it

This opens with aromas of ripe dark fruit, tilled soil and a whiff of dark spice. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry and clove alongside round tannins.

fr

A warm and rich wine with yellow fruits and hints of pineapple, this is generously textured. Its ripe character and layers of fruitiness show that it is ready to drink.

US

Light aromas of herb, cherry and raspberry are followed by full-bodied, dark fruit flavors backed by lightly chalky-feeling tannins and a warm finish. The fruit seems a bit desiccated.

US

Aromas of raspberry and cherry compote along with baking spice lead to somewhat lighter styled red and black fruit flavors, with the concentration not always seeming to be there. The tannins are a bit wound up at present.

fr

This round, smooth wine shows a good balance between acidity and ripe apple fruits. It is an easy wine, fruity, touched by caramel and ready to drink now.

fr

A structured wine, still on the young side, this has the potential of rich black fruits and ripe tannins. Made with nearly 60% Merlot, this jammy, generous wine will be ready from 2019.

US

This is a good wine that balances ripe berry flavors with lively acidity and medium body. It tastes like sour cherries and raspberries and has a lightly tart mouthfeel.

nz

This is reductive at first, masked by onion and plastic aromas. It does blow off with some with time in glass to reveal peach, pear and floral notes. The palate is less weighty than the nose suggests although there's some viscosity to the texture that's nicely balanced by tingly, citrusy acidity.

US

Produced from Gamay Noir grown on both sides of the Columbia River, this bursts with scents of apple blossoms and cherries. The deep color and slight bitter-skin flavor suggest that it spent some time macerating prior to fermentation. What it lacks in finesse it makes up for with fruit power.

nz

In the warmer climes of Hawke's Bay on the North Island, much of nz's (a k a Marlborough's) classic green vegetal notes are gone. The wines exhibits more tropical fruit characters, displaying ripe mango, peach, and lychee notes that are balanced by lifted acidity.

fr

Bold tannins are the dominant character of this wine. Its weight comes as much from its structure as from the fruit that is still suppressed and needs time. Drink from 2022.

it

White rose and strawberry aromas carry over to the dry, softly sparkling palate along with hints of culinary spice and blood orange. Tangy acidity lifts the juicy finish.

nz

This is a vegetal style from the bottom of nz's South Island. Snow pea and bell pepper notes lead the way, with passionfruit in the background. The palate is creamy in feel, but it's balanced by lifted acidity and more fruit-driven flavors.

it

Aromas of French oak, vanilla and a whiff of paraffin lead the way. The aromas carry over to the rather lean palate along with butterscotch, vanilla, bitter almond and a note of candied tangerine zest but not much fruit richness. Drink soon.

US

This is an earthy brawny red wine with bold ripe characteristics of leather, espresso and black cherry. It broods intensity and big flavor.

US

Obvious oak spices including cedar, clove, cinnamon and wood char fill the aroma of this medium-bodied, extroverted wine and continue in the flavors, giving a sweet edge to the fruit component.

es

Earthy berry aromas are matched by spicy oak and vanilla notes. In the mouth, this warm-vintage crianza feels snappy, sappy and sinewy. Oaky red plum and currant flavors finish spicy but basic. Overall, this is a good but standard Rioja, nothing more.

US

This affordable wine is a little obvious in terms of oaky spices in the aroma and flavors, but it backs them up with good cherry and berry flavors to complete the package. It's medium bodied and smooth in texture.

it

This opens with delicate aromas of acacia flower and toasted almond. The aromas carry over to the linear palate along with citrus notes and white peach. Drink soon.

fr

Bright, fresh and crisp, this wine is textured and fruity. It has a strong mineral edge as well as good acidity. Drink this wine now.