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Champagne: 2023 New Releases
featured, France: Champagne
, Nov 2023
Champagne is one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Change and innovation continue at an increasingly fast pace. Many of the most coveted wines now command Burgundy-like premiums, a relatively recent phenomenon here. There’s a lot more going on beyond the obvious, though, and plenty to explore.
The Vinous 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
featured, General Interest
, Nov 2023
It’s that time of year again. With the holidays fast approaching, it's time to find that perfect gift for the wine lovers in your life. This year’s Vinous Holiday Gift Guide features a number of great ideas to make this holiday season one to remember.
Santa Lucia Highlands: Cool-Climate Excellence in 2021
featured, United States: California
, Nov 2023
The 2021s from the Santa Lucia Highlands build on a theme of excellence seen throughout California in what has turned out to be a largely impressive vintage in many appellations. Readers will find numerous compelling wines to explore, but many of the best wines are not always the usual suspects.
Santa Cruz Mountains – California’s Hidden Gem
featured, United States: California
, Nov 2023
Tucked into its own little corner of the world, far away from most of California’s better-known regions, the Santa Cruz Mountains is home to a number of world-class estates and equally notable vineyards. Readers who enjoy focused, nervy Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs will find much to explore, as will those who appreciate the more savory, structured side of Cabernet Sauvignon. Although I have not tasted all the wines yet, 2021 is shaping up to be an extraordinary vintage here.
Barbaresco’s Soaring 2020s & 2021s
featured, Italy: Piedmont
, Oct 2023
I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted on my most recent trip to Barbaresco. Both 2020 and 2021 are terrific vintages with plenty of highlights. Best of all, so many wines remain reasonably priced within the context of today’s market, something that is increasingly evident as wines from other regions become quite pricey.
2023 Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction
featured, Italy: Piedmont
, Oct 2023
I was delighted to taste the single-barrel 2022 Barolos on offer at the 2023 Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction, which will be held simultaneously in New York City, London and Grinzane Cavour on Friday, October 27 at 12pm New York time, 5pm London time and 6pm Piedmont time. This is a rare opportunity to acquire 2022 Barolo ahead of release. In addition to the barrel wines, the auction also includes lots from various producers, organized by village. All the wines will be adorned with special labels designed by artist Otobong Nkanga. Donations from barrel lots will be directed to various charities, while proceeds from the village lots will go to the Oenological School of Alba.
Cellar Favorite: 1970 E. Pira & Figli Barolo
Cellar Favorites, Italy: Piedmont, cellar favorite
, Oct 2023
The 1970 Pira Barolo is a wine I have never had before, at least that I can recall. Sweet, perfumed and ethereal, the 1970 takes us back to another generation, a time when Piedmont was far more agrarian and artisan than it is today. Crushed rose petals, mint, licorice, dried flowers, sweet dried cherry fruit, pipe tobacco and old chest drawer waft from the glass. Fine, silky, mature Nebbiolo tannins pull it all together beautifully. The 1970 is fully mature and past its prime, but well-stored bottles will drink well for another few years.
Cellar Favorite: 2003 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Cellar Favorites, United States: California, cellar favorite
, Oct 2023
The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a library release from the winery this year, is in great shape. Rich, racy and super-expressive, the 2003 offers up an exotic mélange of ripe dark plum, hard candy, tea leaves, spice, mocha, leather and menthol. Sweet floral top notes add character to the distinctly ripe flavor profile.
Brilliance in Santa Barbara
featured, United States: California
, Sep, 2023
Santa Barbara continues to impress with a wide range of exceptional, world-class wines. After the challenging but ultimately strong 2020 harvest, producers were welcomed with far more favorable conditions in 2021. It is a spectacular vintage for the whites, quite possibly the best I have seen in more than a dozen years of tasting these wines, but ultimately less consistent for the reds, as we will explore in this year’s report.
Chianti Classico: The Brilliant 2021s & Variable 2020s
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Aug 2023
It’s a fabulous time for readers who love Chianti Classico. The wines have never been better, as evidenced by both the growing number of estates making gorgeous Chianti Classicos and the stylistic breadth those wines encompass. The 2021s in particular are some of the most exciting young wines I have tasted in more than 25 years of visiting the region.