Reserve Petite Sirah

2020 Israel Upper Galilee
93 Points

Deep garnet to the eye, this wine offers a bouquet of cassis and clove. Opulent tannins play host to blackberry, Mission fig, licorice, milk chocolate and dried Mediterranean herb flavors. Fresh fruit and spice flavors linger into a smooth finish. Kosher. Palm Bay International. —M.D.

Wine Enthusiast December 2023
Recanati Reserve Petite Sirah bottle

Wild Carignan Reserve

2020 Israel Judean Hills
93 Points

This deep garnet-colored wine offers aromas of blackberry, Mission fig and roasted yellow pepper. A web of polished tannins backs Luxardo cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, caramel and freshly ground nutmeg flavors that sail into a satisfying finish. Kosher. Palm Bay International. —M.D.

Wine Enthusiast December 2023
Wild Carignan Reserve

Special Reserve

2019 Israel Upper Galilee
94 Points

This deep garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of Luxardo cherry, black plum, lavender and a hint of smoke. Blackberry, raspberry, caramel, aniseed and crumbled sage leaf flavors are cloaked in opulent tannins that slowly peel away to reveal a vivid, fruit-filled finish. Kosher. Palm Bay International. Editors’ Choice. —M.D.

Wine Enthusiast December 2023

Terre del Sommacco

2019 Italy Sicily
91 Points

A touch of camphor lifts dusty rose and dried black cherries as the 2019 Terre del Sommacco smolders up from the glass. Silky and refined, this washes across the palate with a polished wave of perfumed red fruits and savory spice. It leaves a web of fine-grained tannins to linger, finishing structured, potent and long. A sour citrus hint punctuates the experience nicely. -E.G.

Vinous June 2023
Mandrarossa Terre del Sommacco Bottle Shot

Bertolino Soprano

2020 Italy Sicily
91 Points

The 2020 Bianco Bertolino Soprano is exotic, with a tropical burst of citrus and florals giving way to peach preserves. This possesses cooling acidity and textures of pure silk, coming across as a bit opulent yet balanced while showcasing masses of ripe apple and nectarine. The 2020 finishes squeaky clean yet long, with a citrusy concentration that tugs at the cheeks. The Bertolino Soprano is a barrel-aged, varietal Grillo. -E.G.

Vinous June 2023
Bertolino Soprano Grillo Bottle Image

Special Reserve

2018 Israel Upper Galilee
90 Points

Elegant and balanced, with sweet vanilla, fresh tobacco and cracked pepper infusing a base of red cassis and plum. Savory acidity and a subtle sanguine undercurrent add good energy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Marselan. Kosher. Drink now through 2026. 1,100 cases made, 300 cases imported. From Israel.—J.M.

Wine Spectator September 2023

Wild Carignan Reserve

2020 Israel Judean Hills
90 Points

A strappy, full-bodied take on Carignan, with flavors of wild raspberry, red currant, smoked meat and dried flowers hemmed in by slightly grippy tannins, while singed mesquite and apple wood notes hover in the background. A very solid, distinctive red, with good tension despite its weight. Drink now through 2030. 1,500 cases made, 60 cases imported. From Israel.—K.B.

Wine Spectator September 2023
Wild Carignan Reserve

Tenuta Sant' Alfonso

2021 Italy Chianti
90 Points

The intensely savory nose is full of cured meat, new leather and pencil lead, with zippy undertones of cranberry and hibiscus. The meatiness escalates on the palate, while pepper, fresh cherry and orange provide balance. Tannins are approachable, while the acidity is substantive enough to make itself known. Palm Bay International. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast November 2023
Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Bottle

Pr1mum Malbec

2019 Argentina Mendoza
92 Points

Slow to unfold, this red offers a dried violet and loam cast to the crushed red currant and raspberry core. Gains nice lift from fresh acidity, which drives the flavors onto the finish, picking up fresh herb details and a hint of vanilla bean. Drink now. 2,112 cases made, 125 cases imported. -A.R.

Wine Spectator October 2023

Roccato

2022 Italy Tuscany
91 Points

Some bitter herbs, bark and savory spices to the sweet cherries and blackberries on the nose. Full-bodied and chewy on the palate, showing a thud of grippy tannins before a medium-long finish. Drink in 2024. -Z.S.

JamesSuckling.com August 2023

Barolo DOCG Brunate

2018 Italy Piedmont
90 Points

The southern exposure of Brunate and the style of the estate set the table for an approachable Brunate 2018. The open-knit profile is composed of dried cherry and mint, with rhubarb root in depth. It shows good fruit concentration with dried cherry and cinnamon, super-ripe tannins, good extraction and moderate acidity. A bit grippy on the finish. Cask sample. -A.F. 

Decanter January 2022

Barolo DOCG Briccolina

2015 Italy Piedmont
92 Points

Batasiolo produces wines from various regions in Piedmont, including a number of Barolos, with an annual total production of 2.5 million bottles. Briccolina is among their best, coming from a small west-facing site in Serralunga. The cherry-scented nose is robust and rather subdued at present, while the palate is fleshy and concentrated in style, ripe and creamy with good depth of fruit and impressive tannic grip. The fruit comes through on the finish, suggesting this should evolve well. -S.B.

Decanter January 2019

Barolo DOCG Cerequio

2013 Italy Piedmont
90 Points

Since 1978, the Dogliani family has built up this property with 108 hectares of vines, and its best Barolos come from La Morra and Serralunga. Cerequio is an outstanding site, and this example exudes finesse on the fragrant red-fruited nose. It's concentrated but limpid, elegant and harmonious, and just needs a touch more complexity - that might emerge with longer ageing, although the wine is already approachable. - S.B. 

Decanter March 2021

Grillo

2021 Italy Sicily
89 Points

The nose starts sweet with lemon-lime soda and candied orange slices and then turns savory with wild herbs and salty, rocky notes of minerality. The palate swings back toward citrus, with intense orange flavor and a coppery, metallic finish. Palm Bay International. Best Buy. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023
Best Buy

Sea of Tranquility Merlot

2020 USA Columbia Valley, Washington
89 Points

The key component of this wine is its acidity, which hits like the icy slap of a winter’s rain. While its combination of dark raspberry and blueberry aromas and flavors isn’t surprising, the wine’s side notes of black olives, rosemary, rye bread and spicy olive oil baffle in a good way. Best Buy. —M.A.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023
Best Buy

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

2022 New Zealand Awatere Valley
91 Points

A prominent note of just-sliced green bell pepper leads on this aromatic, traditionally styled SB. Fresh summer garden notes of basil and green bean mingle with lemon-lime and passionfruit aromas. The palate is dry and crisp, with lovely texture, length and flavor depth that suggests food friendliness. Palm Bay International. —C.P.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023

Chianti Classico Riserva

2020 Italy Chianti
91 Points

An almost fiery nose has black pepper, grilled meat, hot tar and graphite, with earthy notes of mushroom and wet leaves underneath. Black cherry and plum sit on top of dark chocolate on the palate, where a bite of astringency from orange pith lifts up the finish. Palm Bay International. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023

Ser Gioveto

2019 Italy Chianti
92 Points

The nose layers soil and pencil shavings on top of strawberries and cherries and then chocolate and coffee, before the palate luxuriates in chocolate-cherry notes with a texture that’s dense and velvety but maintains its integrity with angular tannins. Palm Bay International. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023

Riserva di Fizzano Gran Selezione

2020 Italy Chianti
93 Points

The nose offers first cherries and cranberries, then pencil shavings and crushed rocks and finally grilled meat and soy sauce, while the palate is bright with fresh, lightly astringent notes of more cranberry, deepening with cherry and strawberry and a last hint of bitter cocoa. Palm Bay International. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023
Rocca delle Macìe Riserva di Fizzano Gran Selezione bottle

Sergio Zingarelli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

2019 Italy Chianti
94 Points

Leather, pencil shavings and balsamic vinegar on the nose mingle with wild herbs, especially oregano, with mint, cherry and chocolate arriving later. The palate has more cherries surrounded by blood orange jam before a shot of espresso on the slightly bitter finish that lasts thanks to sturdy tannins. Palm Bay International. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023
Sergio Zingarelli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione bottle

Chianti Classico DOCG

2021 Italy Chianti
90 Points

A combination of vanilla, tar and rose petals on the nose meets with wild herbs and fresh red fruit. Cranberries, strawberries and cherries on the palate stay in balance with more savory notes of tar and rock, pressing up against firm tannins. Palm Bay International. Best Buy. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast August 2023
Best Buy

Doocot Single Malt Scotch Whisky

NV/MV Scotland Fife
91 Points

An elegant and fruity whisky that was matured in bourbon barrels and Portuguese red wine casks that were shaved, toasted, and re-charred. The nose is a tropical vacation, with guava, mango, and bold pineapple blowing through a floral and slight saline breeze. The palate follows suit with added heft from nots of trail mix and spice cake. As each sip fades, the whisky drifts off with spiced orange and more tropical fruit. - S.E.

Whisky Advocate June 2023

Balcomie Single Malt Scotch Whisky

NV/MV Scotland Fife
91 Points

Overripe fruit, assertive rum esters, and chocolate-covered raisins lead on this confident single malt's nose. Once the almost fermented notes have been navigated, the whisky shows softer cinnamon roll aromas, with toffee and butterscotch. The palate tamps down the overripe notes, gracefully softening into dried berries, orange oil, and french toast. The finish is raisin and candied pecan-forward, fading over a moderate length of time. - S.E.

Whisky Advocate June 2023

Sauvignon Blanc

2022 New Zealand Marlborough
90 Points

A perfume of fresh passionfruit, grapefruit and lime is backed by fresh cut grass nuances in this classic New Zealand Sauvignon. The balanced palate is fresh and fruity with prickly, tingly acidity and an herbal, green grass finish. Drink chilled water-side. Palm Bay International. – C.P.

Wine Enthusiast June/July 2023
Best Buy