it

you'll find blue flowers, blackberry, ground pepper and aromatic herb aromas on this smooth, poised red. the savory palate doles out blackberry, crushed plum, ground pepper and cocoa balanced by supple, fine-grained tannins.

us

from the producer's estate vineyard, this savory, sultry wine is sublime in peppery, wild game. its textures are alive and bright in acidity, with piquant black and red berry providing inviting juiciness. made in small quantities, it's an incredible value for the quality, a wine that will sing on the table, and become more complex in the glass.

fr

named after the red soil of the vineyard, this wine is rich and full of generous red fruits. they are cut with the acidity of the vintage to give a crisp edge to this full-bodied wine. spice and hedgerow fruits finish a wine that still needs to develop. drink from 2020.

de

honey, mango and guava aromas lend a ripe, tropical flair to this big, powerful weissburgunder. it's dry on the palate, but it's rich, weighty feel and juicy peach and vanilla cream flavors extend to the finish.

it

camigliano's brunellos are always distinctive thanks to the estate's positioning on the lower slopes of the montalcino denomination in a location prized for grape-growing since ancient times. the beautiful 2007 riserva shows dark chocolate, bright cherry and leather. the oak influences still need time to settle down.

us

a brand-new offering from this producer that usually traffics in anderson valley pinot noir from its own estate, this initial attempt at a white wine is stunning, a well-honed marriage between site and winemaker. thick and expansive on the palate, it's a complex study in succulent apple and ginger, with a mineral-laden finish.

us

dark, bold, and full-bodied, this is the perfect embodiment of power and breed in a full-on (five grape) bordeaux blend. boysenberry, cassis, plenty of acidity—the nose promises a great deal, though it is reticent in the mouth, and fairly acidic. this is a wine to lay down and enjoy in a decade.

us

a southern rhône-style blend of syrah, grenache and mourvèdre. shows great flavors of berries, currants, cured meat, spices and sandalwood, and finishes dry and smooth. could have a firmer structure, as it's a little soft and melted.

gr

violet, black fruit and cedar notes lead this poised red. the palate is plush, but finishes clean and dry. subtle, clean and focused, it's a good wine to savor alone or with steak.

fr

this is the branded bordeaux from jean-luc thunevin, so-called bad boy (mauvais garçon) of saint-émilion, now respected owner of grand cru classé château valandraud. it is a richly smooth wine with touches of wood and generous blackberries. concentrated and lightly tannic, it is fruity and ready to drink.

us

delicate white peach and pear notes perfume this dry, crisply fruity wine. there's a satisfying weightiness to the palate, but tart lemon notes keep it zesty and spry.

us

full, robust layers of black cherry and peppery tannins figure prominently on the palate of this fruit-forward wine that also manages to be lively in acidity. spicy clove, black pepper and toasted oak add complexity and depth.

us

this is a hearty wine from a famous place, farmed by esteemed, long-time growers. apple and pear skin show up first, with a baked quality to the fruit that never gets jammy. the wine stays light and bright despite its full-bodied nature. toasty lemon and fig compote finishes things off.

it

cesanese del piglio is at the center of lazio's wine renaissance, which is currently only in its initial stirrings. this is perfumed, bright and loaded with dried herb, ginger, forest fruit and spice flavors. the close is velvety and soft.

us

this blend of tempranillo, mourvédre and cinsault yields a rosé that melds red fruit and herbal tones: strawberry hull, white pepper and fresh tarragon mark the aromas, with pink grapefruit and chalk adding additional verve to the medium-bodied palate. while slightly hot on the finish, this is still quite enjoyable as an apéritif.

us

anise, barrel spice, clove, vanilla and plum scents lead to full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. it shows some warmth on the finish, with lingering purple fruit and pepper notes.

us

exceptionally rich and sensual, this single-vineyard beauty has finely ground, dusty tannins. the fruit veers toward sour cherry candy, with a jacket of sweet, toasty oak. drink now–2016.

it

this offers a slightly less formal and austere expression compared to cesari's bosan. perfect for chicken or pork roast, this delivers fresh acidity beyond the tones of cherry, cola, leather and barbecue spice.

us

this inky-black bordeaux blend is based on cabernet sauvignon. it's bone dry, tremendously hard in tannins and also quite acidic, giving the overall impression of tough rusticity. however, there's a tremendous core of blackberries and cassis. decant and drink now.

de

slaty minerality frames bold pineapple and lime aromas and flavors in this medium-bodied, nearly dry riesling. fresh and minerally on the finish.