Page 131 - Wine Spectator (January 2020)

New Releases: Other International / UNITED STATES / California
86 Boschendal Rosé The Rose Garden Coastal
Region 2019 $13 Direct notes of cherry and violet
mark this soft rosé. A good amount of acidity gives this
focus. Merlot and Pinotage. From South Africa. Drink
now. 6,500 cases imported.—A.Z.
86 Viñedos Errázuriz Ovalle Merlot-Malbec
Colchagua Valley Viñedos Marchigüe Panilonco
Reserve 2018 $5 See Best Values, page 104.
United States
CALIFORNIA
Chardonnay
92 Three Sticks Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Durell Vineyard 2017 $55 Full-bodied, powerful and CALIFORNIA
rich, with concentrated flavors of baked apple, dried pear
and custard, backed by bright acidity. Pastry and buttery
notes linger on the creamy finish, with some savory hints.
Drink now through 2024. 604 cases made.—K.M.
89 Intercept Chardonnay Paso Robles Charles
Woodson’s 2018 $20 Snappy and fresh-tasting, with
lemongrass and dried basil notes to the fresh-cut green
apple and ripe citrus flavors. Broad and minerally, offer-
ing plenty of spice on the finish. Drink now through 2022.
2,500 cases made.—K.M.
89 J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Riverstone
2018 $14 See Best Values, page 104.
89 Pedroncelli Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley
Unoaked Signature Selection 2018 $17 This fea-
ture notes of honeysuckle to the pear tart and red peach
flavors. Hints of lemongrass show on the fresh, spicy fin-
ish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.—K.M.
88 Ancient Peaks Chardonnay Santa Margarita
Ranch 2018 $19 Features a crisp structure, with notes
of dried savory herbs to the green peach and fresh-cut
apple flavors. Finishes with a steely undercurrent. Drink
now. 2,000 cases made.—K.M.
88 Carmel Road Chardonnay Monterey 2018
$22 Focused, with pure-tasting Fuji apple and Asian
pear flavors that are supported by fresh acidity. Lemon-
grass notes show on the juicy finish. Drink now through
2022. 13,404 cases made.—K.M.
88 Kenwood Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Six Ridges 2018 $22 Shows lots of juicy freshness to
the apple and green pear flavors. Notes of citrus zest and
angel food cake emerge on the broad-textured finish.
Drink now. 17,300 cases made.—K.M.
88 Pedroncelli Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley
Signature Selection 2018 $17 Richly spiced, featur-
ing well-knit, medium-grained flavors of pear, apricot and
peach. Plush and creamy on the finish, with pastry notes.
Drink now. 5,000 cases made.—K.M.
88 Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros 2018 $38
Plush and spicy, with concentrated ripe apple and pear
flavors, ladled with buttery notes. The creamy finish of-
fers peach tart accents. Drink now. 220,000 cases
made.—K.M.
88 Toad Hollow Chardonnay Mendocino County
Unoaked Francine’s Selection 2018 $15 Fruity,
with well-knit flavors of red peach, ripe pear and Fuji ap- displays minerally cut to the vibrant
ple. Custardy notes show on the finish, along with plenty
of spice details. Drink now. 50,000 cases made.—K.M.
87 Ballard Lane Chardonnay Central Coast 2018
$13 Juicy, with minerally hints to the dried pear and
baked apple flavors. Spicy finish. Drink now. 12,103 cases
made.—K.M.
87 Husch Chardonnay Mendocino 2018 $15
Hints of richness accent the buttery and ripe white fruit
flavors, flanked by lemon meringue notes that linger on
the finish. Drink now. 11,882 cases made.—K.M.
87 Maddalena Chardonnay Monterey 2017 $18
This offers lively apple and green pear flavors, accented
by light spicy and oaky nuances. Subtle honeyed notes
show on the finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.—K.M.
87 Oak Grove Chardonnay California Family Re-
serve 2018 $9 See Best Values, page 104.
86 Simple Life Chardonnay California 2018 $13
This offers notes of dried wild herb to the crunchy goose-
berry and green apple flavors. Citrus accents show on the
finish. Drink now. 13,500 cases made.—K.M.
Merlot & Blends
93 Behrens Family Front Man Napa Valley 2016
$90 Polished, with focused red berry and currant fla-
vors, flanked by dried green herbal accents. The minerally
finish lingers with notes of hot stone and spice. Merlot
and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2024. 248
cases made.—K.M.
92 Shafer TD-9 Napa Valley 2017 $60 Rich
and full of dense and spicy dark plum, dried blackberry
and mocha flavors. Dark chocolate and smoky notes show
on the ripe finish, with dried savory herbal accents. Mer-
lot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through
2023. 8,000 cases made.—K.M.
92 Vineyard 36 Foundation Napa Valley 2017
$55 A big, powerful style, with savory accents to the
dense dark fruit and Asian spice flavors, featuring plenty
of dried green herbal notes. Intense slate details and pep-
pery elements show on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet
Sauvignon. Drink now through 2025. 250 cases
made.—K.M.
91 Swanson Merlot Napa Valley 2017 $32
Creamy and rich-tasting, featuring plush dark fruit, Asian
spice and forest floor flavors. Sanguine accents show mid-
palate, with notes of cinnamon bark on the finish. Drink
now through 2024. 4,000 cases made.—K.M.
90 Raymond Merlot Napa Valley Reserve Selec-
tion 2017 $24 Dense, featuring mocha and spice notes
to the ripe dark fruit flavors. Cocoa bean hints linger on
the rich finish, with plenty of chocolate accents. Drink
now through 2023. 4,053 cases made.—K.M.
89 Beaulieu Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley 2017
$25 Lively, with plenty of snap to the red currant, roasted
plum and brambly flavors. Intensely spicy on the savory
finish, revealing notes of chocolate and mocha. Drink
now through 2023. 3,830 cases made.—K.M.
89 Kirkland Signature Red Blend Napa Valley
2016 $11 Dried cherry and red berry flavors are joined
by savory accents in this brambly version. The spicy fin-
ish is clean and crisp. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit
Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through
2023. 28,000 cases made.—K.M.
89 Charles Krug Merlot
Napa Valley 2016 $25 This red
red berry and cherry flavors. Choco-
late and cream notes fill the juicy
finish, with hot stone accents.
Drink now through 2024. 6,460 PETER MONDAVI
cases made.—K.M. Owner
JAN. 31 – FEB. 29, 2020 • WINE SPECTATOR 125