2019 Red Wine

Owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini since 2003, Altesino has been one of Montalcino’s leaders since the zone exploded into international prominence in the 1970s. The wine style is traditional, with all large, Slavonian oak,... Read More

This is one of the most deliciously impressive Mendoza Malbecs we’ve tried in a long while, from lovely ripe fruit grown at 4,000 feet and aged 12 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a big wine, but with outstanding... Read More

While most of Baracchi’s production is “super-Tuscan” one way or another, their more classic Tuscan Sangiovese is not to be missed! As JamesSucking.com says in the 93 point praise, “A solid sangiovese with... Read More

This is what Cortona is all about – sunny warmth captured in perfectly ripe Syrah and Cabernet with a luxurious 24 months in French oak for polish and spice. The winery’s top wine and a big success. As JamesSuckling.com... Read More

From the only producer with 100% of their vines in the Grand Cru of Montosoli and one of the original 13 Brunello estates, a wine tempting now and drinking through 2040. As Wine Advocate says, Baricci's wines are some of the... Read More

This isn’t fancy pants Rioja, but one whiff and you’ll be glad you took it home. Fragrant red fruit with a piercing freshness is consistent throughout your sipping journey. Not too big and not too lean, this sits right... Read More

Usually when you see 100% Sagrantino, you are in for a tannic ride; however the team at Cantine Fratelli Pardi have managed to make their Sagrantino into an elegant work of art. Moving from stainless steel to Austrian oak cask... Read More

It's hard to believe at this price point, but this wine was a Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice last vintage and Wine & Spirits Best Buy before that. The 2019 is better still. Vines were already planted here in 1466 when... Read More

Cos d’Estournel’s “other Grand Vin,” this features 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and splashes of Franc and Petit Verdot. Softer than you’d expect for Saint Estephe and delicious now. As WA says... 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 We think of Pomerol as being all about power, but Mazeyres goes the finesse route in 2019. As Vinous says in the 93 point review, “The 2019 Mazeyres is bright, effusive and so inviting. Blood orange, mint, rose... Read More

Pretty grand in 2019 with a remarkably supple and open feel for Saint Estephe. Delicious now – 2050+ The 95 point Vinous write-up: “The 2019 Meyney has a divine bouquet, so pure and winsome with floral red berry scents,... Read More

Stunning Montepulciano of big depth, richness and delight. As Vinous says in the 93 point review, The 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Fosso Cancelli is impossible to ignore, showing a blend of cherry and plum sauce, balsamic... Read More

Saint Julien gives classy Bordeaux with a touch more roundness and appeal. This is a beauty, as Vinous says in the 94 point review, “an exuberant, plush Clos du Marquis packed with inky, dark fruit. All the signatures of... Read More

Normally this needs a lot of patience, but the 2019 is nicely open and delicious already. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 24 months in French oak (75% new). 793 cases made.

Red Mountain minerality is all over this beautifully intense... Read More

Taurasi is probably the most important Italian red wine you almost never (just “never”?) drink. When people call Aglianico the “Barolo of the South,” they’re thinking of what Campania’s top... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Before bubbles took over in the 18th century, Champagne was most famous for it's very Burgundy-like red Pinot Noir. The tradition continues today in Coteaux Champenois like this one, 100% Pinot Noir made... Read More

A stunning blend of 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot from Ballard Canyon on California’s Central Coast. In 2019, you’ll be struck by how intense and even tight the wine is... Read More

Organic/Bio My first thought tasting this Merlot-based Bordeaux blend from Spain’s Cava country was, “Like a Spanish super-Tuscan” but I can’t disagree with the Canadian journalist who went with “Combines... Read More

In contrast to Galloni's review below, a bottle of Pora opened in April 2024 was remarkably open, full of flavor, and delightful to drink. It certainly has plenty of cellar potential and could shut down at some point, but... Read More

Another wine where Galloni seems to have caught things at an awkward moment - at our April 2024 tasting, it was among the most compelling wines open for both medium and long-term drinking! Do air it out a bit now and enjoy with... Read More

Montestefano is one of the Produttori’s steepest sites and one of the warmest. The high calcium content of the soil is more like Barolo’s Serralunga than the rest of Barbaresco, and the wine is more Barolo-like as... Read More

Located in the center of Barbaresco, not far from Asili, the site is the essence of Barbaresco in terms of soil, exposure, and elevation. At a class a few years ago, co-cellar master Luca Cravanzola caught everyone’s attention... Read More

Chris Boustred's great-grandfather arrived in South Africa in the 19th Century and had a bit of success as a diamond miner. The 3,000 carat “Cullinan” diamond in the British Crown Jewels? Thomas Cullinan was that... Read More