90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Adelsheim · Chardonnay 2023 · Willamette Valley, Oregon · 750ml

Adelsheim Chardonnay offers an introduction to the winery’s style and the cool-climate Chardonnays of the Willamette Valley. The supplied winemaker note highlights yellow apple, Asian pear, cinnamon, and lemon thyme, with a palate that balances vibrancy and plushness.

Vineyards & Character

The supplied vineyard information describes fruit entirely from LIVE certified sustainable vineyards in the north Willamette Valley, with 87% from Adelsheim estate properties. Sites range from 450 to 875 feet in elevation and represent volcanic, sedimentary, and loess soils. The composition is 100% Chardonnay.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling · 92 Points
A subtle and pleasing wine with aromas of ripe pears and white peaches along with some sweet vanilla, caramel and green apples. A clean, easygoing, entry-level wine with bright acidity.

Winemaker Tasting Notes

Gina Hennen · Winemaker
"Wafting notes of yellow apple, Asian pear, crushed cinnamon stick, and lemon thyme rise out of the glass. The palate is pleasantly defined, offering both vibrancy and a delightful plushness. This serves as an excellent introduction to both Adelsheim’s winemaking style and the cool climate Chardonnays of the Willamette Valley at large."

Producer Philosophy

As a founding winery of the Willamette Valley we believe it is our duty to be steadfast stewards of this abundant land and to rally our community in support of equity and education. We have a responsibility to work with our community of partners to amplify muted voices and cultivate communities of inclusion and representation.

Every member of our organization is committed to treading lightly on the earth and supporting our local economy so that our vineyards, our wines, and our people remain here for generations to come.

This commitment is reflected in the five core pillars that guide everything we do:

Wine Quality: Consistently raising the bar

Over 50 years of winemaking have shaped our commitment to quality. From the famous Steamboat Conference to today, we’ve dedicated ourselves to crafting wines that reflect the unique character of the Chehalem Mountains.

For us, quality is non-negotiable. It begins in the vineyard and continues in the cellar, where tradition meets innovation. With each vintage, we refine our techniques, explore new possibilities, and create wines that are more expressive and exciting than the last.

Every bottle is an invitation to taste the result of our relentless pursuit of excellence.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled in a white wine glass. Try with roast chicken, grilled fish, scallops, or a creamy vegetable pasta.

Wine Details

• Producer: Adelsheim
• Vintage: 2023
• Composition: 100% Chardonnay
• Appellation: Willamette Valley
• Origin: Oregon, United States
• Vineyards described: LIVE certified sustainable
• Estate fruit listed: 87%
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Supplied review: James Suckling, 92 points

DuMOL · Wester Reach Pinot Noir 2024 · Russian River Valley · 750ml

DuMOL’s Wester Reach Pinot Noir brings together valley vineyards and cooler western ridges in a layered expression of the Russian River Valley. The 2024 combines cherry and raspberry fruit with floral perfume, dried herbs, and spice, balancing depth of texture with a bright, lingering finish.

Character & Style

Winemaker Andy Smith describes a medium-bodied wine with rose petal, hibiscus, black cherry, and dark raspberry. The supplied critics highlight refined texture, red-toned fruit, mineral detail, and refreshing acidity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling · 95 Points
A pleasing mix of wild berries and red and black cherries with hints of cola and spices. Medium-bodied, plush and refined, showing orange black tea and a little anise in the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck · 94 Points
The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is a youthful rub -red hue and is more red-fruited, minty, and floral in profile, with the highest percentage of estate fruit to date. Medium-bodied, with spicy pomegranate fruit, refreshing acidity, and excellent structure.

Vinous · 91 Points
The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is a very pretty, elegant wine. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and crushed rocks are finely drawn in this nervy, taut Pinot Noir. The 2024 is a wine of detail and nuance. Give it a year or two to soften a bit.

Winemaker Description

Andy Smith · Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner
Our “Wester Reach” Pinot Noir is a multi-layered interpretation of this classic region where we live and farm vines. It includes some of the finest sites in the appellation - vineyards that we have planted, farmed or harvested for thirty years. Comprising three of our region’s unique sub-districts, the wine blends fruit from the valley with vineyards further west, stretching out to the coolest ‘reaches’ of the appellation’s high elevation coastal ridges. Each district contributes something unique, be it valley-floor texture and volume, ridgeline fruit intensity or bright coastal acidity.

The 2024 season saw a wet winter, a mild spring, and a hot July. Fortunately, harvest temperatures were gentle and mild, allowing steady progression to perfect maturity. Irrigation was not required, but we needed to crop thin to bring the vines into balance. Harvest took place over a stress-free three-week period. Berry size was moderate, so the wines have obvious concentration with an intense fruit core and fresh balancing acidity.

Aromas and flavors akin to rose petal, hibiscus, black cherry and dark raspberry. An edge of dried herb and Asian spice. Medium-bodied with deep layers of texture and lovely fruit purity. Turns sleek and succulent on the bright lingering finish. Drink between 2026 and 2034.

Vineyards & Winemaking

• 33% Flax Estate Vineyard
• 26% Dr. Galante Estate Vineyard
• 21% Dutton-Jentoft Vineyard
• 20% Occidental Road Vineyard
• Harvest dates listed: August 21–September 12
• Fermentation: Native yeasts, 25% whole clusters
• Aging: 11 months in 228L French oak barrels, 30% new, followed by 3 months in tank
• Bottled unfiltered
• Production listed: 4,500 cases of 750ml

Additional Press Mention

The supplied producer material also lists 94 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent. No accompanying review text was supplied.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve slightly cool and allow time in the glass. Try with roast duck, salmon, mushroom dishes, or herb-roasted chicken. The winemaker’s suggested drinking window is 2026–2034; Vinous recommends allowing a year or two for the wine to soften.

Wine Details

• Producer: DuMOL
• Cuvée: Wester Reach
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Russian River Valley
• Origin: California, United States
• Bottle size: 750ml

Winemaker Notes: Fresh and lively, with a dazzling youthful character followed by a broad and appetizing palate of white fruit and acacia honey with subtle pastry and brioche overtones. The finish is long and persistent, revealing a touch of chalky minerality, a signature of the Côte des Blancs, along with hints of grapefruit, blood orange and a delicate salinity.

Expert Ratings

94 Wine Enthusiast: A beautiful Champagne, this citrus and white-fruited wine is tightly textured with a strong mineral character and pure acidity and freshness. The low dosage means it is dry, but the fruit contrasts well with this.

93 Jeb Dunnuck: The 2018 Champagne Blanc De Blancs A/18 Extra Brut is 100% Chardonnay from Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Bisieul, and Cuis and spent six years in the cellars. A floral vintage, this wine boasts elegant notes of white peach, pear, fresh pastry, lemon candies, and fresh almond. Approachable and medium-bodied, the palate is more rounded, with a creamy mousse and lasting suggestions of fresh custard on the finish.

93 James Suckling: Lemony and pristine with aspirin-like tension. Light-bodied, showing superzesty tangerine flavors with bright fruit definition and good length. It might lack complexity at the moment but is poised to develop lots of energy, elegance and nerviness.

Winemaker Notes: Brut Rosé Majeur is a blend of Chardonnay (51%), Pinot Noir (40%) and Pinot Meunier (9%). The very high proportion of Chardonnay and the ageing process result in a Champagne with remarkable finesse and elegance.

Ayala currently owns 35 acres in Champagne. Thanks to its privileged location in the heart of the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims and their link to Bollinger, they also have unique access to top quality grapes.

Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. Brut Rosé Majeur is fermented in stainless steel, with a focus on freshness and precision. It spends 2.5 years on the lees and rests in the cellar for at least 3 months after disgorgement.

Expert Ratings

93 James Suckling: Toasted brioche, red fruit, white pepper, baking spices and yellow peaches on the nose. Fine bubbles and flavors of grenadine, white flowers and blackberries. The palate is soft and tangy, with a well-defined peach character. 52% chardonnay, 29% pinot noir and 19% meunier.

93 Wine Spectator: Fresh and harmonious, this well-tailored rosé Champagne integrates a rich vein of chalky minerality and finely honed acidity with the raw silk–like mousse and a lovely range of crunchy white peach, raspberry, chopped almond and candied ginger. Long and minerally on the creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

90 Jeb Dunnuck: A lacy and elegantly styled Rose Champagne, the NV Champagne Majeur Rose Brut is always a high proportion of Chardonnay, with it clocking in at 51% of the blend for this vintage, with 10% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir (6% of which came from Ay). Based on the 2019 vintage, it saw the same reduction of dosage as the Majeur Brut, from 7 grams per liter to 6 grams per liter of dosage. On opening, it pours a pale pink-silver color and is fresh with aromas of white peach, fresh rose petals, and fresh strawberry. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a delicate mousse, fresh notes of orchard fruit, a delicate, chalky texture, and clean lift on the finish..

90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The NV Rosé Majeur Brut reveals aromas of red berries, pomegranate, grapefruit and raspberries. Moderately weighted, incisive and taut, it's delicately juicy with a long, saline finish. This incisive, tense rosé is composed of 52% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir (including 5% as a red wine) and 10% Pinot Meunier and was disgorged with a dosage of six grams per liter.

N° 14 is the third opus from the “COLLECTION AYALA,” a set of cuvees produced in limited quantities, unveiled only as they approach their peak level of drinkability. This ephemeral cuvee is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir — including Grand Cru Aÿ red wine.

Thanks to its extended ageing in the cellar and a low dosage of 5.3 grams/liter, N° 14 expertise, the ephemeral cuvée N°14 is composed of the five emblematic Grands Crus that form the backbone of the House’s blends. Caroline Latrive wanted to work the crus in equal proportions, exclusively from the 2014 vintage and for the first time in a rosé version.

 Expert Reviews

94 Wine Enthusiast:  "This is the third in an open-ended series of limited-production Champagnes. This new iteration is now beginning its rich maturity, with five Grand Cru villages at its heart. It is a finely textured wine with weight and dryness mitigated by the ripe fruit."—R.V.

93 James Suckling: "Plenty of strawberry character with iron, peaches and hints of chalk. Full-bodied with medium, round tannins and a spicy, cotton-candy and orange-peel aftertaste."

92 Jeb Dunnuck:   "A very different expression, the 2014 Champagne No 14 Brut Rosé is a pale peach hue, with a subtle and attractive perfume of lilac, tangerine, and cantaloupe. It has more racy and compact tension on the palate, with a soft, chalky texture that lifts cleanly. There is nice, snappy energy to this wine, which can be drunk over the next 10 or so years." 

Davies Vineyards · Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon · 2022

Davies Vineyards traces its roots to the people who shaped the Schramsberg Estate. Hugh Davies describes that continuity as a link between earlier generations and the future, a sense of history carried into the winery’s work today.

For the 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Jeb Dunnuck describes a soft, supple, forward wine with plum, incense, baking spice and chocolate. Vinous finds it plump, juicy and expressive. For a pairing suggestion, serve with roast beef, lamb or a savory mushroom dish.

Producer Perspective

“It’s rewarding to be working on something that has roots that go beyond my life. Our business was started by my parents, but before my parents there were Jacob Schram and then the Pringles. Similarly, we can’t know exactly the course of the future ahead and yet there is a tangible link to the future ahead so you feel that you’re part of something that goes beyond your own life and I think there is something humbling and rewarding about that.”

Hugh Davies

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling. 92 Points  · 2022 — Bright red-fruit flavors mingle with ripe blackberries and black cherries in this deep and harmonious wine. Moderate tannins give a little grip to the delicious fruit and subtle oak spices. Drink now or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck, 90 Points · 2022 — A beautiful 2022 that's soft, supple, and forward, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of plums, incense, baking spices, and chocolate. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot and aged 21 months in 62% new French oak.

Vinous, 90 Points · 2022 — The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Soft, succulent contours wrap it all together. This is a fine showing for the vintage.

At a glance

• Producer: Davies Vineyards
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Country: United States
• Blend, per Jeb Dunnuck: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot
• Aging, per Jeb Dunnuck: 21 months in French oak, 62% new
• Size: 750ml
• Serving suggestions: Roast beef, lamb or savory mushrooms

A supple, fruit-forward Napa Cabernet with a family story behind it.

Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Chardonnay · 2022

Rich yet focused, this Russian River Valley Chardonnay opens with honeysuckle, ripe pear and sliced almond. Stone fruit and a generous texture meet crisp acidity for a finish that keeps its depth in balance with freshness.

The fruit comes from historic blocks near the Russian River, where gravelly soils contribute to the vineyards' character. Most of the blend draws from Rochioli's River Block, planted in 1989, alongside the Mid-40s Block, planted in 1993, and Allen Block 1, planted in 1995. Gary Farrell's relationship with Rochioli began more than four decades ago with a handshake, a partnership reflected in this vineyard-focused bottling.

Expert review · Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points — A whisper of flinty reduction dances at the margins along with grilled pineapple, fresh lemon, and Granny Smith apple on the nose of this Chardonnay. The palate features lightning rod acidity framing flavors of nectarine, pithy lemon, candied ginger, and white flowers lingering through a lengthy finish. Tom R. Capo

At the table

Pair with butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce or a delicate mushroom risotto.

At a glance

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Rochioli and Allen
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Size: 750ml

A vineyard-driven Chardonnay with richness, lift and an introductory offer.

Gary Farrell Pinot Noir · Russian River Valley · 2023

Fragrant and balanced, this Russian River Valley Pinot Noir brings red cherry, rose petal and baking spice together with a subtle note of cedar. Juicy red fruit, blood orange and savory earth carry the medium-bodied palate, while bright acidity and fine tannins lead to a lingering, spice-accented finish.

The 2023 blend brings together vineyards across the valley, including Rochioli and Bacigalupi in the Middle Reach and Hallberg in cooler, fog-influenced Green Valley. A long, cool growing season allowed extended ripening while preserving freshness. Hand-harvested and sorted fruit, a small whole-cluster portion, cold soak and extended maceration built aromatic depth; nine months in French oak barrels, 35% new, added subtle spice.

Expert reviews · Vintage 2023

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points — Focused aromas of black cherry, blackberry and cola waft on the nose of this Pinot. The palate brings bright fresh cherry, spice mélange and flowers with orange peel acidity and echoes of cedar, roses and plum through the finish.

Wine Spectator, 92 Points — A bright and friendly version, whose pomegranate and cherry fruit is engaging, with flashes of rose petal and iris skirting about. Offers a fresh, transparent finish.

From our team - David 67wino.shop

“Farrell’s most popular Pinot Noir—a best seller. Great fruit and easy drinking. Elegant is the word.”

David of 67 Wine

At the table

Serve with roasted duck, grilled salmon, herb-roasted pork tenderloin or wild mushroom dishes.

At a glance

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Aging: 9 months in French oak, 35% new
• Alcohol: 13.9%
• Size: 750ml

A Russian River Pinot Noir with graceful fruit and an introductory offer.

Gary Farrell Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay · 2023

Expressive and balanced, this Russian River Valley Chardonnay pairs vibrant citrus and delicate stone fruit with a supple, creamy texture. Fresh apricot, tangerine and lemon zest mingle with peach, honeysuckle and a quiet pastry note. Bright citrus brings lift to the palate and keeps the richness in check.

Planted in 1975 to Wente-selection Chardonnay, Olivet Lane Vineyard sits on sloping benchland in the Santa Rosa Plain, between the warmer Westside Road area and cooler Green Valley. Warm days, chilly evenings, coastal breezes and fog help preserve acidity, while well-drained loam and clay soils give this site its concentration and finesse. The long, cool 2023 season allowed fruit time to develop flavor without losing freshness.

Expert review · vintage not specified in existing review text

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points — The nose of this Chardonnay hits with aromas of tart citrus, green apple, white flowers, and a charge of flint. The palate possesses nervy acidity and pithy texture, with flavors of Bosc pear, cinnamon, lemon blossoms, and stemmy herb mélange through the finale. A little time in the cellar will soften this out nicely. — Tom Capo

From our team - David of 67wino.shop

“Perfect for the Burgundy lover who desires a California Chardonnay. Meursault in character. Aged in old barrels. Dry and lean on the palate.”

David of 67 Wine

At the table

Pair with seared scallops, lemon-roasted chicken, grilled shrimp or crab cakes.

At a glance

• Producer: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vineyard: Olivet Lane
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Alcohol: 13.6%
• Size: 750ml

A single-vineyard Chardonnay with citrus energy, graceful texture and an introductory offer.

Col d’Orcia · Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

One of Montalcino’s original estates, Col d’Orcia is known for a traditional approach that lets Sangiovese lead. The estate’s limestone and marl vineyards sit about 1,500 feet above sea level between the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle. In 2020, a frost-free winter and dry spring were followed by summer rain that supported ripening; the Consorzio del Brunello and a panel of Masters of Wine rated the vintage five stars.

The hand-harvested grapes fermented for 18–20 days in temperature-controlled, shallow stainless-steel tanks. The wine aged three years in large Slavonian and Allier oak casks, then a year in bottle. Expect ripe cherry and sour cherry, hints of jam, vanilla and light toast, balanced tannins, and a savory, persistent finish.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate · 94 points · 2020: The organic Col d'Orcia 2020 Brunello di Montalcino offers a classic Sangiovese bouquet with warm-vintage intensity. It shows sweet aromas of raspberry tart and cooked cherry. There is a delicate element of smoked spice at the back. The tannins are open-knit, and the wine offers immediate drinking pleasure. It should be exciting to follow this wine's future evolution. “We try to protect the freshness of Sangiovese,” says Count Francesco Marone Cinzano. “That is our reading of traditional Brunello.”

Decanter · 93 points · 2020: Among Montalcino’s larger estates, Col d’Orcia is also one of the region’s most consistent values – especially given its solid ageing potential in most vintages. The 2020 is no exception. There is a captivating sumptuousness to the nose as it radiates lush red cherries and strawberry bush. With air, an underlying flintiness emerges, as well as a mix of sweet garden and exotic herbs. A surprisingly hefty structure of dry, sandy tannins curbs its generosity, while leather and orange lurk through the stony core. Somewhat muddled now, but harmony is within sight.

Jeb Dunnuck · 93 points · 2020: A saturated red color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino was aged three years in barrel and captures the richness of the southern sector while staying pure and energetic. It offers ripe aromatics of black cherries, dried herbs, leather, and dark earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has ripe tannins, bright acidity, and a savory finish with a touch of warmth.

James Suckling · 93 points · 2020: A fresh and refined red with plum and orange character, as well as fine tannins. It’s medium-bodied, lively and focused. A little tight at the end, suggesting two or three years will allow it to open. A more traditional Brunello here. Drink after 2027.

Vinous · 92 points · 2020: The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino opens slowly with a blend of black cherry and minty herb scents elevated by hints of blood orange. It displays silky textures and a lifted feel, with tart wild berry fruit aromas and mineral tones accentuated by rosy inner florals. The 2020 imparts edgy tannins offset by a tinge of zesty acidity.

Wine Spectator · 92 points · 2020: Balsamic notes of tomato leaf, juniper and thyme rub shoulders with strawberry, cherry, blood orange and earth in this dry, elegant red. Ends firmly, with lightly chewy tannins and a mouthwatering feel. Best from 2027 through 2042.

• Producer: Col d’Orcia
• Wine: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape: 100% Sangiovese
• Region: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
• Style: Organic red wine
• Size: 750ml

A classic, cellar-worthy Brunello, balancing generous Sangiovese fruit with savory depth and traditional oak aging.

Grape: Tempranillo
Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Spain
Vineyards: Selected mature-vine parcels in Rioja Alta
Aging: 14 months in French and American oak, followed by bottle aging
Style: Full-bodied, rich, structured and polished
Serving Temperature: 61–63°F

The Wine Enthusiast 91 Points: Pleasing and polished, this Tempranillo from Rioja offers a fruit forward, richly flavored, while also mouthwatering palate of pleasure. Dark chocolate wrapped cherries rolled in spices, juicy dark berries, and a refreshing woodsy lift join melting tannins and good overall balance. Enjoy a glass on its own or pair with a range of hearty dishes. — Elaine Chukan Brown

Warre's · Late Bottled Vintage Port · Douro, Portugal · 2011

Late Bottled Vintage Port is bottled later than Vintage Port: Warre's producer note explains that the final LBV blend is bottled between the fourth and sixth year after harvest, while Vintage Port is bottled after two years. The producer also describes LBV as aged exclusively in wood and ready to drink without decanting once bottled, because it is filtered before bottling.

For this 2011 listing, the available tasting reviews are for the prior 2010 vintage, so they are kept below and labeled accordingly rather than presented as 2011 notes.

Expert Reviews · 

Falstaff · April 2026 · 92 Points: Dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fresh prunes, dark cherries, some blackberry jam, figs and nougat underneath. Juicy, medium complexity, integrated sweetness, youthful, uncomplicated style with a chocolaty-fruity finish, good entry-level port. (Vintage 2011). 

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast · 92 Points: Bottled unfiltered so that it can age, this is a very fine Port. The tannins are now soft, fully integrated into the black fruits and mature texture. This wine is perfectly ready to drink. (Prior VIntage 2010). 

Winemaker Description

Late Bottled Vintage is so named because the final LBV blend is bottled later between the fourth and sixth year than Vintage Ports, which are bottled two years after the harvest. Furthermore, Late Bottled Vintage, unlike Vintage Port, is aged exclusively in wood and once bottled it is ready for immediate drinking and does not require decanting because it is filtered prior to bottling.

At a Glance

• Producer: Warre's
• Vintage: 2011
• Style: Late Bottled Vintage Port
• Region: Douro, Portugal
• Blend: Touriga Nacional-led varietal information is listed on the product
• Size: 750ml
• Serving: Producer note says ready to drink without decanting

A wood-aged, ready-to-enjoy LBV from the Douro, with earlier-vintage reviews retained for context.

Antinori · Pian delle Vigne · Rosso di Montalcino 2024

Pian delle Vigne is Antinori’s estate in the hills surrounding Montalcino, Tuscany. The 2024 Rosso di Montalcino is a Tuscan red for the table, suited to pairing with hearty, savory dishes.

Expert Review · 2023 Vintage

Jeb Dunnuck · 90 Points · 2023
A youthful medium red hue, the 2023 Rosso Di Montalcino is expressive and ripe out of the gate, with notes of baked red cherries, leather, and balsamic herbs. Plush and inviting, the palate is ripe with pliant tannins and medium to full-bodied richness. It's delightful now and will drink well over the coming 5-6 years.

Food Pairings

Enjoy it with pasta with tomato sauce, roasted poultry, grilled meats, or aged cheeses.

At a Glance

• Producer: Antinori
• Estate: Pian delle Vigne
• Wine: Rosso di Montalcino
• Vintage: 2024
• Country: Italy
• Region: Tuscany
• Bottle size: 750ml

A versatile Tuscan red for relaxed dinners and generous, savory food.

Powerful and generous, this distinguished Grand Cru red Burgundy opens with aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry. The 2023 vintage unfolds with black cherry, licorice, and nutmeg on the palate, finishing with a touch of pepper and impressive length.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this signature cuvée brings together five Domaine Louis Latour vineyards on the Corton hillside: Bressandes, Perrières, Grèves, Clos du Roi, and Chaumes. Each is aged separately before the finest barrels are selected for the final blend.

Hand-harvested grapes from mature vines undergo traditional fermentation in open vats, followed by ten to twelve months in French oak barrels, 35% new. The result combines concentrated fruit, spice, and the depth expected of Corton Grand Cru.

Expert Ratings

97 Pts James Suckling: Fresh, lively and elegant, this is not at all what the world expects from this Grand Cru, but it is so exciting, whipping across your palate at a very brisk clip. Silky tannins and a really long, stony finish with terrific energy. Drink or hold.

94 Wine Spectator: Graphite, smoke, black cherry, blackberry, earth, sandalwood and toasty oak flavors permeate this muscular red. Feels balanced and complex despite a final impression of gripping tannins; this just needs time. Best from 2029 through 2050

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Place: Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Corton Grand Cru AOC
Style: Dry red wine, oak-aged
Aging: 10–12 months in French oak, 35% new
Serving temperature: 61–63°F (16–17°C)
Producer’s cellaring potential: 10–15 years

Primus · Carménère · Apalta, Colchagua 2022

Primus finds its home in Chile’s Apalta Valley, where the producer describes a respectful approach to the vineyard rooted in regenerative organic and biodynamic principles. This 2022 Carménère brings the region’s red-fruit and herbal character to a bottle made for the table.

The winemaker describes red fruit, cedar and boldo herbs, with cherry, pepper and rosemary on a fresh, fruity palate. Silky, velvety tannins and good volume make it a natural companion for beef empanadas, curried lamb or a slow-cooked stew.

Expert reviews · 2022 vintage

James Suckling · 91 points

Sweet spices, preserved cherries and hints of white pepper and grilled herbs. Fresh, medium-bodied palate with slightly chewy tannins. From organically grown grapes with Ecocert certification. Vegan. Sustainable. Better in two more years.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate · 91 points

The 2022 Primus Carmenere represents the Neyen de Apalta style well, offering woody, herbal and slightly resinous aromas against a bed of ripe yet succulent red fruit aromas. The palate is plush and layered while remaining contained and classy, concluding with a refined, elegant finish.

Wine Spectator · 89 points

Redolent with wild berry and cherry notes, this red weaves in sage, mace and mineral accents that linger nicely around fine tannins and peppery accents. Drink now through 2030. 4,300 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

Wine details

• Producer: Primus
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Carménère
• Origin: Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile
• Farming: Organically grown grapes, per the existing James Suckling review
• Style: Red wine
• Size: 750ml
• Pair with: beef empanadas, curried lamb or stews

An Apalta red with ripe fruit, savory herbs and a silky finish.

MAGNUM SIZE: Agrapart · L’Avizoise Grand Cru · Champagne 2019

Grand Cru pedigree. Remarkable depth. Magnificent in magnum.

A magnum of vintage Blanc de Blancs from Avize in Champagne’s Côte des Blancs, L’Avizoise is Agrapart’s expression of the upper hillside, where the estate’s existing producer profile describes more clay over the chalk. This is the powerful side of Avize, framed by the chalky character that defines the village.

The Agrapart family has bottled Champagne under its own name since the domaine’s founding in 1894. Pascal Agrapart helped establish its reputation for site-driven wines; Ambroise joined him in the 2018 vintage. For this 2019 Extra Brut, the 1.5-liter format makes a striking bottle to open around a generous table.

From the existing producer profile

“At the top of the hill where there is more clay, he produces his most powerful wine, ‘L’Avizoise’.”

Powerful, expressive, and beautifully textured, Pascal Agrapart’s Avizoise 2019 showcases the generous side of Grand Cru Chardonnay. Presented in an impressive 1.5-liter magnum—the equivalent of two standard bottles—this vintage Blanc de Blancs brings depth and elegance to a celebratory table or a carefully chosen Champagne collection.

The 2019 combines ripe orchard fruit and citrus with floral nuances, freshly baked bread, and a chalky mineral character. Its concentrated, richly textured palate is enlivened by fine bubbles and vibrant freshness, delivering a Champagne with both presence and finesse.

The Vineyard: Grand Cru Avize

Avizoise comes from the Robarts and Gros Yeux parcels in Avize, a Grand Cru village in Champagne’s Côte des Blancs. These sites share a deep layer of clay-rich topsoil over chalk, a geological profile that contributes to the cuvée’s distinctive density and richness. Made entirely from Chardonnay, Avizoise expresses this terroir in a style that is generous, elegant, and particularly well suited to the dining table.

About Pascal Agrapart

Based in Avize, Pascal Agrapart is a grower-producer working exclusively with estate-grown grapes. Pascal and his son Ambroise tend approximately 12 hectares of vineyards, predominantly planted to Chardonnay in Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs.

The domaine places living soils at the center of its vineyard philosophy. Ploughing and compost made from local ingredients help sustain the health of the vineyards, while careful harvesting and pressing preserve the character of the fruit. The Champagnes are bottled at the estate without fining or filtration and are riddled by hand.

Serving & Food Pairings

Serve in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass or a white wine glass to allow the aromas and texture to unfold. Suggested pairings include butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken, turbot with a creamy sauce, or aged Comté. The magnum format makes an especially striking centerpiece for a dinner or celebration.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pascal Agrapart
• Cuvée: Avizoise
• Vintage: 2019
• Region: Champagne, France
• Origin: Avize, Côte des Blancs
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
• Bottle Size: Magnum — 1.5 Liter

Ratings & Reviews

Vinous 97

97The 2019 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs L’Avizoise Grand Cru is dialed up to the maximum. Ample and broad on the palate, the Avizoise is seriously impressive right out of the gate. So expressive today, the 2019 will only improve over time. Even in the early going, it soars with tremendous textural resonance and body. The natural gravitas of these sites (Champboutons and Bionnes) in Avize comes through loud and clear. The Avizoise is the most dense and potent of these Champagnes from Agrapart. It is bottled with no dosage but does have 3 grams of natural residual sugar. Disgorged: June 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. - By Antonio Galloni on November 2025.

97 James Suckling

Reviewed October 2025

An austere nose of lime zest, chalk and lemon leaves. It needs time in the glass to become gentler, with lemon curd and apple flavors, pinprick bubbles, a medium body and very good concentration that’s typical of the vintage. A restrained wine with zesty, integrated acidity and a super tight-knit texture. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate 95 Points 

Review Date: 03/2026

Disgorged in October 2025 without dosage, the 2019 Blanc de Blancs Avizoise leaps from the glass with a flamboyant bouquet of orange confit, ripe peach and rose apple, mingled with freshly baked bread. On the palate, it is full-bodied and immensely concentrated, open-knit and muscular, with a rich, textural core of fruit and succulent yet vibrant acidity, enlivened by a pinpoint mousse and concluding with a flavorful finish tinged with orange. Avizoise is often the richest and most demonstrative wine in the portfolio, but this year it goes well beyond that descriptor. A residual sugar of around four grams per liter lends a more generous, giving style, and the wine will age on its concentration rather than its acidity. As ever, it derives from clay-rich soils in the commune of Avize and is typically where Agrapart begins the harvest; yields were reduced by some 30% due to frost this year. (KK)

An Avize-focused Champagne for a gathering worth opening a magnum.

Paitin di Pasquero-Elia · Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin DOCG · Piedmont · 2022

For eight generations the Pasquero-Elia family has farmed the hills of Neive, weathering wars and hard vintages to build a deep, lasting bond with their land. Since 1893 their Sorì Paitin, the warmest, steepest, southwest-facing slope of the Serraboella MGA cru, has been one of the traditional benchmarks of Neive's Barbaresco.

Paitin's approach is rooted in classic Piedmontese winemaking and in patience: long macerations and unhurried aging that let the terroir speak. In 2022 the family didn't make its Vecchie Vigne, so fruit from those old vines went into this bottling instead, which makes it an especially strong year for this wine.

Tasting Notes

Dark and layered, with graphite, licorice and pencil shavings over raspberry, macerated cherry, strawberry and blood orange. Clove, hazelnut, rose and a cool mint lift emerge as it opens. The active limestone soils give it volume, firm tannins and bright, steely acidity. It's a structured, long, detailed Barbaresco that will reward cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

96 Points — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Because the Vecchie Vigne was not made in 2022, fruit from the old vines was directed to this wine instead. The Paitin 2022 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is a beautiful wine with dark elements of graphite, dusty root, pencil shaving and licorice. This site has active limestone, and this brings a sense of greater volume in terms of mouthfeel, tannic firmness and balanced acidity."

94 Points — James Suckling
"Well defined aromas express a striking mix of clove, mushroom and hazelnut. On the palate, sweet spice infuses the raspberry canvas. This is vertical and fairly austere, with dry tannins around the edges which bolster the wine with a forceful grip. Steely acidity accentuates, and some cooling mint, rose and pepper emerge as the wine opens. Dynamic rather than elegant, and in need of more time. In Piemontese dialect, sorì refers to the best exposed slope of a hill. For the Paitin estate, that means the warmest, steepest section of the Serraboella MGA, which faces southwest."

93 Points — Wine Spectator
"A generous, lively red, this evokes strawberry, cherry, raspberry, rose hip, eucalyptus and mineral flavors. Firmly structured, with a linear path of assertive tannins gripping the finish. Nonetheless, this is long and detailed."

91–94 Points (Barrel Sample) — Vinous
"The 2022 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin is a promising wine. Although not fully formed, the 2022 possesses notable textural depth. Macerated cherry, blood orange, spice, menthol and crushed autumn leaves build with some coaxing. I am looking forward to checking in on this once it has been bottled."

Pairings & Serving

• Tajarin or risotto with white truffle or mushrooms
• Braised beef, brasato al Barolo, and slow-roasted lamb
• Wild game and aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Castelmagno
• Decant 1–2 hours and serve at 60–64°F. Cellar-worthy for many years.

Specs

• Producer: Paitin di Pasquero-Elia
• Wine: Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin
• Vintage: 2022
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG (Serraboella MGA, Neive)
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Type: Red wine
• Size: 750 ml

A 96-point, old-vine-boosted Barbaresco from one of Neive's great historic crus.

A landmark Rioja with old-vine depth and modern elegance. First produced in 1986, Barón de Chirel helped establish a new direction for premium Rioja, combining Marqués de Riscal’s heritage with Bordeaux-inspired winemaking. The 2020 vintage delivers a compelling combination of concentrated fruit, complex aromatics and substantial structure.

Sourced from low-yielding vineyards around Elciego, with vines approximately 80–110 years old, this wine captures the intensity of exceptional old-vine fruit. Individual parcels are fermented separately in French Allier oak vats, followed by 16 months in French oak barrels and a further 20 months of bottle maturation before release.

Tasting Notes

Expressive aromas of dark berries, violets and graphite unfold with subtle leather and integrated oak. The palate is rich and concentrated, with layers of dark fruit supported by ripe, energetic tannins. Its combination of depth, structure and aromatic complexity makes this a distinctive choice for collectors and lovers of powerful Rioja.

Ratings & Critical Acclaim

100 Points — Guía Proensa
The producer lists a perfect 100-point score for the 2020 vintage.

97 Points — Guía Peñín 2026
A standout score for the 2020 vintage, confirmed by Marqués de Riscal.

96 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: From century-old bush vines, the 2020 Baron de Chirel blends Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon aged entirely in French oak. It’s made in a modern style, powerful, intensely concentrated, and undeniably herbal and earthy. It can only be made in certain vintages because the two varieties ripen so differently – Tempranillo early and Cabernet late – so getting them to hit around the same time has been challenging over the years; sadly, climate change may be changing that, with Cabernet ripening sooner than it often used to. Currant, tobacco leaf, and dark cherry exude from a full-bodied core of supple tannin and lovely violet aromatics, a true testament to how well these grapes work together in the right hands.

93 James Suckling: Iodine, mussels and some dark chocolate with blackberries and dark plums. Pretty opulent and a little more generous than the 2021 and 2019. More muscular, too, with fine-grained tannins and a long, creamy finish.

93 Points — Wine Enthusiast: Commanding intensity and palate coating tannins lead the charge with this full-bodied Tempranillo. Aromatics of crushed fennel seed, wet tobacco, and cocoa linger through flavors of dark fruits robed in spiced chocolate. A kiss of balsamic appears through the finish. Lavish, structured, and delicious..

Food Pairings

Pair with roasted lamb, grilled steak, venison or slow-cooked game. It also complements cured ham and mature cheeses, making it an excellent centerpiece for a Spanish-inspired dinner.

Wine Details

Producer: Marqués de Riscal
Wine: Barón de Chirel
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Rioja DOCa, Spain
Style: Full-bodied red wine
Principal Grape: Tempranillo
Aging: 16 months in French Allier oak barrels, followed by 20 months in bottle before release
Alcohol: 15.5% ABV
Bottle Size: 750ml
Serving Temperature: 16–18°C / 61–64°F

The 2023 The Eyrie Pinot Noir comes from the historic vineyard where The Eyrie Vineyards began—one of the foundational sites of Oregon Pinot Noir. Complex, structured and remarkably elegant, this limited-production bottling captures the character of old vines and the distinctive volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills with exceptional clarity. The Eyrie is the winery’s original vineyard and home to the hawks that inspired the Eyrie label. Its seven acres of Pinot Noir were planted from the mid-1960s through 1974 with Wädenswil, Pommard and Upright clones.

Situated between approximately 260 and 410 feet in elevation, the vineyard faces south while rolling toward eastern and western exposures. Eyrie identifies this historic site as the original planting of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. All of Eyrie’s estate vineyards are certified organic and farmed using regenerative, no-till practices. The emphasis is on maintaining healthy soils and biological diversity while allowing the vines and individual vineyard sites to express themselves with minimal intervention.

The 2023 vintage began with a cold, dry early spring followed by substantial April rainfall. A warm, dry summer with cool nights provided steady ripening, while late-August rains refreshed the vines ahead of an exceptionally favorable September harvest. Eyrie describes the resulting wines as vivid and aromatic, with moderate alcohol and firm yet balanced structure.

In the cellar, The Eyrie Pinot Noir is fermented with native yeast in small 11-hectoliter open-top fermenters and punched down by hand twice daily. It completes native malolactic fermentation before aging for 14 months in a blend of cooperage incorporating approximately 19% new oak. Eyrie uses essentially the same vinification for its single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, allowing differences in site, vine age, elevation and exposure to remain at the forefront.

The 2023 The Eyrie is dense and compact while retaining the graceful character for which the estate is known. Layers of ripe berries are joined by citrus, savory herbs and earthy nuances. The palate is full and firm but beautifully balanced, with restrained oak allowing the purity of the fruit and vineyard character to dominate. It is already compelling with generous aeration, yet its concentration and structure point toward significant cellar potential.

Expert Rating

96 Points — Paul Gregutt: Gregutt describes the 2023 as a particularly strong expression of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, emphasizing its density, balance and tightly wound structure, along with a complex combination of berries, citrus, herbs and earth. He particularly notes the remarkably subtle influence of new oak and the purity of the underlying fruit. Only 236 cases were produced.

A compelling piece of Oregon wine history and an exceptionally distinctive Pinot Noir, The Eyrie combines old-vine depth with freshness, restraint and precision—a cellar-worthy expression of one of the Willamette Valley’s most historically important vineyard sites.

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: The Eyrie
Clones: Wädenswil, Pommard & Upright
Elevation: Approximately 260–410 feet
Farming: Certified Organic / Regenerative No-Till
Fermentation: Native Yeast, Open-Top Fermenters
Aging: 14 Months, Approximately 19% New Oak
Alcohol: 13.98%
Production: 236 Cases
Bottle Size: 750ml

The 2023 Outcrop Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully focused and distinctive expression of the Dundee Hills, combining bright red fruit, savory complexity and the stony mineral character that defines this unique Eyrie estate vineyard.

Outcrop Vineyard takes its name from the ridge of underlying rock that runs perpendicular to the hillside. Situated above Eyrie’s historic original vineyard, the five-acre site ranges from approximately 280 to 360 feet in elevation and faces north-northeast. The vineyard is planted to the Wädenswil clone of Pinot Noir, with vines dating from the early 1980s through 2000. Despite its northern exposure, reflected warmth from the neighboring original Eyrie vineyard helps ripen the fruit while preserving freshness and aromatic detail.

Eyrie farms its estate vineyards organically and practices regenerative, no-till viticulture, with particular attention to soil health and biodiversity. The vineyard’s thin, rocky volcanic soils contribute to the distinctive mineral and savory personality of Outcrop Pinot Noir.

For the 2023 vintage, Eyrie’s single-vineyard Pinot Noirs were vinified using native yeast in small open-top fermenters, with hand punch-downs and native malolactic fermentation, followed by approximately 14 months of aging. The single-vineyard wines are deliberately produced using the same cellar approach so that differences in vineyard, elevation, exposure and vine age remain clearly expressed in the finished wines.

The 2023 Outcrop is notably precise and mineral-driven, opening with raspberries and pomegranate alongside blood orange and subtle red licorice. A distinctive stony, almost steely mineral quality runs through the wine, while tea-like tannins add savory structure and grip. Elegant in weight yet firmly structured, it balances vivid fruit with earthy complexity and a long, textured finish.

Expert Rating

95 Points — Paul Gregutt Gregutt highlights the wine’s rocky, mineral character, raspberry and pomegranate fruit, blood orange and red licorice, with substantial tea-toned tannins supporting the finish. Only 198 cases were produced.

An expressive, site-driven Oregon Pinot Noir that beautifully demonstrates Eyrie’s restrained winemaking philosophy and the individual personality of one of its historic Dundee Hills vineyards.

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Outcrop Vineyard
Clone: Wädenswil
Elevation: Approximately 280–360 feet
Farming: Certified Organic / Regenerative No-Till
Fermentation: Native Yeast
Aging: Approximately 14 Months
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 198 Cases
Bottle Size: 750ml

The 2023 Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully detailed expression of one of The Eyrie Vineyards’ distinctive estate sites in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Delicate yet expressive, it combines bright red fruit, floral perfume, savory earth and fine mineral character with the graceful structure that has long defined Eyrie Pinot Noir.

Sisters Vineyard sits at approximately 220 to 330 feet elevation and takes its name from the three original “Pinot sisters” planted there: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Noir blocks include Pommard and Wädenswil clones, and the vineyard’s direct southern exposure helps produce wines known for their aromatic character and elegant balance. Eyrie farms its estate vineyards organically and employs regenerative, no-till farming practices designed to support healthy soils and vine biodiversity.

The 2023 growing season was dynamic, beginning with a cool, dry spring before substantial April rain and a warm, dry summer moderated by cool nights. Late-August rain refreshed the vines before an exceptionally favorable September harvest period. The resulting wines show vivid aromatics, moderate alcohol and firm but balanced structure.

In the cellar, the Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir is fermented with native yeasts in small open-top fermenters, punched down by hand twice daily and allowed to complete native malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 14 months in a mixture of cooperage, including approximately 19% new oak, allowing the character of the vineyard to remain at the forefront. Production was just 235 cases.

The wine is red-fruited, perfumed and finely textured, showing fresh red berries and subtle floral notes alongside orange peel, savory spice and earthy mineral nuances. Fresh acidity gives the light-to-medium-bodied palate energy and definition, while gently spicy tannins carry through a long, evolving finish.

Expert Rating

94 Points — James Suckling Red-fruited, delicate and perfumed. Light- to medium-bodied with fresh acidity, orange peel flavors and gently spicy tannins. The long finish evolves from bitter flowers to citrus to savory spices.

An elegant and highly expressive Oregon Pinot Noir, the 2023 Sisters Vineyard combines immediate aromatic appeal with enough freshness and structure to reward further time in the cellar.

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Sisters Vineyard
Farming: Certified Organic
Fermentation: Native Yeast
Aging: 14 Months, Approximately 19% New Oak
Alcohol: 14.15%
Production: 235 Cases
Bottle Size: 750ml

A distinguished single-vineyard Brunello Riserva combining concentrated dark fruit, vibrant freshness and finely structured Tuscan elegance.

Wine Description

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2020 is a limited-production expression of Sangiovese from one of the estate’s most treasured vineyard sites. The wine takes its name from a historic vineyard situated beside an ancient monastery on the CastelGiocondo estate in southwestern Montalcino.

Located in the highest part of the estate at approximately 450 meters above sea level, the Ripe al Convento vineyard benefits from excellent sun exposure, cooling Mediterranean winds and mineral-rich marly soils. The vineyard extends across two sides of a ridge: its southern exposure contributes richness and power, while the southeast-facing vines bring freshness, tension and aromatic precision.

The 2020 Riserva presents a deep and layered bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry and Morello cherry, accompanied by rose, violet and subtle balsamic notes. With time in the glass, aromas of autumn spice, cocoa, tobacco, dried herbs and earth begin to emerge.

Generous and velvety on the palate, the wine balances concentrated dark fruit with lively acidity and an appealing crunchy-cherry character. Fine-grained yet confident tannins provide structure and definition, carrying the wine toward a long, savory and beautifully composed finish.

Winemaking and Aging

The Sangiovese grapes are carefully selected from the single Ripe al Convento vineyard and undergo an additional selection upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures to preserve the character and aromatic detail of the fruit.

The wine is matured for 36 months in oak casks before further refinement in bottle. This extended aging gives the Riserva greater structure, complexity and longevity while allowing the fruit, tannins and savory elements to develop exceptional harmony.

Only approximately 18,000 bottles of the 2020 vintage were produced.

About Ripe al Convento

Ripe al Convento represents one of the most structured and age-worthy expressions produced at Tenuta CastelGiocondo. Its name refers both to the exceptional ripeness achieved by the Sangiovese grapes and to the vineyard’s location beside the estate’s historic monastery.

The combination of high elevation, favorable exposures and distinctive soils produces a Brunello Riserva of depth and power, balanced by the freshness, elegance and mineral character that distinguish the finest wines of Montalcino.

Expert Ratings

95  Wine Spectator: There’s plenty of black cherry and blackberry fruit in this red, along with mineral and black pepper notes, plus a touch of forest floor. Dense and even muscular for the vintage, with a vibrant feel and well-endowed, dusty tannins. Needs time to harmonize. Best from 2029 through 2045.

94 Decanter: The Ripe al Convento vineyard expands over two sides of a single ridge. Vines with a southern exposure give muscle to the blend while those facing southeast lend tension. The 2020 bottling demonstrates both facets within the gracious context of the vintage. Still restrained in aromas, it hints at smoke, thyme, mint and cocoa. Generous in girth, this oozes blackberry and blue plum with a velvety mouthfeel and carob accents. Confident tannins sport a fine grain and supply a satisfying bite. Lively acidity accentuates the salty tang. By no means austere but will be more expressive after another year in bottle.

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: In the bottle with the dark blue label, the Frescobaldi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento shows dark fruit and blackberry at its core, followed by balanced freshness and an attractive crunchy cherry fruit character. This vintage is marked by lively fruit and slightly greater accessibility in terms of tannic impact. The wine can be enjoyed happily in the near or medium term. With 36 months of aging in oak casks, this is a release of 18,000 bottles. Ripe al Convento is sourced from a single vineyard adjacent to the historic monastery on the estate, and the Riserva bottling reflects both extended aging and a more structured interpretation of the vintage.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for braised beef, roasted lamb, venison, wild boar, osso buco and bistecca alla Fiorentina. Its earthy, savory character also complements porcini mushrooms, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Serving Suggestions

Serve at approximately 60–65°F in a large red-wine glass. Decanting for one to two hours is recommended when enjoying the wine in its youth. Although already approachable, its concentration, acidity and structured tannins will allow it to develop additional complexity with further bottle aging.

Wine Details

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2020

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy | 750ml

Adegas Guímaro Mencía — Ribeira Sacra, Spain 2024

Adegas Guímaro is Ribeira Sacra's most celebrated rebel — a family estate founded by Pedro Rodríguez, whose pioneering work in one of the world’s most dramatic wine landscapes helped put this Galician appellation on the international map. Guímaro means “rebel” in Gallego, and the name fits: farming old-vine Mencía on Ribeira Sacra’s impossibly steep, slate-terraced hillsides — vineyards cultivated since Roman times, rivaling the Douro, Côte Rôtie, and the Mosel in their dramatic beauty and treacherous terrain — demands spirited determination, eternal optimism, and a deep sense of tradition. The 2024 Mencía is a high-energy, mineral-driven Joven crafted from concentrated old-vine fruit, earning 92 Points from both James Suckling and Wine Advocate and overdelivering at every price point.

The nose is vivid and expressive: ripe cherries, dark plum, red fruit, and earth, with sweet spice, luscious savory depth, and a mineral undercurrent driven by the region’s signature slate soils. On the palate, the wine is silky and juicy with vibrant acidity, smooth tannins, and a long, mineral finish with subtle herbal lift. Often described as a cross between Pinot Noir and Syrah in its elegance and energy, it is approachable, versatile, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Spanish red that disappears fast at the table.

"Savory and silky, with luscious flavors of red fruit, plums, earth, and sweet spice. Old vine Mencía vines lead to concentrated and juicy grapes." — Producer’s Notes, Adegas Guímaro

• Producer: Adegas Guímaro, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Ribeira Sacra DO, Galicia, Spain
• Varietal: Mencía (100% old vine)
• Farming: Steep slate terraces, old vines — hand-harvested, sustainably farmed
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe cherry, dark plum, red fruit, earth, sweet spice, slate minerality, silky finish
• Best Paired With: Roasted pork loin, grilled chorizo, seared duck breast, aged Tetilla cheese, mushroom dishes

Ribeira Sacra’s most iconic rebel at an honest price — Guímaro Mencía is the benchmark for what old-vine, slate-driven Galician red can deliver.

A Grand Cru-caliber Spätburgunder of extraordinary depth and finesse—wild red fruit, limestone minerality and Burgundian elegance from Ingelheim’s historic Pares vineyard.

Expert Rating

97 Points James Suckling: “Breathtaking nose of ripe wild berries and herbs, savory and a touch of sous bois. Great concentration and amazingly mouth-filling for just 12.5%, this is a German pinot noir masterpiece and one of the wines of the vintage! Staggering length, the finish still tightly wound. You need some patience to get the best this has to offer. From biodynamically grown grapes. 100% whole cluster, wild-fermented, then 18 months in small oak. Unfiltered and unfined. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”  STUART PIGOTT — JAMES SUCKLING

The AdamsWein Pares Spätburgunder 2023 is one of Simone Adams’ most ambitious and profound Pinot Noirs, produced from the historic Pares vineyard in Ingelheim, Rheinhessen. Pares is recognized as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE, Germany’s equivalent of a Grand Cru vineyard, and is widely regarded as one of Ingelheim’s most important sites for Spätburgunder. AdamsWein itself is not a VDP member, however, so the estate cannot officially place “GG” on its label.

Situated at approximately 250 meters elevation on the western slope of the Mainzer Berg, Pares combines loess and sandy loam over a limestone base. The limestone gives the wine its unmistakable tension, mineral drive and finely structured finish, while the site’s elevation and exposure help preserve freshness and aromatic clarity.

Simone Adams’ parcel has an unusual history. The land had been abandoned for roughly three decades before Adams reclaimed and replanted it, using her own selections derived from traditional German Pinot material rather than relying on Burgundian clones. The result is a Spätburgunder with an identity distinctly its own—powerful and complex, yet unmistakably tied to Ingelheim.

The 2023 Pares sits at the pinnacle of the AdamsWein Pinot Noir range. It shows remarkable depth and intensity, with raspberry and ripe cherry at its core, surrounded by darker berry fruit, floral notes, savory spice and an earthy, limestone-derived mineral character. Gerstl describes an exceptionally noble aromatic expression, with Burgundian raspberry and cherry notes rising from considerable depth, and awarded the wine a perfect 20/20. Robert Parker awarded the 2023 Pares 95 points.

On the palate, the wine is layered and concentrated without becoming heavy. There is a compelling wildness to the fruit, but also tremendous clarity, freshness and precision. Fine tannins give the wine structure while vibrant acidity and chalky minerality keep everything focused through the long, persistent finish. A recent tasting at the estate singled out the 2023 Pares as the most complete of the single-vineyard wines, emphasizing its combination of depth, layered fruit and freshness.

Winemaking

The 2023 single-vineyard Spätburgunders at AdamsWein were made with 100% whole clusters and matured for approximately 18 months in barrel. Treating the vineyard wines similarly in the cellar allows the differences among Ingelheim’s individual sites to remain particularly transparent.

Adams favors spontaneous fermentation, restrained intervention and minimal sulfur. The estate does not filter or fine its wines, emphasizing purity of fruit and vineyard expression.

Organic & Biodynamic Farming

The 2023 Pares is certified organic, with German retailer Weinfurore specifically identifying the wine as coming from controlled organic cultivation and displaying certification DE-ÖKO-022.

AdamsWein began ecological soil cultivation in 2017 and converted the estate completely to biodynamic farming in 2020. U.S. importer Bowler Wine likewise categorizes AdamsWein’s Pares as biodynamically farmed.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is run by Simone Adams, who took over her family estate in 2010. Her work focuses particularly on Burgundy varieties—Spätburgunder and Chardonnay—grown on Ingelheim’s limestone-rich soils. Production is small, yields are restrained and the wines are made with an emphasis on site transparency rather than extraction or overt winemaking.

Grape: 100% Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Pares
Site Classification: VDP.GROSSE LAGE / Grand Cru vineyard
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Farming: Certified Organic; Biodynamic
Vinification: 100% whole cluster
Élevage: Approximately 18 months in barrel
Robert Parker: 95 Points
Gerstl: 20/20

Character: Raspberry · Cherry · Wild Berries · Flowers · Spice · Limestone · Mineral

Food Pairing

A serious Pinot Noir suited to equally refined dishes: roast duck, venison, lamb, veal, beef tenderloin, roast chicken, wild mushrooms and truffle dishes. Its acidity and mineral structure also make it particularly compelling with richer poultry and game preparations.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve slightly cool at approximately 55–60°F (13–16°C). In its youth, this is a wine worth giving one to two hours in a decanter. Its structure and concentration point toward exceptional longevity; Gerstl gives a suggested drinking window of 2032–2060, although the wine is already impressive today. 

Silky, floral and intensely mineral Pinot Noir from Ingelheim—German Spätburgunder with remarkable Burgundy-like finesse.

Expert Rating

Vinous 94 Points: "The 2023 Spätburgunder Ingelheimer Auf dem Haun is from a west-facing, ventilated site on limestone with a high day-night amplitude. This was made with 100% whole bunches and spent 18 months in 20% new oak. Superb aroma on the nose sends out red flower petal notes, perhaps of peony, eglantine and a beautiful smattering of white pepper. It is exquisitely aromatic, wonderfully lifted, so floral and tender, yet profound and fresh, with a lovely depth. This is all tone, finesse, scent and poise. Its nature is totally disarming and the vivid scent is a killer. The 2023 is wonderful, enduring, bright, fine and silky. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, July 2025

The AdamsWein Spätburgunder “Auf Dem Haun” 2023 is a superb single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Ingelheim in Rheinhessen, made by Simone Adams, one of Germany’s most compelling producers of Burgundian varieties. From limestone-rich soils at higher elevation, Auf dem Haun produces a particularly refined style of Spätburgunder—fragrant, mineral and beautifully poised rather than heavy or extracted.

The 2023 is immediately striking for its perfume. Delicate aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and red berriesmingle with peony, rose petals and white pepper, followed by subtle earthy and savory notes. Vinous emphasizes the wine’s remarkable floral lift, freshness and depth, describing a Pinot built around tone, finesse, scent and poise.

On the palate, the wine is silky, precise and wonderfully energetic. Pure red fruit is framed by fine savory tannins and a distinctly saline mineral character. There is impressive concentration here, but everything remains graceful and transparent, with freshness carrying the wine through a long, mouthwatering finish. Wine Advocate likewise highlights its purity, red-cherry and strawberry character, fine tannins and persistent saline finish.

This is the kind of German Pinot Noir that makes the comparison with Burgundy especially compelling. It has the aromatic delicacy and textural refinement associated with fine Côte d’Or Pinot, yet retains the freshness and limestone-driven character of its Rheinhessen origins. The 2023 is already beautifully expressive, but its balance and structure suggest considerable potential for further development in bottle.

About the Vineyard

Auf dem Haun is one of Simone Adams’ prized Ingelheim parcels. The site sits relatively high on the slope and is distinguished by limestone-rich soils, which help produce wines with tension, freshness and pronounced mineral definition. Adams has increasingly focused her range around individual vineyard expressions, allowing differences in soil and exposition to become more transparent in the finished wines.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is led by Simone Adams, whose Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have become particularly admired for their precision, moderate alcohol and distinctly Burgundian sensibility. The estate works organically and favors spontaneous fermentation and restrained cellar intervention, with the goal of allowing vineyard character to remain at the center of each wine.

Grape: 100% Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Auf dem Haun
Style: Dry Red Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Farming: Organic

Character: Red Cherry · Wild Strawberry · Peony · White Pepper · Limestone · Saline · Silky

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for roast duck, chicken, pork tenderloin, veal, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes and earthy risottos. Its bright acidity and fine tannins also make it especially versatile with charcuterie and moderately rich cheeses.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve slightly cool at approximately 55–60°F (13–16°C). A young bottle will benefit from 30–60 minutes of air. While already wonderfully fragrant and silky, its balance, concentration and mineral structure should reward additional bottle age.

94 Points VINOUS: “The 2024 Chardonnay Auf dem Haun is on the Mainzer Berg, facing west, on weathered limestone with very thin topsoil. The tender nose is shy, offering a touch of dried maize and a hint of lemon. The palate is utterly bright and serene, with supple, smooth, buffered freshness against a backdrop of smooth, lemony yeast. This textural element carries salt, freshness and that lovely feeling of deep, deep stone. The lemony brightness redoubles on the finish. This is exquisitely balanced, long and so clear-cut. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, July 2026

The AdamsWein Chardonnay Auf Dem Haun 2024 is an exceptionally refined, mineral-driven Chardonnay from Ingelheim in Germany’s Rheinhessen, crafted by winemaker Simone Adams. More reminiscent of fine white Burgundy than conventional German Chardonnay, it combines concentration and texture with striking freshness, salinity and precision.

The Auf dem Haun parcel sits higher on the slope than Adams’ Heerweg vineyard, where the leaner site naturally produces a more elegant expression. The soils are a complex mixture of loess, loam, clay and marl, giving the wine both depth and a distinctive stony, mineral character. The vineyard is organically farmed, and AdamsWein completed its organic conversion in 2023.

The 2024 opens gradually with lemon zest, yellow apple and restrained citrus fruit, layered with smoky reduction, wet stone, subtle herbs and delicate savory notes. With air, the fruit becomes broader and more expressive while remaining beautifully controlled. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably graceful, with a creamy texture balanced by energetic acidity and a pronounced saline, tactile minerality.

There is a distinctly Burgundian sensibility here: understated fruit, beautifully integrated oak and a structure built around texture and mineral tension rather than overt richness. Falstaff described the wine as possessing the imposing structure of a young great Burgundy and awarded the 2024 95 points. Vinous awarded 94 points, highlighting its brightness, deep stony character, saline freshness and exceptionally clear, persistent finish.

Winemaking

The Chardonnay grapes are whole-cluster pressed and spontaneously fermented, allowing indigenous yeasts to emphasize the character of the vineyard. The wine is matured for approximately 12 months in French barriques, with only a modest proportion of new oak, followed by minimal sulfur additions before bottling. The restrained élevage provides texture and complexity without obscuring the fruit or mineral character.

The finished wine is completely dry, with approximately 12.5% alcohol, preserving remarkable freshness despite its concentration. Falstaff reports just 0.8 g/L residual sugar.

About AdamsWein

Based in Ingelheim am Rhein, AdamsWein is the estate of Simone Adams, whose wines have developed a reputation for their individual vineyard expression, minimal-intervention winemaking and distinctly Burgundian refinement. Her Chardonnay and Spätburgunder are particularly compelling, combining cool-climate freshness with impressive depth, texture and longevity.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage: 2024
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Village: Ingelheim am Rhein
Vineyard: Auf dem Haun
Farming: Organic
Style: Dry White Wine
Alcohol: 12.5%
Élevage: Approximately 12 months in French barrique
Vinous: 94 Points
Falstaff: 95 Points

Character: Lemon · Yellow Apple · Wet Stone · Smoke · Saline · Mineral · Precise

Food Pairing

A superb partner for roasted or grilled fish, lobster, scallops, roast chicken, veal, pork tenderloin and creamy mushroom dishes. Its combination of richness, acidity and mineral tension also makes it excellent with dishes finished with beurre blanc or light cream sauces.

Serving & Cellaring

Serve around 50–54°F (10–12°C) rather than overly chilled. In its youth, the wine benefits from air and can be decanted for 30–60 minutes. It has the structure and concentration for serious bottle development, becoming more layered and expressive as its youthful reduction and tightly wound mineral character relax.

95 Points Vinous: “The 2025 Riesling Niersteiner Pettenthal Grosses Gewächs opens with flintiness and smoke. Underneath that lies a tender touch of ripe, yellow, red-cheeked peach that beckons with juiciness. Rounded, ripe generosity just flows on the palate, energised by a salty, zesty undertow that seems to reach deep into the red rock. This is wonderfully aromatic, beautifully long and lasting, absolutely pure. The more air this gets, the more peach appears. (Bone-dry)” — Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

The Gunderloch Pettenthal Riesling GG 2025 is a profound, beautifully sculpted dry Riesling from one of the most celebrated vineyards of Germany’s Rheinhessen. Pettenthal is classified as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE®, Germany’s equivalent of a grand cru vineyard, and lies on the dramatically steep Roter Hang (Red Slope) above the Rhine at Nierstein. Its distinctive red, iron-rich slate and clay soils give the wines remarkable mineral intensity, spice and longevity.

The 2025 vintage combines impressive concentration with an unusually elegant, cool-toned personality. The bouquet unfolds gradually with citrus zest, lemon balm and crystalline orchard fruit, followed by savory nuances of green olive, rosemary, wet stone and delicate herbal spice. Rather than relying on overt fruitiness, this is a Riesling defined by precision, tension and a compelling stony character.

On the palate, the wine is bone-dry, focused and beautifully structured, with vibrant acidity carrying layers of citrus and mineral flavor through a long, persistent finish. There is considerable depth beneath its restrained exterior, suggesting a wine that will become increasingly complex with bottle age. Gunderloch gently presses the grapes, transfers the juice without pre-clarification into traditional large wooden casks and allows spontaneous fermentation to complete fully dry—a style designed to emphasize vineyard character rather than winemaking intervention.

The 2025 growing season proved particularly favorable on the Roter Hang, avoiding both frost and hail while receiving sufficient summer rainfall to prevent excessive drought stress. The resulting Pettenthal shows the generosity of the vintage without sacrificing freshness or precision.

About Gunderloch
Founded in 1890, Gunderloch is one of Rheinhessen’s historic benchmark estates and remains closely associated with the great Riesling vineyards of the Roter Hang. Today the estate is led by Johannes Hasselbach, with Riesling accounting for approximately 85% of its production. Pettenthal, Rothenberg, Hipping and Ölberg are among its prestigious VDP.GROSSE LAGE sites.

Grape: 100% Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Vineyard: Niersteiner Pettenthal
Classification: VDP.GROSSE LAGE® / Grosses Gewächs (GG)
Style: Dry White Wine
Character: Citrus · Herbs · Red Slate · Mineral · Precise · Long

Food Pairing: Excellent with oysters and shellfish, grilled or roasted fish, lobster, sushi and sashimi, roast chicken, pork, veal and sophisticated vegetable dishes. Its mineral intensity and acidity also make it particularly compelling with richer seafood preparations.

Serving: Serve at approximately 48–52°F (9–11°C). A young bottle will benefit from some air before serving, while its structure makes it an excellent candidate for extended cellaring.

Not Available for Immediate Delivery. Please allow 3-5 business days for fulfillment.

Powerful · Mineral · Chalky · Saline · Elegant

Grand Cru Chablis of remarkable depth, combining ripe fruit, crushed-stone minerality and a long, saline finish.

Domaine William Fèvre’s Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2023 is a superb expression of one of Chablis’ seven celebrated Grand Cru climats. Located at the western end of the Grand Cru slope, Bougros is traditionally known for producing wines of greater breadth, richness and power while retaining the vibrant acidity and mineral character that distinguish the finest Chablis.

Produced entirely from Chardonnay, the 2023 Bougros combines impressive concentration with remarkable freshness. The wine opens with aromas of ripe pear, peach and apple alongside citrus peel, white flowers and subtle notes of beeswax. As it develops, layers of chalk, crushed stone and marine-inflected minerality emerge.

The palate is broad and beautifully textured, with generous fruit balanced by bright, energetic acidity. There is richness here, but also precision: citrus, orchard fruit and mineral flavors build through the palate toward a persistent, dry and distinctly saline finish. Despite its concentration, the wine remains elegant and beautifully composed.

William Fèvre’s Bougros is produced from mature vines, many approximately 60 to 70 years old, growing in the deep soils of this historic Grand Cru. The maturity of the vines contributes depth and concentration while the domaine’s restrained approach in the cellar allows the character of the vineyard to remain at the forefront.

The 2023 vintage is particularly compelling, offering the generous texture associated with Bougros alongside excellent tension and freshness. It is already expressive with appropriate aeration, but its structure and mineral backbone make it an excellent candidate for extended cellaring.

Food Pairing

An exceptional partner for oysters, lobster, langoustines, scallops and other shellfish, as well as grilled or roasted fish. Its combination of richness and acidity also works beautifully with poultry, veal and white meats, particularly dishes finished with butter or delicate cream sauces.

Professional Ratings

95 James Suckling: Imagine your tongue licking wet stones with crushed seashells. Dense and chalky at the same time, with broad, medium- to full-bodied character and a long, salty finish. Elegant and pithy. Drink or hold.

93 Jasper Morris: Mid lemon yellow. The bouquet is surprisingly reticent, but suggests body to follow. The 2023 Bougros has retained a fresh white fruit on the palate, plenty of energy behind, nicely balanced because Bougros can be clumsy, with fine length. Barrel sample: 91-93

93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Sourced from 60- to 70-year-old vines rooted in deep soils and invariably among the richer, more muscular wines in the range, the 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros delivers aromas of peach, orange oil, beeswax, honeysuckle and pear. Medium- to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it possesses a rich core of fruit underpinned by ripe yet lively acidity. It is the fleshier and most demonstrative wine in the lineup.

93 Vinous: The 2023 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru comes from 4 hectares of vines. It has a complex bouquet with lemon thyme, crushed rocks and lime aromas, well-defined and focused. The palate is very composed and steely, a subtle reductive element here, fine weight with an elegant finish. Not the most powerful of the domaine's Grand Cru, but it has panache.  Barrel Sample: 91-93

The Style

Rich yet precise, powerful yet mineral — a Grand Cru Chablis with impressive depth, brilliant freshness and a lingering saline finish.

Pure, mineral and beautifully precise Premier Cru Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet.

Lucien Le Moine's 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru La Garenne is a refined and highly expressive white Burgundy, combining the crystalline minerality and tension associated with Puligny-Montrachet with the house's signature depth and texture.

La Garenne is one of Puligny-Montrachet's classified Premier Cru climats in the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard produces Chardonnay of notable freshness, precision and mineral definition, making it an especially compelling site for lovers of structured, age-worthy white Burgundy.

The 2023 vintage opens with cool, lifted aromas of Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, crushed fennel and delicate floral notes. The palate is rich and caressing without losing focus, showing generous Chardonnay fruit framed by vivid acidity and pronounced minerality. Citrus notes become increasingly prominent toward the finish, which is bone-dry, firm, beautifully balanced and impressively persistent.

This combination of richness and tension is particularly characteristic of fine Puligny-Montrachet: the wine has enough breadth and texture to feel luxurious, yet its mineral backbone keeps the palate focused, energetic and precise. The 2023 La Garenne is already compelling, but its structure suggests excellent potential for further development in bottle.

Lucien Le Moine is the tiny Beaune-based micro-négociant founded by Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin in 1999. The house specializes in Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy, generally producing only one to three barrels of each individual Cru.

The wines are selected very early, immediately after pressing, and raised entirely by Lucien Le Moine through bottling. Both whites and reds are aged on 100% of their lees, with gentle bâtonnage when appropriate and no racking during élevage. The wines are bottled by gravity and are neither fined nor filtered, preserving their texture, complexity and individual vineyard character.

In La Garenne, this long lees aging adds richness and depth while allowing the vineyard's naturally mineral, citrus-driven personality to remain clearly defined. The result is an elegant, concentrated and beautifully balanced Premier Cru white Burgundy.

Professional Review

BURGHOUND 93 POINTS :  Cool, airy and pure aromas include those of Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, crushed fennel and a floral top note. The rich, generously proportioned and caressing medium weight flavors also exude evident minerality on the overtly citrusy bone-dry finish that exhibits impressive persistence on the well-balanced and firm finale. Fine quality here and worth checking out. 91-93

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru
Vineyard: La Garenne
Vintage: 2023
Size: 750ml

Food Pairing: Excellent with lobster, scallops, oysters, roasted or grilled fish, poultry in a light cream sauce, veal, mushroom dishes and risotto. It also pairs beautifully with Comté, Gruyère and other firm, nutty cheeses.

Serving: Serve lightly chilled rather than ice cold to allow the wine's aromatics, texture and minerality to emerge. Lucien Le Moine recommends decanting its wines, including the whites, so that naturally retained CO2 from the long élevage can dissipate and the wine can fully open.

Premier Cru Chablis with remarkable depth, energy and mineral precision.

Lucien Le Moine Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu 2023 is a distinctive expression of Chardonnay from one of Chablis' most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards. Situated southeast of the Grand Cru hill, Mont de Milieu enjoys excellent exposure and generous sunshine, producing wines that combine the unmistakable mineral character of Chablis with impressive richness and power.

The 2023 opens with an expressive and slightly exotic aromatic profile of white peach, citrus peel, jasmine tea and delicate floral notes. The palate is concentrated and beautifully textured, with excellent mid-palate density, vibrant freshness and a pronounced mineral backbone. Despite its richness, the wine remains precise and focused, leading into a long, balanced and distinctly bone-dry finish.

Powerful · Mineral · White Peach · Citrus · Floral · Bone-Dry

Lucien Le Moine is the small, highly regarded Burgundy house founded by Mounir and Rotem Saouma in Beaune. Working with carefully selected wines from exceptional vineyards throughout Burgundy, the domaine is known for long élevage, minimal intervention and an uncompromising approach designed to allow each vineyard and vintage to reveal its individual character.

Mont de Milieu's combination of warmth, limestone-rich Chablis terroir and Premier Cru pedigree gives this wine both immediate aromatic appeal and the structure to develop beautifully with time. An impressive Chablis for drinking alongside seafood, oysters, lobster, scallops, grilled fish, roast poultry and creamy cheeses.

Expert Rating

BURGHOUND 93 POINTS:  There is a cool exoticism to the nose of jasmine tea, orange peel, white peach and just enough Chablis character to be persuasive. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the solidly powerful and sappy medium-bodied flavors that conclude in a bone-dry, long and balanced finale. This also needs to develop better depth but given the potential aging curve, that should not be an issue. 91-93

Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru
Vineyard: Mont de Milieu
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml

For those looking to experience the Vincent Paris style at a lower price point, Granit 30 is another exceptional find.

Named for the approximately 30-degree slopes on which its Syrah grows, Granit 30 offers a beautifully expressive introduction to Paris' Cornas: dark fruit, pepper, mineral character and the unmistakable granitic personality of the appellation.

It delivers the combination that makes Vincent Paris so compelling — Cornas intensity without heaviness, plenty of Northern Rhône character, and remarkable freshness and precision.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

96 Points James Suckling: A profound nose of cherries, crushed raspberries, roasted meat, cigar box, black pepper, warm spices and some bark and leather. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Expansive and spherical. Ample but refined in texture, with perfectly integrated structure at the edges and a vibrant, focused midpalate showing a bright, stony and peppery dimension. Quite spectacular for the vintage, with a very long, flinty finish. Drink or hold.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: Brilliant aromatics of blue fruits, fig, blood orange, pepper, and violet notes emerge from the medium-bodied 2024 Cornas La Geynale, which has a concentrated mouthfeel, building, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This reminds me of a great vintage of Clape Cornas! It sees a lot more stems and comes from the oldest vines of the estate, and it's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age. It's up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Barrel Sample: 94-96

95 Points Vinous:  The 2024 Cornas La Geynale hails from the glass with intense peppercorn, crushed rocks, fleshy tones and precisely ripe blackberry. Dried violets and earthy tones add more aromatic layers. Built like a skyscraper, the 2024 is a serious La Geynale in the making, lifting the finish with stupendous vitality. I can't wait to taste it once it's bottled. Barrel Sample: 93-95

Granit 30 is Vincent Paris’ vibrant, approachable expression of Cornas, produced from relatively young Syrah vines planted at both the lower and upper reaches of the appellation, from approximately 100 to 400 meters in elevation. The fruit comes in part from the Patou sector, where vines grow in decomposed granite soils at the base of the hillside, giving the wine freshness, finesse and an unmistakable mineral character.

Because the vines are younger than those used for Paris’ more powerful Cornas bottlings, the grapes are fully destemmed before fermentation. The wine undergoes approximately three weeks of maceration with gentle extraction, followed by 12 months of aging in used barrels. This restrained approach keeps the emphasis on pure Syrah fruit, spice and the granitic personality of Cornas rather than oak.

The 2024 Granit 30 shows a deep red color with aromas of blackberry and other dark fruits layered with black pepper, savory spice and subtle earthy notes. The palate is juicy and energetic, with ripe fruit, peppery complexity and supple, well-coated tannins.

Compared with Vincent Paris’ more structured Granit 60 and La Geynale bottlings, Granit 30 is especially inviting in its youth. It offers plenty of classic Cornas character—dark Syrah fruit, spice, freshness and mineral drive—while remaining polished, balanced and remarkably easy to enjoy.

The finish is long and savory, with lingering pepper, dark fruit and granite-derived freshness. It can be enjoyed relatively young for its exuberant fruit and supple texture, yet it has enough structure and balance to develop beautifully for more than a decade.

An excellent introduction to both Vincent Paris and the Cornas appellation, Granit 30 delivers genuine Northern Rhône character with impressive purity, freshness and value.

Producer: Domaine Vincent Paris
Vintage: 2024
Region: Northern Rhône, France
Appellation: Cornas AOC
Grape: 100% Syrah
Vineyards: Parcels at the lower and upper slopes of Cornas
Elevation: Approximately 100–400 meters
Soil: Granite and decomposed granite
Vinification: 100% destemmed; approximately three-week maceration with gentle extraction
Aging: 12 months in used oak barrels
Style: Dark-fruited, peppery, fresh and supple
Cellaring: Delicious young; capable of aging for 10+ years

La Geynale is Vincent Paris’ most prestigious Cornas, produced from an exceptional parcel of century-old Syrah vines planted on the steep, granite slopes of Cornas. The original vines here were replanted after phylloxera in 1910, and the site’s full southern exposure allows these old vines to achieve remarkable concentration while preserving the freshness and mineral character that define great Northern Rhône Syrah.

98 Pts James Suckling: A profound nose of cherries, crushed raspberries, roasted meat, cigar box, black pepper, warm spices and some bark and leather. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Expansive and spherical. Ample but refined in texture, with perfectly integrated structure at the edges and a vibrant, focused midpalate showing a bright, stony and peppery dimension. Quite spectacular for the vintage, with a very long, flinty finish. Drink or hold.

96 Pts Jeb Dunnuck: Brilliant aromatics of blue fruits, fig, blood orange, pepper, and violet notes emerge from the medium-bodied 2024 Cornas La Geynale, which has a concentrated mouthfeel, building, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This reminds me of a great vintage of Clape Cornas! It sees a lot more stems and comes from the oldest vines of the estate, and it's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age. It's up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Barrel Sample: 94-96

96 Points Vinous: The 2024 Cornas La Geynale hails from the glass with intense peppercorn, crushed rocks, fleshy tones and precisely ripe blackberry. Dried violets and earthy tones add more aromatic layers. Built like a skyscraper, the 2024 is a serious La Geynale in the making, lifting the finish with stupendous vitality. I can't wait to taste it once it's bottled. Barrel Sample: 93-95

Vincent Paris acquired the La Geynale parcel from his uncle, legendary Cornas grower Robert Michel, and today it stands at the pinnacle of his small production. The vineyard is farmed with a restrained, hands-on approach, with low yields and careful work in the vines designed to capture the character of this extraordinary terroir.

The 2024 La Geynale is vinified with whole clusters and aged for approximately 12 months in used oak barrels, allowing the old-vine fruit and granite-driven character to remain at the forefront. Deep and intense, it opens with blackberry and dark berry fruit layered with crushed stone, black pepper, dried violet, savory spice and earthy complexity.

On the palate, the wine is dense and powerful yet remarkably fresh, with concentrated black fruit, pronounced mineral energy and firm, finely structured tannins. Despite its depth, La Geynale retains impressive precision and vitality, finishing long, stony and persistent.

This is classic, age-worthy Cornas: serious and structured in its youth, but with the balance, concentration and freshness to evolve beautifully for decades. A compelling expression of one of Cornas’ great old-vine sites and one of the benchmark wines of Vincent Paris.

Producer: Domaine Vincent Paris
Vintage: 2024
Region: Northern Rhône, France
Appellation: Cornas AOC
Grape: 100% Syrah
Vineyard: La Geynale
Vine Age: Century-old vines, originally planted in 1910
Exposure: South-facing hillside
Soil: Granite
Vinification: Whole-cluster fermentation
Aging: Approximately 12 months in used oak barrels
Cellaring: Built for long-term aging; capable of developing for 20+ years

Deep Down is a boutique Marlborough producer founded by Clive Dougall and Peter Lorimer — two passionate advocates for organic viticulture, honest winemaking, and wines that genuinely reflect their place of origin. Their philosophy is simple and uncompromising: small batch, single vineyard, wild ferment wines crafted with minimal intervention and maximum transparency. Low or no additions, no shortcuts, and a deep respect for the land and the people who farm it. Deep Down is, as they put it, about trusting intuition, calling time, and taking flight.

The Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a single certified organic vineyard in Marlborough — New Zealand's most celebrated wine region, situated at the northern tip of the South Island. Marlborough's long, sunny days, cool nights, and free-draining stony soils are the ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional aromatic intensity and natural freshness. Farming organically here is both a commitment and a statement of intent: the vineyard is managed with care and respect, allowing the terroir to express itself without chemical interference.

Vinification follows Deep Down's signature approach: wild fermentation with indigenous yeasts, minimal additions (sulphites, yeast nutrient, clarification enzyme, and bentonite only), and small batch production that allows for close attention at every stage. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that diverges from the category's typical tropical fruit template — more textured, more complex, and more distinctly its own.

The 2024 opens with an aromatic and distinctive nose of lemon-peel confit, orange blossom, rose petals, and flint, with a wild meadow of herbs and flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with focused acidity, generous texture, and notes of passionfruit curd, puff pastry, and lavender. A slightly oxidative, yeasty quality adds complexity and depth — this is a Sauvignon Blanc for those who want something more than the obvious.

"Aromas of lemon-peel confit, orange blossoms, rose petals and flint. The medium-bodied palate has focused acidity, generous texture and notes of passion-fruit curd, puff pastry and lavender. Wonderfully constructed with a floral edge. From organically grown grapes."
— James Suckling, 93 Points (Vintage 2024). 

"A distinctive Savvy B from a small batch producer… A slightly oxidative apple cider character mingles with yeasty, nutty, hay-like aromas and a wild meadow of herbs and flowers. The palate is more muted, the focus primarily on the gently slippery texture, the gentle acidity and bruised orchard fruit and floral flavors."
— Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vintage: 2024
Farming: Certified Organic
Vinification: Wild ferment, single vineyard, small batch
Closure: Screwcap
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Fresh oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, herb-forward salads, and light vegetable dishes. Serve well chilled.

Marqués de Vitoria is a distinguished Rioja producer with a long tradition of crafting wines that express the classic character of the D.O.Ca. Rioja appellation. The estate is committed to producing wines of elegance, balance, and longevity, drawing on the region's exceptional terroir and time-honored winemaking techniques to create Tempranillo-based wines of real depth and refinement.

The Rioja Reserva is sourced from select vineyards within the D.O.Ca. Rioja, where Tempranillo thrives in the region's continental climate — warm summers, cold winters, and the moderating influence of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Ebro River. The combination of clay-limestone soils and carefully managed yields produces grapes of concentration and aromatic complexity.

Following harvest, the wine is aged for a minimum of 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, developing the spice, vanilla, and toasted notes that are hallmarks of classic Rioja Reserva. The wine then continues to evolve in bottle before release, ensuring harmony and integration at the time of purchase.

The 2018 Reserva shows a clean, bright cherry-red color developing to maroon. On the nose, complex and intense aromas of ripe plums, cherries, creamy vanilla, and hazelnut are interwoven with spice and well-integrated barrel notes. The palate is medium-bodied, round, and fluid — with dusty, refined tannins, bright acidity, and a long, elegant finish of sweet vanilla spice, succulent plums, and red berries. A beautifully balanced and approachable Reserva.

"A juicy Rioja showing some creamy vanilla and hazelnut characters to the savory plums and cherries. Medium body with round, dusty tannins and a long, bright finish showing plenty of sweet vanilla spices, succulent plums and red berries at the end. Fluid and elegant."
— Zekun Shuai, James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2018).

Grape: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja Reserva
Vintage: 2018
Élevage: Minimum 24 months in French and American oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast and grilled meats, lamb, mushroom rice, tuna, cod, and medium-aged cheeses such as Emmental or Gruyère.

Terre de Vertus is one of Larmandier-Bernier's most celebrated single-terroir Champagnes — a vintage Blanc de Blancs drawn entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Premier Cru village of Vertus. The fruit comes from two plots within the Les Barillers lieu-dit, situated mid-slope with a southeast exposure, a site the estate has vinified separately since 1995. Farmed biodynamically and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres, the wine rests on its lees through winter before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle and more than five years of additional lees aging. The 2017 was disgorged in May 2023 with zero dosage — no sugar added — preserving the vineyard's exceptionally pure, dry and mineral expression.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

93 Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus imparts a very mineral, almost crystalline character. A vineyard that rarely produces powerful wines, even in the context of 2017, it has retained its personality, though it's a little more generous and slightly less focused than the 2016 rendition. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle and oyster shell, it is medium-bodied, racy and saline-tinged."

93 Vinous: "Creamy, open-knit and quite seductive. Readers will find a generous, sensual Champagne with plenty of early appeal. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint and chamomile build beautifully over time. This is a fine effort in a very challenging year."

Tasting Notes

Precise, expressive and intensely mineral. The nose opens with lemon peel, dried pear and delicate floral notes, followed by honeysuckle, mint, chamomile and a distinctive oyster-shell salinity. The palate is creamy and generous yet beautifully energized — fine acidity and a taut mineral backbone carry through to a finish that is dry, racy, saline and exceptionally pure. Oak fermentation lends supple texture; zero dosage ensures nothing stands between you and the terroir of Vertus.

Food Pairing

An exceptional partner for oysters and shellfish, sashimi, sushi, scallops, grilled or roasted white fish, lobster, roast poultry and aged cheeses. Its saline character and zero dosage make it especially compelling alongside seafood and dishes built around fresh herbs or citrus.

Specifications

Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Brut Nature / Non Dosé
Dosage: 0 g/L — Zero Dosage
Vintage: 2017
Vineyard: Les Barillers lieu-dit
Farming: Biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres
Aging: 5+ years on the lees in bottle
Disgorgement: May 2023
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier