Wine Enthusiast 91: 'I am always impressed by the quality of this humble wine. It has great acidity, isn't oaky and displays finesse and balance. Its aromas of blackberries, espresso, nutmeg and earth are complex, followed by flavors like boysenberry sorbet and rose hips and hibsicus tea. Back up the minivan and load up.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - TOP 100: 'Elegance rules the day as fresh leather, green peppercorn and currant aromas dominate the nose of this softer-style Cabernet. The palate brings fresh licorice, plum and juicy blackberry flavors. The finish is marvelously balanced between tannin and acidity. Drink now or hold on for a bit, it's your call. $25.'

Wine Spectator 94 - TOP 100: 'Packed and broad in feel, with a ganache note draped over black currant, blackberry and steeped cherry. Licorice root and alder smoke flavors check in on the finish as the fruit pumps through, ending with a flash of violet. Hard to resist now, but this has some development ahead. Drink now through 2036. $65.'

Good and dark red black cabernet color. Paso sweet but not pruny. Smells west side. Quality and style of this fine vintage. Oh, yes, 2021 abundance of both fruit sweetness and acidity in perfect harmony. An upscale Paso cabernet at a very reasonable price. 92/100.

39% cab sauv, 33% merlot, with malbec, lemberger, syrah, petite sirah, petit verdot, cab franc. Aged 42 months, 7% in new French and American oak barrels. Dark. Slightly ruddy cast of age. Pleasing, harmonious original varietal array of aromas now melted together into a barrel and bottle bouquet amalgam. Yes, one mature taste whole, balanced and agreeable. Tannin remains present but unobjectionable. Amazing how a winery can age this so long and keep a modest price all the same. 91/100.

Wine Spectator 93 - TOP 100: 'Supple and sleek, with elegantly layered red currant, toasty mocha and tarragon flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2031.'

Wine Spectator 92 - SMART BUY: 'Spry and sleek, with vibrant cherry and cranberry flavors that take on orange peel and dusky spice accents as this finishes with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2032. $28.'

The logical relatively pale color of pinot, which marks it not screwed up with darker varieties. It's genuine Mendo pinot, dark fruited in character and uniquely spicy. Bravo. Suave and flavorful, racy, flowing. Pinot sweet fruited on the finish. No tannin in sight. Deal. 91/100.

Nice and harmonious rep of the valley's pinots. Cool and racy. The oak aspect is well soaked up. Great acid of valley and vintage. This is really a textbook example of fine SMV pinot. She's such a fine winemaker. This is the sort of pinot that inspired Sideways. 92+/100.

20 months in French oak cooperage of unstated size and seasoning. Full color. Boy, that's lush for MI blue franc. The oak is a well integrated part of the picture and adds aromatic complexity, suavity, range, and depth. Bravo. Full flavored. Great acidity. Daring dash of VA too. Less tannic than some recent vintages. Neat stuff. 92+/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Black cherry, black pepper, new oak; brisk acid, long finish.' 'Complex; lots of oaky spice; easy to drink and should improve.'

Parker 93: 'The 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with restrained, mineral-driven fruit and a long, perfumed finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple hours in a decanter. Drink 2025-2035.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'Juicy strawberry meets with baking spices of star anise and mace on the nose of this blend of 70% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 4% Mourvedre. The palate lands broadly with root beer and cola spice flavors that give depth to the roasted strawberry core, as a touch of acidity holds to the finish. $18.'

Wine Spectator 93 - TOP 100: 'A jammy bomb of fruit, with cherry pie and ripe raspberry flavors accented with toasty spice and briar notes as this energetic Zin zips along the zesty finish. Drink now through 2032.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is deep, meaty, with aromas of dark berries, plum, Black pepper, chicory, and notes of toasted oak on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Black cherry, huckleberry, nutmeg, Pink grapefruit peel, morphing into smooth tannins and a long finish. Pair with your favorite BBQ.'

Pale; light brass. Both rich and racy. Logical combo of sauvignon and semillon. Unique and flavorful. Race and padding both. Well crafted. Sense of terroir, Unlike any other. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 92: 'Polished, with poached pear, lemon curd and mango on a supple, creamy frame, showing a touch of wild fennel. Details of orange blossoms, matcha green tea and dried ginger linger on the long, fresh and juicy finish.'

Wine Spectator 93 - TOP 100: 'This distinctive white features a lively, mouthwatering and energetic mix of pomelo, yuzu and lemon sherbet flavors, with hints of sweetgrass, apple blossoms and lime zest. There's also an appealing grip on the finish, reminiscent of the skin of roasted, salted almonds, while a whiff of wild fennel lingers. Drink now through 2033.'

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Strong stone aromas introduce the nose to this stainless bottling, which picks up hints of Pink Lady apple and lemon verbena elements as well. The palate is zesty in lime-pith acidity, offering tropical hints of guava peel toward the finish. $35.'

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'Bright, with aromas of green papaya, citrus, honeysuckle and dried herbs. Flavors are grapefruit, honeydew melon, cinnamon and jalapeno.'

Wine Spectator 91 - TOP 100: 'Juicy and plump, with peach, mango and tangerine flavors that reveal pretty floral accents of orange blossoms, lemon verbena and ylang-ylang, while notes of white pepper and sea salt minerality linger on the long, fresh finish. Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friulano and Chardonnay. $36.

Sheet says Rattlesnake Hills. 2 g/l RS. Good WA riesling acidity clear even on the crisp nose. Aroma accurate if understated. Flavors more intense and explicit. Admirable sweet-acid balance. Fits the pattern and, like the rest of the line, attractively priced. 91/100.

Vineyards at 5900'; cold fermented. Really nice varietal perfume welling up with aeration. Soft fruit, dry approach. Good acid. One of the better examples around. 91/100. Attendees noted 'Citrus pith nose, grapefruit and orange.' 'Fresh and astringent.' They pondered food pairings.

Wine Spectator 91: 'A vibrant version, with a mouthwatering mix of lemon zest, lime sherbet and white pepper, plus a lemon blossom accent. An aromatic edge of peppermint lingers on the finish. $17.'

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'Delicate aromas of honeyed pear, ginger and white florals lead to a light? to medium-bodied palate that offers lovely food-friendly texture and mouthwatering acidity. Pair with a cheese board on a warm summer's day. $24.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'Stunning and complex, this stylish, concentrated red offers pure raspberry puree and black cherry flavors that show details of earthy dried porcini mushroom, along with notes of toasted herbs, sandalwood and espresso bean. The long finish reveals firming tannins, but they remain polished and effortless. Drink now through 2038. $28.

Choicest of Australia's riesling winegrowing zones. I always get a lot of lime aroma in Aussie rieslings, and this one is no exception. A nice measure of terpenes forming as this ages in bottle. Honestly, one of the best Aussie riesling noses I've encountered. Dry but not tart. Balance of acid, alcohol, and body. The terroir pedigree shows. I could drink a lot of this with a lot of different foods. 92/100.

57% chenin blanc, 25% viognier, 18% roussanne. A sympathetic melange. Though chenin blanc keeps going down in percentage, it's lime and quince are still the central features. Again, the varieties are supportive of each other. One of the best vintages from an acid and dryness standpoint so more versatile at the table. 91/100.

Cab sauv, cab franc, merlot. More cab sauv than the typical P-L. More blackberry and black currant. That black earth distinction of Graves claret. Well integrated oak, quite a bit for a second wine. Yes, cabernet black fruit, decided oak complex, size, and ambition. Full, fine grained tannins for development to more bouquet. This Chateau is doing everything right. 94+/100.

Cab sauv, merlot. Greater barrel augmentation makes this easily the most complex of the first three clarets in this tasting set. Large, sweet, meaty. No Margaux. It's from the palus near the estuary, the richer soil. But the elevage rises it up to become one of the best from this terroir. And there's more to come. 2020 tannins are holding a lot back. 92+/100.

Vigneron at Rimons, Entre deux Mers; 50% merlot, 25% each of the cabernets; 30 year old vines. Medium dark red violet. Concentrated claret aromatic set. The power is positive, if not classic. This is meaty. Some 2020 tannin to resolve yet. And some youthful flavor retardation. I like its body, extract, and mouth-filling qualities. Very satisfying. 91+/100. Liked by attendees. 'Lots here. Lots of depth, body, flavor. Good quality fruit. Tannins manageable. Cellar a year or two.' 'With cellar time, will become a lovely wine.'

Proprietor Antoine de Roquefeuil; in the family since the Revolution; on the left bank of the Garonne next to the Graves AOC; 75% sauvignon blanc, 25% semillon. Passion fruit sauvignon aroma that is fully alluring. Heft of semillon in support. Bright, brisk, racy sauvignon dominance. Again, the waxy underlayment of semillon makes an important textural addition. Another pacesetter in its field. Quite the set of dry whites indeed. 92/100.

At Fargues; owned by the Rothschilds of Chateau Lafite; second wine; named after the Carmelite monks that once owned the property; 80-90% semillon 10-20% sauvignon and muscadelle according to vintage; aged 18 months in barrels. The lush, semillon dominant style of the Grand Vin expressed in nearly the same intensity. Honey, citrus, pineapple, dusty botrytis. Wow. Indeed, balance of sweetness, fruit concentrate, acid, and dry, dusty tobacco leaf botrytis. A masterpiece in a not particularly classic Sauternes vintage. Lasts forever. 96+/100. Unanimous Wine of the Night.

Famille Beraut for 300 years; ugni blanc, colombard, gros manseng, petit manseng, folle blanche, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay. This is always so wild an aromatic spread in the realm of Gascogne blancs. The complex encepagement is the secret formula. Diverse varietal aromatics all over the place. Yet in sympathy with one another. Geez, this is total entertainment!/ The flavor range is equally broad. And the presentation is well balanced. For instance, the cut of colombard versus the plumpness of the mansengs. Kudos! 92/100. Popular with attendees. The sauvignon blanc contributed a grapefruit aroma. 'Good flavor, nice balance.' 'Refreshing, appealing.'

Est. 1740; 'birthplace' of Muscadet. Still fresh and vital, of course. Muscadet always is. However, in something of an aromatic trough, I suspect, though this is the first muscadet I've tasted from this domaine. Texturally balanced and satisfying. Just not a lot of flavor interest, even by muscadet standards. Certainly meal worthy, versatile at the table. 91/100. Following aeration, this became more revealing. 'Fresh and even a bit spicy; good fun' notes one commentator.

OMG, is that intense and incisive to smell! Gooseberry, grapefruit, passion fruit, cat pee, green herbs. All over again. Great acid and that special, countering ripeness that is an amalgam of 2021 and 2022. Super. 93/100.

From Touraine. Medium dark red. Convincingly tart cherry and herbs smelling Loire pinot. Nice 2022 softness to counter Loire pinot acidity. Lots of flavor. Well balanced and lengthy. A winner. Thrifty alternative to Sancerre rouge. 91/100.

From selected parcels on south facing slopes in Verdigny. Line extension, or replaces the Clos de Chaudenay? Wow, it certainly is 'reserve' extra concentrated in aroma and body. Yikes. Old vines not mentioned but strongly suggested by the nose, which just grows and grows in aromatic intensity as it warms and airs. Full and flavorful. Bright citrus relief to its full body. Delicious balance, savor, length. New star for this estate. 94/100. 'Reserve quality, concentration, extract, minerality.' 'Nice acid, rich flavor.'

23 sweet fruit coupled with the attractive elegance of Fleurie gamay. Spot on, really. Sweet in the mouth too, with compensating acidity. The combo bespeaks 2023. Light dusting of tannin for texture and mid term cellaring if one can resist taking it to the table post haste. 92+/100.

Just a shade darker red violet. Well, this is more intense, more 'serious'. Older vines? Another Fleurie elegant beauty but more solid, less sweet smelling. Oh, that bonus violets flavor. Not necessarily more tannin, just more build. Wow, chewy, tasty finish. Great tete a tete. 93+/100.

Est. 1831; average wine age 38 years; unwooded. In keeping with the domaine style. Lots of calcaire, lots of terroir. Plus that 2022 fruit forward appeal. Boy, this really is impressive for soil inflection and solid foundation. Yes, this is really solid, traditional Chablis. Weighty and lavish classic. Haven't had one for several vintages. Customer tasted in a restaurant and ordered a case from me. That got me curious. Welcome back, old friend. 92/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Spot on vilage Chablis in just about every respect. Ample fruit and body; refreshing and friendly.'

Est. 1590 at Maligny; 25-35 yr old vines on Kimmeridgian (or Portlandian-) limestone facing south/southeast. A lot of race to the nose as well as 2023 forward fruit appeal. A little understated, as these were just shipped. Yes, that 2023 combo of richness and race. This is very generous, rangy, and classy for its relatively modest AOC. Full and clinging through a long aftertaste. Gains terroir as it warms in the mouth. 91+/100.

25-40 year old vines. Following the '23 Seguinot Petit Chablis, more-ish. More body, more calcaire. Spells the difference. Again, understated somewhat because just shipped. Again, 2023 richness and race. Again, harmonious and ready to serve now and for several years more. 92+/100.

80-100 year old vines. Following the 'regular' Chablis, wow, big step up in oomph. Huge old vines concentration. Essential, sappy. Lots more palate weight, grip, dry extract. Gads, this is white dwarf Chablis. What a mouthful! The most ageworthy so far. 93+/100. 'Big leap up in richness' thought attendees. WOTN for at least one. Orders taken.

Vineyards 45-60 years old, facing south-southeast; unwooded. Following the old vines Chablis, less concentrated but more notable in terroir class. Vineyard and vintage style fully in synch. More complexity, more subtlety. More calcaire still. 2023 combo of race and richness again. Mouthwatering acidity through it all. Textural bounties of Premier Cru. Class act. One of the best vintages of this. 94+/100.

A step up in appellation; used to be Ardeche. Not that much more expensive, so now one of the cheapest at this level. Less reductive than usual, but I think I usually assess these at a younger age. More class too. Maybe it's a vines age factor. Full northern Rhone syrah character. Full body. Fine 2021 acid. Fine grained tannin for aging. This is the best of the series so far and much the upscale take. Wow. Deal. 92+/100.

Wine Spectator 92: 'An alluring, expressive white, with beautiful concentration to the star fruit, fresh apricot and yellow plum flavors, which carry a slightly honeyed edge. The lushness is reined in by salty mineral notes and succulent acidity. The distinctive zestiness brings a vibrant quality to the finish, which shows good length, with crushed stone and buttercream hints. Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink now through 2028. $34.'

Dark red violet. Powerful, concentrated, and full of compact fruit and garrigue beauties. Yes, full of flavor and texture. Great acid. The tannins are nicely absorbed by its fruit concentrate. A strong vintage of this. 92+/100.

72% grenache, 23% syrah, 3% mourvedre, 2% cinsault. Long, real cork. Full ruby color. Gigondas body and concentration. The alcohol spells size without burn. This wine's ample material contains it well, in fact, deserves it. On the palate too, just a pattern for Gigondas. Power, extract,, texture, tannin, length. All magnified and all in harmony. Ranks with the best vintages of this long liked series. Continues to be priced at 2/3 the Gigondas average. 94+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 96: 'This wine opens with a refined nose of boysenberry, red licorice, and plums, accented by rose and garrigue for added depth?a very inviting bouquet! The palate is round, with silky tannins that support subtle licorice, harmonizing with wild strawberries, raspberries, white peppercorn, clove, and a hint of sweet oak spices. An expression that demonstrates balance and elegance. $48.'

Full color. Well, that's varietally genuine and Catalanes intense. Bravo. Good Midi power too. This is heftier than the SW France versions. Full bodied and meal worthy. Well priced for its quality, authenticity, and generosity. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 90/100 - TOP 100: 'An off-dry, succulent version, with great balance between notes of warm hay, spiced apple and savory dried green herbs. Hints of nutmeg and wet stone line the concentrated finish, powered by juicy, lemony acidity. Drink now through 2026.'

From the estate's parcels in Kreuz and Herrenberg, two of Oppenheim's top vineyards; 25 year old vines. Upon opening, I couldn't get a read on this due to sulphur dioxide presence. After aeration, no sulphur issues. Attendees loved it. WOTN for one. 'Really good. Great nose and nicely balanced palate. Really quality for now and the future at bargain price.' 'Dang, the balance, the acid underlying the sweetness. Killer buy.' 'Apricot, pine, fusel. Well extracted. Sugar coated for now, but the acid will seize the day eventually. A bargain and a kabinett to cellar.' 92+/100.

250 year old J. L. Wolf winery in Wachenheim acquired by Ernst Loosen in 1996. Lightly grainy Pfalz take on riesling. Good acid for 2022. Probably high trocken. Wide appeal and usefulness at the table. Fills the bill for the price. 91/100. This filled out with aeration, earning kudos from attendees. 'Lovely wine and dry, with real riesling character.' 'Crisp, fresh, friendly; solid finish.'

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.

Loess over gravel on an ancient course of the Danube; vines planted 1960-1980. Continues to express the good vibes of the 2020 and 2021. This is concentrated, terroir oriented, upscale gruner the likes of the $40 ones. Yes. Even more weight, depth, breadth, and complexity on the palate. Super sleeper gruve. 93/100. WOTN for many. 'What concentration!' 'Certainly the best gruner I've tasted.' 'Why single vineyard Austrian wines are so important.' Coincidentally, I tasted another producer's single vineyard gruner same week at twice the price. Prefer this one.

Wine Spectator 93 - TOP 100: 'Bright and beautiful, this harmonious version integrates mouthwatering acidity with a rich range of pureed apricot, dried raspberry and orange marmalade, with hints of praline, crystallized honey and sea salt. There's a plushness to the texture without being weighty; this is long and expressive on the finish. Furmint and HᲳlevel?. Drink now through 2038.'

Arinto, azal, loureiro,, and trajadura. Pear, peach, and flowers. Marks of the superior, aromatic VV varieties. Rangy representation. Equal flavor spread and intensity. We thought last week's VV (Calcada) was a bargain. This one's a player at $2 less. 91/100.

Est. 1990; 40% alfrocheiro, 30% each touriga nacional, aragonez. A little 2020 taut compared to the fruit forward 2019 of late. Deep seated, classic Dao granite core surrounded by black fruits., with become more revealing following aeration. Medium bodied. Richer and more accessible than the nose suggests. The palate's more in tune with the 2019. After waiting decades for the storied good-value Portuguese reds to trickle into the market, we now enjoy a surfeit of riches. 91+/100.

Touriga nacional; Vines average 30 years. unoaked; unfined, unfiltered. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark red black. Statuesque nacional bearing in all its beauty, sans oak. This really gets to the heart of one of the world's best grape varieties. Oh, it's a beauty on the palate too, of unusual elegance and featuring that cherished suggestion of violets. All the while, well built, well framed. Singular, highly desirable. 93/100.

Est. 1996; hondarribi zuri. Cool and clear and minerally as a pristine mountain stream. Oh, boy, that's got the subtle varietal aromatics and terroir down just right. Textbook txakoli. Just the right sweet-acid balance of 2023, showing the combined fortes of both 2021 and 2022. Racy, delicious, quaffable fresh fish mate. 92/100. Popular with attendees. 'Very typical and very good. Just what it should be.' 'Bracing acid, supporting mineral. Yum. Just right.' 'Full bodied, good acidity, full mineral.' 'With warming, a floral element (iris).' 'Strong wine, good for genre.'

By the folks at Rioja bodega CVNE; 200 acres of vines 20 and 25 years old; aged 6 months in new and once used American and French oak barrels. Dark red violet as usual. Dense, compact, loaded. Still, it's neither too oaky or too thick. Solid example. Rich in black fruit flavors. Both fruit and oak tannins, but the fruit gives relief. Chewy mouthful and finish. Bargain cellar candidate. 92+/100.

Est. 1991; 95% tempranillo, 5% viura; vineyard planted in 1977; native yeasts. Up front fruity like previous vintages. However, here the high alcohol adds body and background to distance this vintage's efforts from a Beaujolais comparison. Yes, it's quite the powerful mouthful, with old vines concentration. No other Rioja quite like it. Serve with lamb. 91/100. This got good attendee marks too. 'Plummy, ripe nose floral lift on the palate, which is full, ripe, well extracted.'

Parker 94+: 'The 2016 Vina Ardanza Reserva was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha that matured in used American oak barrels for three years, where it was hand-racked from barrel to barrel six times in the case of Tempranillo and five times for the Garnacha, as it had a slightly shorter elevage of 30 months. Against all odds, I found the 2016 to be fresher than the 2015 and less developed, despite the fact that winemaker Julio S᥮z told me he considers it a warmer year. But I have found many wines I like in 2016, and the wine feels very clean and quite harmonious, younger and less developed, with more primary notes and a velvety mouthfeel. Drink now - 2032.'

From 15-25 year old vines in three vineyards at 1200'-2400' on slopes of the Moncayo range. Medium dark red violet. Sweet and spicy Borja grenache nose. Really delivers range and forcefulness for the price. Sweet tasting grenache strawberry and raspberry. Peppery spiciness on the palate. My favorite of the value end of Borsao's range. Long, flavorful aftertaste. The alcohol level is met and measured throughout the tasting experience. 91/100. Positive comments from attendees. 'Earthy, peppery nose; raspberry grenache palate.' 'Fresh and juicy; decent structure.'

In southern Aragon between Zaragossa and Valencia; high altitude; garnacha and tempranillo. Dark maroon. Has Aragon tinto sweetness and concentration. Good intro to this zone. Little flavor coming forth yet. All about solidity, substance. Age it. Can't complain about the price. Not a lot of cellar-worthy wines in this price range. 91+/100.

Large, powerful, structured, packed 2020 Priorat. Big time mouthful of flavor, texture, extract, power. Competes with the $70 spread. Full, fine grained tannin for cellaring. 94+/100.

Wine Spectator 94: 'Stitched with pure cherry and raspberry fruit, this red is supple and fragrant, showing lovely harmony. Mineral, tar and eucalyptus accents add detail. There's plenty of structure, with vibrant acidity and refined tannins focusing the finish. Elegant, with the potential to develop over the next two decades. Best from 2027 through 2045.'

Parker 95: 'The 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet spice and crushed limestone. As always, the wine paints an exciting and authentic portrait of Nebbiolo, albeit with a little more richness and texture in this vintage. This is especially true in terms of the palate, where the wine offers mid-weight intensity with melting tannins. Drink 2025-2045. $52.'

Sourced from estate vineyards in the Starda parcel on the Bricco di Neive cru. Back to the paler color here. Fruity; darker fruit than the rest. Sweet smelling and singular; terroir specific. Very rich in flavor and texture. The most generous and forthcoming of the lot. Plenty to like already. Well balanced. No tannin issues. Has bottle bouquet potential too. 93+/100.

Wine Spectator 91 - SMART BUY: 'A bright, high-pitched red, featuring kirsch, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Firm yet balanced, picking up flashes of mineral as this builds to the lingering finish. Drink now through 2027.'

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'Aromas of white peach, magnolia, sage and wild mint waft from the glass of this Moscato d'Asti. The palate is a study in balance, as the sweetness bends to the crisp acidity on the finish.'

Est. 1340; 70 acres of vineyards contiguous to the La Morra winery (unusual in Barolo). Heavy Bottle Award. A light copper cast. Oh, that's real arneis and exceptionally concentrated but not heavy. Just keeps pumping out the fruit-flower varietal aromas. Good minerality, flavor, flow, balance. We've had many a winning arneis lately, and this one fits right in. Lingering flavor and texture. 92/100. Popular with attendees. 'Well made; classic. On the big side.' 'Very nice aroma and very attractive palate.' 'Full, plump. Love the herbaceous quality.'

Wine Spectator 91 - TOP 100: 'Elegant, with an appealing, creamy nappe to the texture as it carries notes of ripe pear, peach skin, blood orange peel, green almond and orchard blossoms. A tangy streak of salinity and lively acidity focus and refresh the finely woven flavors and nicely spicy finish. Drink now through 2029.'

Haven't had one of these in awhile. The real deal. Full black fruit. Spot on varietal presentation. Yeah, even bigger, broader, deeper on the palate. Filling, balanced, well textured, lasting. Sweet fruit finish. Great price. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This lush yet well-balanced Amarone opens with aromas of black currant, wild blackberry dusted with wild herbs, sweet spices and pepper. Crushed black cherries, espresso and violet notes hold court on the structured palate, which is backed by a minerality and finishes with ripe tannins. Drink now-2035.'

From estate vineyards in Montecarlo. This is vivacious indeed. Splashy, vigorous, full of varietal fruit//flower aromas. Won't be denied. Flavors fully confirm aromas. Maybe a little fermentation banana residual to shed. And that will surely happen. Good balance and flow. 91+/100. Another winner with attendees. More orders taken. 'Good balance and varietal character. Nice now and will improve.'

75% sangiovese, 10% canaiolo, 10% cab sauv, 5% merlot. Medium to medium dark ruby. Very lush for Carmignano. Loaded with sangiovese dried cherry, supported by complex aromatic contributions of the rest of the varietal set. Aroma runs deep and persistent. The darker Bordeaux varieties show more presence on the palate. Fine grained, chewy tannins too. Not obstinate, just texture building. Pretty full bodied. Balanced, flavorful. One the best built, complex, and generous vintages of this I've tasted. 92+/100.

11th century roots; sangiovese, canaiolo, colorino; aged 6 months in barrels. Modest nose to start. It grows in the glass with aeration though. There's Rufina refinement and a measure of glycerol richness. Which is confirmed on the palate. The alcohol gives body and smoothness. Turns out, in the end, that this is one of the most ample vintages in the proud and price worthy series. Rises and shines. 91/100. Continued to rise. Well liked by attendees. 'Lovely, super typical and mature Chianti nose. Lovely now.' 'So ready and engaging. Wallet friendly.'

Wine Spectator 93 - TOP 100; 'Offers cherry and plum fruit framed by earth, mineral and wild herb flavors. Poised between elegance and power, this red is beautifully balanced. Dusty tannins support the fruit on the long finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. $28.'

Mainly of prugnolo gentile, the local clone of sangiovese. That's very rich for Montepulciano. Warm, robust vintage talking. Sweet and dried cherries and orange zest. Yes, very rich and generous in the mouth. I mean, it doesn't stray too far from Montepulciano elegance. Sure is flavorful and giving all the same. And the acid is great, especially for the vintage. Lasting flavors and textures. Best vintage of this I've tasted. 92/100.

It's not a young brunello monolith. There's a sweet fruit lining. Wow, more flavor display than I had expected. Despite some fine grained tannin, it could be served this winter. 2018 fruit padding. Always like this source. 95+/100.

40-45 year old vines; aged a year in French oak barriques. Dark red violet. Deep, haunting, complicated. The fruit concentration, the barrel leavening, the cherished monte violets overtone. First class. Yes, 2021 brightness, riserva intensity and complexity. Fine tannin adds texture. Upscale monte and a good price. 93+/100.

Fully perfumed. Plenty peachy too. Surprisingly full bodied and well textured. The fruit wells up as it warms in the mouth. This really pumps out a lot of varietal character for the price. 92/100.

30-40 year old vines. Rich and good value frappato. Always has been. Frappato sweet fruited. Good acid balance. Fills the bill for the price. Fine tannin at the end keeps it honest. 91/100.

30+ year old vines at 700 meters on a 70 degree slope. Skin contact. Aged on lees 6 months. Tremendous oomph. Never before had a grillo so thoroughly extracted. Palate conveys the same impression. Decent acidity for vintage and variety. Worth twice the price of the grillo cheapies. 92/100.

A year in cooperage. Plush and soft varietal character. Good aromatic spiel. Really good acid! Pleasing flavor and texture push. Vintage tannin. But won't displace it at the table today. Impressive value. 91/100.

Good and full st. george. Quite crisp, really. Rather than round and sweet. Yeah, this is not an easy going one. Acid and tannin and ageworthiness. Old vines talk. One to cellar awhile. 92+/100.

14 months in French oak barriques. Youthful appearance. The barrel and bottle age are both complexing and agreeable. Serious effort. And the youthful st. george fruit remains buoyant! Light oak and fruit tannins. Upscale all the way so fully worth the tariff. 92+/100.

20% cinsault. Aged a year in once used oak barrels. Also full dark with some rim lightening with age. Cabernet solidity and backward nature. Rich in cabernet blackberry. Sense of barrel aging suavity and light extracts. This will improve. 91+/100.

40% sauvignon blanc, 25% obeidy, 20% viognier, 10% chardonnay, 5% muscat. An intriguing mix that works. Nothing in particular dominates, unless it's that wild card grape. Clearly aromatic varieties involved. Sauvignon citricity takes command on the palate, but it doesn't completely overshadow other contributions. Well priced. Definitely dry and mealworthy. Sommeliers could have a ball with this. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Very pale in color, this bottling offers soft aromas of bubblegum and pink rose petals on the delicate nose. There's a strong mineral streak to the palate, where flavors of crushed stone and rainy cement play against the soft peach and melon fruits.'

Suckling 93: 'This is very classy, with sliced strawberries, white peaches and a hint of flint. It's medium-bodied with a lightly velvety texture and a fresh, creamy-textured finish. Serious ros鮠One to watch. 40% Cinsault, 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Rolle.'

All syrah. Quite a lot of red fruit presence. Destined for the table. Yes, even some red peels tannin. A large, quite powerful rose for red meat. Plenty useful still. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'This wine is bright, lively, with aromas of pear, Yellow apple, Yellow plum, and notes of orange blossoms on the nose. The flavors on the palate are White peach, White nectarine, firm mousse mid-palate with fine bubbles, Blood orange cream, hazelnut, Pink grapefruit, and crisp, silky finish dances across the palate. Pair with steamed mussels, spicy aioli, chorizo. $26.'

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This wine is rich, supple, with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, tangerine cream, cinnamon, and notes of Orange blossom on the nose. The flavors on the palate are ripe peach, cranberry-cherry compote, apricot, star anise, with fine mousse mid? palate, toasted chestnut, orange cream, and a dry long finish. $27.'

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

Dusty apple nose of glera and limited autolysis charmat. Proper. More apple on the palate. High brut. Good, flavorful follow through. Always a good value. 91/100.

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

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'Expect an amber hue and deep toffee and caramel aromas. The palate is silky and relatively sweet, opening with toffee, cocoa powder, brown sugar and oak. Cayenne and hot cinnamon warm the faintly floral exhale. Fair trade and carbon neutral certified.'

Wine Enthusiast 95: 'Look for a copper-penny hue and mild coconut and floral aromas. The palate opens with vanilla and a pleasing violet tinge, fading into walnut, dried fig and espresso, plus a clove tingle. $53.'