Brut

NV/MV Spain Penedès, Catalonia
86 Points

This medium-apricot-colored sparkling rosé has aromas of peach, cantaloupe and Turkish delight. Peach continues into the flavor profile, along with lightly sweet notes of orange marmalade, apricot preserves, rose petal and a hint of baking spice. Palm Bay International. Best Buy. —M.D.

Wine Enthusiast November 2022
Chic Barcelona Brut Bottle Best Buy

Spice King

NV/MV Scotland Highlands
90 Points

Look for a mildly smoky palate wrapped around a core of toasted nuts and honey. Most of the spice comes forward on the robust finish, showing clove, cinnamon and black-pepper heat. —K.N

Wine Enthusiast November 2022
Wemyss Spice King

Peat Chimney

NV/MV Scotland Speyside & Islay
91 Points

Expect a mildly smoky aroma, plus a nutty hint. Add a splash of water, and the palate shows dark chocolate, cigar smoke and leather, winding into a drying, peaty exhale framed by black-pepper heat. —K.N.

Wine Enthusiast November 2022
Wemyss Peat Chimney

The Hive

NV/MV Scotland Speyside
91 Points

The waxy honey aroma suggests this blended malt Scotch is appropriately named. Add water to dial down alcohol heat on the palate: The reward is mild toasted coconut sweetness and a hint of agave nectar, leading into a warming, prickly black-and-red-pepper finish. —K.N.

Wine Enthusiast November 2022
The Hive

Numina Gran Corte

2019 Argentina Mendoza
94 Points

The 2019 Gran Corte Numina is a blend of 66% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot from Los Árboles and San Pablo, Uco Valley; it was aged for 16 months in a tenth new barrels. Purple in the glass. The complex nose offers clearly defined notes of cigar box, vanilla, fresh plum, blackcurrant and bay leaf with hints of ash. Lean and juicy in the mouth with refined tannins, the flavors are driven by the oak. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022
Salentein, Bodegas Numina bottle

Pr1mum Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Argentina Mendoza
94 Points

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Primum is made with grapes from Los Árboles and San Pablo, Uco Valley and was aged for 18 months in 15% new French barrels. Dark garnet red in the glass. The nose offers notes of blackcurrant, mint, bay leaf, thyme and dried flowers over a bed of cedar and a whiff of bell pepper that enhances the other aromas. Broad in the mouth with gentle grip and a substantial character, this is an expansive red with good volume, a refined structure and a languorous finish. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Salentein Reserve Cabernet Franc

2020 Argentina Mendoza
92 Points

The 2020 Cabernet Franc Numina from Los Árboles, Uco Valley was aged for 14 months in French barrels, a tenth of them new. Garnet red in color. The delicate nose presents gentle notes of candied blackcurrant along with hints of ash, bell pepper, bay leaf and cigar box. In the mouth, it’s dominated by finely grained, reactive tannins that constrict the flow, yet has a well-judged freshness. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Pr1mum Malbec

2019 Argentina Mendoza
93 Points

The 2019 Malbec Primum from Los Arboles and San Pablo, Uco Valley was aged for 18 months in 15% new French barrels. A dull purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of prune, herbs, hints of violets, rose and mint and elegant woody aromas such as sandalwood. Juicy and creamy in the mouth with refined tannins, the lively freshness stretches out the finish. A rewarding, substantial wine. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Reserve Malbec

2021 Argentina Mendoza
90 Points

The 2021 Malbec Salentein Reserve is a blend of grapes from Los Árboles and Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley and was aged for 12 months in used French (30%) and American (70%) barrels. Purple in the glass. The no-nonsense nose offers notes of ripe red fruit with a little fresh plum and hints of spice. It’s voluminous in the mouth with polished tannins and fruity flavor enlivened by the precise freshness. A rewarding wine. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Salentein Reserve Cabernet Franc

2020 Argentina Mendoza
92 Points

The 2020 Cabernet Franc Numina from Los Árboles, Uco Valley was aged for 14 months in French barrels, a tenth of them new. Garnet red in color. The delicate nose presents gentle notes of candied blackcurrant along with hints of ash, bell pepper, bay leaf and cigar box. In the mouth, it’s dominated by finely grained, reactive tannins that constrict the flow, yet has a well-judged freshness. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Los Jabalies Single Vineyard Malbec

2018 Argentina Mendoza
93 Points

The 2018 Malbec Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo Los Jabalíes from San Pablo was aged for 16 months in barrels. A dark purple in hue. The compact nose presents notes of ripe plum with cedar, bay leaf, mint and jammy aromas alongside hints of country herbs. In the mouth, it’s broad and indulgent with good heft, which is kept light on its feet by the juicy freshness, resulting in a characterful, long-lasting wine. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Single Vineyard Malbec El Tomillo Estate

2018 Argentina Mendoza
92 Points

The 2018 Malbec Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo El Tomillo hails from Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley and was aged for 16 months in used barrels. Purple in hue. The nose offers country herbs, hints of plum, thyme and rose. It’s quite smooth on the palate with finely grained, slightly chalky tannins and good juice and energy before the prolix finish. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Los Cerezos Single Vineyard Malbec

2018 Argentina Mendoza
93 Points

The 2018 Malbec Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo Los Cerezos from Gualtallary, Uco Valley was aged for 16 months in used barrels. Purple in the glass. The liqueur-like aromatic profile presents sour cherry and country herbs along with jammy notes and open hints from the aging process. This is a potent, energetic red with finely grained tannins and good tension; the palate delivers profound flavor. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Single Vineyard La Pampa 1997 San Pablo Malbec

2019 Argentina Mendoza
95 Points

The 2019 Malbec Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo La Pampa 1997 from San Pablo, Uco Valley was aged for 16 months in used barrels. A dense purple in the glass. The nose presents expressive notes of fresh plum, violets and mint with subtle cedar aromas. Intense in the mouth with a juicy, taut texture and a little grip, the flow is teased into a long finish. The 2019 is a rich, impressive wine. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Salentein Numina Malbec

2020 Argentina Mendoza
92 Points

The 2020 Malbec Numina comes from Los Árboles and San Pablo, Uco Valley and was aged for 14 months in French barrels. Purple in hue. The aromas feature coconut, cedar, fresh plum and a hint of blackberry. Indulgent, broad and grippy with a juicy flow, it handles with warm year with balanced grace and flavor. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Los Jabalies Single Vineyard Malbec

2019 Argentina Mendoza
93 Points

The 2019 Pinot Noir Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo Los Jabalíes (from San Pablo, Uco Valley) spent 10 months in French barrels. A light ruby red in the glass. The nose offers sweet brier, sour cherry, damp earth and elegant sandalwood aromas. Silky with tart freshness, it’s nimble in the mouth with a delicate flow and a pleasant, long-lasting finish of oaky, floral and fruity flavors. – J.H.

Vinous September 2022

Pinot Noir

2022 Argentina Mendoza
90 Points

The 2022 Pinot Noir Portillo from the Uco Valley is cherry red in color. Notes of strawberry and gentle hints of mushroom and earth come through extremely clear on the nose, especially considering the price of this wine. Lean with a nimble, flavorful flow, the young tannins add character, keeping things fairly taut. An overachiever in this segment. -J.H.

Vinous September 2022
Portillo_PinotNoir

Sauvignon Blanc Rosé

2021 New Zealand Marlborough
90 Points

This ballerina pink rosé is a balanced and refreshing drop that drinks like a straight SB. The varietal vegetal characters are out in full force on the aromatic nose. Summer veg garden notes of green bell pepper and tomato leaf mingle with pink grapefruit, pineapple and passionfruit. The palate is bone dry with zingy acidity and crunchy green veg and juicy fruit flavors. There's a bit of a sulphuric burn towards the finish, but overall a highly crowd-pleasing drop.- C.P.

Wine Enthusiast November 2022

Pando Fino

NV/MV Spain Jerez
91 Points

The new bottling of NV Fino Pando has a golden color, which reflects a wine with less filtration. The problem is that these bottles are impossible to identify, as there is no mention on the labels about bottling date or saca, but it's bottled with an average age of five years under flor. It's expressive and elegant with aromas of esparto grass, olives, sea breeze and chalk. The palate is medium-bodied with pungent flavors and with a strong, chalky mineral finish with a strong bitter twist. -L.G.

Wine Advocate September 2022

"Don Zoilo" Pedro Ximenez

NV/MV Spain Jerez
90 Points

The textbook sweet NV Don Zoilo Pedro Ximénez 15 Years Old has a dark mahogany color and an expressive note with notes of raisins, dried plums and dates and a touch of sweet spices, dark chocolate and espresso coffee. It has a lush and round palate with moderate acidity, velvety and sweet, with 18% alcohol and 430 grams of sugar. –L.G.

Wine Advocate September 2022

"Don Zoilo" Oloroso

NV/MV Spain Jerez
90 Points

The NV Don Zoilo Oloroso 15 Años underwent an oxidative aging in oak cask to give it a round and lush texture, fortified to 18% alcohol but kept dry. It's nutty and has notes of peach skin. It's aromatic (Oloroso!) with notes of oak, spicy and smoky with balance and elegance. The wine seems to get better with each new bottling; they are fine-tuning small details. –L.G.

Wine Advocate September 2022

"Don Zoilo" Amontillado

NV/MV Spain Jerez
91 Points

The NV Don Zoilo Amontillado 15 Años has an average age of 15 years, produced by the soleras and criaderas system of vintage blending and comes from Fino that has lost the veil of yeast. It has 19% alcohol but very good acidity and freshness, which makes it accessible and easy to drink. It's very tasty, with nutty flavors and some varnish notes. It's approachable and affordable with good typicity. –L.G.

Wine Advocate September 2022

Galilee Chardonnay

2019 Israel Upper Galilee
88 Points

White peach and spiced apple flavors show buttery undertones in this medium-bodied white, with notes of honeysuckle and baking spices carrying through the finish, along with a hint of vanilla. Kosher. Drink now. 950 cases made, 50 cases imported. — GS

Wine Spectator December 2021

Special Reserve

2019 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. — KB

Wine Spectator October 2022

Sasyr

2019 Italy Tuscany
90 Points

Lifted and aromatic on the nose, with lots of cherry and watermelon character and some crushed stone. Medium-bodied with linear, tight tannins that are bright and fresh. Citrusy at the end. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. –J.S.

JamesSuckling.com August 2022

Ser Gioveto

2019 Italy Chianti
93 Points

Subtle and complex aromas of red berries, mushrooms, blood orange and nutmeg. A medium-bodied Chianti Classico, showing dusty tannins and juicy, savory berry fruit on the palate. Silky and effortless. Drinking nicely now, but can hold, too. –J.S.

JamesSuckling.com August 2022

Roccato

2019 Italy Tuscany
91 Points

This has aromas of coffee, mushrooms, bark, olives and brambleberries. Distinct salty and savory character on the palate, with a medium body and firm, lightly chewy tannins. Lingering, salty black-olive and espresso notes. Drink or hold. - J.S.

JamesSuckling.com August 2022

Roccato

2019 Italy Tuscany
93 Points

Lots of blackcurrants, licorice and mint with some graphite on the nose. Medium to full body with integrated tannins and a very long, fresh finish. Rather open already. Another year or two will make it even better. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold. –J.S.

JamesSuckling.com July 2022