Archives: Wine Reviews

Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

93
Oberon
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: The wine is a brilliant pale gold in the glass. The nose is a lovely mix of tropical and citrus fruits, with a subtle floral hint. The palate is exceptionally well balanced, with a long, attractive finish.
Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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Monticello Cabernet Jefferson Napa 2012

92
Monticello
Fanciful Name: Jefferson
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $40

Tasting Notes: Rich to its core, this cabernet offers supple aromas of blueberry and dark chocolate, followed by luscious flavors of black currant, baking spices and savory earth that echo throughout the long finish.
Monticello Cabernet Jefferson Napa 2012

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Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir 2014

92
Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery Russian River Valley
Fanciful Name: Rosé of Pinot Noir
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: This rosé from the Russian River Valley will awaken your senses, starting with its pink rose-petal color, followed by floral notes of raspberry and orange blossoms, and continuing with beautiful tropical fruit and lime flavors. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this wine is medium bodied with excellent balance.
Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir 2014

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Markham Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2013

94
Markham Vineyards
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: Crisp, bright acidity balances the surprisingly lush and welcoming full mid-palate in this straw-pale gem. Melon and apricot offset the citrus notes, making this a fine accompaniment to steamed bivalves or delicate seafood dishes.
Markham Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

93
MacMurray Estate Vineyards
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Central Coast
Retail Price: $23

Tasting Notes: From a cool-weather region, not far from Monterey Bay, this pinot noir shows plenty of elegance, with supple tannins and supporting acidity. Enough structure to stand up to a wide variety of foods, the subtly spicy red and black fruits on the palate lead to a long and well-balanced finish.
MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

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Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

93
Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek
Fanciful Name: Crazy Creek
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley

Tasting Notes: One of the most amazing Cabernet values out of California. Gentle berry fruit, underlining cherry and a hint of plum, balanced with a little cocoa, give this wine a silky and savory finish.
Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

92
Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek
Fanciful Name: Crazy Creek
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: A small-production cabernet from famed wine maker Nick Goldschmidt. The elegance of this wine is perfectly balanced with the controlled berry fruit that wants to jump out of the bottle but doesn’t. This wine is satisfying from start to finish, and is one of the best cabernet values out there.
Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013

95
J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: Named for Mr. Lohr’s wife Carol, with a portion of proceeds going to breast cancer research. Classic Napa fruit, with a creamy texture and a perfume nose that offers up robust citrus hints. Rich and powerful with a ingering finish.
J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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Heron Chardonnay 2013

95
Heron
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: The owner, Laely Heron, is an innovator. She contracts with growers from premier California AVAs for her wines. The grapes are sourced from Russian River Valley, Carneros and Santa Maria Valley from 22-25-year-old vines. She incorporates whole-cluster pressing with barrel aging of up to five months with no malolactic fermentation. The wine is lively and refreshing with lush flavors of peach, mango and citrus. It’s long, crisp and zesty on the finish with lip-smacking acidity: an ideal aperitif, or will pair beautifully with milder Oriental cuisine.
Heron Chardonnay 2013

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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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Grgich Hills Fume Banc 2012

92
Grgich Hills
Varietal: Fumé Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: A taste profile of white peaches, dried apricots, Meyer lemon and tone of minerality. Framed by toasty oak and vanilla from the French oak fermentation. A treat with shellfish.
Grgich Hills Fume Banc 2012

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Goldschmidt Singing Tree Russian River Chardonnay 2014

94
Goldschmidt
Fanciful Name: Singing Tree
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: This is an absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay from start to finish. The subtle buttery notes are quickly complimented with soft tropical fruit and hints of Granny Smith apple, and all is surrounded by perfectly balanced acidity.
Goldschmidt Singing Tree Russian River Chardonnay 2014

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