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New Release Wine/OOS
Reviews for 2019

August 2019 - New Release Wine/OOS

August 2019 - New Release Wine/OOS
This month's Wine feature is New Release Wines

New Release Wine/OOS Reviews

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Serena’s Vineyard 2016 Four Sisters Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Serena’s Vineyard
2016 Four Sisters Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of cassis jam on honeyed raisin rye toast and melted chocolate toffee with a vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a complex, long finish revealing nuances of blueberry cobbler a la mode, spiced nuts, cedar, and chocolate lemon peels with silky tannins and light oak flavor. A seamlessly delicious cabernet bursting with pure berry flavor light kissed by oak.
93 points
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Date Tasted:
Adastra 2016 Syrah
93 points
$45
Adastra
2016 Syrah
Violet color. Roasted aromas and flavors of starched linen and chocolate nuts with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, appealing, medium-length finish displaying suggestions of cranberry yogurt, almond slivers, and hibiscus tea with delicate spices with light oak flavor. A Francophilic and pure Carneros Syrah; balanced, poised, and serious.
93 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Level 3 Wines 2016 Milestone GSM Blend Paso Robles
93 points
$45
Level 3 Wines
2016 Milestone GSM Blend Paso Robles
Deep purple color. Fruity aromas and flavors of freshly frosted blueberry cobbler, baklava, and ghee sautéed nuts with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, intriguing, long finish that presents notes of black raspberry tart and creme anglaise with well-integrated, chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A lush, juicy GSM blend that’s guaranteed to please.
93 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Four Sisters Ranch 2017 Opalessence Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec
92 points
Four Sisters Ranch
2017 Opalessence Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of singed herbs drizzled with honey, warm cassis compote with butter, steak tartare, and chocolate spiced nuts with an bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an interesting, medium-long finish with notes of boysenberry pie with chocolate sauce, ground nuts, and dried berries with well-integrated, soft tannins and light oak flavor. An intriguing and inviting cabernet with distinctive earthy herbal flourishes.
92 points
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Date Tasted:
Red Hat Vineyards 2017 Four Sisters Ranch Merlot
92 points
Red Hat Vineyards
2017 Four Sister's Ranch Merlot
Dusty deep purple color. Inviting aromas and flavors of raspberry cordial, sarsaparilla, vanilla bean, and pastry crust with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-long finish with accents of candied citrus, blueberry jam, saffron, and mocha latte with heavy oak flavor. A stylish juicy, jammy Merlot with rich and velvety texture.
92 points
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Date Tasted:
Schug Carneros Estate 2017 Pinot Noir
92 points
$35
Schug Carneros Estate
2017 Pinot Noir
Ruby garnet color. Aromas of dressed beets, marinated strawberry, foraged mushrooms, and dried cherries with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, interesting, medium-long pomegranate, toasty basmati rice, and basalt finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with bright fruit, poignant terroir, and nutty undertones.
92 points $35
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Date Tasted:
WineSmith 2015 Ricci Vineyards St. Laurent
92 points
$40
WineSmith
2015 Ricci Vineyards St. Laurent
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of smoked meat, grilled berries, charcoal, and chocolate with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a delightful, medium-long finish with touches of sour cherry pit, sandalwood, and slate with crunchy tannins. A very distinctively savory and smoky earthy Austrian red with a California twist.
92 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Four Sisters Ranch 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
Four Sisters Ranch
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of pistachio ice cream sundae, blueberry reduction, and spiced praline with a bright, fruity medium body and an interesting, medium-long finish imparting notes of creme caramel, roasted nuts, hint of graphite pencil shavings, and pickled cherry with soft, fine tannins and light oak flavor. A round and creamy cabernet that is delightful to drink.
91 points
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Date Tasted:
Island Nation 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
91 points
$12.90
Island Nation
2019 Sauvignon Blanc
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of candied grapefruit peel, bay leaf, gooseberry, peas, and white peach with a silky, vibrant, light body and a captivating, medium-length finish with notes of white pepper, lime spritz, and wet stone with no oak flavor. Lively and extroverted, this Sauvignon Blanc combines the tropical and herbal notes the region is known for, with a long, intense finish that be a super pairing to shellfish.
91 points $12.90
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Date Tasted:
Adastra 2016 Eds Red Blend Napa County - El Dorado County - Sonoma County
91 points
$22.99
Adastra
2016 Ed's Red Blend Napa County - El Dorado County - Sonoma County
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of raspberry macaron, rose hip jam, mulberry cobbler, and anise with a satiny, lively, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, appealing, medium-long finish that shows notes of rosemary and chocolate cookies with a suggestion of oak flavor. Effortlessly drinkable, this wine offers can’t-get-enough notes of delicious forest fruits and distinctive spice.
91 points $22.99
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Date Tasted:
Lorenzi Estate 2015 Reserve Lot 1254 Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$85
Lorenzi Estate
2015 Reserve Lot 1254 Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas of baked berry pie, black licorice, coffee beans, turmeric, and honey with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, breezy orange zest, red peppercorns, savory herbs, and brown sugar spiced pecans finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A toasty cabernet to pair with spicy grilled beef.
91 points $85
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Date Tasted:
Kirkland Signature 2018 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay
90 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Kirkland Signature
2018 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay
Yellow straw color. Aromas of buttered pound cake, orange marmalade, and spiced peach preserves with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a silky, compelling, medium-length apple pastry and lemon curd finish with moderate oak flavor. A toasty, voluptuous crowd pleaser that hits all the California Chardonnay necessities.
90 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Schug Carneros Estate 2016 Sonoma Valley
90 points
$38
Schug Carneros Estate
2016 Sonoma Valley
Black ruby color. Aromas of red cassis, boysenberry, strawberry, black tea, and bay with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, compelling, medium-length cedar and tart cherry finish with moderate oak flavor. A vibrant, buoyant Sonoma Cabernet with great aging potential.
90 points $38
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Date Tasted:
Level 3 Wines 2016 Choice & Chance Red Blend Paso Robles
90 points
$45
Level 3 Wines
2016 Choice & Chance Red Blend Paso Robles
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of black cassis, all-butter pound cake, hint of creme de violette, and red licorice with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and an intriguing, medium-length finish that presents impressions of berry pie. A tasty berry-led wine that’s easy to drink.
90 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Schug Carneros Estate 2017 Estate Grown Pinot Noir
90 points
$50
Schug Carneros Estate
2017 Estate Grown Pinot Noir
Ruby color. Jammy aromas of berry tisane, graphite, plum jam, and wet earth with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and an appealing, medium-length berry cobbler, rosehips, thyme, charcoal, and hint of anise finish with light oak flavor. An unabashedly fruity Pinot Noir with great balance.
90 points $50
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Date Tasted:
Schug Carneros Estate 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
$25
Schug Carneros Estate
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Yellow straw color. Aromas of sweet yogurt, lemon curd, and green mango with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-to-long toast with yuzu marmalade, peppercorns, and hint of caraway finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A round and forgiving Sauvignon Blanc with kisses of toasty oak, vibrant exotic citrus, and warming spice; balanced and interesting.
89 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Level 3 Wines 2016 Driven Red Blend Paso Robles
89 points
$45
Level 3 Wines
2016 Driven Red Blend Paso Robles
Ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, black cassis, spiced berry chutney, and roasted coffee with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a silky, interesting, medium-long pomegranate, chocolate-drizzled nuts, cola, and cinnamon pastry finish with moderate oak flavor. Big fruit and toasty oak make this a delicious red to sip all on its own or with cheeses, charcuterie and more.
89 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Lorenzi Estate 2014 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc
89 points
$55
Lorenzi Estate
2014 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc
Dark dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of baked plums, spiced tea, flamed orange, and hot copper with a slightly chewy, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, carefree finish with chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A hot-climate cab franc that will work quite well with grilled fare.
89 points $55
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Date Tasted:
Sea Salt 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
$14
Best Buy
Sea Salt
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Straw color. Aromas of kiwi, passionfruit, and gooseberry with a supple, vibrant, petillant, dry-yet-fruity light body and a seamless, interesting, medium-length citrus zest, yuzu, and sea spray finish with no oak flavor. A spritzy, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with extroverted citrus notes that are sure to hit the spot on a summer day.
88 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Pinstack 2018 Chardonnay
88 points
$14.99
Best Buy
Pinstack
2018 Chardonnay
Golden yellow color. Aromas of caramelized banana, honeycrisp apple, honey, and dried mint with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light body and a smooth, charming, medium-length shale, melon, and pumpkin spice finish with light oak flavor. A distinctive Chardonnay from the North Coast with luscious fruit and scintillating minerality.
88 points $14.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Adastra 2018 Boundless Optimism Rosé Pinot Noir
88 points
$25
Adastra
2018 Boundless Optimism Rosé Pinot Noir
Silvery pink color. Aromas and flavors of singed cherry tart crust and smoked nuts with a bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a medium-length finish with elements of melon rind, cherry pit, and honeyed nuts with a suggestion of oak flavor. A dry and even, lightly smoky rose that will excel with grilled seafood.
88 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Lorenzi Estate 2014 The Contrarian Private Reserve Merlot
88 points
$55
Lorenzi Estate
2014 The Contrarian Private Reserve Merlot
Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas of strawberry jam on toast, baked fruit, dried flowers, and cinnamon dusted apples with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a delightful, medium-length red licorice, cola, and pink peppercorns finish with light oak flavor. Rich baked fruit and spicy nuance makes this a great red for the warmer months.
88 points $55
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Date Tasted:
Kirkland Signature 2018 Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio
85 points
$7.99
Kirkland Signature
2018 Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio
Silvery emerald straw color. Fruity aromas of ripe pear and banana, apricot, and marzipan with a supple, bright, fruity light body and a graceful, fast lime and orange cordial finish with no oak flavor. A juicy, wide-appealing Pinot Grigio that won’t let you down.
85 points $7.99
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Date Tasted:
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