Wine Reviews

96

Guarachi 2021 Pinot Noir, Sun Chase Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County ($75)

This wine displays texture with a regal presence. A suede mouthfeel is prickled by white peppered strawberry. Beet root and coffee bean emerge through a core of wet stone, for a finish that romances the palate.

95

Guarachi Family Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Fern Creek Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($60)

Steeped in red tea, wild strawberry, and cinnamon, this elegantly crafted Pinot Noir elegantly displays an earthy persona. Aged 12 months in French oak its juicy flow has a prolonged finish of violets and stoney minerality.

93

Guinigi 2018 Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy ($58)

Matured in French oak for 24 months, subtle notes of rose petals and Rooibos tea have a soft, drying effect on the palate. Charming, with racy acidity, accents of mint, sage, and cigar box add to the tannic mouthfeel, with cherry and cherry pith notes rising to the surface. Complex with a notable delicacy.

92

Guinigi 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy ($30)

Dried violets, black cherry, and balsamic create a high-toned platform for tannic grip. Cigar box and red beets are secondary notes, stretched out on the long finish.

91

Guinigi 2022 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie, Italy ($14)

Sweet herbs, pineapple, and pine nut aromas meld with green apple on the nose. This mineral-driven white shows salty lemon notes and apple blossom, led by a crisp acidity.

95

Hawk & Horse Vineyards 2020 Petite Sirah, Red Hills, Lake County ($65)

From a CCOF Organic and Demeter Biodynamic Certified Vineyard, this exquisite opaque red has us mesmerized. Dried lavender, dark chocolate, and slate form an alliance with gripping, suede-textured tannins. Plum and black pepper align mid-way, with a rush of cedar and soy sauce on the expressive finish.

91

Head High Wines 2022 Viognier, Sonoma County ($28)

Pale, slight golden/yellow color, mild aromatics, but appealing stone fruit, peach, apricot notes, quite full on the palate (14.5% alcohol), but the structure of the wine supports it well, round, soft, polished, built to the less overt side of Viognier, accessible style that shows better with only a slight chill, moderately long finish.

92

HERO 2020 Red by the Beau Vigne Collection, California ($60)

A lather of plum and dark chocolate bathes the palate. The wine has an inner strength that ties acidity together with slate and sultry tannins.