Wine Reviews

91

Reata 2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County ($20)

Floral notes bloom, with honeyed apple blossom. Peach tart is accented with toasted oak, and acidity is bright.

92

Redbank 2021 Chardonnay, King Valley, Victoria, Australia ($25)

Aged sur lies, this is a luscious white with gardenia, honeysuckle, and lemon blossom. Finishes with crisp Asian pear, dried figs, and a dollop of vanilla wafer.

92

Redbank 2021 Sunday Morning Pinot Noir, King Valley, Victoria, Australia ($25)

From the cool climate “Victorian Alps,” this red offers a stony base, with dusted plum and dried cinnamon-roses. Italian herbs and dark chocolate espresso finish the task.

89

Ruffino NV Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy ($17)

Pale color, slight CO2 spritz, exuberant, all primary fruit, peach, apricot, orange blossom, bright, light fizz (frizzante) lifts the palate. Vibrant, with good purity and moderate intensity.Very light bodied, evident sweetness without being cloying, leading to a clean fruit driven finish. A textbook example of the variety.

94

Sanctuary 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($50)

Rich and ripe, with boysenberry preserves, roasted coffee beans, and high-toned new leather. Juicy and mouth-filling, supple and round. The mid-palate offers a velvety, expansive texture that leaves a dusty trail on the finish.

90

Smashberry 2022 Red, CA ($15)

A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petit Sirah, and Lagrein. Medium body with raspberry, plums, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves on the nose. There are also some nice herbal tones, but on the palate, the fruit takes center stage: stewed/baked blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, cloves, and mocha.

94

Smith-Madrone 2018 Estate Riesling, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley ($36)

Perfumed linen holds peonies, honey, and tangerine. A juicy, unctuous mouthfeel, with lemon bar, pineapple, and jicama. Vibrant minerality with a stark lemon drop-induced acidity.

92

Spicerack 2021 Syrah, Sonoma County ($25)

There’s plenty to like about this wine. Well extracted color, deep core, slight fade at the edge of the glass, slight haziness indicates minimal filtration, expressive, well-defined, lifted aromatics, dark fruit, dark roast coffee, cracked pepper, star anise, cardamom, mid weight on the palate, accessible style, with no overt oak character, round, harmonious, very good front and mid palate presence, balanced, soft finish with ripe tannins. Wine with an artisanal feel. 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier (co-fermented).