New Release Wine Reviews

Dusty garnet black color. Floral, elegant, mature aromas of Christmas pudding and sweet black cherry, orange blossom and violet candy, new leather, and chocolate cookie with a velvety, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a thought-provoking, endless dried forest berries, salted caramel chocolate truffle, polished wood, and dusted jerked meats finish with fine, silky tannins and moderate oak. Life’s puzzle pieces finally come together when drinking this wine.

Awards: 2017 Top 2 Best Red Wine, 2017 Top 2 Best Italian Red Wine

Bright dusty garnet color. Earthy, inviting aromas and flavors of red licorice and ripe cassis, star anise and rose petal, freshly turned earth, and suede with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a prodigious, very long dried basil and caper berries, sun dried berries, red velvet cake, and bay leaf and allspice finish with well-integrated, silky, fine tannins and moderate oak. An impressive, earthy wine to delight your guests with.

Bright ruby garnet color. Complex aromas of porcini mushroom, fennel seeds, lingonberry, and cardamom with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a distinctive, long dark red fruit leather, fresh tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate finish with well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak. A nuanced and satisfying Pinot Noir for special dinners.

Bright violet garnet color. Vegetal, rustic aromas and flavors of forest floor, sweet peppers, patent leather, and graphite with a round, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a breezy bramble, violet, and chocolate ganache finish with medium tannins and light oak. A rustic and fruity wine that will shine at the table.

Dark violet color. Earthy, elegant aromas and flavors of dried violet, pinecone, ripe cassis, and forest mushroom with a velvety, lively, fruity full body and a warming, thought-provoking, long black licorice and rose petals, preserved lemon vinaigrette, sweet nougat, and bay leaf and coriander finish with well-integrated, grippy tannins. A gorgeous new world interpretation of Bordeaux; cellarable.

Bright yellow straw color. Fruity, creamy aromas and flavors of caramel apples, white flowers, roasted nut brittle, and mango yogurt with a round, crisp, dry-yet-fruity full body and a tingling, layered, medium-long green apple tart and maple sap finish with soft, fruit tannins and light oak. A lovely, elegant and round Chardonnay.

Dark indigo color. Earthy aromas of forest mushrooms, melted chocolate mint, honey, and heavily toasted marshmallow with a lightly tannic, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a hot, complex, medium-long ripe plum, spice cake, and smoked beets finish with well-integrated, chewy, earthy tannins. A wild yet elegant Shiraz for earthy fare.

Black violet color. Elegant aromas and flavors of leather saddle, cedar smoke, night-blooming jasmine, and cassis preserve and mocha with a slightly chewy, crisp, fruity full body and an intriguing, medium-length fine cigar, wet earth, rose petal, and vanilla and dill finish with well-integrated, chewy tannins and moderate oak. A calculated Napa Cabernet with a portfolio of rich flavors.

Black garnet color. Aromas of stewed plums, allspice, cassis preserve, and ground coffee with a slightly chewy, lively, dry-yet-fruity full body and a warming, interesting, medium-length pickled beets, fresh dill, vanilla taffy and flan, and bay leaf finish with well-integrated, grippy tannins and moderate oak. A chewy and lip-smacking Cabernet for weeknight steak.

Medium emerald straw color. Attractive, minerally aromas and flavors of orange blossom and acacia blossom, marzipan, lemon bar and lime peel, and sea shell with a round, racy, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, delightful, breezy salted pretzel stick and rice candy finish with silky, fruit tannins and a suggestion of oak. A delicious everyday wine with oscillating creaminess and minerally acidity.

Pale silvery straw color. Fresh aromas and flavors of sweet fruit melange, orgeat, and fresh cut sweet herbs with a round, lively, fizzy, dry-yet-fruity light body and an interesting, medium-length pineapple candy, mixed melon, mineral, and quince finish with fine, fruit tannins and no oak. A rock solid Prosecco with pure fruit, great structure and a nice sense of place.

Garnet color. Aromas of cranberry, strawberry preserve, and mocha with a supple, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, captivating, medium-long mineral, thyme, and spice cake finish with well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak. A simple but delicious wine that has a great backbone of minerality.

Straw green color. Citrusy, sweet aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit candy, maraschino cherry pit, marzipan, and apricot and guava with a satiny, lively, dryish light-to-medium body and an interesting, medium-length starfruit, shiso, and canary melon finish with fine, silky tannins. A refreshing fruit basket of a white blend.

Dusty ruby garnet color. Smoky aromas of cedar and forest berries with a supple, crisp, medium-to-full body and a brisk vanilla lip balm and dill finish with coating tannins and a suggestion of oak. An everyday red for the table.

Medium deep purple color. Rustic aromas of boysenberry, bramble, sweet tobacco, and basil and oregano with a tannic, lively, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a medium-length honey, leather, fresh mint, and creme finish with harsh tannins and moderate oak. A tight wine with big aging potential.

Bright deep purple color. Fruity aromas of mixed berry compote and plum with a velvety, crisp, fruity sweet medium-to-full body and a delightful, medium-length chocolate tart, mint sorbet, chopped hazelnut, and game finish with well-integrated, chewy tannins and a suggestion of oak. A yummy, jammy red blend for spicy foods or enjoying on its own.

Dark black ruby color. Earthy, umami aromas of shitake mushroom, soy sauce, plum, and eucalyptus with a coarse, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity full body and an elegant, medium-length plum sauce, preserved asian fruits, mocha, and smoky pie crust finish with chunky tannins and moderate oak. An umami Shiraz begging for East Asian cuisine.

Garnet black color. Fruity, sweet aromas and flavors of cassis and rum raisin, menthol mint, fresh tobacco, and toasted cinnamon pastry with a glycerous, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a buoyant milk chocolate, leather wallet, and dried dill finish with barky, coating tannins and moderate oak. A red crusher that can stand on its own.

Medium dusty garnet color. Aromas of black pepper, baking spice, and tobacco with a lightly tannic, crisp, dry light-to-medium body and a brisk bell pepper, unripe red cherry, and slate finish with earthy, dusty tannins and moderate oak. A nice weeknight wine.

Black ruby color. Aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruit, fresh cigarette, and strawberry jam with a lightly tannic, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a brisk orange zest, chocolate covered raisin, and charred nuts finish with chunky tannins and moderate oak. A nice fruity, lightly smoky cabernet for everyday meals.

Bright bright ruby color. Fruity, inviting aromas and flavors of cranberry sauce, winter spices, vanilla creme, and blistered cherry with a round, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, nuanced, medium-length lavender and mint finish with well-integrated, fine tannins and a suggestion of oak. A yummy Pinot Noir to sip alone or with dinner.

Nearly opaque deep purple color. Fruity, complex aromas of stewed currant, menthol, and black tea with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a complex, medium-long juicy red fruits, cocoa butter and leather, marinated beets, and grilled green pepper finish with chewy tannins. A great red blend for rich meals.

Dark black violet color. Aromas of velum, violet, grilled concord grapes, and black cherry cola with a velvety, bright, fruity full body and a refreshing, medium-length sun dried tomato, sweet blueberry, roasted nuts, and almond creme finish with well-integrated, silky tannins. A velvety wine with big fruit and dark mystery.

Bright garnet color. Fresh, floral aromas of red licorice, orchard blossom, and pinecone with a supple, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a peppery, complex, medium-long chocolate candy, candied flowers, white pepper and black olive, and key lime pie finish with fine, crunchy tannins and a suggestion of oak. A delicious confluence of floral and candied notes; a beautiful wine for pairing.

Pale straw color. Aromas and flavors of apricot, salty shoreline, and fresh lemon rind with a supple, bright, fruity thin body and a short finish with fruit tannins and no oak. An easy-drinking Pinot Grigio for a crowd.

Dark ruby color. Confected aromas of stewed cherry, vanilla, and raspberry liqueur with a silky, crisp, medium body and a breezy red bell pepper finish with silky tannins. A straightforward silky, fruity crusher.

Dusty light ruby color. Fruity, candied aromas of cherry vanilla pie, rhubarb compote, red delicious apple, and creme brulee with a thick, soft, fruity medium body and a sleek, brisk brandied cherry, white chocolate, and nut shells finish with silky, medium tannins and moderate oak. A rich and fruity Rosé for Pinot Noir lovers.

Pink color. Candied aromas and flavors of watermelon candy, white grapefruit candy, and orange blossom with a supple, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a relaxed peach gummies, bamboo shoots, parchment, and grape jelly finish with silky tannins. A breezy and easy-drinking rosé.

Bright dusty garnet color. Fruity aroma of forest berry with a round, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, medium-length espresso bean studded chocolate bar, raspberry preserve, and chocolate gelato finish with well-integrated, coating tannins and moderate oak. A plush Barbera, distinctly Californian in style.

Bright silvery pink color. Aromas and flavors of pureed apples and bananas, peach skins and marinated grape leaf, linoleum, and slate and moss with a soft, dryish light body and a smooth, sparse underripe cassis finish with soft tannins and no oak. A mild rosé for casual occasions.

Bright yellow straw color. Funky aromas of sweet mascarpone, apple butter, and struck match with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and a hot, breezy popcorn butter and poached apricot finish with soft tannins and light oak. An interesting and funky Chardonnay.