Carol Shelton Karma Reserve Sonoma County 2014
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry with supporting notes of cranberry, baking spices, and earth. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of plum. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a velvety texture. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Adelaida District 2014
Brilliant, deep garnet color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black currant, earth, and blackberry with supporting notes of truffle, anise, mineral, and baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum and cured meat with hints of sea salt and cocoa nibs. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a rich and dense, nearly chewy texture. $55 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Adelaida District 2015
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry with supporting notes of black tea, rose petals, and mineral with hints of wild mint and honey. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of cassis and forest floor. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins and hints of pepper. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent and juicy texture. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Troon MT Reserve Southern Oregon 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, dark, ruby red color. The nose is very complex and compelling with ripe, red cherry in the lead with hints of boysenberry and cassis with silky accents of allspice. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a dense, red fruit-centric core with waves of spice, rich red jams, vanilla, and subtle brown spice notes. Full-bodied with dense fruit and perfect balance and harmony with a bright dose of acidity and soft, round, supple tannins. $50 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Troon Black Label G*S*M Reserve Southern Oregon 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, ruby red color. This wine is wonderfully aromatic offering scents of red and black fruits with tart fruits rivaling the sweet ripe fruits and accents of brown baking spices, damp earth, and subtle oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but amazingly sprite fruit-driven core with ripe red cherries and bright cranberries taking center stage with waves of blackberry. Full-bodied while being very nimble with a lovely velvety texture matched by a bright dose of acidity that keeps it fresh and lively. $50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Chateau Lassègue Les Cadrans de Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose offers bright scents of black fruits with a generous dose of baking spices, dried herbs, earth, and mineral with accents of oak. The palate fully concurs with the nose offering a dry, black fruit, and earth core with flanking accents of spice, black pepper, and subtle oak notes. Medium to full-bodied with dry spice and mineral-soaked fruit that is framed by big but supple tannins. $35 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Chateau Lassègue, Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewDeep, dark ruby red color. The aromatics are quite expressive offering waves of black fruits both ripe and dried with generous accents of cassis, black plum, evergreen shrubs, brown baking spices, forest floor, and toasted oak. The palate brilliantly echoes the nose delivering a dense black fruit core with flanking notes of earth, clove, black pepper, nutmeg, and oak with a silky minerality rising on the finish. This young Bordeaux is wonderfully intense with lush fruit and spice showing incredible depth offering flashes of maturity while the bright youthful fruit still dominates. $90 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée Sonoma County 2013
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of blackberry, raspberry, and plum with accents of cherry, black tea, vanilla bean, and soft oak notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, sweet oak, cocoa nibs, and vanilla with silky tannins. Medium-bodied with a lush fruit core and bright acidity that gives it shape. $20 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Rutherford Ranch Two Range Red Wine Napa Valley 2014
Deep, dark, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of freshly crushed red and black berries with accents of vanilla, cassis, chocolate, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky fruit-driven core with a generous dose of sweet chocolate and vanilla with raspberry jam rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with sweet, jammy fruit and soft, silky tannins. $25 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
HobNob Wicked Red Blend IGP Pays d'Oc, France 2015
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose reveals a wonderful fruit offering scents of blackberry and blueberry with accents of mineral, black currant, and hints of oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush and fruity berry-driven core with waves of subtle spice, mineral, and oak notes. Medium-bodied with ideal balance due to the bright acidity and subtle spice notes found in this cheerful red. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
