GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

90

Laetitia 2022 Nadia Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay, California ($16)

Pale, youthful color, with lifted stone fruit, melon, citrus zest, and green apple aromatics. Nicely textured with a creamy component, yet with bright acidity, vibrant purity, and good weight, but retains a lively character on the palate with good length on the finish. Produced from 80% Monterey fruit with 10% each from Sonoma and Napa counties. Very good value.

91

LaLuca Prosecco DOC Treviso, Italy ($16)

)Sweet scents of Bosc pear, acacia flower, green melon, and tangerine carry nimbly over to the palate, where they’re met by glimmers of pineapple and tangy citrus cream followed by a lick of salinity on the finish. Juicy yet clean, this sparkler wears its 15 g/L residual sugar well.

90

LaLuca Prosecco Rosé DOC, Italy ($16)

This blend of 88% Glera and 12% Pinot Noir is as cheerful as they come at 15 g/L residual sugar. Red currant and cranberry pop on the nose, gentled by vanilla and key lime, while strawberry and citrusy acidity rouse the mouth, balanced by a soft mousse and a snap of fresh linen on the finish.

93

LaLuca Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Italy ($28)

Quite delicate as Proseccos go. At first blush, fragrances of white flower such as chamomile, Gala apple, and Asian pear appear tinged with honeydew before alighting smoothly on the palate amid brushstrokes of white peach and Meyer lemon. 9 g/L residual sugar.

90

Line 39 2021 Pinot Noir, California ($10)

Ripe black cherry and cigar leaf lead the way for this savory red. Earthy notes appear mid-way, with coffee flavored oak surrounding Porcini mushroom and soy sauce.

91

Line 39 2022 Pinot Grigio, California ($10)

Tingly notes of key lime and lemon verbena with a hint of salinity grace the palate. Stark acidity adds freshness, with back notes of linen, white flower petals, and Mandarin orange. Over delivers in price and quality.

94

Lobo 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wulff Vineyards, Napa Valley ($85)

Voluminous notes of violets and dusty cherry skins are attention-getting. Espresso and graphite chime in mid-way for further grip and structure. Blackberry beckons on the finish, brandishing its ripeness and integrity with notes of cedar and Worcestershire.

95

Longwood Estate 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($175)

Deep, dense, nearly opaque core, excellent intensity and purity, blackberry, ripe plum, cassis, black olive tapenade, smoke, broad and full on the palate while maintaining superior balance, the oak is beautifully integrated in a seamless manner, the tannins are evident, but ripe and round. Drinking extremely well at the present time, but with the ability to cellar well for up to ten years. Produced from organic fruit, 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec.