Da Vinci Chianti 2014
88 points because Da Vinci’s Chianti falls squarely in the value category. A softly textured blend of 90% Sangiovese grapes and 10% Merlot, the 2014 vintage offers pretty, uncomplicated aromatics of plums, black cherries, and vanilla. Roughly half of the grapes are vinified in new and used American oak, and the tannins along with the […]
Gallo Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Signature Series 2013
Yet another winner from Gallo’s Signature Series, the 2012 Dry Creek Zinfandel has a smokey countenance, followed by musky earth, steeped blackberries and Italian plums. Tons of intensity on the palate, a bit of char, and unbridled, racy acidity. This isn’t a sweet, heavy Zinfandel, rather it’s endowed with lots of power and punch. The […]
Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
A friendly and approachable Central Valley Pinot Noir, Edna Valley offers a dollop of pleasure for the budget conscious—finding decent Pinot Noir in the under $15.00 price category is a challenge. The 2014 edition emits strawberry and raspberry jam, with a whiff of crunchy, dry fall leaves. It’s fairly simple, but pleasant in the mouth, […]
Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Franc de Pied 2013
Not the best vintage of Breton I’ve tasted, the 2013 Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Franc de Pied offers dusky aromatics of decomposing roses, earthy funk, red forest berries, iron ore and green wood. As is typical of Cabernet Franc grown in this region, it’s acidic, but in this case, in this vintage, too acidic, […]
La Marea Mourvedre Spur Ranch Vineyard 2013
For those of you familiar with Ian Brand’s first label, Le P’tit Paysan, La Marea is produced with equal care and craft, and is dedicated to the production of single-vineyard Spanish varieties from San Benito and Montery County. The 2013 Spur Ranch Vineyard Mourvedre is sourced from vines that are at an 1,000 foot elevation […]
Domaine Jean David Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Les Levants 2012
As memory serves, this is one of my acquisitions from Garagiste, as is typical of Garagiste selections, Jean David is a very small producer, a husband and wife team from the village of Séguret who are committed to what Nicki refers to as “hyper- organic “farming. The vines are very old, though I can not […]
Gallo Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Another wine from Gallo’s Signature series, I’ll be the first to confess that I’m pleasantly surprised at how nice these wines are, given the extraordinary prices of most Napa Cabs. It’s a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the bulk of which is from Gallo’s William Hill Vineyard, with a dash of […]
Château Léoville Las Cases 1989
The 1989 Léoville Las Cases possesses a deep inner perfume of red currant, rose petals, balsam, graphite and sandalwood. Elegant and weightless, with fine tannins that spread evenly across the palate, like damask silk. There is a wonderful, regal and almost undefinable quality to this second growth. It exhibits both fantastic purity and balance, and […]
Olivier Gras Prat Sura Vacqueyras La Cuvée 2012
The 2012 Olivier Gras Prat Sura Vacqueyras La Cuvée is certainly more giving on the second day—this structured Vacqueyras wants to unfurl slowly, no surprise, because the vines are around 35 years old, and are grown in an arid climate, and in stony limestone-galet soil. Prat Sura is a single vineyard bottling, and a small […]
Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Zinfandel 2013
Soft and pliant, the 2013 Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend is comprised of 100% Zinfandel of which 53% is sourced from San Joaquin County and the remaining 47% is from Sonoma County. While not overly complex, it does offer inviting aromas of blackberry liqueur, juicy black cherries, vanilla and spice. On the palate, it’s smooth and easy-drinking […]