New Zealand native Angela Osborne moved to California in 2006 with a simple dream: to make Grenache. Over the years, she's established herself as one of the few masters of crafting Grenache that's bursting with fruit but... Read More
As the winery writes, Andrew Murray has been singularly and nearly maniacally focused on crafting Syrah for 25 years. His Everyday (in French Syrah “Tous les Jours”) Syrah from Santa Ynez gives you a good idea of how... Read More
Made by Rob Mondavi,Jr (grandson of the Napa legend), this does an outstanding job of balancing Napa's richness with a fine minerality and structure. Plenty of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, a touch of dried herb, a dash... Read More
Organic/Bio Named for Stephen’s skateboarding and sheepherding son, Juel represents this unique winery as a whole. In 2022, it’s one six-ton fermenter filled with fruit picked from all four corners of the vineyard... Read More
Organic/Bio There’s something joyfully incongruous about a bearded outdoors guy who wears flannel, farms his vineyard with horses, chickens, sheep, geese and (his own) children, and waxes on passionately about the quality... Read More
As always, a benchmark interpretation of Virginia's most prominent red wine grape made in a rich but balanced and highly drinkable style. The 92 point review of the 2020 gives you a great idea of what to expect: Charming aromas... Read More
As always, a benchmark in Virginia wine for both immediate enjoyment with food and many years in cellar to come. In 2020, a blend of Merlot 62%, Cabernet Franc 34%, Petit Verdot 4% with the Cab Franc giving extra lift.... Read More
Lower ABV Absurdly delicious cool-climate, California, Syrah that delivers layers of savory complexity, whole cluster (50%) grip, and still has enough fruit to just drink sexy. Double 95 point reviews for the 2019 will be repreated... Read More
One of Washington’s oldest family-run wineries has a deft hand with Cabernet Sauvignon, including blending in 10% Merlot and 7% Syrah and getting lots of flavor at <14% alcohol. This is fun and party Cabernet, full of... Read More
A big snoot- and mouth-ful of crushed berries and cherries with some cocoa dust, a touch of acidic/tannic bite, and a “I dare you to stop drinking me” finish that keeps you coming back for more. Like an Italian Chianti... Read More
If you think this is impressive right now (and it is!), just wait until you give it some time in decanter or a year or two in cellar. Plenty of succulent fruit but also amazing old-vine intensity from a large does of the vineyard's... Read More
One of the longest-running high-quality “value” Pinots we know of. As Robert Parker said of the 2013 edition: An authentic tasting Pinot Noir that sells for a song. Aromas of sweet red and black cherry fruit intermixed... Read More
A terrific value Cabernet from Alexander Valley, north of Napa. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with splashes of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this pairs rich blackberry and currant fruit with Alexander Valley’s signature... Read More
From the tenderloin of Alexander Valley, this has plenty of size but also a bit of grace. Lots of blackberry, raspberry and currant fruit with accents of cedar and baking spice. The French oak shows on the trace of vanilla on... Read More
Howell Mountain specialist Bravante makes tiny quantities of powerful, deep, mountain structured wines. Here roughly one-third each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot get extra perfume from 24% Cabernet Franc and lift from 7% Malbec.... Read More
From a cool Paso site just 15 miles off the ocean and at 1,000 feet elevation, this is just lovely California Cabernet. There’s plenty of texture here – a sense of roundness and flesh – and dark currant and black... Read More
Brick & Mortar is really a California sparkling house, meaning they grow a lot of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. When Pinot gets a bit too ripe for fizz, it’s perfect for elegant, pure, juicy still wines like this... Read More
Stags Leap is the smallest AVA in Napa but has loomed large in wine-lovers’ minds ever since Warren Winiarski’s Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 1973 shocked the wine world by beating out the best of Bordeaux... Read More
Grown just north and east of Napa, most Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon ends up as part of the allowable 20% of non-AVA fruit in “Napa” Cabernet. Here it shines mostly solo as the main component in this delicious, ripe,... Read More
Organic/Bio From the sister winery of Radio-Couteau, County Line wines look to deliver that level of style and quality in a more immediately drinkable (and less expensive) format. Fermented in steel and aged in neutral (meaning... Read More
Darby English calls his 800 case production Purple Haze Cabernet Sauvignon blend a “cult wine” because it sells out so quickly every year. It’s a rich and deep blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah and Merlot... Read More
A classic "Right Bank" Bordeaux blend leading with Merlot and spiced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that delivers stylish and smooth pleasure.
Jean Case and husband Steve (of AOL fame) keep going from strength to strength at this top Virginia estate. A blend of 46% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 7% Petit Manseng, 3% Cabernet Frac gives a medium-bodied... Read More
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