$25 - $50 Wine

From the heart of Alsace, one of France's most celebrated wine regions, the Domaine Justin Boxler Sylvaner 2021 is a pristine, terroir-driven white that captures the quiet elegance and mineral precision that defines great Alsatian winemaking. Understated yet deeply satisfying, this is a bottle that rewards those who seek authenticity over spectacle.

The Boxler Estate

Domaine Justin Boxler is a benchmark producer in Alsace, farming some of the region's most expressive terroirs with a commitment to minimal intervention and varietal integrity. Their Sylvaner is a testament to what this often-overlooked grape can achieve in the right hands — fresh, focused, and genuinely compelling.

Tasting Profile

Pale yellow with a bright, clear appearance. The nose offers delicate anise, fresh citrus, and subtle herbal notes. On the palate it's powerful and mineral-driven with lively acidity, a clean texture, and a fresh, lingering finish. Classic Alsatian Sylvaner at its finest.

Vintage

2021

Grape

Sylvaner

Region

Alsace, France

Format

750ml

Why Sylvaner?

Sylvaner is one of Alsace's most food-friendly grapes — less aromatic than Riesling or Gewurztraminer, but prized for its refreshing acidity, mineral backbone, and remarkable versatility at the table. It's the kind of wine that makes every meal better.

Perfect Pairings

Serve well-chilled (46–50°F) with shellfish, whitefish, sauerkraut, choucroute garnie, fresh goat cheese, or light vegetable dishes. An effortless companion to Alsatian cuisine and beyond.

La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé Organic — Bandol, Provence, France 2025

La Bastide Blanche is one of Bandol's most respected domaines, farming their vineyards sustainably with a deep commitment to soil health, terroir expression, and the environment. Their Rosé is a perennial staff favorite — and for good reason: Bandol produces some of the most food-friendly rosé in all of Provence, fuller and rounder in the mouth than its Côtes de Provence neighbors, with mouthwatering flavors and palate-cleansing acidity that make it the ideal companion at the table. Certified organic, arvested by hand in the cool of evening or early dawn to preserve freshness. At $29.00, it is one of the great values in serious Bandol Rosé.

Pale salmon in the glass with a luminous clarity. The nose is fresh and inviting: wild strawberry, white peach, dried herbs, and a whisper of garrigue. On the palate, the wine is fuller and more structured than a typical Provence rosé — the Mourvèdre backbone gives it weight and grip, while the Grenache and Cinsault add roundness and aromatic lift. Bright, mouthwatering acidity carries the wine through a clean, mineral finish. A rosé that earns its place at the dinner table.

• Producer: La Bastide Blanche, Bandol, Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Bandol AOC
• Blend: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault
• Farming: Organic; evening/dawn harvest for optimal freshness
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild strawberry, white peach, garrigue, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, bouillabaisse, roast chicken, ratatouille, charcuterie, fresh goat cheese

One of Provence's most food-friendly rosés — La Bastide Blanche Bandol is the bottle that belongs on every summer table.

Domaine Laroche · Chablis St Martin · 2025 · 375ml Half Bottle

Domaine Laroche Chablis St Martin 2025 brings Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, to a convenient 375ml half bottle. It is a smaller-format choice for opening a meal or enjoying with a seafood supper.

Producer & Terroir

Domaine Laroche is one of Chablis’ celebrated estates, with a heritage connected to the 10th-century Obédiencerie de Chablis and vineyards that include original monastery sites. Named for the abbey’s patron saint, the St Martin cuvée is an introduction to the house and its focus on the pure, stony character of Chablis.

Style

The house style described for St Martin centers on lemon zest, green apple and oyster-shell notes, with refreshing acidity, flinty minerality and a crisp, harmonious finish. These describe the cuvée’s general profile rather than a tasting assessment of the 2025 vintage.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with oysters, seafood risotto, grilled sole, goat cheese or a plateau de fruits de mer. The half-bottle format makes it an easy choice for a smaller meal.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Laroche
• Cuvée: St Martin
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle size: 375ml, half bottle
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Chablis
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine

Domaine Le Colombier Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes  2024 is crafted from certified organically grown old-vine Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes. Perfectly balanced and drinking beautifully with aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, savory spice and earthy dark fruit complexity. Perfectly at home with Mediterranean dishes, and especially good with grilled lamb with garlic and rosemary and strong, sturdy cheeses.

Founded in 1975, the Le Sang des Cailloux estate took off with the arrival of Serge Férigoule. Hired in the 80s as an agricultural worker, Serge became owner of the estate in 1990 with a clear vision: to abandon chemical products for viticulture respectful of nature. His choices initiated a transition to a new era.

In 2003, his son Frédéri joined the family adventure. Self-taught and driven by a strong commitment to their terroir, they obtained the organic certification in 2007. Three years later, they led the estate towards biodynamics, an avant-garde approach in the region. Today, alongside his wife, Marion, he upholds Le Sang des Cailloux as an essential reference of the Vacqueyras appellation.

With an average age of 50 years, the estate’s vines, some planted over 80 years ago, testify to a precious heritage. The main grapes are Grenache, Syrah, and to a lesser extent, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan and Counoise, which faithfully reveal the typicality of the Vacqueyras appellation.

The philosophy of Le Sang des Cailloux is based on a deep respect for the terroir and for nature, guided by biodynamic viticulture. Each action, in the vineyard and in the wine cellar, is designed to reveal the authenticity and uniqueness of the great terroirs of Vacqueyras.

Decanter Magazine - 92 Points Very soft and juicy style of Doucinello, with tons of bright, gourmand fruit. Fine tannins and elegant in feel, it's very harmonious and well balanced, and while not hugely complex is very drinkable. Between black and red fruits in style. 

Vinous Media - 90 Points Alluring garrigue, just-ripe black cherry, peppery gradations and leafy subtleties introduce the 2023 Vacqueyras Cuvee Doucinello. Refreshing, medium-bodied and gently framed by smooth tannins, the 2023 shows well, clocking out with elegance on the savory finish.

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

The perfect association between the elegance and finesse of Chardonnay, with white flowers and white fruits aromas, pleasantly combined with roasted almond and hazelnut notes brought by the Savagnin.

Winemaker Description 

Lively, fruity nose, mixing notes of lemon, white flowers, pineapple and yellow peach. The palate is nervous and remarkably fruity, combining the fatness, saltiness and sap of a ripe wine with the freshness of a thirsty wine.

This wine comes exclusively from the vineyards of Domaine Marcel DEISS. It is produced from ripe grapes, vinified with the utmost respect and without oenological inputs. 

These grapes express the depth of the Alsatian terroir and we are happy to produce a wine that expresses our attachment to our region. Varietals: All the Alsatians grapes allowed in the AOC (13 in total). 
 

Winemaker Description 

A bright antique gold wine. The bouquet is complex and inviting with notes of baked apple, quince jelly, biscuit crumb, spice and orange zest. To taste, there’s great intensity and lovely refreshing acid balance, with touches of stone fruit, peach and orange zest enhanced by a hint of sweet spice and a sapid, saline finish that lingers. A definite step-up in complexity and structure thanks to tiny yields and old vines.

Pair with meat or soup as starters, main dishes with truffles, grilled fish and poultry.

Winemaker Description 

This cuvée is the classic white wine of Montbourgeau. It is usually bottled after 24 to 30 months of élevage in barrel. 

The very special nature of the appellation of L’Etoile produces white wines of exceptional finesse and complexity.

The fermentation occurs in stainless steel but, after malolactic, the wine is racked into small barrel and demi-muids for two years. At that point, the entire production is assembled and left for several months in cuve before being bottled. 

Producer Description 

A nectar from one end of the tasting to the other! An intensely golden adornment, a nose of perfectly over-ripe Chenin, underlined by great elegance, a note of almond cream, quince, very ripe peach skin.

The palate is very straight, freshness, tension and sweetness so well integrated, a finish of candy sugar crystals but also the fine bitterness of the schists, it is a very beautiful vintage, a wine built to last and already so pleasant to taste now. It is the cuvée representative of the estate's terroir, i.e. almost five vines.

Domaine Ostertag Riesling Les Jardins — Alsace 2023

Domaine Ostertag is one of Alsace's most visionary estates. Founded in the 1960s and transformed by André Ostertag after his Burgundy training, the domaine pioneered biodynamic viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking in the region. Today, André's son Arthur helms the estate with the same restless curiosity — low yields, slow and gentle pressing, long élevages, and wines built to "create thirst, not quench it." The 2023 Les Jardins is a particularly compelling expression: all of the Le Berceau fruit (not produced as a separate cuvée in 2023) was folded in, along with additions from Clos Matis on granite, giving this wine unusual depth and complexity for an entry-level Riesling. Vinous awarded it 92 points.

The nose is crystalline and floral — spring blossom, guelder rose petal, and fresh green apple with a creamy, transparent purity that only Riesling can deliver. On the palate, it is smooth, ripe, and gently textured, with a subtle salty linearity that drives freshness forward through a bone-dry, focused finish. Stony, savory, and utterly delicious.

Vinous 92 — "A floral creaminess, almost like a shower of spring blossom, guelder rose petal and fresh, green apple notes. The palate is smooth, ripe and gentle, with a subtle, salty linearity that gives direction to its creaminess. A balanced, bone-dry Riesling." (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Domaine Ostertag, Epfig, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Farming: Biodynamic, hand-harvested
• Style: Bone-dry
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Spring blossom, guelder rose, green apple, creamy texture, salty mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, Alsatian choucroute, soft cheeses, roast chicken

A 92-point biodynamic Riesling from one of Alsace's most important estates — bone-dry, stony, and built to brighten any meal.

Domaines Ott BY OTT Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Domaines Ott is the founding dynasty of Provence rosé — a family that has shaped the identity of the appellation for 130 years, since Marcel Ott established the estate in the late 19th century. From Château de Selle to Clos Mireille to Château Romassan, the Ott family has patiently crafted a singular vision of rosé rooted in three terroirs, two appellations, and an uncompromising pursuit of authenticity. BY OTT is their entry into the Côtes de Provence AOC — grown organically from estate vineyards and carefully selected partner growers nestled between land and sea. The 2025 blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, and 4% Rolle — each variety playing a precise role: Grenache for texture and generous fruitiness, Cinsault for freshness, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Rolle for depth and length. Three terroirs, one shared light.

The color is a beautiful pastel pink with soft rosewood tints — luminous and distinctly Provençal. The nose is fresh and enticing: red berries, citrus fruits, and white blossom, with the generous, sun-drenched character of the 2025 vintage. On the palate, it is luscious and fruity with a smooth, silky mouthfeel — fresh citrus zest weaving through the mid-palate and accompanying a persistent, elegant finish. This is Provence rosé as Domaines Ott has always envisioned it: vibrant, nuanced, and luminous.

“Enticing, fresh and generous — this rosé wine combines our winegrowing savoir-faire with the vibrant essence of Provence.” — Jean-François Ott

• Producer: Domaines Ott, Côtes de Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Blend: 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 4% Rolle
• Farming: Organically grown
• Style: Fresh, luscious, silky Provence rosé
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red berries, citrus fruits, white blossom, silky mouthfeel, fresh citrus zest, persistent finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood, salads, Mediterranean cuisine, soft cheeses, aperitif

The house that defined Provence rosé — Domaines Ott BY OTT 2025 is luminous, generous, and unmistakably Provençal.

Domaine Sigalas MM I — Mavrotragano & Mandilaria, Cyclades 2022

Domaine Sigalas is the most celebrated winery on Santorini — and one of the most important estates in all of Greece. Founded by Paris Sigalas, a mathematician turned winemaker, the domaine has spent decades proving that Santorini is not just a white wine island. The MM I is their flagship red: a 50/50 blend of Mavrotragano and Mandilaria, two of the Aegean's most ancient and distinctive indigenous red varieties, cultivated on the volcanic soils of Santorini and the Cyclades. Aged for one year in large oak casks, it is a wine of genuine character — punchy, food-driven, and unlike anything else in the world of Greek wine.

Deep crimson in the glass with a refreshing, aromatic nose of red fruit, cherry, and a finely blended bouquet of spice and earth. On the palate, it is vibrant and food-friendly with flavors of cherry, cassis, grilled watermelon, and apple cider, framed by firm, bitter tannins and lively acidity. Best served slightly cooler than a typical red to maximize its freshness and accessibility. A wine built for the table — especially cheese-heavy dishes.

Wine Advocate 91 Points — "Punchy flavors of cherry, cassis, grilled watermelon and apple cider. The tannins are bitter, and it might help to serve this wine one or two degrees cooler than normal to make it more accessible. It is inherently food-friendly, especially with cheese-heavy dishes like lasagna or pizza." (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Domaine Sigalas, Santorini, Cyclades, Greece
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Cyclades PGI, Aegean Islands
• Blend: 50% Mavrotragano, 50% Mandilaria
• Aging: 12 months in large oak casks
• Style: Medium-Bodied, Vibrant, Food-Driven
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry, cassis, grilled watermelon, apple cider, firm tannins, lively acidity
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029
• Best Paired With: Lasagna, pizza, lamb chops, grilled meats, aged cheeses, moussaka
• Serve: 58–62°F (serve slightly cooler than a typical red)

91 points from Wine Advocate — Domaine Sigalas MM I is Santorini's most exciting red: ancient grapes, volcanic soils, and a flavor profile unlike anything else.

Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot · Bourgogne Blanc · 2023

Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Blanc 2023 is a Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, offered in a 750ml bottle. It introduces the domaine's white wines through the regional Bourgogne appellation, making it a natural choice for a meal centered on roast chicken, fish or soft cheese.

Producer & Context

The existing estate notes describe Domaine Matrot as a Côte de Beaune family estate with vineyards concentrated in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault-Blagny. They emphasize the attention given to the Bourgogne Blanc alongside the domaine's higher-tier cuvées.

Staff Review · Vintage Not Specified

Bart Hopkins

“This fabulous Bourgogne is a dead ringer for a top quality Meursault… round and fleshy with flavors and aromas of white peach, pear and nectarine. Plump in the mouth with a delightful mid palate that finishes with lively freshness and just a shade of toasty oak.”

This staff review was carried in the previous listing without a stated vintage; it is not presented as a confirmed tasting note for 2023.

Previous Listing Notes · Vintage 2022

The earlier description characterized the 2022 as round and fleshy, with white peach, pear and nectarine, mid-palate richness, lively freshness and a shade of toasty oak. It also described hand-harvesting from 20-year-old vines near Meursault, whole-bunch pressing, indigenous-yeast fermentation in oak barrels with 20% new oak, complete malolactic fermentation and 12 months of lees aging without stirring. These details are retained as historical listing context and have not been established for the 2023 vintage.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, grilled fish, lobster bisque, vegetarian dishes or soft Burgundian cheeses.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot
• Wine: Bourgogne Blanc
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Bourgogne
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine

Domaine Thillardon · Vibrations · Chénas, Beaujolais · 2024

Domaine Thillardon, founded in 2008 by Paul-Henri Thillardon in Chénas, in the north of Beaujolais , embodies the energy of a new generation of committed winegrowers, in love with their terroir and resolutely turned towards a living viticulture. Joined by his brother Charles, the duo now cultivates a dozen hectares biodynamically, on the most beautiful granite and clay-siliceous terroirs of Chénas and Moulin-à-Vent.

A holistic and regenerative approach to the vine.  Animals, agroforestry and biodiversity in action
Committed to a holistic approach to the vine, they have reintroduced animals into the estate's ecosystem—cows, pigs, horses, poultry—and practice agroforestry to enrich biodiversity and regenerate the soil.

Manual work and natural winemaking without additives.  The vines are worked by horse, the grapes are harvested by hand, then vatted in whole bunches by gravity, without any oenological input . The vinifications are gentle, without pumping over or punching down, followed by patient aging in concrete vats or old barrels, without filtration or sulfur added at bottling.

Vibrant, deep and emblematic Gamay vintages The result: wines of great purity, vibrant, with silky textures and nuanced expressions of Gamay.  Domaine Thillardon is today an essential reference for lovers of precise, sincere natural wines deeply rooted in their terroir.

Domaine Thillardon Vibrations is a lively, fresh Beaujolais blending Chénas terroirs. Bright red fruit and silky tannins give this Gamay an inviting, fluid character for relaxed meals and easygoing gatherings.

Producer & Origins

The four Thillardon siblings, three brothers and one sister, combine winemaking with a homesteading life, raising livestock and growing vegetables. Their work in Chénas highlights the diversity of this lesser-known corner of Beaujolais.

Tasting Notes

The existing Vibrations note emphasizes freshness, bright red fruit, and silky tannins. Its lightness and fluidity make it a wine to explore with a slight chill and a simple meal.

Editorial Note

Tom Wolf: The four Thillardon siblings—three brothers and one sister—are homesteaders. They raise livestock, grow their own vegetables, and make wine from the gnarled, untrained Gamay vines that grow behind their home. Vibrations, which is a blend of Chénas terroirs, is a lively and fresh Beaujolais, with bright red fruit and silky tannins. Vive la révolution!

Pairing Suggestions

Try with charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled vegetables, or a mushroom tart. Serve slightly chilled as a serving suggestion to explore its fresh fruit character.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Thillardon
• Cuvée: Vibrations
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chénas
• Region: Beaujolais
• Country: France
• Grape: Gamay
• Bottle size: 750ml

Fresh red fruit and silky texture from a blend of Chénas terroirs.

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Chablis 2024

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Chablis 2024 is a Chardonnay from a hands-on, family-owned estate in Chablis, Burgundy. Five generations of family stewardship bring together tradition, innovation and a dedication to wines that express their place of origin.

The Domaine

Located near the town of Auxerre in Chablis, Domaine Vocoret & Fils has been passed down from father to son for five generations. The family's 37 acres of Chablis appellation vineyards produce wines of striking purity and terroir-driven character.

Tasting Notes · 

Opens with classic aromas of green apple, lemon zest, and wet stone. On the palate, it is crisp and focused with steely minerality, bright citrus, and firm acidity that gives the wine its signature Chablis backbone. The finish is clean, precise, and refreshing.

Food Pairings

A natural partner for oysters, clams and other seafood. Also try with snails, charcuterie, goat cheese or Gruyère. Serve well-chilled as an aperitif or alongside a meal.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Vocoret et Fils
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Chablis AOC
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Type: White Wine
• Style: Unoaked white Burgundy
• Farming Attribute: Sustainable

Producer Description 

In the glass there is a full color, deep, gold. Has yellow fruit with van toast and amandelen.

A full body followed by a thin length with full height.  A great gastronomic. 

Domaine Faiveley · Bourgogne Pinot Noir · 2023

Pinot Noir | Burgundy, France | 750ml

Pre-Arrival · Introductory Offer · 

Producer & Terroir

Founded in 1825 in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley brings generations of Burgundian experience to this approachable regional Pinot Noir. Seventh-generation Erwan Faiveley works alongside Technical Director Jérôme Flous, emphasizing fruit purity, balance and elegance across the estate's range.

Produced under the Bourgogne appellation, this bottling draws primarily from vineyard parcels in the Côte de Nuits, according to the supplied listing. Carefully tended vines and traditional Burgundian vineyard practices preserve Pinot Noir's natural character, offering an inviting introduction to the domaine.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker's Notes, as supplied in the listing: An elegant introduction to the remarkable wines of Domaine Faiveley, the Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023 captures the charm, freshness and finesse of classic red Burgundy. Beautiful ruby-red in color, it opens with inviting aromas of fresh cherries, raspberries and ripe red berries.

On the palate, generous red-fruit flavors meet fine, rounded tannins and refreshing acidity. Supple yet well-structured, this Pinot Noir offers appealing depth, a silky texture and a beautifully balanced finish. Its combination of ripe fruit and Burgundian elegance makes it equally enjoyable on its own or alongside food.

Pairing & Serving

Bring this versatile red Burgundy to the table with roast chicken, duck breast, grilled salmon or herb-roasted pork. Mushroom risotto, charcuterie and soft cheeses also complement its bright fruit, rounded tannins and fresh acidity.

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Bourgogne AOC
• Classification: Regional
• Winemaking team: Erwan Faiveley and Technical Director Jérôme Flous
• Style: Dry red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Availability: Pre-arrival introductory offer; ETA October 21, 2026

Bright red fruit, supple texture and an easy place at the dinner table: an approachable expression of Faiveley's Burgundian style.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

93 Points Robert Parker | The 2020 Angelita del Challao comes from a blend of different vineyards in the three valleys from Labastida, looking for a village wine; it was produced with 85% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Blanca and other rare varieties from their own vineyards and purchased grapes. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts, 40% full clusters that are foot trodden and the rest uncrushed grapes and matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels and 2,000-liter foudres—10 months with each plot separate—and then it was blended and let to settle in concrete for another 10 months. They look for a more approachable wine than Challao, with more floral aromas in a very elegant and harmonious way. The palate is medium-bodied with medium ripeness, 13.5% alcohol and very good freshness and acidity, balanced and harmonious, very tasty and with elegant, refined tannins. Really very good. 17,282 bottles and some larger magnums were filled in May 2022. (2020). 

Donnafugata · Ben Ryé · Passito di Pantelleria · 2023 · 375ml Half Bottle

Donnafugata Ben Ryé 2023 is a Zibibbo dessert wine from Pantelleria, Sicily, offered in a 375ml half bottle. The 2023 Vinous review describes an exotic yet fresh expression, with white raisins, minty herbs, poached peaches and tropical citrus, followed by a long, refreshing finish.

Ben Ryé comes from Pantelleria in Sicily and is made from Zibibbo, also known as Muscat of Alexandria. The current-vintage review appears first below; the 2022 reviews and memo notes are retained separately as historical context.

Expert Review · Vintage 2023

Vinous · 94 Points · Vintage 2023

Exotic yet remarkably fresh, the 2023 Ben Ryé bursts from the glass with a seductive blend of white raisins, minty herbs, poached peaches and tropical citrus. It is weighty, rich and harmonious throughout, coming across as sweet but not cloyingly so. Ultra-ripe pit fruit combines with candied lemon and a crisp mineral tinge that adds form toward the close. Dramatically long, the 2023 leaves a resonance of sour melon and an air of confectionary spice while cleaning up well, leaving the palate completely refreshed.

• Nose: Intense aromas of dried apricots, candied orange peel, and figs, with tropical hints of mango and papaya. You’ll also notice "Mediterranean macchia" (herbal/balsamic notes like wild mint and sage).
• Palate: Unctuous and honeyed but balanced by a remarkably high acidity that keeps it from being cloying.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try with almond pastries, fruit-based desserts or blue cheese, or serve a small glass on its own at the end of a meal.

Details

• Producer: Donnafugata
• Wine: Ben Ryé
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 375ml Half Bottle
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Appellation: Passito di Pantelleria
• Grape: Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)
• Type: Dessert wine
• Reviews: Vinous review for 2023; historical reviews for 2022, labeled separately

Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Rosso DOC — Sicily 2022

Donnafugata is one of Sicily’s most celebrated wine families, and Sul Vulcano is their love letter to Etna — the ancient, still-active volcano on Sicily’s northeastern coast that has become one of Italy’s most exciting wine regions. The volcanic soils of Etna are unlike anything else in Italy: rich in minerals, free-draining, and home to old-vine Nerello Mascalese that produces wines of extraordinary finesse, energy, and terroir expression. Sul Vulcano (“on the volcano”) captures the essence of this singular place — a wine that is simultaneously fun and serious, as Vinous put it, earning 91 points. Wine Spectator awarded it 90.

The nose lifts with floral perfumes complicated by blood orange, crushed wild berries, Asian spices (cardamom and star anise), and fresh balsamic hints. On the palate, the wine is juicy and energetic — crisp red fruits swirling across a crunchy mineral core, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, elegant finish of blackcurrant and iron. Light ruby in color, light-bodied in feel, but serious in character.

Vinous 91 — “Juicy and energetic with crisp red fruits that swirl across a crunchy mineral core. Long and gently tannic… I love how the Sul Vulcano is both fun and serious.” (Vintage 2022). 

Wine Spectator 90 — “A creamy red, with dried cherry and strawberry fruit flavors and hints of rooibos tea, vanilla and blood orange peel underscored by subtle notes of loamy earth and iron. Fresh and balanced, with light, chalky tannins.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Donnafugata, Sicily, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Etna Rosso DOC
• Varietal: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
• Terroir: Volcanic soils, Mount Etna, northeastern Sicily
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blood orange, wild berries, cardamom, star anise, dried cherry, strawberry, iron, chalky mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Roast or stewed meats, grilled fish, aubergine dishes, mushrooms, Mediterranean cuisine, Tex-Mex

A 91-point volcanic Nerello Mascalese from one of Sicily’s great estates — Sul Vulcano is the Etna Rosso that is both fun and serious.

Dow’s · 10 Year Old Tawny Port · Douro, Portugal · 750ml

Dow’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port blends older wines for complexity with younger wines for fresh fruit and vibrancy. Long maturation in oak casks develops a reddish-amber color and a nutty character, expressed in Dow’s characteristically drier house style.

Character & Style

The winemaker describes a full, nutty bouquet, citrus and vanilla accents, and a soft, lingering finish. The supplied reviews add dried berries, caramel, hazelnut, fig, plum cake, and dried cherry. The 10-year designation is an average-age indication for the blend, not a vintage date.

Expert Reviews

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate · 92 Points · Attribution as Supplied
This is an interesting take on a 10-year-old tawny where it comes across more like a classic Late Bottled Vintage. Full-bodied, medium dry and tannic. Dried berries and a light caramel undertone.

Wine Spectator · 92 Points
Solid, with hazelnut, fig, plum cake and dried cherry notes in lockstep from start to finish. A streak of hazelnut husk tilts to the drier side of the tawny spectrum, resulting in mouthwatering cut on the finish.

Wine Enthusiast · 90 Points · Incomplete Supplied Excerpt
This is a rich, nutty wine, satisfyingly ripe, poised between sweet and dry. Its touch of spirit adds to the sweetness of the wine and balances with the acidity from wood a

The Wine Enthusiast excerpt supplied with the listing ends mid-sentence; no missing text has been reconstructed.

Winemaker Description

10 Years" indicates an average age – this Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, which offer complexity and younger wines, which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. During their long maturing period in oak casks, Aged Tawnies undergo subtle color changes: the deep red hue which characterizes Port's youth gradually gives way to a paler reddish amber color. Dow's is known for its characteristically drier house style.

This 10 Year has a full, nutty bouquet with citrus and vanilla accents on the palate and a soft lingering finish.

House Background

The supplied history traces the business to Portuguese merchant Bruno da Silva’s move to London in 1798 and the Symington family’s involvement from 1912. It names Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira as Dow’s vineyards. Awards mentioned for the separate 2007 and 2011 Vintage Ports are not presented as ratings for this tawny.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Try slightly chilled in a small wine glass. Consider toasted nuts, almond desserts, caramel-based sweets, or aged cheese, or enjoy a small pour on its own after dinner.

Wine Details

• Producer: Dow’s
• Style: Aged Tawny Port
• Age designation: 10 years, an average age as described by the producer
• Origin: Douro, Portugal
• Maturation described: Oak casks
• House style: Characteristically drier
• Bottle size: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

Presents a deep violet hue, hinting at its intensity and depth. The nose is complex and alluring, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and bramble layered alongside subtle notes of mint, violet, and a touch of cola. Accents of black pepper and cedar from French oak lend warmth and spice.

On the palate, the wine is full bodied with the vibrant acidity and structure that define its cool-climate origins. Plush yet grippy tannins provide firm support, giving way to a long, savory finish that balances dark fruit richness with remarkable freshness.

This bold and elegant red pairs beautifully with braised short ribs, grilled lamb, or roasted root vegetables, and will continue to evolve gracefully with age. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Dr. Konstantin Frank Saperavi 2022 is a landmark wine for the Finger Lakes region. Dr. Frank was a pioneer in bringing this ancient Georgian grape to New York in the 1960s, and it has since become one of the winery's most celebrated red wines, often described as a "cool-climate alternative to Syrah."

This is a robust "food wine" that pairs best with rich, savory dishes:

• Meats: Grilled lamb chops, braised short ribs, or venison.

• Vegetarian: Portobello steaks or a hearty lentil stew.

• Cheese: Hard, aged cheeses like Cheddar or a sharp Gruyère.

  
  

   

Drappier · Carte d’Or Brut NV · Champagne, France

Drappier Carte d’Or is a Pinot Noir-led Champagne with aromatic richness, stone-fruit character and a vinous palate. White peach, spice and quince jelly give it a generous personality, equally suited to an apéritif or a place at the dinner table.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling · 92 Points: Attractive aromas of white peach, dried orange, blanched almond and brioche with subtle hints of dried raspberries and crushed stones. Medium- to full-bodied palate with a creamy texture and delicate mousse. Long and even. A blend of 80% pinot noir, 15% chardonnay and 5% pinot meunier. Dosage 6.5g/L.

Wine Advocate · 91 Points: As always, the NV Brut Carte d'Or is a classic, well-executed and perfumed Champagne. It evokes aromas of white peach, ripe orchard fruits, pastry and spices. Medium-bodied, round and enrobing, it's delicately vinous and framed by an elegant mousse, with a lovely, mouthwatering, ripe orchard fruits-inflected finish. This blend of 80% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier was disgorged with 6.5 grams per liter dosage.

Wine Spectator · 90 Points: A bright Champagne in an aperitif style, with a pleasing range of ripe currant and raspberry, lime blossoms and orange peel set on a zesty bead. Creamy finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Drappier: The Carte d'Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a fine aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly.

Ideal as an apertif. At the table, it goes with white meats, rolled fish fillets, Chaource cheese.

Blend: 75% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, 10% Meunier

About Champagne Drappier

The Gallo-Romans planted the first vines in Urville around 2,000 years ago. In 1152, Saint Bernard, founder of Clairvaux Abbey, had cellars built into the land. The Drappier family estate was established in 1808 around the preserved medieval Abbey, and the cellars continue to provide a home for storing and aging the house's wines.

Pinot Noir is central to Drappier's identity in Urville. The house describes managing its vineyards according to organic and natural practices, while preserving heirloom varieties including Fromenteau, Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Blanc Vrai. Its approach emphasizes terroir, low sugar dosage and moderate use of sulfites; the separate Brut Nature Sans Soufre cuvée is a particular expression of that philosophy.

Tasting Notes

White vineyard peach and stone-fruit aromas lead into a spicy, complex palate, with a vinous character and a distinctive note of quince jelly.

Food Pairings & Serving

Serve chilled as an apéritif, or follow the producer's suggestions of white meats, rolled fish fillets and Chaource cheese.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Drappier
• Cuvée: Carte d’Or
• Vintage: Nonvintage
• Style: Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Reviews: James Suckling 92; Wine Advocate 91; Wine Spectator 90

A rich, Pinot Noir-led Champagne for an aperitif or a leisurely meal.

Duckhorn Vineyards | Napa Valley Chardonnay | 50th Anniversary | California | 2024

Duckhorn Vineyards was founded in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in St. Helena, Napa Valley — and has grown over five decades into one of California's most celebrated and respected fine wine producers. The 2024 Napa Valley Chardonnay marks a milestone: the 50th Anniversary of the winery, a tribute to tradition, excellence, and the enduring vision that has defined Duckhorn since its founding vintage.

Crafted from 100% Chardonnay sourced from Napa Valley vineyards, the wine is made with 40% malolactic fermentation — a deliberate choice that adds a layer of creamy texture and complexity while preserving the bright, fruit-driven freshness that defines the Duckhorn house style. The result is a Chardonnay of genuine balance: rich enough to satisfy, vibrant enough to refresh.

The 2024 opens with inviting aromas of ripe pear, fresh lemongrass, orchard fruit, lemon pith, citrus peel, and a delicate touch of ginger. On the palate, vivid and juicy with medium to full body and crunchy acidity. Vibrant layers of citrus and creamy crème brûlée are accompanied by a subtle hint of salinity that adds depth and intrigue. A silky entry leads to a long, fruit-driven finish where its balanced complexity shines through.

Pair with butter-poached lobster, pan-seared halibut, crab cakes, roasted chicken with lemon and herbs, creamy pasta, Brie, Gruyère, and mild aged Gouda.

• Producer: Duckhorn Vineyards
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA, California, USA
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Vinification: 40% malolactic fermentation
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

• James Suckling — 92 pts: Fresh orchard fruit, lemon pith, citrus peel and spicy herbs on the nose. Vivid and juicy on the palate with medium to full body and crunchy acidity. Creamy and sleek with a flavorful, fruit-driven finish.

Duluc de Branaire-Ducru — Saint-Julien, Bordeaux 2020

Château Branaire-Ducru is one of Saint-Julien's most distinguished estates — a Fourth Growth (4ème Cru Classé) of the 1855 Classification, celebrated for wines of legendary finesse, elegance, and longevity. Duluc de Branaire-Ducru is the estate's second wine, designed to offer the same Saint-Julien signature — that hallmark combination of refinement, structure, and aromatic complexity — at a more accessible price point and with an earlier drinking window. The 2020 vintage is one of Bordeaux's greatest of the modern era: a warm, dry year of exceptional concentration and balance that produced wines of remarkable depth across all appellations, and Saint-Julien in particular.

The nose leads with plum, fig, and boysenberry fruit, accented by mulled spice and cedar. On the palate, it is lively and spicy with well-balanced, fresh red and black fruit — restrained and subtle in the true Saint-Julien style. The finish is silky, long, and polished — a second wine that drinks with the poise of a Grand Vin.

"Plum, fig and boysenberry fruit with mulled spice and cedar accents. Lively and spicy on the palate with well balanced, fresh red and black fruit. Restrained and subtle. Silky finish." — Winemaker, Château Branaire-Ducru

• Producer: Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Saint-Julien AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château Branaire-Ducru (1855 Fourth Growth)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Plum, fig, boysenberry, mulled spice, cedar, fresh red and black fruit, silky finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb cutlets, beef fillet, duck confit, mushroom stroganoff, Mimolette, aged Cheddar

The Saint-Julien signature at an accessible price — Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2020 is restrained, silky, and built for the table.

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.

High-altitude, volcanic red that captures the wild beauty of Mt. Etna’s northern slopes. Made primarily from Nerello Mascalese and other native Sicilian varieties, this wine is lifted and aromatic, with notes of red berries, herbs, crushed stone, and spice. Elegant yet energetic, "Quota N" reflects Eduardo’s low-intervention style and deep respect for Etna’s terroir. A pure and soulful expression of Sicilian winemaking.

Eduardo acquired this flat, half-hectare parcel of ungrafted, 80 to 100 year-old, co-planted bush vines. The vines are a a field blend of of red and white grapes. 

It is surrounded by stone walls at the high elevation of 1070 meters in the contrada. The parcel is named Germana for its historical family owner.Eduardo was not allowed to use this name and was also not permiited to use the Nave contrada name, because the site is too high to fall within DOC Etna Rosso rules.

The 2022 Nerello Mascalese Pirrera is impossible to ignore. It blends crushed blackberries with lavender pastille and hints of candied citrus and spice. This is zesty, with a reverberation of brisk acidity and masses of mineral-doused wild berry fruits. The 2022 finishes with medium length and a chalky concentration, leaving the cheeks puckered with youthful poise as hints of tart blackberry slowly taper off.

Winemaker Description 

The treasures of El Maestro Sierra are many. From the back of their building they have a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1832 the master carpenter José Antonio Sierra founded El Maestro Sierra. As one of the top coopers in the area, José Antonio was the person who made the barrels for all of the big Sherry houses. After years of making barrels for everyone else, he came to the conclusion that he could produce Sherries that were better than what the big Sherry houses were cranking out, so he went about opening up his own little winery.

This little up-start Sherry producer was not welcomed in the world of nobility-owned Sherry houses and so the local gentry did everything they could to stop him. Fortunately the quality of his sherry prevailed over their efforts and José Antonio Sierra became one of the top Almacenistas (stockholders) of high-quality Sherries. Poking fun at his struggle, the label depicts an allegorical fox hunt with the nobles hunting El Maestro Sierra’s fox.

This Amontillado is aged for a total of 12 years under flor and oxidatively in American oak casks. Very explosive aromas of salts and almonds. The palate offers similar flavors in a very elegant framework.

Producer Description 

The Maestro Sierra Oloroso, aged 15 years, is dark amber with flavors of walnuts, butterscotch and figs. Dry but with great intensity.