The Conn Creek 'Special Selection' is a blend of appellations that were among the original sources of the estate (established in 1973) and from sites around Napa Valley. The idea is to frame a classically fashioned...

The 2021 Peak Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5% Merlot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a swirl or two to coax out notes of blackcurrant jelly, black cherries, and mulberries leading to hints of...

An improved version of the 2016 (as well as the 2010), the 2020 Château Bélair-Monange is deep purple-hued with an utterly sensational perfume of crème de cassis, smoky tobacco, crushed stone, and sappy flowers, with an...

A marvelous style, with a plush, plump mix of flavors -- peach preserves, lemon curd, salted melon, marmalade and salted butter pastry -- that are seamlessly integrated. The generosity is matched by a fresh, juicy thread...

A co-fermented blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot from Oakville Ranch, aged for 19 months in 100% new French oak, using Darnajou barrels with a portion from Taransaud. In 2023, this is a killer...

The 2023 Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills radiates with a translucent crimson hue that hints at its purity and depth. The nose unfolds in waves of crushed pomegranate, cherry blossom, and ripe red...

A broad-shouldered, juicy, fleshy, fruit-driven version, with waves of boysenberry and blackberry compote tumbling through alongside licorice and apple wood notes. A flash of iris adds lift through the brambly finish...

A powerful, muscular, and intensely flavourful Rutherford Reserve from Beaulieu Vineyard winemaker Trevor Durling. Enticing and robust aromas of violets, blackberry and cassis, scorched herbs, and toffee-scented cedarwood...

One of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world, the 2023 Château Couhins Blanc is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Gris and was aged eight months in 25% new French oak with the balance in neutral barrels and...

As ever, this is just pure pleasure, and full of grace, apricot puree, intense and concentrated, with the most beautiful balance of citrus, grilled pineapple, truffle, fennel, uplift and joy. Matthew Day winemaker, 90ha...

Bright, fresh and focused, with red berries, blackberries, spices, crushed stones and an earthy undertone on the nose. The palate is mid-weighted with fine-boned tannins and a juicy yet dry finish. Drink or hold.

So much energy and salt, anchoring forest fruit, boysenberries and crushed violets against a tug of earth. Mineral, filigreed and refined, this is capable of aging for decades yet provides tremendous short-term pleasure...

The 2024 Boggina B is one of the best wines I have tasted from Petrolo. Aromatic and pliant, with superb persistence, the 2024 dazzles from start to finish. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and mint race across the...

The 2021 Private Reserve is the most refined of the 2021s from Beringer. The aromatics alone are so alluring. There's 12% Cabernet Franc in the blend this year, and that comes through loud and clear. Crushed flowers...

An intoxicating wine with elegant aromas of roses, violets, leaves, mint, strawberries and red cherries. Full-bodied, it shows a juicy palate with ripe, velvety tannins of good extraction and a licorice finish. Try from...

Structured, powerful, balanced, a fabulous Haut-Bailly that speaks of the effortless elegance of this place, yet with the concentration and power of the vintage. Great stuff, just a stunning wine. Denis Dubourdieu last...

Another incredibly concentrated, focused, insanely impressive wine in the lineup is the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which offers a powerful nose of darker currants, scorched earth, graphite, and savory herb...

The compelling Conti Costanti 2021 Brunello captivates with pronounced aromas of fragrant purple flower, eucalyptus, Mediterranean brush and perfumed berry. All about class and extreme finesse, the elegant palate delivers...

A stunning Cabernet Sauvignon from the various mountain blocks at Mayacamas, it spends three years in a mix of vessels, foudre aged between for two years, 1000L to 4500L with a mix of oak sources, French, Hungarian and...

Coming from a great valley floor site on the southern end of Oakville and aged 22 months in 75% new French oak, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper delivers darker fruit, crème de cassis, smoked...

The 2019 Tenuta Degli Dei is gorgeous. Cabernet aromas drive the balance in this beautifully vibrant, structured Panzano red. Mocha, dried leaves, tobacco, espresso and incense abound. I would give this a few years to...

A very elegantly complex nose with meticulously fresh aromas that range from red florals to violets, blueberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and such sweetly perfumed cedary-oak spice. The palate has a very elegant...

Dark fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum mark this fluid yet dense red, whose dusty tannins leave a solid grip on the menthol- and mineral-infused finish, which shows fine length. The lasting impression is...

Blending 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro from an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972, the 2023 Zinfandel Lytton Springs exhibits initial chewiness that...

The 1946 Don PX Convento Seleccion produced with Pedro Ximenez grapes dehydrated under the sun at the time of the Second World War, was only bottled in September 2011. This is an extreme wine, my first descriptor was...

Coming from Napa, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard steps up on the richness scale and has Pauillac-like notes of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, mineral, and both red and black fruits. With full-bodied...