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The Wente Family has been making wine for five generations, starting in 1883 when C. H. Wente purchased 47 acres in the Livermore Valley, Ca. They’ve come a long way in over 130 years, adding new brands to their offerings over time. But they’ve never compromised on quality or consistency, meaning odds are you’ll enjoy any of the wines from them.

Charles Wetmore Cab front_300dpi

Wente Vineyards 2012 “Charles Wetmore”Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Petite Sirah, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc

Region: Livermore Valley, Ca

Price: 25-30

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries interweave with suggestions of coffee, chocolate, and toasty oak on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherry, blackberry, and currant with accents of cocoa, creamy oak, and spice. A supple Cab offering lush, dark fruit, enjoy a bottle with a homemade meatloaf.

Rating: 90

Riva Ranch SV Chard front_300dpi

Wente Vineyards 2013 “Riva Ranch”Chardonnay

Grape(s): 97% Chardonnay & 3% Gewürztraminer

Region: Monterey County, Ca

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Aromatics of pineapple, mango, and peach mingle with creamy, buttery hints on the nose. Tropical fruit and peach flavors emerge on the palate accented by traces of vanilla, buttery oak, and white blossoms. A lush, approachable white, fans of Chardonnay will find plenty to like here.

Rating: 90

Reliz Creek SV Pinot Noir front_300dpi

Wente Vineyards 2012 “Riva Ranch” Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County, Ca

Price: 25-30

Tasting Notes:

Strawberry, pomegranate, and raspberry aromas come together with nuances of vanilla and smoky earth on the nose. With a sip, notes of bing cherries, strawberries, and raspberries flow into suggestions of cedar, vanilla, and earth. It’s a light, bright,very approachable Pinot.

Rating: 89

MW_Spur_Front_2012 3L

Murrieta’s Well 2012 “The Spur” Red Blend

Grape(s): 33% Petite Sirah, 31% Cabernet, 29% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, & 3% Cab Franc

Region: Livermore Valley, Ca

Price: 20-25

Tasting Notes:

Fragrances of blackberries, currants, plums and chocolate rise up from a glass. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and cassis flow into notes of dark chocolate, pepper, and oak on the palate. A dark, lush blend, pair a bottle with your favorite chilli.

Rating: 88

Club Select cabsav07 P

Murrieta’s Well 2013 “The Whip” White Blend

Grape(s): 28% Semillon 24% Chardonnay 14% Sauvignon Blanc 11% Orange Muscat 11% Viognier 11% Gewurztraminer & 1% White Riesling

Region: Livermore Valley, Ca

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

The nose offers aromas of peach, pear, and tangerine that unfold into hints of white blossoms, honey, and limestone. The palate reveals flavors of peach, citrus fruit, and pear with accents of honeysuckle, caramel, and minerals. A supple white, with just a touch of sweetness, it would make a fine aperitif on a warm evening.

Rating: 90

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Entwine 2012 Pinot Grigio

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

A bouquet of green apple, melon, citrus fruit, and honey rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of tart apple, honeydew, and key lime that open up into nuances of honey and minerals. Fruit driven with a crisp acidity, it’s an ideal wine to sip on its own.

Rating: 87

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Entwine 2012 Merlot

Grape(s): 100% Merlot

Region: California

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Notes of black cherry, blackberry, and plums meld with traces of vanilla, tea, and sweet spice on the nose. With a sip, flavors of boysenberries, plums, and dark cherries come together with accents of vanilla and earth on the palate. A graceful, ripe Merlot, if you enjoy sipping red wine before dinner, this is a bottle to try.

Rating: 88