Red Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

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 Description 

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

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. 

Winemaker Description

Cherry red color with garnet rims. On the nose it is elegant, clean and expressive, with a complexity typical of a wine made with an excellent quality grape and a very careful production process. In the mouth it is sweet, with good body and great balance, presenting a long and pleasant aftertaste.

The alma mater of the winery, a wine with imprint, plant, and lordship. A completely varietal red, mature, with a growing personality and a lot of elegance.

The soils of the Cepa 21 vineyards are the result of the evolution of millions of years. In them grow our vines that define who we are, learning from the passage of time, a deep love for our land, the care with which we work the fields and the history that precedes us. The Strain is much more than a part of our name, it is the basis of all our machinery, what moves us to be better every day, the greatest asset of our wineries, the origin, and the end. 

Winemaker Description 

Corbett Canyon is committed to crafting fresh, awardwinning premium wines Our Merlot is medium bodied with classic hints of black cherry and toasty oak.

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.

Wine Enthusiast 94 points Editors' Choice  "The savory qualities of the Yamhill Cuvée's aromatics are a mix of red-currant compote, saline and roasted pork shoulder. The blackcap raspberry and blueberry flavors found on the slippery-textured palate are sweet and ripe. Velvety tannins are a nice match for the wine's crisp acidity. Serve with your next Cubano sandwich."

James Suckling 93 points "Full of oak spices and fresh-crushed raspberry and cherry aromas followed by slightly riper red plums and strawberries. Refreshing light tannins, a medium body and the exuberant fruit give a friendly, approachable appeal. One of the winery’s most widely available pinots."

Decanter Magazine 92 points "The Yamhill Cuvée is a blend across the Domaine Serene estates. This wine is blended to arrive at a particular signature with warm red and blue berry fruits, white pepper and rum cake notes. The palate is a balancer of sweet red berries, ripe Italian plums and a hint of savory garrigue."

The Wine Advocate 92 points "The 2021 Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvée, has pure scents of cranberry, cinnamon, potpourri and bitters. The medium-bodied palate offers generous layers of dark red, spicy fruit. It has a silky texture, bright acidity and a long, layered finish."

Winemaker Notes

The ensuing wine is amazingly complex and classic Napa Valley. The aroma is cedar, cola, dark black fruit and just a kiss of oak. The pallet is round, expansive, bright and complex with flavors of cocoa, coffee, fruit and herbs. The wine fills the mouth but isn't dominated by any one element and finishing amazingly bright for Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the great joys of making Cabernet is blending the wine before bottling and this wine was so very fun to combine just the right amount of Cabernet Sauvignon with its power, Cabernet Franc for the beautiful wild aroma and flavor, a touch of Merlot for the dusty plum character, Malbec for violet notes and Petit Verdot for color and tannin. Winemaker Description. 

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 Description

Marchand-Tawse own and farm parcels in approximately twenty appellations, ranging from Bourgogne to Grand Cru, providing approximately 30% of their fruit supply. All fruit is hand-picked from biodynamically farmed vineyards, and different wines incorporate varying amounts of whole clusters into their final product. Wines are aged in both stainless-steel tanks and barrels. Combining expertise, passion and longstanding relationships with local growers, Marchand-Tawse create exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of Burgundy. 

Critic Notes

James Suckling 91 Points | Lovely sweet berry and orange zest aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with crunchy fruit and a stony undertone.

Wine Advocate 90 Points | Showing an immediately light and bright personality, the 2021 Chianti Classico Brolio is an easy blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino. It boasts an attractive, punchy approach with plenty of cherry, blue flower and pressed violet, followed by subtle mineral shadings. The wine is simple, but classic.

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 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

Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, black currant, allspice and loam are followed by flavors of wild raspberries, dark berries and a crushed rock minerality. The dense entry is followed by a sweet and juicy mouth feel, supported by acidity, silky tannins and a subtle earthy finish. 

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso is an intense ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit with sweet spice and toasted oak. On the palate, pure flavors and refined tannins lead to a persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but also has great aging potential. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Robert Parker | The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity.

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

95 Points Wine Spectator | Packed with exuberant blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruit, this red shows the expressive character of the vintage. Just when you think it's too flamboyant, the solid structure reins it in. Shows excellent balance and length, with a touch of lavender and wild herbs on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Expert Review

97 Points Wine Spectator | This pure and stylish Barolo features rose, strawberry, cherry, mineral and underbrush aromas and flavors. Though silky in texture, this is well-structured, with integrated tannins and harmony. This is all about finesse and texture, with excellent length and a mineral aftertaste.

Winemaker Description

Ruby red in color. Bouquet with notes of blackberry, raspberry and fruit jam with a mineral nuance. In the mouth the flavor is decisive, fresh and persistent.

Expert Review

95 Points Vinous  | The 2021 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia is fabulous. Rich and expansive, with tremendous presence, the 2021 is positively stellar. Super-ripe dark cherry, lavender, spice and pomegranate all gain volume and intensity with time in the glass. The 2020 is one of the finest recent editions of the Francia Barbera I can remember tasting. Today, it's explosive, heady personality is impossible to resist. (2021). 

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG “Zac” is 100% Sangiovese from the Gugliaie vineyard (2.5 ha). It is dedicated to Anna Corsini, the sister of Prince Tommaso and it represents the new challenges of the winery.

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | A blend of organically farmed Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this has aromas of forest floor, blue flower, sandalwood and crushed mint. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the savory palate features dried Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and black tea set against taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2028. (2018). 

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. 

Winemaker Description

The wine hits the palate with a silky, smooth texture and juicy bright red fruits suggesting pomegranate and berries. Well integrated oak, earth, and spice notes complement the fruit and lead to a long cocoa finish.

Expert Reviews

93 Points James Suckling:  Aromas of pine, plum and redcurrant. Medium-bodied with fresh, mineral character and silky tannins. Bright and cool on the palate. Balanced and juicy. So approachable and delicious that its hard to put down.

Wine & Spirits 93 Points:   Here’s a temperate merlot that’s not mimicking cabernet. It’s a tight wine from the cool reaches of Coombsville, with just enough greenness to push back on the lush, blue-fruited ripeness. A sapid, clean red for beef Wellington.

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. 

96 Points James Suckling | Very precisely polished and focused wine with aromas of black cherries, blue berries and violets followed by green bell pepper, black ink and gravel. Underlying umami notes, too. Full-bodied, firm yet finely grained juicy tannins with bright acidity that balances out the palate. Beautifully integrated toasty notes and baking spices on the mid-palate and in the finish. Flourishing and artful wine that will age gracefully.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 88% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, aged 17 months in 62% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a rich, inward, nicely concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon that has both red and black fruits, some spicy, chocolaty, herbal, and tobacco nuances, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. It's not massive by any means, but it s beautifully balanced and has a layered mouthfeel along with rock-solid depth and character. Give bottles 2-3 years if you can and enjoy over the following 15.

92 Points Robert Parker | Generous scents of ripe cherries emerge on the nose of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, joined by hints of cedar, vanilla, dried herbs and some darker berries. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, it's a fine representation of Napa Valley Cabernet; it's just lacking the extra depth and complexity to elevate it to the absolute top rank.

Beautiful aromas of dark plum, red cherry, licorice and warm baking spices open onto a plush and silky palate layered with plum, spiced cherry and cassis. A classic Napa Valley Cabernet, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity support the wine throughout, while the finish is refined and polished. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

A blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 24 months French & American oak. The wine exhibits a glass-coating opaque purple color.

The nose is expressive with pain grille, underbrush, brier, minerality, blueberry and blackberry fruit. On the palate is a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Wine Spectator 92 Points - #56 Top 100 Wines | This muscular red finds fine balance and poise, integrating firm, sculpted tannins and bright orange peel acidity. Offers rich and expressive flavors of boysenberry and blackberry coulis, licorice, singed apple wood and ground coffee. Hints of toast, tar and dried mint and thyme linger on the fine-grained finish. Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2031. 6,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.

Winemaker Description 

The wine exhibits a glass-coating opaque purple color. The nose is expressive with pain grille, underbrush, brier, minerality, blueberry and blackberry fruit. On the palate is a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish.

The Bodegas El Nido winery is located in the Valle de La Aragona, inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. The vineyards are 76.8 acres of very old Monastrell vines (also known as Matar or Mourvdre) all vaso trained and oriented northeast, and 28.8 acres of 30-year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on north facing hills. The vineyards have a foot deep layer of chalky stones over substrata of sandy soil. The Bodegas El Nido is a collaboration of the Gil Family and winemaker Chris Ringland, one of the best Australian enologists.

A blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aged 24 months French & American oak.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada 67Wine.com | Martinez Lacuesta Crianza 2018 exudes aromas of currants, blackcherry and raspberry with a nice undertone of baking spices. Medium body with well-integrated, smooth tannins. Savory and pleasant finish. One of my go-to Crianzas to drink year around.

Winemaker Description

A tasty and well-structured wine with a deep black-cherry color. The fruity taste has an elegant finish with perfectly integrated sensations of oak. Highly recommended to accompany white or red meats, game or mature cheeses. 

Expert Review

Allan Meadows  of Burghound writes 91 Points | Bright red and dark berry fruit aromas are nuanced by notes of spice, earth and plenty of floral nuances, especially violet. The rich, concentrated and palate coating medium weight flavors possess plenty of sappy dry extract that buffers the firm tannins supporting the elegant yet powerful finish. At least some patience is strongly recommended. I would note that this example showed markedly better than one from last year, in fact so much so that I have no explanation.  

James Suckling 93 Points: A medium-bodied red with black berries and blackcurrants with some chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. So delicious and velvety structured. Delicious finish. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 91 Points Lush and fruity, with a wave of plum puree and mulberry fruit cruising along, flanked by apple wood and licorice. Reveals subtle sweet bay leaf accents. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

The ‘cross’ barn served as a childhood meeting place on Paul Hobbs’ family’s more than one hundred-and-fifty-year-old fruit farm situated in Niagara County, New York. Named after this gathering point, Crossbarn honors the values of hard work and integrity instilled in Paul from his childhood. Committed to high-quality, sustainably farmed vineyards, our wines offer a bright and youthful expression of fruit blended from Northern California’s finest appellations.