Tom Barras

9.0

The delicious, smoothly textured, 2021 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) is intensely colored, nicely balanced, and well structured; medium>full, with an abundance of aromatic and flavorsome black fruits (Bing cherry, blackberry); refined with barrel aging notes (spice, vanilla, toast); and framed with medium acidity and smooth tannins at the mouth cleansing finish. Tasty stuff, and should be ideal with tonight’s wine-braised, beef short ribs and potato pancakes, Happy New Year from Napa Valley! — 13 days ago

Tom Barras

9.2

I have enjoyed many vintages of the excellent single vineyard Reserva (Bucerchiale) from Selvapiana, but the fruity 2018 is one of the more satisfying ones. Perfumed red and black fruit aromatics soar from the stemware. It is Medium >full, balanced and well structured with crisp acidity and light tannins at the satisfying finish. This Sangiovese star from the Rufina appellation East of Florence, always punches well above its price point. If you’re unaware of it, time to check it out. (It continues to identify it as 2013, but please note it is 2018.)
— 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.1

Seventy year old vines of this Domaine Colette 2023 Fleurie deliver a leggy, dark purple appearance that is backed up and confirmed by an abundance of perfumed and flavorsome red and black fruits. It is medium>full, well balanced and solidly structured with medium+ acidity and matching soft drying tannins at the long, tasty finish. A solid Cru, without much (if any) carbonic maturation, and one of the sturdier Fleuries that I’ve come across. — 3 months ago

Tom Barras

9.1

The 2023 Collosorbo Rosso Di Montalcino sports a beautiful, eye catching, red berry appearance with matching underlying aromatics and flavors.

A first class, cool weather sipping wine with a medium/full body, framed with brisk acidity and velvety tannins that, together, deliver a long lasting finish. Reminiscent of rich, Russian River Pinot Noirs. Should be perfect with tonight’s Kielbasa/roasted vegetables dinner. — 17 days ago

Tom Barras

8.8

The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino from Livio Sassetti’s Pertimali estate delivers an excellent and savory “Baby Brunello”that displays a deep garnet color, backed up by a balanced structure, with medium+ acidity, and soft, dusty tannins at the finish. A great sipper for tonight’s cool weather. — 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.2

The savory and youthful 2013 Argiano BDM displays an attractive ruby/garnet, Bing cherry appearance, as the color is backed up by perfumed aromatics and flavors of all types of red berries and cherries.

It is nicely balanced and well structured with juicy acidity, and supporting, light dusty tannins at the long, lip smacking finish. Overall, very Pinot Noir-ish. The combination of aging in barrique and large oak barrels creates an interesting complexity and texture not typically found in other BDMs. Great stuff!! — 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.5

Then 2013 Salvioni La Cerbaiola is drop dead Gorgeous in all aspects, including the deep, dark and dense ruby-red, garnet appearance, the fruit-laden, perfumed aromatics and flavors, as well as the well balanced structure of ample fruit, medium acidity, and gentle tannins at the long satisfying finish.

Overall, it’s medium/full, particularly elegant and vibrant, from a cooler than normal vintage that many described as a “return to classicism.” I’m unfamiliar with older vintages (prior to global warming) but this is MY style of Brunello. Refined, Classy and a Joy to swirl, sniff and savor.
— 3 months ago

Tom Barras

9.1

This gorgeously textured Rosso should be ideal with tonight’s mushroom enhanced Risotto. The 2023 Fuligni is everything one would, or could, ask from a young Rosso di Montalcino.

Beautiful, deep garnet appearance; loads of primary red fruits and earthy woodland aspects; Medium>full, balanced and well structured with perfumed aromatics, juicy acidity and very fine tannins that finish long. @klwines
— a month ago

Tom Barras

8.8

The 2023 Graci Etna Rosso is a succulent Red produced from the indigenous Nerello Mascalese grapes, grown on the unique volcanic terroir of Sicily’s northern Mount Etna.

It displays a gorgeous ruby red color, is Medium/full bodied, firmly structured with an abundance of red fruits, lively acidity, and competing chalky tannins that lead to a long, mouth cleansing finish. This should even better in a few years.
— 2 months ago

Tom Barras

9.0

The 2023 Presqu’ile Pinot Noir displays a Bing cherry appearance, that is backed up by red cherry aromatics and flavors.

Definitely more Burgundian than New World Pinots, it is light >medium bodied, quite savory, very well balanced with juicy acidity, and light dusty tannins at the finish which definitely clear the palate.

I think the 2023 is a great example of not overpowering the fruit with manipulations from the winemaker’s tool box. It Clearly punches above its price point.

— 2 months ago