us

this textural wine offers berry, plum, black pepper, mushroom and baking spices. the time spent resting in barrels has put a pleasing hint of toast around polished tannins.

us

the cargasacchis, whose santa rita hills vineyard is one of the most brilliant in the appellation, have this new one. the wine shows crisp, fog-inspired acidity, but is very ripe, with pie-filling cherry and blackberry flavors.

us

this tiny production is marked by strong aromas of barbecue smoke and campfire, before unfurling an unfussy, soft and full-bodied burst of red fruit.

it

this late harvest dessert wine from sardinia is made with native grape nasco and a small amount of malvasia di cagliari. it has intense aromas of tangerine, honey and spice that carry over to the palate along with hazelnut. velvety smooth yet fresh, it makes a perfect after dinner drink, or pair it with aged cheeses or fruit tarts.

es

this feels good in a regular sense, with apple-driven acidity and leesy notes of vanilla. a standard, zesty, pithy palate offers briny, slightly bitter flavors of peach and pulpy citrus, while the finish feels citric and tastes briny.

us

75% syrah and 25% cinsault from the oldest continually cultivated vinifera vineyard in the walla walla valley. the spicy, intensely aromatic nose mixes black cherry, concentrated cassis, coffee, bacon, leather and roasted nuts. it unfolds in layer upon layer of rich fruit, tannin, leather and smoke. dense, deep and rhône-like, it finishes with a montage of meaty, peppery, bacon-smoke flavors.

us

here's a reserve that really does merit its special designation. made from 90-year-old vines that likely contain varieties other than zinfandel, the wine is rich and complex. delivers all the wild, brambly zin quality you want, with tiers of blackberries, cherries, cassis, cherry liqueur, tobacco, vanilla and peppery spice flavors that go on and on in the finish. this is an exceptionally well-balanced zin that's best in its flashy youth.

us

there's a strong green-peppercorn tinge to the nose of this bottling, along with hints of ancho cl and cedar. the palate shows oregano, thyme and dill, proving quite old world in style, with only the slightest presence of blackberry fruit.

pt

from the south of vinho verde, close to the douro, this is a lively and fresh wine, bright with acidity and lifted by its prickle on the tongue. it is dry, although a soft touch of baked apple gives a gentle, fruity aftertaste.

de

while low in alcohol and austere in dryness, there's a remarkable richness of texture that lends an impression of volume and density on the palate. brisk notes of lemon and tart tangerine shine brightly, but are juxtaposed by an intensely stony, mineral finish. drink now through 2020.

us

smoky tar and oak meet baked huckleberry in this soft, textured and lengthy wine from this great family of grape growers. moderate acidity allows for a ripe, full-bodied expression of the variety.

us

light dried orange peel, herb and candlewax aromas lead to broad, medium-bodied fruit flavors in this white. it's enjoyable despite the muted aromatic expression.

bg

this muscat ottonel has lemon zest and white floral aromas. a floral touch of violet colors the palate, as well as juicy orange pith. the finish is clean and crisp.

cl

this extracted, dark-colored cabernet sauvignon opens with olive, herb and blackberry aromas. in the mouth, it's round as a ball but not overly dense or tannic. burnt, charred flavors of plum and berry come with a saucy, savory accent, while this finishes with herbal notes and unresolved tannins. drink through 2020.

it

this riserva shows initial prune and tobacco aromas followed by dark cherry, blackberry and coffee flavors. the palate is lean and restrained, with smooth tannins and mineral notes. showing the forward nature of the vintage, this is already drinking well and should be enjoyed soon.

it

here's an informal off-dry sparkler offering suggestions of apple and pear. it's fresh and simple, with crisp acidity.

pt

the wine is rich and spicy with layers of dried raisin and prune flavors along with a light touch of acidity. its ripe fruit is tempered by the bite of spirit that gives the wine a lift as well as adding extra richness. on the dry side of ports, it is made to be drunk now.

de

there's subdued elegance to this dry, lushly textured riesling. the nose is delicately aromatic with whiffs of stonefruit and smoke that build on the palate. intensely minerally and bright with lime acidity, it finishes long with a rich, slightly viscous mouthfeel.

fr

marrenon's luxury cuvée aged in oak is 90% grenache and 10% syrah and is full-bodied without being tough or overly muscular. cherry preserves are wrapped in a coat of coffee- and chocolate-tinged oak. drink now and over the next couple of years.

us

this is one of lynmar's most expensive chardonnays, of their six 2011s. it's also one of the most forward and oakiest. your first impression is of sweet buttered toast, sprinkled with brown sugar and drizzled with melted butterscotch. then the tropical fruits kick in, brightened with citrusy acids. it's an impressive feat, but the wine feels overworked, and lacks the sustaining interest of lynmar's other bottlings.