GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

90

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, CA ($14)

Ripe and approachable, with black cherry and milk chocolate enveloped in soft tannins. Along with the cushiony mouthfeel. The liquid is fresh and juicy.

92

Rock Point 2024 Pinot Gris, Oregon ($16)

Nectarine resounds from start to finish in tandem with nuances of caramelized pineapple, white cherry, and salted lime sherbet. Thanks to a pleasant touch of oiliness, the mouthfeel fairly cradles the bountiful fruit, balanced by lilting acidity.

92

Rock Point 2024 Pinot Noir, Oregon ($16)

Abundant in smashed cherry and blueberry with a smattering of candied violet and clove, the nose poses a delightfully curious contrast to the palate, whose combination of quite bright acidity and slightly grainy tannins lends textured freshness to flavors of black cherry and red apple—and so does a skosh of soil-dusted porcini toward the finish.

96

Rodney Strong Vineyard 2021 Symmetry Red Wine, Sonoma County ($70)

An archetypal Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend with firm, structured tannins that are beautifully organized with supportive acidity and minerality. Blackcurrant backs leather and soil tones while a savory wave of dark roast coffee and toasted herbs offer a luxe finish.

94

Roederer Estate 2021 Apple Alley Vineyard Sparkling Wine, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County ($55)

Classically styled and highly polished, this medium-bodied blend of 80.3% Chardonnay and 19.7% Pinot Noir (which fermented in 22% oak and spent three years on lees) is the complete package. From aromas of freshly baked bread and bright notes of green and yellow orchard fruit to a whiff of forest air and captivating hints of white fig and pine nut, it’s a serious wine that nonetheless affords pure pleasure.

92

Samuel Robert 2024 “Vineyard Reserve” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($19)

Pinot from anywhere costing less than $20 is a dicey buy, but this is admirably delicate and so well-proportioned that it shows no rough edges or shortcomings. Light in body but very pure in flavor.

94

Samuel Robert 2024 Pinot Noir “Family Reserve” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($23)

Showing somewhat deeper flavors and more textural definition than this producer’s fine “Vineyard Reserve” Pinot, this is an outright steal rather than just a very good deal. The bouquet is restrained but the flavors show delectable notes of red cherries and raspberries as well as strawberries. Tannins are super soft and very well-tuned to the wine’s gentle flavor impact.

90

Santa Julia 2025 Reserva Pinot Grigio, Mendoza, Argentina ($15)

This is a serious challenger to bottlings of Pinot Grigio from North-Eastern Italy, showing open fruit flavors recalling apples and pears with an engaging mineral undertone that rides along with the fruit notes through the finish. Dry but hardly austere, it shows nice freshness but also real substance on the palate.