Carson

9.4

If Italian wines are my love then consider this little gem from the south of France to be a tryst. This wine is dusty, wild and uninhibited, packing an oh-so-sensual touch right out of the bottle. The robe, a delightfully deep crimson, is soon abandoned as it gives way to a softer and more supple hue that suggests more surprises are on the way. Light and musty on the tongue, the more you play with it the wilder it gets. The slower you take it, the flavors of licorice, currant, spice box, and pork fat on the finish reward your patience. Drink now, as this southern Rhone beauty is at peak maturity--just don't let your true love find out... — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

From magnum this was a very feminine and sensual wine. Classic cassis, toasted oak, roasted coffee beans, currants galore. The palate was youthful, though in a great spot now this should drink like this for a few years then start to gain tertiary notes. So balanced, so pure, so classic. Not a great vintage for most but this shows quite well regardless, plenty to enjoy here. — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.6

Exceptional and pure immediately come to mind and are affirmed over 2-3 hours. This is Sangiovese Grosso in a very Burgundian, transparent and very pure expression.
A new producer of sorts, the earliest wines were in 2006 under this label from what I recall.

Being my first Stella the color is uncommonly lighter for a Brunello than you would expect.

The nose is pure, with elegant raspberry and strawberry fruits that meld with Earthy minerality, mushroom and spice into a beautiful, sensual perfume.

The palate continues the purity party, marrying a persistence and depth that reminds me again of Burgundy. A long finish carries the fruit, fresh acids and the fine, supple tannin.
As great as it is now, will it reach even more heights? Only time will tell.
#brunello #sangiovese — 9 years ago

Brian Couzens

10

Veey strong yet subtle - fruity and rich with many complexities including a nose of blackberries and chocolate and a very sensual palate plums cherries and gooseberry — 9 years ago

Mark Hardman

9.0

Really enjoyed this Malbec. Smooth with a nice spicy finish. — 10 years ago

Oleg Prophet

8.9

Very sweet, like russian hmelynoi myod — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.3

2003 was a year of extremes in Burgundy, with spring frosts and crippling heatwaves later in the summer, so how did the Lucien le Moine Chambertin-Clos de Bèze fare? Extremely well. Penetrating aromas of cherry and black raspberry, dried leaves, forest floor, woodspice, and anise lead into firm structure and a brooding, sensual intensity. Mineral notes, exotic spice, and black tea add dimension. My only criticism is that the finish is slightly short, and it is a touch more advanced than expected. — 10 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.3

Used to be at DRC and has had her label for some time and it's just fabulous. Elegant and sensual wine. Amazing value as well. Went beautifully with the Prawns my wife whipped up as our 1st course. — 11 years ago

with Ilida

Christanna Honer

9.6

Such a soft, sensual sauvignon blanc, that really opens up as it warms. Love the jalapeño stone fruit nose, mineral palate w that sauvignon blanc acidity but a touch of neutral oak and some definite lees influence that make the finish seem to melt in your mouth. — 11 years ago

Gavin Mills

9.8

Decanted after standing for about 6 hours. On first approach the nose was sweet, amazingly youthful for a 30+ year old wine. Medium body, dark fruit, cassis, vegetal notes, sous bois even. The structure was textbook claret - strong backbone and gripping Cabernet tannins. A sensual wine, but not beguiling like great burgundy. Still, it was a classic and I wish I has another bottle! — 12 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2012 Petit-Village is juicy, exuberant and forward, with striking palate presence, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Sweet floral and spice notes add nuance on the gracious finish. Readers should expect a decidedly feminine, sensual Pomerol with considerable early and mid-term appeal. There is plenty to like here. The Petit-Village could very well be a sleeper of the vintage. In 2012 the blend is 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in barrel, 80% new. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago

Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

9.0

The 2012 Barbera d'Alba races across the palate with super-expressive red fruit and gorgeous, pulsating energy. Bright, floral and pure, the 2012 impresses for its captivating, sensual personality. (AG) — 9 years ago

Frank

10

There are not enough adjectives to describe this experience. Sensual. Enveloping. Smooth to the point of having no friction at all. Finish that has lasted a week. Realizing that we tasted something bottled while Abe Lincoln was in the White House makes it even more special. — 9 years ago

with ADAM

Bob Ballard

9.1

I think this is at the stage where it's as good as it's going to get. Fruit, tannin, earthy balance is at its best now for this vintage which wasn't terrific. Dried red flowers, black licorice, dried beef jerky, coffee. Very sensual mouthfeel. Time to drink this. — 9 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.1

From a .375
Spectacular and sensual nose of dark berries, creamy oak and balsam, ink, incense and oriental spice. On the palate this is slightly more coarse, tannic and strict than the nose suggests, but all in all I really liked the blackberry-puree/vanilla/chocolate/clay blend. Dense and generous, typical 2009 leftbanker. — 10 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Such a luxurious wine, really one-of-a-kind..
Honey glazed pastry, deep tropical nuances, vanillapods, camphor, Grand Marnier, apricot and papaya. Surprisingly soft, suave and sensual. Low in acidity yet very persistent, well-balanced and complex. Unctuous, fatty and delicious, kinda like a juicy lobster. Get it? — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

'Les Picasses' lies along a riverbank on a fairly steep slope that is primarily alluvial clay overlaying chalk and limestone. The vines are over 50 years old and the site is known to produce wines with fabulous purity and minerality. As such the Olga Raffault 'Les Picasses' Chinon 1989 has had time to mellow, the aromas are quite lovely—lavender, game, worn leather, a touch of barnyard, and cellar dust. There is a throaty, sensual wildness to this wine, punctuated by a vein of bright acidity and minerals. Everything I love in Loire Valley Cab Franc. — 10 years ago

Emiliano Mei

9.7

A sensual and perfect red #wine from #Sicily #nerellomascalese is one of my favourite grapes when treated with love like here. 😉 — 11 years ago

Andrew Z. Scharf

9.3

Very seductive. Great color for such a young wine. Medium bodied, light leather followed by crushed berries. Slightly earthy in a way but a very sensual wine. The alcohol melts away on the palette.... — 11 years ago

Rob Mondavi

Owner/President of Winemaking Folio Fine Wine Partners

10

Perfect go to wine. Always fresh, crisp and sensual. Send me more!!! — 12 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

In the glass, a nice ruby color. Spicy aromas with hints of cocoa and big red fruits. Another example of what a California Zinfandel can, and in my opinion, should be. Not big and fat. This is sleek and sensual, it even feels a bit European at times. The Petite Sirah and Carignane add some structure and balance here. Savory notes of smoked meat, fresh cut grass, spices, and oak. That's not to say that the wonderful fruit doesn't make itself known, as well. Ten years on, this baby is drinking like a champ. — 9 years ago

Rob Moose

9.2

This ranks right up there with the best Beaujolais I've had (Foillard 3.14, aged Chamonard in mag, etc). Came out without the barnyard aspect right away and was a sensual pleasure to drink, but with plenty of nuance. From magnum at Untitled — 9 years ago

with Gabriel

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.4

Sensual and limber. More bramble fresh fruit and flower stems on the nose. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

Oh my. The nose on Domaine Giraud's Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is unapologetically lush and even downright sensual with layers of blackberry reduction sauce, smoky plums, mesquite, Tahitian vanilla bean, and anise. It's equally immersive and voluptuous on the palate, layers of black fruit are beautifully delineated against a structure that suggests good aging potential, balanced acidity along with a dash of minerality, and a very pleasant spice and dried herb note on the finish. 15.0% ABV — 9 years ago

Michael Solway

9.0

The nose is redolent of peach blossoms and mountain honey followed by ripe peach and more honey on the palate. The pleasing viscosity and sensual mouthfeel are bolstered by bright acidity. — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.5

What can be said about d'Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous and glycerol-laden in the mouth, offset by dazzling acidity, dried fruit—quince, more apricots. A silken, pure, honey-spun web of delight. I'm rambling, but d'Yquem does that. — 10 years ago

Anthony Lynch

9.5

Mesmerizingly perfumed, with a silky, luscious texture. Teeming with finesse. Kind of a magical balance. If you can find me another Condrieu, or any Viognier, this complex and sensual, I'll...I'll drink it! — 10 years ago

with Emmy, Will and 1 other

Alex Powell

9.1

Ready to drink, ripe and sappy with beautiful sweet aged cherries, black tea, moss, mint and sauteed mushroom, and potpourri. Rich and voluptuous and at its sensual peak. 1990 vintage — 10 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.8

Velma had this 11 years ago

Christine Havens

9.8

Stunning 1999 Côte Rôtie from Mathilde Yves Gangloff. The nose is generous with layers of black cherry, black plum, roasted meat, black olive tapenade and Herbs de Garrigue. Polished tannins and mid-palate acidity set the stage for earthy, sensual notes...dark chocolate, black pepper, asphalt and tar. Served with a simple rack of lamb, La Berberine proved to be deeply satisfying. — 11 years ago