| 2020 |
Bhilar |
Struggling Vines Phinca Hapa Blanco |
Strictly speaking a white wine, but as it spends two months on its lees it is listed here with the orange wines. This is an original style, aiming to deliver all the character from the grape skins into the wine by extending the maceration period. This results in a complex nose of dessicated fruit and wild herbs. Savoury on the palate, with a long finish. With time, this will develop greater complexity. |
Decanter |
92 |
 |
2024-07-16 |
| 2016 |
Ramírez de la Piscina |
Gran Reserva |
Lastly, the 2016 Gran Reserva is gorgeous, offering a pure cassis, leather, leafy herb, and graphite-driven perfume as well as a rounded, layered, seamless style on the palate that offers tons to love. It's still structured and will evolve for another 15-20 years with ease. |
Jeb Dunnuck |
94 |
 |
2024-07-11 |
| 2021 |
Stel+Mar |
Chardonnay Lodi |
Well-balanced notes of nougat and lemon blossom. A steely middle succumbs to pleasurable flavors of baked apple pie and honeysuckle. Way over-delivers for the price. |
Tasting Panel |
91 |
 |
2024-07-11 |
| 2020 |
Sierra Salinas |
Monastrell 'Mira Salinas' |
Coming from limestone soils and all Monastrell, raised in new, second, third, and fourth-use French oak barriques, the 2020 Mira Salinas Monastrell sports a vivid purple hue and offers remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice box, crushed stone, and graphite nuances. It's concentrated, medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and ripe tannins. |
Jeb Dunnuck |
93 |
 |
2024-07-11 |
| 2023 |
Dancing Crow Vineyards |
Sauvignon Blanc Big Valley District Lake County |
A fresh and fruity white that has pears, lemons and apple blossoms on the nose, followed by a creamy and medium-bodied palate. Drink now. Screw cap. |
James Suckling |
90 |
 |
2024-07-08 |
| 2022 |
Dancing Crow Vineyards |
Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County |
A juicy and fleshy cabernet that has blackcurrant, black cherry, nori and olive aromas. It’s medium- to full-bodied with ripe, supple tannins. Delicious now. Screw cap. |
James Suckling |
90 |
 |
2024-07-08 |
| 2018 |
Elia Palazzesi |
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva |
Restrained and elegant nose of lemon leaves, kiwi peel, earthy strawberries, red cherries and subtle blood oranges. The lifted fruit is supported by fine tannins, a full body and good concentration, with long, refreshing acidity and a polished finish. Classy licorice aftertaste. Drinkable now, but best from 2028. |
James Suckling |
96 |
 |
2024-07-02 |
| 2022 |
Trentadue |
Cabernet Sauvignon 'La Storia' Alexander Valley |
Dark red brick-colored, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Las Storia is sunny and fruity. Its aromas include baked red and black fruits, mixed berries, plum, sweet herbs, and candied flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it’s juicy and approachable on the palate, with more ripe tannins coming through on the finish. It’s a charming wine to enjoy over the next few years. |
Jeb Dunnuck |
90 |
 |
2024-07-01 |
| 2023 |
Cuarto Dominio |
Malbec 'Chento Single Vineyard' |
Concentrated and rich but fresh, with a light spicy touch to the black cherries and blackberries. Full-bodied on the palate with some nicely chewy tannins and a juicy, flavorful finish. Try from 2026. |
James Suckling |
91 |
 |
2024-06-27 |
| 2023 |
Cuarto Dominio |
Malbec 'Tolentino Single Vineyard' |
Spicy black cherries with vanilla and some mocha character as well as lots of fruit. Full-bodied and juicy on the compact palate with a flavorful finish. Nicely chewy and firm. 30% of the wine was aged in American barrels of third use. Better in one or two more years. |
James Suckling |
90 |
 |
2024-06-27 |