Nicole Chanrion
Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte-de-Brouilly Gamay 2015
The 2015 Côte-de-Brouilly from Nicole Chanrion is a delicious, ten year old Beaujolais Cru that delivers
good structure, excellent balance, surprising depth and a large amount of pure, primary fruit. Nothing else is needed. — 2 months ago
Valdicava
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006
Particularly earthy and elegant, the 2006 Valdicava Brunello displays a dark primary fruit appearance, but in its nineteenth year, it has clearly evolved from a dense, fruit bomb into a more refined pour with gentle and teasing tertiary aromas and flavors.
It is soft, flavorful, medium bodied, still well structured with light tannins and brisk acidity, and reveals interesting and savory notes of baking spices, dried fruits, nuts and herbal underbrush. The finish is long and satisfying. Aficionados of well aged wines, this is for you!
— 2 months ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1993
Still balanced and structurally sound, both acidity and tannins are low, with the tannins doing the heavy lifting at the short finish.
Overall, it is somewhat muted both in aromatics and flavors. There is a smidgen of red and black primary fruit peeking through, but the wine is well into its plateau of drinkability. I might have waited a few years too long. — 5 days ago
Domaine Dupeuble
Beaujolais Gamay 2023
Far more than a basic Beaujolais. Seriously structured 2023 with good helpings of fruit, and acidity plus a tad of dusty, mouth coating tannins at the finish. Helluva buy at under $20. — 20 days ago
Fattoria Selvapiana
Vigneto Bucerchiale Riserva Chianti Rùfina Sangiovese 2017
The 2017 was opened for a quick glass, and then gassed for overnight storing. Day 2: It has an engaging ruby/garnet color, perfumed red/blue aromatics, and confirming red/blue fruit flavors. Solidly structured and well balanced with crisp acidity and soft mouth coating tannins at the satisfying finish. Irrespective of vintage, Bucerchiale never fails to deliver, always showing well above its price point. The 2017 vintage is no different. — 2 months ago
Fattoria dei Barbi (Colombini)
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2012
Well structured and balanced, it displays an iconic ruby/garnet appearance, followed by secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors of woodland herbs, dried fruits and nuts, plus flavorsome balsamic nuances, and interesting red fruit undertones.
Overall, quite elegant and refined; medium bodied, with ample acidity, dusty tannins and a long, satisfying finish. If you’ve got it, now is the time. — 8 days ago
Poggio San Polo
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013
The 2013 vintage enjoyed Classic cool weather, and the 2013 San Polo reveals what old time Brunellos were like prior to global warming. It is medium bodied, colorful, with persistent fruit and underbrush aromatics; flavorsome, balanced, crisp and energetic with refined tannins. Lovely wine. — 2 months ago
Château Gruaud Larose
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
It has a nearly opaque, dark fruited appearance that opens up to very appealing and persistent aromatics and flavors of blueberries and blackberries.
There is still a good amount of primary fruit; it is medium/full, well structured with a good balance of juicy acidity and refined tannins at the finish. New oak is there, but unobtrusive.
Overall, this 2010 is a reserved and savory St. Julien that doesn’t whack me over the head with gobs of oak and loads of sweet jammy fruit. It is definitely “worth a search” if you don’t have it. — 2 months ago
Tom Barras
From the back of my vault comes this well aged and earthy, but still very vibrant, 2012 Alessandria Barolo.
The very engaging ruby/garnet Appearance is supported by perfumed, dried red fruit and woodland herb aromatics, plus a smidgen of fragrant baking spice nuances.
On the slightly lean palate it is medium bodied, balanced, with medium+ acidity and soft, mouth coating tannins that are bound up with flavors of coffee bean and spice. — 3 days ago