Archives: Wine Reviews

Truth and Valor Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

92
Truth and Valor
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: This is an energetic Cabernet that expresses aromas and flavors of ripe plumb, dark cherry, cranberry, dark chocolate, and coffee notes. This wine delivers great texture and balance with a long finish.
Truth and Valor Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Print Label

Trione Sauvignon Blanc 2012

93
Trione
Fanciful Name: River Road Ranch
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: A delicious white, loaded with complex citrus and tropical fruit notes. Long, elegant and beautifully balanced.
Trione Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Print Label

Trinitas El Dorado Zinfandel 2010

94
Trinitas El Dorado
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: El Dorado
Retail Price: $23.95

Tasting Notes: Very complex, with black tea, tobacco, vanilla, dark plum, and cherries. Velvety tannins. Simply a great Zin!
Trinitas El Dorado Zinfandel 2010

Print Label

Trentadue La Storia Zinfandel 2013

95
Trentadue La Storia
Fanciful Name: Block 303
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Grapes for this estate-produced gem come from head-pruned vines on Trentadue’s Estate Geyserville Ranch. It’s aged for 13 months in European oak, 25% new barrels. There are floral and black fruit notes on the bouquet with a hint of that marvelous Alexander Valley volcanic terroir. Concentrated flavors of blackberry, black cherry and white pepper harmonize with toasty oak and butterscotch nuances. A hint of licorice shows in the finish. The texture is plump and velvety and harmonizes with supple tannins on the lengthy finish. An elegant, simply gorgeous Zin that will develop in bottle for several years.
Trentadue La Storia Zinfandel 2013

Print Label

The Weekender Experience Meritage 2011

95
The Weekender Experience
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $59.99

Tasting Notes: There are lovely floral and ripe black fruit nuances in the bouquet, followed by subtle earth tones. The palate exudes flavors of plum, blueberry and toasty oak, with a slight licorice spice note on the end. The terroir shows beautifully on the finish with supple tannins balancing the wine perfectly. Gorgeous now, this wine can be cellared for several years.
The Weekender Experience Meritage 2011

Print Label

Storybook Zinfandel 2012

92
Storybook
Fanciful Name: Mayacamus Range
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $40

Tasting Notes: Classic old-style Zinfandel that’s chock full of mouth-filling briar, red plum and black pepper. Decanting first will help round out the edges. Try it with a leg of lamb slathered in rosemary and garlic.
Storybook Zinfandel 2012

Print Label

Shypoke Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

96
Shypoke
Fanciful Name: Calistoga
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Calistoga
Retail Price: $55

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, powerful, yet elegant cabernet aged in French oak. You’ll swoon over the ménage of blackberries and cassis. This impeccable cab is simply delicious and worth every penny.
Shypoke Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Print Label

Seven Rings Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

93
Seven Rings
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Oak Knoll District
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: A Cabernet that, like the 2015 vintage, is firm, concentrated and powerful. Judicious use of oak provides balance for the commanding tannins, and Oak Knoll’s smooth texture and ripeness come through in this balanced, harmonious effort.
Seven Rings Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Print Label

Seghesio Zinfandel 2014

92
Seghesio
Fanciful Name: Sonoma
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $22.99

Tasting Notes: Seghesio has done a remarkable job of producing a consistently great wine from vintage to vintage. This vintage, however, is the best they have done in years. This wine has a beautiful deep color (owing to a dollop or two of Petite Sirah). Ripe and rich flavors of raspberry, blueberry and plenty of spice. This may be the best you can do in this price range.
Seghesio Zinfandel 2014

Print Label

Saracina Chardonnay 2014

95
Saracina
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: This is an interesting blend of 96% Chardonnay and 4% Viognier from organic grapes, unoaked. The small percentage of Viognier is noticeable, lending a bit of mouthfeel to the wine. Aromas and flavors of ripe apple, pear and other fruits. There are hints of lemon/orange on the finish, with a hint of spiciness despite the lack of oak aging. This is an intriguing, unusual and delicious style of Chardonnay that will pair well with a cornucopia of cuisine.
Saracina Chardonnay 2014

Print Label

Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

95
Saint Helena Winery
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2009
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: Blend of 98% cabernet sauvignon, 2% petit verdot, estate grown. Native yeast fermentation and 22 months in three types of French oak, 70% new, add to the complexities of this fabulous wine. The bouquet is lush with hints of lilac, blueberry and black cherry. The mouthfeel is rich with ripe, black fruit flavors mingling with nuances of mocha, coffee and sweet spices and a hint of “cigar box” on the end. Tannins are firm, in balance, and assure several years of development.
Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Print Label

Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

92
Rubus
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: A 2012 Napa Valley cabernet for under $40, Rubus is an absolute steal. Ripe blackberry, currants and nuances of tobacco and vanilla on the palate. The finish is long and impressive with notes of chocolate and black cherries. Finishes with just a touch of fine silky tannins.
Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Print Label

Wine Stars © 2024