2012 Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Brilliant straw color. Bright, varietal aromas of banana, passion fruit, grapefruit and light notes of hay lead to juicy flavors of pineapple, honeydew, lemon oil and passion fruit that linger a few seconds at the finish. This wine is clean, correct… Read more
2012 Chateau de Sours Rosé, Bordeaux
Light pink color with shadings of copper. The seductive nose shows white chocolate laced with haunting whiffs of raspberry and other red fruits. There’s a plump fruit sweetness upon entry to the palate, gracefully trailing off to a dry finish that… Read more
2012 Vina Robles ‘Roseum,’ Huerhuero Vineyard, Paso Robles
Brilliant transparent neon coral color. Initial aromas of banana essence and apple peel lead to a deeper scent of just-ripe strawberry and a sharp note of pomegranate. The fresh red fruits explode across the palate, with a crisp acidity that leaves… Read more
2010 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Rouge, Loire Valley, France
Thierry and Jean-Marie Puzelat aren’t new to natural winemaking, but it’s not for reverence or cultish personality that so many wine caves and restaurants in Paris serve the brothers’ wines. Nor is it for the fact that their estate has some historic… Read more
2010 Marc Plouzeau (Château de la Bonnelière) ‘Les Cornuelles’ Chinon, Loire Valley, France
Chinon may be off the radar for many wine drinkers more accustomed to the “big guns” of Burgundy and Bordeaux, but it’s decidedly home to some of the more in-vogue reds, including Rene Mosse’s interesting cuvees. Compared to Mosse, Plouzeau’s… Read more
2011 Marc Plouzeau Sauvignon Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Though not one of Plouzeau’s entirely biodynamic/natural wines, this entry-level Sauvignon is a standout for its piercing acidity and verve. Green apple, lime and flint minerality deserve in-season oysters or, in the summer, a bitter salad of… Read more
2011 Talbott Vineyards ‘Kali Hart’ Chardonnay, Monterey
Light straw color. Initial aromas of smoke, citrus, honeydew melon, ripe apple and cream lead to honey-kissed citrus and fleshier tropical fruit flavors in the mouth. For a Chardonnay that sees relatively little French oak contact (only 15% of the… Read more
NV Blandy’s ‘Malmsey’ 5 Years Old Madeira
Deep toffee color, lightening to amber at the rim. The nose is restrained, heightening the sensation of alcohol (19%). Moderate aromas of honeyed raisins, salt and roasted nuts lead to a much sweeter, fruit-laden mouth presence. There is an earthy… Read more
NV Blandy’s ‘Rainwater’ Madeira
Produced from the Tina Negra Mole grape, this wine is light orange/amber in color. Heady aromas of salted nuts, a hint of citrus, white raisins and toffee lead to a mouthfeel that is lighter than one would expect in a fortified wine, and where the… Read more
2010 Dry Creek Vineyard ‘Foggy Oaks’ Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Medium straw color. On the nose, ample scents of green melon, ripe pear, lemon blossom, honeysuckle and vanilla intermingle. Medium-full in body, this white picks up fleshier tropical and stone fruit on the palate, and lightly buttered fruit lingers… Read more
