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Natural Wine Review
Reviews for 2018

December 2018 - Natural Wine Review

December 2018 - Natural Wine Review
This month's Wine feature is Natural Wine Review Wines

Natural Wine Review Reviews

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Paxton 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$20
Best Buy
Paxton
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnet black color. Herbal aromas and flavors of black plum, eucalyptus, kaffir lime leaf, dried rose, and blackberry coulis with a silky, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a silky, medium-length finish imparting accents of cherry cola with crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A solid Aussie cabernet that will be a natural with lamb.
92 points $20 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Terra Viva 2017 Sangiovese
91 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Terra Viva
2017 Sangiovese
Dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of berry butter on nut toast, palo santo, powdery anise cookie, and delicate purple blossoms with an bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an interesting, medium-long finish that presents overtones of nectarine, pear and apple relish and spiced blood oranges with soft tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A complex and nuanced sangiovese that dances to its own beat and will be exceptionally versatile.
91 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Via Vecchia NV Trovato Sangiovese
90 points
$20
Via Vecchia
NV Trovato Sangiovese
Brick red color. Aromas and flavors of craisins and sultanas, cocoa-dusted nuts, and creme brulee crust with an bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an intriguing, medium-long finish with accents of powdered nuts, minerals, and hint of bouillon with crunchy, dusty tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A super tasty sangiovese with a nice mix of fresh and dried fruit flavors tied with a toasty bow.
90 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Andes Plateau 2016 Cota 500 High Altitude Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$24.99
Andes Plateau
2016 Cota 500 High Altitude Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Black violet color. Interesting aromas of hen of the woods mushrooms, carob, tonka bean, blackberry preserve, and fertile earth with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a complex, medium-long grilled carrot and onion, marinated strawberry, pink peppercorn, and grilled bread finish with well-integrated, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A distinctive Cabernet with an oscillating sense of the fruity and the savory.
90 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Andes Plateau 2015 700 High Altitude Vineyard Red Blend Maipo Valley
90 points
$34.99
Andes Plateau
2015 700 High Altitude Vineyard Red Blend Maipo Valley
Bright dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of pickled blackberry, mustard greens, roasted red pepper, sweet figs, and chocolate sauce on toast with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a peppery, appealing, medium-length finish with accents of fire-roasted tomatoes and hint of lychee with moderate oak flavor. Savory and sweet coexist gracefully in this highly pairable wine.
90 points $34.99
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Date Tasted:
Paxton 2017 AAA Shiraz-Grenache
89 points
$20
Paxton
2017 AAA Shiraz-Grenache
Dusty deep purple color. Aromas of dried plum, applewood smoked bacon, toast, and eucalyptus with a velvety, crisp, fruity medium body and a smooth, medium-length ripe berries, vanilla creme, beeswax, and licorice finish with moderate oak flavor. A rock solid Aussie red that will pair with most anything.
89 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Stellar Organics 2018 Shiraz
88 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Stellar Organics
2018 Shiraz
Deep purple color. Interesting, curious aromas of single malt whiskey, mesquite, heather and honey, roasted agave, chocolate drizzled poached pear, and toffee coated walnut with a slightly chewy, crisp, fruity medium-full body and a polished, compelling, medium-length mole, sweet potato pie, and nougat finish with well-integrated, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. An off-the-wall Shiraz that will surprise and delight your guests.
88 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Sofos 2016 Red Blend Korinthos
88 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Sofos
2016 Red Blend Korinthos
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of baked apple pie, candied walnut, spiced plums, and black tea with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a medium-length finish with elements of mulberry with firm tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A food-friendly Greek wine with grippy tannins.
88 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Candoni 2017 Organic Merlot
88 points
$14
Best Buy
Candoni
2017 Organic Merlot
Dusty violet color. Interesting aromas of vanilla sugar on lime, sandalwood, gochujang, and boysenberry with a velvety, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, breezy chocolate genache and coconut cream finish with moderate oak flavor. A smooth and easy drinking merlot pleaser.
88 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Candoni 2017 Organic Pinot Grigio
88 points
$14
Best Buy
Candoni
2017 Organic Pinot Grigio
Straw color. Aromas of melon, dried apple, pistachio, potpourri, and dried peach with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light body and a smooth, medium-length aspen leaf and celery salt finish. A classic Italian pinot grigio for purists.
88 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Koyle Costa La Flor 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
$16.99
Koyle Costa La Flor
2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Yellow straw color. Fruity aromas and flavors of ripe gooseberry, underripe passionfruit and pineapple, warm spices, and pink grapefruit marmalade with a supple, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light body and an even, stimulating, medium-to-long finish with shades of white florals and green peppercorn with no oak flavor. A bright sauvignon blanc with wide appeal.
88 points $16.99
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Date Tasted:
Paxton 2018 NOW Shiraz
88 points
$20
Paxton
2018 NOW Shiraz
Black violet color. Jammy aromas of fresh-baked blackberry cobbler a la mode, buttercream-frosted carrot cake, and strawberry-rhubarb compote with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a graceful, appealing, medium-length toasted pine nuts, cured meats, and ripe plum finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. An instantly appealing shiraz bursting with juicy fruits.
88 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Paxton 2017 Graciano
88 points
$24
Paxton
2017 Graciano
Dusty violet color. Aromas and flavors of stewed plum, marinated strawberry, no. 2 pencil, black cassis, red velvet cake, and potpourri with a velvety, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-length finish imparting notes of vanilla buttercream and caramel bon bon with woody tannins and moderate oak flavor. A zesty red that will be great at the table and beyond.
88 points $24
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Date Tasted:
Stellar Organics 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Stellar Organics
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Brilliant black violet color. Aromas of blueberry compote, grilled red apples, sweet mint, tar, crushed juniper in dark chocolate, and green peppercorns with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, snappy blackberry, black licorice, and melba toast finish with silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A tasty and satisfying cabernet with great versatility.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Zeroincondotta 2017 Barbera
87 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Zeroincondotta
2017 Barbera
Black ruby color. Earthy, fruity aromas of black raspberry jam and earth with a velvety, crisp, fruity medium body and a seamless, stimulating, medium-length raisin studded cinnamon buns and rosemary finish with no oak flavor. A dense Barbera with juicy fruit and a spicy underbelly.
87 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Live-a-Little NV Really Ravishing Red Blend Western Cape
86 points
$8.99
Best Buy
Live-a-Little
NV Really Ravishing Red Blend Western Cape
Dusty black violet color. Earthy aromas of tar, fruit cake, and whole wheat scone with plum butter with a thick, crisp, fruity medium body and a seamless, breezy hot fudge, chocolate plombir, carob cookie, and marinated strawberry finish with light oak flavor. A dry and food-friendly red to pair with grilled meats.
86 points $8.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Inkarri 2017 Estate Grown White Blend Luján de Cuyo
86 points
$13.99
Best Buy
Inkarri
2017 Estate Grown White Blend Luján de Cuyo
Emerald straw color. Aromas of fresh lime, fondant, nectarine, honeydew melon, flint, and apple pastry with a silky, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, breezy starfruit finish with no oak flavor. A juicy South American white that will work well at the table.
86 points $13.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Paxton 2017 MV Shiraz
85 points
$20
Paxton
2017 MV Shiraz
Black violet color. Aromas of boysenberry, bacon, and chocolate pie crusts with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a quick minerals, menthol, and raspberry sorbet finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. An introductory, juicy Shiraz for novices.
85 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Stellar Organics 2018 Sparkling Wine Western Cape
84 points
$12.99
Stellar Organics
2018 Sparkling Wine Western Cape
Straw color. Sweet aromas of poached pear, banana puree, honey on melba toast, flint, and melons with a round, vibrant, effervescent, fruity light body and a short cinnamon-sugar shortbread and peach rings finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A bubbly quaffer for anytime celebrations.
84 points $12.99
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Date Tasted:
12 e Mezzo 2016 Organic Primitivo
84 points
$14.99
12 e Mezzo
2016 Organic Primitivo
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of smoky bacon, plum jam, oregano, vanilla-honey syrup, and blueberry crepes with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, short finish with moderate oak flavor. A smoky red for weeknight pairings.
84 points $14.99
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Date Tasted:
12 e Mezzo 2016 Organic Chardonnay
84 points
$14.99
12 e Mezzo
2016 Organic Chardonnay
Straw color. Baked aromas of sunflower, bruleed lemon, and orange zest with a supple, soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a relaxed dried apricot, salted apples, and celery finish with no oak flavor. A sunny chardonnay quaffer.
84 points $14.99
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Date Tasted:
Luis Felipe Edwards 2017 Rosa Blanca Carmenere-Syrah
83 points
$12
Luis Felipe Edwards
2017 Rosa Blanca Carmenere-Syrah
Deep purple color. Aromas of baked plums a la mode and spanish tortilla with a lightly tannic, soft, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, quick ink finish with papery, woody tannins and moderate oak flavor. A red wine quaffer for the gang.
83 points $12
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Date Tasted:
Candoni 2016 Buongiorno Organic Red Blend Terra Siciliane IGT
83 points
$14
Candoni
2016 Buongiorno Organic Red Blend Terra Siciliane IGT
Bright ruby garnet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of macerated raspberry, compressed watermelon, cherry sorbet, and mint with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, breezy finish. A juicy wine with lots of attractive fruit.
83 points $14
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Date Tasted:
Via Vecchia NV Trouvé Red Blend
83 points
$22
Via Vecchia
NV Trouvé Red Blend
Dusty violet color. Aromas and flavors of cran-raspberry, bell pepper, char-roasted coffee, and balsa with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, brisk finish revealing notes of nutskins with crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A solid red offering for the table.
83 points $22
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Date Tasted:
Via Vecchia NV Va Bene Malbec
82 points
$22
Via Vecchia
NV Va Bene Malbec
Brownish dusty purple color. Aromas of fruit cake, raisins, tinned green beans, stuffed cabbage, wilted herbs, and magnolia kombucha with a lean, dry-yet-fruity thin body and a peppery, odd, short cinnamon tisane finish with light oak flavor. An off the beaten path malbec, without the jamminess of most. Savory and high toned, with an almost Italianate profile that makes it an interesting curiosity.
82 points $22
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Date Tasted:
Running Duck 2018 Rosé Western Cape
81 points
$9.99
Running Duck
2018 Rosé Western Cape
Silvery pink color. Dank, green aromas of smoked meats with mustard, cannabis, mature men’s cologne, and apples with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a breezy overripe mango, cherry mostarda, and tarragon and schnitzel finish. A distinctive, musky rose for those seeking something completely different.
81 points $9.99
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Date Tasted:
Via Vecchia NV Respiro Cabernet Sauvignon
80 points
$24
Via Vecchia
NV Respiro Cabernet Sauvignon
Dusty ruby color. Vegetal aromas of steamed cabbage, marinated beets, tinned green beans, cherry syrup, and sawdust with a lean, bright, dry-yet-fruity thin body and a sleek, short minerals finish with woody tannins and moderate oak flavor. A red quaffer for a crowd.
80 points $24
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Date Tasted:
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