GUINIGI

Wine Reviews

93

Gehricke 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Valley ($29)

Alluring notes of honeysuckle and wispy lime chiffon, with a base of meringue and guava. All stainless steel fermented, this aromatic gem is lithe with a balanced acid structure.

92

Hall Ranch Winemaker’s Reserve 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($25)

Ripe and rich, with graphite and earth tones. Blackberry-espresso is deeply knit into the fabric of the wine, its suede tannins making way for a juicy flow of vanilla-cedar on the finish.

92

Isabel Estate 2025 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ ($20)

Intensity meets poise in this estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc. Notes of grapefruit and wet stone come seasoned with savory herbs like thyme and oregano plus a dash of white pepper on both the nose and the palate, which is decidedly crisp with lemon and orange zest but not without some gloss and weight thanks to partial fermentation in French oak. The tang of green tomato on the finish is subtle but no less seductive for that.

94

J. Rickards 2023 Five Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County ($49)

This components of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot were fermented and barrel-aged separately for 20 months in French oak barrels, then combined to create Five Sisters Blend. Black cherries, coffee, and dark chocolate thread through plush tannins. There’s an old-world style here, with an earthy, mineral-driven core. Plum and cassis drive along a silky path towards the long finish.

96

Quilt “The Grace of the Land” 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($110)

Stamina and charm are delivered by this majestic red, as it wraps itself around the palate. Coffee and black forest cake are exquisitely entwined. Elegant tannins are surrounded by violets, dark chocolate, and sandalwood.

95

Quilt “The Mark of the Land” 2024 B.B.C. (Big Beautiful Chardonnay), Napa Valley ($75)

Saffron and buttercup envelop tangerine cream and caramel apple. Delightfully expansive on the palate, with a woodsy persona accentuating peanut brittle and lemon meringue. Could not be more engaging.

93

Quilt 2023 “The Grace of the Land” Fumé Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley ($35)

With a foundation of lemon-vanilla cream, the salinity pulls through with a cool streak of acidity. This white has body and style all its own.

96

Rhys 2023 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains ($54)

Steely, with tart lemon wedge and a beaming acidity. Vivacious and focused, amplified to a high frequency. Sweet basil and crisp pear filter through on the vibrating finish.