2012 Mill Creek Santa Rosa Rosé, V. 2012, Dry Creek Valley
Bright neon pink, with glints of light orange. A citrus-blossom floral quality leads to moderate, butter-kissed red berry fruit aromas. The wine is round in the mouth, clean and balanced, although there is a bit of heat at the finish (the alcohol is… Read more
2011 d’Arenberg ‘The Olive Grove’ Chardonnay, McLaren Vale/Adelaide Hills, Australia
Very light straw color with green glints. Scents of spiced oak and light butter frame citrus blossom, lime, minerals and green apple. On the palate, initial sharp citrus tang leads to sweeter, rounder fruit impression in the mid-palate. At the… Read more
2010 Domaine Les Alexandrins “Intuition”, Collines Rhodaniennes, France
Organic Gamay from the Rhone Hills, this is a rustic, food-friendly wine well-suited to grilled meats, especially BBQ chicken. Fire up the grill and enjoy well-balanced berry and green herb notes. On the nose, menthol, plums and tobacco. MSRP:… Read more
2010 Kenwood Merlot, Jack London Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
Translucent dark ruby color. On the nose, a chef’s garden of aromas make the first impression, showing black olive, sage, bell pepper, menthol/eucalyptus and tobacco. The dark, fleshy plum and cherry fruit emerges in the mouth, along with hints of… Read more
2012 Ca’ Momi Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Medium straw color. Sweet aromas of banana, apple, white flowers and vanilla waft from the glass. Once in the mouth, light baking spices, butter and fleshier stone fruit take center stage. This white is medium-full in body, clean and balanced. It is… Read more
2010 Roanoke Vineyards ‘Sonnet,’ North Fork of Long Island
Barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels (50% new), this Chardonnay may remind you of white Burgundy. At present, the toasty oak dominates the palate, but the wine is beginning to soften and reveal more fruit. Try it again in two years, when… Read more
NV Macari Vineyards ‘Sette’ Red Wine, North Fork of Long Island
A mild floral and eucalyptus nose leads to flavors of assorted berries and cherries in this 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The finish is surprisingly long. Try it with pasta or beef stew. MSRP: $19 (March 2013) Wine Lines rating:… Read more
2008 Macari Vineyards ‘Estate’ Merlot, North Fork of Long Island
2008 was considered a “medium weather” year on Long Island, meaning that most of the fruit in most of the vineyards was able to attain good ripeness. As a result, this bottling exhibits “typical” Merlot notes of cherry and bell pepper,… Read more
2007 Macari Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay, North Fork of Long Island
For those who enjoy well aged Chardonnay, this one is in its prime. While the fruit flavors have subsided somewhat, there remain hints of apple and pear, framed by vanillin oak and toast. Suggested food companion: mushroom risotto. MSRP: $23 (March… Read more
2012 Macari Vineyards ‘Katherine’s Field’ Sauvignon Blanc, North Fork of Long Island
Named after winery co-owner Katherine Macari, “Katherine’s Field” is a block of the Macari estate vineyard that features plantings of Sauvignon Blanc. The 2012 vintage had a somewhat muted nose when sampled, but if it follows past vintages, it… Read more
