Domaine Rogue Cinquenta Red Applegate Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, boysenberry, and slate with supporting notes of earth, dried herbs, and plum. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black currant, raspberry, red plum, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $38 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Troon Vineyard Glou-Glou Applegate Valley 2023
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, medium ruby color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of wild berries, tart red cherry, and rose petals with supporting notes of hibiscus flower, slate, and elderberry. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, red currant, black tea, and plum. The finish is tart with ripe tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 62% Cinsault and 38% Grenache. Serve chilled but not cold. $25 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Conde Valdemar Crianza Rioja 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, dried herbs, and black tea with supporting notes of blackberry, toasted coconut, elderberry, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, forest floor, vanilla bean, anise, and baking spices. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Conde Valdemar Reserva Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep garnet/cherry color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of dried fruits, black tea, and cigar box with supporting notes of cassis, baking spices, dark cocoa, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, elderberry, toffee, truffle, and hints of tamarind. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Quinta do Vesuvio Red Douro 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of rose petals, forest floor, and boysenberry with supporting notes of thyme, cigar box, blackberry, and five spice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, dark chocolate, black tea, and violet. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $100 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Quinta do Vesuvio Pombal do Vesuvio Red Douro 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of dried herbs, oak, and lavender with supporting notes of forest floor, dried fruits, and anise. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, fig, and pomegranate. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a chewy texture. $32 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Quinta do Vesuvio Comboio do Vesuvio Red Douro 2020
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, violet, and dried herbs with supporting notes of black tea and red currant. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, elderberry, baking spices, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $25 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Adelaida District 2022
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of bramble, black fruits, and dried herbs with supporting notes of earth, crushed red berries, baking spices, cocoa, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, garrigue, earth, and tart raspberry. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of 44% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 19% Counoise, and 4% Mourvedre. $40 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
C.L. Butaud Cease & Desist Texas High Plains 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, blueberry, and violet with supporting notes of elderberry, dried herbs, and clove. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, mineral, pomegranate, red currant, and raspberry. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $48 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Matthews Cuvée Columbia Valley 2021
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry and elderberry with supporting notes of dried herbs, earth, and a playful, sweet garrigue note. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, cocoa, black currant, black tea, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a blend of Merlot 65%, Cabernet Franc 27%, and Malbec 8%. $55 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
