The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley) captures all the intensity of Cabernet from this part of Santa Barbara County in a cooler vintage that yielded wines built more on savory intensity rather than volume. Elegant and... Read More
This is a structured and linear Muga Reserva with a creamy and fine-tannined backbone and graphite, cherry, plum and black-truffle character. Medium-bodied, racy and beautiful. 70% tempranillo, 20% grenache and 10% mazuelo and... Read More
Ripe blackberries, cedary spice, pepper, and some gamey, sappy herb notes emerge from the 2019 Syrah Larner Vineyard, a juicy, forward, fruit-loaded effort that has good acidity and a great finish. It's up-front and almost... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County brings more up-front fruit, with lots of ripe framboise and strawberry notes as well as flowers and spice. Pure, up-front, wonderfully balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has nicely... Read More
A beautiful, elegant Saint-Emilion that will be loved by both modernists and traditionalists out there, the 2019 Château Bellefont-Belcier comes from a south-facing, limestone terroir just beside Château Pavie and... Read More
A red with lots of currant, blackberry, fresh-herb and tobacco character. Hint of mushroom, too. It’s full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Very long and focused. Give it time to come... Read More
The estate is noted for white wine, and this latest release lives up to the reputation. This textured, mainly Sauvignon Blanc wine has tight acidity set against wood aging and ripe citrus and white-fruit flavors. Drink the wine... Read More
Offering up aromas of sweet wild berries, rose petals, orange rind, wood smoke and loamy soil, the 2019 Clos Marsalette is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a sweet core of fruit, melting tannins and a lively, succulent... Read More
Delicate aromas of almonds and marzipan lead onto a ripe palate with a glycerol texture, waxy white flowers, almond butter and sweet, nutty pears. Fresh limestone and green apple acidity give a direct, crisp length. Intense minerality... Read More
Gorgeous notes of red, blue, and black fruits as well as sandalwood, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and spicy notes emerge from the 2019 Château Labégorce, one of the richer, more opulent, and straight-up sexy wines in... Read More
Intense and focused with cigar tobacco, cedar, spice and berry. Currant too. Medium- to full-bodied. The fruit is there at the beginning and then it takes off at the finish. Give this two or three years to soften and come together.... Read More
Subtle blackberry, dark mushroom and dark-purple fruit aromas with some stone, following through to a full body with solid structure and presence. It’s tannic and muscular and builds on the palate at the end. Yet, it’s... Read More
Bursting from the glass with notes of plus, sweet red berries and hints of licorice, the 2019 Mangot is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with beautifully powdery tannins and a succulent core of fruit. Giving, charming... Read More
The 2019 Château Marquis D'Alesme is terrific and a good follow-up to the brilliant 2018. Sporting a deep ruby/purple hue, it gives up a great nose of ripe darker cherries, blackberries, mulberries, leafy herbs, cedar... Read More
Sweet and ripe currants with dark cherries, too. Floral and perfumed. Medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Second wine of Pedesclaux. 67% merlot, 27% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. Drink after... Read More
Redcurrants with sweet tobacco, hazelnut, mint and moist earth, following through to a medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a palate that grows at the finish. Needs a minimum of three or four years to come around. Try after... Read More
A full-bodied red with fine tannins and plenty of plum, milk-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s creamy and attractively textured. Rather flamboyant for the vintage. Generous and formed. Drink after 2024.... Read More
Extremely perfumed and fresh with an elegant and attractive nose. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine, delicate tannins and a delicious finish. So delicious. Drink now.
Aromas of crushed blackberry, plum, blackcurrant and menthol. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Succulent and fruity on the palate with a core of black fruit and berries. Ground spice, too. Focused. Best after 2026.