$75 - $100 Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

96 Points James Suckling | Mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit with a touch of spice. A bright and linear Capellania that shows excellent tension, freshness and complexity. Long and appetizing finish. More taut and gastronomic now. 100% viura. Drink now or hold. 

95 Points Tim Atkin | The cooler 2018 vintage was ideally suited to the production of high-quality whites like this pure Viura from a six-hectare plateau at 485 metres within the extensive Castillo Ygay estate. Modern, perfumed and poised, it has finely integrated French oak, fennel, thatch and beeswax aromas, herbal complexity and a nutty, fragrant, citrus zest palate. 2025-40 

94 Points Wine Advocate | To catch up with the current vintages that I shall review every 12 months from now on, I tasted two vintages of some of the wines, including the whites. The 2018 Capellanía is 100% Viura from the plot that names the wine. The vineyard is six hectares planted in 1945 at 485 meters altitude, the highest in the estate. It fermented in concrete, the first vintage to do so, as it was fermented in stainless steel until then, and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. It spent a further seven months in concrete, a long élevage, with the idea to produce a structured white with aging potential, while keeping the varietal character. The wine is subtle and elegant, following the path of all the wines in the portfolio here, still marked by the élevage in oak, spicy and smoky. The palate is balanced, with a nice combination of fruit and oak, with a soft texture, clean, focused and tasty. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.1 and 6.10 grams of acidity. 21,836 bottled and 688 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. This is now released with the Gran Reserva back label.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 95 Points | Some blue fruit with iron and lavender character. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a bright finish. Linear and tight. Hibiscus at the end. A blend of declassified barrels from the single-vineyard wines. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The ripe ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley saw the small addition of about 10% whole cluster. The nose opens to a just gorgeous perfume of red and blue fruit as well as fresh violets and cherry candies. Very tasty indeed, the palate is inviting and medium-bodied, and it has a supple, silky texture, with a long, fresh, pure finish. This inviting red is going to have a wide drinking window over the next 6-8 years.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a blend of fruit from Arista’s seven vineyard-designate wines. It has pretty aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, licorice and turned earth. The medium-bodied palate offers layered, spicy flavors structured by finely astringent tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Bright and punchy, offering energetic pomegranate, cherry and loganberry fruit infused with sassafras and hibiscus notes, while fresh and slightly high-pitched acidity gives the finish a racy edge. Drink now through 2031.

Winemaker Description 

The core principle of the winemaking philosophy at Arista is to capture and express the true character and potential of each vineyard. They work with a very carefully chosen handful of grand-cru level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, and are uncompromising in their efforts to maximize the full potential of the wines crafted from these special sites.

The 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends several vineyards from across the storied Russian River appellation, which makes it a prime snapshot of our home region as a whole in each vintage. In 2021, conditions for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley were exceptional, leading to deeply colored, intensely aromatic, wonderfully vibrant wines.

This ruby-hued wine shows classic Pinot Noir aromas of black plum, tart cherry, and cola. Across the palate, similar ripe fruit notes are abundant and buttressed by the tangy acidity. The firm tannins, which are a hallmark of the 2021 vintage, round out the long finish on this quintessential Sonoma Pinot Noir.

Expert Reviews 

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | The fine and creamy bead of this elegant rosé carries an attractive mix of white cherry, peach, blood orange granita and biscuit flavors, enlivened by a firm frame of mouthwatering acidity.

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 90 Points | The NV Champagne Grand Brut Rosé pours a medium salmon hue and is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (8% of which is red wine). It is juicy with ripe raspberry, crushed flowers, and sweet citrus. The palate is ripe with apricot, sweet tangerine, and a soft texture. It is ready to drink now or over the next 6-8 years.

Winemaker Description 

This Grand Rosé has a high percentage of Chardonnay, which creates freshness and precision, complemented by Pinot Noir with delivers very fine and crunchy fruit. With 4 years minimum ageing in the cellars, this Rosé balances between freshness and fruit without masking the wine’s character and purity. The nose reveals aromas of citrus and strawberries with subtle notes of red berries and spice. The palate is well-built with a constant balance between the tension of the acidity and the smoothness of the fruit, while the finish shows a nice roundness and lovely minerality.

Producer Description 

A blend of five of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites, this Chardonnay captures the fantastic character of the 2021 vintage. Fusing fresh lemon and white floral aromas with a throughline of minerality, this versatile Chardonnay is simultaneously easygoing and complex.  

Peak Drinking Window: 2023 – 2029. 

98 Points, James Suckling
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 
90 Points, Wine Spectator

Expert Review

James Suckling 98 Points | Extremely focused and energetic nose of sliced limes and Meyer lemons with lemongrass. Some stone and hints of flint. Full-bodied with superb density and structure and phenolics that you can feel. It goes on for minutes. Slightly chewy at the end. From Wente clones planted in 1974. (v.2021). 

Chappellet Vineyard · 'Signature' Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2022

Since its first vintage in 1968, Chappellet has set the standard for mountain-grown Napa Cabernet — wines of rare depth, longevity, and elegance from Pritchard Hill, one of the valley’s most celebrated and demanding terroirs. The ‘Signature’ is the estate’s benchmark bottling: a Bordeaux-style blend anchored by 82% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (7%), and Merlot (2%), each variety contributing its own dimension to a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. JD:93 · WA:92. At $99.99, this is Pritchard Hill Cabernet at a price that makes it one of Napa’s most compelling values at this level of pedigree — “a killer wine and great value,” as Jeb Dunnuck put it.

The 2022 opens with tons of cassis and darker, almost blue fruits, interwoven with sappy spring flowers, crushed stone, and lead pencil nuances. On the palate: balanced and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins, bold mocha, black cherry, and a nicely concentrated mid-palate that avoids the overripeness that plagued lesser wines in this warm vintage. The finish is long and pronounced, with a lingering mocha note and supple structure. Drink now through 2035+.

“A killer wine and great value… balanced and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins.” — Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points. Vintage 2022. 

“Well-priced for the quality… full-bodied and packed with flavor, nicely concentrated and framed by supple tannins.” — Wine Advocate, 92 Points. Vintage 2022. 

• Producer: Chappellet Vineyard (est. 1968)
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Sub-Region: Pritchard Hill
• Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon · 9% Petit Verdot · 7% Malbec · 2% Merlot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, blue fruit, spring flowers, crushed stone, lead pencil, mocha, black cherry, supple tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2035+
• Food Pairings: Prime ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb rack, aged cheddar, wild mushroom dishes

JD:93 · WA:92 — Pritchard Hill mountain Cabernet, setting the Napa standard since 1968.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé "Les Chênes" 2023 is a prestigious biodynamic white Burgundy that serves as an entry point into the world of the most famous Chardonnay producer on earth. While Leflaive’s Grand Crus from Puligny-Montrachet fetch thousands, their Mâcon-Verzé wines are crafted with the same biodynamic rigor and technical precision by the same winemaking team.

The "Les Chênes" (The Oaks) is a specific vineyard within the Mâcon-Verzé appellation known for its older vines (some planted in 1935) and south-facing exposure, which produces a wine with more structure and "toasty" complexity than their standard Mâcon-Verzé.

    •    Food Pairing: Its mineral precision and creamy finish make it perfect for butter-poached lobster, grilled scallops, or a rich vegetable tart.

    •    Cheese: Pairs exceptionally well with Chèvre (goat cheese) or a younger Comté.

Winemaker Description 

Clay-limestone terroir with little depth before reaching the bedrock. Gentle to very steep slopes. Surface area: 3.43 ha located in the heart of the Verzé valley, "Les Chênes" comprises two south-west-facing parcels.

The vines are cultivated biodynamically.

Harvesting is entirely manual, and pressing is carried out in Verzé. After decanting, the musts are transported daily to Puligny- Montrachet for fermentation and ageing, under the watchful eye of Domaine Leflaive's technical team. Vinification takes place in vats, and ageing lasts from 15 to 16 months.
Pressing: Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, 24-hour decanting followed by settling.
Fermentation: 55% in stainless steel tanks, 42% in cement tanks and 3% in new oak barrels.

Ageing: After 10 months' ageing on lees in fermentation containers, the wine is racked into stainless steel tanks and aged on fine lees for 6 months. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Mike DeSimone of the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | Dark ruby in color, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cedar chest and violet candy. A pleasant floral note is a constant companion to blackberry, anisette, clove and dark-chocolate flavors that are enclosed in a shell of muscular tannins. A soft note of pomegranate permeates the grippy finish. Drink through 2035. 

Winemaker Description 

A 1er Cru RBD from Yolanda and Carolina García Viadero whose mission is to place the Tinto Fino varietal among the world’s best.  Bursts of blackberry and cassis, relaxed opulence and richness.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2021

Decanter — 92 Points (Charles Curtis)
"This is a wine of true elegance, with a light ruby hue, bright, perfumed cherry fruit, fresh acidity, and tannins that seem slightly astringent. It is light in weight but very expressive. The wine is produced from a drastic shortening of the range: it blends all the grapes that generally make up four bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay PC Passetemps. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. Each was vinified separately and blended together, an exercise the director Pierre de Benoist hopes never to repeat. Drinking 2023–2033."

Burghound (Allan Meadows)
"An exuberant nose is very Pinot in character with its pretty red berry fruit, black pepper and violet scents. The delicious and vibrant lighter weight flavors possess an appealing mouthfeel before concluding in a firm, youthfully austere and balanced finale. While it’s an atypical Bourgogne given the unusual combination of appellations, it’s nonetheless excellent."

About This Vintage

The 2021 Domaine de Villaine Bourgogne Rouge is a wine born of extraordinary circumstances. The 2021 growing season in Burgundy was devastated by spring frosts, dramatically reducing yields across the region. At Domaine de Villaine, the decision was made to consolidate: rather than produce four separate single-vineyard bottlings — La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, and Santenay Premier Cru Passetemps — all the fruit was blended into a single wine. Six barrels were produced instead of the customary twenty. The result is a Bourgogne Rouge unlike any other: a blend of four appellations and multiple terroirs, vinified separately and assembled with care, carrying the DNA of wines that normally sell for two to three times the price.

About Domaine de Villaine

Domaine de Villaine is the personal estate of Aubert de Villaine — the legendary co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, widely regarded as the greatest wine estate in the world. Based in Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise, the domaine was founded by Aubert and his wife Pamela as a separate project from DRC: a place to express the quieter, more rustic character of southern Burgundy with the same philosophical commitment to biodynamic farming and minimal intervention that defines their work at DRC. The domaine is best known for its Bouzeron Aligoté — the benchmark for the appellation — and its village-level Pinot Noirs from La Digoine and La Fortune, which consistently punch far above their appellation status. Today the domaine is directed by Pierre de Benoist, Aubert’s nephew, who continues the family’s commitment to biodynamic viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking.

Food Pairings

Roasted duck, rabbit in mustard sauce, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, aged Epoisses, Comté, and classic Burgundian preparations. A wine of elegance and restraint — drink now through 2033.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine de Villaine
• Director: Pierre de Benoist
• Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge AOC, Burgundy, France
• Fruit Sources: La Fortune, La Digoine, Mercurey Les Montots, Santenay PC Passetemps
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified biodynamic
• Production: 6 barrels (exceptional vintage reduction)
• Vintage: 2021
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Style: Elegant, perfumed, terroir-driven Burgundy Pinot Noir
• Format: 750ml

An elegant single-harvest White Port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2009 combines vibrant citrus and floral character with the complexity gained through more than a decade of maturation in wood. Beautifully balanced between sweetness and refreshing acidity, this distinctive Colheita demonstrates the remarkable character and longevity of traditional Douro white grape varieties.

Produced entirely from the 2009 harvest, the wine was matured in wooden casks for over 10 years, allowing its youthful fruit to develop greater depth, smoothness and complexity while retaining impressive freshness.

Region & Style

Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto / Port
Wine Type: Fortified White Wine
Style: White Colheita Port / Single Harvest Port
Vintage: 2009
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller

Grape Varieties

A traditional Douro white blend composed of:

• Códega do Larinho
• Rabigato
• Malvasia Fina
• Arinto

Winemaking & Aging

Maynard’s White Colheita 2009 is produced exclusively from grapes harvested in a single vintage. Following vinification, the Port matured in wooden casks for more than 10 years.

Colheita Ports differ from Vintage Ports in that their character develops primarily through extended aging in wood rather than prolonged maturation in bottle. This slow oxidative evolution brings additional complexity and softness while preserving the acidity that gives fine White Colheita Port its characteristic freshness and balance.

Tasting Notes

The Maynard’s 2009 White Colheita offers an elegant and smooth aromatic profile, led by youthful citrus fruit and delicate floral fragrances.

On the palate, the wine is subtly complex, combining lively fruit and floral character with the rounded texture developed through extended wood aging. Sweetness is balanced by refreshing acidity, giving the wine finesse, freshness and an elegant, harmonious finish.

18 Points — Revista de Vinhos

Revista de Vinhos awarded Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2009 an impressive 18 Points.

The wine was particularly noted for its smooth and elegant aromatic character, with citrus-driven fruit and floral notes creating a subtly complex and refined expression.

Serving Suggestions

Serve slightly chilled at approximately 12–14°C / 54–57°F. Its combination of sweetness, freshness and aromatic complexity makes it an excellent after-dinner wine, although it is equally enjoyable served on its own.

Store the bottle upright in a cool, dry and dark location with a consistent temperature.

Food Pairing

This White Colheita is particularly versatile with desserts. Pair it with caramel-based desserts, baked apples, dried fruits and warm spices, as well as tarte Tatin, crème brûlée and delicately flavored cheeses.

Its fresh citrus character also makes it an excellent partner for fruit-based desserts such as tangerine or citrus parfait.

About Maynard’s

Maynard’s is the flagship Port brand associated with Fernando and Álvaro van Zeller, continuing a centuries-old family connection to the Port wine trade. The brand takes its name from Walter Maynard, born in 1652, an early English merchant associated with the export of Port wine from Portugal to England.

Today, Maynard’s produces a collection of traditional Ports ranging from Vintage and aged Tawny Ports to distinctive single-harvest Colheitas, preserving the history and traditions of one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine regions.

Fresh, floral and beautifully balanced, the 2009 White Colheita combines the vibrancy of Douro white grapes with the complexity and elegance of extended wood aging.

Maynard’s White Colheita Port 2009 750ml

Mineral · Flinty · Saline · Elegant · Powerful

A thrilling Premier Cru Chablis with ripe orchard fruit, smoky minerality and a long, saline finish.

Domaine William Fèvre’s Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2023 is a beautifully composed expression of one of Chablis’ most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards. Known for combining impressive depth with exceptional mineral tension, Montée de Tonnerre consistently produces wines of remarkable refinement, structure and longevity.

The 2023 vintage is both generous and energetic. Aromas of ripe Mirabelle plum, nectarine and green apple are layered with flinty minerality and subtle smoky reduction, creating a complex and expressive bouquet. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

On the palate, the wine is richly textured yet beautifully precise. Golden apple and orchard fruit are joined by notes of pear, orange peel, fennel and beeswax, while a chalky mineral backbone and vibrant acidity keep the wine fresh and focused.

There is excellent depth through the mid-palate, but the wine never feels heavy. Instead, the concentration is balanced by freshness and energy, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish marked by stone, citrus and a distinctive saline character.

Montée de Tonnerre is one of those Premier Crus that can offer nearly Grand Cru-like depth while retaining the finesse and purity that make great Chablis so compelling. The 2023 is already impressive, yet its structure and acidity should allow it to develop beautifully with additional bottle age.

Food Pairing

Pair with oysters, lobster, scallops, langoustines and grilled or roasted fish. Its richness also makes it an excellent match for turbot, Dover sole, roast chicken, veal and refined seafood dishes finished with butter or light cream sauces.

Serve lightly chilled to allow the wine’s fruit, smoky mineral character and layered complexity to fully emerge.

Professional Ratings

94 Decanter Magazine writes: "a powerful, thrilling wine shows pronounced, ripe aromas of mirabelle plum, nectarine and green apple, with a strong underpinning of flinty minerality and smoky reduction. "

95 Wine Enthusiast - June 1, 2026 "This wine is elegance in a glass. Layered aromas of golden apple, toasted brioche, dried hay, field herbs, and forest floor charm the nose dusted with lemon zest. The palate is luxurious and richly textured with just-ripened orchard fruit riding a layer of stony acidity to the long finish. Editor’s Choice."

94 James Suckling - May 31, 2026 "Excellent depth of minerality and chalkiness, with smoky, flinty green apples. Chalky on the palate, with medium- to full-bodied character and a zesty, lightly saline finish. Energetic, with purity and inconspicuous depth and concentration."

93 Wine Advocate - January 29, 2026 "The 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre unites a solar personality of the year with tension, delivering aromas of beeswax, pear, orange peel and fennel, mingling with oyster liquor. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is tangy and textural, with considerable depth and a long, saline finish."

92 Wine Spectator - December 31, 2025 "A rich version, laced with honeysuckle, peach, yellow plum and August meadow, plus a flash of cinnamon. This is balanced and charming, with a mineral undercurrent on the mouthwatering aftertaste. Drink now through 2032."

The Style

Powerful yet refined — a deeply mineral Premier Cru Chablis with impressive texture, vibrant acidity and a long, saline finish.

Floral · Chalky · Saline · Pure · Elegant

A beautifully refined Premier Cru Chablis with vibrant citrus, crushed-shell minerality and a long, cool saline finish.

Domaine William Fèvre’s Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys 2023 is a graceful and highly distinctive expression of the left bank of the Serein. Les Lys is a historic climat within the celebrated Vaillons Premier Cru, situated toward the upper portion of the hillside and known for producing Chablis of exceptional elegance, freshness and finesse.

William Fèvre owns approximately 0.99 hectare in Les Lys, an east-facing parcel planted on clay soils over Chablis’ famous Kimmeridgian limestone. Historically associated with French royalty, the vineyard combines a privileged location with a cooler personality that allows the fruit to ripen slowly while preserving beautiful acidity and mineral definition.

The 2023 vintage opens with bright aromas of green apple, lemon oil and fresh stone fruit, joined by white flowers, subtle herbs and delicate marine notes. With air, layers of oyster shell, chalk and crushed stone become increasingly pronounced.

On the palate, the wine is precise, fresh and beautifully balanced. Orchard fruit and citrus are carried by lively acidity, while a finely textured chalkiness gives the wine shape and definition. There is an appealing suppleness through the mid-palate, but the overall impression remains cool, mineral and distinctly Chablisien.

The finish is long and refreshing, marked by crushed shell, citrus zest and a lingering saline quality. Les Lys is less about sheer power than purity, elegance and mineral tension, making it a particularly refined expression of William Fèvre’s Premier Cru holdings.

Winemaking is deliberately gentle to preserve the character of the vineyard. The fruit is handled largely by gravity, followed by delicate pressing and natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. The wine is matured with a restrained use of older French oak before completing its élevage in stainless steel, maintaining freshness and allowing the terroir to remain at the forefront.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for oysters, clams, scallops, shrimp and grilled seafood, as well as delicate white fish such as sole, halibut and sea bass.

Its combination of freshness and texture also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, poultry in a light cream sauce, goat cheese and gently seasoned vegetable dishes.

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

Professional Ratings

94 James Suckling: More green stone fruit and chopped herbs on the nose, with crushed shells and mineral. Bright, dry and medium-weighted, with a nicely chalky mouthfeel despite the vertical, zestier acidity. Stony, cool and pure on the finish.

93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Sourced from a north-facing site beneath forest cover with clay-rich soils, a parcel selection in Vaillons, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys is among the most quintessentially Chablisien wines in the portfolio and is harvested around a week later than the fruit that enters the Vaillons bottling. It offers aromas of oyster juice, white flowers, lemon oil and Granny Smith apple, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, incisive and pure palate that is elegant yet racy and fresh, concluding with a long, saline finish.

93 Vinous: The 2023 Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru comes from a single hectare of vines. Lime, red apple and touches of orange pith and peach skin develop in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a taut line of acidity, silky smooth, very composed with a lot of finesse on the finish. This is one of the domaine's hidden gems and should not be under-estimated.

92 Jasper Morris: Clear pale lemon yellow. The nose is taking coaxing but has the precision. Very good tension, still with delicacy despite the concentration, nothing dilute here, good tension with a little bitterness at the back. Barrel sample: 90-92

92 Wine Enthusiast: This is a particularly well-balanced Cha- blis. Aromas of green apple, lightly browned toast, and lilac open on the nose accented by dried white blos- som. The saline-dusted palate washes across crushed shells and rides a wave of chalky acidity that becomes more emergent on the finish.

The Style

Elegant, cool and mineral-driven — a beautifully precise Premier Cru Chablis combining floral finesse, chalky freshness and a lingering saline finish.

William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys 2023

R. Pouillon & Fils | Les Châtaigniers | Extra-Brut | Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2019 | Organic

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 with rigorous organic principles and a deep commitment to expressing the individual character of each parcel — producing wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir transparency.

Les Châtaigniers is a distinctive single-vineyard Champagne from the village of Festigny, situated on the left bank of the Marne Valley in the Vallée du Flagot. The parcel's calcareous clay soils create an especially expressive terroir for Pinot Meunier — a grape that is often underestimated in Champagne but capable of extraordinary depth, structure, and refinement in the right hands and the right site. The clay-rich soils encourage generosity and texture, while the calcareous component contributes freshness, precision, and a firm mineral backbone.

The fruit is harvested by hand and vinified in oak casks ranging from new barrels to vessels up to ten years old, then rested for approximately 18 months in neutral barriques before bottling. Full malolactic fermentation adds roundness and creaminess. Beginning with the 2019 vintage, Pouillon extended his innovative Méthode Fabrice Pouillon to all estate Champagnes — using naturally sweet grape juice from the domaine for the secondary fermentation and dosage rather than externally sourced sugar, preserving a more direct connection between the finished Champagne, its fruit, and its vineyard of origin.

Broad, vinous, and deeply expressive. Aromas of golden apple, quince, ripe pear, and subtle red fruit joined by floral, herbal, and gently savory notes, with hints of flint, warm spice, toasted grain, and earthy minerality. On the palate, the natural roundness of Pinot Meunier is balanced by vibrant acidity and a fine, persistent mousse. Generous fruit and supple texture are anchored by mineral tension, giving the wine both richness and energy. The finish is long, dry, and layered — lingering orchard fruit, chalk, spice, and a delicate reductive character. A gastronomic Champagne with the depth and structure to accompany an entire meal.

Pair with roasted poultry, pork, veal, creamy mushroom dishes, fried seafood, richer fish preparations, washed-rind cheeses, and aged Comté.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Les Châtaigniers
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: Pinot Meunier (100%)
• Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Organic
• Soils: Calcareous clay (Vallée du Flagot)
• Vinification: Oak casks (new to 10 years old); Méthode Fabrice Pouillon
• Élevage: ~18 months in neutral barriques; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Extra-Brut (estate grape juice)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

• WineLens — 95 pts: Complex and distinctive — apple, quince, herbal and floral notes with touches of flint and gentle reduction. Medium to full-bodied with excellent freshness and acidity, beautiful roundness, impressive dimension, and a long finish.

J. Vignier’s Pur Cramant is a rare, single-vineyard Grand Cru Champagne created to capture the character of one exceptional parcel in Cramant. For this cuvée, Nathalie Vignier selects a different lieu-dit from her family’s Cramant holdings according to which site she believes most clearly expresses the personality of the vintage. For the 2016 release, that vineyard was Les Fourches.

Located in the southern part of Cramant, close to the renowned Bateau vineyard, Les Fourches is planted with Chardonnay vines more than 55 years old. The parcel’s northeast-facing slopes and distinctive combination of clay-rich marl over pure Cretaceous chalk create a Champagne with both depth and precision. The marl contributes texture and power, while the deep chalk subsoil provides freshness, tension and the refined mineral character associated with the finest wines of the Côte des Blancs.

Produced entirely from Grand Cru Chardonnay, the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve the purity of the fruit and the clarity of the vineyard expression. It underwent full malolactic fermentation and remained on its lees until bottling in April following the harvest. The Champagne then spent approximately 64 months aging en tirage before disgorgement, developing a fine mousse, greater complexity and a beautifully integrated texture.

Pur Cramant Les Fourches is precise, concentrated and elegantly structured. Aromas of lemon zest, white peach, green apple and white flowers are complemented by subtle notes of brioche, almond and chalk. The palate is energetic and finely textured, with bright citrus, ripe orchard fruit and a pronounced mineral core. Its Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, focused and persistent while allowing the character of the old vines and chalk-rich terroir to remain at the forefront.

This is a sophisticated, terroir-driven Champagne that is equally compelling as an aperitif or served with food. Pair it with oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry dishes, mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: J. Vignier
• Cuvée: Pur Cramant
• Lieu-Dit: Les Fourches
• Vintage: 2016
• Region: Champagne, France
• Appellation: Côte des Blancs
• Village: Cramant
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Wine Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: More than 55 years
• Orientation: Northeast
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Élevage: Stainless steel
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: Approximately 64 months en tirage before disgorgement
• Residual Sugar: 4.3 g/L
• Acidity: 4.4 g/L
• pH: 3.07
• Alcohol: 12.25%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Mauro Molino Barolo Bricco Luciani — Piedmont 2022

Mauro Molino is one of La Morra’s most respected producers, farming some of the Langhe’s finest single-vineyard sites with a commitment to expressing terroir with clarity and precision. Bricco Luciani is a prized cru in La Morra, its limestone-rich soils with a touch of sand delivering Barolo of distinctive elegance — bright, aromatic, and structured with the kind of finesse that rewards both early drinking and patient cellaring. Just 4,456 bottles were produced.

The 2022 vintage opens with wild raspberries, pressed flowers, sweet orange peel, blood orange, aromatic dried herbs, and bark. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with expanding tannins, refreshing acidity, a saline edge that keeps it lively, and a beautifully polished, accessible finish. Aged 18–20 months in a mix of large oak and barrique, it offers more immediacy than many Barolo sites while retaining the structure to evolve gracefully over the next decade and beyond.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 • Vinous 93 • James Suckling 93 — “Drink 2026–2038.”

• Producer: Mauro Molino, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Vineyard: Bricco Luciani, La Morra — limestone with sand
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Aging: 18–20 months in large oak and barrique
• Production: 4,456 bottles
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild raspberry, pressed flowers, blood orange, dried herbs, chalk, mint, saline finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2026–2038; decant if opening now
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano, wild boar ragù

A single-vineyard Barolo of rare elegance and limited production — Bricco Luciani is Mauro Molino at his very best.

Thirty years of winemaking in the Galilee — and this is the wine that tells that story. Created to celebrate three decades of the Dalton family's journey, this extraordinary red blend incorporates wine from every vintage stretching back to 1995, weaving together the memory of each harvest into a single, deeply expressive bottle.

Rooted in the rugged terroir of the Upper Galilee, the blend draws on Cabernet Sauvignon from Elkosh, Merlot from Tel Fares, and Shiraz from Elkosh — three sites that have defined Dalton's identity over the years. Aged 24 months in new French oak barrels, then rested a full year before release, this is a wine built with patience and intention.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with garnet hues
• Nose: Concentrated red fruit, dark berries, tobacco, and subtle vanilla
• Palate: Soft and supple with layered complexity and well-integrated oak
• Finish: Long, warm, and celebratory

Blend & Aging

• Cabernet Sauvignon (Elkosh), Merlot (Tel Fares), Shiraz (Elkosh)
  
• 24 months in new French oak + 12 months bottle aging pre-release

Kosher Certification

Kosher Le'Mehadrin and Kosher for Passover.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve at 17–19°C
• Pairs beautifully with lamb, beef tenderloin, aged hard cheeses, and charcuterie
• Decant 30–45 minutes before serving

750ml. Limited release. Galilee, Israel.

An extraordinary and highly distinctive Barbaresco, crafted from the rare Nebbiolo Rosé clone, a genetically distinct biotype prized for its aromatic finesse and complexity. Produced from a tiny parcel in Neive and aged extensively in large oak casks before release, this is a wine of depth, character, and remarkable aging potential.

The 2019 vintage is rich and expansive, offering a layered bouquet of rose petals, violets, dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, and licorice, with subtle earthy undertones that unfold beautifully in the glass.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with impressive concentration, firm yet refined tannins, and a vibrant core of savory, mineral-driven complexity. Notes of dried cherry, herbs, tea leaf, and a touch of coffee and spice linger through a long, polished finish.

Critic Antonio Galloni describes the wine as “fabulous… rich and ample… with explosive resonance,” highlighting its depth and energy.

A compelling Barbaresco that balances power with elegance, this wine can be enjoyed now with decanting or cellared for 10–15+ years.

Perfect with: roasted meats, game, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses.

Expert Ratings

94 Points Vinous: The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is fabulous. Rich and ample in feel, the 2019 is seriously impressive. There is a feeling of breadth that is palpable. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, blood orange and spice blossom with a bit of coaxing. Readers can drink the 2019 now or cellar it. Time in the glass brings out the wine's inner perfume. This finishes with notable substance and explosive resonance.  - Antonio Galloni

Winemaker Description 

The name derives from Moresco, the previous owner of the parcel in Pajorè vineyard which was purchased in 1979.

Abundant snowfall and low temperatures led to an unusually severe, rainy winter, followed by a dry spring. Temperatures picked up again in mid-March, accelerating the plant life cycle.

Unfortunately, the cold temperatures returned in early April with icy winds that channeled through the valleys and affected the lower vineyards, especially in the Barbaresco area.

Other Barbaresco vineyards affected by frost recorded minimal losses of 5%. Our Barolo vineyards are located at higher altitudes and survived the frost unscathed. The summer rolled out dramatically with a bright and windy start, hot and violent midseason, characterized by frequent thunderstorms, and ended hot and dry.

While both benefited from thunderstorms that cooled the land, powdery mildew became a real threat in Barbaresco in July. A redeeming rainfall came at the end of August, refreshing the Barbaresco and Barolo vineyards.

2021 was a late vintage, tending to be dry but cool, resulting in wines of great volume and richness marked by savoriness and length, generous even on the nose, with intense and complex aromas.

The two varieties ferment and macerate separately for three weeks. After the malolactic fermentation, they are blended and then aged in oak for 12 months.

A beautiful violet color atypical of Nebbiolo but reflective of the 2021 vintage where fullness and richness are even present to the eye. The wine has bold notes of blackberry, cherry, blood orange, and bergamot with a touch of flintiness. Medium-structured with lots of juiciness and harmony on the palate all lead to well-balanced acidity and tannin structure with a long finish.

Winemaker Description

The wine is medium bodied and moderate in tannin, with some beautiful suppleness to the mid-palate that reflects the moderate summer, accompanied by a touch of extra richness from the hot autumn weather. 100% Certified organic and dry farmed.

Expert Review

James Suckling 91 Points | Aromas of crushed herbs, sliced plums, blackcurrants and violets. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Bright acidity pairs nicely with the fresh red fruit on the palate. Could use another year to come together. Best after 2023. (2020).

Littorai · Pinot Noir · Sonoma Coast · 2025

This juicy and aromatic Pinot Noir is loaded with flavors of red fruit, meaty cherries, tree bark, and sweet baking spice. It's a blend of de-classified barrels and press wine from the Littorai Sonoma Coast vineyards, including Hirsch, Pivot, Mays Canyon, Thieriot and The Haven, primarily on Gold Ridge loam soils, farmed using organic and biodynamic methods.

Littorai: Wines of Place

The Littorai path flows from a dedication to producing wines of place, wines which reflect the genius of an individual site. There are no substitutes for low yields and careful site and vine selection. Winegrowing is a wonderful word, for it implies that the object is not to produce the most beautiful vine or grape cluster but to produce the finest wine. Such wine should be a reflection of the vineyard and not the cellar. Littorai believes that additives such as cultured yeasts, cultured bacteria, acidification, and enzymes are not appropriate to the greatest expression of terroir; rather than looking to technology, the focus stays on hands-on farming and working with Mother Nature.

Wine is a reflection of the culture from which it springs. Littorai believes in a culture less boisterous and more gracious, making wines not for competitions, ratings, or trends, and holding that elegance and finesse are wholly compatible with concentration and complexity. The Littorai aesthetic is one of finesse, balance, and length.

Heidi & Ted Lemon

Ted is a lifelong winemaker who began his career with an Enology degree from the Université de Dijon in 1981. He was the first American ever hired as winemaker and vineyard manager of an estate in Burgundy, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, where he resided until 1984, and went on to work at Domaine Georges Roumier, Domaine Bruno Clair, Domaine Parent, Domaine De Villaine, Domaine Delorme, and Domaine Dujac.

Upon returning to the United States, Ted worked as a winemaker in Napa Valley and became a consultant to a number of prominent wineries in California, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Heidi worked at several estates in Napa prior to founding Littorai: Domaine Chandon, Robert Pecota Winery, Robert Long Vineyards, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Specs

• Producer: Littorai (Heidi & Ted Lemon)
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vineyard Sources: Hirsch, Pivot, Mays Canyon, Thieriot, The Haven
• Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml

Gamet La Vallée Suspendue Extra Brut Réserve Perpétuelle — Champagne NV

Gamet is a small grower estate in the Marne Valley, and La Vallée Suspendue is their most distinctive cuvée — a Meunier-dominant blend of 80% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Chardonnay, built on a 2016 base with 50% reserve wines drawn from a perpetual reserve that stretches back to 1999. That solera-style reserve is the wine's defining feature: it adds extraordinary depth, complexity, and a sense of continuity that no single vintage could achieve alone. Dosed at just 4 g/L, the Extra Brut designation keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Awarded 93 points by both Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous.

The nose leaps from the glass with lemon curd, meringue, pastry dough, marzipan, and red berries, evolving toward dried pear, tangerine oil, spice, and exotic yellow flowers with air. On the palate, the wine is rich and resonant — savory, salty, and brothy in the best sense — with a fluffy mousse and a chalky, textured finish of real length and character. Vinous calls it "incredibly distinctive," and it is: a Champagne of rare personality with the structure to evolve over the next decade.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 • Vinous 93 — "Rich, resonant… incredibly distinctive. Those elements combine in a Champagne I admire most for its overall balance." — Vinous

• Producer: Gamet, Marne Valley, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne
• Blend: 80% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir, 5% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2016
• Reserve Wine: 50% from a perpetual reserve dating to 1999
• Style: Extra Brut
• Dosage: 4 g/L
• Disgorged: June 2023
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon curd, meringue, pastry dough, marzipan, red berries, dried pear, tangerine oil, spice, yellow flowers, chalky finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast poultry, aged cheeses, charcuterie, mushroom dishes

93 points from Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous. A perpetual reserve dating to 1999. Gamet's La Vallée Suspendue is Marne Valley grower Champagne at its most complex and compelling.

Quick Expert Summary - Vintage 2022

 🍇 Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy) 92 Points Described the fruit as having a refined character and complexity, with a savory red berry note, plenty of energy, and good acidity.

🍷 Vinous (Neal Martin) 91 Points Noted a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit; the palate is medium-bodied, smooth and sensual toward the finish.

📜 Burghound (Allen Meadows) 90 PointsPraised the attractively spicy nose and the "slightly better verve" on the palate, which finishes with fine-grained tannins.

✨ Wine Spectator (Bruce Sanderson) 90 Points Found it to be a tangy red with spicy cherry, pomegranate, and blood orange flavors, calling it nicely integrated and juicy.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows writes:  An attractively spicy nose freely offers up aromas of dark pinot fruit, Savigny-style earth, violet and an interesting hint of white pepper. There is slightly better verve suffusing the lightly stony middleweight flavors that also possess a caressing but punchy mouthfeel on the lingering finale that is noticeably finer thanks to the fine-grained tannins. This too could be approached young though at least a few years of cellaring should be beneficial.  - Burghound 90

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A tangy red, this features spicy cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and toasty oak flavors. Nicely integrated, with a whisper of dusty tannins lining the finish. This is juicy, with the fruit resonating on the aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.   - Wine Spectator 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit, pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe red fruit and light pastille notes, smooth and sensual towards the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle.  - Vinous 91

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Adelsheim’s single vineyards were planted in the early 2000s on very steep slopes at 485 to 625 feet elevation. The bright red 2022 Pinot Noir Boulder Bluff Vineyard has a fruity and floral profile with notes of candied raspberries, pressed flowers, sweet herbs, and fresh soil. It takes on more tension on the palate, with finely coiled tannins, juicy, ripe fruit, mouthwatering, fresh acidity, and a long feel throughout the finish. It’s focused and has a good, compact, yet elegant feel. Drink 2025-2037.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Boulder Bluff is supple and inviting. Matured for 10 months in 33% new French oak, it opens with wafts of iodine and woodsmoke that give way to wild berry fruit and accents of rose petal and tangerine. Medium-bodied, it offers layer after layer of red fruit, citrus and spice. It’s structured by finely chalky tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, layered finish. 

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

The Wine Advocate 97 Points | The 2020 Aluvional Gualtallary is more floral and expressive, a little more exuberant than the 2019 I tasted next to it. In 2020, they harvested some 10 days earlier than in 2019 (they started in February!), and the wines finished with similar alcohol levels (14%) and even with a slightly lower pH and higher acidity in 2020, so with very good freshness. They fermented with some 30% to 50% of stems in the vinification (they use grapes from three different vineyards that are vinified separately, all in the Monasterio part of Gualtallary) and matured the wine in concrete. This is very young, and the palate reveals the inner notes of thyme and rockrose, the violets and the small berries. The texture is akin to liquid chalk, a mineral and austere wine, with very fine tannins and a long, dry finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | "Juicy and intense, with concentration to the passionfruit, pineapple, Key lime and kumquat flavors at the core. Details of toasted green tea, lemon thyme and makrut lime leaf add aromatic intensity, with a touch of crunchy sea salt on the finish. Drink now. 8,259 cases made, 207 cases imported." 

Winemaker's Notes:

Te Koko 2023 is initially reticent on the nose, but with time in the glass opens to reveal notes of just-ripe mango, lemon verbena and juicy sun-warmed lemon. The palate is concentrated and mouthwateringly complex. The sun-warmed impression continues, with notes of meadow hay, preserved citrus, and white nectarine, with layers of salted almond and a gentle smoky minerality leading through to a long and focused finish. 

The Montrachet glass is perfect to reveal the intensity of full-bodied white wines, including the wine's multi-layered aromas. With a larger volume, the wide open-mouthed bowl enables the rich bouquet to develop its wonderfully diverse range of aromas, emphasizing the finesse while minimizing the risk of richer style white wines becoming over-concentrated.

This product is made of clear crystal glass.

Sommeliers was the world’s first wine friendly glass collection and a design revolution created by Claus J. Riedel (9th generation). The range adheres to the Bauhaus design principle of form follows function, as Claus J. Riedel had discovered that certain wines showed more depth and better balance when enjoyed from certain shapes. Thin-blown and unadorned, Sommeliers was the beginning of RIEDEL's dominance of the global wine glass market.

This product is handmade.

Our master glassmakers individually craft each item so every piece has a unique character. Due to the nature of crafting, small tolerances in the size and weight of each product, tiny bubbles, imperfections, or slight surface variations are an acceptable part of the process.

This pack contains a single piece. 

 Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

Winemaker Description

This exquisite blend of grapes, stemming from four different harvests, showcases its strong personality through a symphony of fruits and a full-bodied, elegant presence. Singular in its expression of terroir, a revelation of the variety that nature offers from one year to the next.

Réserve Rosé evokes romance and harmony. The initial nose reveals fresh red fruits with a touch of brioche. The first sensation is reminiscent of biting into a perfectly ripe Morello cherry, bursting with full and mature aromas. Powerful, yet remarkably subtle with an extraordinarily long-lasting finish.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Justin Vineyard · Isosceles · 2021

Winemaker Description

In 1987, we made our first vintage of a wine styled after the famous First Growth producers of Bordeaux, created with the same uncompromising care as the Grands Vins of those venerable chateaux. Full-bodied with ripe black fruit and complex baking spice, this wine is amazingly ready to drink right out of the gate, and you can try a bottle or two now—but make sure to save a few to enjoy this wine as it continues to evolve after some time in the cellar.
— Justin Vineyard & Winery

Expert Review — Vintage 2021

James Suckling, 93 Points — A concentrated and rich nose with aromas of blood plums, mocha, prunes and baking spices. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and long, lingering notes of blackberry compote, roasted meat, graphite and citrus rind. Made from a blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 7% merlot. It needs time in bottle for the tannins to soften. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.

Specs

• Producer: Justin Vineyard & Winery
• Wine: Isosceles
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Paso Robles, California
• Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Château de La Maltroye’s Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Boudriotte 2021 spills forth with a bouquet of red and dark berries — blackberry, cherry, and raspberry — complemented by subtle earthy and floral hints of violet and a touch of spice from oak aging. Elegant and medium-bodied, with finely integrated tannins and a lingering finish. Seductive and delicious.

About Boudriotte

Boudriotte is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most celebrated Premier Cru vineyards for red wine — a rarity in an appellation better known for its whites. Located on the southern end of the village, Boudriotte’s clay-rich soils produce Pinot Noir of exceptional depth and structure, with the earthy, mineral character that distinguishes the finest red Burgundies of the Côte de Beaune. At Château de La Maltroye, Boudriotte is the flagship red — a wine that consistently demonstrates why Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge deserves far more attention than it receives.

About Château de La Maltroye

Château de La Maltroye is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most historic and respected estates, with origins dating to the 18th century. The domaine farms a significant holding of Premier Cru vineyards in both Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay, producing wines of genuine terroir character with a philosophy rooted in traditional Burgundian winemaking — careful viticulture, minimal intervention, and patient aging. Under the direction of the Cournut family, the estate has maintained its reputation as one of the village’s most reliable and authentic producers, for both its celebrated whites and its underrated reds.

Food Pairings

Roasted duck, guinea fowl, rabbit in mustard sauce, mushroom dishes, aged Epoisses, Comté, and classic Burgundian preparations. A Premier Cru red Burgundy built for the table — drink now through 2030.

Product Details

• Producer: Château de La Maltroye
• Vineyard: Boudriotte (Premier Cru)
• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Aging: Oak aged
• Vintage: 2021
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Style: Elegant, medium-bodied Premier Cru red Burgundy
• Format: 750ml

Kosta Browne's One Sixteen Chardonnay is a masterful blend sourced from premier sites across Sonoma County — including Cerise, Ritchie, El Diablo, and Bootlegger's Hill — fermented in barrel and aged 12 months in 34% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable precision and depth, balancing generous fruit with vibrant, mouthwatering acidity.

The nose opens with aromas of fresh apple, river rocks, orange blossom, peach, nectarine, beeswax, and a whisper of flint. On the palate, flavors of Meyer lemon, grilled pineapple, ripe melon, lemon curd, and pineapple sage unfold with a lovely salty grip and a long, spicy finish accented by white cardamom, clove, and wildflower honey. Delicious now, with exceptional aging potential of at least a decade.

• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Cerise, Ritchie, El Diablo, Bootlegger's Hill
• Aging: 12 months in 34% new French oak
• Format: 750ml

• 95 pts — Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection): "Aromas of fresh apple, river rocks, orange blossom and a whisper of flint... lively acidity with flavors of pithy Meyer lemon, white flowers, grilled brioche and pineapple sage with a lovely salty grip at the finish." (Vintage 2023).
• 93 pts — Wine Spectator: "Grilled pineapple, ripe peach, melon and lemon curd flavors are generous, plump and juicy... Vibrant acidity keeps the flavors fresh and in focus." (Vintage 2023). 
• 92 pts — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Layered, flint-laced flavors and well-integrated new oak spice... balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity and a long, spicy finish." (Vintage 2023). 

About This Wine — A Rare Expression of Nebbiolo

Rose delle Casasse is widely considered the only Barbaresco produced entirely from Nebbiolo Rosé — a grape that, while related to Nebbiolo, has been proven genetically distinct. As noted by ampelographer Ian d’Agata in his landmark book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, Nebbiolo Rosé is not simply a clone but its own variety, making this Riserva a genuinely singular wine in the Barbaresco appellation.

Cascina Baricchi is a small husband-and-wife estate in Neive, farming with deep respect for the land and producing wines of remarkable character and authenticity. The Rose delle Casasse vineyard gives a wine of uncommon delicacy and complexity — more aromatic and fine-boned than classic Nebbiolo, yet no less age-worthy.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2016

Vinous — 94 Points
"The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a fine follow-up to the stellar 2015. A bit more austere than its older sibling, the 2016 presents a distinctly savory profile redolent of crushed flowers, herbs, mint, spice, leather and tobacco, while the fruit is pushed into the background. This is such a gorgeous wine."

Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points
"Made entirely from the Rosé clone of Nebbiolo, this is fresh with wild raspberry, pine, and dark earth. Medium body and good concentration, with fine tannins and a good finish of peppery spice and red cherry. Refreshing and cleanses the palate nicely."

Food Pairings

A natural match for salumi, aged hard cheeses, roasted lamb, braised Piedmontese beef, and truffle-based dishes. Decant for at least 45 minutes; will continue to develop beautifully with additional cellaring.

Product Details

• Producer: Cascina Baricchi
• Region: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Nebbiolo Rosé (100%)
• Classification: Barbaresco Riserva
• Vineyard: Rose delle Casasse
• Vintage: 2016
• Format: 750ml

J. Vignier Deux Terres Blanc de Blancs Brut — Cramant & Côte de Sézanne 2010

Deux Terres — “Two Lands” — is J. Vignier’s most geographically ambitious cuvée, drawing 100% Chardonnay from two distinct and contrasting terroirs: Le Bateau in the Grand Cru village of Cramant on the Côte des Blancs, and Les Bercottes in Barbonne-Fayel on the Côte de Sézanne. The connection between the two sites runs deeper than geography — the Sézanne vines were planted by massal selection using cuttings from the family’s oldest Cramant vineyards, creating a living lineage between the two parcels. The vines are 50 to 60 years old, rooted in Cretaceous chalk, marl, and clay. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of eight years en tirage, the 2010 vintage — one of Champagne’s finest of the decade — emerges with extraordinary depth, integration, and a long, dry finish. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Elegant and finely structured: citrus, orchard fruit, toasted brioche, almond, and subtle pastry notes on the nose, deepening with air into mature Champagne complexity. The palate is rich yet focused — Cramant’s chalky precision and Sézanne’s generous, expressive fruit resolved into a wine of remarkable harmony. Eight-plus years on the lees have built a creamy mousse and seamless texture, while the naturally bright acidity keeps everything energetic and long on the finish.

“Deux Terres is a study in complementary opposites — Cramant’s mineral precision and Sézanne’s generous fruit, united by 50-year-old vines and eight years of patience.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2010
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyards: Le Bateau, Cramant (Grand Cru) & Les Bercottes, Barbonne-Fayel (Côte de Sézanne)
• Vine Age: 50–60 years
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 8 years en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L | Acidity: 4.8 g/L | Alcohol: 11.8%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, orchard fruit, brioche, almond, pastry, creamy mousse, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, roasted fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

2010 vintage. 8+ years on the lees. Two terroirs, one lineage. J. Vignier’s Deux Terres is among the most compelling aged Blanc de Blancs Champagnes available today.

Vibrant, textured and beautifully precise, Gérard Boulay’s La Côte showcases the distinctive mineral character of Chavignol. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown in the celebrated La Grande Côte vineyard, this single-vineyard Sancerre balances generous fruit with refreshing energy and an unmistakably saline finish.

First released with the 2010 vintage, La Côte comes from a prized hillside site whose limestone-rich Kimmeridgian soils help shape the wine’s character. Here, Boulay produces a Sauvignon Blanc with impressive depth, expressing the vineyard through its combination of richness, freshness and mineral definition.

The 2024 opens with citrus aromas of lime zest and grapefruit, accented by white flowers, chalk and wet stone. On the palate, a supple, rounded texture meets lively acidity, with citrus peel and subtle herbal nuances adding dimension. Concentrated yet graceful, it finishes long and fresh, leaving a lingering impression of salt and limestone.

The Boulay family has grown grapes in Chavignol since 1380, and Gérard has farmed organically since 1990. Hand harvesting and a restrained approach in the cellar preserve the individuality of each parcel. Fermentation with native yeasts and maturation that includes used oak bring texture and complexity while allowing La Côte’s distinctive vineyard character to shine.

An inviting choice among Boulay’s single-vineyard wines in its youth, La Côte also offers the depth and structure to reward cellaring. Give it time to open in the glass, and pair with oysters, scallops, grilled fish or fresh goat cheese. Its balance of supple texture and bright, savory freshness makes it especially compelling at the table.

Expert Rating

Vinous 90 Points | The Sancerre La Cote presents pure and clear aromatics of elderflower and nectarine. The palate has an easy fluidity to it and a chalky texture that comes in waves. This hails from a southeast-facing vineyard with 25-to 30-year-old vines, making it a fairly young parcel for the Boulay family. Drink 2026-2032.

Generous and elegant, this classic white Burgundy combines a full palate with bright citrus and mineral freshness. The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of lemon, honeysuckle, and delicate vanilla. Fresh almond and citrus flavors unfold across the palate, with a subtle vanilla accent leading into a refined mineral finish.

Made from 100% Chardonnay grown in Meursault’s marl-limestone soils, the wine comes from hand-harvested grapes on vines averaging 25 years of age. This celebrated village in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune is renowned for white wines that balance richness with finesse.

Barrel fermentation and full malolactic fermentation develop its rounded texture, followed by eight to ten months in French oak barrels, 15% new, from Louis Latour’s own cooperage.

A lovely choice for an elegant dinner, it pairs beautifully with grilled sea bass, shrimp and avocado, veal in a cream sauce, or Beaufort cheese.

Expert Rating

93 Points · James Suckling: “Refined and vibrant, combining richness and complexity with a lifted, saline edge. Aromas of ripe citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers mingle with hints of hazelnuts and crushed chalk. Medium- to full-bodied and gently creamy, it’s energized by bright acidity and a precise mineral thread. The finish is long, pure and harmonious.”

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Place: Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Meursault AOC — Village
Style: Dry white wine, barrel-fermented and oak-aged
Aging: 8–10 months in French oak, 15% new
Serving temperature: 54–57°F (12–14°C)
Producer’s cellaring potential: 3–5 years

95 Points Decanter • 92 Points Vinous

A new chapter in the history of Marqués de Riscal, Barón de Chirel Rioja Blanco 2024 is the winery’s first white wine produced in Rioja. Also known as Viñas Centenarias, it draws its distinctive character from century-old vineyards in Rioja Alavesa, where white grape varieties grow among historic red-wine plantings.

Crafted from Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía and Maturana Blanca, this expressive white combines the concentration of old vines with freshness and finesse. Fermentation in French oak is followed by approximately eight months of lees aging, adding texture and complexity while preserving the wine’s vibrant character.

Floral aromas and stone-fruit notes meet a mineral edge. The palate is broad and persistent, with a rounded texture balanced by lively acidity and subtle oak influence. An elegant white Rioja with the depth to complement fine cuisine and the structure for further bottle development.

Expert Ratings

Decanter — 95 Points April 21, 2026 : "Fine and assertive, with remarkable poise and focus. Deft use of wood, building a toasty, almondy frame around the fleshy white peach and yellow apple core. Precise and fluid with a pleasantly tense acid line, assertive lemon zest and Conference pear crunch. A wine that delivers a lot without trying too hard. Beautiful, laidback modern classicism. Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía and Maturana Blanca bunches were pressed whole, without destemming or crushing, and the free-run must transferred to 600L French oak foudres, no more than 10% new, where spontaneous fermentation was followed by about eight months' maturation, with weekly lees stirring via rotation of the barrels."

95 James Suckling - July 28, 2026: "A vibrant and a creamy new white with sliced lemons, honeysuckle and honeycomb on the nose. Light phenolics. Medium-bodied with subtle depth and intensity. Fermented and aged seven month in 600-liter barrels. Viura and a touch of garnachia blanca."

Vinous — 92 Points: April 6, 2026 "The 2024 Blanco Baron de Chirel (Viura and other white varieties from Rioja Alavesa) was fermented in foudre and aged in barrel. Sourced from old vines, it opens with pear and field herbs, with evident oak shaping the profile. Broad and enveloping on the palate, chalky tension tightens the structure, leading to a flavorful finish marked by cream and caramel. Frank and distinctly Viura."

Food Pairing: Poultry, rice dishes, gently seasoned stews and Japanese cuisine.

Region: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Grapes: Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía and Maturana Blanca
Vineyards: Century-old plantings
Aging: Approximately eight months on the lees in French oak
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml