90 + Very Good Wine

Aug 062013
 
2011 Wine Guerrilla Carreras Ranch Old Vine Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, CA, $40 (S) – Rating 92

The vineyard was planted in 1916 with an Italian field blend of  Zinfandel, Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah, Napa Gamay and Chasselas Dore’. The blend creates a distinct richness without being jammy. A full nose of blackberry, boysenberry and black cherry. Juicy acidity with flavors of blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry with notes of raspberry and spice in the long finish. This is what single-vineyard wines are all about. Buy This Wine

Aug 062013
 
2010 Inman Family Wines Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $68 (S) – Rating 92

Kathleen Inman’s wines have recently seen a lot of well deserved positive press. An excellent expression of organic Russian River Pinot Noir, light and bright yet powerful. Crisp with only 12.5% alcohol, it offers aromas of cherry, blueberry and raspberry with complimentary spicy notes. A velvety mouth-feel with beautifully integrated flavors of cherry, blackberry, blueberry and dark spice with hints of cola and espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Aug 062013
 
2010 Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, Ca, $31 (S) – Rating 92

Balanced decadence is the term that comes to mind when I consider this wine. An enticing nose of apple, citrus and pineapple with subtle hints of honey and caramel. Flavors of mom’s apple pie, ripe pineapple, pear and vanilla blend seamlessly into the creamy mouth-feel with balanced acidity. Buy This Wine

Aug 062013
 
2011 Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA, $21 (S) – Rating 93

The blending of grapes aged in both stainless steel and concrete tanks creates an excellent expression of Chardonnay, crisp without sharp edges. The nose hints of tropicals, red apples and creamy pineapple. Food pairing acidity is balanced with a creamy mouth-feel combined with flavors of red apple, baked pears and citrus with notes of minerality on the long finish. One of our favorite 2011 Chardonnays. Buy This Wine

Aug 062013
 
2009 Rocca Family Vineyards Grigsby Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, CA, $75 (S) – Rating 92

A rich, dense and complex wine that needs at least 30 – 45 minutes of decanting to fully open allowing nuances to shine. An assertive nose of black cherry and ripe plum  with pleasant notes of leather and cocoa. Balanced acidity with full-bodied tannins prepares the palate for flavors of black cherry, black fruit, spice, smoke and espresso with hints of earthiness adding to the complexity and structure. Buy This Wine