2012 J Vineyards Pinot Gris, California
Utilizing special blocks of Pinot Gris from around California, the J bottling has quickly established itself as the best-selling high-end Pinot Gris in America — and this vintage will not disappoint. Brilliant light straw color. Perfumed aromas of… Read more
2010 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
This is Duckhorn Wine Company’s Pinot Noir flagship. In the glass, there is a deep dusty ruby color. The effusive nose pumps lots of jammy raspberry and cranberry fruit, accented by cinnamon and clove spice. Lithe on the palate, the wine shows… Read more
2011 Sonoma-Loeb ‘Envoy’ Chardonnay, Carneros
Clear medium straw color. Using select lots from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard on the Sonoma side of Carneros, winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus has fashioned a stunning Chardonnay. The nose is pure California in expression, offering up hedonistic… Read more
2012 Librandi Ciro Rosato, Calabria, Italy
To be sure, this is the first time I’ve seen or sampled a wine made from 100 percent Gaglioppo grape. It finds its home in the Calabrian region of Italy, which likewise is not always the first that comes to mind when one thinks of that country’s… Read more
2010 Clos Marie L’Olivette Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc, France
Half Syrah and half Grenache, this value vino picks up a certain savoriness from the vineyard, which is not far from the ocean’s salty breeze. But whereas Clos Marie’s Manon white bottling shows more of a saline quality, this savoriness merely… Read more
2010 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon, Jack London Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
Nearly opaque dark ruby color. Bright mint-tinged dill and spiced tobacco aromas give way to show a solid core of black cherry and currant fruit. The wine is plush in the mouth, where the warm dark fruits take center stage. Nicely balanced and… Read more
2010 Sbragia Zinfandel, La Promessa Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Translucent ruby color, turning to coral toward the rim. The sweet nose shows a note of bacon fat, followed by brown sugar, vanilla and a whiff of black pepper to go with plump red berry fruits. There is a creamy chocolate quality in the mouth. The… Read more
2010 Sbragia Merlot, Home Ranch, Dry Creek Valley
Translucent ruby-plum color. Aromatics of dill weed, menthol and char give way to bright red berry and currant fruit. This wine sweetens up in the mouth, picking up grainy dark chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla from mid-palate through to the finish…. Read more
2011 Sbragia Chardonnay, Home Ranch, Dry Creek Valley
Clear medium straw color. Lots of smoky oak, vanilla and sweet butter scents frame the ample peach, pear and pineapple in the nose. Lush and mouthfilling, the buttery fruit follows through to a lip-smacking, long afterflavor. This is very much a… Read more
2012 Sbragia Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley
Clear light straw color. Floral aromas of white flowers, citrus blossom and cotton lead to scents of lemon, grapefruit and fleshier tropical fruits. The wine is juicy on the palate, showing sweet/tart citrus with a touch of green apple. The sweet… Read more
