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
Mumm Napa Brut Rose NV, Napa Valley Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley, CA $24 (S) – Rating 90A festive go-to sparkler. Predominately Pinot Noir with a small amount of Chardonnay blended in. A soft mouth-feel with balanced acidity combined with a soft nose offering hints of rose pedal, raspberry, strawberry and yeasty pie crust. On the palate, flavors of red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, spice and a touch of rhubarb. No need to wait to celebrate to enjoy these bubbles. Buy This Wine
Clark Claudon Wild Iris Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Napa Valley, CA, $28 (S) – Rating 93A beautifully balanced blend of Sauvignon Blanc clone 1 and Musque clone. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel, French acacia and French oak barrels with stirred lees for four months. Aromas of Meyer lemon, cream and minerality with a hint of spice. A soft round mouth-feel with balanced acidity and creaminess. Flavors of red apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple and wet stone. Pineapple crème in the long finish. Buy This Wine
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Alexander Valley, CA, $53 (S) – Rating 92A vibrant wine from a cooler growing season. Like the vintages before, Jordan Cabernet is approachable as soon as the bottle opens but still benefits from at least 30 minutes of decanting. Blended from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Vivid aromas of blueberry, blackberry pie spice and tobacco box. A lush mouth-feel with balanced acidity and supple tannins. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, mocha, dark spice with hints of oaky vanilla and espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine
Russian River Vineyards Pinot Noir, Fratti Lane 2012, Russian River Valley, CA $55 (S) – Rating 91An expressive single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Green Valley section of the Russian River Valley. Rich aromas of red berry, blueberry and raspberry with hints of mocha and espresso. Soft tannins and mouth-feel yet still holding on to some crisp acidity. Well integrated flavors of cherry, raspberry and a little rhubarb. Espresso on the long finish. Only 50 cases made. Buy This Wine
