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Reviews for 2023

July 2023 - California

July 2023 - California
This month's Wine feature is California Wines

California Reviews

AvinoDos 2019 Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc
94 points
$52
A ripe and juicy Cabernet Franc with lush American oak; a cellar worthy selection.
Wentworth 2020 Wentworth Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
94 points
$125
A layered and brooding Pinot Noir with depth of flavor; an excellent wine with some air time today and very interested to see where this goes in a few years.
Paradise Ridge 2022 Brides Blush Rosé Russian River Valley
93 points
$32
A lovely expression of red berries and citrus with a savory herbal lift.
Bedarra Vineyards 2020 Bonfire Estate Grown Red Blend Alexander Valley
93 points
$55
An attractive, spicy, savory red blend that will be very versatile.
Hibou Wine 2021  Chardonnay
93 points
$60
A round and welcoming Chardonnay with nicely integrated fruit and creamy, spicy oak.
Lawer Estates 2018 Vineyard 600 Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$80
Maintains an elegance and complexity without getting too overwhelming; an interesting depth of flavor that would pair well with Korean BBQ.
Lawer Estates 2019 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$115
Big and rich right now, and with so much potential to improve and integrate with cellar age.
Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$29
A deft and extroverted combination of spicy, herbal, fruit, and roasted flavors make this a toothsome Cabernet choice for a hearty, globetrotting tasting menu.
Windrun Wine Co. 2019 Select Series Pinot Noir
92 points
$38
Rich earthy cherry flavors balanced with notes of chocolate and smoke, this is a decadent Pinot Noir that would pair well with grilled salmon or roasted pork.
Capo Creek 2021 Playlist Estate White Blend Dry Creek Valley
92 points
$45
A vibrantly fruity and aromatic New World expression of a white Rhone blend.
Bedarra Vineyards 2019 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$65
A lively, savory Cabernet with ample fruit and judicious oak that is drinking well now and likely to improve with short-to-mid-term cellaring.
Capo Creek 2020 Songwriter Red Blend Dry Creek Valley
92 points
$75
A robust and satisfying Zinfandel-led red with oodles of jammy, spicy flavors.
McGrail Vineyards 2019 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$49
A beautifully made Cabernet showing silken textures of black fruits, mocha and baking spices.
Levendi 2020 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$105
Black cherry S'more in your glass, but in a savory and dinner friendly way.
Lawer Estates 2019 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$115
A classic Napa Cabernet with some restraint, yet rich and with nice green herb notes; it won't let you down.
Lawer Estates 2019 Betsys Vineyard Petite Sirah
90 points
$42
Rich and ripe, loaded with black and purple fruit and seasoned with baking spices.
Lawer Estates 2019 Betsys Vineyard Syrah
89 points
$50
A brooding, ripe Syrah built just for backyard BBQ season.
Lorenzi Estate 2019 Eight Barrels Estate Reserve Malbec
89 points
$55
Exactly what you want from a riper California style of Malbec; has all the proper fruit and oak that would make it great for a dinner party.
Hibou Wine 2021 Nocturnal Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$80
A savory and supple Cabernet that will shine at the table; make sure to decant this one.
Sutter Home NV  Chardonnay
88 points
$7
Best Buy
A bright, fresh, and charming Chardonnay with a nice balance of fruit and delicate creamy oak.
88 points $7 Best Buy
Laurel Cellars 2021  Pinot Noir
88 points
$12
Best Buy
Pleasant cherry and chocolate notes that reoccur from the nose to the palate and hang-on through the finish.
88 points $12 Best Buy
Dekreme 2022 Cuvee Brut Sparkling Wine Mendocino County
88 points
$15
Best Buy
A ripe, fruity, off-dry bubbly for carefree sipping on a warm summer's day or with spicy Thai food.
88 points $15 Best Buy
River Road 2021 Double Oaked Chardonnay
88 points
$16
A food friendly Chardonnay that is fresh while giving you everything expected from California Chardonnay.
Stephen Vincent 2021  Pinot Noir
88 points
$17
A nice every day Pinot Noir with a pop of refreshing green herbs.
Shanti 2020  Pinot Noir
88 points
$29
This bold Pinot Noir is perfect for an evening by the fire.
Bedarra Vineyards 2020 Estate Grown Malbec
88 points
$50
This spicy Malbec is incredibly versatile; good for a bbq, dinner with friends or a night at home with a good book.
Wentworth 2020 Nash Mill Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir
88 points
$78
A tangy, earthy, warming Pinot Noir with good acidity and ample crunchy, chewy tannins that will pair well with foods and show promise for cellar longevity.
Sutter Home NV  Pinot Grigio
87 points
$7
Best Buy
A fruity, crowd pleasing Pinot Grigio that goes down easy.
87 points $7 Best Buy
Sutter Home NV White Zinfandel California
87 points
$7
Best Buy
Delicious, tart, and fruity, and just fun to drink.
87 points $7 Best Buy
Butterfly Fields 2021  Chardonnay
87 points
$11
Best Buy
A soft and buoyant Chardonnay sipper with appealing creamy, nutty notes.
87 points $11 Best Buy
Smith & Elliott 2020  Pinot Noir
87 points
$16
A solid everyday Pinot Noir with good fruit showing some earthy tertiary notes; drink up.
River Road 2022 Reserve Sur Lie Aged Un-Oaked Chardonnay
87 points
$17
A fun loving wine that is reminiscent of tropical fruits baked into a flaky morning pastry.
McGrail Vineyards 2020 Shamus Patrick Red Blend Livermore Valley
87 points
$46
Deep and dark, drink this while listening to Purple Rain.
Sutter Home NV  Sauvignon Blanc
86 points
$7
Best Buy
An earthy Sauvignon Blanc that will pair nicely with happy hours, weddings, and hors d'ouevres.
86 points $7 Best Buy
Cycles Gladiator 2021  Merlot
86 points
$12
Best Buy
A nice BTG for a steakhouse and for drinkers that prefer a bigger and bolder style of Merlot.
86 points $12 Best Buy
River Road 2022 Un-Oaked Chardonnay
86 points
$14
Best Buy
A fruity, juicy Chardonnay for carefree sipping.
86 points $14 Best Buy
Smith & Elliott 2021  Chardonnay
86 points
$15
Best Buy
A well balanced daily Chardonnay for those that like to have the oak as pronounced as the fruit in their glass.
86 points $15 Best Buy
Sobon Estate 2019  Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
$18
Oak, tannins, and red fruit are all here; an at home steak wine.
Sutter Home NV  Cabernet Sauvignon
85 points
$7
This is a fun, fruity Cabernet Sauvignon that is perfect for an evening with friends.
Laurel Cellars 2021  Chardonnay
85 points
$11
Simple, easy, and enjoyable; a perfectly quaffable backyard porch pounder.
Shanti 2020  Chardonnay
85 points
$29
A big Chardonnay that is approachable and very easy drinking.
Paradise Ridge 2022 Grandview Vineyard Select Sauvignon Blanc
85 points
$32
Ripe fruit and a touch of earth give a little complexity to this Sauvignon Blanc.
Stephen Vincent 2021  Chardonnay
84 points
$17
A ripe Chardonnay with pronounced oak and brown butter.
Shanti 2020  Pinot Noir
84 points
$29
Some smoked fruit and savory notes make this wine a tasty pairing with BBQ and grilled meats.
Shanti 2019  Cabernet Sauvignon
84 points
$34
A straightforward and sturdy, oaky Cab that will make for a nice BTG house pour.
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