James Suckling: “Pale copper hue. Lots of berries, plums and grapefruit rind with a nice steely accent on the nose. Fresh and fruity on the palate, showing generosity with refreshing acidity and a creamy mousse. Flavorful finish. Drink now.” —Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
“Caramel apple aromas and butterscotch flavors lend a rich, indulgent expression to this full-bodied and lush-textured wine. The price is great, too, for a Russian River wine of this quality. ”
J. Suckling
Chardonnay Russian River Valley - Sonoma USA
2022
91/100
“Fresh lemon zest and pineapples, with some praline notes from the fine, creamy oak toast. Fresh and flavorful with a zesty, medium-bodied palate before a long, creamy finish. Drink or hold.”
The 2018 Sor Ugo is a superb Bolgheri red. Pliant, succulent and so expressive, the 2018 offers plenty of richness, but with terrific energy, too. Black cherry, mocha, spice, licorice and chocolate all build as the 2018 fills out over time. The purity of the flavors is striking.
Displaying the plush pleasure of Merlot, this bottling offers flavors of red and black cherry and plum spun through with mountain herbs, espresso and savory verve. A wine of pleasing concentration that will serve a meal. —Elaine Chukan Brown
J. Suckling
Merlot - Napa USA
2023
91/100
Plush aromas of blueberries, raspberries, licorice and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of mocha, blood plums and tobacco. The finish shows concentrated fruit and a firm structure.
Tasted by: Michaela Morris (at Chiostro Museo Montalcino, 14 Nov 2023) Part of Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – ‘spoiled for choice’: Full report "Once again, Sesti’s Phenomena tops this year’s Riserva releases. As always, it marks a specific cosmic event: in 2018, this was the super blue blood moon of 31 January, the most important lunar eclipse of the 21st century. For a wine that has aged in cask for so long (52 months), this is impossibly fresh and well preserved. Just hinting at its splendour, aromas build steadily with dried lavender, basil and sweet wet soil. The palate teases tenderly with an initial caress and sumptuousness of fruit, then reveals its secure, authoritative grip. Tangy tamarind underscores raspberry in the tightly wound core, while it maintains a very savoury and sapid character throughout."
WinesCritc
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena
2018
93/100
Jancis Robinson
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena
2018
18/20
Drink: 2026 - 2040 "Deep to dark ruby with orange tinges. Very backward on the nose only revealing minerally, savoury spice notes. Rich yet taut with deep, tangy cherry fruit and with fantastic tactile, chewy tannins. Stunning balance."
Wine Indipendent
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena
2017
97/100
Wine Enthusiast
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena
2017
96/100
An exhilarating nose starts with a slap of blood and earth, like a spooky autumn evening, before lightening into the wild, herbal aroma of a diviner's tea. On the palate, a kaleidoscope of flavor explodes in the night sky, with stars of cherry, bitter orange, soil, licorice and the enduring warm, light sweetness of tea leaves. Finely grained, captivating tannins create a feeling of uncanny weightlessness