Vineyards between 2400' and 2800'. Large, firm North Coast mountain wine. Lots of material, lots of potential. More flavor than aroma, and it's inviting as well as forceful. Full, fine grained tannins. Wine of size, place, and poise. 95+/100.

A nice contrast from the cab sauv. The former talks blackberry, the latter red raspberry. A class cab franc indeed. Yes, the proper, more modest weight here vs the cab sauv. This really is one of the best CA cab francs I've tasted. 95+/100.

Owned by the Cartlidge family. Vineyards at 1400 to 1500 feed. Lake County cabernet sweet smelling and enticing. A pure cabernet statement free of barrel extracts. Smooth, suave, and flavorful. Wine of place. Ready to serve. 91/100.

Large, black, bold, warm Alexander Vallet frankness. What it is. Sweetness and alcohol in balance. I seem to detect a modicum of oak. These are well priced, market smart wines. Will get a lot of glass pours. 91/100.

2% merlot. Aged 18 months in French and US oak barrels, 30% new. Dark purple. Deep, cool, and leafy-minty Santa Ynez cabernet in nature. Ventilating menthol on the palate. Wine of place, amply rendered. The wood is wholly absorbed. Large scale. On of the best in the series. 92+/100.

15% cab sauv. Sweetness of merlot, power of Red Mountain. Works. More tannin than the nose suggests, with round fruit background. Classic to the AVA. Food will soak up the tannin. 91+/100.

Made by Elk Cove Vineyards. Boy, that's a rich and ripe one. Pike Road style. Still, that OR aura of coolness. Yeah, fully ripe fruit, yet you'd never mistake it for a CA pinot, even a Sonoma Coast version. Great acid race and textural etch. Long, fulfilling finish. No tannin issues. 92/100.

13.1%. From the westernmost reaches of Anderson Valley viticulture. 10 months in once used barrels. Unfined, unfiltered. Anderson Valley crisp and cool nature defined. The subtle augmentations of time in lightly seasoned cooperage. This is a beauty. Really quite large in the mouth. Not from power but from impressive fruit concentration. Good acid, tannins fine grained, balanced. It's been impressive in the past too. I can see why it's one of my supplier's favorites. 94+/100.

Very sweet smelling pinot for Sonoma Coast. Justifies creating the new West Sonoma Coast AVA. Appealing, for sure. Sweet fruited on the palate too. It's well foiled by typical AVA acidity. Little or no barrel influences. Well priced. 91/100.

Oh, rich and a real deal. Ripe fruit and oak and AVA class and lift. Well developed at age seven. Smooth, strong, balanced. Not a fish pinot. 92/100. List price: $30.

Planted in 1922. Varietal raspberry clarity. Speaks for its specific origin. Suggestions of old vines concentration. Racy red raspberry flavor. Very bright take on the varietal, as Birichino seems to favor. Unique, food worthy, desirable. 92+/100.

90% estate sourced; aged 15 months in French and American oak barrels, 1/4 new; Suckling 91/100. Powerful, penetrating singed raspberry and peppercorn Amador zin classic. Attractive barrel extras, both origins evident. Large and complex. Mouthfilling, strong, round and rich. Tells the whole story. Why pay more? 93/100.

Fifth generation estate at Kenwood, Sonoma Valley; this cuvee noteworthy for its significant percentage of sauvignon musque. And, the essence of the variety is so strongly stated that it pushes forth. Sauvignon musque, all right. Positively musky. Good sauvignon blanc ripe citrus as well as musk. Wow, this is putting on a show. Great acid and other textural aspects as well as its complex aromatic performance. Always a good bet. 92+/100.

Some spritz yet. Encouraging. Good richness while maintaining AVA coolness. Yes, richness spells partial malo. Great Anderson acidity. Full. Delivers both body and flavor. Long, cleansing aftertaste. 91/100. List price: $30.

Wine Enthusiast 90 - BEST BUY: 'This is a fun, yet delicate and elegant, expression of Chardonnay, and a definite bang-for-the-buck. Notes of apple, pear, lemon, lime, chamomile flower and a hint of white grapefruit are kept light and bright by the elevated acidity. The mouthfeel is smooth, almost silky in texture. $15.'

Medium lemon color. That spells gewurz and terroir as it has in the past. Nothing gushy, just identifiable. Rose and ginger flavors. Varietal's modest acid, but adequate. Pleasing. 91/100.

Suckling 90: 'Blackberry, dark chocolate and some walnut character. Chewy. Savory finish. Hints of dried fruit. Spicy.'

One of the world's top pinot noir growing regions; coldest and driest sector of New Zealand. Oh, is that cool and crisp, both racy and rich. Wine of place. Palate confirms fully. Great acid, flow, food worthiness. A salmon pinot indeed. No tannin issues in either of these. 92+/100.

2022 is shaping up to be a riper, milder vintage than 2021. Yes, riper form of citrus. Tangerine rather than lemon. Mellow. Should have broad appeal. 91/100.

Pretty full color for pinotage. Full nasal presence too. Nice varietal clarity. Dark, silky, deep. Class act. The high alcohol level is positive. Fresh and flavorful. Yeah, the varietal's combo of pinot smoothness and cinsault cranberry-orange aspects. No oak, no tannin, no leather. Just pure pinotage. 91/100.

At Cussac, south of Saint Julien; 60% cab sauv, 35% merlot, 4% petit verdot, 1% cab franc, averaging 30 years; aged a year in barrels, 1/3 new, 1/3 once filled, 1/3 twice filled; Vinous 92/100. 2020 core of potential. A well coordinated encepagement. The oak regimen gives complexity in conjunction. Fine craftsmanship here. Cab sauv structure stands out on the palate. This will require longer cellaring than either 2018 or 2019 to reap its rewards. All considered, what Haut Medoc claret is about. 92+/100. 'Most intense ever', 'big bruiser', 'needs cellaring'.

Vinous 96: 'Dense, resonant and beautifully explosive. Sumptuous dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and lavender all saturate the palate. There's plenty of energy and tension to balance the forward nature of the Merlot. Superb.'

Famille Taix; 20 acres on the limestone plateau and clayey slope; 90% merlot, 10% cab franc; a minor percentage aged in new barrels. Well, that minor percentage goes a long ways toward contributing to aromatic range, complexity, and suavity of the nose. Good and generous, ripe Castillon fruit of the Saint Emilion's cote's eastern extension. Great acid here too. And mellow Castillon richness. Consistent overachiever. 92/100.

At Saint Martial (Entre deux Mers); named for a pine tree on its grounds, the oldest in Bordeaux; 60% merlot, 20% each of the cabernets. This is so big and bold that I can believe the modest alcohol statement. It's not hot, just full. Especially for the vintage. Yes, size is its calling card. Some chewy cabernet tannins yet to resolve. Well textured. Very long finish. Aromatic growth to go. 91+/100.

Grower at Rimons, Entre deux Mers; 95% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon; 30 year old vines. That's clean as a whistle, modest in alcohol, and doesn't scream sauvignon blanc. Her style preference harkens to old time classicism. Nothing blowsy or overdone. Palate gives added assurance. Not made to impress. Made to be food compatible, which is enough of a positive impression for me. 91/100.

4 generation estate; gneiss and granite subsoil; 15-35 year old vines; 7 months on lees with regular stirring. Crisp and jaunty 2021 take on Auriere. Always the classic styling that makes it one of the best values in its field--or in the entire dry white wine field for that matter. Great texture really balloons it up on the palate. The flavors buoy it up too. Vintage and appellation acidity and the always tender core of the variety. Classic. 91/100. Attendees were excited about this one. Auriere is a perennial group favorite and best buy.

55 year old cabernet franc vines; aged in amphorae. Hearty red violet color. Freshness of Loire cab franc, sweet ripeness of the vintage, as well as its substance. Confident, comfortable poise. Body, acid, tannin, and ageworthiness well beyond the more approachable 2018. This is 2020. Old vines concentration. All makes sense. All requests another year or two in the cellar. 92+/100. 'Really good and typical; just what it should be.' 'Dark, ripe cherry and raspberry; excellent cabernet franc; meaty, beefy; red wine of the night.'

Est. 1991; on limestone, gravel, sand; Peter Weygandt selection. Oh, boy is that stony and racy. A picture of Quincy and a model contrast to Sancerre of any terroir. Perhaps slightly softer than the 2021. I'm splitting hairs. Well, the palate is clearly softer than the previous vintage, as goes with the territory. I'm not complaining. It's well enough balanced, and, with the superior fruit ripeness, comes a broader flavor spectrum. Thanks, Peter, for this great discovery! 92/100. Attendees were keen on this. 'Pretty, stylish, very likeable.'

40 year old vines above the winery at Verdigny; 20% aged in seasoned puncheons. A step up in body and presence from the admirable 'regular' cuvee. And likewise, superior to the 2021. A very pure, comfortable, confident take on Sancerre sauvignon. No citrus or soft tropical fruit excesses. Moderate and adequate acidity in this relatively ripe and abundant vintage. It grows on the aftertaste. Carries the torch. 93+/100. Plenty of attendee praise for this one.

Glowing magenta. Cool and clear take on gamay that is distinct from Beaujolais Grand Cru, which it resembles in stature. I guess the zones really aren't that far apart, though on different river systems. Very large and well textured in the mouth while cool and stony. About the best Serol I've tasted, good as they all are. Length feel and flavor. 92/100.

Firmer than the average 2018. Savigny griottes and a modicum of barrel broadening effect. Palate much sweeter and more enticing than nose. Maraschino joins wild cherry. Oak adds toastiness. Nose reads hold off, palate suggests possible current usefulness with aeration. 93+/100.

Vigneron at Auxey Duresses; 50 year old vines; aged 10 months in 2 - 4 year old barrels. Wow, is that one bright and splashy, high altitude 2021 pinot. Sweet cherry core too. Very special. Just as dazzling on the palate. Just as sweet a core. Slight reductive leaning doesn't faze me. Great price. 93+/100. 'Just delish! Real Bourgogne.'

Established in 1931 by 98 winegrowers of Buxy and Saint Gengoux le National. Medium red. Paler color than the 2020 spells a cooler vintage. Nonetheless, the nose is fully pinot rich in Mercurey black plum to a rightfully ripe degree. Racier than the 2020. Fruit, extract, and tannin present to ample degrees. Plenty of acid race also, of course. Eminently meal worthy this fall/winter. Great price. 92+/100.

Solidity of 2020. Packed in fruit and healthy modicum of oak. Mercurey black cherry/plum concentrate. Complex of oak and fruit influences in total harmony. The tannin is starting to loosen its earlier grip yet still presages improvement in the cellar. 92+/100.

At Martailly Les Brancion; three generation estate; 30+ year old vines; full malolactic fermentation. Nose somewhat sulphur suppressed at opening. Was this screwcap before? I don't think so. As usual, the palate offers more fruit clarity. Green apple emphasis despite the full malo (I never would have guessed). Racy 2021 acidity, again, despite the full malo. Perennial fans will be pleased. 91+/100.

A proper black cherry Morgon nose with a good degree of 2021 lift. Sits right. Measure of old vines density. All makes sense. And the price makes a LOT of sense. 92+/100.

Rich and forthcoming for 2021. Unique for its suggestion of oak and minimal calcaire terroir statement. I like it. More calcaire to taste. Quite full for the vintage. Its own thing. 91/100.

Est. 1590; vineyards 45-60 years old, facing south-southeast; unwooded. Fourchaume richness and roundness emphasized in the 2022 vintage. This is about the most readily accessible of the Premier Crus, as well as one of the largest. Round, fruity, and eager to please. Still, Chablis to the heart. You'd never mistake this for a Burgundy chardonnay from sectors farther south. There's underlying race and calcaire. Continues to build, to add weight on the palate as it warms. Definitely Premier Cru material. 93+/100.

40 year old vines; wild yeasts; a year in cooperage. Cooperage shows. Brisk 2021. Yeah, grip of wood tannin and old vines extract. 2021 acid good. Ample wine; worth the price. 92+/100.

What IS that nose? Not your typical Burgundy chardonnay. More linear, more lifted. Is it the terroir talking? Or is this pinot beurot or that white sport of pinot noir? Fascinating. Must check this out on the internet. After checking, it's all chardonnay, and the terroir seems to have something special to say. Yeah, this isn't the usual take on Burgundy chardonnay. More citrusy. Don't seem to be any oak complications blurring the picture. FASCINATING! 92+/100.

Est. 1946, bottling since 2003; at Fourmes, west of Avignon; 70% grenache, 30% syrah; vines up to 60 years old. 2020 deep colored. A vividly fruity nose that displays the varietals in total harmony. Sweet grenache core. Just as immediately appealing as the 2019. Well crafted. Cool Gard tendencies. Modicum of 2020 tannin, albeit fine grained. Some reduction under screwcap. It's tolerable and will resolve itself with air and age. Continues this cuvee's positive pattern. Definite value. 91+/100.

90% grenache, 10% syrah. The weight and integrity of grenache and the splashy freshness of 2021. Flavorful, at once rich and racy. Great acid. Full follow through and impeccable balance. 92/100.

70% grenache blanc, 20% clairette, 10% viognier. 40 year old vines. Good grenache blanc bulk and 2021 and clairette lift. Light viognier honeysuckle aura. Oh, that grenache blanc roundness and filling. Viognier peach. Racy 2021 acidity. This really gives a great performance. Lasting finish. 92/100.

60% grenache, 25% syrah, 15% mourvedre; vine age 40 years minimum. Dark red violet. Old vines' added concentration, blacker composition compared to the regular Villages, and that special touch of class that 2021 delivers. Yes, this just soars, quite like no previous vintage. Plenty of the extra substance of this cuvee. Coolness and lift of the vintage. 93+/100. 'More complex; perfect of type.' 'Old vines intensity; pedigree shows; cellar candidate.'

70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre. The black fruit of Rasteau personified. Black grape raisins and black pepper. Virtually as big as the estate's Vacqueyras and even Gigondas. Yeah, big and broad shouldered Rasteau. Dense black fruit core way down in there. Power and tannin. For blackened steak, or the cellar. 92+/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah; on the north side of the La Crau plateau; sandy soil yields elegant wines; a young-vines cuvee. Always as dainty as its name, and particularly so in cool 2021. The emphasis on charm is once again fully evident. Ease, flow, elegance. No tannin obstructions. Flavorful. It does the series proud. 92/100.

60% grenache, 20% mourvedre, 15% syrah, 5% cinsault. Amplitude, richness, roundness, and material stuffing of 2020 and a full fledged Chateauneuf. Aromatics still slightly sequestered in youth; no doubt present though. Oh, an explosion of flavors and textures on the palate. Long lasting flavors. And I don't find the tannin in excess, so it ought to meld in with hearty fare even in the present. Impressive vintage of this cuvee. 95/100.

60% carignan, 40% grenache. Carignan black fruit and peppercorn in the lead. Plenty of grenache substance and power to back it up. Full, flavorful, well textured. The image of Fitou; textbook. Lasting aftertaste. 92+/100.

Really has quite a bit of personality for this non aromatic variety. And good 2021 briskness too. Yes, indeed, lemony things and bright acidity. Flavorful and balanced. Got to have this one. 91/100.

Est. 1580; at Eguisheim; 70% auxerrois, 30% pinot blanc; vines 10-25 years old; aged on lees. No sulphur under screwcap, but nose somewhat enclosed by the hermetic closure. What comes across is varietally accurate, sporting that lusher character of auxerrois versus pinot blanc. Even in cool 2021, auxerrois supplies an ingratiating roundness midway between pinots blanc and gris. Texture wise, this is spot on. Air and age for more aromatic spread. 91+/100.

At Wincheringen, Upper Mosel; from old vines on terraces; vom Boden selection. Oh, my how that soars and penetrates. The consummate elbling, old vines concentrated. Varietal freshness and lift. Cool, racy, green citrus toned, quince note. Good acid in a ripe year. Lasting flavors. 92/100.

Est. 1708; estate bottling since 1984; from 15-25 year old vines in Munsterer Kapellenberg and Dautenpflanzer near the confluence with the Rhein. Some SUS nostril sting. I forgot to open this with the others half an hour earlier. Lower Nahe bulk evident. Well, a surprising degree of coolness and class for a riesling from this relatively heavy terroir. That's K-R. It maximizes riesling potential here. Not just a wine of place but one that supercedes its terroir. Mid trocken dryness; it's neither austere nor tender. Good acid of zone and year. 91/100. Popular with attendees. Orders taken.

Splashy as well as sweet. Good effort with non riesling varieties. Yeah, there's a freshness to the acidity that is uncommon in this genre. Balanced, and good now or later. 93/100.

Est. 1780; estate bottling since 1989; vineyard on limestone and marl. Most previous vintages have shown some sulphur under screwcap at opening, and this is no exception. What's under, is Pfalz riesling's 'graininess' compared to rieslings from other sectors. Mid kabinett sweetness. Tawny peach and warm grain flavors. 2021 acid still coated. Flavorful, harmonious aftertaste. A good bet riesling for a few months' cellaring at $15 the bottle equivalent. 91+/100.

2021 crisp and subtle. Softer on entry and more flavorful than aromatic. Vintage acidity whisks the finish clean. Lingering feel and flavor. Very versatile at the table. 91/100.

Truly the top class varieties of the region. I see more pure alvarinhos or such in the lead, likely because of the esteem and connection with albarinos across the border. Loureiro is rarer and, here, its lemon blossom character is up front. 2022 softness after crisp 2021. Maybe loureiro features less acidity as well. Anyway, it's an upscale successor to the non varietal designate 2021. Lots of personality. 92/100. List price: $17.

Dark maroon. Encouraging. Sweet, red-black fruit aroma. Large presence. Inviting, with further encouragement. Plum and elderberry ruby port like flavors without the sweetness and power. Well balanced, well textured, flavorful. I'll be stocking. 92/100.

'Vinha do Ujo was planted before 1930 on pre-phylloxera horizontal terraces and the land is supported by small schist walls. With more than 25 grape varieties, diversity is ensured and is only achievable in vines as old as these. They are spread over small north-facing terraces with an altitude that varies between 180 and 210 meters. These vines are curated year after year by the experienced hands of those who have lived in the Douro for generations. To ensure the prevalence of the variety's characteristics and the full control of the process, at Quinta da Boavista we use manual harvesting and manual grape sorting processes, followed by a gentle berry de-stalk and crush. Grape fermentation takes place in new 500 liter French wooden barrels. After a period of maceration, the resulting wine continues its ageing for 16 months in 225 liter barrels also of French oak. Wines are not filtered or cold-stabilized and that is why they can produce a sediment with age.' Mother of All Heavy Bottles Award. 2016 somber and backward still. The makings are here, deep down inside. The oak is certainly well absorbed now, soaked up by the old vines material. Speaks of its power and old vines concentration. Lots of dry extract. A true field blend, no varietal standing out. While the tannin is well managed and fine grained, I would put this in the cellar awhile for bouquet development. 2016 is a keeper vintage for Euro reds, few of which have shown me their peacock's tail yet 95+/100. List price: $160.

Tempranillo, touriga nacional, mencia. 6 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Dark ruby with some browning. Talks the region and varietal set talk. The mencia makes for a unique take, adding reductive lift. Yeah, I really like how this is put together, variety wise. Well enough balanced for current drinking, though there is an intriguing measure of cellar potential. 92+/100.

Est. 1996; hondarribi zuri. A lot of varietal personality, lush and giving this vintage. One of the most flavorful I've tasted. No lack of acidity, thank goodness. Lasting flavor and texture. This shows the way. 92/100. Descriptors of pear, mineral, quince, citrus, mint, eucalyptus. Positive reviews from attendees.

The usual old vines richness plus the lift and accent of cool 2021. Very rich indeed, yet fresh and flavorful thanks to the vintage. Really, one of the most satisfying years for this. 91/100.

From vineyards in Alta and Alavesa; aged a year in barrels of American oak staves and French oak heads. No much in the way of aroma.of either fruit or oak. Takes up space. That's better. A proper measure of both fruit and oak flavors in balance, decent body and texture. Likely to improve in bottle. Superior to the last several vintages. 91+/100. Aeration made quite a difference. Commentators were more flattering. 'Very big; a serious wine; quite wonderful and a value.' 'Great food wine; berry, vanilla, oak.' 'Smells and tastes the role; both American and French oak identified.'

Carignan, grenache, syrah, cab sauv; unfiltered. Loved the 20 a few weeks back; put it on a sale; then the 21 ships. Well, I have no issues with this. It's full fledged Priorat that's also showing 2021 cool fruit. Yeah, both rich and racy. The black fruits lead the way. More manageable tannin than in the 2020. Lengthy finish. Shows the way. 93/100.

Really quite reductive in youth, as were previous vintages. Is this due to the thick wax capsule? Gives it a 'sour' sort of aroma that's not necessarily off putting. Welcome tartness. Rounder, richer, less reductive flavors than aromas. Fills out and draws out on the finish. Its own thing, really. 92+/100.

Ample fruit, not stodgy in youth. The elegance of the site and the hand of the maker. And, to an extent, the forward nature of the vintage. Oh so silky. How often can I define a young Barolo with that word? The tannins are fine grained, pumice like. The fruit is evident and stylish. I don't have a lot of experience with Barolos from this site, yet I suspect this is a definitive rendition. 96+/100.

From estate vineyards around the winery; 10-25 year old vines; aged in seasoned cooperage. A picture of Vajra discretion, elegance. 2021 race and lift. Sits just right on the palate. Bright, racy, and sweet fruited. The finest grained of pumice-y tannins. Balanced and enduring. Will improve in bottle mid term effortlessly. 92+/100. 'Real varietal character.'

Medium dark red brown. Superiore in stature indeed. Brightness has subsided, mellowness welled up. Great acid and texture, especially for 2018. That's Superiore. Some chewy tannin. I can abide this though I prefer the fresh ones. Made to age, and so it has. And it's not done yet. 92+/100.

The sweetness that is Dogliani's dolcetto signature, fully endorsed and expounded upon this vintage. It may be to its advantage that it's 3 years old. Yes, sweet and round, varietally bright, and also sporting great acidity for the vintage. Tastes more like a 2021 rosso. Wisp of tannin in back adds to the texture and extends the flavorful finish. 92+/100.

Est. 1950; 50 year old vines in calcareous clay and sand soils across 4 vineyards, including Rensio, first identified with arneis in 1478. Cold sample; nose shy. Warming in the mouth brings out more varietal character. I love the form, the framework; exceptional for the vintage. Good acid. The fruit filling is firm and food worthy. I suppose I like this best for its textural aspects. Good juice. 91/100.

25 year old vines from two estate vineyards. Light gold. Gathering a luscious bouquet and smoothness. Nuts and dried fruits. Great acid vitality. Lots of presence. Deserves poultry and/or pasta in a rich sauce. 92/100.

4 generation family estate at Tramin; acquired Ockfen's Dr. Fischer estate in 2014; aka weissburgunder; marl soil. Not an aromatic variety to start, this is putting on a much more expressive show than it did in early May. Yes, the once subtle green-fruit aspects of pinot bianco push through with more force now. This really has a good varietal foundation. Improves with aeration. Building aftertaste. 91+/100.

Est. 1928 by the proprietor's great uncle of the same name; from estate vineyards in the Cortina area of the Dolomites. Placed here in the order because fuller body expected, and this delivers same. Good and ample apple-citrus varietal aroma. Really fills the nostrils. Oh, yeah, that grey skinned flavor and texture set just short of the nutty stuff. What can't this do at the table? 92/100. 'Very nice - lots of flavor - typical and good.'

Est. 1909; 70% corvina, 30% rondinella; in Feb. after the harvest, pomace from the amarone fermentation is added; aged a year in large oak barrels thereafter. A sweet, modern style of ripasso. Slightly dried fruit aroma without going to full raisin. A paragon vintage of the Righetti style. Even flow and temperament. Flavorful. Good acidity. No obstructive tannin, just enough to add textural appeal. 92/100.

Est. 1730; 90% sangiovese, 10% ciliegiolo; 4 months in cooperage; unfiltered. Nice sangiovese cherry, orange zest, anise, and tar aromas, and glycerol feel. Oh, good 2021 acidity really perks up the palate and begs for food. Admirably flavorful. Well balanced. Light back tannin for texture and length. 91/100. Very popular with attendees. 'Great nose; oak begins to show on the palate.' 'Spice! Great.'

Vinous 92/100. My notes: Has warmth and mellowness at age five from an early maturing vintage. Yes, nicely softened. Melted tannins. Good and classic sangiovese acidity. Ready for the table. Tomato friendly. 92/100.

Not a dramatic take on GS, though the barrel regimen is alluded to. Sweet in the mouth. The tannin has pretty much melted away. Reasonable power and presence. You certainly get your money's worth. Gran Selezione is the highest ranking of Chianti Classico, and others' prices start at $40. 92+/100.

Sangiovese and petit verdot. Good varietal coordination makes for a pleasing whole. Maremma cool. Yeah, well conceived and executed. Sangiovese red fruit meets petit verdot black fruit, and they enjoy each other's presence. Well priced, meal worthy, ready to serve. 91/100.

Varietally intense and distinctive. I don't think I've had one from the Maremma zone before. Sure seems to work well here. Good varietal acidity and fine grained tannin. Tannin resolution and flavor building to come with additional bottle age. 91+/100.

Dark red violet. Dense, purple fruited varietal statement. Not without cool and cherished violets overtones. Rich flavored and texture. This really delivers varietal character to an intense and thorough degree. Fine grained tannins give texture and are not at the level that they would interfere with current mealtime service. 92+/100.

Abruzzo features two white grape varieties, pecorino and trebbiano. The former sports stone fruit aromatics. Fresh, bright, varietal character. 22 ease. Right. More flavor still. Soft, fruity 2022 style. Shows the way. 91/100.

That's a bright 2021 style that defines vintage and regional take on aglianico. This winery does everything right. Both bright and round, with cut and savor. 91/100.

Latest release; negroamaro; DOC in Salento, Puglia. Cork paleness and spread suggest recent bottling. Richly burnished bouquet indicative of a long stay in cooperage. The ripeness of the vintage is very flattering to this. Perhaps the fruitiest of the series on the palate thanks to 2015 character and less cask age than the last few releases. No problems of prosperity though. Flavorful, well balanced, nicely matured for current drinking. No tannin issues. Steady fans will be pleased. 91/100.

Varietally rich, racy, all. Yes, acid, balance, character. Has it all. 92/100.

The unabashedly lush style of this cantina's red and white wines. Heart on sleeve, round, ripe, black fruit. Incredibly flavorful too. Soft and rich, broad and deep. Good measure of power keeps it honest. Adequate acidity, melted tannin. Satisfying finish. A tyro's introduction to cannonau. 91/100.

The first is a large red grape, the name meaning 'ox eye'. Bright red violet. Nose of cherry hard candy is unique and appealing. Perhaps the raciest vintage of this I've sniffed. And the easiest flowing. Adequately flavorful. Well balanced. In the past this has repeatedly reminded me of Grand Cru Beaujolais. Not this vintage. Its own thing. Easy going mealtime quencher. 91/100. Liked by attendees. 'Fairly complex; drinking well now; easy, enjoyable, fun.'

Est. 1976; historic cellars beneath the fortress of Chinon. Very clean cut and racy, subtly red raspberry-strawberry laced. Flavorful, sporting 2022's forward fruit appeal. The acidity is adequate, so it's well balanced on the follow though. Current appeal and versatility. Well priced. Many seafood applications. 91/100.

30 year old vines in flint and limestone. 40% of the estate's vines are pinot noir. Very pale; almost white. The most delicate of sweet pink fruit. Echoes on the palate. Great 2021 acid. Light strawberry on the finish. Delicious. And cheaper than the house white, which is rare. 92/100.

Vines average 30 years; on terres blanches near Crezancy and Bue. Pleasing light strawberry aroma. Sits right. Equally lithe and attractive palate. Good acid etch. Etch, not cut. Balanced and persistent. The price is exceptional for quality Sancerre rose. 91/100. Attendees agreed. 'The real deal in Sancerre rose; expressive.'

60% grenache, 20% each syrah, cinsault; on limestone, clay, sand, and cobbles. Deep red orange. Rich and luxurious. Inviting rather than awe inspiring. Well, more power and structure on the palate than the nose suggests. Full fledged Tavel in all respects. 92/100.

Pale peach. Delicate and attractive pink fruit and flower nose. In tune with the series. 2022 soft and forgiving. Not wanting for acid balance though. Nicely conceived and crafted. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92/100. My notes: Est. 1820; from Graham's four estates; hot and dry growing season; many Vintage Ports declared. Full color and body of a Vintage year. Sweetness of 2017 and Graham's. Boy, that's really sweet even by Graham's standards. Even coats over the power. And tannin, though there are few tannin issues after the max LBV six years in bottle. On the finish, the alcohol is actually cooling as it evaporates. I think this will improve further in bottle, though that is not the intention. 93+/100.

RM at Berru on the Montagne de Reims 3 miles northeast of Reims; 60% chardonnay, 35% meunier, 5% pinot noir; 3 years en tirage; disgorged 5/23; .63 RS. The levity of chardonnay and the apple flan aroma of meunier. Fine mousse and brioche notions thanks to 3 years' autolysis period. Love the finesse as well as the acidity. Notable absence of pinot noir red fruit. Definitely marches to its own drummer. I've never tasted one quite like this. Credit terroir? Grape mix? Winemaking? 93/100. Liked by all attendees. 'Fresh, complex, rich, flavorful.'

Based on the great 2018 vintage; 68% from Ay, Dizy, and Hautvillers, 32% from Avize and Oiry, plus reserve wines; still wine vinified on the lees in oak casks, unfined, unfiltered; disgorged 12/22; .2 RS. Oh, boy, that's Cote des Blancs chardonnay racy and Valle de Marne pinot rich. In balance. The special concentration of a great vintage and the liberal use of reserve wines. The Chiquet brothers weave it all together. Yes, another masterpiece of complexity and integration. Fine bead. Endless flavor interest. 18 extract grip too. Yes! 97+/100. Sadly, the Chiquet brothers have had to sell their maison, because the heirs had no interest in continuing it. It was bought by a French billionaire (who was on the cover of Wine Spectator an issue or two ago). Happily, he has elected to LOWER the price of this, the Grand Vin. The former cuvee retailed for $95. Now that's a refreshing relief these days!

Chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay. A good measure of autolysis bread dough and some red fruit bolster to its chardonnay levity. Both red and white fruits and bottle bouquet in harmony. High brut. Balanced. Well priced. 91/100.

Was never much of a fan of this until the previous vintage. This one continues to carry the torch. No earth. Mellow brioche bottle bouquet. Heaps of doughy flavor too plus a mousse that has persisted after many hours. Bravo. 91/100.

80% chardonnay, 20% pinot noir. That shines with a rightful varietal set and bottle bouquet. That's got a right on Franciacorta character of biscuity bottle bouquet and stimulating dryness and acidity. The very dry style preferred by the home market. The palate tells all too, with a perfectly balanced presentation of dryness, acidity, en tirage aging, and original fruit. Forceful fruit and bottle bouquet in harmony. Long, flavorful, complicated Hallmark. 93/100. List price: $40.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'Deep toffee aromas are echoed on the palate, along with espresso and cardamom. Adding water enlivens the palate with dried dates, plum skin and a drying finish that glows with ginger, cinnamon and clove.'

Tasting Panel 95: 'Offers aromas of mocha latte, toffee-coated coffee bean, and tangerine peel. Nougat notes envelop peach, apricot, and cinnamon stick. Piquancy on the mid-palate is soothed by tones of Sherry and cedar. $59.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - TOP 100: 'This sea-inspired gin is a limited release infused with 'coastal botanicals,' such as sea kelp and coastal thyme. Look for mild juniper on nose and palate, winding into a complex, mouthwatering finish laced with subtle floral notes, grapefruit peel, eucalyptus, white pepper and a saline hint.'

Wine Enthusiast 94 - TOP 100: 'The citrusy, zesty aroma suggests grilled lemon and dried oregano. The palate opens lightly with coconut and almond, leading into a verdant finish laced with tarragon, sage and lemongrass. A faint jalapeno sizzle and lemony acidity yield a mouthwatering finish.'