The Domenico Clerico 2019 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin (with 5,500 bottles made with fruit from vines planted in 1978) is a bit closed initially. This is a trait I found across a vintage that gives us good reason to bet on long... Read More

The front of this bottle now lists its MGA provenance, Ginestra. The Domenico Clerico 2019 Barolo Ginestra Pajana shows a more open initial impression (next to the Ciabot Mentin) with soft black fruit. The wine makes a bigger... Read More

The 2021 Pingus shows great elegance and is subtle, austere and nuanced. The old vines planted in 1929 have very deep roots, and those vines cushion the effect of the vintage (which is more noticeable in the Flor de Pingus, for... Read More

A Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend, Napanook is made solely from grapes grown at the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, Napa Valley. The wine is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their... Read More

This shows density on par with the ’18, with a core of cassis and plum notes still tucked away a bit behind a wall of structure, while singed toast and licorice hints peek in throughout. The youthfully backward aspect shows... Read More

The historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville, was planted in 1838. This vineyard was the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. Estate-bottled in the spirit of the Bordeaux châteaux,... Read More

This shows density on par with the ’18, with a core of cassis and plum notes still tucked away a bit behind a wall of structure, while singed toast and licorice hints peek in throughout. The youthfully backward aspect shows... Read More

Wine Spectator #1 Wine of 2024

The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is a total delight. Fresh, aromatic and very pretty, the 2023 is all class. Freshly cut flowers, red-toned fruit, orange peel, spice, mint and white pepper soar out of the glass. This deceptively... Read More

Exotic yet remarkably fresh, the 2023 Ben Ryé bursts from the glass with a seductive blend of white raisins, minty herbs, poached peaches and tropical citrus. It is weighty, rich and harmonious throughout, coming across... Read More