Quintessa – Illumination 2018 – North Coast, California

Quintessa – Illumination 2018 – North Coast, California

(61% Napa and 39% Sonoma) The nose is fruity and offers power / intensity. It reveals notes of lemon, zest and small notes of kumquat associated with fine touches of ripe pear, Brugnon as well as discreet hints of exotic fruits and white pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a fine acidulous frame,…

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Melka – Mekerra 2016, Block 7 – Knights Valley, Sonoma

Melka – Mekerra 2016, Block 7 – Knights Valley, Sonoma

The nose is fruity, precise, straight and offers a small straightness. It reveals notes of quince, papaya and small notes of crunchy Mirabelle associated with fine touches of yellow flowers/varietal and very fine hints of citrus. The mouth offers a beautiful definition, a beautiful tension, a vine acidulous frame as well as a beautiful finesse…

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AXR – Chardonnay 2017, Ritchie Vineyard – Russian River Valley, Sonoma

AXR – Chardonnay 2017, Ritchie Vineyard – Russian River Valley, Sonoma

The nose is fresh, fruity and offers minerality and a good definition. It reveals notes of yellow apple, ripe Mirabelle plum and small notes of quince associated with discreet hints of flowers as well as fine hints of brioche and bee wax. The mouth is fresh, fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers a beautiful definition, a…

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Joseph Swan Vineyards, Bastoni Vineyards 2013 California – Sonoma County

Joseph Swan Vineyards, Bastoni Vineyards 2013 California – Sonoma County

This wine has a strong difference between the nose and the palate. From the very perfumed and delicate aromas coming through, it’s hard to anticipate the concentrated, rich and full-bodied taste. Bramble & very dark fruits pie filling makes up most of the flavors, but some sweet spices from the American oak and a savory…

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Francis Ford Coppola, Director’s cut Zinfandel 2015 – Dry creek valley

Francis Ford Coppola, Director’s cut Zinfandel 2015 – Dry creek valley

This wine as the deepest of color and the deepest of bouquet. The intense aromas include overripe blackberries and wild berries as well as licorice and a sweet touch of brown sugar. The palate is succulent and supple with a soft touch in terms of texture. The very limited sweetness level is quite apparent and…

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Pedroncelli, 90 celebration Bushnell Vineyard zinfandel 2016 – Dry Creek Valley

Pedroncelli, 90 celebration Bushnell Vineyard zinfandel 2016 – Dry Creek Valley

Intensely jammy with strong aromas of blueberry pie filing and intense wood fire. It’s like a barbecue in there. Within the density of the aromas, there’s still a hint of tartness that lifts up the overall intensity. The palate is large and bold, definitely full-bodied. The heaviness almost puts pressure instead of texture on your…

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Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel 2015 – Dry Creek Valley

Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel 2015 – Dry Creek Valley

Very dark in color with a fine nose of red fruits, bramble, bark as well as a sweet caramel note. The palate gets smoky with a lead of vanilla and a warm alcohol embrace. It’s definitely powerful and wide.

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Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Spring 2016 California – Dry Creek Valley

Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Spring 2016 California – Dry Creek Valley

As deep as it can get, the lytton spring is the very definition of maturity of fruits. The complexity is all based on different fruit character from red to dark black, from fresh to jammy. It is loyal and truthful to the varietal style, but it’s also pushing its limits. On the palate, you can…

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Ridge Vineyards, 3 valleys 2016 California – Sonoma County

Ridge Vineyards,  3 valleys 2016 California – Sonoma County

Intense depth & overall intensity. It boasts of dry and jammy fruits with an uplifting black licorice aroma. The oak is camouflaged, providing mostly texture, body and complexity with no strong smell of wood. The wine is all about integration and fullness.

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Turley wine cellars – Frederick Vineyards 2015 California – Sonoma Valley

Turley wine cellars – Frederick Vineyards	 2015 California – Sonoma Valley

This vineyard planted back in 1937 is quite unique. Just a mile and a half from the Napa border on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas, the vines are planted at a 900 feet altitude along steep, contoured terraces (now prohibited). The extraordinary vines sit in the fog and has adapted to these special features….

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