"Currant, cassis and ripe plum on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins, ripe fruit and a hint of dark chocolate. Merlot and Cabernet. Best after 2011. 200 cases made."

"This cuvee is a stouter version of the classic wine of Montviel. Bolder tannins, more lively acids and good fruit lead way to the classic green olive and herb notes of Merlot grown in Pomerol. This should last for 15+ years, and is an absolute steal at this price! (more...)

Our Riesling Top Pick for Thanksgiving

"Light and juicy, with a soft edge to the grapefruit and green apple flavors, remaining fragrant through the generous, distinctly dry finish, deftly balanced with a touch of minerality. Drink now through 201 (more...)

Our Zinfandel Top Pick for Thanksgiving

"As for the 2006 Zinfandel Pato Vineyard, this wine has a dark ruby color as well, with hints of bay leaf, tobacco, loamy soil notes, and some sweet cherry and strawberry notes. The wine is medium-bodied, sp (more...)

"This may be the ultimate French collaboration. Possibly the best winemaker in Bordeaux (Stephan Derenoncourt) pairing with the owner of possibly the best restaurant in France (L'Ami Louis). This newly revamped winery is turning out excellent wine in only it's firs (more...)

"With concentration and polish, this plush red delivers ripe, fresh fruit flavors of black cherry and boysenberry, with notes of toast, coffee, mineral and anise. The tannins are big but well-integrated. A modern style. Drink now through 2015. 4,000 cases made. - (more...)

"The impeccably pure, rich, complex, full-bodied 2006 La Reserve is a deeper, fuller effort revealing an opaque purple color, superb concentration, a multidimensional, textured mouthfeel, and an impressive finish. Black fruits, graphite, and a hint of toasty oak do (more...)

"Dark purple. Cassis and dark cherry on the nose, with smoked meat and black cardamom adding depth and a serious mien. A weighty, structured blend with sweet dark berry compote flavors and supple tannins adding support. Surprisingly lively on the finish, which repe (more...)

"The 2006 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Cros de Romet is a top-notch effort from a vintage that is likely to be forever overshadowed by the greatness of the 2007s. Nevertheless, the top 2006s are noteworthy wines. This effort possesses a deep plum/ruby color, pl (more...)

"Winemakers Helene Garcin and Patrice Leveque have coaxed a ton of character from 70-year-old Malbec and Cabernet vines, and the result is juicy but dark, with asphalt and tar aromas sitting in front of tight but generous black fruit (cassis and blackberry). Finish (more...)

"Racy, with citrus, green apple and peach flavors that are very fresh and focused. The finish is filled with lemon zest and mineral. Best from 2009 through 2015. - KM"

"Fresh, firm and long. This balanced red offers crisp cherry, cola, vanilla, tobacco and fresh herb flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins that give way to a spicy, floral finish. Drink now through 2011. 15,000 cases made." 90 Points - Wine Spectator< (more...)

"Slightly better than the 2004, the 2005 retains the same style, but possesses better acidity, a deeper color, and a fleshier, richer mouthfeel. Havens co-ferments the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (which can't be easy) for the Black and Blue Proprietary Red Wine, a (more...)

"This is the first vintage in which renowned winemaker Stephan Derenoncourt had total control of the production of the winery. If you thought previous vintages were great, you are in for a serious ride with the 2006. His influence is undeniable for it's elegance, p (more...)

"The 2005 Primitivo from Botromagno reveals a plump, super-ripe personality loaded with smoke, dark cherries, earthiness, and leather. It offers notable complexity at this level. This wine will find its greatest admirers among readers who enjoy a full-bodied, very (more...)

"The final wine is from Rioja-Baja. The 2007 GRA2 is 100% Graciano, normally a blending grape occasionally making an appearance in wines from Rioja. Purple-colored, it offers a room-filling nose of spice box, earth notes, black raspberry, and black cherry. This lea (more...)

"Winemaking consultant Riccardo Cotarella has changed this once burly, almost uncivilized wine to a more sophisticated, pure, polished, generously endowed offering. Monti's dense purple-colored 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (includes 5% Sangiovese in the blend) was (more...)

This was #50 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2008!.
"Shows focused aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and light vanilla. Full-bodied, with soft, round tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Beautiful and juicy. Drink now. 45,830 cases made. 50% (more...)

"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead is a single vineyard selection aged for 18 months in new French 300-liter barrels (aka hogsheads). It offers up a superb bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, espresso, spice box, black currant, and blackberry liq (more...)

"Pretty yellow color with golden highlights. Intense, complex aromas of rose petal, lichee, grapefruit, ginger, candied orange peel and nutmeg. Plenty more tropical fruit flavors on the palate, with banana, grapefruit and mango sticking out. Finishes with a lingeri (more...)