Apr 162013
 
2011 Masút Vineyard and Winery Block 13 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, CA, $55 (S) – Rating 91

Part of the winery’s select Block Series, Block 13 sits alone on the northwest side of the property. This attention worthy Pinot offers up layered aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry and saddle leather. Highlighted by soft tannins and food pairing acidity, flavors abound of bing cherry, raspberry and dark plum with notes of forest floor and leather in the finish. Buy This Wine

Apr 162013
 
2011 Masút Vineyard and Winery Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, CA, $40 (S) – Rating 91

Named a “Wineries to watch in 2013” by the Press Democrat, this complex Pinot is one of the reasons why. Produced from Estate fruit, Dijon Pinot Noir clones 113, 115 and 777, aged 11 months in French oak (35% new) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. A charmingly rustic and briary nose of dark cherries is the prelude to deep flavors of dark cherry, ripe raspberry and notes of campfire smoke with hints of chocolate in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Apr 162013
 
2009 Castello di Amorosa Napa Valley Sangiovese, Napa Valley, CA, $30 (S) – Rating 89

The rustic nose of cherry, leather and briar brings back thoughts of the amazing Castello di Amorosa itself. A blend of 90% estate Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. Medium-bodied with plenty of juicy acidity and firm tannins. Flavors of red cherry, dark spice and raspberry with hints of chocolate on the finish. Be patient…It takes a while for this Sangio to fully open. Buy This Wine

Apr 162013
 
2009 Trione Vineyards & Winery River Road Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 90

A beautiful nose of red apple, ripe pineapple and notes of pie crust. This Chardonnay offers up a soft and creamy mouth-feel with flavors of red apple and pear with a perfect pitch of oaky vanilla. For those who prefer a creamy style of Chardonnay…This is a balanced winner. Buy This Wine

Apr 042013
 
2010 Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, $72 (S) – Rating 93

It would be nice sometimes to just review a wine as Delicious… This Cabernet is Delicious! An expressive nose of dark cherry, ripe plum with subtle notes of chocolate and leather. Soft to moderate tannins with beautifully balanced acidity. Flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, dark fruit, vanilla and spice with hints of leather. Pleasant notes of cocoa become more pronounced on the finish, as the wine opens. Buy This Wine