us

A welcome barnyard funk of sour cherry, wet leather and mulched shrubbery kicks off the nose on this wine from the likable Joey Gummere, once know for the Kenneth-Crawford wines. Fennel seed flavors and violet characters emerge on the very pretty palate, which has both tannins and mouth-washing acid on the finish.

us

A good, complex, full-bodied Syrah, with some toughness in the texture and a minty note that's less than ripe. Bigtime tannins and extreme dryness call for well-marbled beef to coax out its best.

pt

Named after the vultures which fly in the Douro, this solid, structured wine is full of tannins as well as ripe fruit. It comes from a good red wine vintage, allowing the structure to develop richly with a good concentration. The wine still needs time, so drink from 2017.

cl

This cool-vintage Syrah is lightly herbal and complex up front, with blueberry and boysenberry aromas. Compact and tight in the mouth, this is firm and shows no leaks or weak spots. Herbal plum and berry flavors finish toasty, and the overall feel is firm, serious and in balance. Drink through 2015.

us

A bit rough and scouring, this is also overtly sweet in raspberry jam flavor. Mostly composed of Pinot Noir, the 20% Chardonnay brings refreshing acidity, like a squeeze of lime.

it

This opens with cranberry and sweet raspberry notes, backed by almond skin and grapefruit touches. It offers a fresh, simple mouthfeel, with creaminess and restrained richness.

fr

Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is soft, ripe and full of fruit. Red cherries dominate, with a touch of wood from the 12 months of barrel aging. It has a bright, crisp and juicy aftertaste.

us

This single-clone, estate-grown wine shows exemplary concentration. Deeply sculpted fruit flavors roll from peach to papaya, with streaks of buttery caramel. Everything is in proportion, with a most pleasing finish.

us

Crushed herbs, a whiff of barrel smoke and rustic elderberry aromas arise on this nose of this wine. There are plenty of dark elements to the palate, from bittersweet chocolate, black cherries and blackberries to charred beef and dried anise, all held together by sticky tannins.

it

Chocolate, coconut, plum and coffee aromas lead the nose on this densely concentrated wine. The monolithic palate offers black cherry, chocolate-covered coconut and oak alongside astringent tannins that dry out the mouth.

gr

A sweetish nose of cherry, plum and berry tinged with spice leads on this pleasant wine from Mythic River, a Syrah and Agiorgitiko blend. On the palate, it's dry and assertive, displaying flavors of plum, forest fruit and pepper. Simply good and a natural with grilled, spicy meats.

cl

Bland, pithy citrus aromas come with notes of saline solution and pool water. This is 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay, and the body is plump but vague. Flavors of papaya and pickle juice finish green, briny and melony.

cl

Berry, pickle and bramble aromas are a little tough and crusted over, while the palate is snappy and fresh in feel, with flavors of herbal berry fruit and pepper. A mild hint of oak and resin dry up the finish.

fr

Fulsome notes of ripe, juicy pear lead straight to a fluid, concentrated palate that holds a whole world of ripe pear flavors. This is still deep in its shell, ringing with primary fruit but burying many layers of spiced joy: think marzipan and gingerbread. This is one for laying down that will reward patient drinkers. The deep core of fruit, the concentration on the midpalate and the ultraclean finish all suggest a great future. Drink 2018–2028.

us

A very beautiful, intricate and complex Cabernet, but one that needs time in the cellar. The balance is beyond question. The heart of black currants subtlely tinged with mushu plum sauce and tar, is delicious. The oak is smoky and fine. But the tannins are fierce. Don't touch it before 2012.

us

This is a juicy and formidably tannic version of the variety, from a famed vineyard known also for Zinfandel. Dry oak and intrusively harsh texture need mellowing before the more gentle notions of dried herb and black cherry can shine.

it

This fresh Vermentino from Lazio in Central it opens with fresh notes of cut grass, peach and citrus. There's a touch of dusty mineral that adds a dry feeling to the finish.

it

Bright, clean and linear with pretty accents of spice, blackberry, leather and lingering tobacco, Villa al Cortile Riserva is the kind of wine you'll want to pair with a hearty meat dinner. The wine shows velvety, soft texture in the mouth.

it

Full-bodied and refined, this opens with aromas of mature, spiced plum, violet, tilled soil and truffle. The firm palate offers up crushed black cherry, raspberry, ground black pepper and anise alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and firm tannins. A note of Mediterranean herb signals the close. It already has nice depth but hold for more complexity. Drink 2017–2025.

ar

Jammy raspberry aromas come with herb, oak and lactic notes. This Malbec feels chunky and pulpy, with a sticky oak-resin feel resulting in creamy grab. Flavors of red apple skins, plum, cardamom and vanilla finish sweet and slightly exotic.