$50 - $75 Wine

Guido Porro · Barolo DOCG · Vigna Santa Caterina · 2020

Guido Porro Barolo “Vigna Santa Caterina” 2020 is an elegant, traditionally crafted Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba in Piedmont. Ripe red cherries and raspberries meet dried rose petals, violets, licorice and sweet spice, with earthy mineral notes adding depth. Vibrant acidity and polished tannins support a harmonious palate and a long, graceful finish.

The Producer & Vineyard

The family-owned Guido Porro estate emphasizes vineyard character and the purity of Nebbiolo through traditional winemaking. While Serralunga d'Alba is known for powerful, age-worthy Barolo, Vigna Santa Caterina offers a particularly graceful and approachable expression without sacrificing depth, aromatic complexity or structure.

Expert Reviews

Kerin O'Keefe, 95 Points · 2020: The 2020 Vigna Santa Caterina has enticing aromas of rose, violet and vineyard dust while the juicy, delicious palate boasts great red berry fruit, star anise and baking spice. Chalky, chewy tannins provide polished support.

Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points · 2020: The medium ruby-colored 2020 Barolo V.S. Caterina is forward with aromas of toasted spices, cedar, raspberries, smoke, and wild herbs. I really enjoy the freshness of these wines, which offer ripe acidity balanced with elegant concentration of fruit. A medium-framed wine, it has good length and a refreshing and approachable feel, with notes of apricot on the finish and only a touch of warmth. Very nicely done, this wine can be enjoyed now through 2036

Pairing & Serving

Pair with braised beef, roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, truffle pasta or aged cheeses. Allow time to aerate for near-term enjoyment, or cellar for further development. The Jeb Dunnuck review recommends enjoyment through 2036.

Details

• Producer: Guido Porro
• Vintage: 2020
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Subregion: Langhe, Serralunga d'Alba
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Vineyard: Vigna Santa Caterina
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Type: Red wine
• Style: Dry, medium- to full-bodied
• Winemaking: Traditional methods
• Cellaring potential: Excellent

Guido Porro · Barolo DOCG · Vigna Lazzairasco · 2020

Guido Porro Barolo “Vigna Lazzairasco” 2020 is a traditionally crafted Nebbiolo from the Lazzarito cru in Serralunga d'Alba. Ripe red cherry, raspberry and rose-petal aromas mingle with orange peel, licorice, mint, crushed stone and earthy spice. Layers of red fruit, blood orange and savory herbs unfold over vibrant acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins, carrying a long finish with freshness and depth.

The Producer & Vineyard

Fourth-generation winemaker Guido Porro emphasizes the character of the vineyard through traditional methods. Vigna Lazzairasco, described in the Jeb Dunnuck review as the estate's oldest vineyard, lies on clay and limestone soils within Serralunga d'Alba's Lazzarito cru. The site produces wines prized for concentration, complexity and cellaring potential.

Made from 100% Nebbiolo, the wine undergoes extended maceration before aging for three years in large Slavonian oak barrels. This approach preserves fruit purity while developing the layered character of classic Barolo. The 2020 combines substantial structure with balance and aromatic refinement.

Expert Reviews

Kerin O'Keeffe, 95 Points · 2020: Alluring aromas recall ripe berry, wild rose, vineyard dust and culinary spice. The palate is firm but elegant, offering crushed raspberry, tart cherry, licorice and a dollop of vanilla supported by taut, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it bright while a hint of almond liqueur lingers on the finish. Drink 2026–2034.

Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points · 2020: Brick red in color, the 2020 Barolo V. Lazzairasco is spicy and perfumed with notes of eucalyptus, mossy earth, grenadine, cherries, dried rose, and anise. Medium-bodied, it has a nice purity of concentration on the palate, with ripe tannins, a velvety texture, and a clean, balanced finish that has good length. It’s another impressive wine from Porro with some potential for aging over the next 12-15 years. 

Pairing & Serving

Pair with braised beef, roasted lamb, wild game, porcini mushrooms, truffle risotto or aged Parmigiano Reggiano. For near-term enjoyment, consider decanting and serving slightly below room temperature. Built for patient cellaring, the wine has potential through 2040 and beyond; the Kerin O'Keefe summary recommends 2031–2046.

Details

• Producer: Guido Porro
• Vintage: 2020
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Subregion: Langhe, Serralunga d'Alba
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Vineyard: Vigna Lazzairasco, Lazzarito Cru
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Type: Red wine
• Style: Dry, structured
• Soils: Clay and limestone
• Winemaking: Traditional, extended maceration
• Aging: Three years in large Slavonian oak barrels
• Alcohol: 15%
• Cellaring potential: Through 2040 and beyond

Guido Porro · Barolo DOCG · Vigna Gianetto · 2024

Guido Porro Barolo “Vigna Gianetto” is a traditionally crafted, 100% Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba in Piedmont's Langhe hills. The Gianetto vineyard is known for aromatic elegance, an approachable structure and a refined, savory character.

The Producer & Vineyard

Fourth-generation winemaker Guido Porro emphasizes Nebbiolo purity and the distinctive character of each vineyard. Gianetto's limestone and clay soils contain a higher proportion of sand than Porro's other Barolo sites, contributing to its graceful expression.

Wine Style

This bottling typically offers ripe cherry, wild strawberry, rose-petal and violet aromas, complemented by spice, dried herbs and earthy minerals. Vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins frame a balanced palate and lingering, savory finish. Traditional aging in large, neutral Slavonian oak barrels allows the fruit and vineyard character to remain central.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with braised beef, roasted lamb, wild mushrooms, truffle dishes or aged cheeses. For near-term enjoyment, consider decanting and serving slightly below room temperature. Its structure also lends itself to cellaring.

Details

• Producer: Guido Porro
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Subregion: Langhe, Serralunga d'Alba
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Vineyard: Gianetto
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Type: Red wine
• Style: Dry, full-bodied
• Soils: Limestone and clay, with a relatively high proportion of sand
• Winemaking: Traditional methods
• Aging vessels: Large, neutral Slavonian oak barrels

Ammura · Etna Rosso DOC · 2022

Tommasi Ammura Etna Rosso Contrada 2022 is a single-vineyard Sicilian red that captures the elegance, complexity and volcanic character of Mount Etna. Produced by Ammura, part of Tommasi Family Estates, this limited-production Nerello Mascalese is an age-worthy expression of Etna’s northeastern slopes.

The wine comes from the Contrada Alboretto vineyard in the Chiuse del Signore district near Linguaglossa, approximately 650 meters above sea level. Mineral-rich volcanic soils, cooling mountain breezes and significant temperature variations encourage freshness, aromatic intensity and structural elegance. The vines average approximately 20 years of age and include two small parcels of ancient vines.

Winemaking & Vintage

Made exclusively from 100% Nerello Mascalese, the wine begins with carefully hand-harvested and selected grapes. Temperature-controlled fermentation takes place in stainless steel at 18–22°C, with 12–15 days of maceration, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. Maturation continues for six months in stainless steel and another 24 months in large 20-hectoliter oak barrels, developing depth and refinement while preserving vibrant fruit and mineral character.

The 2022 growing season brought early summer heat and drought, followed by favorable late-season conditions that allowed excellent maturity and balanced phenolic development. The resulting wine combines ripe fruit concentration with Etna’s characteristic freshness, fine tannins and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Bright ruby red with delicate garnet reflections, the wine opens with ripe cherries, wild raspberries, pomegranate and red berries. Blood orange, Mediterranean herbs, black pepper, graphite and smoky volcanic stone add aromatic complexity.

Medium-bodied and harmonious, the palate layers concentrated red fruit with savory herbs, delicate spice and pronounced mineral nuances. Vibrant acidity and firm yet velvety tannins bring precision and balance, leading to a long finish of crushed stone, citrus and subtle volcanic smokiness. Often compared with the finesse of Pinot Noir and the structure of Nebbiolo, Nerello Mascalese offers a distinctive expression of Mount Etna here, with depth and aging potential for collectors and lovers of Italian reds.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling, 94 Points : A vibrant and savory Etna Rosso displaying aromas of flowers, restrained red fruit, blood orange and graphite. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and firm, velvety tannins that show a delicate chalky texture. Harmonious and structured, with an impressively persistent finish.

Vinous, 93 Points : An expressive and complex wine opening with aromas of mentholated blackberries, balsamic herbs and crushed rocks. The wine displays the savory character, mineral intensity and refined structure associated with the finest expressions of Etna's volcanic terroir.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with roasted lamb, grilled meats, braised rabbit, pork tenderloin, wild mushroom risotto, Pasta alla Norma, Sicilian caponata, fennel sausage or moderately aged cheeses. Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C); decanting before serving helps reveal the wine’s aromatic complexity. Suitable for extended aging under proper cellar conditions.

Details

• Producer: Ammura, Tommasi Family Estates
• Wine: Etna Rosso Contrada
• Vintage: 2022
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Appellation: Etna Rosso DOC
• Subregion: Mount Etna, northeastern slopes
• Grape: 100% Nerello Mascalese
• Type: Red wine, dry
• Body: Medium
• Vineyard: Contrada Alboretto, Chiuse del Signore, Linguaglossa
• Altitude: Approximately 650 meters
• Soil: Mineral-rich volcanic soils
• Vine age: Approximately 20 years, including two small parcels of ancient vines
• Vine training: Spur cordon
• Vine density: Approximately 4,200 vines per hectare
• Harvest: Hand-harvested grapes
• Fermentation: Stainless steel at 18–22°C, with 12–15 days of maceration and natural malolactic fermentation
• Aging: Six months in stainless steel, followed by 24 months in 20-hectoliter oak barrels
• Alcohol: 14% ABV

Casisano · Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · 2020

Tommasi Casisano Brunello di Montalcino 2020 is an elegant, structured Tuscan red that combines concentrated Sangiovese fruit with refreshing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Produced at the historic Casisano estate, part of Tommasi Family Estates since 2015, it brings traditional winemaking together with Montalcino’s distinctive terroir.

Set in the southeastern hills of Montalcino at approximately 480 meters above sea level, Casisano is surrounded by ancient woodlands. Cooling breezes and pronounced day-to-night temperature variations encourage aromatic complexity while preserving freshness. The carefully tended vineyards enjoy southeastern exposure and stony soils rich in galestro, a distinctive schistous clay.

Winemaking & Vintage

Crafted from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, the wine undergoes traditional fermentation with approximately 25 days of skin maceration. Three years in large Slavonian oak casks and a minimum of six months in bottle develop complexity, elegance and refined tannic structure without overwhelming the natural fruit.

The 2020 vintage combines approachability with aging potential. Its vibrant structure and elegant fruit make it enjoyable with decanting, while firm tannins and balanced acidity support further cellar development. Under proper storage conditions, the listing’s cellaring guidance extends through approximately 2040.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red with subtle garnet reflections, the wine opens with ripe red cherries, wild strawberries, redcurrants, rose and violet. Blood orange, dried herbs, tobacco, leather, earthy minerals and subtle spice add aromatic depth.

The balanced, medium- to full-bodied palate reveals concentrated red fruit supported by refreshing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Cherry, raspberry, licorice, black pepper and savory herbs unfold into a long, mineral-driven finish with freshness and persistence.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast, 94 Points · 2020: The 2020 vintage offers expressive aromas of espresso, licorice and orange peel. The palate reveals juicy cherries and strawberries accented by coffee and citrus, supported by textured, chewy tannins.

Wine Spectator, 92 Points · Vintage Not Specified: Fresh and focused, displaying cherry, blood orange, eucalyptus, iron and spice. Dense, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity lead to a mineral-accented finish. Recommended drinking window: 2026-2040.

Decanter, 92 Points · Vintage Not Specified: Delicate mountain flowers, redcurrant and raspberry define the aromatic profile. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannins, bitter herbs and forest-floor nuances, complemented by refreshing acidity.

James Suckling, 91 Points · Vintage Not Specified: An elegant, structured Brunello with floral aromas of roses and violets, complemented by leafy notes, leather and black pepper. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and firm, ripe tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points · Vintage Not Specified: Fresh red cherry, anise, herbs and earthy notes characterize this vibrant Brunello. Medium-bodied with fine, slightly dusty tannins and lively acidity, offering excellent balance and freshness.

Pairing & Serving

Serve at 64°F (18°C), with decanting to help the wine open. Pair with grilled steaks, roasted lamb, braised beef, wild game, mushroom risotto, hearty pasta with ragù or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its elegance, complexity and distinctive sense of place suit special occasions and fine dining.

Details

• Producer: Tommasi Family Estates
• Estate: Casisano
• Wine: Brunello di Montalcino
• Vintage: 2020
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Tuscany (Toscana)
• Subregion: Montalcino
• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
• Grape: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
• Type: Red wine, dry
• Body: Medium to full
• Vineyard: Casisano Estate, southeastern Montalcino
• Altitude: Approximately 480 meters above sea level
• Soil: Stony soils rich in galestro (schistous clay)
• Exposure: Southeast
• Vine training: Cordon spur
• Vinification: Traditional fermentation with approximately 25 days of skin maceration
• Aging: Three years in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by a minimum of six months in bottle
• Alcohol: 14% ABV

Vincent Charlet Champagne Grower Vignoble de Mardeuil Extra Brut · Champagne, France

Producer Description

Charlot: single-vintage and grapes coming from two plots only, the 2 “biggest” ones that Vincent has.

Grapes: around 55% Pinot Meunier, the remaining 45% consist of a roughly equal proportion of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Certified organic and biodynamic.

Vineyard: blend of “La Genette” (0.55 ha) and “La Chapotte” (0.55 ha). Both certified biodynamic and located in Mardeuil. Clay-limestone, clay, flint, chalk.

Making of: The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed and gently pressed, then ferment spontaneously in neutral barrels. No malolactic fermentation, the wine rests in barrels for about 9-11 months. Bottled with liqueur de tirage and aged on lees for 42 months for the secondary fermentation (prise de mousse), disgorged, and topped up using the same wine, with a dosage of 4g/l (extra brut).

Champagne Vincent Charlot, aka Charlot Tanneux, Vincent went to Winemaking School in Alsace in the early 1990s, then he took over the Family Vineyards and started his journey of Organic Grower Champagne. 4.4 hectares vineyard, spread over 39 different plots in 6 villages. Each parcel is vinified separately in order to showcase its terroir uniqueness. These plots are all cultivated in organic and biodynamics, Demeter certified, organic grower.

Personality

This wine has everything! There’s saffron, flowers, delicate spice touch (nutmeg and white pepper), light brioche, sweet wood, almonds, wonderful roundness held by acidic grip… layers just keep on coming, you’ll have fun swimming in them.

The House

Vincent Charlot farms 4.4 hectares (~11 acres) spread over 39 different plots and 6 villages (Mardeuil, Vauciennes, Epernay, Moussy, Pierry 1er Cru, Ay Grand Cru), estate-owned, with very diverse soils: chalk, clay, silex (flint), sand, limestone. Main varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, plus ancient ones like Arbanne and Petit Meslier. Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter) since 2013, with annual production of approximately 30,000 bottles, all single vintage.

Each parcel is vinified separately in order to showcase its uniqueness. Spontaneous fermentation in amphoras and seasoned barrels; the wines are left to go through malolactic fermentation as they choose (mostly not). Secondary fermentation in bottles with concentrated grape must, long aging on lees. Little to no SO2 at press, very low dosages (around 4g/l, Extra Brut).

“When I drink wine, I want to taste its terroir – this is what I’m in it for. I want to see the personality of the place where it was born, I want to be moved, to create emotion,” Vincent Charlot explains.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Mardeuil, Champagne, France
• Grapes: Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Type: Sparkling
• Style: Extra Brut
• Farming: Organic, Biodynamic

A. A. Badenhorst · Swartland · 2022

Chenin Blanc-led white blend | Swartland, South Africa | 750ml

In the slopes and valleys of the Paardeberg, cousins Adi and Hein Badenhorst and their extended family make wines rooted in the Swartland. The Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein farms are home to old bush vines, while the cellar team's back-to-basics approach favors old cement kuipe, basket presses, instinct, and patience.

The 2022 Family White Blend brings eight grape varieties together around a Chenin Blanc core. Yellow rose, peach, sweet sage, and crushed rock salt introduce a wine with generous texture and an exotic edge, balanced by freshness. Citrus-pith, white-tea, and smoky notes add further layers to explore at the table.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Advocate, 95 Points · Vintage 2022 | The A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines 2022 Swartland Kalmoesfontein White Blend is 45% Chenin Blanc, 11% Clairette Blanche, 10% Grenache Blanc, 8% Palomino, 8% Viognier, 8% Roussanne, 5% Muscat d'Alexandrie and 5% Verdelho. I love the balance of the medium-plus mouthfeel and that hint of something exotic that picks up intensity with time. The wine starts off on a delicate note with yellow rose, peach, sweet sage and crushed rock salt. Those aromas gain intensity while the wine remains fresh and balanced all the while. This is a release of 10,000 bottles.

Wine Spectator, 92 Points | Apple seed and dried citrus pith aromas are fortified by impressions of geranium, sandalwood and white tea. Aging gracefully, this Chenin remains tightly wound, showing serious power through the energetic, smoky finish. Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Palomino, Muscat d'Alexandria and Verdelho. Best from 2027 through 2032. 100 cases imported.

Producer Description

Quietly tucked into the slopes and valleys of the Paardeberg, the Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein farms are home to over 180 hectares of old bush vines. Here, cousins Adi and Hein Badenhorst, their extended family and a hand-picked crew produce AA Badenhorst wines.

Pairing & Serving

Serve chilled, allowing the wine to open in the glass. Suggested pairings include roast chicken, grilled seafood, or a creamy mushroom dish. Wine Spectator recommends a drinking window of 2027 through 2032.

Wine Details

• Producer: A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines
• Vintage: 2022
• Region: Swartland, South Africa
• Blend: 45% Chenin Blanc, 11% Clairette Blanche, 10% Grenache Blanc, 8% Palomino, 8% Viognier, 8% Roussanne, 5% Muscat d'Alexandrie, 5% Verdelho
• Type: White wine
• Size: 750ml

An Exceptional Expression of Premier Cru Champagne

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Terroirs d'Écueil Premier Cru Extra Brut is an elegant, terroir-driven Grower Champagne that beautifully captures the distinctive character of Écueil, a Premier Cru village on the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims.

Crafted by Géraldine Lacourte and Richard Desvignes, this exceptional Champagne reflects generations of family winemaking tradition, meticulous vineyard management, and a deep respect for the land. The estate's roots date back to 1968, when Géraldine's parents, Jean-Guy Lacourte and Claudine Godbillon, established their Champagne house. In 2006, Géraldine and Richard left their professional careers to return to the family vineyards, bringing renewed energy and a commitment to producing expressive, site-specific Champagnes.

Terroirs d'Écueil is the estate's signature cuvée, crafted predominantly from Pinot Noir (85%), complemented by Chardonnay (15%). The grapes come from family-owned Premier Cru vineyards, where a distinctive combination of clay, sand, and chalk contributes to the wine's remarkable balance of richness, freshness, and mineral precision.

The Champagne incorporates carefully selected reserve wines, adding depth and complexity while preserving the vibrant fruit character of the current harvest. Aged extensively on its lees before release and finished with a minimal dosage, this Extra Brut offers exceptional purity, structure, and elegance.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, Terroirs d'Écueil displays a beautiful pale golden hue with a fine, persistent stream of delicate bubbles.

The expressive bouquet opens with fresh citrus, ripe orchard fruits, and subtle red berry notes, followed by delicate aromas of toasted brioche, sweet almond, and a touch of mineral complexity.

On the palate, this Champagne is vibrant, precise, and beautifully textured. The richness of Pinot Noir brings depth and generous fruit, while Chardonnay contributes freshness and finesse. Flavors of crisp apple, lemon zest, ripe pear, and subtle toasted pastry unfold across a lively, mineral-driven palate.

The finish is long, clean, and refreshingly dry, with an elegant interplay of citrus acidity, delicate salinity, and lingering mineral notes.

Professional Ratings

93 Points James Suckling: This impressive NV champagne shows what generosity and charm pinot noir is capable of in champagne. Impressive depth, but also lovely candied-citrus juiciness. Then comes a long and elegant, chalky finish. A cuvee of 85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay, based on the 2018 vintage with 35% reserve wines from earlier vintages. It’s actually entitled to the Extra Brut designation, thanks to very low dosage. Sustainable. Drink now.

91 Wine Spectator: Racy acidity firms this tightly knit Champagne, while the fine texture softens some of the angularity and helps to show the range of the white raspberry, ground ginger, chalk and pink grapefruit pith flavors. Balanced overall, this should open nicely with short-term cellaring. Disgorged October 2016. Best after 2019. 3,300 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Food Pairing Suggestions

An outstanding aperitif Champagne, Terroirs d'Écueil is equally impressive at the table. Its vibrant acidity, fine bubbles, and refined structure make it a versatile companion to a wide range of dishes.

Pair it with freshly shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail, scallops, sushi, or delicate seafood preparations. It also complements roast chicken, creamy mushroom dishes, and soft-ripened cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.

For an elegant appetizer, serve alongside smoked salmon, delicate gougères, or freshly baked blinis with crème fraîche.

Ideal For: Celebrations, elegant dinners, Champagne enthusiasts, special occasions, and anyone seeking an authentic expression of small-production Grower Champagne.

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Terroirs d'Écueil Premier Cru Extra Brut is a beautifully crafted Champagne that combines the richness of Pinot Noir, the finesse of Chardonnay, and the unmistakable mineral character of the Montagne de Reims. A sophisticated and memorable expression of its Premier Cru origins.

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon "Terroirs d'Écueil" 1er Cru Extra Brut

Region: Champagne, Montagne de Reims, France
Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
Producer: Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon
Grapes: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Style: Extra Brut, Grower Champagne
Dosage: Approximately 3–3.5 g/L

A Beautiful Expression of Premier Cru Rosé Champagne

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé Premier Cru Extra Brut is an elegant, beautifully expressive Grower Champagne that captures the finesse and vibrant red-fruit character of Pinot Noir grown in the Premier Cru village of Écueil, on the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims.

Produced by Géraldine Lacourte and Richard Desvignes, this sophisticated Rosé reflects generations of family winemaking tradition, meticulous vineyard care, and a commitment to expressing the distinctive character of Champagne's terroir.

The husband-and-wife team returned to the family estate in 2006, bringing a renewed focus to vineyard quality, organic farming, and carefully considered winemaking. Their approach emphasizes precision and authenticity, allowing the personality of their Premier Cru vineyards to shine through in every bottle.

Expert Ratings

Wine Advocate 91 Points: "Based on the 2021 vintage, and augmented by 45% reserve wines (mostly from 2020, along with 6% red wine from 2019), Lacourte-Godbillon’s NV Premier Cru Rosé was disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of three grams per liter. Opening with enticing aromas of tangerine zest, red apple and red plum, it leads into a medium- to full-bodied, elegant palate underpinned by a racy spine of acidity and ample chalky structure, concluding with a delicately perfumed finish. This is a rosé Champagne of finesse rather than power." —Kristaps Karklins

Winemaking & Vineyard Character

Crafted entirely from Pinot Noir, Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé combines the richness and structure of this noble grape with the freshness and elegance of a finely balanced Champagne.

For the 2021-base Extra Brut release, the blend incorporates 45% reserve wines from the 2020 and 2019 harvests, adding depth and complexity while maintaining a lively fruit-driven character.

A small portion of Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine in oak barrels, contributing the Champagne's beautiful salmon-pink color and delicate red-fruit aromas. The balance of the wine is carefully fermented and matured to preserve freshness, texture, and purity.

Extended aging on the lees brings greater complexity and finesse to the finished Champagne, while the low dosage of just 3 grams per liter ensures a wonderfully dry, precise, and refreshing finish.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, this Champagne displays a delicate salmon-pink color with a fine, persistent stream of elegant bubbles.

The expressive bouquet opens with aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries, fresh raspberries, and red currants, complemented by hints of citrus zest, delicate florals, and subtle toasted almond.

On the palate, Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé is beautifully balanced, combining generous red-fruit flavors with vibrant acidity and a refined mineral backbone.

Notes of ripe strawberry, red apple, cherry, and blood orange unfold across a fresh, rounded palate, accompanied by gentle hints of brioche, almond, and chalky minerality.

The mousse is delicate and creamy, creating a beautifully textured mouthfeel without sacrificing the wine's energy and precision.

The finish is long, dry, and exceptionally refreshing, with lingering impressions of red berries, citrus, and subtle savory complexity.

Food Pairing Suggestions

With its vibrant fruit character, elegant acidity, and refined structure, Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé is wonderfully versatile at the table.

It pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, salmon tartare, seared tuna, grilled shrimp, and delicate seafood appetizers. Its Pinot Noir character also makes it an excellent companion to roasted poultry, duck breast, and charcuterie.

For cheese lovers, serve alongside creamy Brie, Camembert, fresh goat cheese, or mature Cantal.

For an elegant seasonal pairing, enjoy this Rosé with fresh strawberries, a summer tomato and burrata salad, or a delicate red-fruit dessert.

Serving Temperature: 46–50°F (8–10°C). Serve in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass to appreciate its aromatic complexity and fine bubbles.

Perfect For: Romantic dinners, celebrations, elegant entertaining, Champagne tastings, special occasions, and anyone seeking a beautifully crafted, small-production Rosé Champagne.

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé Premier Cru Extra Brut is a captivating expression of 100% Pinot Noir—combining vibrant red-fruit aromas, exceptional freshness, refined minerality, and the unmistakable elegance of Premier Cru Champagne.

Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Rosé 1er Cru Extra Brut 750ml

Region: Champagne, Montagne de Reims, France
Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
Producer: Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Village: Écueil, Premier Cru
Style: Rosé Champagne, Extra Brut, Grower Champagne
Dosage: 3 g/L (2021-base release)
Bottle Size: 750ml

Winemaker Notes: Brut Rosé Majeur is a blend of Chardonnay (51%), Pinot Noir (40%) and Pinot Meunier (9%). The very high proportion of Chardonnay and the ageing process result in a Champagne with remarkable finesse and elegance.

Ayala currently owns 35 acres in Champagne. Thanks to its privileged location in the heart of the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims and their link to Bollinger, they also have unique access to top quality grapes.

Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. Brut Rosé Majeur is fermented in stainless steel, with a focus on freshness and precision. It spends 2.5 years on the lees and rests in the cellar for at least 3 months after disgorgement.

Expert Ratings

93 James Suckling: Toasted brioche, red fruit, white pepper, baking spices and yellow peaches on the nose. Fine bubbles and flavors of grenadine, white flowers and blackberries. The palate is soft and tangy, with a well-defined peach character. 52% chardonnay, 29% pinot noir and 19% meunier.

93 Wine Spectator: Fresh and harmonious, this well-tailored rosé Champagne integrates a rich vein of chalky minerality and finely honed acidity with the raw silk–like mousse and a lovely range of crunchy white peach, raspberry, chopped almond and candied ginger. Long and minerally on the creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

90 Jeb Dunnuck: A lacy and elegantly styled Rose Champagne, the NV Champagne Majeur Rose Brut is always a high proportion of Chardonnay, with it clocking in at 51% of the blend for this vintage, with 10% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir (6% of which came from Ay). Based on the 2019 vintage, it saw the same reduction of dosage as the Majeur Brut, from 7 grams per liter to 6 grams per liter of dosage. On opening, it pours a pale pink-silver color and is fresh with aromas of white peach, fresh rose petals, and fresh strawberry. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a delicate mousse, fresh notes of orchard fruit, a delicate, chalky texture, and clean lift on the finish..

90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The NV Rosé Majeur Brut reveals aromas of red berries, pomegranate, grapefruit and raspberries. Moderately weighted, incisive and taut, it's delicately juicy with a long, saline finish. This incisive, tense rosé is composed of 52% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir (including 5% as a red wine) and 10% Pinot Meunier and was disgorged with a dosage of six grams per liter.

N° 14 is the third opus from the “COLLECTION AYALA,” a set of cuvees produced in limited quantities, unveiled only as they approach their peak level of drinkability. This ephemeral cuvee is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir — including Grand Cru Aÿ red wine.

Thanks to its extended ageing in the cellar and a low dosage of 5.3 grams/liter, N° 14 expertise, the ephemeral cuvée N°14 is composed of the five emblematic Grands Crus that form the backbone of the House’s blends. Caroline Latrive wanted to work the crus in equal proportions, exclusively from the 2014 vintage and for the first time in a rosé version.

 Expert Reviews

94 Wine Enthusiast:  "This is the third in an open-ended series of limited-production Champagnes. This new iteration is now beginning its rich maturity, with five Grand Cru villages at its heart. It is a finely textured wine with weight and dryness mitigated by the ripe fruit."—R.V.

93 James Suckling: "Plenty of strawberry character with iron, peaches and hints of chalk. Full-bodied with medium, round tannins and a spicy, cotton-candy and orange-peel aftertaste."

92 Jeb Dunnuck:   "A very different expression, the 2014 Champagne No 14 Brut Rosé is a pale peach hue, with a subtle and attractive perfume of lilac, tangerine, and cantaloupe. It has more racy and compact tension on the palate, with a soft, chalky texture that lifts cleanly. There is nice, snappy energy to this wine, which can be drunk over the next 10 or so years." 

Davies Vineyards · Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon · 2022

Davies Vineyards traces its roots to the people who shaped the Schramsberg Estate. Hugh Davies describes that continuity as a link between earlier generations and the future, a sense of history carried into the winery’s work today.

For the 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Jeb Dunnuck describes a soft, supple, forward wine with plum, incense, baking spice and chocolate. Vinous finds it plump, juicy and expressive. For a pairing suggestion, serve with roast beef, lamb or a savory mushroom dish.

Producer Perspective

“It’s rewarding to be working on something that has roots that go beyond my life. Our business was started by my parents, but before my parents there were Jacob Schram and then the Pringles. Similarly, we can’t know exactly the course of the future ahead and yet there is a tangible link to the future ahead so you feel that you’re part of something that goes beyond your own life and I think there is something humbling and rewarding about that.”

Hugh Davies

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling. 92 Points  · 2022 — Bright red-fruit flavors mingle with ripe blackberries and black cherries in this deep and harmonious wine. Moderate tannins give a little grip to the delicious fruit and subtle oak spices. Drink now or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck, 90 Points · 2022 — A beautiful 2022 that's soft, supple, and forward, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of plums, incense, baking spices, and chocolate. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot and aged 21 months in 62% new French oak.

Vinous, 90 Points · 2022 — The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Soft, succulent contours wrap it all together. This is a fine showing for the vintage.

At a glance

• Producer: Davies Vineyards
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Country: United States
• Blend, per Jeb Dunnuck: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot
• Aging, per Jeb Dunnuck: 21 months in French oak, 62% new
• Size: 750ml
• Serving suggestions: Roast beef, lamb or savory mushrooms

A supple, fruit-forward Napa Cabernet with a family story behind it.

Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Chardonnay · 2022

Rich yet focused, this Russian River Valley Chardonnay opens with honeysuckle, ripe pear and sliced almond. Stone fruit and a generous texture meet crisp acidity for a finish that keeps its depth in balance with freshness.

The fruit comes from historic blocks near the Russian River, where gravelly soils contribute to the vineyards' character. Most of the blend draws from Rochioli's River Block, planted in 1989, alongside the Mid-40s Block, planted in 1993, and Allen Block 1, planted in 1995. Gary Farrell's relationship with Rochioli began more than four decades ago with a handshake, a partnership reflected in this vineyard-focused bottling.

Expert review · Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points — A whisper of flinty reduction dances at the margins along with grilled pineapple, fresh lemon, and Granny Smith apple on the nose of this Chardonnay. The palate features lightning rod acidity framing flavors of nectarine, pithy lemon, candied ginger, and white flowers lingering through a lengthy finish. Tom R. Capo

At the table

Pair with butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce or a delicate mushroom risotto.

At a glance

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Rochioli and Allen
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Size: 750ml

A vineyard-driven Chardonnay with richness, lift and an introductory offer.

Col d’Orcia · Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

One of Montalcino’s original estates, Col d’Orcia is known for a traditional approach that lets Sangiovese lead. The estate’s limestone and marl vineyards sit about 1,500 feet above sea level between the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle. In 2020, a frost-free winter and dry spring were followed by summer rain that supported ripening; the Consorzio del Brunello and a panel of Masters of Wine rated the vintage five stars.

The hand-harvested grapes fermented for 18–20 days in temperature-controlled, shallow stainless-steel tanks. The wine aged three years in large Slavonian and Allier oak casks, then a year in bottle. Expect ripe cherry and sour cherry, hints of jam, vanilla and light toast, balanced tannins, and a savory, persistent finish.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate · 94 points · 2020: The organic Col d'Orcia 2020 Brunello di Montalcino offers a classic Sangiovese bouquet with warm-vintage intensity. It shows sweet aromas of raspberry tart and cooked cherry. There is a delicate element of smoked spice at the back. The tannins are open-knit, and the wine offers immediate drinking pleasure. It should be exciting to follow this wine's future evolution. “We try to protect the freshness of Sangiovese,” says Count Francesco Marone Cinzano. “That is our reading of traditional Brunello.”

Decanter · 93 points · 2020: Among Montalcino’s larger estates, Col d’Orcia is also one of the region’s most consistent values – especially given its solid ageing potential in most vintages. The 2020 is no exception. There is a captivating sumptuousness to the nose as it radiates lush red cherries and strawberry bush. With air, an underlying flintiness emerges, as well as a mix of sweet garden and exotic herbs. A surprisingly hefty structure of dry, sandy tannins curbs its generosity, while leather and orange lurk through the stony core. Somewhat muddled now, but harmony is within sight.

Jeb Dunnuck · 93 points · 2020: A saturated red color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino was aged three years in barrel and captures the richness of the southern sector while staying pure and energetic. It offers ripe aromatics of black cherries, dried herbs, leather, and dark earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has ripe tannins, bright acidity, and a savory finish with a touch of warmth.

James Suckling · 93 points · 2020: A fresh and refined red with plum and orange character, as well as fine tannins. It’s medium-bodied, lively and focused. A little tight at the end, suggesting two or three years will allow it to open. A more traditional Brunello here. Drink after 2027.

Vinous · 92 points · 2020: The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino opens slowly with a blend of black cherry and minty herb scents elevated by hints of blood orange. It displays silky textures and a lifted feel, with tart wild berry fruit aromas and mineral tones accentuated by rosy inner florals. The 2020 imparts edgy tannins offset by a tinge of zesty acidity.

Wine Spectator · 92 points · 2020: Balsamic notes of tomato leaf, juniper and thyme rub shoulders with strawberry, cherry, blood orange and earth in this dry, elegant red. Ends firmly, with lightly chewy tannins and a mouthwatering feel. Best from 2027 through 2042.

• Producer: Col d’Orcia
• Wine: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape: 100% Sangiovese
• Region: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
• Style: Organic red wine
• Size: 750ml

A classic, cellar-worthy Brunello, balancing generous Sangiovese fruit with savory depth and traditional oak aging.

Paitin di Pasquero-Elia · Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin DOCG · Piedmont · 2022

For eight generations the Pasquero-Elia family has farmed the hills of Neive, weathering wars and hard vintages to build a deep, lasting bond with their land. Since 1893 their Sorì Paitin, the warmest, steepest, southwest-facing slope of the Serraboella MGA cru, has been one of the traditional benchmarks of Neive's Barbaresco.

Paitin's approach is rooted in classic Piedmontese winemaking and in patience: long macerations and unhurried aging that let the terroir speak. In 2022 the family didn't make its Vecchie Vigne, so fruit from those old vines went into this bottling instead, which makes it an especially strong year for this wine.

Tasting Notes

Dark and layered, with graphite, licorice and pencil shavings over raspberry, macerated cherry, strawberry and blood orange. Clove, hazelnut, rose and a cool mint lift emerge as it opens. The active limestone soils give it volume, firm tannins and bright, steely acidity. It's a structured, long, detailed Barbaresco that will reward cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

96 Points — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Because the Vecchie Vigne was not made in 2022, fruit from the old vines was directed to this wine instead. The Paitin 2022 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is a beautiful wine with dark elements of graphite, dusty root, pencil shaving and licorice. This site has active limestone, and this brings a sense of greater volume in terms of mouthfeel, tannic firmness and balanced acidity."

94 Points — James Suckling
"Well defined aromas express a striking mix of clove, mushroom and hazelnut. On the palate, sweet spice infuses the raspberry canvas. This is vertical and fairly austere, with dry tannins around the edges which bolster the wine with a forceful grip. Steely acidity accentuates, and some cooling mint, rose and pepper emerge as the wine opens. Dynamic rather than elegant, and in need of more time. In Piemontese dialect, sorì refers to the best exposed slope of a hill. For the Paitin estate, that means the warmest, steepest section of the Serraboella MGA, which faces southwest."

93 Points — Wine Spectator
"A generous, lively red, this evokes strawberry, cherry, raspberry, rose hip, eucalyptus and mineral flavors. Firmly structured, with a linear path of assertive tannins gripping the finish. Nonetheless, this is long and detailed."

91–94 Points (Barrel Sample) — Vinous
"The 2022 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin is a promising wine. Although not fully formed, the 2022 possesses notable textural depth. Macerated cherry, blood orange, spice, menthol and crushed autumn leaves build with some coaxing. I am looking forward to checking in on this once it has been bottled."

Pairings & Serving

• Tajarin or risotto with white truffle or mushrooms
• Braised beef, brasato al Barolo, and slow-roasted lamb
• Wild game and aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Castelmagno
• Decant 1–2 hours and serve at 60–64°F. Cellar-worthy for many years.

Specs

• Producer: Paitin di Pasquero-Elia
• Wine: Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin
• Vintage: 2022
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG (Serraboella MGA, Neive)
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Type: Red wine
• Size: 750 ml

A 96-point, old-vine-boosted Barbaresco from one of Neive's great historic crus.

The 2023 Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully detailed expression of one of The Eyrie Vineyards’ distinctive estate sites in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Delicate yet expressive, it combines bright red fruit, floral perfume, savory earth and fine mineral character with the graceful structure that has long defined Eyrie Pinot Noir.

Sisters Vineyard sits at approximately 220 to 330 feet elevation and takes its name from the three original “Pinot sisters” planted there: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Noir blocks include Pommard and Wädenswil clones, and the vineyard’s direct southern exposure helps produce wines known for their aromatic character and elegant balance. Eyrie farms its estate vineyards organically and employs regenerative, no-till farming practices designed to support healthy soils and vine biodiversity.

The 2023 growing season was dynamic, beginning with a cool, dry spring before substantial April rain and a warm, dry summer moderated by cool nights. Late-August rain refreshed the vines before an exceptionally favorable September harvest period. The resulting wines show vivid aromatics, moderate alcohol and firm but balanced structure.

In the cellar, the Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir is fermented with native yeasts in small open-top fermenters, punched down by hand twice daily and allowed to complete native malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 14 months in a mixture of cooperage, including approximately 19% new oak, allowing the character of the vineyard to remain at the forefront. Production was just 235 cases.

The wine is red-fruited, perfumed and finely textured, showing fresh red berries and subtle floral notes alongside orange peel, savory spice and earthy mineral nuances. Fresh acidity gives the light-to-medium-bodied palate energy and definition, while gently spicy tannins carry through a long, evolving finish.

Expert Rating

94 Points — James Suckling Red-fruited, delicate and perfumed. Light- to medium-bodied with fresh acidity, orange peel flavors and gently spicy tannins. The long finish evolves from bitter flowers to citrus to savory spices.

An elegant and highly expressive Oregon Pinot Noir, the 2023 Sisters Vineyard combines immediate aromatic appeal with enough freshness and structure to reward further time in the cellar.

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Sisters Vineyard
Farming: Certified Organic
Fermentation: Native Yeast
Aging: 14 Months, Approximately 19% New Oak
Alcohol: 14.15%
Production: 235 Cases
Bottle Size: 750ml

The 2023 Outcrop Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully focused and distinctive expression of the Dundee Hills, combining bright red fruit, savory complexity and the stony mineral character that defines this unique Eyrie estate vineyard.

Outcrop Vineyard takes its name from the ridge of underlying rock that runs perpendicular to the hillside. Situated above Eyrie’s historic original vineyard, the five-acre site ranges from approximately 280 to 360 feet in elevation and faces north-northeast. The vineyard is planted to the Wädenswil clone of Pinot Noir, with vines dating from the early 1980s through 2000. Despite its northern exposure, reflected warmth from the neighboring original Eyrie vineyard helps ripen the fruit while preserving freshness and aromatic detail.

Eyrie farms its estate vineyards organically and practices regenerative, no-till viticulture, with particular attention to soil health and biodiversity. The vineyard’s thin, rocky volcanic soils contribute to the distinctive mineral and savory personality of Outcrop Pinot Noir.

For the 2023 vintage, Eyrie’s single-vineyard Pinot Noirs were vinified using native yeast in small open-top fermenters, with hand punch-downs and native malolactic fermentation, followed by approximately 14 months of aging. The single-vineyard wines are deliberately produced using the same cellar approach so that differences in vineyard, elevation, exposure and vine age remain clearly expressed in the finished wines.

The 2023 Outcrop is notably precise and mineral-driven, opening with raspberries and pomegranate alongside blood orange and subtle red licorice. A distinctive stony, almost steely mineral quality runs through the wine, while tea-like tannins add savory structure and grip. Elegant in weight yet firmly structured, it balances vivid fruit with earthy complexity and a long, textured finish.

Expert Rating

95 Points — Paul Gregutt Gregutt highlights the wine’s rocky, mineral character, raspberry and pomegranate fruit, blood orange and red licorice, with substantial tea-toned tannins supporting the finish. Only 198 cases were produced.

An expressive, site-driven Oregon Pinot Noir that beautifully demonstrates Eyrie’s restrained winemaking philosophy and the individual personality of one of its historic Dundee Hills vineyards.

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Outcrop Vineyard
Clone: Wädenswil
Elevation: Approximately 280–360 feet
Farming: Certified Organic / Regenerative No-Till
Fermentation: Native Yeast
Aging: Approximately 14 Months
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 198 Cases
Bottle Size: 750ml

Silky, floral and intensely mineral Pinot Noir from Ingelheim—German Spätburgunder with remarkable Burgundy-like finesse.

Expert Rating

Vinous 94 Points: "The 2023 Spätburgunder Ingelheimer Auf dem Haun is from a west-facing, ventilated site on limestone with a high day-night amplitude. This was made with 100% whole bunches and spent 18 months in 20% new oak. Superb aroma on the nose sends out red flower petal notes, perhaps of peony, eglantine and a beautiful smattering of white pepper. It is exquisitely aromatic, wonderfully lifted, so floral and tender, yet profound and fresh, with a lovely depth. This is all tone, finesse, scent and poise. Its nature is totally disarming and the vivid scent is a killer. The 2023 is wonderful, enduring, bright, fine and silky. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, July 2025

The AdamsWein Spätburgunder “Auf Dem Haun” 2023 is a superb single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Ingelheim in Rheinhessen, made by Simone Adams, one of Germany’s most compelling producers of Burgundian varieties. From limestone-rich soils at higher elevation, Auf dem Haun produces a particularly refined style of Spätburgunder—fragrant, mineral and beautifully poised rather than heavy or extracted.

The 2023 is immediately striking for its perfume. Delicate aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and red berriesmingle with peony, rose petals and white pepper, followed by subtle earthy and savory notes. Vinous emphasizes the wine’s remarkable floral lift, freshness and depth, describing a Pinot built around tone, finesse, scent and poise.

On the palate, the wine is silky, precise and wonderfully energetic. Pure red fruit is framed by fine savory tannins and a distinctly saline mineral character. There is impressive concentration here, but everything remains graceful and transparent, with freshness carrying the wine through a long, mouthwatering finish. Wine Advocate likewise highlights its purity, red-cherry and strawberry character, fine tannins and persistent saline finish.

This is the kind of German Pinot Noir that makes the comparison with Burgundy especially compelling. It has the aromatic delicacy and textural refinement associated with fine Côte d’Or Pinot, yet retains the freshness and limestone-driven character of its Rheinhessen origins. The 2023 is already beautifully expressive, but its balance and structure suggest considerable potential for further development in bottle.

About the Vineyard

Auf dem Haun is one of Simone Adams’ prized Ingelheim parcels. The site sits relatively high on the slope and is distinguished by limestone-rich soils, which help produce wines with tension, freshness and pronounced mineral definition. Adams has increasingly focused her range around individual vineyard expressions, allowing differences in soil and exposition to become more transparent in the finished wines.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is led by Simone Adams, whose Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have become particularly admired for their precision, moderate alcohol and distinctly Burgundian sensibility. The estate works organically and favors spontaneous fermentation and restrained cellar intervention, with the goal of allowing vineyard character to remain at the center of each wine.

Grape: 100% Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Auf dem Haun
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Farming: Organic

Character: Red Cherry · Wild Strawberry · Peony · White Pepper · Limestone · Saline · Silky

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for roast duck, chicken, pork tenderloin, veal, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes and earthy risottos. Its bright acidity and fine tannins also make it especially versatile with charcuterie and moderately rich cheeses.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve slightly cool at approximately 55–60°F (13–16°C). A young bottle will benefit from 30–60 minutes of air. While already wonderfully fragrant and silky, its balance, concentration and mineral structure should reward additional bottle age.

94 Points VINOUS: “The 2024 Chardonnay Auf dem Haun is on the Mainzer Berg, facing west, on weathered limestone with very thin topsoil. The tender nose is shy, offering a touch of dried maize and a hint of lemon. The palate is utterly bright and serene, with supple, smooth, buffered freshness against a backdrop of smooth, lemony yeast. This textural element carries salt, freshness and that lovely feeling of deep, deep stone. The lemony brightness redoubles on the finish. This is exquisitely balanced, long and so clear-cut. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, July 2026

The AdamsWein Chardonnay Auf Dem Haun 2024 is an exceptionally refined, mineral-driven Chardonnay from Ingelheim in Germany’s Rheinhessen, crafted by winemaker Simone Adams. More reminiscent of fine white Burgundy than conventional German Chardonnay, it combines concentration and texture with striking freshness, salinity and precision.

The Auf dem Haun parcel sits higher on the slope than Adams’ Heerweg vineyard, where the leaner site naturally produces a more elegant expression. The soils are a complex mixture of loess, loam, clay and marl, giving the wine both depth and a distinctive stony, mineral character. The vineyard is organically farmed, and AdamsWein completed its organic conversion in 2023.

The 2024 opens gradually with lemon zest, yellow apple and restrained citrus fruit, layered with smoky reduction, wet stone, subtle herbs and delicate savory notes. With air, the fruit becomes broader and more expressive while remaining beautifully controlled. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably graceful, with a creamy texture balanced by energetic acidity and a pronounced saline, tactile minerality.

There is a distinctly Burgundian sensibility here: understated fruit, beautifully integrated oak and a structure built around texture and mineral tension rather than overt richness. Falstaff described the wine as possessing the imposing structure of a young great Burgundy and awarded the 2024 95 points. Vinous awarded 94 points, highlighting its brightness, deep stony character, saline freshness and exceptionally clear, persistent finish.

Winemaking

The Chardonnay grapes are whole-cluster pressed and spontaneously fermented, allowing indigenous yeasts to emphasize the character of the vineyard. The wine is matured for approximately 12 months in French barriques, with only a modest proportion of new oak, followed by minimal sulfur additions before bottling. The restrained élevage provides texture and complexity without obscuring the fruit or mineral character.

The finished wine is completely dry, with approximately 12.5% alcohol, preserving remarkable freshness despite its concentration. Falstaff reports just 0.8 g/L residual sugar.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is the estate of Simone Adams, whose wines have developed a reputation for their individual vineyard expression, minimal-intervention winemaking and distinctly Burgundian refinement. Her Chardonnay and Spätburgunder are particularly compelling, combining cool-climate freshness with impressive depth, texture and longevity.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage: 2024
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Auf dem Haun
Farming: Organic
Style: Dry White Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Élevage: Approximately 12 months in French barrique
Vinous: 94 Points
Falstaff: 95 Points

Character: Lemon · Yellow Apple · Wet Stone · Smoke · Saline · Mineral · Precise

Food Pairing

A superb partner for roasted or grilled fish, lobster, scallops, roast chicken, veal, pork tenderloin and creamy mushroom dishes. Its combination of richness, acidity and mineral tension also makes it excellent with dishes finished with beurre blanc or light cream sauces.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve around 50–54°F (10–12°C) rather than overly chilled. In its youth, the wine benefits from air and can be decanted for 30–60 minutes. It has the structure and concentration for serious bottle development, becoming more layered and expressive as its youthful reduction and tightly wound mineral character relax.

95 Points Vinous: “The 2025 Riesling Niersteiner Pettenthal Grosses Gewächs opens with flintiness and smoke. Underneath that lies a tender touch of ripe, yellow, red-cheeked peach that beckons with juiciness. Rounded, ripe generosity just flows on the palate, energised by a salty, zesty undertow that seems to reach deep into the red rock. This is wonderfully aromatic, beautifully long and lasting, absolutely pure. The more air this gets, the more peach appears. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

The Gunderloch Pettenthal Riesling GG 2025 is a profound, beautifully sculpted dry Riesling from one of the most celebrated vineyards of Germany’s Rheinhessen. Pettenthal is classified as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE®, Germany’s equivalent of a grand cru vineyard, and lies on the dramatically steep Roter Hang (Red Slope) above the Rhine at Nierstein. Its distinctive red, iron-rich slate and clay soils give the wines remarkable mineral intensity, spice and longevity.

The 2025 vintage combines impressive concentration with an unusually elegant, cool-toned personality. The bouquet unfolds gradually with citrus zest, lemon balm and crystalline orchard fruit, followed by savory nuances of green olive, rosemary, wet stone and delicate herbal spice. Rather than relying on overt fruitiness, this is a Riesling defined by precision, tension and a compelling stony character.

On the palate, the wine is bone-dry, focused and beautifully structured, with vibrant acidity carrying layers of citrus and mineral flavor through a long, persistent finish. There is considerable depth beneath its restrained exterior, suggesting a wine that will become increasingly complex with bottle age. Gunderloch gently presses the grapes, transfers the juice without pre-clarification into traditional large wooden casks and allows spontaneous fermentation to complete fully dry—a style designed to emphasize vineyard character rather than winemaking intervention.

The 2025 growing season proved particularly favorable on the Roter Hang, avoiding both frost and hail while receiving sufficient summer rainfall to prevent excessive drought stress. The resulting Pettenthal shows the generosity of the vintage without sacrificing freshness or precision.

About Gunderloch
Founded in 1890, Gunderloch is one of Rheinhessen’s historic benchmark estates and remains closely associated with the great Riesling vineyards of the Roter Hang. Today the estate is led by Johannes Hasselbach, with Riesling accounting for approximately 85% of its production. Pettenthal, Rothenberg, Hipping and Ölberg are among its prestigious VDP.GROSSE LAGE sites.

Grape: 100% Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Vineyard: Niersteiner Pettenthal
Classification: VDP.GROSSE LAGE® / Grosses Gewächs (GG)
Style: Dry White Wine
Character: Citrus · Herbs · Red Slate · Mineral · Precise · Long

Food Pairing: Excellent with oysters and shellfish, grilled or roasted fish, lobster, sushi and sashimi, roast chicken, pork, veal and sophisticated vegetable dishes. Its mineral intensity and acidity also make it particularly compelling with richer seafood preparations.

Serving: Serve at approximately 48–52°F (9–11°C). A young bottle will benefit from some air before serving, while its structure makes it an excellent candidate for extended cellaring.

From the Troesmes sub-climat of Chablis Premier Cru Beauroy, this organically farmed wine reflects the limestone-rich terroir of one of Burgundy’s celebrated white wine regions. Located northwest of the village of Chablis, within the communes of Poinchy and Beine, Beauroy encompasses three sub-climats: Beauroy, Côte de Savant, and Troesmes.

The gently sloping vineyards face south to southeast, with shallow topsoil over Kimmeridgian limestone and white clay. Isabelle and Denis Pommier farm organically and work the soils manually. Grapes are harvested into small 15-kilogram cases and pressed immediately.

Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place equally in tank and neutral oak barrels of varying ages. The wine then spends 18 months on its lees, with two-thirds aged in tank and one-third in oak.

Vineyard & Winemaking

• Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru
• Vineyard: Troesmes, within the Beauroy climat
• Exposure: South to southeast
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone and white clay with shallow topsoil
• Viticulture: Organic farming; soils worked manually
• Fermentation: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in 50% tank and 50% neutral oak barrels
• Aging: 18 months on the lees in two-thirds tank and one-third oak

Isabelle et Denis Pommier Chablis 1er Cru Troesmes Organic 2023

R. Pouillon & Fils | Grande Vallée | Extra-Brut | Vallée de la Marne & Montagne de Reims, Champagne | 2021 Base | Biodynamic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards according to biodynamic principles — a commitment to the land that goes beyond organic certification, working in harmony with natural cycles to produce wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir expression.

Grande Vallée — formerly known as Réserve Brut — is a compelling expression of the Vallée de la Marne through the distinctive lens of Fabrice Pouillon. The cuvée brings together fruit from across the domaine's holdings in the Vallée de la Marne and Montagne de Reims, creating a broad and detailed portrait of the estate's varied terroirs. The blend is approximately 65% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, grown on clay-limestone soils — the Pinot Noir providing structure and depth, Pinot Meunier contributing generous fruit and suppleness, and Chardonnay bringing lift, freshness, and precision.

Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in a combination of neutral barrels, small vats, and traditional enameled tanks. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is raised for approximately eight months before bottling. Since the 2019 vintage, Pouillon has employed his innovative Méthode Fabrice Pouillon across the range — using naturally sweet grape must from the estate rather than externally sourced sugar for the secondary fermentation and dosage, preserving a purer connection between the finished Champagne, its fruit, and its place of origin.

Luminous golden in the glass with an expressive, earthy bouquet. Aromas of juicy plum, ripe orchard fruit, subtle savory notes, gentle wood influence, and a faint oxidative complexity. On the palate, lighter and more energetic than the nose initially suggests — generous fruit with fine tension, firm Pinot structure, and bright, refreshing acidity. The texture is expansive yet remarkably agile, with a persistent mousse and a long, mineral-driven finish. Depth without heaviness, intensity without excess.

Excellent as an aperitif and particularly well suited to oysters, shellfish, roast poultry, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses, and savory pastries.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Grande Vallée
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Vallée de la Marne & Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Blend: ~65% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2021
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Soils: Clay-limestone
• Fermentation: Native yeasts; neutral oak, small vats & enameled tanks
• Élevage: ~8 months before bottling; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Estate grape must (Méthode Fabrice Pouillon)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• Vinous Media — 91 pts: Earthy and expansive — ripe red pepper, juicy plum and a subtle oxidative edge. Lighter and fresher than the nose suggests, with inherent juiciness, firm Pinot structure and bright acidity. Individual, expressive and surprisingly light on its feet.

Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Côte des Blancs 2018 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading certified organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, and Champs Libres — "Free Fields" — is his most wide-ranging Blanc de Blancs, drawing 100% Chardonnay from six distinct vineyard sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet, and Bassu. Where his Arpège focuses on Premier Cru terroir, Champs Libres casts a broader net, assembling a cuvée of genuine complexity and breadth. The 2018 base was fermented in tank with full malolactic fermentation to soften the vintage's naturally high acidity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Finished at approximately 2–3 g/L dosage, the Extra Brut style keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 90 by The Wine Advocate.

The nose is vivid and refined: warm apple, baked pear, and citrus open to white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, and a subtle touch of nougat. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured — delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a distinctly chalky, saline mineral character. Fresh green apple, citrus, and lightly savory pastry lead into a clean, energetic, and persistent finish. James Suckling calls it "laser-focused… with lively energy and a delicious finish."

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A vivid, crisp and laser-focused Blanc de Blancs with aromas of warm apples, baked pears and pastry spices… lively energy and a delicious finish." — James Suckling

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyard Sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet & Bassu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Dosage: ~2–3 g/L
• Fermentation: Tank; full malolactic fermentation
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Warm apple, baked pear, citrus, white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, nougat, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, aged goat cheese

92 points from James Suckling. Six vineyard sources. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Champs Libres is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most expressive and accessible.

Yann Alexandre Grande Réserve 1er Cru Brut — Champagne 2015 Base

Yann Alexandre's Grande Réserve is a benchmark Premier Cru grower Champagne assembled from four carefully selected vineyard parcels in the villages of Coulommes-la-Montagne, Villedommange, and Vrigny. Compared with his Brut Noir, the vineyard imprint here is more distinctly calcareous — giving the wine pronounced chalky minerality, structure, and freshness. The blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Meunier is fermented 80% in stainless steel and 20% in neutral oak, then aged seven years en tirage in the Alexandre family's cool cellar. The result is a deeply gastronomic Champagne of rare precision and sense of place.

Wet clay and stone on the nose combine with buttery shortcrust pastry and a delicate edge of honey. The concentrated palate shows beautiful evolution — honeycomb, chewy beeswax, and a rich, structured body lifted by brisk, fine bubbles. The finish is long and saline, emphasizing the wine's chalky mineral drive and impeccable balance between maturity and freshness.

"Deeply gastronomic and impressively sustained — a Premier Cru Champagne of rare precision and sense of place."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyard Sources: Four parcels in Coulommes-la-Montagne, Villedommange & Vrigny
• Blend: 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 40%
• Vinification: 80% stainless steel, 20% neutral oak; malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Seven years en tirage
• Acidity: 4.67 g/L | pH: 3.02 | Alcohol: 12%
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wet clay, stone, shortcrust pastry, honey, honeycomb, beeswax, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, turkey, veal, lobster, scallops, grilled fish, creamy mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Seven years on the lees, four Premier Cru parcels, and a 2015 base of exceptional depth — Yann Alexandre's Grande Réserve is grower Champagne at its most compelling.

J. Vignier Silexus Sezannensis Brut — Côte de Sézanne 2016 Base

The name says it all: Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne defined entirely by its soil. Drawn from the Chatet parcel near Saudoy in the Côte de Sézanne — where four of the Vignier family’s twelve hectares are planted — this 100% Chardonnay cuvée grows on a complex mixture of silex and sand over deep Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay, and silica adding further texture and character. The dark flint stones absorb warmth during the day and release it slowly around the vines at night, encouraging even ripening and full Chardonnay maturity. The underlying chalk preserves freshness, acidity, and a pronounced mineral drive. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of 84 months en tirage, the 2016 base emerges with depth, integration, and a flinty character that is unmistakably its own. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Expressive and mineral-driven on the nose: ripe citrus, yellow apple, white peach, and delicate flowers, with subtle brioche, almond, and crushed stone emerging with air. The palate is generous yet focused — fine bubbles, bright acidity, and a distinctive flinty, smoky character that carries through the long, dry finish. The Sézanne terroir gives the wine a broader, more expressive texture than the northern Côte des Blancs, while the silex soils keep it precise, taut, and deeply mineral.

“Silexus Sezannensis is a Champagne of place above all else — silex and chalk in Saudoy, rendered with 84 months of patience and a clarity of terroir that is rare at any price.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2016
• Appellation: Champagne
• Village: Saudoy, Côte de Sézanne
• Vineyard: Chatet (south-facing)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Silex and sand over Cretaceous chalk, with marl, clay and silica
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 84 months en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 5.3 g/L | Acidity: 4.6 g/L | pH: 3.07 | Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, yellow apple, white peach, white flowers, brioche, almond, crushed stone, flinty smokiness, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, sushi, roasted white fish, poultry, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

2016 base. 84 months en tirage. Single parcel in Saudoy. J. Vignier’s Silexus Sezannensis is Côte de Sézanne Blanc de Blancs at its most terroir-driven and compelling.

J. Vignier Aux Origines Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (2017 Base)

“Aux Origines” — where it all began — is a deeply personal Champagne that honors the roots of the Vignier family’s winemaking history. Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in Les Simarts, the first vineyards planted by Nathalie Vignier’s grandparents, Marie-Louise and Paul, in the village of Barbonne-Fayel during the 1960s, this is a wine of place, memory, and exceptional craft. The Côte de Sézanne’s clay and sandy soils over chalk yield generous, expressive Chardonnay with both ripe fruit character and the chalky minerality that defines great Champagne. Fermented in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, rested seven months on fine lees, then aged a minimum of 36 months in bottle before disgorgement — the result is a Blanc de Blancs of remarkable depth, texture, and elegance.

• Producer: J. Vignier
• Cuvée: Aux Origines
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Region: Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Vineyard: Les Simarts, Barbonne-Fayel
• Base Vintage: 2017
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Certified Sustainable (Socofret)
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation; 7 months on fine lees; 36+ months bottle aging
• Alcohol: 12.5%

Pairs beautifully with oysters, caviar, shellfish, sushi, delicate white fish, soft cheeses, or light poultry. Serve well chilled.

Roederer Estate White & Rosé Bundle

Two of California’s most celebrated non-vintage sparkling wines, together at 15% off. Roederer Estate — the California outpost of the legendary Champagne house behind Cristal — has been crafting benchmark sparkling wines in Anderson Valley since 1982. This bundle pairs their iconic Brut NV with the equally acclaimed Brut Rosé NV: two wines that consistently overdeliver at their price points and have earned devoted followings among sparkling wine lovers worldwide.

What’s in the Bundle

• Roederer Estate Brut NV Anderson Valley 750ml — $29.99 — The estate’s flagship non-vintage blanc de blancs-style sparkling wine. Crisp, precise, and endlessly versatile, with citrus, green apple, brioche, and a fine, persistent mousse.
• Roederer Estate Brut Rosé NV Anderson Valley 750ml — $39.99 — 56% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay. Gorgeous salmon-pink with aromas of raspberry, brioche, and orange zest. 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck | 93 pts Wine Enthusiast & James Suckling.

Bundle Details

• Bottles: 2 × 750ml
• Retail Value: $69.98
• Bundle Price: $59.48 (15% off)
• Best For: Gifting, celebrations, aperitif, brunch, seafood pairings

Note: Bottles will be packed together and shipped as one order.

Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo DOCG — Piedmont, Italy 2022

Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying the essence of Piedmont since 1956 — one of the region’s most visionary and historically significant producers. Founder Michele Chiarlo was among the first in Italy to introduce malolactic fermentation, and long before DOC laws were adopted, he was already aging his wines in oak and bottle for extended periods. Today the estate farms the finest crus of Barolo, Barbaresco, Nizza, and Gavi, using indigenous grapes — Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cortese, Moscato — to express the full depth of Piedmontese terroir. Tortoniano takes its name from the Tortonian-era soils in which the vines are planted — ancient marine sediments laid down 9 million years ago, rich in magnesium and manganese, that give the wine its distinctive mineral character and longevity. Grape clusters are thinned and harvested up to 15 days later than usual for maximum concentration, then aged two years in large oak casks and one year in bottle before release. 

Garnet with brilliant luminous hues. The nose is inviting and complex: rose petals, juniper berries, and fine spices — the unmistakable signature of great Nebbiolo. On the palate, it is elegant with ample structure and silky tannins, and a long, refined finish that speaks clearly of its ancient soils. A Barolo of real depth and class.

• Producer: Michele Chiarlo, Calamandrana, Piedmont, Italy (est. 1956)
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo — Tortonian-era soils (9 million years old), rich in magnesium & manganese
• Aging: 2 years in large oak casks + 1 year in bottle before release
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rose petals, juniper berries, fine spices, elegant structure, silky tannins, long refined finish
• Best Paired With: Mushroom pasta, roasted fowl, braised beef, matured cheeses, truffle dishes

A 9-million-year-old terroir in a glass — Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano is the benchmark for what classic Barolo can be.