Buying Guide Labels
98 Biondi Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino. Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this stunning red still shows the estate’s hallmark of elegance and structure, opening with enticing scents of rose, iris, wild red berry and a whiff of new leather. The vibrant palate is dazzling and almost ethereal, delivering flavors of succulent red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and a hint of forest floor. Taut, polished tannins and bright acidity provide impeccable balance. Drink 2021–2033. Wilson Daniels Ltd. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $215
97 Lucia 2017 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands). Rich, clean and powerfully mineral-driven on the nose, this single-vineyard expression shows black cherry, tangy raspberry, crushed slated and damp gravel on the nose. There is tremendous depth of flavor to the intensely elegant palate, where strong but perfectly ripe dark fruits are balanced by tightly woven tannins, fresh acidity and more rock and soil flavors. —M.K.
abv: 14.2% Price: $65
96 Cobb 2016 Diane Cobb Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast). Named for the winemaker’s late mother, this particular bottling is always a standout. It offers entangled layers of tangerine, strawberry and earthy leather. This is a fine wine to consider cellaring; enjoy 2021–2026. Cellar Selection. —V.B.
abv: 13.6% Price: $120
96 Gary Farrell 2016 Lancel Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley). This is a boldly layered red, savory in earth tones of forest and cardamom. Boysenberry and strawberry flavors combine with a nervy edge for a lush yet fresh package that works on every level. A thirst-quenching thread of acidity persists from start to finish. —V.B.
abv: 13.9% Price: $60
96 Gary Farrell 2016 Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley). This wine offers elements of forest floor and nutmeg atop a stony texture. Grapefruit, lime and raspberry flavors offer further intrigue on the palate, providing deliciously inviting fruit components around a core of fresh, lively acidity. —V.B.
abv: 14.1% Price: $80
96 Lucia 2017 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands). Deep, intense aromas of black cherry, loamy soil, bay leaf and the slightest hint of smoke show on the nose of this excellent bottling from the Pisoni family. There are plenty of earthy qualities to the tense palate, from sagebrush to slate-driven minerality, but also inviting tones of Bing cherry and ripe cranberry. —M.K.
abv: 14.3% Price: $65
95 Anaba 2016 Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap). This is a gorgeous wine, perfumed in rose and candied strawberry and cherry. A touch of vanilla gives a quiet, understated richness beneath a structure of thirst-quenching blood orange, tangerine and black tea, with a seductive cardamom tone. The texture is silky smooth. —V.B.
abv: 14.1% Price: $56
95 Freeman 2016 Yu-Ki Estate Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast). A powerful, layered fruit character gives this medium- to full-bodied wine great focus, depth and length. Its core of black berry, currant and cherry is lightly accented by black tea and clove for an almost mysterious mix that is compelling to sip. A brisk texture of fine-grained tannins and nervy acidity completes this superbly balanced and well structured wine. Best from 2023. Cellar Selection. —J.G.
abv: 14.1% Price: $68
95 Jean-Luc Baldès 2014 Clos Triguedina Les Selections Parcellaires Les Galets This is a beautifully structured wine, perfumed from wood aging and ripe in a black plum flavor. It is powered by concentrated tannins and dynamic, juicy fruit. This bottling is one of a trilogy of wines sourced from the different terraces in the vineyards, with this coming from the third terrace above the river. Drink from 2021. Vineyard Brands. —R.V.
