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
A wonderfully rich and open blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon plus Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot with 18 months in mostly new French oak. Rich, darkly fruited, and nicely spiced, this is big enough for a steak and smooth... Read More
Rioja can be lots of different things, including fresh, fruit-filled, and as easy to drink every day as a good Cru Beaujolais. While this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% white grapes aged in oak, it’s not oaky... Read More
Freisa is Nebbiolo’s slightly wilder younger sibling. In youth it’s a bit brash and wild, redolent of wild strawberry and black cherry fruit, dark florals, and tannins just as firm as Nebbiolo if chunkier and more... 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
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
From the cooler vineyards of Eden Valley, this marries bold black fruit and savory, earthy, complexity with fresh feel and long, supple, finish. At this ripeness level (13.9%), Syrah has a bit in common with Tempranillo, including... 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
A delicious super-Tuscan red from Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot with a perfect mix of dark fruit and sweet spice balanced by very Italian flair and zest. A refreshing wine for steak and richer... 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
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
A very old style of Barolo winemaking, this is 100% Nebbiolo that is pressed off when the fermentation is nearly done and then poured over the skins of Barbera left from that wine’s pressing. After a couple of hours, the... Read More
The 3rd wine of this 2nd growth estate comes from younger vines and is mainly Merlot with just a touch of new French oak. Lovely aromas of red fruit and spice with a silky mid-palate and velvet finish that sustains nicely. Ready... Read More
The best Bourgogne Rouge in the shop right now, one of the best we’ve found in years, and a terrific value to boot. Caroline Fyot and Alexia Russo worked in luxury products and finance in Paris before deciding to move to... Read More
Organic/Bio This is probably the single best Bordeaux value in the shop right now, mainly because the vintage is brilliant and the estate sells all they make without participating in the Bordeaux critics’ circus. From a... Read More
Organic/Bio In a few weeks from this writing, I’ll have dinner with winemaker Lou Rochet and get her to explain the details here. For now we know that this is about equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot with a dollop of... Read More
A terrific young Bordeaux from St. Estephe’s Ch de Pez. Blending 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon plus Petite Verdot and Cab Franc, it opens with lovely aromatics of cedar, tobacco, blackcurrant and dark chocolate. Complex... Read More
This wants some time in decanter now (2 hours seems about right!), but then there's a lot to enjoy about the 2019 edition of the second wine of St. Estephe benchmark Phelan-Segur.
Fronsac on the Right Bank always gives Merlot-dominant wines that have a touch of Left Bank feel. Here around 25% Cabernet Franc elevates the perfume nicely. Owner/winemaker Thierry Gaudrie never pushes ripeness or extraction... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV
Fabrice Closset and Valérie Closset-Gaziaux grew up in households dedicated to organic and biodynamic farming, studied soil science, helped introduce organic farming to communities in Africa, and then... Read More
Thierry Sabon makes old-school wines, ones that emphasize the earthier, meatier, side of the Southern Rhone. Here his Grenache (65%), Syrah, Mouvedre and Cinsault red from the sandy soils of Lirac pumps out plenty of rich black... Read More
Alejandro Fernández helped revive the reputation of Spain's Ribera del Duero with his Pesquera winery before starting Condado de Haza to show how Ribera Tempranillo performed higher up the hillsides. There's a blend... Read More
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