Vinous (92+)

Cavallotto’s 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a powerhouse. A blast of sweet dark cherry, menthol, licorice, gravel and incense hits the palate. Youthful and quite strapping in terms of its presence, the 2018 holds quite a bit of promise. That’s the good news. But readers will have to be patient, as the tannins are quite searing at this stage for a wine that has typically been a bit more forthcoming. This is an especially serious edition of the Bricco Boschis Barolo.

Vinous (92+)

Cavallotto’s 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a powerhouse. A blast of sweet dark cherry, menthol, licorice, gravel and incense hits the palate. Youthful and quite strapping in terms of its presence, the 2018 holds quite a bit of promise. That’s the good news. But readers will have to be patient, as the tannins are quite searing at this stage for a wine that has typically been a bit more forthcoming. This is an especially serious edition of the Bricco Boschis Barolo.

Vinous (96)

The 2006 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe literally bristles with tons of pure energy and class. Freshly cut flowers, violets, mint and plums all burst from the glass in this deeply expressive, powerful Barolo. Tar, licorice, smoke and incense all develop in the glass, adding further gravitas to this already dark, layered, hulking Riserva. Readers will have to be exceedingly patient here!

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

Young and still very strapping, the 2008 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is quite the powerhouse. Lavender, tobacco and licorice weave through a core of beautifully layered, dark-toned fruit. Tonight, the 2008 is exceptionally beautiful, vivid and polished. The only issue with the 2008 vintage is that it is surrounded by years that yielded more overt Barolos, specifically 2006 and 2010. The 2008 San Giuseppe was gorgeous upon release, just as it is tonight. Tasted from magnum.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Enticingly fragrant, this gorgeous wine opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, wild rose, forest floor, pipe tobacco, dark spice and a balsamic whiff of menthol. Reflecting the nose, the delicious, structured palate delivers dried cherry, raspberry compote, truffle, star anise and a note of crushed mint. Firm but noble tannins provide the framework and bestow impressive aging potential.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Enticingly fragrant, this gorgeous wine opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, wild rose, forest floor, pipe tobacco, dark spice and a balsamic whiff of menthol. Reflecting the nose, the delicious, structured palate delivers dried cherry, raspberry compote, truffle, star anise and a note of crushed mint. Firm but noble tannins provide the framework and bestow impressive aging potential.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe shows why this is such a tremendous vintage. Potent, searing tannins paint the picture of a youthful, classically austere Barolo that is heading into its second decade in style. Graphite, grilled herbs, tar, sage, tobacco, incense and lavender race across the palate. The 2013 can be enjoyed now with aeration, but ideally it needs more time in bottle.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Aromas of underbrush, camphor, new leather and woodland berries mingle with a whiff of pressed rose petal on this compelling red. Still youthfully austere but already incredibly delicious, it delivers raspberry compote, truffle, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, noble tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Another fantastic showing from this wonderful estate.

Wine Enthusiast (99)

A combination of an extraordinary vintage and a fantastic producer are behind this stunning wine. It opens with aromas recalling woodland berry, pipe tobacco, forest floor, balsamic notes of camphor and new leather. Still youthfully austere, the firmly structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, licorice, ground clove and iron notes set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced

Vinous (94)

A dark, powerful wine, the 2011 Barolo Riserva Vignolo has nevertheless preserved good freshness for the year. The breadth and amplitude of the vintage comes through, and yet all the elements are impeccably balanced. Readers can look forward to another 20 years of fine drinking. This is very nicely done.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Aromas of leather, scorched earth, grilled herb and camphor come to the forefront along with a whiff of hazelnut. Savory and full-bodied, the compelling palate delivers dried cherry, orange zest, black licorice and baking spice set against youthfully firm but refined tannins.

From the renowned vineyards of Beaujolais, France comes the exquisite Cave de Fleurie Fleurie 2020. A true testament to expert winemaking, this seductive red blend is crafted from handpicked Gamay grapes meticulously grown in granite soils. Produced by Cave de Fleurie, a revered co-operative cellar that has been preserving traditional vinification methods since 1927, this wine emanates quality. The climate, resulting from the onshore Mediterranean breeze, imbues the 2020 vintage with a unique complexity enriched by an excellent growing season.

The Cave de Fleurie Fleurie 2020 dazzles the palate with ripe red berry accents, delicate floral undertones and a velvety finish. Its well-executed balance between acidity and tannins showcases a harmony of flavours perfect for any sophisticated palate. A carefully cellared bottle of this wine reveals the time-honoured excellence you've come to expect from Cave de Fleurie. Delight in every sip of this superb wine, a fine example of French viticulture at its absolute best.

Cave Tain Hermitage Epsilon 2010 is an exquisite wine produced by Cave de Tain, located in the heart of the famed Rhône Valley in South East France. This single vineyard Syrah offers a tight blend of elegance and power, with its intense purple hue reflecting the rich, full-bodied flavours. Produced from vines averaging 60 years of age ensures an unrivalled concentration and complexity, enhanced by the aging process in oak barrels for 18 months. Expect a fruit-forward palate with dark berry characteristics, underlined by subtle, spicy undertones and a lengthy finish.

Cave de Tain's reputation for crafting fine wines from Hermitage appellation is evident in the Cave Tain Hermitage Epsilon 2010. The vineyard's ideal southwestern exposure and unique granite terraces give the Epsilon 2010 its distinctive character. Savour this exceptional expression from one of Rhône Valley's most celebrated producers.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

A wine that's held back three months in barrel and then held a year in bottle (as is the GOK), the 2016 Syrah Armada Vineyard saw 70-80% stems and 15% new oak (both demi-muids and foudre). Slightly deeper ruby in color, it has a mix of both red and blue fruits, salt, violets, damp earth, and smoked earth. Deep, tight, backward, but just loaded with potential, it needs 3-5 years of bottle age and will be very long lived.

Jeb Dunnuck (97+)

The Armada Vineyard Syrah always reminds me of the Horsepower releases, as it’s a more masculine, earthy style of Syrah. Deep plum/purple-colored with an incredible bouquet of smoked plum, blackcurrants, tobacco, peppered meat, and violets, the 2017 hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, building structure and tannins, moderate acidity, and a great finish. It’s another wine from Baron that packs incredible richness and depth yet still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It shows the more rounded, approachable style of the vintage and will keep for 20 years or more.

Wine Advocate (98)

Part of the magic that happens with the 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is that it is opaque with neon purple edges without being inky and massive. With classic Syrah tones of smoked meat, leather, lavender, lilac and black pepper, the wine is rich with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and smoked plum. Medium to full-bodied, the wine explodes with intention and precision on the palate, with an immaculate balance and crystal-clear focus. Brilliantly structured, the wine continues to evolve with subtle and seamlessly integrated spice tones compounded by a mineral tension and a floral lift to make this wine float across the mid-palate. The wine glides effortlessly to a long, winding finish with persistence and the elegance of silk. The vibrancy of flavor remains in the mouth long after the wine has left. For a wine this dark and this full-flavored, yet as graceful and agile on the palate as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to put down the glass; I certainly can’t keep my hands off of it. This is stunningly beautiful, and with only 516 cases made, it should be sought after by top collectors from around the world.

Vinous (95+)

(13.4% alcohol): Explosive aromas and flavors of raspberry, smoked meat, woodsmoke, bacon fat, truffle and black olive, along with notes of minerals and bloody steak. Densely packed but juicy and almost magically light on its feet, with strong smoky minerality contributing to the impression of inner-mouth tension. Like a great Cote-Rotie in its sappiness and spicy lift. Finishes with a whiplash of flavor and subtle building length. Christophe Baron used just 10% new to age this wine as well as the En Cerise and Cailloux, letting his extraordinary sites speak for themselves.

Vinous (97)

The 2018 Tempranillo Impulsivo En Chamberlin Vineyard may be the best Tempranillo botting I have tasted from Cayuse Vineyards. The wine broods in the glass. Aromatically, you’re greeted by a brilliant core of dark fruits with tobacco leaf, black tea and tar tones. The palate is soft and generous with a sensuous mouthfeel. Even with 50% new large-format French oak, this doesn’t get close to being overly oaked. Silky and elegant to savor now, it has a really long life ahead of it. This is in a league all its own for North American Tempranillo.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2019 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers reveals scents of raspberries and plums, complemented by savory bass notes of grilled meats, rich soil and raw cocoa, as well as lifted hints of spice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and velvety, it's lively and concentrated, with powdery tannins, succulent acids and a long, sapid finish.

Indulge in the exquisite Cecile Tremblay Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaumonts 2015, a nectar for the discerning palate. Cultivated in the prime terroirs of Vosne-Romanee, a respected region in France's Burgundy, the wine articulates plenty about its varietal and provenance. Cecile Tremblay, granddaughter of the acclaimed Edouard Jayer, brings forth her unwavering commitment to biodynamic winegrowing in this fine vintage.

The hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes from old vines bestow this wine with rich, complex flavours. Sustainably grown, meticulously selected grapes undergo natural fermentation in wooden vats. Aged in finely-grained French oak barrels, the wine boasts a tantalising balance of fruit-forward notes, and elegant new oak infusion. With its solid structure, this Cecile Tremblay Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaumonts 2015 offers a distinctive depth of character and a promising ageing potential. Swirling with its refined elegance, it’s a magnificence meant to roseate every celebration.

Vinous (94)

Cecilia Monte's 2014 Barbaresco Serracapelli is a wine of pure and total refinement. Lifted and gracious on the palate, the 2014 is wonderfully energetic from start to finish. Beams of supporting acidity and tannin give the wine a nervous, edgy feel that will soften with bottle age. Orange peel, exotic spice, tobacco, cedar and amaro herbs add an intriguing upper register of aromatics to this mid-weight, classically proportioned Barbaresco. Cecilia Monte's Barbaresco Serracapelli is one of the dark horses of the vintage.

Vinous (92)

The 2016 Barbaresco Serracapelli is soft, super-expressive and so inviting. Wild cherry, tobacco, cedar, mint and dried flowers show off the darker side of Nebbiolo. There is a bit of nerve to this classically built Barbaresco, so some aeration is a good idea.

Vinous (95)

The 2013 Barbaresco Serracapelli Dedicato a Paolo emerges from the estate's oldest vines, planted in 1956. Deep and sensual, with striking layers of nuance, the 2013 hits all the right notes. Readers will find a lifted, savory, intensely mineral Barbaresco built on persistence and energy. Tobacco, worn-in leather, spice, menthol and crushed rose petal add myriad shades of complexity. The 2013 can be enjoyed now, but it also has enough pedigree to drink well for another decade.

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Barbaresco Serracapelli Dedicato a Paolo is a very pretty, high-toned wine. Blood orange, rose petal, mint, anise, pine and cinnamon all grace this ethereal, mid-weight Barbaresco. The 2015 is deceptive and gracious, but it has a good bit of energy and Nebbiolo grip backing it all up. This quirky Barbaresco is a total delight.

Jancis Robinson (17.5+)

Cask sample 1: Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Still a little progress, but finer on the nose than the 2012. Subtle cherry and a hint of tea leaves. Proper Burgundian in style, think Marroneto but with added ripeness. Spectacular balance and ends on austere tannins. This just needs more time but is already exciting. Cask sample 2: A shade deeper. More slumbering and with a little more concentration on the nose than cask sample 1. Intense, ripe raspberry and oatmeal notes. Juicy and almost a little racy, and with firmer tannins than sample 1, and a touch bitter at this stage. Shares breed and elegance with no 1, even if the tannins are more upfront. Yet the length and elegance are impressive.

James Suckling (95)

Extremely aromatic with plums, black cherries, flowers and some orange peel. Hints of cedar and sandalwood. Full-bodied with firm, silky tannins that are polished and very pretty. This is really well crafted and poised. Refined finish. Drink after 2024.