GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

92

Barkan-W 2023 Chardonnay, Galilee, Israel ($15)

Fruit is sourced from elevations up to 2,200 feet. Lean and lively with lemon wedge, hazelnut, and peach blossom. Although it possesses a leesy mouthfeel, acidity is high-toned, refreshing with each sip.

94

Barrel Oak 2023 Cabernet Franc, Middleburg, Virginia ($35)

Lavender and blueberries offer a broad and juicy profile, with bright acidity. Sleek and clean with underlying Italian herbs and a whisper of savory earth.

93

Barrel Oak Winery 2022 Chocolate Lab, Virginia ($30)

This well-crafted dessert wine is primarily made from the Chambourcin grape, with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cab Franc. At 18.5% abv it comes across much like a Ruby Port, rich and fruity, with subtle notes of cinnamon. Infused with cocoa beans, it is aged for 20 months in Bourbon barrels. Dark chocolate cherries and a hint of coffee are pleasant, and there is no cloying sweetness on the finish – well-balanced.

93

Barrel Oak Winery 2023 Meritage, Middleburg, Virginia ($35)

A luxurious Bordeaux-style blend, with white-peppered cassis, plum liqueur, and finely worked tannins. Dried herbs appear mid-palate, sweetened by rhubarb and red tea.

93

Barrel Oak Winery 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Middleburg, Virginia ($29)

Bright and creamy, with Mandarin orange, elderflower, and thyme. Salted pear and peach create a succulent mid-palate charm, with a grapefruit zest finish.

92

Bel Colle 2025 Arneis, Roero DOCG, Piedmont, Italy ($24)

Almonds, apple tart, and lemon blossom sidle with sizzling acidity and a clean, mineral finish.

89

Bishop Pine Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay, California ($12)

This is a notably oaked, vanilla-forward style of Chardonnay. Caramel and vanilla aromatic notes are enhanced by lightly spicy accents, and there’s just enough acidity to keep this balanced through the finish.

95

Brandlin Estate 2022 Cuvée Red, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley ($75)

A concentrated dive into tilled soil, sage, and mocha-washed violets. This blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Cabernet Franc, with Petit Verdot and Malbec, is sumptuous, with dark chocolate-cedar and blackberry that bow to a refined structure: more restrained than dominating, despite the power of their estate fruit from Mount Veeder’s elevated vineyard sites. Built for longevity.