Wines Rated 90 pts or More

  • Opaque purple in color. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, boysenberry, vanilla, baking spices, smoked chocolate, and anise. On the palate there is flavors of blueberry, blackberry, dark chocolate, plum, smoked meat, and vanilla. Blend: 53% Syrah, 32% Grenache, 15% Petite Syrah. WE 91 pts, JD 91 pts, WW 90 pts.
  • The 2018 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay opens up with a straw color. Aromas of delicious golden apple, pear, pineapple, honey, graham cracker, almond, and vanilla exude from the glass into the nose. The palate rounds out with bursts of citrus, lemon cream, green apple, pear, toasty oak, vanilla, and mineral. 100% Chardonnay. Vinous 90pts
  • A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2016 Estate Red Wine opens with a dense core of bold and juicy dark fruit aromas that overflow into the blueberry spectrum with mocha nuances. Full-bodied, the palate is chewy and has good mineral tension, giving way to elegant, balanced oak flavors and a tannic edge that is still rigid but will last for decades to come. The freshness and liveliness of the wine remain focused, and the wine lingers with a long, contemplative finish. With a 2,000 case production, this is one that is worth adding to your cellar. RP 94 pts, JS 93 pts.
  • Fontodi is located at the heart of Chianti Classico. 100% Sangiovese grapes are hand-picked and fermented using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, then aging in barrel for 18 months. Notes of black cherries, dark chocolate, and wild berries.
  • The 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is fabulous. Dark, sensual and enveloping, the 2017 captures the essence of the house style in its textural richness and baritone inflections. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate infuse the 2017 with tremendous richness. The 2017 spent 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask, the same aging regime as the Vigna del Sorbo, but with a bit more new oak. That approach worked very well, as the Flaccianello stands out for its exceptional textural elegance and finesse. It is a positively stellar wine. V 97pts, RP 96 pts, JS 95 pts, WS 95 pts
  • Exotic aromas of mango, papaya and lime with fresh thyme and other herbs. Medium body. Crisp acidity. Serious Sancere here. Sauvignon Blanc. JS 93 pts.
  • Seamlessly woven in black cherry and cocoa, the flagship Cabernet is sumptuous and seductive in structure and complexity. The palate offers flavors of hazelnut, baked plum, and cloves while brilliant acidity on the finish balances the concentration of flavors and tannins. RP 90 pts, WW 90 pts
  • Produced exclusively with hand-picked grapes, this Cuvée was put on the American market for the first time in 1985. It is prepared according to the traditional method. Its bouquet with pear aroma distinguishes it from other sparkling wines and the fruity aroma lends it an initial effervescence which culminates in a lingering, creamy effect. 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay. WS 91 pts, WE 90 pts.
  • South African non-vintage sparkling wine. Light yeasty aromas, good fruit on the nose, and rich creamy complexity on the palate. Fine mousse gives freshness and finesse. Perfect with seafood or light meats. Blend: Chardonnay: 53%, Pinot Noir: 47%. D 90 pts, RP 90 pts.
  • This wine is a blend of Oldfield and Minnick vineyards in the Yakima Valley and Forgotten Hills and Old Stones in Walla Walla Valley. Aromas of red and black raspberries, anise, olives, smoked meat, hightoned herb and flower are followed by pure, textured red-fruit flavors that dance across the palate. It?s a pretty expression of the variety. Rp 93 pts, WE 91 pts.
  • Imagine yellow-fleshed peaches, rock melon and blackcurrant – a sponge cake with lemon icing, chamomile and hints of rose petal – this is a delicately perfumed and deliciously ripe-fruited interpretation of Marlborough sauvignon blanc. The palate is both subtle and textural, showing considerable ripeness and concentration, with a crisp and long, juicy finish. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. WE 91 pts, RP 91 pts.
  • Attractive, fresh apricots and white nectarines. White flowers, too. Very fresh and bright. The smooth and even palate has a very rich and concentrated core of apricots. Super-ripe and super-fresh. JS 93 pts, V 93 pts, JD 91 pts, WE 91 pts
  • Displaying a deep garnet hue, this wine teems with pronounced aromas of raspberry, black cherry, and cocoa with hints of violet, black spice, and cola. The palate possesses a laser focus of black raspberry jam melded with rose petal and mocha. While the flavors are rich and persistent, this wine is in no way heavy or clumsy. It is well-defined and well-balanced straight through its eloquent finish. WW 90 pts.
  • You won't find a truer expression of Red Mountain Merlot than this true Artisan-produced winner! Deep and dark red fruit notes dominated the palate with subtle undertones of raspberry, earth and spice. An extended finish that seamlessly melds the lush tannins into the mix.
  • Aromas of exotic spice, Craisins, dried thyme, black currant, vanilla and black licorice are out front. Fruit and barrel play off each other nicely on an elegant, cranberry-filled palate. It has a pleasing mouthwatering sense to it.?WE 90 pts.
  • Exhibits fruity and floral notes, good structure in the mouth who permits nice combination with food. Freshness and good acidity for this dry rose. The grape varieties used are those traditional to Provence and balanced to give the best possible results with ages of 30 to 50 years Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Mourvèdre for red Côtes de Provence varieties. TP 93pts
  • The nose exudes big ripe black cherries, earthy vanilla bean and notes of cedar from the Cabernet Franc. This powerful, luscious and mouth-filling wine has dominating flavors of ripe strawberries, white chocolate and cotton candy. The tannins provide structure yet are soft and supple. The finish is surprisingly racy with hints of black licorice and spicy white pepper. This lively wine should be enjoyed with friends and family during any occasion. Blend: 54% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. JS 90 pts.
  • Made in a straightforward, unoaked style, this delivers fresh fruit and a hint of butter, though the front label reads ?no malo.? It's a fine, all-purpose white wine that should work well with a variety of seafood and poultry dishes.
  • Pure elegance in a glass. Aromas of black cherries, pomegranate, dried cranberries and a hint of graphite channel classic Bordeaux. Its lovely, silky texture coats the palate with layers of black cherries and a touch of cedar from French oak’s fine tannins. From beginning to end, the balance carries all the way through. Enjoy now after decanting for 60 minutes or cellar through 2029-2034. Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec. WW 94, WE 92
  • The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is ultra-concentrated with dense black fruit, anise, roasted coffee, ripe blueberries, cedar box, and graphite. A fresh and focused wine with creamy texture and a long luscious mouthfeel with dusty earth, baking spices, sweet vanilla, and fresh fig notes. Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. JKS 94 pts, WW 94 pts, RP 93 pts, WE 93 pts, JD 91 pts.
  • The Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a representation of many of the single vineyard Pinot Noir sites in one bottle. Ripe rainier cherry, red plum and blackberry are nestled between notes of rose petal, cedar and turned earth. The wine is vibrant and lively on the palate with a generous finish. 100% Pinot Noir. WE 91 pts,
  • This fresh and vibrant Chenin Blanc shows highly expressive aromatics of citrus blossom, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, and peach with flavors of yellow apple and pear on a crisp dry finish. 100% Chenin Blanc. JS 93 pts, W&S 90 pts, WE 90 pts.
  • Named after an old estate located in the heart of Domaine Lafage, Mas Miraflors, the Miraflors Rosé is sourced from old vines of Grenache Gris and Noir, some nearing 80 years old, planted near the Mediterranean. Added to this is some Mourvedre that Jean-Marc planted here about 15 years ago. This a direct press rosé with the color coming from the skins of the pink Grenache Gris berries, and naturally, from the much darker Mourvedre and Grenache Noir. It is aged in tank for 4 months before bottling. Decanter 91 pts.
  • Dark and dense depth of color. Our Cabernet from this fantastic vintage has a complex and compelling nose of ripe black cherry, cedar, lavender, huckleberry, and rich coffee caramel. The flawless texture is immediately pleasing on the palate, with both tannin and acid in perfect balance with the dense core of fruit. JD 97 pts, JS 96 pts, WE 92 pts, RP 94 pts
  • Louis Moreau farms 52 acres in the villages of Beines and Chablis, most of his parcels on sandy clay. He ferments this wine in stainless steel without added yeasts, then ages it on the fine lees. In 2018, he achieved a wine of almost tropical fruit ripeness, with the structure, layers of flavor and leesy complexity of a fine Chablis. If you put your expectations aside and just take this, heads up, as a white wine, you might imagine its pineapple and lime, together with its monolithic minerality, as part of a new world order, with Chablis holding its own in the midst of a warming climate. Best Buy. W&S 91 pts.
  • Pure berry and cassis aromas are concentrated and show no holes. This Uco Valley Malbec feels pure, direct and linear, albeit with slightly scratchy tannins that should dissipate in due time. Blackberry and dry spice flavors finish full and grabby, with muscularity. Drink through 2028. We 94 pts, JS 93 pts, TA 93 pts, WS 91 pts.
  • A deep and rich ruby color, the 2017 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir impresses from the moment it’s poured. Notes of Bing cherry, violets, and blackberry crisp shine within this purity, and aromas of orange blossom and cedar add enticing complexity. The ample rainfall of the 2017 season energized the vines at Garys’ Vineyard, resulting in a wine of incredible concentration and freshness from the start. Bright, juicy flavors of black cherry, plum, and baking spice add impressive volume on the palate, while soft, supple tannin gives the wine a well-rounded structure. Lively acidity swirls amongst the fruit flavors, adding brightness that bursts from start to finish while hinting at a graceful, long life in bottle. 100% Pinot Noir. WE 97 pts, RP 95 pts, JD 94 pts, WS 92 pts.
  • Classically chic, Lucy is a sophisticated rosé that you can take just about anywhere. Easy on the wallet, ripe with pinot noir character, and refreshingly versatile, this irresistible rosé is a perennial favorite amongst wine critics and backyard BBQ enthusiasts alike. 100% Pinot Noir. V 92 pts, RP 90 pts.
  • This wine is made with fruit from the 130-hectare Tignanello estate and is Sangiovese with a smaller part Cabernet Sauvignon. The Marchesi Antinori 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is a dark and sultry expression with a higher degree of evident richness and concentration in this vintage that produced smaller, more compact berries. The tannins stand out tallest here, and there is some bitterness that is more in line with my expectations of the vintage. In fact, among these new Marchesi Antinori releases from 2017, this wine most accurately reflects the hot vintage especially in terms of mouthfeel. There is a pretty menthol note on the close. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, and the wine ages in French and Hungarian oak barrels for one year. JS 94 pts, RP 92 pts.
  • This opens beautifully to reveal violets, blueberries, licorice, citrus, oyster shell and orange rind. So velvety and polished, but with real depth and structure. Medium-to full-bodied with delightful fruit and a long finish. Drink in 2021 but already so satisfying. JS 95 pts, D 90 pts.
  • Fresh, bright aromas and the taste of white peach, this wine has a vibrant acidity balanced by the lush flavors of fully ripe fruit. 100% Chardonnay. WW 90pts
  • The aroma of this wine is compelling, virtually reaching out and grabbing our attention. Yellow peach, melon, guava and crisp Fuji apple are accented with hints of tropical mango and pineapple. Lime, Minneola tangelo and orange blossom lend citrus notes. Accents of dry summer grass, vanilla-toned panna cotta and toasted crème brûlée create complexity. An underlying minerality adds further sophistication.The rich palate coats the tongue balanced with hints of yummy Creamsicle and Ruby Red grapefruit. Refreshing acidity and a mouthwatering finish cap the sensual experience of this exceptional Sauvignon Blanc. Ws 93 pts, RP 92 pts.

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