La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Selección Especial Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep crimson color and garnet edges. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, earth, and black tea with supporting notes of blackberry, cigar box, and cedar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, baking spices, cranberry, and black cherry. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $99 – 5 Stars – 99 points
Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Adelaida District 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red plum, dried herbs, and earth with supporting notes of black tea, graphite, tapenade, and fancy cured meat. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of bramble, blackberry, black currant, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a voluptuous and meaty texture. Made with a blend of 47% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Counoise, and 8% Mourvedre. $40 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
The Departure Red Blend Sonoma County 2020
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry and baking spices with supporting notes of black tea, dried herbs, black currant, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, cocoa, cassis, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a juicy texture. $49 – 4 Stars – 91 points
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
