us

candied cherry, crushed fennel, rosebuds, baking spice and baked blackberry show on the sweet-smelling nose of this single-vineyard zin. anise arises first on the palate, then more candied red-cherry elements and herbs. the texture is not complex, but the overall experience is nicely varied.

nz

this is a typically snappy nz sauvignon featuring mildly vegetal aromas along with the required touch of cat pee and grapefruit. bold lemon and tangerine flavors comprise the citrus palate, which leads into a tangy acid-driven finish full of lemon and grapefruit. tart, juicy and pleasant.

us

poached apple, tart nectarine skins and a tiny whiff of petrol decorate the nose of this single-vineyard study that received 14% new oak. it's clean and easy on the palate, with golden delicious apples, cement stoniness and a pear skin tartness.

us

firm and toasty, this inviting malbec deftly mixes streaks of herb, coffee and toast, with tart— but ripe—berry flavors. it's a good example of the finesse that is often a hallmark of washington malbecs.

fr

fresh easy notes of pear drop rise from the glass. the very slender palate has lemony freshness but also residual sweetness and a pithy phenolic edge. this is fresh, off dry and just balanced. drink soon.

us

made from zinfandel, cabernet franc and a few other varieties, this is a terrific wine for your house red. it's dry and lusty, with berry, spice and tobacco flavors that have a touch of raisining. production was 6,300 cases.

us

this wine could be labeled a cabernet sauvignon, which makes up 83% of the blend, with the rest merlot. the aromas of fruit leather, dried blackberry, black licorice and medicine cabinet are bright, though they seem considerably more evolved than the wine's age might indicate. the black-fruit flavors display a sense of balance that carries through the finish. drink now.

fr

with time, fresh rose petals merge into heady turkish delight notes on the nose. this is full-on gewurztraminer with all the bells and whistles: utterly decadent rose water and honeysuckle notes are submerged in rich, indulgent sweetness. this is perfumed and full-on: a super-charged varietal expression with rich, powdery layers of rose, honey and caramel.

us

this is a soft, approachable wine, rightfully representative of its roots in the heart of the appellation. allspice, plum and rhubarb provide a heartfelt offering of baked flavor and spice, as mild-mannered acidity keeps the fruit components fresh and persistent.

us

roberts road is one of the sangiacomo family's coolest-climate sites, and it offers light, clear color and deliciously floral notes of violet and rose on the nose. in taste it is earthy and full of dark plum and black cherry, the backbone deeper and darker in mushroom and fresh dirt.

cl

bland white-fruit aromas are a bit oily and gritty. this has a watery feel and mildly bitter flavors of white grapefruit, the skin included

us

this blend of 60% petite sirah, 21% syrah, 7% grenache, 6% petit verdot, 5% tannat and 1% viognier is tightly wound but likely to improve with time. opened now, it offers elderberry, black currant, pencil lead and loam on the nose, with lava rock, crème de cassis and kirsch flavors slowing emerging on the palate.

es

smoky, toasty and without a doubt barrel fermented. this feels a little raw and tannic for a white wine, but it's also grippy, elevated and fruity. on the palate, things open with a blast of apple and raw oak; the finish is long and tastes of butterscotch and dried apple. a classy wine from some of the oldest vines in rueda.

us

yellow in color and thick in the bouquet. the nose is hard to peg, but there are notes of mustard and asparagus. the palate offers some orange and apple flavors, but also something similar to canned peas. it seems overripe and past its prime.

pt

named after the portuguese word for the sommelier's tastevin, the wine is rich with juicy red fruits. it has a firm structure that emphasizes the wine's youth showing that it should develop. densely textured at the end, the wine will be ready to drink from 2017.

it

this is an extremely simple rosé sparkler with medium aromas of wild berry and red rose backed by crisp freshness and bright perlage. it is a simple and thin bubbly overall.

us

the aromas suggest notes of green herbs, vanilla, freshly hewn wood and cherry. the flavors are lighter in style, with the tannins bringing some grit.

es

compelling aromas of dry herbs blend with ripe berry, plum and leathery scents. this feels tight, juicy and ripped with raw, hard-pumping acidity. flavors of currant, plum and cherry run deep, while the finish is presently youthful, grabby and drawing, with a slight note of raisin. drink through 2032.

cl

spicy aromas of balsam wood, tobacco and sawmill work well with ripe but reserved red-berry scents. tight, tannic but also fresh as opposed to drying, this cabernet from a cool year delivers a classic set of herbal berry, plum and wood spice flavors. a ripped finish is dry and oaky now, with core fruit resting for the future. drink 2018–2028.

us

a 100% varietal wine from the core of st. helena, this vineyard-designate expands on the palate in juicy, leather waves, showcasing coconut macaroon, cassis and kirsch in equal measure. full bodied and concentrated in the ripeness of the vintage, it caps off on the palate in black leather and tobacco.