98 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Proprietary Red is a monster of a wine that's unquestionably up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Blackberries, truffle, earth, chocolate, iron, and even a hint of black olive defines the nose, and it's full-bodied, deep, rich, and incredibly concentrated on the palate. It has lots of background oak but more than enough fruit, with a dense, layered mid-palate and velvety tannins. It's one of those wines that brings an incredible amount of richness and depth yet somehow stays light on its feet and balanced. It needs to be forgotten for at least 2-4 years and should keep for over two decades.

90-93 Ines Salpico - Decanter Magazine

A bright deep purple. Some deep purple fruit too, this is one of the richest wines, hitting 14.5%, which slightly impacts the balance on the palate. Good wine in this richer style, but less finesse at least at this stage. Drink from 2031-2036. Tasted Nov 2024.

95 Eric Guido - Vinous Media

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino VV bursts from the glass with a mentholated freshness, as dusty dried flowers and red currants are offset by a mineral thrust of crushed ashen stone. This is soft and enveloping, yet nearly juicy in feel, with depths of dark wild berry fruit and exotic spices that slowly saturate. A twang of savory herbs and sour citrus defines the finale, balancing the grippy tannins that are left to linger, as the 2018 finishes classically dry under an air of rosy inner florals. This is, yet again, another excellent example of the energetic nature of the vintage, yet the VV also possesses the potential for medium-term cellaring.

95 Mark Squires - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 1963 Golden White Port (Dalva) is mostly a blend of Malvasia Fina, Viosinho and Rabigato, coming in at 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. This has been seen before, but this is the new 2017 bottling now in the USA. Not much has changed. This takes the gorgeous 1971 and adds some power, viscosity and intensity to it. It shows a little more complexity and it is burlier. It is often very much like a tawny in flavor. Taste this "white Colheita" blind and you may wonder if it is indeed white. It is still fresh and lifted, if not quite as bright and as youthful as the 1971. Overall, though, the added complexity seals the deal here, while the 1971 gets the nod for brightness. You slowly realize this does everything brilliantly. Which you prefer will be a matter of taste. I tend to emphasize complexity and my nod is to this, but I won't be surprised if some argue with me. The 1971 is pretty brilliant, too, if a bit more understated. This is another impressive White Port this issue from C. da Silva. Drink 2017-2040

92 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Made from 80% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Blanc De Noirs Eugene is a perpetual reserve blend spanning from 2002 to 2021. It pours a rich golden straw color and offers a commanding presence in its notes of graham cracker spice, orange peel, ginger, and wild cherry. Pillowy and rounded, the palate is supple and juicy with red fruit and a saline lift off the finish. This beautiful wine is singing now, and it should hold up nicely over the coming 8-10 years.

96 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

The tiny production 2022 Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines comes from the site of the estate’s oldest Syrah vines, an 80-year-old vineyard planted in granite soil. There are just seven barrels of the 2022 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines, which was destemmed and brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. It has classic cassis and darker berry fruits as well as lifted incense, violets, spice, and gamey, bouquet garni-like nuances. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's nicely balanced, has a layered, focused mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's just about impossible to find in the market, but it's a brilliant wine that deserves 2-3 years in the cellar and will evolve gracefully. Drink 2027-2047.

91 Wine Spectator

Rich and plush, but nicely structured, with black cherry and toasty vanilla aromas and soft red currant, cedar and spice notes. A touch of herb comes in with the ripe tannins on the finish.

95 Mark Squires - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled with a bar top cork in 2014. It comes in with 125 grams per liter of residual sugar. Big, weighty and mouth filling, this is an aromatic Tawny that finishes with acidity and tension. Gripping on the finish, its flavors become more interesting as long as it sits in the glass (or on your palate). It is not, perhaps, as sunny as the Fonseca, its sibling reviewed this issue, but it is denser and more gripping. Comparing to the Taylor 30 (also reviewed), I'm not sure I liked the 40 here all that much better. The 30 is a bit fleshier while this 40 is a bit more concentrated in flavor and aromatics. Perhaps some additional age also helped this 40 combat some of the aggression on the 30. They are both pretty fine, a difference of five to Midnight and five after, rather than night and day. It is still a fine experience and my favorite of the group. Don't drink it too warm. Room temperature is mostly too warm. The sweet spot for most tends to be 58-62 degrees Fahrenheit."

95 Wine Enthusiast

"A superb wine, elegance and weight combined magisterially. It has all the right mature flavors, ripe fruit, intense marmalade and concentration. This is a wine with a great reputation, and the taste doesn't let that reputation down. Imported by Kobrand."

96 Wine Enthusiast

"This vineyard down in Corralitos delivers especially well in this vintage. Aromas of red plum, tart cherry and earthy sagebrush slide into a smoothly textured palate of strawberry, earthy mint and crushed rock flavors. -MK"

93 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The 2021 Pinot Noir La Vida Bella Vineyard is another stellar wine in this range. Dried herbs, tobacco, cedar, mint and crushed flowers lend notable complexity to this mid-weight, savory Pinot. Primary fruit notes lie more in the background in this bottling."

92 Matthew Luczy - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Pinot Noir La Vida Bella Vineyard, from the Corralitos area, is Thomas Fogarty's sole expression of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The nose is red-fruited and coniferous, with a poised, fragrant bouquet and medium intensity. It is silky and spry on the palate with moderate length and grip on the finish, perfectly encapsulating the bright-fruited energy this region is known for. The structured winemaking style at Fogarty adds a pleasant tenacity throughout, suggesting this should drink beautifully over the next 6-7 years."