Reference

Country: Italy / Riserva di Fizzano Variety: Sangiovese Tuscany Winery: Rocca delle Macìe / Chianti Classico Riserva di Fizzano is always an impressive wine, and the 2007 vintage has produced an especially generous, soft and rich bottling. It delivers aromas of bright cherry, soft spice, chocolate, pipe tobacco and a pretty flower accent at the […]

Country: US / Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Decoy / Sonoma County Closed at first, this wine opens to reveal soft, chewy undertones of ripe red cherry and raspberry, a lilting underground of vanilla developing over time. Medium in build and length, it’s well made and approachable, a good choice for versatile palates.

Country: Argentina / Reserva Variety: Malbec Mendoza Province Winery: Cinco Sentidos / Mendoza Blueberry and cassis aromas come in front of a narrow, rubbery palate. Rubbery, earthy plum and dark-berry flavors end with grabby tannins and herbal, salty, briny notes.

Country: France / Authentic Brut Rosé Variety: Champagne Blend Champagne Winery: Canard-Duchêne / Champagne An attractive, pale rosé, this is fruity and just lightly textured. Packed with red fruits, its soft character comes from the dosage that puts the wine on the sweeter side of Brut. The wine is ready to drink.

Country: US / The Sheriff of Buena Vista Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Buena Vista / Sonoma County A whole lot of varieties figure into this blend, from 32% Petite Sirah and 26% Syrah to 20% Petit Verdot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, the remaining 5% comprised of Grenache. They combine for a medium-bodied, somewhat unformed […]

Country: Portugal / Altano Variety: Portuguese Red Douro Winery: Symington Family Estates / This wine is easy and accessible, with bright red fruits and a light structure. There is fresh character that brings out its fruitiness, lightened by acidity.

Country: Portugal / Assobio Branco Variety: Portuguese White Douro Winery: Quinta dos Murças / This is a ripe and juicy wine that is full of fresh white fruit tones on the nose. It has ripe yellow fruits along with crisp lemon and a touch of minerality. The wine is ready to drink.

Country: Italy / Oltre Cruasé Variety: Sparkling Blend Lombardy Winery: Cà di Frara / Oltrepò Pavese Aromas of ripe red apple skin, dried rose petal and roasted almond lead the nose and follow through to the palate. It has vibrant acidity and a brisk, persistent perlage but it lacks fruit richness. It closes on a […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Outlier / Anderson Valley This is a light and charming Pinot Noir with aromas like cherry candy, bright fruit flavors and a touch of candied sweetness on the finish. It is light to medium bodied and benefits from crisp acidity and soft tannins to liven up the […]

Country: US / Summer Satine Variety: Viognier California Winery: LXV / Paso Robles Named after the fourth art of Kama Sutra, this wine shows Juicy Fruit gum aromas as well as banana candies and a squeeze of lemon. There is a lime-pith tension to the powerful bubblegum ripeness alongside papaya, banana and yellow melon.

Country: US / Cuvee Jeane Variety: Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: Tortoise Creek / Central Coast Named for brand co-founder Janie Master, this wine shows peach ripeness and dried herb sharpness on the nose, along with a slightly sweet reductive funk. The flavors offer lime on nectarine, with a nice tension between perceived sweetness and the […]

Country: France / Automne Gourmand Variety: Gamay Beaujolais Winery: Vignerons de Bel Air / Beaujolais-Villages A subtle touch of tannin in this otherwise fruity wine gives a dry edge that contrasts with the bright red-berry fruits and refreshing acidity. Drink now, although this wine will be even better in 2016.