"A solid effort, kicking off with subtle herbal shadings. Those are followed up by ripe red and black cherries and hints of licorice and dark chocolate. Intricate, complex and ripe, this medium to full-bodied wine is silky across the palate, with some fine, cocoa powder-like tannins on the lingering finish. It's impressive and well-priced for the quality."

"J. Davies Jamie uses a classic framework of cedar and vanilla to outline notes of cassis, black cherries and mountain sage. It's full-bodied, ripe and rich, with a touch of warmth on the long, supple finish and echoes of brandied cherries."

“The nose of this Bolgheri Superiore packs a punch for its lavish integration of clove, balsam, eucalyptus leaf and restrained bramble fruits. The attack is velvety, with great development of youthful, fine-grained tannins over the mid-palate, long, lifted acidity, and a toasty finish soaked with fruit. A wine with a long life ahead, a great example of a Bordeaux blend with Mediterranean identity, and one of the greatest Bolgheri tasted from Ca' Marcanda to date.”

"A deep well of blackberry, black currant and cherry fruit marks this succulent red, with accents of wild rosemary and mineral. Well-delineated and complex, echoing the fruit and savory notes on the long finish. Shows superb balance and harmony."

'"The Montagne Grand Cru is another pretty wine in this range from Les Monts Fournois. The typical vibrancy of Verzy is nicely tamed in this supple, open-knit Champagne. The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, here in equal parts, work so well together. Plum, kirsch, white flowers, spice and mint confer exotic beauty to this highly expressive 2013."

"The Cote Premier Cru is 100% Chardonnay from Vertus. Bright, aromatic and also surprisingly youthful, the 2010 is immediately appealing, immediately alluring. It's a terrific example of this vintage at its finest. Tangerine peel, pastry, white pepper and flowers all race across the palate. A Champagne of uncommon depth and nuance, the 2010 Cote is irresistible. Its also one of the very best wines I have tasted in this series of micro-negociant wines from the Bereche family. What a delight."

"The 2013 Vallee Grand Cru, 100% Pinot Noir from Ay, is laced with chalk, red-toned fruit, white pepper and mint. Its power and overall persistence are classic Ay. There is a bit of rusticity in the flavor profile and textural feel, yet the 2013 has plenty to offer. Its slightly edgy personality will be less of an issue at the dinner table, which is where Champagnes like this shine."

“Compact clay soils and cooler micro-climate make this the most fragrant of Gaja's three single-vineyard Barbaresco bottlings. Delicate but ripe cherry aromas with touches of herbs and earth introduce a finely structured palate; soft and gentle but with brooding power lurking underneath. Its floral and balsamic notes reflect the cool site, while the gorgeous finish is pretty and pure.”

“This has a darker, denser profile compared to Costa Russi's cool fragrance: scents of red and black cherry, pomegranate and raspberry accompany ripe, intense and fragrant dark cherry flavours, with some chocolate and wood notes. There's lovely freshness to provide balance, while the long, vibrant cherry finish is rounder and creamier than Costa Russi.”

“The closest of Gaja's three crus to the Tanaro river, the vineyard is more humid and temperatures in the summer are mild. ‘Nebbiolo loves humidity,’ asserted Gaia Gaja, who pointed out that the higher limestone content in the soils here results in thicker skins, giving better resistance to mildew and also resulting in more tannins in the wine. The textural tannins are immediately obvious in this 2020, supporting delicate, fragrant and sapid dark forest fruits, overlaid with scents of dried cherry and earth."

“Creamy in texture yet vibrant in racy acidity, this medium-bodied wine is balanced to a tee and ready to enjoy now or saved for the short term. Offers tangy lemon zest, crisp green apple and delicate lactic accents along with mild oak spices.”

“Serious, well-driven and succulent, with forest berries, dried herbs, crushed stone and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Intense and lively with plenty of verve and vitality. Sharp and focused with a long finish."

“Opulent but also elegant, this wine is relatively light in body yet creamy and ethereal in texture. Meyer lemons, meringue and vanilla bean flavors are layered lightly and lifted by energizing acidity. Very long and tasty in the finish.”

"Elegant, silky and poised, with aromas of cherries, wild strawberries, frozen raspberries, dried roses and mild spices. It’s medium-bodied with zesty acidity. Bright, crunchy and succulent with plenty of energy. Vibrant, sharp and focused. Precise, lively finish with length."

“Juicy, well-crafted and crunchy, with forest berries, strawberries, cranberries and stone. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity. Refined and crisp with a floral touch. Delicate yet intense, with a restrained character and a delicious finish with a white pepper lift.”

“Beautiful nose of strawberries, cherries, forest floor, warm spices and dried roses. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity. Well-balanced and crafty, with a precise core of succulent cherries mingling with the spices throughout. Lively and refined with a flavorful finish.”

“Scented and charming nose with cherries, wild berries, dried leaves and roasted meat. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Crunchy and succulent, with plenty of red currant character and a delicious finish.”

"A rich, vibrant sweetie that drapes the palate in a lush swathe of steeped Earl Grey tea leaf, mango lassi and baked peach flavors, with accents of pain d'épices, grilled Macadamia nut, candied ginger, white pepper and masala spices. Lip-smacking acidity reins in this rich explosion of flavor and texture, with a pinpoint, graceful precision to the balance. Long and expressive."

“Wow, hauntingly dark and earthy yet in the best possible way, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica entices with an array of mentholated herbs and earth tones, tobacco, steeped plums and exotic spice. This is elegance personified with cooling minerality and bright acidity that adds an abundance of energy as crisp red fruits flow across the palate with ease. It finishes remarkably fresh yet leaves a saturation of primary fruits as rosy inner florals and hints of blood orange fade."

“The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, floral and finessed, wafting up with a classic Sangiovese profile blending dried rose and black cherries, complicated by dusty earth, worn leather and hints of cedar spice. This shows a beautiful ripeness of fruit, pure and lifted yet potent, with masses of red, wild berries and inner florals that cascade across a core of zesty acidity. This finishes long and staining with regal tannins and a tart cranberry tinge that lingers on and on."