Red Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Jesica Vargas of the Wine Enthusiast writes 89 Points | This wine has an aromatic nose of strawberry and light notes of chocolate. Savory red- and black-fruit flavors are framed by slightly unripe tannins leading to a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

The concentration of this Malbec is made evident by its purple color and intense violet hues. A wine of enticing aromatic intensity, with aromas of vanilla and white chocolate, notes of licorice and black fruits that contribute to its elegant complexity. The mouthfeel shows some sweetness, excellent volume, well-integrated wood and an interesting complexity.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | A deeply colored malbec with dark plums, cherry blossom, lavender and pink peppercorns on the nose. Creamy and fruit-forward with sweet berry and floral notes, wrapped up in ripe tannins and a full body. Vegan.

Winemaker Description 

The intense violet color makes it a worthy representative of the wines from Los Chacayes. A wine of distinct aromatic complexity, with outstanding notes of red fruits, floral aromas of violets, vanilla and cigar. The mouth confirms the presence of black fruits like blackberries and spices. The medium structure and silky tannins are perfectly balanced with the delicious natural acidity, leading to a prolonged finish.

Winemaker Description 

Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and elegant. This full-bodied wine features a deep red-ruby color, spicy and fruity aromas, and intense flavors of plum and jam. On the palate, the round, velvety tannins provide a smooth texture and well-integrated oak character. Its long and elegant finish is rich with cinnamon and pepper notes as the wine is already developing a pleasant bottle bouquet.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

Decanter 95 Points | I remember how delicious this was at en primeur, and it remains a stately, elongated, perfectly poised Pauillac. It's austere, certainly, but is also full of rich fruit pared down by a slate texture, the sense of minerality scraping along the palate as you approach the blackcurrant leaf and tobacco finish. It's excellent quality, and clearly a vintage that suits the personality of Duhart - juicy but restrained. Matured in 50% new oak.

James Suckling 95 Points | Enticing aromas of crushed berries, blackcurrants, sweet tobacco, hot stones and licorice follow through to a full body, chewy and dusty tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A juicy and savory young 2016. Try after 2024. 

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | Ranking with the finest vintages of this wine to date, the 2016 Château Duhart Milon shows how successful the Médoc was in 2016. About as pure class as it gets, with full-bodied notes of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, graphite, and leafy herbs, this beauty hits the palate with sweet tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a layered, deep, powerful texture. It’s about as sexy as Pauillac can be and has 2-3 decades ahead of it. 

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | Blended of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, the 2016 Duhart-Milon has a deep garnet-purple color and features plums preserves, wild blueberries and cassis scents with touches of violets and underbrush with a waft of tobacco. Medium-bodied and elegant, with a backbone of finely grained tannins and oodles of freshness, it has a great core of perfumed black fruit, finishing on an earthy note. 

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is very vivid, with racy violet, cassis and plum aromas and flavors coursing through, laced with a mouthwatering anise note and leading to a long, focused finish. Displays a terrific iron underpinning. Best from 2024 through 2038.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This bottling shows the vastly improved quality of this estate that still represents good value for the appellation and for its provenance as part of the Lafite-Rothschild stable. The wine is structured while full of ripe berry fruits. It has weight and density, rich with swathes of delicious fruits as well as tannins. It will develop well; Best after 2023.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 99 Points | The aromas to this are really amazing, with a potpourri of spices and dried flowers, as well as redcurrants, sweet plums and even some peaches. Full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate in an encompassing yet always elegant and pure way. It’s succulent and unadulterated. Like crushed, perfectly ripened grapes. The length is rather endless. The tannins build. Fabulous young red. 35% in amphora and the rest in 50% new oak and 15% one-year oak. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2028, but an absolute joy to taste now.

The Wine Independent 99 Points |  Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Pontet-Canet is deep garnet-purple in color. It features notes of prunes, creme de cassis, and wilted roses, followed by suggestions of spice box, iron ore, Ceylon tea, and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich, concentrated, and seductive, with a racy backbone and ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the complex, layered flavors, finishing long and minerally.

Decanter 98 Points | Such gorgeous aromatics of freshly picked violets, cherries and bramble fruits - pretty and quite delicate. The texture is smooth and succulent, mouth coating but full of soft tannins which have the most delicious black cherry, blackcurrant flesh and liquorice tinge to them - so satisfying. Extremely well balanced and well integrated, this has restrained power, it's not rich or particularly round but straight, direct and layered rather than wide. Really long finish with great freshness and touches of cool blueberries. This is just such a great wine, everything you want and you know there's power there promising a long life. Great winemaking on show. 35% aged in concrete, 50% new oak, 15% in barrels of one year, for 16-18 months. This year there's a new label, the drawing of the house has remained but the font is more elegant and modern. 

Jane Anson 98 Points | Particularly successful during En Primeur, and even better now, just bursting out of the glass. Plump and fruit forward, plenty of character, with spiced cedar and smoked earth, violet and iris notes play around the edges, but the focus is on creamy cassis, bilberry, cocoa bean and aniseed. Last vintage with Jean-Michel Comme as technical director, and you really now see the skilled use of amphoras, which added notes of austerity in the early years (they introduced them in 2012) but now showcase the precision of the fruit. 100% 1st wine, with the ageing taking place in a mix of 45% new oak barrels, 15% one year barrels and 40% amphoras.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Lisa Perotti-Brown of the Wine Advocate 95-97 Points | Displaying a very deep purple-black color, the 2019 Calon-Ségur strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, pencil shavings and clove oil plus nuances of lilacs, cinnamon stick, chocolate box and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with tightly wound, muscular black fruits and loads of bright floral accents, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and graceful.

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | As to the Grand Vin, the 2019 Château Calon Ségur checks in as 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, brought up in new barrels. This full-bodied, spicy, complex, decadent beauty has building, polished tannins, terrific overall balance, and incredible aromatics of spiced red and black currants, lead pencil, cedary herbs, smoked tobacco, and flowery incense. Complex, ripe, and even sexy, it will need just 4-6 years to hit the early stages of its drink window and is going to cruise for 30 years if properly stored. It's another brilliant wine from this estate.

Winemaker Description 

Cora is an exciting proprietary label made for David Bowler Wine with fruit sourced from vineyards in the Abruzzo region of Italy. These are great value wines that are fresh, fun, and uncomplicated, yet satisfy our exacting standards

Winemaker Description 

A complex and delicious red with aromas of black currant, plum, blackbery, chocolate and coffee.

Producer Description 

Removes corks that fall into the bottle. Stainless steel.

Producer Description 

Spray onto carpet or fabric, let soak and rub. Some stains may require a second application. Bleach-free and biodegradable. Made from vegetable extracts. Safe when used around children and pets. Also works on other stains such as cranberry juice, coffee and more. Fresh citric scent. Made in the USA.

Winemaker Description 

The 2020 Arsonist Red Blend is our left of center take on the classic Bordeaux blend. Anchored by Petit Verdot this robust red has loads of earthy leather and brambly fruit in the bouquet. The blend of three powerhouse reds delivers broad flavors of plum, blackberry, mocha and vanilla; barrel aging adds a nice dose of oak and a grip of tannin. The finish lingers with boysenberry and barrel spice.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Winemaker Description 

Revealing the character of high-altitude, ancient vines spanning from 35 to 100 years old, this red Rioja is both powerful and structured, yet approachable, offering notes of wild bramble, herbs, and spice that culminate in a prolonged and intense finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Château Lilian Ladouys 2019, a vintage that is fresh yet sumptuous. The tannins are velvety, the balance exceptional: here is a wine similar in some ways to 2016 or 2018, yet even fresher and more aromatic.

James Suckling 92 Points | Château Lilian Ladouys 2019, a vintage that is fresh yet sumptuous. The tannins are velvety, the balance exceptional: here is a wine similar in some ways to 2016 or 2018, yet even fresher and more aromatic.

Decanter 91 Points | Lovely, expressive nose of sweet ripe fruits. The tannins are a bit too present at the moment, they take over and have a drying effect due to quite high acidity. There is definitely a core of ripe dark fruits with herb and liquorice edges but this needs more time to integrate

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Château Lilian Ladouys 2019, a vintage that is fresh yet sumptuous. The tannins are velvety, the balance exceptional: here is a wine similar in some ways to 2016 or 2018, yet even fresher and more aromatic.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Offering up aromas of sweet berries, cherries, licorice and spices, the 2019 Lilian Ladouys is medium to full-bodied, ample and charming, with a giving, easygoing profile and a clean, precise finish. It's a competent effort that shows none of the appellation's stereo typically hard edges. Best After 2021

Winemaker Description 

Château Lilian Ladouys 2019, a vintage that is fresh yet sumptuous. The tannins are velvety, the balance exceptional: here is a wine similar in some ways to 2016 or 2018, yet even fresher and more aromatic.

Winemaker Description 

Sourced from a 1981 vineyard 30km north of Clanwilliam, 20 months in first fill Austrian oak foudre.

These grapes are from a farm in the hills north west of Clanwilliam. Red sandy soils and struggling vines, battling for survival. But grapes, like most other living things, tend to be at their strongest when they are fighting for survival.

The 2017 vintage is for my money the best vintage I’ve encountered in my 23 years of making wine. Every year I would strive to make a balanced wine, but in 2017 there was a natural balance that came out of the vineyard. It sounds all very hocus pocus and don’t ask me to explain it, but that’s the way it was. Enjoy now or over the next 20 years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 92 Points | Well-balanced, dense and textural with aromas of dark berries, chocolate and sliced raw beef. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a powdery texture on the palate, with a robust frame shaping the palate and the spicy, cocoa-powder finish. Excellent length.

Decanter 91 Points | This Cabernet Sauvignon is made from a selection of grapes sourced throughout Napa Valley, with a significant portion coming from the Oak Knoll District, where Black Stallion is based. It's a classically fashioned wine with black cherry, plums, graphite, wild herbs and sandalwood notes. Full-bodied with a rich tapestry of robust tannins framing crunchy cherry and blackberry fruit, sweet oak spices, and fragrant wild herbs on the finish hinting at sage and spearmint. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 vintage continues our signature profile of a slightly softer, and approachable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This rich and refined wine does not require years of further aging to achieve ideal balance and enjoy upon release. The full-bodied structure is a hallmark. The wine opens with stunning aromas of blackberry, black currant, and toasty notes of cedar; the palate is concentrated with bold, velvety flavors of black cherry and a hint of spice. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The medium ruby-hued estate bottling, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is fresh and spicy, with aromas of bright cherries, fresh flowers, fresh forest spice, and dewy earth. Medium-bodied, it offers refined tannins and a beautifully approachable feel, with a clean, elegant, ripe note of orange citrus on the finish. Gorgeous all the way through, this will have a wide drinking window over the next 10 years.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Plump and juicy, this lush crowd-pleaser offers delicious cherry and raspberry compote notes laced with singed vanilla, red tea and sandalwood accents.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate has pure aromas of pomegranate and rhubarb accented by notes of tobacco leaves and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate balances concentrated, earth-laced fruit with velvety tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, bitters and citrus-laced finish.

Winemaker Description 

Elegant and beautifully balanced, this Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of savory herbs, while on the palate it is juicy and refined with a hint of dusty cherry. The wine has a big rich mouth-feel, silky tannins and a long finish. This wine expresses classic Rochioli character.

Winemaker Description 

The Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon Bar'on Vineyard presents bright cherry and ripe plum fruit characters, layered with notes of cigar and chocolate, all balanced out with hints of herb. Pleasingly complex, this single vineyard Cabernet is full-bodied and densely flavored.

The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Although plesaurable to drink upon release, the Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon Bar'on Vineyard will improve in the bottle in the coming years, and should stay in excellent drinking condition for well over a decade from harvest.

The wine pairs fabulously with a grilled stead, a hearty lamb stew or herb-roasted eggplant with tomatoes and mushrooms.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Decanter 94 Points | Winemaker Mike Grgich turned 100 on April 1, 2023. That's no April Fool's joke. It would be almost unthinkable that even in a challenging vintage, after innumerable challenging vintages, that Miljenko Grgich, the immigrant from Croatia who crafted the Chardonnay that took top honors at the 1976 Paris Tasting, would not bottle a wine in 2020. It's a good thing he did. Grgich's 2020 Napa Cabernet is a bright, energetic, savory-styled Napa classic. Its effusive black fruits and spearmint aromas give way to a medium to full-bodied red with a dusty tannin backbone framed by almost electric acidity. This impressive, tightly-knit, lovely structured Cabernet will prove a standout of the vintage.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sweet red and purple berries, dried hibiscus, moss and thyme. Full-bodied with firm tannins. The aromas continue onto the palate, with the sweet fruit as the star of the show.

Winemaker Description 

This elegant, graceful wine opens with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, sweet blackcurrant and ripe black cherry, supported by hints of vanilla and sandalwood. The flavors on the palate are of fresh, red and black berry fruit accompanied by hints of rosemary and violets. The richness of the fruit is balanced with a bright acidity and soft, smooth tannins leading to a long and vibrant finish.

Pair with Gorgonzola gnocchi, beef bourguignon, seared steak and ratatouille.

Winemaker Description 

Cloudline Pinot Noir carries the familiar ruby red color of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, but with a darker shading at its core. On the nose, the fresh aromatics convey the vibrancy of the vintage, and on the palate, there are deep cherry and berry notes ahead of the pleasing finish.

Winemaker Description 

Dark purple hue with a garnet rim. Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus.

Beautifully integrated and fresh on the palate; the finish is long and structured, the black tea-like tannins supported by lively acidity. Velvety soft. A suberb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Winemaker Description 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Burghound 90 Points | An attractively spicy nose freely offers up aromas of dark pinot fruit, Savigny-style earth, violet and an interesting hint of white pepper. There is slightly better verve suffusing the lightly stony middleweight flavors that also possess a caressing but punchy mouthfeel on the lingering finale that is noticeably finer thanks to the fine-grained tannins. This too could be approached young though at least a few years of cellaring should be beneficial.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows of Burghound | Ripe and very pretty aromas of both red and dark currant, violet, newly turned earth and a hint of crushed anise lead to rich, generous and round medium weight flavors that possess both fine volume and mid-palate density, all wrapped in a dusty, long and balanced finale where only a trace of rusticity is present. This always seem to outperform relative to its level chez Tollot and 2022 only adds to that reputation.

Winemaker Description 

The Tollot family represents a long lineage of winegrowers dating back to the late 1880s when François Tollot began planting vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune. Today, cousins Nathalie, Jean-Paul, and Olivier Tollot are in charge. The wines of Tollot-Beaut are well-known for their serious but pleasing style across a range of appellations from Bourgogne to Grand Cru.

The village of Aloxe-Corton sits at the foot of the Corton hill and is known for giving good-value red Burgundy that performs above its village-level status. A good Aloxe-Corton (pronounced Ahh-losse) will show some of the same structure, weight, and complexity found on the Grand Cru above.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 91-93 Points | There is an interesting hint of white pepper to the cool and exceptionally pretty aromas of exotic tea, anise, violet and lavender. I very much like the caressing mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors that possess moderate austerity and excellent persistence, Lovely.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 94 Points | This gorgeous wine is fragrant with cinnamon, rose petal and cedar aromas, then rich in black cherries, plums and flowers with a medium body and moderate tannins. A firm texture and balancing acidity lead to good length in the finish.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Refined and precise, this red serves up handsome flavors of raspberry and cherry accented by savory tea and mineral tones while building tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Estates has alluring scents of pomegranate, rhubarb, blood orange, tobacco and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is finely chalky with fireworks of fresh acidity. Its deep core of spicy fruit is immediately approachable, and a flourish of floral perfume defines the long finish.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | The nose is rich and savory, with aromas of hot tar, damp earth and underbrush, coffee grinds, balsamic vinegar and plums. On the palate, that plum note is accentuated by warm, delicate flavors of cherry and blood orange, even as the overall feel remains invigoratingly savory.

James Suckling 92 Points | Very typical with lots of sour cherry and crisp lemon zest in both the nose and palate. Medium body with bright acidity and a tart finish. Creamy texture. Shows real nero character.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Nero d'Avola Sherazade wafts up with a wickedly fresh bouquet of crushed wild berries, violets, sage, white pepper and licorice. This is racy and cool-toned in feel, with juicy acidity and masses of ripe red and blue fruits that cascade throughout. The 2022 leaves a staining of primary blackberry concentration, finishing classically with framing tannins that make for a lovely punctuation. This is a wonderfully fresh yet still potent Nero d'Avola.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 | From two blocks next to the winery, with three different clones planted in 1995, the ripe red-hued 2021 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais is lush with notes of wild raspberry, wild herbs, and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it is approachable up front but has great underlying structure. It’s drinking well now but has lots of life ahead over the next 8-10 years if stored properly.

Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.

James Suckling 94 | A fresh and pretty pinot with fresh raspberries, orange zest, pomegranates, rose petals and nutmeg on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, with sleek, fine tannins and crunchy acidity. Lots of energy on a vibrant finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now or hold.

Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Dynamic yet elegantly layered, with a beam of fresh acidity that drives vibrant cranberry and cherry flavors. Reveals crushed stone and dusky spice accents, finishing with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Description 

Experience the exquisite Les Pagodes De Cos 2019, a true testament to the artistry of winemaking. Crafted with precision and passion, this vintage showcases the unique terroir of the renowned Cos d'Estournel estate, offering a harmonious blend of elegance and complexity in every sip. With its rich aromas and velvety texture, this exceptional wine is perfect for enhancing special moments and fine dining experiences. Indulge in the luxurious notes of dark fruits, spices, and subtle oak that define this exceptional vintage. Elevate your wine collection with Les Pagodes De Cos 2019 and savor a taste of unparalleled sophistication.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling 94 Points | This is very spicy and linear with fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s medium-bodied with freshness and lovely length. Very classic in style. Closed at the end. Drink after 2025.

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | The name of the second wine of Cos d'Estournel highlights the exotic Chinese pagodas that adorn the roof of the cellars. It is a dense wine, smoky, spiced from wood aging. Licorice flavors will integrate as the wine ages further. Drink this fine wine from 2025. 

The Wine Advocate 92-94 Points | The 2019 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.03% alcohol) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, notions of wild blueberries, boysenberries and redcurrant jelly come bounding out of the glass, followed by a profound core of warm cassis, licorice and bouquet garni with a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with bright, expressive black and red fruit flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a lingering spicy note.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The second wine of Cos D'Estournel, the 2019 Pagodes De Cos is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, with the balance Petit Verdot. It's classic Saint-Estèphe on the nose with its pure black and blue fruits as well as notes of damp earth, sappy tobacco, cedar pencil, and graphite. This carries to a medium-bodied, elegant 2019 with impeccable balance, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. The balance and purity are spot on, and this will drink nicely for over two decades. It's not far off the style of the 2018 and certainly in the same ballpark qualitatively.

Winemaker Description 

The Bandol Rouge is composed of 85% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 5% Cinsault and grown on soils of limestone pebbles in brown clay, limestone and marl.

A complex nose of opulent Mourvèdre fruit and a whisper of animal/barnyard and turned earth.

On the palette fleshy raspberry melds with tea-leaf and currants around a core of chewy tannins.

Organic viticulture with absolutely no chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. Soil is worked regularly by plow and hand-hoes. Buds are trimmed and a green harvest is practice to purposefully limit yields; the average yield is between 35-38 hl/ha. All grapes are harvested by hand, and selection takes place in the vineyards instead of on a sorting table. Grapes are de-stemmed and then gently pressed by pneumatic press. Wines ferment for 15-21 days in underground, temperature-controlled, gravity-fed cuves. Wine ages in oak foudres for 18 months.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Before acquiring vineyards, Georges Delille trained as a sommelier in Paris. In 1963, he bought what would become Domaine de Terrebrune, a property in Ollioules, just east of Bandol, framed by the Mediterranean and the mountain called Gros-Cerveau (Big Brain), dotted with olive groves and scenic views—an idyllic spot. During the years following the declaration of A.O.C. Bandol (1941), mass overhauling and reconstruction of vineyards were commonplace, and vignerons were eager to revive the noble Mourvèdre grape. Georges spent ten years just renovating the property; he terraced hillsides, refashioned the masonry, replanted vineyards following the advice of Lucien Peyraud, designated soils to lie dormant and regenerate, and built a new cellar. In 1980, his son Reynald joined him after finishing winemaking school, and together they launched their first bottled vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune, which Reynald named in honor of the rich, brown soils they farm. Reynald’s credo of “Philosophy, Rigor, and Respect” is not a catch-phrase. He believes that the hard work and extra attention to the vines is worth it, and, as they say, the proof’s in the pudding—a glass of Terrebrune!

Our Professional Review

Debra of 67Wine.com | Fresh berry fruits, currants, really pleasant and enjoyable with many foods.

Winemaker Description 

Located one-hundred kilometers south of Porto in northern Portugal, Bairrada was once relegated to supplying grapes for Port wine when demand was high in England. The region is now in the midst of establishing its own wine making identity and young producers like Luis Patrao are using indigenous varieties in that pursuit.

Baga is the main red grape of the region and displays a firm and assertive character. In Vadio (slang for idler, dreamer), the vineyards are farmed organically and the fermentation derived from naturally occurring yeasts. This creates an atmosphere conducive for the variety to fully display its sinewy red fruits, cedary side notes and high-energy acid lift. A wholesaler's need to make room for the next vintage led to a fortuitous purchase and the following deal for you! 

Winemaker Description 

Cinsault- and Carignan-based, this is the lightest and juiciest of Didier’s three rouge cuvées, with a velvety-soft mouthfeel. The soil in Faugères is all schist, favoring silky tannins.

50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Cinsault