star rating: Five Stars (92-100)

Gruet Brut Rosé

93
Gruet
Varietal: Sparkling
Country of Origin: New Mexico
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Always a favorite; fresh, dry and rich, with hints of strawberries, raspberries and cherry; consistent quality. Great with ham, Indian food and appetizers.
Gruet Brut Rosé

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Gruet Brut Rosé

93
Gruet
Varietal: Sparkling
Country of Origin: New Mexico
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: If I told you one of the top sparkling wines made in America was made in New Mexico, would you believe me? I didn’t at first either, but once I tried the wines from Gruet I was a believer immediately. Booming with pink and red fruits, this rosé brings you to Champagne if you close your eyes. One of the top wineries in America blows away the competition at the price point they are at and even a couple above it. If you want Methode Champeniose sparkling wines, Gruet should be your next stop.
Gruet Brut Rosé

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Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2014

92
Whitehaven
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: Pale gold in the glass, this is a delicious example of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Citrus fruit is accented by typical grassiness. Fresh and bright on the palate; the finish is long and balanced.
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2014

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Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay 2014

95
Mt. Beautiful
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Canterbury
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: This will draw attention to the lovely Chardonnays produced in New Zealand that haven’t received accolades they deserve. From certified-sustainable vineyards, this is a rather New World/Old World style. It has nuances of wildflowers, mineral and under-ripe fruit on the nose. These nuances continue on the palate, but then fruit flavors become lush and mouth filling. The finish is long and lively with racy sweet/tart acidity and a hint of lemon/grapefruit. Pair this with pork or fowl with a fruit glaze, or enjoy it as an aperitif.
Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay 2014

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Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2013

93
Loveblock
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This new effort from Kim Crawford’s hilltop vineyards has a welcoming appeal. It is not the one-note, citrus/grapefruit style that pervades New Zealand sauvignon blancs, but rather a lush, aromatic quaff with notes of passion fruit, peach and mandarin orange. A perfect accompaniment to Thai dishes, sushi and soft-shell crabs.
Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2012

93
Cloudy Bay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlbourough
Retail Price: $35.99

Tasting Notes: New Zealand is not always the first place you think of when someone says “great Chardonnay,” but with wines like the 2012 Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, it should be in the conversation. Intensely fruity, showing more citrus than most Chardonnay, Cloudy Bay makes a well-balanced, Chardonnay-lovers dream at a value that is hard to match. One of the world’s premier Sauvignon Blanc producers is throwing its name in the hat for Chardonnay of the highest quality — and is on point.
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2012

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Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2013

92
Astrolabe
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlbourough
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: A wonderful example of a New Zealand pinot noir. It possesses lots of great pinot character, with red fruit and texture on the palate. Plenty of flavor, with an underlying acidity and tannic backbone that contribute to its complexity.
Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2013

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Smythe & Renfield Sauvignon Blanc 2014

92
Smythe & Renfield
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlbourough
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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Buisson-Charles Pinot Noir 2012

95
Buisson-Charles
Fanciful Name: Bougogne Hautes Coutures
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge
Retail Price: $33

Tasting Notes: Buisson-Charles is a small producer in Meursault who sources fruit from several small properties. The color is dark ruby, with aromas of raspberry, apple and cherry blended with floral notes and spice. On the palate, sweet/tart fruit flavors harmonize with hints of allspice and some earthiness. The texture is lush and silky, ending with firm tannins and a hint of blueberry. This is true Bourgogne Rouge in a modern style that still respects the terroir. Very nice now, it will be exceptional in five to seven years.
Buisson-Charles Pinot Noir 2012

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Bouchard Père & Fils Red 2011

96
Bouchard Père & Fils
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Beaune Clos de la Mousse
Retail Price: $65

Tasting Notes: From a top Burgundy house, this exceptional, high-quality wine exhibits finesse, and breeding. Delicious now, it could certainly improve with a little more bottle time, to bring out more of its elegant characteristics. One of those “don’t-pass-this-up” type of wines.
Bouchard Père & Fils Red 2011

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Kicker Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

92
Kicker Cane
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $21

Tasting Notes: A powerful Cabernet with notes of ripe plumb, redcurrant, clove and other spices. This Alexander Valley wine shows that you do not have to drink Napa to get complex Cabernet.
Kicker Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

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J.Lohr Chardonnay 2014

98
J.Lohr
Fanciful Name: J.Lohr Arroyo Vista
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Monterey
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel continues the fine-tuning on Lohr’s ultimate version of the great white Burgundys of France. Classic techniques abound, from early-morning handpicking/sorting and stirring of the lees to extended barrel aging (14 months). Great mouth feel, very viscous, rich flavors, and a long, lingering finish. A true Monterey classic that should have the French looking over their shoulders.
J.Lohr Chardonnay 2014

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