Aromas of exotic spice, violet and chestnut are amplified by a touch of volatile acidity. Those dark purple floral notes carry through to the palate, which brags lovely weight with balanced proportions and mouthwatering, citrussy... Read More
Under the leadership of Maria Flora Fuligni since 1971, along with her long-time right-hand Dr Daniela Perino - now the estate’s CEO - Fuligni is one of the denomination’s most consistent performers. The 2018 does... Read More
After a rather long elevage—I've already reviewed this wine twice prior to bottling—the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mourre des Perdrix exhibits a wonderfully generous yet silky and elegant presence in the mouth.... Read More
Domaine de la Charbonnière’s 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Vieilles Vignes” is a powerful yet refined classic from the Maret family estate, balancing rich concentration with freshness. This deep ruby... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard, which can be bold and hedonistic in warmer vintages, is more reminiscent of Chablis. It has transparent aromas of lemon curd, chalk and crème fraîche. The light-bodied palate... Read More
The 2019 Claret is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 9% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It’s scented of Luxardo cherries and blueberries with detailed nuances of violet, tobacco leaves,... Read More
Lots of rose petals on the nose, together with orange peel and cherries. Medium-bodied with very long and bright fruit character. Goes on for minutes, with so much energy and brightness. Drink or hold.
Smokey minerals come together with wet stone, flowery undergrowth and crisp green apple as the 2020Verdicchio Classico Superiore dei Castelli di Jesi evolves in the glass. This enters the palate with a pure display of mineral-laced... Read More
Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Faugères stampedes out of the glass with a herd of powerful black fruit notes: blackberry pie, baked black plums and ripe, juicy black cherries, plus hints of wild mushrooms, damp soil,... Read More
This is richly layered with seductively ripe fruit. The quality and texture of the brambled blackberries, cassis and bilberries is striking. There is a sense of lightness and juiciness but also depth and flesh - you can feel the... Read More
At Château Thivin, the oldest wine-growing estate in Mont-Brouilly, there reigns a special atmosphere — that of a château on a human scale where the6 generations of the Geoffray family have been producing quality... Read More
Note: from both Pernand and Aloxe. Smoky notes of mineral reduction add breadth to the equally cool and airy nose of green apple, crushed fennel, citrus and a plenitude of floral wisps. The attractively refined if not especially... Read More
The top wine from this outstanding producer of Sancerre, this is sourced from older vines in ideal sloping sites surrounding the village of Chavignol. Rich, but mineral-hewn, with hints of tarragon and other green herbs, lemon-lime... Read More
Heady and expressive on the nose, seductive tones of ripe fruit and perfumed flowers. Gorgeous intensity on the palate, rich, round and ripe - gently chewy - but cool and refreshing too. This has a dynamic undercurrent with tannins... Read More
Close your eyes and forget the label to get a grand cru white Burgundy experience that’s totally contemporary. Very deep flint and oyster shell nose that gains a wonderful fresh pineapple character as it aerates. And that... Read More
The 2022 Gratallops is a village wine, vi de vila in the Catalan language, which is the official category from the Priorat appellation. The wine shows the ancestral mix of local varieties, which this year is 80% Garnacha, 19%... Read More
The 2018 Chinon Clos de la Dioterie is richly fruited, reflecting the warmth of the vintage, and soft and mouth-filling despite not being heavy. There is baked fruit here, suggesting a combination of black currant, red cherry,... Read More
One of the standouts in the vintage is the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a ripe, round, medium to full-bodied 2021 offering a beautiful array of black cherry and darker berry fruits, ample Provençal spice, and dried flower... Read More
The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino is another highlight in this range from Fontodi. It's a huge step up from the 2020. Red cherry, iron, spice, leather, licorice, crushed rocks and herbs make a strong... Read More
Dark ruby-red hues gleam from the glass of this 2022 Merlot. The nose delivers a fragrant bouquet of red cherry, raspberry, and black plum, further accentuated by beautiful floral notes of rose petals and fresh lilac. These same... Read More
The 2018 Crossfire Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard features notes of dark chocolate, cedar, cassis, plum and spice cake. It's all Cabernet Sauvignon from this Oakville site, matured in 80% new French... Read More
The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is an absolute stunner. Deep, layered and explosive, the 2021 captures all of the magic of this year in spades. Black cherry, lavender, mocha, spice and licorice all soar... Read More
The 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve is another exceptional wine from Fontodi this year. Ripe, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit as the 2021 makes its presence felt from the first taste. Sumptuous, racy and dense, this... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon The Stick is rich, heady and explosive. It offers up an exciting mélange of inky dark fruit, chocolate, lavender, spice and licorice, all in an attention-grabbing full-throttle style that is... Read More
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District) is unusually deep and quite potent, yet it also retains a measure of silkiness that is palpable. Dark red/purplish fruit, blood orange, mocha, espresso and dried flowers all... Read More
The 2021 Red Blend Quartet is a gorgeous entry-level wine from Arietta. In this vintage, Merlot yields were punishingly low, so the blend is built around Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, deep and savory, with tons of aromatic... Read More
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mt. Veeder) is superb. It captures tons of Veeder character in its savory/mineral intensity and dark fruit. Purplish fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, dried herbs, mint and wild flowers all build as... Read More
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another fabulous wine in this range. Inky dark fruit, lavender, wild flowers, jasmine, spice, crème de cassis and pencil shavings are all beautifully delineated. This deep,... Read More
The 2021 Napanook is one heck of a Napanook, offering complex notes of currants, cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate. Incredible on the palate, it s full-bodied and round, with supple, vibrant, incredible... Read More
The 2021 Pinot Noir Coastlands is stunning. A wine of crystalline precision, the 2021 is captivating, to say the least. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, white pepper, orange peel and exotic spice notes from the 40%... Read More
The 2021 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard is phenomenal. Dark and pliant, with tremendous vertical intensity, the Wendling is outrageously beautiful. Succulent dark fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice, new leather, blood orange and... Read More
Along with the Clos de la Poussie, owned by Ladoucette, Le Chêne Marchand is the most famous vineyard site in the village of Bué. The soil here is les caillottes – pure limestone with little soil and very stony.... Read More
Enticingly fragrant, this smells of summer florals and Maine blueberries. Sweet cherries lace onto the palate, mixing with earthy undertones. The structure is an elegant lattice of succulent acids and sculpted tannins. Nacha González... Read More
Note: from a .70 ha parcel, most of which are 80+ year old vines. An overtly floral-suffused and highly perfumed nose reflects notes of spice, red and dark cherry and exotic jasmine tea. There is better refinement and more minerality... Read More
Dark red/magenta in color, the 2016 Barolo Riserva is remarkable, offering loads of kirsch, polished leather, balsamic, dark chocolate, and crushed violets. The list goes on and on as it opens and begins to show more mineral aromas... Read More
The 2021 Pinot Noir Burn Cottage Vineyard caresses the palate with its suave texture and creamy appeal. While it has excellent density on the palate, it has a sense of lightness. It is not a muscular style but focuses on elegance,... Read More
Mon Chevalier comes from an estate-owned vineyard in the Knights Valley, mainly planted to clone 4. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier is composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc. It has a very deep purple-black... Read More
A barrel selection and blend that Morlet feels represents his best, the 2020 Chardonnay Coup de Coeur is indeed a prodigious effort. Scents of toasted hazelnuts and white peaches dominate the nose, while the medium to full-bodied... Read More
From a vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview area—on the second ridge inland from the ocean, at about 1300-1400 feet above sea level, the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Douce was barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts in about 25% new... Read More
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement is a barrel selection blend of all three of Morlet's estate vineyards: Coeur de Vallée in Oakville, Morlet Estate in St. Helena and Mon Chevalier in Knights Valley. Made from... Read More
Offering up aromas of sweet mulberries and blackberries mingled with hints of licorice, violets and red fruit compote, the 2020 de Fieuzal is medium to full-bodied, rich and gourmand, its broad attack segueing into a supple, layered... Read More
Composed of 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an alcohol of 14.5% and a pH of 3.57, the deep purple-black colored 2020 Fleur Cardinale bursts from the glass with powerful notes of crushed blackberries,... Read More
A cooler and more floral-suffused nose displays hints of mineral reduction and pretty essence of red berry fruit aromas. The racy, intense and overtly stony middleweight flavors conclude in a youthfully austere and somewhat short... Read More
A deft application of wood frames the more elegant nose of white-fleshed fruit, citrus, acacia and crushed anise hints. The rich, generous and vibrant middleweight flavors are supported by bright citrus-tinged acidity on the sneaky... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Ceanda comes all from St. Helena and is based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aged 20 months in 75% new oak, it has a pure, layered, balanced,... Read More
A jeweled ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Old Shop Block has a crystalline feel, with fantastic purity in its note of fresh cherries, rocky earth, saline, and a hint of savory umami. Long on the palate, it is saturated... Read More
A medium ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Trout Gulch also comes from the Santa Cruz Mountains, where this vineyard sees more southern and coastal influence and is situated only 3.5 miles from the ocean. Compared to the Mindego Ridge,... Read More
The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc brings another level of precision and focus. Honeyed quince, white flowers, honeysuckle, chalky minerality, and toasted spice notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied,... Read More
Expressive, crunchy dark fruit, such as black cherry and blue plum, as well as violets and peppery undertones. Medium-bodied, creamy palate with a wonderful backbone of acidity. Subtly toasty finish. Complex, yet well rounded... Read More
Another perfect wine from this team is the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a site on Howell Mountain. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as incredible purity in its cassis, violets, graphite,... Read More
A deep ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir The Estate is ripe and layered with an attractive perfume of cardamom, pure wild raspberry, and fresh sage. Medium-bodied, it expands with good length and concentration, its pure fruit is seamless... Read More
This is also aromatically quite spicy though here the fruit derives more from the red side of the spectrum along with pretty floral nuances. The delicious bigger-bodied flavors are finer though not denser on the moderately austere,... Read More
A cooler and distinctly earthy nose reticently offers up its aromas of red and dark currant along with a hint of the sauvage. There is once again excellent volume and punch to the solidly concentrated medium weight flavors that... Read More
The blend for the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard had not been finalized at the time of my visit, so take this barrel-sample note with an even larger grain of salt than usual. Aromas of redcurrants and purple raspberries... Read More
Lime skin and pear skin. Pear blossom. Honey blossom. Sliced cooked pear and apple. Full-bodied, polished and very fine. You can feel the solids in this. Very cool.
A earthy and attractive nose of forest berries, wild currants, dried leaves, cedar and baking spices. Medium body with firm tannins. Powdery texture at the end. A little hollow now should fill in with a few years of bottle age.... Read More
This white is harmonious and creamy in texture, featuring floral, peach, apple tart and lemon cake flavors, all buoyed by vibrant acidity. The oak treatment is subtle, with flashes of baking spices, and this ends with fine length.... Read More
A slightly riper nose is composed of apple, pear compote, white peach, just sliced lemon and a plethora of floral elements. There is fine volume and borderline painful intensity to the beautifully textured and caressing yet seriously... Read More
This is aromatically similar to the Champ Gain and not revealing much. Otherwise, there is a finer texture, if less minerality, to the dense medium-bodied flavors that also brim with sappy dry extract on the serious, powerful... Read More
Moving to the current releases, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly on another level. Cassis, violets, spring flowers, and graphite, as well as a beautiful sense of minerality, all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate... Read More
So floral and fresh with rose stem, sandalwood and orange blossom. Cherries, too. Full-bodied yet reserved and held back with creamy fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Shows brightness and finesse. Silky texture. One of the... Read More
A well-crafted, balanced and lively red with aromas of red berries, dried herbs, stones and baking spices. It's medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Vivid and quite intense at the entry with a kick of spices bringing... Read More
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau is made from Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. It presents lively aromas of grapefruit, spring flowers, white peach and a pinch of mango. This mediumbodied wine... Read More
A broad-ranging nose is comprised by notes of crushed anise, acacia, wet stone, Granny Smith apple and a deft touch of wood. The succulent, delicious and beautifully textured medium-bodied flavors are wonderfully refined before... Read More
Fabulous structure for a Sassicaia with powerful, polished, chewy tannins and ripe, subtle fruit. Aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, rosemary and lavender. Full body, bright acidity and a savory finish. Juicy and lively. Better... Read More
Subtle but not invisible wood frames the cool and exceptionally pretty aromas of the essence of pear, elegant floral nuances and an equally broad range of spice wisps. The bigger-bodied and more powerful, though curiously less... Read More
The 2015 Champagne Starck Brut Nature is forward with vinous and spicy aromas of saline and red currant, orange blossom, and smoke. It is expansive on the palate while maintaining a core of fresh acidity, with peach, dried flowers,... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is the hallmark wine of the estate, and it shows. Taking on more concentration, it is pure and generous with kirsch, star anise, nutmeg, and menthol and moves impressively to the palate with ease... Read More
This has aromas of fresh black truffles, sour cherries, plums and smoked paprika. Full-bodied with weighty, ripe fruit and creamy tannins. Try from 2024.
The 2023 Las Brisas Vineyard Vermentino boasts a lively yellow color with subtle green highlights. Fragrant notes of citrus blossom and lemongrass mingle with flavors of feijoa, grapefruit peel, and a hint of sea salt on the palate.... Read More
Emblematic of the exceptional quality offered at Chianti Classico’s annata level, Fontodi’s 2021 over-delivers yet again, exuding the wild, tousled, arid Tuscan countryside on a backdrop of dark, layered fruit. Hints... Read More
Very much set in the candied-fruit zone with raspberry cheesecake, rhubarb crumble and strawberry coulis. Hints of wild herbs and resin. Full-bodied and rather dominated by the alcohol, but the tannins are quite fine and elegant.... Read More
The dark ruby 2020 Chianti Classico is ripe with aromas of black raspberry coulis, red flowers, sweet tobacco, and pine. Elegant and medium-bodied, it fills the palate with supple texture, fine tannins, and an even, well-balanced... Read More
Grilled bread with flowers, pears and apples. Lots of perfumes. Lavender and some herbs and nutmeg. The palate is tight and solid with fine phenolics and a long, intense finish. Pure and extremely linear and lively. Sophisticated... Read More
2016: The 2016 Estate Pinot Noir is from a classic vintage, showing rich blackberry, star anise, strawberry, and rhubarb aromas, evolving into earthy notes of forest floor and leather. It has dense flavors of raspberry, blood... Read More
Enticingly fresh and nicely fruity nose with racy dark strawberries, cherries, slate, white pepper and spiced blueberries. Juicy, ripe and vibrant with fine, mealy tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Very harmonious and expressive.... Read More
Dressed for a party, the Bibi Graetz 2019 Colore celebrates the estate's 20th anniversary with a special commemorative (2000-2019) bottle. This vintage of Colore is 100% Sangiovese (the small part of Colorino in the blend... Read More
Entirely made from Ansonica from Giglio Island, the 2021 Testamatta Bianco is sunny with tropical notes of pineapple, orange rind, a dark mineral profile, and sea spray. It has a full texture without being heavy and is lifted... Read More
Saturated violet color. Smoky, mineral-accented black and blue fruit scents are complicated by olive paste, licorice and floral nuances that build in the glass. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering vibrant blackberry, boysenberry,... Read More
Even though it is known as the top site for Lafon's Mâcon operation, I was still surprised at how well the Clos du Four did in the torrid conditions of 2022. The wine had a bright, lemony fruit and abundant acidity to... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles comes from the Nobles Ranch Vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview region and is another perfumed, complex wine from Morlet. Offering Côte de Nuits-like dark cherry and strawberry fruits as... Read More
Fidelio is sourced from Farella, our cool-climate Estate vineyard in the Coombsville AVA. We use three different vessels (and materials) to age Fidelio – demi-muid neutral oak barrels, concrete... Read More
A fine and linear red with dark berries, bark, mushrooms and hints of dried spice. Firm and racy tannins and a flavorful finish. Dried orange peel. Needs four or five years to soften. Best after 2026.
I like the perfumed aromas here with lots of fresh roses to the cherry and strawberry character. Medium-bodied with tight and fine tannins that spread across the palate and deliver brightness and focus. Citrusy aftertaste. Give... Read More
This Pinot Noir is from a unique plot in the Chehalem Mountains appellation in the Valley's north end. The dry-farmed, biodynamic site is one of the oldest plantings of Pinot Noir in the Willamette, having been planted by... Read More
Lucien Crochet in Sancerre produces wines of impeccable focus, mouthwatering minerality, and outstanding concentration from their sizable holdings in Bué, in the heart of the appellation. Crochet’s complex and age-worthy... Read More
Lucien Le Moine is a small, independent négociant business founded by Mounir and Rotem Saouma in 1999. They specialize in sourcing top-tier wines from Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Chablis, which they then age in their vaulted... Read More
After sampling 86 wines over a two-day marathon tasting with Realm Cellars co-owners Scott Becker and winemaker Benoit Touquette, I had no doubt that one would make my top 10 list of the year. It would be The Bard, which will... Read More
The 2020 Gattinara is elegant and lifted. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon and orange peel grace this ethereal, nuanced Gattinara. Bright saline notes and sweet red-toned fruit build into the long, persistent finish. Understated... Read More
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard is a selection of the best four blocks within Fisher ' s Estate vineyard on the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain. Sumptuous and gloriously ripe, with superb concentration, the 2015... Read More
The 2021 Condrieu Invitare shows the fresher style of the vintage while still bringing plenty of classic Viognier texture and richness. Flowers, apricots, and orange-tinged aromas and flavors all emerge from the glass, and it's... Read More
A vivid and vibrant colour in the glass and fruitiness on the palate. This has crisp and crunchy blackcurrant and plum fruit - fragrant and quite potent but with a lovely smooth and ripe texture where the tannins support rather... Read More
The 2020 Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse), made mostly by the team of Nicolas Thienpont (the final blend was put together by Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse), is another tour de force from this incredible... Read More
A perfumed and exuberantly spicy nose offers up a blend of both red and dark cherry along with floral nuances. The wonderfully sleek, refined and punchy medium weight flavors possess a gorgeous texture thanks to the very fine-grained... Read More
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is remarkably pretty, wafting up with a blend of violets and lavender before giving way to steeped plum lifted by mint. This is racy and sleek, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that excite... Read More
The 2021 Gigondas Hominis Fides brings a touch more ripeness in its strawberry and darker berry fruits as well as spicy, earthy, graphite-like aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, supple, and downright pretty, with ultra-fine tannins,... Read More
There’s a flinty notion to this wine with gunpowder, black berry and ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, with very fine velvety tannins. Refined and very pretty. Just a hint of meat and chocolate. Seductive.... Read More
Fantastic aromas of blackberry and blueberry follow through to a full body with very fine, velvety tannins that run the length of the wine. Baking spices. Citrus. Blood orange. Purple fruit at the end like black cherry. Fresh... Read More
The iron and oyster shell character in the nose comes through with aromas of strawberry. Lavender and other flowers. Full-bodied with very firm tannins and an intensity. Closed off at the end. Shows verve.
Julien’s Reserve Cabernet is crafted from multiple hillside vineyards spanning Napa Valley from north to south. Powerful and supple, this focused wine offers immense enjoyment in its youth, but also has the structure and... Read More
Krug has termed the 2011 vintage ‘spirited roundness’. Krug has sought to elevate what cellar master Julie Cavil terms the ‘duality’ of the vintage: the ‘generosity’ of the Chardonnay and the... Read More
Massolino classically ages all their Barolos in large Slavonian oak vessels. Fully focused on rose and violet, with fresh watermelon and a citrussy note enhanced by cinnamon and rhubarb, this Barolo is deliciously complex and... Read More
Crushed red berries, flowers, bark and fresh mushrooms. Complex nose. Medium-bodied with fine and firm tannins that run the length of the wine. Chewy yet polished and fine. Juicy at the end with some crunchiness. Drink or hold.... Read More
A blend of the estate’s four historic vineyards – Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni – from plantings that are at least 25 years old, this bottling is, for now, Castello di Ama’s flagship... Read More
An overtly floral-suffused nose speaks of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of herbal tea. The supple, caressing and succulent medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely sense of underlying tension on the lightly stony, focused and... Read More
Exuberant, lively wine with a fresh lovely plummy fruit character coloured with notes of smoke, cedar, and Havana cigar. The texture is supple and light, but there is an intense floral perfume that continues on the palate. The... Read More
Seductive and expressive, with a firming layer of bitter almond, citrus pith and mineral notes buoying a ripe mix of melon, yellow plum and peach flavors. Big in stature, with remarkable density and saltiness, this hums through... Read More
This is very intense with spices and berries, as well as some tile, incense and some sandalwood. Very fresh and vivid for 2017. Wonderful length and precision. Energetic and electric. Needs time to come together. Great. Try after... Read More
This is aromatic with ripe red berries, dried flowers, orange peel and moist tree bark. Finely polished with medium to full body and a wide tannin structure. Firm and lightly chewy at the end.
The 2020 Barolo Via Nuova takes on a more introspective and serious tone, with more concentration and dark berry notes of black raspberry and cherry as well as dark earth and menthol. It is fresh on the palate, with significantly... Read More
The 2022 Chardonnay Haynes Vineyard is fabulous. Sadly, it is the last vintage for this wine at Arnot-Roberts following the property's acquisition by the Lawrence family. All the classic Haynes signatures come through. Dried... Read More
I was able to taste a few lots destined for the 2021 Cornas Renaissance, and it appears to be a forward, charming wine with plenty of ripe fruit, medium body, and supple tannins. There's plenty of classic Clape character here,... Read More
Reticent of aroma, yet the coil of acidity underpinning this wine is juicy rather than hard as I have often found it in the past. A workout in the glass reveals green apple, Asian pear, anise, spa salts and chalky pungency. The... Read More
A dainty riesling, tiptoeing across a crunchy beam of Granny Smith apple, jasmine, Thai herb and lime splice. Peppery, sulfidic-minerally and balletic, but ultimately pretty easygoing in a dryish Kabinett sort of mold. This is... Read More
Subdued aromas of talc, chalk, orchard fruits, tatami straw, finger lime and fresh lemonade. Dry and tightly furled to a point that verges on severity. There is bountiful extract that pummels the cheeks and stains the palate,... Read More
A tasting of the constituent lieux-dits indicates that this will be a fresh, well-balanced style of Cornas. The acidity is high this year, and the tannins are classically Cornas in their granitic grain and intensity. A highly... Read More
Fragrant nose of violets, dried flowers, plums, morello cherries, milk chocolate and toffee. It’s supple and juicy, with a medium body and creamy tannins. Lovely, plush plum fruit and a caressing, lengthy finish. Very structured... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Zephyr pours a vibrant straw with green highlights and opens in the glass to notes of lime blossom, chive, and hints of tropical fruit and sea spray. It retains ripeness throughout, with fresh lime, green apple,... Read More
This is aromatically similar to the Vosne villages with just a bit more wood influence. The super-sleek and sophisticated middle weight flavors are even more intensely mineral-driven while displaying excellent length on the youthfully... Read More
Leading off the Cabernet Sauvignon releases, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is a larger production release and is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and nearly equal portions of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot. Smoky black fruits,... Read More
One of the world’s greatest expressions of Grenache year-in and year-out, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all varietal that was brought up in larger foudre. This cuvée comes from the Charbonnieres... Read More
Incorporating 10% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot from a mix of sites in the Columbia Valley, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Père De Famille reveals a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with beautiful cassis fruits interwoven with notions... Read More
Lots of darker cherries, dried herbs, leather, and a hint of chocolate emerge from the 2019 Clos De Betz, a medium to full-bodied, pretty, polished, elegant red with enough density and depth to evolve for a decade. The blend is... Read More
Black cherries, asphalt, hedgerow, dark spices and dried Mediterranean herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with dusty, effusive tannins and a vertical finish. Pristine and stripped-down. Drink or hold.
Smelling this is like buying a bouquet of flowers. So perfumed and floral. Plus, there’s sandalwood and cedar. Medium-to full-bodied with polished and integrated tannins that run the length of the wine. So poised and firm... Read More
The 2018 Il Caberlot is a stunning wine. It's not the most immediate nor explosive Caberlot, but it is such a tremendous example of this wine. The bouquet alone is mesmerizing. Crushed herbs, rose petal, mint, blood orange,... Read More
Possibly immortal, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli evolves slowly in the glass, at first dark and dusty with dried violets, cedar and clove. Patience rewards the taster as complex hints of spiced oranges emerge,... Read More
After losing 80% of production to frost in 2017, Vincenzo Abbruzzese decided to forego making a Brunello in 2018, giving the vines time to restore their energy. Valdicava was rewarded in 2019 with both quality and quantity. Rather... Read More
Generous tropical fruit aromas - plenty of King Alphonso mango and ripe pineapple - fill out this rich, creamy and full-bodied gruner veltliner. With a little aeration the white pepper character expands considerably. The acidity... Read More
Aromas of cherry chocolate, dark licorice, hints of bark and moist earth. Full-bodied with velvety, supple tannin structure and some chalky texture in the finish. Juicy and flavorful.
A deep golden robe. Delicate vivacious and long-lasting bubbles are the result of more than 36 months of ageing in chalk cellars. With 40% of reserve wines (the maximum possible amount), the blend offers a complex, voluptuous... Read More
Made with splashes of Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Lower East Cabernet Sauvignon is succulent and red-berried with floral and spicy elements that waft from the fresh and open nose. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is focused,... Read More
The 2022 El Palomar has an expressive nose with more exuberance, reflecting the warmer year. It has pungent flavors, with some notes of cereals and honeycomb, and it's gentle and accessible, very approachable and tender. This... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is a brilliant, chiseled wine. Apricot, white flowers, marzipan and light tropical notes are finely sketched. Vibrant saline tones extend the finish eortlessly. I especially admire the translucent... Read More
The 2010 is a remarkable wine and is a testament to all the efforts of the Cathiard family and their team. Complex and dense, the bouquet reveals a gorgeous array of blackcurrants, graphite, smoke, spices, gum trees, tobacco and... Read More
One of the more notable successes in Pessac-Léognan is this 2018 thanks to its wonderful bouquet of red cherry, spring flowers, cedar and liquorice, graphite aromas and elegant earthy notes. With building tannins, a fresh,... Read More
This is tight and closed now but shows plenty of orange peel, berry, strawberry and floral character. Medium to full body. Tannins are integrated and velvety textured. Try after 2027.
Fresh and vivid with raspberry, lime and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium-bodied with tight and polished tannins that are completely integrated. Polished and fine. Needs time to open and show itself.
A hugely characterful, complex Meunier with aromas of cooked lime, greengage and white pepper spice, lifted up with details of nut skin and blossom. Frankly dry, but beguilingly well balanced, the oaky richness finds a rare and... Read More
Dark chocolate, bramble tones, not overly floral or fruity with some cedar and cinnamon notes. Lovely high acidity straight away, forward, bright and energetic with lovely crunchy blue fruit on the palate but creamy textured tannins... Read More
Raspberries and flowers and hints of citrus on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight and focused palate of fruit, with tight and firm tannins. Reserved and powerful. Great bottle. Try after 2029.
The flagship from this great estate is the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill, which checks in as a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. It has an incredible nose of pure blue fruits as well as flowers, crushed... Read More
Once again there is a plethora of floral elements adding elegance to the nose of cool and restrained aromas that also include an exotic tea component. There is a bit more size, weight and volume to the more powerful, and more... Read More
Winemaker Bernardino Sani describes Vigna del Suolo simply as the best fruit of the estate. It hails from the oldest plantings on a limestone-rich soil reaching an elevation of 320 metres. While it demonstrates greater density... Read More
At an average altitude of 300 metres, Argiano stretches out over 120 hectares (58 of which are planted to vines) in the southwestern sector of Montalcino. Looking towards the Mediterranean, the vineyards are bathed in breezes... Read More
Pouring a bright medium yellow/straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is highly expressive, with a golden perfume of pineapple, orange oil, and a bit of honeysuckle. It has full body and a rounded texture, with ripe apricot, hazelnut,... Read More
A ripe but notably fresher nose speaks of dark cherry, raspberry, anise, violet and a hint of exotic tea. The much finer medium-bodied flavors are also more minerality driven while offers excellent length on the balanced finale.... Read More
The 2020 Dogliani San Luigi is fabulous. Racy and effusive, with soaring aromatics, the 2020 is impressive right out of the gate. A rush of rose petal, lavender, spice, mint and mocha hits the palate. The 2020 impresses with its... Read More
A pretty Chianti Classico with a gently lifted nose of raspberries, sour cherries, dried roses, lemon peel and moss. Medium-bodied with crunchy acidity and fine tannins. Juicy and fruity at the end. From organically grown grapes.... Read More
A dark red color, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva takes a darker profile with notes of black cherries, sweet baking spices, turned soil, and violets. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it reveals a more noble structure, with... Read More
A red with blueberry, blackberry and hints of flower on the nose and palate. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a crisp finish. Elegance with depth, yet structured and solid. Better in 2017.
Harvested classically around 20 October, Roberto Conterno's Cerretta is a sleek example of a powerful wine with grace. Dried roses and dried cherries are highlighted, with fresh strawberry and watermelon, completed by sweet... Read More
There’s a ripe herb/herbal edge in the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Tournahu Vineyard, which comes from a vineyard on the valley floor located on an old riverbed. Lots of black fruits, salted meats, and cured black olives define... Read More
Sourced from three vineyards, the ripe but transparent red 2021 Pinot Noir VGR is a lovely expression of a regional wine, with ripe raspberry, mossy earth, and spicy notes of licorice. Juicy and approachable on the palate, with... Read More
Gentle and delicately aromatic but rich too, full of coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, caramel and medicinal herbs - mint and aniseed with a combination of red, blue and black berry fruits. Lovely density and weight on the palate,... Read More
The 2022 La Santa de Úrsula is balsamic and reveals notes of rose petals and talcum powder. The fruit is darker (riper), and it has a juicy palate with fine tannins and a long, lingering finish. 8,000 bottles and 100 magnums... Read More
A ripe youthful yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay VGW is fantastic out of the gates, with ripe aromas of white smoke, lemon balm, salty earth, and white peach. From all volcanic soils, the 2021 Chardonnay VGW is ripe through the... Read More
A vibrant, balanced and fresh red with raspberries, pomegranates, cherry stones and spice box on the nose. Sleek, tight tannins. Focused, with a very fine structure and wound-up energy.
The dark style of Alfio Cavallotto is, if possible, enhanced here by the natural style of the vintage. This is a cask sample, still in oak and not bottled yet. It has an intense smoky woodland nose, with a lot of mineral earthiness... Read More
Next up is the 2020 Grattamacco, which really takes things up a notch. A deep, ruby red, it offers decadent and harmoniously layered armoas of pristine oak spice, fresh leather, mossy earth, tobacco and kirsch. Full-bodied and... Read More
Beautiful aromas of plums and violets with some flint. Full-bodied. Layered and softly chewy. Meat, berry and hints of cedar and nutmeg. Flavorful finish. Solid and very together with a softness at the back of the palate.... Read More
Very aromatic with hibiscus, crab apple, orange blossom, and ripe strawberry on the nose. Full-bodied, very layered and powerful, yet it remains very fine textured with an intense finish. Slightly more structured than before.... Read More
An integrated and well-crafted Barolo with flowers and lemon peel to the cherry and strawberry aromas. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins and a linear drive throughout. Tight and muscular.
Intense aromas of red currants, sweet tobacco, lead pencil, and terra-cotta. Medium to full body with polished tannins that are very well-integrated into the wine. It is racy and long with lovely mocha and subtle fruit at the... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Mae Estate opens with hints of chalk that give way to white peach, red apple, almonds and floral perfume on the nose. The palate has a textural breadth that emphasizes its deep core of savory fruit, and a foil... Read More
Attractive blueberries, brambles and cherries with spiced orange peel and lilac blossom, as well as some smoky dark spices and cocoa. Full, concentrated and very tense, with tightly packed but very polished and fine tannins. Shows... Read More
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Base vintage + 20% vin de réserve (just the year just before) aged in foudre
2016 was 80% was vinified in inox and 20% in barrel
Elevage sur lies for 24 months
Bottled Spring after harvest... Read More
I always love the Tempranillo from this estate. Based on 85% Tempranillo with the rest Graciano and Syrah (co-fermented), all from the estate Paderewski Vineyard, the 2018 Tempranillo is tight and compact on the palate and has... Read More
A gorgeously fresh, airy and cool nose combines notes of green apple, a panoply of white flowers nuances, wet stone and a pretty array of exotic spice elements, especially jasmine. There is a notably more refined mouthfeel to... Read More
Fragrant aromas of candied citrus, guava and orange blossoms followed by nettles, sage and box trees. Medium-bodied, mouthwatering acidity. Vibrant and aromatic.
A blend of 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault from 6.5 hectares around the structure, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Mas features charming, complex scents of mixed cherries and garrigue. It's full-bodied... Read More
This wine is Egly's treasure; with more than SIX YEARS on its lees, “V.P.” (in French, “extended aging”) is a testament both to the greatness of his terroir and to his vision as an uncompromising Champagne... Read More
One of the very finest wines produced in this less heralded vintage is Egly's 2014 Brut Grand Cru Millésime, a strikingly vinous and enveloping Champagne that wafts from the glass with aromas of pear, mirabelle plum,... Read More
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis is a total stunner, unwinding with crushed flowers, white peach, vanilla, yellow apple, lemon flesh and toasty elements. Offering a vertical sensation on the full-bodied palate, the... Read More
Lush with notes of dusty earth, the deep ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is rosy and pure, with wild raspberry liqueur, anise, and orange. Medium-bodied with a focused feel, while retaining ripe red fruit, it offers... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a quintessential wine from this property. Firm and classically built, the 2019 exudes mountain energy. Dark cherry, plum, grilled herbs, bay leaf, incense, licorice and tobacco all race across the... Read More
The 2021 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon is crunchy, refreshing and easy to drink. It's scented of fresh blackcurrants and cherries, plus nuances of garrigue and charcuterie. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with... Read More
The 2021 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has pretty tones of blueberries and black cherries with nuances of lavender, thyme and underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Pich is a terrifi introductory-level wine from Julien Fayard. A rich, opulent wine, Le Pich offers up a compelling mélange of black cherry, plum, chocolate, cloves, new leather and licorice.... Read More
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is laced with dark cherry, plum, mocha, dark spice and chocolate. In 2021, the Reserve is a bit softer and less opulent than it can be, and that adds to its overall immediacy. Once again, it... Read More
The terrific 2021 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain is a 60-40 blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot from this vineyard in southern Napa. Vaguely floral and leafy, loaded with purple raspberries and cherries, this is really complex,... Read More
The 2021 Pinot Noir Ryan has a medium ruby color and autumnal scents of truffle and forest floor, cinnamon and Earl Grey tea leaves complementing a core of wild berry fruit. (In 2021, the wine comes from the Dutton-Jentoft and... Read More
A semi-opaque red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate offers lots of ripe mixed berry and blue fruits as well as notes of candied flowers, loads of graphite and dark stone, and well-balanced spice. Full-bodied on the palate, with ripe,... Read More
The 2021 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard is fabulous. Bright, punchy and full of energy, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, mint, lavender, dried rose petal and cinnamon all race across the palate.... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another stellar wine from Robert Craig. Bright and incisive, with tons of energy, the Howell Mountain Cabernet delivers the goods, big time. A rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose... Read More
With its violet hue hints and the pungent floral notes that leap from the glass, this Pinot equals clone 777 and 943. The resulting wine is effusively floral and fresh red fruited—notes of red raspberries, chicory root and... Read More
Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.... Read More
Made with Sagrantino, the Paolo Bea 2017 Rosso di Véo (with 13,212 bottles released) is an ambitious wine that embraces the stubborn character of this grape and turns its over to a softer, more malleable style. Fruit comes... Read More
Fresh and demure nose with lots of cocoa powder, blackcurrants, blackberries and a hint of cigar and charcoal. Excellent depth and class here with a very juicy center palate. Medium to full body with a long and layered finish.... Read More
Relatively closed right now, as are all the St-Juliens, this takes time to open in the glass but does so to reveal lots of northern Médoc character in the liquorice and brambly fruit puree, with touches of caramel and sweet... Read More
Pretty mesquite and red tea aromas lead off, followed by silky red cherry and raspberry fruit. Shows a light garrigue hint through the finish, as the perfume just lingers and lingers. Small in scale, but extremely stylish.... Read More
Background hints of wood are present on the brooding and much more sauvage-inflected aromas of plum and dark currant. The supple and delicious medium weight flavors possess better volume as well as mid-palate density, all wrapped... Read More
This is at once more elegant and much spicier on the aromas of red and black cherry, jasmine tea and soft wood influence. Here too the mid-palate mouthfeel of the middle weight flavors is rich to the point of being suave while... Read More
It is a blend of our different terroirs (flint, caillottes, clay-limestone). The wine is rich and fruity. A perfect balance of our terroirs with the minerality of the flint, the finesse of the clots and the fat of the clay-limestone.... Read More
A balanced, measured, incredibly tight delivery of the triumvirate of tannins, fruit and acidity. The architecture hits the level of the 2010, fairly unusual in a year where the tannins have such a deft brush stroke in the main.... Read More
Hints of stewed herbs to the nicely baked cherries, strawberries and some hibiscus and dark spices. Fruity, medium-bodied on the palate with fine-grained tannins and a fresh, medium-long finish.
The purity of Botrytis in this wine is so impressive with dried fruits such apple and mango. And then spicy character. Full body and very sweet but it is incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. Perfectly manicured... Read More
The barrel sample of the 2021 Pétalos was lower in alcohol than ever (13.5%), and the wine felt a bit reductive and needed time in the glass to open up. That's not a bad sign in my book, and the wine was lighter, a... Read More
Lemon oil, green apple, moss & white flower, wet soil, iodine—remarkable textural tension between fruit, minerality & acidity—so balanced, the finish lingers for minutes—think 'Puligny'... Read More
Here the almost unbelievably complex nose is more restrained than that of the Bâtard with its pure aromas of lilac, rose petal, lavender, spiced pear, exotic tea and lemon confit. There is excellent richness and outstanding... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU is a regal, elegant wine. Citrus, white flowers, mint, white pepper and jasmine are all finely cut in mid-weight, racy Chardonnay that captures all the best this challenging year... Read More
The Maresh Golden is a medium, youthful and rich blue-red with brilliant transparency. Of course, the nose is full of Hood strawberries with the cool freshness of rain and the Pacific Ocean in the spring air, along with dark red... Read More
The fourth edition of Bollinger's limited PN series is the most expressive yet, with a hugely satisfying, expansive character. Dried pear, stewed Bramley apple and nectarine melt into the depths of reserve wine complexity,... Read More
Deep and complex, with fresh black and blue fruit and an attractive floral and peppery note to this vintage, followed by hints of cedar, sweet spice and vanilla. Very dusty and juicy on the palate, with mealy, powdery tannins... Read More
Aromas and flavors of sliced apples, lemon curd and hints of stone. Oyster shell. Lime undertones. It’s medium-bodied. Firm and fine phenolics. Tension and focus. Impressive for the vintage. Drink now or hold.
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.
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
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
An elegant, cool and airy nose blends notes of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry and violet. The dense, delicious and tension-filled middleweight flavors culminate in a robust, serious and long but not rustic finale. Solid... 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
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
Bright ruby in color. The bouquet on the nose is intense, with rich cherry and red berry aromas and leafy undertones. On the palate it is silky, balanced, with medium body, refined tannins and a long flavorful finish of blackberry... Read More
The most gorgeous violet-edged ruby colour, here there is a clear depth to the fruit and structure. Margaux typicity comes out in the floralily and striking energy in th fruit. A yield of 34hl/ha. 3% Petit Verdot completes the... 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
It's always nice to have Timothy with you. We love his depth and dignity, his ironic wit and his powerful stature. He delights us with stories about his homeland, the limestone soil and the slate landscapes. Every anecdote... 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.
Theodora is back and brings joy back into all of our lives. Seductive, bold, with an extremely great structure. Spirited, independent and a little stubborn as ever. But that's exactly how we love them. Because life is about... Read More
Nervy, nicely funky, precise and mineral nose with a “protective” flintiness and an alluring peppery edge to the wild berries and pomegranate. Fine, dissolved tannins with a mealy, dusty texture, tapping into a super... 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
Scented, delineated nose but has depth, too. It effuses wet-stone minerality that gives a thin overlay to the red and blue berries. Some spices, briar and hibiscus, too. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied on the palate, which is... Read More
Dark chocolate, a bit animalistic, so brooding and dark. Sumptuous texture, rich and deep yet vibrant too, this is plush and opulent but there is refinement here, you can feel the sculpting of the fruit and the tannins, there... Read More
Floral and lifted on the nose, dark chocolate, violets and rose petals with sweet strawberries and pomegranates. This has a sticky side, balsamic touches but with herbal edges too. Thrilling with a lovely texture, you get the... Read More
The 20th vintage DuMOL has produced from this site, the youthful golden/straw-colored 2021 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel is flinty and filled with pure fruit, including lime zest, fresh pineapple, and green apple,... 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
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
Another 2020 that's going to demand patience, the 2020 Château Léoville Las Cases is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot that was raised in 80% new French oak. It's... 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
Clean floral aromas with notes of yellow peach and apple and a touch of almond. Medium-bodied with saline freshness on the palate and a long finish with more lemon zest and peel clothing the tight, dry-mineral texture. Top quality... Read More
The Gold Dragonfly Kimoto from Izumibashi in Kanagawa prefecture is a sake crafted from estate-grown Raku-fumai rice that is milled down to 35%. Aromas of Lychee, violets, parsley, and pineapple lead into a palate... Read More
Giuseppe Rinaldi's recent vintages have the potential to become cult wines. The 2015 is extremely pale and lively, focused on fresh citrusy notes of orange peel and cedar wood with a rhubarb candy core accompanied by star... 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
•Biodynamic farming: aeration of the soil, herbal infusions, natural composts, cover crops; planting, pruning, racking, and bottling in accordance with the lunar calendar
•Domaine is in the process of seeking organic... Read More
Purchased by the Comte Lafond, an ancestor of the current owner, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, Château du Nozet and its surrounding vineyards have a reputation for producing the finest Pouilly-Fumé. The vineyards are... 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
An unmistakable Aglianico bouquet of crushed rocks, flowery underbrush, ash, black olive and musky currants wafts up from the 2016 Taurasi Riserva Puro Sangue. It’s soft-textured yet racy in style, with stimulating acidity... Read More
The 2020 Satyricon bursts from the glass with a spicy mix of dried roses, black currants, camphor and ground ginger. It’s racy and sleek in style, with gobs of saline mineral tones up front that give way to tart blackberry,... 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
Equal parts fresh, high-toned fruit and warm earth, this has layers of crushed cherry, cassis and vanilla-edged plum flavors seamlessly woven with hay, crushed rock and dried flowers. Supple and approachable, with juicy acidity... 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
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
Reminding me a little of the 2009, the 2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte has a rich, powerful style in its cassis, blueberry, and black raspberry fruit as well as its chalky minerality, smoked earth, tobacco, and lead pencil... 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
Concentration and intensity to the cassis and bilberry fruits. Well expressed, carefully extracted and there is good balance with a crushed mint freshness on the finish. Really starts to show subtle floral edging with time in... 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
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 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
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
Les Romains is a cuvee typified by a combination of flint and limestone; its name refers to the remains of a Roman road crossing the plot. This 100% Sauvignon white wine has a nose opening to delicate notes of white flowers, walnut... 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
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.
Deep cherry damson red in colour, clear depth. Touches of kicking spice right from the start, I like the surprise of the battle between richness and bitterness. It feels like a heavy blanket of fruit which is burrowing down but... 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 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was just bottled this past summer. It is of course a very young wine, but possesses tremendous aromatic nuance and freshness to play off a core of huge dark fruit. Readers will have to be patient with... Read More
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Estate Vineyard (84% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot) spent 22 months in 80% new French oak. It has a more mineral-laced style as well as dark currants and cassis-like... Read More
The 2018 Gattinara Valferana is explosive right out of the glass. Supporting veins of tannin carry a core of red fruit, cinnamon, rose petal, blood orange, mint and white pepper. The Valferana is complex and wonderfully deep from... Read More
The 2020 Campo di Magnacosta is a wine of depth and gravitas. Dark cherry, lavender, spice, sage and leather fill out the layers. There's terrific breadth and volume here, but also a good bit of tannin that needs time to soften.... Read More
There are roughly 6,000 cases of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso, a more forward, plush, sexy wine that's already drinking brilliantly. Loaded with red and black fruits as well as leafy herbs, violets, and tobacco notes,... Read More
Do Ferreiro is a benchmark Albariño. Every year, it delivers the goods, showing a degree of aromatic complexity, nervy minerality, and pure intensity of flavor that always makes it stand out from the rest. Delicious upon... Read More
The 2010 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne has a more Germanic, Riesling-like bouquet with light petrolly aromas infusing the clear honey, acacia and orange blossom. The palate is well balanced with a tangy entry, very focused... Read More
A blend of the 2016 and 2015 vintages, the NV Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Crayères is an especially good rendition of this almost routinely sublime bottling. Unwinding in the glass with notes of pear, wild berries,... Read More
Ravishing pineapple and orange-peel nose with a hint of mint wafting over the deep fruit. Stunning combination of juiciness, concentration and vibrancy that runs right through the very long finish. So uplifting with great aging... Read More
This is my third Pinot produced from Weber Vineyard, a beautiful vineyard just down Worden Hill Road from Maresh Vineyard that I have prized for a very long time. The vines in this block were planted in 1983 on their own roots.... Read More
Quiet complexity that needs time in the glass. While it is brooding and deep, there is also a perfumed, floral and herbal aspect that makes it so attractive and unforgettable, even at such an embryonic stage. Freshly crushed blueberries,... Read More
The 2020 Château Trotte Vieille has closed down since I tasted it as a barrel sample in 2021 and needs lots of air, but this is an incredibly gorgeous wine. Its dense purple hue is followed by powerful, inward bouquet of... Read More
Kosta Browne is taking great care of this former Saints bury vineyard source. A brilliant vein of black cherries and sour cherries weaves through black tea, redwood duff and subtle oak spices in this medium- to full-bodied wine,... Read More
Beautiful aromas of strawberries and cherries with hints of flowers follow through to a full body and ultra-fine tannins. Long and flavorful finish. This needs another two or three years to soften the tannins and come together.... Read More
This graceful Champagne offers hints of smoke and toasted brioche that transition to patisserie apple and blackberry fruit, candied ginger and mandarin orange peel notes. Seamlessly knit and mouthwatering, with a minerally underpinning... Read More
Planted in 1984, Bugialla is a 4ha plot at 500 metres on stony Galestro soil. Owner Piero Lanza picks the larger bunches first for the Chianti Classico and leaves the smaller bunches to ripen longer for the Riserva. Just bottled,... Read More
This perfumed nose shows beautiful spice notes of black pepper, nutmeg and mesquite with floral aromas of lavender and dried rose petal. Ripe blueberry, raspberry and blackberry bramble mingle throughout. The mouth mimics the... Read More
Luc Morlet has 100 Muscadelle vines, planted in 1953, which he co-ferments with the Sauvignon Blanc to produce this stunning wine. This is all barrel fermented with native yeast. This barrel sample of 2019 La Proportion Doree... Read More
Pinot Noir takes a slight edge over Chardonnay in the NV Champagne Cuvée Laetitia Brut (60% of the blend), and it has a softer approach aromatically, with a bit more refined sophistication. Here things come into focus with... Read More
Touch of reduction on the nose, gunsmoke and flint, this is gastronomic and serious, the fint and citrus flavours are hidden at first. A brilliant one-two punch with the first and second wines in the Cos stable this year.... Read More
This has so much tannic power, with density, layers and structure along with layers of blackberry, liquorice, baked earth, cigar box and the signature exotic spices of Mouton. A big, textured and complex wine that is taking it... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict is a powerful, brooding wine. The high percentage of stems (75%) undoubtedly adds savory intensity, but it also masks some site character. The 2019 is a gorgeous wine, but it is also austere... Read More
The 2019 Red Blend Grus is a blend of 75% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, 7% Garnacha, 2% Malbec, 2% Cariñena and 1% Petit Verdot from Alcohuaz, Elqui, aged in concrete and foudres. Intense purplish-red in hue. The nose offers... Read More
The 2019 Art Series Chardonnay is rich and savory but pure and saline too. There is white peach, red apples, curry leaf and brine. The way the flavor moves across the palate is testament to the phenolics that course through the... Read More
The 2018 Reliquus Cabernet Sauvignon is generous and fleshy, with a delicious nose of red cherry, black plum, leather, roasted red pepper, pot pourri, and dried violets. The palate is round and sublimely textured, with flavors... Read More
Inky purple in colour, with peony and iris aromatics, then a whoosh of freshness that makes your mouth water before you are even halfway through. This is extremely impressive, well balanced, with fine tannins and real discretion... Read More
This accelerates on the palate with incredibly ripe tannins and finesse. Full body, roasted fruit, leather and grilled meat. Dried flowers, too. It shows superb tannin backbone and polish. Tight and youthful. Just starting to... Read More
Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga... Read More
Located northwest above Weissenkirchen. The vineyard is planted with the oldest of all my vines (over 60 years). They produce small grapes with small berries and a naturally low yield. Instead of the peppery spiciness typical... Read More
Sweet-berry and cinnamon aromas follow through to a medium body with light yet fine tannins and a bright, fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Really delicious now, but will improve with age. Drink or hold.... Read More
The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is terrific, and while I don’t know the price, I suspect it’s a great value. Deep purple-hued, with terrific mulled currant and blackberry fruits, it has lots of ripe herbal,... Read More
A concentrated but graceful feel to this Issan, showcasing why it is one of the powerhouses of Margaux without necessarily flexing its muscles the most obviously. Takes a few moments to unroll on the palate but as it does it expands... Read More
Everyone has an Untold Story buried inside and waiting to be lived.
The concept was born from our personal journey and that many “Untold Stories” are often shared around the dinner table over a meal and a bottle of... Read More
True to its expertise in the Art of Blending, Veuve Clicquot enriched its Extra Brut Extra Old collection in 2021 with a new cuvée composed of 8 years selected among its remarkable reserve wines: 1990, 1998, 1999, 2008,... Read More
A burst of bright cherries, raspberries, and blood orange emerge from this stunning Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied with a mineral tension to balance the fur-fruited aroma and flavors that announces its status as a top-level red Burgundy.... Read More
A discreet if easily perceptible dollop of wood frames the fresh and bright aromas of essence of red currant, mineral reduction and anise. There is again a beguiling texture to the medium weight flavors that also brim with minerality... Read More
Mildly toasty aromas are comprised by notes of a beautiful array of spice elements, poached plum, cassis and floral hints that include rose petal and violet. There is a lovely sleekness to the intense, delicious and strikingly... Read More
A more elegant and ultra-cool nose reveals its combination of floral, citrus zest, iodine and that briny sea water character the best examples of Chablis all seem to possess, all of which is trimmed in moderate but not invasive... Read More
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from the Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain and is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and 4% Syrah that spent 20 months in new French oak. There are a little over 2,000 cases produced,... Read More
This is always the ripest of the wines, and in 2020 it's no exception: the 2020 Las Lamas is 14.5% alcohol. But what's important is that it doesn't show—it doesn't feel ripe or warm. In fact, this feels fresher... Read More
Rich fruit that is full of that classic exotic Cos spice, yet more restrained than in the past with a slatey graphite base. Beautifully put together; an exciting wine that will grow in complexity and flavour.
Entirely new wine this year from Ducru Beaucaillou plots in Haut-Medoc (in Cussac Fort Médoc, just over the border). This has a juicy balance, and round supple tannins, approachable but with ageing potential if you want... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, precise and refined, all qualities that make it a real pleasure to taste today. Inky dark fruit, lavender, mocha and dried herbs flesh out in the glass, framed by grippy tannins that give... Read More
Deep, rich black fruits on the nose followed by a powerful punch of spice alongside a ferocious tannic structure that will benefit from the extra polishing of bottle ageing. Combines tannic heft with cassis, bitter chocolate shavings,... Read More
Like the 2018 Chianti Classico, Cepparello shows no dilution, although the pure Sangiovese fruit gives a more austere structure. The sour cherry nose is lightly smoky but refined. Rich and very concentrated, the palate is supported... Read More
This is really beautifully rich and opulent with aromas of ripe fruit, caramel and chocolate brioche. Some earth, too. Medium-to full-bodied with soft, integrated tannins that give a cashmere mouth feel. It’s fresh and very... Read More
A little closed on the nose, and also on the attack. There is a wall of tannin here but backed up by voluptuously ripe fruits that major on damson and fig, overlaid with cinnamon and saffron spices. Lilting acidity through the... Read More
The summer heat that led to such outstanding wines from Bordeaux in 2005 was not ideal for Sauternes, as the onset of botrytis was fairly late and sporadic. Also the hot conditions kept acidity on the low side. Nonetheless d'Yquem... Read More
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old, aged for thirty years in a harmonious union of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, to create a unique taste and character.
Pale yellow, the prologue is slow and abundant and make a nice creamy line from the bottom. The nose is dominated by white fruits like appellant pear, opens on almond notes and grilled almond with hints of dry apricots slightly... Read More
The 2016 Percarlo captures all of the beauty it has always shown in the cellar. Pliant, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2016 simply has it all. Freshly cut flowers, rose petal, mint, spice and blood orange add striking aromatic... Read More
Unlike most Marlborough Sauvignons, the 2021 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc is cropped low and hand-harvested in a bid to increase concentration and restraint, respectively. This is a Scrappy Doo of a wine with its youthful “lemme... Read More
AGING Aged in 350 liter French Limonsin oak barrels. DISTILLING PROCESS Traditional white wine production of 100% Ugni Blanc. Double distillation in traditional Charentais pot-stills. ALCOHOL BY VOLUME 40% DESCRIPTION Amber in... Read More
This is a deep and rich wine with balance and intensity. Dark fruit with iron and rust undertones. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic with a flavorful finish. Opulent yet subtle. Drink now or hold.
From the most beautiful plot of our vineyards, called by generations of farmers Campo del Guardiano, this selection of Orvieto Classico Superiore is born, which is aged for several months in bottles lying down in a cavity in... Read More
Pale yellow with a green light. the perlage is abundant and live a fine mousse which stays at the top of the glass. Elegant nose, fine, fresh nuts, subtle vanilla aromas which introduce fresh citrus fruits like grapefruit and... Read More
The NV (2017) Initiation is a beautiful, exotic wine. Apricot, orange confit, hazelnut, spice and chamomile give the 2017 a decidedly exotic feel. My impression is that the 2017 will offer its best drinking sooner rather than... Read More
Based on the 2013 vintage, supplemented by some 30% of reserve wines, Billecart's latest NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru wafts from the glass with aromas of warm bread, citrus oil, crisp green apple, white flowers and crushed... Read More
The Sherry Oak Collection is a timeless sensorial journey. Beautifully led by European Oak and sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Photographer Erik Madigan Heck has captured the complexity of Sherry Oak 25 Years Old,... Read More
Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple... Read More
A gorgeous rosé in a rich, vinous style, this shows a satiny mousse and well-honed acidity, which buoy a detailed range of macerated raspberry fruit, dried apricot, grated ginger, graphite and chopped roasted almond flavors.... Read More
Lovely rancio and chocolate on the nose with a mashed almond nuance. Viscous and honeyed, with additional notes of creme brulée. Concentrated sweetness with a hint of toasted coconut on the extremely long finish.... Read More
Rich, powerful and enveloping, the 2015 Lafite-Rothschild is endowed with serious volume and textural resonance. Super-ripe plum, smoke and spice notes emerge in the glass, but only with great reluctance. Although the aromatics... Read More
Already gorgeously aromatically expressive, playing notes of delicate raspberry leaf and rose petals alongside exoctic orange and grapefruit rind. There's an inherent freshness here, long cascading lines of acidity banked... Read More
If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for you. Bollinger Champagne has made a number of cameos in James Bond films over the year. This non-vintage Special Cuvée is an example of a classic Champagne... Read More
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.