California Red
RED WINES Acaibo 2015 Sonoma
The nose is aromatic and offers a fine racy minerality. It reveals notes of blackberry, fleshy raspberry and small notes of cherry/griotte associated with fine touches of grilled bread, violet, racy local vegetation as well as a subtle hint of sens of the place and very discreet hints of chocolate. The palate is fruity, fresh and offers a good definition, a mineral/fresh frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh cassis, juicy/fresh blackberry and small notes of fresh/juicy red cherry associated with fine touches of small red berries and subtle hints of chocolate and liquorice.
Score : 16.5+/20 (93-94/100)
Acaibo 2016 Sonoma
The nose is fruity, structuring and powerful. It reveals notes of blackberry, cherry and small notes of small berries associated with fine touches of raspberry as well as fine hints of violet, pepper and a discreet sappy hint. The palate is fruity, elegant and offers a good definition, gourmandize as well as an acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of red cherry, juicy/fleshy raspberry and small notes of small red berries, blueberry associated with fine touches of violet as well as a very discreet hint of liquorice, chocolate and vanilla. Good length. Tannins are elegant. A very discreet hint of cocoa/dark chocolate and a hint of grilled hazelnut on the persistence.
Score :16.25+/20 (93/100)
Caymus-Suisun – Grand Durif 2017 SuisunValley, California
(Petite Syrah) The nose is fruity and offers a fine freshness and a fine intensity. It reveals notes of ripe cassis, blueberry and Bigarreau cherry associated with fine touches of small ripe red berries associated with fine hints of liquorice stick, tobacco leaf and Cuben pepper. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/finely acidulous frame and gourmandize. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy cherry, juicy cassis and small notes of juicy blueberry associated with fine hints of violet/iris as well as very discreet hints of tonka bean. Tannins are structuring and racy. Good length.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Darioush – Pinot Noir 2017 Russian River, Sonoma
The nose is fruity, frank and offers power and a fine concentration. It reveals notes of small berries, black plum and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of raspberry as well as fine hints of Cuben pepper and discreet hints of spices and racy minerality/flint. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy frame, a good definition, suavity as well as roundness. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of cherry, plum and small notes of blackberry associated with fine touches of strawberry as well as fine hints of violet and lily. Tannins are elegant.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Goldeneye – Ten Degrees – Pinot Noir 2016 Anderson Valley, Sonoma
The nose is fresh, fruity and offers concentration and a fine tension. It reveals notes of black cherry, black plum and small notes of blackberry associated with fine touches of ripe raspberry as well as fine touches of cornflower, a subtle hint of liquorice and caramelization/chocolate. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers juiciness as well as an acidulous/juicy frame. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy black cherry, juicy blackberry and small notes of juicy violet plum associated with touches of liquorice stick as well as fine touches of wild raspberry and chocolate. Tannins are well-built and finely structuring.
Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100) Joseph Phelps – Pinot Noir 2016, PastoraleVineyard Sonoma Coast
(Estate Grown) The nose is elegant and offers freshness, a beautiful finesse of the grain and intensity. It reveals notes of juicy Boysen berry, juicy/ripe Quetsche plum and small notes of cassis associated with fine touches of wild raspberry, cherry as well as hints of rose, cornflower and very fine hints of Cuben pepper. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, suavity, gourmandize as well as a juicy/acidulous frame. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of black cherry, plum and small notes of blackberry associated with touches of Gariguette cherry as well as a subtle hint of red cherry, cornflower, lilac and very fine hints of racy minerality/sens of the place. Good length. Tannins are elegant. A beautiful wine!
Score : 16.75+/20 (94/100)
Melka – Majestique 2016, PaderewskiVineyard Paso Robles, California
(100% Syrah) The nose is fruity, racy and offers power and finesse of the grain. It reveals notes of wild cassis, small wild berries and small notes of wild strawberry associated with fine touches of small berries as well as fine hints of liquorice stick, tobacco and very discreet hints of green cardamom. The mouth is fruity, fresh, elegant and offers a beautiful definition, a very fine density as well as a beautiful finesse. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe cassis and juicy raspberry associated with fine touches of violet, cornflower and very fine hints of small blue berries. Tannins are fine, elegant and offers a beautiful structure.
Score : 17.25+/20 (95/100)
Melka – Mekerra 2015 Knights Valley, Sonoma
(La Mekerra Vineyard) The nose is fruity and offers power and a beautiful fine grain. It reveals notes of violet, blackberry and small notes of cornflower associated with small touches of juicy blueberry as well as fine hints of lilac, fresh raspberry as well as hints of liquorice stick and Timut pepper. The mouth is wellbalanced and offers a good definition, gourmandize, a juicy/acidulous frame and tension. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackberry, juicy/fresh cassis and small notes of fresh/juicy strawberry associated with small touches of fresh blueberry as well as very fine hints of fresh/juicy raspberry and fine hints of lilac. Tannins are structuring and elegant.
Score : 17+/20 (94-95/100)
MerSoleil – Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands
The nose is fresh and offers a fine intensity and a fine concentration. It reveals notes of black cherry, blackberry and small notes of cassis leaf associated with fine touches of raspberry as well as fine hints of liquorice and discreet hints of graphite. The mouth is fruity, juicy, fresh, well-balanced and offers a juicy/finely acidulous frame and a good definition. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of black plum, black cherry and small notes of wild black blackberry associated with fine touches of red cherry/raspberry as well as hints of tonka bean and liquorice stick. Tannins are well-built. Good length.
Score : 15+/20 (89-90/100)
VGS Château Potelle – CSC 2016, Collection Terroir
Fountain Grove District, Sonoma
The nose offers concentration, deepness and power. It reveals notes of fresh Boysen berry, fresh wild cassis and small notes of violet associated with a touch of iris as well as fine hints of nutmeg, Bigarreau cherry and spices. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy frame, a good definition, tension and precision. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of black cherry, juicy/fleshy blackberry and small notes of fleshy/juicy strawberry associated with small touches of cassis, Bigarreau cherry as well as fine hints of caramelization and a subtle hint of violet.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)