Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Traditional, classic and (relatively) under-the-radar producer, which was completely unknown to me, till a few months ago.
Wonderfully feinherb, rich, yet elegant.
Lovely. — 5 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2016 vintage. Jérémy Chasseuil is working miracles here. Needs a bit of air, but after half an hour in the decanter it really started to shine. Intense perfume of raspberries, blueberries, violets, rosemary and a hint of truffles lurking in the background. Concentrated, with layers of red and black fruit and subtle spices. Velvety tannins and hardly noticeable oak. Very long too. Still very much under the radar, a great chance to buy a high end Pomerol for less than a 100 euro. — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Freshly cut herbs like sage and rosemary with cedar , plum and dark cherry , liquorice . On the palate quite dense but with fresh acidity and firm slightly dry tannins . More of the plum and dark spiced cherry , blackberry, herbal and liquorice touches on the reasonable length finish . Drinking well now though will continue to show well over the next 5 years . Slightly under the radar with good personality and surprising freshness . — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The very definition of velvet wrapped in an iron fist. It is singing on my palate.

This Dry Creek is better than the Select Terraces I’ve opened lately. Deep, black, ripe, ruby, currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, blue hues, dark cherries, crazy, deep, Indian spices, dark berry cola, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, malt balls, fresh tobacco, used leather, tree bark w/ sap, steeped fruit tea, limestone, crushed risks, river stone, forest floor with dry leaves, dry herbaceous notes, endless rainbow of florals, beautiful acidity and well balanced, structure and tension that is tightly knit with finish for days.

Crazy, stupid, producer that continues to fly well below the radar. I am thankful it does.

This 2010 has 10 years plus of life left ahead. The best Ca Cabernet I’ve had in many years. Wine affects me differently than most but this wine is like a full body massage. Maybe, that is why I discovered my palate. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Just makes 92.

The texture is oily, gorgeous & luscious. Cream, lemon, lime, green apple, white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, lanolin, river stone, flinty notes, grey volcanics, sea fossils, yellow lilies, seems to show a little more used oak, excellent acidity and smartly polished.

Still surprised how Lamy generally continues to fly under the radar for the most part. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Henriot often flies under the radar and I get it, there are so many options out there...but don’t sleep on this house. This, their most modest offering, delivers immense pleasure for the price. A near 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (I guess they use 5% Pinot Meunier) the Brut Souverain displays well ripened pears, lightly roasted nuts, slightly burned brioche and a kiss of citrus. The texture is rich and creamy. The finish is long and satisfying. No disgorgement data. While there is a code on the back, I was social and wasn’t going to give myself the brain damage to decode that mess. — 6 years ago

Michael Falcone

9.4

This wine has always been in my top 5 Italians. It’s very sneaky and has never failed me, plus it’s under the radar and when I give it friends their heads more or less explode. It’s just brilliant and pairs so well with food...from pasta to steak to veal. This will be drinking well thru the decade — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Piaggia Carmignano Riserva 2021
Carmignano DOCG – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A compelling Tuscan blend composed primarily of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, crafted by Piaggia, one of Carmignano’s benchmark estates, recognized for low yields, concentration, and precision-driven winemaking while preserving regional identity. The 2021 vintage beautifully captures the structured, terroir-focused soul of Carmignano without leaning into excessive ripeness or modern exaggeration.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, dried herbs, tobacco leaf, cedar, earthy undertones, and subtle graphite unfold with remarkable balance and restraint. Dark fruit remains fresh and vibrant rather than jammy, allowing savory and mineral nuances to shine through.

Mouthfeel
Medium+ bodied with elevated tension, polished yet firm tannins, and beautifully integrated acidity. Structured and intentional, carrying both power and elegance through a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Excellent with bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled lamb chops, wild boar ragù, roasted meats, or aged cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A serious and historically compelling Tuscan red that feels refreshingly authentic in a world often dominated by overhyped “Super Tuscans.” Piaggia delivers structure, terroir expression, and sophistication without sacrificing regional character. This is Tuscany speaking fluently through discipline and balance rather than sheer opulence.

Did You Know?
Long before the “Super Tuscan” movement emerged, Carmignano producers were already legally blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon as far back as the 1700s, after Cabernet vines were introduced to Tuscany under the Medici family. In many ways, Carmignano quietly pioneered the concept centuries earlier.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of under-the-radar Tuscan wine that rewards drinkers looking beyond prestige labels and chasing authenticity, structure, and historical soul instead. Cheers! — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

1989. Somehow this estate remains a bit under the radar, but the wines are very reliable and age beautifully. Amarena cherries, rose petals, cedar and a hint of trufle. Velvety mouthfeel with elegance and depth and a long finish. Excellent. — 4 years ago

Darren Dittrich

9.1

From the lower part of the Lazzarito, a traditionally-produced Barolo from an under-the-radar winemaker. The ‘14 could appreciate 5-10 more years in bottle, but I’m impatient. Big leather and anise, with some herbal notes.... almost a “meaty” wine, but the florals come to dominate after some air. Should be perfect with your rich N. Italia foods. Looking forward to visiting this winery on our next Piemonte trip. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The wines of Roger Sabon have been on my radar for about ten years now and I have always thought the “Prestige” designation was, pound-for-pound, one of the better values in all of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. However, for one reason or another, I never seem to drink them that often. This particular bottle of “Le Secret des Sabon” was a lone singleton resting in my cellar since release. My wife, after an unusually exhausting week of work, said she wanted to drink something “impressive”...which means to me that the juice better not suck. And while “Le Secret” has a reputation for being one of the great wines from the entire appellation, I was taking some risk when I selected this bottle since I had no personal experience with it. As soon as I pulled the cork, it was clear this was going to be a special experience. Glass staining garnet with a touch of color that looks almost brown-ish however, there are no signs of decomposition. There is, however, a fairly decent amount of fine sediment. The fruit...well...the fruit is simply sensational. We’re talking fistfuls of the purest raspberries and cherries with some star anise, slightly burned pie crust and black pepper. This is a wine of tremendous texture and balance. Medium acid and medium plus tannins, the latter of which are so fine and silky. The ABV is stated as 15% but it’s so well hidden you would hardly notice. My only wish was that “Le Secret des Sabon” wasn’t so expensive...but there is no doubt about its quality. Drinking so well now but could easily hold for longer if necessary. — 6 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

an under the radar producer, I’ve had only a few wines from this domaine and each has been a headturner. This young Chablis is so focused and precise, lime zest and lemon, green apple, a bit of minerals. No chalk or oyster shell yet, but it’s got a lot of Chablis character and is a real refreshing quaff that has all the tastebuds happily humming in unison. Really intense and concentrated, it’s got a long future. Highly recommended. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

From the Yarra Valley a Bordeaux blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. 20 months in new French oak. Mid Ruby to garnet in colour. Classic aromas of cedar and cigar box with fading Cassis. A medium bodied palate with those smooth ultra silky flowing tannins. This is drinking well at 20 years of age. My last bottle. This producer has probably flown under the radar for many North American wine lovers as Robert Parker was never a fan with some of his Tasting Notes being quite hostile. The Middletons probably stopped exporting to the USA after that as they had no trouble selling their production locally and in the UK. The just released 2023 vintage was honoured with Australian Wine of the Year by The Australian newspaper and given 99 points by Wine editor Nick Ryan. Quintet is always one of Australia’s best Cabernet blends. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are.

Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs.

1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97.

The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers.

The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones.

I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic. — 2 years ago

Greg Koslosky

9.6

A great vintage for comtes kind of flies under the radar . 2004 is a great Chardonnay vintage for Champagne . Golden delicious apples , brioche , liquid minerals . Lovely depth and balance on the palate with some secondary nuances starting to develop. A gorgeous comtes to drink over the next decade or two. — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

Enjoyable fruit, soft tannins. Easy drinking plush style. — 4 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

under the radar producer w quality Bonnes Mares and Beze. This wine is still young, dark-fruited and balanced, nice depth and length — 6 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.0

under the radar solid producer. Not Rousseau level but damn good. $80 on release. Red fruits and good acidity, misses a bit of depth but lovely. — 6 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.5

So so deep. A perfect example of when varying volnay 1er can ‘easily stand up to neighboring grand crus’. At first this came off like an ambitious Cali pinot but the complexity underneath the ripeness and dry extract was too bold to deny. This continued to unfold perfectly into a strong bouquet of dark dried flowers and earth at times crossing into motor oil, tires, dark leather car interior. The balance between freshness, density, ripeness, delicacy, feminine, and masculine is undeniable in this wine. Cossard is absolutely a master flexing in his ability. Winemaking, including viticulture, for this must be a proprietary technique. Obviously not even a touch of sulfur or additive manipulation in this wine. Completely wild and I still would never expect this to deteriorate over time. This is well worth the $100 or so that you will spend on this. I think any other producer putting out character like this in a wine would cost twice the price. Cossard is not necessarily under the radar but I have a feeling this style is not as embraced as it could be. — 7 years ago