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england

redcurrant and cranberry freshness plays on the nose and palate, where they are overtaken by a bright, clean citrus streak. the fine bubbles fizz away, dispersing this lively, invigorating freshness across the palate where an edge of sourdough appears. it's a taut, brisk and refreshing wine.

rosé

portugal

the name of this wine comes from the landscape of the vineyard with its ancient rocks and fossilized remains. it is soft, smooth and spicy, with bold, ripe flavors and a touch of vanilla from the wood aging. this is generous, full of fruit and ready to drink.

stones & bones

argentina

this extracted, oaky wine is generous on the nose, with minerally notes, iodine and potent blackberry aromas. it's big but balanced, and the flavor profile delivers common berry, toast and oaky flavors that finish strong and with espresso-like bitterness.

felino

italy

aromas of black currant, french oak, coconut and espresso lead the nose on this polished easygoing merlot, cabernet franc and syrah blend. the soft accessible palate doles out black cherry, mocha and black pepper alongside supple tannins. enjoy soon.

rosso

us

only the brave and lonely continue to try to forge top cabernet from santa barbara county, especially at this price. while the mission is not impossible, cabs like this don't advance the cause, no matter how nobly inspired. dry and herbal, the wine shows only modest blackberry and cherry flavors, and is dry and hard on the finish.

reserve santa barbara highlands vineyard

france

very crisp and packed with fruit, this is an attractive, lightly mineral wine. it is fresh, full of green apples and lime, with a juicy apricot aftertaste. drink now.

les milets

us

this hearty blend of 35% cabernet sauvignon, 27% cabernet franc, 24% merlot and 14% petit verdot offers blackberry, smoked beef, vanilla, cola and anise scents on the nose. the palate is tightly wound, its boysenberry fruit and dark soil minerality leading into a finish laced with licorice spice.

lineage the chairman series

us

michael david is clearly having fun here, calling it rapture and scrawling on the back of each bottle, “don't be left behind!” the wine is fun for big oak, big tannin and big fruit as it's true to its md style, all toasted oak and molasses, dry epic tannins and jam.

rapture

italy

made with 50% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon, this opens with aromas of red cherry and vanilla. the palate delivers red plum, tangerine and a hint of clove alongside bracing tannins.

commendator enrico

us

a pure, young chardonnay made in a chablis style, but you don't want to drink it now. shows the acidic minerality of carneros, with citrus, tropical fruit, wildflower and honey flavors. too tight and unyielding. give it until mid-2010 to mellow.

truchard vineyard

us

except for a splash of syrah, this qualifies as a cabernet-centric bordeaux-style blend. hard to find a better bottle of blended red wine at the price. this has grip and breed, with tart red fruits, ripe tannins, a wash of herb and tart acidity. put it up against anything you grill.

house wine red

us

lifted aromas of cherry jell-o, spicy raspberry and a kiss of anise show brightly on the nose. the palate offers a slight tannic grip, with strawberry and cherry flavors leading to a lightly peppered finish.

estate club

france

grown on dense chalky soil, this concentrated, tight and mineral wine is also rich. pure acidity and rich apple flavors are cut by a nervy streak and textured with lively spice. this wine is worth aging, so drink from late 2017.

insolite

us

this is an interesting bottle from sourced fruit (rather than estate-grown). ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit is matched to ripe tannins; the wine is dark, almost sultry, and the flavors flow seamlessly across the palate. there is a spicy lift and a hint of pickle barrel (american oak?) that concludes the presentation.

reserve

spain

plum, cherry, cassis and earth aromas are as is, with little nuance or complexity. in the mouth, this is plump, maybe a bit chunky. quiet, ripe plum and spice flavors finish with more of the same and little to no change. drink now.

reserva

us

a good, strong, sturdy wine, filled with classic blackberry, black currant and cassis flavors. it's dry and rich, but the tannins are aggressive. they're edgy and tough and off-putting. it may be the kind of old-fashioned wine that comes around after 10 or 15 years.

the philanthropist yountville estate vineyard

argentina

this is a varietally correct cabernet with minty oak, mild herb aromas and toasty, solid berry fruit scents on the bouquet. although it's a bit scouring and tough on the palate, flavors of raspberry, plum and herbs are spicy and right. on the finish, oaky vanilla and lemony notes settle in.

reserve barrancas vineyards

france

this rich wine is full of ripe white and citrus fruits that combine easily with the tangy, tight texture that comes from the dominance of pinot noir in the blend. it is still young, the sort of wine that needs to age to bring out its full potential. drink this very fine vintage from 2018.

vintage brut

italy

opulence and intensity set this wine apart and place it high on a list of the world's best sparkling wines. made with creamy chardonnay grapes, the brilliant bubbly delivers complexity and harmony thanks to its deep shadings of mature fruit, mineral and yeast. fabulous.

riserva del fondatore

italy

here's a pungent and intense italian sparkler (made with chardonnay, pinot bianco and pinot nero) that opens with bright aromas of apricot, mature melon, white almond and yellow rose. the wine is smooth and silky, and there's a ripe, warm quality to the fruit flavors.

brut

us

this medium-bodied wine is easy-going and easy to drink. it smells and tastes like raspberries and red grapes, feels soft in texture and has a mellow fruitiness.

estate

italy

toast, hay, pear, light ginger and savory herb aromas take shape in the glass. the linear palate offers tart green apple, citrus, brimstone and a smoky note, while crisp acidity adds freshness.

deaetna bianco

chile

gritty aromas of red-berry and roasted fruit are not overly ripe. this feels firm, with high-toned acidic energy and a raspy afterburn. oaky plum and currant flavors finish dry and hot. not much cushion or softness here; requires food.

gran reserva

italy

aromas of toast, coconut and oak-driven spice lead the nose and carry over to the palate along with licorice and a confectionary note. this lacks fruit richness while raspy tannins leave an astringent finish.

nubiola

argentina

this pitch-dark, fully extracted malbec from la consulta in mendoza's uco valley delivers blackberry, black pepper and brushy herbal aromas on what amounts to a massive, spot-on bouquet. big, chewy and tannic on the palate, with earthy, roasted flavors of blackberry, prune, savory spices and raw oak, this finishes meaty, slightly salty and strong, with wild herb and black-fruit flavors. drink through 2022.

aluvional

france

from selected parcels of the ollières estate, this wine is impressive. it has weight but that is balanced by the acidity and the generous black fruits and acidity. this is certainly a wine that has been well aged, although it would pay to wait another year before drinking. so drink this very fine wine from 2018.

haut de l'hermitage

italy

intense aromas of menthol, pressed rose, dark spice, new leather and wild berry take shape on this fragrant full-bodied red. concentrated and structured, the dense palate delivers marasca cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and a hint of exotic spice framed in firm refined tannins.

badarina riserva

france

this is a full-bodied, ripe wine from one of the top provence estates. it is rich with red-berry fruits and has been given a crisp touch from the tangy peppered acidity. the spirit (esprit) of gassier is obviously in good health.

esprit gassier

australia

smooth, easy-drinking and lushly textured, this verdelho features peach and grapefruit notes that stay refreshingly clean and crisp on the finish. it should work well as an apéritif or with many fish dishes.

sea mist single site

italy

earthy aromas suggest tilled soil, leather, prune, balsam and dried cherries marinated in spirits. the palate offers ripe black cherry accented with sensations of white pepper, cinnamon, fig, black tea and a hint of chocolate. it has assertive but polished tannins and nice depth, but it already seems fully developed. drink 2015–2023.

gli angeli riserva

austria

adding cabernet sauvignon and merlot to blaufränkisch and zweigelt gives an intense wine that explodes with black fruits and intense, dark tannins. it is maybe less of a bomb than 2004, but that means it is more sophisticated, ripe but elegant, and finely structured.

vulcano

portugal

a strange orange-pink color for a wine that is somewhere between fruity and sweet and acid and bitter. this one hasn't found a balance.

companhia das lezírias herdade de catapereiro

italy

this historic wine offers a nostalgic glimpse of what consumers love most about sangiovese and chianti classico. it is steady and clean, and it provides bright pulses of cherry, spice and tobacco.

brolio

argentina

tropical and citrus fruit aromas come with controlled skin-based bitterness. this has a full oily texture and flavors of lemon-lime and white pineapple. fresh acidity on the finish keeps this clean and in good shape. drink right away.

private reserve

portugal

still holding its deep red color, this is otherwise a wine that is now mature and ready to drink, hailing from the first vintage of the vadio project. it has earthy flavors of bramble and undergrowth, and a dry character that will become more pronounced over the next years. luis patrão started the organic vadio project to preserve the native baga grape grown nine miles from the atlantic ocean in central portugal.

vadio

australia

because st. henri is aged exclusively in large, mostly neutral oak vessels, it often requires more time to come around than shiraz aged in barrel. the 2009 is tight and reticent on the nose, while showing hints of boysenberry, black olive and roasted meat on the palate. full bodied, rich and firm in structure, with a long, amply textured finish, it needs a few years in the cellar, and should last at least through 2030.

st. henri

us

a verdelho with a taste of nuts—like marcona almonds—it gets more fruity and aromatic after a good swirl. this is marked by a tangy sweetness on the finish.

silvaspoons vineyard

spain

ripe, woody, heady aromas of balsam wood and cedar cigar box set up a pushy, thick, syrupy palate that delivers a mix of raisin, berry, stewed plum and licorice flavors. a chewy feeling, stewy-tasting finish is full and blocky.

roureda llicorella clàssic

us

this blend of 45% sangiovese, 20% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 5% freisa is very approachable and food-friendly, showing baked black-cherry pie, star anise and pine resin on the nose. the palate dries up with red plum and flashes of strawberry set against shaved clove spices. it's layered in flavor but softly textured.

classico

us

baked strawberries and red cherries pair deliciously with shaved nutmeg, vanilla and black tea leaves on the nose of this bottling. there is a strong black plum tang to the sip, which is decorated lavishly with thyme, bay leaf, rust and gravel—a very elegant expression overall.

estate

france

this wine comes from a single vineyard, planted on flint soil. it has a definite steely character that has been softened by the year in bottle. that gives a pure wine shot through with citrus and apples, showing power and concentration from the intense fruit. drink the wine now.

le roc

france

from the northernmost of the beaujolais cru villages, this is a ripe and full wine. with rich cherry flavors and just enough acidity, the wine is lightly structured with some dry tannins. it is ready to drink.

collection

south africa

herbal aromas of fynbos and menthol lead the bouquet of this wine, with supporting notes of blackberry, boysenberry and thin mint. the medium-weight palate is well balanced, with ample acidity and fine yet structured tannins. earthy licorice and sweet spice notes grace the medium-length finish. drink now–2020.

the bernard series limited release bush vine

us

red cherry and currant mix with sweet sawdust and anise-spiced gum on the nose. medium-bodied, with a plush feel, juicy red fruit flavors pervade on the palate. light tannins make this an easy sipper—enjoy alone or with lighter proteins.

reserve

us

the new release from this old (1972) vineyard boosts the alcohol to 13.9%, dropping the residual sugar to just over 1%. deep, concentrated, and driven by a dense minerality, this exceptional single-vineyard riesling has raw fruit flavors of green apple, white peach and citrus rind. sure to evolve, perhaps over decades, it has the vivid acidity and penetrating finish to improve significantly.

solstice vineyard

us

a mild streak of vanilla in both the aroma and flavor provides most of the taste and a smooth texture. modest apple and honey flavors turn up on the finish. it's medium-bodied and soft in balance.

estate

us

raspberry and cinnamon spice hit the nose first followed by crushed cloves on this supremely balanced wine by gavin chanin from a vineyard that's northwest of the sta. rita hills. dried cranberry fruit leads the palate, but it's mostly powered by a potpourri of brown spices, from peppercorns to nutmeg. it's a study of restrained ripeness that's fresh and tasty.

duvarita vineyard

portugal

the star white grape of the dão—encruzado—produces this attractive, perfumed and deliciously creamy wine. it's rich and ripely rounded, with yellow fruit balanced by the crispest lime -and lemon-like acidity. a light spice note completes the picture.

cabriz reserva branco

us

made from cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, cabernet franc and petit verdot, it's a little high in alcohol and astringently tannic, but it has deep flavors of red- and black-fruit liqueurs and new oak. it's a heady wine that would pair well with robust fare.

meritaggio

us

the wine shows the fine acidity of the vintage, but also intense flavors of green apples, asian pears and oranges. oak brings luscious, balanced notes of vanilla and toast. a gorgeous, sumptuous wine that should drink well for the next six years.

allen vineyard

us

inspired by co-winemaker eli parker's trips to australia, this is simply a fun and tasty sparkling red, with rose, clove, black plum, and graphite notes on the nose. ripe berry flavors round out the palate, but tangy plum skins and a slate-driven mineral tension keep it serious.

sparkling

us

merry edwards has figured out the magic trick of crafting pinot noirs so luscious right out of the gate, you want to drink them now, but that actually are ageable. this one, from the warmer westside road area of the valley, is enormously ripe and seductive now, with wild cherry, red licorice, bacon, cola, cocoa and cinnamon spice flavors. yet the inherent balance of tannins and acids ensures it a long life. what a treat. now–2016.

flax vineyard méthode a l'ancienne

us

very treacly aromas of overripe strawberry, brown sugar and maple syrup show on this dessert-like wine. it's very sweet on the palate, with sweet tea, prune and raisin flavors.

blood of jove off-dry

us

this wine is a blend of fruit from oasis (84%) and olsen vineyards. a pale golden color, the aromas are light, with notes of lees, stone fruit, cinnamon, cream and spice. the palate is creamy and full in feel, with pleasing spice accents on the extended finish. a touch of warmth is the only thing that holds it back.

enlightenment

us

this single-vineyard exploration shows a more tropical side than the winery's other chardonnays. rich, rounded notes of honeysuckle, lemon custard and apple cider characterize the nose. the palate is reserved compared to the showy aromas, with buttered peach and green-apple flavors.

rincon vineyard

us

this is a delightful wine, crowd pleasing and complex. it benefits from its lack of oak by focusing on its lifted fruit—a twist of fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit—its acidity nicely measured and not one-dimensional. the crisp freshness is complemented by a hint of white rock and subtle lushness on the back palate.

teresa's unoaked estate grown estate bottled

us

another fine estate-grown pinot gris from vista hills, with plenty of green apple and bosch pear fruit, along with some light cinnamon spice. there is also a suggestion of flower in both the nose and the mouth, but overall it's a bigger wine than that, with the fruit front and center.

flagler estate

us

some hints of sweetness and a touch of minerality annotate this wine, which bursts with flavors of peaches and tangerines. it's dry enough to pair with most riesling friendly fare, and in many ways the most accessible and fruit-forward of trisaetum's eight rieslings.

ribbon ridge

portugal

deep, black-colored wine, firm, serious and still young. it has power and concentration, dark berry fruits, herbal and spice flavors and a core of wood. this is a wine for long-term aging to soften the tannins.

momentos

us

a blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and petite sirah, this has firm tannins and ripe, forward flavors of blackberries, currants and oak. already throwing some sediment, it will continue to soften and mellow over the next 5–6 years.

rockstar

us

tastes like apricot pie filling, mixed with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, with the smoky pastry crust. simple and direct.

coastal series

us

a super-delicious candy bar of a wine, with melted blackberry jam, milk chocolate and cassis liqueur flavors, sprinkled with black pepper and star anise. there's a brown sugar quality, but the finish actually is dry. great price for a wine held back long enough by the producer to begin to soften and mellow. drink now–2018.

coryelle fields vineyard

chile

roasted plum and savory meat aromas are more earthy than bright. creamy and a touch sticky in feel, this deals flavors that follow the nose, including baked plum, pepper and savory notes. on the finish, it's oak and peppery spice in the lead.

single vineyard cahuil

australia

fairly full-bodied and lush, with berry fruit flavors balanced by darker notes of chocolate and coffee. the tannins are soft, making this wine immediately accessible.

black st. peters

portugal

possibly too much wood has been used in maturing this wine, which results in a toasty, burnt character to the otherwise ripe fruit. at four years, the wood should have mellowed.

reserva

us

dark in color and deeply flavored, as the name suggests, this blend has evocative blackberry, currant, grilled meat, black pepper and oak flavors. it's also tannic, suggesting cellaring until 2019.

dark & brooding

us

a worthy followup to the 2007, perhaps not as immediately flamboyant, but a major pinot noir to age in the cellar. shows flashy cherry and raspberry fruit, with tantalizingly rich spices and a perfect coating of sweet, smoky oak. fine and delicious now, after decanting, and should develop over this decade.

saralee's vineyard

chile

exotic aromas of talcum powder and gardenia are true to the variety, while the mouthfeel is flabby and soft. flavors of lychee and green melon turn bitter and pyrazinic on the finish.

la joya gran reserva

us

dusty pink in color, this dry, refreshing rosé bursts from the glass with electric raspberry and cherry flavor. thirst-quenching and juicy, it's easy and effortless, marked by a zing of cranberry acidity on the finish.

dry

italy

aromas of steeped prune and raspberry jam mix with a note of used leather and chopped herb. the robust but evolved palate offers dried sour cherry, raisin, ground pepper and espresso alongside the heat of evident alcohol. grainy tannins leave a bracing finish. the fruit has almost dried up completely so drink sooner rather than later.

pieluni riserva

italy

made exclusively from sangiovese, cipresso is a lively, brilliant red with pretty fruit intensity and a solid, bright finish.

piano del cipresso

us

cherry-berry crumble topped with vanilla cream gives this wine a brambly, succulent quality, dusted in light cinnamon spice, cedar and well-integrated tannin and oak. powerful and full-bodied, it's fruity, balanced and enjoyable now.

district collection

us

tannic and spicy, this wine settles in the glass to offer a glorious spectrum of medium-bodied black cherry, blackberry and rhubarb. along the way it threads a savory undertone of forest floor and chamomile tea.

freestone station

us

four decades of experience shine on this josh jensen bottling, which mixes luxuriously ripe wild berries, raspberries and cola with the sharper spice of sweet clove and dried violet. it's bright with acidity, picking up licorice in the midpalate and finishing on a tart, slightly bitter note of crushed cranberry. this will sip well for a few years but is amazing now.

mills vineyard

us

a bordeaux blend with all the usual suspects (except malbec), six sigma's cuvee has a huge cabernet sauvignon nose, all dark berry and plum with a hint of lavender. it has a huge brick wall of structure, with dusty tannins that finish long and meaty, and a slight blip of just-ripe blackberry.

cuvée

us

this distinctive wine has a light to medium color, with complex and somewhat earthy aromas. very tasty and diverse flavors suggest black tea and rhubarb. it has medium body, a soothing, smooth texture and lingering finish.

gloria estate

france

this bright pink-colored wine is made from malbec. it is fruity and fresh with strawberry flavors and layers of acidity that give it a crisp, tight aftertaste. drink now.

pigmentum

france

richly structured this wine, from well-exposed vines (hence the land of light in the name) is fruity with black cherry and some firm tannins. it is going to develop into a serious, complex wine. drink from 2018.

cuvée terre de lumière

portugal

balanced fresh wine, full of mango, guava and pineapple flavors. it has freshness, brightness, along with a refreshing citrus burst.

guadalupe branco

us

aromas of coffee, toast, vanilla spice and dark fruit offer immediate appeal. the black-fruit flavors are ripe and generous, sticking around on the tart finish.

the explorer series

france

rich, deliciously fruity and ripe, this combines warmth with a more mineral undertow that cuts through the palate, creating a wine that is refreshing and mouth-filling. it would be worth aging for two years or more.

domaine long-depaquit

portugal

this one is a typical, off-dry vinho verde with a light prickle and the crispest fruit. the wine is very light, very bright and clean with attractive acidity at the end. drink now.

vinhas altas

italy

made from marche's passerina grape, this offers zesty citrus, apple, butterscotch and vanilla sensations. the mouthfeel is a bit rough because of hard-edged bubbles.

brut altamarea

spain

spicy earthy briary aromas include a note of cola along with requisite berry and cassis scents. a slightly choppy mouthfeel and flavors of blueberry, cardamom, herbs and oak define the palate, while this finishes fruity and open. drink through 2024.

reserva

spain

mature and smooth up front, this is showing rooty, earthy black-fruit aromas that are loamy and ripe. a shot of lively acidity creates good flow, while flavors of ripe, baked, toasty berry fruits are dark in nature and suggest espresso and bitter chocolate. a crisp, peppery, lightly burnt-tasting finish is smoky and long. drink through 2019.

cepas viejas

austria

soft scents of leafy ferns and freshly cut conference pears are subtly inviting. the palate then trumps with a textured dryness and that softly spiced pepperiness that is grüner's hallmark. this is classy and grown-up, with lots of zesty, fresh citrus notes thrown in.

weinzierlberg

us

clean and dry, but unbalanced, with raisin skin tannins that make the wine feel harsh and astringent. the addition of viognier to the syrah adds citrusy acids to the black currants. needs greater richness.

le reflexion

us

possesses deep flavors of currants and blackberries, and yet you still have to wonder why it merits bottling on its own. it's bone-dry and tannic, and its austerity is a challenge. —s.h.

t-bar-t

us

muted aromatics hide beneath thick, leathery tannins and a puckering structure of crisp red currant and cranberry in this full-bodied wine that will benefit from time. cellar through 2020.

hendry vineyard

hungary

from a vineyard in northern tokaj this dry furmint has aromas of citrus pith and freshly cut pineapple. in the mouth, there are delightful flavors of grapefruit juice and white peach before the pleasantly acidic finish.

megyer dry

us

half cabernet sauvignon with the balance merlot along with just a smidgeon (6%) of syrah, this wine provides aromas of smoke, plum, herbs and black currant. the flavors are broad and generous, with an appealing texture and a finish that lingers.

c.m.s.

us

an impressive cabernet, flashy and dramatic in the "cult" style. it's smooth and velvety, with imposingly rich tannins that frame ripe, pure black currant, crème de cassis, dark chocolate and anise flavors. there's a lot of oak, too, but it's in keeping with the wine's volume. should develop over the next 15 years, but you can certainly drink it now.

il barone

portugal

an all-embracing blend of many of the white douro varieties, this is all about fruit. from the crisp citrus flavors to the softer melon and pear, the wine is delicious to drink at this young exuberant stage. it could also keep a few months when the acidity will have calmed down a little.

vallado branco

us

one of the first bottles to bear the name of this new growing region, the aromas are light with notes of baking spice, cherry, vanilla and red vines. the fruit flavors are sweet and supple, backed by lightly grainy tannins.

single vineyard

italy

this is a well-crafted, elegant wine with pretty mineral tones that frame a core of black cherry and spice. the wine offers the precise qualities—structure, good freshness and clean fruit aromas—that promise a successful pairing with most mediterranean foods.

maru

new zealand

classic pinot noir scents of dusty rose blossom and black cherry emerge from the glass. they're followed by flavors and textures that highlight the tension between slightly herbal and tea-like notes with dark cherry fruit. this medium-bodied wine then glides into a long, finely textured finish.

bannockburn

us

reserved on the nose, this bottling eventually shows dried plums, berries, lilac and tar aromas. dried purple flowers show on the sip alongside blueberries, plums, leather and dried-meat flavors.

three ranches

austria

a rich, cherry- and black fig-flavored wine, layered with smokiness, some wood and a dry, firm core of tannins. there is a juicy quality from the blend's blaufränkisch, while cabernet sauvignon lends the tannins. aging over 3–4 years.

impérial

us

this syrah-zin blend is forward in jammy raspberry, cherry, herb tea and spice flavors. it's simple, but crisp acidity gives it a firm, clean finish.

le pique-nique

hungary

the rich, spicy and savory nose evoke the food for which the country is known, and this wine would undoubtedly pair well with full-bodied, spiced meats and stews. its full, spicy nose leads into dependable flavors of red berry, wooded spice and pepper, with a slightly bitter, smoked edge. not a terribly complex wine, but solid and tasty nonetheless.

cuvée barrique