Vines from La Brûlade, the highest point in Bandol at 1,200 feet, make this rich and dense wine. Perfumed and still packed with dark tannins to nourish the juicy black fruits, it is structured and concentrated. Drink from... Read More
A deft application of wood sets off agreeably spicy and earthy aromas of black raspberry liqueur and discreet smoky wisps. The supple, fleshy and rounded medium-bodied flavors possess better mid-palate density if not the same... Read More
A core of pure kirsch and raspberry coulis flavors streams throughout, picking up hints of blood orange, incense, rooibos tea and shiso leaf along the way. Layered and long but remarkably silky, with the fruit glistening through... Read More
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
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
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 2021 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard shows the darker side of Anderson Valley. Black fruit, leather, gravel, incense, cloves and mocha all saturate the palate. This ample, full-bodied Pinot has a ton to offer. There is a lot... 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
Lightly dried fruit with citrus and cherry character. Medium body with fresh acidity and a linear and bright finish. Lively and delicious for the vintage. Drink now or hold.
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 2018 Barolo Bussia is a bit light, but still has plenty of character. Sweet red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and cinnamon all open with a bit of coaxing. The Bussia is the Barolo in this vintage that appears to be... Read More
The 2018 Barolo Gattera is another expression from La Morra with soft tannins and a very silky texture. Gattera is characterized by bright fruit tones, cassis and dried raspberry. You might also recognize powdered licorice and... Read More