Loacker Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009
Brilliant, deep scarlet color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry, mineral, and leather with supporting notes of cured meat and cocoa. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black fruits, five spice, and red cherry. The finish is long and lingering with aggressive tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a meaty texture. This Brunello is drinking well now through 2022. $60 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Barbanera Nero di Troia IGP Puglia 2017
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black currant, cassis, violet, and mineral with supporting notes of cigar box and lavender. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black fruits and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. This lovely southern wine is hedonistically rich with fruit and spice. $15 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Uvario La Loggia Rosso IGP Toscano 2016
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of boysenberry and raspberry with supporting notes of dried herbs, hibiscus flower, and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of mineral and black plum. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a meaty texture. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon California 2016
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry and vanilla with supporting notes of raspberry, five spice, and cassis. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of ripe black fruits, vanilla truffle, and delicate notes of sweet Bourbon. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a opulent texture. Among the trio of Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged wines the Cabernet is the one that does show clear evidence of being touched by Bourbon. $17.99 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged - Red Blend California 2016
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby/crimson color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry and boysenberry with supporting notes of roasted nuts, sour cherry, toasted coconut, and five spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black fruits, vanilla, and violet. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with a voluptuous and complex while juicy texture. This charming and hedonistic red blend is made with a blend of 41% Petite Sirah, 21% Syrah, 18% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 2% other red grapes. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay California 2016
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium golden color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of white peach and vanilla bean with supporting notes of apricot stone and butterscotch. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe stone fruits-driven core with flavors of lychee and vanilla cream. The finish is long and lingering with bold flavors of toasted oak. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. Don't be thrown by the "Bourbon Barrel" description. This Chardonnay is greatly influenced by the charred, American White oak that once held Bourbon but it does not taste like of Bourbon! We bet you're going to enjoy it. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Troon Vineyard Tannat Applegate Valley 2016
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black fruits and forest floor with supporting notes of mineral, black tea, and truffle. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry and sour cherry. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture with dry fruit and spice accents. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Vale do Bomfim Red Blend Douro 2016
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black tea and blackberry with supporting notes of black pepper, earth, and oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum and dry earth accents. The finish is dry with firm tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture due to a generous dose of acdity. Made with 30% Touriga Franca, 20% Touriga Nacional, and 50% "field blend." $13 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Qunita do Vesuvio Pombal do Vesuvio Douro 2015
Brilliant, deep garnet color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black currant and black cherry with supporting notes of black tea, forest floor, and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black fruits and baking spices. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent texture and vibrant acidity. Made with a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 45% Touriga Franca, and 5% Tinta Amarela. $28 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Troon Vineyard Cuvée Pyrénées Applegate Valley 2016
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of raspberry, hibiscus flower, and blueberry balsamic with supporting notes of red currant and baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of tart cherry and black plum. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins and trailing herbal and spice accents. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced thanks to bright acidity with a voluptuous texture. Made with a blend of 62% Tannat and 38% Malbec. $60 – 5 Stars – 98 points
