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