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New Release
Reviews for 2021

July 2021 - New Release

July 2021 - New Release
This month's Wine feature is On-Demand Wines

New Release Reviews

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Bargetto 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$60
Bargetto
2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Black violet color. Aromas of dried berries, plum tart, black cassis, and compressed watermelon with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, nuanced, very long milk chocolate, raspberry confection, fine leather, and aniseed finish with moderate oak flavor. Juicy-but-elegant fruit keeps you coming back for more in this centerpiece Santa Cruz Mountains Cab.
93 points $60
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Biodynamic Zinfandel
92 points
$20
Best Buy
Frey
2019 Biodynamic Zinfandel
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of fruit and nut press, dried strawberries, roasted almonds, and peach yogurt with a lightly tannic, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, very long finish that shows notes of chocolate ganache, nutella, sarsaparilla, strawberry preserves, and hints of soy with well-integrated tannins and heavy oak flavor. A delicious, chocolate-centric Zinfandel with port-like dried fruits and precise balance.
92 points $20 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Don Aurelio 2016 Reserva De Familia Tempranillo
92 points
$36
Don Aurelio
2016 Reserva De Familia Tempranillo
Dusty garnet color. Mature, earthy aromas and flavors of oily roasted nuts and olive, conditioned leather, clay, and berry-vanilla cake with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, compelling, medium-long finish with accents of marinated sour cherries and beets, cedar, and cascara with well-integrated, crunchy, dusty tannins and moderate oak flavor. A complex and layered Old World Tempranillo with power and finesse.
92 points $36
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Date Tasted:
Château De Mus 2020 La Source Rosé Languedoc AOP
91 points
$19
Château De Mus
2020 La Source Rosé Languedoc AOP
Steely pink color. Aromas and flavors of ripe watermelon, strawberry shortcake, white peach, ginger-lemonade, and fresh radish with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-long finish that exhibits notes of pink peppercorns, white tea, and wild strawberry with no oak flavor. A joyful and refreshing Languedoc Rosé that screams summer.
91 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier Du Grand Robert 2018 Haut-Médoc
90 points
$17
Best Buy
Chevalier Du Grand Robert
2018 Haut-Médoc
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of grilled berries, beets, incense, dried rose petal, and black tea with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, delightful, medium-long finish that exhibits elements of cedar and hints of dried bell pepper with moderate oak flavor. A slightly smoky, dark and mysterious Haut Medoc; rock-solid.
90 points $17 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Premium 1904 2020 Graciano Graciano
89 points
$12
Best Buy
Premium 1904
2020 Graciano Graciano
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of blueberry cobbler a la mode, dark caramel apple, and graphite with a supple, tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a graceful, interesting, medium-long finish that shows notes of pomegranate puree, cocoa-dusted nuts and orange peels, and herbal tea with chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A wonderfully juicy, chewy and appetizing Spanish Red that will shine at the table.
89 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Biodynamic Petite Sirah
88 points
$20
Frey
2019 Biodynamic Petite Sirah
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry tea, ginger, hints of purple flowers, and basil with a tannic, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, medium-long finish evoking nuances of darkest chocolate and almond skins with light oak flavor. A fruity, chewy and decadent red.
88 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Contempo 2020 Barbera
87 points
$9
Best Buy
Contempo
2020 Barbera
Ruby color. Aromas and flavors of fresh raspberries, kir, potpourri, and sarsaparilla with a vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a medium-length finish revealing notes of rooibos tea, cherry pie, fresh wood chips, and rosemary with well-integrated tannins and light oak flavor. A bright and balanced red full of bright red fruit and herbaceous undertones.
87 points $9 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Cycles Gladiator 2019 Chardonnay
87 points
$12
Best Buy
Cycles Gladiator
2019 Chardonnay
Bright gold color. Aromas and flavors of pineapple smoothie, guava, sweet caramel, and corn pops with a satiny, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium-length finish that shows suggestions of pineapple upside down cake, creme caramel, and banana cream pie with moderate oak flavor. A solid, juicy Chardonnay with fruity Pina Colada-like flavors.
87 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Organic Petite Sirah
87 points
$18
Frey
2019 Organic Petite Sirah
Dark ruby-garnet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of caramel cake, citrus, fruit leather, lilac, and tomato leaf with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, medium-long finish manifesting impressions of dried cranberry, blueberry cobbler, ground pepper, and butter cookie with moderate oak flavor. A chewy, appetizing Petite Sirah sipper.
87 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Organic Malbec
87 points
$18
Frey
2019 Organic Malbec
Garnet black color. Fruity, floral aromas and flavors of huckleberry jam, violet, farina, and herbs with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-long finish that shows accents of honeyed blackberries and graham cracker with light oak flavor. A juicy, likeable Malbec with nice layers of nuanced fruit, floral and spice flavors propelled by bright acidity and chewy tannins.
87 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Portlandia 2019 Pinot Noir
87 points
$21
Portlandia
2019 Pinot Noir
Dark garnet color. Aromas and flavors of hibiscus, boysenberry, cranberry tart, chocolate-carob cookie, and graphite with a velvety, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length finish displaying accents of toffee-coated peanuts with moderate oak flavor. A rich Pinot Noir with outgoing fruit and a lipsmacking sense of juiciness.
87 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Castillo De Monlero 2020 Tempranillo
86 points
$8
Best Buy
Castillo De Monlero
2020 Tempranillo
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry jam, toasty crepes, sugared orange zest, bay leaf, and lilac with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a polished, medium-length finish with elements of graphite, chocolate chips, and dried blueberries with moderate oak flavor. A juicy, toasty Spanish red that will be a real crowd-pleaser.
86 points $8 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2020 Biodynamic Field Blend Red Other Red
86 points
$16
Frey
2020 Biodynamic Field Blend Red Other Red
Dusty ruby color. Smoky aromas and flavors of grilled berries, beets, nuts, tobacco, and smoke with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long finish displaying touches of roasted agave, dried dates, and almond skin with well-integrated, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A fun, smoky and muscular red that will excel with bbq.
86 points $16
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Date Tasted:
Chevalier Du Grand Robert 2020 Bordeaux Clairet
85 points
$13
Chevalier Du Grand Robert
2020 Bordeaux Clairet
Light siam color. Aromas and flavors of rhubarb preserves, dried cherry, tamarind, and orange blossom honeycomb with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, breezy finish with notes of butternut squash and honey baked apple and beets with no oak flavor. A round, warming rose that will be a nice sipper with a good chill.
85 points $13
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2018 Organic Charbono
85 points
$15
Frey
2018 Organic Charbono
Ruby black color. Interesting aromas of sandalwood incense, smoked teriyaki basted meat and olives, tamarind, fino sherry and orange reduction with bouillon, stewed greens, and mushrooms and vegetables with a slightly chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, charming, medium-length roast meats and persimmon finish with chewy, earthy tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A intriguingly savory and meaty Italian varietal red that will fit nicely at the hunter’s table.
85 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2020 Organic Pinot Grigio
85 points
$15
Frey
2020 Organic Pinot Grigio
Brilliant emerald straw color. Sulfurous, fruity aromas and flavors of soufflé, peach skin, almond, and teriyaki with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a snappy finish with notes of lemon nectarine yogurt, caramel green apple, and nougat with fruit, fine tannins. A nice fruity quaffer with a bit of caramel and smoke.
85 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Pacific Redwood 2019 Organic Merlot
85 points
$15
Pacific Redwood
2019 Organic Merlot
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of añejo tequila, earl grey tea, tobacco, and molasses with a slightly chewy, bright, dryish light body and a smooth, breezy finish displaying notes of dried berries and raisins with a suggestion of oak flavor. A funky quaffer for weeknight enjoyment.
85 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Pacific Redwood 2020 Organic Pinot Noir
85 points
$18
Pacific Redwood
2020 Organic Pinot Noir
Dark garnet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of caramelized cherries and cranberry, spumoni, raspberry tea, and cocoa powder with a supple, crisp, fruity medium body and an even, interesting, medium-length finish that shows notes of strawberry shortcake, praline, and ginseng and cola with soft, chewy tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A juicy appealing Pinot Noir with plenty of ripe fruit to satisfy.
85 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Organic Merlot
85 points
$20
Frey
2019 Organic Merlot
Garnet black color. Fruity aromas and flavors of plum and berry pie, dark caramel, and vanilla cream puff pastry with a supple, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, refreshing, medium-long finish with suggestions of fresh mixed berries, nut skin, wood, and black radish with light oak flavor. A rock solid Merlot that will cover a lot of bases.
85 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Pacific Redwood 2020 Organic Chardonnay
84 points
$15
Pacific Redwood
2020 Organic Chardonnay
Yellow straw color. Aromas of crescent rolls, brown butter, and sliced golden apples with a supple, crisp, dryish light body and a warming, quick ripe melons and toast finish with no oak flavor. An easy Chardonnay quaffer.
84 points $15
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc
84 points
$18
Frey
2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Bright silvery emerald straw color. Tropical, creamy aromas and flavors of pineapple upside down cake, grapefruit custard, melon rind, and parsley with a supple, soft, fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish that shows touches of green apple, pepper relish, and tangerine rind. A soft, easy drinking creamy Sauvignon Blanc that will appeal to Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay drinkers.
84 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2020 Organic Pinot Noir
84 points
$18
Frey
2020 Organic Pinot Noir
Dusty ruby color. Aromas of honeyed cherry and blueberry, dark caramel sauce, and coconut pie with a round, bright, fruity medium body and an even, interesting, medium-length berry pie a la mode, vanilla yogurt nuts, pencil shavings, and hint of mushroom finish with fine, dusty tannins and moderate oak flavor. A round juicy, uncomplicated Pinot for pleasurable sipping.
84 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Biodynamic Merlot
84 points
$20
Frey
2019 Biodynamic Merlot
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of roasted agave, suede, spicy vermouth, and chocolate covered cherries with a slightly chewy, light-to-medium body and a warming, medium-length finish that exhibits notes of berry jam on buttered raisin toast with coarse tannins and light oak flavor. A tight and atypical Merlot with dried fruit notes and chewy charm.
84 points $20
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Date Tasted:
Frey 2019 Biodynamic Chardonnay
82 points
$20
Frey
2019 Biodynamic Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Fruity, creamy aromas and flavors of singed apple pie a la mode, dried pineapple, sherry, and kiwi with a supple, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a graceful, medium-long finish with touches of tropical fruit custard and smoked nuts and apples with soft, fruit tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A solid Chardonnay with fresh fruit, bright acidity and a nice creaminess.
82 points $20
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Date Tasted:
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