Wine Reviews

97

Villa Huesgen 2020 Noble Sweet Riesling Auslese, Enkircher Zeppwingerz, Mosel, Germany ($70)

Grown on old vines (30-100 years) in iron-rich soils on steep slopes, this rapturous and voluptuous white still offers a fresh acidity. Ripe kiwi, papaya, and summer peach are balanced and pleasurable. Distinctive notes of corn muffin, lemon blossom, and white chocolate demonstrate its complex layers.

94

Villa Huesgen 2022 Pinot Blanc, Mosel, Germany ($30)

Bright and vibrant, with white pepper on Golden apple. Subtle toffee creates a veil over glistening stones.

95

Villa Huesgen 2022 Riesling Alte Reben Old Vines, Enkircher Steffensberg, Mosel, Germany ($60)

The 60-year-old vines are on a well-established Grand Cru site. Prickly notes of salted almonds, white flowers, chamomile, and wet stone are just the base notes of this layered wine. Honeyed drops of peach lather the palate.

94

Villa Huesgen 2022 Riesling Kabinett, Enkircher Steffensberg, Mosel, Germany ($40)

.A harmony of petrol, pear, peanut brittle, and honey sing on the nose and palate. A fervent chant of apricot and apple reverberates in stages of creamy and dry minerality. Grapes are grown off of 30-year-old vines on the steep slopes of Enkircher Steffensberg. Low 9.5% abv.

95

Viña Pedrosa 2018 Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($115)

Austere, with chalky minerality, espresso, and charred oak. Dig deep into an earthy core of tobacco and Worcestershire. Black fruit emerges on the lengthy finish.

91

VOGA Prosecco DOC Still Wine ($16)

Lemon-fresh aromas, with flavors of cashew, kiwi, and honeyed white flowers. A slightly creamy base with high-toned acidity offering a long-lasting finish to this unique, still Prosecco.

92

Wente Vineyards 2021 Baily Hill Pinot Noir, Central Coast ($20)

Baily Little, a Wente family friend, was a pioneer of Pinot Noir vineyards in California’s Central Coast. Black cherry and cinnamon spice highlight the character of this juicy, earthy red. Finely tuned acidity and a spark of white pepper plays out on the zippy clove and red tea finish.

93

Wente Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wetmore Vineyard, Livermore Valley ($35)

Luscious from the start, with coffee and plum skin tannins adding backbone to an opulent red. Delivering black cherry and dark chocolate, the suede mouthfeel, and the essence of Livermore Valley terroir, is memorable.