A very well-structured wine with stacks of forest-berry aromas and some cherry. The amazing thing is how delicate this feels, in spite of the firm core of tannin and generous fruit. Elegant, long and velvety finish. From sustainably... 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
Sharply delineated dark fruit, exotic spice, licorice, olive paste, bacon fat and succulent floral qualities on the hugely perfumed nose. Stains the palate with alluringly sweet, densely packed, mineral-accented blueberry, cherry... Read More
Another stunning vintage from this brilliant estate that is just delivering hit after hit. Concentration and intensity right from the initial aromatics, damson, cassis and blackberry fruits that you could almost drink now until... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Franc from the Uco Valley contains 10% of Malbec and spent 15 months in foudres. Violet in hue. The raw nose offers a whiff of stem and herbal hints with a touch of sour cherry and a fruity backdrop. Quite smooth... Read More
The 2019 Syrah Estate Vineyard is an elegant, supremely classy wine. Sage, tobacco, mint, black pepper and lavender lead into a core of beautifully layered dark blue/purplish fruit. Silky and polished, the Estate Syrah is an absolute... Read More
The 2019 Syrah Hudson Vineyard is incredibly primary. Readers will have to be patient with the 2019, as it needs at least few years in bottle to develop the full range of Hudson Syrah aromatics. Today, it is the wine's depth... Read More
On a shortlist of annata wines to buy from Piedmont this year is the Brovia 2019 Barolo. Made from a blend of fruit from Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d'Alba, this wine delivers a very sharp and chiseled performance... Read More
The tank-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Bel Ami is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. Floral and mocha notes combine on the nose, while the concentrated fruit marries raspberries, black-skinned... Read More
In this seamless expression of Syrah, the nose weaves through dark fruit and purple flower aromas with nothing obtrusive. The palate is also cohesive, loaded with purple fruit and flower flavors dusted in pepper and dried herb.... Read More
This too is moderately reduced and hard to evaluate. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the punchy and alluringly textured middle weight flavors that culminate in a very firm, delicious and serious finale. This... Read More
The very lightly hued, Sauvignon Blanc dominated 2019 Flor (there's 3% Semillon) offers up a gorgeous, Bordeaux Blanc-like bouquet of ripe pineapple and citrus fruits interwoven with notes of brioche, honeyed almonds, and... Read More
Lovely, leafy aromas of fresh garden herbs, drying tobacco leaf, bay leaf, grilled plum and baked strawberry. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, slightly tense tannins. An array of juicy red and black fruit and berries on the palate.... Read More
Creamy and waxy white with ripe stone fruit, pie crust, toffee and praline notes. Full-bodied, dense and viscous with oily texture and mellow fruit character. Lingering finish. Drink or hold.
A honest red with aromas of plums, black pepper and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and crunchy acidity. Shows tension and structure, but delicious already. Better after 2022.
Ripe black cherries, dried flowers, black olives and cloves on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a juicy, flavorful finish. Better from 2023.
This too is firmly reduced and all that can be discerned is a whiff of herbal tea. The bigger, richer and more powerful medium weight plus flavors terminate in an austere, compact and much more complex finale. This appears to... Read More
The Mastrojanni 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has a pretty bouquet with dark fruit and something exotic that recalls camphor ash, wood fire ash, garrigue and dried herb. It is rich and evenly concentrated with fine chalk on the... Read More
The 2019 Syrah Estate has a medium ruby-purple color and is bursting with blackberry jam and blueberry aromas with broody tones of cast iron, chargrill, aniseed and dried herbs. The palate is lovely, with a balance of bright berry... Read More
The 2019 Haardt Muskateller is very clear, fresh and coolish on the mineral nose, with delicate minty aromas. Juicy and fresh on the palate, this is a well-structured and quite intense Muscat with refined ,elegant acidity and... Read More
Waxed lemon, pear, blanched almond, sea shell and biscuit on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fantastic concentration, texture and length. Drink or hold.
The 2019 Maniacal is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, with scents of spicy blackberries and blueberries, blood orange, dark spices and dried flowers. The medium-bodied palate is seamless and fresh,... Read More
The 2019 Left Bank Red Cuvée is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot, all aged 20 months in 60% new French oak. Gentle herb nuances bump up against cherries and raspberries on the nose, while the... Read More
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena comes from alluvial soils, and its dense purple hue is followed by a rich, powerful, concentrated wine loaded with ripe black (and some red) fruits, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, chocolate,... Read More