it

intensely fragrant, this lovely sparkler offers enticing aromas of white spring flower and ripe orchard fruit. the savory palate doles out green apple, white peach, tangerine zest and chopped herb while fresh acidity lifts the rich flavors. a creamy perlage lends finesse.

fr

a subtle hint of sandalwood and rose plays alongside the juicy pear of the palate. there is a rich floral creaminess on the palate that flashes a touch of vanilla and hints of damask rose. a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge gives direction to the dynamic energy of fruit that trembles at the core of this wine. hints of rose, lemon oil and peach linger long after the last sip. this is concentrated, off dry and energetic. drink 2017–2027.

it

a blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, this opens with aromas of charred earth, game and a funky whiff of barnyard. the evolved palate offers dried black cherries, prune, coffee, clove, oak and licorice alongside fleeting but astringent tannins.

fr

o.k., so it's a new world-ish blend of fruit and oak, but leaving stylistic prejudices aside, it's also a darn fine wine. black cherry fruit balances the cedar and vanilla nicely, while the texture is rich yet supple and the finish lingers a good long time. drink now–2018.

us

on first pour, the aromas of toast, char, spice and herb show some reduction that blows off over time. the purple-fruit flavors are lighter in style, showing a pleasing sense of purity, with the concentration dipping in the middle before coming back together on the finish.

fr

grapes from the vines around the 13th-century castle of la bastide are sent to the marmandais co-op for a separate bottling. this smooth and ripe wine shows plenty of rich mango and apricot flavors cut by lime acidity that gives a lift of freshness. drink now, although the wine will age until 2018.

es

normally i'm a fan of juvé y camps. this bottling is bland on the nose, with a cleaning-solution aroma. the palate is foamy in feel and short in flavor, with a strange blend of bitter lettuce, brine and green herbs. frankly, it's not up to par, a possible reflection of the below-average 2008 vintage.

es

this quaffable white blend opens with minerally vitamin-like aromas along with touches of peach pit and apple. the palate is good in a generic way, while apple, pear, melon and mild spice flavors finish exactly the same.

au

matured in used french barriques, this nevertheless shows touches of toast and cedar alongside tart, fruit notes of cranberry and raspberry. it's full bodied and richly tannic, with crisp acids that accentuate the tannins on the finish. drink 2020–2030.

us

a whiff of petrol leads off on this oaky, full-figured white, which is creamy and textured with a touch of sweetness on the finish.

us

for the price, this blend of five varieties is a pretty good value. it's oaky and full-bodied in blackberries and cherries, although a streak of green unripeness runs right down the middle.

au

made in a superripe, dense, almost fudge-like style, the ripper tastes like a plummy, chocolaty christmas cake with slightly coarse tannins on the finish. it's port-like in flavor, but without the heat from elevated alcohol. drink it over the next few years.

us

break out the pizza with tomato sauce and gooey, oily mozzarella. that's what this tough, gritty bordeaux-style blend with added sangiovese needs to soften and mellow. it's a good wine, ripe in berries and spices, but rustic.

cl

starts with stemmy, burnt aromas but after time oak notes cover things up. apple, sweet pear, buttery oak and popcorn are the main flavors on this sweet, pithy wine that when stripped down is fairly hollow and simple.

pt

this top wine from quinta vale dona maria comes from a small parcel of old vines on the estate close to the river torto. foot treading in lagars give the wine its richness and sumptuous character. it also provides tannins that are cushioned by the superripe black fruits and acidity. this long-term wine shouldn't be touched until 2020.

it

perfumed berry, iris, rose, sweet baking spice aromas and a whiff of balsam lead the nose. the ripe, full-bodied palate offers wild cherry, fleshy raspberry, tobacco, toast, mocha and cinnamon alongside a tannic backbone and nervous acidity. the heat of evident alcohol closes the finish but doesn't dominate. drink 2018–2026.

pt

initially tannic, this concentrated wine shows itself to be young, with its structure still waiting to open. a dry texture lies over the big berry flavors that will develop over the next year.

us

this pinot certainly has lots of concentrated fruit, with an intensity of cherry and raspberry jam, pomegranates and cola. it's also well oaked, to judge from the strong layer of buttered cinnamon toast. feels strong and indelicate now, with a punch of acidity, but could mellow over the next 2–3 years.

at

this proffers a very clean-cut nose with a hauntingly precise notion of williams pear. the lovely, slender palate features some midpalate texture and delicate lemon and pear notes finishing with a warm aftertaste of alcoholic power.

fr

very perfumed, this is a wine torn between oxidation and freshness. the aromas are nutty and smoky; when tasted, the wine is ripe and fruity, full of apricot and spice. to bring the two sides together, it should age, so drink from 2015.