2011 Giant Steps Pinot Noir, Sexton Vineyard, Yarra Valley, Australia
Nearly transparent, light ruby hue. The nose is delicate, perfumed, and distinctly feminine, showing dusty red cherries, cinnamon and clove woodspice, paraffin, and hint of brown sugar, and earth. The aromas intensify as the wine opens up, picking… 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
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
2006 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain
Intense and vivid, with cool summer berries and warm American oak, this Rioja Reserva is a relative steal at the price. Acidic strawberries keep things lively, while deeper, darker elements of forest pine and damp mushrooms add depth and savor…. Read more
2009 Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France
A whiff of alcohol blows off maybe a minute after opening, and this wine’s brawny Shiraz juice starts to strut its stuff. Still young and fruit-forward, there’s also a liveliness and acidity which brings balance to a wine that frequently can seem… Read more
2011 J. Lohr ‘Fog’s Reach’ Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco, Monterey
Nearly transparent light ruby, picking up some pink at the rim. The nose is full of jammy strawberry and raspberry fruit, joined by whiffs of sweet vanilla and white pepper. Well balanced with nuanced oak shadings, the wine offers bright red fruit… Read more
2010 d’Arenberg ‘The Feral Fox’ Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, Australia
Transparent light ruby in color, this wine has an initial floral eucalyptus/mint scent, leading to impressions of moderate red berry/cherry fruit, along with notes of tea and root beer. The wine is quite light in the mouth, catching some grip at the… Read more
