The Goldilocks Vintage: California Wines from 2012

Katie Myers
Features
3 min read
With all the buzz around California’s 2013 harvest, it’s easy to forget that 2012 was pretty spectacular as well –and it’s hitting the wine shelves now. “2012 was a Goldilocks vintage,” said Alder Yarrow of Vinography and JancisRobinson.com fame, who presented the 2012 vintage, earlier this fall, in New York

2012 Stony Lonesome Estate Grüner Veltliner

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
What a fun wine. The nose shows Jolly Rancher watermelon candy and fresh apples, with a background of steel. Candied apples, baked pears, and white pepper all come through on the palate. Watermelon comes back on the finish. It has a good acid backbone from which to hang all the

2012 John Duval “Plexus” White Blend

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
This is a floral treat from John Duval, the former Chief Winemaker at Penfolds. A bowl of aromatic white flowers blow up from the glass, followed by poached pear. The palate is just as floral. Magnolias and citrus blossoms, with poached pears, make up the initial flavors on the palate.

2010 Stoller Reserve Pinot Noir

Becky Sue Epstein
Wine Reviews
1 min read
A tinge of earthiness in the aroma gives us a clue that this is not a purely New World pinot noir, though it comes from Oregon. The classic earthy Burgundy element persists on the palate too. Red and black fruit intermingle, and oak-aging provides structure without hindering the flavors.  Moderate

2010 Ginkgo Forest Vineyard “Gingko Red” Red Blend

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Vanilla, pepper, and chocolate covered cherries are on the nose. Black cherries lead on the palate, with the chocolate following from behind, hand in hand with cassis and tomato leaf. Black pepper underlies everything, and smoke meat sneaks through on the finish. Drink with pulled pork. Recommended. 87. WHO: Ginkgo Forest

2010 Canyon Wind Petit Verdot

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
This offers aromas of black cherry, plum, and vanilla. The leading flavor on the palate is elderberry, a deep black fruit. It is lifted around the edges by raspberry, sweetened with fig paste, and spiced with nutmeg, pepper, and soy. There is a real umami undercurrent that makes it special.

2008 Ceja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
This is a velvet blanket of a wine. Blackcurrant, black cherries, and pepper waft up from the glass. Mulberry pairs with  cranberry to offer the alpha and omega of Cabernet Sauvignon, rich black fruits for depth and fresh red fruits for tart brightness. Pepper, eucalyptus, and mint come through on