Domaine Carneros, Jardin d’Hiver cuvée, Extra Brut 2017

Domaine Carneros, Jardin d’Hiver cuvée, Extra Brut 2017

Domaine Carneros Cuvée Jardin d’Hiver is a limited edition cuvée, made with traditional method. This Late Disgorged Extra Brut gives a nice nuanced complexity to the usual Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend. Upon the palate, this sparkling wine unfolds with a rich, creamy texture. Contrasting citrus notes join together with mature toasted nuts, creating a…

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Quintessa 2020 – Rutherford, Napa Valley

Quintessa 2020 – Rutherford, Napa Valley

The nose is fruity, powerful, intense and offers deepness. Beautiful powerful and fine grain. It reveals notes blackberries, crushed cassis and roasted small fruits combined with touches of crushed strawberries, black cherries, small bright blue fruits associated with touches of rocky/volcanic minerality as well as fine hints of spices, cloves and a very discreet hint…

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Quintessa – Illumination 2022 – North Coast, California

Quintessa – Illumination 2022 – North Coast, California

The nose is fruity, juicy and offers elegance, a certain balanced richness as well as a bright citrus/acidulous side. It reveals notes of bright quince, bright kumquat and small notes of vine peach associated with touches of racy minerality as well as hints of honeysuckle/fresh verbena and fine hints of lime/lemongrass. The palate is fruity,…

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Staglin Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley

Staglin Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley

The nose is dense, heady, revealing a lot of black fruit aromas, notes of cedar wood, tobacco and coffee. The palate is opulent, rich and bold with powerful, grippy tannins. The massive structure is well-balanced by the moderate but framing acidity. A powerful wine with a long, smoky and spicy finish.

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Ridge Geyserville 2020 – Alexander Valley AVA

Ridge Geyserville 2020 – Alexander Valley AVA

The nose is oaky, offering a lot of density and concentration, notes of red cherries, strawberries and bramble. The palate is dry, with drying, bold, very young tannins that need time to smoothen. Despite the moderate acidity, the wine shows fresh and vivid with a fine elegance and a long, juicy finish.

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J Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie 2021 – Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterrey

J Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie 2021 – Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterrey

The nose is intense and flattering with notes of strawberry, raspberry, juicy red cherries and a touch of bubble gum. The palate is juicy with a lot of dried cranberries, goji berries, juicy cherries and wild strawberries. The tannins are soft and mellow. A glou-glou style of wine with refreshing, crunchy, juicy acidity.

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Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Noir Blanc 2019 – Anderson Valley

Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Noir Blanc 2019 – Anderson Valley

This Blanc de Noirs on the nose reveals slightly oxidative notes of nuts, as well as nutmeg, vanilla and yellow apple. The palate is dry with a creamy, round texture, moderate acidity, some roundness and fat, low intensity of yellow orchard fruits. The finish is dominated by nutty bitterness. An unusual style of wine.

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Truchard Vineyards Roussanne 2020 – Los Carneros, Napa Valley

Truchard Vineyards Roussanne 2020 – Los Carneros, Napa Valley

The nose is smoky, with notes of fresh wood, herbal and herbaceous at the same time, revealing savoury nuances, almost charcuterie tone. The palate is dry, with a lot of volume and texture, mirroring the nose with herbal aromas of garrigue and a touch of honeysuckle. Moderate acidity and a typical Roussanne bitterness on the…

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Klinker Blick Grenache Blanc 2021 – Lodi

Klinker Blick Grenache Blanc 2021 – Lodi

The nose is herbal and smoky, revealing notes of melons, green apples and dried herbs. The body is very light, unusual for Grenache, the palate is in general very elegant, dry, with crisp, citrusy plus acidity, good balance, delicate orchard fruit profile with a savoury touch on the finish.

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Twomey Sauvignon 2020 – North Coast

Twomey Sauvignon 2020 – North Coast

The nose is opulent and tropical, very aromatic, full of ripe fruits like pineapple, passion fruit, yellow apple and a hint of ripe yellow mango. The palate is round, creamy and weighty with elevated acidity which tries to balance well the massive structure and warming alcohol. Powerful, rich, a bit too showy, this wine slides…

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