Americas
The North American wine producing reputation can largely be attributed to the global fame and success of Napa Valley and Sonoma County in the United States. Although technically ‘new world’, its wines have the same devoted fan base (and often first-growth prices) as many classic European wines. Free from the shackles of European winemaking law, one can find a variety of cooler climate Cabs, Merlots, Pinots, Chardonnays and Rieslings that will entice all wine lovers.
South America is an exciting new melting pot of styles and flavours with a range of soils types and altitudes – taking international varietals and finishing with French winemaking techniques, or in the case of Argentinian Malbec, adopting a largely unloved grape and making it their own.
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Americas
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Wine Advocate (99)
The best wine so far (although I suspect the 2015 may ultimately enter the picture as well) is the nearly perfect 2013 Promontory Estate. It is simply richer and fuller, with greater integration of tannin, and tastes spectacular. With an opaque, dense purple color and notes of graphite, wet rocks, blackberry and blueberry fruit, some charcoal, and again, loads of spice and loamy soil nuances, the wine has great intensity, a full-bodied texture, and finely grained, sweet tannin. This is a stunner and again, accessible, but its best days are probably a good decade away, as this could very well turn out to be a 40- to 50-year wine.د.إ6,915.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)
The 2014 Promontory has aged impeccably. Dark cherry, plum, leather and lavender are all pushed forward. A wine of density and power, the 2014 shows the richer, more overt style that was in place here ten years ago. I loved this wine on release, and it is still both very special and incredibly young. The 2014 represents a point of transition. It was aged 70% in cask and 30% in small French oak barrels. Today, Promontory is aged exclusively in large-format oak.د.إ5,115.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)
The 2014 Promontory has aged impeccably. Dark cherry, plum, leather and lavender are all pushed forward. A wine of density and power, the 2014 shows the richer, more overt style that was in place here ten years ago. I loved this wine on release, and it is still both very special and incredibly young. The 2014 represents a point of transition. It was aged 70% in cask and 30% in small French oak barrels. Today, Promontory is aged exclusively in large-format oak.د.إ6,755.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (99)
The 2015 Promontory is just as magnificent as it has always been. Tasted next to current releases, the 2015 shows the riper style of the year, and also a bit more oak influence from the new casks the estate was moving to during this era. Dark-hued fruit, graphite, leather, dried herbs, lavender and a touch of oak open with a bit of coaxing. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the quality of the tannins, by far the biggest challenge the Harlan family faced in the early days of making wines from this rugged hillside site. If I think back to the 2008, the first vintage here, and wines I tasted prior to release, the progress made at Promontory in under a decade is nothing short of remarkable.د.إ10,300.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
Deep purple-black colored, the nose of the 2016 Promontory starts a little sluggish and broody before positively erupting with powerful scents of plum preserves and crème de cassis, followed by exotic hints of cardamom, Indian spices, and sandalwood, plus wafts of fertile loam and crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and velvety, intertwining opulence and minerality with wonderful vibrancy and gravitas, finishing with an epically long-lasting array of earthy sparks. Now starting to shut down as it heads into a slumber, give it a good 4-5 more years in the cellar before broaching, then drink it over the next 30+ years.د.إ9,480.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
Packed full of vivid (there really doesn't seem any other word for it) cassis and blueberry fruits, floral, textural and nuanced. Cabernet Sauvignon signature mix of crushed rocks, mint, crayon and slate, just a brilliant wine and a reflection of its exceptional site. This is elegant and precise while still delivering muscular, powerful flavours. I first tasted it at the property last November, and it's reassuring to see it make exactly the same impression when retasted back in Bordeaux, away from the awe-inspiring landscape. Harvest September 10 through to October 23. David Cilli winemaker, director Will Harlan.د.إ9,120.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
The 2019 Promontory has a deep garnet-purple color. It is quite closed at the moment, needing a little swirling to reveal notes of crushed rocks, garrigue, iron ore, and lavender, leading to a core of black cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fresh blackcurrants, with a hint of mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is so tightly wound, delivering multi-layered black and red berries with mineral and earthy sparks, supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant.د.إ11,380.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The flagship is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon mostly from Champoux with the balance from Palengat and Wallula vineyards. Crème de cassis, graphite, black licorice, unsmoked tobacco, and hints of chocolate and emerge from this beauty and it continues to gain depth and nuance with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, and layered with an incredible purity and elegance on the palate, it's already accessible but has more than enough tannin, depth, and balance to evolve for two decades or more.د.إ6,335.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Aromas of spearmint, sweet tobacco, cigars and blackcurrants follow through to a medium to full body, very polished and refined tannins and an intense finish. Extremely fine and long. Savory. Extremely long finish. Biodynamically grown.د.إ3,610.00 -
Decanter (97)
Heading into harvest at the peak of the California drought years, the 2015 vintage also marks the first full vintage produced by winemaker Rebekah Wineburg. ‘We saw a small crop with small berries and incredible concentration. Not a hot year but warm,’ she recalls. What a drop-dead lovely wine sporting red, black, and blue-toned fruit flavours and aromas, with enticing cardamom and sweet cedar. Expansive and voluminous on the palate with divine concentration lifted by a spine of tingly acidity. The tannins are almost feathery, light, and delicate, yet present and built on a long, seamless finish. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Carménѐre. Harvest: September 2 – September 30, 2015. 21 months in 75% new French oak barrel.د.إ3,750.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Phenomenal aromas of crushed berries, forest fruit, mushrooms and iron. Medium to full body, with layers of soft and refined tannins that follow through to a beautiful finish. Extremely long and refined. This shows depth and structure with balance and harmony. Hard not to open the bottle now and drink it, but it appears to be closing down now. Needs four to five years to show it all.د.إ4,225.00 -
James Suckling (99)
This is beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character. Some much earthier character, too, from mushrooms to bark. Forest flowers. Perfumed. It’s full-bodied with round tannins and a soft, creamy finish. Some iron and iodine to this. So attractive at the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2023.د.إ2,955.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
This is a winemaker's master class in blending and understanding of a long-standing site. Dried herb, cedar and pencil shavings accent lifted red fruit and brilliant acidity on the palate, with a supple yet still youthfully grippy texture that is framed by structured, graceful tannins.د.إ3,535.00 -
The Wine Independent (96)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carmenere, and 2% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with vibrant scents of wild blueberries, redcurrant jelly, and warm cassis plus hints of underbrush, pencil shavings, and bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is lively and fine-grained, with bags of bright fruit and a fragrant lift on the finish of this impressive wine.د.إ3,590.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (94)
The 2021 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard is another stellar wine in this range from Racines. Deep mineral veins drive through a core of citrus fruit in this exquisite, vibrant Chardonnay. Citrus peel, white flowers and graphite linger.د.إ1,796.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020Vinous (93)
The 2020 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée is a terrific introduction to the range. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, rose petal and a touch of whole cluster savoriness are all beautifully delineated. This is such a gorgeous and expressive Pinot.د.إ1,320.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (96)
The 2021 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is another captivating wine from Racines. Blood orange, red cherry fruit, mint, spice, chalk and white pepper all open in the glass. The 70% whole clusters work beautifully with the wine's natural personality. Bright saline notes extend the dynamic finish effortlessly. This is a very, very pretty wine.د.إ2,059.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020Jancis Robinson (17)
Proprietary name. One-third whole bunch. This blend follows the US model of barrel selection. So this is from the best barrels or rather the ones that go together best. 3,000 bottles produced. A little more tension than the regular bottling and really very nice. Ripe but not sweet.د.إ1,601.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous (94)
The 2021 Chardonnay Wenzlau Family Vineyard is gracious, elegant and wonderfully lifted. Crushed rocks, flowers, citrus, mint and white pepper all grace this exquisite wine. Readers will find a taut Chardonnay that emphasizes mineral and saline intensity. It's a terrific wine from one of the most evocative sectors in the Sta. Rita Hills.د.إ1,529.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2022 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is also a bright silver straw color and has a slightly deeper tone. Revealing notes of smoky wet stones, lemon balm, green apples, and fresh flowers, it has a bit more medium-bodied richness. with a lovely. light-on-its-feet feel in this vintage. It’s just a joy to drink now or over the next 10-12 years.د.إ995.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Bright straw-colored, the 2021 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is forward on the nose with notes of melon rind, fresh pear, flint, and delicate baking spice, and it has a lot of vibrant nature. Medium to full-bodied, it offers fantastic tension and a linear feel with great length, and it’s going to age very well. Drink 2025-2040.د.إ1,479.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color, requiring a little coaxing before it spills out of the glass with fantastically showy blackberry preserves, boysenberries and cassis notes, plus hints of black raspberries, clove oil and potpourri, with a touch of tobacco leaf. The decadent, full-bodied palate sports a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins with beautiful freshness. All that generous black fruit melds seamlessly into a very long, mineral-laced finish.د.إ7,765.00 -
Vinous (98)
The 2018 The Bard is fabulous and also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Realm. Vertical structure, power and explosive energy infuse the 2018 with tremendous character. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, licorice and lavender are some of the many notes that run through the 2018. This is the first vintage that includes a dollop of Petite Sirah from Bourn. It is also the first vintage in which a portion of the wine was aged in concrete eggs, which seems to add tension and a palpable sense of vibrancy. The Bard is a blend of 40 different lots, everything from Calistoga to Coombsville, a marriage of elements that works so well. Although none of these wines could be referred to as inexpensive, The Bard is a tremendous relative value within the context of high-end Napa Valley. I loved it. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Petite Sirah.د.إ2,420.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The 2019 The Bard checks in as 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, and it’s another dense, rich, powerful wine from this team that readers are going to absolutely love. Coming from throughout the valley (it’s always a great representation of the vintage), it offers up a brilliant nose of crème de cassis, ripe plums, graphite, scorched earth, and chocolate. About as seamless as they come on the palate, it’s full-bodied and has a thrilling texture, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s one of those wines where I feel like I’m overusing adjectives, but it’s warranted.د.إ2,695.00 -
Vinous (93)
Deep ruby-red. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the fragrant nose, along with hints of succulent flowers and musky earth. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, mulberry and cherry flavors sweetened by a vanilla flourish. Smooth tannins build slowly, adding shape to a very long, smoke- and spice-laced finish. 30% new French oak.د.إ981.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Wine Advocate (94)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley overdelivers for the price. It’s bursting with scents of cranberry, rhubarb, allspice, mushrooms and bitters. The medium-bodied palate pairs highly concentrated, spicy flavors with dusty tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, layered finish.د.إ701.00 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2019 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard trades places with its Horseshoe neighbor in this vintage, beginning with a reticent, dark-fruited nose of fresh herbs, black tea, black pepper and allspice that steadily gains momentum. It is superbly elegant and restrained on the palate, with a pleasing undercurrent of sumptuous dark fruits and finessed but persistent tannins. The length and persistence of the finish are spectacular and, in this vintage, is what narrowly edges out the Horseshoe bottling. I find it endlessly fascinating to compare the two as they are consistently neck-in-neck and impressive shapeshifters in the glass.د.إ2,330.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Dark garnet – much darker than Geyserville 2021. Extremely sophisticated and complex on the nose already! Quite a contrast to the Geyserville. Lots of ripe, slightly dusty, well-integrated fruit hits the front palate and then the wine builds towards the rich finish. You could enjoy this now but it might be a bit of a shame – not least in view of how well the 2009 shows today. Definitely a wine for the table.د.إ2,460.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Still a perfect wine in my opinion, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a powerhouse that's going to need substantial time in the cellar. Reminding me of the 1986 Mouton Rothschild with its powerful, inward, massively structured style, it offers a dense, powerful nose of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, crushed stone, and lead pencil, with some solid chocolaty oak. Deep, rich, massively concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has building tannins, a beautiful spine of acidity, and a fabulous finish. I followed this bottle for multiple days and it only got better, so don’t be afraid to give these plenty of air if opening any time soon. It will ideally be given another decade of bottle age and it's going to see it 50th birthday in fine form.د.إ5,395.00 -
Vinous (96+)
The 2018 Monte Bello is a wine of extraordinary finesse. Although it doesn’t have the body or overt richness of some recent vintages, it more than makes up for that with its total sense of harmony. Lavender, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers all develop in a sublime, refined Monte Bello that will thrill Ridge lovers. This is an especially elegant, lithe vintage for Monte Bello that is marked by a dry year with no heat spikes and a very long harvest that wrapped up in late October.د.إ4,920.00
