Good full ruby. Elemental, extremely primary nose features grapey blackberry, licorice and violet pastille. Big, sweet, broad and creamy; a huge, powerful wine with slightly rustic flavors of dark chocolate and minerals. Finishes with compelling sweetness of fruit, and very broad tannins that arrive late. From a block of vines that was recently torn out due to phylloxera. The richest of this trio of cabernets. Winemaker Chris Carpenter notes that the intention here is to make three wines of place by using neutral winemaking techniques. The only difference among the wines is maceration times, he added. All three of these bottlings are close to 15% alcohol.

Rich and savory, with aromas of umami, iodine, preserved lemons, almonds and yellow peaches. The bubbles are plush and mouth-filling with a clean finish. Disgorged August 2024. Zero dosage. 96 months en tirage. Full-bodied. Drink now.

A warm, autumnal wine with aromas of spices and ripe pears. A round, lush, concentrated, full-bodied palate with flavors of crisp green apples, spices, ginger and minerals and a mouthwatering finish. Full-bodied. Drink or hold.

A lush and pleasurable wine with aromas of red roses and baking spices and flavors of juicy red fruit. A full-bodied pinot with silky tannins, a rich and satisfying finish and pleasant bitter orange rind at the end. Drink now.

Subtle aromas of wet stones, orchard fruit, nectarines, hazelnuts and flowers. A rich, silky, full-bodied palate with hints of vanilla and spices and a clean finish. Drink or hold.

A concentrated, mouth-filling, full-bodied wine with plush and silky tannins. Aromas of raspberries, kirsch, bay laurel and thyme, with yummy flavors of cherries and cherry liqueur. Drink now.

A full-bodied wine with aromas of fresh herbs, crisp apples and spices. Textural acidity and creaminess on the palate, with lemon oil and chamomile in the finish. Drink or hold.

Last from Tenuta Di Arceno is the 2019 Valadorna, which is entirely Merlot and has a dark
red/purple hue. It was a bit shy and inward at this tasting, with deep, lurking notes of dark
chocolate, black plum, worn leather, and turned earth. It coats the palate with a glycerin
richness and sweetness of its fruit that lingers, and it has plush tannins and a salty and
spicy, warming finish. This is going to appeal to more international palates. Drink 2025-
2040.

This vintage of the 2021 Il Fauno Di Arcanum is 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 25%
Cabernet Sauvignon, and a splash of Petit Verdot. It’s expressive out of the gate with
aromas of graphite, blackcurrant, candied flowers, and fresh tobacco, and it’s a total
charmer on the palate as well, with just the slightest giveaway of its provenance with notes
of Mediterranean herbs on the finish. It is full-bodied and ripe, with a supple texture and a
lovely finish. Drink 2025-2037.

The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Campolupi sports a magenta color in the glass
and offers ripe notes of menthol, black cherries, pine needles, and violets. With a medium
to full-bodied frame, it saturates the palate with ripe tannins, mouthwatering salinity, and
even acidity coming through for a long and slightly warming finish. While I’m personally
leaning toward the Riserva as my favorite wine in the range, this has a lot to offer and
should drink and age well over the coming 10-15 years.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Pinot
Noir Parson's Vineyard has layered aromas of pomegranate,
blackberry, tea leaves, violet and spice. The full-bodied palate is
bursting with concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s framed by silky
tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, fragrant finish. 235
cases were made.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Pinot
Noir Bloomfield Vineyard has inviting aromas of pomegranate,
wild berries, oolong tea leaves, charcuterie and bitters. The fullbodied palate features concentrated, nuanced, spicy flavors. It’s
structured by silky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long,
layered finish. 230 cases were made.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Sealift Vineyard was matured for 14
months in 40% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of
pomegranate, black cherry, conifer, pipe tobacco and
mushrooms. The full-bodied palate is brimming with
concentrated, foresty flavors and its oak is well integrated. It’s
structured by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity and has a
long, layered finish. 155 cases were made.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Pinot
Noir Barbieri Vineyard has slowly unfurling scents of blackberry,
black tea leaves, earth, mushroom and spice. The full-bodied
palate is bursting with perfumed fruit. It’s framed by silky
tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 355
cases were made.

The 2023 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyardcomes from vines planted more than a century ago, andthe wine maturedfor nine months in 45% newFrench oak. Ithas slowlyunfoldingaromas of raspberry, wildcherry, tobacco, crackedpepper andfloral perfume. The full-bodiedpalate offerspure,fragrant flavors framed bysilkytannins and juicyacidity, and ithas a long, layeredfinish. 250 cases were made.

The 2023 Zinfandel Jolene'sVineyardwas matured for nine months in 48% new French oak. It has explosive aromasofwild berries andcherries, peachand apricot, fennelandearth. The full-bodiedpalate is generous and expressive with layer after layer offruit and spice.It has a powerful frame ofpowdery tannins, mouthwateringacidity anda long, perfumed finish. 240 cases were made.

Fromthe Durell Vineyard, the 2023ChardonnayStone Côte was barrel-fermented andmaturedfor 14 months in 15%new French oak. Ithas intense aromas of yellow peach, papaya, panna cotta andgenerous yet well-integrated oak spice.The full-bodied palate featuressatiny, mouth-coatingflavorsfoiled byvibrant acidity, andit has a long, layeredfinish. 290 caseswere made.

The 2023ChardonnayFog Dance Vineyardwas barrelfermented and maturedfor 14 monthsin 12%newFrench oak. It has slowly unfolding aromas of peach, quince, chamomile, meringue andsaline.The full-bodied palate is burstingwithripe, honeyedorchardfruit. Its luxurious, silkytexture isfoiledby vibrant, gently tangyacidity. and it has a very long, pure finish. 212 cases were made.

Maturedfor 14 months in 23% new French oak, the 2023Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyardis burstingwitharomas of rhubarb, black cherry, bloodorange, graham crackeranddried herbs. The medium-bodied palate featureslayered, earth-lacedflavors. It’s balanced byvibrantacidity and has a long, perfumed finish. 316 cases were made.

The 2023 PinotNoir WarriorPrincess comes from the Zena CrownVineyardin Eola-Amity Hills. Matured for 15 monthsin 27%new French oak, it has expressivescentsof rhubarb, raspberry, juniper, black tea leaves and citrus. The full-bodied palate is concentratedand layered. It’sframed bysoft, chalky tannins andvibrantacidity andhas a long, perfumedfinish. 319 cases were made.

This appellation cuvée is quite a catch. Aromas of violet, scarlet roses, rhubarb and strawberry decorate the nose. The palate takes those floral tones and adds black raspberry and sharp spices to the mix.

The nose of this Pinot brings concentrated cherry, rose petal and black tea aromas, with darker, earthier flavors of black plum, Darjeeling and fried shiitake rising in the balanced midpalate. The finish lingers with a mélange of spiced berry, crushed herb and velvety tannins.

This bright and summery Chardonnay displays a nose of tart apple, pineapple, nectarine, cinnamon and almond on the nose. The palate is a flood of juicy acidity, with flavors of pear galette, Meyer lemon and candied ginger lingering through the finish.

Lavish aromas of spiced apple chutney, crème brulee, and white flowers swirl on the nose of this Chardonnay. The palate possesses a brilliant acid streak, with flavors of Meyer lemon, nectarine, candied ginger, Madagascar vanilla, and apple blossom resonating through a long and seductive finale.

From some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines remaining in California, this bottling is quite complex from nose to finish. Aromas of lemongrass, lime peel and dried grass show a bit of power. The palate lands roundly, with a heftier body framing lemon, grapefruit and white flower flavors.