Wine Reviews

94

Brassfield Estate Winery 2022 Pinot Noir, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($28)

Lithe and earthy, with cinnamon-pomegranate tobacco and black cherry goodness. Acidity is streamlined, framing an underlying grab of graphite, dusty and dry. It finishes with juicy MacIntosh and spiced red tea.

93

Brassfield Estate Winery 2023 Pinot Gris, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($22)

With a zing of high-toned acidity and framed by a stony minerality, notes of salted pear, honeyed melon, lemon verbena, and bergamot are flavorful and aromatic. Brisk and crisp.

93

Brassfield Estate Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($22)

Lime zest, Italian herbs, and green tea engage with an inherent mineral tonality. Salted lemon bar and ripe pineapple strike a clean, spirited chord on the lengthy finish.

91

Butter Light NV Chardonnay, California ($18)

Brisk acidity brings the sunshine out with clean notes of lemon blossom and lime sorbet. Lively and fresh, with a low abv of 8.5 percent and only 85 calories. A notably delicate buttercream sensation on the finish. This wine over-delivers on price and for its category, offers remarkable quality.

92

Butternut 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($15)

Dark mocha with brooding black cherry and touch of cigar conjures images of tufted leather and tuxedos. Ripe fruit is on full display, yet nothing is overwrought. Tannins are firm but stately and accompany an elegant finish of toast and piquant spices.

92

Butternut 2022 Chardonnay, California ($15)

Seductive notes of meringue and macadamia nut and a touch of toast delight on the nose. The palate is satiny and riddled with citrus, with hints of lime and mandarin alongside baking spices for a gratifying denouement.

92

Butternut 2022 Pinot Noir, California ($15)

The brightness of the red fruit character leaps from the glass with prominent notes of candied rhubarb and cherry and strawberries. Rounded without being flabby, the finish is juicy and lithe with a wink of playfulness. This is a summer wine that suits year-round.

92

Cantina Gaffino 2020 Rosso Roma, DOC Latium, Italy ($31)

A blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot, with dusty tannins and flavors of cured meat, heather, and plum. Ignited by fierce acidity, tension has a stake on the palate, with flinty persistence.