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New Release Wine
Reviews for 2020

February 2020 - New Release Wine

February 2020 - New Release Wine
This month's Wine feature is New Release Wines

New Release Wine Reviews

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Chevalier du Grand Robert 2016 Bordeaux Bordeaux AOC
91 points
$12
Best Buy
Chevalier du Grand Robert
2016 Bordeaux Bordeaux AOC
Violet color. Attractive aromas and flavors of cassis preserves, pomegranate, savory herbs, toffee, honeyed crushed nuts, espresso, flamed citrus, white flowers, and earth with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, amusing, medium-long finish displaying shades of ganache with moderate oak flavor. A very handsome Bordeaux with wide appeal; a great value that will be well-loved.
91 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery 2017 Special Reserve Chenin Blanc
91 points
$12
Best Buy
St. Clair Winery
2017 Special Reserve Chenin Blanc
Yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of beeswax, pineapple, dried mango, lemon custard, and sweet pea blossom with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, complex, medium-long finish manifesting suggestions of orange marmalade and ginger. A lovely Chenin Blanc with heaps of varietal character; plump, bright and generous.
91 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Robert Hall 2017 Paso Red Paso Robles
91 points
$20
Robert Hall
2017 Paso Red Paso Robles
Garnet black color. Attractive aromas and flavors of blueberry cobbler, orange marmalade, floral honey, and macadamia nougat with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, captivating, long finish with nuances of peppered nuts, chocolate craisins, and pencil shaving with silky tannins. A chewy, toothsome red blend with fine balance and subtlety of flavor.
91 points $20
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery 2017 Special Reserve Chardonnay
90 points
$13
Best Buy
St. Clair Winery
2017 Special Reserve Chardonnay
Golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of toasted apple muffin, apricot, pineapple coulis, caramel buttercream, mocha, and white flowers with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a silky, complex, long finish that exhibits impressions of flint and orange blossom with moderate oak flavor. A luscious, full-flavor Chardonnay that overdelivers.
90 points $13 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery 2018 Bellissimo New Mexico
90 points
$15
Best Buy
St. Clair Winery
2018 Bellissimo New Mexico
Straw color. Aromas and flavors of candied peaches, apricot yogurt, orange blossom, fondant, chamomile tea, and orange zest with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, sweet medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length finish that shows notes of marigold and ripe papaya with no oak flavor. Great depth of fruit character makes this a rich and interesting muscat pleaser.
90 points $15 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Bogle 2017 Old Vine Zinfandel
89 points
$12
Best Buy
Bogle
2017 Old Vine Zinfandel
Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of wild raspberry, ground ginger, spice cake, and red and black licorice with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, stimulating, medium-length finish conveying accents of raspberry crumble bars and spiced orange tea with crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A bright Zinfandel with nice varietal character.
89 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Bogle 2017 Petite Sirah
88 points
$12
Best Buy
Bogle
2017 Petite Sirah
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry tart, cranberry sauce, blueberry muffin, and lilac with a satiny, vibrant, fruity full body and an effortless, captivating, medium-length finish revealing notes of hint of olive, pomegranate, and vanilla with well-integrated tannins. A jammy Petite Sirah with piles of fruit; rich and full bodied.
88 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Gewürz Gewurztraminer
88 points
$15
Best Buy
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2019 Gewürz Gewurztraminer
Silvery emerald straw color. Confected aromas and flavors of lychee gummies, ylang ylang, pineapple cordial, peony, allspice, and hints of jasmine with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-length finish with no oak flavor. Sweet bubble gum notes mingle with classic lychee aromas in this distinctive Gewurztraminer from Mendocino.
88 points $15 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery NV Brut New Mexico
88 points
$15
Best Buy
St. Clair Winery
NV Brut New Mexico
Yellow color. Aromas and flavors of linen, green apple, white cranberry, lemon curd, dried apricot, caramel, and white flowers with a supple, racy, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a seamless, medium-length finish manifesting notes of coconut and popcorn with a suggestion of oak flavor. A racy sparkler with delicate notes of fruits and flowers; can withstand cellar time.
88 points $15 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2018 Village Red Blend Les Collines Minervois
88 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2018 Village Red Blend Les Collines Minervois
Garnet black color. Aromas of blackberry cobbler, black cassis compote, vanilla, and framboise lambic with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, delightful, medium-length chewy caramel and jam finish with chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. Rich berries and French countryside flair make this a pleasing and highly pairable red.
88 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Chesterfield Cellars 2017 Carlys Cuvee San Luis Obispo County
88 points
$32
Chesterfield Cellars
2017 Carly's Cuvee San Luis Obispo County
Dark violet color. Aromas and flavors of plum tart, cherry pie, lychee, blueberry jam, and apricots in syrup with a satiny, sharp, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, breezy finish with moderate oak flavor. A sprightly Rhone blend that’s big on fruit.
88 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Summit Lake 2015 Estate Bottled Zinfandel
88 points
$37
Summit Lake
2015 Estate Bottled Zinfandel
Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of candle drippings, chocolate prunes, blackberry cordial, and sumac syrup with a supple, bright, fruity medium-full body and a warming, compelling, medium-long finish imparting notes of mincemeat, nut skin, cedar mulch, and rum cake with dusty, barky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A big and boozy Zinfandel with concentrated flavor and a hearty swagger.
88 points $37
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Date Tasted:
Bogle 2018 Chardonnay
87 points
$10
Best Buy
Bogle
2018 Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Creamy aromas of butter, praline, poached apples, banana cake, and candied nuts with an oily, bright, fruity medium body and a silky, swift ghee, pastry, and caramel finish with moderate oak flavor. A buttery chardonnay with gulpable appeal.
87 points $10 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2016 Temptation Zinfandel
87 points
$16
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2016 Temptation Zinfandel
Dusty ruby color. Aromas of raspberry preserves, nougat, pumpkin loaf, graphite, toast, and peach yogurt with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, medium-length spice cake and coconut buttercream finish with crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A food-friendly Zinfandel that’s not just for die-hard Zin fans.
87 points $16
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Date Tasted:
Arya 2018 Rosé Sangiovese
86 points
$19.99
Arya
2018 Rosé Sangiovese
Khaki orange color. Aromas and flavors of dried raspberry, fresh zucchini, rice noodles, black olives, thyme, and toast with a supple, bright, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, short finish with no oak flavor. A gulpable quaffer to serve with a good chill.
86 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
Secret Vines 2018 Village White Blend Deux Amis France
85 points
$17.94
Secret Vines
2018 Village White Blend Deux Amis France
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of honeydew, celery leaf, lanolin, and honey with a supple, bright, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, brisk finish with accents of fresh cream, ripe golden apple, and lime spritz with no oak flavor. A dry, shellfish-friendly French white.
85 points $17.94
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Date Tasted:
Phantom 2016 California
85 points
$20
Phantom
2016 California
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of ripe black fruit, black licorice, cinnamon danish, and menthol-mint with a velvety, bright, fruity medium-full body and a tingling, medium-length finish imparting notes of coffee with cream with moderate oak flavor. A rich and fruity California red with a spicy underbelly.
85 points $20
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery 2017 Special Reserve Rosé Syrah
84 points
$12
St. Clair Winery
2017 Special Reserve Rosé Syrah
Steely orange color. Interesting aromas and flavors of agave nectar, caramel-filled chocolates, orange gelee, and lingonberry jam with a velvety, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a silky, interesting, medium-length finish conveying impressions of sun dried tomato. A distinctive, ripe rose best for pairing at the table.
84 points $12
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery NV Special Reserve Imperial Kir New Mexico
84 points
$15
St. Clair Winery
NV Special Reserve Imperial Kir New Mexico
Coral orange color. Fruity aromas of candied tangerine, strawberry soda, and green apple with a satiny, vibrant, sweet light-to-medium body and an even, breezy peach gummies and icing sugar finish with no oak flavor. A clean and bright sweet sparkler that will be well-recieved; fun!
84 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Misson 2018 Rosé Sangiovese
84 points
$19.99
Misson
2018 Rosé Sangiovese
Salmon coral color. Aromas and flavors of dried cherry, rose kombucha, agave nectar, sourdough, fig bar, and cranberry sauce with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a tingling, brisk finish with no oak flavor. A unique and slightly savory Rosé.
84 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
AvinoDos NV Methode Champenoise Sparkling White Wine American
84 points
$42
AvinoDos
NV Methode Champenoise Sparkling White Wine American
Pale yellow straw color. Aromas of golden apples, honey, lanolin, flint, and focaccia with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, breezy marigold, yellow tomato, and lemon-lime seltzer finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A spritzy, Chardonnay-like sparkler to pair with appetizers.
84 points $42
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Date Tasted:
Misson 2018 Sangiovese
81 points
$19.99
Misson
2018 Sangiovese
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of stewed plums and peaches, raisins, balsamic reduction, baking spices, and overripe figs with a slightly chewy, soft, fruity medium body and a warming, fast finish with chewy tannins. A dense red for the table.
81 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
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