94 points

2018 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Lovely nose, like a freshly cut mango, with subtle tobacco and cigar notes behind. Full bodied, rich and powerful, displaying a touch of oatmeal and noticeable oak spice inlaid in the long finish. Already complex and showing development, this is deliciously ripe and approachable. Unlikely to be the longest-living Chante-Alouette, but it's enjoyably succulent and fleshy.”

94 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Open and pronounced, showing rich, ripe mango and honeysuckle. Very full bodied, with a lovely, smooth, silky and juicy mouthfeel. The acidity is tangy and present, and helps to balance the quite potent alcohol, which adds further weight and intensity. Remarkable concentration and depth, very powerful. Richer than a classic year, with great intensity.”

95 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Appealingly ripe, primarily apricot fruit with mango notes. Full bodied but not fat, with good weight, presence, mango-like acidity and deft oak work helping to underpin the rich fruit. Tangy, spicy finish of impressive length, ending with tobacco and cinnamon. An authentic white Hermitage with freshness and grandeur but also drinkability. A very good, classic vintage of this cuvée.”

96 points

2019 M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

James Suckling, James Suckling, December 2023

“Aromas of black currants, fresh green bell peppers and violets followed by intense graphite and pencil shaving notes with tobacco leaves, cloves, cedar and underlying gravel minerality Wonderfully structured full-bodied wine with firm yet polished tannins with a bright acid backbone. Very precisely framed. Sound and energetic yet it has a lovely finesse in the mid-palate and finish. A blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels. Give this more time to come around. Try after 2028.”

93 points

2020 Colomé Estate Malbec

Christy Canterbury, New Wine Review, December 2023

“This looks opaque at the core, but it also has the tiniest magenta rim at the sides of the glass. Okay. Wow. Now that I have this in my mouth, this is super different. It is very savory, even salty on the attack and through the finish. There’s some good underlying fruit–boysenberries and black currants, but overall, this doesn’t taste fruit-driven. This savory taste makes me think it’s a perfect pairing for dry-aged steak (no, no, no, not wet-aged.) Whatever you pair with it, the tannins here are class act and elegant and the acidity wedges in subtly. So. Darn. Good.”

93 points

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec

Christy Canterbury, New Wine Review, December 2023

“Raven black at the core then almost neon magenta at the rim, this wine is equally wow-ing on the nose with its exuberantly ripe boysenberries and cassis inflected with crushed graphite and drying flowers. The fruit purity is head-turning. The intense flavors are concentrated but not heavy. In fact, there’s only the lightest touch of glycerol on this full-bodied wine. This is an impressive feat with the high–though well-integrated–alcohol. The solid, minerally finish pops with lifting acidity. This is seamless and already drinking very well. Post-tasting: This is the second vintage of this wine, which was previously blended into the Estate Malbec bottling.”

93 points

2020 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“A complex red, with a core of cherry and strawberry fruit framed by almond, loamy earth and iron notes. Silky yet solidly built, with excellent balance and a long, fruit- and mineral-tinged aftertaste. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Best from 2025 through 2033. 3,900 cases imported.”

94 points

2019 Isole e Olena Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“A tightly wound style, exhibiting blackberry, black currant, cedar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Lively, with dense yet finely wrought tannins and a long, concentrated finish. Powerful, this remains within bounds. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 90 cases imported.”

95 points

2010 Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“This dessert-style white delivers honey, caramel, clove, horehound and butterscotch aromas and flavors. Lush and toasty, with vivid acidity and an aftertaste of roasted walnut. Features fine complexity and length. Trebbiano and Malvasia. Drink now through 2038. 60 cases imported.”

91 points

2021 Donnafugata Sherazade

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“The nose starts with zingy, fruity notes of hibiscus, passion fruit, raspberries and slightly tart wild strawberries, before a metallic, earthy pepperiness emerges to provide balance. The palate dips the strawberries in milk chocolate, while tannins and acid walk in lockstep toward a finish that recalls the nose’s pepper.”