GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

91

Nielson 2022 Chardonnay Monterey CountySanta-Barbara County ($16)

This over-achiever of a Chard is straight-up medium-bodied, with no overt oak but very subtle suggestions of toast and spice. The balance of acidity and fruity sweetness is just right, with freshness and substance riding perfectly in tandem. There’s nothing too flashy in this—to its credit.

92

Nielson 2022 Pinot Noir, Monterey County-Santa Barbara County ($19)

Delicate, detailed, and light in body but quite expressive in aroma and flavor, it offers dark cherry aromas and flavors with appealing accents of baking spices and just a whiff of toast. Fine-grained tannins firm the finish enough to make this promising for the table, but it could also just be sipped with pleasure.

91

Omen 2021 Red Blend, Sierra Foothills ($20)

Ripe boysenberry compote and bittersweet dark chocolate leave a dusty coating on the palate. Licorice, clove, and a hint of tobacco season an oak-inspired finish. Well-made and over-delivers for the price.

90

Omen 2022 Chardonnay, Lodi ($18)

Oatmeal, lemon bar, and buttered popcorn star in this oaky white. Ripe banana plays a character role, with an orange peel and cinnamon bow at the finish.

93

Pascal Toso 2020 Alta Malbec Mendoza, Argentina ($15)

Coffee and a slightly smoky tone beckon additional notes of black plum and Worcestershire. Glossy tannins take a slight grip while wet stone and a dusty middle adds to a sensual mouthfeel. An overall great food companion.

91

Pascal Toso 2020 Malbec Mendoza, Argentina ($15)

This estate-grown Malbec displays a beautiful ruby color with intense flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry. It also has notes of coffee, cloves, the smokiness of charred wood, and the pungent spice of black licorice and vanilla.

91

Pascal Toso 2020 Malbec Mendoza, Argentina ($15)

This estate-grown Malbec displays a beautiful ruby color with intense flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry. It also has notes of coffee, cloves, the smokiness of charred wood, and the pungent spice of black licorice and vanilla.

92

Pasqual Toso Brut Rosé Mendoza, Argentina ($13)

This sparkling wine is made from 95% Chardonnay and 5% Malbec. It displays a pale pink color with a hint of salmon. You can detect a wide range of aromas on the nose, including green apple, pear, floral notes like honeysuckle, green melon, strawberry, grapefruit, bread, and a hint of mint. It has a pleasant acidity, a slightly stony taste, and a creamy texture. It is a very lively wine.