90 + Points | Critical Acclaim

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

Decanter 92 Points | Enticing nose of sweet spices, caramel, prunes, wild forest fruits and herbaceous nuances. Fresh and harmonious, with a lengthy finish. 

Bodegas Valduero Una Cepa — Ribera del Duero 2019/2020*

• *Mixed inventory - you will be delivered either vintage 2019 or 2020. If you prefer a particular vintage text us at 212-724-6767.
• Bodegas Valduero is one of Ribera del Duero’s most respected estates — and Una Cepa (“one grape”) is their purest expression of the appellation’s defining variety: 100% Tempranillo, aged 18 months in barrel and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Ribera del Duero sits on a high plateau at over 800 metres elevation in Castilla y León, where the extreme continental climate — scorching days, cold nights, and a short growing season — produces Tempranillo of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity. The 2019 vintage delivered outstanding conditions across the appellation. Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points; Decanter 90. Deep ruby in color. The nose is expressive and classic: blue fruit, tobacco, and cocoa. On the palate, it is lively and expressive, with fresh black cherry and currant flavors backed by cocoa, spice, and licorice, framed by well-integrated tannins, rounded structure, and a long, lively finish of real elegance. Drink now through 2030.

Expert Reviews - Viintage 2019

Wine Spectator 92 — “Lively and expressive. Black cherry and currant flavors are fresh and juicy, backed by cocoa, spice and licorice notes. Well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity give this a balanced structure.”

Decanter 90 — “Blue fruit, tobacco and cocoa nose. The palate is juicy and savoury with rounded tannins and well-integrated alcohol. Long, lively finish. Rather classic.”

• Producer: Bodegas Valduero, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Ribera del Duero DO
• Varietal: 100% Tempranillo
• Aging: 18 months in barrel + 12 months in bottle
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, tobacco, cocoa, black cherry, currant, spice, licorice, rounded tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef stews, suckling pig, aged Manchego, hearty game dishes

A 92-point Ribera del Duero at an honest price — Valduero Una Cepa is the benchmark for what single-varietal Tempranillo can be.

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.

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

James Suckling 92 Points | A deliciously dark-fruited tempranillo that has aromas and flavors of grilled herbs, charcoal and black plums. Hints of soy, too. It’s full-bodied with ripe, mellow tannins.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | A deliciously dark-fruited tempranillo that has aromas and flavors of grilled herbs, charcoal and black plums. Hints of soy, too. It’s full-bodied with ripe, mellow tannins.

Winemaker Description

Intense purple color. Aromas of tobacco, licorice and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with hints of toast and mature fruit. Long balanced finish.

Boekenhoutskloof · The Chocolate Block · Swartland · Western Cape, South Africa · 2024 · 750ml

Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa's most acclaimed estates, and The Chocolate Block is the wine that put Swartland on the world map. Created by winemaker Marc Kent, it is a Syrah-led blend — 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault, and 1% Viognier — sourced from old-vine parcels in the granite-rich soils of the Swartland. The name is no accident: this is a wine built for pleasure, with the kind of dark, brooding generosity that makes it impossible to put down. Over 1.1 million bottles are produced each vintage, yet the quality never wavers. At $37.99, The Chocolate Block remains one of the most compelling values in the New World red wine category.

Deep, inky ruby in the glass with an intense nose of blackberry, bramble, lavender, cacao, and a whisper of cured meat and potting soil — dark, brooding, and utterly compelling. On the palate: medium-to-full bodied with a lush compote of blueberries, ripe plums, black currants, and cherries, framed by cacao-powdery tannins that add texture and complexity. Cumin spice, white pepper, licorice, and hints of garrigue carry through to a velvety, persistent finish. James Suckling awarded 92 points; Wine Advocate 92 points. Drink now through 2030, or cellar for added complexity. Pair with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, or a serious cheese board.

• Producer: Boekenhoutskloof · Winemaker Marc Kent
• Wine: The Chocolate Block · Swartland
• Vintage: 2024
• Origin: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
• Blend: 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
• Style: Full-bodied, structured New World red
• Scores: James Suckling 92 · Wine Advocate 92
• Drinking Window: Now–2030
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, bramble, lavender, cacao, blueberry, ripe plum, black currant, cumin spice, white pepper, licorice, velvety finish
• Pair With: Grilled ribeye · Lamb chops · Braised short ribs · Aged cheese

Old-vine Swartland Syrah, cacao-powdery tannins — South Africa's most beloved red, vintage after vintage.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 92 Points
This creamy, medium-bodied red has aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, cracked pepper and thyme. It’s juicy and smoothly integrated with tasty savory undertones to the dark fruit.

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) — 92 Points
The Boekenhoutskloof 2024 Swartland The Chocolate Block, a blend of 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault and 1% Viognier, may not aim for intellectual nuance, but it more than compensates with pure, comforting charm, like a big, shaggy dog asleep by the fireplace. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers generous black fruit and bold cherry flavors with a smooth, reassuring texture, offering plenty of pleasure. Conceived by vintner Marc Kent as an accessible, crowd-pleasing expression of Swartland fruit, the wine reflects Boekenhoutskloof’s belief that serious craftsmanship and broad appeal need not be mutually exclusive. Production is substantial, with 3,741 barrels made, translating to just over 1.1 million bottles, making it an ideal choice for a long wooden table at a steakhouse surrounded by friends and shared plates.

Boen Belle Glos · Santa Maria Valley, California · 2023

Boen Belle Glos is one of California's most celebrated Pinot Noir projects, sourcing fruit from the fog-kissed vineyards of Santa Maria Valley — a cool-climate AVA where the Pacific Ocean's influence stretches deep inland, preserving natural acidity and coaxing wines of remarkable depth and finesse. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a deliberate growing season: cooler spring temperatures slowed budbreak, while consistent warm days and cool coastal nights through summer allowed each cluster to develop exceptional concentration. Harvesting from late September to early October, the winemaking team captured fruit at peak ripeness.

In the glass, this Pinot Noir opens with a vibrant scarlet red shot through with glimmers of garnet. Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and tart cherry intertwine with subtle hints of tobacco and cocoa powder. On the palate, very ripe boysenberry, blueberry, and plum pie unfold in layers alongside rosemary and cocoa — anchored by firm, structured tannins that carry through to a long, mouthwatering finish. Rich, expressive, and built for the table.

"Vibrant colors, rich flavors of cherry and blackberry, excellent acidity, and smooth tannins — a promising vintage from one of Santa Maria Valley's most distinctive estates."
— Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points. (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Boen Belle Glos
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Santa Barbara County
• Sub-Region: Santa Maria Valley AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, boysenberry, tart cherry, tobacco, cocoa powder, rosemary, plum pie, blueberry
• Food Pairings: Duck confit, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, aged cheeses

A standout California Pinot Noir that delivers cool-climate elegance and Santa Maria Valley's signature coastal character in every pour.

Winemaker Description

The deep ruby color indicates a luxe complexity, while aromas of black cherry, cassis, and rich earth are abundant in this classic Cabernet Sauvignon. On entry, currants and black plums generously lead to a plush mouthfeel, with ample tannins carrying the fruit to a long, lingering finish. Aged 12 months in 1-year-old American oak barrels, developing notes of baking spices, nutmeg, and hints of caramel.

Expert Review —  Current Vintage 2023, Prior Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast - 90 Points - (Tonya Pitts) (Vintage 2023) Pronounced nose, with a focused fruit core, notes of Black plum, black licorice, molasses, vanilla bean, and violets. Fresh youthful blackberries on the palate, dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and grippy tannins to finish. Aerate and enjoy mid-week.  —

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points (Vintage 2022)
"For $11, this California Cab packs bags of flavor. Find notes of black cherry, plum and currant, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, crushed violets and toasted wood alongside mouthcoating tannins and modest acidity."

Food Pairings

Pairs well with rib-eye steak with blue cheese butter, roasted eggplant with provolone, and dark chocolate mousse with fresh berries.

Product Details

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards
• Region: California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 12 months in American oak
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, plush, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc — California 2024

Bogle Vineyards has been crafting honest, approachable California wines since 1968, and their Sauvignon Blanc is a perennial benchmark for the style at its price point. The 2024 vintage is sourced from cool-climate California vineyards, fermented in stainless steel to preserve the grape's natural aromatics and deliver the clean, vibrant character that has made this bottling an Editors' Choice selection year after year.

The nose is fresh and aromatic: citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach, and cut grass, with hints of key lime and fresh herbs. On the palate, the wine is crisp and textural, with flavors of lemon verbena, white nectarine, and guava, building toward a fleshy mid-palate and a dry, lingering finish of wet stone and citrus. It is clean, refreshing, and endlessly food-friendly.

“Fresh and aromatic with citrus, honeysuckle, and white peach notes. Flavors are crisp, with lemon verbena, white nectarine, and guava, ending dry.” — Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 89 pts — Editors’ Choice. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Aging: Stainless steel fermentation and aging
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach, key lime, lemon verbena, white nectarine, guava, wet stone finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, shellfish, fresh salads, goat cheese, light pasta dishes

California’s go-to Sauvignon Blanc at an honest price — Bogle delivers consistent, Editors’ Choice quality with every vintage.

Bogle Vineyards California Chardonnay — California 2023

Bogle Vineyards has been farming the Sacramento River Delta since 1968 — one of California's most enduring family wine estates, now in its third generation. Their California Chardonnay is a perennial overachiever: sourced from select California vineyards, crafted with careful oak integration, and built to deliver genuine complexity at an everyday price. The 2023 vintage reflects the distinct influence of a cooler growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop nuanced, layered flavors that punch well above their weight class.

The nose is captivating: freshly baked brioche, yellow plum, bruléed orange slices, and notes of elderflower honey lead into vibrant aromas of bright citrus, freshly plucked apple, and delicate white jasmine. On the palate, stone fruit notes are met with rich undertones of vanilla and clove, harmonized with warm spice and a touch of oak-derived toastiness. Sugared lemon rind, baked pear, and Pink Lady apple carry through to a balanced, mineral-dry finish with higher toasty notes lingering gracefully.

🏆 Wine Enthusiast 92 Points — Tonya Pitts. "The aromas of freshly baked brioche are captivating, giving way to yellow plum, bruléed orange slices and notes of elderflower honey. Flavors of sugared lemon rind, baked pear, Pink Lady apple with a mineral dry finish."

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg, California, USA
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Dry white, medium-bodied, oak-influenced
• Tasting Notes: Brioche, yellow plum, bruléed orange, elderflower honey, citrus, baked pear, vanilla, clove, toasty oak, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, grilled salmon, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, butternut squash dishes

California Chardonnay that genuinely overdelivers — Bogle's 2023 is complex, balanced, and built for the table.

Bogle Vineyards has been farming the Sacramento Delta since 1968, and Phantom is their flagship red — a bold, layered blend built from the estate's oldest and most expressive blocks. The 2021 is anchored by Petit Sirah and Zinfandel, aged over 24 months in 1- and 2-year-old American oak.

The result is a wine that punches well above its price: rich, structured, and unmistakably Californian.

The nose pulses with ripe Bing cherry, black currant, layered incense spice, molasses, and vanilla cream. On the palate, it is fresh and zesty — red berries, citrus, and dark chocolate mousse give way to spicy pepper, juniper, black plum, and blueberry. Pipe tobacco and clove settle around the long, lingering finish, framed by dry, mouth-watering tannins. A 92-point red blend at a rock-bottom price.

"The aromatics of ripe Bing cherry and black currant pulsate throughout the glass, and the notes of layered incense spice, molasses and vanilla cream create another dimensional element. The mouthfeel is fresh and zesty with red berries, citrus, dark chocolate mousse and dry, mouth-watering tannins on the finish." — Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points (Vintage 2021)

Winemaker Notes

Full-bodied and jammy, Phantom's origins of Petit Sirah and Zinfandel emerge from the glass. Spicy pepper and juniper tantalize your senses, while black plums and blueberries emerge on the palate. After aging for over 24 months in 1 & 2 year old American oak, pipe tobacco and clove settle around the finish, long and lingering.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014 

Vinous 98 Points | Bollinger’s 2014 La Grande Année is a great way to start the evening as guests mill around Wheeler Farms. It is early evening in Napa, but there is still plenty of action in the winery, where various lots are being pressed under the watchful eye of winemaker Nigel Kinsman. There are some moments where I would very much like to be a civilian, a regular person enjoying the night, but I am more concerned with our guests having a great night, so I quickly go back to check on our wines. The Bollinger 2014 is everything I expected; bright, focused and full of all the energy this late-ripening vintage conferred to the best wines. 

Producer Description 

La Grande Année: The Great Year. This Champagne is the embodiment of everything that makes Bollinger the producer that stands apart in Champagne. La Grande Année symbolizes the word “hand-crafted” so strongly that an overused word suddenly becomes the appropriate definition. 

La Grande Année is only produced in the most outstanding of vintages, where ripeness and acidity reach a perfect balance and aging potential is excellent.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 97 Points |  Like a racing spinnaker, this is tightly trimmed yet voluminous in character. Toasty notes of roasted almond and vanilla wafer are deftly integrated with sun-dried black cherry, baked peach, blood orange sorbet and candied ginger flavors, all well-defined by racy acidity and a subtle streak of salinity. This is long and fragrant, with pain d'épices, graphite and tea rose notes playing on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged February 2024. Drink now through 2040.

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 96 Points | Bollinger's 2015 Brut La Grande Année Rosé was disgorged in May last year with seven grams per liter dosage. Offering up deep aromas of orchard fruits, blood orange, mandarin rind and peach mingled with nuances of coffee, praline and fino sherry, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and layered, with a broad attack that segues into a vinous palate framed by high levels of structuring dry extract that makes its presence felt on the sapid, nutty and penetrating finish. Given the skin maturity and inherent structure of the year, the Bollinger team elected to include only 4.5% of still red wine in the blend, a comparatively low percentage.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonterra Vineyards · Mendocino County · 2023

Bonterra believes great wine begins with healthy, living soil. The vineyards are farmed organically and sustainably, with native flowers, beneficial insects, songbirds, chickens, and sheep all part of a thoughtful approach to working the land. Sourced from Mendocino County vineyards with varied microclimates and soils, this Pinot Noir is bright, complex, and fruit-forward.

Hand-harvested fruit is gently de-stemmed and cold-soaked for three days before fermentation, then aged for ten months in 100% French oak. Strawberry, raspberry, and Bing cherry meet vanilla, oak spice, crushed herbs, earth, and mineral, while soft tannins carry the wine into a long, graceful finish.

Wine Enthusiast: 90 points — Tonya Pitts
“Warm, simmering spices permeate the aromas of Bing cherry preserve, dark strawberry, and crushed herbs on the nose. Flavors on the palate bring together orange segments, raspberry-rhubarb, sagebrush, earth, and mineral on the finish.” (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Bonterra Vineyards
• Farming: Certified organic and sustainably farmed
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Mendocino County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Winemaking: Hand-harvested, three-day cold soak, aged ten months in 100% French oak
• Tasting notes: Strawberry, raspberry, Bing cherry, vanilla, oak spice, crushed herbs, earth, and mineral
• Pair with: Roasted salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, earthy pasta, roast chicken, soft cheeses, or charcuterie
• Size: 750ml

A bright, organic California Pinot Noir with 90-point pedigree, silky texture, and savory Mendocino character.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Moving to a darker expression, the 2019 Bootleg Red Blend pours an inky black hue and offers up aromas of pencil shaving, boysenberry preserve, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with full, ripe tannins, it reveals notes of preserved black plum, crushed purple flowers, and turned soil. 

Winemaker Description 

Moving to a darker expression, the 2019 Bootleg Red Blend pours an inky black hue and offers up aromas of pencil shaving, boysenberry preserve, and sweet tobacco. Fullbodied, with full, ripe tannins, it reveals notes of preserved black plum, crushed purple flowers, and turned soil.

A beautifully expressive Sauvignon Blanc from one of Chavignol’s most historic vineyards, Gérard Boulay’s Clos de Beaujeu captures the depth, energy and mineral character that make this corner of Sancerre so distinctive.

The Boulay family’s winegrowing roots in Chavignol date back to 1380. Gérard has farmed organically since 1990, tending steep hillside vineyards with a meticulous, hands-on approach. His small Clos de Beaujeu parcel lies within the vineyard’s original medieval boundaries, where mature vines grow in rocky, limestone-rich soils scattered with fossils. These demanding slopes yield one of the domaine’s most structured and ageworthy wines.

The 2024 combines concentrated fruit with lively freshness. Citrus and orchard-fruit notes meet a pronounced stony minerality, while savory nuances add complexity. There is substance and texture on the palate, balanced by bright acidity and a long, focused finish—a compelling expression of Sauvignon Blanc with both immediate appeal and the structure to develop beautifully in the cellar.

Expert Rating

Vinous 92 Points: "excellent tension and chalkiness this is all about texture, structure and line... reveals an innate power, demonstrating precision and balance". 

Natural fermentation and aging in neutral wood reflect Boulay’s restrained approach in the cellar, allowing the vineyard’s character to lead. The result is a Sancerre of precision, depth and individuality.

Pair with seared scallops, roast fish, lobster or classic Loire Valley goat cheese. Give it time to open in the glass when young, or cellar it to discover the additional complexity that makes Boulay’s single-vineyard wines so rewarding.

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.

Elegant, expressive and beautifully textured, Gérard Boulay’s Monts Damnés captures the character of one of Sancerre’s most celebrated vineyards. Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on the steep hillsides of Chavignol, this distinctive white combines ripe fruit, floral finesse and a persistent mineral finish.

The south-facing Monts Damnés vineyard benefits from excellent sun exposure and pale, reflective soils, making it one of Chavignol’s warmer sites. Its limestone-rich Kimmeridgian terroir provides the foundation for a wine of depth and definition, balancing generous fruit with the freshness and structure that distinguish Boulay’s finest bottlings.

The 2024 is particularly elegant and aromatic, with floral notes accompanying ripe citrus and orchard fruit. A finely chalky texture gives the palate shape, while lively acidity brings brightness and lift. Subtle saline nuances carry through the long, stony finish, creating a Sancerre that feels both substantial and graceful.

The Boulay family’s winegrowing history in Chavignol dates back to 1380. Gérard has farmed organically since 1990 and harvests entirely by hand. Natural fermentation and maturation in neutral vessels reflect a restrained approach that allows the vineyard’s individual character to emerge without overt oak influence.

Pair with grilled fish, seared scallops, roast chicken or Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese. Allow the wine time to unfold in the glass when young, or cellar it to explore the additional depth and complexity that make Boulay’s single-vineyard Sancerres so rewarding.

Expert Rating

Vinous 93 Points | Done in a floral, finely aromatic style that’s both elegant and perfumed, the 2024 Monts Damnés is ripe, but there’s no shortage of acidity. It leaves a lip-smacking, bright finish as if someone’s just played a triangle, or the clouds have parted and the angels are singing a top note. Textbook chalky texture elevates this wine, making for a very classic style.

The Secret Ingredient Is Dirt — Brendel’s Multi-Vineyard Napa Cabernet

Brendel sources from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted sites — the eastern side of Rutherford, the highest elevations of Howell Mountain, two diverse plots in St. Helena, and a steep parcel in Oak Knoll. Their philosophy is simple: great wine starts with great dirt. The 2021 Cooper’s Reed Cabernet Sauvignon is a fresh, vibrant expression of Napa’s famed grape — harvested under moonlight, fermented cool, and aged 9 months in upright oak casks to preserve bright red and black fruit character.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Made by the Heitz team led by winemaker Brittany Sherwood, Brendel's 2021 Cooper's Reed Cabernet Sauvignon now includes a sufficient amount of Sonoma fruit to carry a North Coast AVA on the label—this vintage is approximately two-thirds Napa and one-third Sonoma, and the blend includes 5% Petite Sirah and 1% Merlot. Still made in old oak vats to avoid overt wood influence and just medium-bodied, it's something of a throwback stylistically. Although the fruit is quite obvious upfront, combining black cherries and blackberries, the wine is streamlined and somewhat restrained on the palate, finishing with ample length, hints of star anise and a silky texture. (Vintage 2021). 

As Featured In

San Francisco Chronicle — “Their range of wines are made from some of the best sites in Napa’s most renowned regions. Each vineyard is chosen for its quality and unique aptitude, with soil types ranging from volcanic to clay to bring out the best in each grape. It’s, as they put it, good dirt.”

Winemaker Notes

Brendel Cabernet Sauvignon Cooper’s Reed Napa Valley 2021 750ml

Harvested under moonlight and crushed at cool temperatures, this Cab is thoughtfully monitored throughout fermentation. After 7–10 days, it’s gently pressed to upright oak casks for 9 months of maturation. Fruit sourced from prized Napa and Sonoma vineyards delivers mouthwatering structure with bright red and black fruit throughout.

— Brittany Sherwood, Director of Winemaking

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Key Sites: Rutherford, Howell Mountain, St. Helena, Oak Knoll
• Producer: Brendel
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural Napa Cab pairing — excellent with grilled ribeye, roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, aged gouda, and hearty pasta.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

Wine Advocate 94 Points: Pretty aromas of honey, allspice and roasted almonds complement a core of peach and quince fruit. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with a dynamic interplay of textural breadth and energetic acidity, offering layered flavors on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: Refined and elegant, with notes of pure white flowers, lemon curd, and white peach. Medium to full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel driven by citrus — tangerine, orange sherbet — with great texture and a long, decadent finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points: Polished and sleekly layered, with honeydew, pear and spice flavors that build structure toward the handsome finish. Drink now through 2026. 220 cases made.

Winemaker Description

Brick House Chardonnay Cascadia Organic Biodynamic 2021 750ml

Brick House’s “Cascadia” is the winery’s reserve-level Chardonnay — a highly regarded, estate-grown wine from Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA. Hand-crafted on a 40-acre farm that has been at the forefront of sustainable viticulture for decades, it is made with an Old World sensibility: organic and biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and an unwavering focus on terroir expression. One of Oregon’s benchmark Chardonnays.

Pairing Suggestions

• Rich Seafood: Scallops in brown butter, roasted salmon, or halibut with lemon-cream sauce.
• Poultry: Roast chicken with herbes de Provence or pheasant.
• Earthy Dishes: Mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or roasted root vegetables.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais comes from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1995 with all Dijon clones. Bottled in late January of this year, the wine sports a vibrant ruby hue and shows off notes of wild raspberries, mixed berries, a hint of fresh violets, clove spice, forest herbs, and brambly earth. It’s chiseled in its structure, with coiled tannins and a good deal of youthful tension, and also offers mineral persistence, with wonderful salinity and dark undertones of earth. It demands another few years in cool cellars to soften and expand as it evolves and will drink well over the long haul. Drink 2026-2040. 590 cases were produced.

Winemaker Description 

Planted in 1995, the Dijon block is now in its prime, delivering the complexity and elegance one expects from carefully tended twenty-six-year-old vines. The 2021 “DJ,” as it is known in-house, shows characteristic black raspberry and rose hip notes. Consistent with previous vintages, it displays Asian five spice, briar and even hints of blood orange coupled with a refreshing acidity and persistent finish. It is a superior vintage, one of the best of the decade. While the 2021 Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir is delicious right now, it will reward patience after a few years in a cool cellar.  Winemaker Description.

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

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This concentrated Merlot-Zinfandel-Petite Sirah blend brings waves of cherry gastrique, raspberry liqueur, violets and caramel on the nose, while the palate leans into ripe blueberries, dark chocolate and raspberry coulis with expansive texture and velvety tannins.

Buena Vista Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon — Napa Valley, California 2022

Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery — and one of its most colorful. Founded in 1857 in Sonoma by Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista,” a Hungarian immigrant who pursued “purple gold” in the hills of Northern California after following the forty-niners, Buena Vista established the template for California fine wine. Since 2011, winemaking has resumed in the original caves — the first wine caves in California — with small-lot wines crafted in open-top oak fermenters with native yeasts and hand punch-downs. The Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon honors the estate’s Napa Valley roots: a full-bodied, plush, and expressive Cabernet that delivers the richness and concentration the valley is famous for. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Tasting Panel 95. At under $43, it is one of the most compelling values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deep purple in the glass. The nose is captivating: fresh raspberry, luscious cherry, cranberry, vanilla, chocolate plum, and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied, plush, and concentrated, with flavors of strawberry, sweet cherry, blackcurrant, boysenberry, and vanilla cake, framed by velvet tannins, a tickle of white peppered cedar, and a long, harmoniously balanced finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Tasting Panel 95 — “Undeniable aromas of chocolate plum… divine notes of violets, summer-ripe boysenberry, and vanilla cake. Elegant and expressive, with velvet tannins and a tickle of white peppered cedar.”

James Suckling 91 — “Plush, ripe and saturated… deep in red and black fruit on a rather gentle texture of smooth tannins and a full body. Everything from strawberry to sweet cherry and blackcurrant flavors.”

• Producer: Buena Vista Winery (est. 1857), Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Winemaking: Native yeasts, open-top oak fermenters, hand punch-downs
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, chocolate plum, violets, boysenberry, vanilla, velvet tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, aged cheddar, dark chocolate

California’s oldest winery at its most expressive — Buena Vista Chateau Cabernet is the benchmark for what Napa Valley Cab can be.

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf | Ruppertsberg Riesling Trocken 2023 | Pfalz, Germany

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is one of Germany's most storied biodynamic estates, farming the Pfalz with meticulous precision. Their Ruppertsberg Ortswein (village-level wine) is an open secret among Riesling lovers: sourced primarily from the estate's exclusively owned Gaisböhl Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) vineyard, it delivers Grand Cru-quality fruit at a village-level price. Certified biodynamic, vegan, and sealed with a screwcap for pristine freshness.

The 2023 vintage in the Pfalz produced wines of remarkable juiciness and precision. This bottling opens with a coolish, pure bouquet of star fruit, ripe citrus, and smoky mineral notes. The palate is mouth-filling yet elegant — creamy on entry, then salty minerality and electric acidity drive the finish long. Bone-dry, clean, and built to reward a few years of cellaring.

Tasting Notes - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling — 94 Points: What a stunning village wine. The mouth-filling juiciness (think star fruit and the ripest citrus) is backed up with ample power. Creamy front palate, then the salty minerality and animating acidity kick in and push the finish way out there. A cuvée based on the Gaisböhl GG site of Ruppertsberg. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate — 92 Points: Opens with a remarkably coolish, pure and refined bouquet with bright, elegant fruit and smoky aromas. Lean and elegant on the palate yet with ripe and juicy fruit — a very fine, elegant-finishing Riesling whose savory grip and tension will be better integrated after a few years of bottle age.

Vinous — 90 Points: A lovely flicker of reduction on the nose leads to an immensely juicy, rounded palate. Lemon-fresh Reine Claude plums with a lovely undertow of yeast. Absolutely bone-dry and clean on the bright finish.

Technical Details

Variety: Riesling  |  Vineyard: Gaisböhl (Grosse Lage), Ruppertsberg  |  Region: Pfalz, Germany  |  Farming: Biodynamic  |  Closure: Screwcap  |  Size: 750ml

Central Otago's Most Exciting Pinot Noir — Moonlight Race by Burn Cottage

Burn Cottage is one of Central Otago's most celebrated biodynamic estates, and the Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is their benchmark expression of this breathtaking South Island appellation. Sourced from three exceptional vineyards — Burn Cottage, Sauvage, and Luna — the 2023 vintage is a wine of extraordinary energy and precision. Crunchy, lively, and deeply satisfying, it captures everything that makes Central Otago Pinot Noir so compelling: vivid fruit, electric acidity, and a silky, fine-grained texture that is impossible to put down.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 96 pts: "I really like the crunchy character to this, with ripe, al dente pinot noir character highlighting the strawberry and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, lively and energetic with citrus and crushed stone undertones. This is so satisfying and fresh."
• Wine Spectator — 95 pts: "Stalky, spicy and bright, with notes of Campari/blood orange that mingle alongside dark chocolate, coffee, blood plum and star anise. The tannins and acidity work together as one, making this wine feel integrated, serious, and fun, all at once. Very fine."
• Wine Advocate — 94 pts: "Supple and spicy, with pink peppercorn, cherry blossom, red apple skins, a hint of blond tobacco and white pepper. The tannins are totally fresh and fine — finely milled and like poudre. Superb, silky, totally satisfying and enlivening."

Winemaker Notes

Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Moonlight Race Central Otago 2023 750ml

A blend of 56% Burn Cottage Vineyard, 22% Sauvage Vineyard, and 22% Luna Vineyard fruit. Seven percent whole bunch was included in the ferment with 17 days on skins. Aged in 22% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable freshness and complexity — bright red fruit, floral lift, spice, and a long, mineral-driven finish that is quintessentially Central Otago.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand
• Producer: Burn Cottage
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Incredibly versatile — exceptional with roasted duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb rack, soft cheeses, and charcuterie boards.

Expert Review

The Wine Spectator 94 Points | A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift.

Winemaker Description 

If time is marked by special moments, Kopke’s history is written in exceptional years.
Years that are worth keeping, so they can be relived and celebrated any time. When we retrieve years from Kopke’s history, we are creating more history: the age on the label of this Kopke Port wine is the average age of all the wines in the blend.

The wine should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature uctuations, and the bottle should remain in an upright position. Over time, it is natural that sediment will form at the bottom of a bottle of Port wine.

• Hand-picked at the optimum time, the grapes are then destemmed, crushed and converted into wine through a process of careful maceration to extract their colour, tannins and aromas, enhanced by constant churning during fermentation. This takes place in vats (lagares) at a controlled temperature (between 28-30°C) until the right degree of sweetness (baumé) is achieved. At this point, grape brandy is added to create the final fortified wine. A wine of high quality, made by blending wines of different harvests to achieve the array of sensory qualities that are typical of these aged tawny Port wines. These wines have each matured in oak casks for varied periods of time, with the average age of all the wines in the blend defining the age on the label. The resulting blend expresses the characteristics given by the ageing in wood.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

The top Cabernet is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, which comes all from the Howell Mountain AVA. It's another inky colored beauty boasting a terrific perfume of black and blue fruits, ground herbs, spice box, graphite, and forest floor. With brilliant minerality on the palate as well as full-bodied richness and an expansive, opulent texture, it has sweet tannins and is approachable today, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 25-30 years. It's one of the few 2017s to come close to its 2016 counterpart. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2054.  Jeb Dunnuck 97

Bottled only three weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, having spent 22 months in 60% new French oak. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it reveals beautiful notions of kirsch, red and black currant preserves, raspberry pie and warm plums with hints of red roses, stewed tea, underbrush and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful red fruit and floral intensity intermingled with black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Very different from the epic 2016 Dancing Bear, but very exciting!  Drinking 2020 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear ranch is a gorgeous Howell Mountain red. Succulent black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange all run through this deep, resonant, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon from Cakebread. This is a very pretty wine.  Drinking 2022 to 2032.  - Vinous 93

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2018 

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select gives up intense cassis, stewed plums and cedar chest notes with hints of licorice and wild sage. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the palate has a taut, grainy texture supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and mineral tinged.

James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, spearmint, cocoa and walnut on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Supple, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. 

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

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

Expert Reviews

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

Winemaker Notes

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml

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

Vineyard & Provenance

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

Food Pairings

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

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Suscol Springs is blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, exuberant notes of fresh blackberries, boysenberry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles rocket from the glass, followed by hints of sautéed herbs, forest floor and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate is intense and energetic, featuring finely grained tannins and a refreshing backbone, finishing long and lifted.

James Suckling 93 Points | Ripe blackberries, cassis, chocolate, mocha and sweet spices on the nose with some tobacco leaf. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Polished and well-balanced. Drink from 2023. 

Calera Chardonnay — Central Coast 2023

In 1975, Josh Jensen founded Calera high in the Gavilan Mountains — naming it after the Spanish word for "lime kiln" — and spent decades proving that California's Central Coast could produce world-class wine. Nearly fifty years on, the Central Coast Chardonnay remains the benchmark of the estate: impeccably balanced, cool-climate in character, and consistently earning 91-point scores from both Wine Enthusiast and Jeb Dunnuck. The 2023 growing season was exceptional — a long wet winter, delayed budbreak, and a mild extended summer gave the fruit an extra month to ripen, achieving rare harmony between acidity and concentration.

The nose shows toasted almond, citrus pith, lemon zest, apricot, and delicate orange blossom. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a rounded, grainy texture — golden apple, pineapple, and tangerine are framed by bright, focused acidity and a touch of wet stone minerality. The finish is crisp, long, and refreshing, with chaparral herb and dried pear lingering through the close. Drinking beautifully now, with 5–7 more years of potential.

Wine Enthusiast 91 — "Toasted almond, citrus pith and light dairy aromas. Chaparral rock and herb flavors meet with brighter lemon and dried pear elements." — Matt Kettmann • Jeb Dunnuck 91 — "Hugely enjoyable, with a rounded mouthfeel and long-lasting acidity." (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Calera, Gavilan Mountains, Central Coast, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Central Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Style: White Wine — Full-Bodied, Cool-Climate
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Toasted almond, citrus pith, lemon zest, apricot, golden apple, pineapple, tangerine, wet stone, chaparral herb
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–7 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, roasted chicken, wild mushroom ravioli, goat cheese salads, light cream sauces

Two 91-point scores, one honest price — Calera's Central Coast Chardonnay is the benchmark for what California cool-climate white wine can be.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Seamless and supple with vanilla, dark cherry, and a twist of earthy forest. Sourced from several vineyards in San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. Long-lasting, fresh, and approachable with full-bodied weight and breadth supported by supple tannins and spiced oak.

Winemaker Notes

Beautifully lush and supple, this Pinot Noir draws you in with inviting aromas of raspberry, dark cherry, dried sage, and sweet tobacco leaf. Soft, supple tannins frame alluring layers of wild strawberry and Bing cherry, with hints of cracked black pepper and spice on a long, satisfying finish.

About Calera

Calera is one of California’s most storied Pinot Noir producers, founded by Josh Jensen in the 1970s after studying under Burgundy legends. Jensen was among the first to champion limestone soils in California for Pinot Noir — the estate’s name means "lime kiln" in Spanish. This Central Coast bottling blends fruit from across the region to deliver Calera’s signature elegance at an accessible price point.

Tasting & Pairings

Dark cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, dried sage, sweet tobacco, black pepper, and spiced oak. Full-bodied yet supple with soft tannins and a long finish.

• Roasted duck or quail — the dark fruit and sage notes are a natural match for game birds.
• Grilled salmon with herbs — California Pinot and Pacific salmon, always a winner.
• Mushroom risotto or truffle pasta — the earthy forest character complements umami-rich dishes.

Cambria Chardonnay · Katherine’s Vineyard · Santa Maria Valley 2023

Cambria’s history in Santa Maria Valley winegrowing began with Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson, who acquired Tepusquet Vineyard and established the winery in 1986. Cambria says it has maintained Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) certification since 2010 and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certification since 2011, upholding those standards in its vineyards and cellar.

For the 2023 Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Wine Spectator notes seamlessness and complexity, with lemon blossom and orange sherbet alongside papaya and marmalade. Fresh acidity carries lemon verbena and ginger through the finish, with a hint of marzipan.

Wine Spectator · 90 Points · 2023
Shows remarkable seamlessness and complexity, with flavors of lemon blossoms, orange sherbet, papaya and marmalade. A fresh thread of acidity leaves a terrific impression on the finish, along with lemon verbena and fresh ginger notes that show a hint of marzipan. Drink now. 30,000 cases made.

• Producer: Cambria
• Vineyard: Katherine’s Vineyard
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Santa Maria Valley, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Size: 375ml half bottle
• Closure: Screw cap
• Tasting notes: Lemon blossom, orange sherbet, papaya, marmalade, lemon verbena, fresh ginger and a hint of marzipan

A bright, layered Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay in an easy-to-share half-bottle format.

Cambria Estate Winery | Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard | Santa Maria Valley, California | 2023

Cambria Estate Winery is one of Santa Barbara County's most celebrated producers, farming estate vineyards in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley — one of California's premier cool-climate appellations. Named for Katherine Jackson, Katherine's Vineyard sits at the western end of the valley where persistent Pacific Ocean breezes slow ripening and allow Chardonnay to develop remarkable complexity, balance, and natural acidity.

The 2023 vintage was fermented with 30% stainless steel and 70% barrel, then aged seven months in French oak (20% new) — a winemaking approach that delivers both freshness and texture without overwhelming the fruit. The result is a Chardonnay of genuine balance: ripe tropical and orchard fruit, toasty barrel spice, taut minerality, and mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything in focus.

The nose offers lemon balm, baked apricot, ripe pear, pineapple, and macadamia nut, with honeysuckle and subtle spice. On the palate, medium-bodied and fleshy with a creamy, mouth-coating texture, bright acidity, and a long finish of lemon verbena, fresh ginger, and a hint of marzipan. Serious complexity and impressive finesse, especially at this price point.

Incredibly versatile at the table — exceptional with roast chicken, lobster bisque, pan-seared halibut, creamy pasta, brie, and soft-ripened cheeses.

• Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
• Vineyard: Katherine's Vineyard
• Appellation: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Vinification: 30% stainless steel, 70% barrel; 7 months French oak (20% new)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

• Vinous — 92 pts: Rich yet energized, driven by taut minerality and juicy acidity. Barrel spice and ripe orchard fruit marry in harmony, with serious complexity, deep minerality and impressive finesse, especially for the price.
• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: Lemon balm, baked apricot and macadamia nut aromas. A blast of acidity cuts into the lightly salted core of pear, apple and citrus peel flavors, with a warm oak note carrying the finish.
• Jeb Dunnuck — 90 pts: Ripe stone and orchard fruits intermixed with honeysuckle and subtle spice. Medium-bodied, plush, round, and supple. A well-made, ready-to-drink California Chardonnay that delivers terrific value.
• Wine Spectator — 90 pts: Remarkable seamlessness and complexity — lemon blossoms, orange sherbet, papaya and marmalade, with a fresh thread of acidity and notes of lemon verbena, fresh ginger, and a hint of marzipan.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer — "This fleshy, medium-bodied wine offers plentiful flavors of tropical fruit, baking spice, and zest, with an underlying subtle oak influence. Harmoniously balanced with ample acidity and a buttery, creamy, mouth-coating finish."

Santa Maria Valley's Standard-Bearer — Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir

Cambria Estate Winery is one of Santa Barbara County's most storied producers, and Julia's Vineyard is their crown jewel — home to some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Santa Maria Valley, planted in the 1970s. This cool-climate vineyard, buffeted by Pacific breezes, produces a Pinot Noir of remarkable definition and complexity: bright fruit, earthy spice, mineral precision, and the signature "Santa Maria spice" that sets this appellation apart. The 2023 vintage is a benchmark expression — balanced, detailed, and exceptional value for the quality in the glass.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 93 pts: "Hibiscus and herbal aromas mark this detailed Pinot Noir, following through to a palate of definition, length and mineral bones that frame cranberries, pomegranate, red cherries and their pits. Rose hips rise through the finish, a zip of orange zest on top."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 90 pts: "Framboise, Bing cherries, sappy underbrush, and floral notes that develop nicely with air. Medium-bodied, balanced, with good depth of fruit and a complex, satisfying style that would best many a great Village-level red Burgundy."
• Wine Enthusiast — 90 pts: "Rustic aromas of tart cranberry, oregano and thyme. The palate pairs red fruit with sage-like spices and dusty soil tones."
• Vinous — 90 pts: "Bright, rich and forward with spice tones and dark red cherry fruit forming the core. There's real character and Santa Maria Valley identity here."

Winemaker Notes

Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2023 750ml

100% destemmed and aged seven months in 18% new French oak barrels. Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is a quintessential expression of the Santa Maria Valley — old vines, cool climate, and a winemaking philosophy that lets the vineyard speak. The result is a wine of genuine depth and Santa Maria identity at an exceptional price point.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
• Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Vine Age: Planted 1970s
• Aging: 7 months, 18% new French oak
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Incredibly versatile — exceptional with roast chicken with herbs, grilled salmon, duck confit, mushroom pizza, Gruyère, and charcuterie boards.