Sky 2017 Zinfandel Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley ($48)

 

It's been a little while since I have tried Sky's wines, but I've always found them to be well made and very reflective of the cool, mountain terroir of Mt. Veeder. It's a little surprising that the current vintage is 2017, which probably says a lot about the state of the wine business (and the market for Zinfandel). That said, the wine is holding up pretty well with notes of black pepper, brambly berry fruit that's just beginning to take on a bit of a baked character. It has a hefty alcohol content at 15.5%, but it also has great natural acidity. Recommended.

- Tim Teichgraeber

Review: Goldeneye 2017 "The Narrows" Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($86)

 

 

This single vineyard offering from Duckhorn's Goldeneye winery in Anderson Valley comes from The Narrows vineyard located at the NW end of Anderson Valley where the valley narrows and transitions into coastal redwood forest and then the rocky Mendocino coast. This very cool location 10 miles from the Pacific lends itself to elegant Pinot Noir with some wild, spicy notes. Goldeneye makes pretty powerful wines, and this is no exception, but the location imbues the wine with great acidity that complements the spicy cinnamon and minty pennyroyal herb notes. On the palate you get seamless black cherry, currant, and plum fruit that straddles red and black fruit flavors, and very well-integrated oak with very subtle spice and vanilla notes. Delicious. Only 448 cases produced. (94 Points) 

- Tim Teichgraeber

Review: Tongue Dancer 2017 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($50)

Wow! This is one exotic, voluptuous Sonoma Chardonnay, yet it some how manages to retain

terrific acidity and it isn't bogged down in too much new oak. It impresses from the get-go with rich nectarine, apricot and tarragon notes on the nose, but the impression on the palate is even more dazzling. It shows tremendous concentration of flavor and creamy richness with sweet cantaloupe, mango, and orange notes with hints of spicy ginger and white pepper notes and rich hazelnut and butterscotch flavors. This Chardonnay radiates class, and it's absolutely delicious. (94 Points)