90 Wine Spectator

"This shows good grip, derived from the burly tannins and snappy sun-dried fruitlike acidity, layering dark, ripe berry and black cherry fruit with hints of tobacco and cigar box. Drink now through 2023. 800 cases made." 90 Wine Spectator

WINE:
"From mid September to mid October-Withering for two months in the drying room at 450m height. De-stemming and soft pressing, maceration and fermentation for 15 days in vertical tanks. Delestage, followed by a Malolactic fermentation for 2/3 in Tonneaux of 500 liters and for 1/3 in Barrique." -Importer

ESTATE:
"The story of La Formica began in 1893 with the construction of a small shrine dedicated to St. Vincent Ferrer to protect his 26 ha of vineyards below. Today, over a century later, the vines continue to thrive in the Cellore d Illasi and neighboring terroitory of Tregnano, at the easternmost extremities of the Valpolicella appellation. The typical Scaglia Bianca soil, along with the average altitude of 320m asl, and the Eastern exposure define the style of these wines: vibrant fruit, powerful, and always elegant." -Importer

AMARONE PROCESS:
"Grapes are harvested ripe in the first two weeks of October, by carefully choosing bunches having fruits not too close to each other, to let the air flow. Grapes are allowed to dry, traditionally on straw mats. This process is called appassimento or rasinate (to dry and shrivel) in Italian. This concentrates the remaining sugars and flavours and is similar to the production of French Vin de Paille. The pomace left over from pressing off the Amarone is used in the production of Ripasso Valpolicellas."

"Modern Amarone is now produced in special drying chambers under controlled conditions. This new approach minimizes the amount of handling that the grapes go through and helps prevent the onset of Botrytis cinerea. In Amarone, the quality of the grape skin is a primary concern as that component brings the tannins, color and intensity of flavor to the wine. The process of desiccation not only concentrates the juices within the grape but also increases the skin contact of the grapes. The drying process further metabolizes the acids within the grape and creates a polymerization of the tannins in the skin which contribute to the overall balance of the finished wine."

"The length of the drying process is typically 120 days but varies according to producer and the quality of the harvest. The most evident consequence of this process is the loss of weight: 35 to 45% for Corvina grapes, 30 to 40% for Molinara and 27 to 40% for Rondinella. Following drying, end of January/beginning of February, the grapes are crushed and go through a dry low temperature fermentation process which can last up to 30/50 days. The reduced water content can slow down the fermentation process, increasing the risk of spoilage and potential wine faults such as high volatile acidity. After fermentation, the wine is then aged in barriques made from either French, Slovenian or Slavonian oak." -Jancis Robinson - Oxford Companion to Wine

96 Decanter

60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier sourced from more than 300 crus, including 85% grands and premiers crus; 15% fermented in old oak barrels. The complexity and richness of Special Cuvée is unparalleled among the entry non-vintage blends of every Champagne house, short of ascending to the mesosphere of Krug. Its grand recipe explains why, built on incredible depth of 50%-60% reserves. Triumphant complexity is a given at Bollinger, but it’s the dynamic freshness and vitality that really set it apart as one of the most affordable Champagne benchmarks.

93 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

A classical, typical Rioja Alta red with elegant notes of vanilla, coconut, smoked spices and strawberries. Refined and suave, with fine tannins and a long, creamy finish. Juicy and elegant. Really approachable now, but give it two more years to get more mushroom complexity.

92 Luis Gutierrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The younger wine here is the 2020 Viña Alberdi, a versatile version of the Haro reds. It was produced with Tempranillo fermented in stainless steel and matured in American oak barrels for two years (it's sold as Reserva in international markets and Crianza in Spain). It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.6 and five grams of acidity. It has a classical nose of ripe fruit, American oak and spices, the subtle notes of forest floor, still young. The palate is velvety and very balanced with polished tannins. Approachable but should also age. 650,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023.

90 Wine Spectator

Generous, with a deep base of violet and berry preserves, adding brambly, herb- and pepper-accented berry flavors at the core. Prominent acidity and minerality offers some dimension, adding subtle cocoa bean and spice details on the finish. Drink now through 2040. 16,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported.

95 Aaron Brasher - The Real Review

Young, vibrant and youthful colour in the glass. Black fruit aromas, mulberry and blackberry along with bramble, dried herbs, menthol, cedar and pencil shavings. Dark, rich and full-flavoured, there plenty of blackcurrant, mulberry, dark cherry and spice, there’s a also a lick of soy and meaty umaminess. The wine has a lively line of acidity and granular, layered acidity. Very smart gear, plenty going on.

95 Wine Pilot

Not your shy and retiring kind, 1000 Crowns comes out plush, rich and complex. A fair whack of vanillin oak introduces the black-hearted wine with lifted florals – violet, briar – and tilled earth, undergrowth aromas. The wine can take it. At 14.5% alcohol, it’s on the ripe and generous side. Handsome fine tannins sweep long across the palate emphasising cassis and black fruits with savoury input and some expensive oak-led cigar box characters. Time and patience will reward the drinker.

93 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Aromas of dark cherries, potpourri, river stones and violets. The palate is tightly wound with finely integrated tannins, giving flavors of blueberries, rhubarb and dried herbs. Very structured and pure, with a powerful undertone that will soften with time. Drink or hold.

90 Wine Spectator

"Refined, with bright flavors of dried berry, plum compote and cherry tart that are long and lush. Very creamy on the finish, which features chocolate mousse. Drink now." —K.M.

96 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The 2023 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is one of the stars in this range from Ramey. Creamy and layered, with superb persistence, the 2023 is a real standout. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, mint, white pepper and tangerine peel soar across the palate. All the elements are so well balanced. What a stunner."

95 Erin Brooks - Robert Parker's the Wine Advocate

"The 2023 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is exotic and perfumed! Peach, lime custard, lemongrass, pie crust and roasted almond aromas pour from the glass. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and sapid with youthfully flinty flavors. Racy acidity adds tension, and it has a very long finish."

90 Joaquín Hidalgo - Vinous Media

The 2023 Chardonnay Green Quartz was sourced from Casablanca. Fifty percent of the wine aged for six months in French oak barrels. Golden in hue, it delivers creamy, buttery aromas alongside notes of corn, apple and ginger. Indulgent and rich, the tasty, simple palate delivers balanced finish. This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

90 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Oatmeal aromas with notes of pineapple, roasted almond and pie crust. Slightly saline on the palate with medium body and bright acidity. Not complex but pretty flavorful in the finish. Vegan. Sustainable. Drink now.

87 Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of tropical fruits invade the nose of this light-bodied wine. The palate delivers subtle notes of mango and pineapple, followed by spices. This is an enjoyable and easygoing Chardonnay. — Jesica Vargas

91 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2023 Barbera d'Alba Serra is a classy, polished wine. Sweet floral notes and silky tannins give the 2023 tons of charm. Rose petals, spice, tobacco and orange peel all come alive in the glass. This vibrant Barbera is a winner.

90 Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Showing medium-plus richness, the Paitin 2023 Barbera d'Alba Serra offers the potency of the grape but manages an elegant and streamlined style. It opens to dark fruit, dried blueberry and sweet potting soil. To the palate, the wine is short and to the mark. The 2023 vintage is quite subdued, but that's a quality to appreciate in Barbera.

93 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

"A compact and focused red with spiced cherries, raspberries, red licorice, iodine and crushed stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with smoothly polished tannins framing the vivid fruit. Long and balanced. Drink or hold."

92 Luis Gutierrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Blanc de Blancs has a textbook nose of Mediterranean sparkling with notes of aromatic herbs, dry hay and straw, reflecting the third year of extremely dry conditions in the zone that delivered a small crop that was harvested earlier than ever and resulted in more concentrated wines. It's 50% Xarel.lo, 35% Macabeu, 10% Parellada and 5% Malvasía de Sitges that didn't go through malolactic and refermented and matured in bottle with lees for 18 months. They have access to great grapes (all organic) to produce this wine. It has a vibrant palate with abundant small bubbles and a spark of freshness and is balanced, clean and easy to drink. 200,000 bottles produced. All the bottles have the disgorgement date as a lot number.