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 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 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...

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 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...

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...

The 2021 Selección Especial, is always their most gastronomical red, produced with a blend of the four traditional varieties from Rioja—Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano. The grapes fermented in oak vats...

Spellbinding aromas of rose petals, strawberries, citrus and bark, with hints of lemongrass. Medium-bodied, tight and structured, this offers a captivating combination of linear intensity and calmness, so classy and...

A bright red color with orange highlights, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is very pretty, with a delicate rustic hint that I find quite attractive. It reveals attractive red fruit on the nose, with notes of cranberries...

Very refined and polished, showing currants, orange peel, sandalwood and cedar with some raspberries. It’s medium-bodied, offering ultrafine tannins and a long finish. Chewy yet caressing. A blend of merlot, cabernet...

As difficult as it is to pick a winner between the Gualtallary and El Cepillo bottlings, the 2021 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard gets my nod as the supreme example of the Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Cabernet...

Lush and fruit-driven aromas of blood plums, black currants, mocha, blueberry compote, licorice, potpourri and spices. The palate is textural and rounded, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a fruit-driven and complex...

In 2022, the estate will only be producing a small quantity of the single-vineyard Riservas, with the majority of fruit going into the 2022 Barbaresco. It pours a jeweled ruby red color and reveals a seductive yet very...

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series Reserve incorporates 95% Cabernet Sauvignon along with tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and spent 20 months in barrel. It's another saturated purple-hued release...

A bigger, darker Cabernet Sauvignon in the lineup, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five offers blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, gravelly earth, and cedar pencil notes that all shine beautifully. It's full-bodied and...

Based on 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Ontogeny shows ripe, sexy levels of blue fruits, darker chocolate, graphite, and even a kiss of minerality. It's full-bodied, round, lush, and...

One of the top vintages I have had the privilege to taste, Philip Togni's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate starts quietly, with delicate, pretty notes of bay leaf and violets, then steadily grows into a crescendo of mixed...