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
Avignonesi Cantaloro IGT Toscano 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense offering scents of red cherry,currants and forest floor with supporting notes of cocoa, oak, and violet. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of blueberry, red plum, and mineral and hints of wild mint. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of 50.82% Sangiovese, 24.58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.51% Merlot, 0.78% Syrah, and 0.30% Canaiolo. $14.99 – 4 Stars – 92 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
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
Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of bramble and licorice with supporting notes of earth, dried herbs, and black tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, sour cherry, raspberry, and leather. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. This wine is in its youth and it will develop and further harmonize with another decade in bottle. $130 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
