90 + Very Good Wine

Jul 022012
 
2005 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $41 (S) – Rating 91

This mountain Cabernet continues to come into its own. Give it a good 30 minutes in decanter for full effect. The opening act is a nose of dark cherry, chocolate with hints of tobacco box. A rich but not over-ripe artisan Cab, it will fill the palate with flavors of dark cherry, dark fruit, chocolate and spice with subtle tobacco and leather notes. Very well-integrated and balance tannins. Buy this Wine.

Jun 212012
 
2008 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Russian River Selection, CA, $42 (S) – Rating 90

A big jammy Pinot with a nose of cherry and spice. A rich  mouth-feel full of ripe cherry, strawberry, raspberry and baking spice with notes of saddle leather on the finish. Rather well balanced for such a big wine. Definitely give this big boy time to breathe. Buy this Wine

Jun 212012
 
2010 Freeman Vineyard & Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, CA, $42 (S) – Rating 92

A very focused and delicious Pinot that opens with a nose of cherry pie. Give this wine a little time and it will reward with well integrated flavors of  strawberry jam, plum, bing cherry and strawberry with a long spicy finish.  Jammy on the front yet crisp acidity on the finish. Interesting complexity. Buy This Wine

Jun 192012
 
2009 Ceja Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Coast, CA, $22 (S) – Rating 90

This non-malolactic SB offers a crisp nose of green apple and spice. A soft mouth-feel with juicy flavors of ripe pineapple, tropical citrus and apple with subtle notes of honeycomb, apricot and spice combined with balanced acidity. A great summer patio sipper. Buy This Wine