Gorgeous precise aromas of apples, white peaches, some minerals, flint and stone. Subtle mangoes, too. Full-bodied but so intense and driven with a salty undertone and a driving finish. Some white pepper at the end with citrus... Read More
Leading off the Côte Rôties from barrel, the 2021 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is rock solid and most likely outstanding. Its healthy ruby/purple color is followed by plenty of red and black fruits as well as notes... Read More
Graphite, iron and pencil lead come before the blackberry fruit here – a very mineral aromatic expression, almost austere. Medium-bodied but with good presence on the palate and some sweetness to the berry fruits. A compact,... Read More
No-one else matches the Dal Forno wines for their sheer power and intensity, and even Romano himself seems reluctant to estimate how long his Amarone might last. His 2017 Amarone is a typical time capsule, showing no age whatsoever... Read More
Once again there is enough wood to mention but not to mask the aromas of Granny Smith apples, white orchard fruit, floral and just sliced fennel. Much like the Chevalier, the broad-shouldered flavors possess borderline painful... Read More
Perhaps the finest site for Lafon in the Mâconnais and a reference for the region. This lower-elevation vineyard at mid-slope has delivered ripe apple aromas with rich notes of cream and butter, and accents of acacia and... Read More
This is the prized vineyard in the village of Milly located in a steep ampitheater directly behind Lafon’s winery. Much of the fruit here goes into the village Milly bottling with just the old vines in the heart of the vineyard,... Read More
The glorious sands of Evangelho Vineyard created one of the more elegant and perfumed examples of the Evangelho we have made. A blend of 1890s planted Zinfandel, Mourvèdre/Mataro, Carignan, Alicante, Palomino, and more,... Read More
This is showing an array of almonds, frangipani, dried lemons, apricots, pastries and white chocolate, evolving to salted caramel. Fantastic complexity and all in balance, with firm focus yet open and delicious. Creamy, very fine... Read More
This is decidedly riper with its aromas of poached plum, mocha, black cherry liqueur and anise. The delicious middle weight flavors possess very good energy and richness while exhibiting fine length on the dusty bitter cherry... Read More
Old vines from mass selection, planted on Kimmeridgian marl. Places called: “les Lots”, “le Cotelin” and “Bonardelle”. Vinified and aged on lees, in wooden vats and demi-muids for one year.... Read More
Lots of burnt orange peel, nutmeg, hazelnut and ripe/dried strawberry aromas follow through to a medium to full body, with firm and linear tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. Energetic and fine.
A juicy and polished Etna red with crushed black berries, pumice, metal shavings and graphite in the nose and on the palate. Medium body. Firm and polished with a pretty finish. Really pretty at the end. Always well-crafted. Drink... Read More
The 2021 vintage of Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir comprises four carefully selected clones and underwent fermentation in a combination of stainless steel, concrete, and wood vessels. This wine possesses a magical quality—its... Read More
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard is a blend of 88% Grenache, 4% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsaut and 2% Counoise. Swirling the glass displays a fragrant perfume of spice box, ripe red and black cherry,... Read More
Tenuta Favot, Aldo Conterno's winery, is one of the most splendid estates in the Langhe. The Colonnello vineyard is a 45- to 50-year-old Nebbiolo in Bussia Soprana. The wine is fermented in stainless steel then aged for 28... Read More
A perfumed and fresh Barolo with orange peel, lavender, and white lilac character. Some nutmeg. Full-bodied with chewy tannins yet they are fine and polished. Plenty of reserved character at the finish. Highlights the excellence... Read More
One of the triumphs of the very good 2022 vintage, this is one of my favorite Bedrock Heritage wines we have made to date. Alas, due to a rough late frost, we also have less of it than normal. Starting in 2022 we adjusted some... Read More
More rich and backwards than the Les Sablons, with an age-worthy feel, the 2010 Chapelle St. Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse (100% Grenache from the La Guigasse lieu-dit) has a blackberry and cassis slant to its... Read More
The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse is cut from the same cloth, with a big, spicy bouquet of ripe black cherries, Asian spice, Provençal garrigue, and sappy flowers. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has... Read More
Absolutely brilliant and my favorite of the lineup, the 2010 Chapelle St. Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape le Grand Pin comes from a single plot of old Grenache vines located next to the Rayas lieu-dit. From sandy soils and... Read More
At 420 metres in Montalcino’s northeast, the Fuligni estate expands over 100 hectares, 14 of which are vineyards. Location provided some reprieve from the heat in 2017 and harvesting for Brunello began in mid-September.... Read More
A candidate for perfection, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale Vignes Centenaire is clearly the greatest wine I have ever tasted from Raymond Usseglio, even eclipsing their remarkable 2007. Don’t be surprised if... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather Vintage Select is all varietal and comes from the Bacchus and Tapteil vineyards. Deep purple-hued, it cuts a tighter, more focused path across the palate and is medium to full-bodied and beautifully... Read More
Strong wood and menthol elements all but dominate the earthy and spicy red dark pinot fruit scents. The sleek, intense and well-defined medium-bodied flavors exude evident minerality onto the much more complex and persistent finale... Read More
A more elegant and very Meursault nose combines notes of acacia and citrus confit with those of hazelnut and white orchard fruit, all of which is trimmed in a discreet application of wood. Here too there is outstanding density... Read More
There is an interesting minty hint to the wonderfully elegant and even more floral-suffused aromas of citrus confit, shellfish and green apple. The almost painfully intense middleweight flavors possess striking transparency on... Read More
The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year), with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple,... Read More
Pungent aromas of resin, petrol and reduction precede bigger-bodied and solidly concentrated flavors that deliver better depth and length on the equally rustic finale that is sufficiently structured to suggest that 5 to 8 years... Read More
Firm reduction blocks an analysis of the nose today. By contrast, there is a really lovely sense of underlying tension to the dense and relatively powerful middleweight flavors that are succulent yet nicely detailed while retaining... Read More
A markedly more floral-suffused and slightly cooler nose reflects notes of both white and yellow peach, citrus confit and a plenitude of spice elements. Here too the palate impression is seductive thanks to the superb concentration... Read More
Here too there is just enough wood to merit mentioning as well as a hint of the exotic to be found on the aromas of pear confit, jasmine tea, orange peel and peach. There is superb density to the highly seductive, even plush,... Read More
A cooler and more reserved nose features notes of elegant and admirably pure white flowers, green apple and a touch of rosemary oil. There is first-rate density to the powerful and muscular flavors that flash a touch of better... Read More
Luxuriously dark and concentrated, this wine displays alluring aromas of cassis, dark cherry, spiced plum, chocolate, and sweet baking spices, with hints of toasted oak, cardamom, clove, and vanilla from French oak aging. On the... Read More
Very intense blackberry and blueberry character with sliced-mushroom and tree-bark undertones. Porcini mushrooms really set the tone here. It’s full-bodied with powerful tannins that come through the fantastic fruit. Lots... Read More
The NV Champagne Le Green Label Organic is 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, and the rest Chardonnay from 16 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards. It is floral with yellow apple, hay, and yellow flowers, and it has... Read More
The 2020 Caves Des Lions comes from vines around the winemaker's house and is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc brought up in new oak. Its inky hue is followed by a great nose of chocolatey dark fruits, espresso,... Read More
The 2022 Far Niente Chardonnay is richly aromatic with bright notes of citrus, melon, and pear. These same enchanting notes continue onto the palate with a silky entry that slowly builds to a long finish with lingering citrus.... Read More
Roughly equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the 2012 Champagne Le Vintage is ripe with notes of fresh brioche, ripe Mirabel plum, and lemon custard. Revealing tension on the palate, with lime zest, chalk, and an elegant and... Read More
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is cut from the same cloth as the 2019, yet is perhaps richer and more expansive, with slightly less elegance. Currants, chocolate, toasted spices, and tobacco all define this beauty, and it has full-bodied... Read More
The 2020 vintage presents an alluring profusion of black cherry, mulberry and Oregon blackberry aromas with notes of leather, cigar box and dark chocolate. Hints of desert sage and crème de menthe accent the rich fruit.... Read More
Saturated dark ruby. Ultra-sexy, juicy, ripe raspberry, with notes of vanilla and toasty oak. Rich, velvety, and an absolutely intense mid-palate weight that is so pleasing. Cocoa, baking spices, and a lengthy, mouthwatering finish... Read More
This is a crazy old-vine cabernet sauvignon from vines that were planted in 1964. It’s very perfumed with dried flowers, mushroom, barley and iron shavings. Medium to full body. Cashmere tannins. Succulent finish. Juicy.... Read More
Fermented and aged until the following summer in second-use 225-litre barrels, this feels young but holds immense promise. Buttery apple tart, charred lemon zest scents, the buzzing energy of 2013 acidity coursing through gentle... Read More
A wine for current drinking, this is balanced, elegant, and appealing. The deceptively light ruby colour gives not hint of the profusion of cherry and floral notes on the nose. The texture on the palate is supple and refined,... Read More
The Clos de Grand-Père is done in a charming, fresh, somewhat lighter style. Mâcon-Vinzelles is downslope from Pouilly-Vinzelles in the direction of the Saône, and the clos contains fifty-year-old vines that... Read More
The 2021 Pouilly-Vinzelles comes from the young vines of Les Quarts, between 30 and 50 years old. It has a touch of white mushroom on the nose, a little earthy in style, gaining energy with time in the glass. The palate is well... Read More
Laid down in a cool cellar (14°-16°C, 57-60°F) even the oldest can happily wait with no problem for many years. However, being laid down in warmer temperatures will... Read More
We love Josephine for her unique personality, her southern temperament and her northern, dry humor. She always knows how to cheer us up. She is bright and playful yet warm and caring at the same time.
Another brilliant vintage for the cuvée, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve The Poet & The Muse is a tiny production release that’s a barrel selection of the best in the vintage. Its deep purple hue is followed by... Read More
Produced by Maayan Koschitzky with grapes from Beckstoger George III in Rutherford. Rich, toasty oak spices, vanilla, red berry fruit and a capsicum note. A dense core of red-toned fruit intertwined with savoury spice notes, sandalwood,... Read More
In contrast, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is more round and supple, with loads of pure Napa magic in its notes of crème de cassis, toasted spice, smoked tobacco, and cedar pencil. Full-bodied, opulent, and loaded with fruit,... Read More
Primary aromas of candied lime peel, mango, lemon curd, pomelo, and lemongrass emerge from the glass. Subtle hints of fresh baked croissant, orange marmalade, honey, and nutmeg linger in the background. The palate shows bright,... Read More
Coming all from the estate vineyard in Yountville, the 2019 Roberta's Reserve is all Merlot that was brought up in 70% new French oak, with a scant 225 cases produced. It's another totally thrilling vintage for this cuvée... Read More
I always love this Cabernet from this team, and while it's never the biggest or richest wine from the Valley, it always has a Château Lafite-like elegance and poise. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is 100% Cabernet... Read More
Including 5% Merlot and checking in at 14.2% natural alcohol, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cuvee sports a semi-opaque ruby hue to go with a classic, almost old-school Cabernet nose of red and black currants, chocolate, sandalwood,... Read More
Delicate nutty expressions of blanched almonds and warm biscuits on the nose, accompanied by notes of lemon oil, spring flowers, pastry, pear and exotic fruit. A hint of reduction in the form of a smoky element, attributable to... Read More
The 2020 Bordeaux Red Blend is composed of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Malbec, 28% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and spent 18 months in 45% new French oak. Pouring an opaque red, it reveals expressive aromas of menthol, gravelly... Read More
Maria Teresa Mascarello compared the 2019 of her Barolo (which will be released in September 2023) with the famed 1999 vintage. Fermented and aged in oak for 36 months, this blend of four MGAs – Cannubi, Rocche dell'Annunziata,... Read More
The deep dark ruby colored 2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon boasts a brooding perfume of sultry violets, wild blackberry, and black figs. Red currant, black cherry, and mulberry preserve flavors dominate the entry tinged with cool menthol... Read More
After 21 months in 80% new French oak barrels, this Cabernet blend was selected from the best lots of Cliff Lede's Poetry Vineyard. Superbly elegant, with savoury dark berry aromas, lavender and dried sage, a hint of smoke... Read More
This delicious red shows exotic plum-based fruits, warm mulling spices and dark earthiness on the nose. It follows through to a silky, full-bodied palate, with very fine, fruit-coated tannins and a long finish that coats the mouth!... Read More
A bigger, richer, more structured wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder Estate Vineyard has brilliant black fruits, tobacco, iron, and subtle smoke-like nuances in a full-bodied, concentrated, layered package. This is pure... Read More
Lovely aromas of strawberries, plums, and berries. Bark and mushrooms. Complex and aromatic. Medium to full body with super fine tannins that are supple and gorgeous. Lovely length. So attractive now. Leave it for four or five... Read More
The 2016 Sono Montenidoli is far better this year than it was last year. I suspect a flawed bottle was the culprit in my earlier tasting, but I have to say the corks here are not exactly impressive. Today the 2016 offers up a... Read More
The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes is (as always) all Clairette Rosé that will spend 18 months in demi-muids. Honeyed pear, melon, dried pineapple, and white flower notes... Read More
The 2018 Taurasi Vigna Quintodecimo is a deep purple in the glass. It wafts up with a sweetly enticing blend of medicinal black cherries, cloves and dusty roses. It washes across the palate, more lifted and finessed than expected,... Read More
Aromas and flavors of amarena cherries and plums with some vanilla from the oak. Medium- to full-bodied, this Taurasi riserva is almost fleet of foot, though not lacking either tannin structure or fruit weight. A lovely example... Read More
Complex aromas of rock melon and peach together with floral and lightly honeyed notes, following through to a medium-bodied palate with very good concentration and focus. There’s a lightly phenolic element adding structure... Read More
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Colima, a blend from five different vineyards, pours a deep ruby hue and offers pure, layered, red-fruited aromas of fruit punch and framboise along with pine and pencil shaving. The palate reveals... Read More
The 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Pagliaro is coy in the glass, slowly awakening with a mentholated blend of crushed blackberries, sage and flowery underbrush. It flows across the palate with ease, silky and round with bright red... Read More
This Cerretta blends a graceful nose with a powerful and youthful palate. Sweet violet, restrained red currant, cinnamon candy and a soapy, rose character on the nose lead to a crisp attack with firm, velvety tannins. It's... Read More
Bricco Fiasco is a single cru, vinified by itself since 1978, today from vines of 85 years old. The wine, after long maceration and ageing in botti grandi, opens up to smoky woodland notes, with citrus leaf, bark, wild strawberry... Read More
Full-bodied, generous in fruit and glycerol. The tannins and acidity seem to meld together into a single vertebral column. The alcohol is present, lending sweetness rather than heat. Remarkably elegant for a wine of these dimensions,... Read More
The most ambitious wine of this boutique organic winery, Carato spends 12 months in French oak barrels, and bursts with captivating scents of salted caramel, quince, saffron, and sweet spice. It boasts a pliant and creamy texture,... Read More
From vines located at 670 metres above sea level in Randazzo on Etna's north side, this is earthy and juicy with plenty of wood and chocolate. Red and black fruits mingle with undergrowth for a very savoury expression coupled... Read More
From one of the coolest sites Ceritas sources from, at 300 feet elevation, the pale straw-colored 2021 Chardonnay Trout Gulch is fresh and vibrant with fresh flowers, crushed stones, and white peach. This medium-bodied white is... Read More
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% each of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc from a mix of sites in the heart of the Walla Walla Valley. Its dense purple/plum color is followed by beautiful... Read More
Slightly tarry on the nose with roasted spices to the dark cherries and strawberries. Medium to full body on the palate with more innate fruit allures and tannins. Shows good balance and length with some fine-grained tannins.... Read More
Here the restrained nose grudgingly offer up a more floral-suffused nose that combines notes of petrol and citrus with those of apple and pear compote. There is excellent volume to the caressing yet markedly punchy medium-bodied... Read More
Big and fruity Chianti Classico with lots of cherry and orange-peel character. Full-bodied, soft and savory. Freshness runs through it as well. Love the fruit at the end.
This is more vibrant with red berries, blood oranges, light spices and hints of terra-cotta. Medium-bodied, juicy and fruit-forward with tangy acidity and dusty tannins. Hints of bitter orange at the end. Long and chalky yet very... Read More
Rich, spicy fruit character that’s still fresh, following through to a full, round palate with lots of sweet fruit and well integrated tannins. Nice to drink now, or hold.
Profound aromas of clean black cherries and ripe raspberries with hints of lilacs and spices. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins driving fresh fruit and mineral notes through. Tight, firm finish for now, but this will broaden... Read More
This is even more aromatically restrained than the Chambertin at present with its riper aromas of cassis, poached plum, exotic tea and a broad array of floral influences. The sleek, intense and beautifully delineated large-scaled... Read More
A meaty and decadent Lynch with very ripe currant aromas on the nose. Full body, velvety-textured tannins and a powerful finish. It shows so much structure and fruit yet remains polished and focused.
The 2018 Barolo Mosconi shows all the gravitas and natural darkness of this site, but in miniature. Black cherry, plum, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks and incense fill out the layers. There is plenty of Mosconi muscle, even if the... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Via Nuova is another gorgeous wine in this tasting. Soaring and broad in its aromatic intensity, the 2019 has it all. The blend of seven sites works so well. Readers will find a seamless, wonderfully complete Barolo.... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Cannubi is flat-out stunning. Rich and beautifully textured, the 2019 dazzles from start to finish. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, salt and dried herbs are some of the many notes... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most potent of the three Barolos in the range. It exudes Monforte darkness and virile intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, mocha, sage, tar, lavender and spice infuse the 2019... Read More
Seductive, blossoming and subtle, our Hibiki Whisky range celebrates an unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship and a sense of luxury from the House of Suntory.
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Case Vecie seduces with a beguiling and lifted mix of crushed stone, dusty rose and bright cherry. This is dark and velvety, moody in feel yet seductive and pliant, simply harmonious,... Read More
The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Cavolo is seductive in the glass as a mentholated freshness gives way to medicinal cherries and blackberries complemented by balsamic spice. This is elegant, almost opulent in feel, with that... Read More
Beautiful reflections through the body of this wine, with fresh acidity, and an attractive sense of uplift through the palate, although the actual fruit is a little subdued right now, which as it opens shows damson and bilberry.... Read More
White grape varieties from the Côte de Beaune were hit especially hard in 2021, suffering an 80% grape yield loss. As compared to the Côtes de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune and Burgundy’s white wine crop suffered... Read More
Tasting Notes: This fresh and minerally Sauvignon Blanc from Gerard Boulay has been well liked at the shop for some time! it is characterised by aromas of salt, lime blossoms, grapefruit zest and kaffir lime on the nose, with... Read More
Great finesse and breed in this wine. The colour, barely golden, is brilliant. On the nose, refined aromas of hawthorn, fresh almond and apricot, evolving towards candied fruit, hazelnut and grilled dried fruit. On the palate,... Read More
Also brilliant, the 2019 Pinot Noir Joli Coeur is wonderfully complex, with loads of black raspberry, strawberry, spice box, scorched earth, bouquet garni, and sappy flower-like aromas and flavors. I always find this cuvée... Read More
Just a sensational Pinot Noir, the 2019 Pinot Noir En Famille comes from the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation in the northern part of Sonoma. It offers a lifted, beautiful perfume of ripe black cherries and black raspberries as well... Read More
Just a spectacular vintage from this unparalleled, ungrafted old-vine site in the NW corner of the Yamhill-Carlton district. It opens with anise, pencil led and a gamey quality as the dark-colored wine moves slowly around the... Read More
The 2016 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a rich ruby hue yet remains transparent, with savory, layered aromas of red cherry, saddle leather, cedar, damp forest floor, and wild herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with a ripe yet structured... Read More
A firm and linear red with cherry, black berry, cedar and sandalwood. It’s full and integrated with length and focus. Lovely clarity. Give it another two or three years to open and come together.
For our Soave we only employ one grape variety: Garganega. A large sparse bunch and a medium-sized berry are the typical features of this autochthonous variety of the eastern part of Verona. Through selective cryoextraction -... Read More
An overtly floral-suffused nose features notes of lilac, carnation and acacia blossom that are trimmed in spice, citrus rind and soft wood wisps. The strikingly pure and beautifully defined larger-bodied flavors are not super-dense... Read More
The nose has notes of black cherry, balsamic and a slight hint of mushroom. Scents of eucalyptus tea leaves and violets can be picked up as well. The palate is bone dry with medium acidity. The tannins are soft and well integrated... Read More
The 2020 Pinot Noir Estate comes from the estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and was brought up in 25% new French oak. It has a vivid ruby/plum hue to go with a classic bouquet of ripe raspberries, spicy herbs, scorched earth,... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is the first vintage of Chardonnay from Donnachadh. It was barrel fermented and matured for around 10 months. Its aromas combine bright herbal, green apple and pear tones with underlying savory... Read More
This is so perfumed – the red fruit and flowers just jump out of the glass. So aromatic. Full-bodied, yet the precise, fine tannins just melt into the glass and spread wide across the palate. A gorgeous wine. Drink or hold.... Read More
A candidate for perfection, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale Vignes Centenaire is clearly the greatest wine I have ever tasted from Raymond Usseglio, even eclipsing their remarkable 2007. Don’t be surprised if... Read More
Fresh, enticing aromas of sappy red and black fruits, leather, sandalwood, cassis, violets and sweet cedar. Gorgeous on entry, brimming with elegance in its finely delineated fruit notes that lead with blackberry, and black cherry... Read More
Andrea Costanti has crafted an appetising and characterful 2017, expressive without being over-exuberant or pushed. He reports doing more extraction than usual, with extended post-fermentation macerations as skins were thick and... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Rocche Dell'Annunziata is spectacular. Aged for two years in 25-hectoliter Slavonian barrels, it is flush with woven aromas of licorice, raspberry liqueur, pressed roses, and crushed stones. Full-bodied, with... Read More
Blackberry, mint and black pepper abound here. The palate has serious structure, with an emphasis on liquorice, restrained vanilla, cedar and earth. It's still pretty concentrated and voluptuous. Recorked at the château... Read More
The 2019 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU brings up the intensity with lots of buttered apple, toasted hazelnut, white flowers, and toasty notes in a pretty, pure, yet still tight and focused style. It should have 5-7... Read More
Leading off the reds, the 2019 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley is a smoking good appellation Pinot Noir well worth seeking out. Ripe red and blackberry fruits, peppery herbs, flowers, and sous bois all show on the nose, and it’s... Read More
Wonderful rose and currant aromas with hints of mint. It’s full-bodied yet very finely textured, with good fruit concentration and length. Continuing to improve in the bottle.
Lots of aromas of roasted fruit, such as blueberries and raisins, and spices. It has full body with plenty of velvety tannins and a long, slightly chewy finish. Needs another two or three years to come together but outstanding... Read More
The 2006 Pichon Lalande, which blows away the 2005, represents a return to the velvety-textured, rich, sexy style most readers would associate with Pichon Lalande. This blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot no Petit Verdot... Read More
Always showing well, this bottle of 2005 Château Pontet Canet was just about pure perfection in a glass. Still youthful ruby/purple-hued, with a gorgeous core of pure cassis and darker currant fruits, it's full-bodied... Read More
Bright ruby-red. Superripe, soil-driven aromas of currant, plum, cherry pie, mocha and minerals; almost liqueur-like in its ripeness, in a 1947 way. Then huge, sweet and plush, with great volume and depth to its flavors of cassis,... Read More
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is blended with 23% Petit Verdot, made entirely with free-run juice, and it will be matured for 16 months in 50% new French oak. Opaque ruby, it offers pure aromas of cassis, violet, grilled... Read More
Not as rich or concentrated as I was expecting, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes still delivers ample layers of dark fruit, hints of cola, mint and spice elements. It's full-bodied, silky and long, but it looks... Read More
Super Barbaresco. Intense aromas of ripe plums, violets and berries lead to a full-bodied palate with chewy tannins. Long finish tastes of super ripe fruit. Lovely and powerful wine.
The overt fruit and depth typical of Costa Russi comes through in spades in the 2009. Plums, black cherries, chocolate and new leather form the core of this round, expressive Costa Russi. As beautiful as this is, the 2009 remains... Read More
According to Tenuta San Guido’s director of winemaking, Carlo Paoli, the 2021 is the best Guidalberto he has ever made. The percentage of Merlot was reduced back to the typical 40% this year because the quality of the Cabernet... Read More
100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) from the Sasella vineyards of Rocce Rosse, Nuova Regina and Ultimi Raggi
50-100-year-old vines
400-500 meters elevation
South/southeast exposure
120-day maceration on the skins
Aged 18 months in 50HL... Read More
An estate with a gathering sense of excitement around it, and once again proves why with the 2019. Sleek and flavourful, with the insistent tug of limestone slowing things down and allowing the juice and the tension to really... Read More
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color, requiring a little coaxing before it spills out of the glass with fantastically showy blackberry preserves,... Read More
Here too there is a vague suggestion of the exotic on the slightly riper aromas of pear compote, ocean spray, iodine and wet stone. The rich, vibrant and palate coating flavors are also supported by bright acidity that carries... Read More
Harvested between the end of September and beginning of October, Altesino’s Montosoli bottling was reduced by 50% due to a strict selection of grapes. The nose divulges appealing vanilla, cedar and truffle nuances which... Read More
Utterly gorgeous freshness and zip, with intensity of flavour. It has a little more Sémillon than usual, due to frost affect the Sauvignon Blanc, which seems to mean the aromatics of the Muscadelle are a little more prominent... Read More
Opening slowly in the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino lifts up with a spicy bouquet of cinnamon-spiced cherries and dusty rose. This is pure elegance on the palate, silky and pliant, gaining a lovely tension as mineral-laced... Read More
This wine shows a deep, rich purple robe in the glass with distinct aromas of wild berries, herbs and spices, bitter almond, cloves and star anise. Smooth on the palate and of fine structure. Bewitching to the finish.... Read More
Alluring and complex aromas of fresh herbs, baked lemons, peaches, hazelnuts and a hint of olive oil. Medium-bodied with wet-stone mineral character. Linear, balanced and long. Supple texture. Notes of chamomile tea and straw... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is stunning. What a wine. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2019 is a gorgeous, spherical Barolo that dazzles right out of the gate. Aromatically broad and expansive, the 2019 fleshes out beautifully in... Read More
Another pale ruby Barolo, the 2019 Barolo Lazzarito is from a 2.5-hectare parcel of the cru and reveals a hint of purple flowers, with a mix of red and blue fruit berries. It has more expansiveness on the palate, with more broadness,... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Cerequio is a worthy follow up to the stellar 2018. Aromatic and deeply pitched, the 2019 races across the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint and cinnamon all... Read More
Opulent and very sexy with perfume, cedar, dried flowers and dried strawberries and just a hint of nutmeg. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round and finely velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So seductive. Drink after... Read More
Argiano's oldest site, Vigna del Suolo boasts 65-year-old vines of very rare Sangiovese clones. Recent soil mapping with Chilean specialist Pedro Parra has also revealed significant limestone underpinnings in the vineyard.... Read More
This beautifully aromatic wine leaps out of the glass with concentrated notes of red currant, boysenberry, cassis, roasted coffee and dark chocolate, along with savory undertones and notions of sweet oak. On the palate it is rich... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Marena is a fabulous introduction to this range. Airy and lifted, with tons of energy, the 2021 has so much to offer. Floral and mineral notes play off a core of citrus fruit in an engaging, mid-weight Chardonnay... Read More
The darkly alluring 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva smolders up from the glass with a smoky mix of peppery florals, dried black cherries and dried citrus peels. This is silky in texture, with cooling acidity and... Read More
Based largely on the 2013 vintage, the NV Krug Champagne Grande Cuvée 169eme Edition is another brilliant example of this Champagne that does everything right. Still young and tight, it reveals a vibrant bouquet of stone... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place is another fresh and elegant yet also concentrated Cabernet that does everything right. Pure cassis and black raspberry fruits, notes of tobacco leaf and spice, full-bodied richness, perfectly... Read More
The first swirl in the glass releases fragrances of white peaches, lime zest, delicate white pineapple and ripe stone fruit. Upon entry, the creamy texture is buoyed by bright acidity. Ruby red grapefruit, white blossoms and citrus... Read More
We like this neighborhood. Elliot Vineyard tucks itself between Hellenthal Vineyards and the easternmost boundary of the Hirsch Vineyard. We were drawn to this site, planted in 1981 to the Mt. Eden clone of Pinot Noir, partly... Read More
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon heritage clones from Block 1 and Block 2, the deep ruby-purple ‘1 Post’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful nose of dark chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco, wild blackberry and black cherry,... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is a juicy, exuberant Pinot. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and rose petals are all kicked up. This is a decidedly lush, voluptuous Pinot that will drink well with minimal... Read More
Lastly, the 2020 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is another legendary wine from this château that has been on an incredible run over the past decade. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot that was brought up all... Read More
The tannins are carefully wrapped up and finessed, slowly but surely building in power and width, with concentrated blue and black fruits through the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant on the attack, with a deft, savoury and... Read More
Smooth, seductive and finely textured, this is both sleek and strict, with a savoury, crushed stone saline tang alongside tobacco, tar, ripe black cherries and soft floral scents; the Cabernet really makes its mark. Sexy and rich,... Read More
The inky hued 2020 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron checks in as a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot that spent 18 months in 70% new barrels. It's a dense, rich, powerful 2020 offering loads of pure cassis... Read More
Powerful on the attack, dense and concentrated at first then brighter on the retro-olfaction with layers of spice, liquorice and flowers. Intense but beautifully precise, with iris and peony aromatics coming in strongly as it... Read More
The fruit for The Plow 2021 comes from the three upper blocks with a special massal selection of PN777 on Gelderman-Jory soils, with a layer of large gravels that impart extra energy to the vines and create more complex flavors.... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has a medium ruby color and is bursting with a combination of unabashedly gregarious berry fruit and loads of alluring, earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features a balance of... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay UV - El Diablo Vineyard is extraordinarily impressive, particularly given the multitude of challenges this vintage. It was matured for 12 months in 33% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from vines planted in the 1970s. It was matured for 12 months in 35% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless steel. This shows the impressive concentration and generosity... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Casteel is complex and alluring, offering dynamic aromas and flavors as it unfurls with oxygen over several days. The nose offers lemon peel and panna cotta, spicy, honeyed undertones and streaks of flint.... Read More
A more reserved yet even more complex aromatic profile offers a broad spectrum of fruit types along with game, warm earth, underbrush, smoke and wet stone, all of which add depth to the intensely soil-driven big-bodied, powerful... Read More
I loved the nose on the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Princesse, which has a captivating array of white peach, pineapple, minty herbs, and flowers. Coming from older vines in the Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River, it’s full-bodied,... Read More
La Demoiselle, a cuvee from a deep flinty clay terroir on the peak of Sancerre, in the heart of the appellation. This 100% Sauvignon white wine, with its saline flavours on a background of pink grapefruit, is a combination of... Read More
Dusty rose and raspberry notes combine with licorice and white pepper nuances as the 2019 Estate Blend blossoms in the glass. It's softly textured with brisk minerality. A chalky tannin coasting frames tart wild berry fruits.... Read More
The standout wine of the tasting (as expected). Opulent, concentrated with intense cassis notes on both the nose and palate, with a deep-purple hue in the glass (although not quite as deep as the 1995). Mint, cool, menthol on... Read More
In the 19th century, it was a common practice of the time to “hermitage” the wines. Bordeaux chateaux would add to their wines a certain quantity of wine from the Rhone - notably from the region of Hermitage –... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir The Belles Soeurs is elegant with the perfume of raspberry, cherry pie, dried roses, and cinnamon. The palate is vibrant and tension-driven with rose hip, hibiscus, and orange zest. I love this for its focused... Read More
A beautiful Champagne, yet one that needs bottle age, the NV Grand Cuvee 168ème Edition comes mostly from the 2012 vintage (a good vintage) and has gorgeous apple blossom and stone fruits intermixed with classic Krug toasted... Read More
Le Clos du Château is essentially a vineyard of approximately five hectares that sits in front of the Château de Puligny and is entirely enclosed by walls. This facilitates their biodynamic farming methods. Classified... Read More
This too is intensely floral in character with nuances of rose petal, violet and lavender to the subtle spicy red berry fruit scents. There is both excellent precision and verve to the beautifully textured medium weight flavors... Read More
More restrained, cooler and more elegant aromas are composed by those of mineral reduction, a plethora of citrus elements and essence of Granny Smith apples. There is excellent verve to the dense and powerful yet wonderfully refined... Read More
Extremely perfumed with strawberries, flowers, cherries and hints of ash and tar. Medium to full-bodied with tightness and raciness to the tannins. Polished, too. Very, very persistent.
Full-bodied, intense and elegant on the palate, this is a densely textured Sancerre with well integrated minerals, phenolic grip and a very nice acidity and salinity in the finish. Bottled unfiltered.
Here too there is just enough VA to mention but not so much as to significantly impair the appeal of the well-layered array of red currant, cherry, dark raspberry, earth and a trace of menthol character. The rich, full-bodied... Read More
Vogelzang is a tremendous site. We have leased several acres here since 2009, and these wines have been some of our most decorated and long-lived wines – as much as the reds! Vines are now over 20 years old, reducing yields... Read More
Rich and concentrated with violet reflections and a wall of tannins. Well structured, it sets its feet deep in the ground and will need time to soften and develop. Good quality with depth. The tannins are far more present than... Read More
Wow! There’s so much going on here. The nose presents an intense mix of dried cherry and red-berry fruit and rose petals, together with mild spice, Mediterranean herbs, tobacco dried apricot and dried and fresh nuts. Much... Read More
The 2020 Côte Rôtie La Chavaroche brings another level of complexity, with a smorgasbord-like array of spring flowers, violets, iron, and both red and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with plenty... Read More
‘Bricco delle Viole is the vineyard that taught us patience and naturally guided the style of our craft,’ said Aldo Vaira about this MGA. Both graceful and austere, it has sweet violet, and pomegranate aromas, restrained... Read More
Made from old plots of Chardonnay, this Mâconnais cru is a rich wine. Brioche aromas are expressed on the nose. On the palate, the opulence of ripe fruit is enhanced by notes of lime blossom and jasmine. It is certainly... Read More
Expressive aromas of kaffir lime, honeydew melon and guava fuse beautifully with a delicately textured palate of lemongrass, luscious citrus and tropical fruit.
