{"id":10251,"date":"2020-05-14T10:29:37","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T17:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10251"},"modified":"2020-05-14T14:24:25","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T21:24:25","slug":"insider-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10251","title":{"rendered":"Insider Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Insider Picks from Touring & Tasting, Spring\/Summer 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

2017 Brecon Estate<\/a>\u00a0Adelaida Reserve\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Made from the oldest Paso Robles\u00a0Cabernet vines, this wine offers\u00a0an exquisite spectrum of flavors\u00a0and broad mouthfeel. Savor the\u00a0deep, mysterious hues and dark\u00a0forest fruit undertones with layered\u00a0aromatics you can lose yourself in\u00a0for hours. $74<\/p>\n

2017 Empire Estate<\/a>\u00a0Dry Riesling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vintages are a true variable in\u00a0the Finger Lakes, in the Old World\u00a0sense. The year 2017 delivered one\u00a0of the coolest, longest\u00a0growing seasons in well over\u00a0a decade, resulting in the best\u00a0vintage for Riesling since the\u00a0storied 2008. $20<\/p>\n

2017 2Hawk<\/a>\u00a0Darow Series Malbec<\/strong><\/p>\n

An elegantly balanced, profoundly\u00a0textural and sophisticated Malbec\u00a0from Medford, Oregon, aged in\u00a0French oak for 20 months, this\u00a0award-winning wine shows a\u00a0density of fruit paired to a delicacy\u00a0of perfume and the kind of structure\u00a0that will easily allow it to age\u00a0through 2027. $49<\/p>\n

2018 Materra\u00a0Cunat Family Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/p>\n

This refreshing and bright Sauvignon\u00a0Blanc from the Oak Knoll\u00a0District of Napa Valley is an explosion\u00a0of fruit fragrances such as\u00a0passionfruit, guava and pear, with\u00a0Florida citrus aromas of orange\u00a0blossom and jasmine also apparent\u00a0on the nose. $25<\/p>\n

2009 Dunham Cellars<\/a>\u00a0Founders Blend<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Columbia Valley wine sourced\u00a0from the Lewis Estate Vineyard\u00a0was created to commemorate\u00a0Dunham Cellars\u2019 late founders\u00a0as the winery enters its 25th\u00a0anniversary year in 2020. The blend\u00a0of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and\u00a0Syrah is truly as special as the men\u00a0it honors. $95<\/p>\n

2016 Heringer Estates\u00a0<\/a>Barbera<\/strong><\/p>\n

This delightful medium-bodied\u00a0Italian red has been aged for 24\u00a0months in French and American\u00a0oak. The aromas and flavors of\u00a0leather, tobacco, black cherry,\u00a0currant and fig make this double\u00a0gold award-winning wine an\u00a0excellent choice. $31<\/p>\n

2015 Lions Peak<\/a> Lionnesse<\/strong><\/p>\n

A classic Bordeaux blend of\u00a040 percent Cabernet Sauvignon,\u00a040 percent Merlot and 20 percent\u00a0Cabernet Franc from one of the\u00a0oldest boutique vineyards in the\u00a0Paso Robles AVA, this bottle has a\u00a0long, lingering smooth finish that\u00a0will continue to develop for many\u00a0years. $65<\/p>\n

2017 DANCIN Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0\u2018Onore\u2019 Rogue Valley\u00a0Barbera<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fragrant notes of blackberry, raspberry\u00a0and black currant weave\u00a0between scents of cedar and\u00a0vanilla in this enticing red. This\u00a0wine, with its young tannins and\u00a0lofty fruit, is quite approachable\u00a0and will also soften and evolve with\u00a0additional aging. $39<\/p>\n

Mawby <\/a>Blanc\u00a0Sparkling Brut<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lively on the palate with a light,\u00a0clean finish, this multi-vintage\u00a0bubbly blend is produced from\u00a0Chardonnay and Riesling grapes\u00a0from Michigan\u2019s Leelanau\u00a0Peninsula appellation. $25<\/p>\n

2016 Epiphany<\/a> Revelation<\/strong><\/p>\n

A classic Rh\u00f4ne blend of 56\u00a0percent Grenache and 44 percent\u00a0Syrah sourced 100 percent from\u00a0Rodney\u2019s Vineyard on the Fess\u00a0Parker Home Ranch in Los Olivos,\u00a0California, Revelation offers a\u00a0balanced complement of red fruit\u00a0flavors and spice. $49<\/p>\n

2013 Boudreaux\u00a0Cellars<\/a> Reserve\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loaded with elegance and power,\u00a0this full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon\u00a0shows skillful precision and\u00a0balance on the palate. With just\u00a0300 cases bottled from fruit from\u00a0two prestigious Washington state\u00a0vineyards (Loess Vineyard in Walla\u00a0Walla Valley and Champoux Vineyard\u00a0in Horse Heaven Hills), get this\u00a0special wine while you can. $125<\/p>\n

2016 McGrail Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0James Vincent\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Named for James Vincent McGrail,\u00a0McGrail Vineyards\u2019 late founder,\u00a0this esteemed wine has opulent\u00a0dark red fruit on the front and soft,\u00a0lingering tannins on the finish. It\u2019s\u00a0elegant and balanced, but still a\u00a0bold, classic California Cabernet\u00a0big enough to pair with a juicy\u00a0steak. $79<\/p>\n

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Insider Picks from Touring & Tasting, Spring\/Summer 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

2016 Robert Mondavi\u00a0Winery<\/a> I Block Fum\u00e9 Blanc<\/strong><\/p>\n

The treasured I Block Fum\u00e9\u00a0Blanc is created from a site in\u00a0Napa Valley\u2019s Oakville AVA that is\u00a0believed to be the oldest Sauvignon\u00a0Blanc vineyard in North America.\u00a0This limited-quantity, high-demand\u00a0wine is vibrantly fresh and velvety\u00a0smooth, with flavors that linger\u00a0luxuriously on the palate. $90<\/p>\n

2013 Mumm Napa<\/a>\u00a0DVX Ros\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n

This prestigious t\u00eate de cuv\u00e9e,\u00a0honoring Mumm Napa\u2019s founding\u00a0winemaker Guy Devaux, is crafted\u00a0of equal parts Chardonnay and\u00a0Pinot Noir from fewer than a dozen\u00a0of their best Napa Valley vineyard\u00a0lots. It\u2019s an exceptionally elegant\u00a0sparkling wine that\u2019s perfect for\u00a0celebrations. $80<\/p>\n

2015 Peju <\/a>Cabernet\u00a0Sauvignon Reserve<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expressive and powerful, this\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon is a paradigm\u00a0of Rutherford Cabs, with lush\u00a0aromas of vanilla and black cherry,\u00a0accompanied by earthly notes of\u00a0thyme, leather and cigar box, and\u00a0exquisite flavors of cassis, cherry\u00a0and toffee. $144<\/p>\n

2015 Monticello Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0CORLEY Reserve\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

This rich, full and complex Napa\u00a0Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has\u00a0been Monticello\u2019s flagship wine\u00a0since its first bottling in 1982. Luscious,\u00a0powerful and richly textured,\u00a0this wine shows nice consistency\u00a0and balance throughout the entire\u00a0experience. This full-bodied Cab is\u00a0ready to drink but also a bottle that\u00a0will age gracefully for 20 or more\u00a0years. $90<\/p>\n

2016 Calm\u00e9re Estate Winery<\/a>\u00a0Reserve Pinot Noir<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Napa Valley Pinot Noir is highlighted\u00a0by notes of leather, caramel\u00a0and ripe blackberry on the nose.\u00a0Flavors of baking spice, boysenberry\u00a0and toasted caramel mingle\u00a0with silky tannins and a smooth\u00a0finish for an elegant and expressive\u00a0wine. $65<\/p>\n

2016 Robert Hall<\/a>\u00a0Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

The intense dark ruby red color of\u00a0this Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon\u00a0is reflective of this full-bodied,\u00a0flavorful wine. Black currant and\u00a0hints of cedar, spice and cocoa\u00a0aromas combine with the rich\u00a0flavors of ripe fruit, dark chocolate\u00a0and anise. $20<\/p>\n

2015 St. Sup\u00e9ry\u00a0<\/a>Cabernet Sauvignon\u00a0Dollarhide Vineyard<\/strong><\/p>\n

With rich, opulent aromas of ripe\u00a0black plum, currant, blackberry,\u00a0anise, espresso and toasted oak,\u00a0as well as a subtle thread of cr\u00e8me\u00a0br\u00fbl\u00e9e and flavors of cassis, plum,\u00a0espresso, mocha and molasses,\u00a0this highly rated, structured wine\u00a0has a medium-bodied palate and\u00a0excellent fine-grained tannins.\u00a0$100<\/p>\n

2016 Vina Robles<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>Petite Sirah<\/b><\/p>\n

This full-bodied Paso Robles wine\u00a0opens with aromas of ripe boysenberry\u00a0and cola, followed by flavors\u00a0of dark berries and creamy tannins\u00a0with a long, rich finish. A delicious,\u00a0creamy wine, it has incredible\u00a0richness but a soft texture that\u2019s\u00a0perfect with grilled meats. $46<\/p>\n

2017\u00a0Arcturos <\/a>Semi-Dry Riesling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ripe flavors of white peach and\u00a0pear are backed by crisp acidity\u00a0and a hint of sweetness in this\u00a0Riesling from Black Star Farms\u00a0in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The\u00a0harmonious result is a wine to\u00a0please both diners who are seeking\u00a0the perfect food pairing and casual\u00a0sippers. $14<\/p>\n

2014 Tara Bella<\/a> Reserve\u00a0<\/b>Cabernet Sauvignon<\/b><\/p>\n

At first sight, garnet color greets\u00a0you. The first scent is the aromas\u00a0of vanilla and black cherry with\u00a0luscious oak barrel accents.\u00a0With the first sip comes the rich\u00a0velvety texture, and tannins entice\u00a0you to move forward through the\u00a0layers of dark currants, spice and\u00a0berries and an excellent\u00a0long finish. $80<\/p>\n

2017 Rusack<\/a> Santa\u00a0<\/b>Catalina Island Vineyards\u00a0<\/b>Chardonnay<\/b><\/p>\n

Santa Catalina Island\u2019s El Rancho\u00a0Escondido was founded by Alison\u00a0Wrigley Rusack\u2019s family in 1930 as\u00a0a working Arabian horse ranch.\u00a0This 95 point-rated bottle represents\u00a0Alison and Geoff Rusack\u2019s\u00a0longstanding dream to plant a small\u00a0vineyard on the site of their first\u00a0date, overlooking the ocean where\u00a0horses once grazed. $60<\/p>\n

2016\u00a0Moshin\u00a0Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>Pinot Noir, Estate<\/b><\/p>\n

A true Russian River Valley classic,\u00a0this double gold award-winning\u00a0Pinot Noir is a bottle that\u00a0harmoniously expresses everything\u00a0there is to love about the famed\u00a0Sonoma County appellation, packing\u00a0aromatic layers of soft floral,\u00a0red currant, black cherry, baking\u00a0spices and hints of fresh tea leaf\u00a0and cola. $59<\/p>\n

2014 Sparkling\u00a0<\/a><\/b>Pointe<\/a> Seduction<\/b><\/p>\n

Winner of the Best in Class &\u00a0National Champion Award at the\u00a02019 Champagne & Sparkling\u00a0Wine World Championships, this\u00a0estate-grown, 100 percent Chardonnay\u00a0sparkling wine is produced\u00a0exclusively in the traditional\u00a0M\u00e9thode Champenoise in the North\u00a0Fork of Long Island, New York. It\u2019s\u00a0an authentic expression of the land\u00a0and the winemaker\u2019s finesse. $68<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Originally published in the spring\/summer 2020 issue of Touring & Tasting<\/a>. Click here to read this story and more! TT-SP20.digital<\/a><\/p>\n

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