Archives: Wine Reviews

Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

90
Oak Ridge
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Lodi
Retail Price: $16.99

Tasting Notes: Located between the Sierra Foothills and San Francisco Bay, this is a wine for rich and fruit-forward cabernet lovers. The decadent mouthfeel is almost portlike with notes of sweet cedar, blackberry, earth and ripe red fruits.
Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

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Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

91
Bodegas Montecillo
Fanciful Name: Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $20.99

Tasting Notes: Established in 1870, these folks have been pioneers in bringing the best of Spain to America. Sourcing older vines helps yield concentrated flavor. Very regimented fermentation combines the best of old world and new world techniques (stainless and concrete tanks) The magic happens in the aging to achieve the Reserva status. Twenty-four months in mainly French oak is followed by 24 months of bottle aging. Beautiful ruby coloring in the glass leads to red fruit notes. Rich and elegant, with touches of expresso and vanilla on the finish. Incredible value for a wine of the pedigree.
Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

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J. Lohr Red Blend Pure Paso 2021

91
J. Lohr
Fanciful Name: Pure Paso
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: Winemaker Brenden Wood refines his red blend that highlights the real potential of the Paso Robles AVA. Primarily cabernet sourced from their Shotwell vineyard, with the addition of petite sirah (31%) and three other varietals. Stainless steel fermentation is then followed with oak aging for 18 months. Intense inky coloring, silky smooth with notes of anise, pepper and caramel. Time to fire up the grill for some thick rib eyes.
J. Lohr Red Blend Pure Paso 2021

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Twomey Sauvignon Blanc 2022

91
Twomey
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: North Coast
Retail Price: $28.00

Tasting Notes: Pops of melon and grapefruit are the welcome to your palate. This refreshing sauvignon blanc is nicely packaged with acidity and fruit, making it a refreshing and sneakily complex wine. 
Twomey Sauvignon Blanc 2022

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Sonoma-Loeb Chardonnay 2021

91
Sonoma-Loeb
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: Made by famed winemaker Philip Titus. Aromas of tropical fruits and crisp melon on the nose. This wine is super food friendly due to its higher but balanced acidity and a creamy mouthfeel that seamlessly blend the notes of lime and lemon cake on the palate.
Sonoma-Loeb Chardonnay 2021

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1858 Red Blend

91
1858
Varietal: Red Blend
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: A dark maroon color greets you upon pouring this plush wine. Baked black and blue fruits, warm spice and sumptuous-but-soft tannins and toasted wood on the finish. This is a smooth but structured and approachable wine from the Wagner Family.
1858 Red Blend

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Les Frères Laffitte Rosé Blend Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé 2022

91
Les Frères Laffitte
Fanciful Name: Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé
Varietal: Rosé Blend
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Côtes de Gascogne
Retail Price: $23.00

Tasting Notes: Complex with blueberry, white plum and a hint of vegetal in the background. Lots of bright acidity that will do justice to a fresh green salad covered with a warm Camembert.
Les Frères Laffitte Rosé Blend Le Petit Gascoûn Rosé 2022

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Domaine de la Pepiere Melon de Bourgogne 2022

91
Domaine de la Pepiere
Fanciful Name: Pépière
Varietal: Melon de Bourgogne
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
Retail Price: $22.00

Tasting Notes: Extended cold fermentation Sur Lie with organic grapes from Maines, produces a brisk, fresh wine full of lemony spring flowers. Medium acid and crushed stone provide a perfect mate for grilled white fish with fresh poached pears. Definitely not your run of the mill muscadet.
Domaine de la Pepiere Melon de Bourgogne 2022

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The Calling Chardonnay 2021

92
The Calling
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Retail Price: $22.00

Tasting Notes: This chardonnay has a silky weight to its mouthfeel. Rich, savory tones of butter are intertwined with pops of Granny Smith apple that are complimented with a beautiful, lingering finish. 
The Calling Chardonnay 2021

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NeroOro Red Blend Rosso Gold 2021

92
NeroOro
Fanciful Name: Rosso Gold
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Terre Siciliane
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: A powerful and structured dry wine. The nose beckons you with deep red fruits, raspberry and cranberry aromas. The palate is full bodied with a concentration of those red fruits with notes of baked cherry pie, green pepper and tomato leaves.
NeroOro Red Blend Rosso Gold 2021

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Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2022

92
Hall Ranch
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: This wine exhibits aromas of lemongrass, balmy grapefruit and lime. Those notes continue onto the palate, but with the addition of lychee and bright tropical fruits. Crisp and refreshing.
Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2022

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Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Limited 2021

93
Decoy
Fanciful Name: Limited
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2021
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: This inaugural release is a grand slam! Sourcing from prime vineyard sites in Alexander Valley — in addition to their own estate fruit — yields exceptional fruit. Very concentrated flavors in a classic fruit-forward style that’s very accessible. A kiss of merlot adds smoothness to the 14-month French oak aging regimen. Black fruits dominate the nose with inky squid colors and hints of white pepper and dark chocolate. Time for that prime rib dinner celebration
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Limited 2021

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