Red Wine

'Sori' is Piedmontese dialect for the sunny south face of a hill. 'But' or Butti is the name of the hamlet where Anna Maria and her husband Franco's house and cellar are, a stunning spot in a very beautiful area.

This is classic Dogliani Dolcetto, fermented and aged in stainless steel. It shows great color, reddish purple and violet-tinged, aromas of blueberries and tealeaf, and some tea tannins to go with the abundant fruit on the palate. Dolcetto is one of the best table wines I know; so grill some lambchops, pour everyone a glass, and all will be right with the world. Oliver McCrum Importer

99 points The Wine Advocate:The brooding 2009 Finca Altamira sourced from vines over 80 years of age with yields of 0.75 tons per acre. Purple/black in color with a spectacular aromatic array of black fruits and spices that jump from the glass, this rich, opulent, beautifully proportioned Malbec sets the bar for what can be achieved with old vines, low yields, and craftsmanship in the cellar. Jay Miller

93 points The Wine Advocate-The 2008 Quimera is a blend of 40% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (a blend of all the traditional Bordeaux grapes except Carmenere). A glass-coating opaque purple, it delivers a superb nose of toasty black fruits and floral aromas leading to a rich, complex, savory wine that has terrific density combined with elegance, excellent concentration and volume, and a seamless finish. This pleasure-bent effort can be cellared for another 2-3 years and will be in its prime from 2012 to 2018. Jay Miller

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar-"Saturated red. Mineral-inflected cherry and red berry aromas are complicated by black tea, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy, incisive red and dark fruit flavors are braced by zesty acidity and pick up a touch of violet with air. Oak spice and floral notes emerge on the sweet, focused finish. Complex now, but this will age on its balance.

(91-93) points The Wine Advocate-The superb, dense purple-colored 2007 Cornas Vieilles Vignes exhibits aromas of incense, blackberries, scorched earth, and roasted meats. This long, full-bodied, savage, but civilized offering possesses layers of concentration, superb purity, and a long, tannic finish. It should turn out to be one of the top wines of the vintage in this appellation. Moreover, it will last 15-20 years where well-stored. Robert Parker

90-93 points Burghound:Cassis and plum aromas are nuanced by hints of minerality that continue onto the refined, pure and energetic medium-bodied flavors that are blessed with an abundance of dry extract that buffers the very firm tannic spine on the unusually powerful and persistent finish. This should be excellent in time as it has everything that it needs to improve for up to a decade. Comments: Sweet spot Outstanding Drink: 2017+