FIVE STARS
(95) Sonoma Coast Vineyards SVC Freestone Hills Pinot Noir 2010 (California). Fresh cherry and raspberry nose; soft on the palate finishing with perfect balance of tannins and bright acidity. ($49)
(95) Tres Sabors Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (California). Single-vineyard sourced from the Farina hillside property on Sonoma Mt., a beautiful, aromatic wine with hints of grapefruit, lime and tangerines; rich minerality. ($40)
(95) Gysler Scheurebe Halbtrocken (2011 Rheinhessen, Germany). Scheurebe yields wines that display hints of apricot, nectarine, and citrus. Gysler’s is richly fragrant and flavorful. It’s not-quite-dry and is especially good with Schnitzel and other traditional German cuisine. ($17)
(95) St. Supery Rosé 2012 (California). Eye-catching, rich red color with an elegant pomegranate, fresh strawberry aroma. Light, bright and crisp! Cab, merlot, petit verdot and cab franc make this light summer rosé crisp, dry and nuanced. ($19)
(94) Domaine de L’orme Saint Pourcain Les Grands Vaux Blanc 2011 (France). Saint Pourcain is a tiny A.O.C. upstream from Loire Valley; the tressalier grape there yields a lovely white wine that has a spicy, floral bouquet with hints of jasmine and citrus on the palate and a slight minerality on the finish; a great aperitif or pairs well with mild Asian dishes. ($17)
(93) Fiddletown Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 (California). A harmonious blend from five different vineyards (primarily Zanini Ranch fruit); aged 16 months, with rich raspberry, blackberry and plum flavors; pair with barbeque and brisket. ($19)
(92) B.R. Cohn ‘Silver Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). A lot of cherry and tobacco with great fruit for the fruit-forward cabernet drinkers and great structure for the big cabernet drinkers; perfect for any steak or barbequed meats. ($19)
(93) A to Z Ros̩ 2012 (Oregon). Awesome Ros̩ of sangiovese Рbright, clean, fresh Рloaded with wild strawberry aroma and fruit; great with grilled salmon, smoked ham; a good wine to have on hand for any occasion. ($13)
(92) Stage Left Cellars ‘The Go Getter’ (Viognier 57%, Grenache Blanc 29%, Roussanne 14%) 2010 (California). Stage Left Cellars brings grapes from places as far south as Paso Robles and as northerly as Oregon and makes the wine in Oakland, CA; this 2010 vintage has a flavor profile close to southern Rhone, with honeysuckle and lemon zest, Meyer lemon, pineapple and lavender; ased on its good balance of acidity, minerals and flavors, oysters, artichokes and roasted lemon chicken make great parings. ($30)
(92) Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling 2011 (Washington State). This is a fresh, vibrant Riesling with white peach flavors and a bright acidity; the finish is long and lively with a solid brace of minerality. ($22)
(92) Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011 (California). Bright Bing cherry with hints of cedar and tobacco flesh out the outstanding pinot noir; a fine balance between savory and acidity makes for a dynamic sipping experience; salmon on the grill is a good pairing. ($20)
FOUR STARS
(91) Frog’s Leap La Grenouille Rouganté Rosé (Valdiguie 82%, Zinfandel 18%) 2012 (California). ‘The Blushing Frog’ shows a lot of depth, character and freshness at the same time, with an amazing 11.2% alcohol – a perfect summer rosé. Beyond refreshing, it is mineral with a great balance of flavors from orange peel to small berries and melon; light pink in color with a hint of violet. ($18)
(91) Mobius Pinot Noir 2008 (California). Second label to the Mantra series of wines from Mike Kuimelis and his father; growers since the 1970s, they made the switch to winemaking in 2000, and specialize in the better Sonoma AVAs; lighter style, rich, dark-cherry notes, hints of vanilla and a smooth, silky finish. ($30)
(91) Anam Cara Nicholas Estate Pinot Noir 2010 (Oregon). Fresh red berries and plums followed by light spice notes; good length on the finish; pairs well with grilled meats and fish as well as pasta and hearty stews. ($32)
(91) Pilot Knob Viognier 2012 (Texas). Fourth-generation French grower meets the Texas Hill country; 100% Texas fruit; great introduction to this nice summer varietal; lighter style, with a hint of sweetness; pineapple, orange blossom, nectarines and peach flavors dominate. ($32)
(91) Bogle Essential Red 2010 (California). A great blend of old vine zinfandel, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon; medium bodied; ripe black cherry and black raspberry fruits with balanced spice and tannins; try with grilled meats, grilled veggies. ($13)
(91) Acrobat Pinot Noir Rosé 2011 (Oregon). Green apples and pears with great balance wonderful acidity. ($14)
(91) Brassfield High Serenity Pinot Noir 2010 (California). Earthy tones upfront on the nose lead to a rich velvety cassis and cherry notes; great acidity and a good amount of tannins make this wine a must for patio and the grill. ($14)
(91) Buena Vista The Count Sonoma Red Blend 2008 (California). This easy drinking red features aromas of black currant and cherries with smooth flavors of plum and blackberry and a silky finish. ($23)
(91) Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica 2011 (Washington State). Fresh and crisp, featuring citrus and mineral notes. ($20)
(91) Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (New Zealand). Green apple and pear give way to classic New Zealand grapefruit; a medium to full bodied wine with great acidity. ($11)
(91) Frog’s Leap Napa Valley Zinfandel 2010 (California). This Zinfandel is subtle yet satisfying; layers of berry fruit and moments of overripe plum and cassis round out the palate; soft tannin backbone and mild acidity complement a wide range of food options. ($27)
(91) Col de L’Orb St Chinian Rosé 2012 (France). A fresh spring breeze floats from the glass and turns to crisp, juicy red berries and floral notes with a soft landing to a pure, clean pink grapefruit and fennel infused finish. ($18)
(91) Jason Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Deep garnet in color, with dense aromas of dried berries, cherries and a touch of eucalyptus and chocolate fudge; medium bodied on the palate with ripe and rich flavors of red berries, some chocolaty notes and a hint of spice; long and vibrant finish with elegant tannins giving it tremendous character and style. ($22)
(91) Alta Vista Classic Malbec 2011 (Argentina). Dark ruby-colored, with fruity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and plum; delivers with a soft, expressive and forward palate, complemented by a hint of vanilla from the six months in American oak; very approachable, this is a superb entry-level malbec. ($12)
(91) Olema Sonoma Chardonnay 2012 (California). This approachable chardonnay was fermented half in oak and half in stainless steel, giving the wine a crisp and refreshing acidity; apple and citrus notes balance the wine and bring a creamy quality to the finish. ($15)
(91) Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Chile). Aromas of citrus and peach; fruity with floral nuances. ($11)
(91) Seaglass Santa Barbara County Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (California). Beautiful wine with the typical aroma of grapefruit but also of pear; the pear really becomes more prominent in the flavor followed by grapefruit and dusty granny smith apple; monster Sauvignon Blanc to pair with any vegetables you throw on the grill. ($10)
(90) Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé 2012 (France). Classic Provencal Rosé, dry and delicate with lovely floral notes and crisp minerality. ($21)
(90) The Dreaming Tree White Blend 2012 (California). The blend of gewurztraminer, riesling,and viognier make this white bright fresh and fruity. ($15)
(90) Entwine Pinot Grigio 2011 (California). A nice pinot grigio from the joint venture of Wente and the Food Network; light and crisp with refreshing flavors of lime, fresh minerals and quince which leads to a zingy, long finish. ($12)
(90) Ménage à Trois White 2010 (California). Lots of grapefruit and pear aromas; this blend of chardonnay, moscato and chenin blanc drinks like an unoaked chardonnay; plenty of nice acidity and green apple. ($13)
(90) Murrieta’s Well The Whip White Blend 2011 (California). Light-bodied six grape blend; citrus fruits with nice acidity; great for summer drinking. ($19)
(90) King Estate Signature Pinot Gris 2011 (Oregon). Peaches, pears, and floral notes give way to great structure and great minerality; wonderful patio wine and great with sushi. ($14)
(90) Indwe Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (South Africa). The light bouquet is lemony and also shows off a touch of mineral; medium-full and round, it has lovely fruit structure and excellent balance while displaying far more complexity than you would expect from a variety often overlooked in this region of the world. ($20)
(90) Picollo Gavi di Gavi 2012 (Italy). Medium-bodied with bright peach aromas and flavors, followed by a long, complex finish. ($16)
(90) Oak Ridge Ancient Vines Lodi Zinfandel 2011 (California). Cherry and blackberry flavors mesh perfectly with acidity and smokiness in this rich, robust wine; ripe tannins provide an overall frame for this fruit-forward, old-vine zinfandel. ($14)
(90) Script & Seal Chardonnay 2012 (Washington State). Flavors of tree-ripened pears with hints of golden apples; good, balanced acidity to frame out the palate; refreshing crispness keeping things lively. ($15)
(90) Kinneybrook Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). An intense crimson color in the glass, this cabernet has aromas of dark fruits, black pepper, and traces of savory smoke; layered and full bodied, this is an elegant and well-balanced wine. ($22)
(90) Conte Fini Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2012 (Italy). Sourced from Alto Adige, this is a concentrated, seamlessly layered pinot grigio that combines the bright, fruity flavors of a white with faint notes of a pinot noir; a citrus-filled opening leads into sweetly spicy notes of apple and pear, concluding in long herbal and floral tones. ($16)
(90) Les Galets de Sauveterre Cotes du Rhone 2011 (France). The Serguier family, sixth generation growers and winemakers, have produced a classic barbecue red, smooth, flavorful and complex. ($16)
(90) Gassan Moon Mountain Sake Junmai Ginjo (Japan). Displays a subtle but beautiful bouquet of flowers, lychee, coconut and linen; the palate is quite smooth and supple yet with some finishing crispness that makes it quite lovely, and a fine food partner (not just sushi!). ($18)
(90) Clean Slate Riesling 2011 (Germany). Crisp and lively; good acidity & fruit balance; good for lighter seafood salads, spicy grilled chicken or pork. ($9)
(90) Milbrandt Brothers’ Blend Red 2010 (Washington State). Aromas of cherry and vanilla, this juicy red has flavors of berry, cocoa and vanilla with a hint of spice and a easy toasty finish. ($16)
(90) Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (California). A wonderfully refreshing classic California sauvignon blanc; hints of grapefruit and melon add beautiful acidity and a clean finish to this wine; pair appetizers or grilled fish. ($14)
(90) Geil Gruner Silvaner Trocken 2011 (Rheinhessen, Germany). Gruner Silvaner is one of Rheinhessen’s oldest grape varieties; Weingut Geil produces a lovely wine that is delicately aromatic with some notes of melon and clove; soft and dry on the palate, it’s ideal before dinner or will complement fresh-water fish. ($16)
(89) Qupe Central Coast Syrah 2010 (California). Central Coast fruit with strong earthy, spicy freshness – this is not your usual jammy fruit juice; strawberry aroma and spice pair perfectly with the summer grilling season. ($19)
(89) Saint M Riesling 2011 (Germany). A classic German Riesling, off-dry, with a delicate peach aroma and mineral palate with a burst of pineapple on the finish; serve as an aperitif or paired with fresh-from-the-boat fish or lobster. ($15)
(89) Apothic White 2011 (California). This blend of chardonnay, riesling and moscato has tropical aromas, mostly of grapefruit; the flavor however, is an off-dry combination of honey, ripe cantaloupe and peaches. ($10)
(89) Pilot Knob Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Texas). Made from 100% Texas fruit; sourced from the High Plains AVA; aged in French oak, this is the inaugural release for this newest Texas winery; rich, dark-fruit flavors, with a hint of Texas cedar. ($40)
(89) Zellerbach Chardonnay 2011(California). Rick Parducci (third generation) sources his wine from the Mendocino AVA; all stainless-steel fermentation; lighter style, with hints of apples and pears. ($17)
(89) Domaine Montrose Rosé 2012 (France). Light pink in color, this is an elegant rosé with flavors of red berries and peach with a touch of spice; made from grenache, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. ($11)
(89) Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2011 (France). The bouquet is very mild, with lightly sweet red berry aromas; medium full and easygoing at first, but becomes expansive and round across the palate; fine-grained but firm tannins offer commendable structure and the finish is quite long. ($11)
(89) Coppola Pinot Noir Director’s Cut Sonoma Coast/ Sonoma County 2011 (California). Dark fruit aroma; cherry, raspberry flavors; nice finish. ($19)
(88) Gazela Vinho Verde 2011 (Portugal). Easy drinking; light, easy, crisp and clean; low alcohol; perfect patio sipper; they also make a dry rosé with is equally as good. ($6)
(88) Rex Goliath Zinfandel NV (California). Great beginner red zinfandel – super value for summer BBQs of ribs and grilled chicken; nice ‘jam’ quality. ($6)
(88) Hugl Gruner Veltliner 2011 Weinveirtel (Austria). There is a nice mineral aspect in the nose and even a salty, saline-like note mingling with fresh squeezed lime aromas; light to medium bodied and quite crisp, with a pretty array of fresh citrus flavors. ($13)
(88) Principessa Gavia Gavi 2011 (Italy). Dry and fruity with crisp acidity. ($15)
(87) Dry Creek Clarksburg Wilson Ranch Dry Chenin Blanc 2010 (California). Citrus aroma; lemon-lime, mineral taste; medium finish. ($11)
(87) Roscato Rosso Dolce 2011 (Italy). Notes of cherry, blackberry and red raspberry; an approachable fruit-forward red. ($13)
