Gary Farrell Lancel Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red currant, boysenberry, and thyme with supporting notes of five spice, hibiscus flower, pomegranate, and slate. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, lavender, and licorice. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $75 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Gary Farrell Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry, forest floor, and black tea with supporting notes of dried herbs, five spice, tart cherry, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and hints of dried lavender. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $75 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Gary Farrell McDonald Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of dried herbs, slate, and boysenberry with supporting notes of violet, cedar, and graphite. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of elderberry, pomegranate, black tea, tamari, sour cherry, and hints of blood orange. The finish is long and lingering with supple tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $75 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Papapietro Perry Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry, five spice, and red currant with supporting notes of oak, hibiscus flower, tart cherry, and lavender. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of red cherry, ripe wild strawberry, mulberry, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $66 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Castelli del Grevepesa Coltifredi Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2020
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red currant, forest floor, and cedar with supporting notes of dried herbs, plum, cigar box, and rosemary. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, baking spices, iodine, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with chalky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $25 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Domaine de Rombeau Le Botaniste Cotes Du Roussillon 2022
Brilliant, deep garnet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of cassis, baking spices, and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea, blueberry, and plum. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, five spice, red currant, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with firm tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. $35 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Guidobono Loreto Nebbiolo d'Alba 2020
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, thyme, and earth with supporting notes of anise, red currant, black tea, and leather. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of raspberry, five spice, elderberry, rose petals, and clay. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $26 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Amalia Cascina in Langa Bussia Barolo DOCG 2015
Brilliant, medium ruby/scarlet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of rose petals, black cherry, and baking spices with supporting notes of dried herbs, cigar box, and smoked meat. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of elderberry, raspberry, forest floor, leather, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with firm tannins and hints of pepper. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $49 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Decugnano Dei Barbi IL Rosso IGP Umbria 2020
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry, garrigue, and mulberry with supporting notes of dried herbs, black tea, and cassis. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, red cherry, forest floor, and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. Made with a blend of Syrah 40%, Sangiovese 30%, and Montepulciano 30%. $39 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Avinyo La Ticota Brut Gran Reserva Cava 2016
Brilliant, light straw color with a fine bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of quince, ripe pear, and tangerine with supporting notes of citrus zest and brioche. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of lemon curd, bitter melon, white peach, and toasted bread. The finish is crisp and refreshing. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Aged for a minimum of 60 months on the lees before disgorgement — zero dosage. $49 – 5 Stars – 97 points
