us

This Paso producer went north to find old-vine Carignan, a totally worthwhile effort with the wine showing aromas of hugely ripe strawberry and watermelon Jolly Rancher, the tannins smooth and dusty. An easy drinking wine, a hint of Pastis lingers at the end.

fr

Produced from a selection of grapes, this is a bold, fruity wine that has rich tannins and a generous structure. It is all about the black-fruit flavors with balanced acidity and just hints of toast. It is now a delicious, mature wine from a fine year. Drink now.

cl

Aromas of bath soap and apple come in front of a creamy, round, oily palate. Honeydew, date and vanilla flavors make for a ripe set of flavors, while toast and caramel notes come up on the finish.

us

This exciting project comes from veteran winemaker William Hill. Although it's packed with rich black-currant and cassis-liqueur flavors that sink down in the midpalate and offer fruity satisfaction, the finish is firm and classic. The vineyard is on Atlas Peak, and the wine shows those mountain tannins but also fine minerality. Drink 2017–2025.

us

Pure, dense and deep, this captures the pure essence of Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Berry and cherry flavors surface in equal proportion, with more rock than barrel adding complexity throughout the finish. Excellent depth and structure suggest that this is one to put down for a decade or more.

us

From another of the producer's coastal estate sites, this wine is juicy, spicy and leathery—a celebration of fresh wild strawberries and buzzy acidity. Earth, rose and white pepper flavors add welcome complexity within a tightly woven frame of structure and length.

us

This wine's name translates to “dear father” in Farsi, the Persian owner's native tongue.The blend of 63% Shiraz and 37% Petite Sirah offers black fruit, wet earth and anise on the nose—altogether quite reserved for such a dark wine. The mouthfeel is full, but the flavors of black currant and cola are very shy.

at

Unusual hints of mango hint at very ripe fruit. The slender palate counters this aromatic abundance with tenderly fresh notes of lemon zest and wood sorrel. The result is both delicious and refreshing.

pt

This too-powerful, wood-aged wine is impressive but has lost fruitiness in the search for richness. Strong spice and concentrated texture show up front, along with yellow fruits. A toasty character still dominates. The wine needs to smooth its bumps out, so drink from 2016.

fr

Rounded and rich, this is an impressive wine. It has weight, with ripe yellow and white fruits to go with the intense acidity and citrus edge. The finish is crisp and taut. It's worth aging this wine for 2–3 years.

us

Smoke and mineral notes lend a prominent savory tone to this wine, contrasting a palate that's sunny and sweet with pressed apple and pear flavors. It's straightforward in style, but refreshing with bright lemon acidity and a lasting iced-tea sweetness.

fr

With its dry, tight texture, this is an austere wine. The fruit is full of piercing black currant acidity, structured with firm tannins. Smoky wood does give an extra dimension, but the wine needs several months more in bottle.

it

From producers Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari, Baia al Vento (90% Merlot with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) shows ripe fruit, plum, blackberry preserves and cherry backed by cured meat, tobacco and dried rosemary. The wine is round and soft with bright points of acidity that keeps it balanced.

pt

This is the best vintage of Delaforce table wine so far. It has weight, density, great red fruits and a final freshness. A ripe wine, with some spice and hints of wood aging, it is ready to drink but can be enjoyed until 2020.

us

Lovely aromas of marmalade, orange blossom, peach, honeysuckle and cantaloupe waft from the glass. These notes translate onto the palate, which is viscous and mouthcoating, yet balanced by a lifted acidity that preserves a lingering finish.

us

This blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to show its age, with light prune, dried cherry-tobacco and clove aromas. Dried strawberry, star anise and baking spice arise on the palate, which is full of flavor but should be enjoyed soon.

us

Initially dense and brooding, this wine reveals lightly etched layers of cherry and strawberry on the palate. Just the right accent of earthy dirt and stone round out the finish.

es

Creamy aromas of custard give off a soapy smell. This feels citric, while nectarine and orange flavors are a bit funky. On the finish, this is more fresh and direct than flavorful.

cl

With no oak for makeup, this smells natural and a touch stalky, with melony fruit scents. The full, healthy palate is naturally creamy but also braced by bold acidity. Fresh flavors of citrus, apple and melon finish a bit salty.

us

The high toned, aromatic reticence of the 2008 vintage is on full display in this unusual blend 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Sangiovese. The brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, medicine cabinet, and cherry cola are concentrated however with structured, slightly dry tannins in a wine that calls out for steak if ever there were one.