Winery
of the Week:
Benovia - Sonoma County, Ca
While
many wineries tout their most important ingredient
as their terroir, their grapes, or their techniques, the word
that's used again and again at Benovia is fun.
Sure, they expect a lot of themselves and strive to make excellent
wine, but if there's no fun to be had while doing it, what's
the point, right?
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Benovia
2013 Chardonnay
Winery:
Benovia
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of peaches, pears, and apricots meld with suggestions
of vanilla, spice, and citrus zest on the nose. A sip
delivers flavors of ripe peach, crisp pear, and ripe apricot
that flow into whispers of creamy oak, Asian spice, and
orange rind. A Chardonnay with bright fruit and a welcoming
acidity, open a bottle with some juicy pork chops. 1,580
cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Benovia
2013 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Benovia
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
A bouquet of raspberries, boysenberries, clove, and earth
rises up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors of
black cherry and raspberry that flow into nuances of cola
and spice. Inviting fruit and plush tannins endear this
wine to roast duck. 2,200 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Benovia
2013 "Martella" Pinot Noir
Winery:
Benovia
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Aromatics of strawberries, cherries, and raspberries come
together with hints of clove, cola, and spice on the nose.
With a sip, flavors of black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry
flow into nuances of minerals, cola, and sweet spice.
Offering elegant tannins and graceful flavors, its a Pinot
that's ideal to sip on its own. 446 cases produced
Rating: 89 |
|
Benovia
2013 Tilton Hill" Pinot Noir
Winery:
Benovia
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Russian River Valley,
California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Fragrances of cherries, strawberries, plums, and cola
greet the senses. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry
emerge on the palate alongside notes of cola, spice, and
earth. Light and silky with refined tannins, match it
up with grilled salmon. 492 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years
|