(Translated from the French) Delicious and seductive in both aromas and flavours. Fruity notes prevail, with hints of jammy red fruit that seem light thanks to the fine bubbles. A moderate sweetness entices, with accents of red currant jelly, but the Champagne remains straightforward and vivacious. Balanced. Score - 94. (Terre de Vins, Dec. 2023)
This wartime Ukranian Charmat method sparkling wine is made from a blend of chardonnay, riesling, and aligoté. Notably floral and endearing with aromas of tender rose, jasmine, lime and sweet grapefruit. Off-dry and zesty with an enduring character. Tasted December 2024. Score - 88. (Sara d'Amato, winealign.com)
Made from Cabernet, Merlot and Saperavi, this velvety, flavourful bubbly evokes ripe cherry, berry jelly, dark chocolate, coffee, and sweet spices. Serve lightly chilled.
The summer was so arid in 2022 that the vines shut down and ripening was halted until mid-August rains arrived. This helped to preserve acidity in the grapes, giving sensational freshness to balance the rich and finely structured palate. Masseto 2022, then, combines the best of both worlds: fruit ripeness and concentration, and freshness and poise. It's not as immediately seductive as the 2021, but there is so much potential in this long-lived vintage. Scents of cool, damp earth, dark hedgerow berries, Mediterranean scrub, and cocoa and wood give a sense of what is to come once time has untangled everything. Zingy, crunchy acidity steals the show early on, segueing into a mouthful of succulent yet dense dark berries and spice imbued with plenty of energy. Then some balsamic herbs and floral notes lighten the palate, before a touch of salinity and some bitter herbs emerge on the finish, with a refrain of bright cherry. Something special. Drinking window: 2026-2050. Score - 98. (James Button, decanter.com, July 11, 2025)
Two parcels in Villalba (an area which produces some of the region's most structured reds) provide the grapes for this assemblage of Tempranillo with a little Viura and Malvasía. The oak is just a little drying, but there's plenty of underlying dark berry fruit and tannin. Just needs time. Drink date: 2024-30. Score - 92. (timatkin.com, Rioja Special Report 2022)
Created by legendary 'flying winemaker' Michel Rolland, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Agiorgitiko is rich and decadent. There's engaging wood smoke, generous chocolate cake and blackcurrant, and a long, smoky finish. This will drink into the mid-2030s and will be great with lamb or mushroom-based dishes.
Friendly and fruity but also tangy and appetizing, this nervy, light-bodied wine includes 12% cortese grapes. Crisp lemons, limes, kiwi fruit and jicama. Juicy and refreshing with low alcohol. Drink now. Score - 91. (jamessuckling.com, May 30, 2024)
The 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is terrific. Soft and pliant, with fabulous balance, the 2022 is a total charmer. Antinori's style today, one that favors a lighter hand than in the past, works so well here. Succulent red cherry, spice, new leather and rose petal are front and center. All of this fruit is from Antinori's Tignanello property. It captures all the essence of site in a more approachable style that is undeniably appealing. Drinking window: 2025-2034. Score - 93. (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, July 10, 2025)
Keen Vintages customers know that Weingut Rabl is one of the most trusted names in Austrian winemaking. This Grüner shows flavours of starfruit and green apple, with hints of asparagus and white pepper. Serve it in the sunshine alongside chicken burgers and potato salad.
The Quadrus Reserva is grown and crafted in Portugal by Toronto-born brothers Tony and Mario Amaro of the famed Opus Restaurant. Vines for this wine are grown 650 metres above sea level in a terraced vineyard rich in schist. This lovely red is already mature and ready to enjoy, showing notes of red plum, beetroot, and dried herbs, with a touch of vanilla.
This is immediately appealing on the nose with Granny Smith apple, nectarine, feijoa and green tea aromas, leading to a delightfully flavoursome palate that's juicy and lively. Varietally expressive and delectably appealing. At its best: now to 2026. Score - 93. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Nov. 2023)
Created by the superstar team of Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse, and iconic winemaker Gérard Bertrand, this blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre was first released in 2017 and has earned an enthusiastic following for its snappy, pure, fresh melon, cherry, peach, dried herbs, spice, and wet-stone minerality. Fun, appealing and fresh, it's everything you want in a rosé.