90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Viña Cobos | Felino | Malbec | Mendoza | 2024

Jeb Dunnuck: 94 Points — Juicy in a tantalizing combination of red and blue fruit, the tannins are soft and supple in texture and grip. The fruit is focused and ripe, fully developed, and dark and brooding in color. There’s structure to the tannins and moderate acidity, providing a foundation for the beautifully juicy red fruit and light spice. Drink now and for another 10 years.

James Suckling: 93 Points — Abundant bramble fruit on the nose, layered with espresso and a touch of red berries. The palate is round and medium- to full-bodied, well-constructed with velvety, integrated tannins and a chiseled, flavorful finish. Drink now or hold.

Vinous: 92 Points — Bright red fruit, hints of black fruit and a balsamic spice accent. Grippy, plush and juicy, with improved length compared to previous vintages.

Viña Cobos was founded by Paul Hobbs, one of California's most celebrated winemakers, who recognized Mendoza's extraordinary potential for world-class Malbec long before the region's international rise. The Felino line is the estate's benchmark of accessible excellence — sourced from premium vineyards across Mendoza's two most prestigious appellations, Valle de Uco and Luján de Cuyo, and crafted with the same precision and attention to terroir that defines the Cobos flagship wines.

The 2024 Felino is sourced 65% from Valle de Uco and 35% from Luján de Cuyo, and aged nine months in small French oak barriques with only 8% new oak — a restrained approach that preserves the vibrancy and freshness of the fruit while adding subtle complexity and texture. The result is a Malbec that is immediately expressive yet structured enough to develop further in the bottle over the next decade.

Deep ruby with vibrant purple tones, the wine opens with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, fresh plum and violets, accented by notes of espresso, bramble, balsamic spice and a whisper of graphite. The palate is round, juicy and beautifully balanced — ripe red and blue fruit flavors are supported by soft, supple tannins, moderate acidity and a long, chiseled finish with hints of herbs and dark spice.

Serve at 60–65°F. Pairs beautifully with grilled steak, lamb chops, beef empanadas, roasted meats, rich pasta dishes, BBQ ribs, aged cheddar, Manchego and dark chocolate.

• Producer: Viña Cobos
• Winemaker: Paul Hobbs
• Cuvée: Felino
• Appellation: Mendoza, Argentina
• Sub-regions: 65% Valle de Uco, 35% Luján de Cuyo
• Grape Variety: Malbec (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Aging: 9 months in French oak barriques (8% new)
• Style: Dry red wine, medium- to full-bodied
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough 2025

Allan Scott Family Winemakers is one of Marlborough’s pioneering estates, and their Sauvignon Blanc has long been a benchmark for the region. The 2025 vintage is a textbook expression of what makes this corner of New Zealand so compelling — bright, fruit-driven, and unmistakably fresh, with enough texture and minerality to keep things interesting. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Wine Spectator followed with 90, calling it “sleek and juicy.”

The nose is lively and aromatic: white berries, currant leaves, white roses, and hints of crushed stone with a spicy green edge. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied — crunchy, fresh, and juicy, with tropical fruit and zesty passionfruit balanced by a tense, minerally finish. Clean, dry, and built for the table.

🇳🇿 James Suckling 91 • Wine Spectator 90 — “An elegant style, with lime sorbet, quince, Fuji apple and lemon zest, all on a sleek and juicy frame that lingers.” (Vintage 2025). 

• Producer: Allan Scott Family Winemakers, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Closure: Screw cap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White berries, currant leaf, white rose, lime sorbet, passionfruit, crushed stone, minerally finish
• Best Paired With: Fresh oysters, grilled white fish, shrimp scampi, goat cheese salads, fresh herb dishes

Crisp, vibrant, and true to its terroir — Allan Scott’s Sauvignon Blanc is the benchmark for what Marlborough does best.

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.

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

Fattoria La Valentina | Pecorino Biologico | Colline Pescaresi IGT | Abruzzo, Italy | 2024

Fattoria La Valentina is one of Abruzzo’s most respected organic estates, farming the sun-drenched hills of Pescara with a commitment to minimal intervention and expressive terroir. Pecorino — an ancient indigenous variety long thought extinct, rediscovered in the Apennine foothills — has found one of its finest homes here. La Valentina’s version is 100% Pecorino from the Colline Pescaresi, with a period of lees aging that adds texture and complexity to the variety’s naturally vivid character.

The nose opens fresh and citrusy with lemon, lime, crushed minerals, and saltwater, then turns floral with white flowers and fresh grass. On the palate, bright citrus and tangy acidity carry through to a finish where salinity swells and lingers — saline, precise, and deeply refreshing. A wine that punches well above its price and rewards those who seek out Italy’s most exciting indigenous whites.

• Producer: Fattoria La Valentina
• Appellation: Colline Pescaresi IGT, Abruzzo, Italy
• Grape: 100% Pecorino (Organic)
• Vintage: 2024
• Aging: Sur lie
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Pairings: Clams, mussels, shellfish, Adriatic fish dishes, seafood pasta, aperitivo
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2024

• Wine Enthusiast — 90 pts (Danielle Callegari): Fresh and citrusy with lemon, lime, minerals and saltwater, then floral with white flowers and grass. Tangy and citrus on the palate; salinity swells on the finish on the back of fierce acidity.

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

CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024

CrossBarn is Paul Hobbs’s second label — and one of California’s most compelling values in cool-climate Chardonnay. Drawing on 81% estate fruit from Sonoma Coast vineyards, CrossBarn channels the same winemaking philosophy that has made Paul Hobbs one of Napa and Sonoma’s most celebrated names: minimal intervention, site transparency, and a relentless focus on freshness. The Sonoma Coast appellation is defined by its proximity to the Pacific — cold ocean winds and morning fog that slow ripening and preserve the natural acidity that makes this style so compelling. Partial malolactic conversion in stainless steel adds a subtle creamy texture without sacrificing the wine’s essential brightness and drive. The 2024 vintage is a textbook expression of the appellation.

The color is a luminous pale gold. The nose is fresh, pure, and immediately inviting: green apple, baked apple, ripe pear, lemon peel, and a whisper of bread dough and warm spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and easygoing — generous and juicy, with vibrant acidity, a subtle creamy mid-palate from partial malo, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Crisp, refreshing, and built for the table.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 90 — “Fresh, fruity, juicy, crisp — generous in green apples, baked apples and minerals. Subtle cream and butter from partial malolactic conversion.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Estate Fruit: 81%
• Vinification: Partial malolactic conversion, stainless steel maturation
• Style: Bright, fresh, cool-climate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, baked apple, pear, lemon peel, bread dough, warm spice, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Crab Louie, grilled shrimp, oysters, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta

Paul Hobbs’s vision for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — CrossBarn delivers serious winemaking at an honest price.

G.D. Vajra | Barolo Albe 2022 | Piedmont, Italy

Founded in 1972 by Aldo Vajra in the village of Vergne, G.D. Vajra is one of Barolo's most beloved and principled estates — a family winery that has never chased trends, instead letting the Nebbiolo grape and the land speak for themselves. The Barolo Albe marks its 50th consecutive vintage with the 2022 release, a milestone that speaks to the wine's enduring place in the estate's identity. Fruit is sourced from three distinct cru sites — Coste di Vergne, Fossati, and La Volta — blended to create a Barolo of remarkable versatility, accessibility, and value.

The 2022 vintage in Piedmont was warm and generous, producing wines of exceptional ripeness and early approachability without sacrificing the structure that defines great Barolo. This bottling delivers dark berry, pressed flower, and crushed stone on the nose, with a medium-plus palate, silky tannins, and a finish that rewards patience. Drink now or cellar through the decade ahead.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points:  A medium ruby color, the 2022 Barolo Albe marks the 50th vintage of this cuvée. Aromas of fresh cherries, spice, and ripe orange peel lead into a medium-bodied palate with purity and polish. Already quite appealing, this is a wine I would happily order by the glass, and it should drink beautifully over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2036.26

Kerin O'Keefe — 93 Points: The G.D. Vajra 2022 Barolo Albe has aromas of crushed red berry, lavender and eucalyptus. On the smooth, full-bodied palate, notes of star anise and blood orange accent a core of cherry marinated in spirits. Taut, fine-grained tannins provide polished support.

Technical Details

Variety: Nebbiolo  |  Vineyards: Coste di Vergne, Fossati, La Volta  |  Appellation: Barolo DOCG  |  Region: Piedmont, Italy  |  Vintage: 2022  |  Size: 750ml

Vietti · Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, Piedmont · 2023

Vietti is one of Piedmont's most revered estates, based in Castiglione Falletto at the heart of the Barolo zone. Perbacco — meaning "by Bacchus!" in Italian — is their benchmark Langhe Nebbiolo, sourced in part from the estate's prestigious Barolo vineyards including Roncaglie, Ravera, and Novello. The result is a wine that technically sits below Barolo and Barbaresco in classification but carries unmistakably the DNA of both. Aged approximately 18 months in a mix of barrique and large cask, Perbacco delivers structure, complexity, and refinement that routinely rivals wines at two or three times its price.

The 2023 vintage in Piedmont brought warm, dry conditions with excellent diurnal temperature variation, producing Nebbiolo of vibrant aromatic precision and savory depth. Perbacco 2023 pours a transparent red and opens with delicate aromas of spiced cherries, cranberries, dried herbs, dusty earth, and a gentle mineral richness. Medium-bodied and approachable now, it shows savory complexity through the finish with soft structure built for near-term drinking. Best enjoyed 2026–2032. Decant 30–60 minutes before serving. 85,000 bottles produced.

"The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco pours a transparent red hue and offers delicate aromas of spiced cherries, cranberries, dried herbs, and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, it is approachable now but still shows savory depth and a gentle mineral richness through the finish."
— Jeb Dunnuck, 90 Points (2023 vintage)

• Producer: Vietti, Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
• Sub-Region: Langhe, Piedmont
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Aging: ~18 months, barrique and large cask
• Production: 85,000 bottles
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Spiced cherry, cranberry, dried herbs, dusty earth, mineral finish
• Drink: 2026–2032
• Food Pairings: Braised short rib, roast lamb, aged Parmigiano, truffle risotto, wild boar ragù

Barolo DNA at a Langhe price — Vietti Perbacco is the savviest buy in Piedmont.

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

Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon — Mendoza, Argentina 2023

Viña Cobos is Paul Hobbs’ celebrated Mendoza project, and Felino is its entry point — a wine that, vintage after vintage, punches way above its price. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from rigorously selected vineyards across Mendoza’s two finest growing areas: 65% from Luján de Cuyo and 35% from Valle de Uco, blending the warmth and richness of lower elevations with the precision and freshness of the high-altitude Uco Valley. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 94 points. 

The wine opens with rich dark and red fruit, blackcurrants, ripe cherries, and strawberries, with notes of peppercorn and a hint of barrel spice. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied with juicy, supple red fruit at its core, sinewy tannins, and a generous, rich finish with moderate freshness. 7% of the wine is aged in barrel. Tremendously impressive and built to drink now through 2034.

"Another delightful offering from the producer that punches way, way above its price point. Finding the best parts of each area of Mendoza, the warm and the cool, the lower elevation and higher elevation, it’s juicy in supple red fruit and juicy at its core, a tremendously impressive and delicious wine from Paul Hobbs and his team. Drink now through 2034." — Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points (Vintage 2023)

"Lots of rich dark and red fruit with notes of blackcurrants. The well-balanced palate is medium- to full-bodied with sinewy tannins and a generous, rich finish." — James Suckling, 92 Points (Vintage 2023)

• Producer: Viña Cobos (Paul Hobbs), Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Mendoza
• Sub-Regions: 65% Luján de Cuyo, 35% Valle de Uco
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, fruit-forward Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vinification: 7% aged in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrants, ripe cherries, strawberries, peppercorn, barrel spice, juicy finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2034
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, empanadas, aged manchego, hearty stews

A 94-point Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon at an honest price — Felino is the benchmark for what Paul Hobbs and Viña Cobos can deliver in a glass.

Pinot Noir | Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley / Oregon
Vintage: 2023  |  Size: 750ml
90+ Rated

Bethel Heights is one of the Willamette Valley’s founding estates, farming their Eola-Amity Hills vineyards since 1977. The Estate Pinot Noir is their signature bottling — a blend of nearly all sections of their three estate vineyards, spanning some 214 barrels each vintage. It is, as the winemakers put it, “the best place to start when evaluating their growing season and winemaking intent in any given vintage.”

The 2023 Estate is a standout — deeper and more concentrated than the 2021 or 2022, yet it remains light on its feet. A deeper jeweled magenta in the glass, it is perfumed with cherry liqüeur, black raspberry, violets, candied flowers, and rocky earth. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe, and elegant, with fine chalky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, nuanced finish. Crushed cherries, blackberries, rhubarb, blood orange, lavender, and iron all make appearances — a wine of genuine complexity that will reward patience or benefit from a decanter now.

“A deeper jeweled magenta… perfumed with cherry liqüeur, black raspberry, violets, candied flowers, and rocky earth. Medium-bodied, ripe, and elegant, with fine tannins and more density than the 2021 or 2022 vintages, yet it remains light on its feet.”
— Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

“Aromas of red cherries, cranberries, dried herbs and subtle spices. The palate is fresh and layered, with fine tannins and lifted red fruit. Balanced and savory, with a long finish. Drink or hold.”
— James Suckling, 93 Points

“Slowly unfolding scents of rhubarb, blackberry, blood orange, lavender and iron. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, floral flavors. Framed by fine, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity with a long, nuanced finish. It will benefit from time in a decanter.”
— Wine Advocate, 93 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

“Opens with a vibrant blend of crushed cherries and blackberries, elevated by sweet herbal tones and a nuance of spice. Juicy acidity enlivens depths of crisp wild berry fruit and mineral notes. The finish is pleasantly grippy, tapering off chewy and long with a tinge of licorice.”
— Vinous, 92 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

“Tightly wound and full of tension, with sinewy flavors of blueberry and raspberry framed by stony mineral and dusky spice notes. Finishes with firm tannins. Needs time. Best from 2026 through 2033.”
— Wine Spectator, 91 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

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 cited in the existing reviews: Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada
• Size: 750ml

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc — Russian River Valley 2024

Merry Edwards is one of Sonoma County's most celebrated producers, and their Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc has been a benchmark bottling since its debut in 2001. The 2024 vintage is a lush, aromatic expression fermented in French oak barrels with twice-weekly lees stirring — a meticulous protocol that builds the characteristic creamy texture and rich body the wine is known for. Sourced from a specific blend of Shenandoah (Clone 1) and Sauvignon Musqué clones, the wine brims with tropical and floral character with a bright citrus core.

The nose is fragrant and inviting: white pineapple, passionfruit, mango, guava, and plumeria with hints of lemon curd and lime zest. On the palate, apricot, peach, and slate give way to ruby red grapefruit, honeysuckle, and ripe melon, with a silky, rounded texture and a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity on the finish. Vinous gave it 92 points; Jeb Dunnuck matched that score, calling it "charming and well-detailed."

"Bright yellow/silver in color, with aromas of white peach, grapefruit pith, tropical flowers, guava, and elegant spice. Medium-bodied with a silky, rounded texture and ripe fruit filling the palate. Guava and tropical tones linger through a charming, lush finish. Drink 2026–2033." — Jeb Dunnuck, 92 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Merry Edwards Winery, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc — Shenandoah Clone 1 & Sauvignon Musqué
• Winemaker: Heidi von der Mehden
• Fermentation: French oak barrels, twice-weekly lees stirring
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White pineapple, passionfruit, mango, guava, lemon curd, grapefruit, honeysuckle, creamy finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled halibut, goat cheese, lemon risotto, Thai seafood dishes

One of California's most sought-after Sauvignon Blancs — Merry Edwards delivers tropical richness and creamy texture with a precision that sets it apart from the crowd.

Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc — Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2024

Vavasour is the founding winery of Marlborough’s Awatere Valley — a cooler, more dramatic sub-region that was once considered too extreme for vines. In 1986, Vavasour planted the first vines in this windswept southern pocket, and the gamble paid off spectacularly. Today, with the oldest vines in the valley and an intimate understanding of this unforgiving landscape, Vavasour produces Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary elegance, perfume, and texture. Decanter awarded the 2024 vintage 91 points.

The nose is serious and expressive: fresh herbs, gooseberry, nettle, tropical fruit, and bright citrus with a rocky, salty mineral edge that speaks unmistakably of Awatere. On the palate, it is concentrated and focused — ripe stone fruit and a distinct minerality that holds up beautifully to rich, spicy foods. Vibrant, varietal, and rooted in place.

🇳🇿 Decanter 91 — “Fruity, vibrant and varietal, but also speaks of Awatere, with a rocky, salty herb quality with gooseberry and nettle notes.”

• Producer: Vavasour, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Awatere Valley, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh herbs, gooseberry, nettle, tropical fruit, citrus, ripe stone fruit, rocky mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, herb-crusted chicken, goat cheese, rich spicy dishes

The original Awatere Sauvignon Blanc — Vavasour is the wine that put this dramatic valley on the map.

Silver Oak built its reputation on a single, deliberate choice: age Cabernet Sauvignon in American oak, not French, and do it at a winery with its own cooperage. That decision — made in 1972 and never abandoned — is what gives Silver Oak its signature: wines that are immediately approachable, generous with fruit, and possessed of a smooth, polished texture that makes them as enjoyable now as they are over a decade in the cellar.

The 2022 Alexander Valley is blended before barrel aging — another Silver Oak hallmark, allowing the components to integrate on the basis of terroir and varietal character before oak influence shapes the final wine. The blend is anchored by 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, aged 24 months in American oak barrels from their own cooperage, The Oak.

The 2022 vintage shows Silver Oak at its most expressive: plum, anise, black cherry, and sweet spice on the nose, with a mid-palate that is juicy and structured without being heavy. Fine-grained tannins and lively acidity carry a flavorful mix of red and black fruit through a long, clean finish. Fresh and drinkable now, with the structure to age elegantly through 2035 and beyond.

• Producer: Silver Oak Cellars
• Appellation: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Blend: 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.1% Merlot, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.7% Petit Verdot, 0.6% Malbec
• Aging: 24 months in American oak (Silver Oak cooperage)
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2022:

95 James Suckling — “Pleasing aromas of plums, anise, black cherries and sweet spice box… very fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity, showing the pretty side of cabernet. Fresh and drinkable now but will age elegantly.”

Food Pairings: Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, aged cheddar, and hard cheeses.

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.

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.

Few names carry more weight in Tuscan wine than Antinori. With over six centuries of winemaking history, the family has shaped the identity of Chianti Classico as much as any single producer — and the Villa Antinori Riserva is their benchmark expression of the appellation: a wine that balances tradition with refinement, vintage after vintage.

The Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is ruby red in the glass, with a nose that opens on fresh pomegranate, cherry, and orange peel, layered with ginger spice, lavender, rose petals, and delicate balsamic notes of white musk. On the palate, the entry is vertical and precise, building to a savory, full-flavored structure supported by supple tannins and a long, warm finish of cocoa and dark fruit. The 2022 vintage brings exceptional balance — ripe, elegant, and built to age.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Kerin O'Keefe — 95 Points: "Elegantly structured and loaded with finesse, the 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva from Antinori pushes all the right buttons, starting with its enticing aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, violet, exotic dark spice and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. On the delicious palate, notes of licorice, vanilla and crushed mint accent a ripe black cherry core while velvety tannins provide seamless support and plenty of finesse. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2030." (05/25)

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Pomegranate, cherry, orange peel, ginger, lavender, rose petals, white musk
• Palate: Savory and full-flavored with supple tannins, black cherry, licorice, and crushed mint
• Finish: Long, warm, and expansive with cocoa notes

Wine Details

• Sangiovese-based blend
• Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022 | Drink through 2030
• 750ml

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

Granbazán Albariño Etiqueta Ámbar — Rías Baixas, Galicia 2024

Granbazán is one of the founding estates of modern Rías Baixas, pioneering the region's reputation for world-class Albariño since the late 1980s. The Etiqueta Ámbar — the Amber Label — is their most celebrated wine, famously served by the glass at El Bulli for many years and the wine that put Granbazán on the international map in the 1990s. Sourced from a blend of estate fruit and grapes from long-established family growers in the Salnés Valley, it receives more active bâtonnage and extended lees aging than most Albariños, adding a richness and textural depth that sets it apart from the category. Winemaker Diego Ríos, who trained in the Mosel Valley working with Riesling, brings a precision and mineral focus that is unmistakably his own.

The nose is classic and inviting: ripe peach, citrus, and white blossom with a signature salty, briny minerality that speaks directly to the Atlantic coast. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and sappy with beautiful lees-derived texture, layered fruit, and a long, tapering finish of saline freshness. A wine with genuine aging potential — and the structure to prove it.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points — "The most famous of this estate's wines, served by the glass at El Bulli for many years. It has richness and length in the form of medium-bodied peach and salty brine and should do well in the bottle another 5-7 years." (Vintage 2024).

Tim Atkin 93 Points — "A classic, salty, lip-smacking Val do Salnés Albariño. Sappy, layered and refreshing, it has some texture from lees-ageing and a tapering finish. 2025–29." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Granbazán, Salnés Valley, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rías Baixas DO (Val do Salnés)
• Varietal: 100% Albariño
• Sourcing: Estate fruit + long-established family growers, Cambados & Meaño
• Vinification: De-stemmed, cold maceration, free-run juice only; fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel; 8 months on lees with active bâtonnage
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe peach, citrus, white blossom, salty brine, lees richness, long saline finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2031
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled turbot, seafood rice, roasted artichokes, goat cheese, ceviche
• Serve: Well chilled, 45–50°F

93 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Tim Atkin — Granbazán Ámbar is the Albariño that made Rías Baixas famous, and it has never been better.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

93 Points Wine Spectator: "This packs in some serious plum compote and cassis flavors, liberally wrapped in dark licorice and finishing with a swath of sweet toast and tobacco on the broad finish. Nice mineral underpinning keeps it honest. Fairly accessible despite its heft."

Winemaker Description

The Cabernet opens with fresh fruit, aromas of black currant, ripe raspberry, wild sage, graphite, crushed rose petals, and fennel seed. The palate is elegant, complex, rich, and refreshing with a long finish that is supported by supple tannin and beautifully integrated French Oak.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

About the Producer

Since first working in her family's Mendocino vineyards, Kathryn Hall dreamed of a place to showcase fine wines alongside expressive art and masterful architecture. Now, Kathryn and Craig Hall have created an unrivalled destination in the Napa Valley — where more than 30 years of winemaking excellence and innovation meets contemporary design to celebrate life and inspire the senses.

The Halls acquired the historic St. Helena Bergfeld Winery in 2003 and re-opened as HALL St. Helena in July of that year. With a rich history spanning 150 years, HALL St. Helena was once the home of the Napa Valley Co-Op, producing 40% of Napa Valley's wines. In 2013, the Hall family completed the restoration of the 1885 Bergfeld Winery — California's first LEED® Gold Certified winery — alongside a stunning Visitor Center and state-of-the-art gravity flow winemaking facility.

HALL's estate vineyards encompass more than 500 acres of classic Bordeaux varietals. As winegrowers, the Halls have a strong respect for the environment and a commitment to cutting-edge vineyard technology. Under the artisanship of winemaker Megan Gunderson, HALL Wines continue to set new heights in Napa Valley winemaking.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points: Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028.

Winemaker Description

Lush, layered and complex, this enticing Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry, alongside notions of pennyroyal, clove and sweet baking spices. On the palate, supple tannins and elegantly balanced acidity frame juicy flavors of blackberry and Bing cherry, with savory hints of nutmeg, leather and breakfast tea emerging on the long, robust finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck with cherry reduction or herb-crusted chicken thighs.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary or pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Brie, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Ravines Dry Riesling — Finger Lakes, New York 2022

Ravines Wine Cellars is one of the Finger Lakes' most celebrated producers, and their Dry Riesling is the wine that put them on the national map. The 2022 is a blend of fruit from two estate sites — 71% from Limestone Springs Vineyard and 29% from Sixteen Falls Vineyard on the eastern side of Seneca Lake — a vintage shaped by a polar vortex winter that dramatically reduced yields and concentrated the fruit. The result earned a remarkable five 91+ point scores across the major critics and landed at #36 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2025.

The wine pours a vibrant golden hue. The nose is classically Finger Lakes: lemon sorbet, Asian pear, white peach, soft blossom, and a delicate current of flint and minerality. On the palate, it's dry and precise — surprisingly plump and rounded yet with a long, vibrant, linear finish. Finished at just 3 grams per liter of residual sugar, this is Riesling that earns its "dry" designation completely.

"Somehow curvy but linear at the same time — and a total bargain for the quality. Editor's Choice." — Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points

• Producer: Ravines Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes, New York
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Finger Lakes AVA
• Vineyards: Limestone Springs (71%) & Sixteen Falls (29%), Seneca Lake
• Varietal: Riesling
• Style: Dry (3 g/L RS)
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: #36 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025 | JS 92 | WE 92 | Vinous 91 | WA 91 | WS 91
• Tasting Notes: Lemon sorbet, Asian pear, white peach, flint, minerality, vibrant finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled trout, Thai cuisine, aged goat cheese, roast pork

Five 91+ point scores and a Wine Spectator Top 100 ranking — Ravines Dry Riesling is the definitive argument for Finger Lakes as one of America's great white wine regions.

Hahn Estates SLH Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2023 750ml

Hahn Estates is one of Monterey’s most respected producers, and the SLH bottling is their flagship Pinot Noir — estate-grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of California’s most celebrated cool-climate AVAs. The SLH sits at 1,200–2,200 feet elevation in the mountains above Monterey Bay, where the famous “wind-gap” effect funnels cold Pacific air and morning fog through the valleys each afternoon. The result is a long, slow growing season that builds extraordinary flavor complexity while preserving the bright acidity that makes great Pinot Noir possible.

The 2023 SLH is a standout — generous, deep, and deeply Californian, with a richness of fruit that is beautifully balanced by savory complexity and silky tannins. A clear step up from the standard California tier and a wine that punches well above its price.

"So generous, deep and flavorful, offering crushed raspberry and baked-cherry notes on soft tannins. Savory nuances of black tea, mushrooms and forest floor." — James Suckling, 93 pts. (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Hahn Estates, Soledad, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California
• Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Elevation: 1,200–2,200 ft — Pacific wind-gap effect, morning fog
• Tasting Notes: Crushed raspberry, baked cherry, red plum, blackberry, black tea, mushroom, forest floor, allspice, silky tannins, long elegant finish
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, or soft ripened cheese
• James Suckling: 93

Estate-grown Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir at a rock-bottom price — Hahn SLH 2023 is the kind of discovery that makes you buy a case before it’s gone.

Mora & Memo "Tino" Vermentino di Sardegna — Sardinia, Italy 2024

Mora & Memo is the project of Elisabetta Pala, one of Sardinia's most celebrated winemakers, working from her family estate in Serdiana in the southeastern corner of the island. The winery is instantly recognizable by its iconic "Bandida" label — a stylized woman in traditional Sardinian dress — a symbol of the estate's balance between deep-rooted heritage and contemporary winemaking vision. Their Vermentino di Sardegna is a striking, modern expression of Sardinia's signature white grape: aromatic, textured, and mineral, with the kind of island freshness that makes it one of the most compelling Italian whites at any price. James Suckling awarded it 94 points.

The nose is clean and intensely aromatic: sliced lemon, green apple, white flowers, rosemary, thyme, and sage, with a delicate mineral underpinning from the island's ancient soils. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and beautifully textured — juicy acidity, a warm, full mouthfeel, and a long, mineral-laced finish with persistent vegetal and herbal notes. It is everything a great Sardinian Vermentino should be: vibrant, complex, and deeply satisfying.

James Suckling 94 — "A clean floral nose of sliced lemons, apples and white flowers with mineral nuances. The medium-bodied palate is textured and nicely framed, with juicy acidity and a mineral-laced finish."

• Producer: Mora & Memo (Elisabetta Pala), Serdiana, Sardinia, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
• Region: Sardinia, Italy
• Varietal: 100% Vermentino
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, green apple, white flowers, rosemary, thyme, sage, mineral, juicy acidity, long herbal finish
• Best Paired With: Fritto misto, grilled sea bass, pasta with clams and bottarga, pesto, herb-heavy dishes, creamy vegetable soups

A 94-point Sardinian Vermentino from one of the island's most distinctive estates — Mora & Memo is the benchmark for what modern, terroir-driven Vermentino di Sardegna can deliver.

Tasca d’Almerita Regaleali Nero d’Avola — Sicily, Italy 2021

Tasca d’Almerita is one of Sicily’s most storied and respected family estates — a winery whose Regaleali holdings in the heart of the island represent some of southern Italy’s most important indigenous viticulture. The flagship grape is Nero d’Avola — a black variety also known as Calabrese, whose roots trace back to the ancient Calabrese family originating in the Modica-Avola area of southeastern Sicily. The 2021 Regaleali Nero d’Avola is crafted from estate-grown fruit that expresses the warm Mediterranean terroir with exceptional clarity: ripe fruit, harmonious spice, and a pleasantly tannic structure that has made this bottling a perennial value benchmark. It earned 90 Points from James Suckling and overdelivers at its price point.

The nose is warm and expressive: brambly dark fruit, fresh figs, cherries, and white pepper, with harmonious fruity notes well blended with typical Mediterranean spices. On the palate, the wine is round and fresh with an intense flavor of ripe fruit, creamy tannins, and a simple, fruit-forward finish. It is approachable, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Sicilian red that disappears fast at the table.

"Rich brambly fruit with some fresh figs, cherries and white pepper. Round and fresh on the palate with creamy tannins and a simple, fruit-forward finish." — James Suckling, 90 Points

• Producer: Tasca d’Almerita, Regaleali Estate, Sicily, Italy
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Sicilia DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Varietal: Nero d’Avola (100%)
• Aging: Estate-crafted for ripe fruit, Mediterranean spice & creamy tannin structure
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Brambly dark fruit, fresh figs, cherries, white pepper, Mediterranean spice, creamy tannins, fruit-forward finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, pasta alla Norma, eggplant caponata, aged pecorino, wood-fired pizza

Sicily’s benchmark estate Nero d’Avola at an honest price — Tasca d’Almerita Regaleali is the standard for what indigenous, sun-drenched Sicilian red can deliver.

Flowers Vineyard & Winery | Chardonnay | Sonoma Coast AVA | California | 2024

Flowers Vineyard & Winery is a pioneer of the Far Sonoma Coast — one of California's most extreme and celebrated cool-climate wine regions. Perched on rugged coastal ridges just miles from the Pacific Ocean, Flowers has built its reputation on wines of exceptional tension, purity, and precision. Where most of California basks in warmth, the Far Sonoma Coast is defined by cold Pacific fog, relentless ocean winds, and a growing season that pushes Chardonnay to its limits — producing wines of remarkable focus, minerality, and longevity.

The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay captures the signature interplay between cool Pacific influence and bright California sun that defines this remarkable terroir. Energetic and bright, it balances mouthwatering acidity, fresh citrus, and an elegant, finely-woven texture with exceptional purity and precision.

Meyer lemon and just-ripe mandarin orange mingle with pithy herbaceous notes and a fine mist of green citrus oil. On the palate, savory preserved lemon and a hint of spice are supported by a backbone of persistent acidity. Briny ocean spray minerality lifts the tightly-knit texture, which expands across the mouth for a vibrant, lingering finish. Drink now through 2036.

A natural match for fresh oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled halibut, roasted chicken with lemon and thyme, and dishes with bright citrus or herb-driven sauces.

• Producer: Flowers Vineyard & Winery
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA (Far Sonoma Coast), California, USA
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Dry, crisp & mineral white
• Drink: Now through 2036
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

• Wine Enthusiast — 95 pts | Editor's Choice: Zesty lemon, lime, and green herb aromas mingle with citrus blossoms and cinnamon. The palate delivers a surge of vibrant acidity and pithy texture, with flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon, toasted hazelnut, and chopped lemon balm echoing for over a minute.
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Lemon sorbet and orange sherbet, plus lemongrass, lemon verbena, and fresh and dried ginger notes, with touches of saline and white tea on the long, detailed finish. Plenty of intensity and sleek, mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2036.

Château d’Esclans · Whispering Angel Rosé · Côtes de Provence · France · 2025 · Half Bottle 375ml

Whispering Angel is the wine that redefined Provence rosé for the world — and Château d’Esclans, under the stewardship of Sacha Lichine and winemaker Patrick Léon, is the estate that made it happen. Sourced from old Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre vines across the Côtes de Provence, Whispering Angel is the benchmark for the pale, dry, elegant Provence style that has captivated the world. Now available in a 375ml half bottle — the perfect format for a solo glass, a picnic, or a gift that travels beautifully.

The 2025 pours a strikingly pale pink — the signature Whispering Angel hue. The nose is fresh and fruity: dried raspberries, frozen strawberries, mild spice, and a whisper of saline minerality. On the palate, it is bone dry, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced — bright acidity, a lively center palate, and a persistent, flavorful finish that is as elegant as the name suggests.

“A well-rounded, focused and delicious rosé showing dried raspberries, frozen strawberries and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Balanced and driven, with a lively center palate and a persistent, flavorful finish.”
— James Suckling · 92 Points · Prior Vintage 2024

• Producer: Château d’Esclans (Sacha Lichine), Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre
• Style: Dry rosé — pale, fresh, elegant
• Format: Half Bottle — 375ml
• Tasting Notes: Dried raspberry, frozen strawberry, mild spice, saline minerality, bone dry, bright acidity
• Pairings: Grilled fish, shrimp, light salads, goat cheese, charcuterie, summer aperitivo

JS:92 · Côtes de Provence — the world’s most iconic Provence rosé, now in a 375ml half bottle. Pale, dry, and endlessly elegant.

Flowers Vineyards Pinot Noir — Sonoma Coast, California 2023

Flowers Vineyards is one of California's most iconic coastal Pinot Noir estates, perched on the extreme Sonoma Coast where the Pacific Ocean's influence is felt in every bottle. Founded in 1991 by Walt and Joan Flowers, the estate farms some of the most dramatic and remote vineyard sites in California — high-elevation, wind-swept ridges above the fog line where the long, cool growing season produces Pinot Noir of extraordinary tension, complexity, and coastal character. Now part of the Huneeus Vintners family alongside Quintessa and Benton Lane, Flowers continues to set the benchmark for California coastal Pinot Noir. The 2023 vintage, shaped by a long, cool growing season, is one of the most compelling in recent memory.

The nose is captivating and complex: gravel dust, pine tar, and smashed blue fruits with whispers of violet florality, coastal evergreens, and wildflowers. On the palate, a core of red and blue brambles with a nearly feral, savoury character — dried herbs, black tea, warm spices (anise, cardamom, allspice), and earthy sandalwood — all threaded through by an intense saline throughline that crescendos at the finish with a bright squeeze of orange peel. Tangy, fresh, and beautifully balanced.

Decanter 93 Points — "There is an oomph and intensity to the 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Flowers. Aromas of gravel dust, pine tar and smashed blue fruits come to the fore with whispers of violet florality. There's an intense saline throughline that crescendos at the finish."

James Suckling 93 Points — "A great reflection of the long, cool growing season. Tangy, fresh and well balanced, with intricate orange zest, cinnamon, red cherry and black tea flavors on a vibrant, acid-driven texture. Medium- to full-bodied." (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Extreme Sonoma Coast, California
• Founded: 1991
• Owner: Huneeus Vintners (Quintessa, Benton Lane)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Style: Medium-to-Full Bodied, Coastal, Complex
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, red cherry, gravel dust, pine tar, violet, saline, dried herbs, black tea, orange peel, dark spice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2033
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, lamb, aged pinot-friendly cheeses
• Serve: 58–62°F, decant 20–30 minutes

93 points from both Decanter and James Suckling — Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is California coastal Pinot at its most compelling.

Zardetto · Prosecco Rosé DOC · Extra Dry · 750ml

The Producer

Zardetto is a Prosecco specialist from Conegliano in Italy's Veneto, the historic heart of Prosecco country. Their Rosé blends Glera, the classic Prosecco grape, with a touch of Pinot Noir for color and red-fruit charm.

Winemaker Description

Pale, delicate pink with violet hues, obtained from short contact with Pinot Noir skins. The perlage is lively, elegant and persistent. The nose is fruity, with golden apple, white peach and small berries intermingled with spring flowers. On the palate it's exuberant, lively and fragrant, with refreshing acidity balanced by fruit to create full, enveloping, almost creamy sensations. A modern, trendy aperitif for discerning palates and a versatile companion to a variety of foods.

Pairings & Serving

The ideal companion for every joyful cheers with friends. It's also perfect with avocado and shrimp salad, cream cheese tarts and raw shellfish. Serve well chilled, around 42–45°F.

Specs

• Producer: Zardetto
• Appellation: Prosecco Rosé DOC
• Region: Veneto, Italy
• Style: Sparkling Rosé, Extra Dry
• Grapes: Glera with Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml

Pretty in pink, bright and bubbly. An easy yes for brunch, aperitivo or any excuse to celebrate.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) 91 Points | Crisp citrus, white pear, a ton of peach juice, slate, cloves, this is unfussy, easy drinking, and great value. Pierre Lurton home estate.

James Suckling 91 Points | Light, crispy stone fruit with gooseberries and guava. Dry, this has light to medium body and good acidity. Medium finish.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni/Neal Martin) 90 Points | Just bottled, the 2024 Marjosse is pretty hard to beat for its quality and price. Brisk, dry and inviting... White flowers, citrus peel, mint and almond linger."

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

Dönnhoff Estate Riesling — Nahe VDP.Gutswein 2024

Dönnhoff is the Nahe. For decades, Helmut Dönnhoff and now his son Cornelius have set the standard for German Riesling from this compact, geologically extraordinary region between the Mosel and the Rhine. The estate's vineyards sit on steep slopes around Oberhausen in the middle Nahe, where volcanic porphyry, melaphyre, slate, and quartzite converge in soils unlike anywhere else in Germany. It is this geological complexity — ancient, mineral-rich, and deeply expressive — that gives Dönnhoff Rieslings their signature clarity, precision, and finesse.

The 2024 Estate Riesling is a VDP.Gutswein — the entry point into the Dönnhoff range, and one of the most overdelivering bottles in German wine. Sourced from a broader selection of sites than usual, including Oberhäuser Felsenberg and Kieselberg, and fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large oak barrels, the wine captures the full character of the 2024 vintage: brilliant fruit, lively acidity, and a cool, precise finish. Bone dry, screw-capped, and built for immediate pleasure.

Luminous pale gold in the glass. The nose is effusive and aromatic — mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, and white peach, with a fine saline minerality threading through. On the palate it is svelte and medium-bodied, zesty and ripe, with a sunny, lip-smacking quality and a long, saline, savory finish. Pure Riesling. Vibrant, fresh, and immensely clean — a crystal-clear expression of what Dönnhoff and the Nahe are all about.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 92 Points
“Brimming with mandarin orange and yellow peach aromas, this is a very attractive entry-level dry Riesling. Barely medium-bodied, but so effusive and elegant. Very zesty finish.”

Vinous — 91 Points
“An absolutely clear-cut, lip-smacking Riesling. The palate is totally strait-laced, zesty and ripe, with a sunny aspect. Svelte and immensely fresh.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Remarkably intense and aromatic yellow stone fruit intermingled with complex and saline terroir notes of the middle Nahe. Fresh and savory on the palate — pure and fresh with remarkable intensity and sustainability on the finish.”

• Producer: Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, Germany
• Vintage: 2024
• Classification: VDP.Gutswein
• Appellation: Nahe
• Grape: 100% Riesling
• Closure: Screw cap
• Style: Bone-dry, mineral, medium-bodied Nahe Riesling
• Tasting Notes: Mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, saline minerality
• Drink Window: Now–2032
• Best Paired With: Spicy Thai or Indian cuisine, fresh trout, Jägerschnitzel, salty cheeses, oysters

Three critics. Three 90+ scores. The Nahe’s finest estate — at its most accessible.

Awards & Acclaim

• Gold Medal — Vinari Awards Barcelona Rosé International Bubbles Awards 2025
• 90 Points — James Suckling
• Gold Medal — International Wine Awards 2024
• Gold Medal — Catavinum World Wine & Spirits Competition 2022
• 92 Points — Gourmets Guide 2021 (Best Cavas)

Winemaker Notes

The Canals Canals family crafted this rosé cava from 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Garnatxa (Garnacha), following the Traditional Method — secondary fermentation in bottle with 24+ months aging on lees in their cellars. Certified organic.

Deep red-rose color with fine, persistent bubbles. Fresh and floral on the nose with ripened red fruits and a slightly nutty character. Perfectly balanced and full-bodied on the palate with a long, clean finish.

Tasting & Pairings

Red fruits, floral notes, and a nutty edge. Full-bodied for a sparkling rosé with fine mousse and a clean, lingering finish. Serve cold (6–8°C / 43–46°F).

• Charcuterie or tapas — a natural aperitif pairing with Spanish flair.
• Pasta, rice dishes, or blue fish — the body and acidity handle richer fare.
• Seasoned white meat or red meat stews — this has the structure to stand up to heartier dishes.