This Week's Must-Try Wines

Welcome to this week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous! Each week we compile a list of wines from the Vinous database that you need to add to your wine wish list. With all the various regions, producers, and grapes, no week will be the same! All of the wines listed in this feature are available for purchase on Banquet . This week's must-try wines are from Antonio Galloni’s article, 2021 Sonoma Preview . Enjoy an excerpt from this article and reviews below! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "It’s far too early for me to have a complete view of the 2021 vintage in Sonoma County, but the wines I have tasted so far suggest this is a very good and possibly outstanding vintage. The best 2021s are deep, beautifully layered and highly expressive of site. Watch this space for updates in the coming weeks.” --Antonio Galloni, 2021 Sonoma Preview, January 2023 1. 2021 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heritage Sonoma Valley Red Blend 2. 2020 Ceritas Elliott Vineyard Pinot Noir 3. 2020 Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 4. 2019 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay 5. 2019 Maggy Hawk Jolie Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 6. 2020 Peay Vineyards Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 7. 2020 Raen Winery Cuvée Royal St. Robert Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 8. 2021 Ryme Cellars 'Hers' Las Brisas Vineyard Vermentino 9. 2020 Sandlands Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 10. 2021 Valravn Sonoma County Chardonnay

Ryme Cellars

'Hers' Las Brisas Vineyard Vermentino 2021

Delectable Wine
8.9

The 2021 Vermentino Las Brisas Hers is done in a bright, steely style that emphasizes freshness. Citrus peel, flowers and bright varietal character lend notable inner perfume to complement the wine's focused, vibrant personality. Partial malolactic fermentation and aging in neutral oak keep the flavors vibrant. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Hartford Court

Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2019 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard is another incredibly distinctive wine in this range. Candied ginger, passionfruit, lemon confit, white flowers and tangerine oil give this mid-weight Chardonnay tons of character. Bright acids lend freshness and verve to a Chardonnay that is very much on the exotic side of things. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon and Dawn liked this

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 2020

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2020 Red Wine (Contra Costa County) is notable because of its complexity. Nothing in particular stands out, all the elements are so harmoniously put together. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol are some of the notes that open with a bit of air, but more than anything, I admire the energy and delineation leading into a finish of real substance. The blend is 65% Carignane and 35% Mataro. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Valravn

Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021

Delectable Wine
8.8

The 2021 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is a tasty budget-friendly offering from Valravn. Orchard fruit, mint and light tropical notes are nicely lifted. This is very nicely done in its peer group. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Raen Winery

Cuvée Royal St. Robert Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2020 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert is a very pretty, nuanced wine. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, dried flowers, herbs and a kiss of orange zest all grace this mid-weight, beautifully perfumed Pinot. There is very slight touch of astringency in the tannin, but that is a very small critique for a Pinot that offers so much sensuality and pure class. This is an impressive showing from Raen. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Ceritas

Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Bailhache is a very pretty wine that balances mid-palate creaminess with a good bit of energy. Apricot, white peach, flowers and mint grace this nuanced, soft Sauvignon Blanc from Ceritas. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

The Bedrock Heritage Sonoma Valley Red Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2021 Bedrock Heritage Wine is a great expression of this site. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and tobacco are front and center. This dark, virile Zinfandel-based field blend packs a serious punch. There's plenty of detail and nuance behind all of that intensity. The 2021 is a big wine, but also less monolithic than some previous editions. There's a bit more whole cluster in the 2021 than in the past, so perhaps that explains the wine's nuance. The 2021 is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from the Bedrock vineyard, and I say that as someone who is not yet fully convinced of the potential here. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Peay Vineyards

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a lovely appellation-level wine. Crushed red berries, spice, floral top notes and a touch of blood orange give this tasty, ethereal Pinot a good bit of brightness and enough complexity to support fine drinking over the next few years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Maggy Hawk

Jolie Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2019 Pinot Noir Jolie is the most ethereal and lifted of these Pinots. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint and orange peel hover across the palate. Understated and classy to the core, the 2019 is impeccably balanced, not to mention a real charmer. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Ceritas

Elliott Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2021 Bedrock Heritage Wine is a great expression of this site. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and tobacco are front and center. This dark, virile Zinfandel-based field blend packs a serious punch. There's plenty of detail and nuance behind all of that intensity. The 2021 is a big wine, but also less monolithic than some previous editions. There's a bit more whole cluster in the 2021 than in the past, so perhaps that explains the wine's nuance. The 2021 is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from the Bedrock vineyard, and I say that as someone who is not yet fully convinced of the potential here. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Sharon liked this