GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

95

Schug Winery 2019 “Heritage Reserve” Pinot Noir, Club Selection, Sangiacomo Vineyard ($56)

Sultry and delicate, with a veil of earth and just-picked strawberry. Roses, jasmine, and sweet tobacco urge on the lengthy finish, dotted with white-peppered pomegranate.

92

Schug Winery 2020 Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Carneros, Sonoma Cty ($58)

Subtle red fruits, Italian herbs, and rose petals define a delicate nature. Earthy undertones of fallen leaves and cherry skins leave a trace on the juicy finish.

92

Schug Winery 2022 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Sonoma Cty ($42)

Sourced from some of the most prestigious vineyards in Carneros, this French-oak aged red is delicate and silky, with white-peppered raspberry, sweet tobacco, , and tomato leaf. Spiced tobacco leaf and sassafras add to its savory, earthy finish.

94

Sean Minor 2022 Roberts Road Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast ($75)

Serious wow factor! The color looks exactly as it should, pale, yet vibrant red, excellent aromatics both in intensity and breath, red fruits galore, cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, raspberry, bit of cracked pepper and Asian five spice, elegant, refined, sublime, extremely well balanced, immediately appealing, but it improves with aeration, mid weight style, very good extended length. This wine has an excellent tactile impression. 309 cases produced.

93

Sean Minor 2022 Rossi Ranch Grenache, Sonoma Valley ($75)

Medium deep color, beautiful aromatics with very nice breath and intensity, dark cherry, Asian five spice, cracked pepper, savory fruit to no end, with a bit of sandalwood. Solid weight on the palate, no alcohol heat, but rather elegant and refined in style. All indicators show the raw fruit quality was excellent as there is an exuberant purity to this wine. That, coupled with a skilled hand, leads to a superb result. Organically farmed. 106 cases produced.

91

Signature Reserve 2022 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($17)

Toasty oak and vanilla bean are classic flavors, with a middle ground of stoney minerality and orange peel. Well formed and great value.

94

Smith-Madrone Vineyards 2019 Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley ($65)

Only 1,153 cases of this high-end wine were made, but it will prove worth any needed searching for lovers of intensely flavorful Chardonnays. Aged in 55% new French oak, it is very spicy and toasty, but the fruit’s concentration and energizing acidity are up to the task of producing a beautifully balanced wine. It is thoroughly enjoyable now, but this will be even more complex and finely integrated if you can summon another four years of patience.

94

Sokol Blosser 2022 Estate Pinot Noir, Kalita Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Willamette Valley, OR ($45)

A luxurious array of texture and flavor: cherry blossom, sweet beets in tilled soil, dark fruits, and exotic incense. Sassafras and butterscotch are rapturous.