AK | The color is golden-tinged orange. The nose has subtle notions of stone fruit and an edge of bruised apple skin. The palate is bone-dry, wonderfully structured in a way that allows the fine and graceful tannic frame to meet the mouthwatering, delicious freshness without putting any funkiness in the way. A lovely, bitter-almond vibe accompanies the long, appetizing finish. Lovely. 90
FP | Bright amber color. A Christmas pudding of a wine. It is dry, but the aromatics are of dried macerated in brandy: raisins, prunes, and candied peel. It feels quite stately, with the dusty tannins and phenolic bitterness providing more structure for the fruit than the acidity. Quite astringent. 88
DW | The color of Vin Santo, and there's a similar intensity to the nose, although the flavor allusions are more akin to Tuscan red wine; close your eyes and the tannins and acidity feel Sangiovese-esque, as do the tobacco leaf, oregano, and cherry tones. This is quite wild and rustic, but I enjoyed the heightened bitterness of the finish, and would do so all the more with a plate of salami. 88