96 Wine Enthusiast

Fermented in traditional open-top granite tanks and aged for three years in large wood barrels, this wine celebrates Alicante Bouschet. It has power, dense tannins and a powerfully rich texture. These contrast well with the solid black fruits and the impressive poise and elegance.

95 Decanter

From this large region’s most historic estate, 70% of the blend is Alicante Bouschet, showing exotically spicy black fruit aromas leading to structure and depth on the palate, great individuality, and freshness and acidity for the long term. Excellent. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2030

94 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Another blended wine like the Chardonnay Granitiers, the 2024 Pinot Noir Montanita De Oro is a celebration of the best mountain sites in Monterey, the 51% majority from Pelio, some Michaud, and the rest from Double LL, each at mid-elevation in different AVAs, including the soon-to-be designated Carmel Coast. Harvested, native-fermented (60% whole cluster), and aged separately, Smith blends them together in the spring to age under a year in new, second-fill, and neutral French oak. The texture is creamy smooth, with a medium-bodied wealth of crisp red fruit and dried herb. Drink now through 2034.

94 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

A fleshy and voluminous nose of cherries, underbrush and lavender. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with restrained richness and a charming, approachable character. Easygoing, fresh and succulent. Drink now.

93 Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

The 2025 Bandol Rosé is already showing beautifully, offering a medium-bodied palate with lovely drive and freshness, the latter especially impressive given the warmth of the vintage. There is a sense of poise here that sets it apart, combining Mediterranean sun with real structural discipline. This is precisely why great Bandol Rosé enjoys such a cult following—it is not merely refreshing, but serious and characterful with the depth to evolve in bottle. Few Rosés in the world occupy that space so convincingly, and this wine is a clear reminder of the category’s highest possibilities.

91 Wine Enthusiast

Strong herbal aromas of incense, bay leaf and patchouli meet with smashed red plum and sandalwood on the nose of this clonal study. The herbal package picks up thyme, oregano and fennel pollen on the roasted-plum palate.

93 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2022 Barbaresco is a pretty rich, heady wine. Dark cherry/plum fruit, cloves, licorice and mocha build as the 2022 shows off its considerable depth. This is one of the few 2022s that is quite resonant texturally. The aromatics could be more lifted and the tannins could use a bit more polish, but those qualities were next to impossible to come by in 2022. The inclusion of some juice from Riserva lots is a great help. All things considered, this is a stellar showing.

93 Wine Enthusiast

This Cabernet Sauvignon, with the extra oomph of Petit Verdot, showcases dark fruits, sweet ripe blackberries, spices, and resinous forest notes followed by a savory finish. Tannins are abundant while sheathed in a fine polish. Even so, this wine will benefit from decanting, a meal, or further time in cellar. Enjoy in two years and for another two decades.

92 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Vivid, round and juicy, with lemons, limes, fresh herbs and some mild spices on the nose, following through to a medium body with fresh acidity. Lively and succulent, with a delicious finish packed with limes. Drink now. Screw cap.

93 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

The 2022 Cros de Romet has a rocking nose of leather, lavender, and smoky red and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, expressive, and sexy on the palate, with some bloody notes, it’s based on 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. This impressive Cairanne will drink beautifully for 8-10 years.

93 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo Riserva Cascina Dardi is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Spice, worn-in leather, cedar and pipe tobacco are all suggestive of a Barolo that is headed into its first plateau of maturity. The Riserva is a strong wine for the year, but the medium-bodied structure of the vintage is impossible to ignore. There's plenty to like, but I would not push my luck on aging. A burst of floral and spice notes wrapped in silky tannins rounds things out in this stylish Barolo from the Fantino brothers."

90 Wine Enthusiast

Dense and dark fruit aromas are juicy on the nose of this bottling. Loam, clay and wet wood elements add earthy nuances. The palate is well structured, showing hearty blackberry, cracked pepper and coffee bean flavors. — Matt Kettmann

83 Cellar Tracker

Based on 6 notes and 5 scores from 6 users. As of 5/17/15