$75 - $100 Wine

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

Bollinger is one of Champagne's most storied and revered houses — a family-owned Grande Marque founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Pinot Noir-dominant Montagne de Reims. Fiercely independent, resolutely traditional, and uncompromising in quality, Bollinger is the only major Champagne house to still ferment a portion of its reserve wines in magnum and to use a significant proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in its blends. The Special Cuvée is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut — a benchmark of the Bollinger style and one of the most consistently celebrated Champagnes in the world. The current release is based on the 2019 vintage (45%), blended with 55% reserve wines, with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier — approximately 10% vinified in oak barrel, with around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums.

The color is a rich, youthful golden hue. The nose is classic and complex: golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, and toasty sourdough — the unmistakable Bollinger signature of depth, richness, and biscuity autolytic character. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel, racy acidity, and a pillowy, refined mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes carry through to a long, inviting finish with just a hint of warmth. Exceptional now, with plenty of life ahead.

Decanter 95 — "A classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan, toastiness and leesy sourdough. Classic for a reason — would only elevate any table it finds itself on."

Jancis Robinson 17/20 — "A particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger. Very fine texture, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes. Great length — a lovely example."

Jeb Dunnuck 93 — "Classic and ripe with lush, rounded aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone and black cherry. Full-bodied yet elegant. One of the best entry wines to the range from this house — a benchmark wine."

James Suckling 93 — "Lovely density and fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot, spice, zest and ginger. Always really well done."

Robert Parker 92 — "Bursting from the glass with honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Charming, characterful — Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs."

• Producer: Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 55% (including ~40% aged in magnum)
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Oak: ~10% vinified in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, sourdough, pillowy mousse, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté, charcuterie, aperitivo

James Bond's Champagne of choice — Bollinger Special Cuvée is the benchmark non-vintage Brut, and one of the great Champagnes at any price.

The benchmark rosé Champagne. The one every other measures itself against.

Billecart-Salmon Le Rosé has been setting the standard since 1830 — born in the prestigious cellars of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, crafted with a precision and elegance that is simply unmatched. This is not just Champagne. This is a moment.

In the Glass
A luminous salmon-pink with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose opens with fresh strawberry, wild raspberry, and a whisper of citrus blossom, lifted by a subtle warmth of brioche. On the palate — pliant, creamy, and strikingly expressive. Pomegranate and grapefruit weave into a brisk, finely cut finish. There is a vinous depth here, a sense that behind the Champagne, there is a real wine — effortlessly fresh, impossibly delicate.

The Blend
40% Chardonnay · 30% Pinot Noir · 30% Pinot Meunier (~7% still red wine)
NV base: 2020 · 46% reserve wines dating to 2014 · Dosage: 4.7 g/L

"At any time, it's like a ray of sunlight that transcends the beauty of the moment."
— Pierre Hermé, Legendary Pastry Chef

Expert Reviews

🍷 Antonio Galloni, Vinous — 91 pts | Pliant, creamy and super-expressive. Pomegranate and grapefruit laced into the brisk, finely cut finish. Drinking 2024–2030.

🍷 Tim Hewson, Decanter — 92 pts | Fragrant, crunchy redcurrant, red cherry and orange fruit with an alluring hibiscus-like floral lift. A rosé of immediacy and charm. Drinking 2024–2027.

Ruinart Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs NV — Reims, Champagne

Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in Reims. For nearly three centuries, the house has been synonymous with Chardonnay-driven Champagne of exceptional finesse and elegance — and the Blanc de Blancs is their purest expression of that philosophy. Sourced from the Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Sézanne, this 100% Chardonnay cuvée captures the full spectrum of what the grape can achieve in Champagne: vivid, precise, and endlessly refined.

The NV opens with scents of citrus zest, green apple, lemon (fresh and candied), sliced pear, white flowers, and fresh bread. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, pillowy yet incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit, brisk acidity, and a mouth-filling mousse. Steeped apricot, candied ginger, kumquat, toast point, and salted Marcona almond layer through the mid-palate, with a long, minerally, saline finish that is effortlessly integrated and impossible to stop sipping.

James Suckling 93 — “Lovely balance of juicy fruit and acidity that dances nimbly across the palate. Delicate, silky finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 — “Fresh and racy, yet there’s an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping.”
Wine Advocate 90 — “Vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse.”

• Producer: Ruinart, Reims, Champagne, France (est. 1729)
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Sources: Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Sézanne
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus zest, green apple, lemon, pear, white flowers, apricot, candied ginger, toast, Marcona almond, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, Dover sole, sushi, fresh goat cheese, caviar, light canapés

The oldest Champagne house. The purest Chardonnay expression. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is the benchmark.

Silver Oak built its reputation on a single, deliberate choice: age Cabernet Sauvignon in American oak, not French, and do it at a winery with its own cooperage. That decision — made in 1972 and never abandoned — is what gives Silver Oak its signature: wines that are immediately approachable, generous with fruit, and possessed of a smooth, polished texture that makes them as enjoyable now as they are over a decade in the cellar.

The 2022 Alexander Valley is blended before barrel aging — another Silver Oak hallmark, allowing the components to integrate on the basis of terroir and varietal character before oak influence shapes the final wine. The blend is anchored by 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, aged 24 months in American oak barrels from their own cooperage, The Oak.

The 2022 vintage shows Silver Oak at its most expressive: plum, anise, black cherry, and sweet spice on the nose, with a mid-palate that is juicy and structured without being heavy. Fine-grained tannins and lively acidity carry a flavorful mix of red and black fruit through a long, clean finish. Fresh and drinkable now, with the structure to age elegantly through 2035 and beyond.

• Producer: Silver Oak Cellars
• Appellation: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Blend: 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.1% Merlot, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.7% Petit Verdot, 0.6% Malbec
• Aging: 24 months in American oak (Silver Oak cooperage)
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2022:

95 James Suckling — “Pleasing aromas of plums, anise, black cherries and sweet spice box… very fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity, showing the pretty side of cabernet. Fresh and drinkable now but will age elegantly.”

Food Pairings: Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, aged cheddar, and hard cheeses.

A fantastic Rhone from Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2023 

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

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

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

About Le Vieux Donjon

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

Food Pairings

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

Product Details

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

Expert Reviews 

Audrey Frick writes: (Tasted November 7, 2022) The NV Champagne La Cuvée Brut Rosé is entirely Pinot Noir from 10 crus in the Montagne de Reims. It is forward in the glass with ripe currants, fresh herbs, and smoky perfume. This continues to the palate, with notes of ripe wild raspberry and tangerine, and it has a medium to full-bodied texture that is pure and lightly savory on the finish. Fantastically paired with beef tartar and other richer raw preparations, this is a wonderful and food-friendly expression. Drink 2022-2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

Napa Valley's Most Iconic Cabernet

Since its founding in 1972, Caymus Vineyards has become one of Napa Valley's most recognized and consistently celebrated estates. The Wagner family's signature style — dark, rich, and opulent, with ripe tannins that make the wine as approachable in youth as in maturity — has earned Caymus a devoted following among Cabernet lovers worldwide.

The 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon draws fruit from across Napa's diverse sub-appellations, from Coombsville in the south to Calistoga in the north. Valley floor fruit contributes lushness and generosity; hillside fruit provides structure and backbone. The result is a wine of layered complexity and seamless balance.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Layered aromas of cocoa, cassis, and ripe dark berries
• Palate: Rich and full-bodied with plush, ripe tannins and flavors of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and vanilla
• Finish: Long, smooth, and satisfying — approachable now, with the structure to age gracefully

Vineyard & Vinification

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Sub-appellations: Coombsville, Rutherford, Oakville, St. Helena, Calistoga
• Producer: Caymus Vineyards, Rutherford, CA
• Vintage: 2023
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A classic match for prime rib, dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb rack, and aged hard cheeses. Also exceptional alongside rich pasta dishes and hearty stews.

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste · Pauillac · 2023

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a fifth-growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) estate in Pauillac, long overseen by the Borie family and known for producing classically structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven Bordeaux with real precision and age-worthiness. The 2023 Grand Vin is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, raised in 75% new French oak.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Decanter, 95 Points (Barrel Sample) — Fragrant floral and blackcurrant notes on the nose. Just ripe fruit, on the bright side but nothing out of place, not too high toned or too sour. It's lacking a touch in density, but makes up for it in precision and nuance. Lots of fine, salty and spiced tannins support the pure fruit with a graphite edge that lingers on the tongue. It's clean and focussed, not so vertical or wide, but there's finesse here no doubt. Mouthwatering and minty all the way through. Very classy and classic with fine ageing potential. Excellent quality. Ageing 75% new oak. 3.56pH. A yield of 48hl/ha. 55% grand vin production. 12.5% press wine.

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points (Barrel Sample: 93-95) — The Grand Vin 2023 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot (the 11th to the 28th of September) with the élevage in 75% new French oak. Its deeper plum hue is followed by beautiful aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, and flowers. This carries to a medium-bodied Pauillac with a pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and beautifully integrated oak. It's a little gem of a 2023 that has the pure, focused, elegant, yet concentrated style of the vintage.

James Suckling, 95 Points — Cabernet sauvignon comes through beautifully. Lovely aromas of crushed raspberries, currants and pencil shavings follow through to a medium body with integrated tannins, pure fruit on the center palate and a creamy texture. Very drinkable now. Drink or hold.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 Points — A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, the 2023 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has turned out very well, evoking aromas of cassis, dark berries, cigar wrapper and rose petals, lifted by a delicate minty nuance. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and seamless, it is shaped by powdery, velvety tannins and a layered mid-palate that opens onto a long, vibrant and saline finish. A classic at this address, it nonetheless stands out as a particularly fine effort and an excellent value.

Vinous, 95 Points (Barrel Sample: 93-95) — The 2023 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak. It has a classic "GPL" bouquet with blackberry, pencil box and light marine scents, obviously not as powerful as the previous vintage, yet in typical style, beautifully defined and focused. Just a touch of cracked black pepper surfaces with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle but insistent grip, just a light bitter edge lending tension and nerve. I perceive good depth here, but this is not a powerhouse of a Pauillac (is GPL ever?). It fans out toward the finish whilst maintaining control. There's an impressive linearity to this wine, and thus I suspect it will require less bottle-age compared to recent vintages.
— Neal Martin

Wine Spectator, 94 Points — A textbook Pauillac, with a slightly taciturn feel to its rock-steady beam of cassis and bitter cherry fruit, allied to a bright iron spine. Flecks of savory and tobacco dart about, adding a sparkle of energy through the chiseled finish. Shows the vintage's modest scale, but everything is in proportion. For the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Specs

• Producer: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: 5th Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé), 1855 Classification
• Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

A Classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from One of the Valley’s Most Iconic Estates

Cakebread Cellars has been crafting benchmark Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon since 1973, and the 2022 is a quintessential expression of the house style — rich, layered, and beautifully balanced. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, and 1% Cabernet Franc, it delivers ripe blackberry, plum, and boysenberry with dark chocolate, baking spices, and toasty oak, underpinned by bright acidity and velvety tannins.

Expert Reviews

• James Suckling — 92 pts: Plush and generous aromas of blackcurrants, mulberries and baking spices. Full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving flavors of olive tapenade, blackberries and cedar. Approachable for early drinking, but will age nicely. (Vintage 2022). 

Winemaker Notes

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml

Rich layers of ripe blackberry, plum, and boysenberry enhanced by subtle hints of dark chocolate, baking spices, and toasty oak. Bright acidity and velvety tannins deliver a full-bodied yet refined and elegant structure. Approachable now and built to age gracefully.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Producer: Cakebread Cellars
• Vintage: 2022
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — exceptional with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb rack, rich pork dishes, game, and aged cheddar or Gruyère.

A 99-Point Napa Cabernet That Outscores Cult Wines at Double the Price

Heitz Cellars is one of Napa Valley’s most storied estates, producing benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon since 1961. The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet bounds from the glass with Heitz’s signature pure red cherry and redcurrant flavors, accented by mint, underbrush, and dark cocoa. With Napa Valley’s average Cabernet price cresting $100, this is a phenomenal value — outscoring some cult names at double the price, with the firm acidity and tannin structure to fascinate for decades.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

• Decanter — 99 pts: Remarkably pure and fresh. Pristine black cherry and blackberry, layered with beautiful violet aromas. Everything builds with precision and focus, supported by gorgeously firm, taut, mineral-rich tannins that bring energy and drive. Compact and tightly wound at this youthful stage, its intensity truly emblematic of the vintage.
• James Suckling — 94 pts: Dark fruit aromas of blackberries, bitter chocolate, dried herbs, blackcurrants, black olives and graphite. Full-bodied with a textural, rounded mouthfeel and finely integrated tannins, leading to a savory, fruit-driven finish.
• Wine Spectator — 94 pts: Ripe, fresh and focused, offering a lovely beam of red currant and plum coulis alongside savory, violet, tobacco and singed cedar hints. Finishes with a late twang of iron.
• Vinous — 93 pts: Plump and vibrant with good up-front fruit and bright acids. Captures the essence of modern classicism typical of Heitz wines today. Floral overtones brighten the finish.

Winemaker Notes

Heitz Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021 750ml

Pure red cherry and redcurrant on the nose, accented by red plum, mint, underbrush, and dark cocoa. Firm acidity and tannin in harmony with a plush mouthfeel — a wine built to evolve for decades. One of Napa Valley’s great values in serious Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Producer: Heitz Cellars
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A classic Napa Cabernet at the table — exceptional with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb rack, duck breast with cherry reduction, and aged cheddar or Gruyère.

About This Wine

Taittinger Cuvée Prestige Rosé is one of Champagne's most iconic non-vintage rosés — a house that has championed elegance and finesse since 1734. Blended from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and 30% Chardonnay, with 12–15% still red Pinot Noir wine added for color and depth, this cuvée pours a vivid cherry-pink with an endless stream of fine, persistent bubbles.

The nose is classically Pinot — ripe red raspberries, wild strawberries, and blood orange, lifted by delicate floral and earthy nuances. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet refined, with vibrant berry fruit, a silky mousse, and a fresh acidity that carries through to a long, crisp finish. Versatile and celebratory in equal measure.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep cherry-pink with fine, persistent bubbles
• Nose: Red raspberry, wild strawberry, blood orange, fresh flowers, earth
• Palate: Full-bodied, juicy berry fruit, silky mousse, bright acidity
• Finish: Long, crisp, and refreshing with a hint of gastronomic bitterness

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 92 | Full-bodied and juicy all the way through, ripe with loads of wild berry fruit and a long, slightly warming finish. Drink 2024–2034.

James Suckling 92 | Full of flavor, with a full body, sleek bubbles and a deep, beautiful fruit quality. Drink now.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91 | Delicately fleshy with bright acids, a lively and minty mid-palate and a graceful note of gastronomic bitterness on the finish.

Food Pairings

Salmon, tuna tartare, duck, charcuterie, and soft cheeses. Equally stunning as an aperitif or throughout a meal.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage)
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (30%), Pinot Meunier (20%)
Style: Brut Rosé Champagne
Dosage: 9 g/L

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 96 Points | #13 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025. Energetic tumble of blackberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant paste injected with bramble and apple wood, supported by a licorice snap accent. Strapping finish laced with violet and iris notes, with a cast iron edge lending bass. Best from 2027 through 2045.   

James Suckling 96 Points | Extremely attractive aromas of blackcurrants and dried flowers with fresh herbs like basil and rosemary. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins, tension and focus. Long and chewy finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | "One of the all-time greats from this château." Smoky currants, tobacco leaf, leather, and chocolaty notes. Sensationally textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied. Plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe building tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. Raised in 60% new oak. Three decades of longevity.

About the Wine

Château Talbot is a 4th Growth (Quatrième Cru Classé) estate in Saint-Julien, one of the Haut-Médoc’s most prestigious appellations. Named after the English commander John Talbot, the estate has been producing benchmark Left Bank Bordeaux for centuries. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new French oak.

With a Wine Spectator Top 100 placement and Dunnuck calling it "one of the all-time greats," the 2022 is a landmark vintage for Talbot.

Tasting & Pairings

Blackcurrant, blackberry, boysenberry, tobacco, leather, chocolate, dried flowers, basil, rosemary, violet, and iris. Medium to full body with firm, velvety tannins and extraordinary length. Decant generously now or cellar through 2045+.

• Rack of lamb with herbs de Provence — the herbal aromatics and firm tannins are a classic Bordeaux match.
• Dry-aged côte de boeuf — the wine’s concentration and structure demand serious beef.
• Aged Comté or Roquefort — the tobacco and chocolate notes complement rich, complex cheeses.

#1 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025  |  #8 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025

Château Giscours, a Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is one of Margaux’s most storied estates — and the 2022 vintage may be its finest hour. With almost 60% of the blend drawn from vines over 50 years old, and a historic yield of just 27 hl/ha, this is a wine of extraordinary depth, precision, and generational ambition.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

98 pts — James Suckling: “Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers. Plenty of energy and verve. This has gravity, too. Best after 2029.”

97+ pts — Jeb Dunnuck: “Packed with cassis, black cherries, violets, and graphite-like aromatics. Concentrated and intense, with beautifully ripe tannins, a pure, graceful mouthfeel, and a long, structured finish. Serious depth with remarkable balance.”

96 pts — Wine Advocate: “Deep bouquet of sweet berries, mint, rose petals and pencil shavings. Textural and enveloping, built around lively acids and sweet powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. Why is the 2022 so good? Almost 60% of the blend derives from vines over 50 years old — in a vintage that favored deep, well-established root systems.”

96 pts — Decanter: “Seriously impressive and beguiling — one of the most elegant Giscours ever. Gorgeous clarity and purity, gentle seduction, fresh and lifted, fragrant and juicy with textured tannins. Elegant, finessed, subtle confidence with cool minerality throughout. A compelling wine. Possible upscore in bottle.”

95 pts — Wine Spectator: “Warmed cassis and plum notes, with lilac, violet and iris accents. A flash of black tea on the finish, along with a beguiling, cashmere-like mouthfeel. A pitch-perfect example of the vintage profile.”

• Appellation: Margaux AOC, Bordeaux
• Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2022
• Ageing: 17 months, 50% new oak
• Yield: 27 hl/ha — lowest in estate history
• Drink: Best after 2029 | Will age beautifully for decades
• 750ml | Serve at 60–65°F

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars · Artemis · Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2023 · 750ml

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of the most storied names in American wine — the estate whose 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon famously defeated Bordeaux’s finest in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, announcing Napa Valley to the world. Artemis is the house’s flagship Napa Valley Cabernet: named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, it is the culmination of Stag’s Leap’s search for the finest fruit across the valley. The 2023 blend draws from a carefully selected network of vineyards — 42% from Atlas Peak, 11% from Arcadia in Coombsville, 11% from Battuello in St. Helena, and additional parcels from Calistoga and the Stags Leap District — fermented in stainless steel and aged 14 months in 57% new French oak. The 2023 vintage is being called one of the coolest and most promising growing seasons in Napa in over a decade, producing wines of exceptional freshness, structure, and aging potential. At $99.99, Artemis delivers Stag’s Leap elegance at its most accessible.

Deep ruby in the glass with a fragrant, expressive nose of ripe currants, Bing cherry, blackberry compote, bay laurel, fresh tobacco leaf, and a lift of graphite and cedar — complex, layered, and unmistakably Napa. On the palate: rich and full-bodied, with a silky, well-balanced mouthfeel and polished tannins that coat the palate with dark chocolate, black currant, and Indian spice. Loamy, volcanic earth and salty crushed-stone minerality carry through a long, resonant, savory finish. Decanter awarded 95 points; Vinous 93; Wine Advocate 91. Drink now through 2035+, or cellar for a decade to watch it fully unfold. Pair with grilled tri-tip, braised short ribs, slow-roasted lamb, wild mushroom pasta, or aged cheddar.

• Producer: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa Valley · 1976 Judgment of Paris winner)
• Wine: Artemis · Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Napa Valley, California (Atlas Peak, Coombsville, St. Helena, Calistoga)
• Blend: 97.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Merlot
• Aging: 14 months · 100% French oak (57% new)
• ABV: 14%
• Style: Full-bodied, elegant, age-worthy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
• Scores: Decanter 95 · Vinous 93 · Wine Advocate 91
• Drinking Window: Now–2035+
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe currant, Bing cherry, blackberry, bay laurel, tobacco, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate, volcanic earth, long savory finish
• Pair With: Grilled tri-tip · Braised short ribs · Slow-roasted lamb · Wild mushroom pasta · Aged cheddar · Manchego

The house that won the Judgment of Paris — Artemis is Napa Cabernet at its most elegant and complete.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Decanter — 95 Points
Fragrant aromatics of dark berry fruit lead, layered with bay laurel and sagebrush freshness, cassis, and a lift of graphite. The palate delivers excellent density and poise, framed by polished tannins and loamy, volcanic earth, with rich Indian spice accents and salty, crushed-stone minerality carrying through the long, resonant finish.

Vinous — 93 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is fabulous. Black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice and chocolate are front and center. Brisk acids lend freshness to this boisterous, hugely delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Best of all, the 2023 is a terrific value. It will drink well on release.

Wine Advocate — 91 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a fine example, with gentle herbal shadings of sage and thyme bringing savory complexity to the cassis and cherry fruit along with hints of cedar and mocha. It’s medium- to full-bodied and silky in texture, with a sprinkling of fine-grained tannins on the finish. Enjoy this fairly priced wine over the next decade.

The Arrow giftbox invites you to celebrate a place that inspires you, your most beautiful destination. Made entirely without plastic, the new version of Arrow is further proof that beauty and sustainability can go hand in hand.  Limited Availability -

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Arrow Edition Limited Par Yinka Ilori World Cities Brut 750ml.

Driven by its enduring commitment to cultivating joy and optimism, Veuve Clicquot joins forces with designer Yinka Ilori to bring Chasing the Sun to life.

A new sunlit theme featuring a collection of exclusive objects designed to perfectly complement the Yellow Label and Rosé cuvées.

Guided by design and innovation, the Clicquot Arrow reinterprets the classic road sign as a personalized gift box, marking the distance between your chosen location and the House’s cellars in Reims, France.

Choose the City of your choice -

London, Aspen, Barcelona, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo or Seoul. 

Producer Notes

Icardi is a certified organic estate in Piedmont’s Barolo zone — The Parej is their single-vineyard Barolo, made from 100% Nebbiolo grown on the estate’s organic vineyards. Roasted cherries, warmed clove, star anise, and dried floral hints rise from the glass as the wine opens. Mouthfilling on the palate with wild berries — fresh, dried, and preserved — combined with oak spice and superfine tannins. Dense and compact with plum, cherry, leather, forest floor, and tar. Well-balanced with a lingering finish. Best from 2027 through 2042.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2019

• Wine Enthusiast 91 pts | Roasted cherries, warmed clove, and star anise with dried floral hints and wild thyme. Mouthfilling with wild berries, oak spice, and superfine tannins. Drink now–2040. — Jeff Porter
• Wine Spectator 91 pts | Dense and compact with plum, cherry, leather, forest floor, and tar. Well-balanced with a lingering finish and chalky tannins. Best from 2027–2042. — Bruce Sanderson

Food Pairings

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

Chateau Montelena · Chardonnay · Napa Valley · California · 2023 · 750ml

On May 24, 1976, Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay changed the wine world forever. In a blind tasting judged by a who’s-who of French food and wine critics — now known as the Judgment of Paris — it took first place over Burgundy’s most celebrated whites, announcing California as a serious fine wine region to a skeptical world. Nearly fifty years later, the Montelena Chardonnay remains the benchmark: a wine of extraordinary precision, minerality, and longevity that has never chased trends or compromised its identity. Winemaker Matt Crafton has described the 2023 vintage as one of the best in the last decade — a cool, mild growing season that produced wines of exceptional tension, acidity, and aging potential. At $69.99, this is a piece of California wine history in every bottle.

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with a vivid, pure nose of Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, white peach, and oyster shell minerality — linear, precise, and utterly compelling. On the palate: lush pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, and flinty minerals, with bright, racy acidity that gives the wine extraordinary shape and drive. Marcona almond notes add depth and texture through a long, elegant finish. Decanter called it “vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character… crisp, crunchy acidity provides shape and drive.” Winemaker Matt Crafton notes the mouthfeel is “just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected.” Drink now through 2035+, or cellar for a decade to watch it fully unfold. Pair with lobster, roast halibut, Dover sole, or aged Comté.

• Producer: Chateau Montelena · Winemaker Matt Crafton
• Wine: Chardonnay · Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Napa Valley, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Precise, mineral, age-worthy Napa Chardonnay
• Certifications: Sustainable
• Notable: 1976 Judgment of Paris — 1st Place
• Press: Decanter — “Vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character”
• Drinking Window: Now–2035+
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, flinty minerals, Marcona almond, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Lobster · Roast halibut · Dover sole · Aged Comté

The wine that won the Judgment of Paris — Napa Chardonnay at its most precise and enduring.

Pascal Agrapart is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, farming his family's vineyards in Avize with a quiet, uncompromising dedication to terroir. Certified organic, working with natural yeasts, and bottling without fining or filtration, Agrapart represents the intellectual and artisanal pinnacle of the Côte des Blancs — a producer whose wines are sought by collectors and sommeliers worldwide.

The Agrapart & Fils Champagne Les 7 Crus Extra Brut NV Organic (Base 2023) 750ml is a Blanc de Blancs assemblage drawing on têtes de cuvée from seven premier and grand cru terroirs across Avize, Oger, Cramant, and Oiry. Fermented with natural yeasts, aged 32–44 months sur lie, with 25% of the wine matured in older 600L casks for added texture and complexity. Bottled unfiltered with a minimal dosage of just 5 g/L and SO2 at 50 mg/L — a wine of precision, integrity, and remarkable depth.

Creamy and flavorful yet precise and vertical, with an array of citrus, chalk, and white flower that carries through to a long, mineral finish. A benchmark expression of organic Champagne craftsmanship.

Winemaking Details

• 100% Chardonnay — Blanc de Blancs
• Terroirs: Avize, Oger, Cramant & Oiry (7 premier & grand crus)
• Natural yeast fermentation; 100% malolactic
• 25% aged in older 600L casks; remainder in tank
• Aged sur lie 32–44 months; manual riddling
• Bottled unfiltered; dosage 5 g/L; SO2 50 mg/L
• Certified organic | Base vintage: 2023
• 750ml

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon That Defines Organic Elegance

Grgich Hills Estate has been a Napa Valley icon since Miljenko "Mike" Grgich crafted the legendary Chardonnay that triumphed at the 1976 Paris Tasting. Their Organic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to biodynamic farming and old-world winemaking philosophy — structured, graceful, and built to age. The 2021 vintage delivers the hallmark Grgich precision: bright acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a fruit profile that is both expressive and restrained.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

• Decanter — 94 pts: "Grgich's Napa Cabernet is a bright, energetic, savoury-styled Napa classic. Its effusive black fruits and spearmint aromas give way to a medium to full-bodied red with a dusty tannin backbone framed by almost electric acidity. This impressive, tightly-knit, lovely structured Cabernet will prove a standout of the vintage."
• James Suckling — 90 pts: "Aromas of sweet red and purple berries, dried hibiscus, moss and thyme. Full-bodied with firm tannins. The aromas continue onto the palate, with the sweet fruit as the star of the show. From organically grown grapes."

Winemaker Notes

Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Organic Napa 2021 750ml

This elegant, graceful wine opens with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, sweet blackcurrant and ripe black cherry, supported by hints of vanilla and sandalwood. The flavors on the palate are of fresh red and black berry fruit accompanied by hints of rosemary and violets. The richness of the fruit is balanced with bright acidity and soft, smooth tannins leading to a long and vibrant finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Producer: Grgich Hills Estate
• Vintage: 2021
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for the table — exceptional with prime rib, lamb chops, braised short ribs, aged cheeses, mushroom dishes, and hearty pasta with meat sauce.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is supple and complex, delivering cherry, strawberry, summer meadow, earth, leather and iron aromas and flavors. Firmly structured, this picks up a hint of licorice as it winds down on the lingering finish, with tannins that are solid yet civilized. Shows fine potential. Best from 2028 through 2046. 1,670 cases made, 540 cases imported.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The medium red 2020 Barolo Cascina Nuova is spiced and fruity with notes of ripe grenadine, pink peppercorn, dried apricots, and polished leather. Open and approachable, it offers ripe, supple tannins, even acidity, and a clean finish with good length. It’s a very charming wine with a wide drinking window for enjoyment over the next 10 years.

Saint Cosme · Côte-Rôtie · 2023

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Wine Spectator, 94 Points — This refined, graceful version is winey, offering steeped currant flecked with bacon fat, dried leaves, white pepper and mocha. Streaming and fluid in feel, with salty, mineral intensity building toward the long, elegant finish, which shows polished tannins. Though drinking beautifully now, this will benefit from time in bottle. Best from 2026 through 2038.

Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points — Coming from the Rozier, Tupin, and Maison Rouge lieux-dits and all Syrah, the 2023 is a beautiful Côte Rôtie offering red and black fruits and some pepper and floral nuances, intermixed with a subtle bloody, meaty character. It's elegant, medium to full-bodied, pure, layered, and seamless, with ripe tannins. Give it a few years and drink over the following 15 years. Drink 2028-2043.

Vinous, 93 Points — The 2023 Côte-Rôtie assembles 100% whole-cluster grapes from the five different lieux-dits Côte Bodin, Rozier, Semons, But De Mont and Maison Rouge. Pronounced blackberry, fresh violets, smoothly lifted pepper and minty shadings are all pushed forward. Midweight and smooth, the 2023 is a delicious Côte-Rôtie from Louis Barruol, centering the last notes with drive and precision. This narrowly outperforms the 2022 I tasted last year.

Winemaker Description

On the palate, it reveals a fresh attack followed by an ample, structured, long-lasting finish. The wine unfurls in successive stages and ends with top-quality tannins produced by whole cluster fermentation. It features aromas and flavors of smoked ham, violet, graphite, and licorice.
— Saint Cosme

Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Roasted lamb, duck confit, or a rich mushroom risotto work wonderfully to harmonize with the wine's complexity. Serving it at a slightly cooler temperature, around 60–65°F, will enhance its aromatic profile. Allow the bottle to breathe for at least an hour before serving to fully appreciate the depth of flavors.

Specs

• Producer: Saint Cosme (Louis Barruol)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Côte-Rôtie, Rhône Valley, France
• Varietal: 100% Syrah
• Size: 750ml

Vincent Cuillier L'Arbre Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature — Champagne 2022

L'Arbre is Vincent Cuillier's most personal wine — a single-parcel Blanc de Noirs from Les Voyets, the family's most historic vineyard in the Marne village of Pouillon. The name references Cuillier's deep commitment to vitiforestry: the integration of trees and biodiversity into the vineyard ecosystem as a living expression of natural viticulture. Made exclusively from 100% Pinot Meunier with zero dosage, this is a vintage Champagne of remarkable purity and depth. Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel, 36 months sur lattes, and hand disgorgement with no fining or filtration — nothing added, nothing taken away.

Plump, forward berry fruit opens the nose — red cherry, wild strawberry, and a whisper of brioche — kept in elegant check by crisp acidity and fine, mineral-driven lines. The palate is taut and precise, with the zero dosage revealing the wine's true character: pure, focused, and long on the finish. A Blanc de Noirs of genuine cellar-worthiness and rare transparency of place.

"L'Arbre is grower Champagne at its most uncompromising — a single parcel, a single variety, zero dosage, and a winemaker who lets the vineyard speak."

• Producer: Vincent Cuillier, Pouillon, Marne, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2022 (Disgorged)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Parcel: Les Voyets, Pouillon
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Meunier
• Style: Blanc de Noirs, Brut Nature (Zero Dosage)
• Vinification: Indigenous yeast, stainless steel; 36 months sur lattes; hand-disgorged
• Dosage: Zero | Farming: Natural viticulture / Vitiforestry
• Fining & Filtration: None
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, wild strawberry, brioche, crisp acidity, mineral lines, long pure finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sea urchin, shellfish, charcuterie, aged ham, mushroom dishes, Brie, Camembert, roast chicken

Single parcel. Single variety. Zero dosage. 36 months on the lees. Vincent Cuillier's L'Arbre is the purest expression of Pinot Meunier in Champagne.

Winemaker Description 

Established in 1978, Kistler Vineyards stands as a pioneer in the realm of Californian winemaking, guided by the vision of founders Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. Their belief that exceptional wines of site could thrive in California laid the foundation for a four-decade journey marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Kistler’s Pinot Noirs are come from two heritage selections originating from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy. Both clones contribute to the richness and complexity of the wines. The approach in the vineyard emphasizes low yields, small berries, and a delicate touch to let the individual site characteristics shine through.

Aromas of wild cherries, pepper, spice and earthy floral notes in the 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir lead to a rich, medium-bodied palate of red and black fruits with excellent depth of flavor, elegant balance and a deceptively long lasting finish.

• 100% Pinot Noir
• Heritage Kistler Clones
• Redder soils banded with gravel from the Sebastopol soil series along the Gravenstein Ridge
• Hand harvested at night
• 100% destemmed
• Fermented in open top fermenters
• Only free run juice is collected from the tanks, with no pressing
• Aged 10 months in barrel and racked once to tank
• Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Vinous Top 100 of 2024 — Speri’s Single-Vineyard Amarone at Its Finest

Speri is one of the Valpolicella Classico’s most respected family estates, farming the legendary Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano organically for generations. Their 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is undisputedly the symbol of the house — a superb, classic Amarone of extraordinary complexity, vigorous structure, and rare elegance. Named #79 on Vinous Media’s Top 100 of 2024, this is one of Italy’s benchmark wines.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

• James Suckling — 94 pts: “Intense, dark-fruited nose of plum skins, raisins, chocolate and wet stone character. Full and structured with a rich, succulent mid-palate and firm tannins. Structured and long, with juiciness and sappiness at the end. From organically grown grapes.”

Winemaker Notes

Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano Organic 2020 750ml

Deep garnet red with an ethereal bouquet of dried fruit. Full-bodied, warm, mouth-filling and dry on the palate — a substantial wine of rare elegance built for long aging. Undisputedly symbolic of the Speri estate: great complexity, vigorous structure, and consistent top-tier elegance.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara
• Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy
• Vineyard: Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano
• Producer: Speri
• Vintage: 2020
• Certified: Organic
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A wine for the grandest occasions — excellent with braised meats, game, richly flavored red meat dishes, and mature cheeses. Equally magnificent on its own at the end of a fine dinner.

Mineral · Fresh · Elegant · Precise · Persistent

A beautifully structured Premier Cru Chablis with orchard fruit, floral lift and classic mineral tension.

Domaine William Fèvre’s Chablis 1er Cru Montmains 2023 is a refined expression of one of Chablis’ most respected Premier Cru vineyards. Montmains is known for producing wines with excellent freshness, firm mineral structure and the ability to develop beautifully with time.

Under longtime winemaker Didier Séguier, William Fèvre brings together fruit from multiple parcels across Montmains, including sections of Forêts and Butteaux. The result is a wine that combines the vineyard’s characteristic restraint and mineral grip with impressive depth, elegance and persistence. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The 2023 vintage opens with delicate aromas of white blossom, freshly cut golden apple and subtle brioche, joined by notes of green apple, gooseberry, acacia flower and gentle spice.

On the palate, the wine is lively, fresh and beautifully balanced. Bright orchard fruit is carried by crisp acidity, while a firm mineral backbone adds structure and definition. There is excellent substance beneath the freshness, giving the wine both immediate appeal and the potential to develop additional complexity in the cellar.

The finish is long, precise and persistent, with a cool mineral character and subtle saline quality that are unmistakably Chablis.

Food Pairing

Pair with oysters, scallops, crab, lobster and grilled white fish, as well as roast chicken, veal, creamy seafood dishes and fresh goat cheese. Its combination of freshness and structure also makes it an excellent partner for dishes finished with light butter or cream sauces.

Serve lightly chilled to allow the wine’s floral aromas, orchard fruit and mineral complexity to fully emerge.

Professional Ratings

95 Decanter Magazine: In the hands of Fèvre winemaker Didier Séguier, premier cru Montmains has a certain initial reserve. But with time, the green apple and gooseberry notes, touched with acacia blossoms and spice, open up on the palate. The texture is lively and fresh, yet there is substance here as well. The grapes are assembled from 10 parcels throughout Montmains, including some in Forêts and Butteaux. Séguier explains that Butteaux is deep in the valley and further from the Serein so it ripens later. The grapes are fermented in tank and older casks for 40–50% of the harvest.

94 Jasper Morris: Assembled earlier today, so cloudy and this procedure also masks the nose. Classic Montmains behind, with the usual reductive grip, yet also some elegance, very persistent. The lees were first class, says Didier Seguier and this certainly has the makings of a first class Montmains. Barrel sample: 91-94

94 Wine Enthusiast: Delicate aromas of white blossom, brioche, freshly cut golden apple, and dried grass draw in the nose with feathery opulence. The palate is rich with citrusy acidity that plays second fiddle to fall-rip- ened orchard fruit that washes across wet stone on the finish. Editor’s Choice.

93 James Suckling: Lovely elegance with a chalky, marine-like character to the nose, along with lime and minerals. Medium weight, with chalky notes and some white fruit leading to a pithy, lightly salty, bitter finish. Very attractive.

92 Wine Spectator: There’s a sleek feel to this white despite its rich texture, revealing lemon, apple and flint flavors, plus a hint of honey. Harmonious and enticing, this ends with citrus and stone elements. Shows fine expression and length.

The Style

Fresh, elegant and mineral-driven — a classic Premier Cru Chablis with beautiful tension, depth and a long, precise finish.

There is nothing quite like a Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva. Bright golden, almost fluorescent in the glass, it opens with a complex, layered nose of toast, smoke, mushroom, earth, pollen, and herbal tea — aromas drawn from years spent deep in López de Heredia's ancient underground caves. On the palate it is medium-bodied yet mouth-filling, with pungent, ethereal flavors, searing acidity, and a long, dry finish that ends with a distinctly salty, umami quality. Still young. Built to age effortlessly for decades.

Blend: ~90% Viura / 10% Malvasía Riojana (avg. vine age: 63 years)
Appellation: Rioja Alta, Spain
Vintage: 2014 — bottled December 2022
Aging: Fermented in ancient oak vats with indigenous yeasts; 6+ years in neutral American oak in underground caves
ABV: 12.5% | pH 3.3 | Acidity 6.6 g/L
Format: 750ml

Founded in 1877, Bodegas López de Heredia is one of the last truly traditional Rioja producers — a family estate that has never compromised its methods. Their wines are aged longer than almost any other producer in Spain, and the caves beneath the winery shape every bottle in ways no modern cellar can replicate. Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva stands apart in the world of white wine: it mimics the complexity of aged Sherry and white Burgundy while remaining unmistakably, defiantly Rioja.

"Fills your mouth with pungent flavors, despite being medium-bodied and having an ethereal quality about it — very long and tasty, finishing almost salty, with an umami feeling, dry and chalky. Delicious, clean and still young, it should age effortlessly." — The Wine Advocate, 96 pts

In the northernmost commune of Barolo, perched in a castle that has stood since the early 1500s, the Burlotto family has quietly produced some of the most elegant Nebbiolo in Piedmont. Castello di Verduno has been theirs since 1909, and the Massara vineyard — planted on the chalky Marne di Sant’Agata soils that define the commune’s signature minerality — is among its finest expressions.

The 2022 Massara is, by any measure, a seriously impressive Barolo. Vinified in open-top wooden vats with an extended maceration using the traditional submerged cap method, then aged in large Austrian and Slavonian botti grandi, it carries the full weight of its terroir with uncommon grace. Bottled unfined and unfiltered — nothing added, nothing taken away.

On the nose: macerated cherry, new leather, spice, and pomegranate with an exotic, almost heady complexity. The palate is broad and ample, with a lovely textural intensity and a seamless mid-palate carried effortlessly by fine, ripe tannins through a long and structured finish. A standout of the vintage.

• Producer: Castello di Verduno
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG — Verduno, Piedmont, Italy
• Vineyard: Massara — Marne di Sant’Agata (30% sand, 55% clay, 15% limestone)
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Viticulture: Practicing organic, hand-harvested
• Bottling: Unfined & unfiltered
• Drink: Now through 2040+

Expert Review - Vintage 2022:

94 Vinous — “Seriously impressive… broad and ample, with a lovely level of textural intensity and complexity that is exceedingly rare in this vintage.”

Food Pairings: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, wild boar ragù.

97 Points by Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The 2022 Brut Nature Chemin de Rois is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, vinified and aged in barrel. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2022 is seriously impressive right out of the gate. All the elements are so well balanced. The purity of the fruit, the definition, the balance—everything is so profoundly beautiful. This sensational Champagne puts Vincent Cuillier on the map. I can't recommend it highly enough. Bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: March 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

VINOUS 93 Points

The NV Extra Brut Rosé ADN de Meunier is a classic-layered and supple with rose petals, mint, dried cherry, mint, spice and orange peel. Assembled with the inclusion of 10% still red Meunier, the Rosé is exquisitely nuanced and super expressive, offering great depth and tons of personality.

Vilmart & Cie Cuvée Rubis Brut Rosé 1er Cru — Champagne NV

Vilmart & Cie is one of Champagne's most celebrated grower estates, farming Premier Cru vineyards in Rilly-la-Montagne and Villers-Allerand with a practicing organic approach and a commitment to traditional winemaking. The Cuvée Rubis is their signature rosé — a Pinot Noir-dominant blend of 90% Pinot Noir (including 15% red wine addition) and 10% Chardonnay, drawn from 35+ year old vines on clay and limestone soils. Fermented and aged entirely in large foudre with no malolactic fermentation, the wine is built for texture, depth, and longevity. Thirty-plus months on the lees and a 8 g/L dosage complete a cuvée that consistently earns scores of 90–93 points across the major critics.

Generous and expressive on the nose: red berries, plum, blood orange, and dried flowers with a lovely yeasty undercurrent. The palate is fleshy and enveloping — pureed raspberry, blood orange granita, lime peel, and biscuit — carried by a pillowy mousse and a spine of chiseled acidity. The finish is lively, delicately phenolic, and notably dry for the style. Already drinking beautifully, with the structure to evolve through 2030 and beyond.

Wine Spectator 93 • Wine Advocate 92 • Burghound 91 • Jeb Dunnuck 90 — "Fine and harmonious… concentrated yet ethereal." — Wine Spectator

• Producer: Vilmart & Cie, Rilly-la-Montagne, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyards: Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru & Villers-Allerand 1er Cru
• Blend: 90% Pinot Noir (incl. 15% red wine), 10% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: 35+ years
• Soil: Clay and limestone
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Vinification: Fermented and aged in large foudre; no malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: 30+ months
• Dosage: 8 g/L
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red berries, plum, blood orange, dried flowers, raspberry, lime peel, biscuit, pillowy mousse, chiseled acidity
• Best Paired With: Salmon, duck breast, charcuterie, soft-ripened cheeses, roast poultry, berry desserts

93 points from Wine Spectator. 30+ months on the lees. Foudre-aged with no malo. Vilmart's Cuvée Rubis is Premier Cru rosé Champagne at its most serious and rewarding.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate 95 Points | I tasted the 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley about a month after it was bottled, but it doesn't seem to matter—it bursts from the glass with generous pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry preserves aromas and accents of orange peel, aniseed and tea leaves. The palate is stunning: it strikes a balance between highly concentrated, nuanced fruit and an uplifted, silky structure, and it has a particularly elegant finish. 

James Suckling 94 Points | Wild and vibrant nose of rosemary, cherry stones, small strawberries, violets and seaweed. So fresh, with a medium body and powdery tannins. I like the persistent fine, chalky texture. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 94 Points |  Sleek, graceful and elegantly proportioned, with expressive violet, raspberry, guava and black tea flavors that jump out of the glass and gather richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Decanter 93 Points | Sourced from 13 vineyards throughout the Valley, though predominantly Star Morring and Doration vineyards. Aromas of violets and crushed stone hint at edginess. The palate offers sappy blackberries and bright, fresh fruits backed by spearmint. There is an excellent lingering juiciness and a finish that goes on for minutes.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Deep ruby with a purple tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is generous and attractive, with a pure and spicy perfume of pressed flowers, wild raspberry preserve, and brambly herbs. Approachable and drinking well out of the gate, this medium to full-bodied red is ripe with juicy fruit, good structure, ripe tannins, and pithy texture, as well as a touch of warming spice on a long finish. It’s a solid appellation wine that casts a very large net for appeal. Drink 2024-2030. - Audrey Frick

Vinous 91 Points |  The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is lifted and pure with a cool-toned bouquet of dusty florals, lavender and spice-dusted blackberries. Soft and round, it casts violet inner florals and wild berries across the palate, taking on a saline tinge and hints of licorice toward the close. The 2021 finishes remarkably fresh and with a pleasantly chewy sensation, leaving slowly fading inner rose tones. -- Eric Guido

In 1976, a bottle of Château Montelena Chardonnay shocked the wine world by beating the finest white Burgundies at the Judgment of Paris. That moment put California wine on the map — and Montelena on a pedestal it has never left. Founded in 1882 in Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, the estate has spent over a century building one of California's most enduring legacies, defined by a commitment to classic structure, restraint, and wines that age with grace.

The Château Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml is sourced from the Montelena estate and prime neighboring vineyards around Calistoga, on alluvium soils that deliver earthy, complex, and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged in oak, it reveals layers of pomegranate, plum, and dried blackberry, with aromas of barrel toast, potpourri, and black pepper. On the palate, bright fruit and firm tannins tie together with fresh mint and graphite, finishing with earth, baking spices, toasted almond, and chalky tannins. More acid, more balance, more longevity than the typical Napa Cab — this is old-world structure with California sunshine.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Pomegranate, plum, dried blackberry, barrel toast, potpourri, and black pepper
• Palate: Bright fruit, firm tannins, fresh mint, graphite, dark chocolate, and tobacco
• Finish: Long and lingering with earth, baking spices, toasted almond, and chalky tannins

Wine Details

• Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
• Napa Valley — Calistoga, California
• Alluvium soils | Aged in oak
• Vintage: 2022 | 750ml
• Pairs with: steak, grilled lamb, braised short ribs, wild game, mushroom risotto

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 98 Points
"Dark and complex wine, earthy and concentrated yet balanced. Vibrant aromas of cassis, violets, licorice, pencil shavings and graphite. Full-bodied, it displays a dynamic palate with dense, velvety tannins, fruit concentration and crisp, integrated acidity, which keeps it in balance. Gorgeous now, but even better in two or three years and beyond."

Wine Spectator — 95 Points (Bruce Sanderson)
"This is concentrated with cherry, blackberry, plum, iron, sweet spice and tar flavors. Muscular tannins leave a firm grip on the finish, yet overall, this red feels balanced and crunchy. Best from 2027 through 2040."

About Oreno

Oreno is the flagship wine of Tenuta Sette Ponti — a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the Valdarno di Sopra in eastern Tuscany that has established itself as one of Italy’s most celebrated Super Tuscans. First produced in 1999, Oreno is built around Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, with a small addition of Petit Verdot, and is crafted to express the unique terroir of the Sette Ponti estate: galestro and alberese soils at altitude, with a continental microclimate that delivers exceptional concentration and natural acidity. The 2023 vintage — 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot — is certified organic.

About Tenuta Sette Ponti

Tenuta Sette Ponti is a historic estate in the Valdarno di Sopra, situated on the hills above Arezzo in eastern Tuscany — a region that takes its name from the seven bridges (sette ponti) that once crossed the Arno River nearby. The estate has been owned by the Moretti Cuseri family since 1957 and produces wines of exceptional quality from its organically farmed vineyards. Under the direction of winemaker Carlo Ferrini, Tenuta Sette Ponti has become one of Tuscany’s most acclaimed estates, with Oreno consistently earning scores in the mid-to-high 90s from the world’s leading critics.

2023 Vintage Notes

The 2023 vintage in Tuscany delivered a warm, dry growing season with well-timed rainfall that preserved natural acidity and allowed for ideal phenolic maturity. The result across the region was wines of exceptional concentration, balance, and aromatic complexity — and for Oreno, a vintage that James Suckling rated among the finest in the wine’s history at 98 points.

Food Pairings

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised wild boar, roasted lamb, aged Pecorino Toscano, truffle pasta, and hearty Tuscan ragù. A Super Tuscan built for the table — drink now through 2040.

Product Details

• Producer: Tenuta Sette Ponti
• Wine: Oreno
• Appellation: Toscana IGT, Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vintage: 2023
• Drink: Now through 2040
• Style: Full-bodied, complex, age-worthy Super Tuscan
• Format: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling – 96 Points | “Aromas of iodine and oyster shell mingle with black cherries and dark brambleberries. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins. Drinkable now but even better after 2028.”
• Wine Advocate – 94 Points | “Solid core of dark fruit, cherry, and redcurrant, with spice and dried rose petal elegantly layered. Classic vintage expression with firm tannins and long-term aging potential.”
• Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points | “Layer upon layer of red and black berries, sweet tobacco, and woodland spice. Pure Nebbiolo power with firm tannins and infinite depth.” Drink Now–2040.
• Jeb Dunnuck – 92 Points | “Bright red, focused, spicy, and pure. Wild raspberries, clove spice, dried orange peel, and dried earth. Medium-bodied, structured, and built to age.” Drink 2025–2040.

Tasting Notes

A complex and aromatic Barbaresco with notes of iodine, oyster shell, black cherry, dark brambleberries, clove, dried orange peel, and dried rose petal. On the palate, firm and racy tannins carry flavors of layered red and black fruit, sweet tobacco, and woodland spices. The finish is long, structured, and elegant — classic Nebbiolo linear tension with serious age-worthy depth.

About the Wine

Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont’s most historic and respected estates, founded in 1881 in Alba. The 2021 Barbaresco is sourced primarily from vineyards in Treiso, with additional fruit from classic Barbaresco sites. Fermented and aged for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks and neutral barriques, the wine captures the elegance, structure, and aromatic complexity that define great Nebbiolo. Medium-bodied yet powerful, it balances immediate drinkability with long-term aging potential.

Cellaring

Approachable now with decanting; best from 2028 through 2040+.

Food Pairing

Classic with braised beef, lamb, wild boar, truffle risotto, and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. Decant at least 1 hour before serving.

Product Details

• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Varietal: Nebbiolo 100%
• Aging: 30 months in large oak casks & neutral barriques
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Pio Cesare

At the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, on a benchland first planted to vines in 1838, the Napanook Vineyard has been producing wine of uncommon grace for nearly two centuries. Fed by underground springs threading through ancient riverbeds, the vines here push deep roots into fertile soils that express themselves with quiet authority.

Christian Moueix, whose family has shepherded Pétrus and the great estates of Bordeaux's Right Bank for generations, began crafting Dominus from this historic ground in 1983. Four decades on, Napanook stands as the estate's second wine — second in name only. The 2023 is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, drawn from the middle portion of the vineyard and aged 20 months in 20% new French oak. Every grape is certified organic.

In the glass, the 2023 Napanook opens with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, lavender, dried herbs, and graphite — subtle and refined, with a cedary backbone and whispers of nutmeg and orange peel. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a lush, silky texture, polished tannins, and a seamless, long finish graced by black olive, black tea, and cassis. Already generous and open, it will reward patience through 2040.

• Appellation: Napa Valley — Yountville
• Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Aging: 20 months, 20% new French oak
• Drink: 2025–2040

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023:

97 James Suckling — "Lovely soft and silky texture with a long finish. Enchanting and delicious."

94 Wine Advocate — "Lush, with a seductive swell of fruit and tannins that flows seamlessly into a long finish."

93 Vinous — "Deep, bold and luscious right out of the gate."

92 Jeb Dunnuck — "Classic, classy Cabernet... will keep for 10–15 years."

Food Pairings: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, aged hard cheeses.