90+ Point Wines:

Handsomely structured and showing simmering intensity framed by dark raspberry and blueberry flavors, with dusky spice and fresh forest floor accents. Finishes with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2034. 580 cases made.... Read More

If acidity was a source of electricity, the Cali Cuvee could light up the entire Willamette Valley. The wine's aromas are distinctly red-fruited, with blackcap raspberry and cherry waltzing with a note of earthy/mossy flowering... Read More

Structured like Cabernet but racy like Syrah, this red offers bold black raspberry, toasty mocha and savory spice flavors that finish with refined tannins. Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through... Read More

Sour cherry, rose petal, geranium extract and cinnamon aromas converge on the nose of this bottling. The palate picks up herbal hints of oregano, thyme and marjoram that decorate the cranberry and red plum flavors.

Aromas of orange blossom flowers and orange zest are powerful, filling the air while notes of peach melba and coconut sugar drift lazily from the glass. The Avni's crisp lime twist in a glass of tonic water on the rocks flavor... Read More

Here is the epitome of 2020’s seductiveness: dark exotic berries are tinged with a scent of juniper, while the palate strikes an arresting fusion of black cherry and lush apricot, with a ferruginous facet. Fulsome without... Read More

Every year I marvel at how such a marvelous Riesling can be $20. The Poet’s Leap opens with an aromatic ode to lychee fruit, honeysuckle, almond butter and a wisp of petrol. Lemony acidity curls itself around flavors like... Read More

Dark-fruited and with a dense and inky core, the 2018 Pedestal Merlot offers aromas of resinous purple flowers with hints of oak and blackberry jus. Full-bodied and firm on the palate, the deep and complex expression will take... Read More

A very classically styled wine with ripe plums, swathed in cedary and spicy oak. The palate has a soft and plush feel with juicy, ripe dark plums and plum cake to close. Drink now.

Quite a full-bodied, chewy and rather tannic pinot here with dark strawberries, blueberries, orange peel, graphite, crushed stones and oysters.

Scented violets, blueberries and black cherries with notes of white pepper and black chocolate. A full-bodied blend of 43% malbec, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 5% petit verdot that delivers a compact and densely framed... Read More

A fresh and rather steely white with aromas and flavors of sliced apples, lemons, minerals and flint. Medium-bodied, crisp and vivid, with the steely character coming through at the end. Subtle and delicious throughout.... Read More

Notes of white currants, peaches, white flowers and freshly baked bread introduce Latour's 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Village, a medium-bodied, satiny and fleshy palate that's bright and chalky.

A very textured chardonnay here with a subtle creamy layer to the lemon zest and minerals, with just a hint of herbs. Chalky and fresh on the palate with really attractive green fruit.

Lots of mountain herbs, mussel shells and sour black cherries. Full, fleshy and fresh on the palate with fine, silty tannins and a juicy, rather minerally finish. Long and tight but caressing and pretty transparent and tactile... Read More

There is a subtle mineral streak to the spiced berries, moss and dry earth. Juicy, bone dry and elegant, with a mineral texture and a pithy, tense finish.

Appearing a deep ruby red, Lucente boasts an intense bouquet of red berry fruit, wild blackberry, violets, and other floral notes. Broad and generous on the palate, with tannins beautifully-integrated into the structure, it develops... Read More

The 2021 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard was matured for 10 months in 45% new French oak. It has intense aromas of cranberry, raspberry, orange peel, forest floor and conifer. The medium-bodied palate is lightly chalky and refreshing... Read More

This bottling is rooted in winemaker Lane Tanner's home kitchen experiment, which revealed that ginger can serve as a preservative instead of sulfur without adding an overwhelming flavor. The ginger notes are indeed apparent,... Read More

If you are looking for a dry sherry made in a slightly more oxidized style, the non-vintage Dry Oloroso Don Nuno Solera Reserva is your choice. Again, a nuttiness (in this case, walnuts) intermixed with a hint of Chinese black... Read More

Readers looking for something weighty, sweet, and provocative should check out the non-vintage East India Solera. A blend of soleras averaging 15 to 50 years of age, it boasts a dark amber color as well as a huge nose of melted... Read More

This has a lot of zing, with dried lemon peel and chamomile flower notes leading the way, while chalk and blanched almond accents race in behind them. The finish shows nice tension. Drink now. 3,500 cases made.

The non-vintage Moscatel Emilin Solera Reserva is the sweetest sherry in this group as well as the easiest to appreciate as it is made from 100% Moscatel.

A mind-blowing sherry is the non-vintage Palo Cortado Peninsula Solera Reserva. Like all Lustau sherries except for the East India, it is made from the Palomino varietal. A dry, crisp, full-throttle, intense sherry offering incredibly... Read More

The non-vintage Rare Cream, Superior is a moderately sweet, pleasant Sherry. Do your old grandmother a favor and give her this sophisticated drink instead of Harvey’s Bristol Cream.

Plum and berry tones are pure and fruity on the nose. The mix of dark fruit and spice notes makes for a solid flavor profile, while this Monastrell offers hints of burnt toast, black licorice and spice on a slightly warming finish.... Read More

From one of the properties owned by the Milhade family, this wine is dominated by dark Merlot and rich tannins. It is dry, with some bitterness from extraction, while also having plenty of juicy blackberry fruits to balance.... Read More

A pretty nose of cherries, strawberries, plum stones, dried herbs and orange peel. Medium-bodied with sleek
tannins and a bright acidity. Juicy and crunchy with fresh red-fruit notes and a joyful finish. Drink now.... Read More

A very attractive introduction to the white wines of the Rhone, this has so much apricot, dried apple and pear fruit, but also notes of fresh nuts and hay. Nice juiciness on the generous palate, the interplay of fruit, healthy... Read More

Aromas of dark cherries, leaves, gunpowder and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with crunchy dark cherries and some black pepper on the palate. Transparent and precise with a flavorful finish.

The ripe, dense and juicy 2020 Oak Cask Red Blend was produced with 50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. It has ripe fruit, some balsamic and creamy oak with spices and smoke from the six to nine months it spent in... Read More

A scented but serious malbec with plenty of blueberries, herbs and a fine touch of cocoa powder. A hint of white pepper and cigar box. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with supple, round tannins and a juicy, long finish. Complex,... Read More

Lots of fresh herbs and a fine twist of tobacco and smoke to the red plums and redcurrants. Tannins are chalky and present, which creates a linear but tight mouthfeel. Deliciously fine-grained. Drink or hold.

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 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate... Read More

Lovely aromas of berry galette with a touch of crisped brown sugar with added complexity from undernotes of rose petal and orange zest. The broad and gentle palate offers ripe grilled peach and finishes clean with pepper and tangy... Read More

The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves,... Read More

Deep garnet to the eye, this wine has a nose of black currant, thyme and marjoram. There is a nice mix of savory and fruit flavors, notably cranberry, pomegranate, oregano, roasted almond and salted popcorn backed by silky tannins.... Read More

Intense black-cherry color with good depth of color and hardly any signs of evolution. Very expressive aromas on the nose with notes of licorice, cinnamon and black pepper, with just a subtle hint of the long cask-ageing, thanks... Read More

Lavender and anise on the nose, very Provençal aromatics. Medium-bodied, quite soft on the palate, with slender tannins. Good sense of ripeness, the alcohol is gently warming. Good length, and otherwise very well balanced.... Read More

The 2022 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo opens with a savory mix of wild herbs, cedar shavings and dried black cherries. It impresses with its silken textures and a solid core of tart wild berry fruits elevated by a tinge of zesty... Read More

This wine features bright aromas of lemon verbena, green apples, and cut grass. On the palate, it reveals lively flavors of pineapple, grapefruit, and lime zest, delivering a fresh and zesty profile.Winery.

Sleek and vibrant, with multilayered raspberry and cherry flavors highlighted by briary forest floor, savory sage and white pepper tones as this zips along the finish. Drink now through 2032. 738 cases made.

A final tank blend soon to be bottled, the 2017 Amoenus Cabernet Sauvignon gives up a deep garnet-purple color an impressive array of black cherries, charcoal, mulberries, warm plums, chargrill and crème de cassis scents... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Amoenus Cabernet Sauvignon displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color, leaping from the glass with vibrant scents of redcurrant jelly, black cherry compote, cassis and mulberries, plus suggestions... Read More

Sauvignon grown in Pisco country: this has a desert cactus-green cool and exotic fruit flavors of cherimoya. It has cherimoya’s creaminess as well, a crush of white fruit to pour with a Chilean corn pudding.

Broad and open-knit, this harmonious red integrates fine tannins with a fragrant overtone of cured tobacco, featuring baked currant and fig, fresh and loamy earth, black licorice twist and milled pepper. Fresh and focused on the... Read More

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced with grapes from their vineyard in Perdriel (Finca de los Andes is now mentioned on the label) that was planted in 1994 and delivers a fruit-driven and varietal red with fine tannins and... Read More

The velvety 2019 Lunta Malbec was produced with fruit from Luján de Cuyo, and it's as classic as it gets, with aromas of wild berries, flowers an orange peel. It fermented in stainless steel and was bottled unoaked.... Read More

A rich nose in this malbec with dried flowers, strawberries and orange skins. Medium body, firm tannins and vibrant finish.

Hazelnuts, cherries and plums on the nose, with some vanilla. It’s creamy, full-bodied and nicely polished. Firm yet rounded and velvety tannins surround the fruit. Drink or hold.

The 2019 Chardonnay Olivet Lane has pure, pretty scents of golden apples and pears, saline and Meyer lemon, with undertones of baker's yeast, chamomile and beeswax. The medium-bodied palate is pure and energetic, balancing... Read More

The 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, medium ruby in color, has a nose of red and black cherries, with touches of dusty earth, charcuterie and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate is silky and full of luscious, spice-laced red berry fruits,... Read More

A distinctive white, with fleshy mango, peach and apricot flavors at the core, plus notes of candied ginger, lemon curd and candied kumquat. Floral details, herbal accents and a drizzle of honey linger on the finish. Drink now.... Read More

Aromas of juicy plums, macerated blackberries and intense purple flower notes dusted with savory spice pour from the glass. Fresh and fruit-forward, on the generous palate it gives tarter cherry notes with wild herbs finishing... Read More

The red 2021 GY is a blend of 65% Malbec and 35% Cabernet Franc that fermented with 50% full clusters (the Malbec was with stems and the Cabernet Franc destemmed) and matured in used 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months.... Read More

They only make red wines here, as the whites are sold through a personal project of Andrea Mufatto, called MA. The 2022s have a little more ripeness, reflecting the character of the warm and dry year, but the wines have freshness... Read More

This has a pretty nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, lavender, iodine, pecans and graphite. Some chocolate orange. Medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of herbs and earth. Excellent structure... Read More

Lively, with a mix of red and black currant and boysenberry notes liberally laced with floral, sassafras and dried anise notes. Sanguine and cedar hints check in on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 658 cases made.... Read More

There's an exotic thread of jasmine, cardamom and turmeric winding through the blood orange granita, melon, lime zest and stone notes in this bright and balanced Prosecco. Drink now. 38,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported.... Read More

Dark purple. Spicy and expansive on the nose, displaying scents of blackberry, cherry, vanilla and lavender and a touch of smokiness. Tightly focused dark berry flavors are complicated by floral and oak spice notes that deepen... Read More

The 2022 Barbera d’Alba is packed with ripe dark cherry/plum, mocha, spice and a touch of French oak. Readers who enjoy racy, extroverted Barberas will find considerable pleasure here.

Dense and firm, with notes of graphite, black licorice and fresh-cracked black pepper, along with cedar, tobacco and spices. Delivers ripe, concentrated dried blueberry, plum and cassis flavors, showing plenty of restraint on... Read More

This stylish and distinctive red is decidedly ripe, with notes of cherry and berry preserves at the core, accented by spearmint, menthol, spicy clove and cardamon hints that add complexity and aromatics. A chocolaty note gains... Read More

Fragrant spring blossom, tropical fruit and yellow peach aromas lead the nose on this tangy white. Bright and savory, the rounded palate doles out ripe honeydew, juicy grapefruit, apricot and orange drop candy alongside fresh... Read More

Deep nose, but really fresh at the same time. Currants, blackberries and chili-pepper chocolate with cedary and meaty undertones. This is really juicy, with a tight, tensely framed palate, underscored by lots of creamy, dusty... Read More

Opaque in color and fully ripe on the nose, with aromas of cool earth, graphite, blackberry and black olive, this Apalta vineyard Syrah feels rich and layered, with just enough grip. Dark berry and cassis flavors are toasty and... Read More

Peppery and floral nose with some dark cherries, graphite, peppermint and wild herbs. Juicy and fine-grained on the palate with silky, close-knit tannins. Pretty long and bright. Drink or hold.

This is a smashing deal every vintage, and this year's blend of 58% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 3% Tempranillo doesn't disappoint. Fresh but savory aromas of roasted red fruit and baking spice drop into... Read More

Rich black cherry aromas are cut by minty cocoa and a wet-slate minerality on the nose of this always excellent bottling, which is made from organic grapes. The palate retains both density and brightness, offering ripe strawberry... Read More

White melon, crisp nectarine and apple slice aromas mare cut by sea salt on the cohesive nose of this bottling. There's a sharper, crystalline focus to the palate, where citrus edges cut into the warmer cantaloupe and tropical... Read More

A light color in the glass, this stainless-steel Chardonnay offers tropical aromas of jasmine, plumeria and honeydew. The palate is brisk and tightly woven, as lime peel and juice flavors cut through the coconut and tropical flower... Read More

The only one of the Mt Brave wines that isn't 100% varietal, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder includes 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Offering hints of sage and lavender entwined among waves... Read More

Sleek and discreet, with harmonious blackberry, cumin and black tea flavors that take on structure toward refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028.

Delicate in style yet plush, with pretty cherry, lemon verbena and yeast roll flavors that linger on the supple, refreshing finish. Drink now. 220,000 cases made

The 2021 Chardonnay is very ripe in style with scents of banana chip, apple pie, jasmine, allspice and brown sugar. The full-bodied palate is packed with ripe, spicy fruits and plenty of refreshing acidity, and it finishes long... Read More

Inviting aromas of ripe pineapple and candied lemons with hints of honeysuckle, citrus blossom, praline and some flinty minerality to it. Medium- to full-bodied with a structured, creamy palate offering ripe fruit and mineral... Read More

The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc displays intense lifted aromas of citrus blossom, lemongrass, and green gage plums. The palate introduces delightful citrus based mouth watering intensity and finishes with a strong textural... Read More

Lush and expansive, this Cabernet of dark fruits, chocolate basil and rich spices envelopes the nose and palate. Mouthwatering and lengthy, this wine delivers an intriguing balance of bold presence and poise.

An attractive blue-fruited malbec with fresh violet and mineral undertones. Medium-bodied, juicy and vivid on the palate with polished tannins. Notes of crushed stone and flowers at the end. Refreshing finish.

This charming Pinot is nicely structured and appealing for its lively cherry, orange peel and green tea accents. Finishes with refined tannins. Drink now through 2030. 4,500 cases made.

The 2019 Barolo Villero is a powerful, classically austere young Barolo. Then again, that is Villero. Bright acids and clean mineral underpinnings give the 2019 striking energy. Spice, dried flowers, mint, crushed rocks, cranberry... Read More

Deep, youthful violet. Expansive, spice accented black and blue fruit and floral scents, along with hints of vanilla and cola. In a plush, forward style, offering appealingly jammy cherry and boysenberry flavors that show good... Read More

A fist of late summer cherries, raspberry and bilberry fruits set out their stall, all with the juicy character that confirms, even in a hot vintage like 2017, Opus can deliver balance and sculpted elegance. Beautiful grip, creamy... Read More

Even with an appreciable volume (11,300 cases), all of the 2021 Chardonnay Mannequin was barrel fermented and matured, spending eight months in 23% new French oak. Blended primarily from Santa Barbara and Sonoma sources (there... Read More

Winemaker Dave Phinney expects to bottle a bit more than 6,000 cases of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head, what he calls a typical volume for it. Sourced from a couple of well-known valley floor sites and the Stagecoach... Read More

The 2019 Quintaluna, pure Verdejo from the province of Segovia, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and was kept with the lees for nine months. A small fraction of the wine was in oak foudres and barrels. This... Read More

Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a little coaxing to begin, soon unfurling to reveal notions of crushed black cherries, wild blueberries and fresh blackcurrant, plus suggestions of tar, wet... Read More

Rich and bold up front, offering plenty of honeysuckle and spice notes. A drizzle of wildflower honey and a toast detail complement flavors of apricot pastry, candied ginger and marmalade, while a fresh thread of acidity runs... Read More

Extremely rich, ripe and creamy, this luxurious wine ferments and ages in 90% new French barrels, and a majority of the grapes come from Old Wente clone vines from Atlas Peak AVA vineyards. Aromas of butterscotch, vanilla bean,... Read More

A linear, fresh and tangy white with an appetizing reserved texture and vivid lemongrass, mineral and citrus flavors. Medium bodied, crisp in acidity and rather low in alcohol. All barrel-fermented and aged on the lees. So vibrant,... Read More

Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, fresh and immediate aroma with notes of ripe red fruits and vegetables. Dry and smooth to the palate, good structure and nose-palate persistence.

Full-bodied red with aromas of incense, mushrooms, olives and black fruits on the nose. Creamy tannins here, all well-integrated, with a juicy finish. Showing nice development.

Bright and packed with black cherry, blackberry, violet and spice aromas and flavors, this red is succulent and harmonious. Lingers nicely on the finish. Enjoy this one now for its youthful exuberance. Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Merlot... Read More

Scents of tar, clove, licorice and carob hint at the depth of flavor in this wine. The blackberry-compote richness and concentration are hard to overstate, but a mass of tannins intercedes, linking up with the wine’s acidity... Read More

A fine-tannined red with blackberry, blueberry and vanilla aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and wonderful purity of fruit.

The deeper clays of this site tend to do well in warmer years, and the 2022 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux is no exception, offering up aromas of dried white flowers, peach, citrus oil and freshly baked bread, followed by a medium to... Read More