Sheet says Copeland, Schmidt, and Portteus Vineyards. Aged 22 months in 89% French and 11% American oak cooperage, 53% new. A clear, sharply focused blackberry, black currant WA cabernet. The oak in integral and complexing. Lays right on the palate. Sweet-acid balance, well managed tannin, good varietal flavor. All in all, Two Mountain offers a very satisfying and price worthy range of WA wines. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is fresh, lively, with aromas of blackberry, Red currant compote, black tea, dried florals, and vanilla spice on the nose. The flavors on the palate are pomegranate, Bing cherry, strawberry jam, dried fennel, and dry juicy finish. Pair with your weekday take away. '

By Signorello. 87% cab sauv, 10% cab franc, 3% malbec Deep and dark North Coast attributes plus the scintillating fruit display of 2021. Excellent vintage of a long time favorite. Rich fruit, full body and texture. Lots of both material and class. Well balanced and lasting. Couldn't ask for more. The quality is up to the price. 93+/100.

From five vineyards in the heart of the valley and on Mount Veeder. Fine cabernet blackberry character plus Napa class. Yes, flavors confirm. Great acid and that Routestock plushness of fruit. Napa pedigree confirmed. This is a bargain for its quality and origin. 93/100.

Est. 1998; 100% varietal; aged 20 months in new oak barrels, French American and eastern European. OMG, this is totally lavish! By yards, the best and most upscale Donati I've nosed. Incredible oak sophistication, complexity, and integration. Just as lavish on the palate. Flavorful. Suave; the tannins surrounded by rich fruit. Yow. Whoda thunk? 96/100.

With cab franc, cab sauv, malbec, tempranillo. Merlot to the fore but clearly an attempt at 'claret'. Good acid, of course. Flavorful, dark fruited, well balanced, nicely textured. Well crafted. 92/100.

Sweet and pretty red cherry aroma. Yet another OR pinot from this vintage that seems user friendly in youth. Smooth and flavorful. Good acidity too. No tannin to shed. Stays well balanced through its long finish. Very versatile at the table. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is bright, lifted, with aromas of raspberry, plum, and vanilla spice on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Red plum, orange zest, dried chicory, and a longn mouth watering finish. Pair with Grilled Fish, Pasta with Creamy Sauces.'

Wine Enthusiast 92/100.My notes: From the estate's Moon Dust Vineyard in Sebastopol Hills plus two other vineyards. Plush for the AVA. That's Routestock's style. One of the sources is near the southern end of the area. Very plump and fruity, and barrel tweaked. Flavorful, generous, balanced, and delicious now. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93/100. My notes: The darker color contrast that is syrah vs the Jaffurs pinot that preceded this. Black fruit with serious form and depth. Not your run of the mill CA syrah. Reminds me somewhat of Stolpman's Santa Barbara effort. Rich in fruit filling as well as structural framing. Oaky-spicy extras. Class act. Good price. 93/100.

Zweigelt; native yeasts; 10 day carbonic maceration. A very bright, fresh, and genuine take on zweigelt. Accomplished; not carbonic maceration reductive. Cool, racy, flavorful, almost tonic for its trace of bitterness on the finish. Great acid too. Surprisingly full textured. Lasting. Deal. 91/100. Though not the group's favorite red, it was judged to have merit. 'Cola, root beer, leather.' 'Bright and tart; needs food to cut the acid.' 'More fruit than expected.'

Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'Opulent dark berries, baking spices and orange marmalade show on the nose. Full-bodied, saturated boysenberry, olallieberry, dried potpourri and malted chocolate glide across the palate, finishing with silky tannins. Aerate and enjoy with barbecue.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY; 'This wine is opulent, with aromas of mulberry, huckleberry, orange vanilla cream, dried florals, and notes of tobacco on the nose. The flavors on the palate are blackberry compote, clove, dark chocolate, and gripping silky tannins to finish. Pair with your weeknight takeaway.'

Tasting Panel 92: 'Succulent berry sweetness leaps from the glass, followed by waves of toast and oak. Singing with youthful energy, the wine boasts a pleasing, voluminous lift on the mnide palate. Its round finish is balanced by hints of dark fruit, black pepper, and chocolate.'

Large, quite powerful yet innately elegant Napa take on zinfandel. Well integrated barrel elements. The power is positive. Ample raspberry and seed varietal character. Rich and right. First class Napa zin. 95+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'Bright, with aromas of guava, Golden Delicious apple, citrus and notes of mineral. The flavors are peach, apricot, white grapefruit peel, lemon balm and sedimentary rock.'

Unoaked. Lees contact. Full yellow. Creamy lees nose. Lemon creme combo of chardonnay, malo, and lees. Works. VERY creamy palate. Seductive. Kept honest by good acidity. Unique and irresistible. 92/100.

59% San Benito, 37% Solano, 4% Santa Barbara counties; new brand by Chuck Wagner of Caymus. Pretty heavy for a screwcap bottle. Nice composition. The majority sources are still coastal but inland from the Pacific edge counties. And that shows in the full bodied Wagner emphasis. An intriguing cuvee, really. I sense barrel and lees elements too. Rich and suave. The alcohol level is all for the good given the rich fruit mass. Good acid too. Well crafted by a known craftsman. Lots of meal time apps. 91/100.

Wine Spectator 94 - TOP 100: 'Oozing with character, this succulent and mouthwatering white offers a fleshy, juicy mix of perfectly ripe peach, mango and lemon bar flavors, with fresh herbal accents of lemon verbena and vetiver. Offers accents of freshly grated ginger, tangerine and crunchy sea salt on the finish. Drink now through 2036.'

Good, full gris color. Subtle pear, nut, and wax varietal aromas. Full textured in the nostrils. Confirmed by full body on the palate. Big in the mouth, both in flavor and feel. Real pinot gris peels extracts. Great acid. Wants food. 91/100. List price: $22.

Formerly named Chateau Benoit, one of Oregon's oldest wineries; M-T vines planted in 1979. With aeration, an intense M-T green apple quality emerges. Definitely old vines concentrated. Less sweetness and better acidity than I had expected when I placed it at the end of the whites tasted today. That impresses me. And more body than 12% ABV suggests. Yes, old vines concentrated. Probably the best New World M-T; previous vintages suggest the same. 92+/100.

18.2 RS. Sweet smelling for sure. Low key varietal aroma. Growing ice wine incisiveness in the nostrils. Fully sweet, yet that can't mask the cut of ice wine acidity. No terpenes. At age four, still a babe, really. I like the material and the potential here. 95+/100.

From Tunuyan. Aged a year in French and American oak barrels, 70% second year, 30% third year. Full bodied. Barrel influence noted. This is more than just a fruity thing. Really quite powerful in the mouth. Almost burning. Sweet fruit combats some of that. Quite the mouthful. I can see the rating. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 93 - SMART BUY: 'Aromatic, stylish and distinctive, this offers honeysuckle, quince, citron and fresh ginger notes on a sleek and mouthwatering frame. Accents of lemon thyme and apple skin linger on the refreshing finish.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'Dried herbs and lemongrass, with passionfruit sorbet, open this lovely, balanced Sauvignon. It's textural, long and persistent, with a salted pink grapefruit finish. $14.'

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Savory notes of sage and bay leaf are as forward on the nose as the plum and cherry notes. There's a lick of vanillin oak showing too. The abundance of tangy fruit continues its journey in the mouth, lingering on the finish amidst a powerful, well-placed frame of tannins. Drink now-2031.'

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'With the most upfront fruit in the Vasse Chard trio, Filius is immediately comforting in a favorite T-shirt kind of way, with bright, fleshy lime and peach blossom, a flicker of nougat and something stony, a bit salty. It flows seamlessly to a palate of mouth-watering acidity that balances the toasty oak and malolactic influences. $28.'

60% chenin blanc, 20% each chardonnay, viognier. Very cool, ventilating; a lot of lift. Good aromatic meld of varieties. Palate confirms. No variety stands apart or ahead. Craftsmanship here. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'With black-currant fruits and spicy acidity, this is developing well into a rich, structured wine for aging. Tannins form the backdrop for an open texture that comes from partial aging in amphorae, a revolutionary concept in the Medoc. Drink from 2025. $70.'

Merlot, cab franc. Richness, race, and good barrel embellishments. Class act. Full bodied, complex, racy/rich balance again. Long on flavor and texture through the aftertaste. Tannin not an issue; positive for texture and longevity. Worth the tariff. 93+/100.

Est. 1711 by the Cisterian Abbey of Fraize; all merlot this vintage. Quite the contrast. Herbaceous merlot and little barrel influence. Chateau La Gurgue Margaux is a tough act to follow. Growing in aromatic range and interest as it airs. Good fullness, terroir and variety roundness and richness. And good acid too. 2022 equilibrium. As it distances itself from La Gurgue and becomes its own thing, it's pretty damn impressive. And half the price of its predecessor. 92+/100. Attendees agreed this suffered for the tasting order. 'Lighter and less backward but certainly quality fruit.'

75% merlot, 25% cabernet; on limestone slopes. After the all merlot 2022, I like how the darker cabernet adds to the aromatic complex. Plus the beginnings of bottle bouquet at age six. And that plump 2018 fruit. Yes, more complexity of feel and flavor, and great acidity too. Mouthfilling and lasting. Though neither vintage is particularly tannic, I'd be using the 2018 in the nearer term and cellaring the 2022 to more aromatic breadth and depth. This one's delicious now. 92/100. Attendees preferred this to the 2022 and agreed it made better drinking now.

From a single estate, vines averaging 45 years.That's a good and brisk, green fruited sauvignon. As appealing as previous vintages, or more. Snappy tropical fruit flavors, Good acid for 22, if it is 22. Could even be 23 by the taste. Whatever. No vintage, no estate name; might as well be a supermarket wine. Except it's much better than that. Ultimately, what's in the bottle counts. 91/100. 'Lots of cat pee.' 'Cut grass on the nose; on the palate, herbal tones, richer, more viscous.'

At Monnieres in the Loire Atlantique department near the mouth of the river. Nice and appley lower Loire take on chardonnay, unoaked of course. One of the fruitiest and best in the series. 23 balance of fruit richness and acidity. And 23 flavorful. Plenty of follow through in all respects. 91/100.

At Monnieres, Loire-Atlantique departement. Very fresh, lithe, and cool lower Loire style of sauvignon. One of the best of the series. I sense this will be very workable at the table. 2023 fruit sweetness and the continuing light handed take on the varietal. Virtually quaffable, so a good aperitif as well as dinner wine. 91/100. Popular with attendees. 'Breathes well; opens to a nice, elegant sauvignon palate with long finish.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'A tightly coiled, complex white that takes time to unfurl, slowly revealing apple blossoms, juicy nectarine, lime and spiced orchard fruit shot through with sea salt and savory leesiness. Silky in feel, with cooling stone minerality and a jolt of bitter grapefruit pith and fresh mint. Persistent and long, with a toasted brioche note that's nicely integrated. Drink now through 2037.'

Tasting Panel 93: 'Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme converge on the nose. Complex and seamless flavors of fresh strawberry and wildflowers with a touch of cranberry compote are a prelude to a kiss of lingering bitterness. Expressive yet refined, this would easily complement a hearty meal. $16.'

That brisk, limestone dominant Chavignol aroma. Really penetrates. Again.2023 combo of rich and racy. Delicious, and terroir specific. Very good price for Sancerre these days. Must stock. 93/100.

Established in 1931 by 98 winegrowers of Buxy and Saint Gengoux le National. Shallow soil, calcareous and heavily pebbled. Aged 7 months in stainless steel and 3 months in oak. Medium dark red. Oh, this is sultry. The most engaging of Chalon pinot red cherry noses, uber forthcoming and inviting. The oak kiss is nice too. Great acid and full dryness for food. Better than the 2020, me thinks. Long lasting. Just a dusting of fine tannin. Great deal in red burgundy these days. 93+/100.

Vines planted 1963 to 1982. Age 15 months in French oak cooperage, 30% new. Full, dark color. Black fruit Faiveley style but less obdurate in youth than these used to be. Good for that. The ripe vintage helps. Always a Faiveley forte (like Fabian Forte-), this has 1er Cru size and class. Oh, boy, the nose just won't quit coming on. Yes, loaded with that Mercurey sort of black fruit quality that leads one to recall Cote de Nuits. Fully packed. Not aggressively tannic. Still, it has good cellar potential. 95+/100.

Deep and pure Morgon black cherry aroma. Morgon full bodied. Some chewy tannins to resolve yet. A solid Morgon citizen with a future. 92+/100.

Vineyards in the communes of Fleys, Chichee and Fontenay; aged a year on lees. Retaining 2021 crispness while taking on a patina of bouquet. Speaks clearly of Chablis terroir. Bottle age has augmented its richness. The 2021 acids are no longer sharp. Well extracted, almost chewy textured. Exemplary balance at this stage. Wants food. 92/100. Attendee comments echoed my appreciation for its terroir and emerging richness.

Est. 1590; from vineyards in the vicinity of Chablis. Substantial contrast here in the tete a tete of pinot blanc and 'pinot' chardonnay. Large and rich, especially for northern Burgundy. This vintage's Euro whites continue to please me for both freshness and amplitude. Nose won't quit. Almost 'woody'. I suppose it's lees. Yes, full and sweetly fruity for the zone. Hard to believe it's from the Chablis area. Vintage talking. Total current appeal. 91/100. Attendees liked this and agreed with me it was very chardonnay and distinct from Chablis.

Est. 1926; vines average 30 years. As so often, 2023 shows a combo of 2021 cut and 2022 plushness. In a most positive way. Always subtle chardonnay apple-citrus aroma builds as this airs and warms. Yes, there it is again, the amalgam of 2021 and 2022 qualities forming an enjoyable 2023, well balanced whole. A little youthfully reticent yet, this will go and grow. 91+/100.

70% chardonnay, 30% savagnin. Aged 2 years without topping up. Then 6 months in French oak. Deep color of age and savagnin component. This is correct. Shades of fino sherry. Very dry nose. Again, the fino resemblance. For what it's worth. 91/100.

All savagnin. Topped up. Then aged a year in French oak. Deeper color of all savagnin. I like this better. The year less in barrel and the absence of faster oxidizing chardonnay leaves this a better signature of Jura. More terroir, less manipulation. Yes, varietal character as well as fino relationships. This is more than correct. This is Jura savagnin. 93/100.

20 year old vines. Aged without topping 3-4 years under a yeast veil like fino sherry followed by 3 years in cooperage. The fruit fly voted for this one. Some say that spoils a wine, but I've never observed it. Of the three, this is the most intense in process character. Yes, fino notions, but much fuller on the nose than even an aged fino. It's on the palate where I can detect the lower alcohol level than the average 14% fino. The flavor set is tweaked different too. Seems a definition of its genre. Sommeliers will delight in finding food pairings. 94/100.

6 generation family estate; clay-limestone soil, which suits mondeuse noire, planted mainly in Savoie. Dark red violet. Fresh, cool, high altitude, tonic, penetrating. Larger than the norm. Yes, exceptional body and extract. Even a good dose of fine grained tannin. Flavorful and long. Fine vintage of this. 92+/100. Attendees enjoyed its super fruity, fresh and grapey nose and its accurate varietal character, as well as acid and tannin for backbone. Declared food worthy.

Impressively large, even powerful. Pungent too. Plenty of body and character of marsanne and roussanne This kicks it out. More flavor and body and texture even on the palate. The relative smoothness of 2022 but not short on acid and power for balance. Big in the mouth. Meaningful Long finish. Very, very impressive indeed. 93+/100.

16th century roots; from two plots at the base of the slope, one planted in 1919, the other in 2004; barrel aged a year, 25% new, 20% second year, 55% third year. Heavy duty Cornas take on syrah. Smells stronger than its label statement. The oak is apparent, lifting, complexing. Rich and savory fruit-oak melange. Carries well into the back of the palate and coats the tongue with fine grained tannin. More youthful than the Courbis St. Joe we had awhile back. Promises full complexity with cellaring. 93+/100. Super popular with attendees for both now and later.

Dark fruited syrah support and framing. Generous. A whopping big mouthful. Loaded with extract. Full feel and flavor. On the rustic side, as usual. Mighty giving for the price. 91/100. Attendees considered this a good value. 'Raspberry syrah base note; ripe, with anise tones.'

Fifth generation estate; 25 year old vines; 80% grenache 20% syrah; native yeasts; syrah aged in seasoned barrels; perennial Wed group favorite but not seen since vintage 2018. Headier still, and warmer, more southern. Really loaded as Sablets go. Grenache power and richness. Grenache smoothness, glycerol. In keeping with a fine series, though getting more expensive by the vintage. Lasting flavor and texture. Yes. 92+/100.

Wine Spectator 91: 'Elegant and high-toned, with expressive blackberry, blueberry and smoked plum flavors laced with violet and white pepper. Delivers dusty earth, sweet tobacco and charred mesquite, which add savory dimension to the pretty profile. The persistent finish is lined with snappy acidity and fine-grained tannins. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. $40.'

Famille Quiot, winegrowers since 1748; all 13 AOC permitted grape varieties planted here, vines averaging 40 years; aged 18 months, 15% in foudres. Heavy Bottle Award. VERY large, and VERY intricate. Haunting depths. I'll bet the entire range of CdP permitted grape varieties are in this cuvee this vintage. Wow. Power coated by fruit richness. Loaded with extract, full flavor range.The grandeur that is CdP, champion of Med France. A little tannin, great potential. 94+/100. Sure impressed the attendee who took the bottle home. 'At 24 hours it still seemed like a trip down memory lane. There's power but it's not based on extraction or pure mass. The spice box is here, with raspberry and a hint of smoke. There's a spicy, fruit driven finish. It handles 15% with ease. Complexity beats concentration. Fresh fruit acidity.'

Cooperative est. 1924; 120 winegrowers today; half each clairette, grenache blanc. Wonderfully cool and fresh and inviting after the reds (which I taste first so the super cold whites have time to warm up). The aromatic show is clairette, the broad foundation grenache blanc, properly proportioned, making for a classic southern Rhone dry white. Nice clairette fruit flavor, not perfumey. Lighter hearted and lower in alcohol than the average Cotes du Rhone blanc, so its own thing. Balanced, highly refreshing and desirable. 91/100. Popular with attendees.

The domaine sits on an old salt water lagoon between Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees foothills. Sauvignon pungent. With the proper richness of a sauvignon from the south. More-ish on the palate. Great flavor, texture, balance. Shows the way for Oc sauvignon. 91/100. Attendee comments were all favorable.

Mosel vineyard, Nahe cellar, Swiss owner. Surprisingly dry and appley on the nose rather than PGR peachy. I like it. Just doesn't speak the terroir. Says high malic acid, which is a plus this ripe vintage. Kabinett sweetness and 2022 coated acidity. Flavorful enough if not terroir specific. Can't complain about the price. 90/100. Very popular with attendees. 'Very elegant nose and similar palate; great balance; kab level sweetness is a plus; nicely done.'

Mosel vineyard, Nahe cellar, Swiss owner. The Kabinett was enjoyed by attendees 9/11. Much peachier than the kabinett. Much more expressive of PGR. Rightly spatlese sweet smelling, yet cool and teflon coated. Wow, really is spatlese sweet, and that's agreeable. Mosel cool and green fruited taste. Acid still coated. Again, not a bit sticky. Good potential. A bargain. 92+/100. Enjoyed by attendees, one judging it 'stellar'.

Well, that's a big step up in dry extract concentration. Again, the grains aspect of Pfalz riesling. So much more serious. The quality gap widens on the palate. The intensity, the dryness, and the minerality. Superb balance for table-time versatility. Long finish. Price and quality compared, this is my Sunday riesling, the Wolf my weekday choice. A learning tete a tete. 93+/100. Attendees agreed, this was superior. 'Just wonderful.' 'More acid, more extract.' 'Should last a decade at least.' Wine of the Night candidate.

Fermented and aged two years in new barrels. Golden. VERY BA rich and concentrated. Always a mix of varieties that lend different aromatic, textural, and sweet vs tart influences, and that shows. Oh, yes. Both sweet and tart. Both aromatic and broadly rich in nuances. Haven't tasted this in a long while. Glad to see the new generation is holding the fort. 95/100.

From an estate between the Lima and Vez rivers and the varieties loureiro and treixadura; cooperative bottled. Definitely shows the stone fruit and flowers aromatics of the superior varieties of the region. At not much of a surcharge over the prosaic brands, mass produced from ordinary, less aromatic grapes. Varietal push carries over on the palate. Decant for aeration, and enjoy the pure fruit. Best vintage of this I've tasted. 91/100.

At the junction of the Pinhao and Douro in Cima Corgo; 60% touriga nacional, 25% tinta roriz, 15% touriga franca, 50-80 year old vines; on black schist. Very deep and dark and, at the same time, very Mary Taylor elegant. About the most elegant Douro tinto in memory. The varieties play together well, each making a stylistic contribution of its own, in harmony. Well balanced. No tannin obstacles. This is the sort of craftsmanship Mary orders. 92/100.

Sweet fruited too. Less powerful and intense than the Douro that preceded it. Great acid. Vital, bright, uplifting. Perfectly fresh at age four. With plenty of fruit substance too. Impressive degree of elegance. 91/100.

Geez, that's a bright and crisp one. Nailed it. Yeah, the acid is everything the nose promises. Flavorful, classic, refreshing. Perfect pitch. 92/100.

Suckling 92/100. My notes:.4 months on lees. Light yellow. Is this by Torres-/ Fresh, citrusy, and verdejo spicy. Plenty vital yet; maybe at its best stage. Yes, tangelo and spices. Explicit verdejo. A definition. 92/100.

28-family bodega at Quintanamanvirgo, population 92; all tinta pais (tempranillo). Well, now we move to a full, young, red violet color, extreme even for RDD tempranillo. The nose affirms the appearance's promise. We've moved up a step in power and intensity. It's not dry and oaky like the RDDs I don't favor. It's full of richness and aromatic abundance. Whoa, what a palate assault! One of the best of the series, and a model of RDD power and concentration. Steakhouse red? No, too much wine here. Wild boar red. Gads. I can only imagine the potential. 93+/100. Attendees consider this Red Wine of the Night.

From its Lanciano vineyard, within an oxbow bend of the Ebro; 70 year old vines; tempranillo, graciano, mazuelo, garnacha; aged 2 years in American and French oak barrels, 3 years in bottles. Definitely the oakiest of the set. I like the more pungent American oak influence that is traditional to Rioja. It's extra woody here and without dill and coconut drawbacks. Barrel earned suavity. Punch of American oak. Still some wood and fruit tannin to shed. Well poised, and leaning toward a traditional style. 93+/100. Attendees were equally enthusiastic.

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. 1963; first job: NY taxi driver (license 3055); later, founder of Hollywood's most famous restaurant; later, esteemed Catalonia winegrower, concurrent with good friend Christopher Canaan. Dark red violet of petit verdot. Warm and robust fruit filling, with cooling alcohol. Spells Penedes. And the structure spells Euro. Generous. Rich, dark, and savory petit verdot. Suits the region well. Leon knows, given his Calif experience. Good acid. Welcome alcohol level builds body and finishes cool. Good current drinking. Unique; well crafted; nuf said. 92/100. Positive comments from attendees. 'Cherry-vanilla on palate.' 'Easy to drink now.' 'User friendly palate.'

Rioja Alavesa bodega; 100% viura, the region's leading white grape variety. Oh, that' s good, strong varietal character suggesting that is comes from vineyards in central Castilla rather than the Rioja area. Confirmed by good flavor intensity. A nice and surprising bitter twist at the finale, which is not alien to this grape variety. 91/100.With aeration, this blossomed further. Attendees loved it. Orders taken. 'Nicely aromatic and really flavorful; quite long; a lovely wine; super bargain.'

Seventh generation estate est. 1852; vineyards on glacial moraines, alluvial sands, and cobbles derived from granite. Proper medium scarlet. That's a cool, aloof northern Piemonte take on nebbiolo. Dried cherry and light tar. Boy, we're really hitting the terroir sweet spots this session. Good level of glycerol sweetens up the palate. Super acidity, especially for the vintage. Very racy form of nebbiolo indeed. Fine tannin in back promises bouquet and suavity development potential if cellared mid term. Properly poised all around. 92+/100.

For Barolo, this is not resistant for age five. Revello style. Yes, attractive flavor and fluidity. Melted tannin. A surprise following a brace of Barbarescos. Useful now, with bouquet to come. 92+/100.

Aged a year in cooperage. Elegance of Barbaresco, ripe fruit of 2018, and practically the mass of a Barolo. Yet it retains its B'co charm. Lots of nebbiolo glycerol. Super good acid, fine grained tannins, and burgeoning flavor profile. Some dry tannin on the finish promises more to come, but it wouldn't be a waste to bring this to the table this winter with roasts and stews. Boy, there's a lot of wine here. 93+/100. Widely considered WOTN. 'Absolutely proper. The wine is all about balance, not overreach. It's not a show dog.' 'Real deal; complex; lovely stuff; age-worthy.'

Vineyards in Fontanile. Aged 6 months in large French oak cooperage. One sweet smelling nebbiolo. No resistance. Nice cherry, anise, and rose varietal flavors. 2022 forward. Kept honest by some fine grained, chewy tannins in back. Deal. 92/100.

Produced by a small Monferrato cooperative for specialist importer The Piedmont Guy; 30-50 year old vines; Ercole = Hercules. Full, barbera dark, and 2023 nice and sweet fruit. Yes, one of the sweetest, fruitiest vintages of the series. Not without compensating acidity and extract. The beat goes on.. 91/100.

Winegrowing since 1634, bottling since 1988; 20-25 years old vines at Rovereto; part cryomaceration. Wow, is that pungent! Pear and sage lead the way. Fills the sinus cavities with aromatic forcefulness. Flavorful too. Add 'complex', not often a Gavi descriptor. Balanced, lasting, savory, filling. I'm impressed. 92/100. Positive notes from attendees: 'Huge body, thick and rich, appropriate Gavi herbals.

Sauvignon blanc and riesling, plus nascetta from a single vineyard in the village of Anascella in Novello. Sauvignon and riesling so intimately intertwined. The wild card nascetta adds a cold cream like overtone. Fine winemaking at this source. All three apparent, all in harmony. That's craftsmanship! A Piemonte sleeper year after year. 92/100. Much liked. The seamless unity of sauvignon and riesling noted, and the aromatics of nascetta. 'A very attractive wine; very aromatic and glycerined.'

Est. mid 1940s; vineyards on sand and silt of decomposed granite at 1100' - 1400'; aged a year in barrels. Larger. A little more evolved for barrel and bottle age, but that's retarded by the obstinance of the 2016 vintage. More complex thanks to barrel aging. Impressive. Yes, definitely more body and more intricacy..and ambition. You can pay a lot more for a Sassella and not beat this level of quality. Vintage tannin to shed yet. Though probably already ok at the table with osso buco. 93+/100.

A cool and proper--and vintage rich--Trentino rosso. Just plain good high altitude red wine. Pleasing flavor. Good acid and texture. Fills the bill in all respects, including the price. 91/100.

Est. 1858 in Trentino; vineyards in the Cembra Valley near Lavis. Grigio fullness and apple-nut aromatic profile. Very refreshing. Delicious fruit harmony and really a lot of stone fruit for this variety. Oh, this just hits my palate's sweet spot. And it does sport some sweetness as well as acidity. In balance. 91/100. Attendees loved it. 'Really good nose rich flavor, good acid; nice wine!' 'Nicely balanced weight and acidity.' 'A cut above a basic pinot grigio.' 'Very nice.'

Lightly brassy. As before, I'm surprised by the French spelling of the variety in this Germanic zone of Italy. This has a lot of class for sylvaner. No earthiness. A noble variety in these parts, it seems. Good acid for sylvaner. That's high attitude. Complex flavor profile. A genuinely world class sylvaner. 93/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'This wine's aromas are captivating. The nose is a true sensory experience, with notes of wild berries mixed with hints of herbs, bell peppers and forest floor. The palate continues with a mix of blueberries, strawberries, subtle dried herbal notes, savory spices and fine tannins. The palate vibrates with the right amount of acidity to keep it all together on the finish. $20.'

All garganega grown on south facing slopes. Textbook garganega aromatic profile of great purity, intensity. Orchard fruits, floral highlights. Fully conveyed to the palate too. That 2023 combo of 2021 acidity and 2022 ripeness completes the picture. Long and flavorful. Spot on. 92/100. Very popular with attendees. 'Super nice nose; great flavor and balance.' Orders taken.

Est. 1500; native to Friuli, it makes the darkest, most concentrated red wine of NE Italy; partially dried. Here's a great intro in a ripe vintage that's perfect for its approach. Deep, complex, endlessly alluring nose. Oh, wow, even more to offer on the palate in every respect. The fruit sweetness, the depth, the range, the texture. Even a dusting of tannin to temper its ripeness. No other Friuli red variety comes close. 94/100.

55% chardonnay, 45% riesling; 10% of the chardonnay barrel fermented; partial malo; aged 4 months on lees in tonneaux. The chardonnay component is turning a little rusty. Riesling is faring well, with both fresh fruit and terpene expressions. Well, this rallies on the palate. No rust at all. And malo creaminess. Riesling stone fruit flavors. Body and texture to satisfy. Wild concept. Worth the special price as a satisfying meal time drink. Name that entree. 91/100. Attendees admired its stamina and its clear display of each variety. List price: $20.

Est. 1827; vines planted 1978-2003; 95% sangiovese, 5% canaiolo and colorino; native yeasts. The blacker fruit and higher altitude brightness and elegance of Rufina versus Classico. Yes, this is the hallmark Rufina. Warm and savory in mild 2022, yet the acid it more than adequate. Full flavored, neatly built, upscale, lasting. Shows the way. 92+/100.

Village name dating from 998; estate owned by the Bianchi family since 1962; in western Classico halfway between Firenze and Siena; based on the sangioveto clone of sangiovese, with 10% each colorino, canaiolo. Fresh and full fruited, with a decided riserva oak complexity. Big time CCR. Always is. Sweet and suave on the palate. Full bodied. The oak is well integrated. This has it all..and more to come! 93+/100.

60% cab sauv, 20% merlot, 17% cab franc, 3% petit verdot. 15-20 year old vines. Aged a year in oak puncheons. Impressive Bolgheri take on claret. Oak adds deserved seasoning. Earns the descriptor 'complex'. Lots of lovely fruit flavor. Fine grained fruit and wood tannins make a drying foil. Good acid. Well balanced and lasting. This really is a class introduction to Bolgheri at a not too daunting price. 95+/100.

Vineyard planted in 1990; native yeasts; fermented and aged on lees a year in amphorae and seasoned Slavonian oak cooperage. A more pungent variety. Sports classic pear and almond aromas. And more body. Yes, a classic grechetto in both flavor and texture. Good richness and acid cut in balance. Spells it out. 91/100. Attendees liked this one too, noting the great fruit character. The acidity was widely praised. One called for pasta and clams.

Dark, bright, and clear fruited. An upscale monte for the price with even that suggestion of violets I love in this variety. Flavorful and well balanced. Even tempered, even flowing, with light tannin grip on the finish to complete the attractive package. I love this source. 91/100.

10-17 year old vines; all montepulciano. Medium red orange color. Cerasuolo is actually intended to be a light red wine, not a rose. The nose confirms that validity. Generous and pleasing, with varietal character correctly expressed at this level of concentration. Flavorful, and fully accurate. I could use this. 91/100.

Est. 1830 by the di Carlo family; once near extinct Marche/Abruzzo variety (largely replaced by trebbiano for higher yields) yielding juice of both high sugar and acidity; the wine is dry. Gracious, that nose is pecorino to the max. So fragrant, penetrating, pointed, pure. The coolest of peach and tangelo notes. And look at the price!/ Succulent flavors and feels. Fine sweet-acid balance. This just all hangs together so well. And lingers. One of the best pecorinos I've tasted, and one of the cheapest. 92/100.

Vineyards at 450-580 meters; aged a year in French, Slavonian, and American oak cooperage. Smells very powerful for 13%. A lot of dark, ripe aglianico push. This 'Barolo of the South' doesn't smell like nebbiolo, but it sure has the structure. Yes, big and black. Chewy tannins. Abundant varietal flavors and textures. About the largest scaled Gricos vintage I've tasted. Built for game. Keep at least until the cold months. 93+/100. Attendees appreciated the size and the oak savors. Red Wine of the Night for at least one.

Very dry for frappato. That's cool 2021. Yeah, great 2021 acid. Dry extract and even a modicum of tannin not usually found in frappatos marks this a serious dinner wine. Mouthfilling and lasting. Bargain. 91/100. Widely liked. 'Peppery, ripe and plummy. Fine tannins and acidity for freshness.'

Winery surrounded by 250 acres of vineyards in western Sicily near Marsala; aged four months on lees. Nice and fresh white orchard fruit grillo nose. Really quite full bodied. The flavors are even more abundant than the aromas. Exceptional for grillo. This is really a first class grillo and worth a premium over the cheapies. Just keeps growing in flavor and body as it warms in the mouth. We're seeing some superior grillos the last few months. 92/100. Widely appreciated. 'Appealing bouquet of citrus and stone fruits.' 'Bright, crisp palate; bracing acids.'

Accurate and quite pungent. More aromatic than the chalky, Chablis like Santorini assyrtikos. Well, it does have that high acid and chalky texture. And the Santorini versions have gotten so expensive. Fine estate and worthy price. Lasting flavor and texture. Thinking about stocking this one. 93/100.

More golden than the 2023, of course. This has taken to bottle age (and barrel age-) admirably. Dried fruit aspects. I don't know the grape well, but this one is schooling me well and earning my respect. Richly deported, flavorful, full bodied, lengthy. Wow, I had doubts about the original tariff before tasting, but no longer. And irresistible at the clearance price! Unique and..awesome! 95/100.

40% syrah, 30% mourvedre, 20% grenache, 10% cinsault; vines 10-50 years old. Well, the dominant black fruits give this uniqueness, push, and durability. Comes right at ya. Tasted a year or so ago, this might have been a little much. Now nicely ripened and sweetened by bottle evolution. Definitely the full bodied style of this estate. What an ample, versatile, food worthy rose this is. 91/100. Positive attendee notes: 'Raspberry jam nose; suavity from age but not fatigued; good acid and texture.'

RM at Mongenost; from 3 harvests; 40 year old vines; still wine aged 10 months on lees; 3 years en tirage. Blanc de blancs levity and style. Logical degree of autolysis bouquet for 3 years, and I think the lees effect on the still wine plays into the picture too. Fine bead reconfirms the extra aging. Maintains bdb freshness. Well balanced. Medium brut short of discernible high brut sweetness. All around good value. 93/100. Positive attendee comments. 'Apple, chalk, lees, appealing freshness.'

Proper and attractive appley glera aroma. While the label makes not dryness statement, I'm guessing high brut. It's really quite dry. Strong and persistent mousse. Gets to the heart of the glera variety, the basis of Prosecco. This should have wide appeal and both aperitif and entree applications. 91/100. Comes in a swing-top bottle that will prove useful for future storage purposes.