Red Wine

Winemaker Description

Before you wonder what Lebanon has to do with wine, just consider that it has been producing wine for perhaps millennia more than any other part of the world.

A deep ruby colored wine, Chateau Kefraya Comte de M 2018 is clear and brilliant with garnet-colored reflections.The first nose is remarkably powerful and emphasized by its volume and elegance.

The wine is an harmonious blend of fresh red fruits, spicy and floral notes, as well as woody, roasted and toasted notes. The second nose reveals notes of cigar box, menthol, licorice, spices and garrigue through a palette of ripe and slightly candied red fruits.

Winemaker Description

J.K. Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir is garnet in color. The nose is super effusive cherry, hibiscus, grilled meat, tan spice and cracked pepper. The flavors are massive and present as a cherry and peach pie with a one-minute too brown crust. The structure is quietly lurking, but unobtrusive. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 92 Points | Aromas of sour cherries, plums, violets, cocoa, incense and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and bright acidity. Fresh, textured and juicy with a bitter cocoa character. Flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.

Vinous 92 Points | Brilliant red. Ripe red fruit, floral and baking spice qualities on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood and musky herbs. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering subtly sweet cherry cola and raspberry flavors that firm up through the back half. Shows fine clarity and energy on a persistent finish shaped by smooth, even tannins. 20% new French oak. Best after 2022. 

Expert Rating - Vintage 2022

Winemaker Description

The certified organic vineyards cover 20 hectares in Gaiole in Chianti at different altitudes, exposures and soil types. All wines are artisanally crafted from hand-sorted grapes that are crushed by foot and fermented with native yeasts in small, concrete fermentors. 

The Riecine Chianti Classico is made from 100% Sangiovese from different vineyard sites throughout Gaiole in Chianti. Mid ruby in the glass with aromas of cranberry and sour cherry interspersed with a strong mineral note.

The palate is vibrant with fine, persistent tannins and energetic acidity. Lots of tension in this mineral and sour-fruited wine. Enjoy with pasta or artisanal pizza. Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description

An elegant, fragrant wine with great concentration and intensity. A complex and intense aroma, with a fresh mineral base. Powerful and rich on the palate, with fresh rounded tannins. A limited edition wine that we only craft from the best vintages.

The bodega stands in the historic Pago de Valdestremero estate, where the vineyards were already famous in the 16th century, producing grapes used in the wine served at the Court of King Philip II in Valladolid.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Wallter Speller writes:  Lustrous mid ruby. An elegant, fragrant raspberry nose, gorgeous supple and juicy cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate, and with gripping, nutty tannins. Very long and succulent and fragrant.  Drinking 2022 to 2028.  - Jancis Robinson 17++

Audrey Frick writes:  The dark ruby 2020 Chianti Classico is ripe with aromas of black raspberry coulis, red flowers, sweet tobacco, and pine. Elegant and medium-bodied, it fills the palate with supple texture, fine tannins, and an even, well-balanced finish. This is a highly approachable wine that I would be fighting to pour by the glass if I were still running a wine program. Pure, classic, and balanced, it’s a gulpable wine will drink great now or over the coming 6-8 years.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92+

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Chianti Classico is super-impressive. It's the sort of wine that needs time to come together, though, so readers should be in no rush. The purity of the fruit is really quite compelling. Dark cherry, plum, cedar, incense and licorice build nicely in a mid-weight Chianti Classico that hits all the right notes.  Drinking 2023 to 2032.  - Vinous 91

Monica Larner writes:  The certified organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2020 Chianti Classico is a clever blend of 90% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo from a unique growing site in Gaiole in Chianti. This vintage absolutely stands out thanks to its ample and generous fruit profile, driven by a warm and sunny vintage. This sees steel, cement and oak. The wine travels over the palate with an elegant and velvety texture. This is an entry-level production of 51,872 bottles (and some magnums), and it hits all the right notes.  Drinking 2022 to 2030.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A dense red, with solid tannins and lively acidity supporting expressive cherry, raspberry, iron and earth flavors. Balanced, long and will benefit from food or another year or two of bottle age. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Drink now through 2028.  - Wine Spectator 90

Winemaker Description

It is a Chianti with a traditional style, energetic and elegant, expressing beautiful complexity and cleanliness in the nose. It is aged for at least 10 months in oak barrels and barriques plus 6 months in the bottle and expresses aromas of ripe red fruit and spicy notes, for an agile, fresh and soft sip.  

Producer Description 

Very deep red in color turning almost purplish. The nose reveals a rich perfume of plum, black cherry and also spices as ginger and vanilla.

On the palate it is full bodied and velvety and well balanced. Enjoy with grilled meats, baked pasta or pasta with hearty sauces, and ripe cheeses. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Falstaff 92 Points | Dark ruby with brightening on the rim. Spicy and fruity nose, with aromas of dark cherry, dark chocolate, and eucalyptus. The palate has concentrated fruit, noticeable, slightly drying tannins, weighty.

Decanter 88 Points | Dark berries and chocolate, prunes and earthy spice notes, big tannic structure with lovely acidity. (Bronze) - DWWA 2024

Winemaker Description

The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy ‘New World’ style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers dark fruit aromas and flavors. Syrah contributes richness and concentration to the wine.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. Borgo Reale Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape from Abruzzo, a mountainous region east of Rome. This wine may have up to 15% Sangiovese added and is the first Kosher version available.

This lovely wine has a good aromatic nose with hints of rich, concentrated ripe fruit and spice, and a generous palate with nicely blended tannins yielding powerful, sweet sensations, particularly fresh fruit. Generous, yet pure, on the palate with ripe, round tannins, excellent structure and delicate acidity.

Kosher for Passover & Mevushal.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 93 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is bright, focused and nuanced, with lovely energy and tons of glass. Perfumed floral and spice accents lift the red-toned fruit nicely. This exquisitely beautiful, vivid Cabernet is all class. Like the Chardonnay, the Cabernet Sauvignon is on the lighter side, even for this style. It will be interesting to see if Heitz also pursues a bit more richness for this wine in future vintages.  Drinking 2025 - 2035.

Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate writes 91 Points |  Heitz's regular 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features a slightly minty-eucalyptus edge, cherries and a hint of leather. Medium-bodied and concentrated, this is silky and fine, finishing a bit tart. Personally, I'd prefer to see more mid-palate richness, but that's not the style being pursued here.  Drinking 2024 - 2035  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91

James Suckling writes 94 Points | A pure, balanced and fresh Napa cabernet that is not just showing heady concentration and dark fruit. Here you get some violets, nimble flowers, redcurrants, graphite and fine spices. Some oranges, too. Fragrant and nuanced. Medium to full body with tight yet refined tannins. Rather linear, tense and elegant, but lacking neither power nor definition. Better to give it a few years to deliver more complexity. 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 91 Points | Lots of ripe blue fruits, sappy herbs, and some background minerality as well as a touch of oak emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant Cabernet from this estate that's drinkable today yet will evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars. It's one for the old school Cabernet lovers out there.  Drinking 2023 - 2043.

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description 

Dark ruby-red with crimson shades. The aroma is fresh and intense with clean scents of wild berries and spices. Clear but perfectly blended the wooden note. The flavor is warm and robust, pleasant, good body and harmonic.

This Barbera's sensory attributes make it an outstanding accompaniment for imposing first courses and main-course, meats boiled or roasted.

Winemaker Description

This sweet and fruity wine is bursting with the essence of fresh Concord grapes. The crisp acidity balances the sweetness and up-front fruit aromas.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb.

Decanter 90 Points | Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder. 

Winemaker Description 

Deep and dark red. On the nose intensely aromatic, with black fruits and spices. The palate is full, round and sexy. Round and smooth tannins present through the full bodied, ample wine. Overall a complete wine, with a long finish, with elegance and finesse accompanying the abundance of fruit and well-balanced tannins.

Critic Notes

Jason Millar, Sara Bachiorri, Bruno Besa write:Bright aromas of blackberry and forest fruit with some wild herbs. Expressive and juicy with fresh acidity. Dark cherry and crunchy mulberry fruit. Full-bodied and balanced with a clean, layered finish. A lovely, versatile Italian red suited to a wide variety of dishes.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Decanter 93

Eric Guido writes:  Crushed blackberries and confectionary spice introduce the 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Le Murate. It soothes with its silken textures and ripe wild berry fruits as zesty citrus adds contrast. Inner violet florals and autumnal spice linger as the 2021 finishes lightly structured and remarkably fresh. This is almost too easy to like.  Drinking 2023 to 2027.  - Vinous

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby hues segue into a nose of ripe cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant followed by rose petals and a touch of black pepper. The velvety tannins accompany a plush palate. 

The rich flavor partners perfectly with the acid backbone to bring freshness and length. Recommended with mature cheeses and with first courses with savory meat-based, carbonara sauces. Also delightful with mains of roast or barbecued meat.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Joaquin Hidalgo of Vinous writes 93 Points | The 2021 Monastrell hails from Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley and was all fermented in whole bunches before spending six months in concrete eggs. Garnet-red in hue. The nose presents aromas ranging from chocolate to dried flowers and watermelon to herbs. The palate is dry and grippy. Well-balanced acidity complements the vibrant tannins, resulting in a lean, compact mouthfeel. The 2021 is a long-lasting red for aficionados.  Drinking 2023 to 2031.

Winemaker Description 

The Pecchenino "San Luigi" Dogliani Superiore is a distinguished example of Dolcetto, known for its depth and rich flavor profile. It features a well-structured profile with vibrant acidity and a smooth, elegant finish. Produced by Pecchenino, a notable estate in the Dogliani region, the winery is celebrated for its dedication to quality and traditional winemaking techniques.

This Superiore, crafted from carefully selected Dolcetto grapes, offers a complex array of flavors including ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of earthiness. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes such as pasta, grilled meats, and savory cheeses, making it a versatile choice for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Winemaker Description 

The Côtes-du-Rhône Reserve is more serious effort than the regular Côtes-du-Rhône bottling that showcases the estate’s ability to marry richness with finesse. Moderately tannic and endowed with a beautiful structure, this Côtes-du-Rhône develops greedy notes of fresh fruit (crushed strawberry, blackberry) on their crunchiness, supported by a hint of licorice.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Leading off the reds and mostly Grenache, with small amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault, the 2020 Côtes du Rhône has outstanding aromatics of darker berry fruits, violets, and peppery herbs. It’s balanced, has silky tannins, and is going to represent a great value.  Jeb Dunnuck 90

Joe Czerwiński writes:  A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, the 2020 Cotes du Rhone features slightly floral, rose-like scents, plus hints of garrigue and black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and approachable, a charming, fruit-forward wine to drink over the next 5 years or so.  Drinking 2021 to 2026.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

James Suckling writes:  The floral side of the grenache grape gives this generous but very nicely balanced Cotes-du-Rhone a lot of charm, and when it leaps onto your palate it steadily gains in depth, thanks to the gentle tannins that build nicely. Wet-earth and warm terra-cotta notes add interest at the polished finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Kristen Bieler writes:  Ripe and rich, with up-front blackberry and warm plum paste interwoven with singed alder, cured meat and a spicy kick of anise and pepper to close things out. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2025.  - Wine Spectator 

Winemaker Description

Rich with dark cherry, plum and baking spices. The delicious fruit is accompanied by black pepper notes, crushed violet and cassis. The palate has medium tannins, lingering spicy oak flavors with a velvety lush finish. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

"This red is all about finesse, delivering superb balance and complexity, with cherry, raspberry, earth and wild herb aromas and flavors. Succulent and charming, yet with a solid base of tannins and vivid acidity, this remains focused through the long aftertaste." Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 96 points

"The Caprili 2019 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a very pretty bouquet with a level of ripe fruit and pure cherry essence that does not come easily to a wine aged five years following the harvest. The primary fruit remains intact in this vintage. This village bottling shows velvety richness and concentration that stems directly from that exceptional fruit quality. There is rich texturing and fine chalky tannins to close. Some 55,000 bottles were made." Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 95 points

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is remarkably pretty, wafting up with a blend of violets and lavender before giving way to steeped plum lifted by mint. This is racy and sleek, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that excite the palate. Juicy acidity enlivens tart wild berry fruits. The 2019 finds its center through the finish, as fine tannins emerge and a crunchy sensation lingers. Licorice and bitter blackberry notes taper off slowly. In a word, fantastic. The balance of complexity, structure and energy places the 2019 very high in my book." Vinous Media - 95 points

"A ruby/magenta color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers more rounded floral aromas of preserved strawberry, baby powder, cocoa, and lavender. Medium-bodied, it brings forward excellent energy on the palate, with fresh acidity, good concentration, and a sustained and mouthwatering finish that’s pure and delicious. The structure feels more noble than the nose would suggest and perhaps just needs more time to come into its own, but this is a really delicious wine that I would love to have again and again. On the second tasting, it offers a more plush and velvety texture, and its chocolate notes last on the finish." Jeb Dunnuck - 94+ points

"Very pretty floral aromas with black cherry and orange peel. Medium body, firm tannins and a polished and silky-textured finish. Drink in two or three years and beyond. " James Suckling - 93 points

"Giacomo Bartolomei has been making the wine at his family’s property without an external consultant since 2016. He maintains an uber-pristine cellar, prepares a pied de cuve to aid spontaneous fermentations in stainless steel and has reduced time in wood to preserve freshness as the wine ages. From its deep ruby hue to its black cherry scents, the 2019 is youthful and primary. Accents of mocha, bitter orange and sage bestow complexity on the palate. Fairly robust and mouthfilling, this is buttressed by dry, grainy tannins. Could do with a bit more precision but there is potential here." Decanter Magazine - 92 points

Winemaker Description

The McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel is a dark purple wine, loaded with notes of ripe red currant, strawberry, caramelized sugar, and toasty oak. The savory red fruit on the palate leads to soft, supple tannins and a smooth finish.

Expert Rating - Vintage 2022 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of orange, cranberry, mulberries, red plums, mulled spices, allspice, clove on thinemaker Description

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of cassis, clove, and Christmas spice jump out of the glass while notes of blueberry pie filling and toasted mocha continue on the palate. Structured tannins lead to a long and elegant finish, making this an instant seasonal classic.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Tasting Panel 95 Points | Richly appointed, with dark blue and purple fruit and a plush mouthfeel. Notes of plum liqueur and freshly roasted coffee grace the palate as dark chocolate and anise entwine with the wine's well-defined structure and satin-lined tannins. Spiced red tea and sandalwood engage with more chocolate on the finish.

Expert Reviews

Oscar Garcia 67Wine.com | Beronia Gran Reserva is one of my favorite Gran Reservas. Every vintage seems to get better and better. The long-term aging Gran Reserva gives the wine time to develop a great arrange of flavors and nuances, not found in younger wines. Aromas of toasty oak, cassis, dark plum and cedar. Medium to full-bodied. Great length and integration. Serious but approachable.

93 Points James Suckling | Plenty of berries with sweet oak, walnuts with some dried flowers. Medium-to full-bodied, fruity and chocolatey. Coffee, too. Tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo.

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | Aromas of vanilla, licorice and ripe berry fruits introduce this warm-year gran reserva. The palate is full on first take, then popping acidity pushes the flavors towards currant, tomato and red plum. The acidity drives a dry finish with plenty of oak spice. Give this lots of air and time if drinking now but it’s good through 2032.

92 Points Wine Spectator | Velvety tannins give way to dark cherry, mocha and loamy earth notes, enhanced with black tea, anise and graphite accents. Broad, but keeps focused, with solid, integrated acidity.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

The nose is warm and shows an attractive complexity characterized by understated red fruit and spice along with leather and tertiary notes. The palate is composed and lighter in weight, exhibiting a mix of red cherry and spice. There is a fine, balanced structure. This is an elegant, not heavyweight style expressing Cinsault and Grenache in particular, with the emphasis on finesse rather than power.

Winemaker Description

100 % Zweigelt. Deep cherry red color. Black cherry, strawberry and blue plum on the nose with a slight hint of spice in the background. Fruity and clean on the palate confirming its fine, spicy character. Smooth style and smooth drinker. Long, airy finish.

Perfect accompaniment to veal, all kinds of pizzas, pasta, grilled vegetables with falafel and soft cheeses.

Sunny and moderately warm summers with regular precipitation. The winters are cold but less than in the rest of Austria. That is why Vienna's climate is rather called a moderate maritime climate instead of a pronounced continental climate, even though there is no sea nearby. In autumn it can rain a lot.

Soils with a varying content of lime mixed with loam and sand. The variation in soil also makes it suitable for different grape varieties. Low-lying vineyards around Vienna.

Classic vinification in stainless steel barrels. Temperature controlled. Cool to preserve the fruity and pure character of the grape. No wood aging for the same reason. Young style that can be drunk young.

Winemaker Description

With a dark garnet-red color, the wine shows distinctive, fine aromas of small fruits, raspberry preserves, roses and violets, with an herbal note. In the mouth, the wine has full, lively tart fruit flavors, elegant tannins and a lingering aftertaste, with traces of prunes and toasty oak. 

Winemaker Descripton

Sophisticated Pinot from a classic California name who is devoted to crafting wine with a bold new world flair while using original rootstock from Burgundy. Always sourced from an exemplary single plot in the cooler regions of Russian River Valley and matured in an abundance of new oak for 12+ months.

The 2022 comes from a cooler Russian River site and offers a complex bouquet of red currants, smoked earth, ground pepper, and exotic floral and rose hip notes. Rich, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, its incredibly classy as well as perfectly balanced.

Pair with: baked salmon, roasted pork loin, duck with figs

Expert Review

Vinous 88 points | The 2021 Rosso Piceno Farnio hardly requires swirling as a blast of seductively ripe blueberries, black raspberries and nuances of sweet sage lift from the glass. It rushes the palate with juicy, textural wild berry fruits that are nicely contrasted by a core of bright acidity. This leaves a staining of ripe dark berries and minerals throughout the mouthwatering finale. The Farnio is an amazing value in its price point.

It's a blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese.

Winemaker Description 

This area bears a name that immediately evokes the main character of the terroir: heat. Rocky outcrops increase temperatures by reflecting the sun's rays during the day and releasing heat at night. The steep slope allows the sun's rays to strike the ground perpendicularly, thus increasing the solar radiation. A good amount of soil allows the Nebbiolo to mature in terms of sugar content, but above all in terms of polyphenols.

Ruby red hue tending to garnet; pronounced, layered nose with top notes of cherry, ripe plum and sweet spice (cinnamon and cloves) and a tinge of sulphur; dry, mineral and austere but harmonious on the palate, with an elegant slightly bitter finish of roasted hazelnut. Serve with roasted red meats, lamb, game, and mature cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Wine Spectator 96 Points | Ripe and very juicy, with a youthfully compact set of plum, boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors wrapped in licorice and violet notes. This is both racy and grippy, showing serious power but with the freshness and drive to match. Delivers a long, iron accent that scores the fruit through the finish. Best from 2024 through 2040.Wine Advocate 95 points The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a typically long-term proposition, coated in dusty tannins and cedary oak. It will take time for the cassis, blueberry and slightly pine-scented backbone of this wine to emerge, as for the moment it's almost difficult to taste. Yes, the concentration is present, the tannins are almost silky-ripe, but the structure of this medium to full-bodied wine is unassailable. Hands off for at least five years, and probably more, to judge by how past vintages have evolved.

Vinous 97 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is elegant, deep and classy. Inky dark purplish fruit, savory herbs, menthol, licorice and spice. The purity of the fruit is remarkable today. There is plenty of youthful Howell Mountain tannin, so readers will have to be patient. Bright floral accents lift the red/purplish berry fruit nicely. This is such an expressive, alluring Cabernet. 

Expert Ratings 

Wine Spectator 96 Points | This has the ripe, intense, racy feel of the vintage, with cassis, plum and blueberry compote flavors, carried by a long graphite spine. A textbook 2018 and a textbook St.-Julien.

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Beautifully textured and rich in blackcurrant flavors and tannins, this is a generous wine. The fruits and the dusty tannins partner each other well giving structure, concentration, a sense of poise and final freshness. Drink this wine from 2026.

James Suckling 94 Points | Currants, cloves, graphite and cigar box on the nose. Some pine and citrus zest, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Structured and vivid with plenty of tension. Lovely sweet fruit at the finish. Try from 2025.

Winemaker Description

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 89 Points | Aromas from the killer B’s—boysenberries and bone broth—and traces of coriander and salted caramel drift lazily from the glass. Flavors like raspberry yogurt, espresso and black pepper are supported by silky tannins and modest acidity, with a texture creamier than whipped butter. (2021).

Expert Review - Vintage 2018 

Wine Spectator 91 Points | A powerful red, with savory eucalyptus, tobacco and tomato leaf aromas and flavors offset by cherry and plum notes. Beefy tannins set the stage for a lingering, grainy finish. Best from 2024 through 2033. -- Bruce Sanderson (2018).

Winemaker Description

In the glass it shows intense garnet red reflections. On the nose aromas of small red fruits, strawberries and currants. Then pomegranate and the unmistakable violet scent of good Sangiovese. In the background a touch of vanilla, sweet spices and licorice. The palate is well balanced with hints of ripe cherries and plums, supported by precise and elegant tannins. The body is warm and enveloping with a long and persistent finish. Winemaker Description. 

Critic Notes

James Suckling writes:  A vivid and crunchy pinot with lots of sea salt, strawberries and hibiscus with hints of violets and sandalwood. Notes of fresh flower stem. it’s medium-bodied with pretty fruit and a long, bright finish with plenty of energy. Drink now.  - James Suckling 94

Winemaker Description

The 2020 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and dark at the core. Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and currant are accented by notes of toasted pastry, hazelnut, and vanilla from our extensive barrel aging program. Big, juicy red-fruit flavors infuse the palate while softly textured tannins lead to a long, gratifying finish.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2020 

92 Tasting Panel | Thanks to their certified sustainable properties in five of Paso Robles' 11 sub-AVAs, the folks at J. Lohr are able to produce a super high-quality Cab at this price point. With 9% Petite Sirah plus some Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, it has a deep purple hue that enhances the immediate rush of blueberry in a stream of silky tannins. Spiced black tea takes heather, fennel, hazelnut, and vanilla bean on a long ride toward the finish. (2020).

91 Wine Enthusiast | For about a million cases, this is a reliable stud of a wine. Deep, dark blackberry and light wood aromas on the nose lead into berry jam, wood spice and caramel flavors, with amplified tannins promising at least a few years of freshness.  Editors' Choice (2020). 

Producer Description 

This is poised and elegant with notes of bitter chocolate, crushed walnuts, black peppercorns, blackberries and blackcurrants. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and layers of fresh black fruit. Classy. Try from 2026.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Opaque purple-black colored, the 2020 Gloria comes soaring out of the glass with notes of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and blueberry compote, followed by suggestions of powdered cinnamon, cedar chest and menthol, plus a waft of graphite. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely coated with juicy black fruits, framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, aging for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. (v.2020). 

James Suckling 94 Points | This is poised and elegant with notes of bitter chocolate, crushed walnuts, black peppercorns, blackberries and blackcurrants. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and layers of fresh black fruit. Classy. Try from 2026. (v.2020).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Youthfully taut and well-structured, with singed apple wood and licorice root notes holding a core of red currant, dark plum and blackberry fruit in check for now. Reveals a nice racy graphite underpinning on the finish. One for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. (v.2020) 

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Just about a perennial must-buy, the 2020 Château Gloria is another terrific vintage for this Saint-Julien château, which always seems to turn out a fabulous wine that sells for a great price. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as impressive aromatics of ripe blackcurrants, plums, camphor, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth, it's a wine that blossoms with time in the glass. (I followed this bottle for multiple days.) Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has beautifully dddddddpolpolispolishedtannins, outstanding balance, and the more focused style of the vintage. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (v.2020).

Vinous 93 Points | The 2020 Gloria is impressive. Bright and punchy, yet quintessentially medium in body, Gloria impresses for its exceptional balance. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, white pepper and rose petal give this bright, chiseled Saint-Julien so much character. Gloria is such a pretty and inviting Saint-Julien. (Tasted two times.) (v.2020).