"Blackberry, earth and black-walnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Drinkable now, but will soften with age."

"Candied-watermelon and lemon-peel aromas follow through to a medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now."

"This very solid Burgundian chardonnay has a generous body that's well filled out with lemon curd character. Bright apple and pear notes develop on the nose with a little aeration in the glass. Nice balance of creaminess and lemony freshness at the forthright finish. Made from bought-in grapes from all three Cotes. Drink or hold."

"A punchy verdejo with enticing aromas of lemon zest, fennel and minerals. Very bright, dry and crisp with a zesty mid-palate and a pithy finish. Textbook example. Drink now."

"Aromas of cooked apples, apple pie and salted butter. Flinty and smoky. It all follows through to a full body with layers of fruit, fine bubbles and a juicy, fruity finish. Lots of fruit, yet framed. Drink or hold."

"Biscuits, candied lemons, dried apples and white peaches here. Fresh and pure white and citrus fruit, with a creamy mousse and sharp acidity. Drink now or hold."

"Interesting aromas of tobacco leaf and sliced dried strawberry with some citrus, too. Medium to full body. Firm phenolics in the mid-palate and a medium finish. Drink now."

"Brimming with fresh melon and garden-pea aromas, this is a light and bright pinot grigio that’s very refreshing, thanks to the very clean finish. Drink now. Screw cap."

"Dense black-cherry fruit and restrained, powdery tannins make this medium-bodied lagrein surprisingly elegant. If it was a bit longer at the cool and clean finish, it would rate even higher. Drink or hold."

"The crisp pear and lime-zest aromas are bright and inviting and, in spite of a good amount of substance, this is a very crisp and clean chardonnay with an invigoratingly fresh, almost minty finish. Drink now."

"So much snow-pea and herbal freshness makes this star-bright dry pinot bianco very appealing. For 13.5% alcohol this is remarkably crisp and vivid, the power only showing a little at the long, clean finish. Drink now."

"An elegant Alpine pinot noir that’s now at the best age for drinking. Plenty of dried-cranberry and cherry fruit, the oak quite pronounced on the nose, but well integrated on the bright, medium-bodied palate. Long, clean finish with some mineral character. Drink or hold."

"This cool and elegant sauvignon blanc has stunning freshness and is just beginning its long life. So many subtle aromatic nuances, ranging from fresh Thai basil to lemon juice, honeysuckle and melon. Long, very clean finish with so much drive and wet-stone character. Drink or hold."

"Wonderfully fresh nose of tarte au citron with just a whiff of vanilla bean. At once concentrated and very elegant, this is unquestionably one of the great chardonnays of Italy. Stunning balance at the very long and precise, nutty finish that has so much energy! Plenty of aging potential here. Drink or hold."

"A very cool and subtle dry pinot blanc that’s only just beginning to open up. However, this already has delicate, crisp pear, apple and garden-bean aromas that beautifully complement the restrained power and creaminess on the precisely delineated palate. Long finish with some wet-stone minerality. Drink or hold."

"Remarkably fresh for a just-released 2018, this has effusive Amalfi-lemon and toasted white-bread aromas. Expansive and mellow with serious textural complexity, plus smoky and wet-stone notes at the very long and clean finish. Limited production. Drink or hold."

"Blueberries, blackberries, cassis, lemons and cloves on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Round, fruity and creamy with fresh acidity. Textured, with juicy currant notes at the finish. Vegan. Sustainable. Drink now."

"Aromas of blackberries, raspberries, grenadine, cedar and peppercorns. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Round and creamy with structure and balance. Peppery, flavorful finish. Vegan. Sustainable. Drink or hold."

"A juicy, medium-bodied red with smooth tannins and plums and blueberries. Some fresh herbs, too. Vegan. Sustainable. A vibrant, approachable malbec to drink now."

"A juicy, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon with tight, fine-grained tannins that unleashes mineral, cassis and roasted spices. Powerful yet creamy tannins frame the taut berry fruit. Impressive! Drink or hold."

"Blackberries, black cherries, violets and some dark beans. A full-bodied malbec, showing elegant, juicy purple fruit and violets, then tightened up by very firm, assertive tannins. A little too tight now, so drink after 2023."

"A mixture of blackberries and some dark raspberries on the nose, complemented by roasted spices and hints of olives and fresh herbs. A medium-to full-bodied red with very juicy fruit and acidity and packed with silky tannins, underscoring a tight, svelte mouth-feel and nice drinkability. 86% malbec, 12% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot. Unfiltered. Drink or hold."

"Dark-olive, spicy toast and black-bean character to the blackberries and blackcurrants, A medium-t -full-bodied red with tight yet velvety tannins, lots of juicy fruit and some good length. Svelte and quite quintessential. 85% carmenere and 15% malbec. Better from 2024."

"Complex nose, showing racy currants, dark olives and some cigar, as well as violets and a hint of dried tomato leaf. Tight and juicy on the palate with really fine-grained tannins. Assertive and bright. 82% cabernet sauvignon, 14% malbec and 4% cabernet franc. Drink now."

"A savory red, showing some peppercorns, earthy currants, blackberries and some cloves and pencil shavings. Elegant and smoothly wound, with lots of creamy tannins and juicy berries on the palate. Effortless to drink with a slightly meaty accent. 69% cabernet sauvignon and 31% malbec. Drink now."

"A wave of fruit on the nose with cherries, blackberries, cassis and blueberries. Some dried leaves and baking spices, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and crisp acidity. Lively and chiseled, with a flavorful finish. 62% grenache, 19% mourvedre, 13% syrah and 6% cinsault. Drink now."

"A luscious red, featuring flavors of blackberry and plum, with flashes of leather, mushroom, woodsy underbrush, spice and tobacco. Ripe and harmonious, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and spice. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. —B.S."

"This bright red ripples across the palate, with savory hints of cured tobacco and loamy earth underscoring the black currant and black raspberry fruit. Medium-bodied, with lightly chewy tannins. Drink now through 2027. 35,000 cases made, 30,000 cases imported."

"The 2020 Malbec Single Vineyard Carlos is purple in color with a nose of ripe plum, white pepper and hints of jam. In the mouth, the tannins are rugged from the clay while the freshness is mild and the flow juicy before the medium-length finish."

"The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard La Capilla hails from Colchagua and was 43% aged in barrels, 55% in foudres and 2 in amphorae. Dark purple in color. The nose presents notes of stewed red currant, hints of spice and gentle cigar box aromas. Juicy in the mouth with rugged tannins and a refined finish, but a little monochromatic."

"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Secreto from Las Dichas, Casablanca, is yellow in color with a nose of asparagus, jalapeno, grass, and lime. The intense, fatty palate has a texture defined by the lees, while intense acidity and slight bitterness develop at the back of the mouth."

"The 2021 Chardonnay Gran Reserva hails from Litueche, Colchagua Costa. Yellow in color. The pleasant nose presents notes of apple and pear and hints of haxelnut. In the mouth, this is fresh and creamy with a vibrant flow. A rewarding wine."

"The 2019 ViBo Vinedo Centenario is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31 Malbec from San Carlos, Colchagua. Made with grapes from 100-year-old vines, this wine is purple in the glass, with an expressive herbal, fruity nose of fresh plum, white pepper and hints of black currant. Juicy and smooth with polished tannins, it has a flavorful palate underlined by a bitter layer that also stretches out the finish."

"The 2019 Malbec Viu 1 is also 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot from San Carlos, Colchagua. Vivid Purple in hue. The expressive nose offers fresh plum, hints of violet and a layer of aromas from the aging process. In the mouth it's very fresh (for the variety), with a terse feel, reactive tannins and rich, fruity tension before the floral finish."

"Sweet cream, white flowers, smoke and hinys of vanilla custard form a deeply inviting bouquet as the 2020 Chardonnay Lafoa blossoms in the glass. Its silken textures wash across the palate with prominence, guided by bright acidity while giving way to mineral-tinged apples, pears and a hint of almond paste. The 2020 leaves a staining of primary concentration, while finishing long and lightly-structured with a nuance of lemon oil that's left to linger. While I admire the balance and can't argue with the luxurious nature of the Chardonnay Lafoa, the pleasure I'm experiencing is more derived from oak than fruit. That said, this will have its fans."

"A plush red in a modern style, with dense tannins and lively acidity creating a sinewy frame. An expressive range of boysenberry coulis and black licorice flavors transition to deep notes of ground coffee, tarry smoke and dark chocolate that linger on the sculpted finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Best from 2024 through 2037."

"Another successful year for Charbonnière's white, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc features notes of citrus zest and white peaches. A blend of 40% each Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, with 20% Clairette, it's medium to full-bodied, silky, gently expansive and generous, with excellent balance and harmony."

"The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mourre des Perdrix (roughly 70% Grenache and 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah) offers up garrigue-laden, lavender-scented florals, plus oodles of purple raspberries. Full-bodied and silky, it finishes long and fresh. It looks like another excellent vintage here."

"The super 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (90% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre) is a full-bodied, richly concentrated wine loaded with dark fruit. Velvety tannins frame notes of blackberries, dark chocolate and black olives, while the finish echoes with notes of salted licorice."

"A classic assemblage of 70% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre and Syrah, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape offers notes of ripe cherries and brown sugar on the nose. Aged mainly in wooden vats, but with smaller amounts in foudre, tank and used barrels, it's full-bodied and silky textured, fine and elegant, not overly rich or concentrated, just an easy-drinking, delicious wine for early consumption."

"Virtually the same assemblage as the traditional bottling (69% Grenache, 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus 1% Cinsault) but from sandier vineyard parcels, Charbonnière's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mourre des Perdrix delivers wonderfully pure cherry fruit that's almost sweet-tasting (it's labeled 16% alcohol), but it's balanced by gentle spice and herbal nuances. It's full-bodied and supple, finishing silky and long, with just a touch of warmth."

"The yin to the yang of the estate's Mourre des Perdrix bottling, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is almost all Grenache (10% Mourvèdre) from stony, galets roulés sites in Coudoulet, la Crau (sud) and Cristia. It's all black cherries and mocha on the nose, then full-bodied and rich but rather coarse and open-knit on the palate. It's long on the finish and shows remarkable intensity, but it doesn't have the same degree of elegance as the other offerings from Charbonniere; perhaps that will emerge with further cellaring. A second sample (tasted nonblind) revealed more of that elegance, with an almost airy, ethereal feel on the palate that belied the wine's enormous concentration and power."

Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvée Speciale"

"This year, my favorite of the four 2019s from this fine estate is the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale, which emerges from a single parcel of galets roulés planted to a 60-40 mix of Grenache and Syrah. Partially destemmed, it reveals some herbal, stemmy elements on the nose, giving a sense of freshness to the super-ripe black cherry fruit, plus ephemeral notions of tea leaves and rose petals. Full-bodied, silky and concentrated, this wine is long and complex on the finish, with hints of dark chocolate, plum, and red berries. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."

"Submitted as a pre-bottling sample, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes looks potentially excellent, with bold, pungent aromas of ripe plum, dark espresso and scorched tree bark. Muscular and tannic, this full-bodied effort needs time to come around, but it seems to have what it takes, given the long, attractively chewy finish."

"Bottled under screwcap, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ranks with the handful of top wines in the vintage and is based on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec. An incredible nose of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries, mulberries) as well as chocolate, camphor, leafy herbs, and flowers gives way to a full-bodied, pure, seamless wine with ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a brilliant finish. This quintessential, pure, top-class beauty is already hard to resist yet will benefit from a few years of bottle age and keep for 2-3 decades. The level of purity, as well as its mix of richness and freshness, are unique in the vintage."

"A beautiful Merlot, the 2019 from PlumpJack offers everything you could want from this variety with its plump, fleshy, medium to full-bodied profile as well as terrific aromatics of black cherries, darker berries, leafy herbs, spring flowers, and a touch of chocolate. It’s ready to go yet should continue delivering the goods over the coming decade."

"Even better, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and is magical stuff. All varietal and, I suspect, brought up in plenty of new barrels, it offers a powerful style in its ripe cassis and blueberry fruit as well as more tobacco, graphite, and leafy herb aromas and flavors. Stunningly concentrated and full-bodied, it’s another one of those rare wines that brings incredible richness and depth while holding onto a sense of purity, elegance, and weightlessness. Enjoy this Napa Valley magic over the coming 15-20 years."

"A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes all from the cool Stags Leap District and was brought up mostly in new French oak. It’s a full-bodied, ripe, powerful 2019 that nevertheless stays balanced and weightless on the palate, with silky tannins and a rare level of polish and elegance. Giving up lots of pure cassis and blue fruits as well as notes of violets, underbrush, and high-class oak, it already offers pleasure yet is going to evolve gracefully for 20 years or more. If you’re looking for ripe, sexy, seamless, and impeccably made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, look no further."

"Up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is pure Napa gold, offering a sensational nose of cassis and blueberry fruits as well as incredible purity in its violet, sappy herb, tobacco, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness and depth on the palate, it has perfect tannins, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. While I suspect the acidity is quite low, it holds onto a terrific sense of freshness and is just a thrilling, singular wine that would be impossible to find outside of the magical valley. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 15+ years. There are 1,200 cases produced."

"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is even better, with a stunning nose of black and blue fruits as well as iron, black olive tapenade, and subtle herbal nuances. Pure 2019 goodness on the palate, it’s full-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. It’s not for those looking for old school Claret, but it brings beautiful richness and depth and will shine for at least 10-12 years as well."

"Solid, with a polished set of violet, plum cake, blackberry reduction and ganache flavors cruising through and an echo of Black Forest cake lingering on the finish. This would do nicely in a decanter over a weekend. Drink now through 2027. 15,000 cases made, 4,500 cases imported."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Savory dried herbs and anise-like spices on the nose with some black cherries and olives. This is a fresh and medium-to full-bodied syrah, showing tight but polished tannins and a spicy finish. Sustainable. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Pure and tangy gooseberry, guava and some green tropical fruit on the nose, followed by a fresh palate with vibrant green, limey fruit and bright acidity and some currant leaves at the end. Sustainable. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Lots of cranberries, dried cloves and licorice here with a hint of dried orange peel. This is soft and savory on the palate with earthy berries and sleek tannins. Sustainable. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Rich lees with some oatmeal, pastry and ripe pineapple. A medium-to full-bodied chardonnay with fresh acidity and good flavors and weight to the mid-palate. Some nuanced minerality in the finish. Sustainable. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Blackcurrants, grilled meat and dark spices on the nose. A medium-to full-bodied with nicely chewy tannins and a spicy finish. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Engaging cumin spices with glossy currants, black olives and tobacco leaf. A medium-to full-bodied carmenere with juicy black fruit and firm but silky tannins. Nice length, with some dark spices and olives. Sustainable. Drink now."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"A focused nose, showing tangy and deep cabernet character with rich berry fruit and a hint of tobacco leaf. Cassis, sandalwood and dark chocolate, too. This is a full-bodied red with a tight yet silky structure. Some black fruit and dark olives in the middle with nice length. Sustainable. 100% cabernet sauvignon. Slightly chewy now, so drink from 2024."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Spicy with dark plums, blackberries and dried Mediterranean spices. This is a full-bodied red, framed by lots of nicely chewy tannins on the palate. Tight and angular. Cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, syrah, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink in 2024. Sustainable."

Escudo Rojo - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

"Such demure depth and focus on the nose, showing high-grade cedar wood with brooding yet fresh blackberries, cassis and cigar, as well as hints of dark olives and red chili pepper. Beautiful cabernet character here. This is a very structured and full-bodied red, imbedded with lots of vertical, fine-grained tannins now, which will take some time to soften. The volume on the palate is quite impressive. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc, 5% syrah, 5% petit verdot and 4% carmenere. Sustainable. Drink from 2026."

"Tangy strawberries, red cherries and plums on the nose, complemented by roasted dark spices, stones and some blood oranges. Medium-bodied with very bright, vibrant acidity and very taut yet silky tannins. Long and delicious now."

"The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Pojega captivates with a heady yet incredibly pretty mix of medicinal cherries, exotic spice, lavender and crushed violets. This is seamlessly smooth and silky while slowly saturating the palate in primary concentration. There’s a herbal streak throughout, adding depth when contrasted against the wine's balanced inner sweetness. This leaves a chalky sweet spice like violet candies upon the palate, while remaining lightly structured and hauntingly long and floral. A heady yet very fine Ripasso."

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Calcarole is dusty and floral, unexpectedly lifted and airy, showing dried roses and cherries offset by a hint of sweet smoke. This is opulent and rich, like crushed velvet on the palate, with mineral-tinged raspberry and cherry complemented by confectionary spices and balsam herbs. The 2015 somehow maintains amazing energy and finesse but make no mistake about it, this is a big and ripe style for Amarone. That said, you can’t even notice the 17% abv."

"What a beautiful nose of violets and ripe (but not overripe) blackberries this has! So succulent, with a wonderful interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral freshness on the concentrated, medium-bodied palate. Very long, velvety finish with so much finesse! Drink or hold."

"A cornucopia of forest berries with delicate licorice and herb-liqueur nuances, animated by staggering freshness that makes this really stand out in the Moulin-a-Vent context. Concentrated and beautifully balanced, in spite of the serious tannin structure, this has a dangerous amount of energy at the firm, mineral finish. Great aging potential, but delicious now. Drink or hold."

"This Beaujolais masterpiece is so concentrated and so pure, with lush, velvety sensuality that reminds me of great Pomerol. But there’s also almost breathtaking brightness, thanks to the magical combination of gamay and granite. Great mineral freshness at the ripe yet pristine finish. Drink or hold."

"Welcome to the black heart of Morgon! So dense, concentrated and ripe with serious tannins, but a wonderfully plush texture on the expansive palate. Then the mineral freshness pushes through at the powerful, yet finely etched finish. If you can find actual black cherries that smell like this, then let me know! Drink or hold."

"Stunning nose of ripe blackberries, the blackest cherries and smoke, with just a touch of balsamic vinegar. Ripe and firm with a ton of crushed-stone minerality. Very radical, but in the best possible way! All this needs is a bit of time in the bottle to resolve the substantial, fine tannins and crisp acidity. Great aging potential! Drinkable now, but best from 2024."

"Dense violet and sour-cherry nose with just a hint of licorice. Very fresh and vital with quite a serious tannins structure for a Beaujolais Cru, this is still very young with tremendous energy. Quite dry finish, but in a very positive way, and one that reminds me of wines from cooler locations in the Northern Rhone. Drink or hold."

"Stunning black-cherry fruit is married to generous, fine tannins and very lively acidity that lights up this rather bold wine. So many violets and ripe blackberries that this well-structured wine slips down very easily. Quite some allspice character at the long finish. Drink or hold."

"Pure violets on the nose pull you into this Chenas, which is brimming with sour-cherry fruit, wrapped around a core of fine tannins. Intense, stony minerality at the powerful yet refined finish. So focused and uplifting! Drink or hold."

"How could you resist the enveloping black aroma of this stunning Beaujolais Cru? So ripe and succulent, but also so lively. And all of this is held together by a framework of healthy tannin. Builds impressively at the crisp, dry finish, where there’s a touch of stony minerality. Drink or hold."

"Friendly shy nose of black pepper, dark cherries and sweet oak spices. Medium-bodied with a refreshing acidity, nicely integrated."

"I love the nose of very ripe red and black fruit with hints of bitter chocolate and many spices. Rich, concentrated and complex, this is very impressive Chateauneuf with very sweet fruit, balanced by stacks of fine tannin. Long, powdery, dry finish with some real complexity. A blend of grenache, mourvedre and syrah. Drink or hold."

"Powerful and weighty, yet very bright and clean, this has so much white peach and melon on the nose, but also delicate, spicy notes. In spite of the compactness of the palate, the mineral freshness pulls this jumbo dry white into the air at the long and exciting finish. A cuvée of grenache blanc, roussanne and clairette. Drink or hold."

"Prototypical Southern Rhone nose of black fruit with orange zest and licorice. Very fresh and spicy palate, in spite of the ripeness and amplitude of the palate. The full tannins are already very well integrated, building steadily at the imposing yet refined finish. Excellent aging potential. A classic GSM (grenache, syrah and mourvedre) Southern Rhone blend. Drink or hold."

Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvée Speciale"

"Brimming with sweet plums, but also plenty of meatiness and licorice on the nose. Powerful and very concentrated, thanks to the full, plush tannin on the spicy palate, this an extremely structured Chateauneuf made for long-term aging. However, the balance is so good you could drink it right away. Very long, velvety finish. Drink or hold."

"Although this is still a bit closed, the pomegranate and sour-cherry aromas are delightful and the hints of coffee, tobacco leaf and cigar box add complexity. Rich and concentrated, but very focused. Huge tannin structure, but beautifully crafted and the wine glides over your palate. Long, youthful finish. From the La Crau site, this is a blend of grenache from 70-year-old vines and mourvedre. Drinkable now, but best from 2024."

"A rich Southern Rhone red with impressively fine tannins that balance both the full body and deep black fruit. Long and supple yet finely nuanced finish with subtle spicy notes. Drink or hold."

"Ripe and generous, the fleshy and spicy character from the grenache grape currently displayed very nicely. I love the interplay of the full, supple tannins with the rich and full body, the wine slowly turning ever drier as it flows back over the palate. The freshness at the long finish completes the very satisfying picture. A grenache-based blend that grew on sandy soils. Drink or hold."

"Intensely spicy with notes of licorice and hot asphalt, this Chateauneuf is only moderately fleshy and has stunning, fine tannins that give it a wonderfully velvety texture, then a very long powerful finish with mineral freshness. A grenache-based blend from vines planted on a gentle, north-facing slope in 1966. Drink or hold."

"Surprisingly fresh and almost playful for this very ripe vintage, this marries considerable richness with elegant tannins. The underplayed power and barely perceptible alcohol make this very easy to enjoy right now, but there’s good spicy and earthy complexity at the long, precise finish. Drink or hold."

"The ripe-peach and floral aromas help to give this full-bodied and juicy white Chateauneuf the appeal it needs to carry the rather soft acidity. Silky finish. A blend based on grenache blanc and clairette. Drink now."

"This bold Cairanne has tons of damson and black-plum aromas with an discreet, underlying earthiness. Powerful and weighty palate, the full soft tannins very neatly supporting the imposing structure and enabling it to taste quite a bit lighter than it really is. Long, velvety finish. A blend of one quarter each of grenache, syrah, carignan and mourvedre. Drink or hold."

"A classic Cotes-du-Rhone red with generous body and full, ripe blackberry fruit, supported by some healthy tannins. Excellent balance and technically spot-on, the alcohol way in the background somewhere, where you can’t feel it. A grenache-based blend. Drink now."

"Round and plump, sporting cherry, raspberry, floral, mineral and wild herb aromas and flavors. Well-defined and solidly structured, ending with plenty of energy driving the fruit and savory elements. Best from 2025 through 2040."

"This cherry- and raspberry-flavored red is underlined by a saline note, with floral, eucalyptus, thyme and tobacco notes joining the party as everything plays out on the lingering, tightly wound finish. Shows energy and finds balance in the end. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S."

"Ripe, lush and expressive, this red features cherry, plum, earth, iron and tobacco flavors, with a solid line of tannins providing support. Long, picking up herbal accents on the finish. Fine balance. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S."

"This stunning red leads off with a beam of cherry, kirsch and violet flavors, while mineral, tobacco and ash lend accents. Fresh and juicy, with fine harmony and an exceptional aftertaste that echoes the fruit and mineral elements. Its solid structure gives this fine aging potential. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S."

"Very lush, featuring warm cassis, plum compote and blackberry puree flavors that flow through slowly but steadily, with dark licorice snap and apple wood notes. Delivers a late tug of warm earth, which is hidden amid the fruit but keeps it all nicely grounded. A big wine. Best from 2023 through 2036."

"Rich and dense, offering licorice root-studded notes of dark currant, fig and blackberry compote, laced with singed alder and tobacco through the finish. Not shy but has definition and drive, with a graphite note extending the finish. Best from 2023 through 2036."

"'Est' means 'east' in Italian, and 'ovest' means 'west.' I know there is usually an ovest version of this wine, but if it was produced, I did not receive a sample. The Tenuta di Sesta 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Duelecci Est opens to an inky dark appearance and rich color concentration. With a big 15% alcohol content, this is a powerful wine that hits the senses from all sides. There is plenty of black fruit, wild rose, potting soil, spice and cured tobacco in this bold, hearty Brunello. Only 3,000 bottles were made."

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows some ripe, hot-vintage fruit with baked cherry and strawberry confit. There is a softness to the wine, which is enhanced by bigger fruit weight and fiber and more of those dark fruit characteristics. Sangiovese always counters with fresh acidity, and this element helps to balance out this wine on the mid-weight finish. This is an accessible, near-term Brunello. 50,000 bottles are hitting the market now."

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Altero (with 8,000 bottles made) represent a clear step up in intensity and balance compared to the thinner annata wine. It also offers a dense nucleus of dark fruit with blackcurrant and plum, along with some background spice, tar and smoke. Altero sources its fruit from I Poggi and Il Vignone at the highest elevations (at 500 meters above sea level). These cool growing spots have served the wine well in this hot vintage in terms of preserving aromas and freshness."

"Poggio Antico is another one of those Montalcino estates that you will forever remember if you've been lucky enough to visit. The vineyards enjoy unobstructed views all the way to the Tyrrhenian Sea (I think this is the only place in the appellation where you can see the water on a clear day). Fruit for the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is sourced from the I Poggi parcel with thin galestro and alberese soils. There is a lot of fresh fruit here, and the tannins are quite soft and supple. Production is 38,000 bottles."

"La Fiorita's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva leaves a lasting impression that is due to the purity and the depth of aromas in part but is also due to the very high 15% alcohol. A little less alcoholic heat would be more conducive to the delicate and lifted aromas of Sangiovese. Fruit for the Riserva comes solely from the Pian Bossolino vineyard. This wine is instead all about brawn and muscle; as a result, you're best off serving it with a creamy dish like steak smothered in mushroom sauce. A mere 3,200 bottles are hitting the market now."

"La Fiorita is part of a large group of boutique, artisanal producers who operate in Montalcino and contribute to the town's lively wine scene. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is light and silky in texture with cherry, earth and dried violets. The bouquet is delicate and so is the palate, save for that powerful 15% alcohol. This wine is a blend of fruit from the Collosorbo (Poggio al Sole), Pian Bossolino and Giardinello vineyards. Production is 20,000 bottles."

"Made with certified-organic fruit, the La Rasina 2017 Brunello di Montalcino reveals dark concentration and sweet aromas of blackberry and summer-ripe plum. Generally speaking, vintners in Montalcino did an excellent job in the hot 2017 vintage by producing wines that are not jammy or baked. However, this wine definitely embraces a warm-vintage personality, and it flirts with the denser and softer side of Sangiovese. Oak spice and smoked tones help to flesh out this open and accessible release of 30,000 bottles. This Brunello is ready to go straight out of the gate."

"With the 2012 Brut Millésimé, Henriot's positive evolution begins to become apparent. A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, disgorged with less than six grams per liter dosage, it offers up aromas of citrus zest, white flowers, freshly baked bread and green apple, followed by a medium-bodied, brisk and precise palate. Built around a bright spine of acidity and enlivened by a pillowy mousse, it will take on additional depth and dimension with a few years on cork."