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FIVE STARS
( 95 ) Lavinea ‘ Lazy River Vineyard ’ Chardonnay 2017 ( OR ). Willamette Valley is quickly becoming my go-to for spectacular chardonnay . Lavinea is making some of my favorite New World chardonnays . The winemaker is Isabelle Meunier ( Evening Land , Domaine Vougeraie and Felton Road ) who apprenticed under famed
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Bourgogne winemaker Dominique Lafon . This wine is 100 % chardonnay from Lazy River Vineyard , located in the Yamhill- Carlton AVA perched at the foothills of the Coast Range on a south-facing slope with red iron volcanic Jory soils . The wine aged in 20 % new French oak . This chardonnay is sneaky good . Flavors of ripe apple and lemon citrus hit the palate |
with medium intensity . The wine is linear , yet plush with hints of dried white flowers wafting throughout the palate with a backbone of minerality . The finish is light and fresh with hints of grilled nuts , crushed wet rocks and just a whiff of exotic spice . Yum ! ($ 34.99 )
( 94 ) L ’ Ecole No 41 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2019 ( WA ). You ’ d swear you
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( 94 ) Blue Rock Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ( CA ). Blue Rock is an all-estate-produced winery located in Sonoma ’ s Alexander Valley . The 2017 vintage was absolutely stunning with excellent depth and concentration . The winery is focused on showing the quality of terroir and offering balanced wines that reflect the soil . Blue Rock |
RATING SYSTEM |
Five stars ( 92-100 points ) A top-flight wine . Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price / value relationship . |
Four stars ( 86-91 points ) A superb wine and an excellent value . A wine for which customers will keep coming back . |
Three stars ( 80-85 points ) An above-average wine at a reasonable price point , one that many consumers will enjoy . |