Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'I have always had a soft spot for the story of Port, the stray mutt rescued from a dog attack by the late Eric Dunham. Port is is the inspiration for this humble red, which leads with aromas of black cherries, cigar box, phlox and wet stones that may have a bit of moss on them. The wine feels elegant and smooth in the mouth, with cranberry-raspberry flavors jitterbugging with jangly acidity and silky tannins.'

All cab sauv; 60% aged in seasoned oak barrels; Vinous 91/100. Very dark maroon. Oh, this has exceptional blackberry and black currant varietal character. The purity and intensity are such I haven't nosed in a long time. The oak is thoroughly fruit coated. There it is again. Near essence of cab sauv. Wonderful texture and balance of sweet/acid. This is simply blessed delicious! 92/100.

Tasting Panel 93: 'Highlighted by spiced sandalwood and juoicy plum, dried violets settle on the tongue aided by supple tannins. Ripe black cherry melds with dark chocolate and espresso. $48.'

By Grayson. 77% cab sauv. Aged 9 months in cooperage. Dark red violet. Deep, purple fruited, and Napa significant. With vintage class. Yes, class and elegance. A prime example of Napa fruit getting dumped these days, to the consumer's advantage. 92/100.

Est. 1998. Aged 20 months in all new oak barrels: French, American, and eastern European. The new barrel leachings no longer lay on top, and the region's rich fruit is starting to take them up. 2021 quality shows. Yeah, oak, fruit, class, ambition. The last vintage I tasted, I thought it was over the top. Must be a better vintage and/or more bottle age here. Full and lasting. This one works. 94+/100.

Parker 95/100. My notes: Dark red violet. There's a sweetness showing from more age and more readily approachable variety. It's real franc; red raspberry vs cab sauv blackberry. Lots of charm in a charming vintage. Oak well managed so as not to overwhelm. Yes, this has considerably more ease than the cab sauv. Juicy and delicious already. A genuine and singular cab franc as is seldom seen from CA. Arguably the best CA cab franc I've tasted. 96/100.

Wine Spectator 93: 'Supple and elegantly structured, with expressive flavors of red currant, tobacco and toasty spices that linger toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.'

I had to go to the book to check the price on this. It's right. Mighty modest for Evening Land pinot. Medium dark red violet. Still compact, though suggesting potential ease. Flavor formation still in progress. Well balanced, well textured. With a little more bottle age, this could turn out to be a best value. 91+/100. Tasted 4/3/26.

50% whole cluster fermented. Heavy Bottle Award. Wow, big time concentration, power, range, depth, complexity. Richer, bigger, more serious. Full bodied, deep, long, loaded. Eminently age worthy. WOTN candidate. Orders taken. 94+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'This juicy and lively Pinot jumps from the glass with aromas of crushed raspberry, black plum, cinnamon and licorice on the nose. The palate delivers velvety mouthfeel with rich tannin, smooth acidity and flavors of baked cherry, spiced plum compote, cola spice and roses echoing across the finish. $45.'

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'Big ripe aromas of baked cherry, strawberry jam, and caramel dominate the nose of this Pinot Noir. The palate is broad and rich, with flavors of roasted berries, vanilla, milk chocolate, and cinnamon that expand through the finish. It's a ripe style, but there's huge value here. $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.'

54% syrah, 32% petite sirah, 14% grenache. Dark red violet. Deep and dark syrah and pet dominance. Full black fruits and nice barrel extras. Not at all stiff for all the blackness. There's sweet fruit on the nose. Rich and rangy. Solid foundation of power and well integrated tannins. Certainly a contrast from the pinots. Belongs on the same table but with different entrees. Always a wow wine, pleasurable too. 93/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'The Cline Family invested in organic farming and old vine vineyards early in the game. Now, they have many holdings of old vine material, which allows them to offer consumers well-made wines at reasonable prices. This wine is a traditional old vine Zinfandel with fruit concentration, dark sweet fruits, spice, and florals on the nose; the palate features dark plum, maple, vanilla cream, espresso, mocha shavings, and grippy tannins on the finish. Aerate and enjoy with BBQ chicken wings.'

Est. 1977 by Mike Beatty, who left his family's Ohio farm and came to California to attend Stanford; Beatty Ranch, at 1800', boasts the oldest zinfandel vines of the Howell Mountain AVA. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark ruby. The fruit is sweet, so it manages the alcohol and barrel influence alike. Howell and old vines zin dark fruited and deep. Very rich palate with alcohol and oak support. Great length of flavor and texture. Belies its age; lots more to come. Surely up to the tariff (oops; please not to mention that word!). 96+/100. Appreciated by all attendees for its balance; WOTN candidate. 'Nice maturity! Very Zin in a long gone style.' 'Big bramble character. Delish. 14.5% not evident.'

Est. 1978; from Central Coast vineyards; aged 3 months on lees in seasoned oak barrels; Vinous 91/100. Very different from the preceding Sancerre but standing on its own two feet. Sauvignon character and depth, both freshness and fullness. Lees add something to its aromatic range. Delivers. Sweeter and milder on the palate. Still, retaining adequate acidity. Overall balance and, certainly, meal-worthiness. 91/100. Widely enjoyed at the tasting, peach aroma mentioned several times.

First class. Full yet racy. Lemon and peel. Rich, deep, sweet, flavorful, balanced, complete. Long aftertaste. Worth the price. 95/100.

One of the fullest OR chardonnays I've nosed, outside the Drouhins and Lingua Francas. And one of the most barrel impacted. Impressive. Yes, complex melange of intense fruit and barrel embellishments. Good acid for vitality and balance. Expensive but not overpriced. 93+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'Aromas of Gala apple, nectarine, toasted hazelnut and lemon peel drive the nose of this acid-forward Chardonnay. The palate gives rich, pithy texture and sunny flavors of tart pineapple and citrus blossom, with salty lemon lingering on the finish. $30.'

Est. 1989. Pleasingly crisp Santa Barbara style of chardonnay. Lees and/or barrel nuttiness. Hint of malo creaminess. Very dry. Full acidity. Now the lees/barrel and malo not so prominent. Well conceived and well crafted. Very versatile at the table. 91/100.

Deeper yellow color. Seems more powerful. A LOT oakier, and it's all for the good. Ample and complex. Yes, decidedly more barrel impact on the palate as well. And there's plenty of fruit concentration and power to support it. Always a treat! 94/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'The nose on this bottling is very brisk and tightly woven, offering aromas of lime-soaked gravel, Asian pear and white blossoms. The palate is zippy with acidity and chalky in texture, with honeydew and slightly riper pear flavors.'

Tasting Panel 93: 'Shows notes of mandarin orange that morph into marmalade. Fresh and ethereal, it finishes with a dollop of lime meringue. $35.'

With 5% each merlot, syrah, cab sauv. Half aged 6 months in second year French oak barrels. Inky red violet. Black fruit and black pepper. The region's forte. Rich and dark fruit flavors. Fuller constitution than the cabernet. More texture. Real deal. Tannins melted already. 91+/100.

Half aged 8 months in oak cooperage. Dark red violet. That's pretty sophisticated carmenere thanks to the wood influence. It's ripe but not too, and there are no carmenere funky elements. Soft and sweetish, but power and tannin keep it honest. Upscale from Casa Silva's cheaper version, which has always shown merit. 91/100.

2/3 Blind River, 1/3 Awatere Valley terraces; unfined. Oh, that has textural as well as aromatic appeal. Intricate citrus elements perfectly interwoven. The newest Barkers is unique from the others. Yes, combo of yellow, green, and orange citrus fruits. Unique in the whole genre, really. Good acid/sweet relationship. Overall balance. Length. Deal. 92/100.

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.

Rich in dark, sweet fruit. Such as it is with 2018 clarets. Sumptuous nose. And palate. Good acidity. Fine grained tannins are not obstinate. Can be put to use with food or cellared further for more bouquet. 93+/100.

Famille Sichel; at Saint Andre du Bois in southern Entre Deux Mers; 65% merlot, 30% cab sauv, 5% cab franc. This is pretty intense for 2019. The power shows in volume rather than burn. Real depth of aroma. More like a 2019 mid weight on the palate, though the flavors persist. Good balance, so worth the cellaring bet. Solid series here. 91+/100. Well considered by attendees, if thought to need more cellaring. 'Real Bordeaux nose and palate.' 'Ripe and black fruited; touch of chocolate. Substantial wine with quality winemaking showing.'

Wine Enthusiast 93/100. My notes: Very full bodied and maturing well. Noticeable semillon presence. Sauvignon brightens up the palate. Good acidity. Tangy, tasting, intense, long. Will carry on. What the AOC is all about. 93/100.

Created in 1988 under the tutelage of ace oenologist Denis Dubourdieu. It's pungent but not to excess. No bell pepper, no shrill citrus. It's what Bordeaux blanc should be. Dubourdieu was an expert. Yes, the citrus tones are more toward tangelo than lemon. Good acid of course. Many tabletop choices. Suits me to a tee. 91/100.

Est. 1895; 80% malbec, 20% merlot; 25 year old vines. Cahors black. Inky concentration, more so than several vintages of late. Impressive Cahors black core. Lots of licorice. The palate too is well condensed. There's a degree of fruit sweetness and flow too thanks to the merlot. Solid Cahors citizen and credit to the series. 91+/100. After aeration, it became 'Brighter, richer, more fruit friendly than expected. Black cherry, black tea.' However, a few attendees picked up a fishy smell. So one of them took the bottle home to check it out the next day. 'The fish swam away. Big, juicy plum and boysenberry atop of anise, Asian spice, pine forest, and sweet tannins, backed by moderate acidity. Big mouthfeel without being clumsy or overpowering.'

Family domaine for many generations; vineyards on gravel; Silver Medal ? Paris 2024; Wine Enthusiast 92/100. Our notes: Dark ruby. Wow, dramatic surge of red raspberry cab franc character. Comes right at ya. Rich in substance too. Sweet cab franc raspberry on the palate as well. This is fairly loaded thanks to the intensity, but it does feature good AOC flow too. Long, flavorful aftertaste. Attractive price included. I'm sold. Must stock. 92+/100. Widely popular with attendees. 'Ripe enough, plenty of fruit, perfume, good color, some tannins; nice wine.' 'Firm tannins, cab franc nose. Great structure and body. Might benefit from some aging. Great cab franc example and not overpriced!'

Vigneron with cellars at Verdigny; 30 year old vines; on flint and sand hillsides. This Reverdy set gets a Heavy Bottle Award. Reads old vines size and concentration, terroir specificity and levity, aromatic depth, nostril feel, and impressive presence for the alcohol content and price. And that's just the nose. A unique take on the region's sauvignons, unrelated to any other I've tasted over the decades. And I like it. Good content for food. I always like a new experience. 92/100. Drew praise from attendees for its lift and distinction.

Sancerre's steepest and most esteemed site; kimmeridgian limestone; average age of vines 30 years, native yeasts; unfined, unfiltered. Man, that is depth and concentration of aroma. Terroir expressive. And the class of the site. Awesome Sancerre. Yes, a racy vintage of this cuvee. Love the acid and love the site support. Goes on forever, and I don't want it to stop. I could sniff and sip this all evening. That's class entertainment. Knowing he'd miss the tasting, Steve took a bottle home last week and was equally awed. 96/100. Widely admired, respected, and enjoyed. Especially for its minerality and balance. At least one WOTN vote.

80 ? 20. Medium ruby. Nice. I like the combo. Loire take on Bourgogne Passetoutgrains: crisper, cooler, more northern. Very well crafted cuvee. Flavorful of both varieties in synch with one another. Dusting of tannin dries out the palate neatly. Very versatile at the table. 92/100. Quite popular with attendees; preferred to the Giennois sauvignon. 'Gamay on the nose; pinot on the palate.' 'Joyous; easy to like; gulpable.'

The vineyard lies southeast of the village. Gevrey size and firmness. Gevrey 'masculine'. While he's said to use no new barrels, there's certainly a leavening performed by aging in seasoned cooperage. Medium to full bodied. Richer than the vintage norm. The acidity is well managed. Fine grained tannins are present but not aggressive. Likely a good cellar candidate. 94+/100. WOTN for the majority of attendees. 'Special. Lovely, almost mature nose.' 'Complex and highly entertaining.' 'Old school feral aspect to it.'

60 year old vines. Purple plum Julienas take on gamay. Genuine, and Grand Cru well built and well filled. Very juicy taste. Flavors confirm aromas. Yes, plenty of old vines substance here. Classic. 92+/100. WOTN for at least a couple of attendees. Orders taken. 'Cru Beaujolais character. Black cherry nose and aromatic lift on palate. Good length. Less tannic than expected so drinkable now.'

Lies between 1er Crus Vosgros and Montmains; fallow at the time of the classification; vines average 35 years. Pretty full color as these go. And a Premier Cru like nostril-ful of calcaire presence as ever. Gives a barrel aged sort of breadth and depth, though it's not so handled. 2023 fruit sweetness and forward nature. Coats the usual extract some. Wholly reflects terroir and vintage alike. Balanced and lasting. 92+/100. Appreciated by attendees but widely judged in need of more bottle age. '1er Cru aspirations; a fine addition to the series.'

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 Poully 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.'

The cool raciness that is St. Joe. The dark fruit concentrate that is Mauves St. Joe. Plus Chave class. Oh, boy, that is one serious, meaty St Joe. Has AOC race and vigor too. Chave is simply a master. Yes, this flows in St. Joe fashion, max of the northern Rhone AOCs. Classic, southern St. Joe plentitude. Fullness, material, and generosity are its fortes. Not tannic, but age for more bouquet complications. 93+/100.

At Camaret sur Aigues on the Plan de Dieu;; 35+ year old vines; 50% grenache, 25% syrah, 20% carignan, 5% cinsault. Inky maroon. Vintage freshness and lift helps to counter the obvious power on the nose. A lot of material here. Yes, powerful as well as surprisingly tannic for the vintage. Material extract too. Chewy finish. Good 2024 acidity. Keeper; rare at this price. 91+/100. Widely enjoyed, though one attendee agreed with me about the notable level of tannin. 'A serious wine, lots of tannin to go with lots of fruit.' 'Great color and body.' 'Fruit driven; healthy fruit, believably old vines.' 'Very nice concentration but in no way overdone. Well integrated; retains a sense of balance.'

Deep, dark, and classic Rasteau with a little more freshness and lift this vintage. There's a subtitle name change. Maybe terroir supports that aspect. Wow, Rasteau dense and dark on the palate though. And tannin, especially for the vintage. Forget the earlier hunch. This is a black and blue bruiser after all. 92++/100.

72% grenache, 23% syrah, 5% mourvedre. The price had to go up sooner or later. The 2022 sold for 2/3 the price of the Gigondas norm. Dark ruby. Richer, riper, blacker than the 2022. And younger. Love 'em both!/ Just bursting with sweet fruit, which counters much of the power. Balances out overall, and certainly fills the palate in both flavor and texture respects. Certainly a worthy successor, and distinct in style, which is entertaining. You still get your money's worth here. 93+/100. Near unanimous high praise. 'Nose gorgeous. Berry, cherry. Very drinkable now; will age beautifully. Love it.' 'A likable varietal balance here. Nose needed time to show. Palate is so much more expressive. Rich, ripe fruit. Not overdone in any aspect. A classy example; not a bully at 15%.'

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.

Carignan, picpoul noir, riveyrenc noir; vines 70 to 100 years old. As intended, this is indeed a 'claret' (clairet) by its light red appearance. Carignan gives bulk, the others lift and freshness. Carignan dark cherry in the lead. Great freshness, forward fruit, acidity, balance, flavor breadth and depth, textural spiel. Perfectly conceived and rendered by a crack Minervois La Liviniere team. Can serve cool. Both substance and drinkability. 92/100. Widely enjoyed for its levity, accessibility, and lack of tannin.

Est. 1795. 30% Sylvaner, 30% Pinot Blanc, 20% Riesling, 10% Muscat, 5% Pinot Gris, 5% Gewurztraminer. Vines 25 to 45 years old. Lovely light gold. This is filling out, rounding out, taking on a wider spectrum of varietal aromas. Nice to see. The non aromatic grapes' basis remains. More peeks at the rest now. Coming along nicely. 91+/100.

Both bright and rich. Strong vintage of this. Yes, sweetness and acidity both fully present, and balanced. Flavorful as well as aromatic. Probably the best vintage of this I've tasted. Bravo. 91+/100.

Est. 1849; named after the first reichsrat (councilman), who had a hand in the opening of the Suez Canal; his wine was served at the ribbon cutting; 8.5 g/l acidity, 40.4 g/l RS. Surprisingly shy nose upon opening and at 35 degrees' temperature. Lacks flavor an texture at this point too. I couldn't give it a rating on that basis, but it aired well, warmed up, and becoming more expressive for attendees two hours later. 'Really delicious. Very long and great balance.' 'Oh, yeah. Plenty of ripe fruit, slate, minerals; Good acid, good balance. Easy drinking. Nice wine.'

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.'

Est. 1929; cooperative with vineyards on south facing slopes along Lake Geneva. Pure Swiss chasselas green fruit nose. More high altitude lift than Alsace versions. The acidity isn't too aggressive. Standard level of expression and quality. Near quaffable. Ready for raclette, fondue. 91/100. Became more expressive with aeration. Well liked by attendees. 'Lovely nose, nice mineral palate.' 'Very attractive wine.' 'Fine, mineral driven bouquet. Palate follows nose.' 'Very intense for the varietal.' 'More acid than expected, as well as tonic tones.'

Vines planted in 1999 at 1600'; aged 18 months in once filled barrels. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark red violet. One hefty Dao and nicely ripe for a cool vintage. Boy, this has the fruit material to absorb its complexing oak embellishments. Upscale. Rich and intricate, with a rocky granite foundation. The tannins are fine grained and well integrated. Serve or save. One of the most ambitious Daos I've met. 93+/100. Attendees appreciated the nose. 'Attractive mature oak and fruit.' 'Quite the bouquet with florals, oak, and even salami.' The conclusion from the tannin on the palate was 'save' rather than 'serve'.

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.'

Est. 1649; revitalized 1980; at Getaria, overlooking the sea; 90% hondarrabi zuri, 10% hondarrabi beltza; vineyards planted 1915 - 2000; indigenous yeasts. Boy, that's about as bright and crisp and expressive as these come. Bravo. Yes, all of the above. Flavorful to the max. Good acid. Good fluidity. Balance. Just right. And how, and now. 92/100. Attendees in complete agreement; consensus WOTN. 'Fantastic body, minerality, acidity. Never had one as good.' 'Spot on. Mineral, saline, acid, frizzante. Wow. Just as it should be. Dry, serious, and seriously fun.'

Parker 94+: 'I loved the nose of the 2014 Vi±a Bosconia Reserva, a red that sells at an incredible price for the quality, the problem is (like all their wines) finding it. They had to accelerate the harvest to avoid botrytis caused by the abundant rain during the harvest. This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and the remaining 5% Graciano and Mazuelo, fermented in old oak vats with their yeasts and matured in neutral American oak barrels for no less than five years. It's elegant and nuanced, developed but young for its age, with a seamless palate and very fine tannins, with energy and light. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity, notable parameters of freshness. Drink 2025 - 2044.'

90% tempranillo, 10% garnacha; aged in new and once filled barrels; 75% American oak, 25% French oak. Ah, love that frank and forceful American oak dominance. No down sides; no dill, no coconut. And the fruit is up to it, making for the classic crianza combo I enjoy. Round and fruity up front, dry and complicated in the back. That's crianza talking. Neither wood nor fruit tannin issues. Still, I think this will age gracefully to greater sophistication. Well poised. 92+/100.

Est. 1872; garnacha, cab sauv; Wine Enthusiast 92/100. Strange bedfellows. The garnacha to the fore (don't know the percentages). Cabernet lurks and doesn't make much of a statement on the nose. Moderate acidity, some astringency. More cabernet flavor than aroma shows up. A good drink for the price. 90+/100. This got big time attendee approval, especially as a value. 'Tannin and sweetness play against each other.' 'Has some interest, and even some complexity. Olive. Value.' 'Fruity grenache flavors. Great and juicy burger wine!' 'Ripe fruit, whiff of sandalwood. Sweet fruit and tannins play against each other. Not complex but easy to drink. A little astringent on the finish so better with food.'

Wine Spectator 91 - #56 TOP 100: 'A well-spiced red thatÆs light on its feet, this fresh, medium-bodied example offers crushed raspberry and strawberry fruit, dried rosemary and lavender, milled pepper, graphite and mineral notes. Lightly chewy on the lingering finish. Grenache, Carinyena, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2031.'

As before, a good value verdejo of true varietal character, though more southern and less intense than good Ruedas. Good acid and structure in 2024. Ample enough body, texture, and flavor to call it a deal. 91/100.

At Arnad, Aosta Valley; 50 member cooperative est. late 1970s; 70% picotendro (local nebbiolo clone), 30% gros vien, neyret, cornalin and fumin at 1300-1700'. Bright, medium dark ruby. Fresh, lifted high altitude nebbiolo and friends. Surprising body, presence. Medium body and flavor intensity in youth. Promises more to come. This is uniquely and attractively Aosta. Well priced. 92+/100.

Includes some vespolina. Medium red orange. Oh, that's a bright, penetrating high altitude Piemonte nebbiolo. Perfect pitch. Dried cherry and tar. Much rounder and richer than the nose suggests. Flavors confirm aromas. Well textured, good acidity, dusting of tannin. Hallmark example. 92+/100. Widely liked for its regional interpretation of nebbiolo and early accessibility. 'Approachable in every way. Needs food. Love the construction; less tannic than Alba nebbiolos.' 'What I like in a nebbiolo.'

Parker 93/100. My notes: Impressive oomph, fruit concentration, poise. Good, big mouthful of fruit and material substance. Fruit nicely counters the considerable tannins. Well balanced for aging. Lasting. 94+/100.

Negociant eleveur; classic Barbaresco vintage; Suckling 92/100. Heavy Bottle Award. Medium dark ruddy red. Medium intense nebbiolo aroma leaning toward the traditional style. Perfectly proper. Yes, medium bodied. Good nebbiolo tar and dried cherry. Chewy, albeit fine grained tannin. Of the elegant sort overall. Now with hearty fare or to the cellar for more softness and aromatic development and complexity. Well poised and well priced. 92+/100. Clear WOTN. 'Wow. Correct and lovely nose with some spice. Needs time, though many thought it could be enjoyed now. Super good wine and even a bargain.' 'Cherry and hint of rose. Pretty much spot on nebbiolo, good in just about every way. Nicely structured, ripe fruit. Definitive Barbaresco. Needs cellaring but worth the wait.' 'Really like everything about this nebbiolo, of which I am a fan.'

Perrone's a former motocross racer; vineyard in Mongovone planted in 1999; 80% aged in seasoned cooperage; estate bottled. Dark ruby. The freshness and briskness of a cool vintage coupled with the fruit forward nature of an Asti barbera. Classic Asti barbera accessibility. Lovely Perrone styling. 2024 suits it well Spot on. Yes, the anticipated bright and lively acidity and the innate Asti barbera fruit sweetness. Lovely harmony of the two. Just right texture. Long, flavorful finish. Strong series this. 92/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Fruit forward nose; black cherry, plum.' 'Not tannic; long finish.' Said to have improved into the following day.

Vines planted between 1985 and 2015 at 400 to 550 meters on the Pianezzo hillside; calcareous soil; all dolcetto, though the grape name is no longer prominent on the labels. Oh, goodness, is that rich, aromatic, pungent, and forceful in aromatics. Cranberry, raspberry, plum. Just as flavorful and rangy. Acidity and astringency keep it mouthwatering through all the richness. I'm tasting it cool. I'm not sure I'd want it any cooler, as it does have a modicum of fine tannin. One abundant dolcetto; usually is. 92+/100.

14 grape varieties, both white and red. Slightly brassy. A full bodied white, alluding to the red grape varieties there in. Good body and texture too. All work together; none clashes. I guess he's having fun with this. Or it's young vines stuff. Works for me. 91/100.

Backbone variety of Veronese rossos, including Valpolicella. Heavy Bottle Award. That's corvina black fruited and vintage rich. Good addition to a solid series. Spicy too. Very spicy and flavorful. Just what it should be. Wide ranging table apps. 91/100. Attendees were pretty keen on this. 'Quite pleasant; not too tannic; pretty big wine but very good.' 'Pruny black fruit but freshness too.' 'Not complicated but well structured.'

Wine Enthusiast 91/100. My notes: Corvina, rondinella. Proper medium dark crimson. Bright and fresh this cool vintage, just the way I like my Bardolinos. Well textured to boot. By the nose, I'd say serve cool, but it's not without tannin, so cancel that. Flavorful and long. 91+/100.

51 - 49. Medium dark ruby. The lighter Emilia style of sangioves nicely joined by sweet merlot of just the right degree of ripeness. Good vintage of this. Medium bodied. Well balanced. Consistently satisfying value. 91/100.

50% sangiovese, 25% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot; in Greve; vine age 7-32 years; aged a year in large Slavonian oak cooperage. Well put together Super Tuscan. There's the sangiovese dried cherry and orange peel basis as well as the darker aspect of cabernet and sweeter demeanor of merlot. And cooperage time to meld all together. Yes, a complex of varietal flavors in an harmonious presentation. No tannin issues. Good acid. Useful now. Likely to gather more bottle bouquet if cellared further. 92+/100.

95% sangiovese, 5% colorino. That bright and dark fruited lift of Rufina sangiovese. Solid follow up to the popular 2022. Seems even more concentrated. Yes, more-ish by comparison. Darker, more fruitful, more intense. While pretty much devoid of tannin so drinking well now. Good acid for balance. Tasty tad. 91/100.

At Castelnuovo Berardenga in southern Classico; 85% sangiovese, 15% merlot; aged 10 months in 2 and 3 year old French oak barrels; 2022: Wine Spectator 93 ? #3 Top 10 Best Values.Tremendous depth and concentration with barrel complexities well engaged. Wow, first class CC nose. Rich and round and ready. Flavor, volume, range, depth, weight, acid, balance. Melted tannins complete the textural picture. 93+/100. WOTN for many attendees. Great structure and acid. Tannins firm but not over the top. Excellent!' 'Smooth and ripe, moderate tannins, good balance, well done. Will age easily.' 'Almost sweet nose and palate plus some tannins. A very good wine that will reward lots of time.'

80% sangiovese plus five indigenous grapes. Aged two years, half in Slavonian oak casks, half in French oak barriques, followed by eight months in bottle. Oh, boy, this is grand indeed. The oak, the age, the class of the original fruit all come together harmoniously to make a awesome presentation. Rich and sweet fruit coat the barrel inputs at this stage. Tannin builds in the back. In the house style and up to demands of GS. Great future. 94+/100.

From two crus. Vines planted 1970 - 2001. 90% prugnolo gentile. Bright, dark red violet. As fresh and vigorous as it always is, maybe even more so in a cool vintage. Violets overtone; classic. Fruit forward but dry, with great acid vigor, and still a modicum of tannin. Fully up to snuff. 92+/100

From three crus. Vines planted 1970 - 1999. 90% prugnolo gentile, 40% aged in once, twice, and thrice filled French oak tonneaux and 60% in Slavonian oak casks. Browner cast from barrel and bottle age. Still, very bright. Broader, mellower, more complex. The fruit remains vigorous, and the oak is well absorbed. Classic. The overall lift of Vino Nobile as well as a large measure flavor and texture sophistication. Tannins fairly melted now. That's fine winemaking. 93+/100

From two crus. Vines planted 1970 - 1993. 90% prugnolo gentile. Aged a year in French oak tonneaux followed by a year in Slavonian oak casks. But rep said 3 years in cooperage altogether. Similar appearance. More barrel and bottle age bouquet development. More intricacy still. The fruit is not a bit dried out in cooperage. Fine winemaking again. Great acid. Suave texture all the same. This is really coming on in the mouth. Volume, texture, fine grained tannin, length. 94+/100.

That's the real deal sagrantino. Ultra concentrated. Loaded. Yet the palate is sweet and agreeable already. That's 2018. Hallmark sagrantino size and generosity. 93+/100.

Dark ruddy red. Very sweet, nicely barrel aged to a dried fruit and nuts complex. Much younger than the last one I tasted, so I know this is gonna age well. Yes, bright acidity alleviates any sense of stickiness. Flavorful, balanced, lengthy. And, as I mentioned, age-worthy. 96+/100.

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

Dark red black. Exceptional appearance. Saturated with black fruits. Still, there is that cherished hint of violets. More elegance, flavor, and lift on the palate than the nose suggests. Coating of fine grained tannin too. Long and generous. Overall, it's a little rustic, probably because of use of press wine. Regardless, we got us a value here. 91+/100.

Dark maroon. Man, that's one loaded primitivo for the price. Warmth, darkness, sweetness, intensity, generosity. All over again. Even sweeter fruit on the palate, with sufficient acidity to balance. Great source. 91/100.

Red black color. Wow, that's one dark and intense primitivo. Essence of primitivo. Makes up in force and barrel influence what it lacks in Manduria's primitivo aromatics. Sweetness coats the power nicely. Awesome presentation, worth the price. Great source. 94+/100.

20 - 30 year old vines; aged two months in second fill oak barrels. Lovely black cherry color. Nose sweet fruited but still understated. Maybe still a little reduced under screwcap. Suave and smooth already. Fruitier on the palate. Balanced. Easy drinkin'. 91/100. Seems to have lost any sense of reduction after aeration and was widely enjoyed by attendees for its accessibility and its affinity to casual cuisine.

98% nerello mascalese, 2% nerello cappuccio. 10-80 year old vines. Native yeasts. Aged 9 months in large cooperage. Medium dark ruddy red. This is serious, superior. The class of the site shows. Not an overly fruity nerello. Deep, spicy, variegated, unique. A bargain price for a top site Etna rosso. Building larger in the mouth as it warms and airs. 93+/100.

Est. 1239; one of the oldest wine cellars in Europe; aged on lees 6 months. Shy at opening. Will probably show more with warmth and aeration. Indeed, these brought out more character for attendees two hours later. 'Definitely sauvignon and not too aggressive. Nicely make and easy drinking.' 'Bright nose with grapeskin tones. A unique sauvignon statement. Moderate weight, reasonable acidity.' 91/100.

3 months on lees. As fresh as they get. And genuine. Never the Chablis like chalkiness of the ones from Santorini but a good take all the same. At half the price. Has not settled down and started to assert itself on the palate yet. Nicely textured aftertaste though. Good material here. 91+100. Tasted 4/3/26.

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.

Country: Georgia; region: Kakheti; AOC Kindzmarauli; semi sweet; 35 g/L RS. Smells sweet. A sundae with dried cherries and nuts. Palate confirms stated sweetness level. Boy, saperavi is a trouper in these parts, dry or sweet. Good acid and very light dusting of tannin keep it from getting sloppy sweet. Sweet reds are still popular east of the EU. 91/100. Attendees liked this. 'Juicy black fruits: prune, plum, pastry fruit filling.' 'Lightly sweet.' 'Acidity prevents cloying.' 'Decent flavor; nice balance.'

One of the world's oldest white vinifera varieties; name means 'red stem'; widely planted in eastern Europe; Konstantin Frank brought it from Ukraine to the Finger Lakes. Not as much varietal character as I expected at opening. It's there, but subtle. Warm and air. This is starting to reveal true varietal traits as it warms in the mouth. Yes, it's gonna come out of its shell and make a good show. Got the right balance and textural elements. 91+/100. Attendees enjoyed this. Gained varietal character with aeration. 'Melon aroma. Pleasant bitter edge.'

Grenache (50%, softness and high aromatic potential) ? mourvedre, old vines carignan and syrah (17%, color, spicy aromas and fullness) ? clairette (6%, floral aromas) ? picpoul and bourboulenc (7%, flower aromas and liveliness) ? cinsault (20%, delicacy); average age of vines 35 years. A good and full scarlet Tavel color. Yes, and body, stature, and full and variegated fruit complex that is Tavel. This one in particular. Look at the encepagement. Rich and full in the mouth--no surprise for Tavel. A well balanced and flavorful presentation. 91+/100.This too appealed to attendees. 'Very Tavel.' 'Terroir driven; cherry and strawberry emerging with air.' 'Well structured; good acidity; likely to improve in the coming months.'

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.

All hondarrabi beltza. Vineyards planted 1915-2000. Medium red orange. Pretty pink fruit. Not as vigorous as the white but perfectly pleasing. Good fruit richness for the vintage plus graced with 2024's bright acidity and mineral undertow. Damn good. 92/100.

1/3 each meunier, pinot noir, chardonnay/ This has less fruit and more pronounced bottle bouquet than the rose. I favor it. High brut. Good acid and mousse dryness. Sur lie flavor. Better. And better value. 93/100.

Estate in the Goulaine family for most of the last 1000 years, making it the oldest in Europe; I met the then current Marquis in the 1980s: great gentleman and scholar; chenin blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir; 18 months en tirage. Vigorous mousse. Little nose upon opening. Or flavor (very cold bottle). Mousse settles down to an attractive bead. A perfectly pleasant mouthfeel, well textured and balanced, but without much fruit or autolysis character at opening. Well priced, for sure. Brunch, lunch, aperitif choice. Bring lots. 91+/100. Like several of the evening's selections, this became much more revealing with warmth and aeration and earned universal approval. 'Good acidity, creamy, complex; not just fruity, great minerality.' 'Lots of mineral and super pleasant. Just delish and a big value.' 'Tart palate; mineral; creamy mouthfeel.' 'A nice mineral/chalky note; finishes on a creamy note. Good for the money.'

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.

Est. 1923; 70% parellada, 15% each xarello, macabeu; each summer since 1987, Perelada has hosted one of Europe's most prestigious music festivals; this cuvee is a tribute to its performers. The elegance of a parellada dominant cuvee. Nearer to a blanc de blancs style than last week's good Festival cuvee. And very dry on the nose. There's a good measure of yeast autolysis and lack of earthiness that echoes last week's cuvee. Yow, even drier than last week's Brut, which seemed Nature. This is an outstanding face of Cava at an outstanding price. 92/100. Well received by attendees. 'Lovely aromatic nose and flavor.' 'The Nature' part needs getting adjusted to.' 'Correct, stony cava nose.' 'Very dry austere acidity but ample fruit statement.' 'Structured. Not a party quaffer.'

15-25 year old pinot noir vines; aged three years en tirage. Pungent and unique. Smells of red fruit but not like Champagne blanc de noirs. Smells of yeast autolysis but not of Champagne yeast. Mature. Well textured by fine bead. Very dry, the way the home market likes sparkling wines. Attractive price. 92/100.

85% glera, 15% pinot noir. 9 g/l RS. Light red orange. Pleasing nose of glera apple and pink pinot strawberry. Serious dryness and acidity. Mouthwatering aperitif. Both flavor and texture follow through. 92/100.