July 2024 - California

July 2024 - California
This month's Wine feature is California Wines

California Reviews

Wallis Family Estate 2021 Denali Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$125
Cali Cab at its finest; enjoy now or lay this down for a few or ten years to pleasantly surprise your future self.
Reynolds Family Winery 2021 C.s. Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$156
Dense, big, and brooding, this is classic Napa Cabernet for a steak house and will only get better with a couple hours of decanting.
Levendi 2021 Mazaika Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$89
A quintessential Napa Cab that will generously reward you with its time in the cellar; full-bodied, complex, and rich.
Gregory James Wines 2021 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$150
Dense, structured, and dripping with ripe fruit and French oak; all in balance in this big wine.
Barefoot NV  Riesling
91 points
$6
Best Buy
Racy acidity and nice spectrum of fruits to balance with the lightly candied sweetness; a quintessential off-dry Riesling.
91 points $6 Best Buy
Zialena 2023 Estate-Grown Sauvignon Blanc
91 points
$38
A ripe, juicy, and vivacious California style Sauvignon Blanc.
Reynolds Family Winery 2021 Persistence Red Blend Napa Valley
91 points
$72
Exactly what you want from a high quality Napa Cabernet; vibrant red to black fruits, barrel spice with light vanilla tones, and a pop of minty freshness.
Barefoot NV  Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Enjoy this Sauv Blanc's candied and tropical nose and palate with a light floral character and uplifting herbaceous quality.
89 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly NV Extra Dry California
89 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Aromas of spring time orchard blossoms fill the nose with peach and pear dancing on the palate; a pleasing weekend sipper that will make a great Bellini base.
89 points $9.99 Best Buy
Gregory James Wines 2022 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
89 points
$44
Orchard fruit with vanilla and a hint of tropical fruit; this wine has the richness to please Cali fans with the acid and balance to still appeal to Old World drinkers.
AvinoDos 2021 Méthode Champenoise Single Vineyard Blanc de Blanc Carneros, Napa Valley
89 points
$48
A refreshing and citrus-forward sparkling wine with ample bubbles to share with friends and family.
Reynolds Family Winery 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$72
A classic Napa Cabernet with bold fruit, balanced oak, and seems to have a bit of that Rutherford dust to the tannins.
Barefoot NV  Malbec
88 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Red fruit, black fruit, and blue fruit with some cocoa and baking spices; pair with chocolate fruit desserts.
88 points $6.99 Best Buy
CK Mondavi 2022  Merlot
88 points
$7
Best Buy
A surprisingly refreshing Merlot that delivers quality fruit without the weight.
88 points $7 Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly NV Brut Rose California
88 points
$9.99
Best Buy
A lovely pour redolent of strawberry from nose to palate with a light interplay of other red fruits and flowers.
88 points $9.99 Best Buy
Camino Del Rio 2023 Sin Roble Chardonnay
88 points
$14
Best Buy
Cool yet tropical and creamy, a lovely, balanced CA chardonnay.
88 points $14 Best Buy
Midnight Cellars 2022 Full Moon Red Varietal Blend
88 points
$25
A higher ABV blend with ripe fruit and fresh acidity; drink responsibly with buffalo burgers or sloppy Joes.
Barefoot NV  Merlot
87 points
$6.99
Best Buy
A nice everyday red to keep around the house.
87 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  Pink Moscato
87 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Waves of red berry candy make this easy drinking and very approachable.
87 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  White Moscato
87 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Floral, peach, and citrus for a Bellini base or morning tailgating sipper; a charming, sweet wine that is light on its feet.
87 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  Pinot Noir
87 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Big sweet cherry and baking spice notes make up this food friendly Pinot Noir.
87 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  Rose
87 points
$6.99
Best Buy
A refreshing Rosé with waves of semi sweet red and tropical fruits; this would make for a delicious Frosé.
87 points $6.99 Best Buy
CK Mondavi 2023  Sauvignon Blanc
87 points
$7
Best Buy
For those that like the riper fruit and floral notes of Sauvignon Blanc with minimal intrusion of the herbal character.
87 points $7 Best Buy
CK Mondavi 2023  Pinot Grigio
87 points
$7
Best Buy
A crisp and refreshing apéritif that will satisfy at any group gathering.
87 points $7 Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly NV Brut Cuvee American
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Light and crisp fruit notes with wisps of white flowers; a pleasing, simple sipper that will work well for brunch cocktails.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
Barefoot Bubbly NV  Pink Moscato
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Sweet peach with a splash of ripe red berries; a Sunday morning brunch treat to pair with berries over Belgian waffles.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
Ron Rubin 2022  Pinot Noir
87 points
$24
A nice Pinot example of a lighter and more refreshing style than typically associated with Russian River; a solid BTG on any restaurant menu.
Anarchist Wine Co. 2023 The Anarchist Gruner Veltliner
87 points
$26
Ripe fruit dominates this white wine that has a round body and great freshness.
Barefoot NV  Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Red fruit forward and easy drinking for a Cabernet, this is a solid everyday table wine.
86 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  Pinot Grigio
86 points
$6.99
Best Buy
A bright and fruit forward white wine.
86 points $6.99 Best Buy
Barefoot NV  Rich Red Blend
86 points
$6.99
Best Buy
Red fruit and black fruit with nice acid and pleasing spices.
86 points $6.99 Best Buy
CK Mondavi 2022 Dark Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
$7
Best Buy
A fruity, easy drinking red for any occasion.
86 points $7 Best Buy
Gregory James Wines 2018 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir
86 points
$46
A lush style of Russian River with chocolate-covered cherries and a touch of green herb lift.
Barefoot NV  Chardonnay
85 points
$6.99
What most people like about a Cali Chard; a rich, fruity white wine for any night of week that's perfect with creamy pastas and cheeses.
85 points $6.99
CK Mondavi 2022 Buttery Chardonnay
85 points
$7
A light, crisp, fresh, and crushable white.
CK Mondavi 2023  Chardonnay
85 points
$7
An uncomplicated crowd pleasing Cali Chard.
Barefoot Bubbly NV Pride Sweet Rose
84 points
$9.99
A pretty, sweet sparkler to enjoy after dinner or for morning tailgates.
84 points $9.99
Barefoot NV  Sweet Red
83 points
$6.99
A sweet drinking, red fruit cocktail of a wine.
83 points $6.99
Barefoot Bubbly NV  Moscato Spumante
83 points
$9.99
Sweet and floral bubbles to raise your spirits.
83 points $9.99
Shortcut: https://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Wine/Review-2024-08-09-California.aspx