Wines Rated 90 pts or More

  • The classic Haro-styled red 2015 Viña Alberdi, sold abroad with the mention of Reserva and in Spain as Crianza, is a good introduction to the house style: balsamic reds with abundant notes of sweet spices and cigar ash, developed aromas of forest floor and a creamy twist making small concessions for a fresher and cleaner profile in the last few years but keeping the classic style. There are notes of ground tobacco and earth, and the palate is seamless and sleek, with polished tannins and a soft mouthfeel. JS 93 pts, RP 91 pts,
  • Impressive, complex array of wild cherries, raspberries, garrigue herbs, lightly spiced pastry and stony, chalky minerals. Super-fresh florals. The palate has superb texture, roundness, completeness, depth and detail. Powerful yet elegant with powdery tannins and essence-like red fruit. Super-fleshy, supple and dense core, then strong at the edges. Layer upon layer peels away on the finish. Rhone Blend. JS 98 pts, JD 97 pts, RP 96 pts, D 93 pts.
  • Fresh and pure, with a pretty beam of raspberry and cassis notes, flecked with savory, lavender and rooibos tea accents. A mineral edge adds length and tension on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2032. JS 93 pts. JD 92pts, WS 92pts, RP 90 pts.
  • The 2015 Valadorna (65% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is a dark and thickly endowed red wine that boasts a rich and lasting grip on the palate. The bouquet offers depth and complexity with dark fruit, leather, cured tobacco and spice. There are also softer notes of chocolate and ground espresso beans. WA 95 pts
  • The NV Brut La Française is based on 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, all fermented in stainless steel and blended with 30% of reserve wines. It is a pure, fresh and well-structured Brut that seems more elegant, complex and round than the Brut Réserve. The persistent finish is clear, fresh and well structured, with refreshing lemon flavors and a nice grip. My sample was said to be bottled in 2014 and disgorged in March 2017 with nine grams of dosage. There is good length and tension here as well as sweet cherry aromas in the aftertaste. WW 93 pts, RP 91 pts, WS 90 pts.
  • Powerfully Grenache on the nose: red cherry, wild strawberry, and star anise, with the Syrah providing a little tobacco-like herby savoriness. The mouth is deep and flavorful, with flavors of black cherry, pepper spice, and milk chocolate. Nice powdery Grenache tannins come out on the finish, leaving an impression of pithy cherry skin and wild herbs. Drink now and over the next decade. Blend: 53% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise. WE 94 pts, RP 92 pts, WS 90 pts.
  • Deep dark in glass with gorgeous aromas of blue fruit, pie crust and a touch of coconut husk. On the palate the rich texture combines well with the full-bodied tannins and ripe plum and cassis flavors. Layers of fruit intertwine with subtle secondary flavors of briar, cigar box and touch of graphite minerality. WS 91 pts, JS 90 pts.
  • Wild and brambly with a wealth of mixed berries and dark chocolate. The palate has chalky tannins that are compressed and set like plaster. Chocolate and dark berries to finish. Drink or hold."  JS 91 pts, JD 91 pts.
  • This wine is incredibly expressive, youthfully polished and generous, effortlessly straddling the line between opulence and elegance. The warmth of the 2016 growing season added a luxurious undercurrent of power and gravitas, while an intuitive approach to vineyard and canopy management has ensured the wine retains its balance, freshness and verve. WE 95 pts, WW 93 pts, JD 93 pts
  • Maroon in color with a garnet hue, this wine has an enticing nose of maraschino cherries, blackberry bramble and brisket with notes of clove and star anise. It’s mouthwatering with a juicy entry and has a fruity mid-palate of currant with toasted vanilla and roasted brown sugar character from American oak barrels. Structured tannins provide an elegant character with a long and expressive finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2041. WW 92 pts, D 92 pts.
  • Maroon in color with a garnet hue, this wine has an enticing nose of maraschino cherries, blackberry bramble and brisket with notes of clove and star anise. It’s mouthwatering with a juicy entry and has a fruity mid-palate of currant with toasted vanilla and roasted brown sugar character from American oak barrels. Structured tannins provide an elegant character with a long and expressive finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2041. 95.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.7% Merlot, 0.4% Petit Verdot, 0.3% Malbec and 0.3% Cabernet Franc. WW 92 pts., D 92 pts.
  • With a bouquet of cedar, spice, and sun-ripened blackberries, our Sonoma Zinfandel makes a strong first impression. Bold and richly textured on the palate with an intensity and purity of fruit reflected in notes of wild blueberries, plum, and black currants. A light dusting of tannins provides structure and a long finish that is boueyed by fresh juicy acidity. 100% Zinfandel. WE 90pts. WS 90pts, WW 90pts.

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