GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

94

Echolands 2024 Grenache, Rivière Galets Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, WA ($40)

With fractional amounts of Syrah and Cinsault, this Grenache has a texture of a billowy, goose down pillow, arriving on the palate as a whisper. Notes of cinnamon rhubarb, tomato leaf, red licorice, and orange peel demonstrate a distinct style with a thread of mineral dust and a herbaceous lift.

96

Echolands 2024 Riesling, Frenchman Hills Vineyard Block 1, Royal Slope AVA, WA ($48)

Aged 10 months in concrete egg, oak oval cask, and stainless steel tank, this beauty is from Master of Wine/Master Sommelier Doug Frost and Winemaker Brian Rudin. Crunchy acidity offers up a fresh, crisp white with on-going aromas and flavors of pear blossom, vanilla-laced pineapple, and hibiscus. Scintillating opulence, with kiwi and apple skating on an ice rink of glossy minerality.

94

Edmond de Rothschild 2025 Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($25)

Rimapere translates as “five arrows” in Maori, which is a tribute to the Rothschild’s family emblem. This regeneratively farmed single-vineyard white offers up striking aromas of minerality and green pineapple. Succulent, focused, and crisp, with a flood of just-squeezed grapefruit, leesy lime blossom, and laurel. Exquisitely balanced.

92

Edmundo 2025 Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina ($12)

A luscious blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, and 15% Malbec. Notes of dark chocolate, boysenberry, and almond cedar are deliciously expressive. Acidity adds esprit, with a finish of licorice and soy sauce.

95

Essa 2022 Cabernet Franc, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa ($45)

Floral tones are prominent: hibiscus, lavender, and jasmine, uniting with juicy boysenberry, raspberry spice, and Mediterranean herbs. Unique profile, with reined in tannins and an elegant presence.

94

Etienne 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France ($72)

The Grenache-based red blends in 9% Mourvèdre from the sandy soils, aged in used French oak barrels for 19 months. Bold, dark plum and garrigue align with earthy spices, layered with undertones of leather, truffle, and linear minerality. Toasted mocha smooths out its velvety frame from mid-palate to finish.

93

Etienne 2024 Essen, Lirac AOC, Rhône Valley, France ($39)

From Winemakers Adam Lee and Morét-Brealynn Chavez, this is a blend of 80% Grenache, 16% Syrah, and 4% co-fermented Carignan/Mourvèdre from 60-year-old vines. Clove and white pepper, along with dusted cherry-cocoa, offer a slight astringency. Acidity is fresh, with baking spices surrounding earth and herbal tones. All in all, a fascinating red that possesses superb food-pairing abilities. Essen in German means “to eat.”

93

Forefathers 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, Wax Eye Vineyard, Marlborough, NZ ($22)

A single vineyard white from the Brancott region, grown on glacial soils. Its perfume is brilliant with scents of sweet basil, honeyed white flowers, and guava. Lime appears in waves of floral, zest, and Key lime pie. Arousing and expressive, thanks to winemaker/founder Nick Goldschmidt, it goes beyond the expected.