Morisfarms Mandriolo Maremma Toscana 2020
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of raspberry and wild strawberry with supporting notes of mineral and dried herbs. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of ripe red cherry, plum, and hints of black currants. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a silky texture. Made with a blend of 80% Sangiovese with the remainder comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. $13.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Caracol Serrano Tinto Jumilla 2016
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum and boysenberry with supporting notes of mocha, bramble, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, five spice, earth, and cassis. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of 55% Monastrell, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. $9.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Chateau la Coustarelle Tradition Cahors 2015
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and graphite with supporting notes of forest floor, bramble, mineral, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, truffle, and cassis. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot. $13 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Monte Antico Rosso IGT Toscano 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of black cherry and anise with supporting notes of leather, mineral, and espresso. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, violet, and black tea. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a silky texture. $12 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2021
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry and baked figs with supporting notes of cigar box, slate, and hints of cedar and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and wild berries. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a unique blend of 27% Tempranillo, 23% Malbec, 22% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 6% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, and 2% Carignan. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 96 points
Orfila Reserva Red Blend Uco Valley 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby/lilac color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry and blueberry with supporting notes of hibiscus flower, red beet, tomato leaf, hints of sumac, and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of red cherry, bramble, graphite, and cocoa. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. $20 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and mineral with supporting notes of licorice, black tea, forest floor, and violet. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, black currant, dark chocolate, and graphite. The finish is tart with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a chewy texture. Made with a blend of 36% Syrah, 34% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre, 8% Tannat, and 3% Counoise. Their Patelin rouge is meant to tackle young but this one has a strong future and will likely improve with 5+ years in the cellar. $28 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Paso Robles 2020
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry and bramble with supporting notes of black currant, tamari, forest floor, and tapenade. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, mulberry, leather, slate, and graphite. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a unique blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 5% Counoise, 3% Vaccarese, and 1% Cinsaut. Our favorite Esprit de Tablas yet. $65 – 5 Stars – 98 points
Veramonte Primus, The Blend Apalta, Colchagua 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant, dried herbs, and bramble with supporting notes of iodine, mineral, cedar, and black tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, boysenberry, and hints of hibiscus tea. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a unique blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carménère, 10% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. $18.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Zenato Alanera Rosso IGP Verona 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, boysenberry, and five spice with supporting notes of black plum, cigar box, hibiscus flower, and leather. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, mocha, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a classic Veneto blend of 55% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. $18 – 4 Stars – 92 points
