GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

94

Jordan 2024 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($42)

One of the more sophisticated Chardonnays, Burgundian in style, Californian in demeanor. With four months of sur lie aging in stainless steel and barrel, the liquid is linear and bright, with sassy acidity and wet stone. Floral tones glisten, with lemon blossom at its fore. Its character is cool and light, lifted with sea spray whetting the palate, dotting summer pear with salinity.

92

Kate Arnold 2022 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, Washington ($35)

Framed by tobacco and coffee, black raspberries, and dark chocolate beam through, lifted by fresh acidity. The wine demonstrates structure, with a meaty core.

92

Kate Arnold 2025 Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington ($24)

Apricot nectar and honeysuckle are intriguing starters for this luscious white. Full-bodied and semi-sweet, with a hint of powdered vanilla.

90

La Vieille Ferme 2025 Rosé, France ($12)

For its classic combination of rose petal, watermelon, strawberry, and peach notes, this blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah is a straightforwardly easy drinker. The acidity’s mouthwatering, yet the texture is gentle, further smoothed by a faint hint of banana.

90

La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Blanc, France ($15)

Expressing its origins in limestone soils, this blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Ugni Blanc is fresh as a daisy—or gardenia, in this case, which shows on the nose along with the tangy green and yellow apple, lemon marmalade, and young pineapple that alight on the lifted palate before a squeeze of lime gives the finish a zing.

89

La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rosé, France ($15)

Like its Blanc counterpart, this blend of Grenache Noir (40%), Cinsault (40%), and Pinot Noir (20%) is built for everyday enjoyment, being equal parts fruit-forward and refreshing. Aromas and flavors of peach, Honeycrisp apple, and grilled lemon are highlighted by a sprightly acid profile and a pop of strawberry.

90

Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose 2025 Pinot Noir, Languedoc-Roussillon, Haute Vallée de L’Aude, France ($14)

Sprightly and instantly accessible, this Pyrenean expression of Pinot offers up pretty notes of wild cherry, pomegranate, and violets sprouting from the soil. Vivid cranberry-toned acidity lifts the slightly but appealingly rustic grip of the mouthfeel.

91

Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose 2025 Rosé, Languedoc-Roussillon, Coteaux de Béziers, France ($14)

Offering a snappy, salinity-streaked mélange of grapefruit, Rainier cherry, and rose petal with undertones of green banana and bubblegum, this blend of 45% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Caladoc, and 5% Syrah nimbly walks the line between sleekness and succulence.