Reference

Country: Spain / Marqués de Valparaiso Crianza Variety: Tempranillo Blend Northern Spain Winery: Federico Paternina / Ribera del Duero The nose on this wine smells candied for the most part, with a pinch of minerality to go with sweet red berry and red licorice scents. The mouthfeel is crisp and fresh, while cherry, red plum […]

Country: Spain / Viñas Viejas Variety: Tempranillo Northern Spain Winery: Evohé / Vino de la Tierra Ribera del Gállego-Cinco Villas The palate on this Tempranillo has smacking acids that create crisp flavors of raspberry and red plum, and there’s a pinch of oaky vanilla for counterbalance. Overall this is juicy, fresh and simple.

Country: France / Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux Winery: Château la Brande / Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Full bodied, structured and tannic while also fruity, this is fine example of the 2010 vintage. It’s all structure at this stage, but it’s going to be a full and ripe wine, although the alcohol does show through […]

Country: Spain / Vino Pr1mero Variety: Tempranillo Northern Spain Winery: Bodegas Fariña / Toro Candied blueberry aromas are fresh and suggest some power to come. Indeed, this wine is chunky on the palate, with grapy dark-fruit flavors that are generic but friendly. Made with carbonic maceration, this Toro is suggestive of Beaujolais.

Country: Spain / Crianza Variety: Tempranillo Northern Spain Winery: Arroyo / Ribera del Duero For an inexpensive wine, this offers plenty of wood spice, vanilla, char and toast on the nose. The palate smacks hard with drawing tannins, while flavors of medicinal plum and raspberry carry a charred aftertaste. Good as a whole, with oak […]

Country: South Africa / Nr 3 Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Walker Bay Winery: Hermanuspietersfontein / A light, bright and easygoing wine with clean notes of citrus, fresh-cut grass and lime zest. Lively acidity keeps the palate vibrant and refreshing, ending with a mouthwatering, tart green-plum flavor. Drink up.

Country: Spain / Variety: Viura-Chardonnay Northern Spain Winery: Las Valles / Cariñena Light lemon-lime aromas open things up, alongside a light mineral note. The palate is clean and racy, with enough body to hold up to core flavors of lime, kiwi and green apple. A floral freshness carries the finish.

Country: US / Hidden Horse Red Blend No. 9 Variety: Red Blend Washington Winery: Two Mountain / Rattlesnake Hills This non-vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc plays on the leafy side of the spectrum with abundant herb and green tea notes. It’s tart and grainy with a compact ball of cherry […]

Country: Mexico / Pedregal Variety: Syrah-Mourvèdre San Antonio de las Minas Valley Winery: Vinisterra / This red blend of 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre immediately announces itself as serious and classy. The bouquet is layered with berry fruit and baking spice aromas that aren’t hard or pushy. It feels stout and secure, with its structure […]

Country: Italy / San Giorgio Variety: Red Blend Central Italy Winery: Lungarotti / Umbria This shows beautiful balance and intensity, with notes of black fruit, espresso, leather and a touch of drying mineral. The blend is Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Country: US / Grand Reserve Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Kendall-Jackson / Sonoma County Close in quality to Cabernets costing far more, this has elaborate blackberry, cherry and currant flavors. The all-important mouthfeel is dry and crisp, with fine tannins. It’s not an ager, but shows plenty of class.

Country: US / Variety: Petite Sirah California Winery: Keating / Rockpile A big, strong, bold Petite Sirah, showing the variety’s usual power, dryness and tannins. The warm-to-hot Rockpile appellation has ripened the wine to an incredible density of blackberries and roasted meats, yet the wine shows finesse despite its high alcohol. This will age for […]