Wine Reviews

95

Essa 2022 Cabernet Franc, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa ($45)

Floral tones are prominent: hibiscus, lavender, and jasmine, uniting with juicy boysenberry, raspberry spice, and Mediterranean herbs. Unique profile, with reined in tannins and an elegant presence.

94

Etienne 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France ($72)

The Grenache-based red blends in 9% Mourvèdre from the sandy soils, aged in used French oak barrels for 19 months. Bold, dark plum and garrigue align with earthy spices, layered with undertones of leather, truffle, and linear minerality. Toasted mocha smooths out its velvety frame from mid-palate to finish.

93

Etienne 2024 Essen, Lirac AOC, Rhône Valley, France ($39)

From Winemakers Adam Lee and Morét-Brealynn Chavez, this is a blend of 80% Grenache, 16% Syrah, and 4% co-fermented Carignan/Mourvèdre from 60-year-old vines. Clove and white pepper, along with dusted cherry-cocoa, offer a slight astringency. Acidity is fresh, with baking spices surrounding earth and herbal tones. All in all, a fascinating red that possesses superb food-pairing abilities. Essen in German means “to eat.”

93

Forefathers 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, Wax Eye Vineyard, Marlborough, NZ ($22)

A single vineyard white from the Brancott region, grown on glacial soils. Its perfume is brilliant with scents of sweet basil, honeyed white flowers, and guava. Lime appears in waves of floral, zest, and Key lime pie. Arousing and expressive, thanks to winemaker/founder Nick Goldschmidt, it goes beyond the expected.

90

Franzia NV Chardonnay, 5L Box ($23)

A gentle caress of lemon sorbet and caramel apple is appealing. The box is recyclable and it is comparable to 6.7 bottles of 750 ml. wine.

91

Franzia NV Pinot Noir, 5L Box ($23)

This five-liter box is equivalent to 34 five-ounce glasses. The wine deserves to be in this report, its warming spices and ripe strawberry-vanilla notes well-balanced and delicious. The mouthfeel is soothing.

95

Golden Archer 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($49)

Sumptuous and elegant, with a tempered sheen. Plum and cassis gather around gentle, round tannins, exposing its behind-the-scenes prowess. It shows a capacity to evolve with ever-ripening notes of black cherry, sweet tobacco, and mocha-cedar. Power in check with finesse.

92

Grand Napa Vineyards 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($45)

Very pale in the glass, this is a quite restrained, refined take on a notoriously pungent variety. Though it clocks in at 14.1% ABV, it’s light and fresh from start to finish, moving nimbly from subtle aromas of key lime, pineapple, and Asian pear to flavors of lemon, kiwi, and lemongrass accented by cool notes of cucumber peel and nettle toward the finish.