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
Always a great value Rhone red, the 2020 Ventoux les Gelinottes is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah that delivers a huge mouthful of ripe, rich, fruit. “Mouthfilling” understates the impact as the black raspberry/blackberry... 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
“Côtes Catalanes” makes you think of Spain’s Catalyna and the slice of France’s deep south Rousillon region it describes has a lot in common with Spain. Including the grape the Spanish call Cariñena... Read More
The importer Boutinot makes a lot of their own wines, including this one from old-vine Grenache discovered growing down south between Corbieres and the Sea. Done all in steel, it’s dark, gutsy, powerful and a bit wild, with... Read More
As always, this is a darker, richer, take on Brunello that's lifted nicely by 2019's freshening acids. While it's even better to wait, no reason not to enjoy a bottle or two now!
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
An ENORMOUS amount of wine for the money here, in 100% Malbec grown carefully at high altitude and then made to let the grape and place shine through. Black-fruited on the nose and palate with fine complexity from notes of tobacco,... Read More
One of the most consistently excellent wines in the Southern Rhone, in 2020 this soars to new heights. The balanced, soft, feel makes this too easy to drink now, but it will improve for 15 years with ease.
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
Tony Bauer is best known here for his whites, but his red wine success (in the very white wine region of Wagram) is one key reason he was Austria's Winemaker of the Year in 2017. This is sort of an Austrian Cotes du Rhone,... Read More
A wonderfully dark, rich, Tempranillo nicely spiced with used and new oak to complement the dark fruit. As nice to sip as pair up with anything from burgers to lamb.
As always, this is a classic Dolcetto with nice purity and the guts to handle rustic foods like salami and burgers. As Vinous said of the 2020, The Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco dell'Oriolo is a very pretty, gracious wine built... 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
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
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
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
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