Archives: Wine Reviews

Villa Sandi Prosecco Superiore 2016

96
Villa Sandi
Fanciful Name: Vigne La Rivetta Cartizze
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Valdobbiadene D.O.C.G.
Retail Price: $45

Tasting Notes: From the Valdobbiadene, D.O.C.G. If your customers think that prosecco is only a low-price bottle of Italian fizz, this wine will set them on entirely different path. Cartizze is a vineyard shared by some of the region's top producers, and Villa Sandi knows exactly what to do with these grapes. Elegant, fine bubbles help showcase the quality of the wine. It is an exquisite example of world-class sparkling wine from northern Italy.
Villa Sandi Prosecco Superiore 2016

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Terrazas de los Andes Cheval des Andes Malbec

95
Terrazas de los Andes
Fanciful Name: Cheval des Andes
Varietal: Malbec
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Mendoza
Retail Price: $95

Tasting Notes: Powerful, firm and polished blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Petit Verdot. More Bordeaux in style: thick and rich with dark chocolate and blackberry. This is a keeper but still can enjoy now.
Terrazas de los Andes Cheval des Andes Malbec

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Northstar Merlot 2012

94
Northstar
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: The epitome of great Washington Merlot. Dark cherry and vanilla flavors work so nice together. The perfect balance of oak makes the finish long and memorable. Big, bold and built to last. Lay this wine down to enjoy for years to come.
Northstar Merlot 2012

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Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard Merlot 2011

94
Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $77.99

Tasting Notes: A complex and fascinating wine that walks the line between new and old world. It has a cool, finessed character wherein red currant, bing cherries, graphite, espresso bean and cacao nibs are on display. Incredibly pure. For my taste, this is best Cali Merlot I can recall.
Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard Merlot 2011

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Frog’s Leap Merlot 2012

94
Frog’s Leap
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $42.95

Tasting Notes: An elegant, superb Merlot. Full-bodied dark fruit with hints of plum and raspberry. Complex and balanced, with perfectly integrated tannins, make this one delicious drink.
Frog’s Leap Merlot 2012

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Maison Nicolas Merlot 2015

95
Maison Nicolas
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pays D’oc I.G.P.
Retail Price: $10.99

Tasting Notes: Maison Nicolas has long been famous for importing excellent French wines that represent great quality and value. This Merlot has lovely floral/black fruit aromas. It is soft and ripe on the palate with hints of blackberry, coffee and allspice. The finish is long with a perfect balance of fruit/acids/tannins. Although a modern style, there’s a hint of terroir that says “Languedoc”! An unbeatable value!
Maison Nicolas Merlot 2015

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Chateau Fontbernard Montagne Merlot 2010

95
Chateau Fontbernard Montagne
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2010
Appellation: Saint-Emilion
Retail Price: $18.99

Tasting Notes: A truly classic Right Bank Rouge, 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvuignon. Soft, bright aromas and flavors of cherry, red currant and plum meld with hints of spice, sweet tobacco and finish with supple tannins. There are some lovely earth/mineral notes surrounding the whole that define the appellation. The 2010 is very approachable now, but will cellar nicely for three-to-five years.
Chateau Fontbernard Montagne Merlot 2010

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Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2013

96
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa
Retail Price: $98.99

Tasting Notes: It is probably fitting that one of the original pioneers of Merlot continues to produce this classic version sourced from one of the valley’s original single-vineyard sites. Winemaker Renee Ary takes a classical approach, adding
balanced amounts of Cabernet, Malbec, and Petite Verdot, and then aging for 18 months in rich French oak. A classic new-world Merlot, rich, complex, bursting with lean silky fruit.
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2013

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Oak Farm Vineyards Albariño 2016

88
Oak Farm Vineyards
Varietal: Albariño
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Lodi
Retail Price: $21.99

Tasting Notes: The Lodi region continues to amaze, and this producer is no exception. This Spanish varietal seems to thrive there, and produces a richer and more floral version. Medium bodied, with crisp acidity. Definite mineral notes with beautiful tropical fruit aromas.
Oak Farm Vineyards Albariño 2016

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Troublemaker Blend 1 Sauvignon Blanc

88
Troublemaker
Fanciful Name: Blend 1
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Central Coast
Retail Price: $21.99

Tasting Notes: Light and zesty, from Central Coast, this is the newest addition to the Austin Hope collection. Not your usual sauvignon blanc, especially with the addition of riesling and just a touch of chardonnay. No malolactic fermentation helps preserve the purity of the fruit. Citrus and tropical fruit notes on the nose, with a hint of honeysuckle. Perfect sippin’ wine for the spring/summer season.
Troublemaker Blend 1 Sauvignon Blanc

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Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2016

88
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Varietal: Gewurztraminer
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino County
Retail Price: $13.99

Tasting Notes: And now for something completely different. With fruit sourced from a small organic vineyard, winemaker Kevin Hall of Mendocino crafts a uniquely Californian interpretation of this overlooked varietal. Rich apricot flavors meld with hints of spice and minerality. The sleeper food pairing for this is the classic holiday turkey.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2016

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Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2015

88
Long Meadow Ranch
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: From Rutherford, Napa. An unusual offering considering the AVA’s reputation for big reds, but what a pleasant surprise. Harvesting was done over two separate time periods. Winemaker Ashley Heisey worked her magic in the blending of the two distinct lots. Great complexity for 100% stainless steel fermentation. Very concentrated fruit, bursting with fresh hints of peaches, pears and lemon grass.
Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2015

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