95 Kerin O'Keefe - kerinokeefe.com

The straight 2021 Barolo from Francesco Rinaldi & Figli is an absolute stunner, starting with its beguiling fragrance that combines wild rose, Alpine herb, red berry, dark spice and a whiff of sun-warmed hay. All about finesse and flavor, the palate captivates with layers of wild strawberry, red cherry, star anise and crushed mint before a blood orange finish. It's bright and balanced, with vibrant acidity and a backbone of firm, refined tannins. This is still youthfully and austere and shows terrific aging potential. What a fantastic showing. Drink 2031–2041.

91 International Wine Challenge

"Low aroma, light and fruity, with undertones of black currant, finishing crisp and clean."

92 Eric Guido - Vinous Media

The 2022 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard Estate is gorgeous, with nuances of cola and mint, sweet autumnal spices and wild strawberries. Energetic, it displays a lively core of bright red fruit and citrus tones. This refreshes the senses and finishes with lovely length and floral persistence.

96 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

The 2023 Barbera d'Alba Pre-Phylloxera offers greater depth and richness, with aromas of red plum skin, black pepper oils, and dark fruit. Full-bodied but remarkably balanced, it has a plush, velvety texture supported by bright acidity and impressive length. Powerful yet controlled, this is a distinctive expression of Barbera from these historic vines. Drink 2026-2040.

96 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

An extremely concentrated and refined Chateauneuf that presses all the pleasure buttons, yet remains subtle. Breathtaking energy at the very long finish. Listing all the aromas would take too long, but there’s a slew of red fruits, Mediterranean herbs and a touch of candied citrus in there. Great touch and texture on the mid-palate, harmonious and vibrant. Expanding and ample long finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache and 40% syrah. Drink or hold.

95 Wine Advocate - Wine Advocate

From a single parcel planted to a mix of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale offers up aromas of mint, cherries and dusty earth. It's full-bodied and ripe, with a rich, velvety texture and a lingering finish that echoes of dark chocolate. Joe Czerwinski

95 Wine Spectator

There's impressive range and depth to the plum paste and bitter cherry flavors in this red, woven with earth, warm spices and charred apple wood smoke. The palate shows power and concentration, yet hums with mineral energy and salty black licorice undertones. Big-boned and harmonious through the deftly built finish. Grenache, Syrah and Counoise. Drink now through 2032. 790 cases made, 390 cases imported.

99 Luis Gutierrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2021 Clos Erasmus is not a shy wine and comes in at 15% alcohol but with a pH of 3.3. The search here is for balance, as power comes as a given in Priorat. It was produced with 70% Garnacha and 30% Syrah, mostly from 40-year-old vines, except for a small plot of around 85-year-old vines. The vineyards are certified organic, and they've practiced biodynamics since 2004 but never got certification. The vinification is simple and the same as for Laurel: the bunches cooled down for 24 hours before being sorted and destemmed, then the grapes were put into the vat, where they warm up and start fermenting with the indigenous yeasts. It was pressed and put in barrels, 40% of them new, where it underwent malolactic and aged for 18 months. It feels like the most elegant and ethereal Erasmus ever despite the 15% alcohol on the label. It's very young and feels a bit shy, slightly developing notes of Mediterranean herbs, wild berries and flowers and is a little closed but very harmonious and insinuating. It's medium to full-bodied, with very fine and elegant but abundant tannins. It does feel lighter than previous vintages, possibly the effect of the cooler year. 3,400 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.

96 Anne Krebiehl MW - Vinous Media

The 2024 Riesling Norheimer Kirschheck Spätlese was made without any botrytis. This tingles and trembles with lemon. The palate brings deeper, more profound ripeness of redcurrant edged with peach. This is so detailed, fine, bright and exquisitely pure. Lightness itself is bottled here. The finish is utterly mouthwatering. (Medium)

95 Wine Spectator

A core of pure cherry and raspberry fruit heralds this red, along with orange peel, licorice and tar flavors. Elegant, if tightly wound today, with refined tannins and vibrant acidity driving the finish. Offers terrific balance and length. Best from 2029 through 2047. 355 cases made, 150 cases imported.

96 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

"This is showing fantastic aromatic complexity, exuding notes of walnut, quince, dried apricot, white cocoa and pastry. It's creamy, sleek and layered. Very soft and fine bubbles. Long, caressing and fresh finish. Disgorged in 2023. Dosage 4,5g/L. Chardonnay from the Grand Cru villages of Cramant (58%) and Chouilly (27%) with wine from the 1er Cru village of Cuis (15%). Drink or hold."

95 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Entirely Chardonnay and coming from the villages of Cramant, Chouilly, and Cuis, the shimmering yellow-golden 2016 Champagne Special Club Extra Brut is rounded and attractive with aromas of fresh baked croissant, honeyed green apple, and lemon bars. Approachable and medium-bodied, it fills the palate with an elegant mousse, a soft texture of citrus oil, and a clean, chalky finish. It’s already showing balanced layers and classic charm with a promising ability to enjoy over the coming 12 or more years. Disgorged April 2023, it has the addition of 4 grams per liter dosage

97 Wine Spectator

"The expressive flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry, pomegranate and rose are offset by thick, dusty tannins and accents of wild herbs and menthol. This red stays vibrant throughout, with a long aftertaste of red fruit and savory notes. Delivers layers, freshness and the potential for aging. Best from 2029 through 2048."

96 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The expressive 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens with an array of crushed violet and lavender tones before giving way to citrus-laced blackberries and cherries. Cool-toned and wickedly fresh, it possesses a solid core of mineral-infused wild berry fruits and blue and purple inner florals that arch throughout. Sweet tannins frame the finish beautifully as hints of balsamic spice and pomegranate linger incredibly long. The 2021 is a radiant beast in need of taming. It's hard to put this glass down."

97 Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The Domenico Clerico 2020 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin shows really great balance in terms of the oak integration. For the first time, the estate has decided to use large oak casks (removing the barrique entirely), and the results are extraordinary. There is a lot of dark fruit, like cranberry and currant, that holds tight and defines the wine throughout. There is black tea and spice, but these tones work with the fruit not against it. It finishes smooth, with glossy tannins, pretty acidity and a much brighter and lighter overall personality. Only 5,000 bottles were made."

96 Kerin O'Keefe - kerinokeefe.com

The wine that initially put Domenico Clerico on the map with its debut 1982 vintage, the compelling 2020 Ciabot Mentin has aromas of ripe red berry, blood orange, menthol and oak-driven spice. The aromas carry over to the savory, enveloping palate along with licorice notes while tightly woven, close-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2028–2035. Abv: 14.5%

96 Decanter

Year by year, Ciabot Mentin shines for its remarkable consistency. This 2020 starts a bit closed, with restrained blood orange, but then an exquisite mix of red cherry, violet, leafy lightness and liquorice depth reveals itself. Graphite dominates the palate, along with a hint of yellow fruits, sustained by lifted acidity and velvety, elegant, super-polished tannins. Aldo Fiordelli

96 Wine Spectator

This red is pure and elegant, with rose, cherry, raspberry and mineral aromas and flavors fused to a firm, vibrant structure. Shows fine intensity and verve, with a long, detailed aftertaste of fruit, mineral and spice notes. Best from 2027 through 2046.

95 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Bright ruby color suggesting youth. It has an extremely floral nose of fresh roses, violets, pomegranate, cherry fruit and soft spices. The medium-bodied palate is soft with velvety tannins, refreshing acidity, a bit of vibrancy and a polished finish. A really enjoyable wine, but it needs 10 years of cellaring to develop its potential of complexity. Drink from 2034.

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.

92 Wine Spectator

"An elegant rose, with flavors of dried cherry, oyster shell, candied ginger and orange peel riding through the delicate mousse. Shows fine integration."

86 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The NV Brut Cuvee Rose is a fairly anonymous Champagne with a soft, pleasing personality. The wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. .

95 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

A delicious Chianti Classico with characteristic red cherries and red currants, a lot of violets and subtle licorice. Light-bodied and transparent, showing crisp acidity and ripe, silky tannins. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.