90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

The world’s most iconic Provence rosé, now in a certified Kosher expression — Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans is the benchmark by which all modern rosé is measured. Pale, elegant, and endlessly drinkable, it brings the sun-drenched terroir of the Côtes de Provence to your glass with effortless sophistication.

Critical Acclaim

James Suckling — 91 Points
"A silky, seductive and saline Côtes de Provence rosé with aromas of small berries, red currants and salt. It’s medium-bodied, succulent, fresh and playful, with a caressing texture and a vivid, saline finish."

The Wine

Crafted from a classic Provençal blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), Whispering Angel is the worldwide reference for Provence rosé. Its signature pale blush color draws you in immediately, while the taste profile delivers everything you want: full and lush, bone dry, with a smooth, lingering finish. Highly approachable and enjoyable from mid-day to midnight.

Kosher Certified

This expression of Whispering Angel is fully Kosher certified, making it an exceptional choice for Passover Seders, Shabbat dinners, and any occasion where Kosher wine is required — without any compromise on quality or the iconic Whispering Angel character.

Tasting Profile

Pale salmon-pink with a luminous clarity. The nose is delicate and inviting — small red berries, red currants, fresh citrus, and a distinctive saline minerality. On the palate it’s silky and medium-bodied with bright acidity, a lush, succulent texture, and a vivid, clean finish with a beautiful saline lift. Classic Whispering Angel.

Food Pairings

Serve well-chilled (46–50°F) with grilled fish, seafood, light salads, mezze, roasted chicken, or soft cheeses. Equally at home at a Passover Seder, a summer lunch, or an elegant dinner party. Versatile, crowd-pleasing, and always impressive.

Product Details

• Producer: Château d’Esclans
• Region: Côtes de Provence AOC, Provence, France
• Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino)
• Certification: Kosher
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Pale, bone-dry, medium-bodied Provence rosé
• Serve: Well-chilled, 46–50°F
• Format: 750ml

Castello dei Rampolla · Chianti Classico 2022 · Tuscany, Italy

Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico 2022 combines succulent dark red fruit with savory leather, spice and a lively touch of blood orange. A Sangiovese-led blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it offers a medium-bodied, supple expression of Chianti Classico with fine balance and an inviting fruit core.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2022

Antonio Galloni, Vinous · 92 Points: The 2022 Chianti Classico is fruity, supple and very easy to drink. Succulent dark red fruit, plum, leather, spice and a kick of blood orange are front and center. Medium in body and forward, with fine balance, the 2022 is full of charm. The warm vintage yielded an especially succulent Chianti Classico that is quite appealing.

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator · 90 Points: This is rich and exudes cherry and raspberry fruit. Iron, leafy underbrush and spice accents add detail as this winds down alongside a light dusting of tannins. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2035. 3,000 cases made, 525 cases imported.

Winemaker Notes

Castello dei Rampolla: Bright ruby in color. The bouquet on the nose is intense, with rich cherry and red berry aromas and leafy undertones. On the palate it is silky, balanced, with medium body, refined tanning and a long flavorful finish of blackberry and chocolate. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot.

Tasting Notes

Bright ruby, with cherry, red berries and leafy undertones. A silky, balanced palate carries a medium-bodied fruit core, followed by blackberry and chocolate notes on the long finish.

Food Pairings

Try with tomato-based pasta, grilled beef, roast lamb or aged Pecorino. Mushroom ragù is another pairing to explore with the wine's leafy, earthy and spicy accents.

Wine Details

• Producer: Castello dei Rampolla
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Chianti Classico
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Reviews: Vinous 92 points; Wine Spectator 90 points
• Wine Spectator drinking window: 2026–2035

Supple Tuscan fruit and savory detail for a leisurely meal.

Tapi is a certified sustainable Marlborough producer crafting vibrant, fruit-driven Sauvignon Blanc from the celebrated Wairau Valley — the heartland of New Zealand's most iconic white wine. The Wairau Valley's free-draining alluvial soils, long sunny days, and cool maritime nights create ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional aromatic intensity, natural freshness, and the lively tropical character that has made Marlborough famous the world over. The 2025 vintage benefited from excellent growing conditions, producing wines of purity and vibrant expression.

Vinification is focused on preserving the natural aromatics and freshness of the fruit. Careful temperature-controlled fermentation captures the full aromatic spectrum of the Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc — from zesty citrus to ripe tropical fruit — while maintaining the bright, cleansing acidity that defines the style.

The 2025 Tapi opens with an inviting nose of passionfruit, lime, lemon, and blackcurrant. On the palate, the wine is juicy, fresh, and fruit-driven, with ripe tropical fruit, crisp acidity, and a mouthwatering, refreshing finish with a lingering mango aftertaste. Bright, lively, and endlessly thirst-quenching.

"Juicy, fresh and fruit-driven, this expresses notes of lemons, papayas and limes, following through to a medium body with crisp acidity. The delicious finish has a mango aftertaste. Sustainable. Drink now."
— James Suckling, 91 Points. (Vintage 2025). 

"A distinctive style, with chive flower, celery salt and toasted herb notes that add a savory element to the core of lemon, grapefruit and lime on a mouthwatering frame."
— Wine Spectator, 89 Points — Best Values. (Vintage 2025). 

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vineyard: Wairau Valley
Vintage: 2025
Certification: Certified Sustainable
Closure: Screwcap
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Grilled prawns, oysters, white fish with lemon, fresh goat cheese, asparagus, and citrus-dressed salads. Serve well chilled.

The Gruet family left Champagne in 1984 and planted vines in the high-altitude desert of New Mexico — an unlikely move that turned out to be quietly inspired. At over 4,000 feet elevation, the cool nights, intense sunshine, and volcanic soils of the Rio Grande Valley proved to be exceptional terroir for sparkling wine made by traditional method. Today Gruet is widely regarded as one of America’s finest sparkling wine producers and a benchmark for value in the category — a house that learned the craft in France and never forgot it.

The Brut Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir, crafted via méthode champenoise with a full 24 months aging en tirage. The result is a wine of genuine depth for the price: a nearly garnet-pink color with a bright floral bouquet of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, followed by a rich, fruity palate in a clean, dry brut style. Dense and fresh with excellent balance, it finishes long and lingering. One of the most compelling values in American sparkling wine.

92 points — Tasting Panel | “Bright pink color with juicy strawberry nose; dense and fresh with good balance and style.”

• Producer: Gruet Winery
• Style: Brut Rosé NV, Méthode Champenoise
• Region: New Mexico, USA
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Aging: 24 months en tirage
• ABV: 12%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, bright floral lift, rich berry palate, clean dry finish
• Food Pairings: Oysters, smoked salmon, charcuterie, soft cheeses, strawberries and cream

Champagne pedigree, New Mexico terroir — Gruet Brut Rosé is one of America’s best sparkling values, full stop.

Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir Monterey 2023

James Suckling 92 Points - "A fresh, fruity, aromatic red with a nose of spices, cinnamon, black cherries, tart cherries and raspberries. The palate shows a medium body, a rather broad mouthfeel, some soft tannin and a ripe character overall."

Tasting Profile

This elegant Pinot Noir showcases vibrant red berry aromas with subtle floral notes. On the palate, expect concentrated flavors of cherry and raspberry balanced with hints of baking spice and toasted oak. Smooth tannins provide a velvety mouthfeel with a harmonious balance of fruitiness and acidity.

Perfect Pairings

Roasted chicken, grilled salmon, creamy pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, and charcuterie boards with assorted cheeses. Serve slightly chilled for optimal enjoyment.

Wine Details

Producer: Talbott Vineyards | Region: Monterey, California | Varietal: Pinot Noir | Vintage: 2023 | Volume: 750ml

Diatom Chardonnay — Santa Barbara County 2024

Greg Brewer's Diatom project is built on a single, radical idea: subtraction. No oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation. No extended aging. Just 100% Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County, fermented and aged six months in stainless steel, stripped of everything that typically softens, butters, or blurs the grape. What remains is electric — a wine that tastes like the soil and the sea. The name itself is a clue: diatomaceous earth, the plankton fossil-rich geology beneath Santa Barbara's vineyards, is the terroir this wine is designed to express. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 94 points and called it "a no-brainer purchase." Wine Spectator followed at 93, James Suckling at 93, Wine Enthusiast at 92, and Wine Advocate at 90. Across the board, the verdict is the same: this is one of California's most precise and honest Chardonnays.

The nose is vivid and pure: exotic citrus, minty herbs, oyster shell, honeydew rind, lime candy, and a whisper of sea spray. On the palate, it is sleek and taut — ripe pear, ginger, pomelo, and brisk lime zest coiled around a mouthwatering thread of acidity. Salinity and minerals run through the finish alongside springtime blossoms and a lingering kick of melon pith. It gains weight and richness with time in the glass without ever losing its electric freshness.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 • Wine Spectator 93 • James Suckling 93 • Wine Enthusiast 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A no-brainer purchase for those who love Santa Barbara County Chardonnay."

• Producer: Diatom (Greg Brewer), Santa Barbara County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Santa Barbara County
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation and aging — no oak, no malolactic fermentation
• Aging: 6 months, stainless steel
• Style: Unoaked, crisp, mineral-driven
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, oyster shell, lime zest, sea spray, pear, ginger, pomelo, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled halibut, ceviche, fresh goat cheese, sushi

A 94-point unoaked Chardonnay at an honest price — Diatom is the benchmark for what Santa Barbara Chardonnay can be when nothing gets in the way.

McManis Family Vineyards · Cabernet Sauvignon · Lodi AVA 2024

Family-owned McManis farms sustainably in Lodi AVA, sourcing most of this Cabernet’s fruit there and the rest from sustainable Central Valley vineyards. Aged 4–6 months in new and used French and American oak, the wine keeps its fruit-forward character while gaining structure.

Expert Review · 2024

Wine Enthusiast · 90 Points | This wine is concentrated, with lush aromatics of dark blackberries, boysenberries, cinnamon and orange zest on the nose. Supple acidity marks the finish. The palate is supple and rich, but not saturated, with lingering notes of mulberry, cassis and red currant confiture, layered with mocha, cigar and silky tannins. — Tonya Pitts

Winemaker Description

Dark garnet in color with juicy flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry. Most of the fruit comes from the Lodi AVA, with the remainder sourced from sustainable vineyards throughout the Central Valley. Harvested in late September, the Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes 7–9 days of fermentation on the skins before being pressed and finishing fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged on new and used French and American oak for 4–6 months, adding structure and a subtle layer of complexity to the fruit-forward profile.

Food Pairings

Grilled burgers, barbecue ribs, roasted chicken, pasta with meat sauce, mild cheddar and pizza.

At a Glance

• Producer: McManis Family Vineyards
• Vintage: 2024
• Region: Lodi AVA, California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Farming: Sustainable
• Closure: Screwcap
• Aging: 4–6 months in French and American oak
• Size: 750ml

A fruit-forward Lodi Cabernet, rich with dark berry, cassis and mocha notes, balanced by silky tannins and oak.

Renieri Rosso di Montalcino — Montalcino, Tuscany 2024

Renieri is one of Montalcino's most respected organic estates, and this Rosso di Montalcino is the clearest expression of why. Sourced from certified organic vineyards in the heart of Tuscany and crafted from Sangiovese Grosso — the same noble grape as Brunello di Montalcino — the 2024 delivers uncommon depth and precision for a Rosso. Vinous awarded it 92 points, noting it displays "significantly more depth than expected." 

The wine opens with a mentholated freshness and a classic bouquet of cherries, prunes, and floral aromas that open to more sophisticated notes of slate. On the palate, it is complex and vibrant with cooling acidity, crisp wild berry fruits, violet pastille nuances, and gentle, fine tannins. A touch of tartness is accompanied by a succulent, balanced body and an exciting finish with returning hints of ripe fruit and fantastic length.

"The 2024 Rosso di Montalcino opens with a mentholated freshness and floral aromas. This displays significantly more depth than expected, with cooling acidity and crisp wild berry fruits. Violet pastille nuances swirl over gentle, fine tannins as the 2024 tapers off with fantastic length." — Eric Guido, Vinous, 92 Points (Vintage 2024)

• Producer: Renieri, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino DOC
• Varietal: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello clone)
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, elegant, mineral-driven Tuscan red
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherries, prunes, wild berries, violet, slate, mentholated freshness, fine tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roast lamb, wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, truffle pasta

A 92-point organic Rosso di Montalcino at an honest price — Renieri is the benchmark for what Montalcino can deliver before Brunello.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates | Merlot | 2020 | 750ml | Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA

Rated 90 Points – Vinous | 90 Points – James Suckling

An outstanding value from Washington State's Columbia Valley, Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot delivers dark fruit complexity, soft tannins, and a creamy finish at an everyday price. Vinous calls it "an excellent entry to the value category of Washington State Merlot."

• Winery: Columbia Crest
• Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Varietal: Merlot
• Vintage: 2020
• Closure: Screw Cap

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Dark plum, herb, blackberries, tobacco, mint chocolate, dark cherries, and a kiss of vanilla
• Palate: Round and juicy with tart wild berry fruits, chewy blueberry skin, mocha, and soft ripe tannins
• Finish: Bold and structured with notes of vanilla, raspberry, and lingering minerality

Critical Acclaim

• 🏆 Vinous – 90 Points: "Darkly floral and earthy with hints of animal musk and crushed blackberries. Juicy acids enliven its tart wild berry fruits. Leaves a mark of minerality along with chewy blueberry skin concentration and hints of mocha."
• 🏆 James Suckling – 90 Points: "Blackberries, tobacco, mint chocolate and dark cherries, with a kiss of vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with soft, ripe tannins and a creamy finish. Drink now."

Food Pairings: Blue cheese, duck, beef, veal, and dark chocolate.

Catena Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina 2024

Bodega Catena Zapata has been the defining force in Argentine fine wine for decades — a trailblazer in high-altitude viticulture since the 1990s, farming vineyards up to 5,000 feet in the Andes foothills where cooler temperatures, intense UV radiation, and dramatic diurnal temperature swings produce Malbec of uncommon elegance, depth, and freshness. The Catena Malbec is the house’s benchmark expression: a wine that has introduced generations of drinkers to the world-class potential of Mendoza Malbec, earning 93 points from the Wine Advocate (prior vintage) and consistently delivering far more than its price suggests.

The color is deep ruby-violet with brilliant clarity. The nose is expressive and inviting: dark plum, blackberry, violet, turned earth, and subtle spice. On the palate, it is juicy and precise — vibrant acidity and a savory, sturdy core frame the dark fruit, with a high-toned, lingering finish of earthy depth and freshness. Elegant, fruit-forward, and endlessly food-friendly.

• Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Mendoza
• Varietal: 100% Malbec
• Style: High-altitude, elegant & fruit-forward
• Altitude: Up to 5,000 feet in the Andes foothills
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark plum, blackberry, violet, turned earth, subtle spice, vibrant acidity, earthy lingering finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled skirt steak, roasted lamb, beef empanadas, hearty stews, aged cheddar, blue cheese, Manchego

Thirty years of high-altitude mastery, 93 points from the Wine Advocate, and priced for every night of the week — Catena Malbec is the Argentine benchmark that never disappoints.

Aveleda · Minho · Vinho Verde DOC · Minho · Portugal · 2024

Aveleda is one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine estates — a historic quinta in the Minho region that has been producing Vinho Verde for generations. The Minho is Aveleda’s flagship expression of the appellation: a proprietary white blend crafted to capture everything that makes Vinho Verde irresistible — pale, slightly fizzy, vibrantly fresh, and built for the moment. At $12.99, it is one of the great value whites in the world. Vegan. Screwcap. 90 points from James Suckling.

Clear pale yellow in the glass, the 2024 opens with an elegant, crisp bouquet of green apple, lime, lemon, and peach with a whisper of seashell minerality. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and refreshing — slightly fizzy, saline, and vibrant, with a clean citrus finish that makes every sip feel like the first. Versatile and effortless, it is perfect for the simplest moments in life.

“This saline white has aromas of lemons, peaches and seashells. It’s medium-bodied and simple but refreshing. Vegan.”
— James Suckling · 90 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Aveleda, Quinta de Aveleda, Minho, Portugal
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Vinho Verde DOC, Minho, Portugal
• Blend: Proprietary white blend
• Style: Dry white — slightly fizzy, saline, citrus-fresh
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vegan: Yes
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, lime, lemon, peach, seashell minerality, slight spritz, saline finish
• Pairings: Cod fish cakes, marinated olives, empanadas, grilled fish and vegetables, seafood, aperitif

JS:90 · Vinho Verde DOC — saline, slightly fizzy, and endlessly refreshing from one of Portugal’s great historic estates. One of the world’s best value whites.

King Estate · Willamette Valley Pinot Noir · 2023

From Oregon’s Willamette Valley, King Estate’s 2023 Pinot Noir brings together layered fruit and the freshness that makes this grape so versatile at the table. Pour a glass alongside roast salmon or mushroom risotto and let its spice and forest-floor notes come forward.

Winemaker Description

A beautifully complex wine with elegant fruit and structure. Classic Pinot Noir aromas and flavors of dark fruit — black raspberry, marionberry, blueberry, and ripe dark cherry — joined by accents of black tea, clove, vanilla, toast, orange zest, and forest floor. Supple tannins and bright acidity on the palate lead to a coating finish with lingering spiciness.

King Estate · Winemaker Description

Expert Review · 2023 Vintage

“Lively and refreshing, this Pinot bursts with bright cherry, grapefruit peel, and delicate floral aromas. The medium-bodied palate is crisp and racy, with crunchy red fruit and a firm mineral backbone. Flavorful finish.”

James Suckling · 91 points

About King Estate

Founded in 1991, King Estate is based in the southern Willamette Valley near Eugene, Oregon. The winery emphasizes organic farming and Pinot Noir with a balance of fruit, acidity and structure.

Pairing & Details

Try it with roasted salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, charcuterie or aged Gruyère.

• Producer: King Estate Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml

James Suckling 95 Points | A juicy and delicious wine with aromas of black cherries, walnuts, flint, graphite and matchsticks. Medium-bodied with creamy and refined tannins and a pretty finish. Inky aftertaste with some iodine. 60% merlot and 40% sangivoese. Drink or hold. 

Winemaker Description

Lucente is the result of a careful selection of the estate’s vineyards particularly suited for the production of a fruity and very pleasant wine. Like Luce, it is made from Sangiovese and Merlot, with Merlot prevailing in the blend.

About Luce della Vite

Luce della Vite — “Light of the Vine” — is one of Tuscany’s most celebrated Super Tuscan estates, born from a visionary partnership between the Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi in 1993. Based in Montalcino, the Tenuta Luce estate produces wines that bridge the Old and New World: blending the structure and earthiness of Sangiovese with the richness and suppleness of Merlot. Lucente is the estate’s second wine — sharing the same vineyards and winemaking philosophy as the flagship Luce, but crafted for earlier enjoyment and exceptional everyday value. At under $25, it offers a genuine window into one of Italy’s most prestigious estates.

Food Pairings

Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, wild boar ragù, truffle pasta, roasted lamb, and aged Pecorino Toscano. Decant 30 minutes before serving.

Product Details

• Producer: Luce della Vite (Tenuta Luce — Frescobaldi)
• Appellation: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: Merlot & Sangiovese (Merlot dominant)
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, fruit-forward Super Tuscan blend
• Drink: Now–2030
• Format: 750ml

Coppo · Barbera d'Asti DOCG · Camp du Rouss · 2023 · 750ml

The Producer

Founded in 1892 in Canelli, in the heart of Piedmont's Asti hills, Coppo is one of the region's historic family houses, famous for aging its wines in underground cellars carved into the hillside. Camp du Rouss is its signature take on Barbera: generous, polished and built for the table.

The Wine

Ripe, dark-skinned fruit, culinary spice and new leather lead the way, with a lift of menthol. The palate is firmly structured and chewy, offering dried Morello cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and espresso over fine-grained tannins, with Barbera's trademark fresh acidity keeping it lively.

Expert Review (2023 Vintage)

"Round and supple in texture, this fluid red boasts cherry, blackberry and plum flavors, with flashes of floral and chocolate notes. Warm spice accents inform the finish. Drink now through 2030."
Wine Spectator, 90 points

Pairings & Serving

Pasta and beans, risotto with porcini mushrooms, or chicken chasseur. Serve slightly cool, around 60–62°F.

Specs

• Producer: Coppo
• Wine: Camp du Rouss
• Appellation: Barbera d'Asti DOCG
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Varietal: 100% Barbera
• Size: 750ml

An easy weeknight hero with enough depth for the dinner party. Drink now through 2030.

Crisp, Tropical & Effortlessly Refreshing

Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is New Zealand's signature white at its most expressive — vibrant, aromatic, and built for warm-weather sipping. The 2025 vintage delivered ideal growing conditions, yielding wines that are textbook Marlborough: punchy, fruit-forward, and irresistibly fresh.

The nose bursts with pink grapefruit, passionfruit, papaya, kiwi, and a whisper of lemongrass. On the palate, a soft, creamy entry gives way to layers of tropical and citrus fruit, finishing with a mouthwatering, crisp snap that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Crafted from a carefully selected blend of Marlborough's finest Sauvignon Blanc vineyards, Frenzy is fermented at cool temperatures to lock in purity of fruit and the unmistakable essence of the region's terroir.

• Wine Enthusiast: 88 Points — Best Buy
• Wine Spectator: 90 Points
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Size: 750ml | Screwcap

"Floral and fruity — lime blossom, passionfruit and pink grapefruit — crisp, balanced, easy-to-sip Savvy B for warm weather days." — BEST BUY - Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast

Château Blaignan — Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2019

With a grape-growing tradition stretching back to the 14th century, Château Blaignan is one of the Médoc’s most storied estates. The 2019 vintage — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux’s finest in a generation — showcases everything this historic property does best: ripe, structured fruit, velvet tannins, and a beautifully balanced finish that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring.

The nose is intensely fruity with pronounced blackcurrant, black cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, dark cherry and plum compote lead the way, with tobacco, savory notes, and a pretty iron hint on the focused, fine-grained finish. Full-bodied with structure and elegance in equal measure.

Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine Spectator 89 — “Drink now through 2029.”

• Producer: Château Blaignan, Médoc, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2019
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois, Médoc
• Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 18 months in vats and oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, black cherry, plum compote, tobacco, spice, iron finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029 (3–12 years from harvest)
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck, beef bourguignon, aged hard cheeses

Seven centuries of terroir knowledge in every bottle — Château Blaignan is a Médoc classic at a Cru Bourgeois price.

Huia Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Huia Vineyards is one of Marlborough’s most respected organic and biodynamic estates — founded in 1994 by Claire and Mike Allan with the conviction that the region’s finest expression comes from small-scale, unhurried winemaking rooted in the land. Today, under owner Tom Pegler and winemaker Josh Lee — whose career spans Greywacke, Dog Point, and biodynamic estates across Europe — that conviction is stronger than ever. Every grape is grown organically on estate vineyards and sourced from trusted Marlborough growers who share Huia’s values. The 2025 earned 92 Points from Wine Enthusiast and 91 Points from Wine Advocate, and overdelivers at its price point vintage after vintage.

The nose is captivating: pink grapefruit, lime blossom, crystallized ginger, cantaloupe, passionfruit, and honeydew melon, with fresh basil-like herbs and something flinty behind. On the palate, the wine is pure and lively — Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, key lime, and a touch of pie crust and hazelnut, carried by bright, tangy acidity and a quietly creamy texture. The finish is refreshing, balanced, and utterly delicious. It is elegant, aromatic, and deeply satisfying — the kind of biodynamic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that disappears fast.

"There’s a lovely waxy, honey-flecked tropical and citrus fruit to start, with fresh basil-like herbs and something more toasty and flinty behind. The palate shows the variety’s bright, tangy acidity, tempered by a quietly creamy texture. Food friendly and priced for every day drinking." — Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points. (Vintage 2025). 

• Producer: Huia Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand (est. 1994)
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pink grapefruit, lime blossom, crystallized ginger, cantaloupe, passionfruit, gooseberry, Granny Smith apple, hazelnut, creamy texture, energetic acidity
• Best Paired With: Seafood, sushi, oysters, poultry, salads, spicy stir fry, goat cheese

Marlborough’s benchmark biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc at an honest price — Huia is the standard for what certified organic, small-scale New Zealand winemaking can deliver.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

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

Winemaker Notes

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

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

Château Peyrabon Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois — Bordeaux 2016

The 2016 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era — a year of perfect balance between power and elegance, with a growing season that delivered concentration, freshness, and structure in equal measure. Château Peyrabon, situated just west of the prestigious Pauillac appellation in the Haut-Médoc, is one of the appellation's most consistent Cru Bourgeois overachievers. High in Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 is now in its prime drinking window and has earned 91 points from both Wine Enthusiast and Vinous, and 90 points from Decanter — a Best Buy by any measure at this price.

The nose is finely detailed and captivating: blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower, blackcurrant, and mineral aromas that exude class. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced and medium-to-full-bodied with fine-grain tannins, ripe generous black-currant fruit, a distinctive saline quality with touches of oyster shell and spice, and a poised, edgy finish of cedar and dark fruit. It is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve through 2038.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Best Buy — "With its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a good structure and ripe, generous black-currant flavors. Its fresh character gives juiciness that contrasts with the rich fruits. Drink from 2023." (Vintage 2016).
Vinous 91 — "Finely detailed bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower and mineral aromas. This exudes class. Fine grain tannin, one of the more saline Cru Bourgeois with touches of oyster shell and spice. Very fine." (Vintage 2016). 
Decanter 90 — "Rich, ripe black fruit with plenty of structural support from grippy and energetic tannins, well balanced by bright acidity. Drinking Window 2023–2038." (Vintage 2016). 

• Producer: Château Peyrabon, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2016
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Cru Bourgeois
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend (Merlot)
• Drinking Window: Now – 2038
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, pressed flower, oyster shell, cedar, dark spice, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Rack of lamb, pan-seared duck breast, prime rib, wild mushroom sauté, aged Comté

A 91-point Cru Bourgeois from a legendary Bordeaux vintage at an honest price — Château Peyrabon 2016 is the benchmark for what Haut-Médoc Cabernet can deliver under $25.

Joel Gott · Unoaked Chardonnay · California · 2024

Joel Gott Unoaked Chardonnay 2024 takes a fresh, fruit-focused approach to California Chardonnay. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, it puts bright fruit and crisp mineral character at the forefront, without oak-barrel influence.

Pear, sweet-tart apple and mango lead the tasting profile, with citrus and honeysuckle aromatics. A bright fruit entry gives way to crisp minerality on the mid-palate and a long, clean finish. It's a refreshing direction for those who prefer Chardonnay without an oaky profile.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

James Suckling · 91 Points: Fresh, vibrant and minerally, with aromas of sliced lemons, wet stones and nectarines. The palate is mid-weighted with taut acidity and a tense, mouthwatering finish. Varietal, fresh and ready to drink.

Tasting Notes

Pear, sweet-tart apple and mango on the nose, accompanied by citrus and honeysuckle. Bright fruit, a crisp mineral mid-palate and a long, clean finish define the palate.

Food Pairings & Serving

Serve chilled with grilled fish, shrimp, sushi or light salads. Goat cheese offers another pairing direction for the wine's bright acidity and fresh fruit character.

Wine Details

• Producer: Joel Gott
• Vintage: 2024
• Region: California, United States
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Style: Unoaked white wine
• Fermentation: 100% stainless steel
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Review: James Suckling 91 points

Fresh California Chardonnay with the fruit in focus and the oak out of the picture.

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro — Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany 2021

Ruffino is one of Tuscany’s most storied and historic estates — a winery whose Riserva Ducale Oro holds a singular place in Italian wine history. In 1927, the inaugural Riserva Ducale vintage was crafted as a homage to the wine-loving Duke of Aosta. Two decades later, in 1947, Ruffino commemorated an exceptional vintage by introducing the Riserva Ducale Oro — heralding the concept of Gran Selezione ahead of its time and creating what would become the world’s most recognized Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Today, one out of every three bottles of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione opened in the world is a Riserva Ducale Oro. The 2021 earned 95 Points from James Suckling and 90 Points from Wine Enthusiast, and is matched only by its potential for decades of aging.

The nose is complex and distinctive: red cherries, violet, blackberry, plum, eucalyptus, licorice, and balsamic nuances, with old leather, wild herbs, pepper, and intriguing notes of cinnamon, clove, chocolate, and coffee. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and lush with dense, velvety tannins, gleaming flavors of blackberry, bergamot, and wild mint, crisp yet integrated acidity, and a long, peppery, savory finish. It is elegant, precise, and deeply satisfying — a Gran Selezione built for the cellar but impossible to resist now.

"An elegant and forthright Gallo Nero with a precise nose of red cherries, eucalyptus and licorice with balsamic nuances. A lush and supple palate with a full body and dense, velvety tannins that are precise and spicy. Crisp yet integrated acidity in the finish. Savory aftertaste. Drink or hold." — James Suckling, 95 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

"The nose opens savory, with aromas of old leather, hot tar, wild herbs and pepper, then adds the sweetness of dark berries and cherries. Gleaming flavors of blackberries, bergamot and wild mint define the palate, before that bitter citrus element ignites into a peppery heat on the finish." — Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

• Producer: Ruffino, Pontassieve, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: Extended barrel & bottle aging — violet, cherry, chocolate & spice complexity
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Drink: Now or cellar for decades
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, violet, blackberry, plum, eucalyptus, licorice, bergamot, wild mint, chocolate, coffee, peppery finish
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, aged Parmigiano, braised lamb, truffle risotto

Tuscany’s most iconic Gran Selezione at an honest price — Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro is the benchmark for what historic, cellar-worthy Chianti Classico can deliver.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon — Columbia Valley 2022

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery — and the 2022 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in what makes this high-desert wine region so compelling. Sourced from vineyards east of the Cascades, where extreme diurnal temperature swings and volcanic soils concentrate flavor while preserving freshness, the wine is crafted to highlight Washington’s signature dark fruit in an accessible, food-friendly style. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points. At under $15, it is one of the most exciting values in all of American wine.

The nose is inviting and layered: a salty ocean breeze, driftwood, blackberries, olive oil, and a trace of bacon fat. On the palate, it is smooth and viscous, with dark plum and bittersweet chocolate-covered cherries coating the palate, framed by silky tannins and a long, fruit-forward finish. It delivers the kind of concentrated, structured pleasure that only great Columbia Valley Cabernet can — and it drinks beautifully right now.

Wine Enthusiast 91 — “This superb value strikes first with a marine-themed nose of a salty ocean breeze, a driftwood beach fire, blackberries, olive oil, and a trace of bacon fat. Smooth and viscous, with dark plum and bittersweet chocolate-covered cherries coating the palate.” (Vintage 2022).

• Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dark plum, bittersweet chocolate, olive, bacon, ocean breeze
• Best Paired With: Beef tenderloin, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, pasta with meat sauce, aged cheddar, BBQ

A 91-point Washington Cabernet at an honest price — Chateau Ste. Michelle is the benchmark for what Columbia Valley Cab can be.

Critical Acclaim – Vintage Reference (2021)

• Wine Enthusiast – 91 Points | “A layer of chalk and cocoa coats the blueberry, cassis and violet flavors. Silky and complex, with great purity and a long loam-tinged finish.”

Critical Acclaim – Previous Vintage Reference (2020)

• James Suckling – 93 Points | “Perfumed aromas of dried roses, red berry fruit and licorice. Darker mocha notes too. Medium-bodied yet deep, with dark minerals and spices accompanying fresh berry fruit. Fine and tight tannins. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification.”

Tasting Notes

Juicy and vibrant with aromas of fresh cherry, pomegranate, plum, and lightly roasted herbs, alongside dried roses and violet. The palate is mineral-fresh and cool, with lively acidity, a remarkable inner tension, and fine, earthy tannins. Transparent, clear, and intensely drinkable — a Blaufränkisch of real precision and character.

About the Wine

Nittnaus is one of Burgenland’s most respected biodynamic producers, farming with Respekt certification — Austria’s most rigorous biodynamic standard. The Kalk und Schiefer (“Limestone and Slate”) Blaufränkisch is sourced from vineyards in and around Jois am Leithagebirge, where the distinctive limestone and slate soils impart a cool minerality and inner tension to the wine. After manual harvesting and sorting, the grapes are fermented spontaneously in wooden vats and aged in used Tonneaux after slow basket pressing.

Food Pairing

Excellent with roasted duck, venison, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses. Serve slightly cool at 16–17°C.

Product Details

• Appellation: Burgenland, Austria
• Varietal: Blaufränkisch 100%
• Farming: Biodynamic – Respekt Certified
• Soils: Limestone & Slate (Kalk und Schiefer)
• Aging: Used Tonneaux
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Nittnaus

Vietti · Roero Arneis · 2025

Vietti has a special place in the story of Arneis: the winery first bottled Roero Arneis on its own in 1967. From Piedmont’s Roero appellation, this 2025 white balances fresh fruit and floral character with the brisk acidity that makes it easy to bring to the table.

Winemaker Description

Pale straw yellow color with fresh floral, citrus and melon aromas with almond hints. An unoaked, dry, medium bodied white wine with crisp acidity, the Arneis is a well-balanced, elegant wine with good complexity and a lingering finish.

Great as an aperitif with light hors d’oeuvres, crudités, seafood, salads, light soups, simply prepared veal, pork, chicken and creamy cheese.

Vietti · Winemaker Description

Expert Review · 2025 Vintage

Just bottled, the 2025 Roero Arneis pours a pale straw/platinum hue and offers an early look at a beautifully balanced growing season. The nose is bright and focused, with flinty reduction and white pepper lifting from the glass alongside white peach, melon, lemon-lime rind, and chive. Medium-bodied, it shows excellent tension and energy, with brisk acidity and a vibrant, electric feel across the palate that keeps it refreshing and precise. It should be ready to drink on release. 70,000 bottles were produced. Drink 2026-2032.

Jeb Dunnuck · 90 points

About Vietti

Founded in Castiglione Falletto in the late 1800s, Vietti has carried generations of Piedmont winemaking forward. The family’s work with Roero Arneis and its artist-label tradition are part of the estate’s history; the Krause family purchased the winery in 2016.

At a Glance

• Producer: Vietti
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Roero, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Arneis
• Style: Dry white wine
• Size: 750ml

Nigl Grüner Veltliner Freiheit — Kremstal, Austria 2025

Martin Nigl is one of Austria's most respected winemakers, farming steep hillside vineyards above the city of Krems in the Kremstal — a region celebrated for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling of exceptional precision and mineral character. The Freiheit — German for "freedom" — takes its name from a remarkable piece of history: this land is believed to be among the first privately owned vineyard land in the valley not controlled by the Church or a feudal estate. It is, quite literally, a wine of liberation. Sourced from four different vineyards in the hills above Krems, the soils are primarily löss, and the steep elevation moderates temperature to preserve freshness and aromatic lift. Fermentation and élevage occur entirely in stainless steel, and in a detail that speaks to Martin's obsessive attention to freshness, the wine is bottled at night — when the cellars are at their coolest.

The 2025 pours a pale, luminous straw. The nose is clean and expressive — citrus, green apple, white pepper, and a subtle mineral lift from the löss soils. On the palate, it's precise and refreshing with lively acidity, a focused mid-palate, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Everything Kremstal Grüner should be: pure, food-friendly, and built with care.

"Freiheit — freedom — believed to be some of the first privately owned vineyard land in the valley not controlled by the Church or a feudal estate. Bottled at night when the cellars are at their coolest." — Martin Nigl

• Producer: Weingut Nigl, Kremstal, Austria
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Kremstal DAC
• Varietal: Grüner Veltliner
• Vineyard: Four sites above Krems; löss soils; steep elevation
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation and élevage; night bottling
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, green apple, white pepper, löss minerality, crisp dry finish
• Best Paired With: Wiener Schnitzel, grilled fish, sushi, asparagus, Thai cuisine, fresh goat cheese

A wine of freedom — Kremstal Grüner Veltliner from Austria's most historically significant privately owned vineyard land, bottled at night for maximum freshness.

Marqués de Cáceres · Cava Brut

A Spanish sparkling wine for the aperitif hour or a gathering around the table. The existing reviews describe lively bubbles, bright fruit and refreshing acidity, with a blend of Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada. Serve chilled alongside tapas or seafood.

Expert Reviews

Allison Napjus · Wine Spectator · 90 points in the existing listing; review date not specified

A balanced bubbly with a lively mousse, this presents juicy flavors of black cherry and pineapple backed by a buoyant spine of acidity. Reveals hints of candied ginger and tangerine peel on the finish. Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. Drink now.

Tasting Panel · no score stated in the existing review text

Blending 50% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, and 20% Parellada from 25-plus-year-old high-elevation vines makes for an extroverted sparkler. A nose of croissant and lemon oil leads to flavors of lemon pudding, candle wax, and white flowers. Lively and focused.

At a Glance

• Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
• Style: Cava Brut, sparkling wine
• Origin: Spain
• Grapes Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada
• Size: 750ml

Schug · Carneros · 2023

Chardonnay | Carneros, California | 750ml

Drawn primarily from Schug's Estate and Ricci vineyards, with additional barrels from Wildcat Mountain and Sangiacomo, this Carneros Chardonnay brings together barrel-aged richness and refreshing acidity. Each vineyard lot was fermented separately and aged on the lees in small French oak barrels, with a judicious contribution of new oak.

Citrus, white flowers, and peach lead into layers of tropical and stone fruit with light minerality. Creamy texture and a crisp, mouth-watering finish make this a Chardonnay to enjoy at the table.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2023

Tasting Panel, 92 Points | Aged sur lie for nine months in (25% new) small French oak barrels, this classically styled Chardonnay shows a salty mineral character with melon, MacIntosh apple, marzipan, and lemon oil. Nice mouth feel, with body weight, and accented with crisp acidity.

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points | A tantalizing, toasty top note draws you into this mouth-coating, richly flavorful and full-bodied wine. Spicy oak notes, light butter accents and poached pear flavors bring a lot of satisfaction on the sip.

James Suckling, 91 Points | This shows note of ripe peaches and pineapple with hints of toffee, honeysuckle and lemon custard. Medium- to full-bodied, creamy and weighty yet with fresh, juicy acidity coming through. Mellow and textural on the finish.

Winemaker Description

Chardonnay grapes grown primarily in Schug's Estate and Ricci vineyards, with additional barrels from the Wildcat Mountain and Sangiacomo vineyards, underwent traditional European winemaking practices. Each lot was fermented separately and aged on the lees ("sur-lie") in small French oak barrels, introducing judicious new oak. The result is an elegant and powerful wine that is refreshing and mouth-watering on the finish. It has intense aromatics of citrus, white flowers, and peach. This wine offers layers of tropical and stone fruit and light minerality on the palate.

Well-balanced acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish, making it an excellent wine with food. Try it with cream soups, rich seafood, fowl, veal, and pasta dishes.

Pairing & Serving

Serve chilled alongside rich seafood, cream soups, poultry, veal, or pasta dishes.

Wine Details

• Producer: Schug
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Carneros
• Region: California, United States
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Aging: On the lees in small French oak barrels
• Size: 750ml

Zuccardi Q · Valle de Uco, Mendoza · 2024

Zuccardi Q Malbec 2024 captures the Uco Valley through black fruit, wild herbs and a dry, chalky texture. Sourced from Gualtallary, Los Chacayes and Altamira, it combines expressive fruit with freshness, precision and a mineral-driven finish.

Producer & Terroir

Zuccardi Valle de Uco brings together three generations of a family dedicated to wines that express their place of origin. In 1963, engineer Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi planted the family’s first vineyard in Mendoza to demonstrate a new irrigation system he had invented to meet the challenges of the desert. The project sparked a lasting passion for viticulture. His son José Alberto took the helm in 1985, carrying forward that innovative spirit and becoming an enthusiastic ambassador for Argentine wine.

In 1999, Sebastián Zuccardi, José Alberto’s son and Tito’s grandson, began a sparkling-wine project with friends in the Uco Valley. He later joined the family winery and led its development in the high mountain region. The family planted its first vineyards in Canal Uco, Paraje Altamira, in 2007, followed by Piedra Infinita and Los Membrillos in Paraje Altamira, Las Cuchillas in San Pablo, and Las Cerrilladas and Agua de La Jarilla in Gualtallary. Sebastián and his team continue to explore the personality of Argentine wines.

Sebastián Zuccardi
“I enjoy opening a bottle of wine and being able to travel to its place of origin. That’s why our wines tell the story of the place, our vision, and our interpretation of the terroir and the year of the harvest.”

In 2022, Zuccardi became the only winery in Argentina with three wines awarded 100 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, bringing further recognition to Paraje Altamira. That year, Wine Enthusiast named Zuccardi Valle de Uco “New World Winery of the Year.” The World’s Best Vineyards named it Best Vineyard in the World in 2019, 2020 and 2021, welcoming it into its Hall of Fame in 2022. These distinctions recognize the producer, not scores for this bottle.

Tasting Notes

Blackberry, plum and wild herbs meet savory and floral notes. The palate is dry and chalky, balancing refined richness with freshness and textural depth. A mineral-driven finish gives the fruit a focused, expressive close.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling, 93 Points · 2024
This shows blackberries, tar and black ink on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with focused tannins, incisive acidity and a thin thread of fruit woven tightly with the structure, texture and freshness. This comes from grapes grown in Los Chacayes at 1,000 meters. Drink now or hold.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 91 Points · 2024
As ever, the 2024 Q Malbec offers as solid an overview as one could want of both the modern Uco Valley and the unwavering clarity that defines the Zuccardi portfolio. Equal parts herbal, savory and floral on the nose, the mouthfeel delivers svelte precision and textural depth that transcend its price point, with a well-defined, mineral-driven finish.

Vinous, 91 Points · 2024
The 2024 Malbec Q, sourced from Gualtallary, Los Chacayes and Altamira, presents a modern profile from the Uco Valley. It delivers black fruit, blackberry and core plum aromas, along with wild herbs and aromatic clarity. This is dry and chalky on the palate, with refined richness. It flows with athletic precision and expressive character. The 2024 is juicy and full of flavor.

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points · 2024
A fruit-driven nose with hints of peppery spices introduces this well-crafted Malbec. The bright palate brings together expressive flavors of ripe strawberries and dark cherries that extend into the finish.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with grilled steak, roasted mushrooms or hearty lentil dishes to complement the wine’s dark fruit and savory character.

Details

• Producer: Zuccardi
• Wine: Q Malbec
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Argentina
• Region: Mendoza
• Appellation: Valle de Uco
• Grape: Malbec
• Type: Red wine
• Style: Dry
• Farming attribute: Sustainable

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge — Southern Rhône, France 2022

No name in the Rhône Valley commands more respect than Guigal. From their legendary single-vineyard La Las to this benchmark Côtes du Rhône, Marcel Guigal and his family have spent decades proving that the Southern Rhône can deliver both grandeur and extraordinary value in the same bottle. The 2022 Rouge is a textbook expression of the appellation: a Syrah-led blend with Grenache and Mourvèdre, it is deep, dark, and generously fruited — full-bodied yet polished, with smooth tannins and a long, elegant finish. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 92 points and called it "exceptional value." 

The nose is intensely aromatic: black cherry, dark plum, rose petal, and warm spice. On the palate, the fruit is bright and concentrated, with earthy depth, fine-grained tannins, and a playful, spice-laced finish that lingers well beyond its price point. A touch of aeration opens it up beautifully — decant briefly or simply let it breathe in the glass.

Wine Enthusiast 92 • James Suckling 90 — "Exceptional value. Bright and concentrated black cherries, rose petal and fresh aromatics."

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points
Bright and concentrated black cherries, rose petal and fresh aromatics create a lively nose. On the palate, fruit and earthy notes come into perfect balance with a bit of aeration. A great pairing for meaty dishes, offering exceptional value.

James Suckling — 90 Points
A juicy, fruity red with aromas of dark cherries, red berries and mild spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Bright fruit character on the palate with a playful finish and a touch of spices. Drink now.

• Producer: E. Guigal, Ampuis, Rhône Valley, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône
• Blend: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre
• Format: 375ml Half Bottle
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, dark plum, rose petal, warm spice, earthy depth, smooth tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, roast chicken, charcuterie, beef stew, hard cheeses

The world's most trusted Rhône producer at its most approachable — Guigal's Côtes du Rhône is the benchmark for what Southern France can deliver at any price.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia, 67Wine Buyer: This legendary Bodega produces some of the most classic and sought-after Riojas. The entry-level Reserva is my go-to wine to enjoy with any of my weekend favorite meals. Lovely nose of dark fruit, cedar, and herbs. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a structured finish.

Marqués de Murrieta didn’t just make one of the first Rioja wines — they essentially invented the category. Founded in 1852 by Don Luciano Murrieta, the estate has spent over 170 years refining a house style built on elegance, consistency, and the singular personality of the Finca Ygay estate. The 2022 Reserva is a classic expression: raspberry, blueberry, and cherry on the nose, lifted by thyme, rosemary, and sandalwood, with a juicy, precise palate shaped by fine tannins and a fresh, pleasant finish. Medium-bodied, structured, and thoroughly satisfying.

Blend: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano, Garnacha
Appellation: Rioja, Spain
Estate: Finca Ygay, Castillo de Ygay
Vintage: 2022
Format: 750ml

The Castillo de Ygay — declared a museum in 2019 — sits at the heart of a self-contained estate of over 300 hectares. Led since 1983 by the Cebrián-Sagarriga family, Marqués de Murrieta completed a landmark renovation in 2021, adding 25,000 m² of state-of-the-art production facilities while leaving the estate’s identity untouched. Every variety in the blend — Tempranillo for structure, Mazuelo for acidity, Graciano for freshness, Garnacha for roundness — is grown on-estate and contributes its own personality to a wine that has been made the same way for generations.

“A palpable example of the elegance, consistency and regularity that characterize Marqués de Murrieta. This wine shows the incredible personality of the Ygay Estate.” — Winemaker’s Notes

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 94 Points | Attractive aromas of ripe cherries, dried strawberries, dried orange peel, spices and crushed stones. Medium to full body with compact, firm, finely grained tannins. Smooth and textured with vivid fruit underneath and a lingering finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Rich ruby color. A selection from the best vineyards, aged for two years. Toasted cedar, cherry lozenge, menthol, and spiced orange peel. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins folding into a mineral texture, mouthwatering stony earth, and a long, clean finish.

Robert Parker | Wine Advocate 93 Points | Ripe fruit with measured intensity that never feels heavy or overdone — achieving this level of balance is not easy in a hot growing season. Characterized by an especially linear and direct personality that pushes over the palate with good momentum.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Juicy yet firmly structured with bright cherry and blackberry fruit. Dense tannins inform the finish with accents of earth and mineral. Balanced in a youthful, exuberant way. Best 2025–2039.

Winemaker Notes

Ruby red with a trace of garnet. Elegant nose displaying hints of spice and fruit. Well-structured with smooth tannins and a long finish. Certified organic Sangiovese from one of Chianti Classico’s most historic and beautiful estates.

Tasting & Pairings

Ripe cherry, dried strawberry, orange peel, crushed stones, cedar, menthol, and spice. Medium to full body with firm, finely grained tannins and a mineral finish. Decant or cellar through 2039.

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or grilled lamb — the classic Tuscan pairing for a Riserva of this caliber.
• Wild boar ragù or pappardelle with meat sauce — the tannin structure and earthy notes complement rich, slow-cooked sauces.
• Aged Pecorino Toscano — a regional cheese that mirrors the wine’s earthy, mineral character.

In 1968, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich went to work for Robert Mondavi as chief enologist, crafting the inaugural release of “Fumé Blanc” — an elegant, dry, oak-aged style of Sauvignon Blanc that Mondavi named after the French word for smoke. A decade later, Mike's 1973 Chardonnay famously won the Judgment of Paris, putting California wine on the world map. He went on to found Grgich Hills Estate in 1977, where he continued to champion the Fumé Blanc style as a tribute to his mentor and friend.

The Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2023 Organic 750ml is sourced from the estate's five certified organic Napa Valley vineyards and opens with striking aromas of fresh lime, lemon verbena, gooseberry, and honeysuckle. On the palate, bright citrus, tangy star fruit, and a hint of green mango are framed by deft oak and a long, chiseled finish of lasting slate minerality. Vibrant, precise, and unmistakably Grgich.

Expert Review

Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points: "Vibrant aromatics and bright acidity join texture and intensity for a memorable wine. Sauvignon Blanc aged with deft use of oak delivers pert and sweet citrus, lemon grass, and a sprinkle of sea salt. The finish is lengthy and palate stimulating. Refreshing and ideal for the start of a meal."

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh lime, lemon verbena, gooseberry, and honeysuckle
• Palate: Bright citrus, star fruit, green mango, and lemongrass with deft oak
• Finish: Long, chiseled, and mineral with lasting slate and juicy citrus

Wine Details

• 100% Sauvignon Blanc — Fumé Blanc style
• Certified Organic — five estate vineyards
• Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2023 | 750ml

Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2025 750ml is a classically Marlborough white wine sourced from two of the region's most celebrated sub-regions — the Wairau Valley and the Awatere Valley. Crafted by Chief Winemaker Stu Marfell, it captures the vibrant, aromatic character that has made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc a benchmark for the style worldwide.

The wine opens with distinct, punchy aromas of guava, gooseberry, and citrus peel, underpinned by delicate floral and herbaceous notes. On the palate, tropical fruits, zesty lime citrus, and minerality come together with a crisp, lively acidity and an elegant, energetic finish. Fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures to preserve fresh aromatics and fruit purity.

Pairs beautifully with fresh seafood, oysters, goat cheese, green salads, and light herb-driven dishes.

"Tropical and aromatic, with a nose of guavas, dried mangoes and jalapeños. Light- to medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Succulent lemon character at the center, with a mouthwatering finish."
— James Suckling, 90 Points (Vintage 2025)

• Producer: Dashwood
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Crisp, aromatic, fruit-forward Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
• Closure: Screwcap
• Format: 750ml
• Country: New Zealand

Casanova di Neri · Irrosso Toscana · 2023

From the Montalcino estate known for its Brunellos, Irrosso offers a more approachable way into Casanova di Neri’s Tuscan reds. The winery describes it as a young wine with structure and a strong connection to its home territory.

Cherry and blackberry run through the Wine Spectator note, while James Suckling finds dark berries, spice and a velvety core. Bring a bottle to a pasta dinner or pour it beside grilled meat and aged Pecorino.

Expert reviews · 2023 vintage

Wine Spectator · 92 points

Cherry and blackberry fruit define this linear, fluid red. A line of sinewy tannins leaves its mark on the earthy, salty finish. Fine length. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2035.

James Suckling · 92 points

Toasted walnuts, ground spices and hints of chocolate, oranges and dark berries on the nose, leading to a firm and tense medium to full-bodied palate with fine tannins and a velvety core of dark fruit at the center. Lingering and structured. Drink or hold.

At a glance

• Producer: Casanova di Neri
• Wine: Irrosso Toscana
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Primary grape listed: Sangiovese
• Size: 750ml
• Pair with: meat-sauce pasta, grilled steak or aged Pecorino Toscano

A Tuscan red with the depth for dinner and the ease to open on a weeknight.

Château d'Issan · Blason d'Issan · Margaux · 2022

Blason d'Issan is the second wine of Château d'Issan, the historic Margaux estate classified as a Third Growth in 1855. It offers an accessible introduction to the estate's Margaux character, with the 2022 blend bringing together 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck's review of the 2022 describes ripe red and black currants, leafy herbs, damp earth and tobacco. Medium-bodied, with a round, lush mouthfeel and plenty of fruit, it combines generous texture with a satisfying finish. The wine was raised in 35% new oak.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling, 94 Points: A velvety and fresh wine with silky tannins that flow across the palate. It's medium-bodied with an impression of crunchiness. Creamy texture. Zesty, flavorful finish. Very approachable now but better in two or three years. Second wine of d'Issan. 44% cabernet sauvignon, 55% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Decanter, 92 Points · Barrel Sample: Beautiful aromatics, fresh and floral dark blackcurrant fruit, milk chocolate. Intensely concentrated, a real bite to the fruit with powdery, firm and filling tannins. A gorgeous mouthfeel, fresh but straight and tense, keeps the focus and direction. You can feel his has been well worked with balanced ripeness and acidity. Feels nicely focussed and detailed, juicy and concentrated with purity and strength. Impressive and persistent. This will be great in 5 - 10 years. 1% PV planted in 1982. 14% press wine. Percentage of production: 46%. Total acidity: 3.62. 35% new barrels. 3.60pH.

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points · 2022 Vintage: The second wine of this château, the 2022 Blason D'Issan is based on 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot that was raised in 35% new oak. It has a terrific nose of ripe red and black currants, leafy herbs, damp earth, and tobacco. This carries to a medium-bodied 2022 with plenty of fruit, a round, lush mouthfeel, and a great finish.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Château d'Issan
• Wine: Blason d'Issan, the estate's second wine
• Appellation: Margaux, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot
• Maturation: 35% new oak
• Size: 750ml

A generous, polished Margaux for a thoughtfully prepared dinner.

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2025

• Wine Spectator – 92 Points | “Vibrant, juicy and wonderfully intense, showing off fleshy notes of passion fruit, mango and citrus, with mouthwatering acidity and a touch of saline and lemongrass on the finish. Drink now.”

Tasting Notes

A veritable fruit basket of tropical proportions — kiwi, pineapple, spearmint, and crunchy apple — with the vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that defines great Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Beautifully balanced and intensely expressive.

About the Wine

Originally Australian, winemaker Anthony ‘Ant’ Moore moved to Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island in the early 2000s and never looked back. His signature approach — old oak barrels and extended lees aging — tempers the searing acidity and typical greenness of NZ Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in a wine with greater texture, complexity, and tropical fruit depth than most in its class.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with grilled fish, goat cheese, crunchy salads, and light seafood dishes. Perfect for any sunny moment.

Product Details

• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Ant Moore Wines