The 2019 No. 8 is a blend of 88% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier, made with 45% whole clusters. Fruit comes from several vineyards including White Hawk, Larner, Harrison-Clarke and Alta Mesa. It was matured for 22 months in... Read More
The 2019 Cheval des Andes had a more reductive vinification and élevage, making the wine a bit shy and in need of time to open up, as one of their objectives was to make it more age-worthy. Another objective is to get to a 50/50... Read More
This is a stunner, offering a gorgeous core of black tea-infused cassis, plum reduction and raspberry puree flavors. Additional black licorice, black tea and incense notes emerge alongside the fruit on the long, lush, seductive... Read More
The 2019 Cos d'Estournel has turned out brilliantly, exhibiting aromas of minty cassis, sweet wild berries and wild plums mingled with hints of spices, loamy soil and potpourri. Full-bodied, broad and enveloping, it's... Read More
The 2019 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of free-run Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Petit Verdot (9%), aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby in color, it offers aromatic contrast between dark, savory... Read More
I had the chance to walk the Cannubi vineyard with Chiara Boschis this past fall. You really don't get a sense of how steep the inclines are and how powdery the soils are until you are there, struggling with each difficult... Read More
With fruit from Monforte d'Alba, the E. Pira e Figli - Chiara Boschis 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most powerful of the three wines presented here. We tasted it last. Bottled on the full August moon, the wine is impeccably balanced... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Via Nuova is a blend of fruit from various sites across multiple villages in the appellation. The wine is immediately open and beautiful showing dark fruit cherry spice blue flower and potting soils. The healthy... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Bricco delle Viole offers a beguiling combination of depth and energy. Dark and potent in the glass, yet also quite reticent, the 2019 is going to take a number of years to come around. Black cherry, graphite,... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Ravera is redolent of red fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and orange peel. A Barolo of tension and energy, the 2019 is intensely bright and saline to the core. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon.... Read More
Aromas of ripe cherries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, anise, sweet spices, dark chocolate and peonies...full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that's rich and velvety, with a broad-shouldered, textural profile... Read More
Aromas of ripe cherries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, anise, sweet spices, dark chocolate and peonies...full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that's rich and velvety, with a broad-shouldered, textural profile... Read More
Aromas of ripe cherries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, anise, sweet spices, dark chocolate and peonies...full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that's rich and velvety, with a broad-shouldered, textural profile... Read More
A true classic from this estate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and sweet blackberry fruit mingled with licorice, mint, cigar wrapper and loamy soil. Full-bodied,... Read More
A true classic from this estate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and sweet blackberry fruit mingled with licorice, mint, cigar wrapper and loamy soil. Full-bodied,... Read More
For the second time in the past four vintages, this parcel of vines--replanted in 2000--has yielded a "perfect" wine. Rostaing's 2019 Cote Rotie Cote Brune boasts crazy but harmonious complexity on the nose. From scents of... Read More
Glass-staining ruby color. Smoke- and mineral-accented cherry and blackberry scents show superb clarity, and licorice and olive nuances build in the glass. Gently sweet, penetrating dark berry, bitter cherry and floral pastille... Read More
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Scarecrow hits the ground running with bold expressions of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries plus hints of dried herbs,... Read More
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Scarecrow hits the ground running with bold expressions of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries plus hints of dried herbs,... Read More
The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is composed of 76% Grenache, 9.3% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier. It was fermented with 43.5% whole clusters (predominantly Grenache) and matured for 23 months in 26.5%... Read More
The 2019 White Wine Distenta 1 is a stunning—and unique—blend of 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng, 12% Viognier and 7% Gelber Muskateller. Fruit comes mostly from estate vineyards, with 46% from Eleven... Read More
The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is composed of 83.6% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 6.2% Grenache, 1.4% Muscat and 0.6% Petit Manseng. “I think Muscat is the number-one white grape for me to blend with reds,” Manfred... Read More
The 2019 Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo, entirely from The Third Twin estate vineyard, is composed of 33% Grenache, 23.5% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 19% Petite Sirah, 4% Graciano and 1.5% Muskat. I love Muskat in red wines,... Read More