Venteux Tache le Verre Alisos Canyon 2016
High praise for Venteux Vineyard’s Tache le Verre. Crafted from 100% organically farmed Syrah from the renowned Alisos Canyon region of Santa Barbara, the 2016 is substantive and baritone in expression. Stratified layers of blackberries, black cherries, incense, tar, earth, smoky Pu-er tea, and violets compose the nose—a complex sensory arc that leads into a […]
LXV Kiler Canyon Vineyard Reserve Syrah 2014
Garnet robed, LXV’s 2014 Reserve Syrah is made from fruit sourced from Kiler Canyon Vineyard in Paso’s Willow Creek District and is vinified in 50% new French oak. Heady waves of Damson plums, black cherries, and blackberry pie rest beneath secondary aromas of lilacs, black olives, freshly turned soil, crushed limestone, and iron shavings. Medium-bodied, […]
Denner Mother of Exiles 2016
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, Denner’s 2016 Mother of Exiles is totally opaque in the glass with legs as dark as indigo. It’s slightly tight on opening, but swirling in the glass reveals wild blueberries and crème de cassis submerged beneath more ephemeral tones of […]
J Vineyards California Pinot Gris 2017
The color of liquid sunshine, J Vineyards 2017 Pinot Gris unfurls to reveal perfumed layers of d’Anjou pear, white peach, freshly cut green apple, granulated honey, and elder flowers. Gentle, whole cluster pressing has created a wine that is crisp and refreshing—a burst of lemon-infused acidity subsides to dulcet mineral tones. This would pair beautifully […]
Denner Viognier 2016
Aged for 15 months in 350 L cigar-shaped barrels, Denner’s 2016 Viognier shows off depth, dimension and a lithe mineral edge. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is bottled without fining or filtration. Pale green reflexes shimmer at the meniscus as aromas of Asian pear, mandarin, lanolin and dried honey bloom beneath ethereal secondary […]
Mettler Family Vineyards Pinotage 2016
This is not your South African Pinotage—not by a long shot. Bright ruby red, Mettler Family Vineyards’ 2016 Pinotage offers up ripe Rainier cherries, plums, blackberry cobbler, anise seed, and lees-infused notes of yogurt and whipped butter. In the mouth, ultra-silky tannins lending a sense of roundness and polish to this full-bodied Lodi red. The […]
LangeTwins Aglianico Rosé 2018
Crafted from sustainably grown, dry farmed Aglianico, the LangeTwins 2018 Rosé is shrimp-tail pink in hue, and offers up a charming bouquet of watermelon, sour cherry, golden raspberry, and wet shell. It’s crisp and bright on the palate—the acid hits the sides of the tongue, creating a fresh, mouthwatering profile. Nuanced minerality and red berry […]
Prie Vineyards Carignane Ancient Vine Spenker Ranch 2016
From 100+-year-old vines aged for 18 months in neutral and new French oak, Prie Vineyards 2016 Carignane is ruby-hued, and from its appearance, unfiltered. Fresh notes of brambly berries, raspberry coulis, spice, white pepper, dried hay anoint the nose. It’s medium-bodied silky, deliciously pillowy tannins. Bright acidity terminates softly in a finish of vanillin and […]
M2 Vermentino Mokelumne River 2018
The color of sun-bleached straw, the 2018 M2 Mokelumne River Vermentino is etched in dewy Comice pear, yellow apple, almond biscotti, and wild iris. A textural band gathers at the mid-palate, bisecting this lithe white as bright acidity surges across the palate. The finish is decidedly mineral, with accents of dried thyme, miner’s lettuce, and […]
Michael David Winery Inkblot Cabernet Franc 2015
David Michael Winery’s first Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Inkblot bears, and nose that is reminiscent of Loire Cab Franc, though the body is much richer and concentrated. It fairly bursts with aromas of juicy boysenberries, blueberry buckle, violets, cinnamon stick, and cigar box. The aromatic profile reverberates across the palate with bright perfumy fruit that […]