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Reviews for 2020

December 2020 - New Release

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

New Release Reviews

Red Thread 2018 Estate Red Blend Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
93 points
$65
A bold, bright and commanding Howell Mountain Red that turns heads.
Omina Romana 2016 Ars Magna Merlot
93 points
$70
A silky, well integrated Merlot that will fit right in with an excellent steak.
Estancia 2016 Stonewall Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 points
$26
A delightful Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir with hints of maturity and nice depth.
Red Thread 2019  Pinot Noir
92 points
$45
A rich Pinot Noir with marked herbal notes that lift the palate and create a highly pairable wine.
Omina Romana 2018 Ars Magna Viognier
92 points
$50
A joyful Viognier with toasty and balanced oak kissed with notes of orange zest and vanilla bean.
Estancia 2017 Reserve Meritage Red Blend Paso Robles
91 points
$26
A bold and chewy Meritage blend with mouthwatering acidity that will elevate steak.
Macauley 2018 Old Vine Zinfandel
91 points
$55
A big and chocolatey Zinfandel that delights.
Omina Romana 2019  Chardonnay
90 points
A bright, balanced, fruity and creamy Chardonnay.
Augusta Winery 2017 Estate Bottled Chambourcin
90 points
$8
Best Buy
A highly pleasing, chocolatey Chambourcin with wide appeal.
90 points $8 Best Buy
Augusta Winery 2019 Estate Bottled Chardonel
90 points
$8
Best Buy
A bright and full-bodied Chardonel with big fruity character and easy pairability.
90 points $8 Best Buy
Estancia 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$13
Best Buy
A vivacious Paso Cabernet that will be a dream at the table; pair with rib roast, steak, pork chops and more.
90 points $13 Best Buy
Mark West 2017  Pinot Noir
90 points
$24
A juicy, cellar-able Pinot Noir with bold structure and complex style.
Lawer Estates 2019 Cannon Block Unoaked Chardonnay
90 points
$32
A juicy, grown-up, smooth-sipping Chardonnay with great varietal character.
Lawer Estates 2019 Cannon Block Chardonnay
90 points
$36
A firm and generous Chardonnay with whispers of tropical fruit.
Omina Romana 2015 Ars Magna Cabernet Franc
90 points
$70
A charming Italian Cabernet Franc that will pair effortlessly.
Estancia 2018  Chardonnay
89 points
$11
Best Buy
A smooth-sipping Monterey Chardonnay with balanced flavors.
89 points $11 Best Buy
Estancia 2017  Merlot
89 points
$11
Best Buy
A mouthwatering Paso Robles Merlot that won't let you down.
89 points $11 Best Buy
The Dreaming Tree 2019  Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
$14
Best Buy
A bright and charming Sauvignon Blanc with delicate, enchanting herbal notes.
89 points $14 Best Buy
Roga  Junmai Daiginjo
89 points
$18
A table-ready Junmai Daiginjo with a full body and grippy texture.
Magnífico 2019 Ignacio Marín Family Vineyards Grenache
88 points
$12
Best Buy
A rich, grippy Grenache that will be very versatile at the table.
88 points $12 Best Buy
Mark West 2018 Black Label Pinot Noir
88 points
$13
Best Buy
A food-friendly Pinot Noir for the table with nice berry aromas.
88 points $13 Best Buy
Simi 2019 County Series Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
$13
Best Buy
A bright, palate-pleasing Sauvignon Blanc that will have you coming back for more.
88 points $13 Best Buy
The Dreaming Tree 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$14
Best Buy
A juicy, pleasing weeknight Cabernet with toasty oak flavors.
88 points $14 Best Buy
Ruggeri NV  Prosecco di Treviso DOC
88 points
$14.99
Best Buy
A crisp, easy-drinking Prosecco.
88 points $14.99 Best Buy
Roga  Junmai Sake
88 points
$15
Best Buy
A fruity entry point into sake that's easy to love.
88 points $15 Best Buy
Black Box 2019  Chardonnay
88 points
$19
A vibrant and steely Chardonnay that will work very well at the table.
Simi 2018 County Series Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$24
A solid Sonoma Cabernet that checks all the boxes.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
$10
Best Buy
A rich and spicy everyday Cab that won't let you down.
87 points $10 Best Buy
Clos du Bois 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
$11
Best Buy
A dry-yet-fruity red packed with notes of berry, spice and oak.
87 points $11 Best Buy
Estancia 2019  Sauvignon Blanc
87 points
$11
Best Buy
A solid Monterey Sauvignon Blanc with bright acidity and a zesty, grassy profile.
87 points $11 Best Buy
Estancia 2019  Pinot Grigio
87 points
$11
Best Buy
A delicate and restrained Pinot Grigio with a sense of elegance.
87 points $11 Best Buy
Los Conquistadores 2019 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
$12
Best Buy
A chewy but balanced Cabernet for grilled fare.
87 points $12 Best Buy
Augusta Winery 2017 Estate Bottled Norton
87 points
$14
Best Buy
A simple red quaffer with that goes down easy.
87 points $14 Best Buy
The Dreaming Tree 2018 Crush Red Blend California
87 points
$14
Best Buy
A dark, rich red blend for weeknight indulging.
87 points $14 Best Buy
Kwaya Cellars 2019 Organic Merlot
87 points
$16
A oaky, slightly funky Merlot for the natural set.
Frontera 2019 After Dark Red Blend Central Valley
86 points
$6
Best Buy
A fruity, earthy Chilean red with chocolate undertones.
86 points $6 Best Buy
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2019 Buttery Chardonnay
86 points
$10
Best Buy
A creamy, dreamy vanilla-scented Chardonnay for lovers of the style.
86 points $10 Best Buy
Clos du Bois 2018  Chardonnay
86 points
$11
Best Buy
A supple and pillowy Chardonnay with plenty of California style.
86 points $11 Best Buy
Estancia 2018  Pinot Noir
86 points
$13
Best Buy
A slightly oaky Pinot Noir with attractive roasty notes; an easy weeknight Pinot.
86 points $13 Best Buy
The Dreaming Tree 2018 Rosé California
86 points
$14
Best Buy
A simple, slightly earthy rose with a fruity finish.
86 points $14 Best Buy
Black Box 2018  Pinot Noir
86 points
$19
A solid Pinot Noir that will play well at the table and beyond.
Black Box 2018 Red Blend California
86 points
$19
A fruity, spicy red that's bold but uncomplicated.
Crafters Union NV  Pinot Grigio
85 points
$6
Best Buy
A juicy, effortless Pinot Grigio.
85 points $6 Best Buy
Crafters Union 2018 Daring & Elegant Red Blend California
85 points
$6
Best Buy
An intensely fruity, bold red for weeknight indulging.
85 points $6 Best Buy
Frontera 2019 After Dark Cabernet Sauvignon
85 points
$6
Best Buy
A simple Cabernet quaffer for everyday enjoyment.
85 points $6 Best Buy
Fetzer 2019 Sundial Chardonnay
85 points
$10
An easy-drinking Chardonnay in an everyday style.
Mark West 2018  Pinot Grigio
85 points
$10
A fruity, effortless Pinot Grigio for anytime refreshment.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2019  Chardonnay
85 points
$10
A juicy, fruity Chardonnay with toasty nuance.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2018  Merlot
85 points
$10
A chewy, oaky Merlot to pair with casual beef.
Clos du Bois 2019  Pinot Grigio
85 points
$11
A mild and refreshing wine for al fresco pleasure.
The Dreaming Tree 2019  Pinot Noir
85 points
$14
An appetizing, easy-drinking Pinot Noir for everyday pleasure.
The Dreaming Tree 2019  Chardonnay
85 points
$14
A juicy, oaky Cali Chardonnay that hits the spot.
Black Box 2018  Malbec
85 points
$19
A green and herbaceous Malbec with a chocolatey finish.
Frey 2018 Biodynamic Chardonnay
85 points
$20
A funky Chardonnay for the table.
Frontera 2019 After Dark Sauvignon Blanc
84 points
$6
Best Buy
A crisp, savory Sauvignon Blanc for the table.
84 points $6 Best Buy
Cedar Ridge Winery NV Gothic Red Blend American
84 points
$9
A supple, fruity quaffer for the table.
Mark West 2018 Orange Label Pinot Noir
84 points
$10
A solid Pinot Noir for the table.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2019  Sauvignon Blanc
84 points
$10
A bright quaffer for anytime indulging.
Clos du Bois 2018 Rosé California
84 points
$11
Big fruit flavors stand out in this crowdpleasing rose.
Clos du Bois 2018 Lightly Bubbled Chardonnay
84 points
$12
A juicy off-dry wine to toast the season.
Clos du Bois 2018 Lightly Bubbled Rosé California
84 points
$12
A juicy, fruity sparkler to serve with cheese.
Pacific Redwood 2019 Organic Chardonnay
84 points
$15
A simple, somewhat oaky white for weeknight pairing.
Black Box 2019  Sauvignon Blanc
84 points
$19
A ripe, outgoing Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.
Crafters Union NV Rosé California
83 points
$6
Best Buy
An easy-going rose for casual sipping.
83 points $6 Best Buy
Frey 2019 Organic Chardonnay
83 points
$15
A simple Chardonnay quaffer for anytime indulgence.
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