Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
One of Napa Valley’s best kept secrets, Louis M. Martini’s 2013 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with juicy blackberries, blackcurrants, and cassis. Leather, dried leaves, and trail dust along with an attractive top note of vanilla round out the nose. It’s sleek and softly textured on the palate with fine tannins and a medium+ finish. […]
Murrieta’s Well The Spur 2014
Better on the second day, I recommend decanting on opening — a ripe blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc from Livermore Valley — the 2014 Murietta’s Well ‘The Spur’ opens with notes of blueberry, black raspberry, black cherry, and blackcurrants couched in dark layers […]
Au Contraire Pinot Noir 2014
The 2014 Au Contraire Pinot Noir is vastly more charming than I expected it to be given the price point. A well-crafted Pinot for less than $25.00 is a rarity and this bottle exceeds expectations. Swoon-worthy aromas of seedy raspberry, black cherry, underbrush, dried rose petal, and warm spice surge from the glass. In the […]
Ellipsis Red Hills Lovett Vineyard Petite Sirah 2014
Lake County wines are admittedly a new discovery for me. Thus far, the feeling is that the appellation deserves more attention than it currently sees, at least outside of California. Known for it’s high-elevation mountain vineyards with predominantly volcanic soils, the wines from the AVA are graced with intensity and poise. The 2014 Ellipsis Red […]
Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Tasted in Transylvania of all places at the ROVINHUD wine show, during a master class led by MW Patrick Farrell. The 2014 proves to be as sumptuous and profound as the 2013. Opaque as a starless night, it’s a deep plunge into blueberry and crème de cassis bliss, followed by sandalwood and vanilla, dried mint […]
Cave Dog Albariño 2016
Yet another unexpected find from acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens. The 2016 Cave Dog Albariño, like his Godello is a complete surprise—pure sunlight streaming through a glazed window pane—the interplay of lightness and texture here is just beautiful. Equally nuanced on the palate with plenty of lemony acidic lift and mineral nuance. It’s not an overtly […]
Cave Dog Godello 2016
From acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens—Cave Dog is his latest project and this micro-lot of Godello proved surprising for many reasons. The nose is nuanced, almost hard to pin down with notes of pear, lemon sorbet, buttercup, honeycomb, malt and a delicate savory edge. It’s equally nuanced in the mouth, with unbelievable, glorious texture offset by […]
Gallo Signature Series Pinot Noir 2013
I prefer Gallo’s Signature Series Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir with some age on it—the 2013 offers up a bouquet of that is more dark fruited than red. Blackberries at peak ripeness, a touch of black cherry, vanilla and cola precede a wine that is swathed in fine, velvety tannins. This is a richer, more […]
Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay 2014
An excellent value to be found in this estate grown, Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay. The site lies just thirteen miles from Carmel Bay, along the northern edge of the valley—planted in 1982, in Corton-Charlemagne Chardonnay clone vines, it’s a wine that delivers subtle, layered flavors of smokey baked yellow apples, figs, and lemon torte strike […]
Notable Oaked Chardonnay 2016
Relatively new to the market, Notable Chardonnay comes in two versions, one for the oaky-buttery crowd and the other a crisp stainless steel ferment. This being the oak-laden version, with palate drenching caramel, praline, bruised pear, and lemon drop. Silky on entry with orchard fruit at the core neatly folded into toast that is most […]