Atalayas de Golban Tempranillo Torre de Golbán Crianza 2017

93
Atalayas de Golban
Fanciful Name: Torre de Golbán Crianza
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Ribera del Duero
Retail Price: $16.00

Tasting Notes: Aged in French oak, the light spice, tobacco and fresh, delicious black cherry fruit of this tempranillo clone is a major value for its price. Grill up some meat and vegetables and enjoy.
Atalayas de Golban Tempranillo Torre de Golbán Crianza 2017

Herman Story Red Blend Casual Encounters 2017

93
Herman Story
Fanciful Name: Casual Encounters
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Casual Encounters
Retail Price: $45.99

Tasting Notes: Beautiful blend from the America's top Rhone varietal region — Paso Robles. This rich, powerful meritage of syrah, mourvedre, grenache, carignan and tannat fills your mouth with dark currant, dry blackberry, chewy tannins and a touch of aromatic pepper. Fully mature with great balance. The equal of many northern Rhone's (Cote Rotie, Croze-Hermitage) for less than half the price.
Herman Story Red Blend Casual Encounters 2017

Alexander Valley Vineyards Red Bordeaux Blend Cyrus 2017

98
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Cyrus
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $74.99

Tasting Notes: This family-owned winery continues to pay tribute to the Sonoma valley with this best of the best Meritage blend . . . their 23rd release. Nine of the best lots were fermented and aged separately before entering a 24-month further-aging program in French oak. Deep extracted color, with black fruit notes, dark chocolate aromas and oak and vanilla notes. Balanced tannins highlight the Bordeaux style blending. This is THE wine for holiday dinners.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Red Bordeaux Blend Cyrus 2017

Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

95
Rex Hill
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Retail Price: $75.00

Tasting Notes: Elegant, with dusty tannins, this wine is worth every dime. Blue and black fruit over cedar, baking spices, cherries and mushrooms make this complex pinot a perfect partner for grilled salmon.
Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

Joseph Le Roi Chardonnay 2017

94
Joseph Le Roi
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru
Retail Price: $45.00

Tasting Notes: 2017 was a tough year in Chablis. But the grapes that survived the frost produced excellent wines. A taste of mineral, green apple, kiwi leads to a long, persistent finish. If you can spare it, splash a bit on your seared buttered scallops.
Joseph Le Roi Chardonnay 2017

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan 2017

98
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Fanciful Name: La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
Retail Price: $121.99

Tasting Notes: Dynamic flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and wild berries burst into a medley of rose petals and juicy dark fruits with freshly picked herbs wafting through the core. The finish shows notes of tea leaf, sandalwood and vanilla bean.
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend La Réserve de Pessac-Léognan 2017

Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

95
Rex Hill
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Retail Price: $85.00

Tasting Notes: Silky blue and black fruit, baking spices, mushroom and cedar lead to dusty tannins and a long luxurious finish. Sip it with grilled salmon.
Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2017

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir 2017

93
Joseph Phelps
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $55.00

Tasting Notes: Not being familiar with the Phelps pinot, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was California fruit and acid with a touch of a burgundy accent. The ripe fruit was prevalent, but elegantly subdued. The tannins have had time to relax in the bottle on this 2017, so it was ready to drink. The wine was balanced with fruit, tannin and acid, with a long lingering finish. 
Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir 2017

Alexander Valley Vineyards Red Bordeaux Blend Cyrus 2017

98
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Cyrus
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $75.00

Tasting Notes: 5 classic varietals for a Bordeaux blend are selected form 9 of their best estate lots. Each lot was fermented and aged separately for 12 months, then aged an additional 12 months after the blending process in French oak. The result is a beguiling puzzle that pulls you in all the right directions…unctuous, complex, rich and balanced…all perfectly done and in complete harmony. Flavors of dark chocolate, black fruits compliment the rich oak and vanilla notes. Saved this for a petite filet dinner, with garlic machers and cream spinach…who needs dessert!
Alexander Valley Vineyards Red Bordeaux Blend Cyrus 2017

Lavinea Elton Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

95
Lavinea
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills
Retail Price: $60.00

Tasting Notes: This Willamette Valley wine has medium intensity with white peach, quince and grapefruit on the palate. Beautifully textured with white flower, sweet butter and orange blossom on the finish.
Lavinea Elton Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Mocali Rosso de Montalcino 2017

98
Mocalli
Fanciful Name: Rosso di Montalcino
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino
Retail Price: $20.45

Tasting Notes: 100% sangiovese, rich and full of flavor. Medium bodied, with earthy overtones. Slight tannin with smooth finish. Organic.
Mocali Rosso de Montalcino 2017

Inama Bradisismo 2017

93
Inama
Fanciful Name: Bradisismo Veneto Rosso
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Bend
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Veneto IGT
Retail Price: $28.99

Tasting Notes: Primarily cabernet sauvignon, with some carménère added to provide suppleness and some brightness, this wine is a very dark ruby in the glass. The nose and palate share the same intensity of black fruit, with cocoa and vanilla notes. The weight and richness on the palate are well balanced by its structure and lingering finish.
Inama Bradisismo 2017