Vinanmeldelser

Marion produces some of the best Amarone available today, but this expression from the 2007 shows a touch of green fruit on the nose. Notes of dried sage and olive segue to a sweeter, plusher sensati…

Varietally specific aromas of wild flowers, honey and lemon verbena set up an unctuous, creamy palate with modest acidity and lots of weight. Honey, mango, vanilla and other sweet, tropical flavors f…

Nectarine, apricot and botrytis aromas are sound but familiar. Round, full but not quite sticky, this tastes like toffee, honey and pear, with baking spice flavors, nutmeg in particular, on the finis…

Sultry vanilla, smoke and bergamot notes thread languorously on the nose of this intensely perfumed Chardonnay. The palate is more subdued, showing zesty red apple and lemon anchored by a crisp acidi…

Sometimes said to be the world's most southerly vineyard—it's certainly one of the most southerly vineyards—Last Chance is also fairly elevated. It's a difficult plot to ripen, and always seems a bit…

Extremely fresh on the nose with a touch of honeysuckle and hint of passionfruit, this bottling also offers fruity lime-blossom scents. There is grip and balance to the sip, with lime skins, grass, m…

Meaty aromas of beef jerky and roasted game meet with licorice, black peppercorn and black raspberry on the nose of this bottling of a rarely used grape. The palate delivers lots of pepper and quite…

Aromas of cassis, chopped herb and licorice lead the nose and carry over to the medium-bodied palate along with dried cherry and espresso. Fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink soon to ca…

Rich and languid on the palate, this is an inviting approachable red blend made from roughly equal proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Baco Noir. Ripe red-cherry and plum flavors are offset by…

This is a remarkable value, over-delivering in terms of its varietal characteristics of cola, cinnamon, grippy tannin, black pepper, cedar and leather. Medium bodied and approachable, it's right for…

This youthful, tannic wine needs time in the glass to unfold, benefiting from the additions of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. A reductive style shows slightly on the nose before streak…

This edition of Pietrabianca (a creamy Chardonnay from Puglia in southern Italy) shows nice integration between its fruit and oak elements. Both parties play a leading role in creating a rich, soft w…

Here's a dry, crisp, apple-and-citrus Verdejo that's stony and good from head to toe. In the mouth, it's wet, juicy and biting, while the flavors of green fruits, lemon, celery, fresh lettuce and swe…

Gold in color, then oaky and resiny, with a strong barrel element, honey and baked fruit on the nose. Full, sticky and catchy in the mouth, with resin, toast and baked apple and peach flavors. A uniq…

Here's a ripe, chewy expression of Vino Nobile that opens with aromas of black cherry, dark fruit and even a touch of strawberry. The jammy fruit element is supported by wood tones that add structure…

Seems already mature, with truffle and mushroom notes creeping in among the apricot and orange marmalade fruit. Soft and lush, with just enough tannin and spice in support for near-term drinking.

Mainly Chardonnay, with a drop of Pinot Noir, this dry bubbly has intricate flavors of lemons, limes, tangerines and honey, with a rich yeastiness. It's a little scoury in texture, but pretty good fo…

A rich, full Petite Sirah with a taste of cola and spice followed by ripe raspberry and blackberry. A very yummy version of the variety from one of Livemore's most promising vineyards.

Soft and rounded, this is a light and easy wine. It has fresh citrus and berry fruits that dance easily together. Acidity gives a refreshing quality, while spice adds a fine, warmer touch.

The prestige cuvée from La Gordonne is full and rich, packed with raspberry and red plum fruit. As a balance, there is a taut, crisper side to the wine, leaving a bright lemon zest aftertaste.

Structured wine with a severe edge from the dry, concentrated tannins. It's serious, stalky fruit layered with a more juicy element and tight acidity. The wine does need aging to soften its austere c…

Give this Syrah another year or two in the cellar. Even though it's a 2009, the blackberry and cherry fruit remains startlingly fresh. Yet the acid-tannin structure is balanced. Should start picking…

This very fairly priced Merlot from the Cosumnes River sub-section of Lodi has a juicy berry roundness that makes it inviting to drink, and softly textured all around. On the long finish is a remarka…

Attractive for its rich creaminess, this Chard aims for the popular style and succeeds. It's soft and rich in orange, peach, apricot and mango fruit, with sweet-oak overtones of vanilla and buttered…