The flagship cuvée is the 2014 Amano, comprised of 66% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Tannat, all from the Remolinos Vineyard and aged in new French oak. It has classic Malbec blue fruits as well as terrific minerality, notes of violets and peppery herbs, full-bodied richness, and a pure, elegant, incredibly balanced profile. This tour de force in Argentina Malbec should be snatched up by readers. It can be drunk today or cellaring for 7-8 years.

“Opaque ruby. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh cherry, blackberry and floral scents and deeper suggestions of pipe tobacco, olive and licorice. Juicy cherry and dark berry and salty olive paste flavors show very good delineation, and a hint of candied flowers emerges on the back half. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on an impressively long, sweet finish that leaves a suggestion of cherry cola behind.” 

“A blend of 62% Grenache, 33% Shiraz and the rest Sagrantino (the estate is moving more to Mediterranean varieties) brought up in used French oak, the 2015 7th Son offers a ripe, sexy, rounded style that stays light and graceful on the palate. Kirsch, blackberry, herbes de Provence, and dried herb characteristics all emerge from this pretty, incredibly graceful and elegant blend that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.”

“A terrific value is the 2015 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a little gem of a wine based on Montepulciano brought up all in stainless. Loaded with notions of rich cherry and blackberry fruit, leafy herbs, and tobacco, it’s medium-bodied, textured, fruit forward, and incredibly delicious.”

“Cranberries, raspberries, elderberries and fresh herbs dominate on the nose here. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.”

“The 2015 Shiraz Angela comes from the clay soils of Sandra’s Block in the southern end of McLaren Vale and spent 18 months in 10% new French oak. It’s a great introduction into the wines of this estate and has charming, forward notes of black raspberries, exotic spices, dried flowers, and candied orange peel. Readers looking for an elegant, easy drinking, not over the top Shiraz that has real character need to check this out.”

“A total knock-out, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate captures all the potential of this great site. Powerful, voluptuous and structured, yet very much within the context of classicism that has defined these wines for several decades. Dark red cherry, stone fruits, smoke, licorice and scorched earth, along with beams of tannin, wrap around the palate. Deep, virile and explosive, the 2014 is a must have. Don’t miss it!”

“Montelena’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeous. Pliant and supple, the 2015 offers notable density and raciness in an up-front style that will drink well upon release. Succulent red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather and licorice are front and center. A wine of total allure, the 2015 hits all the right spots…It is one of the best values readers will find in Napa Valley Cabernet. Don’t miss it.”

“…2015 Chardonnay is shaping up to be a gorgeous wine. The warmer vintage has resulted in a slightly richer style of Chardonnay, although the house style built on energy and tension is still very much in evidence. Candied lemon, white flowers and mint are nicely textured. Soft, enveloping and gracious, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”

“The 2015 Côtes du Rhône checks in as a final blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre. It offers a juicy, Syrah-driven bouquet of ripe blackberry fruits, smoked meats, pepper, and hints of underbrush as well as a rich, medium to full-bodied, polished style on the palate. It has ripe tannin, plenty of mid-palate depth, and as I wrote when I tasted it from barrel close to two years ago, it’s a beautiful Côtes du Rhône that will deliver the goods.”