retail cost: $26 – $50

Parr Vineyards Viognier 2022

91
Parr Vineyards
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas Hill Country
Retail Price: $35.99

Tasting Notes: Texas doesn’t need to grow chardonnay when they grow viognier this great. Robert and Dilek have supplied great fruit to top Texas wineries (William & Chris and Lewis, to name just a few) and have made the transition to producing their own estate-sourced wines. Floral and fresh, with a smooth clean finish. Hints of banana and kiwi. Their 20-acre vineyard is in the heart of the newest Texas AVA: Hickory Sands (pending TTB final approval).
Parr Vineyards Viognier 2022

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NW Wine Company Pinot Noir Kudos Winemaker’s Reserve 2020

92
NW Wine Company
Fanciful Name: Kudos Winemaker's Reserve
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Yamhill-Carlton
Retail Price: $27.99

Tasting Notes: Rich ruby color in the glass, this is quintessential Willamette pinot noir. Complementary notes of tart cherries, red currant and dried herbs fill the nose and carry into the palate. A burst of acidity in the mid-palate keeps this complex wine fresh and light on its feet.
NW Wine Company Pinot Noir Kudos Winemaker’s Reserve 2020

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Caymus-Suisun Zinfandel Blend The Walking Fool 2021

93
Caymus-Suisun
Fanciful Name: The Walking Fool
Varietal: Zinfandel Blend
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Suisun Valley
Retail Price: $37.99

Tasting Notes: This wine is dark, brooding and downright decadent. Candied cherries, spice and stewed berry notes make this a hardy wine to stand up against grilled meats, steak and lamb.
Caymus-Suisun Zinfandel Blend The Walking Fool 2021

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Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs

93
Gloria Ferrer
Fanciful Name: Blanc de Blancs
Varietal: Chardonnay
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Carneros
Retail Price: $35.00

Tasting Notes: This lovely, 100% chardonnay sparkling wine reveals lots of bright apple citrus fruit, with subtle floral hints. In the mouth, the wine's energy is apparent, with lovely effervescence and plenty of fruit. The finish is quite lengthy, with excellent balance.
Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs

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Bench Pinot Noir 2021

93
Bench
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Retail Price: $30.00

Tasting Notes: This full-bodied pinot noir is a saturated deep red in the glass, with lots of red fruit on the nose, with a hint of spice to add to its complexity. The lengthy, well-balanced finish showcases its quality.
Bench Pinot Noir 2021

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Piper Sonoma Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

94
Piper Sonoma
Fanciful Name: Brut Réserve
Varietal: Champagne Blend
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $27.00

Tasting Notes: Nearly all chardonnay, with a balancing dollop of pinot noir added, the wine is brilliant gold in the glass, with a touch of green. The nose is dominated by bright tropical and citrus fruit, with hints of spice. In the mouth, the elegant sparkling wine is refreshing and delicious. A versatile, lovely wine.
Piper Sonoma Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

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Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

94
Goldschmidt Vineyard
Fanciful Name: Katherine Goldschmidt
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: Inviting aromas of red cherries and caramel with tons of red fruit to seduce the palate. A gentle kiss of dark, powdery chocolate wrapped in silky tannins shows wonderfully on the long, generous finish. Another Nick Goldschmidt creation, this one surely over delivers for its modest price.
Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

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Ramey Chardonnay 2021

94
Ramey
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Retail Price: $48.00

Tasting Notes: Another great vintage for the Ramey folks. A cuvee of juice, some from 1978, produces toasty nuances with a creamy finish. A palate of lemon, green apple, oak, spice and blood orange make this wine perfect for baked chicken with lemon cream sauce.
Ramey Chardonnay 2021

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Bending Branch Winery Petite Sirah 2019

96
Bending Branch Winery
Varietal: Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas High Plains
Retail Price: $39.99

Tasting Notes: Grape sourcing is critical in Texas winemaking, and it doesn’t get any better than Newsom fruit. Dr. Young takes full advantage, utilizing his next-level scientific approach coupled with a specific aging program of 32 months in French and American oak. Rich and full-bodied with beautiful color extraction. Dark fruit notes, and touches of black pepper, anise and Texas cedar. Try this with grilled pork tenderloin with a red wine reduction!
Bending Branch Winery Petite Sirah 2019

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Newsom Vineyards Tempranillo Blend Inception 2019

98
Newsom Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Inception
Varietal: Tempranillo Blend
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas High Plains
Retail Price: $49.99

Tasting Notes: Nolan Newsom . . . no, not that Newsom fella in California. This is the 8th-generation Texan, 3rd-generation grower who took the seed of growing grapes, not cotton, in the High Plains (3700 ft. elevation) from the first two acres of cab ever grown in 1986 to the 160 acres today, with over 19 varietals. This is their flagship and the only blend in his portfolio, Nolan’s version of the classic Bordeaux style. This vintage highlights syrah (48%) and sangiovese/tannat (40%) with small amounts of seven other varietals for complexity. Rich and full bodied, it starts out lush and finishes bone-dry. 30 months of oak aging helps smooth things out with a fruit-forward style. An end cut of prime rib, double baked potato, and a bottle of Inception — perfection!
Newsom Vineyards Tempranillo Blend Inception 2019

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Parr Vineyards Mourvèdre Rosé 2021

88
Parr Vineyards
Varietal: Mourvèdre
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas Hill Country
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: Parr is one of the newer growers and started selling their grapes to top Texas wineries. They are transitioning to making their own wine from the 20-acre estate vineyard. Their Mourvèdre rosé is done in the classic Provence style, with beautiful color, rich fruit notes of strawberry and watermelon. Located in the newly recognized Hickory Sand AVA, the iron-rich red soil imparts great minerality. The details matter, from early-morning harvesting to cold fermentation, and specific rosé-type yeasts to produce a wonderful Texas rosé!
Parr Vineyards Mourvèdre Rosé 2021

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Spicewood Vineyards Sangiovese Rosé 2022

92
Spicewood Vineyards
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas Hill Country
Retail Price: $32.99

Tasting Notes: A wonderful representation of Texas Hill country winemaking. Sourced from the Bear vineyard, this 100% sangiovese has a substantial backbone with great minerality, intriguing complexity and wonderful fruit notes of raspberries and peaches. Chill it icy cold and enjoy with a chicken Caesar salad!
Spicewood Vineyards Sangiovese Rosé 2022

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