2010 - Present Wine

Hugel Classic Riesling — Alsace, France 2024

Famille Hugel is one of Alsace's most storied and respected wine dynasties — founded in Riquewihr in 1639 and now in its fourteenth generation of family ownership, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wine estates in the world. From their base in the medieval village of Riquewihr at the heart of the Alsace wine route, the Hugel family has been a defining force in establishing Alsace Riesling as one of the world's great white wine styles: dry, mineral, precise, and built for the table. The Classic Riesling is the family's signature expression — sourced from around half estate-grown fruit from Riquewihr, supplemented by select villages to the north and south, and crafted to showcase the finesse, frankness, and electric minerality that define Hugel's house style. It is their most demanding variety, as Riesling is also the latest ripening — expressing itself best on the steepest slopes with the most complex minerality.

The nose is unusually expressive for a Classic: a kiss of crushed fennel seed rises above pear and lemon — aromatic, precise, and inviting. On the palate, it is super slender and vividly bright, almost sylph-like, with exquisite lemony charm and lemon pithiness. Electric, vivid, and bone-dry, with a lip-smacking finish that is a tonic on any occasion. Wonderful balance and elegance — the ideal partner to fish and seafood.

Vinous 89 — "The palate is super slender and vividly bright, almost sylph-like but with exquisite lemony charm and lemon pithiness. This is an electric, vivid little Riesling; the finish is bone-dry and lip-smacking and should be a tonic on a hot day." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Famille Hugel, Riquewihr, Alsace, France (est. 1639)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Style: Bone-dry
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Crushed fennel seed, pear, lemon, lemon pith, electric acidity, mineral, bone-dry lip-smacking finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, oysters, sushi, scallops, lobster, Alsatian choucroute, soft cheeses, asparagus

Fourteen generations of Alsace Riesling mastery — Hugel Classic 2024 is electric, bone-dry, and one of France's most reliably brilliant white wine values.

Winemaker Description

Ménage à Trois Red Blend brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. To add complexity and retain character, each variety was fermented separately, then blended together prior to bottling. On top you’ve got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouthfeel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal candidate for the bottom layer of the trio.

Forward, silky, and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats and chicken.

About Ménage à Trois

Ménage à Trois is produced by Folie à Deux Winery in California’s Napa Valley. The brand was born from a simple but inspired idea: that the best wines are often the result of unexpected partnerships. By blending Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon — three varieties rarely combined — winemaker Glen Salva created a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Rich, approachable, and unapologetically fun, Ménage à Trois has become one of California’s most beloved red blends, consistently delivering crowd-pleasing fruit and silky texture at an everyday price.

Food Pairings

Grilled burgers, BBQ ribs, roasted chicken, pizza, pasta with meat sauce, mild cheddar, and charcuterie. A crowd-pleasing red that works at any table, any night of the week.

Product Details

• Producer: Folie à Deux Winery
• Region: California, USA
• Blend: Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Forward, silky, fruit-driven California red blend
• Format: 750ml

Our Professional Review 

Starts out with sweet, slightly stewed red plum and cherry fruit on the nose and on entry, then opens up to baking spice, medicinal herbs, and crushed flowers.  Medium bodied, and very satisfying on the palate with finely etched but assertive tannins.   

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

Memo Summary Notes

The 2019 Château La Bastienne comes from Montagne-Saint-Émilion, one of the "satellite" appellations of Saint-Émilion. The 2019 vintage in Bordeaux is widely considered exceptional, characterized by a perfect balance of concentration, freshness, and elegance.

Nigl Grüner Veltliner Freiheit — Kremstal, Austria 2025

Martin Nigl is one of Austria's most respected winemakers, farming steep hillside vineyards above the city of Krems in the Kremstal — a region celebrated for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling of exceptional precision and mineral character. The Freiheit — German for "freedom" — takes its name from a remarkable piece of history: this land is believed to be among the first privately owned vineyard land in the valley not controlled by the Church or a feudal estate. It is, quite literally, a wine of liberation. Sourced from four different vineyards in the hills above Krems, the soils are primarily löss, and the steep elevation moderates temperature to preserve freshness and aromatic lift. Fermentation and élevage occur entirely in stainless steel, and in a detail that speaks to Martin's obsessive attention to freshness, the wine is bottled at night — when the cellars are at their coolest.

The 2025 pours a pale, luminous straw. The nose is clean and expressive — citrus, green apple, white pepper, and a subtle mineral lift from the löss soils. On the palate, it's precise and refreshing with lively acidity, a focused mid-palate, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Everything Kremstal Grüner should be: pure, food-friendly, and built with care.

"Freiheit — freedom — believed to be some of the first privately owned vineyard land in the valley not controlled by the Church or a feudal estate. Bottled at night when the cellars are at their coolest." — Martin Nigl

• Producer: Weingut Nigl, Kremstal, Austria
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Kremstal DAC
• Varietal: Grüner Veltliner
• Vineyard: Four sites above Krems; löss soils; steep elevation
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation and élevage; night bottling
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, green apple, white pepper, löss minerality, crisp dry finish
• Best Paired With: Wiener Schnitzel, grilled fish, sushi, asparagus, Thai cuisine, fresh goat cheese

A wine of freedom — Kremstal Grüner Veltliner from Austria's most historically significant privately owned vineyard land, bottled at night for maximum freshness.

Producer Notes

Bodegas Cepa 21 is celebrated worldwide for crafting wines true to the Ribera del Duero terroir and its most famous grape, Tempranillo — locally known as Tinta del País. Winemaker José Moro stamps his wines with knowledge from generations of winemaking history in the region. Fresh and enticing red fruit aromas burst from the glass: wild strawberries and raspberries combine with earthy undertones, leading to a medium-bodied experience with notes of baking spices — cinnamon and cloves. Crisp, lively, and with superb drink-now quality.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

• Wine Enthusiast 93 pts | Deep ruby-colored with a nose of raspberry jam, cocoa butter, and herbes de Provence. Bright at first sip with raspberry, red currant, toffee, milk chocolate, and aniseed flavors. Vivid acidity and luxurious tannins stroll hand in hand to a satisfying finish.

Food Pairings

• Grilled lamb chops or roasted suckling pig
• Beef tenderloin or slow-braised short ribs
• Aged Manchego or Iberian charcuterie
• Mushroom-based dishes or hearty stews

Winemaker Description

Deep rich ruby. Aromas of blackberry cobbler, ripe and dark mixed berries, graham cracker, brown sugar, vanilla, milk chocolate, toasty oak, with notes of coffee and smoke. On the palate, ripe blackberry cobbler, blueberry pie, pralines, sweet vanilla custard, brown sugar, caramel, and mocha with hints of coffee. Ripe, dense, and soft chewy tannins with toasty oak round the wine out with a lush, long, and lingering finish.

About Robert Mondavi Private Selection

Robert Mondavi Winery is one of California’s most iconic and influential wine estates, credited with putting Napa Valley on the world wine map. The Private Selection tier sources fruit from Monterey County — one of California’s coolest and most distinctive coastal appellations — and ages the wine in bourbon barrels, adding layers of vanilla, caramel, and toasty oak that complement the naturally rich dark fruit of the region. The result is a lush, approachable Cabernet Sauvignon with unmistakable California character and exceptional value at under $15.

Food Pairings

Bourbon glazed ribs, grilled ribeye, charcuterie boards, hearty pasta dishes, BBQ chicken, and strong aged cheeses.

Product Details

• Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
• Appellation: Monterey County AVA, California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: Bourbon barrels
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Lush, fruit-forward, bourbon barrel-aged California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

Wine Enthusiast — 89 Points (Tonya Pitts) | Fresh aromas of youthful strawberry, watermelon, and citrus zest on the nose. The palate is lively with raspberry jam, vanilla cream, orange peel, and clove — supported by supple tannins and a clean, dry finish.

Murphy-Goode Winery sources this Pinot Noir from premier cool-climate vineyards along the California coast, including Arroyo Seco, Santa Maria Valley, and Monterey. These exceptional growing sites maintain a perfect balance between vibrant dark fruit character and bright, refreshing acidity.

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: A fresh, bright Bordeaux Blanc with aromas of citrus and white stone fruits backed by subtle herbs and bracing minerality. Incredible complexity for an amazing price!

About the Wine Château La Rame is among the oldest and most renowned properties in the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation, situated on a hill overlooking the Garonne River, 25 miles southeast of Bordeaux. While the estate is world-famous for its sweet wines, this "Sec" (dry) bottling is a sommelier favorite for its oyster-shell minerality and electric freshness.

95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon from hillside clay-limestone soils blessed with an exceptional substratum — a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era. Vines average 25 years old. Manual harvest, fermented in temperature-controlled vats, and aged 6 months on fine lees.

Tasting & Pairings

Citrus, white stone fruit, subtle herbs, and bracing oyster-shell minerality. Crisp, vibrant, and electric with impressive complexity for the price.

• Fresh oysters, mussels, or moules frites — the fossilized oyster terroir meets actual oysters. A perfect match.
• Grilled white fish with lemon and sea salt — the classic Bordeaux Blanc pairing.
• Goat cheese (chèvre) — the acidity and minerality cut through creamy cheese beautifully.

Granbazán Albariño Etiqueta Ámbar — Rías Baixas, Galicia 2024

Granbazán is one of the founding estates of modern Rías Baixas, pioneering the region's reputation for world-class Albariño since the late 1980s. The Etiqueta Ámbar — the Amber Label — is their most celebrated wine, famously served by the glass at El Bulli for many years and the wine that put Granbazán on the international map in the 1990s. Sourced from a blend of estate fruit and grapes from long-established family growers in the Salnés Valley, it receives more active bâtonnage and extended lees aging than most Albariños, adding a richness and textural depth that sets it apart from the category. Winemaker Diego Ríos, who trained in the Mosel Valley working with Riesling, brings a precision and mineral focus that is unmistakably his own.

The nose is classic and inviting: ripe peach, citrus, and white blossom with a signature salty, briny minerality that speaks directly to the Atlantic coast. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and sappy with beautiful lees-derived texture, layered fruit, and a long, tapering finish of saline freshness. A wine with genuine aging potential — and the structure to prove it.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points — "The most famous of this estate's wines, served by the glass at El Bulli for many years. It has richness and length in the form of medium-bodied peach and salty brine and should do well in the bottle another 5-7 years." (Vintage 2024).

Tim Atkin 93 Points — "A classic, salty, lip-smacking Val do Salnés Albariño. Sappy, layered and refreshing, it has some texture from lees-ageing and a tapering finish. 2025–29." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Granbazán, Salnés Valley, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rías Baixas DO (Val do Salnés)
• Varietal: 100% Albariño
• Sourcing: Estate fruit + long-established family growers, Cambados & Meaño
• Vinification: De-stemmed, cold maceration, free-run juice only; fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel; 8 months on lees with active bâtonnage
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe peach, citrus, white blossom, salty brine, lees richness, long saline finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2031
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled turbot, seafood rice, roasted artichokes, goat cheese, ceviche
• Serve: Well chilled, 45–50°F

93 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Tim Atkin — Granbazán Ámbar is the Albariño that made Rías Baixas famous, and it has never been better.

Winemaker Description

The 2024 vintage in the Willamette Valley was a winemaker’s dream — cool, well-paced, and ideal for Elk Cove’s six estate vineyard sites: The Winery Estate, Mount Richmond, Five Mountain, Clay Court, Goodrich, and Windhill. A longer harvest window of 40 days allowed each block to receive optimal attention, yielding concentrated, fruit-forward wines with great complexity. The winery considers 2024 a potential classic Willamette Valley vintage.

Made from 100% estate-grown fruit spanning all three major Willamette Valley soil types, with both Pommard and Dijon clones represented. Each vineyard block is fermented separately in small, temperature-controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, then aged 10 months in French oak before careful blending. The result is Elk Cove’s most approachable, well-balanced Pinot Noir — fresh fruit, well-integrated alcohol, and great concentration of flavor.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck with cherry sauce, herb-roasted chicken, or turkey with mushroom gravy.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary, pork tenderloin with berry reduction, or salmon with pinot beurre blanc.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Willamette Valley Brie, or a mild Oregon chevre.

Flowers Vineyards Pinot Noir — Sonoma Coast, California 2023

Flowers Vineyards is one of California's most iconic coastal Pinot Noir estates, perched on the extreme Sonoma Coast where the Pacific Ocean's influence is felt in every bottle. Founded in 1991 by Walt and Joan Flowers, the estate farms some of the most dramatic and remote vineyard sites in California — high-elevation, wind-swept ridges above the fog line where the long, cool growing season produces Pinot Noir of extraordinary tension, complexity, and coastal character. Now part of the Huneeus Vintners family alongside Quintessa and Benton Lane, Flowers continues to set the benchmark for California coastal Pinot Noir. The 2023 vintage, shaped by a long, cool growing season, is one of the most compelling in recent memory.

The nose is captivating and complex: gravel dust, pine tar, and smashed blue fruits with whispers of violet florality, coastal evergreens, and wildflowers. On the palate, a core of red and blue brambles with a nearly feral, savoury character — dried herbs, black tea, warm spices (anise, cardamom, allspice), and earthy sandalwood — all threaded through by an intense saline throughline that crescendos at the finish with a bright squeeze of orange peel. Tangy, fresh, and beautifully balanced.

Decanter 93 Points — "There is an oomph and intensity to the 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Flowers. Aromas of gravel dust, pine tar and smashed blue fruits come to the fore with whispers of violet florality. There's an intense saline throughline that crescendos at the finish."

James Suckling 93 Points — "A great reflection of the long, cool growing season. Tangy, fresh and well balanced, with intricate orange zest, cinnamon, red cherry and black tea flavors on a vibrant, acid-driven texture. Medium- to full-bodied." (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Extreme Sonoma Coast, California
• Founded: 1991
• Owner: Huneeus Vintners (Quintessa, Benton Lane)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Style: Medium-to-Full Bodied, Coastal, Complex
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, red cherry, gravel dust, pine tar, violet, saline, dried herbs, black tea, orange peel, dark spice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2033
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, lamb, aged pinot-friendly cheeses
• Serve: 58–62°F, decant 20–30 minutes

93 points from both Decanter and James Suckling — Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is California coastal Pinot at its most compelling.

Forstreiter Grüner Veltliner Kogl — Kremstal, Austria 2024

Weingut Forstreiter is one of the Kremstal's most respected family estates — farming some of the most beautiful vineyard sites in this prized Austrian wine region, where the Danube carves through ancient terraced hillsides of loess, primary rock, and crystalline soils. The Kremstal is one of Austria's premier Grüner Veltliner appellations, producing wines of distinctive mineral precision, elegant spice, and vibrant acidity that set them apart from the broader Niederösterreich style. The Kogl is Forstreiter's single-vineyard expression from the estate's finest sites — a wine of genuine character, finesse, and typicity that showcases everything that makes Kremstal Grüner Veltliner so compelling. Farmed sustainably.

The nose is fine and expressive: fresh apple, gooseberry, cassis leaf, and aromatic herbs, with a merest touch of flinty reduction that dissipates on the first sniff to reveal a hint of yeasty concentration beneath. On the palate, it continues with citrus, herbs, and a juicy tone of Mirabelle — finely woven, medium-weight, and distinguished, with a pinch of the white pepper spice that is the hallmark of great Grüner Veltliner. Straightforward, uncomplicated drinking pleasure at its most elegant.

"Fine spice, fresh apple fruit, and typical of the variety on the nose. On the palate, citrus and herbs. Finely woven, distinguished and medium-weight — a drinkable Grüner Veltliner. A juicy tone of Mirabelle arises, making for a wonderful and compelling combination." — Forstreiter, Winemaker

• Producer: Weingut Forstreiter, Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Austria
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Kremstal DAC
• Vineyard: Kogl
• Varietal: 100% Grüner Veltliner
• Farming: Sustainable
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh apple, gooseberry, cassis leaf, citrus, herbs, Mirabelle, flinty mineral, white pepper spice, elegant finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, crisp, mineral, food-friendly
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Wiener Schnitzel, roasted pork, cold cuts, asparagus, mushroom risotto, goat cheese salads, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, spicy sushi

Kremstal Grüner Veltliner at its most elegant — Forstreiter Kogl 2024 is mineral, precise, and one of Austria's great food wines.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling — Finger Lakes, New York 2024 750ml

Dr. Konstantin Frank is the founding father of vinifera winemaking in the Finger Lakes — a Ukrainian-born viticulturist who arrived in New York in 1951 and proved, against all skepticism, that great European varieties could thrive in the cold climate of upstate New York. His winery, established in 1962, remains the benchmark for the region, and the Dry Riesling is its flagship: a wine made from estate vines dating back to 1958, blended from a mosaic of sites across their Keuka Lake estate. The 2024 vintage is a true reflection of the season — structured, expressive, and unmistakably Finger Lakes.

Pale straw with brilliant clarity. The nose is profoundly aromatic: vibrant lime, stone fruit, ripe melon, white flowers, and citrus zest. On the palate, a dynamic interplay of apricot, nectarine, and distinct stoniness is supported by a backbone of bright, mouthwatering acidity. Despite its brisk freshness, the wine offers a rich texture and a lingering, elegant finish that speaks to the pedigree of site and the timeless character of this estate.

• Producer: Dr. Konstantin Frank, Hammondsport, Finger Lakes, New York
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Finger Lakes
• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Vines: Estate vines planted 1958
• Style: Dry Aromatic White
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime, stone fruit, melon, apricot, nectarine, white flowers, citrus zest, slate minerality, elegant finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–10 years
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, sushi, spicy Thai, roast pork, soft cheeses

The wine that put the Finger Lakes on the world map — Dr. Frank’s Dry Riesling is American fine wine at its most historic and most delicious.

Jordan Winery | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California | Chardonnay | 2023

Russian River Valley's cool, fog-driven climate is tailor-made for Chardonnay, and Jordan has long been one of its most elegant interpreters. A cool, steady 2023 growing season allowed for extended hang time, producing a wine of exceptional finesse and complexity — bright acidity, layered citrus and stone fruit, and a restrained touch of French oak that enhances without dominating. Versatile enough for the aperitif glass, refined enough for the table.

Oak: Hint of French oak
Drink: Now–2029

Tasting Notes

• White peach, Meyer lemon, lime zest, and delicate floral blossom on the nose
• Zesty lime, orange peel, crisp Bosc pear, and elderflower on the palate
• Focused, textural mouthfeel | Crystal-clean mineral finish | Refreshing acidity

Critical Acclaim

• 94 pts — The Somm Journal (July 2025), Best Aromatic Whites: "Intense up-front flavors with white-peppered lemon drop, sleek and lively. Crisp acidity brightens notes of elderflower, McIntosh apple, and hazelnut. The mineral tone is crystal clean and clear on the finish."
• 93 pts — James Suckling: "Aromas of flint, wet stones, Meyer lemons and lime zest with subtle white flowers. Focused and textural, with loads of minerals and citrus oil in the finish."

Pairings: Raw bar, oysters, grilled salmon, ahi tuna, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, light salads

Clos Henri · Estate Sauvignon Blanc · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2025

Clos Henri is the Marlborough outpost of the legendary Bourgeois family of Sancerre — and it shows in every glass. Planted at high density on a single estate in the Central Wairau Valley, where Otiran and Waimaungan glacial soils converge into three distinct terroirs — Wither Clay, Broadbridge Clay, and Greywacke Stones — this is organic Sauvignon Blanc with a French soul and a New Zealand heartbeat. The 2025 Estate earned 94 points from James Suckling and 93 from Wine Advocate, cementing its place among Marlborough’s most sophisticated whites.

The 2025 vintage was shaped by a cool, slow ripening season — overcast skies and lower temperatures through February and March — that delivered exceptional density and focus. The wine bursts with bright citrus: mandarin, yuzu blossom, meyer lemon zest, and pineapple, layered over acacia, hay, and a flinty, graphite-driven minerality. The palate is textural and round, with firm acidity, chalky structure, and a bone-dry, lingering mineral finish. Restrained, classy, and built to reward patience.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2025 

“Very elegant, superfloral and perfumed, with some flinty reduction, offering acacia blossoms, hay, fleshy lemons and a touch of elderberries. Medium-bodied with firm acidity giving structure and length. Attractive bitter-lemon note in the finish. Mineral and detailed with real focus. From organically grown grapes.”
— James Suckling · 94 Points

“The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc leads with graphite and cold tea, chalky tannins and dried grasses on the palate. The wine is far more subtle and restrained than many other Sauvignon Blancs tasted for this report, and this does fit with the assessment I hold for this producer over time. These are classy wines. This is a classy wine. Clos Henri is owned by the Bourgeois family of Sancerre (Domaine Henri Bourgeois), and it is clear that the sensibilities of their estate there are continued by their winemaker Damien Yvon here in Marlborough. This is an estate to put on your list. Clos Henri is a member of the Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) group. 13.5% alcohol.”
— Wine Advocate · 93 Points

“Quite restrained with subtle aromas of earth, green olive, green pineapple and a hint of gorse flowers. The palate harbours density and depth under the shell of acidity and phenolics. Gravel, hessian and wet stone complexity rise alongside a touch of dried spice on the bone-dry finish. Accessible and expressive, this mid-weight sauvignon oozes with sophistication.”
— The Real Review · 93 Points · Stephen Wong

• Producer: Clos Henri (Bourgeois Family)
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Sub-Region: Central Wairau Valley (AMW)
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Style: Dry white — mineral, textural, flinty
• Alcohol: 13.5% | Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Mandarin, yuzu blossom, pineapple, meyer lemon, acacia, hay, graphite, chalky mineral finish
• Pairings: Line-caught blue cod, ceviche, Thai green curry, goat’s cheese tart, tomato salads
• Cellar: Drink now through 2030

94 JS · 93 WA · 93 TRR · Marlborough — organic Sancerre-inspired Sauvignon Blanc with glacial-soil precision and Bourgeois family pedigree.

Producer Description

Wild blackberry and brambly forest fruits are underscored by aromas of roasted bell pepper and bold toasty oak. On the palate, the 2023 vintage is bright and structured, offering flavors of just-ripe blackberries, savory dried herbs, and a hint of smoked paprika. Firm, age-worthy tannins provide grip and depth, giving this wine a powerful yet balanced finish

About Juggernaut

Juggernaut is a California Cabernet Sauvignon brand built around a single idea: that the best hillside fruit — grown at elevation, with poor soils and natural stress — produces wines of exceptional concentration, structure, and age-worthiness. Sourced from hillside vineyards along California’s North Coast, Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet is crafted to deliver the power and complexity of a serious Napa Cab at a fraction of the price. Bold, structured, and built to age, it has quickly become a go-to for Cabernet lovers who want more than the average California red.

Food Pairings

• Smoked brisket or grilled ribeye
• Game meats: venison or lamb
• Aged cheddar or Gouda
• Rich BBQ and burgers with caramelized onions

Product Details

• Producer: Juggernaut Wines
• Region: North Coast, California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, structured, age-worthy California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Au Bon Climat | Santa Barbara County, California | Pinot Noir | 2024

Au Bon Climat has been producing Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County since 1982 — well before Sideways put the region on the map. The 2024 is a handcrafted blend from premier vineyards across the county: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real in the Santa Maria Valley, with a small percentage from Kick On and Los Alamos. Hand harvested, fermented in small lots with daily manual punch downs, and aged 8–12 months in François Frères French oak barrels. Forty years of consistent winemaking, and it shows.

Vineyards: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, Rancho Real, Kick On, Los Alamos
Oak: 8–12 months, François Frères French oak
Alcohol: 13.5% | Acidity: 5.4 g/L
Drink: Now–2031

Tasting Notes

• Red currant, blueberry, and blood orange on the nose
• Bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone in the background
• Well-balanced palate | Fine tannin and acid | Superb structure | Earthy depth

Pairings: Lamb, duck, lighter meats in youth; salmon and mild red sauce pasta with age. Remarkably versatile — ABC's own words: "the possible food pairings are almost endless."

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points: Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028.

Winemaker Description

Lush, layered and complex, this enticing Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry, alongside notions of pennyroyal, clove and sweet baking spices. On the palate, supple tannins and elegantly balanced acidity frame juicy flavors of blackberry and Bing cherry, with savory hints of nutmeg, leather and breakfast tea emerging on the long, robust finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck with cherry reduction or herb-crusted chicken thighs.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary or pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Brie, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Casata Parini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — Abruzzo, Italy 2024

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of Italy's great everyday reds — a grape and a region that consistently delivers deep color, generous fruit, and food-friendly structure at prices that make it the go-to Italian red for the table. Casata Parini is a reliable, well-made expression of the style: full-bodied, fruit-forward, and built for the kind of casual Italian meals that call for a bottle that doesn't require a second thought. Abruzzo's rugged terrain, warm days, and cool Adriatic-influenced nights produce Montepulciano of genuine character and depth.

The 2024 pours a deep ruby with violet hints. The nose is inviting — ripe raspberry, dark cherry, and a touch of spice. On the palate, it's full-bodied and robust with a pleasantly dry acidity, slightly grippy tannins that soften quickly, and a smooth, clean finish. Quintessentially food-friendly and built for the table — open it, pour it, and enjoy it without ceremony.

"Full-bodied with raspberry notes, robust flavor, slightly tannic palate balanced with a smooth finish — the perfect pairing for classic Italian dishes." — Casata Parini

• Producer: Casata Parini, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: Montepulciano
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, dark cherry, spice, full-bodied, dry acidity, smooth finish
• Best Paired With: Tomato-based pasta, pizza, spicy sausages, grilled meats, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana

Italy's most reliable everyday red — deep, fruit-forward, and made for the table at a price that makes every night feel like an Italian dinner.

Bürklin-Wolf Estate Riesling Trocken — Pfalz 2024

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is one of Germany's most storied wine estates, with roots in the Pfalz stretching back to the 17th century. Under the stewardship of Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze — one of Germany's most celebrated woman winemakers — the estate converted fully to biodynamic farming in 2005, becoming a benchmark for sustainable viticulture in the region. The vineyards, which include grand cru sites Gaisböhl and Gerümpel, are farmed without synthetic inputs, guided by lunar cycles, and harvested by hand. The result is a range of Rieslings that express the Pfalz with uncommon precision and vitality.

The 2024 Estate Riesling Trocken is sourced from young vines — fifth and sixth leaf — from Gaisböhl and Gerümpel, fermented spontaneously with native yeasts, half in traditional Doppelstück oak casks and half in stainless steel. The combination preserves freshness while adding a subtle textural complexity that sets this wine apart from its peers at the price. Bone dry, vegan, and built for the table.

Pale gold in the glass with a luminous clarity. The nose is pristine and aromatic — abundant peach, Amalfi lemon, preserved citrus, and a delicate mineral flicker of flint. On the palate it is medium-bodied and juicy, with the characteristic Pfalz generosity of stone fruit balanced by vivid lemon acidity and a long, saline finish. Crisp, focused, and deeply satisfying — a Riesling that rewards both the casual pour and the considered pairing.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 92 Points
“Abundant peach and Amalfi lemon fruit, plenty of structure and bright mineral acidity on the juicy, medium-bodied palate. Pronounced preserved lemon and salt flavors in the long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan.”

Vinous — 90 Points
“A very subtle flicker of flint accompanies bright citrus and crushed citrus foliage. The palate brings the typical Pfalz juiciness with some stone fruit, but the lemon overtone is a constant in this vivid, bone-dry expression.”

• Producer: Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, Wachenheim, Pfalz, Germany
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Pfalz
• Grape: 100% Riesling
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic, Vegan
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Bone-dry, mineral, medium-bodied Pfalz Riesling
• Tasting Notes: Peach, Amalfi lemon, preserved citrus, flint, stone fruit, saline finish
• Drink Window: Now–2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, oysters, sushi, roast chicken, soft cheeses, asparagus

Biodynamic farming. Woman winemaker. Two 90+ scores. Pfalz Riesling at its most honest.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

93 Points Wine Spectator: "This packs in some serious plum compote and cassis flavors, liberally wrapped in dark licorice and finishing with a swath of sweet toast and tobacco on the broad finish. Nice mineral underpinning keeps it honest. Fairly accessible despite its heft."

Winemaker Description

The Cabernet opens with fresh fruit, aromas of black currant, ripe raspberry, wild sage, graphite, crushed rose petals, and fennel seed. The palate is elegant, complex, rich, and refreshing with a long finish that is supported by supple tannin and beautifully integrated French Oak.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

About the Producer

Since first working in her family's Mendocino vineyards, Kathryn Hall dreamed of a place to showcase fine wines alongside expressive art and masterful architecture. Now, Kathryn and Craig Hall have created an unrivalled destination in the Napa Valley — where more than 30 years of winemaking excellence and innovation meets contemporary design to celebrate life and inspire the senses.

The Halls acquired the historic St. Helena Bergfeld Winery in 2003 and re-opened as HALL St. Helena in July of that year. With a rich history spanning 150 years, HALL St. Helena was once the home of the Napa Valley Co-Op, producing 40% of Napa Valley's wines. In 2013, the Hall family completed the restoration of the 1885 Bergfeld Winery — California's first LEED® Gold Certified winery — alongside a stunning Visitor Center and state-of-the-art gravity flow winemaking facility.

HALL's estate vineyards encompass more than 500 acres of classic Bordeaux varietals. As winegrowers, the Halls have a strong respect for the environment and a commitment to cutting-edge vineyard technology. Under the artisanship of winemaker Megan Gunderson, HALL Wines continue to set new heights in Napa Valley winemaking.

Unveiling the Santi Valpolicella Ripasso Solane 2020

Winemaker Description

Santi Valpolicella Classico Superiore is a “ripasso” method Valpolicella; meaning that following primary fermentation the wine sees a second fermentation with the addition of Amarone grapes and skins, creating a richer, more complex and more exciting final wine.

Terroir: Santi Solane is sourced from estate vineyards within the original Valpolicella appellation of Valpolicella Classico.

Vinification: When primary fermentation is complete in early winter, grapes, skins and pomace from Santi’s Amarone are added to the vats. The additional sugars from the Amarone trigger a second fermentation which adds additional layers of complexity, rich fruit and structure. The wine is blended and then aged for more 3-5 months in small oak cask followed by an additional 12 months in larger neutral casks prior to bottling. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Santi "Solane" Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2020 is widely considered a high-value "overachiever" from the Veneto region. It is produced using the traditional Ripasso method, where the wine is re-fermented on the skins (pomace) of Amarone grapes to add depth, structure, and complexity without the heavy price tag of a full Amarone.

Because of its structure and savory edge, it pairs exceptionally well with:

• Meats: Roast beef, grilled ribeye, or game meats like venison.

• Pasta: Rich dishes like pappardelle with a wild boar or mushroom ragù.

• Cheese: Aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino.

Rich Heritage of Valpolicella

The Santi Valpolicella Ripasso Solane 2020 is a splendid representation of the Valpolicella region in Italy. Wine aficionados appreciate it for its unique process where young wine is re-passed over the dried grape skins of Amarone, infusing it with remarkable depth. This method is traditional yet modern, offering a glimpse into the artistry behind Italian winemaking. You can savor its rich, complex flavors, which are a testament to its heritage and craftsmanship.

A Symphony of Flavors

When you take a sip of Santi Valpolicella Ripasso, you are introduced to a symphony of flavors. The wine presents an enticing profile of dark cherry, plum, and hints of spices. These flavors dance on your palate, while soft tannins create a smooth finish. This balance ensures that the wine is versatile, making it an excellent choice for pairing with various dishes. Whether you enjoy it alone or with a meal, it promises a delightful experience, and you will find it satisfying.

Perfect for Any Occasion

What sets the Santi Valpolicella Ripasso apart is its versatility. It’s perfect for casual dinners or formal gatherings. The medium-bodied nature of this wine complements roasted meats, rich pasta dishes, and even artisanal cheeses. Because of its complexity, it is also enjoyable on its own. This adaptability makes it a beloved choice among wine enthusiasts, ensuring that you always have the right option for any occasion or season.

Indaba Sauvignon Blanc — Western Cape, South Africa 2024

Indaba — the Zulu and Xhosa word for a gathering of minds — was built on the belief that exceptional South African wine should be within everyone's reach. Sourced from family farmers working decomposed granite, calcareous clay, and ancient shale soils along the Western Cape's sunshine coast, Indaba Sauvignon Blanc is a consistently over-delivering value wine that has earned "Best Value" and "Best Buy" accolades year after year. Sustainably farmed, stainless steel fermented, and aged three months on lees for added texture.

The 2024 pours pale yellow with green reflections. The nose is vibrant and immediately inviting — guava, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon-lime, and green fig with a lift of citrus blossom. On the palate, it's fresh and zesty with racy acidity and a clean, mineral-tinged finish that lingers. Stylistically approachable and food-friendly, this is a crowd-pleaser in the best possible sense.

"Enticing citrus and tropical fruit aromas lead to fresh, zesty flavors of pineapple, lemon-lime, mango and green fig, supported by a spine of racy acidity. The mineral-tinged finish happily lingers." — Indaba Winemaker

• Producer: Indaba Wines, Western Cape, South Africa
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Western Cape WO
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable
• Fermentation: Stainless steel; aged 3 months on lees
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Guava, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon-lime, green fig, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, sushi, Thai cuisine, goat cheese, light salads, grilled chicken

An outstanding everyday Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa's Western Cape — sustainably made, consistently awarded, and priced to enjoy any night of the week.

Awards & Acclaim

• Gold Medal — Vinari Awards Barcelona Rosé International Bubbles Awards 2025
• 90 Points — James Suckling
• Gold Medal — International Wine Awards 2024
• Gold Medal — Catavinum World Wine & Spirits Competition 2022
• 92 Points — Gourmets Guide 2021 (Best Cavas)

Winemaker Notes

The Canals Canals family crafted this rosé cava from 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Garnatxa (Garnacha), following the Traditional Method — secondary fermentation in bottle with 24+ months aging on lees in their cellars. Certified organic.

Deep red-rose color with fine, persistent bubbles. Fresh and floral on the nose with ripened red fruits and a slightly nutty character. Perfectly balanced and full-bodied on the palate with a long, clean finish.

Tasting & Pairings

Red fruits, floral notes, and a nutty edge. Full-bodied for a sparkling rosé with fine mousse and a clean, lingering finish. Serve cold (6–8°C / 43–46°F).

• Charcuterie or tapas — a natural aperitif pairing with Spanish flair.
• Pasta, rice dishes, or blue fish — the body and acidity handle richer fare.
• Seasoned white meat or red meat stews — this has the structure to stand up to heartier dishes.

Domaine Isabelle & Denis Pommier — Chablis AOC 2023

Appellation: Chablis AOC, Burgundy | Varietal: Chardonnay | Format: 750ml | Farming: Certified Organic (AgriBio since 2010)

Founded in 1990 on two hectares of family land, Domaine Isabelle & Denis Pommier has grown into one of Chablis’ most respected family estates. Their path from sustainable farming to fully certified organic viticulture is embodied in the red ladybug on their bright yellow labels — a symbol of genuine respect for the land. The 2023 is a textbook expression of what Kimmeridgian limestone and cool-climate Chardonnay can achieve together: round, fleshy, and mineral-precise.

Vineyard & Viticulture

• Location: Slopes in the villages of Chablis and Ligny-le-Châtel, Northernmost sub-region of Burgundy
• Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone in Chablis; Portlandian in Ligny-le-Châtel
• Farming: AgriBio certified organic since 2010; soils worked manually, no synthetic inputs

Vinification & Aging

• Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tank
• Aged on the lees in tank for 6 months
• Drink now through 2029

Tasting Notes

Crisp green apple, lemon zest, and white flowers on the nose. Flinty oyster-shell minerality from Kimmeridgian limestone. Round and fleshy on the palate with bright acidity and a clean, precise finish. Serve well-chilled alongside oysters, clams, grilled fish, sushi, seafood risotto, or aged chèvre.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

James Suckling 89 Points: Bright, citrusy nose with hints of sour cherries and dried flowers. Vivid and fruity, with medium body and juicy acidity, finishing bright and zesty. Pleasant and attractive. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Sustainable.

Winemaker Description

"Rina Russa" means "red sand" in Sicilian dialect — a name that speaks to the ancient terroir from which this wine is born. The Frappato grapes come from estate-grown ancient clones, yielding a beautiful light cherry color with a fresh and vibrant bouquet reminiscent of wild strawberries. The palate is silky and smooth with a real freshness running through it and a surprisingly long finish.

Certifications: Organic  |  Vegan  |  Sustainable

Pairing Suggestions

• Seafood: Grilled branzino, swordfish alla Siciliana, or seafood pasta.
• Meat: Charcuterie, roasted rabbit, or light pork dishes.
• Cheese: Fresh Pecorino Siciliano or mild ricotta salata.

About This Wine

Santa Marina Pinot Grigio is a perennial crowd-pleaser from Italy — fresh, easy-drinking, and endlessly versatile. The 2024 vintage arrives in a generous 1.5L Magnum format, making it the perfect pour for gatherings, al fresco dinners, and celebrations where one bottle is never quite enough.

Delicate gold with hints of straw, this Pinot Grigio opens with a lovely nose of ripe pear, citrus zest, and almond blossom. Light to medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers soft, clean fruit with a crisp, dry finish that keeps you coming back for another glass. Chill well and enjoy.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Delicate gold with straw highlights
• Nose: Ripe pear, citrus zest, almond blossom
• Palate: Light to medium body, soft and clean, fresh fruit
• Finish: Crisp, dry, and refreshing

Food Pairings

Grilled seafood, light pasta dishes, bruschetta, fresh mozzarella, and antipasto. A natural aperitivo wine — equally at home at a summer picnic or a dinner party.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 1.5L Magnum
Vintage: 2024
Country: Italy
Grape Variety: Pinot Grigio
Style: Dry White Wine

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast (Tonya Pitts) 90 Points: Deep aromas of baked plum, coffee bean, dried bay leaf, cocoa, and dried florals on the nose. These aromas softly float into the palate giving flavors of dried cranberry, strawberry, and grilled orange rind, leaving the palate with grippy, mouthwatering tannins.

Winemaker Description

Bogle’s California Merlot opens with aromatics of Bing cherries, sassafras, and hints of pipe tobacco. Supple red fruits on the entry give way to touches of cedar and sweet herbs — an approachable, food-friendly Merlot that consistently over-delivers for the price.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Peking duck, roasted chicken with herbs, or turkey with cranberry sauce.
• Meat: Braised short ribs, pork tenderloin, or a classic beef stew.
• Cheese: Mild cheddar, Havarti, or a creamy Brie.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast by Matt Kettmann writes 91 Points | Toasted almond, citrus pith and light dairy aromas show on the nose of this appellation cuvée. The palate picks up an earthier line, as chaparral rock and herb flavors meet with brighter lemon and dried pear elements.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | From grapes grown primarily in San Luis Obispo, the 2023 Chardonnay is a nicely integrated, full-bodied white with grainy texture and flavors of lemon pith, tangerine and wet stone. Hugely enjoyable, with a rounded mouthfeel and long-lasting acidity, it is drinking well now but should continue to be great another 5-7 years.

Winery Notes

Impeccably balanced, this Chardonnay reflects its cool-climate coastal roots with aromas of lemon zest, apricot, and delicate orange blossom. On the palate, vibrant notes of golden apple and pineapple are elevated by bright acidity, delivering focus and energy to a crisp, refreshing finish.

The 2023 growing season began with a long, wet winter, followed by an early spring that delayed budbreak across the Central Coast. Moderate spring weather provided near-ideal conditions for bloom, while the mild temperatures persisted into summer. This extended the ripening period by an additional month, allowing the fruit to achieve exceptional ripeness with a harmonious balance of acidity and concentration.

In 1975, legendary vintner and pioneer Josh Jensen founded Calera (Spanish for “lime kiln”) high in the Gavilan Mountains of California’s majestic Central Coast. In the four decades since, Calera has helped establish the Central Coast as one of the New World’s most exciting wine regions, while earning acclaim as one of California’s iconic wineries. Sourced from some of the appellation’s finest vineyards, the Calera Central Coast Chardonnay has become a benchmark for the region, balancing lush richness with beautiful minerality and bright citrus flavors.

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Food Pairings: Pairs excellently with grilled fish, roasted chicken, wild mushroom ravioli in a light cream sauce, or salads with goat cheese.

Bravium Russian River Valley Chardonnay — Plumis Vineyard, Sonoma County 2024

Bravium is a specialist in cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley — one of California’s most prestigious appellations for both varieties, where morning fog rolls in off the Pacific and lingers through the vines, preserving natural acidity and producing wines of remarkable freshness and precision. The 2024 Chardonnay is sourced primarily from the Plumis Vineyard near Forestville, a prized site where the interplay of coastal influence and California sunshine creates a wine that balances richness with crisp coastal structure. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points.

The nose is loaded and inviting: floral aromas, chalky minerality, pithy lemon, pineapple, honey, pear, apple, and white flowers, with a judicious framing of vanillin oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and lively — crisp pineapple and mango fruit flavors that turn into apple pastry on the mid-palate, finely textured with medium acidity that builds into a saline, mineral finish of remarkable length and bounce. It is the kind of Chardonnay that delivers great value at every pour.

Wine Enthusiast 91 (Tom R. Capo) — "The nose is loaded with floral aromas, swirling with chalky minerality, pithy lemon, and pineapple. The palate is driven by lively acid, with flavors of fresh pear, tropical citrus, white flowers, and ginger that ebb and flow through the finale. There’s great value here." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Bravium, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA
• Vineyard: Plumis Vineyard, Forestville
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Full-bodied, cool-climate Chardonnay with saline minerality
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, mango, lemon, pear, apple pastry, white flowers, ginger, vanillin oak, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oyster po’ boys, grilled salmon with lemon butter, Dungeness crab cakes, mushroom risotto, fettuccine Alfredo, aged Gouda, creamy Brie

A 91-point single-vineyard Russian River Chardonnay at an honest price — Bravium’s Plumis Vineyard bottling is the benchmark for what cool-climate, fog-influenced Sonoma Chardonnay can deliver.

A fantastic Rhone from Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2023 

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 95 Points
"An attractive, layered, velvety, and poised Châteauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of cherries, strawberries, dried herbs, tar, and baking spices. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Succulent and well composed. There’s elegance here, yet it has character and structure. Seductive and flavorful with a long finish."

Jeb Dunnuck — 92–94 Points (Barrel Sample)
"The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape will be beautiful, with a charming, soft, supple, forward style. Ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and lavender notes all define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium-to-full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and sweet tannins. Based on 75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault — 50% destemmed and raised entirely in foudre. It’s clearly outstanding and another classic release from this brilliant estate."

About Le Vieux Donjon

Le Vieux Donjon is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most celebrated and consistent family estates, owned and farmed by the Michel family for generations. The domaine takes its name from the ancient papal tower — the “old dungeon” — that overlooks their vineyards in the heart of the appellation. Farming organically on the iconic galets roulés — the large rounded stones that retain heat and reflect sunlight onto the vines — Le Vieux Donjon produces Grenache-dominant blends of extraordinary depth, complexity, and age-worthiness. The estate is widely regarded as a benchmark Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, consistently earning top scores from the world’s leading critics vintage after vintage.

Food Pairings

Roasted lamb, duck confit, wild boar, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, truffle dishes, aged Comté, and Provençal stews. Decant 1–2 hours before serving; cellar through 2035+.

Product Details

• Producer: Le Vieux Donjon
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault
• Aging: Foudre (large oak casks)
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, layered, cellar-worthy Southern Rhône red
• Drink: Now–2035+ (decant 1–2 hours)
• Format: 750ml

Producer Notes

The Oddero estate is one of Piedmont’s most storied Barolo producers, with impressive vineyard holdings throughout the entirety of the denomination. The classic Barolo bottling incorporates younger vines from sites in La Morra as well as Bricco Fiasco in Castiglione Falletto, and draws from Bricco Chiesa, Capalot, and Galina. The 2021 vintage is a standout — aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting, with crushed flowers, red and blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes. Fine, polished tannins and a long, savoury finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

• Decanter 93 pts | Evocatively scented with wild red berries, vanillin, and spice. Fine tannins increase steadily across the palate alongside richness of raspberry fruit. Hints of tea and citrus lead to a savoury, mouth-cleansing finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving. — Michaela Morris
• Vinous 92 pts | Fabulous. Aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting. Crushed flowers, red/blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes build nicely in the glass. Polished, silky tannins wrap it all together in style. — Antonio Galloni

Food Pairings

• Braised beef short ribs or osso buco
• Truffle pasta or mushroom risotto
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno
• Roasted lamb or wild boar

Dönnhoff Estate Riesling — Nahe VDP.Gutswein 2024

Dönnhoff is the Nahe. For decades, Helmut Dönnhoff and now his son Cornelius have set the standard for German Riesling from this compact, geologically extraordinary region between the Mosel and the Rhine. The estate's vineyards sit on steep slopes around Oberhausen in the middle Nahe, where volcanic porphyry, melaphyre, slate, and quartzite converge in soils unlike anywhere else in Germany. It is this geological complexity — ancient, mineral-rich, and deeply expressive — that gives Dönnhoff Rieslings their signature clarity, precision, and finesse.

The 2024 Estate Riesling is a VDP.Gutswein — the entry point into the Dönnhoff range, and one of the most overdelivering bottles in German wine. Sourced from a broader selection of sites than usual, including Oberhäuser Felsenberg and Kieselberg, and fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large oak barrels, the wine captures the full character of the 2024 vintage: brilliant fruit, lively acidity, and a cool, precise finish. Bone dry, screw-capped, and built for immediate pleasure.

Luminous pale gold in the glass. The nose is effusive and aromatic — mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, and white peach, with a fine saline minerality threading through. On the palate it is svelte and medium-bodied, zesty and ripe, with a sunny, lip-smacking quality and a long, saline, savory finish. Pure Riesling. Vibrant, fresh, and immensely clean — a crystal-clear expression of what Dönnhoff and the Nahe are all about.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 92 Points
“Brimming with mandarin orange and yellow peach aromas, this is a very attractive entry-level dry Riesling. Barely medium-bodied, but so effusive and elegant. Very zesty finish.”

Vinous — 91 Points
“An absolutely clear-cut, lip-smacking Riesling. The palate is totally strait-laced, zesty and ripe, with a sunny aspect. Svelte and immensely fresh.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Remarkably intense and aromatic yellow stone fruit intermingled with complex and saline terroir notes of the middle Nahe. Fresh and savory on the palate — pure and fresh with remarkable intensity and sustainability on the finish.”

• Producer: Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, Germany
• Vintage: 2024
• Classification: VDP.Gutswein
• Appellation: Nahe
• Grape: 100% Riesling
• Closure: Screw cap
• Style: Bone-dry, mineral, medium-bodied Nahe Riesling
• Tasting Notes: Mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, saline minerality
• Drink Window: Now–2032
• Best Paired With: Spicy Thai or Indian cuisine, fresh trout, Jägerschnitzel, salty cheeses, oysters

Three critics. Three 90+ scores. The Nahe’s finest estate — at its most accessible.

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Reserva Vendimia Seleccionada 2020 — Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa, Spain

Marqués de Cáceres is one of Rioja’s most celebrated and internationally recognized estates, founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner in partnership with the legendary Bordeaux oenologist Émile Peynaud. The winery pioneered a more elegant, French-influenced style of Rioja — emphasizing freshness, precision, and terroir expression over heavy extraction — and has remained one of the appellation’s benchmark producers for over five decades.

The Vendimia Seleccionada (Selected Harvest) Reserva is a step above the standard Reserva, crafted from a careful selection of 15–25-year-old vines in the premier Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa sub-regions. Aged in oak and bottle in accordance with Reserva regulations, this is a wine of genuine complexity and cellar-worthy structure.

The 2020 shows a deep, brilliant crimson color. The nose is powerful yet delicate — noble wood, lightly spiced, with hints of vanilla and cocoa against a background of dark fruit, touches of licorice, and woodland notes that give the wine personality and elegance. On the palate it is very expressive, full-bodied and refined, with delicious flavors of berries laced with toasty notes and a long, classy finish.

Selected Harvest. 15–25-year-old vines. Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa — Marqués de Cáceres at its most refined.

• Producer: Marqués de Cáceres, Cenicero, Rioja Alta, Spain (est. 1970)
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: DOCa Rioja (Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa)
• Classification: Reserva — Vendimia Seleccionada (Selected Harvest)
• Varietal: Tempranillo-based blend
• Vine Age: 15–25 years
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, vanilla, cocoa, licorice, noble wood, spice, woodland, toasty berries, long elegant finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, Ibérico ham, aged Manchego, slow-braised short ribs, mushroom dishes

Classic Rioja Reserva from one of the appellation’s founding estates — Marqués de Cáceres Vendimia Seleccionada is the benchmark.

Kellerei Terlan Alto Adige Pinot Grigio Tradition — South Tyrol 2024

Kellerei Terlan's Pinot Grigio Tradition is the calling card of one of Italy's most celebrated alpine cooperatives — and the 2024 vintage is a benchmark expression of what Alto Adige Pinot Grigio can be. Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Terlano DOC, where cool mountain air and mineral-rich soils define the character of every bottle, this wine delivers the kind of precision and freshness that has made Kellerei Terlan a reference point for Italian white wine lovers worldwide. James Suckling awarded it 93 points, calling it "superjuicy and long with a savory finish."

The nose is aromatic and inviting: Williams pear, lychee, white melon, and the delicate floral lift of a freshly mown alpine meadow. On the palate, it is full yet mellow — layers of black tea, exotic melon, and ripe grapefruit framed by lively acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish. It is the rare Pinot Grigio that is as compelling on its own as it is at the table.

James Suckling 93 — "Salt and pepper with minerals. Superjuicy and long with a savory finish. A food-friendly wine." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Kellerei Terlan (Cantina Terlano), Alto Adige, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alto Adige / Südtirol DOC
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio
• Vinification: High-altitude vineyard sourcing, cool-climate fermentation
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Williams pear, lychee, white melon, black tea, grapefruit, alpine florals, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 2–4 years
• Best Paired With: South Tyrolean charcuterie, herb risotto, nettle gnocchi, lightly truffled dishes, grilled fish, tender veal

Precise, aromatic, and unmistakably alpine — Kellerei Terlan's Pinot Grigio Tradition is the benchmark for what Alto Adige white wine can be.

Awards & Accolades

Platinum Award & Director's Best Spirits Barrel Aged Wine | 2023 Monterey International Wine & Spirits Competition

Winemaker Description

Cooper and Thief Cellarmaster's Red Wine Blend 2022 750ml

Crafted by Cellarmaster Jeff Kasavan, this California Red Blend is aged three months in bourbon whiskey barrels, imparting a velvety mouthfeel, subtle warmth, and notes of toasty vanilla and classic bourbon spice. Blackberry and jammy dark currants lead to a rich, full-bodied finish. The blend — Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon — draws from prime winegrowing regions across California, unified by the unmistakable character of bourbon barrel aging.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb, grilled ribeye, or slow-smoked brisket.
• Poultry: Bourbon-glazed chicken, duck confit, or turkey with dark fruit sauce.
• Cheese: Aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, or a bold blue cheese.