Special Designation

97 points Wine Spectator"Cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit is all packed into this wine, along with tar, violet and roasted apple wood notes, plus a terrific tug of warm earth. Shows lots of energy in reserve, with a tightly knit finish...

92 points Wine Spectator"Very concentrated, with a dark gold color and dried pineapple, mango, honey, caramel and butterscotch. Full-bodied, with a long finish. Very, very thick and sweet. A bit monolithic on the palate. Needs time. Best after 2009...

91 points Wine & Spirits"Scents of spearmint and sweet basil lead into flavors of lime, kiwi, and green apple skin. The texture is silky, and the light sweetness amplifies the considerable fruit flavors while lively acidity freshens the finish. Those...

95 points Wine Enthusiast"A pure nose exuding perfectly ripe red fruit, enveloped by black plum, violet and green peppercorn. The palate is immediately greeted with a rush of acidity, rolling in a wave of black cherry, thyme stem, violets, iris, clove...

94 points Vinous"The 1968 Rivesaltes has a more powerful bouquet than the 1969: dried honey, marmalade, fig, hints of marzipan and Chinese 5-spice. Like the 1969 this is very well defined. The palate is beautifully balanced with a viscous texture. There...

93 points James Suckling"The effusive nose of candied citrus, ripe pear and brioche pulls you into this fresh and creamy champagne that hits all the pleasure buttons for a non-vintage Brut. Then the chalky freshness at the finish pulls you back for...

96 Wine Advocate"Chiara Boschis has recently purchased more vineyards in the Mosconi cru located at a cool 370 meters in elevation in Monforte d'Alba. Sourcing its fruit from an organic 1.9-hectare parcel, the 2018 Barolo Mosconi is available in a...

93 points Wine Spectator"A smooth red, with cherry, plum and spice flavors shaded by savory underbrush and wild herb accents. Shows iron and tobacco details on then long finish, with fine balance and grip overall. Prugnolo Gentile and Canaiolo. Best...

92 points Wine Spectator"Creamy and lush-tasting, with a complex and concentrated mix of butterscotch, salted almond and quince flavors. Dried apricot, honey and spice details linger on the rich finish. Drink now. 200 cases imported." 92 points...

Vinous Reverie NotesPierre Clavel produces this interesting, herby wine in Montpeyroux, one of the finer Languedoc sub-areas. Tasting Notes: Intense strawberry and bramble fruits with ripe juicy tannins; a marriage of wild garrigue herbs with...

95 points Vinous"Conterno's 2017 Barolo Ginestra is a wine of gravitas and pure power. All of the muscle of Ginestra comes through loud and clear. I am not sure the tannins will ever fully soften - this is Ginestra after all - but there is certainly...

92 points Vinous"Opaque ruby. Mineral-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola and violet are complemented by a hint of exotic spices. Sappy and appealingly sweet, offering palate-staining black and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky mineral and...