Wine

Looking considerably more roasted in style than the 2019, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude features notes of grilled dark-skinned plums and savory black olives. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, but with its layers... Read More

The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the... Read More

Located at the top of Altesino's vineyards is the prestigious Montosoli vineyard where ancient limestone soils with the 360 degree exposure combine to yield a Brunello of exceptional style and elegance. This small vineyard... Read More

Now this is why people call it bubbly. The first thing you'll notice about any Spumante California Champagne is the massive amount of bubbles pouring out of the bottle. Next time you need a little fizz, or just a sweet alternative... Read More

I've been tracking the increasing percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend of this iconic Tuscan wine. The 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is made with 25% Cabernet Franc, with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.... Read More

The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy's ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me stylistically-speaking,... Read More

First made in 1971, this legendary Italian wine now celebrates its 50th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tignanello! The Marchesi Antinori 2021 Tignanello (made with 79% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc) pulls... Read More

The 2015 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard offers up floral notes of jasmine and peach blossom over a core of apricot preserves, honeyed toast, beeswax and lemon butter, plus a waft of crushed stones. The palate is just beautiful, possessing... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay CIX Estate comes bounding out of the glass with grapefruit, green mango and orange peel notes backed up by wafts of talc, chopped nuts and a lifted, aromatic, floral perfume. It is full-bodied... Read More

Another terrific year for this bottling, the 2020 Chardonnay CIX Estate—from Montrachet-selection budwood on vines planted in 2008, and matured in 75% new French oak—is lightly toasty, then tropical, with yellow peach,... Read More

From a vineyard that borders the source of Aubert's Lauren bottling, there are 1,200 cases of the 2021 Chardonnay CIX Estate. Matured in 75% new French oak, this review is based on a tank sample awaiting bottling. Planted... Read More

Always one of the last sites Aubert picks, the 2022 Chardonnay CIX Estate matured in close to 75% new French oak. Hints of crushed stone accent ripe, lush notes of white peaches and pineapple. This full-bodied, opulent wine seems... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay Eastside sails out of the glass with zesty citrus scents of lemons, kaffir lime leaves and mandarin peel with an underlying jasmine perfume and a waft of blanched almonds. The palate is tightly... Read More

From a somewhat warmer site on thin, volcanic soils overlooking the Russian River, Eastside—originally a collaboration between Ulises Valdez and Mark Aubert—features a Montrachet selection planted on riparia rootstock.... Read More

A cool, late-harvest site relative to Aubert's other sources, the 2020 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons also sees a bit less new French oak (50%). Readers will note that the oak made virtually no impression on me, as the wine... Read More

Succulent and lush, with buttery nuances to the apple pastry, toasted hazelnut and mouthwatering Honeycrisp apple, tangerine and Meyer lemon flavors at the core. This wine's flavors and complexity gain momentum, ultimately... Read More

A relatively new vineyard label for Aubert (the third vintage to be produced), the 2019 Chardonnay Powder House comes from eight acres of what are now estate-owned vines planted in 2013 to Hyde Old Wente and Mt. Eden clones on... Read More

Floral, non-fruity hints of crushed stone and talcum powder appear on the nose of Aubert's 2021 Chardonnay Powder House, creating an attractive counterpoint to the wine's honeyed richness and intense white-peach notes.... Read More

The 2020 Chardonnay Sugar Shack is creamy and expressive, with gorgeous depth and planty of the richness readers expect in Aubert Chardonnays, although naturally in the smaller-scaled style of the year. Lemon confit, white flowers,... Read More

The warmest site in Aubert's portfolio, the 2021 Chardonnay Sugar Shack comes from Mark and Teresa's home property on the western side of the Rutherford AVA. Planted in 2008 to a Montrachet selection and managed by David... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay UV-SL opens with compelling floral notes—honeysuckle and lime blossoms—over a core of red apples, green guava and honeydew melon with underlying suggestions of baking bread, allspice... Read More

Starts with a sleek laser beam of ripe and pure apricot, grilled peach and Fuji apple, expanding into salted, toasted almond notes and flavors of lemon sherbet, dried ginger and nutmeg. Shows harmony on the long, expressive finish.... Read More

"The grapes for this very approachable Cabernet Sauvignon come mainly from the highly regarded Paso Robles appellation. Aged for 18 months in stainless steel to highlight its berry and plum notes, it finishes with fruity blackberry... Read More

No matter how you pronounce it, or what the occasion, Bartenura has you covered!

Slightly effervescent or “frizzante” if you’re fancy, with notes of wildflowers, ripe melons and honey followed by flavors of pear,... Read More

BV's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour is smooth, melded, cedary and complete. Cherries and gentle earth notes mark the nose, framed by new French oak (95%), while the palate is medium to full-bodied,... Read More