GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

95

Beringer 2023 “Rhine House Cuvée” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($60)

With 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and fractions of Tempranillo, Charbono, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, this beauty is silky and approachable: a love letter in a glass. Plush cherries and blueberries beckon, with back notes of red licorice and vanilla cedar.

95

BV 2023 “Bond 71” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($60)

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petite Sirah, and 3% other reds aged six months in 30% new French oak. Black raspberry, fennel, and dark chocolate are staged on a beefy platform. Tannins are sturdy yet supple, offering a gateway to graphite and cigar leaf. Luxurious, with juicy, ripe cassis on the finish.

91

Calculated Risk 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Sonoma County ($59)

Beefy, with notes of iron and sandalwood. White peppered black cherries add zip to the palate, while the juicy finish leaves a trace of minerality behind.

96

Caliza 2023 Azimuth, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles ($82)

This blend of 41% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 26% Syrah, and 7% Mataro is a Rhône variety lover’s dream. Bittersweet dark chocolate and licorice lead the parade of deeply layered flavors, cheered on by blackberry, graphite, clove-washed cured meats, and white pepper. Tannins are generous and suede-like. Backed by a fine acidity.

96

Caliza 2023 Kän’krēt Grenache, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles ($82)

With a unique production approach of 18 months in 59% concrete egg, 41% neutral French oak, 59% concrete egg, 25% 400L, and 16% 265L barrels, this 100% Grenache exhibited a multi-dimensional texture. Juicy, silky, aromatic, and mineral-toned, it was bursting with ripe cherries, pomegranate, and hibiscus. Cinnamon swirls through redwood, with a wisp of cumin and red tea.

95

Centennial Mountain 2022 Carricante, Sonoma County ($49)

An indigenous white grape from Sicily’s Mt. Etna, it displays excellent character high atop Centennial Mountain Vineyard’s schist soil, at 2,000 feet. Mineral tones gleam, with electrifying lemon verbena and honeyed Golden apple.

95

Centennial Mountain 2022 Nebbiolo, Sonoma County ($79)

In a blind tasting, this red could fool the best palate into believing it hailed from Piedmont. Dusky tannins are refined and elegant, with rose petals and vibrant cherries. Crisp acidity accents its freshness. Cinnamon unites with tilled soil, displaying a distinct, earthy minerality.

95

Centennial Mountain 2022 Nerello Mascalese, Sonoma County ($59)

With spice lining a bevy of fruit – from plum to cherries and quince – and enveloped by angelic floral tones, the wine shows a balance of backbone as much as it does a linear finesse. Mineral tones go earthy, with exotic incense and cardamom. Dry-farmed and planted at 2,000 feet in elevation.