With 9% petit verdot, cab franc. 60% Lake and 40% Mendocino counties. 15-18 year old vines. Aged 10 months in 80% American and 20% French oak cooperage, seasoned. Dark red violet. Handsome rep of North Coast cabernet. Dark Mendocino notions, smooth Lake elements. I love this Broadbent conception. Bright and juicy fruit of high 2023 class and character. No wonder the growers are so keen on this vintage. US oak impact, power, balance, flavor depth and breadth. Exceptional fruit acidity. Fine tannin. Over achiever. Best $15 cabernet on the market? 92/100.

Inky red violet. Nose is as totally saturated as appearance. One of the best vintages of this. The marriage of oak, fruit, and varietal spread is perfect. Powerful and tannic but not to the hurtful extent. Chewy extract. Better with age but has steak house apps at present. Awesome; fully worth the asking price. 97+/100.

With 20% merlot, 3% cab franc. Total Oakville class at a bargain price. And Oakville coolness and finesse. And good oak extras, well integrated. All over again. This just hangs together so right and is so exemplary of its AVA, as are all the Black Smiths. 93+/100.

Very bright, crisp, cool OR pinot as well as very large scaled, ambitious, and full of oaky complexity. In tune with the series. Just as massive, complex, and generous in the mouth. The oak tannins are well managed. If you've got the bucks, this won't disappoint. Loaded. 98+/100.

Pretty, perky, pleasing, forward. As intended. Really good acidity. Tastes drier than it smells. Wants food. Welcome astringency in back. 92/100.

Tasting Panel 93: 'Graceful, with a trail of raspberry and wild cherry that leads to savory sensations of bramble and sweet tobacco.'

Tasting Panel 93: 'This juicy and delightful Pinot Noir from the Cakebread family offers a savory start of Med herbs, dark plum, sandalwood, and black tea. Dusty notes of cocoa and cherry unfold on the long finish. $30.'

This is old vines deep and concentrated. Varietal black cherry and black pepper. Yes, chewy old vines fruit concentration. Lots of high peel to pulp ratio stuff. Chewy and lasting. I know these age well, having tasted older vintages. 94+/100.

Grenache, syrah, mourvedre, counoise. Legit CA take on Chateauneuf, without the range and oomph. Still, fits the aromatic pattern. Name justified and accurate. Sweet and quite powerful. Well priced. This is generous, fills the bill. I'm impressed, and liking it as well. 92/100.

4% each petite sirah and barbera. From Angeli vineyard in Alexander Valley and the estate's vineyard in McDowell Valley. Aged a year in neutral cooperage. Wonderful, dark fruited Mendocino styled zinfandel with sensible barrel augmentation and power. In the Marietta style. What don't they do right-/ Yes, fruit sweetness meets good acidity. Raspberry and peppercorn and oak in harmony. Full and fruitful. Carry on! 93/100.

20 year old vines. Aged 14 months, 40% in American and Hungarian oak barrels. Dark red violet. A sweet, modern, black fruited, barrel aged zinfandel. Good Napa elegance and Oakville coolness and class. Cool and dark and upscale. Up to date. You have to have guts to plant zinfandel in cabernet country these days-or even 20 years ago. Fine wine at a sensible price. 94+/100.

Wine Spectator 95: 'Broad-shouldered and powerfully structured yet detailed and stylish, with deep flavors of blackberry and cherry accented by bittersweet chocolate, orange peel and fruitcake spices that gather tension and richness on the slightly firm finish. Drink now through 2037.'

Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is bright, lifted with aromas of ripe apple, orange blossom, lemon balm and white flowers on the nose. The flavors on the palate are lemon, grapefruit, cantaloupe and coriander with a crisp, zippy finish. Pair with a patio and friends.'

Wine Spectator 93 - SMART BUY: 'Vibrant, aromatic and intense, with lemongrass, lemon balm and grilled lemon flavors up front giving way to supple expressions of lemon curd, mango puree and lime sherbet. Mouthwatering acidity keeps everything in focus, with extra passion fruit grace notes, ginger accents and a hint of green tea. $32.'

Wine Enthusiast 93 - BEST BUY: 'This wine is fresh, lively with aromas of pear, apple, citrus, and notes of toasted oak on the nose. The flavors on the palate are baked pear, Yellow apple, cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla cream, and a long silky finish. Pair your weekday take away. $17.'

Tasting Panel 97: 'One of the most deluxe Chardonnays our team hs had the pleassure of tasting. Augmented by sweet vanilla cream, elderflower, and white cherry, the noth feel is exqusitely graceful, and notes of key lime, herbed lemon, and lusciojs ripe pineapple are opulent to the end.'

From the estate's highest vineyard, at the Templeton Gap. CA frank and pushing high alcohol. But short of it. Warmth and air coax forth Euro viognier notions of stone fruit, citrus, and, especially, honeysuckle. Strength subsides to show a well balanced palate. 91+/100. This thrived with more warmth and aeration to become popular with attendees, especially for its varietal accuracy and intensity. The acidity was judged adequate. 'One of the best New World viogniers I've had.' 'Very well made.'

Lightly brassy cast. Both full and racy. Fills and tingles nostrils. Subtle wax and nut varietal aromas. Plus tangy, salty citrus on the palate. This is really pretty upscale stuff. Will really make its presence felt at the table, body wise. 92/100.

Auxerrois, riesling, gewurztraminer from a single vineyard on iron rich soil. Partly aged in Oregon oak barrels. A convincing 'edelzwicker' melange of varieties, well coordinated. Auxerrois gives underlying weight and richness. The attributes of the nose carry over to the palate, right on through a long finish. 92/100.

James Suckling 91/100. My notes: Vineyards at 1300 meters. Aged 3 months in French oak barrels. Dark red violet. Both ample and elegant. Always a good bet..and value. Full and amazingly smooth at a year and half. Good texture, balance, finish. Use often. 91/100.

Tasting Panel 94: 'This is a terrific example of Cinsauult at a greeat price. Voibrant notes of cherry and raspberry are irresistible, with wonderfully balanced acidity and light tannins. Excellent anytime but ideal with a light chill during summer. $17.'

60% merlot, 30% cab sauv, 10 % cab franc; in far eastern Entre Deux Mers. Deep colored and holding its youthful appearance at age five. Oh, boy, this is so complicated and generous for a claret at this price. It's serving us well, steadily. Juicier and more flavorful on the palate. This has a lot to offer, both flavor and texture wise. Especially for the price. Full, and still retaining 2020 tannin obstinance. That 2020 core of potential. Gads, there's a lot of material here though. Food or cellar. 92+/100. Opened up more after aeration, earning Red WOTN acclaim. One attemdee commented 'ready to roll.'

Est. 1837; at Montussan; all merlot; 40 year old vines; 1/4 aged in once filled barrels; winemakers Jean-Claude and Jean-Francois Berrouet (Petrus, Dominus). Dark red violet. Gads, this is loaded! Fathomless depth. Continues to awe. Really meaty 2020 concentration. Wow. The Berrouets know merlot!/ Oak makes a much stronger statement on the palate, and it's positive and complexing. Helluva serious claret for the price. Really mouthfilling, full bodied, generous heavyweight. Plenty of fruit sweetness and concentration. 2020 tannins emerge in the back to ensure stamina. Very long aftertaste. 93+/100. Attendees were impressed; orders taken. 'Merlot black cherry.' 'Ripe, full, thick, tannic.'

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. Very, very fresh and bright Bordeaux sauvignon take. Ripe citrus sauvignon joined to citrus creme semillon. This sails!/ A mouthful of various citrus fruits. Honestly, I've never had a Bordeaux Blanc tasting quite like this one, always an adventure after 61 years in trade. Suits me to a T. 92/100.

70% sauvignon blanc, 30% semillon; barrel fermented and aged 6 months on lees in once used Sauternes barrels. Strong vintage of this. Pungent sauvignon, semillon, lees, and Sauternes barrels inputs all display strong, individual ID. Leading to the definition COMPLEX. Wow. And, they're well integrated. This has developed into one unto its own in the Bordeaux Blanc arena. 92+/100.

Decanter 93/100. My notes: I sense some barrel extras here, and, if memory serves me right, that's a factor in this cuvee. Superior for its AOC, it shows fine terroir and craftsmanship, as well as the finesse that is a mark of all Domaine de Chevalier wines. Full textured thanks to both the original material and the elevage. Looks expense for Bordeaux Blanc..until you taste it! 93/100.

At Preignac; old vines; 95% semillon, 5% sauvignon blanc; owned by a former partner of Chateau Suduiraut. Luscious lemon creme, pineapple, and tupelo honey. Good power complements the sweetness of smell. The complete 2022 Sauternes package. Lavish sweetness replete with botrytis tea and tobacco. The sweetness coats the rest of the textural aspects at this stage. Still, there is a sense of innate harmony waiting to take center stage after a few years in the cellar. Another impressive vintage here, each unique. 94+/100. Widely judged WOTN by attendees. 'Wonderful nose and super rich and sweet palate.' 'Pineapple, mint, apricot, walnut, white chocolate.' 'Huge RS, but the acid is there.' 'Delicious, and years away from peaking.'

At La Haye-Fouassiere; highest site of the commune, 35 year old vines on quartz sand over gneiss. This has 2020 solidity and depth. Definite terroir and mature vines statements too. Absolutely zero grey hairs. Yes, big time site, terroir, and vintage bulk in terms of Muscadet. Good balance and length. Wow, what a substantial Muscadet..and deal! 92+/100.

Est. 1948 at La Haye-Fouassiere; 2 acre walled vineyard, crown jewel of the estate; replanted in 1983; aged 2 years on lees and 5 years minimum in bottle before release; unfined. Heavy Bottle Award. Oh, my goodness! Such lees and extract nostril and sinus saturation! Yikes!/ Just as old vines and metamorphic soil concentration on the palate. Endless finish. Thanks to the winemaker's patience, it's good drinking today. Still, it will probably outlive me. 94+/100.

Est. 1820; chenin blanc; sandy-clay soil. Beautiful Anjou chenin blanc expression. Pear, quince, lime, melon--has it all. In youth, best and most forward nose yet in this series. Bravo. Flavors less forthcoming, yet the ID is clear. Good sweet-acid fruit balance in a fully dry chenin. Great price for all this! 92+/100.

Organically grown; no sulfites added; 'hands off' indeed. A cool customer indeed. Yes, cool, dark, dense red raspberry Loire cab franc aroma. Clear and pure. Sachet overtones too. Neat stuff. Flavors confirm all. Certainly really unmanipulated, without the usual NSA issues. Or tannin issues. 92/100. While brett emerged (comes with many a NSA wine), this still showed attendees many attributes. 'Rich, fruit driven nose; rich and ripe palate.' 'Certainly complex: tobacco, florals, leather.' 'Long flavor and finish.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'For a demi-sec, this leans toward the dry, savory end of the spectrum. There are a lot of layers and substance to this, with a savory thread of green herbs and bitter white tea weaving through elderflower, quince and apple flavors, while gentle tannins provide a solid frame. Cool river stone and pink peppercorn notes line the finish, encased in smoke and salt, with length and a lot of depth. The toasty cedar notes will integrate with more time in bottle. Drink now through 2037.'

At Monnieres, Loire-Atlantique departement. Like so many of these 2024 Loire sauvignons we've been tasting, this has great cut, runs deep, and is super racy. And, minerally. Very vigorous vintage, I'm concluding. Juicy and joyous Loire production from as far from the 'Region de Sauvignon' as you can get: Muscadet country. Just plain deliciously harmonious. No waitin', no hesitatin'. 91/100. Popular with attendees, who found clear varietal character, including gooseberry, and a pleasantly tart palate.

Sauvignon blanc. Reuilly penetrating and stimulating, even in relatively soft 2022. This is right; this works hard to please. Plusher on the palate. Adequate acidity for balance though. Good follow through. 92/100. List price: $25.

Daulny has 40 acres in 50 parcels, including some of the AOC's top sites, such as Monts Damnes; vines average 40 years. Medium red. Color depth belies its richness on the nose. Cool, tart red fruit of northern pinot. Nice rich and round fruit on the palate too, with plenty of up to snuff acidity. Well balanced and flavorful. Steady winner. 91/100. Attendee comments were generally favorable. 'Dense black cherry aroma.' 'Pleasantly tart northern pinot.'

Vigneron at Sancerre since 1513. Pretty deep cast. Decided black fruit to this. Lovely fruit with a nice degree of cool elegance. Yes. Wow, even some tannin here. Plenty of fruit substance to stay the course to maturity. Best vintage of this I've tasted. 92+/100.

From clay soil on the hillsides above Bue; aged in barrels and tuns. Medium dark purple. Color contrasts across the trio. Greater warmth and suavity thanks to an extra year in bottle and a slightly milder vintage. Air of elegance too. Inviting. Elegant yet clay-borne solid structured, meaty. All three are damn good..and different. Nice exercise. 92/100. A group favorite. 'Great complexity.' 'Black cherry and other savory aromas and flavors.' 'Long, rich, and inviting.'

15 hectares spread over 50 plots; 40 year old vines; from a diversity of AOC soil types; small percentage aged in seasoned cooperage. Oh, boy, more-ish, as to be expected. The race, the coolness of 2024. Old vines depth and intensity even in Daulny's foundation cuvee. Sweet and juicy both, with plenty of textural spiel and even lift. Great flavor persistence, length. Tangy finish. One of the most intriguing vintages of this. 93+/100.

From selected parcels on south facing slopes in Verdigny. Certainly fuller than the regular cuvee 24 tasted recently, good as that was. Boy, this has oomph, reserve concentration. And 24 freshness. Oh, yes, decidedly fuller on the palate too. Juicy citrus flairs. This nicely combines 2024 and reserve concepts. Love it. Fresh and bright finish. 94+/100. Very popular with attendees; considered superior to the 'regular' cuvee (and not that much difference in price). 'Rich flavor, glycerined mouthfeel; great acid.' 'Mouthwatering.' 'A winner.'

Gamay. That's one concentrated gamay, so logically priced like a top Beaujolais Grand Cru. Different though. Seems to have a cooler climate demeanor. But not to the extreme of gamays of central and maritime Loire. Delicious flavor and acidity. Intense too. Always a winner. Probably definitive. 93/100.

From the Chablis area; 20 year old vines in marl. 2022 fruity, while abiding by northern Burgundy pinot standards. Smells crisp. Lays right on the palate. Shows the way in Chablis area pinot noir, with the usual Fourrey accessibility. Good vintage of this. 91+/100.

From parcels in Reas and la Riviere, planted in 1935, 1949, and 1955; native yeasts; aged in barrels, 1/3 new; unfined. Jolly, medium dark ruby. Smells like Vosne. Pinot with perfume. As well as large scaled and concentrated. Will age famously. Oh, and the palate is perfumed and exotically spicy too. Asian spices, another mark of Vosne pinots. No aggressive tannins. Still, I'd be cellaring this to additional complexity. Serious stuff! 97+/100. WOTN for most attendees. 'Oak underpinnings; spices; balance.'

Est. 17th century; 40-70 year old vines; aged a year in seasoned oak barrels. Medium dark cranberry red. Red fruited rather than black too. Resinous Chalon underlayment. Dense and penetrating; has substance. Firm flavored and textured. Great acidity. Undeveloped but not harshly tannic. Again, the strong sense of material. Good cellar potential. 92++/100. Really shone with aeration and continued to improve throughout the evening. 'Very Bourgogne, quite richly flavored.' 'Nice pinot spice; penetrating aromatics.' Very approachable; acid and structure too.'

That's a pretty, floral Fleurie nose. Seems more accessible than previous encounters with Hoppenot. Good and ringing fruit acidity. Plenty of flavor. Upscale and spot on. Best Hoppenot I've tasted. 93/100.

1/4 aged in new oak cooperage. Full, deep black cherry Morgon nose. Much more substantial wines being made here now than decades back. Likely the best vintage I've nosed. Yeah, material, extract, and more tannin than I can remember in a Pizay. Built to 'morgonize'. 92+/100.

40 year old chardonnay vines on steep slopes of Kimmeridgian limestone; native yeasts; aged 10 months, 10% in seasoned cooperage. Combo of old vines, prime terroir, and elevage result in an exemplary Tonnerre. It's fuller and less refined than typical Chablis but stands on its own two feet. A textbook lesson in Tonnerre. Good ripe/tart fruit balance of 2023 evolves to a juicy textural experience in back. Expensive, but talks the talk. 93/100.

Tasting Panel 92: 'This detailed yet generous vintage of the flagship Chablis from Laroche sings with white peach, ripe pear, and nectarine, though the quintessential mineral spine that the best Chardonnays of the appellation exhibit is also present throughout. Fine-lees aging has lent a lovely tactile character.'

From La Rochepot, on the western border of Saint Aubin; beneath a cliff (Eguisons) protecting the vineyard from northern winds; barrel fermented by native yeasts; aged a year plus in barrels, 1/3 new. This is classic Cotes de Beaune chardonnay that reflects the complete set of winemaker input factors, Hautes Cotes not withstanding. Maybe some HCdB extra coolness. Gads, just about all I want in a white burgundy. Well, lets the pedal off the metal a little on the palate. Less intensity, acidity, complexity. Still, it's generous in all lees, barrel, and fruit aspects. Just a little short of brilliant on the palate. 94/100. While recognizing this was short of Meursault and Montrachet caliber, attendees had favorable things to say about it. 'Lovely stuff.' 'Luscious fruit with balanced oak tones.' 'Reeks of quality.'

The domaine uses no new barrels; mostly once and twice filled from Domaine Leclerc. First taste of a Trapet white; we've enjoyed many a red. Wow, that has the fullness and relative austerity of a Cote de Nuits white. Makes me wonder if some pinot beurot (gris) is involved. As it warms and airs, barrel influences come forth. Good ripe/acid balance of 2023. This is unique, fully intriguing, and, I suspect, age worthy. 92+/100. A tried and true fan of Trapet's red wines notes: 'Wow! One of the most memorable wines of recent years. Unique for its almost sweet character. I can see your question about the presence of pinot gris ? known as pinot beurot in Bourgogne. Lots of oak but well integrated. Super long flavor. Quite an amazing wine and great value. Reminds me in some ways of the Dupont-Fahn wines.'

Unoaked. Pleasing amalgam of Maconnais apple, citrus, and lees aromas. Good 2023 richness and race in harmony. A juicy and satisfying mouthful. Lasting aftertaste. Take it straight to the dinner table. 91/100.

From one of the northernmost zones of Maconnais; marly limestone soil; 50-65 year old vines; aged nine months on lees. Beset with sulphur issues upon opening. Sense of terroir and old vines mass, but aromatics masked. Flavors suppressed as well. It takes up a lot of space. I wish it would have more to say at this point. Take it away, attendees. 91+/100. The sulphur took awhile to clear, but once it did, the superior terroir and old vines concentration impressed attendees.

Henri retired in 2020; the estate is now run by young Nicolas Roux; 5-8 year old vines; native yeasts. Nose quiet upon opening. Sample cold. I can't get a read (how's that for mixing smell, hear, and see adjectives!). Body, texture and balance, but little flavor at this stage. Air and age. Take it away, group. 91++/100. And they did! This thrived with aeration to become very popular. 'Real Maconnais nose; lovely nose.' 'Fine fruit quality.' Herbal 'wood' elements led some to wonder if it was barrel aged.

This is full, especially for jacquere and altitude. Even flow on palate, and material and texture in support. Always one of the best textured of its genre. 91/100.

Nephew of Cornas winegrower Robert Michel; from young vines in Crozes Hermitage. Medium dark red violet. This has more constitution and depth than the 2022 tasted recently. A better display of the region's syrah aromatic range. So more charm to this, as well as definition. Yes, fruitier and more forthcoming than the 2022. It's still of medium weight, as projected by the modest alcohol content (12.5%). All the same, this has much more current appeal. Good acidity, length of flavor. 91+/100. Well liked by the group and preferred to the 2022. 'Not too fruity; well done.'

Deep and meaty, especially for cool 2021. I'll bet very little Grand Vin was made, and this cuvee benefitted from that. Elegance, class, flow, and gentle tannins of 2021. Great winemaking here, as usual. 93+/100.

Marsanne, roussanne. Just as awesomely deep and intense and complicated as at the last encounters. Yes, an intricate mouthful of both substance and subtlety. Shows the way. 93/100.

Fifth generation; proprietor Bernadette Latour; at Violes; whole bunch fermented by native yeasts; unfined, unfiltered. Grenache strawberry and raspberry aromas. No sense of high alcohol. There as a fair degree of lift as well as grenache sweetness. Yes, the alcohol gives body and glyceroled smoothness without heat. Well crafted, and generous. Nice, warm finish. Winter wine. 91/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Very Vaucluse, very grenache; as intended; well done.' 'Pure grenache, unfettered.'

Syrah and grenache from a south facing, steep granite hillside vineyard in the Ardeche. So this is northern Rhone adjacent, actually. And it acts like it. Definite regional syrah ID like black raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat. The grenache fattens it up and is sympathetic. Yes, one of the best vintages in the series, both northern syrah and Ardeche grenache expressions in harmony. The alcohol is coated, and cooling as well. 91+/100.

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre; vines 37 and 65 years old; pebble covered clay-limestone. Abundant 2022 fruit of all three varietal natures, well knit together. Gentler than normal. Less tannin; more fruit. That's 2022. The alcohol is well contained. Even on a muggy day, this is not hard to swallow. 92/100.

Jean-Baptiste & Francois; 70% grenache, 30% syrah; 40 year old vines; yields under 3 tons per acre. Lirac cool, cranberry like take. Spot on Right Banker. Rich grenache meets dark and firm syrah. Again, that sense of Gard coolness. Racy acid and flow in cool 2021. Hides its 14% well. No tannin and plenty flavorful so inviting for this fall and winter service. 92/100. Generally well liked by attendees: 'Serious; grenache raspberry, syrah foundation; 21 acidity, lack of overripeness.'

Est. 1923; grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, roussanne, picpoul; vineyard at Roquemaure on the Right Bank. Wow, this surges forth on the nose. Mr. Big of CdR blancs. The whole package, all there, well coordinated. All the components hang together well. 2023 sweet/acid balance. Good body. Surely useful now. 91/100. Opened attendees' eyes, WIDE. 'Expressive nose; exceeds expectations.' 'Far better than I expected. Some acid, freshness, and surprising balance; nice aromatics.' 'More olfactory impressions than expected, especially without viognier.'

50% grenache, 30% muscat a petits grains, 20% grenache gris; 10-50 year old vines. The grenache contains the muscat surprisingly well. Usually, a 30% muscat puts this variety in command. It's there all right, yet the mass of grenache vinified white manages to bear it. That's a sumptuous and harmonious whole on the palate. Masterful wine selection and making here. Non pareil Midi white. 91/100. This 'sleeper' was widely popular, even WOTN for one. 'Aromatic nose, lovely, lively taste.' 'Very attractive and good fun.' Reported just as good the next day.

40% each carignan, grenache, 20% syrah; aged 9 months in barrels. Dark red violet as well. A little shy in aromatic development. Clearly old vines concentrated though. Fruit sweetness and display come on with aeration. Fairly loaded. Rich, full, well textured. Balance of sweetness, dry extract, and fine tannin. Yes, compact and old vines loaded. Always is. Great ager. Epitome of Fitou. 92+/100.

Est. 1670 at Ammerschwihr. Classic, old time nutty, earthy Alsace sylvaner. Woody herb complications too. For me, this is a blast from the past sort that I haven't experienced for decades. Yes, with the old time waxy texture too. Old vines extract. All fits together for great balance, including 2021 acidity, which is not normally a sylvaner forte. Singular, and worth every penny. 93/100. Met with widespread attendee enthusiasm. 'Old vines for sure.' Pear, baking spices, florals.' '2021 acidity.' 'One of the best Alsace sylvaners I've tasted.'

Copper toned pinot gris. A nice and full and waxy gris nose. Good acid for variety and vintage. The viscosity carries over to the palate. Best vintage of this I've tasted. 91+/100.

70 year old ungrafted vines. Creamy yellow. Saar austere, old vines intense. Shows the way. Near dry, with 22 relatively mild if adequate acidity assisted by old vines extract. Riesling flavorful and lengthy. This is a leader. 93/100.

200 year history; from red slate soil of the Rothenberg and Engelsberg sites along the Rheinfront. Depth, dryness, and grape and terroir class come forth with warmth and air. A good bet, I'd say. Well textured, dry, and balanced. Give it mouth to mouth. 91+/100. Riesling peach and positive Hessia earthiness emerged. Widely liked by attendees. 'True riesling nose and palate.' Great value.' 'Party wine say all.'

A good and full bodied, intense Pfalz pinot blanc. Big and dry in the house style. Dry but not austere. Decent acid for the vintage. Body and flavor volume. Right in style. It's been years since I've tasted a K-R, yet the memories linger on. 92/100.

Loess over gravel on an ancient course of the Danube; vines planted 1960-1980. Oh, the intensity of aroma and nostril fill and feel! Always one of my favorite gruves, and under $20! Strong minerality, superior terroir. Just so relentlessly penetrating!/ No letdown in intensity on the palate. This writes the book on Wagram gruner. Flavorful, full textured, balanced, lasting. Lots of meal time apps. 93/100. Widely enjoyed by attendees, who are not normally gruner fans but have liked this one in past vintages as well. 'Lots of really nice flavors; fruitier than the norm.''Minerals and white fruits.' 'Great appeal and great length.' 'This really delivers. 'My best gruve score in awhile.'

Bright, medium dark cranberry. Both rich and cool fruited. Not mencia reduced. Seems riper and more powerful than your average Biezo mencia. Medium bodied and flavored. Smooth; no objectionable tannins. Good acidity. Likely more bouquet to come. 91+/100.

5th generation; hondarrabi zuri; vines planted 1860-2008; native yeasts; closed fermenters preserve some natural fizz. It has the spritz all right! Tingly and fresh; pointed, pungent, penetrating. High toned, juicy, and admirable mild in alcohol (10.5%). Just the right degree of acidity for balance and refreshment. They ought to bottle this in liters! 24/7 wine, all purpose. 92/100. Popular with attendees. 'Very typical.' 'Fresh and good.'

From the southeast subzone with the poorest soils and highest altitude of the DO; vines planted between 1900 and 1956 on original rootstock in sandy soil resistant to phylloxera; fermented and aged on lees in seasoned French oak puncheons and demi muids. A large charge of classic old vines verdejo expression uncomplicated by the minor but pungent (albeit sympathetic) sauvignon component of many a Rueda these days. Slam dunk old vines verdejo nose. Oh, and the palate is equally thorough. Full bodied, concentrated, classic..no, DEFINITIVE. I've had many a vintage of this and, despite this one's youthful edge, it's still the most impressive yet. Of course, the vines do get older every year. 93+/100. An attendee favorite. 'Great varietal nose and flavor; long, with really nice acid.' 'Lots to like here; crisp acidity, fine length.' 'Peach, pineapple, tropicals, florals.'

Tempranillo, garnacha, graciano, mazuelo; aged a year in barrels, 70% American, 30% French, and a year in bottle before release. Always a classic balance of original fruit and barrel aging that spells my image of crianza. I guess I should give the Medievo reserva and gran reserva another look, but I've always favored the crianza in its class. Yes, there it is, the perfect harmony of fruit, oak, and barrel/bottle aging. Just sits right to my tastes. And bargain priced too! 91+/100. Thanks to its price/quality ratio, this was attendees' Red WOTN. 'Needs time, but all the elements are here for a very good wine.' 'Built for the future and a super value.' 'Palate richer, fruitier, and more complex than the nose would indicate.' 'Luscious, sweet fruited.' 'Tremendous complexity to compete with Riojas at twice the price.'

Est. 1760; 80-100 year old vines. Clearly powerful, but little burn. It extends fullness, weight, grenache lushness. Old, old vines produce selling for twelve bucks-! I smell a deal. Just as lush on the palate, where the alcohol is more cooling than burning. Man, fairly loaded! Little tannin. So many dinner time apps. 92/100.

70% grenache, 30% mazuelo. Full, firm, 2021 linear in the best sense. I like these Priorats without the Gucci syrah and cab sauv grapes. Right in tune with the series. Compact, serious, substantial, age worthy. Cellar it further. 92+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'This wine is like a flavorbomb exploding on your palate. Cola and dark spices mingle with intense, jam-packed fruit that's been dialed up to eleven. Lush and round, it's got tannins that are as well-behaved as an honor roll student. This wine is a total powerhouse that's sure to impress. Drink Now ? 2035.'

From over 15 Grand Cru sites of Barolo and a handful of Barbaresco. Aged two years in large Slavonian oak casks. Properly ruddy nebbiolo cast. A beautiful Langhe nebbiolo, always one of the top examples. It's fresher and more forward than the Big Two Bs. Still, it boasts of their sheer class. Well crafted. Yeah, flows easier than the big boys. Nice grip of extract. Very fine grained tannin. Put together right. 92+/100.

Est. 1978; 25 year old vines; aged a year in seasoned cooperage. Wow, this is totally upscale too. Primo site, mature vines, barrel time complexity enhancement. Very suave and sweet in the mouth. Wow, no waitin', no hesitatin'. Worth the price, for sure. 92/100. Red WOTN for at least one attendee. 'Gorgeous wine; great wine to put down.' 'Black cherry and five-spice driven aromas. 'Palate delivers in ripeness, flavors, volume.'

Produced by a small Monferrato cooperative for specialist importer The Piedmont Guy; 30-50 year old vines; Ercole = Hercules. Dark ruby. Full, barbera dark, and 2023 nice and sweet fruit. Smoky overtones. Defines the genre. Yes, one of the sweetest, fruitiest vintages of the series. Not without compensating acidity and extract. Hefty, black fruited, and still a little tannic, though food would soak that up. The beat goes on.. 91/100.

Est. 1945 at Rovereto, the best sector of the DOCG; no malo. This breaks out the cortese part of the above aromatic set, and neatly done. Allows the cortese sage aroma to come forth, in spades. Classic!/ Oh, so cool and racy. Sage flavor nuances too, maybe the clearest in Gavi I've tasted. Cool and even textured, even balanced. Lasting finish. Great Gavi rep. 92/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Gavi all the way.' 'Restrained, balanced, refreshing, engaging; clear sage and mineral qualities.'

Est. 1957; 100% varietal grown in white, loam-rich limestone and clay soils. Full and classic. Lots of presence and solid varietal aroma profile. Well crafted for sure. Subtle and accurate flavors. 2023 fruit forward and well balanced. This all lays right on the palate. A little higher priced than the competition. Fills the bill all the same. 92/100. Very popular with attendees. 'Lovely, distinctive nose. Just delicious flavors.' 'Impressive, well constructed. As impressive as Vietti's, maybe more.'

Est. 2008; estate includes some of the highest vineyards in the DOCG. Purity, clarity, and high altitude lift of AA grigio. Sets the pattern. Good grigio peels extract body, mouthfeel. Perfect balance in all respects. While more-ish for its zone, it maintains regional finesse. 92+/100. Many positive attendee comments. 'I LOVED THIS.'. 'Distinctive terroir, unique for pinot grigio.' 'Apple, pear, and spice aromatic lift with warming in the mouth.' 'A serious effort.' 'Alto Adige pedigree.'

60% corvina, 20% corvinone, 10% each rondinella, merlot. Deeper color than the regular Valpol. Sweeter smelling still. Some candied fruit. True to style. Yes, lightly sweet. Cherry gummies. A rightful example that does not cloy thanks to good acid and, seemingly, power. 91/100.

70% corvina, 15% each corvinone, rondinella. Less sweet and more powerful and full bodied than the appassimento. Not much dried fruit, but it does have the good material of a genuine ripasso. Full bodied indeed. 92+/100.

In Valpantena; corvina, corvinone, rondinella; grapes dried 3-5 months; aged two years minimum in once and twice filled French oak barrels and tonneaux. Heavy Bottle Award. Medium dark red. Good amarone power countered by ripe and raisined fruit sweetness and concentration. Smells like a proper amarone..at a damn good price!/ Power contained. Sweetness over raisin on the palate pushes it toward the modern style. Balance of strength, sweetness, acidity. Will age well, but that's not required for present service. Best vintage I've tasted. 94+/100.

All garganega grown on south facing slopes. Lean, linear, sleek 2024 styling. Not an ounce of fat on this body. Garganega aromatic complexities grow with warmth and aeration. Bye, bye trebbiano di soave!/ Well, it does have a measure of welcome padding. Lots of lift, in part thanks to the modest alcohol level (11.5%). Long, flavor-building finish. Quite a contrast from the last two vintages, yet on an equal plane, quality wise. 92+/100. Very popular with attendees. WOTN for at least one attendee. Orders taken. 'Typically flavorful and long.' 'Textbook Soave.'

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

Our first zone-specific Chianti Classico; all sangiovese; vines planted in 1998, 2000, 2003; native yeasts; aged 3 years in seasoned cooperage. Oh, that's the spicy red fruit of Gaiole. Justifies the new zone ID system. Old vines give intensity. GS barrel time gives suavity and complexity. Creamy barrel earned texture up front finds a balancing fine grained tannin in back. Generous spectrum of flavors and textures. A bargain in its class, and zone specific to boot. 94+/100. Attendees were in awe. In orders taken dollar-wise, WOTY.

Sangiovese, sagrantino, merlot. Nose compact and quiet at this stage. Goes with the 2020 red wine vintage. The latter two varieties sweeten it up a bit. The palate is decidedly sweeter and fruitier. Well textured and filled out too. I could take this to the table. No tannin issues, which is a surprise after the nose. 92+/100.

Est. 1880; procanico (trebbiano toscana), grechetto, verdelho, malvasia toscana, drupeggio. Fresh, cool, and proper. This is rightful dry Orvieto, 2024 dark fruited. I like its form, balance, style. Good makings; more fulfillment to be realized over the coming weeks. 91+/100. Warmth and aeration really gave this a boost. VERY popular with attendees and considered a huge bargain. 'Super great fruit nose. Big, balanced palate. Long.' 'As good an Orvieto secco as I've had.' 'Serious substance and big flavor too.' Attendees agreed there were more good things to come.

Family owned cantine at Loreto Aprutino on slopes below Gran Sasso, highest peak in the Apennines. Dark red violet. Deep violet fruit with violet floral overtones. Class act in montepulciano. Clearly from slopes, not plain. Lots of stuffing as well. Yes, full of sweet fruit and balancing dry matter. Different from the popular 2021 but on the same quality plane, and bound to get even better. 91+/100. Perceived ripe, lush fruit and low tannins led this to be declared 'crowd pleasing; gulpable'

Rich, ripe, and evolving negroamaro at age five. Spot on. Palate gaining suavity and depth. Delicious bouquet forming. Yes. I love this source. 92/100.

Est 2004 in western Sicily near Marsala; half each frappato, nerello mascalese; 30% aged four months in barriques. Ripe and sultry aromatic range of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry. A splendid amalgam of this sympathetic pair. Dark and delicious as Danish Dessert. Tangy acidity keeps it upbeat and honest. Long flavors and textures. Kudos. 92/100. Widely well liked; orders taken. 'Distinctive; lots of fruit and body.' 'Cherry hard candy and distinct barrel influence.' 'Explosively fruity; sweet, ripe, spicy, big, balanced, long.'

Dark maroon. One concentrated refosco, darker fruited than the Italian versions I've tasted. Yeah, it holds onto the cherry and citrus aspects and adds a ton of black fruit. Unique and impressive. 92+/100.

Daulny has 40 acres in 50 parcels, including some of the AOC's top sites, such as Monts Damnes; vines average 40 years. Light red orange. Boy, that's a nice, fresh northern pinot strawberry nose. Fairly nostril filling in texture too. Yes. Richer and riper than the norm for 2024 Sancerres to date. Flavorful, balanced. Medium bodied as Sancerre roses go; that's 2024. Great price in its genre. 92/100. An attendee favorite; orders taken. 'Stand up rose!' 'Nice and flavorful. Well done and bargain.' 'Outstanding rose.' 'Delicate strawberry nose; good acidity, balance.'

From the estate of the Farina family on the La Meseta plateau south of Toro. Medium red orange. More red grape peels character. Hefty for its modest alcohol statement (12.5%), and highly meal worthy. Pleasing body, varietal flavor profile. Belongs in the 'quaffer' category. 91/100. Attendees enjoyed this. 'Very rose and very tempranillo.' 'Varietal and good.'

All cinsault. Pleasing light red fruit aroma of cinsault rose. Good rose basis. Yes, strawberry and orange flavors. A most come-hither rose sparkler. 91/100.

RD est. 1866; 80% chardonnay, 20% pinot noir; 30 year old vines; 2.5 years en tirage. The pinot noir component makes this definitely a fuller bodied, more red fruited wine than the Fourny blanc de blancs I so admire. It's desirable and well thought out. Chardonnay finesse leads the way on the palate. Again, the pinot adds body and foundation to the cuvee. Fine mousse, ideal brut dryness, logical bouquet development for its time en tirage. I like this source. 95/100. Very popular with attendees, who noted even more intense doughy bottle bouquet attributes as it warmed.

The underground quarries at Bailly, near Saint Bris in northern Burgundy, provided stone for some of France's most famous cathedrals; since 1972, a 430-member cooperative has occupied them for winemaking and storage; the original Cremant de Bourgogne, this reserve is of pinot noir, chardonnay, gamay, and aligote. Very dry, as is the style of Auxerre area Cremants. I see aligote as a role player. Plenty of yeast autolysis doughiness after a year en tirage. A bright and coordinated melange of varieties. This is exactly what I'm looking for in the nose. It's dry all right, but not austere. Northern Burgundy appley fruit statement. Spot on, and very versatile at the dinner table. Not filling; one glass invites another. Shows the way. 92/100. Well liked by all. Seems to have more of both fruit and doughy aromas and flavors after aeration.

No dosage. Very refined Rive Prosecco nose, if not aromatically forceful. Great grip and texture. About the most I've ever tasted in a Prosecco. A real terroir version, worth the premium., and, yes, fully dry. Yow. 93/100.