2013 Wine

It is a rare phenomenon that a wine can trace its origins to a single man. Brunello di Montalcino, however, owes its existence to Ferruccio Biondi Santi and its fame to his family. Now on the seventh generation of winemakers,... Read More

MELBURY originates from a spectacular property on the slopes north of Lake Hennessey, in the hills east of Rutherford.

The name Melbury is in homage to an historic area in London, where the estate owners reside much of the year.... Read More

Pajana represents the lower end of the same site that produces fruit for the Barolo Ciabot Mentin. The soils are a bit looser here and the temperatures are just a few fractions higher at this site. Winemaking for the 2013 Barolo... Read More

Francis Egly has produced another profound Champagne with the 2013 Brut Grand Cru Millésime. If the monumental 2008 stands out for its power, structure and intensity, the 2013 is distinguished by its harmony, finesse and... Read More

The Uccelliera estate was at once part of neighboring Ciacci Piccolomini until 1986, when winemaker Andrea Cortonesi purchased it from his friends and former employers. After refining his trade as cellar master for Ciacci, Andrea... Read More

Impressive, offering ripe, fading cherry and plum fruit, salty licorice, leather, herb and spice aromas and flavors. Hangs together nicely, with layers of flavor unfolding through the long finish. Shows terrific length and plenty... Read More

Etienne Grivot succeeded his father, Jean, in 1987, and today presides over 15 hectares of vines spread accross Nuits, Vosne, Vougeot and Echézeaux. This is one of the modern-day, benchmark Burgundian domaines. The estate’s... Read More

90% of the work we do at La Spinetta is in the vineyards, with just 10% in the cellar. The vast majority of our efforts at LA SPINETTA are dedicated to the vineyards, which are treated with the utmost care, attention and respect,... Read More

Fattoria Poggio di Sotto was founded in 1989 on the south-east side of Montalcino, considered one of the best areas for the growing of Sangiovese. The property extends over some 32 hectares, 10 of which are planted with Sangiovese... Read More

Fattoria Poggio di Sotto was founded in 1989 on the south-east side of Montalcino, considered one of the best areas for the growing of Sangiovese. The property extends over some 32 hectares, 10 of which are planted with Sangiovese... Read More

Pol Roger's just-released 2013 Brut Vintage is a beautifully chiseled, incisive wine that will appeal immensely to purists. Unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus zest, white flowers, crushed chalk and hints of fresh... Read More

The 2013 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill continues to show beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, mandarin oil, freshly baked bread and pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and... Read More

The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is my favorite wine in the retrospective, along with the amazing 2011, 2009 and 1996 vintages. This wine was released at the beginning of this year, and because Dal Forno skipped... Read More

Incorporating more Petite Sirah than normal, and the first time there's been less than 50% Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Broken Stones is made from 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre the rest Tempranillo and Roussanne.... Read More

The 2013 James Berry Vineyard Proprietary Red is made from 45% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 8% Counoise (which Justin commented was a blend that was put together relatively late). It saw a big chunk of whole cluster... Read More

Powerful and loaded with personality, this features aromas of smoky dried berry and black licorice that open to dense, rich flavors of plum, cracked pepper beef and grilled herb. The tannins are ripe but muscular. Mourvèdre,... Read More

Coming entirely from the Eleven Confessions Estate Vineyard and composed of 89% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache and 2% Viognier, using 28% whole cluster, the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement is just starting to evolve into beguiling... Read More

Like with the 2013 Grenache, I was thrilled to be able to taste the 2013 Syrah Male again (twist my arm), and it continues to impress. Giving up fabulous blackberry, bouquet garni, peppery herbs and minerality, this full-bodied,... Read More