2010 - Present Wine

Tasting Notes

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, aromatic red that opens with ripe red and black fruit — think dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum — layered with hints of earth, warm spices, and well-integrated French oak. Complex yet elegant, it delivers a structured palate with refined tannins and a long, satisfying finish.

About the Wine

Produced by Golan Heights Winery, one of Israel's most celebrated estates, Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon is grown at high-altitude vineyards on the volcanic basalt soils of the Golan Heights. The unique terroir and cool mountain climate yield a Cabernet of exceptional depth and finesse — a flagship expression of Israeli fine wine.

Product Details

• Appellation: Golan Heights, Israel
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Certification: Kosher, Kosher for Passover
• Producer: Golan Heights Winery

Winemaker Description

Garnet-red with violet hues. It is full-bodied with nicely integrated tannins and a persistent elegant finish.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2021

Decanter — 92 Points (Charles Curtis)
"This is a wine of true elegance, with a light ruby hue, bright, perfumed cherry fruit, fresh acidity, and tannins that seem slightly astringent. It is light in weight but very expressive. The wine is produced from a drastic shortening of the range: it blends all the grapes that generally make up four bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay PC Passetemps. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. Each was vinified separately and blended together, an exercise the director Pierre de Benoist hopes never to repeat. Drinking 2023–2033."

Burghound (Allan Meadows)
"An exuberant nose is very Pinot in character with its pretty red berry fruit, black pepper and violet scents. The delicious and vibrant lighter weight flavors possess an appealing mouthfeel before concluding in a firm, youthfully austere and balanced finale. While it’s an atypical Bourgogne given the unusual combination of appellations, it’s nonetheless excellent."

About This Vintage

The 2021 Domaine de Villaine Bourgogne Rouge is a wine born of extraordinary circumstances. The 2021 growing season in Burgundy was devastated by spring frosts, dramatically reducing yields across the region. At Domaine de Villaine, the decision was made to consolidate: rather than produce four separate single-vineyard bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay Premier Cru Passetemps — all the fruit was blended into a single wine. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. The result is a Bourgogne Rouge unlike any other: a blend of four appellations and multiple terroirs, vinified separately and assembled with care, carrying the DNA of wines that normally sell for two to three times the price.

About Domaine de Villaine

Domaine de Villaine is the personal estate of Aubert de Villaine — the legendary co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, widely regarded as the greatest wine estate in the world. Based in Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise, the domaine was founded by Aubert and his wife Pamela as a separate project from DRC: a place to express the quieter, more rustic character of southern Burgundy with the same philosophical commitment to biodynamic farming and minimal intervention that defines their work at DRC. The domaine is best known for its Bouzeron Aligoté — the benchmark for the appellation — and its village-level Pinot Noirs from La Digoine and La Fortune, which consistently punch far above their appellation status. Today the domaine is directed by Pierre de Benoist, Aubert’s nephew, who continues the family’s commitment to biodynamic viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking.

Food Pairings

Roasted duck, rabbit in mustard sauce, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, aged Epoisses, Comté, and classic Burgundian preparations. A wine of elegance and restraint — drink now through 2033.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine de Villaine
• Director: Pierre de Benoist
• Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge AOC, Burgundy, France
• Fruit Sources: La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, Santenay PC Passetemps
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified biodynamic
• Production: 6 barrels (exceptional vintage reduction)
• Vintage: 2021
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Style: Elegant, perfumed, terroir-driven Burgundy Pinot Noir
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Lightly touched by wood aging, this ripe Mercurey Blanc is both crisp and rich. Its briskness brings a mineral edge while the ripeness produces generous apple and apricot fruit. Matured on fine lees with regular stirring, the wine possesses remarkable body and smooth richness that are central to its balance. Ready to drink now.

About Philippe Le Hardi

Philippe Le Hardi is one of Burgundy’s most respected négociant-éleveurs, based in Santenay on the southern Côte de Beaune and specializing in wines from the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte d’Or. With deep roots in the region and a commitment to expressing the character of each appellation, Philippe Le Hardi produces wines that balance Burgundian tradition with approachability. Their kosher range — certified Kosher for Passover and Mevushal — is crafted to the same standards as their full portfolio, bringing authentic Burgundy to the kosher table. The Mercurey Blanc is sourced from the Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy’s most underrated appellation for white wine, where Chardonnay on limestone and clay soils produces wines of real depth and mineral character at outstanding value.

Food Pairings

Grilled fish, roasted chicken, veal in cream sauce, soft ripened cheeses, mushroom risotto, and light pasta dishes. A natural match for Shabbat dinners, Passover seders, and holiday tables. A versatile, food-friendly white Burgundy.

Product Details

• Producer: Philippe Le Hardi
• Appellation: Mercurey Blanc AOC, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Aging: Lightly oaked, matured on fine lees with regular stirring
• Certification: Kosher for Passover, Mevushal
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Crisp, rich, mineral white Burgundy
• Format: 750ml

Crowded House · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2025

Twenty years ago, the Waihopai Valley was a blank canvas — a peaceful, remote haven in the ranges of Marlborough. Today it is home to Crowded House, a wine built on the conviction that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, done right, needs nothing more than the land, the climate, and the courage to let both speak. Winemaker Matt Ward ferments entirely in stainless steel at cool temperatures, preserving every last note of varietal freshness and vibrancy, and sources fruit from a select group of growers — all certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand — who have been part of the Crowded House story from the very beginning.

The nose opens with zesty lime, sweet pea, and freshly cut passionfruit, with an intentionally restrained mineral core layered beneath ripe citrus and crushed thyme. On the palate it is vibrant and expressive — Liberty apple, white nectarine, and passionfruit coulis — flowing with minerality to a rounded, classically crisp Marlborough finish.

• Producer: Crowded House
• Winemaker: Matt Ward
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) certified
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime, sweet pea, passionfruit, Liberty apple, white nectarine, crushed thyme, mineral finish
• Pairings: Grilled fish, shellfish, goat cheese, Thai cuisine, light salads, aperitif

Classically Marlborough — sustainably grown, beautifully made, and impossible to put down.

Winemaker Description

Roter Multschak from Meinklang is an exciting red wine. Made from two Austrian indigenous grape varieties, it surprises you with its fun character. On the palate is fruity, tiny bit fizzy with cherry and pomegranate flavours.

The low amount of tannins allows you to drink it chilled.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling 99 Points writes | This is beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character. Some much earthier character, too, from mushrooms to bark. Forest flowers. Perfumed. It’s full-bodied with round tannins and a soft, creamy finish. Some iron and iodine to this. So attractive at the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2023. (2018).

Decanter Georgina Hindle 96 Points writes |   A less traditional style of wine in Napa Valley, this is lifted and charming with poise, powdery tannins and a chalky finish. Richly perfumed and wonderfully evocative on the nose, it’s seductive and inviting with black cherries, raspberries and blueberries alongside savoury notes of dried herbs. The flavours open and evolve on the palate bringing cocoa, tobacco and pencil lead into play underpinned by supple tannins. It’s powerful but on the leaner side, refined and elegant with a good sense of diretion and drive - everything feels well placed and well defined. Tasted twice and both times were highly enjoyable. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenére and 1% Petit Verdot. Wines are aged for 20 months in oak, 100% French, 62% new. Biodynamically grown and certified organic. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg and estate director Rodrigo Soto. 

Robert Parker Joe Czerwinski 94+ Points writes | The dense, purple-hued 2018 Proprietary Red Wine seemed just a bit closed at this tasting, with pronounced cedary notes overshadowing the black cherry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel, silky-textured tannins and cocoa powder-like nuances on the lingering finish. (2018).

Vinous Antonio Galloni 93 Points writes |  The 2018 Red Wine is a powerful, driving Napa Valley wine. Scorched earth, iron, chocolate, and leather give the red cherry/plum fruit distinctly savory accents. This is an especially tight wine in a vintage that yielded generally more supple, open-knit reds. Quintessa is one of the first Napa Valley estates I visited, many years ago. Since then, the property has undergone several stylistic phases. It will be interesting to see where things go over the next handful of years here. Drinking 2023 - 2038

Jancis Robinson 18.5 Points writes | Youthful purplish crimson. Vibrant nose with a suggestion of a creamy texture. Dense and savoury and beautifully balanced. Lovely and pure with a great future and tannins almost hidden by the fruit. Attractive savoury note. You could drink this now but it would be a pity. (2018).

Jancis Robinson Richard Hemming MW 17.5 Points writes Luxuriously rich and velvety, opulent but with enough herbal contrast to keep freshness on the nose. Lots of oak and dark chocolate on the palate. Such soft tannins! Really ready to drink. The oak is predominant on the finish. For Napa, this is reasonably restrained, and I'm sure it will develop well. (2018).

92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 2% Carménѐre

Winemaker Notes

The 2018 Quintessa is a wine of perfect harmony, with deep flavors and elegant layers that are apparent even from a young age. Intense aromas of cassis, black cherry, and raspberry intermingle with savory notes of sage and thyme; the 2018 Quintessa continues to unfold as notes of dark chocolate, graphite and fresh tobacco mingle with the fresh fruit. Precise and dense, the wine shows supple tannin that play with flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and crushed rocks. The 2018 Quintessa has a perfect balance of fresh acidity followed by bright fruit and minerality at the finish that portends unparalleled aging potential.

Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro | Dão / Portugal
Vintage: 2022  |  Size: 750ml  |  Organic · Biodynamic Principles · Non-Interventionist

Álvaro Castro is one of Portugal’s most iconic winemakers — a Lisbon-born civil engineer who inherited two small quintas in Dão in 1980 and became one of the earliest estate producers in the region. Today, alongside his daughter Maria (a biotechnologist turned winemaker with experience in Bordeaux and with Dirk Niepoort), the Castros farm 44 hectares of indigenous varieties at Quinta da Pellada and Quinta da Saes, working with over 40 native grapes in the field blend tradition. Their vineyards sit above 1,700 feet in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela, on granitic soils swept by cool Atlantic breezes — conditions that produce wines of bright acidity, ethereal aromatics, and compelling complexity. As Álvaro has said: “If God were to design a wine-growing region, what he would come up with would look a lot like the Dão.”

The DAC Tinto is the Quinta da Saes “calling card” to the region: a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Tinta Roriz, and Alfrocheiro, fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and aged in oak with minimal intervention. Dark ruby in color, it offers aromas of crushed herbs and black pepper, with a silky smooth palate of concentrated smoky black fruit, earthy depth, and a long, elegant finish. Biodynamically farmed, dry-farmed, hand-worked — and priced to drink every night.

“.An iconic producer in his region… Castro makes age-worthy wines of great freshness and elegance
— Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Pairs with: Roast suckling pig, grilled lamb, bacalhau, aged sheep’s milk cheese, or mushroom dishes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Burghound 93 Points | A more reserved if equally airy and elegant speaks more of acacia, green apple and zest, all of which is trimmed in enough wood to notice. Here too there is excellent volume and punch to the medium-bodied that flash noticeably more minerality on the beautifully persistent finish. Like the Pucelle, this possesses a simply gorgeous texture that can be replicated by no other commune in the Côte. It's worth pointing out that the Pucelle and Cailleret are quite similar qualitatively but they offer two very different expressions. Outstanding. ♥

Decanter 94 Points | Chartron’s Clos du Cailleret is a regal premier cru. This emblematic cuvée of the Chartron family is particularly successful in 2021, with exotic aromas of guava and pomelo, lemon, and spice. The texture is concentrated and rich, with no lack of acidity but an equally impressive richness in extract for balance. The vines come from the Chartron parcel of nearly a hectare at the northern end of the Clos. The grapes are lightly crushed and slowly pressed before fermentation in cask (25% new)—genuinely delicious wine. 

Littorai · Pinot Noir · Sonoma Coast · 2025

This juicy and aromatic Pinot Noir is loaded with flavors of red fruit, meaty cherries, tree bark, and sweet baking spice. It's a blend of de-classified barrels and press wine from the Littorai Sonoma Coast vineyards, including Hirsch, Pivot, Mays Canyon, Thieriot and The Haven, primarily on Gold Ridge loam soils, farmed using organic and biodynamic methods.

Littorai: Wines of Place

The Littorai path flows from a dedication to producing wines of place, wines which reflect the genius of an individual site. There are no substitutes for low yields and careful site and vine selection. Winegrowing is a wonderful word, for it implies that the object is not to produce the most beautiful vine or grape cluster but to produce the finest wine. Such wine should be a reflection of the vineyard and not the cellar. Littorai believes that additives such as cultured yeasts, cultured bacteria, acidification, and enzymes are not appropriate to the greatest expression of terroir; rather than looking to technology, the focus stays on hands-on farming and working with Mother Nature.

Wine is a reflection of the culture from which it springs. Littorai believes in a culture less boisterous and more gracious, making wines not for competitions, ratings, or trends, and holding that elegance and finesse are wholly compatible with concentration and complexity. The Littorai aesthetic is one of finesse, balance, and length.

Heidi & Ted Lemon

Ted is a lifelong winemaker who began his career with an Enology degree from the Université de Dijon in 1981. He was the first American ever hired as winemaker and vineyard manager of an estate in Burgundy, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, where he resided until 1984, and went on to work at Domaine Georges Roumier, Domaine Bruno Clair, Domaine Parent, Domaine De Villaine, Domaine Delorme, and Domaine Dujac.

Upon returning to the United States, Ted worked as a winemaker in Napa Valley and became a consultant to a number of prominent wineries in California, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Heidi worked at several estates in Napa prior to founding Littorai: Domaine Chandon, Robert Pecota Winery, Robert Long Vineyards, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Specs

• Producer: Littorai (Heidi & Ted Lemon)
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vineyard Sources: Hirsch, Pivot, Mays Canyon, Thieriot, The Haven
• Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2018 

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select gives up intense cassis, stewed plums and cedar chest notes with hints of licorice and wild sage. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the palate has a taut, grainy texture supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and mineral tinged.

James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, spearmint, cocoa and walnut on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Supple, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014

Stephan Reinhardt of the Wine Advocate writes 94+ Points | The 2014 Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile is highly complex on the clear, intense and smoky, lemony nose. Clear, fresh, straight and very mineral on the nose, this is a pure but complex, intense, stony Riesling that is pretty austere at the moment. Provided with racy acidity, but concentrated and mineral on the palate, this is exceptional dry Riesling with great tension. To be served in 10, 20 and even in 30 years.  Drinking 2025 to 2040. 

Ian D’Agata of Vinous writes 94+ Points | Vivid straw-green. Delicate nuances of jasmine and lemon verbena complicate aromas of green apple, lime and minerals. Pure and penetrating on the palate, boasting superb definition to the flavors of gin, mint, minerals, violet and lemon zest. The finish is remarkably crystalline and long. This Frédéric Emile is currently dominated by its Osterberg component (the cuvée is a blend of Osterberg and Geisberg grand cru grapes), which brings chiseled acidity, as opposed to the Geisberg’s ripe fruit personality and licorice quality. Despite the difficult year, this is likely to become a memorable Frédéric Emile. So much so, in fact, that it’s currently impossible to choose between it and the more famous Clos Sainte Hune.  Drinking 2022 to 2045.

James Suckling writes 96 Points | So much mineral and sliced apple character with hints of orange and apple peel. Turns to steely character. Full-bodied, racy and bright. So lively. Great finish. Drink or hold on release. 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 92+ Points | Coming close to a decade after the vintage, the 2014 Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile is still vivid and racy, with a taut, focused, almost austere style in its ripe citrus, crushed stone, hazelnut, and smoky mineral-driven aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied and nicely concentrated, with high yet integrated acidity, this needs another 4-5 years of bottle age, as it's currently austere, firm, and inward. It will be an incredibly long-lived Riesling, but how much pleasure it will ultimately deliver might be questionable.  Drinking after 2027. 

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 95 Points | A bone-dry, racy white, with a lovely entry point of slate, petrol and brine aromas on the nose, plus a minerally profile that underscores notes of crunchy nectarine, kiwifruit, cherry blossoms, pink grapefruit pith and fresh thyme. Firm and linear, this graceful version exhibits seamless knit and definition. Drink now through 2039.  - Wine Spectator 95

Jancis Robinson writes 17.5+ Points | To be released around 2022 or 2023. Razor-sharp nose and very tight. Lots to chew on. They could release this and no one would object but I can see why they want it to unfurl a bit.  Drinking 2022 to 2035.  - Jancis Robinson 17.5+

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Average age of the vines is 44 years. Replanting of these vines takes place in lots. 222 acres producing 22,000-30,000 cases.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 97 Points | Rather tight, with an alluring whiff of cocoa that lures you in before disappearing into the core of steeped plum, roasted fig and blackberry coulis notes. Sandalwood, black tea and loam elements fill in on the long and expansive finish. This seems to be lying in wait for what could be a very long time in the cellar before unfurling fully. Best from 2018 through 2045. 15,833 cases made.

Wine Enthusiast 100 points | Almost black in color, this stunning wine is gorgeous, rich and dense. It s grand and powerful, with a strong sense of its own importance. The beautiful tannins and the fragrant black currant fruits are palpable. It s a great wine, with huge potential.

Wine Advocate 98 Points | The 2010 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot (a 3% difference from the barrel sample shown two years ago), achieved relatively high alcohol of 13.32%, according to administrator Charles Chevalier. The wine is very impressive, not as fleshy, flamboyant and massive as the 2009, but nevertheless, a big, rich, full-throttle Lafite-Rothschild meant to age a half century or more. Deep purple, with notes of white chocolate, mocha, cedar and charcoal as well as hints of vanillin and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied yet has that ethereal lightness that makes it a Lafite. Rich, with good acidity, precision and freshness, this is a slightly zestier version of the 2009 as well as more restrained and structured than that particular vintage. It will need at least 10-12 years of cellaring and keep for 50+ years.

Winemaker Description

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petite Verdot, 3% Merlot
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely impeccable. Best of all, it won't require years in the cellar to be enjoyable. In fact, it is quite expressive today. Juicy dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather and cinnamon are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. 

Expert Review 

Vinous 96+ Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and elegant, with lovely aromatic presence and impeccable balance. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried flowers and mint all give this mid-weight Cabernet lovely complexity and nuance. The 2018 has shut down since I tasted it last year, but that is not surprising given the style here. Today, bright acids give the 2018 energy, tension and a good deal of precision. Those qualities should help the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon age well over the coming decades.  Drinking 2028 - 2058.

Siblings António and Joana Maçanita founded Maçanita Vinhos in the Douro Valley in 2011 with a clear mission: to make wines that express the region's terroir, freshness, and indigenous grape varieties with honesty and precision. Their Branco has become one of the most celebrated white wines from the Douro — a mountain wine sourced from two high-altitude vineyards at 520–700 meters above sea level in Baixo Corgo, the more Atlantic-influenced western zone of the appellation, where slate soils and cool temperatures preserve the natural acidity and aromatic intensity that define this style.

The Maçanita Branco Douro 2023 750ml is a blend of 70% Viosinho, 20% Arinto, and 10% Gouveio, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and aged on the lees for six months. Bright and vivid on the nose with dried lemon peel, blanched almonds, aromatic herbs, and hints of white peach, it is medium-bodied with zesty acidity, a crunchy and succulent palate, and a flavorful, persistent, mineral finish. Pure, fresh, and beautifully balanced — a benchmark for Douro white wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 93 Points: "Bright, vivid and agile. Dried lemon peel, blanched almonds, aromatic herbs and hints of white peaches. Medium-bodied with zesty acidity. Crunchy and succulent, with a flavorful, persistent and minerally finish."
• Wine Advocate — 91 Points: "A mountain wine from high-altitude vineyards at 520–700m in Baixo Corgo. Still very young, fruit-driven, floral and clean, with a medium-bodied palate, tender texture and a dry finish."

Wine Details

• 70% Viosinho, 20% Arinto, 10% Gouveio
• Douro DOC, Baixo Corgo, Portugal — 520–700m altitude, slate soils
• Fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts; 6 months on lees
• Vintage: 2023 | 750ml
• Pairs with: seafood, grilled fish, light pasta, fresh cheeses

Expert Reviews | Vintage 2020 

96 Points James Suckling | This Spatlese beams you up to Cloud 9, from where you have a wonderful view over the beautiful Mosel Valley. In spite of the considerable concentration, this is super-delicate and precise on the barely medium-bodied palate. Enormously long finish, where you barely feel the natural grape sweetness. Drink or hold. 

95 Points Wine Advocate | The 2020 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese is pure, clear and flinty on the concentrated nose that is reminiscent of a fresh fruit salad served on a slate plate on an early summer morning. Light, lush and highly finessed but seriously structured on the palate, this is a savory, very clear and elegant Sonnenuhr Spätlese with great precision and finesse and highly stimulating salinity and mouth-watering grip on the finish. Rating: 95+ 

Winemaker Description

The Yarden Sauvignon Blanc is produced exclusively from the Sauvignon Blanc grapes by the Golan Heights Winery in northern Israel. Almost completely transparent in color, the wine has a pleasantly refreshing and fruit-forward nose with aromas of lemons, apples, and some cantaloupe. with green undertones. 

Aged in French oak barrels for 2 months adds a light toastiness to the already complex fruit and herbaceous characters typical of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. The wine is medium-bodied with a mouthful that is pleasantly dry, with vibrant acidity reminiscent of lemon and lime flavors on the palate. It's got a lingering and rather acidic finish that makes it a great food wine for pasta or even something a little heavier like chicken. Winemaker Description.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Handsomely structured and full-bodied yet refined in approach, offering blackberry and cherry flavors laced with mocha espresso and cinnamon notes that build richness toward polished tannins.

The Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | A generous and glittering Zinfandel that is both savory and mouthwatering. This wine showcases raspberry, ripe plums, tobacco and dry, forest notes. Robust and lengthy.

James Suckling 91 Points |  Aromas of blueberry tart, poached rhubarb, cigar box and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied with firm yet integrated tannins, bright acidity and notes of black cherries, baking spices and burnt oranges. Block 28 sits at 60 meters above sea level and is planted to St. George rootstock. The wine is aged for 15 months in 65% new oak. A powerful and tightly bound wine that will age gracefully. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description 

Hendry Block 28 is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. This 4.17-acre block is 160 feet above sea level and has thin, stony soils. Morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay moderate the maritime climate. The vines were planted in 1998 using St. George roots and grafted with budwood selected from an old-vine Zinfandel vineyard on Mt. Veeder called the Brandlin Vineyard. The vines are spaced 6.9' x 5', cordon-trained and spur-pruned. A vertical trellis system supports the cordon and the canopy.

Mt. Veeder’s Brandlin Ranch was planted in 1926 with a Zinfandel which produces complex, intense fruit.  The character of this mountain fruit was very interesting to George. In the early days of winemaking at Hendry, he made an arrangement with the vineyard’s owner to tend the vines in exchange for the fruit. When the vineyard was sold, George was able to obtain budwood from the gnarled old vines, which he then grafted onto rootstock in Block 28, where we’ve grown it ever since. The character of the fruit remains distinct from our other Zinfandel and Primitivo cultivars. 

In 2021, bud break in Block 28 occurred April 7th. Bloom was May 24th. Harvest was on September 25th, with a yield of 2.93 tons per acre. Bloom-to-harvest period was 124 days. 

The alcoholic fermentation was completed in approximately one week in closed fermentation tanks. The wine was then pressed and put into barrels for malolactic fermentation. Aging was fifteen months in French oak barrels, approximately 65% - 75% of which are new each year. 

Deep ruby color. Big, blackberry jam aromatics jump out of the glass. Fruity on the front-palate, medium-heavy and balanced, drawing out to a firm finish of black tea tannins. This is a Zin for Zin-lovers! The bolder of our two Zinfandel offerings. Plenty of structure for burgers, braised lamb shanks, salumi, cheeses, and slow-roasted brisket. 

Cases: 1274
   

Winemaker Description 

The delicate and complex olfactory expression opens on aromas which remind of white flower, exotic fruits. There is a very beautiful complexity for a vintage where the end-of-season’s sun brought a lot to the aromas. Excellent complexity that translates into great and elegant richness. Nice attack, straight and bright, it takes place with elegance on fruity notes associated with a dense structure and a beautiful acidity which brings a great length in the end of the mouth. There are aromas of exotic fruits (litchi, mango).

Purchased by the Comte Lafond, an ancestor of the current owner, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, Château du Nozet and its surrounding vineyards have a reputation for producing the finest Pouilly-Fumé. The vineyards are in Pouilly-Fumé Contrôlée, which includes Pouilly-sur-Loire, Saint-Andelain and Tracy-sur-Loire at the eastern end of the Loire Valley (including the vineyard of the Château du Nozet estate).

Both clay and limestone influence the delicate characteristics in Ladoucette Baron de L Pouilly-Fumé. This Grande Cuvée of Pouilly Fumé is produced exclusively in the best years and from the first pressing of the estate’s grapes. Winemaker Description. 

An elegant, quietly expressive Chenin Blanc from Heringer Vineyard in Clarksburg. Fermented with native yeasts in an egg-shaped concrete vessel, this wine reveals delicate floral aromatics, subtle complexity, and a graceful, understated character.

94 Points — Wine Enthusiast: A lush and aromatic Chenin Blanc with notes of peach, apple, white flowers, guava, pineapple, and orange-blossom honey. On the palate, ripe cantaloupe, peach, and Meyer lemon zest mingle with layers of minerality, creating a mouthwatering texture and a dry, juicy finish. An excellent pairing for grilled sand dabs.

Wine Details

• Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc

• Appellation: Clarksburg AVA, California

• Vineyard: Heringer Vineyard

• Farming: Certified Sustainable

• Soils: Deep, well-drained loam

• Winemaking: Night-harvested grapes, native yeast fermentation for 25 days in a 500-gallon egg-shaped concrete vessel

• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

From one of Burgundy's most respected estates, Domaine de Montille Monthélie Rouge Vin Nature 2023 offers a beautifully expressive interpretation of Pinot Noir, combining the elegance of the Côte de Beaune with a natural, minimally interventionist approach to winemaking.

Under the direction of Étienne de Montille, the historic domaine has earned international recognition for its commitment to terroir-driven wines, organic and biodynamic viticulture, and meticulous vineyard management.

Produced from biodynamically farmed vineyards in Monthélie, this distinctive Vin Nature cuvée emphasizes purity of fruit and aromatic freshness. Vinified with minimal sulfur intervention, the wine captures the lively character of Pinot Noir, allowing its natural perfume, delicate structure, and vibrant acidity to shine.

The nose reveals inviting aromas of fresh raspberries, red cherries, wild strawberries, and delicate floral notes, complemented by subtle hints of white pepper and earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is fresh, supple, and beautifully textured, offering juicy red berry flavors, gentle tannins, and an energetic finish.

A particularly approachable expression of Burgundy, the 2023 Monthélie Vin Nature balances immediate drinking pleasure with the refinement and authenticity that define Domaine de Montille.

Food Pairing: Excellent with roast chicken, grilled poultry, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, and soft cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine de Montille

• Wine: Monthélie Rouge Vin Nature

• Vintage: 2023

• Country: France

• Region: Burgundy

• Subregion: Côte de Beaune

• Appellation: Monthélie AOC

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Wine Type: Red Wine

• Style: Dry, light-to-medium-bodied, fresh and elegant

• Farming: Biodynamic

• Winemaking: Minimal sulfur intervention

• Alcohol: 13% ABV

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 55–60°F (13–16°C)

Bollinger La Grande Année 2018 is an exceptional vintage Champagne that embodies the House of Bollinger's signature richness, precision, and elegance. Produced only in outstanding vintages, La Grande Année represents the finest expression of Bollinger's traditional craftsmanship, combining the structure and depth of Pinot Noir with the finesse and freshness of Chardonnay.

The 2018 vintage is composed of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, sourced predominantly from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Champagne. Fermented in small oak barrels and aged extensively on the lees, this prestigious cuvée offers remarkable complexity, a beautifully refined mousse, and extraordinary aging potential.

The bouquet opens with expressive aromas of ripe orchard fruits, white peach, red berries, and blood orange, layered with delicate floral notes of acacia, jasmine, and rose petals. Subtle nuances of toasted brioche, hazelnut, praline, and warm spices add richness and depth.

On the palate, La Grande Année 2018 is both generous and beautifully structured, revealing concentrated flavors of white cherry, baked apple, citrus zest, and delicate red fruits. Its creamy, finely textured mousse is balanced by vibrant acidity and distinctive chalky minerality. The finish is exceptionally long and elegant, with lingering notes of roasted almonds, fresh ginger, and a captivating saline freshness.

A magnificent Champagne for special occasions, La Grande Année 2018 is equally compelling at the table, pairing beautifully with lobster, scallops, roasted poultry, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses. While already displaying remarkable harmony, its structure and complexity promise further development with careful cellaring.

Professional Ratings & Reviews

98 Points — Wine Enthusiast

A wine built on generosity, precision, and layered depth. The nose alone is remarkably complex, offering crushed raspberry, white peach, blood orange, rose hip, jasmine, saffron, patisserie, fresh ginger, and hazelnut. On the palate, concentrated, pure red berries rest atop delicate spice, yeast, and fine clay. Divine and harmonious, this expression should only deepen with additional cellaring."

97 Points — Wine Spectator

July 13, 2026 "A statuesque Champagne, with a spine of fine china–like acidity enmeshed in the plush mouthfeel of its finely detailed mousse. That’s an elegant springboard for layers of white cherry, creamed apple and brioche, with a fragrant skein of grated coconut, toasted cumin, anise, acacia blossom and mandarin orange peel accents. A push of salty roasted almond is a subtle but rich and lasting chime on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay."

96 Points — Vinous

March 9, 2026  "Bollinger's 2018 La Grande Annee is quite pretty and delicate. Floral and citrus notes are nicely lifted in a Grande Annee that offers notable sensuality and grace. Hints of orchard fruit, chamomile, mint and chalk build through the mid-palate and into the taut, chiseled finish. There's plenty of energy and focus. I would give this a few years in the cellar."

96 Points — James Suckling

August 3, 2026 "Aromas of quince, wet stones, roasted apples, pralines, wilted rose petals, yellow plums and acacia. The mousse is creamy and finely textured, leading to a captivating saline finish. A fine expression of Bollinger. A blend of pinot noir and chardonnay."

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Wine: La Grande Année Brut

• Vintage: 2018

• Region: Champagne, France

• Appellation: Champagne AOC

• Grape Varieties: 66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay

• Style: Vintage Brut Champagne

• Color: White

• Vineyards: Predominantly Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites

• Vinification: Traditional fermentation in small oak barrels

• Aging: Extended maturation on the lees

• Dosage: Brut

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F (8–10°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Excellent; suitable for extended aging under proper storage conditions

A striking single-vineyard expression from the sandy, mineral-rich soils of Mt. Etna’s northwestern flank. Made primarily from old-vine Nerello Mascalese, it offers fine tannins, bright red fruit, and a savory, stony core. This is one of Eduardo’s most refined and site-specific wines—elegant, earthy, and deeply expressive of Etna’s unique terroir.

Eric Guido said of the 2022 vintage - 94+ Points - The 2022 Nerello Mascalese Arenaria takes its time in the glass. It is darkly floral and spiced with a smoldering blend of blackberries and grilled herbs offset by a tinge of tangerine. This impresses further with its combination of tart wild berries and zesty citrus tones elevated by juicy acidity over a stream of silken textures. Complex yet wildly energetic, the 2022 leaves the palate reeling as licorice comes together with black raspberry and cocoa over a bed of fine-grained tannins. The Arenaria is painfully young today yet full of potential, displaying incredible depth and refinement. In a word, spellbinding."

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Beaune 1er Cru Champs Pimont 2023 is an elegant and beautifully structured Pinot Noir from one of Burgundy's distinguished Premier Cru vineyards. Located west of Beaune, the Champs Pimont vineyard features iron-rich clay soils and mature vines that contribute depth, complexity, and distinctive mineral character.

The vineyard's central position within Beaune produces a harmonious balance between the fruit-forward character of northern Beaune and the firmer structure of its southern vineyards.

The 2023 vintage reveals expressive aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and subtle floral notes, complemented by smoky oak, wild herbs, and hints of menthol. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and beautifully balanced, offering concentrated fruit, refined tannins, refreshing acidity, and an elegant mineral backbone. The finish is long and complex, with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and earth.

A sophisticated Premier Cru Burgundy with excellent aging potential, this wine pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, duck, pork, veal, and mushroom-based dishes.

Expert Review

95 Points Wine Spectator: Showing oak spice notes, this red is smoky in style, with cherry, blackberry, mineral and green olive, plus hints of wild herbs and menthol. Displays excellent depth, harmony and structure, with a long, complex aftertaste that echoes the fruit, mineral and spice elements.

Domaine Faiveley · Puligny-Montrachet · 2024

Chardonnay | Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France | 750ml

Producer & Terroir

Founded in 1825 in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley brings generations of Burgundian experience to this village-level Puligny-Montrachet. Erwan Faiveley and winemaker Jérôme Flous combine traditional craftsmanship with precise vineyard management, emphasizing balance and the character of each appellation.

Situated between Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet is celebrated for refined Chardonnay. Its limestone-rich, stony soils provide the setting for wines of floral delicacy, mineral tension and elegant texture. Faiveley oversees vineyard management and grape quality for the parcels used in this bottling, applying the standards of its estate-owned vineyards.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker's Notes, as supplied in the listing: An exquisite expression of classic white Burgundy, Domaine Faiveley Puligny-Montrachet 2024 captures the elegance, purity and mineral precision that have made this celebrated Côte de Beaune appellation one of the world's most sought-after sources of Chardonnay.

Brilliant pale gold in color, this refined wine opens with delicate aromas of white flowers, fresh orchard fruit and subtle vanilla, complemented by enticing hints of roasted hazelnut.

On the palate, a vibrant mineral freshness gives way to generous flavors of white peach, ripe pear and exotic fruits, accented by a delicate touch of salted caramel. Beautifully textured yet remarkably precise, the wine balances gentle richness with refreshing acidity and an elegant, lingering finish.

A sophisticated and harmonious Chardonnay that beautifully expresses the distinctive finesse, depth and mineral character of Puligny-Montrachet.

Winemaking & Aging

Careful harvesting and selection precede traditional Burgundian vinification focused on aromatic purity. Maturation lasts approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, with less than one-third new oak. Regular lees stirring adds texture and subtle richness while preserving freshness and definition.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with pan-seared scallops, lobster, grilled halibut, Dover sole or roasted chicken. Its fresh acidity and elegant texture also complement veal in a light cream sauce, mushroom risotto and delicate seafood with butter-based sauces. Serve at 50–54°F (10–12°C).

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune
• Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet AOC
• Classification: Village
• Style: Dry white wine
• Alcohol: 13%, per the listing's importer specification
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Aging: Approximately 14 months in French oak, less than one-third new, with regular lees stirring
• Availability: Pre-arrival introductory offer; ETA October 21, 2026

A refined white Burgundy for lovers of orchard fruit, subtle hazelnut and Puligny-Montrachet's mineral freshness.

Domaine Faiveley · Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Montroziers · 2021

Pinot Noir | Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France | 750ml

Pre-Arrival · Introductory Offer · 

Producer & Terroir

Founded in 1825 in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley has deep roots in the village that remains its historic home. Erwan Faiveley and Technical Director Jérôme Flous combine traditional Burgundian craftsmanship with precise vineyard management and winemaking.

Les Montroziers brings together approximately 4.84 hectares of parcels across the appellation, from northern to southern sites and from lower slopes to hillside vineyards. Contributing parcels include Les Argillats, with its pebbly soils, and Les Lavières, with marl, silt and hard limestone. Vines planted between 1928 and 2012 contribute a combination of mature-vine depth and fresh fruit expression.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker's Notes, as supplied in the listing: A beautifully expressive Pinot Noir from the prestigious Côte de Nuits, Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Montroziers 2021 captures the depth, elegance and seductive character of one of Burgundy's most celebrated red-wine villages.

Displaying an intense garnet-red hue, this refined Burgundy opens with an inviting bouquet of black cherries, ripe dark berries and delicate floral aromas, complemented by notes of licorice, violets, subtle oak and warm spice.

On the palate, the wine reveals impressive richness and beautifully integrated structure. Generous dark-fruit flavors are supported by fine, velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, creating a harmonious balance of concentration and finesse. Layers of savory spice and licorice add complexity, leading to an elegant, lingering finish.

Despite the challenges of the 2021 vintage, Les Montroziers displays remarkable ripeness, supple texture and sophisticated balance. A seductive and expressive Nuits-Saint-Georges that combines immediate drinking pleasure with rewarding aging potential.

Expert Review

James Suckling, 93 Points: I love the black nose - licorice, violet and elderberry - of this impressive Nuits-Saint-Georges. Impressive ripeness and substance for the challenging vintage. The ample fine tannins are already very well integrated. Bold licorice finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaking

Carefully selected grapes undergo fermentation and controlled maceration to develop aromatic complexity and refined structure. Maturation in French oak barrels adds subtle spice and texture while preserving the wine's expressive fruit and balance.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with roasted duck breast, beef tenderloin, grilled lamb, coq au vin or wild mushroom risotto. Its dark fruit, savory notes and polished tannins also complement game and aged French cheeses. Serve at 57–61°F (14–16°C).

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley
• Cuvée: Les Montroziers
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy, Côte de Nuits
• Appellation: Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
• Classification: Village
• Vineyard area: Approximately 4.84 hectares
• Vine plantings: 1928–2012
• Style: Dry red wine
• Alcohol: 13%
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Rating: James Suckling, 93 Points
• Availability: Pre-arrival introductory offer; ETA October 21, 2026

A characterful Côte de Nuits Pinot Noir, balancing dark fruit and licorice with fine tannins and fresh acidity.

Koha Sauvignon Blanc 2025 brings Marlborough’s refreshing character to the table, with layered aromas of clementine, mango, lemon and passionfruit accented by fresh herbs.

The palate combines citrus, melon, gooseberry and passionfruit with delicate notes of nettle, blackcurrant leaf and wild fennel. A crisp, clean finish reveals lingering spice and a touch of chalky minerality.

Made for sharing in the spirit of New Zealand hospitality, this is a welcoming bottle to open over a seafood dinner or bring to a friend’s table.

Serving & Pairing

Serve chilled with fresh fish, clams, crab, squid or goat’s cheese. For a relaxed pairing, try fish and chips.

• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle size: 750ml

Wine Spectator — 90 Points

“There’s depth and richness to the flavors of guava, pineapple and dried mango, with notes of Key lime, tangerine and lemon oregano. Lemon verbena and green tea emerge on the juicy finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made, 16,000 cases imported.”

Martin Woods · Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay · Eola-Amity Hills · 2023

Martin Woods Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 brings together generous fruit, silky texture and tangy acidity. From Koosah Vineyard in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, this Chardonnay offers a layered expression of the Willamette Valley, with freshness carrying its richness through a long finish.

Producer & Vineyard

Winemaker Evan Martin’s supplied winery notes describe Koosah as the winery’s “Puligny,” an evocative comparison expressing its ambition for this Oregon Chardonnay rather than a French appellation designation. The notes emphasize the balance of medium weight and a sense of weightlessness, with potential to enjoy now or cellar.

Tasting Notes

The winery notes highlight lemon oil, green and gold apple, moss, white flowers and minerals. Wine Advocate’s 2023 review adds grilled peach, panna cotta, pie crust and roasted almond, describing expansive flavors balanced by tangy acidity and a long honey-nut finish.

Expert Review · 2023 Vintage

Wine Advocate, 92 Points: Matured for 18 months, the 2023 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard has alluring scents of grilled peaches, panna cotta, pie crust, roasted almonds and floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate has a silky texture and expansive, dynamic flavors. Its generosity is balanced by tangy acidity, and it has a long, honey-nut finish.

Winemaker Description

Martin Woods: Lemon oil, green & gold apple, moss, white flower & minerals. Medium weight while possessing weightlessness. Our ‘Puligny’ — Oregon grand cru Chardonnay to enjoy now or cellar 15+ years.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with roasted halibut, lobster, scallops, truffle risotto, aged Gruyère or soft-ripened cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Martin Woods
• Vineyard: Koosah Vineyard
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Maturation: 18 months, per the Wine Advocate review
• Cellaring: Enjoy now or cellar 15+ years, per the supplied winery notes
• Size: 750ml

A textured, vibrant Oregon Chardonnay for a seafood dinner or a place in the cellar.

Gary Farrell · Hallberg Vineyard · 2023

Pinot Noir | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California | 750ml

Producer & Vineyard

Gary Farrell’s Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir brings a single-vineyard expression to the Russian River Valley. Hallberg is a dry-farmed site in the cool Green Valley area, influenced by ocean breezes and cool nights.

Tasting Notes

The reviews below describe a Pinot Noir balancing cherry and cranberry fruit with tea, herbs, earth and citrus. Acidity and textured tannins give the wine definition, while savory notes add complexity at the table.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Wine Enthusiast, 94 Points — Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cranberry, black plum, chopped herbs, and tangerine zest swirl from the glass on the nose of this wine. The palate hits with gorgeous acidity and a satisfying crunch of tannin, revealing flavors of cran- berry compote, Darjeeling, sandalwood, and pithy orange through the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points — The 2023 Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard is a medium red color and starts somewhat muted before revealing notes of mushroomy forest earth, ripe cherries, clove, and toast. Medium-bodied, with ripe tannins, savory earth tones, sunbaked fruit, and tea leaf, a second bottle showed notably more freshness, clarity, and acidity through the finish.

From Our Team

David of 67 Wine — “Only 900 six-packs produced—a very limited production. The old vines have roots reaching 30 feet into the earth. No irrigation is used.”

At the Table

Pair with duck breast, roasted pork loin, mushroom risotto or herb-roasted chicken.

Wine Details

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Vineyard: Hallberg Vineyard
• Appellation: Russian River Valley
• Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
• Size: 750ml

A savory, textured vineyard Pinot Noir, available at an introductory offer.

Gary Farrell Chardonnay · Russian River Valley · 2023

Gary Farrell's Russian River Valley Chardonnay brings orchard fruit and citrus into balance with refreshing acidity and a gently creamy texture. Baked apple, golden pear, lemon and baking spice lead toward ginger, citrus zest and brioche, with a long, lively finish.

The 2023 blend draws from Rochioli, Allen and Olivet Lane vineyard sites. Rochioli and Allen contribute concentration and structure, while Olivet Lane's Wente-clone Chardonnay adds brightness. A cool, extended growing season supported flavor development while retaining acidity. The hand-sorted, gently pressed fruit was fermented and aged in French oak barrels and puncheons, with 30% new oak; ten months on primary lees brought texture and depth.

Expert review · Vintage 2023

Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points — A whisper of flint, green apple and sage aromas drive the nose of this Chardonnay. The palate brings in flavors of crisp pear, Meyer lemon, ginger and citrus blossoms before a soft and lifted finish with echoes of salty lemon peel.

From our team - David of 67wino.shop

“Bright and fresh, with high acidity, lightly toasted oak, and wonderful minerality. Aged in French oak barrels.”

David of 67wino.shop

At the table

Serve with roasted chicken, seared scallops, grilled halibut or creamy mushroom risotto.

At a glance

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Aging: 10 months in French oak, 30% new
• Alcohol: 13.6%
• Size: 750ml

A Russian River Chardonnay with texture, brightness and a compelling introductory offer.

GAJA Ca’ Marcanda · Vistamare Bianco Organic · Toscana IGP · 2025

Vistamare 2025 brings together Vermentino, Viognier and Fiano in a layered Tuscan white from GAJA's Ca’ Marcanda. Pale yellow with green highlights, it combines yellow flowers, fresh pineapple, medicinal herbs and white spice, with subtle smoky and vanilla nuances.

Medium body and crisp acidity give the palate shape and freshness. A lingering green-almond finish adds a savory accent, making this a compelling choice for a seafood-focused dinner or a thoughtfully prepared vegetable dish.

Tasting Description

Vistamare: Pale yellow with green highlights. On the nose, the wine reveals a layered aromatic profile combining white spice, medicinal herbs, yellow flowers, and fresh pineapple. A light smoky reduction and well-integrated hints of vanilla add nuance and depth. On the palate, it offers medium body, crisp acidity, and good length. The finish recalls green almond, leaving a fresh, savory impression that enhances the wine’s sense of precision and cleanliness.

The GAJA Heritage

The GAJA family's winemaking roots lie in Piedmont, while this Vistamare bottling carries the Toscana IGP designation. The family's broader legacy combines an international outlook with a commitment to Italian wine traditions.

Food Pairings & Serving

Suggested pairings include grilled sea bass, roasted prawns, seafood risotto or pasta with herbs and lemon. For a vegetable-focused option, try roasted fennel or zucchini with fresh herbs. Serve chilled, allowing the wine a little time in the glass to reveal its aromatic layers.

Wine Details

• Producer: GAJA Ca’ Marcanda
• Wine: Vistamare Bianco
• Vintage: 2025
• Designation: Toscana IGP
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Grapes: Vermentino, Viognier and Fiano
• Style: Organic white wine
• Body: Medium
• Bottle size: 750ml

A layered Tuscan white with floral fruit, crisp acidity and a savory green-almond finish.

Prunotto Barbaresco Classico · Piedmont · 2023

Prunotto, part of the Antinori family portfolio, makes this Barbaresco from Nebbiolo grown in Piedmont's Langhe hills. A classic choice for the table, it brings together red-fruit character, floral lift and the structure that makes Barbaresco rewarding with food.

The existing tasting notes describe cherry, wild strawberry, rose petals, spice and earthy accents, with vibrant acidity and graceful tannins. Pair with roasted meats, mushroom dishes, truffle pasta or aged cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Graphite, macerated cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors highlight this supple, vibrant red. Remains succulent and balanced from beginning to end, with ample structure to age gracefully.

Wine Spectator · 93 points

Pouring a pale ruby color, the 2023 Barbaresco comes from vineyards in Barbaresco and Treiso, including fruit from Monteribaldi. It opens with a lifted and expressive bouquet of ripe strawberries, mixed berries, purple flowers, and dusty earth, with subtle darker undertones. Medium-bodied, it shows vibrant acidity, salinity, and bright fruit with wonderful length and energy. Destemmed and fermented in stainless steel and aged in large barrels, it’s already very appealing now but should age nicely as well.

Jeb Dunnuck · 92 points (2023 vintage)

A subtle wine with red-cherry and red-currant aromas, enhanced by camphor and a fresh floral bouquet. The supple, medium-bodied palate shows crisp acidity and lightly framed tannins, with grip in the finish. Drink or hold.

James Suckling · 92 points

Wine Details

• Producer: Prunotto (Antinori)
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: Nebbiolo
• Size: 750ml

Chateau Bel Air Gloria Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2018 · Bordeaux, France

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2018

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points (Roger Voss) — Made by the same team as Château Gloria, the wine has richness and a core of tannins that give the wine shape. It comes from Cussac just north of Saint-Estèphe. It is a powerful and dense wine, worth aging further. Drink from 2024.

James Suckling, 90 Points — Lots of ripe-fruit character here with blueberries and walnuts. Medium to full body, round tannins and a fruity finish.

Producer

“Faced with the profusion of vintages named Château Bel Air (several spellings) and to avoid any confusion for our many customers, it was decided some ten years ago to call the vintage ‘Château Bel Air Gloria’, thus becoming more easily identifiable. The label has also been redesigned in a spirit of modernity, while retaining its authenticity.” — Caroline Triaud. Although a lesser-known appellation, this vineyard benefits from the same care and attention as the Saint-Julien family estates.

In 1980, the Martin family acquired Château Bel Air in Cussac Fort-Médoc. They were attracted by the cru’s potential, its proximity to the vineyards they already owned, and their confidence in the future of the Haut-Médoc appellation. The vineyard soon joined the Syndicat des Crus Bourgeois and has been awarded Cru Bourgeois status without interruption for over 25 years.

Vinification

Traditional method in stainless steel vats with thermoregulation, aged in barrels for 12 months with 25% renewed each year. Annual production is approximately 150,000 bottles.

Details

• Producer: Chateau Bel Air Gloria
• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois
• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
• Vintage: 2018
• Size: 750ml

A fresh, inviting expression of Rioja, Arienzo de Marqués de Riscal Crianza 2022 showcases Tempranillo’s vibrant fruit and approachable character. Sourced from vineyards in Rioja Alavesa, this versatile red combines youthful energy with the mellow complexity of 17 months of aging in American oak.

Bright red-fruit aromas mingle with subtle notes of vanilla, coconut and oak spice. The palate is generous and supple, offering juicy cherry and raspberry flavors, a creamy texture and gentle, well-integrated tannins. A persistent, lightly spiced finish makes this an appealing choice for everyday enjoyment and relaxed meals with friends.

Professional Reviews

90 Jeb Dunnuck: A Tempranillo from younger vines, the 2022 Arienzo Crianza spent 17 months in American oak and is made in an approachable, fruity style. Offering great value, it’s a showcase of red cherry and raspberry dipped in vanilla, with a creamy texture and delicate, well-integrated tannins.

90 Wine Enthusiast: Enticing and approachable with great versatility, this Tempranillo Crianza leads with red fruits sweetened by vanilla bean and integrated spice. Melting tannins provide succulent texture carrying in to a juicy long finish. Best Buy.

Food Pairing: Grilled chicken, grilled red meats, swordfish and aged cheeses such as Manchego.

Region: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Grape: Tempranillo
Aging: 17 months in American oak
Bottle Size: 750ml
Serving Temperature: 61–64°F (16–18°C)

Alois Lageder · Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco · Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT · 2025

Founded in 1823 in Magrè, Alto Adige, Alois Lageder is a sixth-generation family winery and one of Italy's leading champions of biodynamic farming. The Terra Alpina line is a collaboration between Lageder and local growers, built to capture the character of the Dolomites, where cool Alpine air meets warm Mediterranean influences and vines root into distinctive dolomitic limestone soils.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant straw yellow in the glass, with fruity aromas of crisp apple and ripe peach. Fermented in stainless steel to keep it fresh and expressive, the 2025 is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, bright citrus and green apple flavors, a delicate thread of minerality, and a fresh, mouth-watering finish.

From the Winery

"Diversity inspires us. It makes for fertile soil, healthier agriculture and more life, ultimately, imparting distinct character to our wines. Why think in black and white when you can think in colour?"
— Alois Lageder

Food Pairings

• Aperitivo and light starters
• Fresh salads and spring vegetables
• All kinds of seafood
• Pasta dishes, especially lighter, herb- or seafood-based sauces
• Serve chilled, 46–50°F

Specs

• Producer: Alois Lageder
• Wine: Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco
• Vintage: 2025
• Country: Italy
• Region: Trentino-Alto Adige
• Appellation: Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
• Grape: 100% Pinot Bianco
• Farming: Organic
• Winemaking: Stainless steel fermentation
• Size: 750 ml

Alpine freshness in a bottle, and one of the most versatile whites on the table.