Contributed by: Joe Roberts
If you're in the mood to splurge a bit, this partnership between Gary & Mark Pisoni and Gary Franscioni is a fantastic place to look. Lucia's Soberanes Vineyard Syrah proves that this oft-maligned variety is far from being dead. In fact, it shows that Syrah has found a new spiritual home of sorts in Santa Lucia Highlands, combining plush, mouth-filling black raspberry flavors with hints of wild herbs, iron, and enticing pepper spices.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Fans of big, expressive Chardonnay will be swooning over Davis Bynum's River West Vineyard Chardonnay. Now part of the Rodney Strong portfolio, this white from Russian River Valley takes the rich, opulent, tropical Chardonnay profile for which California is famous, and adds more complex nuances, such as hints of green olive, Meyer lemon, and white flowers. The result is both crowd-pleasing *and* intellectually stimulating.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
This Cabernet from Washington State's Red Mountain AVA is a fine ambassador for that region, which is fast becoming a Go-To spot for red wines that have a sense of ruggedness and structure balanced by chewy fruit flavors and a supple palate. With almost no precipitation to speak of during the growing season, it takes a deft hand to properly farm and vinify grapes from the area, and 10000 Hours is proving that they're on their game on both fronts.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Portugal's Alentejo is known as a drier, warmer region that gives birth to bold, potent wines. This white from Quinta da Fonte Souto (the first Symington property outside of the Douro) flips the Alentejo script, utilizing higher elevation plantings to create a white that showcases the big, ripe stone and tropical fruit flavors that are abundant in the region, but retaining the delicate floral tones, balance, and acidic verve that often aren't so abundant in Alentejo wines.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Pasqua are at it again with this inventive and innovative label, inspired by the Romeo & Juliet wall in Verona. This northern Italian wine takes the region's appassimento technique (usually used to add color and body to red wines) and applies it instead to white wine production. The results are fascinating and delicious, imparting a heady perfumed aromas and a broader mouthfeel.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
"Sophisticated" is the word that immediately comes to mind with this gorgeous Albariño from Rias Baixas. While it's certainly not shy about its citrus and tropical fruit notes, this white amps up the complexity with hints of flint and wet stone, and a mineral palate that is as intellectually appealing as it is delightfully easy to imbibe.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
While the affixed medallion on the label of Trapiche's Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon might seem a bit on the gimmicky side, this red is absolutely serious about delivering tastiness with what's inside the packaging. Sourced from older vines in Mendoza's Primera Zona, and seeing 18 months aging in French oak barrels, this Argentine Cabernet gets top-end treatment, resulting in a sipper that is equal parts nuanced complexity and hedonistic pleasure.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
The Los Vascos brand has become almost synonymous with inexpensive, thoroughly dependable Chilean wine. But don't overlook the fact that this producer consistently knocks it out of the park in terms of offering a quality bang for the buck. Their 'Cromas' Gran Reserva Cabernet is a great example of their ability to pack value in a bottle. Sourced from selected plots on the foothills of the mountains, along with older vines from the heart of their estate, there's ample herbal aromas, juicy ripe red and black fruit flavors, and impressive structure that belie this Cab's modest price point.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Alsatian Pinot Blanc proves its world-class versatility yet again by being the driving force behind this focused, floral, and refreshing sparkling Brut from Lucien Albrecht. Well-defined citrus flavors and a fine mix of honeysuckle and yeasty notes make this one a fantastic choice for classing up pretty much any drinking or dining occasion.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Not all Super Tuscan reds need be bank account busters to be thoroughly enjoyable. Argiano's NC ("Non Confunditur") Toscana Red is one of those rare breed of Super Tuscans that brings super amounts of tasty, ripe plummy fruit flavors and enticing herbal spice notes, without costing you super amounts of your hard-earned cash. As an added bonus, this red's nice dollop of acidity makes this a versatile pick for the dinner table, too.
