As noted in the first posting of notes on my favorite wines from 2025, covering Burgundy and Pinot Noir, good values can be found from the top wine-producing regions of the world. The caveat: trust the best producers from each appellation and do quick research before buying a new offering from unfamiliar sources.

The following is the second tranche of notes of the top 5% of wines I tasted during 2025 and covers Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, and other red wines. This list includes seven wines from Bordeaux, with vintages from 1982 to 2022; 12 Cabernet Sauvignons from California (11 Napa, 1 Paso Robles; 1984 to 2022); 9 from Italy (2007 to 2022); and 11 Others from the Rhone area, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and Spain, and a California Zinfandel (2003 to 2023).

The cutoff was wines scoring higher than 17 on the 20-point scale and 92 on the 100-point scale. As noted in the first list, nothing I tasted during the year came close to the perfect 20 and 100 scores on my scorecard. Some did on other scorecards, but the entries were big, brutish, high-alcohol fruit bombs that appeal to some, smell and taste a lot alike, lack a sense of place, and don’t go with food, except BBQ and ribs.

As a consistent caveat, none of the following may align with your ratings and sensitivities, but they may spark interest in something new to try. Trust your own tastes and preferences. And if you enjoyed a fine wine during 2025 that was in your top 5%, please share in the Comments. Cheers!

BORDEAUX

Cos d’Esournel 2000

  • 40+-year-old Saint-Julien, classic lower-alcohol style. 1982 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Light-mid brick, amber edges, low viscosity (12.0 alc.); red fruit, leather, herbaceous, leafy nose; low-mid acids; medium tannins; good fruit; long balanced wood and red fruit finish. w/beef on Thanksgiving eve. 17/92.
  • St. Estèphe star 1982 Château Cos d’Estournel. Light-mid ruby, amber edges; old nose, leather, cedar, tobacco; mid acids, mid+ tannins; long semi-deep, concentrated finish; opens with air; still evolving. 17.5/93.
  • Second growth St. Julien 1995 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc). Mid-ruby, brick edges, not sharp; cedar, tobacco, cassis, sweet red fruit nose; mid-body; balanced; softening tannins; mid-minus intensity; good Cabernet fruit and flavor; hints of wood on the semi-short finish. Probably peaked. w/tri-tip. 17.5/93.
  • Improved with age. 2005 Château Prieuré-Lichine ($48 in 2013 estate sale). Mid garnet, orange/amber edges, viscous (13.5 alc.); earthy, leather, red fruit, herbaceous, mint, cocoa, and wood nose; mid acids; mid tannins; good depth; long balanced red fruit and wood finish. 17/92.
  • Fine Graves 2016 Domaine de Chevalier 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% each Petit Verdot, Cab Franc. Sharp mid-garnet, amber edges, viscous (13.5 alc.); red fruit, cassis, leather, herbaceous, cedar nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; long, tasty, semi-tight red and black fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Still lively 2018 Canon La Gaffliere. St. Emilion. Sharp mid garnet, viscous; cassis herbaceous, red fruit, nose; light mint; mid acids; mid plus tannins; mid plus depth; tight red and black fruit finish. 17.5/93.
  • Nicely evolving St. Estephe, 2000 Château Cos d’Estournel ($80 in 2004). Mid-dark garnet, amber edges; ripe, rich, berry, cassis, cedar, and leather nose; pronounced, mid-plus body; medium, evolving tannins; long, deep fruity, multi-layered finish. A higher score than the previous. 17.5-18/93-94.

CABERNET AND BLENDS

  • Napa classic 1984 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace. Light ruby, rim variation, amber edges (12.5 alc.); herbaceous, smoky, leather, cassis, red fruit nose; low acids; soft tannins; short red fruit, wood, and Cabernet finish. Almost gone. 17/92.
  • 2001 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spottswoode Estate Vineyard. Mid garnet, rim variation, brick/amber edges, viscous (14.1 alc.); sweet red fruit nose, herbaceous, oak, black currants; low-mid acids; low-mid softening tannins; mid-depth; a little past its prime, but semi-long, elegant Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • Napa 2005 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate ($80 winery 2007). Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.1 alc.); herbaceous, berry, cassis, mint nose; mid acids; softening tannins; long, balanced, red fruit, berry, and wood finish. 17-17.5/92-93.

    Spottswoode 2005

  • Napa 2009 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.4 alc.); red fruit, berries, mint, cassis, herbaceous nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; long, deep, Cabernet finish, slightly hot. 17/92.
  • Stags Leap Wine Cellars, 2011, Fay Vineyard. 13.5 alcohol. Mid dark ruby, garnet edges, rim variation, viscous; red fruit, berries, mint, light cedar, smoky nose; mid acids; mid tannins; mid depth; long, balanced, elegant, red fruit, berries, and mint finish. 17.5-18/93-94.
  • Napa 2013 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District ($77 in 2017). Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.0 alc.); herbaceous, mint, red fruit, light oak nose; low-mid acids; soft tannins; long balanced red fruit, cassis finish. 17/92.
  • Napa 2014 World’s End Cabernet Sauvignon Good Times, Bad Times Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.5 alc.); berries, herbaceous, mint, Napa nose; mid acids; mid tannins, softening; semi-tight red/black fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Napa 2016 Young Inglewood Vineyards Right Bank Blend ($90 in 2020). Light-mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.3 alc.); herbaceous, red fruit, cassis, light oak, mint nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; balanced. semi-long, berry, wood, and red fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Napa 2019 Ink Grade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($120 from the winery). Light-mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.0 alc.; 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot); herbaceous, red fruit, cassis, light oak nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins, softening; good depth; long slightly hot berry and wood finish. 17.5/93.
  • Duckhorn 2019 The Discussion (67% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 3% other). Mid-dark ruby, viscous; herbaceous, ripe grapes, cassis, bright red fruit nose; mid acids; softening tannins; mid deep; semi-long semi-chewy red fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Paso Robles, Calif. 2019 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cabernet “Soul of a Lion” ($130 at blind tasting). Darkest garnet, viscous (14.8 alc.); ripe grape, cassis, herbaceous, berries, big wood nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; mid+ depth; long, semi-hot, woody Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • 2022 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ($93 at winery dinner). Mid-dark to dark garnet, viscous (14.5 alc.); berries, mint, ripe grapes nose; mid-plus acids; mid-full tannins; long, tight berry and wood finish; needs time. 17/9

ITALY

  • 2007 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda (50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc; no price). Dark garnet, rim variation, brick edges, viscous (14.5 alc.); red fruit, mint, ripe grape, oak nose; mid acids; mid tannins, rounding out; long, tasty, balanced red fruit finish. 17.5/93.
  • 2016 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda (no price).  Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.0 alc.); ripe grape, berries, herbaceous, cassis, oak nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; long, tight, rich, chewy Cabernet Sauvignon (80% CS, 20% Cab Franc) and wood finish. 17/92.
  • Castiglion Del Bosco Sangiovese 2019 Brunello di Montalcino ($64 at wine event). Light to mid Ruby, thin rim, some viscosity; red fruit, cranberry, earthy, wood nose; Mid acids; Mid tannins; Long, balance, red fruit and earth finish. 17.5/93.
  • 2019 Gaja Barolo Conteisa ($360). Light-mid ruby, rim variation, viscous; red fruit, spice, earth, peppery, complex nose; mid acids; mid tannins; rounding out; long, balanced, and deep red fruit finish. 18/94.
  • 2019 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Rennina ($175). Light mid ruby, rim variation; pretty red fruit, berries, light oak, earthy nose; mid plus acids; mid plus tannins; tight red fruit, deep, slightly hot finish. Needs time. 17/92.
  • 2020 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino ($64). Sharp mid-ruby, viscous (14.5 alc.); smoky, red and black fruit, wood, pomegranate, ripe cherry nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; long, deep, balanced red and black fruit finish. Open with air. w/saltimbocca. 17/92.

    Gaja 2022 Magari

  • Fine Super Tuscan 2020 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda ($170). Sharp mid-garnet, viscous; herbaceous (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc), berries, ripe grapes, light oak nose; mid-acids; mid-plus tannins; good depth; long, rich, semi-tight berry finish; some finesse; needs time. 18/94.
  • 2020 Gaja Langhe Darmagi ($359). Old vines (1978) Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.5 alc.); ripe berries, herbaceous, cassis, raspberry nose; mid plus acids; mid plus tannins; mid plus alcohol; long, balanced berry and wood finish; nice structure. 17.5-18/93-94.
  • 2022 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Magari ($78). Sharp mid-garnet; red fruit, herbaceous, mint, light oak nose (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot); mid acids; mid tannins; balanced; long red fruit and berry finish, slightly hot. 17/92.

OTHER REDS

  • McLaren Vale, Aussie 2003 Kay Brothers Shiraz Block 6 Amery Vineyards ($120 in blind tasting). Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, brick edges, viscous (15.5 alc.); red fruit, peppery, mint, wood nose; mid acids; softening tannins; nice depth; long, round, balanced red fruit finish. 17.5/93.
  • 2007 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes ($62 in 2010). Mid-ruby, rim variation, low viscosity; old leaves, black pepper, red and black fruit nose; low-mid acids, soft tannins; semi-long balanced red fruit and wood finish. 17/92.
  • Mendoza, Valle de Uco, 2010 Bodega O. Fournier Malbec ($40 at the winery in 2018). Mid garnet, brick edges, rim variation, viscous (15.0 alc.); red fruit, berries, mint, cassis, light oak, herbaceous nose; low-mid acids; softening tannins; round, balanced, slightly hot red fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Mendoza, Valle de Uco 2011 Bodegas Salentein Gran Vu ($40 in 2018). 73% Malbec, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. 24 months French oak. Dark garnet, viscous (15.0 alc.); ripe grape, red and black fruit, oak, cassis, prune nose; mid acids; mid-full tannins; long semi-hot, woody, red and black fruit finish. 17/92.
  • 2016 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Baron de Chirel Reserva ($72 in 2022). Sharp mid ruby, rim variation, viscous (15.0 alc.); red and black fruit, leather, cedar, ripe grape nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; long, mid-deep red fruit and wood finish; slightly hot. 17/92.
  • Napa field blend (89% Zinfandel, 11% Cabernet) 2018 Ink Grade Estate Andosol ($75). Light garnet, viscous (14.0 alc.); red fruit, brambles, herbaceous, red currant nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; softening; mid depth; semi-long balanced red fruit and bramble finish. 17/92.
  • Fine 2019 DuMOL Syrah Wild Mountainside Russian River Valley ($54 in 2021). Dark purple, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); ripe grape, black pepper, spice, blackberry jam nose; mid+ acids; mid-full tannins; long deep, woody, slightly hot red and black fruit finish. 17/92.
  • 2020 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau ($100 at blind tasting). Light-mid ruby, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); older red fruit nose, wood, strawberries, spice; low-mid acids; mid tannins; good fruit and flavor; long tasty finish. 17/92.
  • Apalta Valley, Chile, Clos Apalta Le Petite Clos 2020 ($50). Sharp mid dark garnet, viscous ( 15.0 alcohol). Red fruit, mint, Cocoa, cassis, pomegranates; low to mid acid; Mid tannins; balanced, nice style, long balanced red fruit finish. 17/92.
  • Stylish Napa 2023 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken ($35 at local merchant sale). Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.7 alc.); ripe grape, black fruit, wood, cocoa, light spice nose; mid acids/tannins; round, ripe, balanced, slightly hot, berry and wood finish. 17/92.