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Domaine Ostertag Pinot Gris "Barriques" 2013

Top shelf pinot gris for a reasonable price. This is round and full, the oak is pleasant and integrated, the fruit is ripe (almost baked..this takes on a ride, delicious and interesting.

Antinori Guado Al Tasso 2013, Bolgheri

It has been nearly a year since i have tatsed the 2012, but as i recall it was far more classic in its approach and profound. I found this to be good, but lacking in "authenticity". Run of the mill and banal profile was a huge disappointment. May have been judging in an overly harsh manner due to my expectations?...but i dont think so

Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2008, Doc

Have not tried Any Other vintage, aim this strikes me as a high quality Valpolicella (typical aromas and flavors) goal on steroids. Sour red fruit meshed with clove, white pepper, anise and a whole host of fruit and secondary aromas and flavors. Hugely aromatic as well as great acidity and structure! I would put away For a Few more years (though it's youthfulness after-Nearly 10 years to this point Taking far longer) so que la tertiary flavors Become more dominant to balance with the sour fruit. Complexity of high quality Amarone / ripasso w / o the excessive dark / ripe fruit. Great stuff

Andrea Oberto Barolo 2012, Docg

Good barolo, but a too heavy dose of oak gets in the way of my loving this. I found both Bussia's (Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2011 and especially Dardi le rose 2010) to outperform this in absolute terms and value. However, many will enjoy this style

Patrick Piuze Chablis Premier Cru Vaulorent 2015, Ac

Domaine Sigalas Santorini 2016, Santorini

Another great assyrtiko from this island, young and tense, deep saline mineral presence, it shines on the palate. Most impressive is the way they exude the aromas of the terroir, distinctly Mediterranean while being distinct among the many mineral driven counterparts from along its shores.

Pietranera Brunello Di Montalcino 2012, Docg

A style of brunello that I have been enjoying quite a bit as of late. It is lighter and less "substantial" than "higher end" brunello's. That said, the sweet fruit, spicy, herbal and almost woody character...along with its elegance and "drinkability" have me drinking this more often than I would those all too often oak laden and sometimes creamy wines that so many seem to love. These relatively inexpensive alternatives are, for my palate, oftentimes more enjoyable than the pian dellla vigne, casanova di neri and others of that more modern (often more complex) style. A value

Domaine Thymiopoulos Terre Et Ciel Xinomavro 2015, Unfiltered, Naoussa

One of the stars of the recent Greek tasting in Montreal, this shows beautiful savory herbal and earth driven character, good complexity and drinkability. Great expression of place.

Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2013, Docg

This pale colored Brunello jumps out the glass wiht aromas of lifted sour cherry/red fruit, tabbacco, citrus peel and an irony/mineral character. The wine pops on the palate, the acid is very high but carries the flavors through down to the finish with elegance and power. It is juicy, complex, and altogether a winner. I would love to pop one of these every couple of years to taste the (almost certainly) great future ahead of it. I am usually not a fan of big production that rests on pedigree, but this juice is near perfect

Le Serre Nuove Dell’ornellaia 2017, Bolgheri

This seems to have less nuance and precison than previous vintages. It has some good jammy fruit, but is off-balance (oak/jam/acidity) and does not show purity or vibrancy. You would think the winemaking style would sway more toward purity at this point.