Cockburn's Special Reserve Oporto
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of red cherry and date with supporting notes of elderberry, five spice, and hints of slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of red plum, boysenberry, and mulberry. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a voluptuous texture. $22 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Cockburn's Tails of the Unexpected White Heights Oporto
Brilliant, light gold/green color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of honeysuckle, lychee, and white peach with supporting notes of jasmine, pineapple, and hints beeswax. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of guava, orange peel, and passion fruit. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a waxy yet vibrant texture. $30 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Blandy's 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira
Brilliant, deep mahogany to amber color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of toffee, baked apple, and caramel with supporting notes of dried fruits and hints of ginger biscuits. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of fig, kumquat, honey, and accents of citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet opulent texture. $33.50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Peppucci Petroro 4 — Rosso Todi 2022
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, raspberry, and mulberry with supporting notes of cigar box, and five spice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, and wild berries. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a bit of Sagrantino. $16 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Cantina Sociale Gattinara Vino Rosso Piemonte 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, dried herbs, and black tea with supporting notes of leather, rose petals, rosemary, and cedar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, clay, and raspberry. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of 60% Nebbiolo, 30% Barbera, 5% Vespolina, and 5% Uva Rara — a super value. $23 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Roccafiore Fiorfiore Grechetto IGP Umbria 2022
Brilliant, light pale straw color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of guava, green apple, and spring flowers with supporting notes of citrus zest, fresh herbs, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of pear, mineral, blanched almonds, apricot stone, and citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $18 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Padigan Estate Reserve — Ruby Rogue Valley 2020
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and blueberry with supporting notes of cocoa, fig, orange peel, and five spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of cassis, red currant, dark chocolate, cardamon, and hints of tamarind. The finish is long and lingering with lovely spice accents. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $35 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry, violet, black tea, and graphite with supporting notes of earth, blackberry, slate, and leather. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, cassis, baking spices, dried herbs, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $150 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Chateau La Grande Roche Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant, dried herbs, and black tea with supporting notes of boysenberry, earth, mineral, and leather. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, earth, black plum, five spice, and graphite. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. $65 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Troon Vineyard Druid's Red Applegate Valley 2022
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are complex and intense, offering scents of black currant and earth with supporting notes of blueberry, dried herbs, black tea, and hibiscus flower. The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, black cherry, forest floor, dark chocolate, slate, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
