90 + Points | Critical Acclaim

Taittinger La Française Brut Champagne NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Taittinger is one of Champagne’s most distinguished and family-owned houses, founded in 1734 and still guided by the Taittinger family today. Known for a Chardonnay-driven house style of exceptional elegance and finesse, Taittinger has long been a benchmark for what great non-vintage Champagne can be. La Française Brut is the house’s signature expression — a blend of some 30 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards across multiple harvests, crafted to showcase the purity, freshness, and precision that define the Taittinger style.

The blend is 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged three to four years on the lees for exceptional depth and complexity. Bright and lively, with aromas of fresh apple, lemon, and minerals. The palate is crisp, precise, and Chardonnay-driven — racy, elegant, and totally charming — with white pepper and a clean, saline finish. Long and memorable. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle.

Tasting Panel — 95 points

“Bright and lively, this is one of my favorite non-vintage Bruts. Crisp and balanced, with smooth, exuberant, Chardonnay-driven style; racy, elegant, and totally charming; long and memorable.”

James Suckling — 92 points

“A dry, fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, caviar, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, and light appetizers. Perfect as an aperitif or a solo celebration.

Blend: 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV, aged 3–4 years on lees
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 95 points Tasting Panel | 92 points James Suckling

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

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | This is a large production of 85,000 bottles that sources its fruit from various plots planted in 2004 and 2007 at 600 meters in elevation on terraces made with volcanic rocks. The Tenuta Tascante 2022 Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera offers focused fruit aromas of redcurrant and cranberry. The wine shows a dark ruby color and medium texture. Its informal personality would match a plate of home-cooked pasta or a wood-oven pizza.

Producer Description 

Made entirely from the grapes grown on Taylor’s own properties, Taylor’s is one of the few remaining houses which still produces a 40 Year Old Aged Tawny Port. A sublime port of very great age which shows the old olive-gold hue of its many years in cask. Decades of evaporation have concentrated this extraordinary wine to an exceptional density, with a powerful nose of dried fruit, honey and a touch of spice. Impressions of nutmeg, roasted coffee and an intense nuttiness converge both in the bouquet and on the palate. The wine´s rich, intense, voluptuous, almost viscous texture culminate in a finish of incredible length.

Expert Reviews 

Mark Squires of the Wine Advocate 95 Points | The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled with a bar top cork in 2014. It comes in with 125 grams per liter of residual sugar. Big, weighty and mouth filling, this is an aromatic Tawny that finishes with acidity and tension. Gripping on the finish, its flavors become more interesting as long as it sits in the glass (or on your palate). It is not, perhaps, as sunny as the Fonseca, its sibling reviewed this issue, but it is denser and more gripping. Comparing to the Taylor 30 (also reviewed), I'm not sure I liked the 40 here all that much better. The 30 is a bit fleshier while this 40 is a bit more concentrated in flavor and aromatics. Perhaps some additional age also helped this 40 combat some of the aggression on the 30. They are both pretty fine, a difference of five to Midnight and five after, rather than night and day. It is still a fine experience and my favorite of the group. Don't drink it too warm. Room temperature is mostly too warm. The sweet spot for most tends to be 58-62 degrees Fahrenheit.

One of the Douro's most celebrated expressions, Taylor Fladgate's 20 Year Old Tawny Porto is a masterclass in oxidative aging — rich, complex, and hauntingly beautiful. Blended from tawnies averaging two decades in 600-liter oak casks, it delivers the signature amber-mahogany hue, concentrated nutty depth, and lifted fruit that define great aged tawny at its finest.

Critical Acclaim

• 95 Points - James Suckling: "Saturated with burnt orange peel, caramel, candied fruit and hints of honey-coated nuts...extremely creamy, long and flavorful. Delicious all the way."
• 93 Points - Wine Spectator: "Rich, with a spicy nose...complex and elegant, delivering concentrated crème brûlée and tropical fruit notes that linger on the vibrant and buttery finish."
• 93 Points - Wine Advocate: "Simply filling the mouth on first taste...succulent and inviting, it finishes with waves of concentrated flavors. The best intersection of quality and price."

Winemaking & Aging

• Sourced from select vineyards in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior
• Produced using Taylor Fladgate's pioneering piston fermenter (Port Toes) technique, extracting greater flavor and aroma than conventional methods
• Fermentation halted with grape spirits to preserve natural sweetness
• Aged in 600-liter oak casks, losing 3% annually to evaporation (the "Angels' Share")
• Blended from tawnies with an average of 20 years of aging
• Gains its distinctive tawny hue and nutty complexity through slow oxidative maturation

Tasting Profile

Deep amber-mahogany with a luminous rim. The nose is intoxicating — burnt orange peel, caramel, candied fig, dried apricot, mango, and honey-coated nuts. On the palate it's full-bodied and luscious: sultanas, chocolate, coffee, crème brûlée, and tropical fruit unfold with remarkable concentration and elegance. The finish is long, creamy, and vibrant with waves of layered flavor. Best served slightly chilled.

Perfect Pairings

Serve slightly chilled (55–60°F) alongside crème brûlée, pecan tart, blue cheese, foie gras, or dark chocolate. An exceptional digestif on its own, and a stunning finale to any dinner. Also makes a luxurious gift for any occasion.

Tellier | Les Massales | Extra-Brut | Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne | 2022

The Tellier family has been growing vines in the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay since 1938, but it was not until 2016 that brothers Clément and Thibault Tellier took 3 hectares of family vines and began vinifying their own micro-cuvées — launching one of the most exciting young grower-producer projects in Champagne. Working with fruit from the villages of Moussy, Pierry, and Chavot-Courcourt in the southern Marne, the Tellier brothers bring a meticulous, terroir-focused approach to a region that is increasingly recognized as a source of exceptional Champagne.

Les Massales is a single-vineyard cuvée from the clay-limestone Massales lieu-dit — a blend of the primary Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) grown across the three villages. The name references the traditional practice of massale selection — propagating vines from the best individual plants in the vineyard rather than from clonal nursery stock — a method that preserves genetic diversity and produces wines of greater complexity and terroir expression.

The 2022 shines with yellow plum, acacia honey, and toasted almond, framed by zesty acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish. The energy, depth, and precision on display here are exactly what make grower Champagne so exciting — a compelling introduction to the Tellier lineup at an exceptional price.

Excellent as an aperitif. Pair with oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, soft cheeses, and light poultry dishes.

• Producer: Tellier
• Cuvée: Les Massales
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne, France
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Vintage: 2022
• Vineyard: Massales lieu-dit; clay-limestone soils
• Bottle Size: 750ml

One of Italy's most celebrated and collectible wines, Masseto 2020 is a monument to Merlot — a single-vineyard icon from the Bolgheri coast of Tuscany that stands alongside the greatest wines in the world. Produced by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia from the legendary Masseto vineyard on the Maremma hillside, the 2020 vintage has earned near-perfect scores across every major critic, cementing its place as one of the finest Massetos ever made.

The Masseto Estate

The Masseto vineyard sits on a unique outcrop of blue-grey Pliocene clay soils in Bolgheri, Tuscany — a terroir of extraordinary character that produces Merlot of unparalleled depth and complexity. Since its first vintage in 1986, Masseto has become one of Italy's most sought-after wines, now operating as an independent estate. The 2020 vintage marks a new chapter with winemaker Gaia Cinnirella and the introduction of a small percentage of Cabernet Franc, adding a new dimension of aromatic complexity to this iconic wine.

Critical Acclaim — 2020 Vintage

100 Points — Decanter: "Nuanced and complex, still packing a punch in terms of power, but this feels sophisticated, suave, purposeful and controlled. A truly delicious wine with so much purity and sense of place."

99 Points — Wine Enthusiast: "A hedge maze of aromas greets the nose, from blackberries and black cherries to crushed stones and crumpled petals. Tannins are tightly stitched together across the palate like a tapestry. A wine that speaks volumes without shouting."

99 Points — James Suckling: "Full-bodied with superb concentration and fine, velvety tannins that run the length of the wine. It's big but agile and gorgeous. Merlot. What a wine! Best after 2030."

99 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "Incredibly expressive, with a sweet perfume of candied plum, boysenberry, crushed flowers, mocha, sweet earth, and fresh sage. Great finesse and polish that features opulence without having weight."

98 Points — Vinous: "Superb. Bright and vibrant, exceptionally polished and sophisticated. In 2020, Masseto is more finesse than power."

97 Points — Wine Spectator: "Complex, with a luscious texture. Offers a lively, well-integrated structure with a long aftertaste of fruit and spices. Best from 2025 through 2043."

96 Points — Wine Advocate: "A vintage of enormous richness and density. This wine is always hard to analyze in its youth. It needs many more years to soften and flesh out. Give it time."

Tasting Profile

Intense and full on the nose — ripe black fruit, crushed flowers, mocha, graphite, and soft spicing. On the palate it's rich and muscular yet tight and coiled, with velvety tannins of extraordinary finesse, vibrant acidity, and a long, sustained finish of dark fruit, leather, and mineral earth. A caged animal with its full potential yet to be unveiled.

Details

2020 | Merlot, Cabernet Franc | Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | Toscana IGT | 750ml

Ageing

24 months in 100% new barriques, 12 months in bottle

Cellaring & Serving

Best from 2028–2043. Decant for a minimum of 2–3 hours if opening now. Serve at 61–64°F in a large Bordeaux glass. A wine built for the cellar — patience will be richly rewarded.

Producer Notes

Estate director Axel Heinz called 2020 ‘a classic Ornellaia,’ selecting ‘La Proporzione’ (proportion) as the theme to describe its character. The blend — 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot — marks a return to a more typical composition. Raised in 70% new French oak for 18 months, then 12 months in bottle prior to release. Fine-grained and beautifully textured, with finely integrated tannins supporting a concentration of black fruits lightened by red berries. Aromas of black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth, with menthol and balsamic streaks imparting freshness. A stony, salty finish. Tight and moreish in its youth — best from 2026 through 2045.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

• James Suckling 98 pts | Alluring aromas of lead pencil, currants, crushed stone, and iodine. Full-bodied with tight, focused tannins. Very fresh and energetic with wonderful length and intensity. Better from 2028 onwards.
• Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts | Flush with herbs, menthol, blackberry, and cedar. Full-bodied with luxurious plum, black cherry, and toast. Supple and velvety tannins. Drink 2026–2046.
• Wine Spectator 96 pts | Inviting aromas of blackberry, black currant, anise, cedar, vanilla, and tobacco. Sleek and open on the palate, beautifully balanced. Mineral and spice on the finish with a salty, flinty element. Best from 2026 through 2045. — Bruce Sanderson
• Vinous 96 pts | Gorgeous and elegant. Seamless and wonderfully deep, with terrific freshness and cut. Super-refined from the outset. Precision and understated finesse. Drink 2027–2045. — Antonio Galloni
• Decanter 96 pts | Fine-grained and beautifully textured. Black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth. Tight and moreish with ripeness, freshness, and structure. Drink 2023–2050. — James Button
• Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95 pts | Dark fruit, pencil shaving, toasted oak, Spanish cedar, campfire ash, and iron ore. Especially concentrated and oak-driven. Requires more aging. Drink 2026–2045. — Monica Larner
• Jancis Robinson 18/20 | Very sumptuous nose followed by a hedonistic palate that finishes especially fresh. Ripe but not too-ripe fruit. Savoury persistence. Drink 2024–2028.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or prime dry-aged ribeye
• Braised short ribs or slow-roasted lamb
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano
• Truffle pasta or wild mushroom risotto

One of Italy's most iconic wines and a cornerstone of the Super Tuscan movement, Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2022 is a masterpiece of Cabernet Sauvignon-led blending from the Bolgheri coast of Tuscany. Crafted by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia under the direction of proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the 2022 vintage has earned near-universal 96–97 point acclaim, celebrated for its Mediterranean elegance, concentrated fruit, and beautifully integrated structure. A wine of genuine collector status.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori on the Bolgheri coast of Tuscany, Ornellaia is one of Italy's most celebrated estates — a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement and a benchmark for Bordeaux-style blending in Italy. Drawing from multiple parcels including Bellaria, Pero, Fosso, Vigna Vecchia, and Stallina, the estate produces some 80 individual wines before final blending, ensuring extraordinary complexity and precision. The 2022 Ornellaia is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot — with Petit Verdot playing an elevated role, adding structure, length, and dark-leaning complexity to this exceptional vintage.

Critical Acclaim — 2022 Vintage

97 Points — Wine Advocate: "The 2022 vintage will be remembered for its full-bodied appeal, concentrated fruit and generous oak renderings. The wine's abundant fruit weight cedes to elegantly integrated tannins. This vintage will appeal to die-hard Ornellaia enthusiasts."

97 Points — James Suckling: "Stunning elegance on the nose, with vibrant dried eucalyptus leaves, flowers, restrained brambleberries and hints of black cherries, milk chocolate, cloves and graphite. Savory and well packed, with integrated, brilliant freshness and a ripe, fruity finish. Try from 2026."

96 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "A fantastic nose of blackberries, polished cedar, lavender, sweet herbs, and dark cocoa. Full-bodied with a rich structure, warming concentration but a very balanced feel. The tannins are ripe and frame the underlying mineral notes very nicely."

96 Points — Vinous: "A terrific wine for the year. Dark red-toned fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice and spice all take shape in a mid-weight, pliant Ornellaia that is quite alluring. The 2022 Ornellaia is clearly among the most successful wines of the vintage."

95 Points — Decanter: "Bold, dark fruited and spicy, swirling with peppery and herbal nuances and some lovely fresh acidity which carries through to a bright finish. A more compact and dense style compared to the previous year."

Tasting Profile

Deep, bright purple-red. The nose is complex and inviting — blackberry, dark cherry, dried eucalyptus, lavender, cedar, dark cocoa, and sweet spice. On the palate it's full-bodied with rich, concentrated fruit, warming depth, and ripe tannins of exceptional quality. Savory minerality and brilliant freshness carry through to a long, elegant finish with notes of blond tobacco and graphite. Mediterranean in spirit, Bordeaux in structure.

Details

2022 | 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot | Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | DOC Bolgheri Superiore | 750ml | 18 months in oak (up to 70% new)

Cellaring & Serving

Best from 2026 through 2040+. Decant 1–2 hours. Serve at 61–64°F with Florentine steak, lamb, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, or truffle-based dishes. A wine that rewards patience and rewards the table equally.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2013

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The 2013 Valadorna (mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) is yet another home run in this blockbuster collection of new releases from Tenuta di Arceno in the southern part of Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardegna). This is a firm and tightly knit expression that is packed tight with black fruit, tobacco, tar and dark chocolate. The wine shows enormous aromatic intensity, but then it slims down just a touch in the mouth to offer an elegantly tapered finish.

Decanter 94 Points | Compared to the older and warmer 2011, which is a bit rustic and jammy, this 2013 is a fairly classic vintage for Merlot. It was harvested in September, marking a return to the usual picking dates. The percentage of the Merlot here reaches 74% of the blend, in order to maximise its fleshy character in a relatively cool year. The nose is evolved yet with an amazing complexity of tobacco, earthy tones, clean leather and balsamic depth. On the palate cassis fruit melds with leather and spices, supported by polymerised tannins and natural refreshing acidity. - Decanter Magazine, February 2021

James Suckling 94 Points | Very intense nose of blackberries, dark chocolate, sandalwood, vanilla, treacle and tar. Full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit, but lots of black-olive undertones and bright acidity keep this fresh, while firm tannins carve out an elegant, polished shape. Drink in 2021.

Memo Summary Notes

The Tenuta di Arceno "Valadorna" 2013 is a powerhouse Super Tuscan that represents the "Right Bank" Bordeaux style of the estate. While the flagship Arcanum focuses on Cabernet Franc, Valadorna is a Merlot-led blend sourced from the coolest, sandiest blocks of the estate in the southern Chianti Classico zone (Castelnuovo Berardegna).

As of late 2025, the 2013 vintage is considered a "Classic" and "Elegantly Tapered" expression, currently at its absolute peak drinking window.

• Food: This is a "Meat Wine." It pairs perfectly with Bistecca alla Fiorentina, herb-crusted roast beef, or wild boar ragù.

• Cheese: Aged Pecorino Toscano or a sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva shows velvety richness and good textural support. This comes thanks to the warmer microclimate and thicker soils, sometimes with a lot of clay, that distinguish the Castelnuovo Berardenga region of Chianti Classico. The finish is dry and long, but there is plenty of sweet earth, dark fruit, plum and balanced cherry in the mix.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (90% Sangiovese and the rest Merlot) takes on more spiced layers of smoke, cedar, menthol, and blackberry. It is full-bodied, with snappy acidity and fine tannins, and is noted with redcurrant, orange zest, tea leaf, and clove. Hold another year or two and drink 2025-2035.

Expert Reviews - VIntage 2022 

A deep ruby/magenta color, the 2022 Il Pino Di Biserno starts to show more mineral-inflected notes of graphite, preserved strawberries, blackberries, cocoa, and sweet herbs. Full-bodied, the palate expands with ripe tannins, even acidity, and darker mineral undercurrents, as well as a hint of gamey richness and notes of tea leaf through the mid-palate and rather long finish. Hold this one another couple of years and drink 2027-2040.: Audrey Frick - Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points

A cedary twist to the typical notes of black olives, tobacco, paprika and black fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with prominent, fine-grained tannins and fruit. Long, demure and tight. Needs at least one more year to soften and open up. Drink from 2026."  Zekun Shuai - James-Suckling - 94 Points

The Tenuta di Biserno 2022 Il Pino di Biserno delivers a ripe fruit profile with blackberry confit and sweet cherry pie. Those warm vintage tones are followed by an ample use of oak that adds baking spice and toasted nutmeg. There is a hint of campfire ash or something blackened or toasted at the core of this full-bodied Tuscan blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. I pick up a note of dryness on the otherwise velvety tannins. Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 92 Points

Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio del Cinghiale — Maremma Toscana IGT 2024

Insoglio del Cinghiale is the founding wine of Tenuta di Biserno — the Upper Maremma estate created and nurtured by the Antinori family, one of Italy’s most celebrated winemaking dynasties. The name tells the story: “Insoglio” is the place in the Maremma scrubland where the wild boar (cinghiale) goes to root and roll — and the cinghiale is an expression of the soul and culture of this wild, beautiful coastal territory. The wine is a richly fruity, exquisitely structured blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, hand-harvested, carefully sorted, destemmed, and soft-crushed, then aged 7 months partly in steel and partly in wood to preserve freshness and build complexity. The 2024 vintage was a discovery-filled year: a wet spring built water reserves, a cooler harvest preserved freshness, and slow ripening of later varieties added remarkable complexity. Decanter awarded it 94 points.

Intense and lively purple-red with violet reflections. The nose is expressive: violet, berries, and light peppery spice. On the palate, it is enveloping, fresh, and medium-bodied, with well-smoothed tannins, ripe concentrated fruit, and a long, precise finish of real charm and vibrancy.

Decanter 94 (Georgina Hindle) — “Ripe and concentrated but this also has a touch of charm and vibrancy about it… a purity and precision to the fruit and a long length.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Tenuta di Biserno (Antinori family), Upper Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 7 months, partly steel, partly wood
• ABV: 14%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violet, berries, peppery spice, ripe concentrated fruit, smooth tannins, long precise finish
• Best Paired With: Braised or roasted meats, wild boar ragù, hard cheeses, grilled lamb

A 94-point Antinori Maremma blend at an honest price — Insoglio del Cinghiale is the benchmark for what Upper Maremma Toscana IGT can be.

Tenuta di Ceppaiano Toscana — Keith Haring Edition, Tuscany 2017

In 1989, Keith Haring traveled to Pisa to paint his iconic "Tuttomondo" mural — a monumental work that would become one of his last. During that visit, he gifted original artwork to the Castellani family of Tenuta di Ceppaiano, and that artwork now lives on the label of this wine. It is a collector's bottle in the truest sense: a 92-point Tuscan red wrapped in a piece of art history. The wine itself is a Sangiovese-led blend from the Toscana IGT, vinified to express the richness and depth of a warm, generous vintage. James Suckling awarded it 92 points.

The nose is complex and captivating: plums, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, tobacco, balsamic, and cigar box, layered with wild rose, dark cherry, cassis, mint, licorice, roasted coffee, and leather. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with a creamy, velvety texture, fine round tannins, flavors of black fruit, vanilla, cedar, and a hint of white chocolate, leading to a long, persistent finish of sweet spice and cedar. It is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve for years to come.

James Suckling 92 — "Aromas of plums, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, tobacco, balsamic and cigar box. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, round tannins. Creamy, velvety texture. Sweet spices on the flavorful finish. Drink or hold." (Vintage 2017). 

• Producer: Tenuta di Ceppaiano / Castellani Family, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2017
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Varietal: Sangiovese-led blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
• Label Art: Original artwork gifted by Keith Haring to the Castellani family, 1989
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Plum, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, tobacco, wild rose, cassis, vanilla, cedar, sweet spice
• Best Paired With: Pasta with rich meat sauces, spicy Mediterranean dishes, rotisserie chicken with rosemary, aged pecorino

A 92-point Tuscan red with a one-of-a-kind story — Tenuta di Ceppaiano's Keith Haring edition is as compelling on the wall as it is in the glass.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins, 67wino.shop: Pale ruby red in color with an intriguing bouquet of wild blackberries, Asian spice, wild flowers, and crushed rocks. On the palate, soft and round with layered complexity of dark fruits and detailed minerality. A great example of why the wines of Etna are all the rage — a delicious rendition!

Expert Reviews – Vintage 2022

Vinous 90 Points: Opens with a burst of autumnal spice, dusty rose and crushed black cherries. Juicy and fresh, with ripe wild berry fruits complemented by minty herbs and a core of vibrant acidity. Finishes with zesty tension as the mouth waters for more. A tart blackberry crunch lingers on the close.

Winemaker Description

The Fessina Erse Etna Rosso is a throwback to the traditional way Etna wines were made — blending red Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio with white indigenous varieties to create a more elegant, feminine profile. Light ruby in color with aromas of wild berries, coriander, cloves, pimento, and pink pepper. Soft, round tannins with spicy complexity and a mineral core that speaks to the volcanic soils of Etna. A picture of Fessina’s melting pot vineyard, where tastes and roots meld together.

Pairing Suggestions

• Sicilian Classics: Pasta alla Norma (eggplant and salted ricotta) or grilled swordfish.
• Meats: Grilled pork, roasted poultry, or charcuterie.
• Surprise Pairing: High acidity and mineral edge make it an excellent match for mushroom dishes or seared tuna.

Winemaker Notes:

Campo di Camagi is one of the three labels of 100% Cabernet Franc produced by Andrea Franchetti from 2014, who wanted to devote the utmost attention to this historic grape of Bordeaux, enhancing its characteristics in relation to three different terroir of the estate. It is produced exclusively with grapes from a single plot of 1.5 hectares composed of a thin layer of quartz and limestone. The 27 year old vines struggle to grow in this space, the stems do not grow, the roots have filled it.

Expert Reviews 

Monica Larner writes:   Made with Cabernet Franc, the Tenuta di Trinoro 2020 Campo di Camagi shows a level of sharpness and precision that you don't get as clearly in the other wines in this series of single-vineyard releases. There is more oak spice with redwood and cedar, along with crushed granite and pencil shaving. The wine is linear and delivers big intensity to the palate, and it has the structure and acidity to accompany a long drinking window.  Drinking 2024 2045  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

James Suckling writes:  So perfumed with violets and lavender with some currants. Medium- to full-bodied with polish and finesse. Racy and fine. Finesse with drive. Very elegant and straightforward with a racy texture. Very long and lightly edgy. 92% cabernet franc and 8% merlot. Drink after 2027 but already beautiful.  - James Suckling 96

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A spicy red, featuring a beam of black currant and blackberry fruit shaded by violet, black pepper, iron and mint. Lithe and ends with a line of resonant tannins on the tobacco-tinged finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 166 cases made, 65 cases imported.  Wine Spectator 94

Jancis Robinson writes:  Racy, lively and a little fragile and delicate. Tense.  Drinking 2024 - 2034  - Jancis Robinson 17.5

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
"The nose opens umami, sanguine and earthy, with damp soil, pepper and mixed wild herbs, then presents sweet, tiny wild berries crushed underfoot. The palate first leans into the fruit, with sweet, ripe blackberries and blueberries, before finishing off with earth and pepper."
Best Buy

Winemaker Description

Hints of ripe fruit, cinnamon, and licorice and an intense and harmonious taste allow for a fresher wine, with delicate tannins and easy to drink style.

Product Details

• Producer: Tenuta Rapitalà
• Region: Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy
• Grape: Nero d’Avola
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-bodied, fresh, high-altitude Sicilian red
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points (Danielle Callegari) | Savory, umami aromas of low tide, seaweed, and crushed shells on the nose, turning citrusy with abundant fresh lemon, lime, and grapefruit. The palate presents sweeter notes of sugared half-grapefruit and candied orange slices, balanced by teeth-tingling acidity and a flick of Maldon salt.

Winemaker's Notes

Tenuta Rapitalà crafts Vìviri — meaning "live" or "drink" in Sicilian dialect — as a celebration of the Grillo variety at its most expressive. Grown on the sun-drenched hills of the Rapitalà estate, this wine is defined by its vibrant flavor and striking minerality.   

Terroir & Vinification

Grillo vines are planted between 900 and 1,300 feet elevation on the Rapitalà estate, trained using the traditional Guyot system in soils of clay, small pebbles, and sand. The altitude imparts greater natural acidity, lending the wine its signature sapidity and mineral tension.

Grapes are harvested in mid-August, slightly before full ripeness to preserve the balance between sugar and acidity. The fruit is pressed, fermented, and aged entirely in temperature-controlled stainless steel — keeping the wine fresh, pure, and unoaked.

• Winery: Tenuta Rapitalà
• Appellation: Sicilia DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Varietal: Grillo
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml
• Elevation: 900–1,300 ft
• Oak: Unoaked — stainless steel
• Style: Crisp, mineral, citrus-driven
• Pairings: Fish, shellfish, light pasta, vegetables, fresh cheeses, chicken

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Decanter 96 Points | Super-fresh with balsamic herb, blueberry and floral aromatics, Guidalberto 2023 has blossomed into a grand vin all of its own. Invigorating cool forest berry flavours mingle with touches of spice and fine, silky tannins. So poised. Wow!"
Decanter Magazine 

James Suckling 96 Points | This vintage shows a remarkable aromatic profile of Mediterranean herbs, cassis, black cherries, leather and earth with a kind of gamey depth. Full-bodied, it shows velvety, slightly sandy tannins with a firm structure, refreshing integrated acidity and a savory cedar finish.

The Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | On the nose, the density of blackberries and damp earth is balanced by the clean snap of pencil eraser and wild mint. The palate brings tangy, tart blackberries, black plums and citrus, alongside more wild mint and fennel, while smooth tannins sit back and watch a hot, acidic river carry the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points | The 2023 Guidalberto was tasted as a preview and was a preliminary blend of barrel samples prepared for this tasting by the winery team, led by Carlo Paoli. The second sample that was blended was pure and ripe, with detailed layers of youthful cherry liqueur, fresh herbs, and lavender perfume. The palate offers medium to full-bodied richness, with a supple and primary feel, though it starts to reveal its underlying refined structure. While this was an early preliminary look at what the wine could look like, I’m looking forward to next year’s tasting to see how it develops. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Pure and juicy, revealing black cherry, blackberry, floral and Mediterranean herb notes, plus touches of spices. Light-bodied, elegant and deftly balanced, with a lingering, mouthwatering finish. This is approachable now but will benefit from another 612 months aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. 5,400 cases imported.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Guidalberto is another terrific wine from Tenuta San Guido in this vintage. Aromatic, medium in body and gracious, the 2023 is pure charm. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, spice and blood orange all pulse through a vibrant, refreshing Guidalberto that will drink well on release. The more refined side of Bolgheri is very much on display. This is a fine effort in a year marked by heavy rains and elevated disease pressure. What a delight.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto is a highly acclaimed release from the legendary estate behind Sassicaia. Often called "Sassicaia’s little brother," Guidalberto is a distinct, standalone wine designed to be more approachable in its youth while still possessing the elegance of Bolgheri's coastal terroir.

In 2023, the blend shifted slightly due to a hot start to August that made the Merlot more challenging to manage. As a result, the Cabernet Sauvignon plays a more dominant role than in recent previous years.

In the 1940s, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc cuttings on a gravelly hillside at his Tenuta San Guido estate in coastal Tuscany — an act of visionary defiance that would change Italian wine forever. The first vintage offered on the open market was 1968. By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 1.5L Magnum is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the 2023. Uncannily open and generous in its youth. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds."
• James Suckling — 99 Points: "Very cool, complex and pretty aromas of black currants, fresh herbs, lavender and violet. Crunchy and layered fruit with polished, velvety tannins. A very clear and distinctive Sassicaia with true character of the estate."
• Decanter — 98 Points: "Takes the idea of finesse and elegance to another level. Supple, lifted and fragrant, with pure, crunchy bramble fruits, succulent mid-palate and prolonged freshness. A true-to-life model for the future of Italian reds."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 98+ Points: "Full-bodied yet remarkably lifted, moving across the palate with precision and energy. Saline, coastal freshness adds tension and length. Already compelling, with the framework to evolve gracefully over the coming decades."
• Vinous — 97 Points: "Elegant and supremely polished. Blackberry, gravel, incense and new leather. One of the wines of the vintage. I can't wait to see how the 2023 ages."

Wine Details

• 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc
• Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy
• Aged 24 months in 40% new French oak
• Vintage: 2023 | 1.5L Magnum
• Cellar for decades — Magnum format ideal for long-term aging

The Original Super Tuscan — Sassicaia at Its Most Compelling

No wine better defines the Super Tuscan movement than Sassicaia. Created by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the 1940s and first commercially released in 1968, Sassicaia pioneered the use of Cabernet Sauvignon on the Tuscan coast and forever changed the landscape of Italian fine wine.

By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese — Toscana IGT 2024

Le Difese is the second wine of Sassicaia — and that pedigree means everything. Tenuta San Guido is the legendary Bolgheri estate that created the Super Tuscan category, producing one of Italy’s most celebrated wines in Sassicaia. Le Difese is crafted from the estate’s younger vines using the same philosophy and the same winemaking team: fermentation on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by 8 months of maturation in French and American oak barrels. The 2024 vintage was exceptional — early, uniform budbreak, ideal flowering and fruit set, warm July with early veraison, and cool nights through August ensuring perfect phenolic and technical ripeness. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. At under $57, it is one of the most compelling values in all of Tuscan wine.

Intense black fruit aromas and flavors, with vanilla and spice from oak, plums, cherries, light chocolate, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with supple tannins, a tangy touch of orange peel, and a crisp, satisfying finish. A delicious and complete glass of Tuscany.

James Suckling 92 — “A fresh and crunchy red with aromas of plums, cherries, light chocolate and cinnamon… fine tannins and a crisp finish. Tangy, with a touch of orange peel. A delicious and satisfying glass of Tuscany red. The second wine of Sassicaia.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 8 months in French and American oak barrels
• ABV: 13.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black fruit, plum, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, orange peel, supple tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled steak, steak salad, burgers, Bolognese, marinara, casual beef dishes

The second wine of one of Italy’s greatest estates at an honest price — Le Difese is the benchmark for what a Super Tuscan second label can be.

Super-Tuscan Quality at a Remarkably Fair Price

Tenuta Sette Ponti is one of Tuscany’s most respected estates, located in the Valdarno di Sopra between Florence and Arezzo. Crognolo is their flagship Super-Tuscan blend — 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot — crafted from a historic Sangiovese clone unique to the property. Certified organic, it delivers serious Tuscan character with vibrant energy, firm structure, and exceptional aging potential.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

• James Suckling — 94 pts: Fresh strawberries and cherries with orange peel and flowers. Cedar, black olive and violet undertones. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins that give energy and focus. Tangy and fresh with slightly bitter citrus on the finish. Drink or hold.
• Wine Advocate (Monica Larner) — 92 pts: A core of blackened fruit with plum and cooked blackberry, plus varietal Sangiovese hints of pressed rose and sweet potting soil. Medium texture with fruity freshness. A selection from a historic clone of Sangiovese found on the estate. 150,000 bottles produced.
• Vinous (Antonio Galloni) — 92 pts: Dark, vibrant and persistent. Dark-fleshed fruit, chocolate, licorice, cloves, menthol. Admirable energy with grippy tannins on the finish.
• Wine Spectator — 91 pts: Black cherry, blackberry, lavender and spice. Dense, tight and compact with plenty of fruit and well-integrated structure. Fine length. Best 2026–2038.

Winemaker Notes

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana Organic 2022 750ml

Strawberry, cherry, black olive, cedar, and violet on the nose, with chocolate, licorice, and menthol emerging on the palate. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins and vibrant Sangiovese acidity. Decant for 30 minutes or cellar through 2038. Certified Organic.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot
• Appellation: Valdarno di Sopra, Toscana IGT, Italy
• Producer: Tenuta Sette Ponti
• Vintage: 2022
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the Tuscan table — exceptional with bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled lamb chops, pappardelle with wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino Toscano, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 95 Points | A youthful wine full of fruit, showing intense fresh roses, black cherries and plums. The generous nose is supported by a lush, supple palate with medium body. Velvety tannins with a chalkier finish and refreshing length. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Full of savory, umami flavors, this red evokes earth, leather, sweet spice, cherry, plum and Szechuan peppercorn notes. Firm and dry, with broad tannins and a lingering kernel of cherry. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2040. 

Winemaker Description - Vintage 2022 

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is intensely ruby red in color. Impressive on the nose with intense notes of black cherries, delicate floral hints of violets and rose petals that lead over to notes of vanilla and cocoa powder. Entry on the palate is mouth filling and lively then unfolds with great balance revealing supple vibrant tannins that accompany and sustain a long, sapid and persistent finish.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

• Vinous 92 Points | Opens with earthy notes, dark fruit and dark olives, lifted by a subtle floral character. Fresh and approachable on the palate with a clean, uncomplicated finish. Grapes sourced predominantly from Altamira.
• James Suckling 92 Points | Dark fruit, olives, and floral lift. Fresh, approachable, and clean on the finish — a textbook Reserva Malbec from a top Mendoza site.
• Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Earthy and fruit-driven with dark olive and floral notes. Clean and well-structured finish.
• Wine Spectator 90 Points — Top 100 #33 of 2023 | A charming style showing citrus blossoms, guava, and huckleberry with traces of fresh herbs and cassis. Subtle minerality and fresh acidity nudge the core flavors onto the polished finish.

Winemaker Notes

Bright red with purple shades. Intense floral and fruity notes on the nose — violets, ripe black cherry, and plum — with a toasty, spicy character of black pepper and chocolate. Sweet and juicy on the palate with finesse, delicate tannins, and an elegant finish of black fruits.

• Grape Source: 100% Malbec
• Appellation: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
• Location: Argentina
• Grapes: Sourced predominantly from Altamira
• Country of Origin: Argentina

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Luis Gutierez of The Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The white 2022 Terroir Històric Blanc is the regional wine that blends grapes from nine different villages, 75% Garnacha Blanca and 25% Macabeo from different soils, slate, clay, granite and alluvial. The bunches fermented for three to five days in stainless steel, and the wine matured in stainless steel for six months. It has 13% alcohol and mellow acidity, 4.5 grams. It has a spectacular nose that is very expressive, aromatic, clean and open with pungent notes of pollen and beeswax. It's juicy, round and clean with persistent and pungent flavors, not very high in acidity, eminently Mediterranean. Really impressive.

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir — California 2022

The Pinot Project was born from a simple conviction: that great Pinot Noir doesn't have to cost a fortune. Handcrafted from premium vineyards across California's most celebrated coastal regions — Monterey and San Benito on the Central Coast, and Suisun Valley in the north — the wine draws on a diversity of soils and climates to achieve remarkable balance and depth. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and carefully destemmed to express bright, pure fruit while maintaining the freshness that defines the variety. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points.

The nose opens with vibrant aromas of Bing cherry, dark plum, cinnamon, potpourri, and Tahitian vanilla bean. On the palate, fresh strawberry, dried cranberry, raspberry cream, white grapefruit zest, and dried bay leaf unfold with medium body, fine-grained integrated tannins, and a dry, mouthwatering finish. This is coastal California Pinot Noir at its most honest and approachable.

Wine Enthusiast 91 — "Vibrant, bright, and beautifully balanced."

Expert Reviews – Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry and dark plum, enhanced by cinnamon, potpourri, and Tahitian vanilla bean. Fresh strawberry, dried cranberry, raspberry cream, white grapefruit zest, and dried bay leaf on the palate. Medium-bodied with fine-grained, integrated tannins and a dry, mouthwatering finish.

• Producer: The Pinot Project, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: California (Monterey, San Benito, Suisun Valley)
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vinification: Destemmed, harvested at optimal ripeness
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Bing cherry, dark plum, cinnamon, vanilla, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, grapefruit zest, bay leaf
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2026
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

91 points from Wine Enthusiast — The Pinot Project delivers coastal California Pinot Noir with genuine character at an unbeatable price.

Expert Review

Josh Raynolds writes:  Inky ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits, licorice, smoked meat and olive paste on the intensely perfumed nose. Concentrated blackberry, cherry and violet pastille flavors take on a suave floral nuance with aeration. Densely packed but lively as well, finishing with outstanding clarity, harmonious tannins and superb, blue-fruit-driven persistence.  Drinking 2025 - 2035  - Vinous 95

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Expert Review

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Cornas Chaillot comes from a mix of lieux-dits (it's mostly Chaillot) as well as some younger vines. It's an incredible wine in its own right and certainly doesn't give much in terms quality to its big brother. Awesome aromatics of crème de cassis, violets, crushed stone, and bouquet garni-like notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and ultra-fine tannins. It's a touch more finesse-driven and elegant compared to the Reynard and should round into form with just 5-7 years of bottle age. This is legit awesome Cornas that will have 20-25 years of ultimate longevity. (2020). 

Winemaker Description 

Tio Pepe Fino Sherry is a star bright, pale golden color. It is elegant and distinctive, with fresh bread and almond aromas. The palate is full bodied, crisp and very dry, with a complex, long finish.

Perfect with canapes and tapas, Asian food, seafood and all fish based dishes. Try it with caviar, oysters, anchovies or tuna carpaccio. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review 

James Suckling 90 Points | This is the prototypical fino sherry with all the salty and yeasty character you expect. Also dried-apple, pear and lemon-zest character. Generous, but very dry and salty on the palate with a refreshing touch of austerity. Where are the olives? Drink now, if possible from a freshly opened bottle.