2019 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

A throwback to 1980s Zinfandel – big, ripe, peppery, spiced with a bit of American Oak but not at all sweet or heavy (despite the bold 14.9% alcohol). An upgrade cookout red par excellence, this is 100% old-clone Zinfandel... 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

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

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

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

Not much to add to Wine Advocate's 92 point praise: A terrific effort from this large and immaculately maintained property on the clay-limestone slopes of the Côtes de Castillon, the 2019 d'Aiguilhe exhibits aromas... Read More

Already delicious, this stylish Left Bank red on gravel soils is only going to get better over the next 10-15 years. It's showing excellent ripeness from the 5% Cabernet Franc to match Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. James... Read More

Organic/Bio Exactly what you’d hope to find in a bottle of Medoc: a complex woodsy/spicy flavor profile, the structure and intensity to stand up beautifully with hearty meat dishes, all at a fraction of the price of a Grand... 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

Delphine Laborde's second vintage from this 1.1 acre site overlooking Reims and planted in the early 1970s is crisp, clear and compelling. White fruit, lightly toasted bread and sliced ginger aromas and flavors begin with... Read More

One of the Mosel's greatest winemakers and greatest sites come together to great a dry wine than can only be called...well, Great! Already exciting to drink, give this another half dozen years if you can and enjoy for 30... Read More

Organic/BioThe name of the winery here is actually Vins El Cep, meaning roughly Wines from the vineyard. Unlike most Cava producrers, Maite Esteve only works with grapes she grows herself - here a blend of 50%Xarel·Lo,... Read More

Icewine is a specialty of Ontario’s lakeside wineries like Pillitteri. Ripe Riesling grapes are left on the vine until the first hard November/December freeze. The frozen grapes are picked in the wee hours of the morning... 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