GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

92

Ecco Domani 2024 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie, Italy ($15)

Aromas: Powdered vanilla, glistening stone, lemon blossom
Lemon-lime sorbet with a sprig of thyme is accented by a stony minerality. Clean and focused with summer pear and a hint of ginger.

93

Elouan 2023 Pinot Noir, Oregon ($25)

Iron and ash form an earthy partnership in this most expressive vintage of Elouan. Deep and seductive, with notes of coffee, black raspberry, and hibiscus. Cherry bark and red tea offer an exotic finish.

93

End of the Day 2022 Red Wine Cuvée, Paso Robles ($34)

A high-toned and juicy blend of 36% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 18% Tannat with some Syrah, Counoise, Mataro, and Graciano. Heather and salted plum are concentrated notes, with a hint of black raspberry and cinnamon toast. Mouthwatering!

93

End of the Day 2023 Albariño, Paso Robles ($30)

Aromas: Pear blossom, vanilla bean, and mango
Succulent and weighty, with white chocolate-covered lime. Dramatic texture, with flavors of spiced fig, bread dough, and parchment verify its unique stature.

95

Etienne 2023 Coronati, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône, France ($72)

Sage and plum perfume this blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre. Garrigue, cherry skins and tangerine zest anchor the palate with a symphony of earth, spice, and smoke. Licorice lathers on the finish, with a sense of the Rhône’s embrace.

95

Etienne 2023 Essen, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône, France ($39)

Adam Lee and Morét Brealynn-Chavez’s winemaking partners Jeff and Simona Paly blended 74% Grenache, 24% Syrah, and 2% Mourvèdre from vines as old as 65 years. A fresh, youthful red, it was aged for 12 months in 39% new French oak and the remainder in used barrels and stainless steel.
Lavender and Mediterranean scrub surround bright cherry and strawberry, with a touch of sweet soil. Tannins are soft, with engaging acidity. Vibrant black fruit enters mid-palate, lingering with the garrigue’s textural charm.

95

Feudi di San Gregorio 2024 San Greg Rosato, Campania IGT, Italy ($25)

Aromas: Strawberry, rose petals, lanolin
Vinified like a white wine with zero skin contact prior to fermentation, this 100% Aglianico declares a refreshing opening sip. Fruit from elevations of 2,300 feet above sea level are early ripeners, thanks to a fair share of sun exposure. Notes of crushed stone, raspberries, and lemon zest fill the mouth. While red berries linger, vibrant accents of thyme and salty lanolin stretch out on a structured, yet graceful path.

92

Forrest 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($22)

Here’s a shimmering textbook example of Marlborough’s claim to fame. Intense aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, and an array of herbs—basil, mint, dill—are mirrored on a palate that beams like sunshine while showing a bit of textural flesh accentuated by lemon blossom on the finish.