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IWC Takes Note of ’11 and ’12 Stickybeak Wines

Stickybeak Reviews

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
May/June 2014
by Josh Raynolds

With 88s and 89s across the board, Stickybeak is once again turning heads. Bright fruit notes, clarity and lengthy finishes are just some of Josh Ranynolds highlights from this lot of noteworthy Stickybeak wines.

89 pts  2012 Stickybeak Wines Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Pale straw. An intensely fruity, exotic bouquet evokes passion fruit, tangerine, quince and jasmine, along with a gingery overtone. Fleshy and expansive on the palate, offering juicy tropical and citrus fruit flavors and a hint of bitter quinine that adds cut. Closes supple and quite long, with slow-building spiciness and very good clarity.

89 pts  2011 Stickybeak Wines Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Bright yellow-gold. Potent, lees-accented aromas of orchard fruits, orange and white flowers, with a gingery quality adding lift. Chewy, tightly focused pear and tangerine flavors flesh out with air and pick up a subtle anise quality. Closes stony and long, with lingering smokiness and a touch of bitter quinine.

89 pts 2012 Stickybeak Wines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Dark red. Fresh red berries, candied rose and an exotic sandalwood note on the fragrant nose. Juicy and light on its feet, offering vibrant, sharply focused raspberry and cola flavors that pick up smokiness with air. Finishes spicy and long, with subtle tannins adding structure.

89 pts 2011 Stickybeak Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Saturated ruby. Dark berry and cherry pit aromas are lifted by white pepper and fresh flowers. A juicy, subtly sweet midweight offering spicy blackberry and cherry flavors and a hint of chewing tobacco. Closes with very good spicy cut and length, leaving a bitter cherry pit note behind. In an elegant style that reminds me more of Sonoma than Napa.

88 pts 2012 Stickybeak Wines Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Bright yellow. Lively lemon/lime, honeysuckle, chalky minerals and white pepper on the nose. Lithe, sharply focused citrus fruit flavors fill out with air, picking up notes of yellow apple and quince. Clean, nervy and linear on the finish, which is lifted by a subtle gingery quality.

88 pts 2012 Stickybeak Wines Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Pale yellow. Lively pear and melon aromas are lifted by suggestions of Meyer lemon and ginger. Light-bodied and brisk on the palate, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a hint of honey. Finishes silky and clean, with good focus and tangy lemony bite.

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