The owner of Sena believes this is his best ever and I have to agree. It has fabulous character of blackberry, licorice, sandalwood and hot stones that turns to cigar box and hints of sweet tea. Rich, agile and playful...

An evolved and layered Champagne with aromas of ripe pineapple, stone fruit, caramelized nuts, white chocolate, apples and refreshing touches of white flowers and candied citrus. Full-bodied with a creamy mousse, a zesty...

This complex Champagne has delicious aromas of waffle cones, vanilla beans, apricots and pastry with touches of white chocolate and salted caramel. It’s electric on the palate, which is creamy yet structured and focused...

A lavish application of wood all but overwhelms the red currant, menthol, earth and pungent sauvage nuances. There is excellent punch to the large-scaled, intense and mineral-driven flavors that possess fine mid-palate...

As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young...

This complex Champagne has delicious aromas of waffle cones, vanilla beans, apricots and pastry with touches of white chocolate and salted caramel. It’s electric on the palate, which is creamy yet structured and focused...

(BH91-94 points) There is enough reduction present to push the fruit to the background though it does appear to be ripe. There is a really lovely mouth feel to the lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors thanks to...

(97+ points) A blend of 45% Pinot Noir and 55% Chardonnay, the 2012 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is a real success, wafting from the glass with aromas of red berries, rose, peony, orange blood and dried flowers...

Dark but perfumy, with black tea and warm ganache notes followed by silky plum, fig and blackberry fruit flavors. A long echo of licorice snap lines the finish. Best from 2015 through 2025. – JM

(BH89-91 points) There is a touch of wood to the softly reduced nose where some spice elements are still discernable. There is good concentration to the velvety and lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that...

The DNA of Remelluri is here. Wild mountain herb character, structured and firm, these tannins are succulent and deeply expressive. Powerful and assertive red plums, wild cherries and roasting herbs with the oak sitting...

The 2012 Trotte Vieille is medium to deep garnet colored. Notes of dried roses, kirsch, and blackberry preserves leap from the glass followed by hints of smoked meats and licorice. The medium-bodied palate delivers ripe...

Due to the very hot growing season, the 2012 Percarlo shows slightly evolved and spicy aromas of tobacco and leather on first nose. This pure expression of Sangiovese from the cooler Gaiole in Chianti sub zone is aged in...

Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and...

The 2012 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem offers dark, mineral-laced aromas and flavors of smoked earth, licorice, wild herbs and blackcurrants to go with a firm, structured and age-worthy...

Fabulous aromas of blackberries, orange peel, raspberries and citrus. Violets too. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a light, dusty texture. It's so fine and beautiful, racy and refined. Very structured indeed but also...

Made from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the 2012 Champagne Brut Millésime is the 30th vintage of this cuvée, and the next vintage will be 2015. For at least the last five vintages, the wine was aged a minimum of...

What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of...

A joint venture between Eric Solomon and proprietor Nuria Altes, this is an unreal value made from 100% Grenache from vines planted nearly 100 years ago. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a flowery perfume...

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Rauzan-Segla is a tad closed to begin, soon unfurling to reveal notes of dried sage, iron ore, and fertile loam over a core of blackcurrant jelly, kirsch, and Ceylon tea. The...

The 2012 Les Forts de Latour has a light minty bouquet, more red than black fruit, touches of orange peel and light pencil shaving scents. The palate is medium-bodied with good density, fine tannins, becoming increasingly...

Easily one of the top wines in the vintage, the incredible 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Quet comes from the northern part of the appellation and is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Full-bodied, decadent and...

The 2012 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese (AP #15 13) opens clear, cool, precise, smoky and very elegant on the nose. Light but intense and very elegant on the palate this delicious, racy and stimulatingly piquant and grippy...

One of the stars in the vintage is the 2012 from Beausejour Duffau which checks in as 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It sports an inky purple color as well as classic notes of blackberries, blueberries, crushed...

More reductive on the nose than the Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule, the 2012 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule (AP #19 13) combines its deeper mineral character with a perfect expression of highly noble...

Mind-bending aromas of red licorice, spices, bark and dark fruits. Yet reserved and balanced. The palate is phenomenal with compact fruit and polished tannins. It goes on for minutes. 62% merlot and 28% cabernet franc...

(96-97 points) Over the past few months, the wine has added structure and fleshed out following the initial April tastings. Pure sensations of wild, ripe and overripe cherries, boysenberry, plum, espresso and stone. Full...

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Gazin has a complex, quite mercurial bouquet that seems quite confit in style at the moment. After five minutes it offers raspberry coulis, wild strawberry...

A silky and structured red with tiles, dark berries and lightly shaved chocolate. Full body, firm tannins and a persistent finish. Shows zest and liveliness. Drink or hold until 2017.