More robust than Puligny-Montrachet but less rich than Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet offers a beautiful "middle-ground" from which to find great value, world-class white Burgundy.  Alex Gambal has quietly, yet quickly, earned a reputation for finding exceptional fruit, making brilliant vineyard acquisitions and producing delicious wines at reasonable prices and the 2013 is another success.

 

 

Vaudésir is defined by its relief, which one could say has no equivalent in Burgundy. It is round and open in an amphitheatre-like shape and opens due south in the northern section of the vineyard and the south-west in the southern section, this provides ample sunlight to the vines.

 

 

"It's no coincidence that some of the most celebrated winemakers in Piedmont - such as Gaja, Giacosa and Conterno - own vineyards in Serralunga, even though their wineries are based elsewhere.  Seen by consumers as the most formidable of wines because of their intense tannic structure, Serralunga Barolos are regarded with awe by insiders", Decanter magazine, Dec 2014

Davide Rosso produces his family's Serralunga in an open, modern style.  The palate is broad and palate coating as a Barolo should be, but there is core of bright red fruit that makes the wine fruity and lively.  This is an excellent entry-point wine from an exciting producer.

"Pretty aromas of rose and peony are augmented by flavours of cherry, strawberry and spice. Delicate for the appellation, though this treads softly. Best from 2018 through 2030."

93 points, Wine Spectator Insider, Sept 2015

 

 

Paretaio is a single-vineyard Super-Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The late Riccardo Falchini developed this wine with consulting enologist Giacomo Tachis.  Although Mr. Tachis' name may go unnoticed, the wine brands he developed for other wineries do resonate with collectors - Tignanello, Sassicaia, Solaia, and Ornellaia.

"Falchini's 2010 Paretaio, a 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot blend is a wild, eccentric wine. Game, smoke, tobacco and red stone fruits all take shape in the glass. There is plenty of depth and nuance here, although distinct elements of wildness and even a bit of brett are evident. I imagine those notes will become more prominent as the fruit develops, so the 2010 is probably best enjoyed sooner rather than later. There is no shortage of personality here, but readers will have to look past some of the wine's small imperfections."

 

 

Located in Radda in Chianti, Querciabella has in recent years turned out some of the most profound wines in the region - Palafreno, Turpino, Camartina; and quickly has climbed the ranks of heralded estates in Tuscany.

"Querciabella stands head and shoulders above any other estate in Chianti Classico. It's as simple as that."
Antonio Galloni  vinous.com, Sept 2014

That's some high praise!  Mr. Galloni went on to describe this wine, "Sweet red berries, rose petals, mint and cinnamon lift from the glass in the 2012 Chianti Classico Querciabella. The perfume and purity of the fruit are both striking in a mid-weight, gracious Chianti full of near and medium-term appeal. It is remarkable to think how far things have developed at Querciabella over the last decade. The Chianti Classico was once dark, oaky and full of international grapes. Today, it is the natural beauty of Sangiovese the estate chooses to highlight."

 

 

This gorgeous red from Alex Gambal offers a great opportunity to try Pinot Noir from the most hallowed ground on Earth.  Vosne-Romanée, located in Burgundy's Côte-d'Or, is the reference for great Pinot.  This wine is silky, perfumed, dynamic and ageworthy.

 

 

Since 1978 Duckhorn Vineyards had been purchasing the coveted fruit of Three Palms Vineyard, an alluvial fan located in Calistoga and featuring the volcanic soils that this most northern part of Napa is known for.  Earlier this year, Duckhorn bought the vineyard from Sloan and John Upton who had owned it since 1967.

"From one of the best-known sites for the variety in the Napa Valley, this wine shows classic structure, with an almost dusty quality to the well-integrated and resolved tannins. Concentrated, it shows a density of red fruit that remains in balance with its more rugged minerality, remaining soft on the palate throughout. Drink now through 2025. Cellar Selection."

 

 

Vanessa Wong crafts this wine from fruit from Peay's  estate vineyards - Scallop Shelf and Pomarium, and some fruit purchased from surrounding vineyards in this "A list" area of northern Sonoma.  Goldridge loam soils and that cold Pacific air makes for Pinot Noir nirvana.

"Peay's 2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is quite pretty and lifted, with lovely aromatic brightness. Sweet red cherry, raspberry and rose petal notes meld together in an effortless, gracious Pinot built on silkiness. This tasty Pinot is a good introduction to the Peay house style.  2015-2023"

 

 

One of California's most famous Zinfandels isn't technically Zinfandel at all....Geyserville is a traditional field blend of primarily Zinfandel and almost 30% of its complementary varietals - Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre. Each vintage is unique, distinct and extraordinary, yet they do have elements in common, including the blackest of blackberry fruit, ripe plum, rich cherry, and cedar.

I often mention to clients that if you like the weight and aromatics of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and you like big California reds, you'll love Geyserville.  Among the most age-worthy of Ridge wines, Geyserville often drinks beautifully well beyond 10 years of age.

"The 2012 Zinfandel Geyserville is quite exuberant in this vintage. Savoury herbs, tobacco, smoke, menthol and dark red/blackish-toned fruit burst from the glass in an exotic, juicy Zinfandel-based field blend loaded with personality. The tannins could use another year to soften, but readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. The brisk, energetic finish is incredibly appealing. The blend is 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah, 1% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (Mourvèdre)."

 

 

Located in Calistoga, at the north end of Napa Valley, Chateau Montelena is one of Napa Valley's "blue chip" wineries, consistently turning out amazing Cabernets,  Chardonnays, and small amounts of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

".....Chateau Montelena over the last thirty years has been the most consistently fine producer of top-flight, world-class Napa Cabernet Sauvignon!"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec 2006

"The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a pretty wine from Chateau Montelena. Expressive floral and savoury notes add complexity to the dark, pliant fruit in a soft, open Cabernet that is already quite tasty. I expect the 2011 will drink well early, but then again, these wines can be deceptively age worthy. That said, there are no hard edges or vegetal notes at all. Montelena's 2011 Estate impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. "