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Inventory updated: Tue, Mar 03, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Over 95pts Under $95
Today at Flickinger Wines we are pleased to offer an array of excellent scoring 95pt wines that are all below $95. Treasures abound, happy hunting!!
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Monday, January 5, 2026. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere |
2019 |
St. Emilion  Ex-Negociant |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 97 (4/2022): The 2019 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is another brilliantly perfumed wine in the vintage that shines for its complexity, finesse, and nuances. Giving up awesome notes of red and black currants, tobacco, exotic flowers, cedarwood, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautifully polished, integrated tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is serious juice that warrants at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 30 to 40 years. (Drink between 2026-2067).
WA 96 (4/2022): The 2019 Canon la Gaffelière has turned out brilliantly, bursting from the glass with a dramatic bouquet of wild berries, blood orange, exotic spices, rose petals, violets and burning embers. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's supple and perfumed, with a deep core of lively fruit, melting tannins and a long, saline finish. This contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc of any of Stephan Von Neipperg's wines, which no doubt helps to account for its singular personality.
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2019 Canon-la-Gaffelière is quite punchy and bold on the nose. Blackberry and raspberry fruit, cedar and mint emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, quite plush yet cohesive, fanning out towards the velvety finish with a brush of white pepper on the aftertaste. One of the more approachable Saint-Émilion wines in this vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2024-2040). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Gazin |
2019 |
Pomerol |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Gazin is tightly wound at first and needs coaxing from the glass. Broody dark berry fruit, truffle and smoke eventually emerge, flanked by a discrete marine influence. The palate is very promising with saturated tannins that belie the structure of this Pomerol. The freshness is very impressive, lighting up the senses. The finish is imbued with wonderful tension and traces of iron on the aftertaste. Quintessentially Gazin, this is a superb wine. Neal Martin.
JD 94-96 (6/2020): The 2019 Château Gazin checks in as 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc. I'm not sure it's going to match the 2018, but it's certainly not far off and has a wonderful mix of freshness, richness, and complexity that's the hallmark of this great vintage. Lots of ripe red and black fruits, tobacco, mocha, and spring flower notes all emerge from the glass, and it's beautifully balanced, building nicely with time in the glass, and just has everything in the right places. This gorgeous Pomerol in the making will be accessible in its youth and drink brilliantly for 15-20 years.
JS 95-96 (6/2020): A tight, focused red with blackberry and blueberry character, as well as chocolate. It’s full and compact with soft, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Harmonious. |
|
| Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$73 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (5/2021): The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a very refined, almost understated bouquet at first, but it opens in glorious fashion to offer precise blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone and wild mint, gaining intensity at its own pace. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, a keen thread of acidity, layers of intense black fruit and quite a spicy, vibrant and certainly persistent finish. This is a brilliant GPL from the Borie family. Neal Martin.
WA 91-93 (5/2021): Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of pencil lead, damp soil and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled and refreshing, delivering soft, skillfully managed tannins and just enough freshness to frame the juicy black fruits, finishing savory.
JD 92-95 (5/2021): The 2020 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a more fleshy, textured Pauillac that still plays in the concentrated, focused, structured style of the vintage. Ripe black cherries, currants, toasty oak, chocolate, and tobacco leaf notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured 2020 that has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years or so.
JS 96-97 (4/2021): This full-bodied red builds on the palate in a fantastic way with tight, compact tannins that grow and grow on the finish. Plenty of blackcurrant and graphite character and a flavorful finish. Same level as the excellent 2016. |
|
| La Dame de Montrose |
2022 |
St. Estephe 2023 en Primeur Release |
$46 |
7 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (5/2023): The second wine of Château Montrose, the 2022 La Dame De Montrose, tastes like a Grand Vin. More Merlot-dominated (71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc), the terrific purity in its cassis and blue fruits give way to complex floral, forest floor, and violet aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant, I'd be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 15 years.
VM 92-94 (5/2023): The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is deep, pliant and rich. All of the intensity of this warm, very dry vintage comes through in the wine’s sheer size and ripe, dark profile. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and espresso are all amplified in this decidedly intense, concentrated La Dame. Qualitatively, there is little question this could have easily been a Grand Vin in a preceding generation. The 2022 is a stunning La Dame. Antonio Galloni.
WA 92-94 (5/2023): A second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths, the 2022 La Dame de Montrose unfurls in the glass with aromas of blackberries, violets, rose petals, charcoal and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy palate of striking concentration, energy and dimension. Seamless and complete, it's a blend of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
JA 92 (5/2023): Higher proportion of Merlot than usual in the blend, this is deep ruby red in colour and opens to sandalwood, cedar, black pepper and rosemary notes, alongside ripe blackberry and creme de cassis fruits. A lucky vineyard located next to the river at one of the widest points of the Estuary, this is impactful and confident, with the fingerprints of the vintage. 31hl/h yield. 30% new oak. |
|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. La Tour Blanche |
2009 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$34.95 |
60 |
|
| |
JS 96 (5/2013): Impressive density of fruity here with caramel, dried lemons, apricots and honey. Full yet reserved and beautiful. Wonderful length. One of the Sauternes of the vintage. Better in 2016.
WA 93 (2/2013): The 2009 La Tour Blanche has a gorgeous, botrytis-rich bouquet with lemon thyme, honey and spice, with just a touch of alcoholic warmth denying it the clarity it deserves. The palate is crisp and taut on the entry with notes of apricot and white peach emerging with a few swirls of the glass. It offers a pleasing viscosity and volume in the mouth, although compared to its barrel showing, it appears to have tightened up more than I expected, possibly a sign that it is a wine in for the long haul. Drink 2017-2035. |
|
| Ch. Rieussec |
2016 |
Sauternes ex-Negociant |
$55.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 97 (2/2019): A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Château Rieussec has remarkable purity and freshness while still packing beautiful depth of fruit. Honeyed peach, apricot, flower oil, and even a hint of wet stone all emerge from this full-bodied, thick, opulent effort. I love it. It has a rounded, sexy style ideal for drinking any time over the coming 15-20 years. The 2016 is a final blend of 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.
JS 97 (1/2019): So much botrytis on the nose with spice, dried mushrooms and nutmeg. Dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied and medium sweet with density and, at the same time, lightness. I like that it is full of botrytis on the palate at the beginning and then turns fruity and very pretty at the end with citrus and fruit. Balanced, creamy and rich. Try after 2024, but already gorgeous.
WA 96+ (3/2019): Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Rieussec comes sashaying out of the glass with a beautiful floral and citrus perfume of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, yuzu, lime leaves, lemongrass and fallen leaves with hints of nutmeg and candied ginger. Having shed a lot of the puppy fat from when I last tasted this from barrel, the palate reveals loads of elegant, tightly wound layers and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.
VM 93 (1/2019): The 2016 Rieussec has an elegant bouquet of pure honeysuckle, orange pith, peach and light minerally aromas. The palate is well balanced with fine precision and pleasant fatness, featuring white peach and almond-infused, honeyed fruit. A touch of vanilla emerges toward the finish. This was a barrel sample due to be bottled in January 2019, though it was virtually the finished wine. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Suduiraut |
2013 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$32.95 |
60 |
|
| |
JS 97 (2/2016): This is phenomenal with superb depth and texture. Full-bodied and very sweet, yet the bright acidity balances the wine out. Creamy mouthfeel with phenolic undertones. Great finish. This wine has a great future. Better in 2021, but already great.
WA 93-95 (4/2014): The 2013 Suduiraut has one of the more flamboyant bouquets of the vintage, one that is actually reminiscent of de Fargues. There are copious Satsuma and dried honey scents, hints of beeswax and almond that keep your snout in the glass. The palate is very well-balanced with a viscous entry, just a touch of marmalade and quince coming through, and then blossoming toward the weighty finish that shows just a touch more oak at the moment. This is an excellent Suduiraut.
VM 92 (3/2019): The 2013 Suduiraut, picked from 3 to 30 October, is destined to be overshadowed by the succeeding two vintages. The aromatics feel very “contained” with beeswax, dried honey and light spicy aromas, although it is missing the intensity of a top vintage. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, very focused and poised, perhaps a more approachable Suduiraut since it does not possess the concentration of a more benevolent growing season. But it retains admirable freshness and there is a lovely spiciness, a dab of ginger on the aftertaste. 13.6% alcohol, 145gm/L residual sugar. Tasted at the Suduiraut vertical at the château. Neal Martin. |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Dom. Coursodon |
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie Ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (5/2025): All Syrah, the 2023 Saint Joseph L'Olivaie brings another level of concentration, offering cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and classy oak on the nose. It has terrific purity, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The overall balance and purity here are exceptional.
VM 90-92 (1/2025): Cedar, black cherry, wood smoke and pencil shaving introduce the 2023 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie, a medium-bodied, deeply hued Northern Rhône Syrah. Touching the palate with elevated flavor concentration, the 2023 handles the oak well. I look forward to tasting the bottled version. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge Paradis St. Pierre Ex-Domaine |
$68.99 |
47 |
|
| |
JD 94-96 (5/2025): Lastly, the 2023 Saint Joseph Paradis Saint Pierre comes from old vines and offers a ruby/plum hue as well as a more mineral-laced, cooler style in its darker, blue fruits, violets, black pepper, and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, ripe, and brilliantly textured, it's going to need short-term cellaring. This cuvée was partially destemmed and will spend 15 months in barrel.
VM 91-93 (1/2025): The 2023 Saint-Joseph Le Paradis Saint-Pierre emerges with elevated aromatic complexity, mingling orange rind, crushed flowers, red and black plum, iodine and graphite. Fleshy essences add another layer to the fray. Touching the palate with abundant flavor concentration, the 2023 is totally tasty, packing spot-on balance and remarkable intensity.Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge Sensonne Ex-Domaine |
$57.99 |
42 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (5/2025): The 2023 Saint Joseph La Sensonne is another gorgeous wine in the making. Offering lots of cassis, spice, dried flowers, and beautifully integrated oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. All Syrah aging in 100% new oak, I love its overall balance, purity, and length.
VM 90-92 (1/2025): The 2023 Saint-Joseph La Sensonne is heavily marked by the oak-derived components at this early stage, unwinding intense hints of cedar, clove and even charred wood, mingling with black plum and spicy traits. Medium- to full-bodied and extroverted, the 2023 shouldn’t be touched prior to 2026. This is a bold, blockbuster-styled Saint-Joseph. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. de la Vieille Julienne |
2019 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Trois Sources |
$63.99 |
22 |
|
| |
| JD 96+ (11/2021): More cassis, morello cherry, Asian spice, and a beautiful sense of minerality and loamy earth emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources, a full-bodied, concentrated blend of 60% Grenache, 15% each of Cinsault and Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre. Coming all from the estate’s sandy soils in the northern part of the appellation, this incredibly concentrated, textured wine has perfect balance, building tannins, and a great finish. Give this beauty another 4-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades or more. |
|
| Dom. du Tunnel |
2021 |
Cornas Vin Noir ex-Domaine |
$71.99 |
18 |
|
| |
| JD 93-95 (12/2022): The 2021 Cornas Vin Noir is even better and clearly a candidate for the wine of the appellation. Ripe blackberries, smoked herbs, cured meats, iron, and spice all flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, balanced Cornas offering ripe, velvety tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Bravo. |
|
| Dom. Duclaux |
2020 |
Cote Rotie Maison Rouge ex-Domaine |
$72.99 |
57 |
|
| |
WA 92-95 (1/2022): The 2020 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge comes from 1.5 hectares in the gneiss-laden northern portion of the lieu-dit, and includes no Viognier. Purple raspberries and black olives cavort on the nose, framed by subtle notes of baking spices. It's medium to full-bodied, expansive, rich and silky, with a long, elegant finish. It should be drinkable on release, yet cellar well for at least a decade.
JD 91-93 (2/2022): The 2020 Côte Rôtie Maison Rouge is terrific, offering ample black raspberry and darker berry fruits as well as spring flowers and peppery spice nuances. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is medium-bodied and has a supple, seamless texture, impressive tannins, and a great finish. It's unquestionably an outstanding wine, and I'd be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2022 |
Cote Rotie Maison Rouge Ex-Domaine |
$74.99 |
48 |
|
| |
JD 96 (5/2025): Coming from a more granitic site in the southern part of the appellation, the deeper ruby/plum-hued 2022 Côte Rôtie Maison-Rouge offers up a stunningly pure, layered, medium to full-bodied style intermixed with ample red, blue, and black fruits, along with classic floral, gamey, and mint herb aromatics. Made from 100% Syrah and aged 20 months in 40% new French oak, it shows fine yet building tannins and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.
VM 91 (1/2025): Graphite, shy vanilla, cedar, black cherry and meaty subtleties introduce the 2022 Côte-Rôtie Maison-Rouge. Checking in at 13% alcohol, it easily outperforms the La Germine of the same vintage, offering more flavor concentration, length and refinement. The classic 2022 draws to a close with a juicy finish balanced by fresh acidity. (Drink between 2026-2032). Nicholas Greincaher. |
|
| | Rhone White |
| Dom. du Tunnel |
2023 |
Saint Peray Cuvee Prestige ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
11 |
|
| |
JD 95 (5/2025): Based on 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, the 2023 Saint-Péray Cuvée Prestige reveals a light gold hue and brilliant aromatics of stone fruits, ripe melon, honeysuckle, and subtle spicy, toasty nuances. Medium-bodied and pure on the palate, it has a layered, elegant profile with terrific freshness and the classic salinity of the appellation on the finish. This was fermented with native yeasts and aged in third- and fourth-fill barrels. Drink 2025-2030.
WA 93+ (3/2025): A blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, the 2023 Saint-Péray Cuvée Prestige is another real success at this address. Despite its elegantly introverted character, it offers aromas of almonds, white flowers, spices and pear. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, incisive and enrobing with good depth at the core and a long, mineral finish, it's a classic and a very well crafted Saint-Péray with a broad drinking window.
VM 93 (1/2025): The 2023 Saint-Péray Cuvée Prestige is complex, with honeysuckle, chamomile, jasmine, white peach and lemon flesh notes. Medium-bodied and sleek, it features a chalky finish with solid tension. This will be best enjoyed after another year in bottle. It's not quite at the level of the standout 2022s, but this is still quite enjoyable. (Drink between 2026-2030.) Nicholas Greinacher. |
|
| | Southern France |
| Clos Cibonne |
2017 |
Cotes de Provence Cuvee Hommage a Marius Slightly Raised Cork |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (1/2021): Diaphanous peach skin color. A hugely complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe, spice-accented red berries, citrus fruits, dried flowers and botanical herbs, with a saline mineral overtone. Stains the palate with vibrant, sharply focused redcurrant, strawberry, blood orange, nectarine candied lavender and honey flavors that show a hint of saltiness and superb depth to go with the wine's energy. Refuses to let up on the penetrating, seamless and mineral-driven finish, which strongly echoes the floral and pit fruit notes. - Josh Raynolds (Drink between 2023-2034). |
|
| | Loire |
| Bernard Baudry |
2018 |
Chinon La Croix Boissee |
$45 |
19 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (10/2021): The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissee, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it's almost as if the wine's just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there's surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult. Rebecca Gibb. |
|
| Vincent Pinard |
2019 |
Sancerre Grand Chemarin |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (8/2021): The 2019 Sancerre Le Grand Chemarin is a tender and wonderfully elegant style that shows excellent concentration. It remains understated, with fine grip on the finish. The wine has a mouth-coating texture, no doubt due to the limestone soils but also the Pinards’ careful handling. This caresses the mouth with its restrained pear and ripe, apple fruit. It's wonderfully welcoming at the beginning, but the finish is structured. Wherever the wine is in your mouth, it always exudes a sense of balance. (Drink between 2023-2035). Rebecca Gibb. |
|
| | Spain |
| Pinea |
2021 |
Ribera del Duero 17 ex-Domaine |
$64 |
47 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (7/2025): A youthful, memorable exploration of 100% Tempranillo made in a refined and modern style, the 2021 Tempranillo 17 by Pinea opens in a wealth of silky tannins and rounded red berry fruit. Fantastic acidity complements its power, complexity, and length to result in something remarkably sophisticated, with well-etched characteristics of oak spice, vanilla, cacao nib, and balsamic. The fruit is all blackberries. There’s no doubt a good amount of concentration in the wine, yet it feels weightless on the palate. Extremely impressive, it should age with ease another 15-20 years. |
|
| Raul Perez |
2021 |
Ultreia de Valtuille Bierzo Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$63 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (10/2023): The 2021 Ultreia Valtuille was produced with the clay part of their Villegas plot, as the sandy part was used for the new Ultreia Villegas bottling but introduced the lower part of the vineyard with more soil and more clay. They produced more or less the same amount as in previous years, some 18 barriques; but in 2021, they introduced foudres for part of the wine, and in this first year, the foudre was newer (they used it to ferment a white before). They also started renewing their barrels, so the wines show a little more oak than usual. It has moderate alcohol and mellow acidity, and it seems like the longer cycle and the slow ripening burned some acidity. |
|
|
2021 |
Ultreia el Rapolao Bierzo Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$63 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2023): The 2021 Ultreia Rapolao aged exclusively in a 1,000-liter oak foudre that was used before for a white wine and seems to have marked the wine with abundant toasty notes and a spicy twist, with notes of toasted sesame seeds even if the wine only spent 10 months in wood. It has medium-ripeness, moderate alcohol (13%) and a medium-bodied palate with a tender mouthfeel and oak-related flavors in the finish. Is it going to digest the oak nicely? 1,200 bottles produced. |
|
| | Germany |
| Thomas Haag |
2016 |
Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96 (4/2018): The 2016 Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese displays clear, fresh and exotic fruit with a highly delicate slate spiciness. Lush and highly elegant, with mouth-filling but highly refined and elegant fruit and very fine crystallinity, this is a terribly fine and filigreed as well as sensual and persistent Helden Auslese. Perfectly balanced, with a mouthwatering and charming finish. Tasted March 2018.
VM 91 (1/2018): Very ripe but fresh peach and muskmelon are mingled with pink grapefruit and lightly shrouded in musky, dusty scents. The glycerol-rich, subtly creamy palate is lusciously fruity with the grapefruit serving to enhance an exotic sense of ripeness but also to supply a modicum of welcome citric juiciness and zest. Hints of brown spice add to the allure of an impressively persistent finish, albeit not one exhibiting the clarity, brightness or mineral dimension displayed by the best wines in this latest Schloss Lieser collection. While Haag reports having harvested very little nobly rotten fruit, this wine certainly strikes me as significantly influenced by botrytis, with both virtues and drawbacks. (Drink between 2017-2035). David Schildknecht. |
|
| Weingut Emrich-Schonleber |
2021 |
Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs |
$69 |
12 |
|
| |
WA 97 (12/2022): Werner Schönleber served the 2021 Frühlingsplätzchen GG after the Halenberg, which has never been the case here in 20 years, but knowing Werner's passion for the purity and freshness of this terroir, this makes completely sense. I remember I liked the 2019 Frühlingsplätzchen better than the Halenberg when it was young, and also from the 2021 vintage I adore the purity, brightness and flinty finesse of the Frühlingsplätzchen which is definitely the brighter, uplifted and purer Riesling. The finish is enormously salty and savory and reveals lemon fruit bitters on the aftertaste. This is life from stone, and it has a damn serious, very long and saline finish. Natural cork. 12% stated alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in August 2022.
JS 95 (7/2022): Complex nose of pink and yellow grapefruit, peach and spring flowers. A super-elegant, dry Nahe riesling that marries plenty of juicy fruit with excellent concentration and vibrant minerality that leaps out at you. A slew of wild-berry and rose-hip character adds to the excitement at the dangerously crisp, wet-stone finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. |
|
| Weingut Georg Gustav Huff |
2020 |
Hipping Riesling Alte Reben |
$39.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| JS 96 (11/2021): So much star fruit, pink grapefruit and white peach on the nose, knocking you back slightly in the first moment. As bright as a rocket leaving the launch-pad in the direction of Mars, this dry riesling from the red soils of one of Nierstein’s top sites is super-straight and focused, the breathtaking, fresh finish intensely citrus and mineral. Drink or hold. |
|
| Weingut Max Ferd. Richter |
2019 |
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett |
$35 |
14 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2020): From 80-year-old vines predominantly from the original Sonnenuhr plot below the sundial, the 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett opens with still reductive, sulfuric yet also beautifully floral, bright and elegant fruit aromas that indicate remarkable delicacy. Round and finessed on the elegant and refined palate, this is a very intense, sweet and persistently salty-mineral WSU with great finesse and length. Persistently salty. Tasted at the domain in September 2020. |
|
| | Italy |
| Altesino |
2019 |
Brunello di Montalcino |
$49.95 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2023): The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality).
JD 95 (2/2024): Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. Audrey Frick.
VM 94 (12/2023): A dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation. Eric Guido. |
|
| Brovia |
2018 |
Barolo Rocche di Castiglione |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2022): Alex Sanchez makes memorable wines. His Brovia 2018 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione hits close to home, as this vineyard in Castiglione Falletto is especially elegant and well managed. The wine shows pinpoint precision with small berry nuances, wildflower and crushed stone. The mineral signature adds beautiful focus.
VM 89 (2/2022): Brovia's 2018 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione opens with pretty aromatics that are such a signature of this site. Crushed flowers, mint, tobacco, cedar and sweet red cherry lend quite a bit of perfume. On the palate, the Rocche is a bit light, but it offers good balance and a fine sense of proportion within the context of the year. It's hard to get past the short, abrupt finish. The charm and seduction of Rocche are missing. (Drink between 2024-2038). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Castello Dei Rampolla |
2019 |
Sammarco |
$65.99 |
16 |
|
| |
WA 96 (9/2023): A blend of (organic and biodynamic) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, the 2019 Sammarco is more austere and even robust compared to the punchier style prized throughout this portfolio. This is a firmly grounded wine, with a bigger baseline of aromas, spanning black fruit, baked plum, spice, tobacco and crushed limestone. You feel the natural concentration of the 2019 vintage and beautifully managed tannins in this wine. This is a release of 25,837 bottles and 292 magnums.
VM 94 (8/2023): The 2019 Sammarco is a very pretty, elegant wine with gorgeous aromatic intensity from the Cabernet Sauvignon that makes up the majority of the blend this year. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, dried cherry, incense and crushed leaves lend notable aromatic presence to this young, nascent Sammarco. Time in the glass brings out striking inner perfume and sweetness. In 2019, Sammarco is more finesse than power. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Elvio Cogno |
2017 |
Barolo Cascina Nuova |
$61.99 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 95 (3/2021): Attractive dried strawberry with cherry and tar on the nose. Full-bodied with powerful tannins that are dusty and intense. Very flavorful and long. Solid as a rock. Needs at least three or four years to soften and come together.
WA 93 (6/2021): This wine is a sure bet from Elvio Cogno and such a steal. The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova delivers ample intensity and power. In this regard, it keeps faithfully in line with the expectations of a hot vintage that rendered more concentrated and sweeter fruit. However, the expert winemaking team at this estate has been able to manage any excesses or hints of over-ripeness. These are solid results with 20,000 bottles available.
JD 93 (5/2021): The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova is perfumed with ripe cherry, licorice, tar, and dried roses. The palate is ripe and refreshing, with a fairly classic build noted by red plum, tobacco leaf, and turned earth. This wine is beautiful and inviting out of the gates or drink 2022-2036. |
|
| Fattoria di Felsina |
2016 |
Fontalloro |
$69 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (5/2019): The 2016 Fontalloro is the best vintage of this landmark wine that I have tasted thus far. This is a very elegant vintage, with more volume in the mouth and precise notes of tar, licorice, camphor ash, resin and Indian spice. In a race between the highly competitive 2015 and 2016 vintages, I give a slight advantage to this wine. The warmer 2015 vintage shows more richness and exuberant fruit. However, this wine from 2016 offers a more focused and chiseled delivery. I am hopeful that this wine will continue to evolve and sharpen as it ages in the bottle. This is a beautiful wine to put aside in your cellar for ten years or more.
VM 96 (8/2019): The 2016 Fontalloro is bold, hearty and deeply flavored, with all of the Sangiovese wildness that is so typical of Fontalloro. Ripe dark cherry, grilled herbs, smoke, leather, game and incense are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in a potent, virile Fontalloro loaded with personality and character. In so many ways, 2016 is THE archetype of what Fontalloro is - a Sangiovese that is a bit wild and unruly but also full of charm. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Fattoria le Pupille |
2018 |
Saffredi Proprietary Blend |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 96+ (1/2021): The 2018 Saffredi is a regal, elegant, supremely polished wine. It may very well be the most refined Saffredi I have ever tasted. Silky in its first impression, with striking aromatic presence and exceptional balance, the 2018 is a total knock-out. Sweet red cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and cinnamon accents develop over time, but it is the wine’s overall balance and poise that are so impressive today. The 2018 is an absolutely gorgeous Saffredi. It spent 20 months in French oak barrels, about 65% new. Don’t miss it. Antonio Galloni.
JD 97 (7/2020): A fantastic nose to this with currant, sage, rosemary and rose-petal character. Sweet tobacco and spicy chocolate, too. Very complex. The palate shows lovely depth of fruit with blackberries, blackcurrants and fine tannins. It’s racy and refined with a direct, focused palate. Just a baby. A blend of cabernet sauvignon 60%, merlot 32% and petite verdot 8%. This needs at least two or three years to soften. Try in 2023.
WA 96 (11/2020): The Fattoria le Pupille 2018 Saffredi borrows quite a bit from all of the grapes that make up the blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot). These balanced results open to a round bouquet of dark fruit, black cherry and plum. As the wine warms in the glass, it shows spice, cured tobacco and campfire embers. This is a full-bodied expression, but not excessively so. It puts forth immediate elegance with carefully measured tannins and a fitting postscript of fresh acidity. This newest vintage of Saffredi should be hitting the market now, but if you buy it, you should plan on cellaring it. |
|
| Le Ragnaie |
2019 |
Brunello di Montalcino |
$63.95 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 95 (2/2024): A beautiful cologne lifts from the glass of the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino, which pours a red/orange-tinged color. Aromas of wild cherries, truffles, bittersweet chocolate, and dried orange peel are followed by a medium to full-bodied red with fine, coiled tannins, a linear feel, and refreshing lift all the way through the finish. I love the tertiary notes that come through, and this wine will only improve and gain in complexity over time. Drink 2025-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 95 (12/2023): The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows delicate aromas of blue flower, redcurrant, cranberry and potting soils. It has all the basic components of a classic Sangiovese. Fruit is sourced from across the estate vineyard holdings ranging from 200 to 600 meters above sea level, or the ceiling of the appellation. Baking spice is delivered to the palate with silky, almost glossy tannins. The mouthfeel is extremely fine. This is a very Burgundian Brunello, with 38,500 bottles made.
VM 93 (12/2023): The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens slowly in the glass, dusty and floral, with depths of dark red fruit and exotic spice. This is silky smooth with medium-bodied textures and vibrant acidity that propels its tart wild berry fruits and mineral tones as rosy inner florals race across the palate. It tapers off with admirable length and concentration. Crunchy tannins frame the experience without slowing its momentum. The 2019 is a gorgeous blend of vintage and house style. Don't miss it. (Drink between 2025-2035). Eric Guido. |
|
| M. Marengo |
2017 |
Barolo Brunate |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 95 (6/2021): A red with lovely ripe strawberry, spice and some flowers and leather. Dried orange peel, too. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are slightly mouth-puckering. It’s structured and rather powerful. Needs time to soften. Give it three or four years to soften. Try after 2024.
VM 94 (2/2021): The 2017 Barolo Brunate shows why this is such a highly-regarded site. Powerful and deep, the 2017 has enough fruit and pedigree to keep the formidable tannins in check. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, licorice and menthol gain volume as the 2017 opens in the glass. This brooding Barolo needs time in bottle, but it is pretty compelling, even in the early going. Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (6/2021): With fruit from La Morra, the 2017 Barolo Brunate presents a taut and tight bouquet of candied cherry, violets, orange peel and iron ore. The aromas are fluid and agile, yet they are also quite polished and focused. Indeed, this Brunate offers the greatest degree of complexity and sheer depth in this portfolio from the Marengo family of La Morra. Again, we see those extra tight tannins that are such a common feature of Barolo wines from the hot and dry 2017 vintage. This was a release of 4,800 bottles. |
|
| Sottimano |
2021 |
Barbaresco Basarin ex-Domaine |
$71.89 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 95 (5/2025): A jeweled ruby color, the 2021 Barbaresco Basarin reveals more depth on the nose, with elegant aromas of cedar, preserved cranberries, licorice, pretty hints of BBQ spices, and pressed flowers. While it remains medium-framed, it fills and expands on the palate, with broad-shouldered, ripe tannins, even acidity, and notes of dark stones on the finish. It’s deceptive upfront, with a generous ripeness of fruit initially masking its more noble underlying structure. Drink this over the next 15 years. Audrey Frick.
WA 95 (1/2025): Andrea Sottimano says 2021 was one of the best vintages he has seen. There was a lot of snow during the winter that created abundant water reserves lasting throughout the summer. It was a late-ripening vintage, with cool nights, and Andrea harvested until his birthday on October 24th. The 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is expressive and complex with very precise aromas of cassis, navel orange, pulverized stone and licorice root. The tannins are chalky, and the wine offers a pretty sense of lingering sweetness. Winemaking is traditional, with up to three months of submerged cap and aging in botti. Fruit comes from a three-hectare site in Neive with old vines on white soils. Production is 9,000 bottles.
VM 94 (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is fabulous. Rich, ample and seductive, the Basarin marries the charm that is so typical of this sector with the breadth and structure of Barbaresco. These two qualities are evident in tasting this after the 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo. Transparent and vibrant, the 2021 has so much to offer. Crushed rose petals, mint, orange peel, spice, tobacco and incense build into the long, sustained finish. This is even better than it was last year. Antonio Galloni |
|
|
2021 |
Barbaresco Basarin ex-Domaine |
$71.89 |
8 |
|
| |
JD 95 (5/2025): A jeweled ruby color, the 2021 Barbaresco Basarin reveals more depth on the nose, with elegant aromas of cedar, preserved cranberries, licorice, pretty hints of BBQ spices, and pressed flowers. While it remains medium-framed, it fills and expands on the palate, with broad-shouldered, ripe tannins, even acidity, and notes of dark stones on the finish. It’s deceptive upfront, with a generous ripeness of fruit initially masking its more noble underlying structure. Drink this over the next 15 years. Audrey Frick.
WA 95 (1/2025): Andrea Sottimano says 2021 was one of the best vintages he has seen. There was a lot of snow during the winter that created abundant water reserves lasting throughout the summer. It was a late-ripening vintage, with cool nights, and Andrea harvested until his birthday on October 24th. The 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is expressive and complex with very precise aromas of cassis, navel orange, pulverized stone and licorice root. The tannins are chalky, and the wine offers a pretty sense of lingering sweetness. Winemaking is traditional, with up to three months of submerged cap and aging in botti. Fruit comes from a three-hectare site in Neive with old vines on white soils. Production is 9,000 bottles.
VM 94 (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is fabulous. Rich, ample and seductive, the Basarin marries the charm that is so typical of this sector with the breadth and structure of Barbaresco. These two qualities are evident in tasting this after the 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo. Transparent and vibrant, the 2021 has so much to offer. Crushed rose petals, mint, orange peel, spice, tobacco and incense build into the long, sustained finish. This is even better than it was last year. Antonio Galloni |
|
|
2020 |
Barbaresco Cotta ex-Domaine |
$74.95 |
54 |
|
| |
VM 96 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Cottá is another fabulous wine in this range from Sottimano. Dark and super-classic in bearing, the 2020 has tremendous stature along with a darker and more somber personality than usual. The balance here is just mind-blowing. Scorched earth, leather, tobacco and incense infuse the finish with tons of nuance to complement its muscular personality. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (5/2023): Moving to the 2020 Barbaresco Cotta, fantastic mineral-tinged aromas of crushed stones, pencil shavings, and blackberry are followed by a medium-bodied red with a ripe yet linear feel and crunchy red fruits of red plum, orange rind, and clove. I liked this for its more tension-packed and energetic feel and stony texture. Drink 2025-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 94+ (8/2023): A wine from Sottimano that also draws its fruit from the village of Neive (and Barbaresco, because these 2.8 hectares of vines are on the border), the 2020 Barbaresco Cottá shows an austere character with pronounced rust or iodine aromas that are neatly layered into dark fruit and dried cherry. The wine sports a generous, medium-weight texture that offers a good amount of textural firmness to the palate. Give this pretty wine a little more time to flesh out. 9,000 bottles were produced. |
|
|
2021 |
Barbaresco Cotta ex-Domaine |
$66.95 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 97 (5/2025): The 2021 Barbaresco Cotta also sports a bright red color in the glass. It has a pure and seductive nose leading with aromas of wild raspberries, anise, sweet tea, and floral perfume. The palate is inviting and more approachable out of the gate, with ripe tannins, a floating, medium-bodied frame, and pretty notes of apricot lingering on the finish. It’s hard to resist now, but it should have plenty of longevity over the coming 15-20 or more years. Audrey Frick.
VM 96 (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Cottá is quite the powerhouse. As usual, it is marked by a huge mid-palate of fruit, but more classic winemaking these days keeps that in check while also adding the notable structural dimension to balance things out. Black cherry, licorice, incense, graphite, tobacco and scorched earth all build in a virile, potent Barbaresco to treasure for the next two decades. This has come together beautifully since I tasted it last year. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Barbaresco Curra ex-Domaine |
$82.99 |
26 |
|
| |
WA 96 (8/2023): Released one year later than the other Barbarescos in this portfolio, the Sottimano 2019 Barbaresco Currá brings the intensity up a notch and not just in terms of dark fruit and cassis. The wine's mineral profile is more pronounced and, in careful moderation, so is the oak toast and spice delivery. There are more distinct elements here, all played forward with great intensity, that ultimately reach a place of excellent balance and endurance. Sadly, only 2,000 bottles emerged from this 1.6-hectare vineyard site in Neive.
VM 94 (10/2022): The 2019 Barbaresco Currà is another stellar wine in this range from Sottimano. Deep and authoritative, the 2019 possesses tremendous depth and textural intensity. Incisive Currà tannins are present, but they are pretty much buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2020 |
Barbaresco Curra ex-Domaine |
$89.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 96 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Currà is an infant, but it is stellar. Wild, savory and intensely perfumed, the 2020 is super-expressive of place. The Currà is the deepest of the 2020s, also the most backward. I would not be in any rush to open bottles. Black fruit, leather, tobacco and cloves add to an impression of brooding intensity. Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (6/2025): This wine is released one year later than the other Barbarescos in this portfolio. The Sottimano 2020 Barbaresco Currá reveals an open-knit character with immediate tones of tart cherry, dried raspberry and lavender sachet. There is an inherent sweetness to those fruit and floral aromas, and the wine remains contained in terms of mouthfeel thanks to its mid-weight texture. Fruit comes from a 1.5-hectare parcel in Nieve with 40- and 50-year-old vines. Given the warmth of the vintage, I recommend a near- or medium-term drinking window for this 3,000-bottle release. |
|
|
2021 |
Barbaresco Fausoni ex-Domaine |
$71.95 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96+ (5/2025): The 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is a bright red color and leads with a detailed and elegant bouquet of dried roses, pomegranate, toasted incense, and dusty earth. It’s bright and medium-bodied, with focused acidity, finely coiled and nervous tannins, and a clean, savory finish. It feels a bit wound up, but who are patient should be rewarded over the coming 15 years. Audrey Frick.
VM 96+ (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is bright, nervy and finely cut. Crushed rocks, white pepper, incense, red fruit, pink grapefruit and orange peel all scream out of the glass. Nervy and sinewy, with tons of top-end brightness, the Fausoni is a rock star. But it's also a wine for readers who appreciated the more linear, classically austere style of Barbaresco. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Barbaresco Pajore ex-Domaine |
$67.99 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2022): Here's a beautifully elegant and fine expression of Nebbiolo from Treiso. The Sottimano 2019 Barbaresco Pajoré shows an earthy personality with crushed stone and potting soil that frame a pretty core of red and purple fruits. I love the depth and complexity of this wine and the slightly more structured tannins that give this wine power and importance.
JD 94 (5/2021): Of the 2018s, the 2018 Barbaresco Pajore has the darkest profile, with dried cherry, tobacco, mint, and cedar. Savory with blood orange, red plum skin, and turned earth, more firm tannins build, with more modest acidity. Drink 2024-2035.
VM 93+ (10/2022): The 2019 Barbaresco Pajorè is dense and quite closed in on itself. Then again, that is Pajorè. There's terrific depth and density here, but not quite the power of some recent releases. That's not a bad thing, as the more restrained style allows the nuance to come through. This is an especially refined edition of the Pajorè. Today, the Pajorè is quite compact and a bit of a bruiser, but there's terrific fruit intensity that just needs time to blossom. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2020 |
Barbaresco Pajore |
$65.89 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 97 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Pajorè is deep, sensual and mysterious, as wines from this great site tend to be. Black cherry, lavender, new leather and balsamic overtones infuse the Pajorè with tremendous complexity and textural resonance. The 2020 is still an infant, but its potential is evident. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (5/2023): Pouring a rich garnet, the 2020 Barbaresco Pajore is fleshy and ripe, with a pleasant touch of rustic aromas of saddle leather, black cherry, and balsamic herbs. This medium to full-bodied red is ripe with meaty tannins, rounded black raspberry fruit, potting soil, and mouthwatering salinity on the finish. It is a ripe yet very attractive wine to hold another 6-12 months and drink 2024-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 94 (8/2023): The Sottimano 2020 Barbaresco Pajoré (with 6,000 bottles made) is a tight and elegant wine with mid-weight structure. The bouquet is very expressive with dried cherry, blackcurrant, iron ore and blue flower. Sottimano succeeds in crafting very linear and precise wines, and that is certainly the message delivered by this wine from the Pajoré Vineyard in the village of Treiso. It ends on a dry, chalky note. |
|
|
2020 |
Barbaresco Pajore ex-Domaine |
$65.89 |
9 |
|
| |
VM 97 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Pajorè is deep, sensual and mysterious, as wines from this great site tend to be. Black cherry, lavender, new leather and balsamic overtones infuse the Pajorè with tremendous complexity and textural resonance. The 2020 is still an infant, but its potential is evident. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (5/2023): Pouring a rich garnet, the 2020 Barbaresco Pajore is fleshy and ripe, with a pleasant touch of rustic aromas of saddle leather, black cherry, and balsamic herbs. This medium to full-bodied red is ripe with meaty tannins, rounded black raspberry fruit, potting soil, and mouthwatering salinity on the finish. It is a ripe yet very attractive wine to hold another 6-12 months and drink 2024-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 94 (8/2023): The Sottimano 2020 Barbaresco Pajoré (with 6,000 bottles made) is a tight and elegant wine with mid-weight structure. The bouquet is very expressive with dried cherry, blackcurrant, iron ore and blue flower. Sottimano succeeds in crafting very linear and precise wines, and that is certainly the message delivered by this wine from the Pajoré Vineyard in the village of Treiso. It ends on a dry, chalky note. |
|
| | USA Red |
| Becklyn Cellars |
2013 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$84.15 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (12/2015): No doubt a major sleeper of the vintage, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense, opaque ruby/purple color, beautiful crème de cassis notes, blackberry fruit in the background, judicious use of oak, a full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges, sweet tannin and a long, layered mouthfeel. This is a beauty to drink over the next 15-20 years. |
|
|
2013 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$99 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (12/2015): No doubt a major sleeper of the vintage, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense, opaque ruby/purple color, beautiful crème de cassis notes, blackberry fruit in the background, judicious use of oak, a full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges, sweet tannin and a long, layered mouthfeel. This is a beauty to drink over the next 15-20 years. |
|
| Behrens & Hitchcock |
2003 |
Kenefick Ranch Cuvee Torn Label |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93-95 (2/2005): The 2003 Kenefick Ranch Cuvee (a 400-case lot of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) exhibits an inky/ruby/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of smoke, blueberry liqueur, creme de cassis, white chocolate, and espresso roast. Dense, opulent, and full-bodied, with a terrific texture as well as palate penetration, and a 40-45 second finish, it is capable of lasting a decade or more.
VM 91+ (6/2005): Medium ruby. Cool, pure aromas of cassis, licorice and violet. Juicy, dry and lively, with excellent flavor intensity and enticing floral lift. I would have guessed this had some cabernet franc. Quite tightly wound after the bottling, and currently showing its tannic side. But this will almost certainly merit a higher rating with four or five years of additional bottle aging. In this vintage, Les Behrens used a mechanical punchdown tank for the Kenefick Ranch cabernet sauvignon-an approach that was used for more wines in 2004. |
|
| Booker Vineyard |
2017 |
Ripper Grenache |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (10/2019): Bottled in February of this year, the 100% Grenache 2017 Ripper has a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, white flowers, licorice, and subtle background oak. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has wonderful purity, fine tannins, and a great finish. |
|
|
2017 |
Vertigo Proprietary Blend Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$74.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 99 (10/2019): I loved the 2017 Vertigo from barrel, and it didn’t disappoint from bottle. A blend of 63% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Grenache and Petite Sirah, brought up in 65% new French oak, this full-bodied, massively endowed 2017 has complex notes of blue fruits, blood orange, violets, and exotic spices. As with all Eric’s 2017s, it’s rich and concentrated yet has remarkable purity and elegance at the same time. It’s one of the finest GSM blends out there and will shine for at least 8-10 years. (Drink between 2019-2029).
VM 96 (2/2020): Brilliant purple. Blackberry, blueberry, cola, exotic spices, vanilla and pungent flowers on the deeply perfumed, mineral-accented nose. Compellingly sweet, lush and broad in the mouth, showing hefty dark berry preserve, candied violet and fruitcake flavors that pick up mocha, vanilla and star anise nuances on the back half. Finishes extremely long and smooth, with velvety tannins, lingering florality and outstanding clarity. 60% new French oak. (Drink between 2024-2034).
WA 93 (2/2020): The 2017 Vertigo is a blend of 65% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache aged in 65% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in color, the nose opens with tar, chargrill and loamy earth scents, slowly offering up game meats, black currants, dried violets and dried black cherries with a chocolatey undercurrent. Full-bodied, rich and slowly blossoming in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy frame and just enough freshness, finishing long and still youthfully coiled. |
|
| Donelan |
2014 |
Cushing’s Block Barbed Oak Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 95 (7/2017): Coming from a single block in the Barbed Oak Vineyard located in Bennet Valley, the 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing’s Block is a ripe, sweetly fruited and downright sexy beauty that offers classic Pinot fruit as well as complex forest floor, rose petals and spring flowers aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied, plush, incredibly elegant 2014 has a silky texture, fine tannin and a great finish. While it’s drinking beautifully today it will easily keep for a decade. It’s much more seamless and approachable than either of the 2013s.
WA 94+ (2/2017): Coming from the Calera clone planted to gravelly soil, this vintage of Cushing’s Block was produced with 30% whole cluster and aged in French barrels for 16 months, 25% new. Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing’s Block gives pronounced earthy notes of forest floor, damp earth and fungi over scents of warm cranberries, pomegranate, red currants and violets. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of opulent red fruits accented by earthy/herbal notes, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing with great length.
VM 93 (3/2017): An addition to the range, 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing's Block emerges from Barbed Oak Vineyard in Bennett County. Dark red cherry, plum, blood orange and exotic spice give the wine its alluring personality. Deep, pliant and expressive, the 2014 is a real beauty. This is an impressive debut. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2013 |
Kobler Family Vyd. Syrah |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (7/2017): Coming from the Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley (this is a cooler terroir), the 2013 Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard is always cofermented with a big chunk of Viognier (10% in 2013) and is aged mostly in neutral oak. It offers an ethereal, elegant and seamless style as well as classic notes of black raspberries, white pepper, rose petals and white cherries (no doubt from the Viognier). Nuanced and deep, with a great finish, it’s never the largest scaled wine in the lineup, but it shines for it complexity and incredible elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. |
|
|
2013 |
Walker Vine Hill Syrah |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 97+ (7/2017): One of the larger scaled examples of this cuvee I’ve tried, the 2013 Syrah Walker Vine Hill saw only partial destemming and 20 months in 25% new French oak. Reminding me a great vintage of Hermitage Les Bessards from Delas, it boasts phenomenal notes of crème de cassis, graphite, roasted herbs, melted licorice and burning embers. Rich, voluptuous, seriously ripe and decadent, yet with density, tannin and structure, it needs 3-4 years of cellaring (it needs an hour decant or more if drinking today) and will have two decades of overall longevity. This is what great California Syrah tastes like! |
|
| Force Majeure |
2010 |
Collaboration Series V Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2013): The most full-throttle of the lineup, the 2010 Collaboration Series V is comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from Ciel du Cheval blocks planted in 1975 and 1982, that was aged in 100% new French oak. Made by Chris Gorman, it offers up a decadent array of creme de cassis, smoked herbs, chocolate, roasted meats and freshly sharpened pencil-like qualities on the nose. Full-bodied, seamless and even elegant on the palate, yet with layers of fruit and texture, it has clean, integrated acidity, superb polish to its tannin and big minerality that emerges on the finish. Certainly impressive now, it still needs another 3-4 years of bottle age and will shine for 15 years or more. Drink 2015-2028+ |
|
|
2010 |
Collaboration Series VI Proprietary Blend |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (6/2013): A brilliant Southern Rhone-like blend of 56% Mourvedre, 38% Syrah and 6% Grenache that was fermented all in concrete and aged in neutral French oak puncheons, the 2010 Collaboration Series VI was made by James Mantone of Syncline Wines. Spectacular, with vividly defined aromas of blackberry, pepper, flowers, underbrush and licorice, it flows onto the palate with lively acidity, polished tannin and an elegant, seamless texture that has no hard edges and an overall classy, refined feel. Already approachable and complex, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely for 10-12 years. Drink now-2025.
VM 91+ (12/2013): (56% mourvedre, 38% syrah and 6% grenache; made by James Mantone of Syncline; fermented in square concrete bins and 500-liter puncheons): Good bright, medium ruby-red. High-toned aromas of red berries, red pepper and licorice, plus a whiff of tree bark. At once sweet and bright, with the red fruit flavors accented by spices and pepper. Lovely energetic, intense mourvedre here. A very successful blend with sound natural acidity. Most of the Force Majeure Vineyard's mourvedre fruit was stolen in 2010, with the thieves leaving only the outside rows intact. |
|
|
2011 |
Force Majeure Vyd. Collaboration Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
7 |
|
| |
| WA 93-95+ (6/2013): Coming all from the new, incredibly steep estate vineyard located high up near the top of Red Mountain, the 2011 Collaboration Series Cabernet Sauvignon is distinct in the lineup for its deep black currant, tobacco, underbrush, violets and mineral-loaded profile. More rounded and supple on the palate than some of the Ciel du Cheval bottlings, it has a rich, weighty mouthfeel, knockout purity of fruit and enough silky tannin to allow it to evolve gracefully for at least a decade. This is only the fourth leaf for the vineyard and hats off to the Force Majeure crew for having the vision to push the envelope on where grape vines can be planted and for the perseverance to work those steep hillsides. Drink now-2021. |
|
| Grand Reve |
2007 |
Collaboration I Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 94+ (6/2011): A Bordeaux blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot, and 11% Merlot, the 2007 Grand Reve Vintners Collaboration Series I is made by Ben Smith of Cadence Winery and is aged for 23 months in 70% new French oak and the rest in 1-year-old barrels. The wine boasts full-scaled, complex aromatics of sweet crème de cassis, spice box, sage, tobacco, and hints of mint on the nose. This is followed by a full bodied, beautifully put together wine that has a rounded, soft texture, perfectly ripe fruit, good acidity, and a blockbuster finish that’s loaded with fine grained, polished tannin. Given the fruit and texture, this is superb now, however, it should continue to evolve positively for 3-5 years, and have a solid 15-20 year drink window.
VM 91 (11/2011): Good full red. Strawberry, raspberry, mocha and red licorice on the slightly medicinal nose. Juicy and vibrant, with harmonious acidity giving energy and definition to the cabernet-dominated flavors of red berries, spices, mocha and fresh herbs. Plenty of flavor depth here without any heaviness. Finishes with suave tannins and excellent length. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2007 |
Collaboration I Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
9 |
|
| |
JD 94+ (6/2011): A Bordeaux blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot, and 11% Merlot, the 2007 Grand Reve Vintners Collaboration Series I is made by Ben Smith of Cadence Winery and is aged for 23 months in 70% new French oak and the rest in 1-year-old barrels. The wine boasts full-scaled, complex aromatics of sweet crème de cassis, spice box, sage, tobacco, and hints of mint on the nose. This is followed by a full bodied, beautifully put together wine that has a rounded, soft texture, perfectly ripe fruit, good acidity, and a blockbuster finish that’s loaded with fine grained, polished tannin. Given the fruit and texture, this is superb now, however, it should continue to evolve positively for 3-5 years, and have a solid 15-20 year drink window.
VM 91 (11/2011): Good full red. Strawberry, raspberry, mocha and red licorice on the slightly medicinal nose. Juicy and vibrant, with harmonious acidity giving energy and definition to the cabernet-dominated flavors of red berries, spices, mocha and fresh herbs. Plenty of flavor depth here without any heaviness. Finishes with suave tannins and excellent length. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Hartford Court |
2015 |
Hailey’s Block Pinot Noir |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (6/2018): From the cooler Green Valley region of the Russian River, the 2015 Pinot Noir Hailey’s Block was completely destemmed and spent 16 months in 27% new French oak. Hailey's Block is a block within the Arrendell Vineyard, named after Don and Jennifer Hartford's daughter. It’s another beautifully Burgundian wine from this estate that offers crisp black cherry, crushed rock, charcoal, and wood smoke aromas and flavors. It’s fresh, focused, and youthful, with fine tannin and high yet integrated acidity. Give it a year or three and it will keep for a decade or more.
WA 94 (12/2017): Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Hailey's Block gives up Bing cherry, ripe raspberries and pomegranate notes with touches of baking spices, tree bark and wild thyme. Medium-bodied, very finely crafted and refreshing in the mouth, it has lovely silken-textured tannins framing the vibrant fruit, finishing long.
VM 92 (4/2018): The 2015 Pinot Noir Hailey's Block is tightly wound and reticent next to the other wines in the range, but it nevertheless offers striking purity in its raspberry, blood orange and pomegranate flavors. I would prefer to cellar the 2015 for at least a year or two, as it is not ready to offer maximum pleasure just yet. (Drink between 2020-2025). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Jonata Winery |
2016 |
Fenix Merlot Bin-Soiled Label |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97+ (10/2018): Incorporating a big chunk of Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), the Merlot-dominated 2016 Fenix offers a saturated purple color as well as a powerful, full-bodied, decadent style in its blackcurrants, black cherries, chocolate, lead pencil, and leafy herb aromas and flavors. With a stacked mid-palate, thrilling purity, and an expansive, layered, heavenly profile, it's one of the finest Merlots coming out of California. It will flirt with perfection at maturity. (Drink between 2020-2040).
VM 95 (9/2018): Jonata's Merlot-based 2016 Fenix is bright, focused and taut, all qualities that lend energy to a core of raspberry jam, chocolate, spice and floral notes. Somewhat shy today, the 2016 needs a few years in bottle to blossom. I especially like the wine's energy and restrained yet powerful style. (Drink between 2021-2031). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93+ (9/2019): A blend of 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 70% new French oak, the 2016 Fenix has a deep ruby color and nose of warm red and black cherry, chocolate, dried green herbs, cedar, graphite, blackberry pie, plum and dried flowers—dense but classic. Medium to full-bodied, it floods the mouth with luscious dark fruits, firmly framed by grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and chocolaty. Delicious! |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2017 |
In My Dreams |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (12/2020): Deep, brilliant ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented red and dark berry and spice-cake aromas are complemented by suave floral and incense accents that expand as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet and broad on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry, cherry liqueur, star anise and lavender pastille flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Smoothly plays richness off energy and finishes spicy and extremely long, with lingering florality and smooth tannins that add shape and subtle grip. (Drink between 2024-2034). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Pax |
2018 |
Sonoma Hillsides Sonoma County Syrah |
$45 |
7 |
|
| |
VM 96 (1/2020): The 2018 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides is gorgeous. Inky dark fruit, spice, licorice and dried herbs all flesh out with a bit of coaxing. At this stage, the 2018 is remarkably primary, but there is tremendous intensity and richness waiting to emerge more fully. Although the 2018 doesn't quite have the aromatic breadth and layers of the 2016, it is a superb, vivid wine that Pax fans will want to own. The Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend of fruit from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffins Lair and Nellessen. The grapes are crushed by foot, using 100% whole clusters, and undergo carbonic maceration, an approach that works so well with this fruit. Aging is done in concrete. (Drink between 2020-2028). Antonio Galloni.
JD 92 (12/2020): A step up over the 2017, the 2018 Sonoma has a classy, Saint Joseph-like vibe in its ripe blue fruits, lavender, violets, ground pepper, and earthy, gamey aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it has a beautiful floral character, bright acidity, and a clean finish. This beautiful, elegant wine should drink nicely for 4-5 years. It was not destemmed and spent a short 10 months in tank prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. (Drink between 2020-2025). |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2021 |
Columbia Valley CVR Proprietary Blend |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 96 (7/2024): Possibly the finest rendition of this cuvée to date, the 2021 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine is exceptional, and while a second wine, it's up with the top-tier wines in the vintage. Ripe cassis, spicy oak, dried tobacco, and flowery incense notes all define the aromatics, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a plush, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish. It's one of those do-not-miss wines. Drink bottles over the coming 15 years.
VM 94 (1/2024): The 2021 Red Wine CVR Columbia Valley is wonderfully spicy and bright, lighting up the senses with a burst of sweet spice and cherries, complemented by violet pastille and hints of lavender. This is seamlessly silky with a measured inner sweetness. It casts crisp wild berry fruit across the palate as a coating of dusty tannins forms, adding a more tactile feel. It finishes long, with a staining of cocoa and blueberry preserves, leaving the palate nicely refreshed. This seductive and sun-kissed rendition of CVR aims to please. (Drink between 2025-2031). Eric Guido.
WA 94 (3/2024): A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine showcases a bright profile of just-ripe, juicy red fruit that bursts with freshness, revealing layers of complexity. Flavors of dark cherry, plum reduction and a dusty blackberry essence rush over the palate of this medium to full-bodied wine with a ripe attack, succulent, melting tannins and a well-balanced structure. Concluding with a long, lingering and food-friendly finish, this impressive blend is perhaps the best CVR to date. The wine aged 20 months in 100% French oak. |
|
| Rhys |
2012 |
Alpine Vyd. Pinot Noir Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94+ (7/2014): The 2012 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is one of the more reticent, backward wines in the range today. Firm tannins provide the underlying framework for an impeccable, pure Pinot long on crystalline energy and intensity. The flavors really pulsate here, while expressive floral and savory overtones add an attractive upper register. This is a rare 2012 that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to show at its best. The Alpine was done with 50% whole clusters. Antonio Galloni.
WA 93+ (4/2015): Coming from a site close to where the Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from, the 2012 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is more structured in 2012, with beautiful balance and focus in its whole cluster-influenced bouquet of Asian spices, smoked earth, black cherry and big mineral-like characteristics. Firm, tight, edgy and backwards, with good acidity and a medium to full-bodied, structured palate, this smoking Pinot Noir needs short-term cellaring, but will be long-lived.
BH 92 (1/2015): A subtle application of wood blends into the ripe plum and dark raspberry suffused nose where again there are pretty floral and spice notes. There is fine verve and a more elegant mouth feel to the delicious and relatively round medium weight flavors that possess fine depth and really lovely balance on the lingering finish. I really like the delivery as it's lacy but serious and like the straight pinot noir this should drink well young yet age effortlessly thanks to the impeccably good balance. Drink 2020+. Outstanding! |
|
|
2010 |
Family Farm Vyd. Pinot Noir Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 96 (8/2012): A drop-dead gorgeous wine, the 2010 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard boasts stunning richness, depth and power. Juicy dark berries, wild flowers, licorice, tar, smoke and game emerge from the glass. The balance of aromatics, fruit and structure is simply fabulous. Fans of the Rhys wines will flip over the Family Farm in 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022. Antonio Galloni.
BH 89 (1/2013): (San Mateo County, 12.7%.) There is substantial wood showing and the dark berry fruit and violet aromas are almost overwhelmed. The wood is also present on the delicious, round and solidly well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess good punch and a seductive mouth feel, all wrapped in a persistent finish where the wood rounds off and slightly sweetens it. There is very good material here and thus it's entirely possible that the wood will be successfully integrated in time but at the moment it is too much for my preference. Drink 2017+. |
|
| Shafer Vineyards |
2021 |
One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 96 (12/2023): More Cabernet-dominated, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five checks in as 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot, and a splash of Malbec. It has incredible purity in its cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and camphor on the nose and a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, layered style on the palate that stays tighter and more compact than the TD-9. (Drink between 2026-2044).
VM 94 (12/2024): The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is fabulous. Ample and resonant, the 2021 is captivating right out of the gate. Dark cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice and dark spice all meld together. The One Point Five is potent and a bit brooding, but it is done in the more restrained style that is the norm here these days. (Drink between 2025-2036). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (12/2023): An excellent wine, still arguably a decent value in the context of Napa Valley Cab, Shafer's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five features attractive aromas of ripe cherries, cedar and vanilla, plus hints of mocha and loam. Full-bodied, ripe and velvety, it offers more concentration, tannins and length than the winery's TD-9. The question consumers will have to answer is whether it is worth the step up in price. |
|
| Sojourn Cellars |
2019 |
Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (7/2021): I continue to just love the wines from this site, and Sojourn’s 2019 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard is a beauty. Lots of plums, darker raspberries, leather, sous bois, and burnt herb notes emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium to full body, a long, elegant, balanced texture, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. A seriously good Pinot Noir, it should be better with another year in bottle and keep through 2029 or beyond. (Drink between 2021-2029).
WA 92 (6/2021): The 2019 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard has a medium ruby-purple color and scents of boysenberries and cranberries with touches of watermelon and red flowers. The palate is medium-bodied, silky and deeply fruited with a layered, spicy finish. |
|
| Three Sticks |
2021 |
One Sky Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$85 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (1/2024): The 2021 Pinot Noir One Sky Vineyard emerges from Bill Price's estate vineyard on Sonoma Mountain. Translucent and finely cut, the One Sky is so refined. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper all give the 2021 notable brilliance. Vibrant saline notes shape the exquisite finish. (Drink between 2025-2033). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Turley Wine Cellars |
2011 |
Hayne Vyd. Zinfandel |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93-95 (12/2012): Turley’s 2011 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard, the product of a very late harvest, is another drop-dead gorgeous wine. Dark red fruit, cinnamon and mocha are some of the layers of aroma and flavor that blossom to fill out the wine’s big, broad-shouldered frame. Vibrant, rich and intense, the Hayne is one of the clear standouts in this lineup of 2011s. It is a dazzling wine in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. |
|
| | USA White |
| Accendo Cellars |
2016 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$50 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (12/2017): Composed of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque and a splash of Semillon, the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc has pink grapefruit, green mango, ripe pears and baking bread notions with touches of beeswax and crushed stones. Medium-bodied, very finely crafted and refreshing in the mouth, it has a lovely silky texture and fantastic intensity of tropical flavors with a long steely finish. |
|
| Araujo Estate |
2014 |
Eisele Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| JS 98 (6/2016): A new more precise and lively style for the white here compared to the past. This is extremely aromatic with sliced apple, peach, pear and mineral aromas. Full to medium body, bright acidity. Very energetic. Creamy texture. A saltiness comes through. Some phenolic tension too. This is aged a year on less in oak barrels and only 15% new. About 600 cases, half the original. |
|
| Perchance |
2022 |
Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Chardonnay Ex-Domaine |
$95 |
44 |
|
| |
JD 95-97 (2/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard is stunning stuff, and this is one I can't wait to taste from bottle. Reminding me of a great Chardonnay from Aubert with its ripe pineapple, lemon oil, candlewax, and honeyed flower notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and that rare mix of richness and freshness. This will spend 15 months in barrels, and there are roughly 150 cases.
WA 93 (10/2024): Composed of Clone 96 planted in 1995 and barrel fermented in 100% new French oak, half of the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard underwent malolactic fermentation. It boasts a subtle honeyed element, plus ripe melon and pear notes. Full-bodied, plump and generous, with a long, richly textural finish, it's a beauty to enjoy over the next several years. |
|
| Rhys |
2010 |
Alpine Vyd. Chardonnay |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95 (5/2012): Pale yellow, with a green hue. More mineral-driven than the Horseshoe bottling, displaying scents of candied citrus fruits, pear, anise, honeysuckle and sea salt. Pure and incisive on the palate, with strikingly pure lime, lemon and pear flavors complicated by floral and mineral qualities. Lingers with Outstanding intensity, leaving notes of iodine, licorice and lime zest behind.
WA 94 (8/2012): The 2010 Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard is a much deeper, vertical wine that fills out all layers of dimension and flavor. Crushed rocks, white flowers and lemon are some of the notes that flow from this powerful, intense Chardonnay. The Alpine is all about tension and energy. I loved it. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
| Shafer Vineyards |
2018 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$50 |
9 |
|
| |
JD 95 (1/2021): Tasted out of bottle, the 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is beautifully done, with a vibrant yet rich style carrying notes of buttered lemon, orange blossom, white flowers, and toasted bread. With bright acidity, terrific overall balance, and a great finish, this is classic Napa Valley Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years. I wouldn't be surprised to see it keep even longer as well. (Drink between 2021-2030).
VM 93 (1/2021): The 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is gorgeous. Tangerine oil, white flowers and light tropical accents grace the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay. Creamy and yet delicate, with lovely balance. The 2018 has so much to offer. Drink this understated, classy Chardonnay over the next handful of years. (Drink between 2021-2025). Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (11/2020): The 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch bursts from the glass with oak-laced apple pie, peach preserves and ripe pineapple scents plus hints of allspice, candied ginger and praline. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a gorgeous satiny texture and loads of stone fruit and tropical fruit layers, finishing on a lingering spicy note. |
|
|
2019 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$50 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 95 (2/2023): Always one of my favorite Chardonnays from Napa, the 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is no exception and offers a richer, concentrated, yet brilliantly balanced profile that carries classic caramelized citrus, orange, and stone fruits as well as spicy oak and brioche in the background. It’s a serious, concentrated, textured Chardonnay that does everything right. I wish there were more Chardonnay being produced in this style today.
VM 93 (1/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is bright, fragrant and light on its feet. Lemon peel, tropical fruit, jasmine and mint lend striking aromatic nuance to a Chardonnay that balances the energy that is typical of this wine today with attractive, exotic accents that add wonderful nuance. (Drink between 2022-2026). Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (11/2021): The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch gallops out with bold scents of ripe yellow apple, spiced pears and beeswax, plus hints of nutmeg, orange blossoms and cedar. Full-bodied with a lively line cutting through the dense stone fruit and spicy flavors, it finishes on a toasty oak note. |
|
|
2022 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 95 (12/2023): I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today. (Drink between 2023-2028).
WA 94 (12/2023): A modern-day classic, Shafer's 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch continues the tradition, delivering pristine pineapple notes alongside hints of citrus curd, pencil shavings and mocha. Full-bodied, round and generous, this no-malolactic-fermentation Chardonnay harmoniously tapers down into a clean, crisp finish. The only quibble with this vintage is that it may show a touch of alcoholic warmth.
VM 91 (12/2023): The 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is bright, focused and aromatic, as is the style these days. Light tropical notes add an exotic flair as lemon peel, lime, white flowers and crushed rocks linger. The 2022 spent nine months in 40% new oak and the rest in tank and a bit of neutral oak. (Drink between 2023-2029). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| | Argentina |
| Cheval des Andes |
2020 |
Mendoza Red Wine |
$78.85 |
60 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2023): The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning, which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage.
JA 97 (7/2023): Crushed raspberry plum in colour, vibrant and concentrated, juicy and balanced, has precision and succulence and carefully thought out delivery of tannins, grilled spices, nutmeg, liqourice, bilberry, damson and pomegranite. Great stuff, playing at a high level. Gérald Gabillet winemaker and director, LVMH owners.
JS 97 (7/2023): Ripe, baked dark cherries with spices and some violets. Hints of graphite, cocoa powder, incense and black pepper. Dried rose petals. A slightly fuller Cheval des Andes with tense, silky tannins and a lingering, generous finish. Ripe, but still has lots of restraint and precision. 49% malbec, 49% cabernet sauvignon with a 2% petit verdot. 24% of the malbec comes from Altamira and all the rest of the fruit come from Las Compuertas. Drink or hold.
VM 96 (9/2023): The 2020 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot from Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley and Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo. Aged in French oak barrels, it’s purple in the glass with a garnet sheen. The nose reveals a well-judged approach to the warmth of 2020, featuring ripe plum, redcurrant, mint and hints of white pepper over a bed of bay leaf and cedar. It’s dry and velvety on the palate, with rich, polished tannins that deliver a juicy, balanced mouthfeel. The balsamic notes and rich palate reflect the year’s character, while the finish is dynamic and long-lasting. Joaquin Hidalgo |
|
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Branaire-Ducru |
2018 |
St. Julien |
$59 |
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Sold Out
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2019 |
St. Julien |
$53.95 |
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2022 |
St. Julien |
$59 |
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| |
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| Ch. d' Issan |
2016 |
Margaux |
$76.99 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Lagrange |
2020 |
St. Julien |
$49 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Larcis-Ducasse |
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Malescot St. Exupery |
2019 |
Margaux |
$59 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Montlandrie |
2019 |
Cotes de Castillon |
$56.99 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Pape-Clement |
2020 |
Pessac Leognan |
$85 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Pavie Macquin |
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Pontet Canet |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$89 |
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Sold Out
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| Domaine de Chevalier |
2019 |
Pessac Leognan |
$74 |
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Sold Out
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|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. Coutet |
2003 |
Barsac |
$45 |
|
Sold Out
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| |
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| Ch. Guiraud |
2003 |
Sauternes |
$59 |
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Sold Out
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| Ch. Rieussec |
2011 |
Sauternes |
$54.99 |
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Sold Out
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| |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Dom. Santa Duc |
2018 |
Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues |
$55 |
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Sold Out
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| |
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| | Rhone White |
| Etienne Guigal |
2016 |
Condrieu La Doriane |
$89 |
|
Sold Out
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| |
|
| | Southern France |
| Clos Cibonne |
2017 |
Cotes de Provence Cuvee Hommage a Marius |
$75 |
|
Sold Out
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| | Alsace |
| Zind Humbrecht |
2010 |
Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl |
$59 |
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Sold Out
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2002 |
Pinot Gris Heimbourg VT (375 ML) |
$65 |
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Sold Out
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| |
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| | Loire |
| Bernard Baudry |
2019 |
Chinon Le Clos Guillot |
$39 |
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Sold Out
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| Dom. Huet |
2014 |
Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec |
$79 |
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Sold Out
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2014 |
Vouvray Le Mont Demi Sec |
$45 |
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2014 |
Vouvray Le Mont Sec |
$59 |
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Sold Out
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| |
|
| | Spain |
| Mas Doix |
2003 |
Costers de Vinyes Velles |
$85 |
|
Sold Out
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| |
|
| | Germany |
| Hofgut Falkenstein |
2020 |
Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese Feinherb Onkel Peter #4 |
$39 |
|
Sold Out
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| Thomas Haag |
2016 |
Schloss Lieser Doctor Riesling Auslese |
$75 |
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Sold Out
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|
| | Italy |
| Andrea Oberto |
2011 |
Barolo Brunate |
$65 |
|
Sold Out
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| |
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| Castellare di Castellina |
2019 |
I Sodi di San Niccolo Toscana IGT |
$77.99 |
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Sold Out
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| Poderi Colla |
2016 |
Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia |
$60 |
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Sold Out
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| Sottimano |
2013 |
Barbaresco Pajore |
$69 |
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Sold Out
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2013 |
Barbaresco Pajore |
$69 |
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| |
|
| | Port |
| Dow |
1994 |
Port |
$95 |
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Sold Out
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| |
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| | USA Red |
| Andrew Will |
2014 |
Sorella Champoux Vyd. |
$69 |
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Sold Out
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| Bien Nacido Estate |
2014 |
The Captain Reserve Pinot Noir |
$75 |
|
Sold Out
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| Caymus |
2015 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
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| Kosta Browne |
2009 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$20 |
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| My Favorite Neighbor |
2018 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$45 |
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2019 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
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WA 96 (3/2022): Blended with a bit of Syrah and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby-purple color and an alluring fragrance of cassis, violet, aniseed, bitter chocolate and coffee beans. It's notable this vintage for Goldilocks ripeness and seamless lift, offering a chocolate-like texture and very long finish.
JD 95 (9/2021): The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is more elegant and focused, with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, redcurrants, green tobacco, and cedary spice. I love its texture, it has ripe, polished tannins, plenty of sweet fruit, and a great, great finish, all while staying in a relatively compact, and again, elegant package. As I’ve written in the past, it would cost three to four times the price from Napa. It’s worth noting the change in appellation from Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo County, which probably allows for a wider range of fruit.
VM 93 (7/2022): Saturated ruby. Aromas of ripe black and blue fruits are complemented by vanillin oak and incense flourishes. Sappy and fleshy on the palate, offering intense black currant, cherry cola and candied licorice flavors and a hint of mocha. The vanilla note repeats on the finish, which hangs on with strong, subtly tannic persistence. (Drink between 2025-2034). Josh Raynolds. |
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| Peacock Family |
2012 |
Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
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| Rhys |
2012 |
Alpine Vyd. Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$39 |
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2010 |
Family Farm Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$55 |
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2012 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$79 |
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2013 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$89 |
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| Turley Wine Cellars |
2003 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$75 |
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2003 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$75 |
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| | USA White |
| Alpha Omega |
2018 |
Reserve Chardonnay |
$55 |
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| Peter Michael Winery |
2020 |
Belle Cote Chardonnay |
$89 |
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| Vineyard 7 & 8 |
2019 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
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| | Australia |
| Clarendon Hills |
2005 |
Hickinbotham Vyd. Syrah |
$69 |
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| | Other White |
| Kracher |
1999 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) |
$65 |
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1999 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) |
$65 |
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2000 |
Zwischen Den Seen TBA #5 Scheurebe (375 ML) |
$55 |
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