Reference

Country: US / La Encantada Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Furthermore / Sta. Rita Hills This is Furthermore’s fruitiest, most accessible ’09 Pinot Noir. If you love fruit, you’ll savor the endless flavors of raspberries, cherries and persimmons that are brightened with a squeeze of zesty, lime-like acidity and enriched with the smoky creaminess […]

Country: Italy / Opi Riserva Variety: Montepulciano Central Italy Winery: Farnese / Colline Teramane This hearty red is packed tight with superintense aromas of black fruit, leather, tobacco and roasted espresso bean. Bold, big and meaty, this is richly extracted and inky dark. Pair it with aged Pecorino cheese.

Country: Argentina / Obra Prima Coleccion Gran Reserva Variety: Malbec Mendoza Province Winery: Familia Cassone / Mendoza The bouquet is stylish and rooty, with black-fruit and chocolate scents leading the charge. It shows good structure, meaning it’s full but not too thick or jammy. Flavors of ripe blackberry and plum are generous and a touch […]

Country: Mexico / Variety: Red Blend Valle de Guadalupe Winery: El Sombrero / Ripe and rich, but not dull or out of whack, this smells sweet, a little soupy and densely fruity, with a cumin accent. It feels concentrated and full bodied, with black fruit flavors of roasted plum and blackberry. It’s mellow, dealing brown […]

Country: France / Variety: Rhône-style Red Blend Rhône Valley Winery: Les Trois Couronnes / Châteauneuf-du-Pape This blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre delivers juicy, almost gulpable fruit, supported by a loose spine of soft tannins. Purple raspberry and black cherry flavors linger on the supple finish. Drink now–2018.

Country: France / GT-G Grand Terroir Variety: Grenache Rhône Valley Winery: LePlan-Vermeersch / Côtes du Rhône Villages This wine starts off with vanilla, cinnamon and dark cherry notes on the nose, with the oak-derived elements marrying nicely with the Grenache fruit. It’s full bodied, liquorous and lush, with a long, velvety finish. Probably best over […]

Country: France / La Roque Variety: Malbec Southwest France Winery: Mas del Périé / Cahors Dense and almost black in color, this is concentrated, with intense tannins and black plum fruit. It bursts with the rich fruit and acidity, finishing on a smoky, juicy note.

Country: US / Stone Corral Vineyard Estate Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Kynsi / Edna Valley This is absolutely delicious, with raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors that go on and on. Great Central Coast acidity provides needed tartness to balance the richness. It’s a beautiful, ripe, flashy and sophisticated Pinot Noir, showing the early drinkability […]

Country: US / Estate Grown Variety: Merlot California Winery: Korbin Kameron / Sonoma Valley Huge, flashy and dramatic, this shows brilliantly ripened fruit and an exquisite texture. Flavor wise, it tastes like pure pie filling seasoned with baking spices. But there’s nothing sweet in the finish. Instead, the wine is thoroughly and properly dry, as […]

Country: Portugal / Lua Nova em Vinhas Velhas Variety: Portuguese Red Douro Winery: Wines & Winemakers / Using grapes sourced from old vines, this is dark and concentrated. It’s dominated at the start by firm, dry tannins, with its power coming from its dark, brooding fruit and dense structure. Age for at least four years.

Country: US / Nugent Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Stemmler / Russian River Valley This still immature Pinot has tobacco-infused cherry, cola and pomegranate flavors that are liberally oaked and spiced. It’s O.K. to drink immediately if you like freshness and vibrancy, but aging it for six years or even longer could reward.

Country: US / Unoaked Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Saracina / Mendocino County With a very pretty nose of perfumed pear, green apple and lime, this unoaked Chardonnay is nicely soft and easy to drink. Made from organic Chardonnay and a touch of Viognier, this smells and tastes of summer. Even without a hint of oak […]