us

it's amazing how veteran winemakers like adam tolmach are able to extract such deep flavors from a wine and yet keep it fresh and light. this awesome bottling shows boisterous pomegranate, hibiscus, fig, crushed graphite, black pepper and dried tarragon on the ripely layered nose. the lush and soft palate buttons it up a bit, offering light licorice, minty cola, black cherry and vanilla dust.

it

aromas of mature prune, blackberry and baking spice lead the nose and follow through to the rich palate along with cinnamon. it's balanced with fresh acidity and chewy tannins.

us

cabernet sauvignon (37%) and cabernet franc (34%) make up the majority of this wine, with the balance merlot (16%), malbec (8%) and petit verdot. the aromas are quite locked up, with light notes of barrel spice, herb and assorted dark fruit. the palate has light tightly coiled fruit flavors. it needs time to reveal its charms. best after 2021.

us

this is a three-barrel reserve, principally pommard clone, and vinified with minimal handling. cherry/berry fruit comes with ample acidity. the alcohol, though just at the high end of moderate, seems to mute some of the details. notes indicate that no additions were made, but the finish remains a bit chalky.

fr

this is the freshest of the sweet wine produced by henri ramonteau at cauhapé. it is a lively, fruity wine, full of refreshing acidity as well as pineapple, apricot and honey flavors. the end shows a touch of spice. drink now.

it

made from organically farmed verdicchio, this dessert wine opens with apricot, pecan, tangerine and honey aromas that carry over to the syrupy palate alongside citrus, tangerine and almond flavors.

es

first-take aromas of raisin and cotton candy are soft and sweet. following that lead, this feels chunky but adequately acidic. herbal, reedy raspberry and plum flavors finish with spice and chocolate notes. drink now.

es

aromas of rhubarb, herbs and strawberry mark the nose. this feels solid and mostly fresh, while flavors of pickled rhubarb and briny plum come with sugary sweetness in front of a salty finish.

us

ripe, vibrant and focused fruit flavors give this full-bodied wine a lot of life. it smells and tastes like rich boysenberry and lively raspberry, feels well balanced and fresh on the palate, and does not have heavy tannins.

us

a dryness of tannin leans into bitter notes of tobacco before mellowing on the palate to allow for crisper, more balanced aspects of cranberry, currant and plum to weigh in. a lightness to the palate belies this wine's ripeness.

it

subtle aromas of underbrush, leather, blue flower, mature black-skinned fruit and ground pepper slowly emerge on this powerfully structured wine. the brooding palate delivers black cherry steeped in spirits, crushed raspberry, clove and licorice framed against tightly knit but ripe tannins. it's still austere and will benefit with more cellaring. drink 2020–2031.

us

a strongly flavored, candied sparkling wine, made from the classic varieties of pinot noir and chardonnay. seems overextracted, like a raspberry, almond and honey power bar, with the yeastiness and bubbly sparkles of champagne.

fr

this ripe wine is full of tropical and citrus fruits, with some extra weight from the hint of wood. fine and balanced, it reveals the smooth richness of 100% sémillon.

de

fresh herb and dusty mineral tones lend an austere elegance to this lime-inflected dry riesling. it's nimble on its feet but there's a lushness on the palate that offsets zingy lemon-lime acidity.

it

intense aromas of ripe plum, fragrant blue flower, menthol and sweet baking spice almost jump out of the glass. the big, bold palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, vanilla, star anise, leather and a hint of game alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. drink through 2020.

us

reduced on the nose, this massively intense and tannic wine is big, dense and juicy, broadly etched in leather, blackberry, currant and black licorice. full-bodied and oaky, it shows the concentration of the vintage and the ripeness of the appellation and style.

fr

this nonvintage champagne is dry, with considerable crispness and minerality. it has been blended to be drunk young and fruity. the aftertaste highlights white fruit and pink grapefruit.

us

made of equal parts ultraripe pineapple and exotic lime fruit, coupled with sweet, smoky crème brûlée and buttered toast from oak and lees stirring, this is a super-rich chardonnay. don't drink it too cold; it matures and knits together as it breathes in the glass.

ar

minty, floral aromas veer toward darker notes of cola, forest floor and leather. the palate is medium-full, with grabby tannins and roasted flavors of blackberry mixed with herbs and spice. a regular, oaky style of cabernet with a raw, grabby mouthfeel.

us

blended from grenache, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, this wine has smoky charred-wood aromas, and tastes dry and powerful, with very firm tannins. it's lean in terms of fruit flavor, but it has a great grippy texture to pair well with big proteins.