Here are the wines and two spirits I have reviewed this month.  December is the busiest month of the year on so many levels: I completed my annual top 100 wines which takes more than what one might expect.

Top 100 Wines of 2020 – James Melendez

Battuello Vineyards St. Helena Napa Valley Valdiguié 2018

 Light-medium bodied wine; mid garnet coloration,

Nose: Black cherry, dense forest, underbrush, spice rack and violets.

Palate: boysenberry, pomegranite, pepper, clove and Cardamom

http://winereviewonline.com/wine_search.cfm

UNITED STATES

Battuello Vineyards, Saint Helena, Napa Valley (California) Petit Verdot 2018 ($70):   I’m seeing more and more of this variety getting top billing on labels these days.  Petit Verdot usually plays a bit part in blends, serving to deepen color and fill what winemakers call “hole in the middle” issues thanks to its round personality. This bottling lets other facets come to the fore, with chocolate and layered fall spice and soft pepper joining rich black fruit.  There’s a little saline note that adds a savory character to the bold fruit, and it makes for an elevated dialogue of flavor.  It’s a fine partner for beef dishes, and it’s got the structure to age a good while.  Great stuff.    
94 Rich Cook Apr 6, 2021

Battuello Vineyards, St. Helena, Napa Valley (California) Valdiguie 2018 ($45):   The history of Napa Valley runs deep, back to days before Cabernet Sauvignon occupied the throne.  In St. Helena, today one of the top sites for Cabernet, there are a few small sites featuring some of the heritage grapes of the area.  Battuello maintains some plantings of what used to be known as Napa Gamay within their 82 acres of vineyards, and makes both a red wine and a rosé that offer a look into the valley’s past.  This vintage shows bold Grand Cru Beaujolais-like style, with rich cherry, blueberry and spice, yet it shows a little rustic edge that is unmistakably California.  For those wishing to know the region’s roots, this is a fun glimpse into the past.         
90 Rich Cook Feb 16, 2021

Battuello Vineyards, Saint Helena, Napa Valley (California) Valdiguié Rosé 2019 ($28):   This is the only example of Valdiguié rosé that I can remember tasting, and I’m glad it made its way into my tasting queue.  It’s hard enough to find a domestic example of Valdiguié in its red wine form, and I’m almost always a fan when I do.  This pink version is a winner as well, mixing flavors of peach and strawberry over a zesty acidic structure, finishing long and leaving me salivating for more.  If you’re tired of the same old rosé, give this a swirl.         
90 Rich Cook Apr 6, 2021