Tom Barras

8.9

2021 Vintage. Youthful, ruby/purple appearance, followed by persistent red and black fruit aromatics and flavors. Full bodied, Balanced with gentle acidity and dusty tannins at the softly textured finish. 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 7% Cabernet Franc.
— 7 days ago

Tom Barras

9.1

Well structured and balanced, it displays an iconic ruby/garnet appearance, followed by secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors of woodland herbs, dried fruits and nuts, plus flavorsome balsamic nuances, and interesting red fruit undertones.

Overall, quite elegant and refined; medium bodied, with ample acidity, dusty tannins and a long, satisfying finish. If you’ve got it, now is the time. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

9.2

The 2017 was opened for a quick glass, and then gassed for overnight storing. Day 2: It has an engaging ruby/garnet color, perfumed red/blue aromatics, and confirming red/blue fruit flavors. Solidly structured and well balanced with crisp acidity and soft mouth coating tannins at the satisfying finish. Irrespective of vintage, Bucerchiale never fails to deliver, always showing well above its price point. The 2017 vintage is no different. — 4 months ago

Tom Barras

8.5

Engaging red berry appearance, with matching perfumed aromatics and flavors. Solidly structured with an abundance of fruit, acidity and dusty tannins that yields a chewy, mouth coating , long finish.
— 9 days ago

Tom Barras

8.8

Still balanced and structurally sound, both acidity and tannins are low, with the tannins doing the heavy lifting at the short finish.

Overall, it is somewhat muted both in aromatics and flavors. There is a smidgen of red and black primary fruit peeking through, but the wine is well into its plateau of drinkability. I might have waited a few years too long. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

9.3

The 2013 vintage enjoyed Classic cool weather, and the 2013 San Polo reveals what old time Brunellos were like prior to global warming. It is medium bodied, colorful, with persistent fruit and underbrush aromatics; flavorsome, balanced, crisp and energetic with refined tannins. Lovely wine. — 4 months ago

Tom Barras

8.8

From the back of my vault comes this well aged and earthy, but still very vibrant, 2012 Alessandria Barolo.

The very engaging ruby/garnet Appearance is supported by perfumed, dried red fruit and woodland herb aromatics, plus a smidgen of fragrant baking spice nuances.

On the slightly lean palate it is medium bodied, balanced, with medium+ acidity and soft, mouth coating tannins that are bound up with flavors of coffee bean and spice. — 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.0

Far more than a basic Beaujolais. Seriously structured 2023 with good helpings of fruit, and acidity plus a tad of dusty, mouth coating tannins at the finish. Helluva buy at under $20. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

9.0

The 2015 Côte-de-Brouilly from Nicole Chanrion is a delicious, ten year old Beaujolais Cru that delivers
good structure, excellent balance, surprising depth and a large amount of pure, primary fruit. Nothing else is needed. — 4 months ago

Tom Barras

9.1

Considered by some to be the Wine of the Vintage, the 2005 Léoville-Barton
Is a full bodied mouthful of black currants, minerals, spices, grippy tannins and enough energy to evolve for another decade. — 4 months ago