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Reviews for 2023

February 2023 - US Red & White Bordeaux Varietals

February 2023 - US Red & White Bordeaux Varietals
This month's Wine feature is US Red & White Bordeaux Varietals Wines

US Red & White Bordeaux Varietals Reviews

Spangler 2019 Rogue Valley Claret Southern Oregon
95 points
$29
Lush and fruity with excellent structure while still being approachable right now; the Right Bank might be getting some competition from OR.
Spangler 2019 Griffin Creek Carmenere
95 points
$35
Lush and flavorful with waves of red and black fruit plus elegant touches of chocolate.
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled Merlot
94 points
$18
Best Buy
A lovely fruit forward Merlot with savory herbs and delicate oak treatment in an Old World style.
94 points $18 Best Buy
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2019 Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc
94 points
$23
Fruity and savory with excellent structure, this wine would make an excellent picnic companion with a rare roast beef sandwich.
Spangler 2019 Sundown Cabernet Franc
94 points
$29
Ripe and a touch decadent, this bright Cabernet Franc will pair nicely with an Italian beef with spicy peppers.
Seven Rings 2019  Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$34
Rich and robust red fruits stand out on the nose and carry over to the palate, and the finish is strong; would encourage decanting or cellaring to enjoy on a special occasion.
Seven Rings 2020  Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$39
Integrated acid and tannins with bold black fruit make for a deliciously pleasing bottle to pop this weekend with red meats from the smoker.
Spangler 2020  Petit Verdot
94 points
$39
Rarely seen as a single varietal, this expression shows the rich floral, savory, and purple fruit tones that are great in a blend and more than good enough to be enjoyed independently.
Lobo 2020 Wulff Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$80
A big and brooding Napa Cabernet bursting with floral aromas and balanced with mild dark fruit flavors that is ready for drinking today with a light decant.
AvinoDos 2018 Founders Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$120
Powerful and lush red and black fruits with layers of oak that will integrate and show best with years in cellar.
Vineyard {511} 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$149
Powerful fruit with both complexity and intensity of flavors and aromas, this Cabernet will improve with a decade of cellar aging.
Cannonball 2020  Merlot
93 points
$16
Best Buy
A lush and juicy Merlot that makes for an excellent table wine.
93 points $16 Best Buy
Armstrong Valley Winery 2019 Estate Reserve Red Blend Pennsylvania
93 points
$23
A fresh, fun and fruity take on an old world style; easy drinking and fruit forward yet can hold up to select dinner entrees.
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2019 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$23
Well balanced fruit and acid with moderate alcohol and grippy tannins that will soften with time and pair well with a roast.
Pedroncelli 2020 Three Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$24
Vibrant Cabernet with an excellent use of blending to highlight savory herbal tones and chocolate covered coconut undercurrents.
True Oak Estate 2019  Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$39
Excellent quality of red and black fruit with delicately balanced oak and bright savory herbs; nice to drink now and well worth having this develop in cellar.
AvinoDos 2018  Malbec
93 points
$42
Rich, concentrated and bursting with ripe fruits, this will pair well with any rich meat off the grill.
AvinoDos 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$95
A very good wine with the potential for excellence with cellaring and decanting but showing all of the right stuff in this youthful stage.
Levendi 2020 Symphonia Red Blend Napa Valley
93 points
$117
A lush, juicy, and delicious example of New World fruit balanced with Old World savory elements.
Pedroncelli 2020 Bench Vineyards Merlot
92 points
$24
Classic Merlot is really just a thing of beauty and it's a shame that so many people overlook it; don't miss this one.
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Organically Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$34
A pleasingly minty and fresh style of Cabernet that is very well integrated with a balanced palate and good persistence.
Basalt Cellars 2020 Bacchus Vineyard Block 9-C Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$46
Rich flavors of chocolate and coffee on the nose carry over to the palate with hints of dark fruit and charred oak; this wine is a great dinner companion.
Wine Spots 2021  Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$49
Rich bake shop spices on the nose that carry over to the palate with concentrated fruit undertones and chocolate essence.
AvinoDos 2017 Two Barrel Reserve Malbec
92 points
$52
Baked fruit, chocolate sauce, and rich oaky baking spices make for a Malbec expression turned up to 11.
Vezer Family Vineyard 2020 Jude Estate Merlot
92 points
$120
A steakhouse Merlot for the patron that wants a big, bold, and fruity wine that can stand up to a rich steak and carry over to dessert.
Vezer Family Vineyard 2019 Gabrielle Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
$150
A very big wine both toothsome and delicious that would pair with a mole skirt steak.
Gordon Estate 2020 Reserve Malbec
91 points
$35
A rich and flavorsome Malbec showing ripe, lush fruit and warm tannins that will pair well with dry aged, grass fed beef.
Monte De Oro 2018 Deportola Vineyard Merlot
91 points
$35
Big and juicy red fruit flavors that will stand up to a rich beef roast.
McGrail Vineyards 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$49
A beautifully made Cabernet showing silken textures of black fruits, mocha and baking spices.
Smith Wooton 2020 Flinn Vineyard Cabernet Franc
91 points
$55
Juicy and bright showing a riper and more fruit forward style that should win new fans for Cabernet Franc.
McGrail Vineyards 2019 James Vincent Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
$79
Rich and oaky with good fruit but will benefit greatly from cellar time to integrate.
Pedroncelli 2020 Block 007 Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$36
A depth of fruit with some savory and earthy tones that would accompany a roast and root vegetables splendidly.
Wine Spots 2021  Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$49
Rich dried fruits and cocoa bordering on dessert wine aromas but with a dry palate; pair with skirt steak and mole sauce.
McGrail Vineyards 2019 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$54
Fruity and herbaceous, this is a friendly wine to pop for dinner this evening with potential to improve with three to five years of aging.
Armstrong Valley Winery 2020 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$25
Dry and firm on the palate, this wine would pair well with a cheese steak.
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2019 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$29
Crisp acidity and savory flavors balancing the fruit make this an excellent companion for grilled meats and vegetables.
True Oak Estate 2020 Red Blend Napa Valley
89 points
$34
A very approachable and food friendly Merlot forward blend with vibrant New World fruit.
Spangler 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$49
Drink now with a vigorous decant; curious to see this develop with age as some Old World structural elements will likely add longevity and balance to the fruit.
Vezer Family Vineyard 2020 Lizzy Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$65
A deep, dark new world red wine that screams for a hearty steak dinner.
Arrington Vineyards 2021 Kinzley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
$22
Simple and clean fruit flavors with vibrant acidity that would make a crowd pleasing aperitif.
DH Lescombes 631 Signature Series 2021  Merlot
88 points
$22
A medium weight carries this fruit forward expression of Merlot, accompanied by bramble berry with cassis and a slight sage lift.
Arrington Vineyards 2020 Russell Family Select Merlot
88 points
$30
A charming option when you are looking for something lighter and fruitier to pair with your bbq pulled pork.
Vino Bambino 2017 Left Bank Chateau Red Blend Lake County
88 points
$35
A solid and versatile Bordeaux blend that would make a great sipper at home for a weekend dinner as well as a solid BTG at the steak house.
Monte De Oro 2018  Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$42
A lovely blend with Cab leading the way that will play well with many rich dishes.
McGrail Vineyards 2019 A Jo Elet The Good Life Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$59
A bright style of Cabernet with nice sinewy tannins; ripe Cabernet flavors resolve to cigar box, sage, and baking spices.
Longboard Vineyards 2019 Mavericks Chrome Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
$75
Rich and decadent now with potential to shine when it opens up with some decanting or years in cellar.
Armstrong Valley Winery 2021 Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
87 points
$18
A richly bodied Sauvignon Blanc with a good mid palate persistence; try with scallops, ceviche, or fish with a lemon caper sauce.
True Oak Vineyards 2021  Sauvignon Blanc
87 points
$19
Tropical, refreshing, and juicy for a very approachable and easy drinking wine.
Armstrong Valley Winery 2020 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc
87 points
$25
A plush and slightly oaky version of Cabernet Franc that should appeal to California wine drinkers.
Bright Leaf Vineyard NV Estate Bottled Red Blend No. 2 Finger Lakes
87 points
$25
Complex earthy flavors balanced by ripe fruit undertones, this wine is smack in the middle of traditional old world flavors and new world freshness.
DH Lescombes 2018 Limited Release Cabernet Franc
87 points
$48
A pleasant and fruity expression that is a touch hot and will show best with food.
McGrail Vineyards 2018 Picazo Vineyard Merlot
87 points
$48
A pleasant and easy going Merlot that will do very well as a BTG.
Arrington Vineyards 2020  Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
$30
Fruity and savory with a touch of alcohol heat that will cut through rich smoked meats.
Monte De Oro 2018 Simplexity Red Meritage
86 points
$43
A lively red fruit juice bomb that will be a hit at your next family grill out.
Save Me, San Francisco 2019 Limited Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
$50
This is a big wine in every way and would pair well with a smoked brisket sandwich.
Spangler 2019  Malbec
85 points
$29
In the world of Malbec, this is it's own thing, intensely floral; pair with a heavily spiced braised short rib.
DH Lescombes 2017 Limited Release Petit Verdot
85 points
$48
Interesting and food friendly, particularly with a mole or savory chocolate dessert.
Longboard Vineyards 2019 Mystos Malbec
85 points
$48
A big and juicy Malbec that will be right at home with a backyard bbq.
DH Lescombes 2016 Limited Release Petit Verdot
83 points
$48
Chocolate covered red fruits with a hint of Brandy for dessert in your glass.
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