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New Release Wine/OOS
Reviews for 2020

January 2020 - New Release Wine/OOS

January 2020 - New Release Wine/OOS
This month's Wine feature is New Release Wines

New Release Wine/OOS Reviews

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Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate Pinot Noir
92 points
$34
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2018 Estate Pinot Noir
Bright dusty ruby color. Aromas of beets in raspberry vinaigrette, strawberry preserves, hints of coconut and dill, smoked tea, and sarsaparilla with a round, lively, fruity medium body and a tingling, involved, medium-long wintergreen and cinnamon finish with silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A juicy, palate-pleasing Pinot Noir with a savory streak; a high-class new-world Pinot to elevate the meal.
92 points $34
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Date Tasted:
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate Chardonnay
90 points
$20
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2018 Estate Chardonnay
Yellow straw color. Aromas of ripe golden apples, buttery graham cracker crust, and exotic woods with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a sleek, intriguing, medium-long lily and lemon custard finish with moderate oak flavor. A balanced and elegant Chardonnay; a palate-pleaser.
90 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Highlands 41 2016 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$25
Highlands 41
2016 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of oily nut brittle, cassis pie, carob berry bar, and dill pickle with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, amusing, medium-long finish with shades of honeyed red berries and pomegranate, fig newton, and nuts with soft, chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A lighter-styled, bright and juicy Cabernet with lively acidity and great versatility.
90 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Stella Rosa NV Imperiale Prosecco DOC
90 points
$25
Stella Rosa
NV Imperiale Prosecco DOC
Pale yellow straw color. Aromas of ripe pear, guava, chamomile, hint of plantain, and minerals with a satiny, crisp, effervescent, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, compelling, medium-length white peach and pineapple finish. Bright fruit and elegant floral aromas shine in this easy-to-drink Prosecco with a sophisticated side.
90 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Catman Cellars 2017 Quatresbon Columbia Valley
90 points
$32
Catman Cellars
2017 Quatresbon Columbia Valley
Ruby color. Aromas of tobacco, leather, dark plums, licorice, and schmaltz with a round, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long blueberry compote and custard finish with light oak flavor. A palate-pleasing Columbia Valley red with craveable fruit, and sultry notes of leather and tobacco.
90 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2017 Maritime Loire Chenin Blanc
89 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2017 Maritime Loire Chenin Blanc
Yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of ripe fig and melon, honey comb, lanolin, and ghee with a satiny, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a graceful, medium-length finish revealing notes of lemon cordial and pressed flowers with no oak flavor. A solid Chenin Blanc with great acidity and varietal character.
89 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Catman Cellars 2017 Malbec
89 points
$32
Catman Cellars
2017 Malbec
Dark black violet color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate ganache, blistered concord grape, blueberry pie with a chocolate crust, phyllo pastry, and honey with a round, crisp, fruity medium-full body and an even, captivating, medium-long finish. A dense and viscous Malbec with a mysteriously dark underbelly.
89 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Accents 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$6.45
Best Buy
Accents
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Black ruby color. Aromas and flavors of smoky bacon, beeswax, candied smoked nuts, and cola with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium body and a sleek, medium-length finish with touches of chess pie with light oak flavor. A very smoky Cabernet for creative pairings; juicy and appealing.
88 points $6.45 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of plum tart, sandalwood, dried mint, and rooibos tea with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-length finish that shows suggestions of pecan. A table-tuned Cabernet that will pair effortlessly.
88 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2017 Rosé Sparkling Wine Crémant de Limoux AOC
88 points
$21
Secret Vines
2017 Rosé Sparkling Wine Crémant de Limoux AOC
Steely pink color. Aromas of dried strawberry, toasted panettone, honey-nut brittle, butter, pomelo rind, and honeysuckle with a satiny, crisp, finely carbonated, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length dried peach finish. A fruity, nutty sparkler for toast-worthy celebrations; a pair-with-anything bottle.
88 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Merlot
87 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Merlot
Indigo color. Aromas of dried cherry, raspberry preserves, cedar, clove, and black tea with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, medium-length dried figs and dates and lemon curd finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A solid Merlot for supper.
87 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Aperto 2018 Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
86 points
$6.45
Best Buy
Aperto
2018 Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Straw green color. Aromas of underripe gooseberry, passionfruit puree, candied pineapple, and hearts of palm with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity thin body and a tingling, snappy underripe peach and pastry dough finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. An outgoing, peachy Sauvignon Blanc sipper for anytime enjoyment.
86 points $6.45 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Sauvignon Blanc
86 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Sauvignon Blanc
Pale straw color. Aromas and flavors of ripe pineapple, snap peas, jalapeno, and roasted yellow bell pepper with a satiny, vibrant, petillant, dryish light-to-medium body and a warming, interesting, medium finish with notes of lemon, ripe peach and hint of plantain with no oak flavor. A bright and tropical Sauvignon Blanc with crisp acidity and mouth-filling flavor.
86 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Rosé Central Valley
86 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Rosé Central Valley
Light siam color. Aromas and flavors of pomegranate and raspberry with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, rapid finish with notes of vanilla yogurt with no oak flavor. A delicate Rosé with a vivid jewel-tone hue and a fruit-forward personality.
86 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Carmenere
86 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Carmenere
Indigo color. Earthy aromas and flavors of salted nuts, cassis preserves, red plum, dried cherry, pencil shavings, and coffee with a satiny, crisp, dryish medium body and a smooth, medium-length finish that presents touches of tobacco with moderate oak flavor. A table-friendly, dry and oaky red for pairings.
86 points $7.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2013 Old French Vines Malbec
86 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2013 Old French Vines Malbec
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of baking spices, stewed plums, rosehip jam, spearmint, and earth with a satiny, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a graceful, charming, breezy finish that shows shades of iron with light oak flavor. A highly pairable French Malbec for the table.
86 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2018 Rosé de Provence Mistral Coteaux dAix en Provence
86 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2018 Rosé de Provence Mistral Coteaux d'Aix en Provence
Steely pink color. Aromas and flavors of cantaloupe, watermelon, and biscuit with yogurt with a supple, crisp, dryish light body and a smooth, breezy finish. An easy, breezy Rosé.
86 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2017 Heritage Red Blend Minervois
86 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2017 Heritage Red Blend Minervois
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of mixed berry jam, sweet tea, grenadine, and ghee with a supple, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, medium-length finish that exhibits suggestions of graphite. A French red with a fruity nose and food-friendly palate.
86 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2016 The Auvergne Revelation Pinot Noir
86 points
$18.94
Secret Vines
2016 The Auvergne Revelation Pinot Noir
Brick red color. Interesting aromas and flavors of cherry mostarda, strawberry preserves, sautéed mushrooms, smoked peppercorns, and caponata with a satiny, vibrant, dry light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length finish with accents of pips and stems and persimmon with a suggestion of oak flavor. A juicy, food-friendly Pinot Noir.
86 points $18.94
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Date Tasted:
Aperto 2015 Merlot
85 points
$6.45
Aperto
2015 Merlot
Black violet color. Fruity aromas of baked currants and blueberries and plum pastry with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a polished, medium-length apple tart, sarsaparilla, orange zest, and clove finish with light oak flavor. A full-bodied Merlot that’s easy to pair.
85 points $6.45
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Date Tasted:
Ve Ne Da 2018 Cabernet Franc
85 points
$6.45
Ve Ne Da
2018 Cabernet Franc
Violet color. Fruity aromas of raspberry preserves, hint of geranium, and mushrooms with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, medium-length plum pie and preserved citrus finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A solid everyday Cabernet Franc that drinks effortlessly.
85 points $6.45
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Date Tasted:
Accents 2018 Pinot Noir
84 points
$6.45
Accents
2018 Pinot Noir
Dark ruby color. Aromas and flavors of lingonberry preserves, cherry turnover, and crepes with a slightly chewy, racy, dry medium body and a medium-length finish with suggestions of underripe cranberry and nougat with chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A bright and food-friendly Pinot Noir.
84 points $6.45
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Date Tasted:
Henry Estate 2017 Muller Thurgau
84 points
$20
Henry Estate
2017 Muller Thurgau
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of sauerkraut with caraway, underripe apricot, farmhouse cider, lambic, sautéed mushrooms, and white cherries with a satiny, crisp, spritzy, fruity medium body and a smooth, distinctive, medium-length finish with accents of roasted squash and bruised apples with no oak flavor. Flavor packed with twisting and turning aromas; this is a spritzy and conversation-worthy bottle for the natural wine lover.
84 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Highlands 41 2017 Estate Reserve Chardonnay
84 points
$25
Highlands 41
2017 Estate Reserve Chardonnay
Gold color. Aromas and flavors of green pineapple and bananas flambé with a supple, soft, dryish light body and a smooth, quick finish displaying notes of buttered cinnamon toast and autumn leaves with moderate oak flavor. A Chardonnay quaffer.
84 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Le Clermont 2018 Pinot Noir
83 points
$6.45
Le Clermont
2018 Pinot Noir
Brick red color. Fruity aromas of wild cherry pastry and beeswax with a tannic, vibrant, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-length carob, black tea, and pencil shavings finish with chewy, dusty tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A dry and tannic Pinot Noir for the table.
83 points $6.45
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Date Tasted:
Gold Seal NV Champagne New York State
83 points
$13.99
Gold Seal
NV Champagne New York State
Bright yellow straw color. Aromas of omelet, marzipan, overripe peach, struck match, and ripe apples with a round, vibrant, spritzy, dryish light body and a graceful, fast agave nectar, orange marmalade, and peach danish finish. A bubbly, fruity treat for casual celebrations.
83 points $13.99
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2017 The Burgundy Exception Sauvignon Blanc
81 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2017 The Burgundy Exception Sauvignon Blanc
Straw green color. Aromas of asparagus, ripe pineapple, and almond with a vibrant, dryish light body and a smooth, short vanilla-sandalwood, panettone, and lemon lozenge finish. A funky wine for the table; aerate.
81 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Henry Estate 2017 Pinot Noir
81 points
$30
Henry Estate
2017 Pinot Noir
Light garnet color. Aromas and flavors of buttered popcorn, brandied cherries, toffee-covered popcorn, and rooibos tea with a slightly chewy, bright, dryish light-to-medium body and a graceful, interesting, medium-length finish with papery tannins. A chewy Pinot Noir with lots of American oak.
81 points $30
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Date Tasted:
Paso Grande 2019 Special Selection Chardonnay
80 points
$7.99
Paso Grande
2019 Special Selection Chardonnay
Yellow straw color. Cheesy aromas of golden delicious apple, parchment, pine nuts, linen, and fresh whipped cream with a satiny, crisp, dry light body and a buoyant underripe raspberry and dried apple finish with leafy tannins and no oak flavor. A creamy and food-friendly Chardonnay for the table.
80 points $7.99
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Date Tasted:
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