us

this is the kind of wine only severe lot selection can achieve. the flavors are deep and impressive, ranging from cassis to chocolate. oak provides smoke and spice. it has that brilliant, velvety texture you expect from wines of this caliber, but, like so many such bottlings, it lacks the acidity to provide backbone.

us

generous in lemon custard and pear aromas and flavors, this is a fairly full-bodied style of chardonnay. it offers roundness balanced by a minerally finish.

us

this top-tier bottling from steve martell, which blends 62% grenache with 29% syrah, 5% mourvèdre and 4% petite sirah, offers roasted coffee, charred black currant, burnt wood and baked earth aromas. the palate is tight and bright with flashy boysenberry and black raspberry flavors balanced by anise and sagebrush accents.

us

all estate grown and stainless steel fermented, this is a pale pink rosé that's packed with flavor. watermelon and strawberry fruit flavors stand out, with plenty of citrus tang in the aftertaste.

pt

in the old times, a douro vineyard held a muddle of any number of different local grapes. this wine, from 80-year-old vines, is a tribute to the old style of vineyard planting. it's firm, very concentrated and dark, with stunning tannins and rich fruit. the black plum-skin texture, superripe fruit, chocolate and final acidity are all developing slowly and impressively. drink from 2018.

cl

band-aid and baked red-fruit aromas set up a plump palate with creaminess. candied smoky-berry flavors finish oaky and toasty, with enough true pn character to make this worthwhile.

us

a lot of wood, still pretty rough, surrounds a thick, tannic, muscular, ripe, rustic, old world-style zin. there's nothing elegant about this wine, but it packs a lot of flavor into a sturdy frame.

us

this is an aromatically reticent wine with notes of cherry, herbs, and bell pepper. the palate has sweet fruit flavors, soft, chalky tannins and a smoke-filled finish.

it

this charming chardonnay-based white (with 10% viognier) from tuscany offers both strength and elegance. it sees three months of oak for softness and smoothness but also has pretty floral aromas that fill in the edges. drink it with pasta or risotto.

fr

this is billed as the only chardonnay planted in the coastal landes region (not a difficult claim). it is soft, ripe and easygoing in character with a hint of citrus and acidity. drink now.

us

aromas of raspberries, vanilla and coconut lead to lightly styled fruit and barrel flavors. it's all about elegance.

it

aromas suggest coffee, vanilla, oak, savory herb and menthol. the palate offers espresso, roasted hazelnut, dried sage and sour cherry alongside green, astringent tannins. drink 2018–2025.

it

this blend of friulano and pinot bianco from friuli in northeastern it offers a nice balance of elements. the wine is fragrant and floral with jasmine, honey and almond yet the texture is creamy and thick. you get both power and elegance here.

us

sour plum, dried herb, pepper and tar scents show on the nose of this bottling from the widely available brand. the palate is tightly wound with sticky tannins, which are like to mellow with time, allowing the coffee, asphalt, elderberry and black currant flavors to shine more brightly.

it

cogno helped put the novello village on the barolo-lovers' map. this wine opens with fragrances of red and black berries, rose, baking spice and leather. the vibrant palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, mint, sage, thyme and cocoa accents alongside bracing tannins and nervous acidity. drink after 2020.

it

this bright sauvignon is redolent of lemon zest, pink grapefruit and honey, making it a perfect late-afternoon cocktail wine. it has an easy, linear feel and keeps the palate refreshed.

us

comprised of 41% zinfandel, 32% primitivo, 10% petite sirah, 10% grenache and 7% carignane. grenache and carignane contribute juicy red fruit to the blend. amidst it all are integrated tannins, a touch of toffee-chocolate and a big, ripe finish.

it

this blend of aglianico and montelpulciano opens with slightly funky aromas that include nail polish remover, stewed prune and oak. the palate offers toasted oak, vanilla, sweetened coffee and sugar plum alongside astringent wood tannins.

us

this 100% cabernet franc shows the high alcohol, full body and concentrated power expected from a rock wall bottling. it's dry with fuzzy tannins, and it has rich, complex flavors of cherry, red licorice, canadian bacon, anise and crushed peppercorn. decant it for a few hours, and enjoy it now with a steak.

it

aromas of oak, toast, espresso, peppermint and a whiff of blue flower lead the nose. the firm palate offers dark cherry, cake spice, grilled herb and anise alongside tightly wound, assertive tannins and bright acidity.