Jan 022014
 
2012 Smith Madrone Vineyard & Winery Riesling, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $27 (S) – Rating 92

This 40 year old Spring Mountain Riesling vineyard is one of the few left in Napa Valley, producing a consistently excellent dry wine year after year. Enjoy its excellent food pairing qualities or on its own. A robust nose with aromas of white peach, pineapple and wet stone. A round mouth-feel balanced with juicy acidity and just a kiss of sweetness. Integrated flavors of ripe pineapple, honeycomb, apricot, red apple, minerality and pear. Buy This Wine

Jan 022014
 
2010 Swanson Vineyards Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, $75 (S) – Rating 92

A complex yet soft nose of stewed cherries, dark cherry jam and espresso bean. Beautifully dark red, medium-bodied with perfect food pairing acidity. This blend of Cabernet and Merlot shows with integrated tannins offering flavors of black cherry, plum and dark fruit with notes of vanilla, cedar, dark spice and dark chocolate. Decant for 30-60 minutes for full expression. Buy This Wine

Jan 022014
 
2012 Bucher Vineyard Three Sixty Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA, $50 (S), Rating – 93

A wonderful Pinot that is drinking well upon release with a short decant, only to get even better with time. A lush nose of dark cherry with hints of cinnamon and allspice. Created with Siduri winemaker Adam Lee, the wine has a round mouth-feel while retaining it’s juicy acidity. Bright fruit flavor with integrated notes of cherry, strawberry and raspberry with definite minerality and brown spice. The flavors remain vibrant in the very long finish. Buy This Wine

Dec 172013
 
2012 Dutcher Crossing Winery Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, CA, $35 – Rating 91

A full bodied Chardonnay that exhibits beautiful balance. A nose of red delicious apple with highlights of caramel. A round mouth-feel with enough acidity for food pairing. The initial pour offers flavors of lemon creme but as it opens notes of red apple, caramel, pie spice and vanilla become more pronounced. Buy This Wine