Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently.

This week included some flavors of the volcano, courtesy of Sicilian winery Tasca d’Almerita. Don’t miss their Carricante, in particular for its deep stony quality and yummy floral crispness.

Speaking of crisp, Williams Selyem has just recently released their unoaked Chardonnay, which is zingy and bright.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are a few bruisers in this week’s roundup for those who are looking for big reds. Two selections from Mt. Brave and one from Shafer will satisfy anyone’s craving for rich Napa Cab.

Finally, there are a few more Williams Selyem Pinots in the lineup this week, including a nice one from San Benito county.

All this and more below. Enjoy!

2014 Tasca d’Almerita “Tascante Buonora” Carricante, Sicily, Italy
Palest greenish gold in the glass, this wine smells of white flowers, unripe apples, and chamomile. In the mouth, wonderfully delicate flavors of grapefruit pith, white flowers, and wet chalkboard have bright and filigreed acidity to them. There’s an overall quality of delicacy that this wine conveys that I really appreciate. Notes of cucumber linger in the finish. 12% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $22. click to buy.

2014 Williams Selyem “Unoaked” Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Palest gold in the glass, this wine smells of white flowers and golden delicious apples. In the mouth, juicy apple and faint lemony flavors burst bright on the palate thanks to excellent acidity. Crisp and bright, with a green apple and white floral note in the finish. Not horribly complex, but tasty. 13.3% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $70. click to buy.

2013 Tasca d’Almerita “Tascante Ghiaia Nera” Nerello Mascalese, Sicily, Italy
Medium ruby in color, this wine smells of dried herbs, crushed berries, and wet chalkboard. In the mouth, red berries, crushed herbs and pulverized rocks leave a chalky powdery tannic residue in the mouth. Excellent acidity. 13% alcohol. Score: around 8.5 . Cost: $20. click to buy.

2011 Tasca d’Almerita “Il Tascante” Nerello Mascalese, Sicily, Italy
Medium ruby in color, this wine smells of raisins, mulberries, and dried herbs. In the mouth, powdery tannins have a muscular grip on dried cherry and dried red apple skin flavors. Good acidity and a wonderful crushed stone minerality keep the wine fresh, but the fruit is already a little tired. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $20. click to buy.

2012 Mt. Brave Malbec, Napa Valley, California
Inky, opaque purple in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry, cassis, and new oak. In the mouth, teeth staining flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and the vanilla of new oak swirl juicily on the palate thanks to decent acidity. Powdery tannins coat the mouth and add some complexity to the wine, which finishes with cassis and (relatively well integrated) oak. A baby yet, and will improve with a little time. 14.5% alcohol. 635 cases produced. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $ 75. click to buy.

2012 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Inky opaque purple in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry, cassis, and tobacco. In the mouth, muscular tannins wrap around a core of black cherry, cassis, cola, and tobacco leaf that is juicy with good acidity. Notes of cocoa powder and cassis linger in the finish with the powdery tannins. A pretty hefty wine for those who enjoy such things. 14.5% alcohol. 5752 cases produced. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $ 75. click to buy.

2013 Shafer Vineyards “One Point Five” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa, California
Inky dark purple in color, this wine smells of black cherry, woodsmoke, and dark chocolate. In the mouth, slightly sweet cherry and cola flavors wrestle under a fleece blanket of tannins. Sweet notes of vanilla and toasted oak emerge towards the finish. Good acidity. Ripe and plush and juicy with good acidity, and not showing all of its prodigious 15.3% alcohol. If you like ’em big, go for it. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $85. click to buy.

2014 Stoller Family Estate “Reserve” Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon
Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of cherry, cranberry, and a hint of new oak. In the mouth, bright cranberry and raspberry flavors have a nice zing to them thanks to excellent acidity. There’s a faint hint of new oak but it is well integrated into the wine, and adds a layer of richness and an aromatic sweetness. Very faint tannins are just a hint of texture on the palate. 14.1% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $45. click to buy.

2014 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California
Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of bright raspberry and cranberry aromas. In the mouth, raspberry and cranberry fruit has a slightly candied quality, but bright acidity and a hint of herbs backing up the sweet fruit keeps it from being too pastille-like. Juicy and boisterous, this is a very pretty wine. 13.7% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $90. click to buy.

2014 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir, San Benito County, Central Coast, California
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of struck match, raspberries, and raspberry leaf. In the mouth, raspberry and raspberry leaf flavors have a smoky quality to them, and positively vibrate with electric acidity. There’s a light tannic grip to the wine, as well as a stony background that adds complexity. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $65. click to buy.