Sip into Spring

Sip into

These varietals will jump-start your taste buds

By Alison Bailin Batz

Ready to try something new?

Recently released, each of these varietals — aged anywhere from six months to 10 years — will help jump-start your taste buds this spring. Cheers!

ONX 2020 Indie Rosé

While it used to be considered strictly a warm-weather sipper, in more recent years rosé has become so popular that it is now widely enjoyed year-round. is Paso

Robles winner, made from tempranillo grapes, is a perfect choice right now thanks to its notes of strawberry, spun sugar and watermelon. $22

Banshee Ten of Cup Brut NV

Named in homage to the Ten of Cups tarot card, which symbolizes harmony, joy and abundance, this bottle of fi zzy bubbles is a bright and vibrant celebration of tropical fruit, green apple and citrus, complemented by marzipan and honeysuckle. $30

Cass Winery 2019 Grenache

Perfect for a night by the fire, this 94-point Wine Enthusiast-rated wine offers a touch of sweetness and sleek edge. It starts with strawberry and candied cranberries, but then spice comes rolling in, along with a flash of acid, before raspberry cream, bramble berry and cherry cola take center stage. $32

Saldo 2019 Red Blend

The newest release in the award-winning brand’s lineup of red blends, this marriage of petite sirah, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel offers notes of dark fruit with dried black cherries, mixed spices, with plenty of density and body. $32

Sokol Blosser 2019

Bluebird Cuvée Brut

An exciting release for the brand, as it is made with 100%

Willamette Valley fruit and showcases its charity of choice — Prescott

Western Bluebird

Recovery Project — on its label. Made using pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, müller-thurgau and muscat, it has aromatics of lychee and fresh-baked baguette, followed by a creamy texture with notes of apple and pear. $32

2019 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir

Sea Slopes Pinot Noir is inspired by the majestic Sonoma Coast, where the cool maritime climate produces fruit of exceptional quality and elegance. After opening with a burst of berry and spice, the bolder flavors give way to a dizzyingly delightful quartet of wildflowers, forest, cranberry and pomegranate. $35

2020 ONEHOPE Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe with a dense structure, both the flavors offered on the nose and to the taste come in waves, perfectly layered. First, there is a lovely touch of dried herbs. Next, expect ever-sosubtle vanilla. Finally, chocolate rounds everything out and ties both the herbs and vanilla together. $35

Mathew Bruno 2019 Carneros Chardonnay

From two neighboring vineyards, the Baldacci

Family’s Honey

B Vineyard and

Beckstoff er’s Carneros

Lake Vineyard, this wine teases with aromas of nectarines, Honeycrisp apples and vanilla. To the taste, expect a rich smoothness with balanced fl avors of stone fruits, pears and honeysuckles and just a hint of spice at the fi nish. $38

McBride Sisters Collection Reserve 2018 Pinot Noir

Made to honor the founders’ — actual sisters — father, this wine is meant to be like him: confi dent and elegant. It succeeds on all levels while providing sweet aromas of crushed raspberry, rhubarb and candied cherry, and then a palate of lush red fruit notes and a hint of spice. $69.99

Mascota Vineyards Magnanime

Cabernet 2014

is stunner from Argentina is a 100% cabernet sauvignon.

It is full-bodied with extremely polished tannins. Both to the nose and on the palate there are clear notes of crushed blackberries and currants, but also a tiny bit of oak and just a hint of black licorice. $70 River Valley. It boasts the Russian River’s signature cherry aroma and flavor, but also luscious notes of blackberry, cranberry and lavender, with a lingering wisp of strawberry and touch of vanilla to boot. $75

Sebastiani 2018

Cherryblock

Cabernet Sauvignon,

Sonoma Valley

Since its creation,

Cherryblock has been the flagship wine at

Sebastiani. Its latest release oozes complexity and sophistication with intense, concentrated aromas of blackberry, vanilla and baking spices, followed by black fruit, cedar, spice and tobacco to the taste. $125

Capo Creek 2018 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Sage Ridge Vineyards

A powerful selection of beautiful Napa Sage Ridge Vineyards mountain fruit with rich flavors and aromas of dark blackberry, cassis and blueberry, integrated with complex notes of leather, warm spice, sage and tobacco. Bonus: When you buy it online, the winemaker sends you chocolate to pair with each sip! $135

Patrimony Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Potent and perfect for anyone planning a proposal come

Valentine’s Day, expect to be knocked over with a delightful combination of chocolate, cooked blackberries, violets, cedar and cigar box on the nose first. The fun then really begins when you sip, as blueberries, dulce de leche and a touch of rose petal come together in symphony of flavor. $275

Davies 2019 Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir

This release marks the brand’s first bottling of a still pinot noir from Keefer Ranch in the iconic Russian