Wine Reviews

89

Woodbridge Chardonnay Non-Vintage, California ($7)

Aromas of pears and vanilla bean. A fine acidity with a clean mouthfeel. Vanilla pudding, MacIntosh apple, and summer pear appear as co-stars. The Chardonnay was blended with small amounts of French Colombard, Viognier, and Orange Muscat. Oak aged on the lees for four months.

95

Alexander Valley Vineyards CYRUS, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Co ($75)

A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and small percentages of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Big-boned and athletically structured, it is balanced with plush tannins, and generous black fruit. Sandalwood and dark chocolate float along on mid-palate, soothed by sweet baking spices. The rich finish is ignited with white peppered boysenberry.

90

Andre Brunel 2023 Rosé, Vin de Pays de Méditerranée, France ($17)

Summer may be long over, but you can relive it in a single sniff and sip of this playful pale-orange blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault, which delivers loads of cherry and peach charmingly accented by hints of bubblegum and mint ice cream. Simultaneously slick and mouthwatering, it’s edged with citrus rind on the refreshing finish.

91

Antigal 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina ($20)

Bright black fruit, graphite, and spiced sandalwood offer a regal entry. Mid-point notes of vanilla and coconut smooth out tannins. Dramatic and bold, this red has a grip that is marked with cinnamon stick and black pepper on the finish.

92

Antigal 2022 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($20)

Aromas of cherry ganache set the stage for flavors of blueberry, soil, and wet stone. Dried lavender casts a spell, adding to savory notes of cured meats, soy sauce, and Mediterranean scrub. This red shows complexity and structure with supple tannins.

94

Beau Vigne 2022 Widow’s Peak Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast ($85)

Black-peppered cherries in aspic, with brilliant earth tones and tobacco leaf. Deep-rooted and velvet-lined, spiced with clove, nutmeg, and cedar. A great holiday wine.

92

Big Cork Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Franc, Rohrersville, Maryland ($49)

A savory soul with balsamic, Hoisin sauce, cigar leaf, and black pepper. Ample acidity to remind us of its French cousin. Earth tones reign, with a spiced, cedar finish. Low 13.5% alcohol.

94

Big Cork Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay, Rohrersville, MD ($32)

From the Mid-Atlantic, this luscious white wine exhibits peach nectar, chamomile, and honeyed pears. Charming, its balanced acid structure offers a tart bite of MacIntosh apple and a creamy tapioca on the finish.