Sitewide Sale - Reds

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Josh Raynolds of Vinous writes 93-95 Points | Deep, brilliant ruby-red. Finely detailed, mineral- and spice-accented raspberry, cherry and floral scents are complicated by botanical herb and white pepper notes. Appealingly sweet and energetic on the palate, its intense red fruit, lavender and spicecake flavors pick up smokiness on the back half. Silky, well-knit tannins frame a smooth, impressively long finish that leaves behind red berry liqueur and floral notes.

Decanter -Barrel Sample: 93 Points | Round, ripe, juicy and powerful fruit for a 2021. Driving fruit and texture, with the vintage's signature dry, herbal austerity. Very tannic, so wait, but should take on complexity in time. A single unbroken plot near the village of Gigondas, all destemmed and fermented in concrete, matured in old foudres for 18-24 months. No special cuvées, just a single wine produced from this domaine."
Decanter Magazine - Barrel Sample: 93 points

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | The 2021 Gigondas isn't going to match the 2020, but it's nevertheless a beautiful, elegant wine. Sporting a translucent ruby hue as well as notes of kirsch liqueur, dried flowers, and Provençal spice, this medium-bodied Gigondas has wonderful balance, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's going to age gracefully on its balance and purity.

Joe Czerwiński of The Wine Advocate writes - Barrel Sample: 91-93 Points | While the sample from foudre two was quite reductive and difficult to assess, the sample of 2021 Gigondas from foudre 10 was pretty much the opposite, rather open, lush and creamy, with inklings of dried herbs and ripe black cherries. The combined score gives the presumed blend the benefit of the doubt."

Winemaker Description

Deep violet in color, intense, and with a great aromatic complexity of red fruits together with floral notes of violets and roses. On the palate, it is a tasty wine with a soft spell and a superb freshness, along with the elegance and power so characteristic of Puente Alto. It is a wine with a velvety texture, lush body, and a very long and persistent finish.

Expert Review

James Suckling 97 Points | Deep and serious with black olives, blackberries, blueberries, tobacco leaf, sweet red capsicum, ash, dried meat and a hint of black chocolate. This is a more direct, full-bodied Don Melchor, filled with solid blackberries and wrapped by tight, fine-grained tannins. Long and deep. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc, 1% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Better after 2024. (2020). 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor has a 6% dash of Cabernet Franc along with 1% splashes of Merlot and Petit Verdot from Puente Alto, Maipo, and was aged for 15 months in 71% new French barrels. Vivid garnet red in the glass. The aromatic profile features red fruit such as cherry and black currant along with hints of mint, spice and pepper over secondary aromas from the aging process, including a gentle whiff of cedar. Intense in the mouth, with juicy freshness and young tannins that will integrate better in time. The fruit was especially vivid this year, adding greatly to the nuance and subtle details. This will growth deeper in the bottle. (2020). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Inviting aromas of chocolate-covered cherry, dried rose petal and petrichor set the stage for this well-structured red, which balances concentrated berry and mission fig flavors against vibrant acidity, lending a lush, mouthwatering quality to a finish that swirls with cassis, spices and fine tannins. Drink now. (2020). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

94 points Wine Advocate | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard features lovely cherry fruit, interwoven with strands of dried herbs, hints of black cherries and a touch of vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, round and generous yet focused, showing typical Cabernet restraint and structure, then finishing with gentle, silky tannins and a big, highly enjoyable whack of cassis."

94 points James Suckling  | Aromas of crushed blackcurrants and cocoa-dusted black cherries with purple flowers and chocolate undertones. Full body. Broad and opulent with compact, plush and well-integrated tannins. Attractive succulence and finesse with a firm, lingering finish and notes of bitter spices and violets to close."

91 points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay comes from a single vineyard in the Stags Leap District and is based on 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful cr me de cassis, spring flowers, violets, and chalky mineral notes emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautifully integrated background oak, ripe tannins, and a great finish."

90 points Wine Spectator | Packs a core of boysenberry and plum puree notes, coated with melted licorice and backed by sweet toast on the finish. Offers a fine-grained feel, with a subtle tug of earth at the end. Drink now through 2035."

Winemaker Description

Aromas of ripe black fruit with light toast and spices. Very powerful, yet elegant, on the palate. Notes of ripe, jammy fruit with subtle toasted notes, with soft tasty tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Winemaker Description

Aromas of wild berries and forest floor, a weighty mid-palate and long silky finish.

Light orange with the notes of pink color. Aromas: Well-expressed aromas of barberry and rose, with the raspberry notes on the second nose.

Taste: Mouth is soft and rich with well-expressed dried barberry aromas, citrus, strawberries and earthy minerality.

Medium-bodied dry wine with balanced tannins, backed by lively acidity and long finish. 

Winemaker Description

In clay-chalk soil, the vine is grown biodynamically in order for the terroir to fully express itself. The nose is particularly complex and fruity. Whilst the absence of sulphur during vinification is evident, it remains precise. On the palate, fruits and spices are the notes that dominate. Its supple mouthfeel is supported by unctuous tannins. A wine that pairs well with either white or red meat.

The domain might still carry the name of his parents, but Stéphane Tissot (and his wife Bénédicte) took over the family business over 20 years ago. In 1995, Stéphane began to reduce the amount of fertiliser so as to pave the way for organic viticulture. Around this time he also stopped using chemical herbicides altogether. In 1999, the then 28 hectares (now 46 hectares) became entirely organic and, after a few years, the whole domain became biodynamic in 2004 (Demeter certification). Stéphane's hard work has transformed the quality of the grapes. With such good quality fruit, vinifications are relatively easy and require very little intervention. Natural yeasts are used in fermentation and a very small amount of sulphites are added, nothing else. The end result is an excellent expression of terroir with intense aromas. Stéphane's quest to convey his many different terroirs has led him to produce nearly 50 different cuvées from many different grape varieties using various vinification methods. For example, for the Savagnin, a variety typical of the Jura, the property produces wines with and without oxidation (i.e. topping up of the barrels) and vin jaune. This domain is at its zenith and is one of the Jura's (and iDealwine's) best kept secrets.

Expert Ratings

James Suckling 97 Points | Gorgeous aromas of plums and currants with some wet earth, mushroom, bark and incense undertones. Woody. Medium-to full-bodied with such beautiful depth and length. So subtle and long. Fabulous harmony. One of the best I have ever tasted. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The 2018 Napanook showed incredibly well, with fabulous crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and green tobacco aromas and flavors. With terrific ripeness, medium to full body, and ripe, yet polished tannins, this beauty should be snatched up by savvy readers. It should evolve for 15 years or more. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 20% new French oak.

Robert Parker 93 Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Napanook leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of fresh blueberries, black cherries, crushed blackcurrants and redcurrant jelly with hints of pencil shavings, red roses and dusty soil plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate is very tightly wound, allowing glimpses at loads of mineral and savory nuances among the taut black and red fruit notes, supported by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a compelling herbal lift.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Tightly packed, with red and black currant and cherry reduction notes compressed with sanguine, iron and singed cedar streaks. The long, finely tuned finish has a mouthwatering echo. Approachable, but no rush. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Morgon Cuvée Corcelette has a crisp and delineated bouquet brimming with energy. Lively red fruit seems to leap from the glass. The palate is beautifully built, svelte tannins matched with a silver bead of acidity, very harmonious with a lightly spiced and persistent finish. This has a bit of Liam-Gallagher-like swagger about it—nothing wrong with that in my book. (2022). 

Winemakmer Description

The grapes are harvested late and, once they’ve been selected by hand in the vineyard, vinification begins with whole bunches. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts and lasts approximately 2 to 3 weeks. The wine then ages in oak barrels for about 6-8 months, and is finally bottled unfiltered.

Young but irresistibly exuberant, Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvée Corcelette is a natural red wine, the fruit of a passion for minimally interventionist winemaking. A deep, structured, complex wine which demonstrates the best of the grands crus of Beaujolais.

Jean Foillard is a legendary pioneer of the natural wine movement. His family farms fourteen hectares with a non-interventionist mentality in the heart of Morgon, carrying on his unforgettable legacy within the region. This organic varietal Gamay is silky and smooth, marked by flavors of poppy red fruit, rose petals, and wet rocks. A stellar example of ‘reflective of the place from which it comes!

Jean Foillard made his name crafting world-class, age-worthy bottlings from tiny, prestigious sites within the Beaujolais cru of Morgon. In the last few years, however, he has also added a bottling of Beaujolais Villages to his small lineup. What inspired this expansion? Jean had been making Beaujolais Nouveau that he would rush to us each November to meet the deadline of the worldwide Nouveau celebration. Eventually, he decided he didn’t want to rush anymore. Jean thought the grapes he was using were of high enough quality to make a cuvée with more complexity and a little more longevity, so he proposed taking his time to produce a Beaujolais-Villages instead of a Beaujolais Nouveau.

Featuring grapes from high-elevation, granite heavy terroirs barely outside the region’s crus, this wine is silky and seductive, with notes of rose petals, red berries, and stones. With just the right amount of tannin and acidity, and lots of class, it is perfect for all occasions." —Tom Wolf-Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Winemaker Description

Ripe cranberry and cassis on the nose. Focused dark bramble fruit on the palate, layered with cocoa and clove. Vibrant acidity balances beautifully with opulent fruit and carries through to a long and elegant finish.

Blend: 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro

Expert Ratings

96 Points Decanter | Enormously complex and full of personality. Lots of juiciness and briaryness, with notes of espresso, soy sauce and gaminess. Very rich, impressive and structured, 2020 was Ridge’s 55th consecutive vintage of Geyserville, a wine that many Ridge collectors consider the winery’s best Zinfandel blend. Its pedigree is uncontested. Made from old vines, some of which are more than 125 years old and 60% of which are 50 years old or older, leading of course to tiny yields. A historic field blend of approximately 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (the old name used in California for Mourvedre). The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards, all of which are defined by an ancient washout of the Russian River that carried and deposited gravel and river stones to the site.

95 Points Points Wine & Spirits |  The founding partners at Ridge purchased the MonteBello Winery from Leo and Evelyn Trentadue, who also farmed some of the oldest surviving vines in Sonoma County at their ranch on the Alexander Valley floor near Geyserville. The Old Patch, planted in the 1880s, has provided the base of the blend for Ridge’s single-vineyard wine since 1966. In 2020, it was harvested just as the first fires brokeout generations of vines at the Trentadue’s ranch provided 28 different lots, with John Olney selecting 20 for this wine. He finds that carignan, which makes up 20 percent of the mixed planting (along with small amounts of petite sirah, alicante bouschet and mataro), provides the acidity to refresh the zinfandel, which accounts for 69 percent of the vines. The early harvest produced a ripe, rich Geyserville with racy energy. The dark blueberry flavors are layered with red cherry, their seemingly weightless concentration sustained in a sleek, clean and graceful impression that lasts. A great 2020

Tasting Panel 95 Points | An opulent, charming blend of 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro. Ultra-smooth and seamless, with rich flavors of plum and blackberry. Stunning and long, it’s a triumph of winemaking skill.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Deeply structured and briary, with a mix of red and black fruit accented by licorice, dill and savory underbrush flavors. Finishes with medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro.

Winemaker Description

My first harvest job was picking grapes and running trucks full of grape bins to wineries throughout Oregon.  It was a crash course in "the wine life".  Alberto was the first guy to show me how to identify grapes on the vine, the first guy to show me how to pick grapes (I did, ok), the first guy to show me how to strap down bins, and how to not ride the brakes. This wine is named after him.

An aromatic co-fermentation of Tempranillo, Syrah, Grenache, and Alvarinho, all from the northern edge of the Willamette Valley.  This wine was native fermented in old French oak. It is unfiltered and unfined (vegan).  

Black raspberry fruit is balanced by savory meat characteristics. Fine and abundant tannins are starting to soften and the wine will continue to improve for several years.

Expert Rating

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | This textbook Petite Sirah aged in neutral oak barrels shows the LangeTwins at their best. The wine reveals all the grape variety's inky color, intense black-fruit flavors and grippy tannins. Yet it also adds subtleties of dark chocolate, anise and red roses that emerge with repeated sipping. Best from 2025–2035. (2019).

Winemaker Description

Intense color, rich aromas of pepper jelly, dried cranberry, and black tea.

Situated in the heart of the Lodi AVA, our 100 vineyard produces concentrated fruit, making it the perfect place to plant our Petite Sirah. Matching its intense color, this wine is packed with rich aromas of pepper jelly and dried cranberries, as well as undertones of black tea. This combination of fruit and spice harmonizes on the palate and is supported by warm tannins influenced by 15 months of neutral oak aging.

Certified Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing

Winemaker Description

This unusual wine marries the peppery spicy red-fruit flavors of the grape with terroir-driven components mixing rock, root and soil. 

Winemaker Description

Chateau Ste. Michelle crafts this wine to be their complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. 

Expert Rating

93 Points Wine Spectator | A wine that suggests a sense of place, this is refined and just a hint rustic, which adds to the authenticity. Notes of cherry and pomegranate are laced with hints of white pepper and bay leaf. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Located at 1000 to 1200 ft., the vineyard overlooks upper Chiles Canyon and remnant walls of the grist wills built by pioneer J.B. Chiles. Brooding dark purple plum raspberry flavors dotted with sage and black peppercorns.

Expert Ratings

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Made by Elias Fernandez in partnership with Doug Shafer, this red totally rocks in smoky toasted oak and a tease of char. Intense and electrifying, it offers rich layers of dark cherry, clove and dried herb. It's bulky and substantial while preserving a sense of grace, with a backbone of supportive refreshing acidity. 

James Suckling 91 Points  | So much violet and other flowers with purple fruits. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and bright acidity. Salty and tangy finish. Lively. Some tar and raspberry.

Winemaker Description

Malbec is a newcomer to Napa Valley and Eighty Four has been loving the challenge of taking on something new. From initial fermentation they were pleased by the wine’s deep color and soft, supple vibrancy. The wine aged for 20 months in 75% new oak to allow it to take on a bit of heft and richness and to speak purely of its varietal character, a generous mix of black and red fruit.

Winemaker Desription

Ugo Contini Bonacossi is a natural wine producer located in a small village in the heart of Tuscany, Roccalbegna. The labels I’ve designed are all about dreamy and fantastic illustrations that take inspiration from the icon of Bonacossi: the hedgehog. From the characterization of the hedgehog as the main character, I’ve illustrated dreamy tales around him and Roccalbegna’s environment.

In Ughetto, a red wine, Ugo – the owner of the business and winemaker – and his hedgehog alter ego are staring at the moon/sun in a dichotomy between day and night. 

Winemaker Description

The Parra family’s pursuit came from the devotion of the three brothers (Francisco, Javier, and Luis) to find a sense of place in their home of La Mancha. They founded their property with the conviction to organically and biodynamically farm every vine under their care.

The Parra family works two large vineyards in La Mancha near the town of Las Messas (The Tables), totaling some 445 acres, or about 180 hectares. One of the vineyards is named Entresendas (Between Paths) and sits within the dried river bed. Entresendas benefits from the rich, alluvial soils, common to old river beds and perfect for the cultivation of grapes. The other vineyard is officially named Olla del Monte (Cooking Pan in the Mountain), but is known locally as the Cuesta Colorá because of the colorful scarpland soils of chalky clay covered in a fine layer of pebbles that hold the day’s heat well into the night.

For the Gulp/Hablo, the extremely gulpable wines, they tapped Juan Antonio Ponce of Bodegas Ponce to make the wine. With this partnership, they were able to create a wine that beats the competition without sacrificing on quality.

A supremely easy drinking light bodied red wine that truly lives up to its "Gulp" name. Showing nicely with bright red fruits and fresh herbs. Pair with roasted root vegetables & quinoa. 

A very expressive and powerful Tempranillo. Aromas of plum, cassis and concentrated blackberry compote. Medium acidity with an enticing and velvety finish. Made from 100% Tempranillo, the wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of new and second-use French oak and American oak barrels.  Oscar Garcia, Lead Wine Buyer, 67wine

92 Points James Suckling | Plum and blackberry with chocolate and some cream on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are polished and poised. Nicely crafted. (2018).

Deep colored wine with a high, glyceric, and unctuous layer in the glass. Intense bouquet, with sensations of fruity freshness wrapped in washed oak that complements well without masking the varietal fullness of the Tinta del País variety in the Ribera del Duero. Fresh, vivid, elegant complexity, with long-lasting creamy and toasted nuances on the palate. Enveloped and dense polymerized tannins. Subtle and elegant. Balanced enough to drink now but can be aged in the bottle for several years. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review

James Suckling | This is a very approachable grenache blend that shows rich yet tangy raspberries, redcurrants, leather, red licorice and tar. Full-bodied and fleshy on the palate, which is punctuated by some really good acidity and firmness to the tannins. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

This full-bodied Syrah shows robust and pronounced aromas of blackberry, black currant, violets, black peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, and licorice. Spiced dark fruit flavors reveal themselves on the palate finishing with a mouth-filling, savory richness.

Expert Reviews 

92 Points James Suckling | Attractive nose of grilled herbs, blackberries, olives, chicory root and peppercorns. Savory and gently chewy with medium to full body, grainy tannins and an inky finish. (2020).

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Coming from a mix of sites, the 2020 Syrah Columbia Valley is an up-front, fruit-loaded, charming Syrah revealing tons of darker berry fruits, some peppery, meaty notes, medium to full body, plenty of creamy background oak, and a great finish. It's a good value and will put a smile on your face any time over the coming 5-7 years.

90 Points Robert Parker | Displaying herbal notes of sage and a soft, meaty essence, the 2020 Columbia Valley Syrah presents a nose filled with notes of spiced plum and dusty cherries. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a fresh, spicy sensation with a kiss of oak over the peppery finish. 

90 Points Decanter | A blend of Syrah from four different Washington vineyards throughout the larger Columbia Valley AVA. Aromatics of rich dark fruits mingle with notes of pepper and clove. The palate is intensely ripe, with kirsch, black cherry and black plums. There are notes of white and black pepper spice and savoury anise notes to finish. (2020) 

90 Points Vinous | The 2020 Syrah opens with a delicate blend of fresh sage and plum sauce forming its bouquet. This is softly textured and lifted in feel, with crisp red and black fruits complemented by sweet spice. It finishes youthfully grippy yet lively, leaving hints of citrus and a bitter balsamic twang. The 2020 is beautifully balanced and eager to please.

Winemaker Description

This delicious, versatile wine begins with aromas of blackberry, rose hip, dried cranberries and hints of boysenberry followed by notes of violets and crushed spices.

On the palate, the wine begins with a soft, dense, lush, tannin structure supported by flavors of red berry fruit, subtle acidity and a long flavorful, vanilla finish. 

Winemaker Description

A Bordeaux-style blend, this wine offers aromas of black cherry, plum, and cedar. The palate is full-bodied, with layers of dark fruit, tobacco, and dark chocolate. Supple tannins and well-integrated oak contribute to a long, smooth finish. Pair it with grilled steak, lamb chops, or hearty stews for a memorable dining experience. 

Winemaker Description

A brilliant deep mahogany red with a glint of purple courtesy of the Petite Sirah, this Merlot’s lovely hue sets the stage for a generous palate of rich, ripe fruit. Aromas of blueberry and plum leap from the glass, layered over a subtle thread of graphite, pencil shaving and a suggestion of dried herbs. This medium-bodied, medium-toast wine has ripe tannins and a long, velvety-smooth finish. 

Winemaker Description

The Lenore Syrah is aromatic with rich, sweet berry notes of blueberry, boysenberry, red currant and plum. The mouthwatering acidity is nicely balanced with firm tannins and layers of bright bramble fruit. As this wine coats the palate, underlying hints of vanilla bean, peppercorn and sweet tobacco shine through. A robust finish includes chocolate and raspberry.

Enjoy the Lenore Syrah with barbecued ribs, a hearty lamb stew or your favorite burger. 

Winemaker Description

Made from 10 to 15 year-old selected vineyards, located in different villages of Rioja. This wine is made to be enjoyed as an every day wine as we say in Spain "Vino de Trago largo".

With a background of red fruits, it is a fruit driven wine, with spicy notes. It is a varietal wine, made of tempranillo, reflecting the traditional Crianza wines of Rioja.

Winemaker Descrirption

This pure and fresh Malbec from Tupungato in Argentina’s Uco Valley offers shimmering red and black fruit — cherries, strawberries, and plums — backed by sweet herbs and a delicate spice. Made from organic fruit by winemakers and childhood friends Norberto Páez and Sebastián Bisole, using 30% whole custer fermentation and indigenous yeasts, it’s a great partner for everything from carne asada to barbecue, including potato salad!

Winemaker Description

To create Oberon Merlot, the winemaker sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district. The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. The winemaker sources Syrah and Zinfandel in small lots specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Winemaker Description

This Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of blackberry, cassis, anise, fig, cardamom, fresh leather, graphite, dried herbs, and dusty cocoa. It is lush, rich, and round on the palate. A tense, dry wine with long finish.

Expert Review

93 Points James Suckling | Dense and dark, with aromas of cedar, cinnamon and black plums, then tight on the palate as bitter chocolate and black cherries are coated in firm, sandy tannins. Char and graphite accents build and linger on the finish. (2021). 

Producer Description 

Deep purple red with dark violet reflections; intense and persistent aroma, with blackcurrant and wild fruit scent, spicy, with thyme notes. A full-bodied wine, soft and balanced, long and pleasantly flavored in the end.

Winemaker Description

Attractive color,colored, pillory red with violet reflects. Very fruity on the nose, hazelnut and  vanilla notes. Unctuous on mouth solid structure, mature tannins and sweets, armonious and long.

Winemaker Description

For this wine Cecchi has focused on its immediacy, here Sangiovese is interpreted with a moderate structure and pleasant crispness.

Winemaker Description