Wine Reviews

95

Baldacci Family Vineyards 2021 Elizabeth Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa ($65)

Ripe, big-bodied, and elegant, with a fierce, natural beauty. Glossy on the palate, with earthy underpinnings, this well-tailored red offers mouth-filling flavors of soy sauce, basil, and rosemary. The spicy, woodsy finish is streamlined

96

Baldacci Family Vineyards 2021 Fraternity Red Wine Blend, Napa Valley ($85)

Bold, dusty notes of plum skin, slate, new leather, and blackberry preserves masterfully spread across the mouth. Acidity is notably keen, allowing the powdered tannins to texturize the palate. A pedigreed red.

94

Barra 2020 Reserve Petite Sirah, Mendocin0 ($28)

Lush, teeth-coating red, with lacquered notes of boysenberry and melted chocolate. Dusty, cherry-skin tannins do not detract from the well-structured, sheeny finish.

93

Barra 2020 Reserve Zinfandel, Mendocino County ($26)

Organic grapes from the winery’s hillside Bella Collina ranch in Ukiah composed this Zin with an added 8% Petite Sirah. Aged 17 months in French oak and neutral barrels, the wine is ripe and juicy, with brambly boysenberry and bittersweet dark chocolate-espresso. Mid-palate notes detect white pepper, with added flavors of cigar box, beet root, fennel, and soy sauce. Layered and complex, with a sleek texture.

92

Barramundi 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Victoria, Australia ($15)

Crystal clear and gem-like notes of powdered lemon cookie, cut grass, lime blossom, and guava. Salty minerality comes in mid-way, augmented by on-going aromatics of sweet pear.

91

Barrel Burner 2022 Double Oak Chardonnay, Paso Robles ($15)

For your customers who appreciate more body – and more oak – in their Chardonnay, the extended regimen in French and American barrels here does the trick. Rich and balanced, with butterscotch-topped cantaloupe and lemon bar, the subtle spice, and not-so-subtle char sufficiently satisfies.

94

Beau Vigne 2021 Pericles Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County ($65)

Black-peppered pomegranate, espresso, and fennel run deep through this well-developed, though youthful, red. Supple tannins and a juicy flow of dark fruit and cinnamon ignite earth tones on the finish.

96

Beau Vigne 2021 Romeo Cabernet Sauvignon, Signature Series, Napa Valley ($100)

Aromas of concentrated blackberries and espresso are mesmerizing. Cinnamon and clove season black raspberry. Coffee tannins take hold but soon release on a glide path of sandalwood and soy sauce.