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All Sweet, Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wines
Reviews for 2019

December 2019 - All Sweet, Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wines

December 2019 - All Sweet, Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wines
This month's Wine feature is All Sweet, Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wines

All Sweet, Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wines Reviews

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Grgich Hills 2016 Late Harvest Dessert Wine Napa Valley
95 points
$85
Grgich Hills
2016 Late Harvest Dessert Wine Napa Valley
Bright gold color. Aromas and flavors of golden raisin, honeyed dried apricot, toasty meringue and baklava, and lychee and honeysuckle with a glycerous, vibrant, sweet medium-full body and a tingling, nuanced, long finish with overtones of apple pie, peach cobbler, and mandarin oranges in syrup with fine, silky, fruit tannins. A superb, unctuous dessert wine that can hold its own with the finest German ausleses and Canadian ice wines.
95 points $85
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Date Tasted:
Domaine des Bernardins 2017 Muscat
94 points
$40
Domaine des Bernardins
2017 Muscat
Steely orange color. Aromas of ripe peach, honey-drizzled apricot, golden raisins, and lime peel with a round, crisp, sweet light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length orange blossom water and chamomile tea finish. A bright Beaumes de Venise Blanc that offers delicate notes of dried fruit and honey.
94 points $40
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Date Tasted:
Monte De Oro 2015 Legato Dessert Wine Cinsault
93 points
$39
Monte De Oro
2015 Legato Dessert Wine Cinsault
Brown brick red color. Tropical aromas and flavors of overripe pineapple, brown sugar, apricot marmalade, quince, thyme, and fig paste with a satiny, lively, very sweet medium body and a warming, complex, medium-long finish revealing impressions of Spanish peanuts, Madeira cake, cinnamon pastry, and baklava with moderate oak flavor. A distinctive dessert wine with enticing tropical nuance and toasty complexity; a must-try.
93 points $39
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Date Tasted:
Monte De Oro 2008 Lost Gold Dessert Wine Temecula Valley
92 points
$65
Monte De Oro
2008 Lost Gold Dessert Wine Temecula Valley
Amber color. Aromas and flavors of sautéed almonds, caramelized dates and figs, and conditioned suede with a velvety, vibrant, moderately sweet medium-to-full body and a warming, very complex, very long finish that shows suggestions of sourdough toast, ghee, and reduced lemon with chewy, soft tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A very distinctive, Palo Cortado Sherry-like dessert wine that really nails the savory, nutty flor-influenced style; impressive.
92 points $65
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Date Tasted:
Barefoot Bubbly NV Sparkling Pink Mosacto California
90 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly
NV Sparkling Pink Mosacto California
Pale silvery pink color. Floral, fruity aromas of lilacs, spiced peach sorbet, and lychee with a supple, vibrant, effervescent, fruity sweet medium body and a tingling, delightful, medium-long dried apricot and green apple and tangerine shrub finish. A toothsome and mouthwatering sweet sparkling wine with nice versatility.
90 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Monte De Oro 2018 Dulce De Verano Rosé Temecula Valley
90 points
$24
Monte De Oro
2018 Dulce De Verano Rosé Temecula Valley
Light siam color. Aromas and flavors of dried cranberries and cherries, cassis jam, watermelon agua fresca, and tomato jelly with a lightly tannic, vibrant, fruity sweet light-to-medium body and a tingling, refreshing, medium-length finish conveying shades of crisp radish and creme with no oak flavor. A toothsome and highly pairable off-dry Rosé; serve with a slight chill and pair with summer meals al fresco.
90 points $24
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Date Tasted:
Romariz 2017 Vintage 2017 Douro
89 points
Romariz
2017 Vintage 2017 Douro
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate ganache, ripe blueberries, spiced pastry, honey, and licorice with a slightly chewy, lively, very sweet medium-to-full body and a subtle, medium-long finish with accents of stewed raisins with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A dense and sturdy vintage port that should age gracefully, youthful now but will develop into a complex wine worthy of a special occasion. Drink 2025-2030.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Jam Jar 2018 Sweet White White Moscato
89 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Jam Jar
2018 Sweet White White Moscato
Bright yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, clementine, ripe apricot, beeswax, and orange blossom with a satiny, petillant, moderately sweet medium-to-full body and a warming, medium-length finish with accents of key lime pie. A bright, fresh Moscato for anytime indulging.
89 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Barefoot Bubbly NV Sparkling Pineapple California
88 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly
NV Sparkling Pineapple California
Yellow straw color. Aromas of ripe mango, peach yogurt, and pineapple smoothie with a satiny, crisp, effervescent, fruity light body and a smooth, refreshing, carefree candied tangerine, sweet tea, and agave nectar finish with no oak flavor. A tropical sparkler that will be a very fun brunch soiree beverage of choice.
88 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Barefoot Bubbly NV Sweet Red Sparkling California
88 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly
NV Sweet Red Sparkling California
Brilliant bright ruby color. Fruity aromas of pomegranate sauce, fruit cake, coconut cream pie, and cherry scented candle with a satiny, tangy, effervescent, off-dry medium body and an even, amusing, medium-long tangerine sorbet, melon, and almond finish with fine, chewy, fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A zesty, mouthwatering sparkling wine that will be fun with barbecue.
88 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Leyenda NV Cream Sherry Palomino
88 points
$16
Leyenda
NV Cream Sherry Palomino
Dark copper-amber color. Nutty aromas and flavors of salted caramel, toasted nuts, brioche, and orange rind with a satiny, vibrant, medium body and a tingling, compelling, breezy finish that exhibits accents of dried apricots, marzipan, salted pecans, fig paste, toffee, and watercress with a suggestion of oak flavor. A toasty, nutty pleaser; perfect for sherry cobblers.
88 points $16
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Date Tasted:
Jam Jar 2018 Sweet Shiraz Shiraz
87 points
$11.99
Best Buy
Jam Jar
2018 Sweet Shiraz Shiraz
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of tar, red peppercorns, black plum, and basil with a round, crisp, sweet medium-full body and a smooth, medium-length finish with notes of smoked meats. A full-bodied sweet Shiraz to serve with a slight chill; try with spicy barbecue.
87 points $11.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Romariz NV Fine Ruby Porto Douro
87 points
$21
Romariz
NV Fine Ruby Porto Douro
Ruby garnet color. Aromas of raspberry syrup, mead, roasted agave, toasted oats, apple compote, melon, and mint with a silky, vibrant, sweet medium body and a peppery, medium-length nuts in caramel and berry jelly finish. A solid Ruby Port for cocktails.
87 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Romariz NV Fine Tawny Porto Douro
87 points
$21
Romariz
NV Fine Tawny Porto Douro
Ruby black color. Aromas of orange liqueur, baked figs, panettone, and dried pears with a round, vibrant, sweet medium body and a warming, amusing, medium-length toffee-coated walnuts, mulberry coulis, creme caramel, and peppercorns finish with light oak flavor. A tasty Tawny Port to accent the final course.
87 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Barefoot Bubbly NV Sparkling Berry California
86 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly
NV Sparkling Berry California
Light siam color. Aromas of raspberry jam, rhubarb pie, and baked strawberry with a supple, lively, effervescent, very sweet light body and a graceful, quick fruit punch and citrus wheels finish with no oak flavor. A sweet and tangy punch-like wine for parties.
86 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Riebeek Cellars NV Cape Ruby Touriga Nacional
86 points
$20
Riebeek Cellars
NV Cape Ruby Touriga Nacional
Black ruby color. Aromas and flavors of raisins, toffee-coated nuts, caramel buttercream, licorice, and chocolate sponge with a satiny, crisp, very sweet medium body and a warming, engaging, medium-length finish that shows elements of dried strawberry with moderate oak flavor. A decadent after-dinner wine with notes of ripe fruit and chocolate.
86 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Morin
86 points
$26
Morin
Gold color. Complex aromas and flavors of apples on the tree, baked apple with sage, caramelized nuts, and brunost with a silky, bright, sweet medium body and a tingling, interesting, long finish displaying impressions of spiced apple, tamarind paste, peppered orange, and herbs. A pure and scintillating Pommeau that finely balances fruit and minerality while evincing a true sense of place.
86 points $26
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Date Tasted:
Easley NV Back Home Red Wine Concord
85 points
$8.99
Easley
NV Back Home Red Wine Concord
Light siam color. Aromas and flavors of ripe black grapes, spring florals, and cherry popover with a supple, crisp, very sweet light-to-medium body and a smooth, breezy finish revealing impressions of pomegranate seeds with no oak flavor. A juicy and easy-drinking Concord Wine to serve ice cold on the patio.
85 points $8.99
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Date Tasted:
Easley NV Back Home White Wine Moscato
85 points
$8.99
Easley
NV Back Home White Wine Moscato
Straw color. Citrusy, floral aromas and flavors of key lime sorbet, lemon blossoms, and egg soufflé with a silky, crisp, fruity medium body and a polished, relaxed finish that exhibits shades of lemonade with no oak flavor. A very sweet and citrusy dessert wine quaffer; try in cocktails.
85 points $8.99
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Date Tasted:
Contempo NV Moscato Vino Frizzante Moscato
84 points
$10
Contempo
NV Moscato Vino Frizzante Moscato
Straw color. Aromas of peaches in syrup, honeycomb, magnolia, and wax candle with a glycerous, bright, spritzy, sweet light body and an effortless, brisk finish with no oak flavor. A funky Moscato for sweet indulgences.
84 points $10
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Date Tasted:
Forgotten Fire 2018 Peshtigo Harbor American
83 points
$29
Forgotten Fire
2018 Peshtigo Harbor American
Light ruby color. Interesting aromas and flavors of strawberry lip balm, white chocolate, pine nuts, and fruit punch with a silky, very sweet light-to-medium body and an effortless, brisk finish. A sweet and smooth-sipping dessert wine to try in dessert recipes.
83 points $29
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Date Tasted:
Barefoot Bubbly NV Sparkling Prosecco DOC
82 points
$9.99
Barefoot Bubbly
NV Sparkling Prosecco DOC
Brilliant emerald straw color. Green, citrusy aromas of apple mint chutney, honeycomb, apple cider, and dried citrus with a supple, crisp, spritzy, fruity sweet thin body and an even, brisk wheat grass and nut skin finish with no oak flavor. A funky, off-dry sparkler.
82 points $9.99
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Date Tasted:
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