Écluse Rendition 2016
Inlaid with dark, throaty aromas of plums, macerated blackberry, crushed lavender, char, and sweet tobacco. The 2016 Écluse Rendition is a full-throttle Rhône-style blend that’s classic Paso Robles, one that’s nicely framed in well-structured, integrated tannins and a burst of bright acidity to balance out ample juicy black fruit at the mid-palate. 375 Cases Produced […]
Alloro Vineyard Riservata Pinot Noir 2016
Blended from a selection of blocks across the winery’s 78-acre estate, the 2016 Alloro Riservata is clean and precise. Black cherries and black raspberries lie beneath more ethereal notes of lanolin, dried herbs, forest floor, and blooming florality. Aged in 35%-45% new French oak barrels—in the mouth, it’s exquisitely balanced with ultra-fine, sueded tannins twining […]
Vargas Aha! Albariño 2018
Taught as a drawn bow, the 2018 Vino Vargas Albarino expresses Bosc pear, lemon pith, white flowers, and wet gravel. In the mouth, a sweeping textural landscape with a deep mineral vein that wells up amidst orchard fruit, quince, and dried thyme. The finish is long and protracted. Rare for me to lavish this sort […]
LXV Cira Vineyard Reserve Merlot 2015
LXV’s 2015 Cira Vineyard Reserve Merlot opens with pie cherries, macerated strawberries, cola, mocha, graphite, and spice followed by a pastry note that’s steeped in vanilla bean. As with all of LXV’s Reserve wines long aging in 53% new French oak has resulted in a wine that’s softly focused with satiny, well-integrated tannins and lovely […]
Bollicini Sparkling Trio NV
Sparkling Cuvée NV Straw-hued and gently sparkling, Bollicini’s Sparkling Cuvée is the latest in a trio of canned wines I’ve received to evaluate. And while not complex, this undisclosed blend of “Italian white varietals” has plenty of charm—orchard fruit, apples, white peaches, and pears and acacia honey are in abundance with a touch of lemon […]
Edna Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Sourced from California’s Central Coast, the 2017 Edna Valley Vineyard Sauvignon is crisp and refreshing. A classic bouquet of melon, dewy pear, guava, and grapefruit are the aromas that comprise the nose. In the mouth, it’s clean and bright—and terminates in a lively streak of lime zest and white grapefruit. A lovely everyday drinker. 13.1% […]
Penman Springs Vineyard Paso Robles Artisan Cuvée Meritage 2016
A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Penman Springs Artisan Cuvée Meritage is aged for 18 months in American oak. Boysenberries, black cherries, dried violets, and dutch process cocoa powder make up the nose. Mouthcoating, ripe tannins neatly couch a core of densely packed, sweet black fruit that […]
Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc 2017
An energetic whorl of pear and juicy musk melon, Opal apple, stargazer lily, and lime zest comprises the nose of Orin Swift’s 2017 Blank Stare. A blend of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscat, 20% barrel fermentation and aging in French oak is evident on the nose and palate, lending a just the right amount […]
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 […]
Bertani Bertarose Chiaretto 2018
Delicate salmon pink and svelte, the nose of Bertani’s 2018 Bertarose Rosé is quite mineral-driven—wet stones and alpine air cascade beneath citrusy aromas of blood orange, melon, and golden raspberry. Fruit notes are more pronounced on the palate with red berries and tons of pink pomelo fleshing out the core. It’s delicate and ends with […]