Wine Reviews

92

Ironstone 2021 Cabernet Franc, Lodi ($14)

Red currant, raspberry, and bell pepper mix with a violet floral profile and a hint of leather and anise. On the palate, high tannins and acidity balanced with fruit, a hint of tobacco, and even some minerality.

93

Ironstone 2021 Petite Sirah, Lodi ($14)

Complex, dark, and luscious with blackberry, blueberry, licorice, black pepper, cinnamon, and sage. On the palate, fruit-forward, conjuring up blackberry jam, with dark chocolate, mocha, vanilla, and caramel.

91

Ironstone 2021 Pinot Noir, Lodi ($14)

Medium-bodied pinot noir with subtle fruit on the nose: cherry, plum, and blackberry. Also a mild herbal presence mixed with cloves and vanilla. On the palate, vanilla dominates alongside the fruit, giving way to tea leaves, allspice, and cloves.

90

Ironstone 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi ($14)

Lemon sorbet, salty minerality and peach blossom are light, lively, and clean. Kiwi comes in midway for an added tropical kiss.

92

Julia James 2022 Pinot Noir, California ($19)

Red currant, cranberry, and cherry dance with floral notes and white pepper. There is also a hint of licorice on the nose that is more predominant on the palate, along with a mild earthy finish. The wine honors the fifth generation of the Opici family (Dina’s daughter, Julia). Aged in stainless steel and French and American barrels for 12 months before release.

92

KB by Knights Bridge 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Knight’s Valley, Sonoma ($65)

Deep core, with a slight fade at the edge of the glass. Solid dark fruit aromas, along with flavors of cassis, expresso, and smoky oak. Quite a generous palate, round, weighty, good intensity, held up by firm tannins. This is a good cellar candidate for up to another decade. Extended French oak aging adds refinement and complexity.

91

KB by Knights Bridge 2019 Red Blend, Knight’s Valley, Sonoma ($50)

Solid depth of color that extends to edge of the glass, with excellent aromatics and expressive dark fruit. Notes of mocha, roasted coffee, and smoky oak. A weighty, round, seamlessly smooth, well balanced palate presence that follows through to an extended finish, with well-integrated tannins.

89

Kim Crawford 2022 Prosecco, Veneto, Italy ($15)

Pale color, with a good steady bead of bubbles. Nice mousse, styled with a fruity, fresh, bright, and lively persona with some citrus and tropical fruit notes, light bodied, good palate presence, adequate acidity, with a discernible level of sweetness without being cloying.