( 91 ) Montecillo Riserva Tempranillo ( Spain ). Established in 1870 , these folks have been pioneers in bringing the best of Spain to America . Sourcing older vines helps yield concentrated flavor . Very regimented fermentation combines the best of Old World and New World techniques ( stainless and concrete tanks ) The magic happens in the aging to achieve the reserva status . Twenty-four months in mainly French oak is followed by 24 months of bottle aging . Beautiful ruby coloring in the glass leads to red fruit notes . Rich and elegant , with touches of espresso and vanilla on the finish . Incredible value for a wine of the pedigree . ($ 20.99 )
( 90 ) Oak Ridge Estate Cabernet 2020 ( CA ). Located between the Sierra Foothills and San Francisco Bay , this is a wine for rich and fruit-forward cabernet lovers . The decadent mouthfeel is almost port-like with notes of sweet cedar , blackberry , earth and ripe red fruits . ($ 16.99 )
( 90 ) Forever Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 ( CA ). A chardonnay made for those who enjoy the oaky style with a creamy finish . This wine is bright yellow in color , full-bodied with vanilla , nutmeg and baking spice notes . ($ 15.99 )
( 90 ) Roccalta Chianti DOCG 2022 ( Italy ). Approachable and easy drinking chianti . Fruity and intense aromas with the typical notes of orange peel and tart cherry that follow through on the palate . Toasted oak barrel and balanced tannins give this wine a balanced structure and finish . ($ 9.99 )
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( 90 ) Routestock Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ( CA ). An elegant balance of black fruit is balanced with hints of stone fruit . The juicy fruit and slightly firm tannins all tie in with a hint of vanilla and gentle yet satisfying finale . ($ 29 )
( 90 ) Pradorey " Sr . Nino " Tempranillo 2022 ( Spain ). A dark purple tone , with high-intensity inviting aromatics that lead to juicy , fruit and plummy notes on this festive and fun wine . Organically farmed , with carbonic maceration that brings liveliness to its style . ($ 25 )
( 89 ) Decoy Limited Chardonnay 2022 ( CA ). Duckhorn continues to fine-tune the Decoy portfolio with this offering . Shared winemaking expertise and great contracts and estate sourcing yield spectacular results . Stainless-steel aging then light oak aging and malolactic fermentation maintains the purity of the fruit . Kiwi , lemon and butterscotch notes dominate . Light oak and balanced acidity lead to a smooth finish with a hint of eucalyptus . Great for that spring picnic , with cold grilled chicken . ($ 29.99 )
( 89 ) La Crema Pinot Noir 2022 ( CA ). This winery was a huge factor in bringing pinot Noir to the masses . A wellmade product at an attractive price with consistent quality from vintage to vintage — not an easy feat with this fickle grape . The cool Sonoma Coast AVAs yielded intense , concentrated flavors . Mainly handpicked fruit underwent cold soak and open tank fermentation . Aging was in French oak for six months . Beautiful combination of classic European style
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with vibrant California fruit . Rich fruit aromas of plum and cherry highlight the rich color and soft finish . A great value for the pinot category . ($ 28.99 )
( 89 ) Mary Taylor Cote de Gascogne 2020 ( France ). A blend of indigenous white varietals : colombard , gros manseng , ugni blanc and a dash of sauvignon blanc . A juicy , floral , citrus-inflected crisp white from Southwestern France . ($ 11.99 )
( 88 ) Altocedro Malbec 2021 ( Argentina ). When looking for value , Argentina has the market cornered . A ripe and dark-fruited , powerful Malbec with dusty tannins . Named after the large cedar trees on the property . ($ 16 )
( 88 ) Mar de Frades Rias Baixas D . O . Albarino 2022 ( Spain ). This is the white cousin to the famed tempranillo grapes of Spain . Sourced from the cool coastal climate of the Atlantic , this wine reflects both the terroir and the cuisine of the region . Meticulous natural farming techniques result in a soft style with light acidity . Floral notes of wildflowers mingle with light minerality and hints of lime and mint . This is a true discovery wine not that far off the beaten path . A classic pairing with fish and shellfish , especially classic paellas . ($ 26.99 )
( 88 ) Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2022 ( CA ). Founded in 1880 , this storied winery has been producing great wines for over 140 years . This entry tier offers exceptional value . Winemaker Derek Irwin shows his skills , sourcing from cool and warm climate vineyard sources to achieve great balance
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between zippy acidity and rich tropical smoothness . 100 % stainless-steel fermentation and a touch of viognier offer up great aromatics and purity of fruit . Wonderful pairing with Clams Casino appetizer . ($ 14.99 )
( 88 ) Ramon Bilbao Verdejo 2022 ( Spain ). A great example of the crop of “ discovery ” wines from Spain . Higher-altitude sourcing from estate grapes yields vibrant herbaceous fruit . Beautiful yellow / green color highlights the soft floral notes with citrus hints . Fennel and fresh-cut grass notes add to the appeal . Medium-bodied with zippy acidity . Great wine to welcome the arrival of spring ! ($ 17.99 )
( 87 ) Andre Brunel Grenache 2021 ( France ). The Brunel family has been making wine in the Rhone region of France for five generations , and this value offering combines this expertise with the grapes from the Vin de Pays region in the southern Rhone . Old vine grenache is blended with 10 % mouvedre . Natural winemaking ( concrete-tank fermentation ) is combined with a new-age eco approach ( no chemicals ). Fresh and vibrant with very balanced tannins and acidity . A great way to explore red wines beyond ABC ( anything but cabernet ). Great pairing with shepherd ’ s pie . ($ 14.99 ) •
WINE PANEL If you are a beverage professional with a specialty in wine who is interested in participating in the panel , please contact Editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz @ epgacceleration . com .
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