Vinous (91)

The 2020 Geyserville is quite soft in this vintage. Bright red-fleshed fruit, crushed flowers, cedar, spice and sweet pipe tobacco all grace this mid-weight edition of Geyserville. All things considered, the 2020 is nicely done.

Crafted in the esteemed Lytton Springs vineyard of Sonoma County, California, Ridge Grenache Blanc 2020 is a quintessential embodiment of Ridge Vineyards' commitment to creating historic, world-class wines. Remarkably fragrant, this white wine tantalisingly displays an amalgamation of floral and citrus notes, underpinned by a delicate hint of minerality. Ridge Grenache Blanc 2020 is deftly aged in American oak barrels for 11 months, amplifying its unique depth and rewarding discerning palates with delectable complexity.

Ridge Vineyards, a revered winery since 1962, holds the distinct accolade of creating some of the most timeless, globally acclaimed Californian wines. Trusted for the exhibition of variety’s unique characteristics and terroir expressivity, Ridge Grenache Blanc 2020 stands as a proud testament to their consistent wine-making prowess. The quintessence of refinement, Ridge Grenache Blanc 2020 elevates any occasion with its captivating vibrancy and impressive finish.

Vinous (93)

The 2020 Lytton Springs is a very pretty wine. Bright floral and spice accents open first. Silky and medium in body, with plenty of persistence and fine balance, the 2020 is pretty impressive, especially for the year. Zinfandel character really drives the feel in 2020. A burst of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and dried herbs lingers on the open-knit, intensely perfumed finish.

Opaque ruby colour with ripe cassis, plum, and redcurrant fruit, toasty oak barrel spice, vanilla, fennel, juniper berry, bay laurel, well-integrated velvety tannins, full mid-palate, firm acid, long, sumptuous finish.

Immerse yourself in the complex yet elegant fusion of exquisite flavours presented by the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2020. This opulent, hand-harvested blend hails from California's famed Sonoma County, an epicentre of world-class viticulture. Known for their persistent commitment to creating distinct, terroir-driven wines, Ridge Vineyards has delivered a Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Grenache amalgamation that amazes with its robust depth and nuance.

The 2020 vintage flourishes in your glass with a vibrant ruby red hue, teasing the palate with its enticing layers of ripe berries, warm spices, and a hint of toasted oak. Raised using organic and traditional practices, the Three Valleys blend is a testament to Ridge's fifty-year-long journey towards mastering the Bordeaux-style winemaking technique, truly showcasing their exceptional craftsmanship. The exemplary feature of the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2020 is the harmonious balance it achieves; a timeless testament to the ripe, fertile vineyards of Northern California.

The Sainte Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2020 from Washington State’s prestigious Columbia Valley is an elegant and nuanced expression of the Chardonnay grape. Graced with a brilliant golden hue, this sophisticated wine is crafted by the acclaimed Sainte Michelle winery, known for their tradition of viticultural excellence and pioneering spirit. Aged in French oak barrels, it offers layered notes of apple, pear, and tropical fruits ensnared in a creamy texture, rounded out by a trace of toasty vanilla.

The wine exhibits a graceful balance of acidity and fruit reminiscent of Old World Chardonnays, embodying the finest aspects of both innovative and traditional wine-making techniques. The meticulous attention to vineyard selection and fermentation process ensures the impeccable quality of the Sainte Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2020 and rich, complex character. A white wine of unwavering quality, it serves as an impressive pairing for your distinguished palate or gourmet fare.

Crafted in Paso Robles, the famed Rhône wine-producing area in California, the Saxum James Berry 2020 showcases the intricate artistry of winemaker Justin Smith. This blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah is a bold testament to the limestone-rich soil of the vineyard, boasting an intensity that echoes its unique terroir. Grown in limited batches, each bottle is a treat for discerning oenophiles.

Employing native yeasts in the fermentation process and applying meticulous ageing techniques, the Saxum James Berry 2020 arouses a sophisticated plummy resonance, accentuated by hints of black cherries and spices. Its enchanting velvety finish pays tribute to the loamy undercurrents of James Berry Vineyard.

With Saxum eschewing filtration and fining methods, each glass of James Berry 2020 offers a remarkable unadulterated expression of fruit that sets it a class apart. Opulent yet balanced, this wine is a testament to Saxum's dedication to producing wines of exceptional quality.

James Suckling (99)

Fabulous aromas of cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrants, blueberries, bark, fresh mushrooms and violets, follow through to a full body with an elegance that builds at the finish, leaving you with a freshness and minerality that goes on for minutes. Unique wine in so many ways. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Best after 2028.

James Suckling (99)

Fabulous aromas of cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrants, blueberries, bark, fresh mushrooms and violets, follow through to a full body with an elegance that builds at the finish, leaving you with a freshness and minerality that goes on for minutes. Unique wine in so many ways. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Best after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)

The 2020 Grenache Distenta II is a blend of mostly 78% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and a tiny splash of Viognier. It's a ripe, sexy, insanely good barrel sample that has remarkable purity, tons of black raspberry and cassis fruits, perfect balance, full-bodied richness, and an already complex bouquet of violets, spice, and flowers. I continue to be blown away by what this estate seems to achieve with Grenache in just about every vintage.

Wine Advocate (99)

The recently bottled 2020 Syrah Distenta 11 is a blend of 82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvèdre, 3.4% Petite Sirah and 2.3% white grapes (1.5% Muskat and 0.8% Petit Manseng, to be precise). It comes entirely from estate vineyards: The Third Twin (43%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (21%) and Molly Aïda (3%). It was fermented with 16% whole clusters and matured for about 23 months in 66% new French oak. "I like whole cluster less on Syrah," Manfred Krankl explains. "It can be more herbal. But these 2020s are much more fleshy and unctuous, so it shows better." Opaque ruby in color, it opens significantly as it spends time in the decanter, unfolding to cassis, crème de violette, coffee and warm chocolate. The palate embodies weightless power, its concentrated, graphite-laced flavors carried by a velvety, seamless frame, while soft bursts of acidity highlight floral perfume on the long finish. Still very tightly coiled, its intense, latent flavors suggest this has much more to give as it unwinds in bottle. 1,999 cases and 600 magnums will be released in the spring of 2023.

Experience the unique elegance of Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020, a refined representation of the Anderson Valley's cooler, coastal-influenced climate in California. Twomey, a recognized producer specialising in Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, bestows equal finesse upon their exceptional Pinot Noir series.

This distinguished Pinot Noir is a culmination of meticulous hand-harvesting and fermentation in open-top tanks, accentuating the lush, red fruit characteristics. The Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020 is further enhanced by fourteen months' maturation in seasoned French oak barrels, bestowing a soft texture and multi-dimensional complexity.

Ruby-red in hue, it presents an irresistible bouquet of ripe strawberries, cranberries, and delicate wisps of cinnamon. On the palate, it unfolds with balanced acidity, showcasing nuances of red cherry, raspberry, and subtle earthiness, finishing with a lingering finesse.

Let the Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020 elevate your wine journey, drawing you into a profound exploration of Anderson Valley terroir and Twomey's exceptional winemaking expertise.

Discover the decadence of the Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir 2020, a sophisticated vintage sourced from California's esteemed Russian River Valley. Handcrafted by the renowned Twomey Cellars, a boutique winery with a legacy of exquisite quality, this release epitomises their diligent approach to winemaking.

Each grape is hand-harvested and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest fruit enters the fermenting process. Ageing in French oak barrels imbues the wine with profound complexity. The result is an elegant wine with a fruitful bouquet of bing cherry and ripe strawberries, enveloped by notes of baking spice and forest floor. The Palate is lush with layered flavours, leading to a prolonged, polished finish.

A refined expression of the terroir, Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir 2020 seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Its balance of vibrant acidity and refined tannins make it a divine companion to a host of culinary delights.