In 1978, the concept of a wine publication was formulated, and the first issue of The Wine Advocate, a complimentary issue, was published. Thirty-five years later, The Wine Advocate has over 50,000 subscribers, in every state in the United States, and in over 37 foreign countries. Today, virtually every knowledgeable observer agrees that The Wine Advocate exerts the most significant influence on the serious wine consumer’s buying habits and trends not only in America, but all over the world. We are humbled by favorable ratings and reviews of Fortunati Vineyards wines!
Fortunati Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve offers profound blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake and mulberries scents, with hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, star anise and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the muscular fruit, it finishes long and savory.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2021
Fortunati Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Selection reveals notes of licorice, yeast extract and truffles over a core of warm cassis and blueberry preserves. Full-bodied and laden with juicy black and blue fruits, it has a velvety texture and finishes on a lingering aniseed note.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2021
Fortunati Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend 2019
The 2019 Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend is composed of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the glass with bold scents of stewed red and black cherries, plum preserves and violets, plus hints of Sichuan pepper, Indian spices and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate offers soft, rounded tannins and juicy black fruits, finishing peppery.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2021
Fortunati Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014
Fortunati’s best wine is undeniably the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Rutherford’s Morisoli Vineyard. This is a beauty. Dense purple-colored with rich crème de cassis, black chocolate, and blackberry fruit gently touched by some high-quality, toasty oak, it is full-bodied, rich, layered, fleshy and long. This wine should drink well for 20-25 years.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, December 2016
Fortunati Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend 2014
The 2014 Syrah Estate Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend is a California version of a Côte-Rôtie, given the fact that it was co-fermented with 5% Viognier and the balance is 95% Syrah. The aromatics offer up notes of apricot, white flowers, lychee and loads of cassis and black cherry. Some bacon fat and lard appear on the palate and the wine is rich and luscious. This is a killer value as well, and I think a major sleeper of this vintage since anything from France with this degree of complexity is going to cost you at least 2-3 times the price. Unfortunately, only 200 cases were made. This is a wine to drink now as well as over the next decade.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, December 2016
Fortunati Malbec 2012
The 2012 Malbec, from the Southern Napa Valley in the Oak Knoll area, is in a big-time heavy bottle. It smells of pepper, incense and black fruits. It is full-bodied, rich, and to my tastes, the best of the three Fortunati efforts. It is hard to find Malbec that rivals the best of Argentina, but this is right in the wheel-house of the finest efforts of high-elevation vineyards in that country. Dense purple in color with plenty of black fruits, spice and begging for a grilled steak, this wine should drink nicely for up to a decade.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2014
Fortunati Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016
Deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve opens with notes of cassis, warm black plums, black cherries and smoked meats with touches of tapenade, cedar chest and tilled earth. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with black fruits and earth layers with a firm, chewy frame and grippy finish.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2018
Fortunati Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Inky purple-black, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Selection offers up intense cassis, blueberry and plum notes with dark chocolate, lavender, dried herbs and cigar box. Medium to full-bodied with a great core of vibrant fruit, it is layered in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins, finishing lively and long.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, October 2017
Fortunati Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend 2015
Made up of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Vinto Syrah Rhone Blend has a nose of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and mulberries with hints of garrigue, pepper and sage plus a waft of lavender. Full-bodied with great concentration and firm, grainy tannins, it has lovely freshness and a long, pepper-laced finish.
- Lisa Perrotti Brown, January 2018
Fortunati Zinfandel Napa Valley 2014
The 2014 Zinfandel is a sexy, lush Zinfandel that exhibits a dark, ruby/purple color a big sweet kiss of kirsch and black raspberry, spice and roasted Provençal herbs. It is fleshy, rich and no wimpish wine at 15.8% alcohol. This should drink nicely for 4-5 years.
- Robert M. Parker, Jr., December 2016
Fortunati Malbec Estate Napa Valley 2016
The 2016 Malbec Estate is deep purple-black, featuring pronounced black cherries, black plums and mulberries with touches of violets, spice box and sandalwood plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with a firm, grainy frame and bags of black fruits, it gives a long perfumed finish.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2018
Fortunati Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 2012
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which obviously comes from their very best lots, has an opaque, bluish-purple color, a sweet crème de cassis nose with floral notes and blueberries. It is full-bodied and rich. This small cuvée of 175 cases should age nicely from 10-12 years, although it’s certainly accessible because of the vintage characteristics. This is an impressive, outstanding wine and noteworthy. Drink over the next 10-15 years.
- Robert M. Parker, Jr., October 2014
Fortunati Chardonnay Napa Valley 2017
The 2017 Chardonnay comes strutting out of the glass with bold green guava, pineapple upside down cake and crème brûlée notes plus hints of lemongrass, fresh ginger and pie crust. Medium-bodied with a racy line cutting through the concentrated tropical fruits in the mouth, it finishes long and fruity.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2019