$25 - $50 Wine

Expert Reviews - 2022

James Sucklling 92 Points | Absurdly concentrated for an entry-level wine. Deep blueberry and black-cherry fruit fills out the compact and structured medium-bodied palate. Generous fine tannins and notes of licorice and baking-spice aromas. Long, powdery and fresh finish. This is a unique solera-type blend of several vintages from 2022 to 2012. Blaufrankisch plus pinot noir, merlot and zweigelt. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

Winemaker Description

The house brand red is a blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, which is matured in large used wooden barrels. The Zweigelt brings fruit and charm, the Pinot Noir juiciness and the Blaufränkisch character and structure.

The Blaufränkisch also dominates the nose with dark aromas, ripe black cherries and plums, some eucalyptus and a slight smokiness of bacon. On the palate it starts fresh and animating, a fine and mellow tannin spreads directly on the tongue, again cherry and fine tannins.

The house brand stands for fresh drinking fun and goes well with stews and autumnal cuisine, for example with pumpkin.

Winemaker Description 

Tawny gold colour, this elegant and classic Amontillado is pungent and aromatic, with oaky notes. Nutty on the palate with a hint of sweetness and a lingering dry finish. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review 

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This has lots of range, with ginger, date, toasted almond, blood orange, singed sandalwood and green tea notes all allied to finely beaded acidity, letting everything drape beautifully on the finish. Alluring on its own, but this really begs for some Cabrales. Drink now.Wine Advocate 91 points The NV Almacenista Jose Luis Gonzalez Obregon Oloroso del Puerto produced from Palomino grapes and aged in Puerto de Santa Maria by the sea, has a chestnut color with a green-amber edge, clean sweet notes of roasted nuts, cake and oranges, a medium- to full-bodied palate with a smoky character and great length.

Expert Reviews - 2022

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | The 2022 De La Finca comes exclusively from their own vineyards, 60% Xarel.lo, 30% Macabeu and 10% Parellada, and has the added complexity and nuance from a longer élevage, no less than 30 months in bottle with lees and closed with a cork after refermenting. It's bone dry, not adjusted, and sold as a brut nature. It has a bright, almost fluorescent yellow color and a very expressive nose with notes of yeasts and Mediterranean herbs, subtler, more complex and with smaller, more integrated bubbles and a vibrant, clean and precise palate, super tasty. It comes from the plots on slopes already classified by Pepe Raventós's grandfather. Here, they have lower yields, accentuated by the vintage, which is more marked in the wine, as it's always from the same plots. The whole clusters are pressed, looking for longer aging potential, and fermentation is in concrete, always thinking about a longer-lived wine. It's a generous wine from a generous year. 55,000 bottles and 1,000 magnums were produced.

James Suckling 92 Points | The nose shows subtle cream, minerals and touches of white almonds, dried herbs and chalk. Almost bone-dry on the palate, with an ample mousse and very good weight and volume. Medium- to full-bodied with a subtle, medium-long finish. Nicely phenolic at the end. From organically grown grapes. Xarel-lo, macabeu and parellada. Nothing earthy here. Drink now or hold.

Winemaker Description 

Situated on the highest terraces of the River Anoia, the Vinya dels Fòssils vineyard has marine soils with a high fossil content. This characterises the structure and the soil composition of this vineyard. The carbonates are the component that provides the main source of typicity to this sparkling wine with a high saline expression. It is a sparkling wine with a unique identity and personality.

Winemaker Description

Chateau Greysac Médoc displays a deep purple color with a complex aromatic profile of blueberries, plum, and raspberries layered over fresh earthiness. Medium-bodied on the palate with firm tannins, notes of blackberry and licorice, and a clean, persistent finish with lingering dark fruit and earthy character.

About Chateau Greysac

Chateau Greysac is a historic Cru Bourgeois estate in the Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, situated in the commune of Bégadan in the northern Médoc. The estate has produced classic Bordeaux blends — led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot — for generations, earning its Cru Bourgeois classification for consistent quality and typicity. Chateau Greysac is one of the few Bordeaux estates to produce a fully Kosher and Mevushal wine under rabbinical supervision, making it a benchmark choice for kosher Bordeaux lovers seeking genuine appellation character at an accessible price. Certified Kosher for Passover and Mevushal.

Food Pairings

Roasted lamb, braised short ribs, duck confit, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, mushroom dishes, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordeaux-style roasts. An ideal wine for holiday meals, Shabbat dinners, and special occasions.

Product Details

• Producer: Chateau Greysac
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Appellation: Médoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux blend)
• Certification: Kosher for Passover, Mevushal
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, structured Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois
• Format: 750ml

Clos Cibonne Cuvée Tradition — Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024

Clos Cibonne’s Cuvée Tradition is unlike any other rosé in the world. One of only 18 Crus Classés of Côtes de Provence, this legendary estate sits at Le Pradet in the foothills of the Maures mountains, overlooking Toulon’s harbor. The proximity of the Mediterranean brings cool ocean air through the summer; the east-west ventilation from the mountains ensures perfect vine health. The result is a terroir of rare distinction — and a rosé that has captivated serious French wine collectors for decades.

Made exclusively from estate-grown, organic Tibouren — the rare indigenous grape that defines Clos Cibonne — with a touch of Grenache to meet appellation blending guidelines. After an early morning manual harvest, grapes are destemmed and direct-pressed. The must ferments with native yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel, then the wine is racked into 120+ year-old foudres where it ages biologically for one full year sous-voile, under a thin veil of fleurette. The result is a rosé of extraordinary texture, substance, and complexity — salmon-orange in color, enchanting and warm on the nose with smooth spicy aromas, and winy, mellow, and surprisingly mineral on the palate.

“Rich and full… texturally very pure and integrated, with a beguiling mix of sea salt–coated pink grapefruit, rose petal and tangerine notes. Notes of chamomile tea and a green herbal thread add complexity through the succulent, penetrating finish.” — Wine Spectator, 91 Points (Prior 2023 vintage)

• Producer: Clos Cibonne, Côtes de Provence, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Classification: Cru Classé de Provence
• Site: Le Pradet, 50m elevation
• Blend: 90% Tibouren, 10% Grenache
• Vine Age: 30+ years, goblet trained
• Soil: Calcareous clay
• Farming: Organic
• Vinification: Direct press, native yeast fermentation in stainless steel
• Aging: 12 months sous-voile in 120+ year-old foudres
• Size: 750ml
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2034+
• Best Paired With: Bouillabaisse, grilled sea bass, lobster, Provence-style lamb, aged goat cheese

A rosé that ages like a great white Burgundy — Clos Cibonne Tradition is the benchmark for what Provence rosé can truly be.

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rosé Organic — Loire Valley 2025

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy are among the most respected names in Sancerre, farming their vines sustainably in the appellation’s most prized terroir. The Terre de Maimbray Rosé is sourced from 30- to 60-year-old Pinot Noir vines grown in Terres Blanches — the Kimmeridgian marl and pure chalk soils that define Sancerre’s mineral identity. Grapes are hand-harvested and direct-pressed (rosé de presse), then fermented in stainless steel and aged on fine lees over winter to add subtle textural roundness before bottling. The result is a rosé of exceptional clarity and energy.

The nose is vibrant and mineral-accented: fresh strawberry, tangerine, and quince with subtle herb and floral nuances. On the palate it is concentrated yet lithe, offering sappy red berry and citrus fruit flavors that deepen steadily on the back half, with the mineral note returning strong on a long, seamless finish. Serve well-chilled alongside fresh summer tomato salads, goat cheese tarts, green vegetables, or grilled salmon — or simply on its own as the finest rosé aperitif you can pour.

🇫🇷 “Vibrant, mineral-accented strawberry, tangerine, and quince scents, along with subtle herb and floral nuances. The mineral note comes back strong on the long, seamless finish, which shows excellent clarity.”

• Producer: Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy
• Appellation: Sancerre AOP, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Terroir: Terres Blanches — Kimmeridgian marl and pure chalk, vines 30–60 years old
• Vinification: Direct press, stainless steel fermentation, lees aging over winter
• Farming: Sustainable / Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Best Served: Well-chilled, 46–50°F
• Pairs With: Tomato salads, goat cheese tarts, green vegetables, grilled salmon

A benchmark Sancerre rosé — mineral, precise, and built for the table.

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
   

Descendientes de José Palacios | Pétalos | Bierzo DO | Castilla y León, Spain | 2021

Before Mencía became the darling of Northwestern Spain, Pétalos was already making waves. Descendientes de José Palacios — the project of Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo Pérez Palacios — has been the defining force in Bierzo’s modern renaissance, farming old-vine Mencía on ancient slate soils with biodynamic and organic principles. Pétalos is their entry wine, but it carries the full weight of the estate’s philosophy: precision, transparency, and a deep sense of place.

The 2021 is widely regarded as the finest vintage of the 2020–2022 trio. Lower alcohol than ever (13.5%), it shows a lighter, more delineated profile with the juicy, aromatic Mencía character that defines the appellation. The nose is enticing: red berries, violets, wild herbs, white pepper, and a whisper of agave. On the palate, a velvety mouthfeel and very fine, chalky tannins frame nimble red fruit with elegant structure and a long, gourmand finish. Approachable now and drinking beautifully through 2029. 320,000 bottles and 2,567 magnums produced.

Before the Mencia grape became the darling of Northwestern Spain, Petalos was already making waves. A beautifully tailored wine. Enticing aromas of red berries with underlying whiffs of violets. Poised and well integrated flavors.
Oscar Garcia, 67Wine

• Producer: Descendientes de José Palacios
• Appellation: Bierzo DO, Castilla y León, Spain
• Grape: 100% Mencía (Biodynamic, Organic)
• Vintage: 2021
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Drink: Now through 2029
• Production: 320,000 bottles + 2,567 magnums
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2021

• Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker — 93+ pts: Juicy, expressive, and showy. Aromatic herbs, velvety mouthfeel, very fine tannins. Very hedonistic. Drink 2023–2029.
• Zekun Shuai, James Suckling — 93 pts: Tangy white pepper, wild herbs, and red berries. Elegant and delineated with chalky tannins and nimble red fruit. Drink now.

Roc de L’Abbaye Sancerre L’Antique — Saint-Satur, Loire Valley 2024

L’Antique is one of the founding cuvées of Roc de L’Abbaye — created 30 years ago as a tribute to the winemaker’s grandfather and his philosophy of minimal intervention. The grapes come from the best Silex hillsides in the village of Saint-Satur, one of Sancerre’s most prized terroirs, where the flint-rich soils impart the signature stony minerality that defines great Loire Sauvignon Blanc. True to its heritage, L’Antique is made unclarified and lightly filtered, allowing the full elegance of the terroir to express itself without interference. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points. Decanter 92. This is Sancerre as it was meant to be made.

The nose is flowery and complex, drawing you in with muddled green pear and keeping you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. On the palate, vibrant stony minerality is in perfect sync with Gala apple on a lengthy, precise finish. Flinty, bright, and punchy with citrus and grassy notes — everything that makes Sancerre one of the world’s great white wines.

“This wine has a flowery, complex nose that draws you in with muddled green pear and keeps you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. The stony palate boasts vibrant minerality that is in sync with Gala apple on the lengthy palate.” — Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Roc de L’Abbaye, Saint-Satur, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Cuvée: L’Antique
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Terroir: Silex (flint) hillsides, Saint-Satur
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Unclarified, lightly filtered — minimal intervention
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green pear, dried hay, lemon blossom, Gala apple, stony minerality, flinty citrus, long precise finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, herb-roasted chicken, asparagus, or Le Pico chèvre

A 93-point Sancerre built on Silex terroir and three decades of tradition — Roc de L’Abbaye’s L’Antique is the benchmark for what great Loire Sauvignon Blanc can be.

Chateau Carbonnieux WHITE Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classé 2023

Explore the elegance of Chateau Carbonnieux, one of the distinguished names in the Pessac-Leognan region, known for producing exceptional white wines. The 2023 vintage showcases the estate's commitment to quality, offering a finely balanced wine that reflects the terroir beautifully. With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, Chateau Carbonnieux has established itself as a Grand Cru Classé, known for its meticulous vineyard practices and sustainable viticulture. Each bottle is a testament to the tradition and innovation that has shaped the estate over centuries.

Expert Recognition - 2023 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast - 96 Points (Cellar Selection)
"The grapefruit and honey aromas of this wine are echoed in its crisp and rounded textures. It is ripe with apple and spice flavors, the wood aging subtly in the background. Drink from 2027."

Wine Spectator - 95 Points
"This crackles with tarragon, fleur de sel, oyster shell and lemon pith notes that ripple throughout, while a steady core of yuzu and mirabelle plum moves through. Live-wire acidity keeps everything focused and mouthwatering. Lovely. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2033."

James Suckling - 94 Points
"Sliced lemon, crushed stone, ginger and oyster shell aromas follow through to a medium body with crisp acidity and a crunchy finish. A very typical top white from Pessac. Drink now."

Wine Advocate - 90-92 Points
"A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, the 2023 Carbonnieux Blanc exhibits elegant aromas of pear, white peach, spring flowers and herbs, followed by a medium-bodied, satiny and long texture enhanced by bright acids and a lively mid-palate. It concludes with a long, delicate, mouthwateringly mordant finish, making it a classic white wine from this estate."

Jeb Dunnuck - 90-92 Points
"The 2023 Château Carbonnieux Blanc is light gold-hued and offer terrific aromatics of ripe citrus, minty herbs, and a kiss of grapefruit. These carry to a medium-bodied white with a round, supple texture, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length."

Grape Blend

Composition: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon
This classic Bordeaux white blend showcases the best of both varietals, combining Sauvignon Blanc's vibrant acidity and aromatic intensity with Sémillon's richness and texture.

Tasting Profile

The 2023 Chateau Carbonnieux white wine offers an exquisite blend of vibrancy and depth. Light gold-hued with terrific aromatics including grapefruit and honey, sliced lemon, crushed stone, ginger, oyster shell, tarragon, fleur de sel, lemon pith, yuzu, mirabelle plum, pear, white peach, spring flowers, herbs, ripe citrus, and minty herbs. The palate is equally expressive, featuring crisp and rounded textures, ripe with apple and spice flavors, live-wire acidity that keeps everything focused and mouthwatering, medium body with a satiny and long texture, round and supple with nicely integrated acidity. The finish is crunchy, long, delicate, and mouthwateringly mordant with outstanding length. Wood aging is subtle in the background, allowing the fruit and terroir to shine.

Grand Cru Classé Heritage

With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, Chateau Carbonnieux has established itself as a Grand Cru Classé in the prestigious Pessac-Leognan appellation. The estate is known for its meticulous vineyard practices and sustainable viticulture, producing wines that beautifully reflect the unique terroir of Bordeaux. Each bottle is a testament to centuries of tradition and innovation.

Aging Potential

Drink Window: Now through 2033 (Wine Spectator), from 2027 (Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection)
This vintage offers both immediate enjoyment and excellent aging potential, allowing collectors to cellar it for further development.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pairing Chateau Carbonnieux with the right dishes can enhance your overall dining experience. Its refreshing acidity and vibrant fruit character make it an excellent choice for:

• Grilled fish and shellfish
• Oysters and seafood platters
• Salads featuring citrus or vinaigrettes
• Creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert
• Gourmet picnics
• Summer barbecues
• Light cheese platters

Perfect for Wine Enthusiasts

This vintage is ideal for those who appreciate complexity and refinement in their wine, making it a sought-after selection for wine enthusiasts and collectors wanting to taste the essence of Bordeaux. Enjoy it chilled to fully appreciate its bright flavors and elegant character. The versatility of this Grand Cru Classé is sure to impress your guests at any occasion.

A refined white from Puglia’s Castel del Monte DOC, this wine is a blend of Chardonnay and a touch of Fiano. Bright straw yellow in color, it shows aromas of white orchard fruits, citrus, delicate florals, and subtle hints of vanilla from oak aging. On the palate, it is fresh and balanced, with vibrant acidity, mineral tension, and a harmonious medium body. Partially aged in French oak and partially in stainless steel, it combines elegance with clarity. Pairs well with seafood, shellfish, grilled fish, risotto, white meats, and soft cheeses. Best served chilled at 10–12 °C.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2024 Domaine de la Grand’Cour (Jean-Louis Dutraive) Brouilly "Vieilles Vignes" is a highly sought-after, low-intervention Cru Beaujolais. While the 2024 vintage is just beginning to reach the market (following the 2023 release), it continues the Dutraive family tradition of producing wines that are "natural" in spirit but precise and elegant in profile.

This specific cuvée is an outlier for Jean-Louis Dutraive, whose estate is primarily based in Fleurie. The fruit comes from a 1.6-hectare parcel of vines (some over 100 years old) in Charentay. Unlike the granite-heavy soils of Fleurie, this Brouilly site features limestone and clay, which lends the wine a more muscular, savory, and mineral-driven character.

Importer Notes

On more than one occasion, Jean-Louis Dutraive has been fondly referred by his peers as "the heart of Beaujolais". The Dutraive family home and the Domaine de la Grand'Cour are one in the same, and there is a constant flow of visiting vignerons from every generation for lunches, dinners, casse-croûte ("breaking of bread"), walks in the vines, and tastings in the cellar. Jean-Louis' door is always open, as are his bottles. He makes himself regularly available to young people in the region who are interested in farming naturally, and he is among the first to lend a hand, a tractor, or words of advice to colleagues. Of course, his influence is most felt by his three children with whom he collaborates on the Famille Dutraive label. Daughter Ophélie assumed the helm of Domaine de la Grand'Cour in recent years. While Jean-Louis's presence is always felt, even when he is away enjoying his retirement home in the Jura, Ophélie has a deep connection to her vines and a deft hand in the cellar.

Domaine de la Grand Cour dates back to 1969 when it was purchased by Jean Dutraive, making it one of the oldest in the village of Fleurie. Jean Dutraive was joined by his son and fifth generation vigneron Jean-Louis in 1977. By 1989, the reins were fully in Jean-Louis’s capable hands. The foundation of the property are the lieux-dits of Clos de la Grand Cour, Chapelle des Bois and Champagne which make up a total of 9 hectares of vines in Fleurie, surrounding the house and cellars. Additionally, the family has 1.6 hectares in the cru of Brouilly where the Dutraive family originates. The average age of the vines are around 40-50 years, with a good chunk over 70 years of age.

The family are regarded as trailblazers in natural viticulture, and they continue to serve as a shining example of farmers who work in tandem with nature. Harvest is done by hand and grapes are immediately placed in tank at low temperatures to begin carbonic maceration (without sulfur). The wines ferment naturally with indigenous yeast and are macerated on the skins for anywhere from 15-30 days depending on the vintage and the particular wine. The wines are then gravity fed to the cellar for a period of ageing of 6-15 months, depending on the cuvée. Elevage occurs mostly in used burgundy barrels, though the Fleurie Grand'Cour, Fleurie Chapelle des Bois and Brouilly are sometimes aged at least partially in old foudres or cement tanks depending on the vintage. S02 is rarely added during the élévage, only when necessary, though a small amount is added when the wines are racked and assembled for bottling. And in general, no fining and filtration is used unless absolutely required. In the words of Jean-Louis, he practices "low intervention, high surveillance" winemaking. 

The Dutraive lineup includes some of the most aromatically and texturally unique wines in all of Beaujolais. One whiff and the wines give an almost exotic floral and spicy aroma, followed by lush minerally Gamay fruit, sort of like a top Morey St. Denis 1er or Grand Cru nose combined with earthy, Volnay-like fruit. There is also a textural lushness and exuberance backed up by ample structure and acid. These are substantial Beaujolais, and ones that could certainly stand up to food. They also have the requisite material to develop and evolve over the medium term, i.e. 10-12 years of aging - easily! Jean-Louis and his Domaine de la Grand'Cour wines have more than earned their place in the top ranks of today's Beaujolais domaines. 

Expert Review — Vintage 2017

James Suckling 96 Points | Released after seven years in bottle. Delicate yet complex aromas of finger limes, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemons, gun smoke and salted nuts. The palate is high tension, with an intense concentration of flavors coiled around a textural palate and striking acidity. Made from vines planted in 1965 — this has years of life ahead. Excellent. Drink or hold.

About The Contours Museum Reserve

Pewsey Vale’s The Contours is their flagship museum-release Riesling, sourced from the coolest south-facing slope of the estate in the high-altitude Eden Valley, South Australia. The vines were planted in 1965, making them among the oldest Riesling plantings in the region.

What makes this wine special: Pewsey Vale holds it in their cellars for five to seven years before release, so you receive a bottle that has already begun its transformation into a complex, aged masterpiece — no patience required on your end.

Tasting & Pairings

Finger lime, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemon, gun smoke, and salted nuts. High-tension acidity with intense concentration and a textural, coiled palate. Serve well chilled.

• Kingfish crudo or oysters with lime mignonette — classic pairing for aged Riesling.
• Five-spice duck breast or tofu Pad Thai — the acidity balances spice and oil beautifully.

Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 750ml

The Sichel House is renowned for its high-quality wines, and the Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 is no exception. This wine is a remarkable embodiment of the rich heritage of the Margaux region. Crafted with carefully selected grapes, this vintage delivers a beautiful balance between strength and finesse. The year 2022 yielded exceptional fruit characteristics, allowing the winemakers to produce a wine that showcases both elegance and complexity. The result is a full-bodied red that delights the palate and invites exploration, making it a superb addition to any wine collection.

Expert Recognition - 2022 Vintage

James Suckling - 92 Points
"Plush plums, redcurrants, tobacco and some sweet spices. Fluid and evenly packed on the palate with medium body and juicy, firm tannins. Lightly peppery in the medium-length finish. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink now."

Grape Blend

Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
This classic Bordeaux blend showcases the best of Margaux's terroir and winemaking tradition.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Deep ruby red with deep violet tints indicating richness
Aroma: Expressive, ripe bouquet displaying all the finesse and elegance typical of the Margaux terroir. Complexity on the nose with overripe, jammy red fruit aromas, blackcurrant, plush plums, redcurrants, vanilla, spice, tobacco, and sweet spices. Swirling brings out more oaky, toasty notes denoting traditional ageing in oak barrels which blend harmoniously with the fruity aromas
Palate: Fluid and evenly packed with medium body. Concentrated and generous but not capricious, highly expressive. Rich flavors including chocolate, vanilla, and mild tobacco. Juicy, firm tannins of the highest quality. Well-integrated tannins. Lightly peppery
Finish: Long, lingering finish with medium-length. Lightly peppery character

Margaux Appellation Excellence

Situated 25km from Bordeaux, the Margaux appellation covers five municipalities and is the only one in the Médoc where you find the entire, rich and vast range of wines, from the first to the fifth Grand Cru Classé. Margaux wines are particularly supple and refined. They are characterized by very elegant, fruity aromas, making them the benchmark for generous, sophisticated wines with soft ripe tannins.

Vineyard Terroir

The vineyard area of Margaux is essentially based on the Garonne's layers, made up of gravel and pebbles from the quaternary period. This soil, well protected from the oceanic winds by the forest, benefits from the bracing winds from the Gironde estuary which tempers the climate. The soil's poorness, the gravel's permeability, and the slightly sloping hillsides that provide good drainage allow the vines to be deep rooted, providing the ideal conditions for top quality wines.

Traditional Winemaking

Harvest: When fully mature, the grapes are for the most part hand-picked
Vinification: Grapes are crushed and destemmed, then put into fermenters. The harvest is heated to around 22°C to allow a quick start to fermentation. Twice daily pumping over with aeration takes place to extract maximum color and tannin. After alcoholic fermentation, vats are maintained at around 30°C for 15 to 21 days
Aging: 6 to 8 months aging in French oak barrels with racking every 4 weeks. Traditional aging in oak barrels creates oaky, toasty notes that blend harmoniously with fruity aromas
Finishing: Wines are fined and filtered on earth before bottling

One of the Greatest Bordeaux Vintages

The product of one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages, the 2022 showcases exceptional fruit characteristics and winemaking expertise. The wine's structure is both robust and refined, making it ideal for aging while also being enjoyable now. This vintage offers a delightful experience that evolves over time, showcasing the winemaking expertise of Sichel House.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This exquisite wine pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, enhancing both the food and the wine experience:

• Hearty red meats - grilled lamb or beef
• Rich gourmet cheeses
• Mushroom risotto
• Savory pastas
• Roasted meats
• Elegant dinner parties

Serving Suggestions

For optimal enjoyment, serve the Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 slightly below room temperature, allowing its full bouquet to unfold. This wine promises to elevate any dining occasion and impress even the most discerning palates.

Sichel House Heritage

The Sichel House is renowned for producing high-quality wines that embody the rich heritage and tradition of Bordeaux winemaking. Each sip reveals layers of complexity and elegance, showcasing the finesse typical of the Margaux terroir. With its beautiful balance between strength and refinement, this wine represents the benchmark for generous, sophisticated Bordeaux wines with soft ripe tannins.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of The Wine Enthusiast writes 94 Points | Medium straw colored, this wine has a bouquet of carambola, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. A soft floral note joins white peach, jasmine, lemongrass and dried apricot flavors set into a full-textured wine with well-matched acidity. Notes of wildflowers and bright citrus fruit endure on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Made of 100% Istrian Malvasia grape from four vineyards (Kastanjari, Vrh, Santa Lucia, Baredine) located on the west coast of Istria, in an area called Buje (in Croatian, Bujstina), just 50 miles away from Venice. They are 100 meters high on a little hill, a few miles away from the shore. Aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees. Look for alluring aromas of camomile, acacia, lime zest, quince, pear, apricot and ripe nectarine.
 

Jezreel Valley Winery Nahalal Red — Israel 2024

The Nahalal is Jezreel Valley Winery's homage to the first worker's settlement in Israel — an ode to the land, the labor, and the tradition of winemaking that has defined this region for generations. A blend of Syrah and Carignan sourced from the sun-drenched Jezreel Valley, each variety is picked, fermented, and aged separately to honor the individuality of the terroir before being blended with precision. After 14 months in mostly used French oak, the result is a wine that is light, vibrant, and unmistakably Mediterranean in spirit. Kosher and Mevushal.

The nose is exuberant and fruit-forward: ripe red cherry, fresh strawberry, and a hint of warm spice. On the palate, it is dry and medium-bodied with bright acidity, a silky texture, and a clean, refreshing finish that makes it as at home on a sunny afternoon as it is at the dinner table. Unlike many heavy, oak-dominant Israeli reds, the Nahalal is built for pleasure and accessibility — a wine that drinks beautifully from the moment it is opened.

• Producer: Jezreel Valley Winery, Jezreel Valley, Israel
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Jezreel Valley
• Blend: Syrah, Carignan
• Vinification: Separate fermentation by variety, 14 months in mostly used French oak
• Certification: Kosher • Mevushal
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, strawberry, warm spice, bright acidity, silky texture, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Mediterranean lamb kebabs, gourmet pizza, roasted chicken with olives, spiced Middle Eastern dishes

A sunny, food-friendly Kosher red built for the table — Jezreel's Nahalal is the benchmark for what vibrant, approachable Israeli wine can be.

An organic rosé cava, crafted with the Traditional Method and aged on lees for a minimum of 35 months. A gentle skin maceration gives the wine its delicate color. Bearing the seal of Elaborador Integral (Integral Producer), it is made from vines rooted in ‘sauló’, a sandy granitic soil, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Mataró is the most genuine variety in Alella and it is also the name of the Capital of the Maresme area

“A return to the origins with the first grape variety used for cava” – Pujol-Busquets family

ART LAIETÀ D’ALTA ALELLA
Cava type: Brut Nature / Organic vintage cava
Integral Producer: 100% produced on the winery’s property
Grape varieties: Mataró (mourvèdre)
Zone of Origin: Comtats de Barcelona – Serra de Mar

It's a fantastic sparkling wine that truly highlights the quality and potential of Spanish Cava when made from a specific vineyard (single-estate) and with a focus on organic, natural production.

"Scott and Jenny Schultz of Jolie-Laide make highly distinctive wines from grapes that are not among California’s usual suspects. The Trousseau Gris grapes for this bottle were farmed organically and stomped by foot. The wine is lively and aromatic and will go with a wide range of savory and sweetish things." — Eric Asimov, The New York Times

About the Wine

Planted in the late 1970s, these rare, near-extinct vines with massive, gnarly trunks produce unique and fascinating fruit. Since Jolie-Laide’s first Fanucchi Wood Road Trousseau Gris bottling in 2010, the wines have shown a strong structural foundation with vintage-driven character.

In 2024, Mother Nature yielded half the fruit of 2023 — making this Trousseau Gris as rare as the old vines that produced it. To preserve natural acidity, the grapes were harvested early and foot-stomped for a three-day whole-cluster cold soak. This gentle maceration adds subtle phenolic texture, lifted aromatics, and a gorgeous rose-gold hue. The juice was then moved to a combination of neutral puncheon and stainless steel for a slow, cold native yeast fermentation, followed by a 6-month élevage in neutral puncheons and barrique to preserve freshness.

Tasting Notes

Fresh and elegant — summer melon, nectarine, white tea, and pine. 12.5% ABV.

About the Label

The 2024 labels feature the work of Sandra Fontenas, a French visual artist and photographer based in La Rochelle, France.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled fish, sushi, charcuterie, soft cheeses, roasted vegetables, and light poultry. Equally stunning as an aperitif. Serve well chilled.

• Producer: Jolie-Laide (Scott & Jenny Schultz)
• Vineyard: Fanucchi Wood Road, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Grape: Trousseau Gris
• Farming: Organic, old vines (planted late 1970s)
• Vinification: Foot-stomped, whole-cluster cold soak, native yeast
• Aging: 6 months, neutral puncheon + stainless steel
• ABV: 12.5%
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

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The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points Aleks Zecevic | A whiff of rose water is followed by nectarine and apricot notes in this nicely balanced Spätlese. It's on the rich side, with submerged acidity, but the finish is lasting and inviting.

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."

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

Vinous 93 Points | The first of the two white wines, the 2024 Versante Nord is a blend of varieties sourced from six different vineyards at varying altitudes from the north side of the valley, which receives more sunlight during the day. This wine offers a wealth of power, with notes of salted pineapples, fresh sage, smoky earth, and saline. It’s bright with acidity, salinity, and a light wild side, though very well-managed. It had been bottled just three weeks earlier, so this tasting was a preview prior to its release. Drink over the coming 8-10 years.

Winemaker Description 

This wine offers a strikingly pure expression of Mt. Etna’s eastern slopes. Grown on volcanic soils at high elevation, this white blend is taut, mineral, and refreshingly saline, with notes of citrus zest, herbs, and crushed rock. A brilliant new bottling from one of Etna’s most exciting voices—available now on pre-sale in limited quantities.

Eric Guido also last year assigned 91 Points to this plot- and said as follows of the 2023 vintage - Crushed rocks, dried flowers, raw almonds and freshly sliced nectarines form a savory bouquet as the 2023 Carricante Versante Est opens in the glass. Nearly salty in character, it washes across the palate with ease, showing tart orchard fruits and hints of lemony custard. The 2023 finishes with medium length, leaving a pleasant chamomile air to linger.

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James Suckling 93 Points | An enticing but well-balanced wine that combines a super-creamy texture with vivid tropical fruit, poached pears and baking spices. It's all barrel-fermented in about 30% oak and shows the characteristic toast, dough and light butter notes of an excellent chardonnay. Affordable for the quality. Drink now or hold.

Expert Review

2018 Jacques Capsouto Cuvee Marco, Grand Vin Rouge – Score: 90 Points |
This wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah. The nose on this wine starts ripe, it is riper than its younger 2019 brother, the Cuvee Samuel. The blend is different as well, and there is much more oak on the Marco. The nose on this wine is ripe, it feels like a Cali Rhone wine more than how the 19 Samuel felt, with black and blue fruit, sweet oak, soy sauce, ripe plum, floral notes, dark and brooding, with roasted animal, and loam. The mouth on this full-bodied wine is ripe, balanced, with good acidity, blackcurrant, blackberry, boysenberry, nice draping tannin, sweet oak, loam, and black tea. The finish on this wine is ripe, with dense black fruit, loam, mushroom, graphite, milk chocolate, and nice smoke. 

40% Grenache Noir 30% Mourvedre 30% Syrah)- Aged in 3-4 yr old barrels for 12 months-

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Estate Vineyards provide the backbone to this expressive Napa Valley Chardonnay.
Notes of bright citrus-lemon and green apple are complemented by toasty vanilla and
a kiss of minerality from the soil. Barrel fermentation enhances the citrus fruit flavors
and balances acidity, while partial malolactic adds body and creamy crème brûlée
character to the mid-palate

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James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sliced lemons, white pepper, Asian pears and yellow apples. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a saline edge, giving flavors of passion fruit, cut grass and melon. Nicely balanced with a phenolic edge.

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The Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Vasse Felix's self-titled middle range often represents the best value for money, in this reviewer's opinion. This is both an excellent example of the range's quality as well as of Margaret River's distinctive Cab style. Layered aromas of tangy redcurrant, raspberry and cranberry are woven with pencil lead, new pavement and tobacco leaf. There's a wonderful lift of crunchy currant fruit on the palate, which counterbalances the big smudgy, savory tannins.

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This Pinot Noir expresses black fruits like boysenberries and blueberries with subtle floral notes and gentle acidity. The cocoa powder tannins and smoky toasty notes add complexity with a generous earthy textural finish.

This wine pairs well with New Zealand lamb, but rich enough to enhance slow cooked beef cheeks. For a plant-based alternative, try with mushroom or truffle accented dishes to accentuate its earthy character.

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Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The color of the wine is a ruby red, lively and pleasant. Its bouquet reminds of flowers and fruits, like small red fruits or violets, but it has also a spicy note. On the palate, the taste is elegant, full-bodied and savoury, characteristics due to its rounded tannins typical of Castiglione Falletto cru.

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Roundness and generosity! Mariflor Malbec has the complexity, the power and sensuality with deep aromas of black fruits and spices which will insure it the longevity, roundness and generosity make it pleasant to taste “primeur” or young.

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Brilliant color, intense, lovely red fruits, silky and rich attack. Deeply coloured with purple reflection. Fruity on the nose, dominated by morello cherry and almond paste. Medium-bodied on the palate, priority is given to the fruit. Turning more intense on the finish with good tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Charmat method sparkling wine.

This is a refined Brut with a delicate mineral nature and a flowery, welcoming bouquet which charms the senses.

Each sip conjures fresh sensations and light thoughts.

Soft pressing in pneumatic press, sedimentation of must and fermentation at controlled temperature with inoculation of selected yeasts. Aflnation in steel barrels for at least 4 months.

Charmat method for 30 days in autoclave. 

Importer Description 

This Pinot Blanc is a masterful display of subtlety and refinement. Honeysuckle, peaches, and stone don’t shout at, but whisper seductively to your nose and palate." - Kermit Lynch.

Coming from vines located mainly at the bottom of hillsides and on granite soil, this Pinot Blanc borders on insolence in its elegance and deliciousness. It is very far from the classic style that is often found in Alsatian Pinot Blancs, which is quite simple. Here, Jean Boxler has done a real job in the vineyards as well as in the winemaking where we feel a much finer and more mineral side.

On the palate, the attack is precise, there is, as with his Sylvaner, a beautiful maturity that brings a real delicacy. The wine has a sensual texture, very silky, no aggressiveness emerges.

This is really not just a simple Pinot Blanc, it is extraordinarily long, precise and delicious.

Argyle Winery | Vintage Brut | Willamette Valley | 2022

Oregon is not the first place most people think of for serious sparkling wine — but it should be. Argyle has been making the case since 1987, and the Willamette Valley’s cool, maritime-influenced climate turns out to be near-ideal for the traditional method: long growing seasons, natural acidity, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and retain the tension that great sparkling wine demands. The 2022 Vintage Brut draws heavily on fruit from the legendary Knudsen Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected sites in the valley, which contributes natural weight, brightness, and a distinctive character that sets this wine apart from its non-vintage counterparts. Golden apple and Anjou pear lead the nose, layered with vanilla and toasted cake crust — opulent without being heavy. On the palate, apple, cherry blossom, and spiced cinnamon flavors linger at length, carried by a foamy mousse and vivid acidity. A classic modern vintage from one of America’s most important sparkling wine producers.

• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Method: Traditional method (Méthode Classique)
• Key Vineyard: Knudsen Vineyard
• Dosage: Brut
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Sustainable

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator | 90 Points: Appealing for its easygoing flavors of apple, cherry blossoms and spiced cinnamon that linger at length.

Pairing Suggestions

• Celebration: A versatile aperitif for any occasion that calls for bubbles.
• Seafood: Oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, or smoked fish.
• Casual: Fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or brunch dishes.

Santi Santico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico — Veneto 2020

Santi is one of the Valpolicella Classico’s most historic producers, with roots stretching back to 1843 and vineyards in the heart of the original Classico zone — the hillside communes of Fumane, Marano, and Negrar where the finest Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes have been grown for centuries. Amarone is the pinnacle of the Valpolicella tradition: grapes are harvested in late September, then laid on bamboo racks in the estate’s lofts to dry for 90–120 days — a process called appassimento — concentrating sugars, flavors, and structure to extraordinary levels before fermentation. The Santico is Santi’s flagship Amarone — a wine of power, elegance, and remarkable value for the appellation. The 2020 vintage delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration in the Classico zone.

The color is a deep, concentrated dark red. The nose is fragrant and complex: cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, and a whisper of spice — the unmistakable aromatic richness of appassimento. On the palate, it is full-bodied and round, with velvety tannins, a pleasantly tangy backbone of acidity, and a long, alluring finish of red berries and dark fruit. This is Amarone as it should be: powerful yet balanced, concentrated yet elegant, built for the table and the cellar alike.

“Dark red hue; concentrated, fragrant nose with top notes of cherry jam and cranberries, followed by hints of plum, dried fruit and cocoa. Full, round, with velvety tannins — pleasantly tangy with a long finish.” — Santi Winemaker

• Producer: Santi, Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
• Blend: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
• Method: Appassimento — grapes dried 90–120 days before fermentation
• Style: Full-bodied, velvety, concentrated Amarone Classico
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, spice, velvety tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10–15 years
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, osso buco, roast lamb, game, aged Parmigiano, hard cheeses

Valpolicella Classico Amarone at an honest price — Santi Santico is the benchmark for what this great appellation can deliver.