The robust bouquet of eager red berries is transporting to a calm sunny morning on a cranberry bog. Lively and tart, it is a showcase of fresh lime, with a hint of marmalade and is reminiscent of a cosmopolitan cocktail. Carrie Bradshaw would approve.
Delightful hints of mango and pineapple with a touch of ripe honeydew and peach abound on the nose. The palate is zippy and clean with fresh stone, mandarin orange and sugared lemon. The finish is persistent and fresh.
A blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca. Silky and seductive, with violets winding around the tongue, luring boysenberry into a dense dance of near decadence. Saved by a fine acid structure, this stunning red stays focused, energetic, juicy, and balanced.
Bright, with tart cherry, briar, and white-peppered cranberry-kissed cedar. The wine is vibrant and approachable with an innate freshness.
Moderate expectations can lead to very pleasant surprises, as in this California appellation Cab from the rather average vintage of 2022. It packs real punch in its dark-toned fruit but not at the cost of any astringency, as the tannins are well managed and nicely balanced with the fruit’s flavor impact. Little whiffs of baking spices and vanilla contribute complexity that keeps this interesting.
This will prove pleasing for a broad swath of tasters who enjoy an abundant dose of toasty, spicy oak with lightly sweet fruit underneath. Fine acidity to pair with a range of dishes, and ample body and lively character from start to finish.
An admirably affordable Cabernet, this is medium-bodied, with dark fruit notes accented by a subtle whiff of oak. The fruit is sourced from both Monterey and Lodi and shows some brightness and restraint but full ripeness as well. You’ll be very surprised if you check the price after tasting the wine.
The back label acknowledges that this was made by a “simple approach” to winemaking, and thanks to the purity of fruit that shows in the finished product, the approach must be judged a success. The fruit is not overly simple, and indeed the notes of Fuji apples and white peaches shine through more clearly in the absence of an overlay of oak. Terrific value.