Wine Reviews

89

Montoya 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey ($20)

Pale color, bright fruit notes, nectarine, citrus zest, melon, a bit tropical, lifted aromatics, medium full bodied, round, creamy, good presence on the palate, appealing underlying vanilla oak element lends complexity and range to the wine, good length with a soft, smooth, round finish.

95

Murietta’s Well 2021 Cabernet Franc, Livermore Valley ($60)

A delectable contender: Petit Verdot at its rich, floral peak of elegance. Lavender on tip toes balance on a mocha-coffee foundation. Brilliant tones of plum, cassis and herbaceous notes further enhance its appeal.

93

Murietta’s Well 2021 Chardonnay, Livermore Valley ($55)

Buttered popcorn and a foundation of wet stone create a formidable combination for a complex white. Lemon blossom, apricot, and an inner brightness seal the finish.

95

Murietta’s Well 2021 Petit Verdot, Livermore Valley ($65)

Sage and dried violets, toasted oak, and coffee bean are savory and rich. The mouthfeel is luscious with a serious tannic structure. Blackberry and purple plum are surrounded by a coating of mocha, finishing with an intense, floral finish.

96

Murietta’s Well 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley ($100)

Focused and elegant, with notes of Luxardo cherry, cinnamon-cedar, and heather. High-toned mulberry and vanilla enter mid-way, amped by a keen acidity. Approachable in its youth, and can be invited to join the table as a fine accompaniment to most dishes.

94

Murietta’s Well 2021 Single Vineyard Merlot, Livermore Valley ($60)

Chocolate delivers a welcoming aroma and leads to a melting effect on the palate, with bright, tart cherry shining through. Sweet tobacco, red beets, and red tea add to the vivid finish, buoyed by terrific acidity.

91

Nielson 2022 Chardonnay Monterey CountySanta-Barbara County ($16)

This over-achiever of a Chard is straight-up medium-bodied, with no overt oak but very subtle suggestions of toast and spice. The balance of acidity and fruity sweetness is just right, with freshness and substance riding perfectly in tandem. There’s nothing too flashy in this—to its credit.

92

Nielson 2022 Pinot Noir, Monterey County-Santa Barbara County ($19)

Delicate, detailed, and light in body but quite expressive in aroma and flavor, it offers dark cherry aromas and flavors with appealing accents of baking spices and just a whiff of toast. Fine-grained tannins firm the finish enough to make this promising for the table, but it could also just be sipped with pleasure.