2010 - Present Wine

Winemaker Description

Full body vintage with ripe fruity aromas, balanced tannins and elegant finish. Full bodied wines with intense red fruit matched by youthful tannins and elegant finish.

Pair with fresh egg pasta dishes, risotto, white and red meat, game and venison.

Expert Review

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 94 Points | The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a heady, explosive wine. I don't think I have ever tasted an Ovello from the Produttori with this much heft. The strong mineral and saline accents typical of this site are present, but they are matched pound for pound by notable mid-palate richness and intensity in its fruit. The 2017 is a brooding powerhouse that needs time to unwind.  Drinking 2027 to 3039.  

Monica Lerner of Wine Advocate writes 94+ Points | One of the bigger productions (with 17,744 bottles) in the Produttori del Barbaresco's portfolio is the 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello. All of the Riservas in this vintage are characterized by especially exuberant and bold aromas, and this bottle is a prime example. Cassis, wild cherry, tobacco, rusty nail and licorice build intensity. The wine is tapered and silky in texture, but it also offers a good amount of power (and 15% alcohol) to carry it through the aging process.  Drinking 2024 to 2045.

James Suckling 94 Points | A tight and pretty Barbaresco with a solid depth of fruit that shows ripe strawberry and terracotta character. Tannins spread across the palate in a chunky way like thick velvet. Juicy and thick at the end. Drink or hold. 

Aldo Fiordelli of Decanter writes 93 Points | The profile of this 2017 Riserva is completely different from the more graceful and balanced 2019. Nevertheless, the Ovello of Cantina Produttori del Barbaresco is a fiercely rustic yet good example. Restrained if not reductive, it opens up to reveal tobacco and dried cherry aromas with a lot of minty minerality. Austere and dark, it features crisp acidity and muscular tannins with a slightly rustic finish. Traditionally a great price-quality ratio.  Drinking 2022 - 2037.  

Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator writes 94 Points | Taut and sinewy, boasting cherry, black currant, grass, iron and tar notes. Powerful tannins drive the finish, which is compact for now. In the end, this is lightly astringent, but has plenty of drive and should find equilibrium with time. Best from 2026 through 2043.  

Winemaker Description

Made from grapes grown observing the principles of biodynamic viticulture, this forward wine has black fruit aromas punctuated with chocolate notes, meat juices, spice and a hint of leather. 

Expert Review

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Packaged with a black label, the organic and biodynamic 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Corte Pavone is lush and rich, but it also shows balance. The wine starts off with sweet fruit tones and lots of black cherry with spice, tar and cedarwood. There is a general softness or integration to these flavors that gives this bottle the upper edge in a challenging vintage. Drink 2024-2038. (2017). 

Winemaker Description

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage. 

Winemaker Description

Podere Colla has been growing grapes in the Piedmont region since the 1700s, but it wouldn't be surprising if you haven't heard of them. Only having recently begun producing their own wines, their Patriarch Beppe Colla made wines at the Bonardi and Prunotto wineries from the 1950s through the 1990s--becoming an absolute legend in Piedmont. 

Winemaker Description

Deep ruby in appearance, Segla delivers aromas of blueberry and vanilla on the nose. On the palate it is medium bodied with silky tannins.

Expert Reviews

Neal Martin of Wine Spectator writes 90-92 Points | The 2015 Segla is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and a "seasoning" of 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, representing just over half the total crop, matured in 25% new wood. It has a fragrant, very precise bouquet with mineral-rich, very pure blackberry, blueberry and cold flint-like aromas. There is wonderful tension here for a deuxième vin. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy opening, just a tingle of spice on the tip of the tongue. There is very fine tension here, moderate weight but great persistence and sense of energy on the finish. On a budget? Thinking of a second wine? Look no further.  Drinking 2019 - 2033. (2015). 

James Suckling 92-93 Points | A solid red with a dense palate of ripe fruit, chewy tannins and a savory finish. This shows structure and reserve. Excellent second wine from Rauzan. (2015).

James Molesworth of Wine Spectator writes:  This has a mouthwatering singed alder note through the middle, with hints of juniper and dried bay leaf adding range to the core of mulled plum and fig fruit. A toasty style, broad in feel but accessible. Drink now through 2027. (2015).  

Winemaker Description

Deep ruby red in color with garnet reflections. On the nose, aromas of red fruit, blackberry, plum and licorice with hints of vanilla and leather. Full-bodied palate, with intense flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice culminating in a long and smooth finish.

Outstanding with red meat, game, and hard cheeses. 

Expert Review

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This classic Gattinara opens with aromas of dried sour cherries, rosebud, sweet and savory spices and a hint of dried herbs. Well-balanced between savory and fruity elements, the wine’s mouthwatering acidity and fine tannins build the framework for the wine to be enjoyable today and into the future. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

High Haven captures the essence of California's highest and coolest growing region, and the humble, nostalgic —slightly eccentric — charm of Anderson Valley. This rustic enclave, in the shadow of the giant redwoods, produces world-class Pinot that is deeply aromatic, balancing concentrated fruit with beautiful acidity.

Expert Reviews

91 Points Wine Enthusiast |Find bright aromas and flavors of cranberry, raspberry and strawberry along with earthy notes of river-rock minerality, roses, violets, hints of fennel and tarragon and just a touch of wood. Elevated fruit concentration yields pleasantly plush tannic texture along with an energetic acidity that points to a long, lingering finish.

91 Points Wine & Spirits | Clean, fresh, bright and tangy, this pinot is touched by notes of orange and vanilla, lasting on a cherry-leaf scent. It’s fruit-forward with tannins that melt into the background, leaving the cool feel of Anderson Valley pinot.

91 Wine Spectator | Alluring, with a nice swath of mulled raspberry and blood orange inlaid with pine forest and savory hints. Caressing finish.

Winemaker Description

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure. It is sourced from three different vineyard sites of various exposition on the hill of Montalcino. This will be ready to drink a touch earlier and be great to check in on over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.

93 Points Wine Spectator | Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 1,500 cases imported.

91 Points Decanter | Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely. A delightful jumping off point to Val di Suga’s single-vineyard offerings, which COO and winemaker Andrea Lonardi has been refining since 2012.

Winemaker Description

Château de Maltroye’s Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Boudriotte 2021 is a delightful red wine spilling forth with a bouquet of red and dark berries (blackberry, cherry, raspberry), complemented by subtle earthy and floral hints like violet, and a touch of spice from oak aging. Elegant and medium-bodied, its tannings are finely integrated, with a lingering finish. Seductive and delicious.

Winemaker Description

Bright, ruby-red color. The nose is very expressive with notes of wild strawberry, cherry and Mediterranean herbs.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully supple. Tannins are silky and the tasty finish reveals notes of black pepper, red fruits and a hint of eucalyptus.

Winemaker Description

This wine is obtained from declassified Brunello, which nonetheless follows the strict production regulations, shows characteristics of freshness and typical aromas of quality young wines, fruity and vinous notes blend with more complex autumn leaves and violet.

Pairs well with pasta, grilled pork and red meat. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

91 Points James Suckling | Notes of cherries and redcurrants with hints of hazelnuts and dried spices. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and crunchy acidity. Linear finish. (2021). 

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | An intoxicating mix of wild black cherry, lavender, and Mediterranean herbs are packed into the 2021 Rosso Di Montalcino. Medium to full-bodied, it has ample fruit without being heavy, with ripe blackberry, floral perfume, and a soft, stony texture. This incredible entry wine is a lens into the estate style at a great value. Drink 2023-2027. (2021). 

Winemaker Description

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir offers notes of dark cherry, blackberry, and cacao with a smooth, lingering finish. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. 

Expert Review 

91 Points Wine Enthusiast - Best Buy | A supple Pinot Noir with beautiful fruit, you can drink it on its own, or pair with your favorite meal and people. This one has aromas of garnet colored ripe strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate cranberry, Orange Julius goodness and five spice. It has silky tannins and a mouthwatering finish.

Winemaker Description

This wine opens with complex aromatics of black cherry, mulberry, sandalwood and a touch of baking spice from the sparing use of new French oak barrels. The finish is silky and long, typical of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Description

Blackberry, chocolate-raspberry, espresso roast coffee, au jus, cardamom, cigar box, new leather, dense, youthful tannin, persistent finish.

Expert Reviews

91 Points The Wine Advocate | The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a touch shy to begin before revealing red cherry, tobacco, aniseed and earth with wafts of floral perfume and mint chocolate. The full-bodied palate has a deep core of perfumed fruit framed by supple tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, refreshing finish.

Winemaker Description

Lucente is the result of a careful selection of the estate’s vineyards that are particularly suited for the production of a fruity and very pleasant wine. Like Luce, it is made from Sangiovese and Merlot, which prevails in the blend.

• Lucente 2020 shows a brilliant ruby red color. The nose is rich in black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by a light balsamic and pan brioché note. The palate is soft supported by a nice freshness, with enveloping tannins and a long fruity aftertaste.
  

Expert Review

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

Using their now well-established technique of cold-soaking the Petite Sirah portion of the co-ferment and then infusing it into the fermenting Zinfandel ten days later, Frog's Leap locks in the freshness of the fruit and accentuate the elegance of the resulting wine.

A dash of Carignane adds additional acidity and structure, preserved nicely by their practice of aging Zinfandel largely in small concrete tanks. The resulting wine is beautiful: deeply flavored, balanced, and fresh—a great summer drinker to be sure, especially with a quick chill. But don’t be afraid to put a few bottles away in the cellar; like all Frog's Leap Zins, this wine has decades of life ahead of it.

Winemaker Description

This beautifully balanced and deeply concentrated Zinfandel boasts elegant, complex layers of crushed clove, fresh blackberry, and creamy mocha on the nose. A velvety texture of fine- grained tannins provides structural weight to the ripe fruit flavors of plum compote as well as violet, thyme, and black pepper. 

Winemaker Description

The 2021 Papillon fills the glass with an unmistakable dark crimson, a flash of neon purple and a ruby rim. Tears move glacially and the wine opens with aromatics of boysenberry jam, violets, chocolate covered blueberry and hints of Cara Cara rind, graphite and brioche. The entry and mid-palate are bright throughout with considerable weight—tones of cassis, blackberry and baking spices flourish. Enveloping texture, chalky, drying tannins and an enduring finish bows out the wine. 

Expert Reviews

91-93 Points Robert Parker | Still not bottled at the time I tasted it, the 2021 Papillon Red Wine is a five-variety Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) that spends 13 months in 44% new oak. While not that complex, it does offer up bold cherry and cassis aromas on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and velvety, with a long, almost zesty finish. Best After 2024.

90 Points James Suckling | Lots of delicious, juicy fruit with spices and berries. Medium to full body, affective, fresh and clean, but a little straightforward. 

Critic Notes

James Suckling 92 Points: "An attractive nose of blackcurrants, dark cherries, plums and a dash of prunes as well. Full body with creamy tannins and texture. Round and fruity with plenty of blackberry and chocolate in the finish."

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points: "Juicy, flavorful and approachable, this wine is delicious and good value. Dripping with ripe plum, freshly picked berries and just enough cocoa for additional depth, this wine is a smart choice to please everyone at a meal, including the wine aficionado."

Winemaker Notes

Luscious aromas of raspberry, plum and cassis fill your senses with a touch of cedar and vanilla. Layers of ripe cherries, red currants and berry jam provide a rich mouth feel. Ripe tannins focus the palate and provide a lengthy finish of spice and deep red fruit. 

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec

Winemaker Description

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage.

Expert Ratings

95+ Points Vinous | The 2021 Lytton Springs is fabulous. Bright and vibrant to its core, the 2021 impresses with its poise. Readers will find a Lytton Springs that is very much in reserve, as opposed to the rest of the 2021s in this report, all of which are more approachable. Salivating acids and veins of tannin lend shape and persistence, but the 2021 needs time. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, rose petal and sage are some of the notes that linger on the close.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2021 Lytton Springs is based on 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault, and Counoise. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort has a juicy, lively, medium-bodied style as well as both red and blue fruits, some peppery, herbal, spicy nuances, lots of floral character, and ripe, polished tannins. It shines for its fresher, focused, elegant profile, and its purity of fruit is top-notch. 

93 Points Wine Spectator | Robust and rustic, yet retains a sense of style, with deep blackberry, savory anise and black pepper flavors that gather tension and structure toward broad-shouldered tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault and Counoise.

Winemaker Description

Chateau de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny Les Sables is garnet with purple reflections. Fresh red fruits on the nose. A fruity and spicy attack on the palate. The mouth is supple with a mineral and elegant finish. 

Winemaker Description

Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Grapes for this wine are farmed in a range of Napa’s sub-appellations – from Coombsville to Calistoga – with fruit from the valley floor creating lushness and the hillsides providing backbone. Diversification enables us to make the best possible wine in a given year, featuring layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries.

Winemaker Description

One Point Five is Shafer's signature Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the timeless elegance of top Napa Valley vineyards. This wine honors the founding partnership of John and Doug Shafer, who said they'd worked together so long theirs wasn't a second-generation story but a generation and a half.

The long, sunny 2021 summer created idyllic growing season. The fruit developed rich color with clean, elegant, and pure aromas and flavors. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | More Cabernet-dominated, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five checks in as 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot, and a splash of Malbec. It has incredible purity in its cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and camphor on the nose and a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, layered style on the palate that stays tighter and more compact than the TD-9.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | This sophisticated and concentrated wine wraps lovely dark plums, blueberries and cocoa flavors in velvety tannins that are well integrated and soothing, while still setting the wine up for a potentially long life. Subtle baking spices, espresso and cedar accents enhance the impressive fruit flavors.

94 Points James Suckling | Beautiful black and blue fruit on offer here with notes of violets, sea shell, iodine and graphite. Full-bodied, broad-shouldered and structured with super-fine and dense yet almost weightless tannins that push the depth of the wine, leading to a smooth, caressing finish.

93 Points Robert Parker | An excellent wine, still arguably a decent value in the context of Napa Valley Cab, Shafer's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five features attractive aromas of ripe cherries, cedar and vanilla, plus hints of mocha and loam. Full-bodied, ripe and velvety, it offers more concentration, tannins and length than the winery's TD-9. The question consumers will have to answer is whether it is worth the step up in price.

Winemaker Description

Scarpetta Barbera del Monferrato is a bright plum red color. Aromas of crushed berries and plums intermix with aromas of earth and porcini mushrooms. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied with bright acidity and low tannins, yet wonderfully balanced.

The high acidity and low tannins let this wine work with everything from a pizza or homemade pasta to a piece of beef or pork.

Family owned estate for 3 generations. Purple color, intense small red fruits on the nose, develops peppery notes with age. Round and smooth tannins. Ready to drink, with a 5 years ageing potential. Amazing Value! Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck writes 93+ Points | The 2021 Geyserville checks in as 76% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, and the rest Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. It has a pure, expressive bouquet of fresh plums, figs, mulberries, peppery herbs, leather, and vanilla bean, and it takes some air to show at its best, gaining depth and richness with time in the glass. This medium to full-bodied, spicy, elegant red blend has a touch more oak present than I'm accustomed to, but it has a silky, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. It's going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age.  Drinking 2023 - 2027.  

Tim Fish of Wine Spectator writes 93 Points | Tightly focused and briary, this blend offers density without weight. Presents plum and blueberry flavors accented by dill and green peppercorn as this builds tension toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2032. 

Samantha Cole-Johnson of Jancis Robison writes 16.5 Points |  Medium ruby verging on purple in colour. Spicy red and black plum, cinnamon, clove, anise and a more savoury spice note akin to red chilli. Fresh, high acidity and fine-grained, moderate tannin. Lightly sandy, plummy finish. More savoury than the Lytton Springs bottling.  Drinking 2024 - 2035.  

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 94+ Points | The 2021 Geyserville hits the palate with a burst of dark red/purplish fruit, sweet spice, lavender, chocolate, dried herbs and American oak. I would be in no rush to open the 2021, as it is clearly an infant at this stage. The blend is 76% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 6% Petite Syrah and 2% Alicante Bouschet. The 2021 is a powerhouse, that much is pretty clear.  Drinking 2026 - 2041.  

Winemaker Description

The 2021 Tri-County Pinot Noir showcases a beautiful garnet gem color in the glass with aromas of red plum, dried black cherry, mocha and a touch of cedar. On the palate, it displays the classic fresh coastal acidity that our three regions provide, along with peppery herbs and savory black fruits. Carried by a well developed tannic structure, the silky finish rounds out this medium bodied wine. 

Winemaker Description

Trousseau Noir, Mondeuse, Zinfandel, Barbera, and Grenache

The 2021 Matchbook Red Gravel Cabernet Sauvignon opens with classic Cabernet aromas of saddle leather, cigar box, and a touch of earthy eucalyptus. Sumptuous flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, huckleberry and mocha are framed by sweet oak and vanilla from barrel aging. Fine-grained, dusty tannins add a plush structure to the finish. Winemaker Description.