Brooding and deeply structured, this retains a sense of focus and vibrancy, with flavors of wild berries, clove, savory anise and green peppercorn that build tension and zestiness toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan... Read More
A toasty edge of smoke, mocha and vanilla accents the pureed cherry and baked plum fruit flavors in this harmonious red. There’s a zesty, spice-laden underpinning, with fine, taut tannins wrapped in a creamy texture and... Read More
Notable for its pure cherry and kirsch aromas and flavors, this red is also stylish and graceful. Rose, wild thyme and stony mineral elements come into play as this develops on the palate. Beautifully integrated, fresh and firm,... Read More
The 2019 Cheval des Andes has a more reductive vinification and élevage, making the wine a bit shy and in need of time to open up, as one of their objectives was to make it more age-worthy. Another objective is to get to... Read More
This bottling delivers the ripe power that so many want in a package that’s balanced by savory elements. Dense aroma of tar, char, asphalt, cassis and cocoa show on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy, loaded with coffee... Read More
The Santenots du Milieu from Lafon is marvelous wine and among my favourites among the Volnay premier crus, with its perfumed red and black fruit and pleasant floral notes. The texture on the palate is dynamic, with fresh acidity... Read More
Early reduction on the nose transitions to cool berry fruit and fine oak as this wine opens. The palate is fully built and saturated, with palpable tannins. Lightly toasted black-fruit flavors meld with mint, while ubiquitous... Read More
A pretty nose of raspberries, cassis, fresh herbs, vanilla and sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied with round tannins. Creamy and fruity with chocolatey character on the mid-palate. Supple finish with excellent length. Tangy... Read More
The 2012 Viña Bosconia Reserva is perhaps a little too young (María José López de Heredia likes more polished wines, and for her this wine was too tough), with some tannins and the chalky texture from... Read More
Grapes for the 2021 Angeli Zinfandel are picked in three passes. Proprietor Scot Bilbro notes that Zinfandel's naturally varying levels of ripeness can lead to raisiny flavors if all the grapes are picked at a higher brix.... Read More
So tannic, so new oaky, it feels clumsy and astringent and awkward in the mouth. Then you realize how rich the heart of fruit is, offering an enormous array of blackberries, blueberries and black currants. The grapes are from... Read More
The 2020 Seña is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 7% Petit Verdot (a little higher in search of acidity) from grapes harvested early, the second week of March, and fermented mostly in stainless... Read More
