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 […]
Cornerstone Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2012
The 2012 Conerstone Chardonnay exemplifies great varietal typicity—this is classic Willamette Valley Chard, and nicely done too. Fresh aromas of pears, yellow-skinned apples, lemon zest, and toasted hazelnuts are nicely woven into this well-balanced white. The oak is very integrated as well, it’s not at all over blown, and a lively burst of acidity, redolent […]
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, […]
Forge Cellars Sunrise Hill Vineyard Finger Lakes Riesling 2014
As with the other Forge Rieslings I’ve tried, the 2014 Sunrise Hill Vineyard is lithe and electric. it possesses tactile, nervy tension. The nose is somewhat reserved, though swirling reveals white flowers, lime zest, mint and a pinch of granulated honey. It feels very pure—at the core, a bracing, linear expression is accented by lemon […]
Napa Valley Distillery Old Hollywood Ginn
Intensely aromatic, Napa Valley Distillery’s Old Hollywood Ginn is perhaps my favorite out of the four craft spirit samples I’ve received. The distillery website refers to it as a “speakeasy style,” a playful nod to the founder, Arthur Hartunian’s penchant and passion for using old, pre-Prohibition recipes. The website also notes that Old Hollywood Ginn […]
Napa Valley Distillery East India Cocktail
From Napa Valley’s first bonded distillery since prohibition, this incomparable East India Cocktail. Owners Arthur and Lusine Hartunian craft all of their spirits using old pre-Prohibition recipes and their website notes that the East India Cocktail is from recipe an 1830’s recipe, and it’s very hard not to imagine old maps, steamer trunks and wicker […]
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 Marca Prosecco NV
La Marca’s NV Prosecco sports the classic grapey Glera nose. It’s straw-colored and festively effervescent, with yellow apple, and acacia honey notes. On the palate, it’s soft, clean, and inviting—a perfect wine for springtime. Candied lemon peel and orange pastille round out the mid-palate. 1.70 g/100ml RS 11.29% ABV | Sample Cantine La Marca 8.8 […]