Wine Enthusiast 93; Jane Anson 92; Wine Spectator 92: Parker 91+: 'A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot and 2.5% Malbec, the 2022 Cissac confirms its evolution toward a charming, delicate bouquet of dark wild berries, smoke, licorice and cigar wrap. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, it has structured tannins, a fleshy, delicate core of fruit and a well-balanced finish with a spicy aftertaste. This is a real effort. Drink 2025-2032.'

A nice and meaty St Emilion, not without 2022 elegance. Suave fruit of the vintage and a nice little back bite of tannin for cellaring. Deal. 91+/100.

Est. 1705; managed and made by La Gaffeliere's team; 90% merlot, 10% cab sauv. Dark red violet. A sweet merlot nose. And a damn attractive one. Spells merlot. Cabernet tannins lurk in the background. Surprisingly tannic for vintage and encepagement. So both fruit sweetness and tannins. A good combination for cellar candidate at an even lower price! 91+/100. Following a $15 2022 Bordeaux Superieur, much preferred; WOTN votes. 'Quite complex. Should develop very well. Huge bargain.' 'Quality winemaking on the first sniff. Barrel embellishments evident.'

All malbec. 2020 and malbec black fruit solidity. Poised. Yes, full varietal clarity. Good body, balance, texture. Tannin still for aging potential. 91+/100.

At Targon, Entre deux Mers; Veronique Barthe, seventh generation; 60% sauvignon blanc, 30% semillon, 10% muscadelle. Dry and crisp 2024 take. The sauvignon is not cool vintage shrill though. It falls in place. Semillon gives underlying padding and oomph, muscadelle its 'green' elements. Well crafted. More sauvignon citrus cut on the palate. Works all around and is in tune with the series. 91+/100. Widely appreciated. 'Typical of the AOC. Some grass.' 'Striking acidity that food will take up.'

Second wine of one of the top unclassified Chateaux; 97% semillon, 3% sauvignon blanc. Aged 16 months in barrels, 20% new. Richly colored. Almond and marzipan botrytised semillon nose. Honey and pineapple chime in. Add other nuts on the palate, hazelnut in particular. Good sweet-acid balance. This is already a smell and taste adventure. Think about it a few years down the road. Exemplary second wine. Sweet and savory finale aided by barrel contributions. 94+/100.

50% colombard, 25% each ugni blanc, gros manseng. Performs the usual variety presentation of colombard green fruit, ugni briskness, and manseng rich underlayment. Nice and forceful aromatics this vintage, as well as the vintage coolness. Logical all the way. Agreeable force and agreement of varietal talk on the palate too. Despite the cool vintage, this rises up to become one the most generous in the series. Bravo. 92/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Hints of floral tones; green herbal palate.' 'Striking acidity; almost limey.'

By a Sancerre winegrower. That's sweet and pure, northern pinot noir. Nothing Oc about it. Yes, cool and racy with plenty of acid this vintage. Good substance as well. Emulates Sancerre rouge. 91/100. 'Ripe northern pinot fruit with hint of spice. No sharp edges. Very drinkable!'

Fourth generation; from a Clos in the cru Chateau Thebaud; 55+ year old vines; native yeasts. Stony; decidedly granite based. More about terroir than sur lie, and that's impressive. There's fruit too. That tender fruit center to fine Muscadet that alleviates its innate austerity. This is one class Muscadet, and I avow it will age famously. 93/100. A group favorite. 'Huge flavor, distinctive, special.' 'Certainly the richest, most flavorful muscadet I've had.' 'Penetrating, full of terroir.' ' Palate weight, splendid richness and minerality; superior acidity.'

Grapes from Chateau de Valmer; demi sec. In tune with the series: mild, accurate, pleasant, well priced. Demi sec sweetness well balanced by cool vintage acidity. Quince, melon, and lime flavors. Nothing awesome about it, but what's not to like? Aperitif, fruit cocktail companion, and probably several sweeter seafood and poultry preps. Sushi included. 91/100. Enjoyed by attendees, whose comments jibed with mine. 'Very Vouvray, with nice fruit and balance.' 'Quince, mineral, acid. Pleasantly demi sec and useful.'

Average age of vines, 30 years. Good sauvignon ruby red grapefruit. Love the cut. Flavor confirms..in spades. Legit and expressive Touraine sauvignon for sure. Bravo 2024. 92/100.

Generations old estate at Bue. Mmm, that subtle and sophisticated sauvignon approach that is the mark of this domaine's Sancerre blanc. There's a cool vintage keenness and clarity woven into the fabric. Surprisingly full and rich textured for 2024, though the acidity is plenty brisk. Balanced, flavorful, lasting. This fits the domaine's Sancerre blanc mold. And the price is reasonable these days. 93/100. Widely liked by attendees; got at least one WOTN vote. Smells like Sancerre.' 'Notes of terroir with citrus tones, notably white grapefruit.' 'Not a grassy sauvignon.'

Five generation domaine at Loges; small stones over limestone and clay; 30 year old vines. Natural yeasts. 5 months on barrel lees. Distinctly traditional Pouilly Fume all the way. Full contrast from Sancerre terroirs. Large, serious, deep, reserved. More flavor than aroma at this stage. Still, it speaks more of significance and potential than of present generosity. Balanced and lengthy. One of the best vintages of this. Worth keeping mid term. 93+/100. Favorable attendee comments as the nose became more revealing after breathing. The 'peach' signature of Pouilly Fume emerged with aeration.

Established in 1931 by 98 winegrowers of Buxy and Saint Gengoux le National; aged a year in barrels. Firmer and drier than to 2023 Buxy Bourgogne. More oak too. More luxurious mouthfeel than the nose would suggest. Now this is where it is beginning to fill out into Mercurey significance. More of both wood and fruit tannins than the Bourgogne. A waste to serve now, unless further aeration proves its savior. 92++/100. And it did. Aromatics burgeoned with aeration, so preferred by all attemdees. Also considered ageworthy. 'More fruit and more terroir on the nose and in need of more cellar time.' 'Latent aspect.' 'Delish.'

Smallest of the Grands Crus; next to Moulin a Vent in the north; cooperative of 80 winegrowers est. 1934; extensive cellars, one of the largest complexes in the region; Wine Enthusiast 94/100. That is one solid example of Chenas, dry, full, and suggestive of oak (chene). The fruit is sweet too. Yes, lots of body and material here, but it adheres to gamay's flowing attributes too. Textbook example of Chenas. 93+/100. Consensus panel agreement. WOTN for at least one. Orders taken. 'Complex and fruity.' Granite, tonic, cherry.' 'Grand Cru for sure, with room to grow.'

Wine Spectator 93/100. Our notes: Est. 1877; vineyards in six Grands Crus, the most of any Beaujolais domaine; granite and schist soils; vines average 45 years. Classic black cherry Morgon nose. Plenty rich in fruit and GC material. The real deal. Oh, yes, even more explicit Morgon character in the palate. And great acidity. Flavor, balance, texture, length. Great price! 93/100. Attendees were really big on this. WOTN for one commentator.

Est. 1590 at Maligny; 25-35 year old vines on Kimmeridgian (or Portlandian-) limestone facing south/southeast. Smells Portlandian, which is Petit Chablis' foundation, despite the website terroir claim. I mean, it smells of calcaire but of a heavier sense than Kimmeridgian. There's marl involved in the nose also. Full bodied for the vintage. Suggests low yields. Young and promising. Delivers a lot of weight for a Petit. 91+/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Plenty of Chablis flavor - real Chablis!'

25-40 year old vines. Smell the difference? This is a terroir lesson. More calcaire cut, cool, minerality, chalkiness. States its superiority clearly. Yes, the superior ventilation, class. The acidity is well managed in this cool year. This has even more to gain from bottle age than the Petit. 92+/100. Attendees continued where I left off, noting this wine's superiority as well as the terroir difference. 'Textbook Chablis.' 'Brighter, more citrus driven bouquet that carries over to the palate. More classic.'

The domaine uses no new barrels; mostly once and twice filled from Domaine Leclerc. First taste of a Trapet white; we've enjoyed many a red. Wow, that has the fullness and relative austerity of a Cote de Nuits white. Makes me wonder if some pinot beurot (gris) is involved. As it warms and airs, barrel influences come forth. Good ripe/acid balance of 2023. This is unique, fully intriguing, and, I suspect, age worthy. 92+/100. A tried and true fan of Trapet's red wines notes: 'Wow! One of the most memorable wines of recent years. Unique for its almost sweet character. I can see your question about the presence of pinot gris ? known as pinot beurot in Bourgogne. Lots of oak but well integrated. Super long flavor. Quite an amazing wine and great value. Reminds me in some ways of the Dupont-Fahn wines.'

Est. 1831; from calcareous clay; aged 8 months in neutral vessels. One intense aligote that speaks for its terroir. I'll bet the vines are old; it has an almost 'woody' aspect to it. Maybe that's a lees effect. More fluid on the palate than the nose suggests. Good aligote dryness and acidity. A solid example at a good price these days. 91/100.

Generations old estate with vineyards in Chaintre, Fuisse, and Pouilly Fuisse; 32 year old vines; unwooded. Wow, even without the barrel extras, this sports a bigger, deeper, and more profound nasal profile than does the Chalon Bourgogne blanc that preceded it in the tasting order. Love this series, and this smells like a top vintage. Good acidity, fruit, body, balance. Very versatile at the table, therefore. 92/100. Attendees were likewise impressed; WOTN candidate. 'A very credible MF; nice acid and terroir aspect; very nice wine.' 'Macon apple nose. Really solid underpinning acid and mineral.' 'Spot on, top notch Macon.'

Vines planted 1995 - 2007; aged 8 months in seasoned demi muids. Class northern Rhone syrah nose of black raspberry and white pepper. Cool 2024 disposition. Less flavor than aroma definition at this point. I've enjoyed this over several vintages and will continue to do so. 92+/100.

Grenache, mourvedre, syrah. Rich and robust. Plenty of purple mourvedre and black syrah on the scene. Rich and round. Power managed by fruit ripeness. Best vintage of this I've tasted. Good price too. 91/100.

80% grenache (planted 1948), 20% mourvedre; unfined, unfiltered. Dark red black. Powerful, grenache enveloped, mourvedre black cored. Classic PdD, always is. The extras the area's cobblestone soils deliver. Seems a little brother to Chateauneuf. Family resemblance. Cool and clear black fruits. Old vines intensity. Alcohol plays a larger role than in the preceding barbera. Adds both largesse and coolness. One of the best from this AOC. 92+/100. Well respected by attendees. Ripeness and weight noted. Mourvedre reduction and iron tone.

On the north side of the La Crau plateau; sandy soil yields elegant wines; a young-vines cuvee; 80% grenache, 20% syrah. Oh, smell the power, and the concentration to match. Very large for a so called 'elegant' young vines cuvee. I guess that's just Chateauneuf. There is charm too though, and it builds with aeration. Sweet fruit tempers its power; no heat at all on the palate. A substantial representative of a series I love. Love the price too. 93+/100.

50% clairette and 50% bourboulenc from a vineyard (35 yo vines) purchased in 2022 in Buisson; half aged in barrels; unfiltered. Clear Med body and power showing here. Aromatically low key varieties, as sees fit in these parts. Oh, this leads with weight and fullness. It's spot on, and made for a special sort of cuisine. No aromatic viognier meddling. All just as intended. Fine craftsmanship and delivery. 92/100.

The domaine sits on an old salt water lagoon between Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees foothills that allows the vines to be grown on their own rootstock. Burgeoning honeysuckle varietal character. Cool, clear, and racy 2024 style. Large and flavorful in the mouth. Consistent with the series and continues good pricing. 91+/100. Attendees enjoyed the viognier notes of peach, peach tea. Bitter trace noted on finish; a viognier trait.

American importer's brand made by Dopff & Irion at Riquewihr. Light red. Lithe, sweet cherry nose, something like a Mason Dot. Fresh and crisp and appealing. Yes, admirably racy. Flavorful. Bright acids. Well balanced. Could be served at cellar temperature. Unlike a pinot from anywhere else. Wide meal time apps. 91/100.

Sylvaner, pinot blanc, muscat, pinot gris, gewurztraminer. Properly proportioned. Needs a few more months to assume the place vacated by the 2023, which was first tasted at a later stage. Sits well on the palate. Adequate acidity. 2024 minerality. Good bet. 91+/100. Tasted 6/25.

At Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg. PG paraffin up front; that's a good sign. Underlying nuttiness. Promising nose; some vintages are meeker. Yes, apple, nut, wax PG flavors. Dry too. And the acid is up to the call. This fills the varietal bill and is the best vintage of the series I've tasted. 91/100. Widely liked by attendees, even a WOTN contender. 'Very Alsace, with nice fruit.' 'Smells like pinot gris!' 'White fruit and wax, with some baking spice too.' 'Smooth varietal palate with enough acid to keep it fresh.'

Dry, crisp, and penetrating. Not a fruity riesling. Dinner wine. Moderate acid level exposes mid to high trocken sweetness. Good and useful. 91/100

Est. 1967; 70-80 year old ungrafted vines; 70% steep, south-facing vineyard. Sweet smelling and truly Wurzgarten 'spicy'. Sits right. High kabinett sweetness. Again, vigorous spicy notes work against the sweetness to assist in balance. Good acidity too. Age worthy, well composed. Well priced. 92+/100. White WOTN. 'Lovely, complex riesling. Very Urzig. Delish, with great balance.' 'Apricot, peach, lime, slate. Latent; should age nicely.'

A moderate priced range of German wines developed by successors of the late ace importer Rudi Wiest. That's fresh and upbeat for hinterlands Rheinhessen. Kudos. The underlying earthiness is correct, marking it a Hessian wine. (Not a favorite title on our country's 250th anniversary.)/ The acid is solid too. This is just plain well chosen and well crafted. One of most uplifting Rheinhessens of late. 91/100.

6 generation family winery in Burgenland; aged briefly in neutral Slavonian oak vats. As fresh, brisk, and green fruited as always. No brainer. Green apple and legume. Smells gulpable. Nice and soft acidity of gruve, especially for a cool year. Schoppenwein. Lots of varietal flavors. Liter bottle is the right choice. Quaffable indeed. 91/100. Attendees are warming up to gruners. Favorite of the still whites this evening. 'Quite lovely for a varietal I don't like. Good balance; acidity right on.' 'Lovely, rich varietal flavor.' 'Full apple nose with tonic elements, lime pith. Long finish.' $11 a bottle equivalent in liter.

A clear, bright, properly proportioned VV graced by the superior, fragrant varieties of the zone. Spot on. Both round and juicy. This is just plain ideal VV. Lasting flavor and texture. Shows the way. 92/100.

40% touriga nacional, 30% tinta roriz, 20% touriga franca, 10% tinta barroca. From quintas Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira. Aged 6 months in cooperage. Robust. Logical upper Douro red table wine. Good freshness and acidity on the palate. A worthy successor to the 2020. Balanced, drinkable, will improve. 91+/100.

Est. 1990; 40% encruzado, 20% each bical, malvasia fina, cerceal branco. Big stylistic difference. Plentiful, positive earthiness. This spells Dao branco classicism. Gentle acidity for a cool vintage. Subtle fruits emerge from an earthy foundation on the palate. Settles into a proper equilibrium of all flavor and texture elements. Not one of the more age worthy reps, so enjoy its wide dinner time apps through spring/summer 2026. Nice value. 91/100. Nose found shy by attendees; comments otherwise favorable. 'Nice minerality, complexity.' 'Dry, unique flavor.' 'Very food friendly.'

40% syrah, 40% castelao, 20% touriga nacional. Dark red violet. Nose as dark as the color. No surprise with this varietal lineup. Lisboa sweet smelling. Aromas not yet fully revealed at opening. Yes, fruit sweetness marks the palate too. And dark varietals. Again, aromatics not fully emerged. More than a year behind the 2022. Good balance. No tannin issues. Just needs more time to evolve into greater aroma and flavor display. Or simply additional aeration.. 91+/100. Indeed, blossomed with aeration to become widely popular with attendees, especially for the price. 'Sweetness, roundness of Lisboa wines. Food wine!' 'Portugal shows through. Big fruit and huge value. Enjoyable.' 'Syrah elements identified. Enough structure to be useful and not boring. Well priced!!'

Est. 1996; hondarribi zuri. Full and fragrant and fruity. Exemplary of the variety. Very juicy, tangy, cleansing, refreshing. Great acid. Ready to serve. Tailor made for fresh fish, the signature cuisine of Basque country. Who cares if it's mid winter in these parts? Do it! Geez, good as it gets. And cheaper than much of the competition these days. 92/100. Attendees agreed. Multiple WOTN votes. 'Best version I've had.' 'Very expressive varietal character, great balance.' 'Rich and flavorful.' 'Great acidity and varietal presence.' 'As good an example as I've ever tasted.'

From its Lanciano vineyard, within an oxbow bend of the Ebro; 70 year old vines; tempranillo, graciano, mazuelo, garnacha; aged 2 years in American and French oak barrels, 3 years in bottles. Surprisingly dark red appearance for age in cooperage and bottle. The nose is surprisingly fruity still also. Ah, but there's plenty of barrel support, the bolder American oak out front. Fruity palate too, both fruit and oak tannins beneath. Good acidity, balance. This will make old bones. 93+/100. Leader of the WOTN competition. 'Toasted coconut nose.' (That's American oak talking!) 'Just as it should be and still quite powerful. Proper fruit and American oak, nice acid and enough tannin. Should continue to develop well.' 'Quality oak here and quality fruit underneath. Nice now but structured for the cellar.'

Parker 92: 'The 2019 El Anden de la Estaci-n is a new red that takes advantage of the Barrio de la Estacion, the train station neighborhood of Haro. It's a Crianza with less extraction, looking for the elegance and finesse of the classical Rioja wines. It's a blend of Tempranillo from their younger vines and Garnacha (that they buy) that matured in French and European barrels for 14 months. It's a quaffable red with lots of Garnacha character (it might represent up to 30% of the blend, by far the highest in Garnacha from the portfolio). It's floral, juicy and expressive, very open and approachable. This is delicious and still quite complex. $24.'

Quite a full yellow color for viura. Credit age, perhaps some in cooperage. Full. Smells of barrel and bottle aged viura. Certainly more traditional than modern, a take I don't see around very often these days. I like it. The varietal fruit statement is holding up well. Body and balance. This is pretty exciting juice. 92/100.

In Calatayud, Aragon, birthplace of garnacha; iron rich red and black slate soils at 3000+'; old clones; vines planted 1965 ? 1990. Dark red violet. Plenty of presence on the nose but not much aroma forthcoming. Sweet fruit coats the high alcohol. Works. A grenache of place. Well textured. Well balanced. Lingering. Good price. 91/100. Positive comments from attendees. 'Black cherry in dark chocolate and spirit. Palate goes black raspberry and cherry cordial. Baked black soil.'

Est. 1940; from the Murillo and Santa Cara vineyards next to Bardenas Reales, Europe's largest desert. Native yeasts. Rich in strawberry and raspberry high altitude grenache character. Good flow; come hither. Equals the 2021. Great acid of course. Flavorful, balanced, inviting indeed. Liter bottle is the right choice. Deal! 92/100. $12 a bottle equivalent in liter.

Est. 1978. From vineyards cultivated since before 1700 on llicorella soil in the Porrea area. 60% carignan, 40% grenache. Aged a year in oak barrels, 80% Allier, 20% American. Unfined, unfiltered. Awesome. Priorat grandeur. Ideal varietal set; not screwed up by Gucci cab sauv and syrah. Serious carignan black fruit, grenache power. Wow. Satisfying mouthful of flavor and texture. Bulk, dry extract, power, fine grained tannins. Well balanced, so plenty of bouquet development potential ahead. Must stock. 95+/100. List price: $28.

Vineyards at 1800'. Medium dark ruby with some reddening of age. Good and strong grenache with added Madrid area terroir fortitude. I smell a good value. Sweet and suave grenache at age three. One of the best vintages of this I've tasted. More substance than I remember in past years. 91/100.

Piemonte winery best known for its old vines Barolo; its Gavi was a big tasting panel favorite. A nice amalgam of old barrel influence and modern varietal fruit expressions. I mean, definitely cooperage tempered and just as explicitly nebbiolo red cherry. Yes, both sweet fruited and barrel assuaged on the palate. The tannins are fine grained and nicely fruit coated. All hangs together right. The class of nebbiolo at a great price. 93+/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Real character!' Long, and will be much better with time.' 'Nice value.' Fruits, tannins, acidity all correct.'

Four generation winery near Monferrato; owns 75 acres of vines. Alba barbera big and dark fruited. Deep cherry and tar aromas. Just as ample on the palate. Great acid, balance, length. You won't find better at this price. Light dusting of tannin at the end. Consistent with past vintages. 92+/100. Very popular with attendees. Dash of VA noted, and liked. 'Really great nose; rich varietal flavor.' 'Good barbera flavors and structure.' 'One of the best barberas I've tasted.'

Barbera, dolcetto, nebbiolo, cab sauv. Medium dark neon red. Well executed cuvee. I thought the cabernet might mess it up, but it's an essential piece of the puzzle instead. Plenty of flavor, texture, varietal harmony. Good value. Easy drinkin'. 91/100.

60% corvina, 20% each corvinone, rondinella. Medium dark ruby. Good Superiore richness. This is fuller and richer than the previous vintage tasted. Sweet and suave in the mouth too. Defines Superiore. Deal. 92/100.

At Panzano near Greve; all sangiovese; aged a year in Slavonian oak cooperage. Laid back to start, it gradually comes forward with swirling, showing Tuscan sangiovese dried cherry, anise, and orange peel. And barrel earned mellowness. Warming in the mouth brings forth even more flavor fidelity and complexity. Good acid-sweet balance and flavor length. In tune with a winning series. 92+/100. Attendees echoed both its need for aeration and potential to improve with age. Well liked; scores rose through the evening. Next day: 'Real deal. Perfect. Textbook Chianti.'

Lovely, lovely dark and sweet montepulciano expression unique to this Marche DOCG. Ideal. And the flavors confirm. Great balance, great texture. Fine tannin for food and cellar. Super. 93+/100.

Est. 1960. Luca Maroni 95/100. Dark red violet. Black fruit plus that overtone of violets I love in montes. Large and ambitious. Chewy constitution. Full monte. Long finish. Not strongly tannic, but has the dry extract material to carry it through mid term cellaring. 92+/100. Well received by attendees, who regularly enjoy this producer's wines. 'Dense, floral, spicy, black fruited. Good acidity, mild tannin. In search of food.'

Est. 1960; Luca Maroni 94/100. Sweet smelling and heady too, with marked warmth. Not as definitive as the better Puglia versions. Generous flavor and texture though, so can't complain about the price. Light tannin in back. Food will take it up. 91+/100. Widely considered a best buy; orders taken. 'Nice nose; good flavor and balance. Long, and a great value.'

Est. 1967, 30 miles south of Rome; Low yielding varietal native to Lazio; late ripening, tiny, sparsely clustered grapes; native yeasts. Heavy Bottle Award. Well, a contrasting dark red violet color. Dense, deep, and spicy. This is the Latium grape variety loaded for bear. Distinguished and elegant as well. Yes, both rich and classy. Great flavor intensity, depth, length. Well balanced and fine textured. Can be put right to use and will age well too. 92+/100.

Est 2004 in western Sicily near Marsala; half each frappato, nerello mascalese; 30% aged four months in barriques. Ripe and sultry aromatic range of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry. A splendid amalgam of this sympathetic pair. Dark and delicious as Danish Dessert. Tangy acidity keeps it upbeat and honest. Long flavors and textures. Kudos. 92/100. Widely well liked; orders taken. 'Distinctive; lots of fruit and body.' 'Cherry hard candy and distinct barrel influence.' 'Explosively fruity; sweet, ripe, spicy, big, balanced, long.'

Mmm. There's that classic pear and sage cortese nose. Couldn't be more telling. Oh, and the flavor is not only just as accurate but also plentiful. Well balanced too. This shows the way. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This Soave is a masterclass in finesse, with layers of texture that unfold like the pages of a well-crafted novel. Each sip reveals a new chapter, a new depth to explore. The wine's mouthwatering acidity is like a lively conversation, keeping you engaged and thirsty for more. This is a serious wine, with a taut and firm structure that suggests it will only improve with age. Orchard fruits take the lead, but they're not aloneùa serious mineral bent joins the party, adding a rocky, almost austere edge. This Soave is really good a wine to remind one to appreciate the finer things in life. $17.'

Strong and penetrating gooseberry aroma. Even more so than the 2023. Plus pink grapefruit on the palate. Crisp and satisfying. Wide meal time apps. 92/100.

Vineyard in the Collio hills near Gorizia; winemaker Robert Princic, owner of Gradis'ciutta. Oh, boy. That has a lot of oomph, especially for a cool vintage. Lots of admirable grigio peel extracts. Apple and nut classic. Palate just as ample. Textbook intro to Friuli pinot grigio at a handsome price. Gives and gives through a long, flavorful finish. 91/100.

Est. 1950s; early ripening, low yield white grape variety likely native to Marche. That's pretty full scented. A nice picture of pecorino from a top zone and winemaker. Kudos. And very flavorful too. Nice, tangy fruit acidity with a padded cushion. Boy, this sits right on MY palate. 92/100. Continued to spread its varietal wings. Affirmed the group's love affair with pecorino and was well liked, including a WOTN candidate vote. 'Lots of varietal character. Lots of flavor in a clean/tart style.' 'Yum'.

Est. 2008; winery surrounded by 250 acres of vineyards in western Sicily near Marsala. Nifty, full and tangy catarratto. Spot on. What a reliable source this has proven. Just keeps coming on. My favorite Sicily dry white varietal. Yes, body to match the cool vintage raciness. Citrus peel aspect adds zest. A rangy meal time choice. Lasting, tangy, well textured finish. On and on. 92/100. Widely liked; orders taken. After aeration, some tropical highlights came forth. Balance of fleshy fruit, acid, and minerals noted.

Keeper of the Richard Scheer Trophy for Best Riesling three straight years at Brian BannonÆs Canadian wine competitions; native yeasts, aged 5 months on lees; medium dry. Lovely touch of cedary riesling bouquet forming. I much prefer cedar to petrol, and this has the former. The acid is fully up to the RS. Delicious harmony of original peachy fruit and the bottle age earned terpenes. Everything seems to fall into place at this stage. Wide table apps. 92/100. Well liked; WOTN for at least one attendee. 'Really nice; great balance; very long.'

Label honors Maia, who is GeorgiaÆs cross between Mulan and Robin Hood. Maia fled from a corrupt baron to the woods, where she dressed as a man, stole from him and gave to the poor. Oh, boy, that's saperavi cool, black, deep, and plummy. What a class grape!/ All these attributes echo on the palate. Good acid and extract. The finest of tannins. Long flavor and texture ascent. 92/100.

A brand of the wine importing Opici family. Smells of Napa style and breed. Well integrated barrel influence. Round and sweet 2023 fruit plus vintage stylishness. Flavors still building. More to give in a few months. 92+/100.

Since the establishment of the brand, its cabernet has won consistent 90+ ratings in the wine press. Heavy Bottle Award. Paso rich and right but also extra spicy in its field. I can see the ratings. No mention of barrel influence, but it sure seems clear and positive on the nose. Carries over to the palate, which is also Paso sweetish but neither pruny nor sticky. Will have wide appeal. 92/100.

An arm of winemaker Trevor Sheehan's Precision Wine Company; I'm not a big fan of 'critter' wines, but everything I've tasted under this brand has been to my liking. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark maroon. That's legit cab franc, with a CA richness bent. Definitely distinctive from CA cab sauv. Red raspberry and leaf vs blackberry and black currant. More levity than cab sauv; less tannin. Flavorful introduction to cab franc, sans oak. At a bargain price. Light tannin on the finish will be absorbed by food. 91/100. Judged 'very cab franc' by attendees.

By Sierra Vista. Cab sauv, cab franc, grenache, mourvedre, syrah, merlot. Black fruit dominated. Rich and deep, but also cool like the white, especially for the growing area. Good cuvee. No variety sticks out. More flavorful than the white even. Good acidity too. A dusting of tannin that food would absorb. 91+/100.

Dark purple. Great richness of southern Willamette and fine barrel play from this producer. The usual high standards. Dark and sweet, with spicy extras. The tannins are nicely melted. Fine winemaking here, always. 93+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'This wine is rich and spicy with aromas of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, raspberry, coriander and toasted oak. The opening flavors on the palate are boysenberry, blueberry and blood orange zest, which then slide into cumin, dried bittersweet chocolate and espresso. Pair with stuffed grilled porkchop, roasted carrots, turnips and ginger glaze. $15.'

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This Grenache-based blend also includes 27% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, and 4% Tempranillo. It is incredibly bright, fresh, and inviting on the nose, featuring aromas of strawberry, cherry, hibiscus, and white pepper. The palate is vibrant and refreshing, with cherry-candy flavors and a firm texture. $22.'

Located in Napa Valley; winemaker Larry Levin, who made wine at Dry Creek Vineyard for 17 years; aged in seasoned French oak cooperage. Pretty heavy for a screwcap bottle. Medium dark ruby. Very intriguing bramble, briar, and mixed peppercorns aroma. It has lift, especially for its alcohol content. Decidedly racy and coastal. I liked earlier vintages but haven't tasted this for awhile. Sweetly flowing over the tongue. Flavorful. Well assembled from several regions likely. A best kept secret. 91/100. Surprised even the Europhiles; orders taken.

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This wine is deep, opulent, with aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry pie, cinnamon, orange peel, toasted vanilla cream, and notes of violet on the nose. The flavors on the palate are juicy boysenberry coulis, huckleberry, orange cream, maple, clove, and a dry supple silky finish. Decant and Enjoy. Pair with Lamb Shank.'

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'This wine is fresh and zesty with aromas of green apple, guava, citrus and notes of spearmint. The flavors on the palate are pear, quince and white grapefruit zest, underscored by layers of sedimentary rock and a dry mineral finish. Pair with fried calamari. $15.'

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is crisp, lively, with aromas of Yellow apple, nectarine, lemongrass, and notes of orange blossom honey on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Satsuma orange, apricot, cinnamon, mineral, and a supple finish. Pair with Roasted Halibut.'

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Fresh, lively with aromas of ripe apple, pineapple, notes of guava, banana, toasted oak, and orange blossom honey on the nose: the flavors on the palate are baked pear, nectarine, grapefruit with dried herbs, a layered mineral, and a mouth-watering finish. Pair with roasted petrole, ginger, sugar snap peas. $15.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'This stunning wine leaps out of the glass, with concentrated flavors of white peach, quince and pineapple, plus floral accents of orange blossom and lemon curd. Finishes with mouthwatering acidity, a note of crunchy sea salt minerality and a whiff of lemon verbena. $25.'

By Sierra Vista. Grenache blanc, chardonnay, picpoul, viognier, roussanne. Similar to a southern Rhone white, except that chardonnay's appley aroma chimes in too. A lot of lift for a El Dorado white. Picpoul and chardonnay play roles to that extent. Well conceived and executed. Versatile value. 91/100.

From Valle de Uco and Lujan de Cuyo; 10% aged in American oak cooperage; unfined, unfiltered; by ace CA winemaker Paul Hobbs. Red-black malbec color. Up to the high standards of this series. Large, concentrated, power matched, and a beautiful example of American oak influence when not overdone. Hobbs is a master. Black cherry malbec fruit concentrate but not too sweet thanks to the drying barrel influence. Certainly as generous as the fine 2023, if not as complex yet. It will be. 93+/100.

Wine Spectator 93 - SMART BUY: 'A vibrant white, with an intense, fragrant and mouthwatering mix of Key lime, passion fruit and grilled pineapple flavors, accented by hints of lemon verbena, lemongrass and freshly grated ginger, plus a note of crunchy sea salt that lingers on the sleek frame. $20.'

In the upper Awatere Valley. Yow! Cat pee on a gooseberry bush for sure, with a squeeze of white grapefruit thrown in. Palate even more telling. No mistaking it for Loire sauvignon. The right food matches will highlight its attributes. 92/100. Positive comments from attendees. 'Very typical and good.' 'Nice nose and flavor.' 'Great acid, balance, and length.'

63-20-17; MAN Vintners sounds masculine, but it's actually an acronym combo of the first letter of the first names of the women owners; 'Essay' is importer Vineyard Brands' cute way of saying South Aftica (SA). Chenin melon to the fore, with glimpses of roussanne peach and viognier honeysuckle. Well assembled, well coordinated. Flavorful. Varietal characters accentuated on the palate. Totally harmonious. One of the best vintages of a successful series. 91/100. Well rated by attendees, who enjoyed the aromatic display and solid acidity. Judged highly meal worthy.

35% grenache, 33% syrah, 13% cinsault, 12% cab sauv, 7% rolle (vermentino). Light peach peel color. Both amplitude and lift derived from a well thought out encepagement and a top zone. Yes, sweetly forward, with lots of fruit flavor and solid cool vintage acidity. Has the oomph to tackle winter fare. 92/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Lovely as usual. One of my favorite Provence rose producers.' 'Strawberry and orange zest aromas. Very nicely structured. Ready for the table.'

The domaine sits on an old salt water lagoon between Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees foothills, between Corbieres and Minervois; the unique terroir allows vines to be grown on their own rootstock. Not billed as a rose, but that's what it is. Medium salmon color. Well that grenache gris body really stands out. I'm surprised by the moderate alcohol statement. One generous rose nose. Mighty giving in flavor and texture too. Balanced and long lasting tastes. Deal. 91/100. 'Nice wine and well liked,' reports a commentator.

10%. From the Amarante sub region, Vinho Verde's highest; vineyards at 1000 to 2000 meters; vinhao (aka sousao), widest planted red grape in the DO, known for its high acidity. The lowest alcohol (and calorie) rose we've encountered in a long while. Blush pink color. Satisfying red peels aroma and texture presence as well as an emphasis on cool refreshment. Strawberry and red raspberry. Lithe, with just the right measures of acidity and red peels extracts to form a balancing act with its modest strength. Porch, deck, picnic, brunch, lunch apps. 91/100. Enjoyed by attendees. 'Huge fun!' 'Very clean and fresh and delish.' 'Lovely color and super value.'

Touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz. Correct 10 year old tawny show of original fruit and wood aged complexity, suavity. Love the strength and sweetness. The best rendition of this I've nosed. Strength balances considerable sweetness. Delaforce finesse makes the scene too. Bravo. Great way to end the work afternoon. 95/100.

Sweet and surging red fruits and vermouth botanicals. Wow, sweet and mouthfilling. Rich, spicy fruit. Sweet-bitter harmony at close. 97/100.

19%. Grapes, grape brandy, yarrow, lemon verbena, elderflower. Yow! That's a screamer. Powerful, especially when nosed from my Taster glass, but on the palate also. All three aromatic components evident and coordinated. Yeah, love the power and the aromatic spread and the right level of sweetness to balance strength and astringency. Masterful, really. Mixologists: get ready, set, go! 97/100. List price: $32.

French Blue is a range of five Bordeaux wines made by ex pat American winemaker Stephanie Rivin; 80% merlot, 13% semillon, 7% muscadelle; a year en tirage; Tasting Panel 93/100. Clever encepagement and elevage blur out individual varietal characters and allow all of a year's yeast autolysis to make a clear and welcome statement. Bravo. Genuine low brut dryness. Good degree of 'yeastiness'. Eminently well balanced to the extent of even being come hither; i.e. one glass invites another. Multi purpose sparkler. 92//100. Well liked by attendees; orders taken. 'Pleasant and fresh fruit. Well made.' 'Fruit driven nose with a touch of lees influence. Fresh apple and a touch of red apple peel. Refreshing, ample.'

Lemon yellow. Varietal accuracy, 'dusty' nose of a desirable brut sekt. This shows the way. Well, then, every Hild creation does. That's crisp and subtle elbling with a modicum of bottle bouquet. Well thought out. More biscuit on the palate and ingratiating length and balance. Less aromatic basis than riesling for a methode champenoise sparkler. Fully satisfying. And unique. Hild knows what he's doing, while marching to a different drummer. Delicious flavor and texture appeal. This guy is a hidden master, a bec fin. 92/100. Featured in Eric Asimov's recent NYT article featuring 10 Top Sekts, this one by far the lowest priced.

100th anniversary vintage; 40% xarello, 30% each macabeu, parellada; aged 15 months on lees. This has that great, new, easy to remove capsule system, but the direction is opposite from Champagne. A statement? Very elegant cava. No earthiness. Pleasing degree of yeast autolysis doughy character. Very dry. I'd label it Extra Brut. It marks a special milestone cava. About as classy as a cava can be at this modest price. Kudos. 92/100. Attendees agreed.

Properly appley glera. Nothing fancy about it, but who's complaining at the price-/ High brut with good acid to complement. If I were a sommelier, I'd make this a glass pour. At a huge margin! 90/100.

Munich's oldest independent brewery, founded in 1328. One of the six official breweries allowed to serve at Oktoberfest. Edelstoff (5.6%) is a slightly brighter, sweeter, more sparkly and stronger lager than its pale lager. The first time I tasted it, it made such a positive impression that I'll always remember the occasion. At a restaurant in Craig CO on our first family top across the Rockies.

Founded in 1871 near today's Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, its pure source deep in the Ouachita Mountains, natural filtration through granite and other rocks, rich mineral content (calcium, magnesium, potassium), naturally alkaline pH, sodium-free profile, crisp taste, and long history of bottling in glass, all contribute to hydration and perceived health benefits.

Founded in 2006, this Milton Iowa creamery draws milk from any Amish and Mennonite family farms in the area, all spurning use of artificial growth hormones. Sweeter than your typical cheddar, Prairie Breeze starts with adding a proprietary blend of cultures and vegetarian rennet to coagulate the milk. The curds are cheddared and then aged for a minimum of 9 months. While it has the tangy, piquant, umami-rich flavor of many quality cheddars, a prevailing sweet and nutty profile emerges. It is full flavored with hints of pineapple and almond undertones. A crumbly texture develops along with an abundant amount of tyrosine crystals. Its paste is fudgy on the palate allowing it to linger on the tongue.

90-day aged blue cheese known for its earthy, mellow flavor and sweet finish. It is gluten-free and made from cultured pasteurized milk. Buttery, silky, and vibrant with a mild blue mold flavor.

Founded in Wittenberg WI in 1933. Each slab is patiently smoked for up to 24 hours over sweet Applewood embers, a method that has earned it gourmet bacon awards from culinary experts and the loyalty of top chefs for its signature rich flavor and minimal shrinkage,

From an Old World family recipe. Flavored with salt, spices, and garlic.

Founded in Starns, Austria in 1879. D'arbo Rose Hip Fruit Spread is an all-natural preserve containing 50% rosehips, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, and pectin. It is a seedless, high-fruit content spread made without artificial preservatives or flavorings. The ingredients provide a subtly floral, slightly earthy taste.

From a Seattle WA bakery of Italian heritage. Made of enriched flour, olive oil, and sea salt. The official cracker of our weekly tasting panel.