wine color: Red

McPherson Cellars Red 2014

94
McPherson Cellars
Fanciful Name: La Herencia
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Texas
Retail Price: $21.99

Tasting Notes: Texas version of “The Heritage,” this is a unique blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and Syrah. Seamlessly integrated and probably the best red blend in the state. Medium-bodied. Great wine for sipping on the porch or patio.
McPherson Cellars Red 2014

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McPherson Cellars Sangiovese 2014

96
McPherson Cellars
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Texas
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: Primarily sourced from 25-year-old vines first planted in Texas by “Doc” McPherson. First released by his son Kim in 1998. Aged 14 months in oak, it offers beautiful fruit with spice and vanilla oak. Perfect with Texas BBQ.
McPherson Cellars Sangiovese 2014

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Brennan Vineyards Tempranillo 2014

93
Brennan Vineyards
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Texas
Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA
Retail Price: $32.99

Tasting Notes: This is winemaker Todd Webster’s fifth release from a roller coastal vintage. Aged 18 months in oak. A young wine, medium bodied with rich black fruit. Excellent with BBQ. Rapidly becoming one of the dominant Texas red varietals.
Brennan Vineyards Tempranillo 2014

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Bending Branch Winery Tempranillo 2012

92
Bending Branch Winery
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Texas
Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA
Retail Price: $34.99

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the legendary Newsom vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this is one the best interpretations of Tempranillo in the U.S. Full bodied, bursting with bright fruit flavors. Aged 24 months in American oak. Black fruit, dark chocolate and cigar box notes lead to a long lingering finish.
Bending Branch Winery Tempranillo 2012

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Bending Branch Winery Tannat 2012

94
Bending Branch Winery
Varietal: Tannat
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Texas
Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA
Retail Price: $34.99

Tasting Notes: This is Bending Branch’s signature red. All high plains fruit. This is a “big gun.” Robust, full-bodied, chewy. Black fruit dominates with a hint of vanilla and smoke. Perfect with beef fresh off the grill. Will only get better with cellaring if you can be that patient.
Bending Branch Winery Tannat 2012

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Vistamar Malbec

91
Vistamar
Fanciful Name: Sepia
Varietal: Malbec
Country of Origin: Chile
Appellation: Maipo Valley
Retail Price: $12

Tasting Notes: A lively, ripe malbec with bright flavors of black cherries and hints of espresso bean; spicy tannins and a slightly creamy texture are woven together in a pleasurable finish.
Vistamar Malbec

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Hacienda Araucano Pinot Noir 2013

91
Hacienda Araucano
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: Chile
Appellation: Central Valley
Retail Price: $14

Tasting Notes: Another great example of the quality and value coming out of Chile. Owned by a leading Bordeaux producer, the vineyard has found an excellent location for the production of great pinot noir. The profile you would expect from a great pinot noir―at a bargain price. Delicate red fruit, with good acidity, and length. A definite contender for top pinot noir value.
Hacienda Araucano Pinot Noir 2013

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Ritual Pinot Noir 2014

92
Ritual
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Chile
Appellation: Casablanca Valley
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Based on a collaboration between Agustin Huneeus and Paul Hobbs, this pinot noir reveals the potential for producing world-class wines in the Casablanca Valley. Red and black fruits, with hints of spice, contribute to the wine’s appeal and complexity. An excellent value and example of Chilean winemaking.
Ritual Pinot Noir 2014

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Borgo Magredo Pinot Nero 2014

91
Borgo Magredo
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Friuli Grave
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: From the northeast of Italy, this pinot noir has all of the right pieces in the right places. Good acidity, with plenty of substance. Balance, a long finish and overall good taste make this a winner in anybody’s book.
Borgo Magredo Pinot Nero 2014

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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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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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