vintage: 2011

Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

93
Miner Family Winery
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $54.99

Tasting Notes: From their Chardonnay series, this is the “wild yeast offering.” The Miner family sources from three of the top Napa sites, and then utilizes native yeasts. For the fermentation process, 16 months in oak with 100% malolactic and barrel fermentation yield a rich, opulent wine, ripe with tropical fruit notes. This one can only improve with light cellaring, if you’re patient enough.
Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

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Lionel Osmin La Reserve Malbec 2011

95
Lionel Osmin
Fanciful Name: La Reserve
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Vin de Table
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: An excellent example of malbec (100%) from Southwest France, home of the grape’s origins. Aged 10 months, 80% stainless, 20% oak. The wine has a beautiful deep-blue color. Aromas and flavors of berry, black cherry, coffee, and some sweet spice finish with soft tannins and a hint of terroir. This is a great introduction to “old-world” malbec and a terrific value!
Lionel Osmin La Reserve Malbec 2011

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Alexana Riesling 2011

94
Alexana
Varietal: Riesling
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Oregon
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Retail Price: $28.99

Tasting Notes: Riesling is becoming more and more of a hot-button grape in the state of Oregon. Alexana is producing the style that has people talking. Made in an Alsatian style, and closer to dry than off-dry, this Riesling can convert any white wine fan to a Riesling fan. Heck, any wine drinker in general. You won’t find a richer, more expansive palate on a Riesling from this area of the country. Team it with your next Thai dish or a hot summer day.
Alexana Riesling 2011

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Gordon Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

91
Gordon Brothers
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Washington
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: Silky-textured with nicely integrated oak that serves as an excellent backdrop to the flavors of crème de cassis, white pepper and lavender; it finishes with a seamless acidity that provides great structure and balance.
Gordon Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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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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Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

92
Chateau St. Jean
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley

Tasting Notes: A winner from a difficult vintage, dry and rich with complex black raspberry and black cherry notes, fine tannins and a long finish.
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

95
Brandlin
Fanciful Name: Mount Veeder
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $65

Tasting Notes: A blend of 85% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc, aged 22 months in French barriques, 50% new. A wine of amazing depth. Aromas of currant, plum and blackberry mingle with floral nuances and a subtle earthiness. Rich, round black fruit flavors coat the palate with lovely sweet/tart acidity. Hints of smoke, spice and terroir follow. Tannins are supple and in perfect balance, with all components on the lengthy finish.
Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Frescobaldi Pinot Noir 2011

94
Frescobaldi
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Pomino
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: From the renowned Frescobaldi family of Tuscany comes a pinot noir, from a region better known for Sangiovese. Elegant, structured and oh-so-very delicious. More than a mere curiosity, it’s a wonderful example of what intelligent vineyard practices and careful winemaking can achieve.
Frescobaldi Pinot Noir 2011

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Ca’Momi Napa Valley Cabernet 2011

88
Ca’Momi
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Nice nose of red berries and cherries, cassis and hints of spice tobacco, in the mid-palate. Balanced acidities on the finish.
Ca’Momi Napa Valley Cabernet 2011

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Saracina Malbec 2011

92
Saracina
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino County
Retail Price: $45

Tasting Notes: John Fetzer has been producing great organic wines since the ’80s, now his Saracina winery continues the passion. Vineyard-designated grapes shine in this California interpretation. Rich and full bodied, with soft hints of raisins, plums, coffee and dark chocolate. Soft, supple tannins lead to a long, lingering finish.
Saracina Malbec 2011

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Groth Oakville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

92
Groth Oakville Napa
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Oakville
Retail Price: $49

Tasting Notes: Dense and rich with a concentrated core of black cherry, blackberry, dark plum and blueberry flavors that are supported by hints of herbs and cedary oak. The long finish is supported by a touch of vanilla and polished tannins.
Groth Oakville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Lionel Osmin Malbec 2011

95
Lionel Osmin
Fanciful Name: Cahors
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Cahors
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Classic Old-World malbec (100%) from a great producer, the wine is aged 10 months, 25% in oak barrels. The color is deep blue—almost purple. Aromas of black fruits, mocha, and “cigar-box” spiciness lead to bold flavors of blackberry and plum balanced with firm tannins and a hint of lovely terroir. Nice now, it will cellar for several years.
Lionel Osmin Malbec 2011

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