Solar de Samaniego Reserva 2019
Deep ruby-cherry with violet highlights. The nose is aromatic and expressive — red and dark fruits, dried herbs, vanilla, sweet oak and a hint of tobacco. The palate is medium-full bodied with smooth, integrated tannins, refreshing acidity and a long, spice-tinged finish. A classic Rioja Alavesa Reserva with excellent balance and real depth of character.
Viñaguareña Munia Especial 2020
Deep ruby with inky violet hues. Intense aromas of blackcurrant, plum and dark cherry compote, underpinned by vanilla, toasted oak, dark chocolate and a hint of tobacco. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate with firm, ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, structured finish with lingering spice. A serious, ageworthy expression of old-vine Tinta de Toro.
Bodegas Caro Petit Caro 2021
Domaine de Galuval Les Collines Rasteau 2020
40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre
Colour:
Deep garnet with purple highlights — dense and youthful.
Nose:
Ripe black cherry, blackberry compote and plum lead the way. Layers of garrigue (thyme, rosemary), cracked black pepper, liquorice root and a touch of cocoa. Subtle smoky mineral edge underneath.
Palate:
Full-bodied and powerful but polished. Concentrated dark fruit core with notes of kirsch, black olive tapenade and sweet spice. Tannins are firm yet rounded, typical of Rasteau’s warmth. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted despite the richness.
Finish:
Long, warming and savoury — dark fruit, spice and a hint of dried herbs lingering.
Kanonkop Pinotage 2022
Kanonkop Pinotage 2022
Bright purple-red colour. Bold aromas of plums, blackberries, hints of liquorice and tar, layers of smoke, roasted nuts and rich vanilla on the nose. The palate is packed with flavours of plums, cherries, black figs, dark chocolate, blackberries and spicy oak. The beautifully integrated plush, creamy tannins with satisfying acidity result in a wonderfully balanced wine with a long finish, promising great maturation potential.
Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Platter's Wine Guide 2023: 4.5 stars (93 points)
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2023
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2023 opens with a bright ruby-to-purplish hue and an elegant aromatic profile that showcases fresh red and dark fruits—think raspberry, blueberry, and cassis—lifted by floral violet notes and a dash of black pepper spice that’s typical of Syrah from the northern Rhône. There’s also a subtle mineral edge reflecting the sandy, granitic soils of the hillside vineyards where the grapes are grown, giving the nose both vibrancy and precision.
On the palate, the 2023 Les Pierres Sèches displays juicy, tangy fruit balanced by crisp acidity and supple tannins, making it both expressive and approachable. Flavours of ripe berry, cherry, violet, pepper, and a hint of smoky mineral interplay seamlessly, while the wine’s medium-lean structure keeps it lively rather than heavy. The finish is fresh and focused, with a persistent juicy quality and gentle spice that lingers.
Overall, this Saint-Joseph is a well-balanced Syrah that melds fruit intensity with classic northern Rhône savoury character. It’s enjoyable young for its energetic fruit and approachable texture but also has enough structure and freshness to evolve gracefully over the next several years. Its versatility makes it a great match for grilled meats, richer poultry dishes, or earthy roasted vegetables.
Raymond R Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Raymond Vineyards R Collection Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a deep, garnet hue and an appealing aromatic profile dominated by bright red and dark berry fruits—think ripe blackberry and plum—alongside spice elements like clove and subtle white pepper that add complexity on the nose. These notes are framed by hints of blueberry and gentle sweet spice that make the first sniff both vivid and inviting.
On the palate, the medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon delivers rich flavours of rhubarb, blackcurrant, raspberry and baked plum, all of which mingle seamlessly with smooth, well-integrated tannins. There’s a touch of vanilla and cocoa toward the finish, giving the wine a plush yet balanced texture that makes it both approachable and satisfying.
The finish is long and gratifying, with lingering fruit and spice that encourage sipping slowly or pairing with hearty foods such as grilled red meats or mature cheeses. Overall, the R Collection Cab is structured and expressive—showcasing Californian fruit character with a touch of spice and oak influence—making it a versatile and enjoyable everyday Cabernet.
La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020
La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020 is a classic Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo, showing a bright garnet color and expressive aromas of ripe red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry. These fruit notes are layered with traditional American oak influences—vanilla, coconut, sweet spice, tobacco, and a light balsamic touch—giving the wine a fragrant, inviting nose.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied and fresh, with lively acidity and silky, well-integrated tannins. The red fruit remains at the core, complemented by subtle smoky, cedar, and toasted notes from barrel aging. The texture is polished and balanced, offering both approachability and structure, with a long, smooth finish marked by lingering fruit and gentle spice.
Critics have rated the 2020 vintage in the low-90s, praising its harmony, elegance, and faithful expression of traditional Rioja Reserva style. It is drinking well now but has the balance to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, making it a versatile and food-friendly choice for dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and cured cheeses.
Château Cantenac Brown BriO de Cantenac Brown Margaux 2017
BriO de Cantenac Brown 2017 is the opulent, accessible second wine of the 3rd Growth Margaux estate, designed for earlier drinking. It features intense, velvety red fruit—specifically black cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant—balanced with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and vanilla. The palate is typically medium-to-full-bodied, soft, and, well-structured with silky tannins.
Key Tasting Notes and Characteristics
Aroma: Highly perfumed with ripe red and black fruits, including cherry, strawberry, and blackcurrant, complemented by subtle hints of dark chocolate, earth, and tobacco.
Palate: Rich, velvety, and textured. It provides a generous ripe fruit profile with a velvety,, full-bodied mouthfeel.
Structure: Soft, well-integrated, and, silky tannins with a, fresh, lasting, finish.
Blend: Predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a approachable style.
Food Pairings
Meats: Seared beef tenderloin, roast lamb with herbs, or duck breast with cherry sauce.
Other: Umami-rich mushroom risotto or aged Gouda cheese.
San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2019
The 2019 San Marzano Sessantanni is widely praised as a bold, opulent expression of old‑vine Primitivo. Critics highlight its depth and concentration, with layers of ripe dark fruit—plum, blackberry, cherry jam—wrapped in warm notes of cocoa, vanilla, sweet spice and tobacco. The texture is consistently described as velvety and full‑bodied, with smooth tannins and a long, warming finish. It’s the kind of wine reviewers call hedonistic and powerful, yet polished enough to feel balanced rather than overwhelming.
Across aggregated critic and consumer platforms, the 2019 vintage earns strong scores, often around the mid‑90s equivalent, and sits among the top‑rated Primitivo di Manduria wines in its class. Reviewers emphasise its richness, generosity and immediate drinkability, while noting that the structure and concentration give it the ability to age for several more years. Overall, the critical consensus frames the 2019 Sessantanni as a benchmark example of the style: intense, expressive and unmistakably Mediterranean in character.
Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2020
The 2020 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino is widely regarded as one of the most expressive and charming recent vintages from the estate. It shows a lifted, aromatic profile with bright red‑fruit tones—cherry, strawberry, raspberry—layered with floral notes, sweet spice and a touch of balsamic. The warmth of the year gives it an open, perfumed nose and a palate that feels generous without losing the freshness that defines good Brunello.
On the palate, the wine is supple and elegant, with silky tannins, lively acidity and a rounded texture that makes it far more approachable in its youth than the more structured 2019. Subtle oak, hints of tobacco and dried herbs add complexity, while the finish is long and polished. Overall, the 2020 vintage delivers a balance of immediacy and ageing potential, offering both early drinking pleasure and the structure to evolve gracefully over the next decade.
Buena Vista Sonoma County Zinfandel 2018
Buena Vista Sonoma County Zinfandel 2018 is a fruit-forward, medium-to-full-bodied Sonoma Zin, led by ripe blackberry, dark plum and raspberry flavours, with black pepper, baking spice and a touch of earthiness adding complexity. On the palate, it feels firm and slightly chewy, but the balanced acidity keeps it fresh and drinkable, and the wine finishes with a warm, gently spicy, lingering close. Overall, I’d describe it as a classic, approachable, well-made Zinfandel that delivers plenty of flavour and balance, even if it isn’t aiming to be a top-tier, collector-style bottle.
