bubbles.
Domaine Achard Vincent, Clairette de Die, ‘Tradition’ NV

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Ceretto Moscato 2014

91
Ceretto
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2014
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: Long known for how great their Moscato is, Ceretto continues to release wines of the highest caliber. This year’s Moscato release is no different. A little bit more dialed back than some on the sweetness, Ceretto Moscato delivers on all fronts, hooking all wine drinkers the second they take a taste.
Ceretto Moscato 2014

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Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat NV

92
Yalumba Museum Reserve
Varietal: Muscat
Country of Origin: Australia
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This wine is a rare treat for the price and complexity. It has an amazing raisin/prune and burnt toffee combination that makes it an amazing food-pairing wine. There is this very subtle port-like quality with this wine. Combined with all the amazing flavors, this gives the wine amazing depth.
Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat NV

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Mauro Sebaste Moscato d’Asti 2014

92
Mauro Sebaste
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: Asti, Piedmont
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Elegant yet approachable, this wine has well-defined acidity and structure to create an uplifting mouth feel. Great expressive fruit, sweetness, low alcohol, effervescence and an appealing freshness set this Barolo producer apart from other Moscato d’Asti wines.
Mauro Sebaste Moscato d’Asti 2014

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Foss Marai Dolce Reale

92
Foss Marai
Varietal: Moscato
Appellation: Valdobbiadene
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Golden yellow in color, a concentrated, light-bodied Moscato that has expressive aromas and flavors of dried peach, lychee and complex violet notes. The light sweetness, and darker dried fruit notes, are balanced and complementary.
Foss Marai Dolce Reale

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Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2014

92
Domaine de Durban
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $15 per 375-ml.

Tasting Notes: A lovely “vin doux naturel” that exudes much complexity. Flaunting apricot, caramelized orange peel, almond skin and beeswax, this is a treat for the senses. Its oily texture and sweetness is gracefully carried on an undercurrent of fresh acidity. This will drink well for many years to come.
Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2014

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