90 + Very Good Wine

Sep 042012
 
2007 Chatom Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Calaveras County, CA, $26 (S) – Rating 90

A fun and well-priced Cabernet. Opens with a very spicy nose of cherry, oak and leather. Fairly fruit forward offering flavors of cherry, raspberry, baking spice, oaky vanilla and subtle hints of intriguing smokiness with soft tannins. Buy This Wine

Aug 302012
 
2010 Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterrey County, Ca, $41 (S) – Rating 93

A beautifully lush, rich Pinot Noir with a nose of ripe dark fruit, blueberries, earthiness with notes of espresso. The rich mouth-feel is complimented by flavors of blueberry, ripe raspberries, plum, other dark fruit and companion spices. Balanced acidity and supple tannins add to the complexity. Buy This Wine

Aug 292012
 
2010 Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, CA  $35 (S) – Rating 90

A rather ripe Pinot offering a nose of rich dark fruit and black cherry with hints of saddle leather and tobacco box. Give this wine a little decanter time. Once open, flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, espresso and forest floor are integrated with notes of earthiness, bright acidity and supple tannins. Buy This Wine

Aug 142012
 
2009 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay, Estate Bottled, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $30 (S) – Rating 93

A superb example of Napa Valley Chardonnay with a nose reminiscent of mom’s apple pie, complete with buttered crust and spice. The creamy mouth-feel is balanced with just enough zippy acidity. Flavors of apple, pear, spice, minerality and buttered toast are wonderfully integrated with French oak into a delicious Chardonnay treat. Buy this wine.

Aug 092012
 
2009 V. Sattui Winery Crow Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, CA, $37 (S) – Rating 92

A delicious go-big or go-home Zinfandel. A rich nose of ripe plum, pepper with smokey notes. Palate pleasing Zinfandel flavors of black fruit, blackberries, ripe raspberries and dark cherries enhanced with black pepper spice and hints of toasted oak vanilla. Very well integrated and supple tannins add complexity. Buy This Wine