Wine Reviews

91

1000 Stories 2022 American Barrel-Aged Chardonnay, California ($17)

Creamy, full-bodied wine with lemon-vanilla tart, cashew, and buttered popcorn. Stone fruit has its turn to shine mid-palate: lush and ripe. A toasty finish is balanced and lengthy.

91

75 Wine Company, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Feliz Creek Vineyard, Mendocino County ($20)

Red cherry mixes with blackberry and plum notes, rose petals, cinnamon, vanilla, and green bell pepper. There is a nice finish balanced with fruit, tannins, and acidity. It finishes with a lingering mild minty flavor.

93

Ancient Peaks 2021 Merlot, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles ($22)

This 100% Merlot is grown on ancient seabed and aged 17 months in French and American oak. A dusting of cocoa envelops plum and ripe black cherry. Cinnamon cream texture with supple tannins, engaged with mineral-charged acidity. A knockout.

93

Ancient Peaks 2022 Chardonnay, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles ($20)

Nectar of pineapple and peach are exquisite, with vanilla creaminess. Perfectly balanced, with an inner light that augments its complexity.

92

Aquilini 2022 Red Mountain Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washingon ($36)

Pale color with a green tinge, possessing superb aromas. Marsh grapefruit, stone fruit, and light herbal notes display a wonderful, medium-bodied palate presence. Nuanced, subtle, refined, and elegant, with a slight oak note. Excellent textural component and ample acidity to keep the wine fresh on the palate. Barrel fermented in 40% new French oak. Six months sur lee aging.

96

Atlas Peak Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley ($100)

Its brilliance shines through toasty oak, with dark chocolate strawberry and a chewy, fleshy mouthfeel. Well developed, sturdy tannins encourage broad flavors of licorice, cedar, and dark berries. Complex and well formatted.

92

Barrel Burner 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($15)

Bourbon barrel aging imparts notes of caramel, nutmeg, black pepper, oak, and a mild smoky boozy char, along with the ripe berry flavor and herbaceous notes of green bell pepper. A smooth sailing red with bold blackberry fruit on the palate that finishes with lingering notes of leather and spice.

98

Beau Vigne 2021 Juliet, Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($120)

A truly sensuous mouthfeel, not velvet or suede as much as grainy – with melting dark chocolate cherries. With enough texture to alert the palate, dried roses and leafy tobacco create a perfect storm of flavor and nuance.