90 + Very Good Wine

Mar 092013
 
2010 Trione Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA  $23 (S) – Rating 92

A very dry and crisp Sauvignon Blanc with a bouquet of citrus, honeysuckle and white spices. A wonderful balance of acidity and mouth-feel with flavors of green apple, pineapple and citrus with notes of ruby red grapefruit and minerality. A great food pairing wine with lighter and summer fare. Buy This Wine

Mar 092013
 
2009 Clark-Claudon Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Napa Valley, CA, $80 (S) – Rating 92

A consistently exciting 100% Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet with intense red color and a bouquet of dark fruit, plum, black cherry, spice and saddle leather. The palate will be intrigued with flavors of blackberry, black cherry and dark spice. Solid yet approachable tannins with balanced acidity and a long finish of dark chocolate with hints of espresso. Give it an hour to open in the decanter for the full experience. Buy This Wine

Mar 092013
 
2010 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $30 (S) – Rating 92

A truly crafted Chardonnay with an enchanting nose of baked apples, ripe citrus and even notes of grilled pineapple. Crisp flavors of ripe red apples, caramel and baking spice with subtle notes of oaky vanilla. Add a touch of minerality combined with perfectly balanced acidity and you have one heck of a wine. But one would expect nothing less from the Smith brothers. Buy This Wine

Mar 092013
 
2009 Martin Estate Bacchanal, A Napa Valley Red Wine, CA, $48 (S) – Rating 90

A big red blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, plum and dark berries with notes of leather and cocoa. On the palate expect flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and plum with lots of dark spice and hints of white pepper. The tannins are well defined and notes of espresso add complexity to the finish. Buy This Wine

Feb 262013
 
2010 Giordano Collection Tuscany i.g.t. Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, Italy, $13.50 (S) – 91

A Super Tuscan at a super price. This traditional blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet is rich and deep with aromas of red cherry, blackberry, dark spice, oaky vanilla and camp smoke. Very fruit-forward with moderate tannins offering notes of dark cherry, plum and dark fruit with intriguing hints of  dark chocolate and leather in the long finish. It is simply a “cuddle up by the fire” kind of wine. Buy This Wine