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Virginie Boone

California Reviewer

Contributing reviewer Virginie Boone began her writing career wandering the world for Lonely Planet, contributing to guidebooks on South America, Northern California, France and America's Deep South. She figured it'd be just as much fun to write about her own backyard, Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino, and that led quite naturally to wine, a subject she's covered regularly for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, a New York Times regional newspaper. Her work also appears in Savor Wine Country Magazine and on zesterdaily.com; she is the author of Napa Valley and Sonoma: Heart of California Wine Country. Boone currently reviews California wines from Mendocino, Lake and Contra Costa Counties, Livermore Valley, Lodi, Central Valley and the Sierra Foothills for the magazine.

Showing 817 thru -825 of 1,383
83
points

Martin Lane Winery 2008 Reserve Chardonnay

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  1. $28
A lot of the fruit here comes from Lodi and that would be all well and good except the initially pleasing tropical nature of this wine, its guava and mango, full mouthfeel and texture, is wrecked by the high alcohol, which is hard to not notice, as is the wine’s very sour finish.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
83
points

Deaver 2008 Nana's Vineyard Zinfandel (Amador County)

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  1. $25
Nana was probably a wonderful woman but this Zin is a little musky, closed off and chewy with a taste of cherry cordial and baked plum jam.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
83
points

Middle Ridge 2010 Blue's Creek Vineyard Pinot Grigio (Temecula Valley)

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  1. $21
The acidity on this Pinot Grigio is almost bracing, so sour lemon in overall character as to be nearly puckering. A rich seafood pairing might help steer it right.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
83
points

Brass Tacks 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

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A very woody, oddly chemical Cabernet Sauvignon.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
82
points

Beaver Creek 2008 Fairytale Red (Lake County)

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  1. $39
A Lake County blend of 45% Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot that starts sour before turning into a mouthful of caramel molasses.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
80
points

Hannah Nicole Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley)

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  1. $28
This wine has a plethora of green pepper going on, and not in a particularly pleasant way.  — V.B.  (3/1/2012)
94
points

Prospect 772 2009 The Brat Red (Calaveras County)

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  1. $36
An incredibly concentrated, silky blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Nothing shy about this wine, inspired as it is by the great Chateauneuf-du-Papes and yet undoubtedly Californian. Make that mountain Californian. With baked cherry fruit and baking spices throughout and serious grip and weight, this is one heady and delicious wine.  — V.B.  (2/1/2012)
94
points

Uvaggio 2010 Secco Moscato Giallo (Lodi)

  • Editors' Choice
  1. $16
This dry Moscato Giallo from Lodi is delicious, with an intensely perfumed nose that follows through in the taste, alongside Meyer lemon, jasmine and cantaloupe. Very unusual, incredibly well priced and modest in alcohol, this lush, ginger-tinged Moscato is this taster’s desert-island white.  — V.B.  (2/1/2012)
Showing 817 thru -825 of 1,383
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