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Powerfully Grenache on the nose: red cherry, wild strawberry, and star anise, with the Syrah providing a little tobacco-like herby savoriness. The mouth is deep and flavorful, with flavors of black cherry, pepper spice, and milk chocolate. Nice powdery Grenache tannins come out on the finish, leaving an impression of pithy cherry skin and wild herbs. Drink now and over the next decade. Blend: 53% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise. WE 94 pts, RP 92 pts, WS 90 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 dark and intense fruit aromas jump out of the glass with ripe plums, blackberries on the vine, and tones of sweet mint. The mouthfeel is full, balanced by gentle acids and rich tannins. Flavors are reminiscent of dark chocolate covered cherries and spicy black pepper. The long finish shows cigar box and cedar spice. A vintage that will age well into the next decade. RP 97 pts., JS 93 pts. -
Louis Moreau farms 52 acres in the villages of Beines and Chablis, most of his parcels on sandy clay. He ferments this wine in stainless steel without added yeasts, then ages it on the fine lees. In 2018, he achieved a wine of almost tropical fruit ripeness, with the structure, layers of flavor and leesy complexity of a fine Chablis. If you put your expectations aside and just take this, heads up, as a white wine, you might imagine its pineapple and lime, together with its monolithic minerality, as part of a new world order, with Chablis holding its own in the midst of a warming climate. Best Buy. W&S 91 pts. -
Opaque purple in color. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, boysenberry, vanilla, baking spices, smoked chocolate, and anise. On the palate there is flavors of blueberry, blackberry, dark chocolate, plum, smoked meat, and vanilla. Blend: 53% Syrah, 32% Grenache, 15% Petite Syrah. WE 91 pts, JD 91 pts, WW 90 pts. -
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2016 Estate Red Wine opens with a dense core of bold and juicy dark fruit aromas that overflow into the blueberry spectrum with mocha nuances. Full-bodied, the palate is chewy and has good mineral tension, giving way to elegant, balanced oak flavors and a tannic edge that is still rigid but will last for decades to come. The freshness and liveliness of the wine remain focused, and the wine lingers with a long, contemplative finish. With a 2,000 case production, this is one that is worth adding to your cellar. RP 94 pts, JS 93 pts. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
Playful, candy-coated raspberry aromas bounce from the glass along with sweet cigar spice, followed by a lush palate of dark cherry and soft yet pithy tannin. Finishes with quenching acidity and lingering, velvety texture. 2016, 2017, 2018 vintage rated 92-93 pts. -
The 2018 Chateau de Beaucastel red has an elegant deep ruby-red colour. The powerful and elegant nose offers superb notes of spices, cherries and cocoa. Elegantly and perfectly balanced, the mouth reveals a beautiful dense structure with fine tannins and complex aromas of red fruit such as blackcurrants and floral notes. The finish is very long and harmonious. A very sophisticated wine, signature of Beaucastel’s style. RP 95 pts, D 95 pts, JD 94 pts.
