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San Simeon Monterey Chardonnay 2014

San Simeon Monterey Chardonnay 2014

The frame is not as nimble as I might expect for a Monterey Chardonnay, which is generally a cooler climate AVA. The weight is in fact unctuous, fat, and even slightly oily, much like a light Sauternes—its legs cling to the sides of the glass. Aromatically, the primary expression is one of stone fruit, spice, […]

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

I had the chance to visit J Vineyards in 2015, and was impressed (no pun intended) by the large Coquard press flanking the processing bay of the winery. The Coquard press is traditionally used by Champagne houses, and is extremely gentle. J’s Brut Rosé NV is as I remember it, fresh and vivacious, brimming with […]

Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red NV

Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red

Ron Rubin Winery’s Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 is bright ruby in the glass with violet reflexes, and offers primary fruit on the nose. Mostly raspberry, red cherry, anise, and vanilla with touch of spice. It’s a medium-bodied [undisclosed] blend, with soft, ripe tannins—toast, if any, is scarcely discernible as texture. Moderate […]

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

The profile of the 2012 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is consistent with the profile of the 2013 I reviewed last spring—how did I manage to get the vintages out of order? No matter, these are wines with great aging potential, they can be squirreled away for a decade or more. Black currants, […]

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014

A nice value Chardonnay from the River Valley Russian, Frei Brothers 2014 Reserve is medium lemon yellow in the glass with a leaning towards tropical-papaya, ripe pear, buttered scone and baked apple tartin. The attack is round and full with moderate toast squarely at the mid-palate. A short shorts that adorned with toast and pencil […]

Murrieta’s Well The Spur 2013

Murrieta's Well The Spur 2013

vAnother label from Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Spur 2013 is an estate-grown blend of 40% Petite Sirah, 26% Cabernet, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. Sporting an opaque purple-hued dress, the aromatics are soft and expansive, with layers of plums, ripe boysenberries, black cherries, spice and cedar leading into […]

Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2014

Murrieta's Well The Whip 2014

From Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Whip 2014 is an estate-grown blend of 29% Semillon and 27% Chardonnay, with the balance comprised of Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. It offers up a lush bouquet of golden apple, dried pineapple, mango, lemon drop, lemon blossom, and vanilla. There’s as much range [of fruit] […]

San Simeon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

San Simeon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

A well-crafted Cabernet from Paso Robles—a region that has yet to explode in popularity, thus, there are interesting values to be had. San Simeon is a brand owned by San Antonio Winery, which still maintains an urban tasting room in Los Angeles. The winery has been in operation since 1917. Sumptuous aromas and flavors of […]

Windstream Sarmento Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013

Windstream Sarmento Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013

Windstream Sarmento Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>One of San Antonio Winery’s brands, the Windstream Sarmento Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013 shows considerable marine influence, given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Glass-filling aromatics of rose petal and cinnamon bark. and dry leaves that crunch underfoot. The attack is bright and […]

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

I was skeptical of Louis Martini, after all, it’s a mass-distributed brand owned by Gallo. That said, Gallo has the capital to work with some of the best vineyard sites in the valley, while still producing a seriously good Napa Cab for less than $40.00 On the nose, the 2013 shows heady Crème de cassis, […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com