GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

94

Chateau Pontet-Fumet 2018, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France ($40)

A decisively focused blend of 74% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of charcuterie, olive tapenade, cigar leaf, and wild strawberry thread through tightly wound, structured tannins. Graphite aligns with a good acidity, lighting up the finish of soil and black tea.

89

Château Saint Jean d’Aumières 2020 L’Alchimiste, AOP Terrasses du Larzac, France ($30)

fruit, savory spice, cracked pepper note, dark roast coffee, and toasted coconut. Full bodied, weighty, and robust with an appealing rustic character. Moderate tannins, developed well with an hour of aeration. A blend of 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 15% Carignan.

96

CHEV 2022 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($80)

Michael Browne crafted a seductive Chardonnay offering alluring apricot nectar and white chocolate. A steely middle tames any richness, while the exotic incense of allspice, gardenia, and acacia pampers the palate.

95

CHEV 2022 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($80)

Buoyant, pillow-light texture, with mature and focused notes of black raspberry, molasses, and sarsaparilla. Even-toned, balanced, with a white pepper footprint angled at a toasty cedar finish.

96

CHEV Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County ($80)

A deluxe array of spiced rose petals, cinnamon, sweet basil, and pomegranate. Feather-down mouthfeel exudes bright notes of candy cane and cherry pie with just enough of an earthy foundation to peek through. Hibiscus perfumes nose and palate.

90

Crocodile Dandy 2023 Rosé, AOP Costières de Nîmes, France ($14)

Pale pink, with a youthful appearance. Short skin contact, cool fermentation to retain vibrancy, along with pronounced primary fruit, strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon. Good purity, floral notes, moderate intensity, medium bodied, tempered acidity. Nice rounded textural element, with a dry, good length on the finish. Made from Grenache and Syrah. Distinctive packaging.

90

Dirt Diva 2021 Red, California ($16)

Tart pomegranate and dried roses rise above tilled soil for a salute to its earthy core. Bright, vivid notes of hibiscus and Italian herbs head towards a lean, mineral finish. Blend of 41.5% Barbera, 57% Valdiguie, and 1.5% Syrah.

94

Erikson & Caradin 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($90)

Possessed by graphite and iron, this teeth gripper perfects the dynamic of bold and intense. Espresso is spiced with clove and black pepper, while salty plum anchors on the finish.