90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Famille Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc "Saint Prefert" 2024 · Rhône Valley, France

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points — Based on 70% Clairette and 30% Roussanne and barrel fermented in demi-muid and foudre, the 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is gorgeous, pure, and layered. It offers honeyed white peach, white flowers, subtle croissant, and spice aromatics. Medium to full-bodied and incredibly layered, it has remarkable acidity and a great finish that shows sensational purity and length.

The Wine Advocate, 94 Points — Ethereal, fresh and perfumed, the 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc opens with aromas of white fruits, herbs, spices and confit citrus. Medium- to full-bodied, pure and seamless, it is layered and textured, leading to a long, penetrating finish of great finesse. All precision and delicacy, this blend of 70% Clairette and 30% Roussanne is a stunning wine. It matured for six months in a combination of barrels, foudres and amphorae.

Producer

Isabel Ferrando’s reputation for outstanding wines has grown every vintage since her first release in 2003. As a woman owned business and winemaker, Isabel has built a tremendous reputation producing highly acclaimed wines.

Jeb Dunnuck — “Proprietress Isabel Ferrando has taken her Saint Prefert estate to France’s highest level, and she’s unquestionably making some of the most profound wines on earth today, including both reds and whites.”

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator — “Hard work. Subtle tweaks. Responsible farming. An uncompromising dedication to quality. Isabel Ferrando keeps doing things the right way, and her wines are dramatic proof.”

Jeb Dunnuck — “One thing that remains constant is the incredible quality that continues to emerge from this talented winemaker.”

Details

• Producer: Famille Ferrando
• Country: France
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Grapes: 70% Clairette, 30% Roussanne
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

Gamet La Vallée Suspendue Extra Brut Réserve Perpétuelle — Champagne NV

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

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

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

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

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

The 2023 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first return of this historic cuvée since 2007 — a blend of Monte Bello estate fruit and neighboring vineyards (Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch, Vidovich), aged 16 months in 100% American oak. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, it is a superb access point to the Ridge house style at a more approachable price.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Owen Bargreen — 93 Points | Refined and elegant on the tongue, as toasty oak caresses a gorgeous core of dark currants, black cherry compote, and espresso bean notes alongside gravelly soils. Very fresh and vibrant with terrific acidity. Drink 2025–2035.

Vinous — 93 Points | Taut and structured, opening with dark fruit, cracked pepper, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, and cedar, all enshrouded in firm, chalky tannins that lead to a long, savory finish. A very fine access point to the Ridge house style. — Billy Norris

Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points + Cellar Selection | Aromas of black plum, clove, and ajwain draw in the nose, while the palate picks up licorice and more black plum alongside a firm structure. — Matt Kettmann

Wine Advocate — 92 Points | A lush nose of sweet black fruits, pine needles, sage, and a gourmand touch of vanilla pod introduces a soft, velvety, and pliable palate, ending with a pure, mouthwatering finish. A solid, accessible, and over-performing example of Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet. — Matthew Luczy

Wine Spectator — 92 Points | Lively singed mesquite and savory notes up front, with juicy red currant, bitter cherry, and plum coulis held in check by nicely chiseled tannins. Best from 2027 through 2038. — James Molesworth

• Producer: Ridge Vineyards
• Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California
• Vineyards: Monte Bello Estate + Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch, Vidovich
• Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
• Aging: 16 months, 100% American oak
• Farming: Organic
• Vintage: 2023
• Drink: Now through 2038
• Format: 750ml

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Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2022 Château La Tour Blanche is juicy and lively, with an exotic nose of honeyed orange, white chocolate, flowers, and hints of mint. It's a rich, unctuous, fleshy, full-bodied Sauternes that brings incredible opulence while staying nicely balanced and relatively light on its feet.

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James Suckling 93 Points | An enticing but well-balanced wine that combines a super-creamy texture with vivid tropical fruit, poached pears and baking spices. It's all barrel-fermented in about 30% oak and shows the characteristic toast, dough and light butter notes of an excellent chardonnay. Affordable for the quality. Drink now or hold.

Expert Review - Vintage 2025

Tim Atkin, MW 90 Points | Secateurs is one of the South African wine industry’s best calling cards, a large volume Chenin Blanc that could only be produced in the Cape. Aged in foudres, it has a stony top note, deftly judged flavors of peach, pear and pink grapefruit, good palate weight and a bright, tangy finish. Hugely drinkable. 

Winemaker Description 

Secateurs – a type of scissors for use on plants. These dry farmed bushvines were planted in the 1960s and 1970s. Fermented and settled in concrete, older casks, and big foudres. Textured, flinty, orange blossom.

Girasole Pinot Noir 2024 · Mendocino County, California · Certified Organic · 750ml

Producer and Terroir

Girasole Vineyards has been farming organically in Mendocino County since 1986, long before organic viticulture became fashionable. Named for the sunflowers that grow throughout their estate, this family-owned winery is committed to sustainable, chemical-free farming in one of California’s most naturally beautiful wine regions. Mendocino’s cool coastal influence, diverse soils, and clean mountain air make it an ideal home for Pinot Noir, and Girasole has spent four decades learning to express that terroir with honesty and care.

Tasting Notes

The nose is inviting and expressive: strawberry, cherry, boysenberry, violets, and clove. On the palate, it is soft and fruit-forward, with ripe plum, black cherry, and plush tannins, with just a touch of new French oak lending texture and framing the bright red fruit at the wine’s core. The finish is dry, clean, and lingering, approachable, expressive, and genuinely satisfying.

Expert Reviews

2024 · Review Attributed to VF in the Listing

VF · 91 Points · Best Buy: Aromas of dried cranberry and sweet rhubarb, accented by subtle notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, bright red cherry flavors unfold alongside hints of delicate caramel and a touch of licorice.

Wine Enthusiast · 2024

Wine Enthusiast · Tonya Pitts · 91 Points: Deep, aromatics with sweet cherries, dark plums, dried herbs, dried potpourri, and toasted oak on the nose; the palate is rich with dark strawberry, boysenberry, cinnamon, orange peel, and bittersweet chocolate.

Food Pairings

Salmon, roast chicken, duck, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, and soft cheeses.

Details

• Producer: Girasole Vineyards
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region/Appellation: Mendocino County, California, United States
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Type: Red
• Farming: Organic; organic farming since 1986
• Aging: Touch of new French oak, as described in the existing tasting notes
• Closure: Screwcap

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

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

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

Expert Review

2018 Jacques Capsouto Cuvee Marco, Grand Vin Rouge – Score: 90 Points |
This wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah. The nose on this wine starts ripe, it is riper than its younger 2019 brother, the Cuvee Samuel. The blend is different as well, and there is much more oak on the Marco. The nose on this wine is ripe, it feels like a Cali Rhone wine more than how the 19 Samuel felt, with black and blue fruit, sweet oak, soy sauce, ripe plum, floral notes, dark and brooding, with roasted animal, and loam. The mouth on this full-bodied wine is ripe, balanced, with good acidity, blackcurrant, blackberry, boysenberry, nice draping tannin, sweet oak, loam, and black tea. The finish on this wine is ripe, with dense black fruit, loam, mushroom, graphite, milk chocolate, and nice smoke. 

40% Grenache Noir 30% Mourvedre 30% Syrah)- Aged in 3-4 yr old barrels for 12 months-

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James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sliced lemons, white pepper, Asian pears and yellow apples. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a saline edge, giving flavors of passion fruit, cut grass and melon. Nicely balanced with a phenolic edge.

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James Suckling 91 Points | A very spicy wine with assertive aromas of black pepper, leather and plums. Smooth and supple, with a medium body, light extraction and a fruity finish. Drink now.

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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.

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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.

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Tasting Panel 92 Points  Befitting its name, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah is opaque in hue, but the palate is juicy, glossy, and lusciously crafted, unmasking notes of dark chocolate, sage, and blackberry licorice.

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Santa Julia Natural La Vaquita Clarete is a pale red color with pink reflections. The aromas are fresh and fruity with a soft hint of floral notes. Fresh acidity on the palate - juicy and bold. 

James Suckling 93 Points | Floral on the nose, with watermelon, pepper and bright red fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, voluminous yet fresh, fun and approachable. Made from 80% malbec and 20% torrontes co-fermented over 15 days. Vibrant and enjoyable. No sulfites added.

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

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Vinous 98 Points | Is it possible to create a wine with structure but without weight? The 2021 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary offers a remarkable answer to that apparent paradox, finding the solution in a balanced combination of terroir and careful cellar work. It's almost utopian—a mountain wine with the structure and character of high-altitude vineyards, yet with the agility and freshness of an oceanic red. Purple in hue, it opens with blackberry and plum, layered with mountain herbs, a hint of sour cherry, cassis and floral tones of violet and lavender. Dry and juicy, with a slightly compact feel, the wine glides across the palate with weightless grace, supported by fine, chalky tannins. This wine is a triumph.

Kir Yianni · Ramnista Xinomavro · Naoussa · 2021

Kir Yianni Ramnista 2021 expresses the aromatic complexity and structure of Xinomavro from Naoussa in northern Greece. Dark fruit and characteristic dried tomato nuances meet firm tannins and robust acidity, giving this red a distinctive savory character.

Producer & Terroir

Kir-Yianni was founded in 1997 by Yiannis Boutaris, a leading figure in Greek wine, after he left the Boutari Wine Group, the family company his grandfather established in 1879. Today, Stellios Boutaris, a fifth-generation winemaker, leads the estate with a philosophy that combines innovation, respect for tradition and knowledge of wine from grape to glass.

The estate’s roots reach back to 1970, when Yiannis planted 40 hectares of Xinomavro on the eastern foothills of Mount Vermion in Yianakohori, near Naoussa. This vineyard would become Ktima Kir-Yianni. In 1985, he planted 20 hectares of white varieties in the Amyndeon highlands west of Mount Vermion. Between 1985 and 1990, Merlot and Syrah were planted in selected estate parcels, where they adapted successfully to the local mesoclimate.

In 1996, an old winery in Agios Panteleimon, nicknamed “Paranga,” or “the Shack,” was purchased to become the Kir-Yianni winery in Amyndeon. The following year marked the founding of Kir-Yianni and the first vintage entirely vinified in the newly built winery at Ktima Kir-Yianni.

Tasting Notes

Aromatically precise dark fruit is accented by the dried tomato character associated with Xinomavro. The palate balances expressive fruit with polished, structured tannins and refreshing acidity. Ramnista offers both savory depth and finesse.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator, 93 Points · 2021
The Kir-Yianni 2021 Naoussa Xinomavro Ramnista Single Vineyard captures the elegance and refinement of this flagship northern Greek variety. Compared to the warmer 2022 vintage, it shows greater aromatic precision with notes of dark fruit and the subtle dried tomato nuance that is characteristic of Xinomavro. The palate is expressive and finely balanced, with polished tannins that provide structure without sacrificing finesse. Sourced from nine vineyard blocks and aged for 14 months in French oak, Ramnista remains one of the benchmark expressions of Naoussa Xinomavro.

Winemaker Description

Kir-Yianni
Rare aromatic complexity with intense tannin structure and robust acidity.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with roasted lamb, braised beef or mushroom dishes to complement the wine’s savory notes, tannin structure and acidity.

Details

• Producer: Kir Yianni
• Wine: Ramnista
• Vintage: 2021
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Greece
• Region: Macedonia
• Appellation: Naoussa
• Grape: Xinomavro
• Type: Red wine
• Farming attribute: Sustainable

La Chapelle de Meyney · Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux · 2018

La Chapelle de Meyney Saint-Estèphe 2018 offers rich black-currant fruit, substantial tannins and bold Bordeaux structure. The second wine of Château Meyney combines density and powerful flavor in a red suited to a hearty meal.

Producer & Terroir

Château Meyney is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux’s Médoc. Facing the Gironde estuary in Saint-Estèphe, the estate produces La Chapelle de Meyney as its second wine, an introduction to its distinctive setting and structured style.

Tasting Notes

Powerful black-currant fruit is framed by rich tannins and a dense, firmly structured palate. Bold flavors give this 2018 its generous presence, while the Wine Enthusiast review highlights its potential to mature well.

Winemaker Description

Producer Description
Chapelle de Meyney ("the Chapel of Meyney") is the second wine of Chateau Meyney, one of the oldest estates in the Medoc of Bordeaux.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points · 2018
This is the second wine from this estate that faces the Gironde estuary. It has rich tannins as well as powerful black-currant fruits. With density as well as bold flavors and structure, the wine is set to mature well. Drink from 2024.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised short ribs or hearty mushroom dishes to complement the wine’s dark fruit and tannin structure.

Details

• Producer: Château Meyney
• Wine: La Chapelle de Meyney, second wine of the estate
• Vintage: 2018
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Saint-Estèphe
• Primary grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Type: Red wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 99 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi marks the return of this cuvée after the 2020 crop was destroyed by hail. The nose is layered and complex with notes of clove spice, ripe red raspberry liqueur, blood orange, framboise, peppery spices, and pressed floral notes. The palate has lovely, refined concentration, ripe tannins, haunting notes of strawberries that last long on the finish, and notes of leather. While it has the fruit and freshness to drink now, it certainly has the structure to age. It’s one of the more contemplative wines in the range to enjoy over the coming decades.

Keron O'Keeffe  99 Points | Fragrant and loaded with finesse, the 2021 Acclivi is simply magnificent, starting with its beautiful scents of rose, forest berry, menthol, star anise and whiffs recalling sweetgrass. A blend of selected Nebbiolo from the estate’s best and oldest vineyards in Verduno, in the Monvigliero, Neirane, Rocche dell’Olmo and Boscatto sites, the chiseled, elegantly structured and delicious palate reflects the nose, delivering red cherry, raspberry, licorice and crushed mint accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well balanced and fuels even more intensity while a cinnamon note lingers on the finish. This is a captivating, extraordinary wine and the best Acclivi I have had to date.

Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate writes 97 Points | This wine was not produced in 2020. The Comm. G.B. Burlotto 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a blend of old-vine fruit from Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo, three MGA sites in the village of Verduno. I tasted this sample at two stages with 24 hours between them, and the change was impressive. The wine goes from feeling tight and almost squeaky to relaxed, fragrant and ethereal with aeration. The bouquet reveals layers of lilac, raspberry tart with custard and finely shaved pencil. Drink 2027-2055.

James Suckling writes 96 Points | A graceful Barolo that shows aromas of smoke, licorice, violets, delicate red currants and strawberries. It’s restrained and elegant on the palate, with a slight sweetness, a medium to full body, refreshing acidity and ripe, chewy tannins. Tight and savory. There is a huge structure that’s well covered by the fruit. Drinkable now, but best from 2026 or 2027.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media writes 94 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a suave, sensual wine. All of this fruit is from vineyards in Verduno. That is very much evident in the wine's aromatic profile and overall weight. Blood orange, rose petal, mint, chalk and spice give the 2021 very pretty top notes. I admire the overall depth and brilliance here. This is a very serious Barolo. Drink 2026-2041.

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.

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.

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

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia · Bolgheri Superiore · 2023

Ornellaia 2023 brings dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs and polished texture to a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend from Tuscany's Bolgheri coast. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and lavender unfold with freshness and finely shaped tannins, emphasizing elegance and finesse.

Please Note — Label Variation: Ornellaia 2023 was released with two official label designs: the classic Ornellaia label and the limited-edition La Proporzione artist label. Bottles are shipped based on availability, and customers may receive either label. The wine and vintage are identical regardless of label design. Specific label requests cannot be guaranteed.

Producer & Terroir

Founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is a cornerstone of the Super Tuscan movement and Bordeaux-style blending in Italy. Under proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the estate draws on parcels including Bellaria, Pero, Fosso, Vigna Vecchia and Stallina, producing approximately 80 individual wines before the final blend.

The 2023 blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Careful fruit selection was important in a mildew-prone vintage. Sandy soils helped drain abundant spring rainfall, while retained water reserves supported the vines through the hot summer. Late-August rain and cool September nights helped preserve aromatics. Marco Balsimelli oversaw his first full vintage at the estate.

Expert Reviews

Jane Anson, 100 Points · Reviewed February 2026 · Vintage 2023
Moreish, confident and well judged, this is smoky yet ethereal, muscular yet light, wonderfully juicy and fragrant, with a perfectly judged blend of lightness of touch set against an unmistakable punch of damson, loganberry and red cherry fruits. Liquorice, tapenade and slate ensure the texture is slow and steady, and this is just a fabulous wine. Marco Balsimelli director, 65% new oak for ageing.

Wine Advocate, 98 Points · 2023 Vintage · Reviewed February 2026
The Ornellaia 2023 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, and it is worth noting that Merlot remains present at nearly the same percentage as previous years, despite the greater challenges faced by early-ripening varieties in this mildew-prone vintage. Careful fruit selection made the difference. The wine shows impressive richness and concentration with a bouquet that leans botanical and complex, marked by dark fruit, Mediterranean thyme and rosemary. The nose was slightly closed when I tasted the wine, but it will open. The texture is velvety and polished, delivering beautiful richness with a sense of succulence that feels expansive on the palate. According to proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the goal is to establish a clear through line focused on freshness and balancing fruit and spice while avoiding excess ripeness. This is a meticulously made Ornellaia that captures the vintage with remarkable elegance. The wine was bottled in July 2025 and is scheduled for release in March 2026. 

Decanter, 96 Points · Reviewed February 2026 · Vintage 2023
A surprisingly lightweight and finessed Ornellaia – the first full vintage under the watchful gaze of ex-Bordeaux winemaker Marco Balsimelli. Rose and violet fragrance introduces crunchy hedgerow berry flavours kissed by menthol, cardamom, black pepper and petrichor. Breezy-fresh and with good intensity, it's a slender, vertical shape in the mouth, with fine, slightly firm but ripe tannins and lipsmacking sapidity. Balsimelli notes that the sandy soils helped the plentiful spring rains to drain, and once past the threat of disease the water reserves proved useful for the hot summer. There was some rain in late August, while September featured cool nights, preserving aromatics and ensuring perfect ripening for all the estate's varieties. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. '

Vinous, 96 Points · 2023 Vintage · Reviewed April 2026
The 2023 Ornellaia is elegant and supremely finessed right out of the gate. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, dried herbs, licorice and lavender all meld together in the glass. There are no hard edges or awkward contours. Readers will find an Ornellaia that speaks to understatement and finesse more than power. This is impressive. 

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Pair with Florentine steak, lamb, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino or truffle-based dishes. Consider decanting for 1–2 hours and serving at 61–64°F.

Details

• Producer: Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
• Wine: Ornellaia
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Tuscany
• Appellation: Bolgheri Superiore
• Primary grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
• Type: Red wine
• Bottled: July 2025

 Penfolds · Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2022 · South Australia · 750ml

Bin 28 showcases ripe, robust, generously flavored Australian Shiraz. First made in 1959 and originally named for Penfolds’ Kalimna vineyard, it is now a multi-region, multi-vineyard blend, with the Barossa Valley well represented according to the supplied producer background.

Character & Style

The supplied reviews describe blackberry, plum, blueberry, and cherry alongside spice, savory nuances, and American-oak character. Vinous highlights the 2022’s bold yet balanced structure and ripe tannins, while Wine Spectator emphasizes fresh fruit balanced by vanilla, almond nougat, milk chocolate, and warm spices.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Australian Wine Companion · 95 Points
Quelle surprise! Penfolds impresses with a multi-regional blend. It's something they do so well; a combination of vineyard resources and masterful blending with such quality and consistency across their 'Bin' range of wines. Deep set satsuma plum, blackberry and blueberry fruits with hints of baking spices, charcuterie, violets, fennel tops, dried herbs, nicely-judged American oak and a gentle earthen hue. There's a lovely, bright fruit presence here; long, flavourful and delicious now with the promise of excellent cellaring potential.

James Suckling · 93 Points
The aromas of crushed stones and blackberries are impressive. Dark fruit and dusty tannins are spread out on the medium-bodied palate. It delivers plenty of pretty fruit that goes long and focused.

Vinous · 93 Points
Fans of classically broad shouldered and flavorsome vintages of Shiraz Bin 28 will be very happy with the 2022. It is bold yet balanced, rich and ripe but also with a strong heart and cellaring potential. It radiates with blackberry, cherry compote, and new leather aromas with faint spicy tones. The structure shows its class, particularly with the tannin ripeness and weight which holds the wine's shape through to a lengthy finish. Enjoyable now, but will be impressive after a decade in the cellar.

Wine Spectator · 93 Points
Offers an impressive mix of fruit flavors and oak influences, finding an expressive balance between framboise, cherry and pomegranate flavors that are ripe, fleshy and fresh. On the oak side, smooth vanilla, almond nougat and milk chocolate notes are showy, along with grace notes of cedar, Saigon cinnamon and clove. Drink now through 2033.

Producer Background

The magic of Penfolds begins in the vineyard.

The selection of vineyard sites and quality of fruit have always underpinned Penfolds reputation. Over a 175-year history, Penfolds has owned and leased some of the best vineyard sites in Australia, and work with carefully selected growers to stay true to our fruit-first philosophy of multi-vineyard, multi-regional sourcing.

Today, Penfolds vineyards are located primarily across South Australia’s finest wine regions. At the heart is Penfolds Magill Estate. Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the first vines here back in 1844, and even today Magill Vineyard still contributes fruit to Grange when vintage conditions allow.

The Penfolds winemaking philosophy is unbound by country, vine or time. This endeavour continues with Penfolds venture into California.

Bin 28 offers a showcase of warm climate Australian Shiraz – ripe, robust and generously flavoured. First made in 1959, Bin 28 was originally named after the famous Barossa Valley Kalimna vineyard purchased by Penfolds in 1945 and from which the wine was originally sourced. Today, Bin 28 is a multi-region, multi-vineyard blend, with the Barossa Valley always well represented

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve slightly below room temperature and consider decanting to explore the fruit and spice. Try with grilled lamb, roast beef, or hearty mushroom dishes. The supplied reviews suggest both current enjoyment and cellaring potential; Wine Spectator specifies drinking through 2033.

Wine Details

• Producer: Penfolds
• Wine: Bin 28 Kalimna
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Shiraz
• Region: South Australia
• Country: Australia
• Sourcing described: Multi-region, multi-vineyard blend
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Supplied ratings: Australian Wine Companion 95; James Suckling 93; Vinous 93; Wine Spectator 93

Orin Swift Abstract Blend Grenache, Petite Sirah & Syrah 2023 750ml

Orin Swift is the creation of Dave Phinney — one of California’s most visionary winemakers, who built his reputation making bold, label-forward wines that punch far above their price point. Abstract is his signature red blend: a proprietary mix of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel sourced from premier California vineyards and aged seven months in 30% new oak. The label — a swirling abstract painting — is a nod to Phinney’s belief that great wine, like great art, should provoke a reaction. Abstract reliably does exactly that.

The 2023 is a bold, expressive, and deeply satisfying California red — explosive blue fruit aromatics, crystalline acidity, and firm tannins that give it real structure and aging potential. A wine that is equally at home at a dinner party or opened on a Tuesday when only something serious will do.

"Bursts with explosive blue fruit aromatics, layered with violets and sweet baking spice. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is packed with pure blue fruit, blackberry, and black cherry, all structured around a crystalline acid backbone and firm tannins. The juicy fruit finish lingers, accented by white pepper and pressed floral aromatics — a bold yet balanced expression of Orin Swift’s signature style." — Decanter, 94 pts

• Producer: Orin Swift (Dave Phinney), St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
• Appellation: California
• Blend: Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel
• Vintage: 2023
• Aging: 7 months in 30% new oak
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, blackberry, black cherry, violets, baking spice, white pepper, floral aromatics, crystalline acidity, firm tannins, lingering finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short rib, hard aged cheeses, or dark chocolate
• Decanter: 94 | James Suckling: 93

Expert Reviews

Decanter — 94 Points
A proprietary red blend of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel, aged seven months in 30% new oak. This blend bursts with explosive blue fruit aromatics, layered with violets and sweet baking spice. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is packed with pure blue fruit, blackberry, and black cherry, all structured around a crystalline acid backbone and firm tannins. The juicy fruit finish lingers, accented by white pepper and pressed floral aromatics — a bold yet balanced expression of Orin Swift’s signature style.

James Suckling — 93 Points
A deep and full-bodied red that’s powerful in black fruit and laced with fine-grained tannins. Blackberry, dried blueberry, black licorice and black pepper flavors backed by sturdy tannins for a grippy texture. A blend of primarily petite sirah with syrah and grenache. Drink or hold.

Dave Phinney’s most expressive California blend — Abstract 2023 is bold, beautiful, and built to turn heads at any table.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay — Alexander Valley, Sonoma County 2023

Alexander Valley Vineyards is one of Sonoma County's most storied family estates, farming the Alexander Valley AVA with a precision and philosophy that has made their Chardonnay one of the appellation's most consistent overachievers. The 2023 is built on a thoughtful split-harvest approach: 75% of the fruit is harvested at night when the grapes are cool, cold-fermented in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging to preserve bright citrus and green apple character; the remaining 25% is whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in French oak, then aged on the lees for six to eight months to develop roundness, body, and complexity. The result is a full-bodied, beautifully balanced Chardonnay that earned 92 points from The Tasting Panel.

The nose opens with apple, pear, vanilla, floral notes, and a hint of oak — generous and inviting. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and lush with flavors of grilled pineapple, baked pear, nectarine, juicy peach, and tropical fruit, cut by a bright acidity and a mineral core that keeps everything focused. The finish is subtly buttery and vanilla-flecked, long and satisfying. It is the kind of Chardonnay that rewards both the casual drinker and the wine enthusiast.

The Tasting Panel 92 — "The balance between richer and more mouthwatering in this estate-grown Chardonnay is excellent. Grilled pineapple and baked pear are cut by acidity. The mineral core is a solid counterpart to the subtly buttery, vanilla-flecked finish." 

• Producer: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Alexander Valley AVA
• Region: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: 75% night-harvested, stainless steel, no MLF; 25% whole-cluster pressed, French oak barrel-fermented, 6–8 months lees aging
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple, pear, pineapple, nectarine, peach, vanilla, floral, mineral, buttery finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, pasta in cream sauce

A 92-point estate Chardonnay from one of Sonoma's most trusted family vineyards — Alexander Valley Vineyards is the benchmark for what night-harvested, lees-aged Alexander Valley Chardonnay can deliver.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2015

Decanter 96 Points | This is world class with lovely floral, spicy, marmalade, barley sugar, apricot and crme brle aromatics. The palate brings lively acidity and layers of delightful fruity flavors. Incredibly long.

Winemaker Description 

The drought prompted a shorter harvest, which resulted in faster ripening fruit yielding berries with concentrated flavours and well balanced acidity. With the renovated cellar, we could make use of dedicated tanks intended for perfect maceration and fermentation of the Muscat.

Throughout the season we harvested in batches - from the riper berries that have great acidity to the raisins for sugar concentration.

Each batch is kept separate and treated differently. These batches make up the perfect ratio between sugar, alcohol and acidity which allows the wine to stop fermentation naturally and without intervention.

The wine was aged in a combination of 50 % newFrench oak, Hungarian oak and French Acacia. It was left for a period of 3 years in barrel on the gross lees before racking out and blending. It spent a further 6 months in tank before bottling.

Region Constantia, Western Cape.

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.

#32 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Delicate red in color. The incredibly expressive bouquet offers notes of sandalwood, herbs de Provence, and Red Delicious apples. On the palate, freshly picked red huckleberries provide tart and lasting succulence with a hint of baking spice. The sandy soils of the Chehalem Mountains offer salinity and minerality on the finish that is complemented with dark cherry and rhubarb.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2021

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator writes 95 Points |  Supple, richly textured and elegantly complex, this Pinot opens with a burst of fresh raspberry, then unfolds with notes of forest floor and brown baking spices, plus a touch of licorice as it builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 1,100 cases made.

Clive Pursehouse of Decanter writes 94 Points | Elegance is personified in this 2021 bottling of Bergström's renowned Silice. So-named for the sandy silica soils, the hallmark of the hilly Chehalem Mountain vineyard source. Beautiful bright fruit aromas are further framed by touches of tomato leaf, pine bough and mossy forest floor. The palate is marked by fleshy red raspberries, early season blackberry and fine grain tannin that provides a structure that shows this wine's longevity. (Drink between 2023-2031).

Wine & Spirits Magazine 95 Points | The first impression of this stunning red is of brilliant red raspberry fruit, as pure as a sunbeam. Yet an inky depth plays counterpoint, rumbling beneath, dark and a bit spicy, grounding the fruit with tannins from the silica-based soils of Bergström’s estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains. The tension between these two elements is gorgeous, the fruit saturating and full, and yet it has an energy and drive giving the texture a lifted, graceful feel.

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate writes 94 Points |  Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Silice Vineyard blossoms slowly to pomegranate, blackberry, watermelon, dried herbs and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with wild berry fruit. Combining power and elegance, it's silky and seamless in the mouth, and a flourish of spicy accents across the finish hints it has more to reveal over the next 2-3 years in bottle.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 Bergström Silice Pinot Noir is a highly acclaimed, estate-grown wine that gained significant fame after being named the #32 Wine of the Year in the 2023 Wine Spectator Top 100.

Named "Silice" (French for silica) due to the deep, sandy marine soils of the vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, this wine is known for its ethereal perfume and mineral complexity rather than heavy weight.

Tío Pepe · Fino En Rama · 2026 Spring Release · 375ml Half Bottle

Tío Pepe Fino En Rama brings the character of Jerez to a convenient half-bottle format. This listing is for the 2026 Spring Release, a Palomino Fino Sherry for exploring alongside olives, seafood and a selection of tapas.

Expert Review · Release Not Specified

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.

Winemaker Description · Release Not Specified

Producer Notes: Pale yellow with golden glints. Slightly cloudy as it contains flor in suspension, reflecting it’s having been bottled ‘En Rama’. Complex aromas of almonds, lemon and floral notes combined with sea spray and minerals.

The palate is concentrated and sightly creamy with a salty tang and impressive depth of flavour boasting toasted almonds, apple skins and bready undertones. The finish is rounded and alluring, clearly harking back to its origins in the albariza soil yet also reflecting the Significance of its biological ageing. This wine is the purest definition of the vines and the winery.

From Our Buyer · Historical Note Written in 2025, Featuring Saca 2023

Oscar, 67 Wine Buyer: In 2015, I was one of only three invitees from the United States selected to participate in the prestigious Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Sherry Master program. This incredible experience allowed me to earn certification as a Sherry Master through their renowned education program. To this day, it remains one of the highlights of my professional wine career.

I was captivated by the vineyards, the historic Sherry bodegas, and the wealth of knowledge I gained under the guidance of the legendary Antonio Flores, Master Blender at Bodegas Gonzalez Byass.

Fast forward to 2025, and I am thrilled to invite all wine aficionados to explore our newly revamped Sherry selection at the shop. We have curated an extensive collection of over 100 selections ranging from delightfully crisp, saline-driven Finos and Manzanillas to complex and rare Amontillados, Olorosos, and Palo Cortados. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming Sherry tastings and other exciting events celebrating the magic of El Marco de Jerez.

Today, I'm especially delighted to feature one of my favorite Finos, typically available only in the spring: Tio Pepe Fino en Rama Saca 2023. Bottled in the spring of 2023, this en rama Fino undergoes minimal filtration and remains unfined, preserving its raw, expressive character. Hand-selected by Antonio Flores, this release showcases a vintage label from the Gonzalez Byass archives, making it a collector's item.

The wine itself is bursting with aromas and flavors of green olives, citrus, saline notes, and delicate yeasty nuances. Bone dry and intensely flavorful, it pairs beautifully with cured meats, cheeses, and grilled skewers of shrimp and calamari.

Food Pairings & Serving

Serve chilled with olives, cured meats or cheeses. Grilled shrimp and calamari are further pairing ideas drawn from Oscar's earlier-release note.

Wine Details

• Producer: González Byass
• Wine: Tío Pepe Fino En Rama
• Release: Spring 2026
• Style: Fino Sherry
• Grape: Palomino Fino
• Origin: Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Andalucía, Spain
• Size: 375ml half bottle

A half bottle of Jerez character for your next tapas table.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a fine entry-level offering from Giacosa. This perfumed, mid-weight Barbaresco is all charm. Crushed flowers, bright red fruit, blood orange, spice and mint open first. Silky, polished tannins give this pliant, alluring Barbaresco tons of character. A delight.

Memo Summary Notes

Carlo Giacosa is a fourth-generation family estate in the heart of Barbaresco. 

Expert Review — Vintage 2022

Wine Advocate — 93 Points | Herbal and spicy, keeping freshness while reflecting the dry, warm vintage conditions. A powerful white with excellent aging potential. An unusual and compelling blend of 86% Sauvignon Blanc and 14% Verdejo — a little à la Bordeaux. Fermented and matured on lees in barrel for seven months.

Winemaker Description

Clean and bright, with fragrant aromas of white flowers, elder, and acacia, layered with refreshing notes of ginger and citrus — mandarin, grapefruit, and lime. On the palate, stone fruits emerge: apricot, nectarine, and ripe melon. Persistent, creamy, and unctuous, with fresh, crystalline acidity that makes this a highly age-worthy wine.

• Producer: Abadía Retuerta
• Classification: Vino de Pago (Spain’s highest single-estate designation)
• Appellation: Sardon del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Blend: 86% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Verdejo
• Aging: Barrel-fermented, 7 months on lees
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Suzor · Sunflower Chardonnay · Willamette Valley · 2021

A textured Oregon Chardonnay with bright citrus, savory herbs, and a lively mineral edge. The 2021 Sunflower balances rich lemon-curd and brioche flavors with tangy acidity, making it an inviting white for a relaxed dinner at home.

Wine & Place

Suzor’s Sunflower Chardonnay comes from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The supplied 2021 reviews highlight a combination of rounded fruit, floral aromatics, and refreshing acidity, with enough depth for the table and a citrus-driven finish.

Tasting Notes

Lemon, rosemary, honeyed flowers, green melon, and chamomile lead into ripe stone fruit, candied citrus, and hints of ginger and butterscotch. A rich, rounded texture is balanced by a salty mineral accent and a fresh, minty-herbal finish.

Expert Reviews · 2021 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast, Michael Alberty, 93 Points | I'm a Kansas kid, so I'm a sucker for a sunflowers. The juice inside this bottle, however, is what will make me buy it again. The Sunflower offers aromas of lemon, rosemary and a wee bit of butterscotch. A rich texture and lemon curd and brioche flavors are counterpointed by tangy acidity. Pour with The Wizard of Oz.

Vinous, Eric Guido, 92 Points | Honeyed flowers, green melon, chamomile and hints of gingery spice waft up from the 2021 Chardonnay The Sunflower. Soothingly round, this impresses with its depths of ripe pit fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a salty tinge of minerality. The 2021 leaves a cheek-puckering freshness and minty herbal tones, finishing with staining length and freshness. Drinking 2024 to 2028.

James Suckling, 91 Points | A refreshing and citrusy chardonnay with notes of lemons, baking spices and some blanched almonds. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Focused and well-made, with a delicious finish. Drink now.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, seared scallops, lemon-butter fish, or a mushroom tart. Serve chilled and allow a little time in the glass for the richer fruit and savory notes to emerge.

Wine Details

• Producer: Suzor
• Cuvée: Sunflower
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Bottle size: 750ml

Richness and refreshment in equal measure, with a distinctly savory Oregon character.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 Points | A sleek, polished and well-balanced wine that shows hints of mint and eucalyptus. Black cherry, blackberry, black currant and bay leaf nuances. Contains 1% merlot and is aged in 15% new French oak. Contains a majority of relatively cool-climate Coombsville grapes. Full-bodied. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Deeply colored ruby, with aromas of violets, dark fruits and a pleasing waft of forest floor. Flavors reveal dark chocolate and cocoa spun through with spice and a sip of black coffee. This is a friendly while poised Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of fruit that reveal layers of interest with further sipping.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | Crossbarn's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley comes predominantly from Paul Hobbs's Coombsville vineyard, augmented by some purchased fruit from Calistoga. Matured in 15% new French oak, it offers up scents of black cherries, cassis and suede, alongside hints of cedar and vanilla. In the mouth, the wine is nicely smooth and supple, even plush, really well-integrated and long. It's a terrific value in Napa Cabernet.

Winemaker Description 

The ‘cross’ barn served as a childhood meeting place on Paul Hobbs’ family’s more than one hundred-and-fifty-year-old fruit farm situated in Niagara County, New York. Named after this gathering point, Crossbarn honors the values of hard work and integrity instilled in Paul from his childhood. Committed to high-quality, sustainably farmed vineyards, our wines offer a bright and youthful expression of fruit blended from Northern California’s finest appellations.

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 98 Points | Made from old vines and blended from casks of Port averaging 40 years of maturity, this is a rare treat with which to finish an evening. The color is tawny brown, with a light orange-amber rim and mahogany center. Fully developed aromas of cinnamon, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, dried apricots and hazelnuts lead to layered, rich, sweet and creamy flavors and a long, long finish.

Decanter 97 Points | Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The NV 40 Year Tawny is a blockbuster Tawny! Coming all from the estate vineyard and aged 40 years or more in 640-liter oak barrels, it has a touch of ranico-like character as well as beautiful caramelized fruits, toasted spice, cigar, and walnut/nuttiness. Ripe, heady, full-bodied and beautifully complex, it’s going to be perfect for sipping at the end of a meal over the coming couple of decades.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is exotic, with a wide range of baked peach, dried cherry and fig, singed cinnamon, warmed praline, hazelnut and green tea notes all swirling around together. The long finish is rich and  thoroughly comforting.