A vertiginous tight-rope walk between savory and sweet on the nose, from white tea leaf to tart blackberries to bing cherries to damp earth and gunpowder on the nose somersaults into ripe blackberries, black cherries...

Crushed dark berries are complemented by violets and underbrush with a gentle touch of tobacco. The sophisticated palate shows exceptional definition and polished tannins that are seamlessly integrated into a core of...

Served blind, I'd think this was a top Hermitage due to its smoky character, topped with mint, peppery herbs, barbecued meat, black currants, blackberries, along with a hint of blueberry. The palate is rich, full-bodied...

A particularly pretty and floral expression of Clos Apalta, the 2022 Clos Apalta is beautifully lush and expressive on the nose, combining a deep core of black and blue fruit aromas with pencil lead, camphor and bramble...

A brooding, dark version, with a floral perfume followed by a concentrated stream of black licorice, currant and mulberry notes edged in graphite. Alder smoke hovers throughout the rich, round palate, with softened...

Macerated cherry, blackberry and black currant fruit is shaded by mint, iron and spicy oak in this dense, linear red. Quickly takes on the character of its chewy tannins, yet the ripe fruit lingers. Though balanced and...

Deep ruby-purple, the 2017 True Believer Reserve features pure scents of red and black currants, potpourri, aniseed and exotic spices. The palate offers generous, graphite-laced fruits supported by abundant, pixelated...

Spicy, peppery, black raspberries, flowers, smoky herbs, and kirsch notes are all over the aromatics. The palate is even better with its layers of sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, spices, herbs, elegant, supple-textures, and...

2017 was infamous in much of Italy for its hot and dry conditions, and the vines here did not miss out. 'It was hotter in 2022,' says Giovanni Mazzei, 'but there was less hydric stress'. The balsamic stamp of so many...

Lush and powerful, yet with lively underlying acidity, this red evokes black cherry, blackberry, mineral and wild herb flavors, all wrapped in an embrace of vanilla and toasty oak. Shuts down on the finish, where the...

The pedigree and purity of this red are evident immediately from its black currant, blackberry, pomegranate, violet and wild herb aromas. Saturated with red and black fruit and picking up licorice and mineral elements...

Packed with ripe, juicy cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and floral aromas and flavors, this red is supple and beautifully integrated. Earth, iron and tobacco accents add detail as this winds down on the lazy, resonant...

This appealing red shows good focus and fine structure without excessive weight. Flavors of crushed black raspberry, cassis and mountain herbs, plus lots of black pepper, anise and sandalwood accents, expand on the creamy...

Super savoury and terrifically precise aromatics reveal capsicum and dried sage, bay leaf and blood orange citrus, cocoa nibs and dried violets dusted with white pepper. Plump and unabashedly full-bodied, with voluminous...

The Tenuta degli Dei 2021 Cavalli is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 35% Petit Verdot aged in both barrique and tonneaux for 18 months, followed by a brief time in cement. This is an inky dark...

This impeccably structured red is infused with personality and polish, unfolding with black cherry and raspberry flavors framed by orange peel, garrigue, brown baking spices and clove while building richness and tension...

Gorgeous fresh aromas of white peach and pear on the nose with bright elderflower freshness. Clean and pure. Hints of citrus lemon and some toffee cinder. Instantly alive and so focussed on the palate, this is vibrant and...

A beguiling blend of dusty violets, crushed stone, musky black currants and grilled herbs makes the 2020 Estate Cuvée impossible to ignore. Racy yet supple, this soothes with its ripe red and black fruits while also...

The 2023 Soave Classico is highly expressive and can be sensed over two feet from the glass. Swirling releases further depths of white flowers, candied lime, crushed green apples and hints of vanilla bean. It is energetic...

The 2007 Fonseca is maturing nicely, with a perfumed, high toned, rich bouquet of macerated black cherries, blueberry, creme de cassis and vanilla. The palate is very harmonious with plush dark cherry fruit, fresh fig...

This shows intensity and richness on the nose with aromas of cassis, crushed blackberries and hints of cedar, tobacco, violets and graphite. It’s structured and focused on the palate, with a medium to full body. It shows...

Vivid cherry red, medium intensity, pared back and moreish. Enticing charred plum and spiced black cherry, restrained and savoury, chalky tannins, good lift through the palate without losing the creaminess of the fruit, a...

With a label designed by designer Philippe Starck, this Champagne has benefitted from its aging that has softened the wine's natural dryness and given it maturity and a light biscuit flavor. It is a fully balanced wine...

The organic and biodynamic Caiarossa 2021 Caiarossa is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Grenache, in descending order of importance. It shows a velvety and darkly...

Rich and round, this red exudes black cherry, blackberry, wild rosemary and iron flavors. Reveals dense tannins on the finish, leaving a tight feel, yet this lingers. Drink now through 2029. 216 cases made, 20 cases imported.

A richly styled, opulent Châteauneuf that offers a streamlined cascade of ripe cherry, licorice root and toasted chestnut. Mineral energy keeps this powering long distance, with a smoldering foundation of iron. Starts off...

The 2019 Melange Rouge is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Graciano and Petite Syrah. A rich boisterous wine, the 2019 packs plenty of punch. Super-ripe red/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, rose petal and menthol all run...