Wines

91 Points! Sweet honeyed florals, peaches and wet stone form an inviting bouquet as the 2022 Catarratto Masso wafts up from the glass. It's silky smooth yet has a contrasting salty tinge. Nectarine and spiced orange notes settle upon the senses. This tapers off spicy with a tropical flourish. The 2022 leaves the palate crisply refreshed. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

94 Points! In 2009, the flagship 2009 Nero d'Avola Vrucara is drop dead gorgeous. Black cherries, tar, licorice and melted rocks meld together in a big, boisterous Nero d'Avola. Here, too, the style is very much forward and full-throttle, especially within the context of Nero d'Avola, but it all works. The 2009 is all about power wedded to expressive inner perfume and sheer depth of fruit. I see a wine of exceptional richness and character in the glass. Tobacco, mint, licorice and juicy dark cherries add complexity on the rich, enveloping finish. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-97 Points! Based on 33% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Figeac reveals a classic Figeac nose of ripe blue fruits, sappy tobacco, flowers, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, it has a fabulous, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. To have this level of quality in a vintage like 2024 is mind-blowing, and this is one of the top handful of wines in the vintage. - Jeb Dunnuck

94-95 Points!This is very refined with lovely tannins and freshness. Medium-bodied, it has a savory, juicy undertone and a satisfying finish. Some chocolate. A blend of 39% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 28% cabernet franc. - James Suckling

93-96 Points! Silky and aromatic, with velvety tannins, the 2024 Figeac is sublime. Floral and savory aromatics meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice, lavender and menthol. All the elements are so well balanced. The blend is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 28% Cabernet Franc, with 8% press wines. Not suprisingly, the 2024 is a very Cabernet-driven Figeac. Production is 60,000 bottles, or 50% of normal, because of low yields and further selection in the cellar. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! The 2024 Figeac was picked September 20 to October 5 at 31hl/ha after sorting, as the natural yield was 36 hl/ha. The chateau sacrificed 21% of the crop (which I witnessed first-hand when I called in during harvest and toured the reception) and it matured entirely in new oak with 8% vin de presse. That wood is neatly assimilated on the nose with blackberry, raspberry and light pine resin scents, all fashioned with wonderful delineation. Later, a hint of wilted rose petal emerges from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a keen line of acidity. This is very elegant and classical Figeac in style. There is a little more linearity, but this feels quite effortless overall. Its buvabilite is perhaps higher than other vintages, even if the likes of the 2020 or 2022 might have longer legs. This becomes spicier with aeration, which seems to prolong the finish, especially on my second visit toward the end of my tastings. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94 Points! This has bold and rich blackberries and dark plums with licorice, coal smoke, cedary oak and tarry notes. The palate is quite round, soft and fleshy with rich blackberries and blueberries. Dark chocolate, too. The cedary and spicy oak is well integrated and wraps deep into a glossy finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! This bold 2018 Fat of the Land is a single vineyard Greenock Barossa Shiraz boasting lashings of sweet blackberry and licorice aromas wrapped in a cloak of new French oak. This is done in quite a sturdy style with firm oak tannins supporting sweet, ripe, voluptuous fruits. A long finish tops off an impressive package for fans of the style - Angus Hughson, Vinous Media

#FatOfTheLand

94 Points! The 2018 Fonbadet is superb. Classically elegant and refined, the 2018 graces the palate with exquisite finesse right out of the gate. Red berry, floral, blood orange and minty flavors convey freshness as the 2018 opens in the glass. Bright acids perk up the nuanced, persistent finish. Readers won't find too many 2018s that are this delicate, sensual and flat-out charming. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93 Points! The 2018 Fonbadet makes good on the promise it showed last year, presenting a finely chiseled bouquet of blackberry, graphite and light sous-bois scents. Coy at first, it unfolds with confidence. The palate is very cohesive with well-judged natural acidity. There is plenty of coiled-up energy in this Fonbadet, but what really distinguishes it is the fineness of the tannin's and the persistence on the finish. Bravo! - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94 Points! A blockbuster in a showy, rich style, with bolts of iron grounding a lush stream of chocolate, cherry and blackberry. Mesquite and sandalwood smoke notes linger through the smooth finish, which is flecked with spices, herbs and salt. A long bolt of graphite adds to the well-built feel. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. - Wine Spectator

93+ Points! Aged in demi-muids, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet is drawn exclusively from la Crau, a blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. The nose is toasty and cedary but balanced by scents of red raspberries and strawberries, while the mouth is full-bodied and supple, finishing smooth, sexy and long. It's already approachable, but the wood should integrate nicely over the next several years. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

94 Points! Fermented and aged in a combination of tank and puncheon, the 2024 Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Old Vines is concentrated, crystal-clear and most importantly, absolutely delicious. Lemon oil, ripe pear, chalk and white pepper blossom in the glass with real lift. Energetic and lively, the 2024 confidently marches across the palate. A rounded, lightly creamy finish wraps things up with a pretty little bow on top. - Billy Norris, Vinous

93 Points! Fermented in equal parts stainless steel and neutral puncheons, the 2024 Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard is a beautiful representation of the variety sourced from vines planted in 1966. It opens with an airy, ethereal bouquet that gradually blossoms with dried jasmine, tangerine, crushed stone and citrus peel aromas. The palate is broad, textural and glossy yet enlivened with invigorating acidity that runs through the vibrant, mouthwatering finish. - Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com

93 Points! Warm slate, lemon flesh and pith, hard apples, chamomile and white tea are nervy and long in this brisk chenin blanc, the concentration of fruit and savory notes making for a fascinating expression of the variety. As lively and mouthwatering as it is right now, there is a bright midterm future ahead as well. Drink or hold. - James Suckling.com

94 Points! The 2020 Shiraz is excellent. It has vibrant yet dark fruit, lashings of five spice and aniseed, garden mint and red dirt, iodine and blood plum. This is spicy, layered, textural, elegant and exciting. The tannins are grippy yet fine, and it is here that the region really comes into its own. The structural integrity of the reds in Frankland is surely what is going to be the basis for the greatness of the region in time. Tannins and shape are naturally present in the wines from here. This is a beautiful wine. - Erin Larkin, robertparker.com

94 Points! A pretty red, with perfumes of rose, violet, black currant and blackberry. Silky, offering a solid line of dense tannins and a firm finish. Graphite and toasty oak flavors complete the profile. Fine length. - Wine Spectator

94+ Points! The brilliant 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard (another Rutherford site on Bella Oaks Lane) is a blend of 85.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged 28 months in barrel. It boasts an opaque purple color, terrific notes of licorice, creme de cassis, charcoal, forest floor, baking spices and earth, as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel with great fruit intensity and purity. This savory, mouthfilling beauty is best drunk over the next 20-25 years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

95 Points! Very attractive aromas of red cherries, mushrooms and flowers follow through to a medium body with firm and integrated tannins and a vivid, subtle, fruity finish. A lovely young Brunello that you can enjoy now or age for many years to come. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Black cherry and black currant flavors are the main themes in this intense red, with iron and wild herbs adding complexity. Balanced and vibrant, with resonant tannins guarding the long aftertaste. This feels more modern in style, with an emphasis on bright fruit. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo bursts from the glass with a vivid blend of crushed raspberries and cherries, a whiff of allspice and candied rose. It is elegant in feel, silken and smooth with tantalizing acidity and a dominating core of ripe red fruits that adds impact. The finish is grippy and long, potent with fine-grained tannins and a slight citrus tinge that pinches at the cheeks. This classy Brunello is built for the cellar. - Eric Guido, Vinous 

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“A juicy and fine tannin texture with currant, raspberry and bark aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and well structured with a caressing finish, all in balance. Very fine and attractive.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Gazin is a fabulous wine. It's deep, rich and powerful but also wonderfully layered in the glass, with real finesse and tons of nuance. Dark red-toned fruit, lavender, mocha, spice and licorice open beautifully. The 2025 impresses with its captivating energy, finely sketched details and sublime balance. Magnificent.”

94–96 Points – Wine Advocate
“Aromas of dark berries, cherries and flowers introduce a medium- to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine with polished tannins and excellent persistence.”

95–97 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, truffles, chocolate, plums, cherries, and licorice provide the aromatics. Concentrated, plush, and polished, there is a fabulous depth of flavor, and juiciness to the fruits, as well as a long, intense sapid finish. Give the wine just a few years to age, and it could be even better. In fact, this is the best wine Gazin has produced in years.”

Bottom Line
A polished, terroir-driven Pomerol with elegance, depth, and excellent aging potential. One of the smarter buys in the appellation.

94 Points! The 2012 Barolo Monprivato is a polished and bright wine that delivers a profound and beautiful array of delicate aromas. These tiny, petite threads of cherry, wild berry, ash, smoked spice and grilled herb converge with unity to produce the intensity and purpose that ultimately defines this beautiful wine. I tasted from two bottles at the winery. One had been opened a few days prior, and the second one's cork was pulled immediately before I sampled it. This review is based on my impressions from both bottles: The first one sang loud and the second revealed a muted voice. There's no doubting that this wine needs at least ten more years to evolve. Having said that, I don't think 2012 has the extreme depth and focus we've seen from this vineyard in slightly cooler vintages. - Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

94 Points! The Mascarello family has recently doubled its vineyard holdings in Perno, Monforte d'Alba. We will see that new fruit on line in 2027. The Giuseppe Mascarello 2020 Barolo Perno Vigna Santo Stefano reveals a delicate and soft entry with generous fruit, sweet cherry and mild tannins. The wine offers a combination of mature fruit tones and spiciness that comes from higher elevations at 300 meters above sea level, where nighttime temperatures are cooler. The wine excels in length and silkiness. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

95 Points! So good, this is a vibrant mix of young and exuberant, luxurious, seriously creamy in texture, crushed stone, baked earth, smoked caramel, damson, sweet blackberry and damson fruits. This is pure pleasure, hard to resist. 45% new oak, 40hl/ha yield, harvest September 23 to October 4. Remi di Constanzo technical director. - Jane Anson

94 Points! Sweet berry and cherry aromas with violets, following through to a medium to full body with creamy, linear tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tight and curated, in a structured way. Try after 2027. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

94 Points! Rock-solid, with a mouthwatering roasted apple wood and mesquite frame around a well-layered core of black currant, blackberry and plum fruit flavors. The finish features dots of tobacco and tar that add range but the real driver is a long bolt of iron, which gives this a throwback feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2038. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! The 2019 Gloria personifies classic Saint-Julien, offering blackberry, wild hedgerow, cedar and tobacco scents, maybe a little conservative in style, but unashamed about that. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite firm tannins. Fresh and saline, this gets the saliva going with a precise, persistent finish and leaves hints of graphite on the aftertaste. Excellent. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

96 Points! Quite a scented and fresh Gloria with lovely fragrance and firmness. Nothing overstated this year, showing beautiful texture and restraint. This initial balance as well as sharp-etched tannins will give it the ability to age. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Cassis, spicy oak, exotic blue fruits, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Gloria, a concentrated yet beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied effort from this team. It has terrific purity, a chalky sense of minerality, ample tannins, and a great finish. The 2022 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in barrel. Hide bottles for 4-6 years if you can and enjoy over the following two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! The 2022 Gloria was picked from 12-26 September and matured in 40% new oak, slightly less than the Saint-Pierre. It has a perfumed, floral nose with crushed violet infusing the black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous tannins that belie the structure underneath. With pure fruit and well-judged acidity, this 2022 is sensual with a persistent and lightly spiced finish. Superb. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94 Points! A vibrant rosé Champagne, with firm, well-honed acidity deftly wrapped in a smooth texture and rich notes of marzipan, dried white cherry, blood orange peel and salted Marcona almond. Reveals hints of ground ginger, lemon thyme and wet chalk, with a long, lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2030. - Wine Spectator