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The barrel sample of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah, aging in 70% new French oak. Deep ruby-black in color, it gives up luscious crème de cassis, blackberry pie, kirsch, mint chocolate, vanilla bean, coffee and grilled meats scents with touches of tobacco and sweet spices. Medium to full-bodied, it offers intense, expertly managed, ripe fruits and loads of spices with a firm, finely grained frame and great freshness, finishing long and spicy. RP 95 pts -
Seamlessly woven in black cherry and cocoa, the flagship Cabernet is sumptuous and seductive in structure and complexity. The palate offers flavors of hazelnut, baked plum, and cloves while brilliant acidity on the finish balances the concentration of flavors and tannins. RP 90 pts, WW 90 pts -
The Chateau de St. Cosme Gigondas displays a deep ruby color with enticing aromas of gingerbread, blackberry, and white pepper. The palate offers ample freshness, sweet tannins, and a full bodied, lingering texture. Blend: 70% Grenache - 14% Syrah - 15% Mourvedre - 1% Cinsault. JS 94 pts, JD 93 pts, WS 93 pts, RP 92 pts. -
Pale, shimmering orange. Fresh red berries, orange pith, pungent flowers and toasty lees on the incisive nose. Intense strawberry, cherry, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors smoothly blend depth and delicacy and show no rough edges. Closes taut, long and precise, with repeating toastiness and lingering red fruit character. V 93 pts. -
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Crossbarn comes from the superstar winemaker Paul Hobbs and is a solid value in 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet. Upfront violets, plums, exotic spices, and orange blossom notes all emerge from this expressive, medium to full-bodied, plush effort that has lots of charm. It has the vintage's slightly firm tannins yet should keep nicely for 7-8 years, if not longer. JS 93 pts, JD 91 pts, RP 90 pts. -
Aromas of exotic spice, Craisins, dried thyme, black currant, vanilla and black licorice are out front. Fruit and barrel play off each other nicely on an elegant, cranberry-filled palate. It has a pleasing mouthwatering sense to it.?WE 90 pts. -
Fontodi is located at the heart of Chianti Classico. 100% Sangiovese grapes are hand-picked and fermented using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, then aging in barrel for 18 months. Notes of black cherries, dark chocolate, and wild berries. -
The 2017 Arise offers a rich attack with sweet, plush tannins and notes of cherry, plum, and smoked duck in a long finish of coffee, plum, and blueberry. An ideal 2016 harvest season resulted in rich fruit of uncompromised character. The 2016 Arise is Blackbird at its core of supple winemaking. Blend: 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. RP 92 pts, WW 92 pts, WS 90 pts -
Fresh and pure, with a pretty beam of raspberry and cassis notes, flecked with savory, lavender and rooibos tea accents. A mineral edge adds length and tension on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2032. JS 93 pts. JD 92pts, WS 92pts, RP 90 pts. -
The 2015 Valadorna (65% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is a dark and thickly endowed red wine that boasts a rich and lasting grip on the palate. The bouquet offers depth and complexity with dark fruit, leather, cured tobacco and spice. There are also softer notes of chocolate and ground espresso beans. WA 95 pts -
Classic Far Niente style with aromas of grilled citrus, melon and honeysuckle with hints of white fig, gardenia and toasted hazelnuts, background of mild toasted oak that adds supportive warmth and richness. A silky entry builds on the palate with a rich texture that continues to evolve. Possessing great structure and length, a sweet core of melon and citrus is supported by white floral and toasted vanilla and baking spice notes. The broad mid palate comes back together with a long bright finish. WW 92 pts, WS 90 pts. -
The 2016 Brut Rosé has generous aromas of strawberry and orange zest. Its fruitful nose is complemented by notes of cinnamon, vanilla and watermelon. On the palate, there are juicy flavors of ruby grapefruit, stone fruit and raspberry compote, with soft touches of toasted hazelnut and shortbread cookie. The fruitful finish is fresh, with a bright clean acidity. WE 93 pts, WS 91 pts, JS 91 pts, RP 91 pts. -
This wine has a beautiful balance of raspberry fruit profile with warm spice, black tea and a delicate cocoa. The fruit on the palate is juicy but if you lean in there is a quiet brooding character to this wine that still has a lot yet to give. The Acid holds the fruit in check and the tannins keep the gentle momentum into a long finish. In a word, ‘delicious’. 100% Pinot Noir. JS 93 pts, WE 92 pts, WS 91 pts, W&S 94 pts. -
This wine is made with fruit from the 130-hectare Tignanello estate and is Sangiovese with a smaller part Cabernet Sauvignon. The Marchesi Antinori 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is a dark and sultry expression with a higher degree of evident richness and concentration in this vintage that produced smaller, more compact berries. The tannins stand out tallest here, and there is some bitterness that is more in line with my expectations of the vintage. In fact, among these new Marchesi Antinori releases from 2017, this wine most accurately reflects the hot vintage especially in terms of mouthfeel. There is a pretty menthol note on the close. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, and the wine ages in French and Hungarian oak barrels for one year. JS 94 pts, RP 92 pts. -
A powerful and elegant approach that is velvety and rich from start to finish. Excellent body with abundant but not overpowering tannin and well integrated alcohol, achieving a perfect balance on its journey through the front, mid and back palate before a long, savory end. Upon entry, leaves flavors of black forest fruits, blackberries and spices such as clove and black pepper. It has a long and harmonious aftertaste and a smoky finish that gives it great length. A round, complex and balanced wine that highlights the maximum potential of Tempranillo at its very best. WS 92 pts. -
The Carte d'Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a fine aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly. WS 92 pts, RP 90 pts, WE 90 pts. -
Takes a bright and relatively fresh approach, with raspberry and plum coulis flavors racing through first, backed by a plumper feel on the back end, showing notes of anise, mocha and briar. Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2026. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. JS 93pts, RP 92 pts, WS 91 pts. -
The NV Brut La Française is based on 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, all fermented in stainless steel and blended with 30% of reserve wines. It is a pure, fresh and well-structured Brut that seems more elegant, complex and round than the Brut Réserve. The persistent finish is clear, fresh and well structured, with refreshing lemon flavors and a nice grip. My sample was said to be bottled in 2014 and disgorged in March 2017 with nine grams of dosage. There is good length and tension here as well as sweet cherry aromas in the aftertaste. WW 93 pts, RP 91 pts, WS 90 pts. -
Aromas of fresh, ripe blueberries, ripe plum, and black currant intertwine with notes of cedar, vanilla, and pie crust. This medium-bodied wine is plush with flavors of plums, blueberries, and figs up front, leading to juicy red fruit on the mid-palate. Delicious now, its depth and structure provide long cellaring potential. 100% Merlot. JS 90pts, WS 90pts, WW 90 pts. -
The aroma of this wine is compelling, virtually reaching out and grabbing our attention. Yellow peach, melon, guava and crisp Fuji apple are accented with hints of tropical mango and pineapple. Lime, Minneola tangelo and orange blossom lend citrus notes. Accents of dry summer grass, vanilla-toned panna cotta and toasted crème brûlée create complexity. An underlying minerality adds further sophistication.The rich palate coats the tongue balanced with hints of yummy Creamsicle and Ruby Red grapefruit. Refreshing acidity and a mouthwatering finish cap the sensual experience of this exceptional Sauvignon Blanc. Ws 93 pts, RP 92 pts. -
Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Seven Springs Estate has aromas of crunchy cranberries, raspberries and blackberries with accents of fragrant earth, violets, peppercorn, saline and bitters. Medium-bodied and silky, it offers loads of ripe fruits tempered by earthy accents, with grainy tannins and sip-me-again acidity, finishing long. Grapes for this cuvée were mostly destemmed and come from both older and younger vines. RP 92 pts, WS 92 pts.
