The 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso San Michele lifts from the glass with an alluring bouquet of sweet roses and bright cherries complemented by a hint of candied orange. It’s round and supple yet energetic, with ripe red fruits nicely balanced by a core of ...
A custom cuvée for European Cellars and a joint project between Eric Solomon and Jean-Marc Lafage, Bastide Miraflors is a cuvée created from old vine Grenache (30%) grown on the schist and granite soils of Saint-Paul de Fenouillet, a terroir that always ripens late in the year, and Syrah (70%) from gravelly soils near the Mediterranean. After a long maceration of six weeks, the wine ages for 12 months in roughly 3/4 concrete vats and 1/4 600L French oak demi-muids.
This shows notes of cherries and red plums with hints of sweet spices and stone. Medium-bodied and textural with a mineral backbone and vivid red fruit. Dusty tannins and a polished finish. An easy and smooth malbec that shows freshness and poise. Drink n...
The 2023 Laroque might be the best wine David Suire has made since taking over here a few years ago. What I admire most about Laroque is its classicism—there is plenty of that on display here. Bright acids and persistent beams of supporting tannin frame d...
The 2023 Barbera d'Alba is a blend from various vineyards in Verduno. A burst of dark cherry, plum, spice, leather and cedar races across the palate. Deep and sensual, with terric balance, the Barbera is a winner in 2023. I loved it
The Fratelli Alessandria 2018 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno opens to a delicate and ethereal personality with fluttering aromas of blue flower, cassis, candied grapefruit and white pepper. The bouquet is fragrant and lifted, giving way to a subtle but ver...
This vineyard delivers slightly more concentrated fruit and a medium-dark appearance from loamy calcareous soils. The 2019 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno delivers more oomph and power with ripe cherry, blackcurrant, dark spice and earthy aromas. Fratelli A...
The 2018 Barolo Gramolere is another gorgeous wine from Alessandria. It has the same translucent character I saw from barrel. The tannins remain a bit edgy, perhaps because of what appears to be a bit less fruit depth. Savory, floral and mineral notes ...