The 2016 Chianti Classico Gherardino is a bit compact at first, but, like many of these wines, it fleshes out beautifully with air. Black cherry, dried herbs, tobacco, licorice, spice and leather emerge with a bit of coaxing. I would cellar the 2016 for a...
Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of...
This amazing Chateauneuf-du-Pape squares the circle of southern richness and spring-like freshness in spite of coming from a very warm and dry vintage. The stony minerality, saltiness and dried flower character wind together to form a dynamic whole, drivi...
The Vietti 2020 Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne is packed tight with primary fruit, especially sweet black cherry and blackberry. Aged in a combination of barrique (for a brief six months) and botte (for an additional 12 months), this wine reveals medium dark co...
The certified organic Vietti 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena shows a very good sense of balance with sweet and savory sides that transcend the bouquet. It starts off with redcurrant, a lightly floral note, rose hip and Amarena cherry. In fact, that sour cher...
The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is an especially nervy edition of the Perbacco, the result of a significant presence of Monforte fruit in the blend. Notes of red fruit, orange peel and white pepper sculpt the 2021, finishing with notable tension.
The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Scarrone Vigna Vecchia captures all the magic of the old vines in this Castiglione Falletto cru. Black cherry, plum, licorice, incense, melted road tar and spice all meld together in a Barbera of uncommon complexity, power and eleg...