GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

91

Miguel Torres 2019 Vigno, Old Vine Carignan, Huerta del Maule, Chile ($21)

Italian herbs season fresh notes of cranberry and tart red cherry. High-toned acidity and white pepper engages the palate with dusty tannins. A juicy finish leaves behind concentrated notes of rhubarb and roses.

90

Miguel Torres 2023 Serena Mode De-Alcoholized Sauvignon Blanc, Chile ($15)

Fresh peach aromas and flavors are impressive, with a medium weighted mouthfeel and lingering finish of gardenia and lime chiffon.

91

Miguel Torres 2024 Serena Mode De-Alcoholized Rosé Cinsault, Chile ($15)

There’s so much personality here, one of the best our team has tasted in this category. Cranberry, vanilla, rose petals, and tangerine converge for a pleasurable quaff.

92

Miguel Torres Estelado Brut Rosé, Chile ($19)

The Pais variety was the first to arrive in Chile in the 16th century. This sparkler displays a pinch of salinity and a lick of wet stone, garnering a shiny spotlight on the palate. Peach, orange creamsicle, and spring wild lowers burst from its tiny bubbles.

97

Morét-Brealynn 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley ($99)

This is her first foray, co-crafting a Sonoma Valley Cabernet, with vintner Adam Lee. Sourced in the east side of the valley, an extended area of Moon Mountain, the extended growing season had the grapes harvested in late October. Aged in 60% new French oak for 16 months and bottled without fining or filtration. Its hue is inky black-purple, delivering concentrated power with teeth-grabbing tannins at first sip. As it opens, attention-getting flavors of dusty rose, dark chocolate, gardenia, and black raspberry ganache create a textural tenderness. Spice pierces sandalwood and coffee on the long finish.

96

Moret-Brealynn 2023 Pinot Noir, Lakeview Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($72)

This is the first vineyard from which Moret-Brealynn sourced. For this vintage, she used native fermentation, completed after 17 on the skins. Aged in 100% new French oak for 10 months, from three different cooperages. Black raspberry unveils on the palate with sweet basil, white pepper, and rose petals. Gloriously fresh, fragrant, and sensual.

94

Moret-Brealynn 2023 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($50)

Delicately spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar, wrapped around salted plum. Burnished rose petals come across as savory, hinting at an antique, exotic woodsy note on the finish.

93

Moret-Brealynn 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County ($30)

Aromas of peony and pomegranate are striking. The mouthfeel is gentle and ripe with strawberry gelée. A hint of sweet basil glistens while floral tones linger.