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Wines
of the Week: 90 Point Sips from Sonoma County
Sonoma
County is famous for its wine and, while one can spend a small
fortune on bottles from the area, one doesn't need to shell
out more than $25 to enjoy 90 point bottles. Here are a handful
of wines from the region our tasting panel enjoyed:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Matanzas
Creek 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Matanzas
Creek
Grape(s): 93.5%
Sauvignon Blanc & 6.5% Semillon
Region: Sonoma
County,
California
Year:
2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of lime, pineapple, minerals, and wild grass
greets the senses. Flavors of citrus fruits, pineapples,
and melons come together among nuances of bell pepper
and minerals on the palate. Crisp, with a fairly lively
acidity, open a bottle when you enjoy a shrimp stir fry.
Rating: 90 |
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Carol
Shelton 2014 "Karma Reserve"
Winery:
Carol Shelton
Grape(s): 70%
Zin 14% Petite Sirah, 6% Alicante Bouschet, 6% Cab, 2%
Carignane & 2% Viognier
Region:
Sonoma County, California
Year:2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of blueberries, blackberries, spicy oak, and
chocolate rises up from a glass. Ripe blackberry and blueberry
flavors are accented by elements of nutmeg, black pepper,
and dark chocolate on the palate. Satiny tannins frame
the wine well, and a good balance of flavors show its
fine crafting.
Rating: 90 |
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Hook
& Ladder 2017 Chardonnay
Winery:
Hook & Ladder
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma
County, California
Year: 2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
The noses offers up aromas of pears, peaches, buttered
popcorn, and vanilla. On the palate, flavors of peach,
pear, and lemon come together with allusions of buttery
toasty and vanilla. A balanced acidity and creaminess
make this a Chardonnay to enjoy with crab cakes.
Rating: 90 |
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Goldschmidt
"Singing Tree" 2016 Chardonnay
Winery:
Goldschmidt
Grape(s):
100% Chardonnay
Region:
Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County, California
Year: 2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Elements of peaches and tropical fruits meld with notes
of citrus peal and creamy vanilla on the nose. The palate
takes shape with flavors of passion fruit, peach, and
tangerine flowing into suggestions of vanilla and brown
spice. Balanced and bright, it's a fine value for Chardonnay
drinkers who prefer a cleaner, less buttery style.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
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