Wine Spectator 91 - BEST VALUE: 'Sleek, yet shows simmering potency in the background. Expressive blackberry, mocha and cinnamon flavors build structure toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2026.'

Vinous 91: 'Crushed briary blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas are complicated licorice, violet, bitter chocolate and espresso. Suave and fine-grained but vibrant too, finishing with firm-edged tannins that avoid dryness. Aged in 35% new oak. 86% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre. Drink now-2026.'

14.9%; zinfandel, syrah, grenache, petite sirah, mourvedre, carignane; from Paso Robles, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley. Nice long cork. Black color. In your face aroma. Full assault of black fruit, peppercorn. More California fruit sweetness after tasting a Rhone range. Not a pandering sort though. This is seriously complex. Plenty of sweet fruit. Rangy, aromatically and texturally. Eminently well balanced. Power to the end. 92+/100.

2017: Syrah co-fermented with 2% viognier, plus mourvedre, grenache, petit sirah, and zinfandel. Dark. Fresh, elegant, intricate. Dense, dark fruit pastille core. Yes, freshness, elegance, concentration, complexity. Good acid. 93+/100.

2017: 84% zinfandel, with syrah, grenache, mourvedre, and petit sirah. From Dusi, Paper Street, and French Camp vineyards. Aged 11 months in seasoned French barrels. Intense, bright, clear, and penetrating. Pure black raspberry. Rangy, oaky, Paso sweet and powerful at 15.2%. Yes, juicy raspberry flavor. Sweet fruit. Good flow. No tannin bite. Full, strong, direct, ample. Delivers. 93+/100.

Tasting Panel 93; Wine Spectator 92: 'Plump and piquant, with expressive blackberry and orange zest aromas and lots of personality, accenting smoky cracked pepper and black olive flavors that build toward zesty tannins. Drink now through 2022. $30.'

Est. 2018; vineyard at 400 feet above Kenwood. Heavy Bottle Award. A fresh, lower-alcohol take, as intended. Sweet red raspberry and cranberry. Takes the pedal off the metal. Good, bright acidity. A dash of VA, for better or worse. Perfumed. Very fine tannin. Never had a zinfandel like this before. New tack. 91+/100.

13.5%. Heavy Bottle Award. Jolly color. Sweetish Lodi fruit aroma. And flavor. I detect some RS. Short of syrupy though. Good acid. 89/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'Textured and grippy, this light-bodied, high-acid white is refreshing and complex, with layers of Meyer lemon, grapefruit rind and tangerine. It rides the palate with a seamless energy of lasting freshness and subtle herbaceousness that appeals. $25.'

Tasting Panel 94: 'Louis Mel, the estate vineyard that provides this charmer of a Sauvignon Blanc, harbors descendants of the original Chateau Yquem cuttings planted by the site's namesake in the late 1800s. Its well-drained, gravelly soils yield an exquisite 76% Sauvignon Blanc with Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Notes of tangerine and honeysuckle appear on the nose and palate, the latter of which is voluptuous on the front end before salinity arises midway, surrounded by green apple with a touch of white pear; it lingers within a wave of minerality. $19.'

2016: Parker 94: 'The 2016 Chardonnay Anderson Valley has open-knit aromas of white peaches, hay, baker's yeast, citrus blossoms and salted almonds. The medium-bodied, silky-textured palate explodes with ripe, savory fruits tempered by gentle yeasty touches, alive and fresh and broadening out on the long, expansive finish. Lovely! Drink now-2026.'

Medium sweet. Plenty fresh. Lush and sweet fruit flavored. Cranberry and blueberry. Acid-sweet balance is admirable. Very tasty. 92/100.

Leon millot, marechal foch, and st. croix grown in Kamphuis Vineyard near Holland MI. Primarily from the 2016 vintage. Aged a year in new, heavy-toast Missouri oak barrels. Medium dark red-rust color. Deep, viscous, ripe red fruits with oak well absorbed. Great acid vigor. Sweet glycerol and oak extras. Spells the varietal characters too. No alcohol statement, but the strength seems to fill the bill. Second day: Smokier, charrier barrel pluses, all for the better. Great acid and round fruit glycerol. works now and will keep on working. 91/100.

Leon millot, marechal foch, and st. croix grown in Kamphuis Vineyard near Holland MI. Plus unknown varietals grown in a nearly, semi abandoned vineyard. 2017 and 2016. Barrel aged two years. Dark color. Rich and solid. Minnesota grape varieties aroma set. Impressive fruit concentration to hide barrel influence. Great acid, of course. Nice balanced presentation of the varietal melange. Simply a very tasty, mealworthy achievement. 91/100.

Primarily 2017 marquette grown in the Kamphuis and Leroux vineyards near Holland MI. Aged two years in neutral vessels. Deep and nicely evolved bottle bouquet. Well, very suave, the tannins fully integrated. Savory, and well balanced for current drinking. Great acid of course. Sally's pork roast and baked apples further mellow it. 91/100.

4 clones. Shale, lime, sandstone, mica soils. Kabinett style. Trim and racy, with the right balance of sweetness and acid. The fruit is fresh and crisp. Yes, balance, juice, flavor. Citrus and stone fruit. Juicy feel and flavor. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Jammy blackberry and cassis aromas are ripe and include an exotic note of cardamom. A healthy palate is structured in layers, while the acidity on this Malbec registers on the low side, which brings richness to the fore. Flavors of blackberry, dark plum, baking spices and chocolate are steady on a focused finish. Drink through 2026.'

Tasting Panel 94; Vinous 93: 'Bright ruby. Pungent, high-toned aromas of blackberry, minerals and licorice. Thick and mouthfilling but leavened by terrific penetrating acidity. The dark berry, wild herb, licorice and chalky mineral flavors are complemented by a chocolatey ripeness. Sweet, plush tannins saturate the entire palate, with the finish displaying explosive length. Very strong, very pure and very smooth; expressive and unique. The Davalos family, owners of Bodega Tacuil, also owned Colome before selling the property to Donald Hess in 2001. (this wine, made without any oak contact, represents a tribute to the old RD bottling of Bodega Tacuil). Drink now-2028.'

Bright, vivid, snappy, citrusy chardonnay. Very crisp and citrusy indeed. Full acid race. Like a squeeze of lemon with fish. 91/100.

2012: Wine Spectator 92 - TOP 100: Deeply colored and voluptuous, with a lush, spicy aroma and rich flavors of blackberry, blueberry and dark plum. Concentrated chocolate mousse notes emerge midpalate, leading to a cream-filled finish that ends with plenty of mocha accents. Drink now through 2021.'

Wine & Spirits 92: 'The Matetic family planted their first vines in San Antonio in 1999, farming them under biodynamics. They have since expanded into Casablanca, where they grow a portion of this sauvignon to blend with their San Antonio fruit. It's rich and concentrated, with perfumed notes of agave and herbs woven into ripe fruit flavors of cherimoya and orange zest. Tight, spicy and long, this is a coastal white for pan-roasted sole.'

Wine Spectator 92: 'This is packed with plum and blackberry compote flavors, supported by graphite and smoldering tobacco notes. Everything melds through the solidly structured and toasty finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2030.'

100% malbec. At Gornac, Entre deux Mers northeast of Cadillac; all malbec. Malbec dark, malbec solid, malbec two dimensional in youth. Medium bodied. Good flow. Limited textural range and flavor interest at this stage. I suspect it will gain more of each. 89+/100.

2020: At Saint Felix de Foncaude, Entre deux Mers; 80% sauvignon blanc, 20% semillon. Used to be a favorite until we met the 2018, mummified by sulphur. Was it screwcap? This one's pretty clean. The aromatics take time to form. Eventually, savignon gooseberry ours forth. Sauvignon passion fruit on the palate. Semillon forms a foundation. Good, crisp acidity. Horehound on the finish. Back in form. 91/100.

On schist and slate in Cru Communaux; 100+ year old vines; aged 10 months on lees and at least two years in bottle. This has all the makings of the 2014 and 2015. More like the 14 in that the ripeness is less explicit. Huge extract presence here. Sweeter, rounder fruit on the palate, not to the extent of the super ripe 15 though. Again, that massive dry extract presence Poor man's Chablis? Not this one. 92+/100.

2018: Fullness, power, personality. Sous bois and terrarium muscadet classic. Indeed, full and well textured. Good acid and tender core. Great vintage of this. 91/100.

From chasselas; vines over 100 years old. Well, that's chasselas, crisp and green. It's also super intense thanks to old vines. Shades of the Pataille aligotes. Yeah, exceptional ripeness and richness while retaining its green-fruit varietal personality. Mouthfilling and long lasting. Can't remember a better chasselas. 92/100.

From a single parcel of 80+ year old vines in sand and granite soils above the village of Beaujeu; made by carbonic maceration; Robert Parker refers to this vigneron as 'an overachiever.' That's well framed yet less stubborn. No early ailments. It's into fruit and vinosity. Careful measured and crafted, old vines formed. Palate well structured and pretty chewy, actually. That's old vines extract concentration. Not at all nouveau-ish, this is Villages large and serious. 92+/100.

Est. 1927; ninth generation vigneron at Odenas; 50-60 year old vines on sand and granite soils; whole cluster fermented by wild yeasts. Not much nouveau-ish about this one either. It's Villages and old vines large too. Ready to apply. Yes, large, structured, and bountiful on the palate. Good acid and extract. Serious stuff. 92+/100.

Good fortitude and pinot sweetness. Rich and ripe in 15. Yes, ripe and full enough for northern pinot noir. Not tart. Not a rose. Sails. 91/100.

80% jaen, 10% tinta roriz, 5% alfrocheiro, 5% others; granite and clay soils. Red-black color. It's Dao solid, yet there's some sense of yield, of fruit forgiveness at the core. A proper Dao, that's for sure. And well priced. More fruit give on the palate. Dry and structured. Quite tannic, though not aggressively so. Another well priced cellarworthy wine. 91+/100.

Half each siria and fonte cal, grown in granite and schist soils at 2200 feet. Fresh, crisp, upbeat. Citrus, mineral, wet stone. Full, Ideal. Yes, total savor, feel, minerality, and fruit vitality. Saturated, lingering. 92/100.

2011: Crisp, compact and neat as usual. Bright, purple fruit. No young mencia reduction. Barrel aging sees to that. Good vintage of this. A bit firm yet. I like the form. No rough edges. Good potential. 91+/100.

Fresh, crisp, right. Slate-y. Again. Mineral salts. Right. Yes. 92/100.

Family estate; garnacha, samso, & syrah; 30-50 yrs old; on slate and granite; half aged in French foudres and barriques. Seems to be pretty well along in bouquet development in early maturing 2017. An accommodating style of Montsant. Well, the palate has a large measure of freshness and vitality I wasn't expecting to find. And a measure of tannin too. One unique, serious, and adventuresome Montsant. Totally mealworthy. Popular with the group. 91+/100.

Vineyards at 1000 feet in Neive; aged 12-15 months in cooperage. The nose is warm and ruddy. Traditional but not stodgy. Rose highlight. Ruddy taste and fairly tannic. Really good acidity. I preferred the 2017, probably because it was earlier maturing. This needs some cellar time. 91+/100.

15 acre vineyard in southern Langhe at 480 meters; aged 18 mo. in 2500 liter French oak barrels. Well, this is certainly powerful in the Taster glass. Deep, ripe, smoky, smoldering black fruit and tar. Medium bodied Dogliani nebbiolo, with good nebbiolo framework. Dense, earthy basis with floral aromatics of rose and violet hovering over. Good acidity. Still a quite compact and tannic wine. Chewy aftertaste. I like its makings. 92+/100.

Half each brachetto, moscato. Good, subtle muscat display complemented by brachetto pink fruit. Rich, round, pomaded. Cold cream aromatics and feel. Rose, peach, cherry creme. Spot on. Uber appeal. Doesn't get any better than this. 93/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - EDITORS' CHOICE: 'Fragrant aromas of peach blossom, field flower and ripe white-stone fruit are front and center on the nose. The creamy, savory palate doles out ripe peach, yellow pear and lemon drop alongside bright acidity that gives it a tangy, mouthwatering close. $19.'

Lithe. Has varietal ID, subtly offered. More texture and varietal character than the nose suggested. Off dry. Good length, ending with that characteristic varietal bitter twist. 91/100.

From bombino bianco, a variety that, thanks to its reliable productivity and disease resistance, is nicknamed 'pagadebit' (pays the bills). Fresh and attractive. Palate complies. Delicious acid. 90/100.

Warm and full. 2015 in the best light. Yes, with good acid too. Vinous palate marks it rangy at the table. 90/100.

Thicker, creamier, and a bit more aromatic than the 2018 Vignarco cuvee. Definitely a step up in every aspect. More flavor, richness, body, generosity. Big time. 92/100.

40 year old vines; aged 3 months on lees. Quite full; almost as full as a Matelica. Really attractive fruit profile. Yes, full. Herbal and mineral notes. Well grounded. 91/100.

2020: Vineyards at 650 meters' elevation. The aroma is fully forthcoming. That's a pretty pungent aroma for verdicchio. Rich and ripe. Lush mouthfeel and flavor. A real softie of a verdicchio. Bitter herbs, florals, and saline minerality. Pleasing degree of acidity. Well liked by the group. 92/100.

Light gold color. Bouquet of golden raisins and golden grains. Has aged gracefully. Yes, dried fruits and granola. Still has integrity and appeal. 90/100.

Wine & Spirits 91: 'Flavors of roasted figs and chestnuts play a starring role in this wine. It's nearly as dense as maple syrup, but there's a salinity in the background that keeps the wine balanced. Drink it as a dessert in itself.'

Just what it should be. A frank and honest, sweet, grapey, honeyed expression of mission, the original California grape variety. Good strength to balance the sweetness. A vin doux naturel, a blast from the past, and a California classic. 90/100.

Wine Enthusiast 93: 'A generously ripe touch of apricot hovers before blending in with ripe Amalfi lemon and Granny Smith notes. Brightness and light seem to be at the core of this wine. The mousse is exuberant and flavors are brisk and urgent. Subtle autolysis provides a calm backdrop to all the lively, fruity action in the foreground. The balance is harmonious and flavors are brisk, fruity and pure The long-lasting finish conveys seriousness. Lovely now, the wine will evolve with bottle age. Drink now-2022.'

I like this. Has delicate fruit and bottle bouquet. Nice lift. Oh, boy, this has a big time creamy, toasty flavor range. Remarkable palate, really. 93/100.

Very full. Seems black fruit based and long on the lees. Yes, this is quite the counterpart to the Crayeuses cuvee. Definite mealtime weight. 93/100.

Pretty fair measure of bottle bouquet at this price point. Much improved since I last tasted it a year back. Yes, shows more time on its bottle lees. Attractive bouquet and creaminess. Blanc de blancs finesse, true brut dryness. 90/100.

I think the berries come from Maine. Real blueberry aroma without the added sweetness. One of the purest blueberry wines I've tasted. 92/100.

Lots of citrus tang and sweet spices to balance. Asian spices. Pretty exciting stuff. Great quality. 95/100.