93 Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Year in and year out, one of the most exotic, flamboyant, and sexiest cuvees in the d'Arenberg portfolio is The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier. The 2005 exhibits a spring flower garden-like character interwoven with blackberries, creme de cassis, melted licorice, and sweet, toasty new oak. Opulent and voluptuous, with silky tannin, and a plump, fleshy, rich, full-bodied personality, this offering is meant to be consumed over the next 5-8 years."

97 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2016 Santa Croce is the estate's blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon that spent close to eight years in cask during a time when proprietor Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa was ill and some lots sat undisturbed in cellar for extended periods. Dark red fruit, rose petal, spice and menthol build in the glass. Most suprisingly, the 2016 is shockingly fresh for a wine of its age. This is a great, great wine. It's not Sangiovese, it's not Cabernet Sauvignon, it's not a blend. It’s simply Castell'in Villa at its most profound. (AG)

89 Wine Spectator

Offers a tight, focused mix of green apple, pear, Meyer lemon and fresh ginger. Hints of lemon balm, pomelo and crunchy sea salt add impressive detail and complexity. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.

90 Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

"Chocolate, plums, and cherries, along with licorice and smoky flavors, are prominent here, both in the perfume and on the medium-bodied, round, soft-textured palate. Produced from 95% Merlot, with the remainder coming from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this succulent, flavorful wine is ready to enjoy as soon as it hits your store. One of the best-priced wines from Bordeaux, it retails for under $20! Drink from 2025-2029."

92 Wine Enthusiast

A ripe, juicy wine with fine tannins, this is developing well. Promise lies in the juicy black fruits allied to acidity and just the right amount of wood aging. Drink this stylish wine from 2025. — Roger Voss

95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Independent

Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a little coaxing to bring out pretty notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, and juicy blackberries plus hints of rose oil, cinnamon stick, and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and cheery, with red and black berry layers framed by a chewy texture and refreshing line, finishing long and earthy. Nice!

94 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the wines of this very challenging harvest. Dark and imposing, the 2020 is packed with black fruit, cloves, leather, menthol, chocolate and dried herbs. This is an especially dense, potent Cabernet. There is some aggressiveness to the tannins, but that is the vintage. Overall, this is impeccably done, especially within the context of the year.

94 J. D'Angelo - International Wine Report

The 2020 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon presents a deep and expressive nose, featuring a blend of ripe blackberries, boysenberries, and black cherries, accented by fragrant notes of dried savory herbs, anise, exotic spices, cocoa powder and a touch of dusty nuances all coming together beautifully to add wonderful complexity to the aromatics. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, dense, and structured with muscular tannins, that provide plenty of backbone to support the fruit. Layers of dark fruits, tobacco and spices are well-integrated, leading to a long finish. This is remarkable showing from Mayacamas in this vintage, and should be provide immediate drinking pleasure, but also thrive in the cellar for over a decade.

17 Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages

Mid-deep tawny amber. Woody, toasty, hazelnuts and some smoke – mostly barrel aromatics. Vibrant acidity lifts the fully-sweet palate, with cooked citrus and strawberry fruit. Spicy, cinnamon, hazelnut and dark chocolate, with just some spirity warmth detracting. A fine 20 Year Old, nevertheless. (TJ)

89 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is a pretty dense, heady wine. Kirsch, blood orange, pomegranate and spice fill out the layers. Potent tannins wrap it all together. This is far from an easygoing Langhe Nebbiolo, that much is certain."

90 Wine Enthusiast

Black cherry and spice dominate the aroma, along with an intense floral element. The wine is lush on the palate, with gripping tannins, mouthwatering acidity and ample dark fruit notes both fresh and preserved with an undertone of clove and cinnamon.