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2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: In the Zone
featured, napa, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Nov 2025
My annual look at the Napa Valley vintage ten years on was so illuminating. Two thousand fifteen is a vintage I have followed since the very beginning. Several trips during the fall of that year allowed me to see everything from fruit on the vine through to harvest, and then very young wines in tank. Overall, the wines have aged beautifully. Most are heading effortlessly into their second decade. Two thousand fifteen is a terrific vintage to drink now, although the best wines will continue to drink well for some time.
Gigondas 2024: Birth of a Modern Classic
France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured
, Nov 2025
Gigondas continues to assert its place among the Southern Rhône’s most dynamic appellations. This report delves into the 2024 vintage, a year defined by a return to wines of classic proportions, alongside the approachable and fruit-driven 2023s.
Cellar Favorite: 2013 Domaine Jean-François Coche-Dury Le Corton Grand Cru
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Burgundy
, Nov 2025
"Unicorn" is a word frequently misappropriated with respect to wine. In this case, the word is merited.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2024: Dark Elegance
France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured
, Oct 2025
The 2024 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape was marked by downy mildew and coulure, leading to the lowest yields since 2018. With Grenache hit especially hard, this year’s blends often lean toward Mourvèdre and Syrah, giving them darker fruit, more spice and firmer structures. Though the wines show less youthful flamboyance, they impress with freshness and balance.
New Releases: Ridge, Rhys and Centennial Mountain
United States: California, featured
, Oct 2025
This update contains reviews of the latest releases from two of the reference-point producers in the Santa Cruz Mountains—Ridge and Rhys—plus additional coverage of Rhys' Centennial Mountain project based in Sonoma County.
2022 & 2023 Barbaresco: Pushed to the Limit
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Oct 2025
Barbaresco faced two very challenging growing seasons in 2023 and 2022. Quality is inconsistent across the board. These are vintages in which readers will have to be especially selective, but there are some undeniable stars in both years.
Cellar Favorite: 1949 Lagrange (Saint-Julien)
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2025
Provenance is the most important factor that determines the quality of a mature claret. A magnum of 1949 Château Lagrange that was recently served blind at the estate in Saint-Julien exemplified this.
Washington State on a Roll: The Suave 2022s and Seductive 2023s
United States: Washington, featured
, Oct 2025
Washington State fans, rejoice. The 2022 vintage delivered on its promise of complexity and structure. Meanwhile, the idyllic 2023 vintage offers notable brightness, energy and depth. This report delves into details of both vintages, the movement of winemaking talent across the region and unexpected opportunities that are emerging from economic turmoil that is present today.
A Vulture Revelation: Mini-Vertical of Cantine del Notaio's La Firma
featured, Italy: Center & South
, Oct 2025
Aglianico can mature gracefully for decades, competing with the ageability of the world's most prestigious wines. This rare vertical of Cantine del Notaio's La Firma is a testament to Aglianico’s incredible potential and Vulture’s unique terroir.
Gredos, Granite and Garnacha
featured, Spain
, Oct 2025
For some time now, the wines of Gredos have attracted global attention. How did this small, complex region become such a magnet for wine lovers the world over?