GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

93

Antigal 2022 UNO Malbec Platinum Edition, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina ($22)

Vanilla and blueberry aromas are rich and dense. Violets march across the palate with white-peppered oak, black tea, and sassafras. Luscious and deep, with a graphite-soil-iron presence. Well-structured, this is a Malbec that stands tall.

94

Araciel 2023 Albariño, Haribach Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County ($25)

Brisk, salty lemon drop, with wet stone and top-line acidity. Streamlined, with an electric energy. Finishes with lime zest and a sprinkling of chervil, oregano, and yellow pepper.

91

AVIVO 2021 Red, Lodi, CA ($24)

Medium deep, youthful appearance, expressive aroma of Morello cherry and raspberry. Pronounced intensity and purity. Medium bodied, with some spicy notes, not overly complex, but very enjoyable and extremely well made. From certified regenerative grapes, 95% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah.

91

AVIVO 2023 Rosé, Lodi, CA ($24)

Bright salmon color, with expressive aromas of red raspberry, ripe strawberry, and a hint of green cucumber. On the palate it’s bright, fresh, and lively, with ample acidity to keep it brisk and fresh on the palate. It highlights a pure and inviting character. The wine is flat out gulpable!, 95% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah.

90

Ballard Lane 2023 Pinot Noir, California ($15)

Cranberries spiced with nutmeg are mouth filling. Medium weighted, this red expresses itself through plum and rose petals, sweetened by cherry tomato and hibiscus tea.

92

Ballard Lane 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, California ($15)

A nectar of ripe pineapple, papaya, and vanilla cream rushes across the palate. With an amplified weight on the palate and the sensation of licking a wet stone, the finish of just-squeezed lemon balances the wine, leaving a unique, desirous texture.

93

Beau Vigne NV Heirloom Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($90)

Concentrated, without an overly dense mouthfeel, this elegant and well-balanced red displays graphite, blackberry, and soy sauce. Teeth-gripping tannins are dusty and lithe, without any edge. Cocoa-spiced cedar lends texture to the dry finish.

91

Beckstone 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington($20)

Very well crafted from start to finish, deep, well extracted core, pronounced pure fruit notes, blackberry, black cherry, cassis, slightest whiff of violet with enough smokey oak to bring added range and complexity, weighty on the palate, but skillfully made to keep it in balance, some evident tannins on the back palate that are soft and ripe.