Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with honey dew, slight tropical notes, and a bit of sea air.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  Crisp, yet with rounded edges.  On the palate, this is tasty with honey dew melon and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad would be a great match.  Drink over the next five years.  

2018 Ridge Mataro Gonsalves, USA, California, Contra Costa County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with raspberries, plums and spice.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Some depth.  Flavors of black raspberries and plums.  Better with food. It went well with roasted veggies.  Drink over the next five to seven years. 

MacRostie 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

A terrific Pinot considering the price, this affordable wine showcases the rustic quality of Sonoma Coast fruit. Obvious strawberry, red raspberry, light pomegranate, and plum fill the palate. The weather along the Sonoma Coast also produces a brambly quality, more macerated deeper and richer red fruits along with an ideal acidity and moderate tannins. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen wisely chose to keep the oak treatment minimal, using only 30% new French oak with reduced toast levels. These choices make this great with food - a delicate Pinot Noir that offers some heft and swagger.

2017 Andremily Mourvèdre, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Another great wine from Andremily.  This is 88% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah and 3 Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, blueberries, dark chocolate and roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is lush and delicious.  Flavors of plums, black raspberries, slight blueberries with pepper and char.  Some chocolate on the finish.  This is delicious on its own.  It will need big food flavors to match.  Smoked brisket would work.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  

2020 Pope Valley Sangiovese Brut Rosé, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This had been purchased at the winery.  First time trying a sparkling Sangiovese wine.  Deep salmon pink in color.  It has a nice mousse with small to medium bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is nice if not expected.  Green apples with slight rhubarb and strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, apples, and slight strawberry notes.  Moderate finish.  A pleasant wine that will work better with food than on its own. Drink now.

2021 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$46.00USD

Rhys may be my favorite Chardonnay producer (that I still choose to afford) and Santa Cruz may be my favorite region for Chardonnay.  But, still, this is their basic offering and I had low expectations.  They were far exceeded.  What an excellent wine.  I ended up drinking two bottles over three days and that is unusual.  Light golden in color with slight silvery/green hues.  Clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Very mineral driven but also some lemon creme, vanilla and a touch of grapefruits.  Medium to full bodied.  Lots of energy.  Light tannins.  Great acidity and balance.  On the pal

2020 Levo Petite Sirah Nada Mas, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Another winner from this winery.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs, black pepper and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is tasty.  It is a big wine, but for a Paso Syrah more middle of the road.  Juicy acidity makes it very food friendly.  It would work well with beef stew but also Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2021 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$63.00USD

This is a very accessible Zinfandel that is also excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, sandalwood and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice and char.  This has nice depth and concentration.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or other foods off the grill.  

2019 Levo Grenache 22 Tango, USA, California, Central Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Grenache, 15% Graciano, and 9% Syrah.  It is a ripe styled Grenache that is very impressive.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, spice and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with some minerality and char.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Great on its own, this will be a difficult food match until it ages more.  For now, ribs off the grill would work.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2021 Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is their basic Cab bottling and it is very good and for Napa, a great value in high end Cabs.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has cassis, some leather, a bit of earth and spice.  Nice, semi-plush texture with good balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, with earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This will get better with short term cellaring.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  It is great on its own and would work well with a steak or other big meats off the grill.  

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