Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015. 13,000 cases imported.
Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Argentina - Mendoza
WS 91
WE 90
WA 92
The 2007 Quimera is a multi-regional blend of 38% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Cabernet Franc aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as were all of these wines). Purple-colored, it displays an expressive perfume of cedar, scorched earth, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium- to full-bodied, this mouth-filling blend is sweetly fruited, complex, layered, and rich. It will continue to blossom for another 2-3 years and drink well through 2022.
Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Argentina - Mendoza
WS 89
WA 93
The 2009 Quimera is a blend of 40% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot with yields averaging a minuscule 1.3 tons per acre. The wine was aged in 40% new French oak. Pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits inform the nose of a complex, intense, layered, spicy, succulent wine with impeccable balance and length. Although it can be approached now, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring.
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: United States - Oregon - Willamette
Sleek and slender, but fleshy enough to deliver cinnamon-accented cherry flavors, showing a hint of coffee as the finish lingers. Deftly balanced. Drink now through 2017. -- 90 points, Wine Spectator
Varietal: Rhone Blend | Location: France - Rhone Valley - Vacqueyras
WA 90
Under their negociant line of wines (called Alain Jaume), the 2010 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is a classic Vacqueyras with lots of dense, concentrated, black cherry and plum fruit intermixed with hints of garrigue and licorice, a full-bodied mouthfeel. Under their negociant line of wines (called Alain Jaume), the 2010 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is a classic Vacqueyras with lots of dense, concentrated, black cherry and plum fruit intermixed with hints of garrigue and licorice, a full-bodied mouthfeel.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon | Location: United States - California - Alexander Valley
Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first wines we produced in 1975 and three and a half decades later it is still our flagship wine. From the beginning our Cabernet stood apart from other California cabs because it was an elegant old world style wine.
Varietal: Zinfandel | Location: United States - California - Alexander Valley
What’s always been different about Sin Zin is that it’s never been a novelty wine. Over the years, the elegant, rich flavor of this Alexander Valley Zinfandel has landed it on the wine lists of many restaurants...
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Eastern Australia
This Shiraz has a deep, rich ruby red color with notes of plum and berry on the nose. The wine is robust and full-bodied on the palate with nice fresh fruit. This delicious wine pairs well with grilled meats.
Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Italy - Veneto - Amarone
WS 92
WE 92
One of the founding members of the prestigious Amarone Families association who focus on safeguarding the unique winemaking traditions of Valpolicella, Allegrini sets the standard for a new generation of vintners. This opens with sweet tones of Indian spice, ripe fruit and tobacco. The mouthfeel is exceedingly rich, long lasting and intense.
Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Italy - Veneto - Veronese
WS 89
This is easily one of our favorite "go to" Italian reds for consistency of quality year in and year out. It fits somewhere between the lighter Valpolicella and the heavier style of Amarone. Both the 2006 and 2007 received 90 points from The Wine Advocate. They explain how this unique wine is made...
"Allegrini employs a unique variation of the ripasso technique for its Palazzo della Torre. The traditional method callas for the wine to undergo a second fermentation on the skins that are leftover from the vinification of the Amarone. The estate believes that this method leads to oxidized wines. Instead dries a portion of the grapes (around 30%) and ferments them separately in the same style as an Amarone, then adds that wine to the larger portion of the wine, which is fermented in the traditional manner."
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a gracious, classy wine. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are just some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from this mid-weight, restrained Brunello. In 2006 Altesino's Brunello impresses for its balance, freshness and finessed tannins. It isn't a blockbuster, but it will drink well upon release and over the next decade or so, perhaps longer. Floral notes waft from the glass on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
A Leonardo Lo Casio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a gracious, classy wine. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are just some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from this mid-weight, restrained Brunello. In 2006 Altesino's Brunello impresses for its balance, freshness and finessed tannins. It isn't a blockbuster, but it will drink well upon release and over the next decade or so, perhaps longer. Floral notes waft from the glass on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. -- Antonio Galloni Read More
A dark, masculine, brooding Brunello with savory aromas of leather and cured meat behind ripe fruit and blackberry. It's tight and clean with a streamlined mouthfeel that gives evidence to the wine's firm tannic structure. Executed in a traditional style and shows possibility for long cellar aging.
Rosso di Altesino has a vibrant ruby red color and inviting aromas of ripe berries and forests. Inviting, fragrant, incredibly supple, with excellent body and balanced structure, Rosso di Altesino is an excellent value―a perfect choice for pasta, Alfredo sauces, polenta, white meats and semi-soft cheeses.
"Deep saturated red. Black plum, licorice and a note of chocolatey torrefaction on the nose. Sweet, suave and nicely deep, with a saline quality and good smoky complexity to its dark fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes broad, with sweet tannins. Not a particularly fruity style, but nuanced for a wine in this price range."
A fluid and supple red, yet offers grainy tannins to support cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. On the slimmer side, yet balanced. Best from 2013 through 2019. 15,000 cases imported.