Lovely dark red violet. Cool, heady, powerful, penetrating. I love this cuvee. WA cabernet all the way, with an oak assist. Yeah, cool blackberry, black currant, oak, earth. Always hits my sweet spot. 93+/100.

Tasting Panel 91: 'Juicy and ripe, with small additions of petite sirah, teroldego, and tempranillo adding personality, this approachable red shows its dynamic soul through roasted coffee, a pinch of black pepper, and lush tannins. $15.'

Big, ripe, powerful, unencumbered. House and valley style coincide, fit to a T. Sweet fruit meets barrel dryness and tannin. Seems some American oak, which I like. Yeah, this fills the bill, no questions asked. 92+/100.

Tasting Panel 97: 'Nearing five years of age, this current release has settled into a sweet spot where oak, primary fruit, and tannin are all singing in harmony. Savory undertones emerge to lend enduringly intriguing complexities as it warm and breathes in the glass. Neither pushy nor reticent, heavy nor light, this is one of Napa's classiest Cabernets in a vintage that shows it in peak form. $65.'

Full red violet. Varietal charm and character. Nose is inviting in the present. Palate equally ready to enjoy. Red raspberry flavor. Grace, style, and discretion of a Central Loire cab franc. Bravo. 92/100.

Cab franc, regent. Regent really spices and sweetens this up. Well crafted. Yeah, very spicy on the palate too. And drier than the nose suggests. Long aftertaste. Seems Marland's in top form this days. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 92 - SMART BUY: 'Vibrant and snappy, offering layered cherry and cranberry flavors laced with dusky spice, forest floor and rose petal flavors that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is lush, zesty, with aromas of plum, ripe strawberry, orange zest, and dried chicory on the nose. The flavors on the palate are raspberry, Yellow plum, cassis, layered Orange marmalade, citrus zest, acaica honey, and earth on the finish. Pair with Mushroom Risotto, Bandaged Wrapped Fiscolini Cheese, and Herbs.'

Tasting Panel 94: 'With dashes of white pepper, italian herbs, bright black cherry, and red tea, it sails on gossamer wings, pure and unadulterated. $46.'

Dark red violet. Saturated Santa Barbara syrah, the most ever for this cuvee. Black fruit, coolness, peppercorn--its own thing. Full, sweet, balanced, lasting. Yes, best vintage yet here. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'This dark-purple-hued wine is opulent, with aromas of boysenberries, blue fruits, frankincense, violets and spiced toasty oak on the nose. The flavors on the palate are blackberry compote, white nectarine, allspice and molasses interlaced with chicory, milk chocolate and a dry, silky finish. Pair with lamb chops.'

Dry farmed vines over 100 years old; aged 8 months in American oak, 30% new. Medium dark ruby. Zinfandel raspberry and peppercorn comes right out and slaps you around. Deep and powerful and penetrating. Ideal old vines degree of concentration. Yes, rich, lush, powerful. The US oak is a positive addition and points to old time zin classicism. Well balanced through its long finish. How do they keep the price so low-! 93/100. Complex aromatic set enjoyed by attendees; bramble, clove, star anise, and vanilla mentioned.

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is fresh, bright, with aromas of cranberry, red berries, dried herbs, and potpourri on the nose. The flavors on the palate are plum, cassis, Bing cherry, layered with savory strawberry, fennel, orange zest, and a dry finish. Pair with Grilled Salmon, Pasta with Wild Mushrooms.'

Tasting Panel 93: 'Dotted with rosemary and basiul, this is aged five months in French and Hungarian oak. Vibrant lime zest binds with racy acidity, while delicate oak notes are framed by a spark of salinity on the finish. $23.'

Whole cluster pressed; no oak; 5 months on lees; unfined. One of the fullest bodied unwooded CA chardonnays I've nosed. The lees talk the talk. Wow. Equally powerful and lavish in the mouth. The bargain of the Paul Hobbs lineup, for sure. 93/100.

No malo. Aged 10 months in barrels, 40% new. The oak is great, and the no malo gives a lemony character and freshness that complements it well. Not many CA winemakers do no malo and big time oak together. Grgich has always made it work. Yes, juicy fruit acidity and delicious range of oak spices. Near unique in its field, and worth the tariff. 94/100.

I knew a Manfred Esser who ran Cuvaison for years, but he's probably no longer around. I wonder if this is a relative. Crisp, cool, and lemony like a Monterey chardonnay ought to be. Again, the emphasis on the lemon facets of chardonnay. Great acid, of course. A light touch of malo, it seems. Surely not overdone. No woodiness. Defines its genre, and well priced. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is rich, with aromas of ripe Yellow apple, pear, toasty vanilla, and orange zest on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Golden Delicious apple, White nectarine, mulled spices layered with orange vanilla cream, mineral and a crisp finish. Pair with Pasta with Cream Sauce.'

Est. 1991; aged 4 months on the lees. Chilled and closed at first, it opens to a warm and broad spectrum of fruit goodness, with pear emphasis. Confirms this is a good source for OR pinot gris. Full flavor and texture appeal, and total good balance of acid and light glycerol. It's got to have wide ranging appeal. Long, flavorful, harmonious finish. 92/100. Well liked by attendees. A maker of pinot gris considered it a model. 'Nice acidity and body.' 'Nice flavor; varietal and attractive.' 'Nose of white pear and honeycomb; palate richer, sweet fruited, quaffable.' WOTN for at least one attendee.

Nice and sweet and wholesome a riesling value as always. Good sweet-acid balance. Juicy. Actually comes across a little drier than these used to be. So more versatile at the table. Nice, peachy aftertaste. Yeah, up to snuff deal. 91/100.

By ace Napa Valley winemaker Paul Hobbs. Dark red violet. Thick, deep, thoroughly saturated Mendoza malbec. Some oak seasoning too. Best vintage of this I've nosed. The palate is equally concentrated, lavish. Essence of malbec; there are so many underwhelming ones out there. Deal! 93/100.

Near the mouth of the valley, the coolest zone; aged a year on lees in French oak cooperage. Dark red black. Ripe black cherry. Varietal richness and give. No drawbacks. All fruit; no herb; no earth. Rich and round fruit absorbs the high alcohol, which supplies body but no heat. This source know what to do with carmenere; always has. 92/100. In addition to cherry, attendees noted dark chocolate and dark-roast coffee beans. Some bell pepper also emerged with aeration, not uncommon in carmenere's aromatic profile.

Wine Spectator 94: 'Lush and expressive, with plenty of concentration to the mix of mango, lemon curd and litsea oil flavors. Details of dried pineapple, candied ginger and crystalized orange zest add complexity and aromatics on the long finish.'

Wine Spectator 91 - BEST VALUE: 'Fragrant and generous, with yuzu, pomelo and green apple notes that show details of passion fruit, candied ginger and lemon basil. A touch of crunchy sea salt lingers on the finish. $15.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'A polished, rather reticent wine from Australia's west, dark cherries, dried mint and tobacco peep through the cracks. It's tightly wound with textured tannins and a nice lift of acidity. Flavor gets a little lost in all the power, but it should evolve nicely over the next several years.'

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'A classy bottling from (arguably) Australia's best Chardonnay-producing region, Margaret River. It smells of pineapple shortcake, flint, toasted nuts and seashell. There's lovely approachability to the palate; it's long and lip-smacking, the fruit folded into a subtly creamy texture. A bargain for the quality.'

Est. 1693; 32% merlot, 31% cab franc, 29% cab sauv, 8% petit verdot; aged 16 months in French oak cooperage. Medium dark red violet. Only a little lightening of bottle age. Robust. The power is positive. A more than creditable Cape claret; always is. No dekk. Sweet merlot fruit to the fore, complemented by good frame and extract of the rest of the set. Completely harmonious. As good as the 2019 and, like that vintage, will continue to improve. 92+/100. Widely liked. WOTN candidate.

Merlot, cab franc. Bigger and richer still. More lavishly endowed in both fruit and oak complexities. Wow. Again. With more of that 2020 tannin vs 2019. One big mouthful of claret. Breathless potential. The tannin is fine grained. 94+/100.

59% merlot, 25% cab sauv, 16% cab franc. Quite pungent of sweet merlot fruit and the cabernets' black fruit. A very generous and forthcoming vintage of this in youth. Full in the mouth too. Seems all fruit, no oak. Ripe and rich and fully appealing for current drinking. One of the best years here. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 95 - #26 Top 100 CELLAR SELECTIONS 2024: 'This estate, particularly well known for its white wines, has lived up to its reputation in this new release. The wine is rich while also taut, young and textured. Spice from wood aging comes in at the end. Drink from 2026.'

Sauvignon blanc, semillon. Sauvignon spells lemon curd, semillon lemon creme. May be some barrel creaminess too. In fine fettle. Yes, all three impressions echo on the palate plus a certain nuttiness hinting at barrel influence. Fine finishing acidity. Masterful, really. Best vintage in memory. 92/100.

50% colombard, 25% each ugni blanc, gros manseng. Leads with colombard green fruits, lime and melon. Ugni freshness and manseng richness then chime in. And the whole ends up greater than the sum of the parts. Bravo. Palate leads with gros manseng creamy richness. Nice reversal--very entertaining. Then the colombard green stuff. Suave and well balanced set of flavors and acid/sweet harmony. Lasting finish. Up to snuff. One of the better vintages of a strong series. 92/100. As always, enjoyed by attendees.

Muscadet winemaker; Loire pinot noir and gamay. Spot on combo revealing of both varieties. Pinot soft, velvety fullness. Gamay bright, vigorous race. In harmony. Most forthcoming. Yes, both the soft pinot padding and the gamay lift. Balance of ripe fruit and fruit acidity. Long and delicious aftertaste. Fine craftsmanship. 91/100. Enjoyed by attendees.

Muscadet winemaker; Loire sauvignon blanc and melon. Smells mainly of melon (muscadet), which is surprising, since sauvignon has a much more forceful aromatic profile. It's there, admirably subtle as well as supportive. A bit more sauvignon to the fore on the palate, but it doesn't steal the scene. Richness and softness of the vintage. This guy is quite the winemaker. 91/100.

Sourced from vineyards that fall exactly along the border of the two sub-regions of Anjou. Fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau comes from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers. The western zone lies on limestone, the eastern on dark volcanic schist. Combines the freshness of the former with the fullness of the latter. Ripe melon and suggestions of honey and apricot. Dry, with good acidity for this mild vintage. Quince and lime chime in on the finish. 91/100.

Wine Spectator 92: 'Fresh-crushed apple, quince and spice notes have an earthy dimension, with hints of roasted agave and wet soil. There's beautiful range and just enough plumpness to make this generous, yet it's held in check by a chalky mineral element and very fine tannins. Toasted almond and salted butter notes move in, with lime-edged acidity cleaning up the finish. Refined and complex. Drink now through 2037.'

At Maimbray; on Marne clay-limestone; unfiltered. A little sulphur cannot hide what's something special about this, and always is. Crisp, coy, intriguing, unescapable. I have to keep sniffing and sniffing in search of it all. Oh, yes, there's a sense of a different sort of Sancerre terroir here. Gives it some Fume characteristics. Yes, a certain plushness yet still the good acid cut. This has certain opportunity to wax bigger. 93+/100. An attendee favorite. 'This is serious. Has it all: impeccable balance, lush fruit, mineral, acid, very long finish.'

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'This is an alluring wine with delicious depth. Plump black plum sunbathes on a beach of red raspberry punctuated by Darjeeling tea, hay and forest floor. The palate boasts soft tannins that cuddle red fruit ultimately completing with a long, fresh finish.'

MaV power and structure. One big, bad gamay. Serious stuff. Yes, a mouth-filler. Totally saturated and large. Commanding, really. Ageworthy too, but can be taken to the table this winter. 94+/100.

Based on Sur Les Clos, a vineyard above the Grand Cru. Crisp, cool, chalky, and particularly full for a Petit. Classic Servin. Oh, boy, does that calcaire penetrate!/ Well, the acid it a bit lower than the nose suggests. That's 2022. The minerality helps to compensate. Flavorful and well balanced. Reasonably lasting finish. 92/100. Attendees liked this and agreed it was fuller bodied and of higher quality than the Petit Chablis norm.

4 generation estate; 9 acres in Cote de Lechet, scattered over 6 plots. Long and real cork; unique in both respects today. Premier Cru size and aromatic intensity, perhaps the most yet in the series. Impressive. Vintage's sweet fruit appeal, and its nice acid balance. I repeat the words '21 acidity, 22 richness combined'. Now or later. 93+/100. Very popular with attendees. '1er Cru stature; minerality, hint of gunflint; smooth, concentrated palate.'

40 year old vines in the Chaintre sector, south-facing and always the first to be harvested. This smells a little woody in a positive way, though I may be fooled by old vines and lees effects. Yeah, the 'woodiest' in the series. Rich and full. Really sweet fruit of 2023, and that's delicious. A heart throb take on Pouilly Fuisse, which somewhat tweaks mealtime choices. 92/100. Generally positive responses to its P-F Maconnais significance. Suggestion of oak found.

Wine Spectator 94: 'This earthy, sanguine version is an excellent expression of place. Fruit and spices keep pace with the smoke, graphite and olive tapenade notes, plus a hint of truffle. Creamy in feel, with all of its elements integrated seamlessly. Offers old-school charm in an elegant, well-meshed and focused frame. Drink now through 2032. $87.'

Southernmost domaine of Saint Joseph, on the border with Cornas; a portion aged in barrels, 20% new, the rest 2 ? 4 years old. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark red violet. Oh, is that intense Saint Joe syrah. I mean, it has Saint Joe elegance but in a highly concentrated form. Shows the way for southern Saint Joes. There seems to be some Cornas bulk to it. Yes, a walloping mouthful of Saint Joe take on syrah. The tannins are not aggressive; still, this has yards of bottle bouquet development to go. Glad this great estate is back in the market. 94+/100. WOTN for several attendees. 'Similarities to Cornas; quite a lot of wine here.' 'A very fine wine.' 'Nice Syrah!!! Real substance, real quality fruit length. Certainly bigger than I had expected.'

60% grenache 30% syrah, 5% each mourvedre, cinsault; vines 20-60 years old; from Vinsobres, Visan, Cairanne, Rasteau. Hugely rich, powerful, concentrated. Halfway to an essence. Just as majestic in flavor and texture intensity. Superbly well balanced--the richness, the power, the acidity. And the tannins are melted. What a generous, satisfying mouthful! 93/100. Wine of the Night candidate. 'Chave all the way!!' 'The nose blew a couple of us away, violet florals, delicious, structured, balanced, non-fatiguing, mouthfilling, long. 'Really great.'

65% grenache (grown on cobbles), 25% syrah, 10% mourvedre; est. 1928; now run by 3rd generation Ricards. Dark, ruddy ruby. Large nasal presence but the aromatics are sequestered. Not unusual for 2020s at this stage. Likewise, the flavors are on hold. Love the full body, good extract, light, fine grained tannin. Some classic Couroulu garrigue comes on with warming and aeration. Well poised. 92+/100. Became much more revealing with aeration, even a WOTN candidate. All three varieties shone. 'Ripeness without excess weight or thickness.' Continued to excel into the following evening.

Est. 1972; 72% mourvedre, 20% grenache, 6% cinsault, 1% each syrah, carignan; aged 18 months in cooperage; unfiltered. A big boy here, showing all its power, concentration, and high mourvedre black fruit essence. Still youthful at age five, but not obstinate. This has growing softness and bouquet revelation on the palate. Another outstanding vintage of a proud series. Great introduction to Bandol. 94+/100. Impressed with 'complexity, class, savor, latency'.

On limestone and clay slopes above the Thau basin. Gads, is that fresh and picpoul green fruited. Points the way. Perfect pitch. Full green fruit flavors persist. Nice balance of cut and padding that is 2023 Euro white. Full length, refreshment. Virtually a quaffer. 92/100.

Yves Falmet, vigneron; at Creissan; unfiltered; 50+ year old vines on hillsides of Saint Chinian. This is rich and deep and dark for cinsault. Lots of expression; old vines talking. Wow, may be the best in the series. Lots of cherry-orange flavor. Really good acid, especially for 2022. Loaded with flavor, extract, texture. Dusting of fine tannin is in proportion. Wow again. Deal! 93/100. Well liked by attendees. WOTN for at least one

American importer's brand made by Dopff & Irion at Riquewihr. That's a cool, crisp, green fruited example of pinot blanc. Affordable too. Really quite penetrating. One of the better vintages in the series. Thanks to vintage and variety, the acidity level is mild. Accurate flavor but not much follow through. Rallies on the aftertaste. Price worthy and adequate indeed. 90/100.

Barbara Muller was a regular on Derek Vinnicombe's winemaker portfolio visits decades back. Light sulphur veil suppresses the aromatics a bit. Solid basis beneath. Wonderful sweet-acid basis of the likes not often seen in 2022 Mosels. This is really a textbook example of the difficult to describe but easily recognizable feinherb style. Fruit and terpene flavors forming. Balanced, yes. And food worthy. 91+/100. Two hours later, no sulphur noted so well liked by attendees. 'Really attractive nose.' 'White peach, almond pastry, sweet/acid balance. Great fun.'

Est. 1901 by 35 families; oldest wine cooperative in Franken. These often show sulphur under screwcap when young. This one seems to have moved past that stage. Yeah, a pleasingly dry Franken riesling nose is coming forth. In a cool year, this is showing a high trocken RS, probably to balance the vintage's high acidity, which it does with aplomb. Good vintage of this popular VC regular. Balanced and lasting. 91/100. Enjoyed by attendees for its typicity, austerity, acidity, fruit flavors, and light petrol highlight. 'Should age well.'

On limestone and marl in Niersteiner Paterberg. A really full, stony, earthy take on silvaner. It's saturated with both soil takes. Exceptional terroir clarity though its varietal lens. The small 2021 crop makes for extra intensity of flavor and body. Mid to high trocken RS, so I'm glad I positioned it the last of the whites. Singular, really. A candidate for the holiday table. 92/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Big, big, big, in both flavor and concentration; herbs and stones.'

Beautiful dark red violet color. 21 cool and crisp. Well extracted varietal character. Full and flavorful. Lots of textural spiel. Fine grained tannin is not obtrusive. This is one loaded zweigelt, one of the best I've tasted. 92/100.

Dark red black. Deep, sweet, and reserva well endowed. Rich, round, powerful but not too. Now here's a generous wine for the money. More bouquet to come but no obdurate tannins to preclude current service. Will stock. 91+/100.

30% each aragonez, trincideira, and syrah, 10% cab sauv; Wine Enthusiast 92/100. Properly modern, warm and robust tinta of Portugal's southeast interior. This has some extra depth and range compared to the regional standard. Thanks to a compelling and compatible assembly of grape varieties. Bright fruit flavors and acidity. Wears its alcohol well. Not a sultry sort. Kudos to the maker. I can see the rating. Long and even keeled aftertaste. 92/100.

Bramcellao, souson, caino. Deep red violet. Cool, reductive in a positive sense. It's both accurate and appealing. Flavorful, cool, rangy, balanced, lasting. Special. 93/100.

90% treixadura, 5% godello, 5% albarino. Perfumes of the class, aromatic varieties of green Spain. All three come into play, so the aromatic profile is COMPLEX. A pleasing amalgam on the palate, with a perfumed and variegated aftertaste with welcome bitter edge. This is a fine source. 92/100.

Mostly mencia. Vines planted 1890. Whole cluster fermentation. Aged a year in small, seasoned cooperage. Unfined, unfiltered. No mencia reduction thanks to old vines plus barrel and bottle age. It's old vines hefty. Very pure. Flavorful and well balanced on the palate. Quite strong as mencias run. A lot of old vines material here. The tannins are fine grained and agreeable. There's plenty more bottle bouquet to come, which will reward the outlay. 94+/100.

Parker 90/100. My notes: 90% tempranillo, 10% cab sauv. Younger vines. Native yeasts. Aged 8 months in barrels. Inky red violet. Full, dark, dense, but reclusive, aromatically. Big and powerful in the mouth. Thick and chewy. Mouthfilling, but, again, aromatically backward. These wines have nothing if not presence. Bargain price for a cellar candidate. 91+/100.

Parker 92/100. My notes: 97% tempranillo, 3% merlot. 14%. More evolved color. This is mellower and more advanced and open in bouquet. Very attractive. But still very tannic, which is the nature of the vintage. Nascent flavor development. A lot of wine for the money also, and needs further cellaring as well. 92+/100.

All tempranillo from Alta and Alavesa; aged a year in barrels with American oak staves and French oak heads. Medium dark, rusty red. A good combo of fruit and barrel and bottle age, so it fits my image of crianza. And I like the US oak part that talks tradition. Yes, the proper balance of fruit and barrel and bottle bouquet. Well textured, full bodied. At a good stage. Good acid too. Just a dusting of tannin adds texture and not obstinance. 92+/100.

92% tempranillo, 8% mazuelo from Alta & Alavesa vineyards over 25 yrs old; aged 18 months in French/American oak barrels & 21 months in bottle. Darker and browner. Seems more powerful than the crianza, though the alcohol statements are the same. Larger, oakier, more complex, more important. Again, I like that US oak effect. Two years older, but more tannic. Bigger wine with more improvement to come in the cellar. 93+/100. Considered complex by attendees. 'Fruit, oak, power, tannin; vanilla and pipe tobacco.'

Dark maroon. Youthful, fruity, Rich and abundant. Indeed it is. And quite powerful. Lots of extract and flavor. Fine tannin for food and mid term aging. Deal. 91/100.

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.

Wine Enthusiast 94/100. My notes:100 year old carinena and garnacha in steep vineyards. 2018 fruit richness and purity. This has power, structure, class, old vines concentration. I like the absence of cabernet and syrah. Nicely oaked in the Torres tradition. Maybe even some American oak. This is large and lavish, a righteous Priorat. Bravo. 95+/100.

Aged three years in large oak casks. Medium rusty red. That's a sweet, traditional nebbiolo nose, the sort you get from long age in large cooperage. Shows the old way. Yes, sweet and dried cherry, tar, rose. Lots of glycerol. A fine vintage of this and best value in its field. No tannin issues of note. 93/100 Attendees generally agreed with my assessment. 'Varietal character not gussied up with new oak; surprisingly approachable; good intro to Barolo.'

Wine Spectator 94 - #10 Top 100 Wines of 2024: 'This effusive red displays cherry, raspberry, rose, iron, juniper and hay flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity. Harmonious and supple in texture, with a long aftertaste of red fruit, mineral and floral elements. Best from 2028 through 2049. $42.'

At Barbaresco; in 1997 the winegrowing Vacca family left the Barbaresco cooperative to make their own wines; mainly from younger vines; unwooded. Fullest color so far. Could easily be a Barbaresco. Shows the size and style. Oh, boy, extra aromatic breadth, depth, and complexity. Very dry and quite suave on the palate. Fine grained, clinging tannin suggested cellar potential. This is serious juice. 93+/100.

Aged in new Allier oak barriques and in large Slavonian oak casks. This is always a good number, and I think its sophistication and complexity have been enhanced by new-found oak extras. Wow. Black to the heart barbera fruit concentration plus all those woody frills. Yes, plus exceptional power and fruit ripeness for cool 2021. Big, big in the mouth in all respects. Lasting. A bargain, really. 93/100.

Vines planted between 1985 and 2015 at 400 to 550 meters on the Pianezzo hillside; calcareous soil. Oh, that soars. Sweet smelling Dogliani take on dolcetto. Defines its genre. Great acid verve too, especially for the vintage. Dry and clinging finish. A little tannic still, so I'd be cautious about serving it very cool. 92+/100. Well liked by attendees for great fruit and acid, while judged ageworthy for its tannin content.

Fruity and accurate aromatics. Full bodied. Lots of mouthfeel and flavor. Really comes on on the palate. Floral exotica on the aftertaste. In tune with the series. 92/100.

Very dark and definitive. 2020 intensity. Rich cubed. One of the most intense and accurate lagreins I've tasted. No wonder one pays a premium. Flavorful, well textured, full bodied, long. 93/100.

Est. 1858 in Trentino; 15 year old vines. Extreme cat pee. Wow. A bit much for the average sauvignon lover. I can tolerate it though. Great with a kitty litter casserole. Moves to the milder gooseberry sauvignon character on the palate. Nice and searing acidity. A lot of sauvignon character for the money, if you appreciate this face of sauvignon. 91/100. Attendees too found this pretty extreme, for better or worse. The attendee who took it home found the cat pee abated by the next day, and the gooseberry welled up. Considered a good value.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'This riserva Lugana opens with aromas of baked nectarine with an almond crumble, followed by wafting notes of pressed wildflowers, and poached lemon peel. The palate is rich, showing a lime and tropical-fruit cream note topped with sea salt, but balanced by electric acidity on the finish. Super tasty! $37.'

70% corvina, 30% rondinella; in February following the harvest, pomace from the amarone fermentation is added; aged a year in large oak barrels thereafter. As lush and classic as always. I mean, power, raisin, dried peels, all. Yes, and 2021 acidity lends balance. There have been more concentrated vintages than cool 2021. Still, this works its own magic. 93/100. Attendees enjoyed this, as they have every past vintage tasted. 'Long and flavorful.' 'Good grip.'

75% corvina, 20% rondinella, 5% molinara. Aged 30 months, mainly in large Slavonian oak cooperage. Va, va, voom. Big time jump is power, concentration, raisin. Consistently great. 2019 sweet fruit, super power, moderate raisin, fine tannin. Well balanced, so sure to improve. Style between classic and modern. 95+/100.

All garganega grown in basaltic soil. Wow, that is garganega in spades. Both force and range. Energized by Classico's terroir. About the most expressive Inama in memory. On the palate, one suave Soave. That's 2023. Succulent fruit and good fruit acidity. Salivating, meal-worthy dry white. 92/100. Attendees appreciated its balance of plumpness, acidity, and minerality.

Estate bottled by the Anselmi family at Latisana; 20 year old vines. Oomph, class, and clarity of Friuli grigio. Apple, nut, wax varietal attributes. Full for the price. And flavorful. Add melon to the set. Well balanced and fully ready to serve. Deal. 91/100. Judged a good value by attendees. 'Quite a bargain.' 'Can't be beat at the price.' 'Spring time fresh, good volume; apple, pear flavors.'

Est. 1730; 90% sangiovese, 10% ciliegiolo; 4 months in cooperage; unfiltered. Cheery red violet. Oh, that soars as always. Pure, penetrating, pungent sangiovese red cherry and orange zest. The flavors are equally intense and alluring. Sweet fruit meets good acidity. Spot on Chianti rep at a great price. 92/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Cherry hard candy nose; mild barrel influence; strustured; good acidity, youthful tannins; checks all the boxes except for age.'

Packed with fruit and barrel riserva assets, but painfully youthful in the 2020 vernacular. It's all there though. Yes, Felsina's southern Classico power, mass, and tannin. Wholly well balanced for a long and even evolution. Has it together. 94+/100.

Wine & Spirits 93: 'A wine of great energy and verve, this surges from the glass with flavors of crunchy dark cherry and blackberry layered with notes of thyme and lavender. A spine of graphite runs through the flavors, bolstering the firm, ferrous tannins. Delicious now, this will only get better over the next few years.'

Wine Spectator 97: 'An exquisite Vin Santo, with aromas and flavors of brown butter, caramel, molasses, gingerbread and roasted walnut riding the vibrant structure. Impeccably balanced, with fine complexity and a long, resonant aftertaste. Malvasia, Trebbiano and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2040.'

90% prugnolo gentile; 5% each canaiolo, merlot; vines 21-50 years old; 18 months minimum in French oak cooperage. There's Vino Nobile royalty exemplified. So charming. Lovely violets highlight. The cool vintage works to perfection here in distinguishing this from Montalcino and Chianti Classico takes. High elevation and that special prugnolo gentile sangiovese clone show the way. So suave and elegant on the palate. Textbook. Gently flowing over tongue and back palate. No need to postpone gratification. 93/100.

40 year old vines; aged 3 months on lees. Ho, hum, just another abundantly fruity Felici amplification of what verdicchio can achieve. Abundance not at the expense of delicacy and finesse. Wow. All over again on the palate. So much varietal character on display here. It just gets the fruit richness and buoyancy harmony perfect. Excellent vintage of a top example of its genre. 93/100. Enjoyed by attendees. Richness and generosity noted.

From slopes above the village of Casalbordino; aged 9 months in barrels and tonneaux. A shade younger and darker fruited than the 2019. Seems two years behind it instead of one. Riserva breadth and depth, size and importance. Rich 2020 fruit around a solid core of potential. Riserva intensity. Tannin presages more bouquet and softness to come. 92+/100.

Massale selection vines averaging 56 years; at 1200 feet. Dark red violet. Oh, yes, carries the torch for this upscale, high altitude, old vines cuvee. Consistent class through the years. Concentrated yet perfumed. Monte violets for sure. Yes, both size and elegance. That spells class. Flavorful, lengthy. Finest of tannin dusting. Perfect poise and balance. 93+/100. Well respected by attendees. 'Great nose, gorgeous fruit.'. 'Big in every sense; deep black cherry flavor; fully extracted; old vines show in spades.'

Vines 25-40 yrs old in volcanic soil; aged 18 months in French, Slavonian, and American oak cooperage. Medium dark, ruddy ruby. Really elegant and lifted in scent, exceptionally so for Vulture and this cuvee. The additional barrel input renders it more complex than the good Gricos cuvee. Sweet, suave, complex, vital. Fine aglianico black fruit flavors. Fine acid and very nice dusting of fine grained tannins. Near perfect balance. Yes. 93+/100. Won kudos from attendees. 'Black fruits and leathers followed by floral lift.' 'Needs food.'

A year in French barriques. The mellowness, breadth, and depth of barrel/bottle earned bouquet. Complex and compatible. Palate expresses exactly the same impressions. A little fruit/oak tannin to shed. It will only get better. Upscale. 93+/100.

Pale rose color; lots of skin soak evident/ Yes, the inherent peels extracts are here. Not an orange wine though. Just a different take on this variety. The extract gives good textural spiel. The flavor is a little brassy, which is correct for the style, and less perfumed than the traditional, white wine take. Experiment and price justified. 92/100.

50% cab sauv, 30% cinsault, 20% syrah. The bookend varieties aged 6 months in oak barrels. Full red violet. Spicy fruit marks the cinsault in this. Rich and harmonious cuvee. Full, full flavored, well textured. Trace of tannin is positive. Long, tasty finish. 91+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'A light cotton-candy pink in the glass, the wine begins with clean aromas of rose petal and chalk on the nose. The palate is generous in cotton candy, watermelon and bubblegum flavors, but with a chalky, tightly woven texture.'

Tasting Panel 92: 'This is a seriously dry rose made for pairing with a broad range of moderately flavorful dishes. The bouquet is qite subtle, but flavors of red berries hold their own even with foods that would ordinarily call for a chilled light red. $25.'

30 year old vines; no malo. Lovely light salmon color.,/ Well, that's about as attractive a Loire cab franc rose nose as one could find. Lovely, cool, lilting strawberry and watermelon aroma. Equally flavorful and alluring. A little on the mild side of ideal acidity; adequate though. Flavor persistence. Worth a premium. 92/100. Very popular; orders taken. 'Really good! Very expressive; rich flavor and good balance.' 'Full bore, concentrated, robust, ambitious.' 'Loaded with flavor.' 'Lovely, complex, great strawberry notes.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'Sleek and fresh, with dark plum and blackberry notes laced with singed alder and ganache. Shows nice drive through the polished finish as the fruit expands. Drink now through 2031. $32.'

By Billecart-Salmon. 37% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir, 30% pinot meunier. Dosage .9 RS. Tech sheet claims 70% reserve wines, an extraordinarily high ratio. The red fruits are prominent. The brioche stuff of a high component of reserve wines. Alluring, toasty bottle bouquet. Fine mousse. Emulates Billecart Salmon encepagement and styling. Just from less exalted villages and not as long en tirage. High brut. Encouraging level of en tirage bottle bouquet. Plenty of reserve and yeast autolysis nuttiness. The red fruits make a statement and the white gives lift. Moderate acidity thanks to the ample meunier content. Toasty aftertaste. Harmonious and attractive. For hors d'oeuvres or main courses. Definite value. 92/100.

Est. 1906 at Ay; 55% pinot noir, 45% chardonnay; 3+ years en tirage; disgorged 9/22; 8 g/l dosage. These were getting a little heavy for my tastes as the years passed, after a great start when we first opened at the new location in 2011. Now, this one takes the pedal off the metal. It all adds up: the cuvee, the en tirage and the bottle time. And the levity of its 2019 vintage foundation. The palate confirms the equilibrium of the whole. Worth the price. 94/100. Loved by attendees. 'Wonderful; WOTN.' 'Spicy red fruit character; luxurious, delicious, satisfying.' Judged price-worthy.

Light red orange. Plenty here, both fruit and bottle bouquet. Again. Well textured too. Fine mousse. Have long been pleased by Mercats. 91/100.

65% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir; 20-25 year old vines; 2 years en tirage. Light orange. Pink fruit meets light autolysis doughness. Overall delicate, balanced, engaging. All those aspects echo on the palate in an harmonious fashion and with even stronger character and engagement. First class example of its type, and fairly priced. 93/100.

Medium dark tawny color. Well, that's a pungent and pleasing and complex aromatic set combining bitter botanicals with brown spices. Yikes. 'Dry' as in 'dry marsala'. The bitter-sweet tete a tete continues. A two ring circus of flavors. The price looked daunting at first glance. After tasting it, I feel you're getting your money's worth. 97/100.