ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE.
93pts 2005 LOUIS MARTINI LOT 1 NAPA Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) "The star of this portfolio... The wine boasts fabulous fruit, a full bodied mouth feel, layers of glycerin and richness, and a tremendously long finish. This is a superb wine."
92pts 2006 RANCHO ZABACO MONTE ROSSO SONOMA Zinfandel ($45) "The brilliant [Monte Rosso Zinfandel]... with abundant amounts of exuberant red and black fruits, ..."
(90-92pts) 2006 LOUIS MARTINI MONTE ROSSO SONOMA Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) barrel sample. "looks to be outstanding"
91pts 2005 MacMURRAY RANCH RUSSIAN RIVER WINEMAKERS BLOCK Pinot Noir ($60) "The brilliant [2005 Winemaker's Block] boasts a deep ruby/purple hue... full body, good acidity and a layer mouthfeel..."
91pts 2006 GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS BARELLI CREEK ALEXANDER VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) "A brilliant effort... abundant aromas in a full-bodied, rich, concentrated, yet silky-textured style. This flamboyant, mouth-filling Cabernet should easily last 10-15 years."
90pts 2007 FREI BROTHERS RESERVE RUSSIAN RIVER Sauvignon Blanc ($20) "Their outstanding 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is about as good as this variety can be."
90pts 2007 FREI BROTHERS RESERVE DRY CREEK Zinfandel ($20) "The wine is seamlessly constructed."
90pts 2006 GHOST PINES NAPA/SONOMA Cabernet Sauvignon ($23) "Another superb value... full-bodied, dense, nicely textured, silky Cabernet Sauvignon."
90pts 2007 GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS ESTATE FREI RANCH SONOMA Zinfandel ($30) "Excellent freshness, full-bodied power, and a deep, rich, concentrated mouthfeel."
THE WINE SPECTATOR.
94pts 2007 LOUIS MARTINI LOT 1 NAPA Cabernet Sauvignon ($100) "An Intense, concentrated and sharply focused red, exhibiting a pleasant spicy edge to the currant and blackberry flavors that are full-bodied, deep and persistent, turning elegant and sophisticated, with a lingering finish that sails on."-JL
91pts 2006 LOUIS M MARTINI MONTE ROSSO VINEYARD Cabernet Sauvignon ($85). "Sleek, refined and focused, built around a firm yet fleshy mix of black cherry, blackberry and wild berry character, with touches of black licorice, mineral and light cigar box-like oak. The finish is delicate."- J.L.
91pts 2005 LOUIS M MARTINI MONTE ROSSO VINEYARD Cabernet Sauvignon ($85). "A ripe, racy style, with zesty wild raspberry, black cherry and berry fruit that's intense, full bodied, sleek and focused, ending with a long, layered finish. Drink now through 2016. 2550 cases made."- J.L.
90pts 2006 LOUIS MARTINI LOT 1 NAPA Cabernet Sauvignon ($120) "Combines ripe berry, cherry and currant notes with tobacco leaf, cedar and mineral. Full-bodied, complex, focused and balanced, ending with tannins that give the flavors traction."-JL
_________________________________________________________________________
WINE ENTHUSIAST.
92pts 2010 EONIAN Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon ($45). "An inaugural release from veteran Napa winemaker Wayne Donaldson. The wine is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet, and shows the modern signature of ripe, smooth tannins and rich blackberry, cassis, chocolate and cedar flavors. Delicious now, it should hang in ther for six years." Steve Heimoff.
90pts 2010 STICKYBEAK Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc ($18). "Fruit is the star of this crisp wine. It bursts with pineapples and tangerines...." Steve Heimoff.
94pts 2005 LOUIS MARTINI LOT#1 NAPA VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon ($125). "Fantastically rich in blackberries, cherries, chocolate, anise, sandalwood and dusty spice..." Steve Heimoff.
92pts 2003 DOMAINE CHANDON RAMAL ROAD RESERVE Pinot Noir ($35). "It's a controlled explosion ofblack cherry, mocha, spice and char... Enormously attractive and sensual." Steve Heimoff.
92pts 2007 MacMURRAY RANCH WINEMAKERS BLOCK Pinot Noir ($50). "Easily the best MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir ever..." Steve Heimoff.
87pts 2007 ROUTESTOCK CELLARS NAPA VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon ($20). "Blackberry, black current and cedar flavors... Great value." Steve Heimoff.
____
WINES AND SPIRITS, YEARS BEST CABERNETS.
91pts 2005 LOUIS MARTINI RESERVE NAPA VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) "This lovely, gentle claret feels ripe and sunny with fresh cherry and blueberry flavors. The tannins have a black herb scent that adds to the wines richness
90pts 2004 LOUIS MARTINI MONTE ROSSO SONOMA VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) "The rich fruit of this wine is lush and fragrant, with super-ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors. The tannins hit that fruit with power, contrasting its gentleness with tougher, mountain-grown structure.
WINES AND SPIRITS, AMERICAN NEW RELEASES.
92pts 2006 MacMURRAY RANCH SONOMA COAST Pinot Noir ($25) "Delicate scents of rose and ripe strawberry integrate completely into the tannin, which carries a subtle earthy funk. The structure is focused along narrow line of acidity,..."
LAIN BRADFORD WINETALK.
2007 STARBOROUGH NEW ZEALAND MARLBOROUGH Sauvignon Blanc ($13) "Want a clean and crisp white, then grab a bottle or two of this winner... I meet this winemaker, Wayne Donaldson, seven years ago on a trip to California when he was winemaker for Chandon winery. He is a great person to talk wine with and has been making great wines everywhere he has worked.