Wines under $20
Wente Chardonnay 2012 Morning Fog, Estate Grown, Livermore Valley, CA, $15 (S) – Rating 90Balanced winemaking with 50% stainless steel and 50% neutral oak. A very soft mouth-feel with balanced acidity. A nose of green apple, citrus and notes of honey. Flavors of ripe red apple, pear and citrus with hints of honeycomb, cinnamon spice, vanilla and yeasty pie crust. Buy This Wine
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc 2012, Brugioni Vineyard, Sonoma County, CA, $18 – Rating 92A truly manly rosé with body and depth highlighted by a deeper salmon color that most rosés. Rich aromas of strawberry, red cherry and spice. A round mouth-feel with solid food pairing acidity. A real depth of integrated flavors including red cherry, strawberry, minerality, spice and white pepper. A long finish of ripe strawberry with hints of watermelon. Buy This Wine
Dancing Coyote Rosé 2012, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Clarksburg, CA, $12 (S) – Rating 88A soft mouth-feel with equally soft acidity. The nose is bouquet of strawberry, raspberry and spice accented with floral notes. Somewhat off-dry on the palate with sweet notes of strawberry, raspberry and bright cherry. A bit of sweet cherry on the finish. No oak or malolactic fermentation. Buy This Wine
Giordano Grecanico Pinot Grigio 2012, Sicily Collection, Sicily, Italy, $12 (S) – Rating 88From a small vineyard on Sicily, this Pinot Grigio – Grecanico blend is produced in a softer creamier style than many mouth-puckering Pinot Grigios. A gentle nose of citrus, pineapple and melon. Light-bodied with soft acidity, offering flavors of pineapple creme, lemon and green apple with a bit of minerality in the finish. Think summertime with friends. Will pair well with lighter summer and picnic fare. Buy This Wine
Giordano Primitivo di Manduria d.o.c. 2011, Giordano Collection, Apulia, Italy, $14 (S) – Rating 89Aged 50% in 2 -3 year old oak barrels and 50% in underground oak casks from low yield vines in southern Italy near the Adriatic Sea. This rich and jammy brother to Zinfandel, sports aromas of dark cherry, plum, ripe raspberry and a touch of saddle leather. Balanced tannins and acidity are highlighted with flavors of plum, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco box, cassis, pepper and spice. A nice compliment of campfire smoke in the finish. Buy This Wine
