The People's Palate with Rich Mauro

Over the last 20 years, Merlot wines have suffered a decline in reputation. This is unfortunate because when the grape is treated with respect by wineries the result can contend with more popular wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The following wines – all good values compared to similar quality Cabernets – prove the point. 

Markham Vineyards, founded in 1874, is a Napa Valley pioneer. It is the fourth oldest continuously operating winery in Napa County. Merlot is the flagship variety and the winery produces over a dozen unique Merlots and Merlot blends from estate vineyards.

• 2021 Napa Valley ($31) one-third estate grapes, the rest from trusted growers; ripe raspberry, plum jam enhanced by caramel notes 
• 2019 District Series Oak Knoll District ($57) District Series wines focus on reflecting individual appellations; this one is a selection from the estate Little Cannon Vineyard; a cool site, slow ripening yields complex, layered, mixed berry fruit and gravelly notes
• 2019 Marked Parcels Little Cannon Vineyard ($67) each year, certain parcels are marked as the best examples of variety and vintage, and reserved for limited bottlings; this is full, with dark berries, anise, lush tannins
• 2018 Marked Panels Yountville Ranch Vineyard ($67) from Markham’s original estate vineyard (which recently cult Cabernet producer Dominus Estate purchased), this is dark, smoky, showing blackberry, blueberry and sleek tannins

2020 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard ($50) Established in 1988 as the 5th winery in the now highly sought after Walla Walla Valley in Washington; deep mixed berries, elegant presentation, balanced notes of cinnamon, anise and creamy oak

2021 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley ($40) founded in 1979, one of Napa’s few remaining family-run wineries; enjoy pretty strawberry, raspberry rhubarb, red plum, intriguing overlay of herbs, red pepper and licorice, finished with tangy tannins 

2022 Charles Krug Napa Valley ($31) established in 1861 by Prussian immigrant Charles Krug, this is one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries, though now owned by the family of Italian immigrant Peter Mondavi Sr. since 1943; red berries overlayed with chocolate and tobacco, fairly full, youthful tannins

And finally, a couple of very good values from Riboli Family Wines. Founded in 1917, these wines source from family-owned vineyards in Paso Robles and Monterey.  

• 2020 Maddelena Estate Reserve ($25) juicy dark fruits, smoke, savory light body 
• 2018 San Simeon Estate Reserve ($30) black and red berries, earthy, tobacco, rich structure, round tannins

I would have never believed it but no alcohol and low alcohol (no/lo) wines are growing in popularity. At the same time, U.S. adults drinking less alcohol in general, including less wine. Notably, all this is happening in the context of renewed debate over the health effects of alcohol. These no and reduced alcohol (generally under 11% abv) offerings represent this category well.

From New Zealand, Giesen, is a leading producer of no-alcohol wines, with its Giesen 0% portfolio of seven wines ($17): refreshing Sparkling Brut, creamy Chardonnay, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, along with Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Rosé, Premium Red. With about 25 calories per 5-ounce glass and 6 grams of natural sugar (none added). I was most impressed with the Spritz Sauvignon Blanc ($15) and Spritz Rosé (sauvignon blanc, riesling, syrah), where a small amount of added sugar balances the brisk acidity of the juice. 

Kendall-Jackson, one of the most successful California wineries, also has joined the game with its Low Calorie line (2023, $17), including a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc, tropical Chardonnay, and bright Rosé. With only 9% alcohol, 85 calories, no sugar, and 3 grams of carbs per serving, these wines are quite satisfying. 

The wine industry in Argentina has built a reputation as a leader in sustainability and now has adopted the no/lo approach. I liked two wines from organic wine champion Domaine Bousquet. The 2023 LO CA wines ($14), a delightful Chardonnay (9% alcohol, 75 calories) and juicy Malbec (9.5% ABV, 79 calories), also are low-sugar, vegan, gluten-free, USDA-certified organic, Regenerative Organic Certified™, and Ecocert-approved. Whew.

Argentina’s Trivento also is committed to sustainability, in addition to being a B-Corp-certified winery. Their unique 2024 Reserve White Malbec ($12, 11% abv), notable for its crystal clear color, evokes juicy apple, orange and apricot. 

Château La Coste, a winery founded in Provence in 1682, has taken non-alcoholic wine into the luxury category. The winery just launched Nooh by La Coste, an organic non-alcoholic sparkling and still wine collection. The Still Rosé ($29) offers refreshing grapefruit, peach, red fruits, balanced with crisp acidity. The Sparkling Rosé ($43) shows refreshing, tangy grapefruit, peach, red berries. Each is a blend of grenache, syrah, cabernet, and cinsault, just 25 calories per 5-ounce glass. Also, available in Sparkling White and Still White. 

After years of languishing amid negative stereotypes, Rosé wine consumption has increased steadily in recent years. Consumers have come to appreciate the quality of a well-made Rosé. Food-friendly with aromas and flavors similar to red wine but drinking more like white wine, they are a good choice all year but ideal for warm weather. 

And producers all over the world are responding with high quality dry pink wines made from a variety of grapes but generally, expect bright, fresh, crisp wines of red fruits, including cherry, raspberry, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb or pomegranate, and sometimes citrus (orange, grapefruit) or stone fruits (peach, apricot). All wines here are 2024 vintage unless otherwise noted.

Rosato, as it is known in Italy, is found up and down the peninsula and is produced from numerous native grape varieties, as noted. 

Veneto: Scaia ($15) rondinella; refreshing, tangy raspberries, peach 

Marche: Garofoli “Kómaros” ($14) montepulciano; flavorful, bright red fruits 

Abruzzo: La Valentina “Cerasuolo” ($14) montepulciano; intense, structured, more body 

Puglia: Li Veli “Askos” ($25) rare, ancient susumaniello grape; raspberry, spicy, herbal; “Sybar” ($20) negroamaro; fresh, minerally; “Torrerose” ($15) primitivo; juicy, bold, yet crisp cherry 

Spain contributed the vibrant, fruit-forward Marques de Caceres Rosado ($10) tempranillo; and from Portugal the solidy structured, minerally Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo ($26) tinta roriz, touriga franca, tinta francisca 

Given pinot noir is the principal red grape in Oregon, it’s not surprising it makes the most common rosés.

Alexana ($45) barrel fermented; plush yet fresh, delightful strawberry, watermelon 

2023 St. Laurent Estate ($25) peach, red berries, earthy note

2023 Amity White ($23) citrus, apricot, earthy note

California also has latched on to pinot noir as the grape of choice for rosé. 

Frank Family “Leslie” Carneros-Napa ($50) vibrant, citrus, cherry, peach, lovely texture

MacRostie Sonoma Coast ($30) juicy, raspberry, rhubarb, spice, supple palate 

2023 Brassfield Estate “Serenity” High Valley ($22) cherry, raspberry, orange, mineral

I have also seen more California rosés from grenache. Maybe that’s because it is prominent in the popular rosés of Provence.

Cuvaison Grenache ($45) brisk grapefruit, cherry, raspberry, light spice, firm

2023 Dutcher Crossing “Winemakers’ Cellar” Dry Creek Valley ($42) sharp, grapefruit, orange, minerally

Sparkling wine is the ultimate warm weather pour and is almost always terrific with food because of its palate-cleansing properties. Here are some fine choices from California and Italy.

2020 Etude Blanc de Noirs, “Grace Benoist Ranch” Brut ($60) 75% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay from the best vineyard blocks of this estate vineyard in Carneros-Sonoma; complex citrus, green apple, pear, red berry, brioche, richness balanced with freshness 

Dutcher Crossing “Grace Reserve” Brut Rosé ($59) estate vineyard in Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley; elegant fresh cherry, strawberry, hint of vanilla, baked bread, brisk backbone 

2021 Cuvaison Brut Rosé ($60) estate grown 65% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay from selected lots in Carneros-Napa; strawberry, raspberry, lemon, grapefruit, apple, richness and nice depth with balancing acidity

J Brut Rosé ($50) blend of chardonnay and pinot noir from estate Russian River Valley vineyards; lively raspberry, cherry, touch of orange, with steely, tangy finish

2018 Copain “Vintage Cuvée” Extra Brut ($38) very dry, 59% chardonnay and 41% pinot noir lots from estate vineyards throughout Sonoma County; aromas of the ocean, sharp lemon, light pear, pleasant salinity

VARA “Silverhead” Brut ($25) creative blend of 72% chardonnay from Washington, 25% xarel-lo/macabeo from Spain and 3% syrah from Washington produced in New Mexico; lively, fresh, apple, pear, citrus, soft bubbles

For a very affordable option, Lambrusco from Emilia-Romagna has emerged as a high-quality choice as artisan producers like Cleto Chiarli offer mostly dry, refreshing, often estate-grown, distinctive bottlings. 

• Centenario “Amabile” ($15) from the dark, naturally high acid Lambrusco di Grasparossa grape, succulent, slightly sweet, red fruits
• “Organic” Lambrusco di Modena ($16) also from Grasparossa grapes from Chiarli’s long-term organic growing partners; plum, black cherry, very dry 
• Vecchia Modena Premium Brut Frizzante ($18) dry rosé from Lambrusco di Sorbara grape, lightly fizzy, with juicy cherry and herbal note 
• Lambrusco del Fondatore ($21) also rosé from Sorbara, made in the ancestral method where fermentation is finished in the bottle trapping carbon dioxide; red fruits, earthy, lively texture

Finally, a Prosecco that is NOT cheaply made (but it’s also not cheap). The single vineyard 2022 Nino Franco “Riva di San Floriano” ($43) offers elegant, flowery accents to crisp citrus and peach, with steely mouthfeel.

Sometimes we consumers get into a bit of a rut drinking wines made from the same relatively small number of grape varieties (mostly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio for white wines). But increasingly, more consumers are showing a healthy curiosity for other varieties and a diversity of flavor profiles. Generally, you should find the wines in this column aromatic, bright, food-friendly and meant to be enjoyed now, especially with food. 

I’m especially encouraged by what appears to be growing interest in Chenin Blanc. Native to the Loire Valley, the grape also thrives in South Africa. And it’s nice to see California stepping up with these nice, juicy, good value wines.

• 2024 Matanzas Creek ($20) sourced from Mendocino, Sonoma, Central Valley; crisp red apple, pear, and melon, subtle saline note 

• 2024 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve ($17) sourced from Clarksburg, Monterey, and Sonoma; refreshing green apple, citrus 

• 2024 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier ($16) sourced from Clarksburg and Lodi; a perennial favorite; vibrant green apple, melon, and peach 

As much as I love German and Alsatian Rieslings, I also am pleased to find good Riesling from New York, Oregon and especially Washington. Eroica from Chateau St. Michelle is another perennial favorite. The 2022 Columbia Valley ($22) is succulent with citrus, stone fruit, hint of mineral, and solid impact throughout. 

Although Pinot Blanc, most notable in Alsace and Italy (Pinot Bianco), is under appreciated by comparison to, say, Chardonnay but when treated with respect produces a fine wine like the 2023 Ram’s Gate Pinot Blanc ($40). Organically farmed, it is elegant with spice notes layered, expressive, bright and lush texture. 

These and other less widely grown white grapes also are often found in blended wines. These examples from my tasting are more expensive but they deliver high quality.

• 2024 Copain Daybreak ($38) nine varieties, mostly malvasia bianca; compelling floral, nutty aromatics, pear and nectarine flavors.

• 2023 Bouchaine “Alsatian Blend” ($50) mostly pinot gris, with pinot blanc, gewurztraminer, and riesling; expressive lychee, lime, mineral, with some spice and a sharp palate.

• 2023 Stonestreet White Blend ($55)  mostly assyrtiko (Greece), semillon (France), and malvasia bianca (Italy) grown in the Alexander Valley; reveals waves of orange, apricot, citrus, and a touch of spicy herb, with lush texture. 

GAZETTE-MISCELLANEOUS WHITE WINES FOR SUMMER 2025

Sometimes we consumers get into a bit of a rut drinking wines made from the same relatively small number of grape varieties (mostly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio for white wines). But increasingly, more consumers are showing a healthy curiosity for other varieties and a diversity of flavor profiles. Generally, you should find the wines in this column aromatic, bright, food-friendly and meant to be enjoyed now, especially with food. 

I’m especially encouraged by what appears to be growing interest in Chenin Blanc. Native to the Loire Valley, the grape also thrives in South Africa. And it’s nice to see California stepping up with these nice, juicy, good value wines.

• 2024 Matanzas Creek ($20) sourced from Mendocino, Sonoma, Central Valley; crisp red apple, pear, and melon, subtle saline note 

• 2024 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve ($17) sourced from Clarksburg, Monterey, and Sonoma; refreshing green apple, citrus 

• 2024 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier ($16) sourced from Clarksburg and Lodi; a perennial favorite; vibrant green apple, melon, and peach 

As much as I love German and Alsatian Rieslings, I also am pleased to find good Riesling from New York, Oregon and especially Washington. Eroica from Chateau St. Michelle is another perennial favorite. The 2022 Columbia Valley ($22) is succulent with citrus, stone fruit, hint of mineral, and solid impact throughout. 

Although Pinot Blanc, most notable in Alsace and Italy (Pinot Bianco), is under appreciated by comparison to, say, Chardonnay but when treated with respect produces a fine wine like the 2023 Ram’s Gate Pinot Blanc ($40). Organically farmed, it is elegant with spice notes layered, expressive, bright and lush texture. 

These and other less widely grown white grapes also are often found in blended wines. These examples from my tasting are more expensive but they deliver high quality.

• 2024 Copain Daybreak ($38) nine varieties, mostly malvasia bianca; compelling floral, nutty aromatics, pear and nectarine flavors.

• 2023 Bouchaine “Alsatian Blend” ($50) mostly pinot gris, with pinot blanc, gewurztraminer, and riesling; expressive lychee, lime, mineral, with some spice and a sharp palate.

• 2023 Stonestreet White Blend ($55)  mostly assyrtiko (Greece), semillon (France), and malvasia bianca (Italy) grown in the Alexander Valley; reveals waves of orange, apricot, citrus, and a touch of spicy herb, with lush texture. 

Within the last 60 years Oregon, and especially the Willamette Valley, has emerged as a world class wine region. Although Oregon is best known for Pinot Noir, it also produces outstanding white wines, particularly Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Chardonnay.

Pinot Gris, literally “grey pinot,” reflecting its blueish grey or bronze skin color is a mutation of pinot noir. The most common style in Oregon most often reflects the dryer, richer style associated with Alsace. In Oregon, it tends to produce fresher fruit aromas and livelier flavors, with slightly higher alcohol. 

• 2023 Alexana Hillsides ($35) old vines, succulent, melon, lychee
• 2023 Archery Summit “Vireton” ($24) juicy lime, grapefruit
• 2024 Illahe ($23) green fruits, mineral notes
• 2023 Youngberg Hill “Aspen” ($35) tropical fruit, chalky note
• 2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate ($34) green fruits, somewhat sweet 
• 2022 Sweet Cheeks ($32) slightly sweet, melon, spicy
• 2023 Kings Ridge ($17) soft, tangy, citrus, melon

Riesling can make some of the best white wines in the world. Historically in Germany and Alsace but also more recently in Australia, Washington and Oregon. Look for fragrant, flowery aromas, fresh apple, pear and stone fruit, occasional mineral flavors, bracing acidity and moderate alcohol making a refreshing drink and food-pairing paradise. 

• 2018 Appassionata “GG” ($50) GG refers to a German designation indicating a dry-style wine from a special vineyard fermented in a large neutral oak cask, resting on the lees for two years and in bottle for three to five years; earthy, nutty aromas, tangy apricot, citrus, luscious texture
• 2022 Norris Ribbon Ridge Dry ($35) barrel fermented, citrus, apple, tart
• 2022 Sweet Cheeks Dry ($30) peach, apple, intriguing metallic note
• 2022 Norris Ribbon Ridge ($35) steely, pear, light spice 
• 2022 Sweet Cheeks ($29) fairly sweet, inviting apple, grapefruit
• 2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ($21) fairly sweet, apple, citrus

Note that most of these Pinot Gris and Riesling wines see little or no wood. Brisk acidity, which provides a firm backbone, balances any sweetness, resulting in fresh, invigorating wines ideal for warmer temperatures.

The northeastern regions of Veneto, Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia have led a re-awakening in Italian white wine production, while remaining a reliable source of distinctive red wines. 

Typically, these wines, often produced with native grapes, display natural freshness and expressiveness of their origins. In this column, I focus on wines from grapes most often associated with France. 

Burgundy’s signature red wine, Pinot Noir, was brought to Italy 100 years ago. Now Pinot Nero from Alto Adige are an impressive, more affordable alternative. Enjoy the velvety, fruitful 2021 Eisacktal ($23), juicy, earthy 2022 Abbazia Novacella ($24), 

2018 Abbazia Novacella Riserva “Praepositus” ($30) graceful, baking spices, elegant, floral, spicy 2020 Kaltern Riserva ($35). 

There also are Bordeaux-style wines. The 2022 Russiz Superiore Cabernet Franc ($35) from the Collio subregion is well-structured offering a nice mix of bright red berries and pleasant herbal notes. 

An intriguing blend cabernet sauvignon and carmenere is the 2020 Inama Bradisismo ($45) with nicely concentrated blackberry and solid structure. It’s a good alternative to a Super Tuscan. Also try, the fine, berry filled 2021 Carmenere “Più” ($22) with 15% merlot and suggestions of baking spice.

The Alto Adige is noteworthy mostly for distinctive white wines with bracing acidity and substantive character, such as the everyday priced 2024 Domenica Trentino ($14). Its vibrant depth of melon, citrus, stone fruits, and mineral notes belies the reputation of Pinot Grigio as simple, fresh and pleasant. 

Sauvignon Blanc (often labeled simply as Sauvignon) leans to fresh citrus with herbal, and mineral notes. The brisk, fruity, herbal 2022 Abbazia Novacella ($26) is a worthy choice. The 2024 San Leonardo “Vette” ($25) with vibrant, intense fruit, and minerality is a fabulous value.

Gewürztraminer is mostly associated with Alsace but it originated in Trentino-Alto Adige, where it tends to be more delicate and crisp but super aromatic, with refreshing lychee, apricot and spice. Try the delightful 2022 Pfitscher “Stoass” ($23) and the amazing intense, exotic 2017 Kellerei Kurtatsch “Brenntal” Riserva ($45). 

In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Livio Felluga is a premier estate bottled, producer of one of the region’s signature wines, Friulano. The 2022 ($35) is creamy, minerally, with almond. Dramatically wonderful (and costly) 2020 “Terre Alte” ($109), a single-vineyard blend of friulano, pinot bianco and sauvignon, is one of Italy’s most prestigious white wines. It is elegant yet intense with layers of fruit, honey, floral and savory elements, and rich texture. 

France, of course, is an amazing source for wine, from elite to every day. From Bordeaux to the Languedoc, Rhone, Burgundy and the Loire, I offer you several excellent options to begin your exploration.

It’s been a long time since most of us could afford a first-class Bordeaux. Wisely, many of its famous estates found a way to offer us value priced wines by producing what is referred to as a “second” wine as anintroduction.

Les Pagodes de Cos (2019, $54) is such a wine. From the famed Château Cos d’Estournel, it is mostly cabernet sauvignon, with merlot, petit verdot and cabernet franc. It is refreshing, dense yet elegant, with black and red fruits, accented with iron notes, chocolate, and licorice riding on velvety tannins. 

G d’Estournel (2019, $39) is another offering this mostly merlot, with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot grown in vineyards north of the estate. It is fresh, harmonious, generous, with notes of mint and minerals.

2022 Tempo d’Angélus ($25), from Château d’Angélus, an elite Saint-Émilion estate, is ideal for immediate enjoyment. From vineyards in the Castillon and Francs sectors, it delivers fresh red berries, chocolate, and a smooth texture. 

2021 Gérard Bertrand Chateau L’Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin ($50) is an impressive blend of grenache, mourvèdre and syrah from the Languedoc. Enjoy vibrant red fruits, appealing mix of herbal, spice and floral notes, fine tannins. 

2023 Souleil Vin de Bonté Le Rouge ($17), from the same area but a very different wine, is playful, fresh and exuberant, combing organic syrah, grenache and mourvèdre. It is low alcohol, bright, and ideal for casual drinking.

The 2019 Domaine de la Mordorée “La Reine des Bois” ($36), a Lirac Côtes du Rhône Cru, is equal parts organic and biodynamic grenache blanc, viognier, and roussane, it has fruity, creamy citrus and stone fruit. 

2023 Jean Defaix Chablis ($34) is a classic example of a regional Chablis (the most northern of the Burgundy wine regions), offering crisp green apple, citrus, minerality, and a luscious texture. 

The Loire Valley is one of France’s most diverse wine regions, notable not just for its Châteaux but its abundant agriculture. Passerelles is a brand that offers an exploration of several of the most prominent grape varieties (2023 vintage): 

• Sauvignon Blanc: brisk Touraine Oisly ($30); vibrant, pure Sancerre ($40)
• Chenin Blanc: mineral-driven Anjou Blanc ($25)
• Cabernet Franc: Robust Saumur Rouge ($35)

Chile has long been a source of good value wines, mostly a variety of French-origin grapes. But over the last thirty years, a previously little-known grape, carménère, has become widely considered Chile’s flagship grape (although cabernet sauvignon is still the most widely grown grape). An offspring of cabernet franc, it was common in Bordeaux in the 19^th century but now is almost exclusively grown only in Chile. 

There are regional variations and stylistic differences but typically, Carménère is a deeply colored wine that displays intense, juicy, rich red and black fruit, appealing pungent, earthy notes with cocoa and peppery spice, a smooth texture, and solid but sleek tannins. 

Assuming most readers are unfamiliar with the grape, I suggest starting at the introductory level. The wines offer fine value given the quality. At around $20 or less retail, they all deliver a lot of character for the money. 

2021 Viña San Esteban “In Situ” Reserva ($13) earthy, minty, chocolate

2020 Luma Chequén Gran Reserva ($17) loamy, menthol, pepper

2021 Morandé Vitis Única ($20) pure fruit, herbal and spice notes

2020 Primus ($21) a brand of Veramonte, organic, tart, roasted notes, fullish body

2020 Primus “The Blend” ($21) mostly carménère and cabernet sauvignon, velvety but firm, vegan 

Numerous wineries also are producing refined, complex Carménère. Quality has reached the point where prices for the best wines can approach $100.

The 2019 Ventisquero “Vertice” Carménère/Syrah Apalta Vineyard ($35) is woodsy, with a touch of oak, full flavored, with good body, and a hint of chocolate.

The 2020 Montes “Wings” ($55) is fruit forward, tangy with dried plum, a hint of oak supplies a little richness, and a flavorful, rounded palate and fresh finish.

The 2019 Ventisquero “Obliqua” La Roblería Vineyard ($60) is fresh and tart, with gentle spice, white pepper, herbal notes, a forest quality. It is elegant, with a firm structure, crisp tannins, and a luscious finish.

With its distinctive flavor profile, food friendliness and generally reasonable prices, Carménère wines from Chile deserves more consumer attention. It certainly has mine. 

Malbec, Argentina’s signature grape has established a position among the world’s most popular wines. This variety of European origin that has adapted so well to Argentina’s terroir delivers high quality and flavor interest at reasonable prices. As a bonus, many are made with organically grown grapes. 

Mendoza is the main growing region. Its dramatic high-altitude landscape at the foot of the Andes Mountains births many Malbecs that are user friendly, eminently drinkable and fine choices for everyday drinking, some appropriate for a fine meal, and a few that would reward time to evolve. 

Fine Values 

($20 or less; up-front, round fruit, lush textures)

2022 Adeluna 1300 ($15) vibrant, juicy, silky, elegant, earthy

2022 Antigal “Uno” ($18) lively, savory, expressive, fruit-forward, smooth

2021 Susana Balbo “Crios” ($17) refined, fresh, fine, round

2023 Domaine Bousquet Reserve ($18) easy drinking, fruit forward

2023 Doña Paula Estate ($15) energetic, harmonious, mineral, spice

2022 Henry Lagarde Old Vines ($18) bright, herbal, velvety, 

2021 Piatelli Reserve ($17) vibrant, mineral, easy-going 

2023 Piedra Negra Reserva ($19) minty, spicy, mocha, elegant

2024 Tilia Mendoza ($13) up front dark fruits, firm, tobacco, cocoa, fine palate

Trapiche: 2023 Oak Cask ($10) fruit-driven; 2021 Tesoro ($15) dark, brooding, spice, supple, solid, mineral; 2022 Medalla ($20) fresh, easy, toasty, herbal

Trivento: 2023 Reserve ($12) young, straightforward, easy drinking; 2022 Golden Reserve ($12) direct, solid, lush

More Money Equals More Quality

2022 Luigi Bosca de Sangre ($27) lively, round, subtle spice and oak 

2020 Casarena Naoki Vineyard ($35) seductive, herbal, creamy, rich, refined 

2020 Tintonero Finca la Escuela ($45) focused, rich, savory spice, oak, polished

2021 Kaiken Aventura ($35) herbal, mint, richness, toast, coffee, minerally 

2021 Piatelli Grand Reserve ($25) spice, cocoa, mint, amiable

Special Quality

2021 Argento Single Block 1 Paraje Altamira ($55) special selection from a prized vineyard; vibrant, minerally, velvety, solid backbone, fine texture

2019 Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista ($130) high elevation, old-vine single-vineyard estate planted in 1910; impressively perfumed aroma, luxuriant body, silky tannins, elegant but with power and density, touch of oak, roasted notes, rich mocha, hints of gravel, well-structured but stylish and harmonious; a real gem