GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

93

Borgo San Daniele 2023 I am Mauri, Pinot Grigio, Isonzo del Fruili, Italy ($31)

Pecans, honeyed apples, and salted pears are platformed on a flinty base. This scintillating white offers lime zest and basil, high-toned acidity, and a fuller body than most Pinot Grigios from the region.

94

Brassfield Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($35)

Dusty minerality and iron coincide with ultra-sleek tannins, winning us over at first sip. Black tea and boysenberry take a firm grip, unmasking a broad array of Worcestershire, sweet tobacco, and cedar.

94

Brassfield Estate Winery 2021 Eruption, Volcano Ridge Vineyard, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($24)

A masterful proprietary red blend, crafted from volcanic soils. Dark chocolate, espresso, black olive, new leather, and soy sauce demand attention. Dried violets line the palate, with dusky, well-structured precision.

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.