90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Álvaro Palacios | Camins del Priorat | Priorat DOQ | Catalonia, Spain | 2024

Álvaro Palacios is one of Spain's most celebrated winemakers, the visionary who put Priorat on the world map with his legendary L'Ermita and Finca Dofí. Camins del Priorat — "paths of Priorat" — is his entry into the appellation, but make no mistake: this is a serious wine crafted with the same philosophy and terroir access that defines the estate. The 2024 vintage, a cooler year, yielded a particularly elegant and balsamic expression.

The blend leans into Garnacha (40%) and Cariñena (20%), with Syrah (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Merlot (5%), and a small addition of white grapes — Garnacha Blanca, Picapoll Blanc, and Pedro Ximénez (5%) — adding aromatic lift. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, oak, and concrete, with 28 days of maceration and four months in barriques and oak vats.

Deep purple in the glass, the nose is balsamic and minty with resin, violets, and dark berry. On the palate, warm mulberry, plum, and lingonberry are framed by cinnamon, dried lavender, sage, and sweet paprika, with graphite and cocoa powder accents. Fine, chalky tannins and bright acidity give it a stylish, palate-cleansing finish with excellent length. Juicy, velvety, and built to drink now through 2036.

• Producer: Álvaro Palacios
• Appellation: Priorat DOQ, Catalonia, Spain
• Blend: 40% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, 20% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% white grapes
• Vintage: 2024
• Aging: 4 months in barriques and oak vats
• Drink: Now through 2036
• Production: ~175,000 bottles
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2024 

• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Warm mulberry, plum and lingonberry with cinnamon, dried lavender, graphite and cocoa. Fine, chalky tannins and bright acidity. Stylish and appealing with good length. Drink now through 2036.
• Wine Advocate (Luis Gutiérrez) — 92 pts: Juicy and velvety with finesse and drinkability. Very balsamic and minty nose with hints of resin and violets. Textured and fruit-driven.

McManis Family Vineyards · Lodi, California · 2023

McManis Family Vineyards has been farming the rich alluvial soils of California's Central Valley for three generations. Rooted in Lodi — one of California's most celebrated Zinfandel-producing regions — the family grows fruit with an exceptional depth of flavor, benefiting from warm days, cool Delta breezes, and old vine complexity. Their Zinfandel consistently over-delivers for the price, earning fans from casual drinkers to serious collectors alike.

The 2023 Zinfandel is bold and supple, opening with inviting aromas of red currant, dark strawberry, brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasty oak. On the palate, hibiscus tea and cracked black pepper unfold alongside silky tannins and a long, smooth finish. Rich, expressive, and supremely food-friendly.

92 Points — Wine Enthusiast (Tonya Pitts)
"Bold and supple with aromas of red currant, dark strawberry, brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasty oak. The palate mirrors the nose with hibiscus tea, cracked black pepper, silky tannins, and a smooth finish." (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: McManis Family Vineyards
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Lodi, California
• Grape Variety: Zinfandel
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red currant, dark strawberry, brown sugar, cinnamon, toasty oak, silky tannins
• Food Pairings: BBQ, shredded chicken, grilled meats, burgers, spiced dishes

A crowd-pleasing California Zinfandel at a remarkable price — drink now through 2027.

Calera Chardonnay — Central Coast 2023

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

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

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

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

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

Bodegas Escudero · Serna Imperial Reserva · Rioja Baja, Spain · 2015 · 750ml

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852, and four generations on it's still very much a family business. Of their 150 hectares of vineyards, 120 sit on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga range in Rioja Baja, where the grapes for Serna Imperial are grown. The vines are around 40 years old and planted between 450 and 800 meters above sea level.

Predominantly Tempranillo, blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this Reserva spent 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle before release. The result is a mature, harmonious Rioja with real character, now showing the savory complexity that comes with age.

Winemaker Description

Brick red deep covered. Clean, complex and with a good intensity on the nose. Red fruit aromas well conjoined with those of the aging. Balsam, spices (pepper), tobacco and leather. Well structured, tasty, large, soft but with character and a good harmony in its flavors. Complex and retronasal clean.

Bodegas Escudero

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2015

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852 and, four generations on, it is still very much a family business. They own a total of 150ha of vineyards, of which 120ha are located on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga mountain range, where the grapes for this wine are produced. The vines are grown at between 450m-800m above sea level and are approximately 40 years old. Predominantly made from Tempranillo blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this reserva was aged for 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle.

Decanter, 95 Points

Supple, juicy, well-balanced, fully rounded. A lovely vintage and a great wine.

Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter

A broad and generous mouthfeel, the tannic grip still persuasive, but acidity is wrapped around the black fruit core with subtle conviction.

Simon Field, Decanter

Liquorice and dark fruit, compact, quite complex, framed by muscular tannins, underlying depth that unfurls in the glass, and really good length. Drinking Window 2020 - 2023

Pierre Mansour, Decanter

Pairings & Serving

Serve at 60–65°F and give it 30 minutes to an hour in a decanter to open up. A classic partner for roast lamb, grilled steak, chorizo, jamón, wild mushrooms and aged Manchego.

Specs

• Producer: Bodegas Escudero
• Wine: Serna Imperial Reserva
• Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Rioja Baja, Rioja, Spain
• Blend: Predominantly Tempranillo, with Mazuelo and Garnacha
• Vineyards: Southern slopes of Monte Yerga, 450–800m, ~40-year-old vines
• Aging: 14 months in five-year-old American oak, plus 28 months in bottle
• Rating: Decanter 95 points
• Size: 750ml

A 95-point, decade-old Rioja Reserva from a family making wine since 1852.

Château Lilian Ladouys — Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020

Château Lilian Ladouys is one of Saint-Estèphe’s most exciting estates — and the 2020 vintage may be its finest hour. Owned by the Lorenzetti family and now classified as Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (the top tier of the new classification), Lilian Ladouys consistently punches well above its weight, delivering Classified Growth quality at a fraction of the price. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux’s greatest in a generation — is big, bold, and built for the long haul.

Dark fruits, damp earth, truffle, cassis, licorice, and a deft touch of creamy oak define the nose. On the palate, powerful yet polished tannins frame a concentrated, medium-to-full-bodied wine with exceptional length and a racy, structured finish. Already showing complexity, it will evolve gracefully for 10–15 years and beyond.

Wine Enthusiast 93–95 • Decanter 93 • Jeb Dunnuck 92 • James Suckling 92 • Robert Parker 91+

• Producer: Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, dark fruit, truffle, damp earth, licorice, creamy oak, powdery tannins
• Cellar Potential: Best after 2025–2027; will evolve through 2035+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, truffle dishes, aged hard cheeses

One of the clear leaders of the Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel category — Lilian Ladouys 2020 is a Saint-Estèphe benchmark at a remarkable price.

A fantastic Rhone from Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2023 

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 95 Points
"An attractive, layered, velvety, and poised Châteauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of cherries, strawberries, dried herbs, tar, and baking spices. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Succulent and well composed. There’s elegance here, yet it has character and structure. Seductive and flavorful with a long finish."

Jeb Dunnuck — 92–94 Points (Barrel Sample)
"The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape will be beautiful, with a charming, soft, supple, forward style. Ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and lavender notes all define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium-to-full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and sweet tannins. Based on 75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault — 50% destemmed and raised entirely in foudre. It’s clearly outstanding and another classic release from this brilliant estate."

About Le Vieux Donjon

Le Vieux Donjon is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most celebrated and consistent family estates, owned and farmed by the Michel family for generations. The domaine takes its name from the ancient papal tower — the “old dungeon” — that overlooks their vineyards in the heart of the appellation. Farming organically on the iconic galets roulés — the large rounded stones that retain heat and reflect sunlight onto the vines — Le Vieux Donjon produces Grenache-dominant blends of extraordinary depth, complexity, and age-worthiness. The estate is widely regarded as a benchmark Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, consistently earning top scores from the world’s leading critics vintage after vintage.

Food Pairings

Roasted lamb, duck confit, wild boar, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, truffle dishes, aged Comté, and Provençal stews. Decant 1–2 hours before serving; cellar through 2035+.

Product Details

• Producer: Le Vieux Donjon
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault
• Aging: Foudre (large oak casks)
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, layered, cellar-worthy Southern Rhône red
• Drink: Now–2035+ (decant 1–2 hours)
• Format: 750ml

Explore the Excellence of Henriot Champagne

Winemaker Description 

The Brut Souverain is the most historical cuvée in the region, as it was the first cuvée Apolline Henriot produced in 1808. Apolline aspired to put the light on her vineyards through the expression of a champagne. According to her, one year was not enough to tell the story of the terroirs, so she decided to put wines in reserve each year to incorporate them into a future blend.

Therefore, she founded the House by creating a Champagne that would have blending as its fundamental principle. The House respects this philosophy today and uses every terroir in this multi-cru, multi-vintage cuvée. It was named Brut Souverain by Ernest Henriot, Apolline's grandson, when the House was appointed the official champagne supplier to the Courts of the King of Holland and of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This vivid Champagne is tightly meshed, with a firm spine of acidity married to notes of poached apricot, toast point, preserved lemon and white cherry. Minerally through the creamy, focused finish.

James Suckling 91 Points | This has aromas of chopped apples, biscuits, croissants, walnuts, praline and lemon pie. Dry, tasty and toasty, with a medium body, fine bubbles and bright acidity. All in balance. 48% pinot noir, 42% chardonnay, 10% meunier. Base 2016, with 38% reserve wine.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | The nonvintage Champagne from this producer is beautifully textured, its white fruits lightly touched by a more steely edge. A fine Champagne to drink now.

Henriot Champagne is a remarkable choice for those seeking an exquisite sparkling wine experience. The Brut Souverain NV, in a 750ml bottle, showcases the distinctive characteristics of this prestigious Champagne house. With over two centuries of winemaking expertise, Henriot creates a blend that reflects the best of the terroir, appealing to both casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. This iconic wine is renowned for its balance of freshness and complexity, making it an ideal option for celebrations or intimate gatherings.

The Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain NV features a delightful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Champagne region. This harmonious combination results in a Champagne that is both lively and refined. The crisp acidity and vibrant citrus notes complement the wine’s sumptuous flavor profile, which includes hints of white fruits and delicate floral aromas. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience that encapsulates the essence of traditional French Champagne.

Perfect for food pairings, Henriot Champagne can elevate any dining occasion. Whether you’re savoring it alongside seafood, poultry, or light pastries, this Champagne enhances the flavors of your meal. Its versatility makes it suitable for a range of events, from weddings and anniversaries to casual dinners and picnics. With each sip, the Brut Souverain NV transports you to the scenic vineyards of Champagne, offering a taste of luxury that is unmatched. Embrace the spirit of celebration with Henriot Champagne.

Seghesio Family Vineyards is one of California's most storied Zinfandel producers, with roots in Sonoma County stretching back to 1895 when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first vines in the Alexander Valley. Over more than 125 years, the family has become synonymous with old-vine Zinfandel of exceptional character — wines that honor the grape's Italian heritage while expressing the full power and personality of Sonoma County's diverse terroir. The estate farms sustainably, with a deep commitment to the land and the community that has shaped the Seghesio name for generations.

The Sonoma County Zinfandel is sourced from a blend of estate and grower vineyards across Sonoma County, drawing on the region's varied soils and microclimates to build complexity and depth. Sonoma County's warm days and cool Pacific-influenced nights create ideal conditions for Zinfandel of ripe, concentrated fruit balanced by natural freshness and structure. The wine is produced under certified sustainable farming practices, reflecting Seghesio's long-standing commitment to responsible viticulture.

Vinification follows Seghesio's classic approach: careful fermentation to extract the full depth of the Zinfandel fruit while preserving the variety's characteristic spice and briar character. The wine is aged in oak to develop structure and complexity before blending and bottling.

The 2023 opens with a complex bouquet of blackberry, black currant, plum, cherry, and baking spice, with notes of raspberry, savory anise, and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is lively and full-flavored, with succulent fruit, supple tannins, and a long, gratifying finish with a characteristic snap of briar and pepper. An old-school Zinfandel loaded with zest and personality.

"An old-school Zin that's loaded with zest and briar patch, plus raspberry, savory anise and white pepper flavors that end with snappy tannins."
— Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, 92 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

Grape: Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma County, California
Vintage: 2023
Certification: Certified Sustainable
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Braised short ribs, pork belly, BBQ, hearty pasta, gnocchi gorgonzola, and aged hard cheeses.

About the Wine

Sanford Winery is one of Santa Barbara County's pioneering estates, with deep roots in the Santa Rita Hills AVA — a cool, wind-swept corridor that produces some of California's most compelling Chardonnay.

The 2023 vintage is crafted under the direction of winemaker Trey Fletcher, whose minimal-intervention philosophy allows the vineyard's natural character to lead.

90 pts — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Composed primarily of young vines from La Rinconada planted in heavier soils, the 2023 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is pure, floral and orchard fruit-driven, with a seamless, lifted palate that boasts remarkable textural precision and a chalky, high-toned finish." (Vintage 2023).

90 pts — Vinous: "The 2023 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a soft, gentle white that speaks in hushed tones — very elegant and approachable. White flowers, chamomile and pear are some of the notes that emerge with air, all motivated by saline-tinged acids." (Vintage 2023). 

Tasting Notes

Bright and aromatic on the nose with grilled lemon, dried flowers, and chamomile. The palate is silky and intensely mineral, with orchard fruit precision and a chalky, high-toned finish. Saline-tinged acidity keeps the wine fresh and lifted throughout.

Food Pairings

A natural match for shellfish, oysters, sushi, light seafood dishes, and fresh appetizers. Also lovely alongside roasted chicken or soft cheeses.

Meet the Winemaker — Trey Fletcher

Trey believes the vineyard and its farming are the cornerstone of wine quality. With eight years at Bien Nacido Vineyards and experience at Littorai Wines and in Napa Valley, he brings a seasoned, terroir-driven approach to every vintage at Sanford.

Wine Details

• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml
• Style: Elegant, mineral-driven white

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut — Champagne NV

Piper-Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s most iconic and storied houses, founded in 1785 and long favored by royalty and Hollywood alike. The Cuvée Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage expression — a Pinot-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay that delivers the house’s signature vivacity, richness, and precision. Consistently earning scores of 90–92 points across the world’s most respected publications, this is a Champagne of genuine pedigree at an exceptional price.

The nose is complex and inviting: black cherry, white peach purée, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, and salted almond, with bright florals and a racy finesse. On the palate, it is creamy and mouthwatering — soft Brut character balanced by a crisp bite of acidity, a finely detailed mousse, and a spiced, rounded finish of honey, red fruit, and toasted brioche.

Wine Spectator 92 — “A vivacious Champagne. Flavors of black cherry, toast point, white peach purée and salted almond on a finely detailed mousse. Creamy and mouthwatering on the spiced finish.”
Decanter 92 — “Racy nose of real finesse. A well-hewn palate with bright florals, red fruit and delicate flavours of honey.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine & Spirits 90 • James Suckling 90

• Producer: Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1785
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, white peach, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, salted almond, honey, red fruit, creamy mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sole, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Founded in 1785, favored by royalty, and scoring 92 points — Piper-Heidsieck’s Cuvée Brut is Champagne history you can drink tonight.

Mohua · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2024

Named after the mohua — the golden-feathered bird native to New Zealand’s South Island forests — Mohua Sauvignon Blanc is a wine that carries the spirit of its homeland in every glass. Sourced from the Lower Wairau and Southern Valleys of Marlborough, where cool, clean ferments and limited time on lees preserve every last note of aromatic freshness, this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at its most vibrant and expressive.

The nose bursts with bright citrus, snow pea, and pineapple, with apples, pears, peaches, and melon layered beneath. On the palate it is intense and harmonious — a thriving zing of grapefruit acidity balanced by an inviting creamy texture that melts into a long, complex finish.

95 Points – Decanter | Gold Medal – 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards
“Apples, pears, peaches and melons lead the charge with a thriving zing of grapefruit acidity and inviting creamy texture melting into the palate. Long and harmonious.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Mohua
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Sub-Regions: Lower Wairau and Southern Valleys
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, snow pea, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, melon, grapefruit, creamy texture
• Pairings: Fish tacos, oysters, pan-fried snapper, goat cheese tart, spinach salad, aperitif

95 points and a Decanter Gold Medal — one of Marlborough’s most decorated Sauvignon Blancs at any price.

RouteStock | Pinot Noir | Sonoma Coast AVA | California | 2023

RouteStock is a California label built around the idea that great wine should be accessible — that world-class terroir doesn’t have to come with a world-class price tag. Their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir draws from one of California’s most celebrated cool-climate appellations, where Pacific fog and coastal winds push grapes to their expressive limits. The 2023 is a textbook example of what makes this region so compelling: complexity, tension, and a savory depth that punches well above its price.

The nose is brooding and aromatic — dried herbs, toasted hazelnuts, blood orange peel, and a whisper of lavender. On the palate, bright red-cherry acidity and crunchy minerality frame an appealing umami core, with flavors of shiitake mushroom, bay laurel, brambly berries, and cooked red and blackberries woven through with woodsy spice. Rich and complex, yet bright and inviting — a Sonoma Coast Pinot that delivers far beyond its price point.

• Producer: RouteStock
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA, California
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Size: 750ml
• Pairings: Roast duck, grilled salmon, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, mushroom risotto, charcuterie with prosciutto and mild cheeses

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2023 

• The Tasting Panel — 92 pts: Punches way above its price. Savory tilled earth and loam, red-cherry acidity, crunchy minerality, and an umami core with brambly berries and woodsy spice.

Producer Notes

The Oddero estate is one of Piedmont’s most storied Barolo producers, with impressive vineyard holdings throughout the entirety of the denomination. The classic Barolo bottling incorporates younger vines from sites in La Morra as well as Bricco Fiasco in Castiglione Falletto, and draws from Bricco Chiesa, Capalot, and Galina. The 2021 vintage is a standout — aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting, with crushed flowers, red and blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes. Fine, polished tannins and a long, savoury finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

• Decanter 93 pts | Evocatively scented with wild red berries, vanillin, and spice. Fine tannins increase steadily across the palate alongside richness of raspberry fruit. Hints of tea and citrus lead to a savoury, mouth-cleansing finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving. — Michaela Morris
• Vinous 92 pts | Fabulous. Aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting. Crushed flowers, red/blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes build nicely in the glass. Polished, silky tannins wrap it all together in style. — Antonio Galloni

Food Pairings

• Braised beef short ribs or osso buco
• Truffle pasta or mushroom risotto
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno
• Roasted lamb or wild boar

Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2023 — Napa Valley, California

Frank Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates, with roots tracing back to the historic Larkmead Winery site in Calistoga. Founded by Rich Frank in 1992, the winery has built its reputation on benchmark Napa Cabernet Sauvignon — wines that combine the valley’s signature power and richness with genuine elegance and age-worthiness. The 2023 vintage was a cool, precise year in Napa, producing wines of exceptional freshness and structure.

The 2023 opens with pronounced aromas of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla. On the palate, flavors of black plum, nutmeg, dark chocolate, and a touch of espresso build into a complex, full-bodied structure, anchored by a core of elegant acidity and fine tannins that carry from start to a long, savory finish. James Suckling awarded it 94 points, calling it “a refined and complete example of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon showing all the poise and freshness of the cool vintage.”

James Suckling 94 — “Taut and austere, with a good core of fruit, fine tannins, a textured mouthfeel and balanced acidity, leading to a savory, mouthwatering finish.”

• Producer: Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, black plum, nutmeg, dark chocolate, espresso, elegant acidity
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar, Manchego

A benchmark Napa Cabernet at a price that still makes sense — Frank Family delivers every time.

Castello di Bossi | Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | Organic | 2020

Gran Selezione is the apex of the Chianti Classico pyramid — a single-vineyard or best-barrel selection aged a minimum of 30 months before release. Castello di Bossi's 2020 version is a textbook example of why this category matters. Sourced from the estate's southern Gaiole in Chianti holdings and certified organic, it spent 24 months in large 40–50HL casks — a deliberate choice that preserves Sangiovese's aromatic lift while building structure without over-oaking. The 2020 vintage delivered warm, even ripening across Tuscany, and Bossi channeled that richness into a wine of explosive intensity and remarkable finesse. Deep ruby with garnet lights, it opens with black cherry, plum, cedar, sweet spice, dark chocolate, and a whisper of saddle leather. The palate is fleshy and dense, yet balanced, with a very pronounced, lingering finish. Drink now with confidence, or cellar through 2034.

• Appellation: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Varietal: Sangiovese
• Vintage: 2020
• Format: 750ml
• Aging: 24 months in 40–50HL large casks
• Certification: Certified Organic
• Drink Window: Now – 2034

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2020

Vinous — Antonio Galloni | 92 Points: Gorgeous. Floral, lifted and quite expressive, the 2020 has a lot to offer. It marries the richness of this southern district with lovely aromatic presence and a good bit of brightness. A complete, deeply satisfying wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Drink 2024–2034.

Pairing Suggestions

• Classic Tuscan: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or pappardelle with meat sauce.
• Meat: Roasted lamb rack, braised short ribs, or aged beef tagliata.
• Cheese: Aged Pecorino Toscano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

One of Tuscany's most celebrated organic estates, Fontodi Chianti Classico Organic 2020 is a benchmark expression of 100% Sangiovese from the heart of Panzano's legendary Conca d'Oro — the "Golden Shell" — a privileged south-facing amphitheater of vineyards in the Chianti Classico DOCG. Certified organic, structured, and deeply terroir-driven, this is Chianti Classico at its most authentic and compelling.

Fontodi & the Conca d'Oro

Fontodi has been certified organic for decades, farming 100% Sangiovese with an unwavering commitment to terroir expression and minimal intervention. Situated in Panzano's Conca d'Oro — a sun-drenched bowl of south-facing vineyards considered among the finest sites in all of Chianti Classico — the estate produces wines of remarkable energy, structure, and longevity. The 2020 vintage is slightly more reserved and structured than recent opulent years, offering a classic, high-energy profile that rewards decanting or further cellaring.

Critical Acclaim — 2020 Vintage

94 Points — James Suckling: "Subtle aromas of sliced strawberries and cherries with some orange peel follow through to a medium body with succulent tannins and a bright and tangy finish. Lovely energy in this one. So good now. From organically grown grapes."

93 Points — Wine Spectator: "Rich and velvety, laced with black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral flavors. Driven by vibrant acidity and backed by well-mannered tannins. Shows excellent balance and length."

92 Points — Decanter: "This flagship Chianti Classico from the renowned Fontodi estate has not lost its identity, deeply rooted in a sun-drenched stretch of Panzano's Conca d'Oro. The 2020 version has all the ripe dark fruit and assertive tannins that come so neatly into balance. It finishes with its signature bitter liquorice twist."

92+ Points — Vinous (Antonio Galloni): "The 2020 Chianti Classico offers notable tension to balance the natural richness that is such a signature here. Dark red cherry, leather, spice, rose petal, dried herbs and wild flowers all grace this nuanced Chianti Classico. I would not plan on opening this too young."

91 Points — Wine Advocate: "A certified organic wine, the Fontodi 2020 Chianti Classico shows dark fruit and blackberry with earthy sensations of crushed stone that reflect the schistous soils found in this area of the appellation. Drinking 2023–2030."

17++ — Jancis Robinson: "100% Sangiovese. Certified organic. Lots of juice on the palate and plenty of grainy but ripe tannins in perfect harmony with the succulent fruit. Drinking 2023–2032."

Tasting Profile

Youthful ruby with vibrant clarity. The nose is subtle and enticing — sliced strawberry, dark cherry, rose petal, dried herbs, leather, and a hint of baked earth. On the palate it's medium to full-bodied with succulent, grainy tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long finish with a signature bitter liquorice twist. Classic Sangiovese energy and precision.

Details

2020 | 100% Sangiovese | Panzano, Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy | Certified Organic | 750ml

Food Pairings & Serving

Decant 30–45 minutes. Serve at 61–64°F. A natural match for bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, roasted lamb, and aged Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Drinking beautifully now through 2032.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2019

Vinous (Neal Martin) 97 Points: Beguiling bouquet with red berry fruit, truffle and light Provençal herb scents, beautifully defined. Medium-bodied with pliant tannins — exquisite in terms of balance, silky smooth, building gradually with a harmonious and quite effortless finish. Divine. A stellar showing.

Decanter (Georgina Hindle) 97 Points: Rich, full and heady nose. Ripe blackcurrant, red cherries, raspberries and strawberries with mint, black pepper and truffle. Excellent precision and density with a seductive dark chocolate edge. Powerful, muscular and confident, yet with suppleness — density and grace with a cooling finish of liquorice, mint and soft salinity. A great wine.

James Suckling 95 Points: Perfumed nose of mulberries, plums, chocolate orange and cloves. Medium-to-full bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Caressing, velvety and rich core of dark fruit. So supple and polished. 88.5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Cabernet Franc. Drink after 2024.

Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 94 Points: Fleshy and dramatic, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe berry fruit mingled with subtle hints of truffle and violets, new oak already entirely integrated. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, broad and textural with lively acids, powdery tannins and fine length on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: Elegant, solid Pomerol delivering spicy red and black cherry fruits, notes of cedary herbs and flowers, medium-bodied richness, silky yet building tannins, and a great finish. Will benefit from 3–5 years of bottle age and keep for 15–20 years.

Winemaker Description

Château Gazin is one of Pomerol’s most storied estates, neighboring the legendary Pétrus on the plateau’s finest clay soils. The 2019 is a benchmark expression — a blend of 88.5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4.5% Cabernet Franc — that showcases the appellation’s signature combination of opulence and precision. Silky, seamless, and built for the long haul, it is a wine of remarkable harmony and effortless grace.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb rack with truffle jus, beef tenderloin, or duck confit with cherry reduction.
• Classic Bordeaux: Venison with wild mushrooms, braised short ribs, or a classic French cassoulet.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or a rich washed-rind cheese.

Domaine Delobel Touraine Sauvignon Blanc “Angle Droit” — Loire Valley 2024

Domaine Delobel is one of the Loire Valley’s most exciting organic estates, founded in 2013 by Benjamin Delobel in Ouchamps, on the celebrated Oisly vineyard. Working with 10 hectares of certified-organic Sauvignon Blanc — planted from mass selections to preserve old-vine complexity — Benjamin crafts wines that are, as the name “Angle Droit” (Right Angle) suggests, straight, pure, and technically precise. For fans of Sauvignon Blanc who find New Zealand styles too loud and Sancerre too expensive, this wine hits the perfect middle ground. Manual harvests at dawn, slow pneumatic pressing, stainless steel fermentation, and aging on lees deliver a wine of exceptional freshness and mineral clarity.

The nose is lively and inviting: dried hay, field grass, sliced green apple, and crabapple aromas converge in a satisfying, savory frame. On the palate, the wine washes across wet river stone with tart acidity accented by white blossom — mineral-driven, focused, and refreshingly precise. The finish is clean and lingering.

Wine Enthusiast 90 — Reggie Solomon: “This lively wine refreshes the senses. The mineral-driven palate washes across wet river stone with tart acidity accented by white blossom.”

• Producer: Domaine Delobel, Ouchamps, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Touraine AOC
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Certified Organic since 2013
• Vinification: Manual harvest, pneumatic press, stainless steel, aged on lees
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dried hay, green apple, crabapple, white blossom, wet river stone, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Goat cheese (Selles-sur-Cher, Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, fish ceviche, grilled sea bass, fresh asparagus

Pure, precise, and organically farmed — Domaine Delobel’s “Angle Droit” is the benchmark for honest, terroir-driven Touraine Sauvignon Blanc.

Château Bernadotte | Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois | Bordeaux, France | 2018

Château Bernadotte is a classic Cru Bourgeois estate situated on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, with vineyards bordering the prestigious Pauillac appellation — lending the wine a touch of that famous Pauillac character: tobacco, cedar, and graphite. Named after the royal family of Sweden, the estate has a storied history and is now producing wines fully worthy of its pedigree.

The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest in Bordeaux history — a year of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and natural balance. Château Bernadotte's 2018 is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, delivering focused dark fruit, firm structure, and excellent aging potential at a remarkable price point for the appellation.

Deep ruby in the glass. The nose offers blackcurrant, black olive, dried herbs, smoked meat, and charred wood, with inky, jammy dark fruit and notes of mocha and sweet spice. On the palate, medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins, focused and flavorful with a lightly chewy finish. Rich, balanced, and built to age — drinking beautifully from 2024 onward.

Pair with classic steak frites, roast leg of lamb with rosemary, hearty beef stew, wild mushroom risotto, aged Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

• Producer: Château Bernadotte
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Cru Bourgeois
• Region: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
• Vintage: 2018
• Drink: Now through 2030+
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2018

• James Suckling — 91 pts: Blackcurrants, black olives and dried herbs with smoked-meat and charred-wood character. Medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Focused and flavorful.
• Vinous — 90 pts: A flamboyant, unctuous Haut-Médoc. Inky, jammy dark fruit, mocha and sweet spice — racy, expressive, and delivers the goods.
• Wine Enthusiast — 90 pts: Rich and balanced, offering black fruits dominated by Merlot and bold tannins. A powerful wine that will take time. Drink from 2024.

Bodega Colomé · Estate Torrontés · Valle Calchaquí · Salta · Argentina · 2025

Bodega Colomé is one of Argentina’s oldest and most celebrated wineries, farming at extreme elevations in the Calchaquí Valley of Salta — some of the highest vineyards in the world. At altitude, the intense sun, cool nights, and thin mountain air produce Torrontés of extraordinary aromatic precision and freshness: floral, citrus-driven, and refreshingly dry — a world away from the heavy, low-acid expressions that gave the grape an undeserved reputation. The 2025 Estate Torrontés earned 91 points from Vinous as a Best Buy, praised for its fresher, more mineral style. Screwcap.

The 2025 opens with herbal and floral notes of tuberose, rose, soft mint, and gentle lime, with grapefruit citrus and a spicy hint. On the palate, it is dry yet slightly indulgent — lively, fresh, and vibrant, balancing herbal, citrus, and floral characteristics with a long, elegant, mineral finish. A quintessential high-elevation Torrontés, built for the table.

“Opens with herbal and floral notes of tuberose, soft mint and gentle lime. Dry yet slightly indulgent, it offers lively freshness. A fresher style of Torrontés than is typical for the valley, balancing herbal, citrus and floral characteristics. Vibrant and delicious. A best buy.”
Producer: Bodega Colomé, Valle Calchaquí, Salta, Argentina

• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Valle Calchaquí, Salta, Argentina
• Varietal: 100% Torrontés
• Elevation: Among the highest vineyards in the world
• Style: Dry white — aromatic, floral, mineral
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Tuberose, rose, soft mint, lime, grapefruit, spice, lively acidity, mineral finish
• Pairings: Ceviche, grilled shrimp, Thai curry, fresh goat cheese, aromatic Asian cuisine

Vinous:91 Best Buy · Valle Calchaquí — high-altitude Torrontés from one of Argentina’s oldest estates. Aromatic, dry, and built for the table.

Expert Reviews 

Audrey Frick writes: (Tasted November 7, 2022) The NV Champagne La Cuvée Brut Rosé is entirely Pinot Noir from 10 crus in the Montagne de Reims. It is forward in the glass with ripe currants, fresh herbs, and smoky perfume. This continues to the palate, with notes of ripe wild raspberry and tangerine, and it has a medium to full-bodied texture that is pure and lightly savory on the finish. Fantastically paired with beef tartar and other richer raw preparations, this is a wonderful and food-friendly expression. Drink 2022-2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

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. Today, the estate farms all five of its Napa Valley vineyards organically and biodynamically.

The Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2023 375ml Half Bottle 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 chiseled, linear acidity that carries through to a long, mineral finish of lasting slate. Certified organic and biodynamic — a wine of precision, integrity, and genuine pleasure in a perfect half-bottle format.

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 & Biodynamic — five estate vineyards
• Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2023 | 375ml Half Bottle
• Pairs with: filet of sole, pork loin, seafood, light pasta

Winemaker Description

Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeasts. Seven to ten days of skin contact. Aged in concrete vats for eight months, followed by three months in bottle before release. No additions, no fining, no filtration.

92 Points James Suckling

Tasting Notes

Golden-hued with aromas of ripe apricot, orange peel, chamomile, citrus fruit, and Mediterranean herbs. Saline minerality on the palate with a textured, slightly tannic structure, excellent depth of flavor, bright acidity, and a long, pleasant finish — the hallmark of great skin-contact wine.

Food Pairings

Grilled fish, sushi, mezze, roasted vegetables, aged pecorino, and spiced dishes. Equally stunning as an aperitivo. Serve slightly chilled (55–60°F).

• Producer: Azienda Agricola COS, Vittoria, Sicily
• Appellation: Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy
• Grapes: Grecanico, Insolia
• Farming: Certified biodynamic, organic
• Vinification: Skin contact (7–10 days), concrete tanks, indigenous yeasts
• Aging: 8 months concrete + 3 months bottle
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Orange wine / skin-contact white
• Format: 750ml

Famiglia Castellani · Toscana · 2020

For more than 150 years, the Castellani family has been crafting classic Tuscan wines that capture the character of the region. This 2020 Sangiovese is a polished, perfumed crowd-pleaser, delivering an impressive balance of ripe fruit, freshness, and value.

Bright red and dark berries lead into hints of hibiscus, sweet spice, cedar, and a fresh mineral edge. Medium-bodied and succulent, with crunchy yet supple tannins, it has the lively acidity to make it a natural match for the table.

James Suckling: 91 points
“Ripe red and dark berries and hints of hibiscus, sweet spices and cedar on the nose. Medium-bodied, succulent and fruity, with crunchy, rather supple tannins. Good concentration and length. Fresh and minerally.”. (Vintage 2020). 

• Producer: Famiglia Castellani
• Varietal: Sangiovese
• Appellation: Toscana
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Tasting notes: Red and dark berries, hibiscus, sweet spice, cedar, and fresh minerality
• Pair with: Pizza, spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, eggplant Parmigiana, chicken, or grilled pork with rosemary
• Size: 750ml

A fresh, polished Tuscan red with 91-point pedigree and serious pizza-night appeal.

High on the hills above the Val di Chiana, the hilltop town of Montepulciano has been shaping Sangiovese — here called Prugnolo Gentile — into something distinctly aristocratic for centuries. Cantine Dei is among its finest custodians. Founded when Alibrando Dei acquired the legendary Bossona vineyard in 1964, the estate reached its full expression under his granddaughter Caterina, who returned to Montepulciano in the early 1990s with a singular conviction: that these wines exist to reveal their land, not obscure it. The first Dei Vino Nobile was released from the exceptional 1985 harvest. Four decades on, the intention hasn't changed.

The 2021 is a luminous ruby with garnet tones, and it opens with an intense bouquet of ripe cherries, plums, violets, and iron-tinged earth. On the palate it walks the line between fruity and savory with real grace — full-bodied yet poised, with velvety tannins, fine acidity, and notes of almond, camphor, and tobacco that build through a long, lively finish. Paolo Caciorgna's winemaking is as restrained as ever: the fruit speaks, and the structure rewards patience. Drink now through 2035.

93 points — Wine Spectator | “Supple and complex, walking a fine line between fruity and savory, youthful and mature. Cherry, plum, almond, iron, earth and tobacco… fades gracefully on the long, lively aftertaste. Drink now through 2035.” (Vintage 2021). 

92 points — James Suckling | “Aromas of forest floor, black cherries, camphor and dried flowers. Forthright structure with crisp acidity, chalky tannins and a tight finish that’s chewy and polished. Drink or hold.” (Vintage 2021).

• Producer: Cantine Dei
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Varietal: Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Canaiolo
• Farming: Sustainable
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe cherry, plum, violet, almond, iron, earth, tobacco, vanilla
• Cellar: Drink now through 2035
• Food Pairings: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, braised lamb

Ranked #34 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023 — one of Tuscany’s most compelling values at this level.

Ponzi Vineyards is one of Oregon's founding wine estates, established in 1970 in the Dundee Hills by Dick and Nancy Ponzi — pioneers who helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir before the world was paying attention. Tavola, meaning "table" in Italian, is the estate's approachable, everyday expression of Pinot Noir: a wine built for sharing, for food, and for the kind of effortless pleasure that makes a bottle disappear too quickly. The 2023 is sourced from a blend of estate vineyards (65%) and select purchased fruit, matured for eight months in 25% new French oak to preserve freshness while adding subtle structure and spice.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

92 Wine Advocate: "The 2023 Pinot Noir Tavola has inviting scents of black cherries, blackberries, holiday spices, earth and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is brimming with spicy berry flavors. It's framed by soft, velvety tannins, and fresh acidity highlights floral perfume on the long finish."

92 James Suckling: "A valley-wide blend of grapes that gives a vibrant, fresh and bright sense of red fruit, balanced by raspberries, black cherries and a rich texture on the palate. Light tannins, fresh acidity and a clean, balanced expression."

91 Wine Spectator: "A spry red, with vibrant cherry and guava flavors that take on accents of cinnamon and forest floor as this persists toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2033."

Tasting Notes

Spiced blueberries, plum and cranberry leap from the glass, followed by denser notes of dry forest floor, sagebrush and leather. The mouth holds fresh acidity with flavors of ponderosa pine, citrus and raspberry — bright, lively and in lovely tension. Soft, velvety tannins and a floral perfume carry through the long, clean finish. An easy-drinking Pinot Noir with genuine Dundee Hills character at an exceptional price.

Food Pairing

Versatile at the table — excellent with salmon, roast chicken, duck, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, soft cheeses and lighter pasta dishes.

Specifications

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Sub-Region: Willamette Valley — Dundee Hills
Vintage: 2023
Blend: 65% estate fruit, 35% purchased fruit
Oak: 25% new French oak, 8 months
Style: Red Wine
ABV: ~13.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Ponzi Vineyards

Bodegas CARO · Amancaya Malbec-Cabernet · Mendoza · 2021 · 750ml

The Producer

The partnership between Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family took root in 1999. The Catenas brought their knowledge of Mendoza's high-altitude terroirs and their passion for fine Malbec; the Rothschilds brought centuries of skill in growing, vinifying and aging great Cabernet Sauvignon, plus their mastery of blending. Together they created CARO, a union of their famous surnames, Catena and Rothschild, celebrating the fusion of opposites and the greatness that synergy can yield.

Bodegas CARO sources grapes from exceptional sites in the Andean foothills: Luján de Cuyo, part of the "First Zone" where Argentina's first Malbecs were planted, and the Uco Valley. The winery itself, built in 1884, is a designated heritage building in the heart of Mendoza. Today the estate is led by Laura Catena and Saskia de Rothschild, two of the most dynamic women in wine, with winemaker Philippe Rolet, crafting expressions of Mendoza's rugged terroir with balance, refinement and freshness.

The Wine

Amancaya is CARO's Malbec-led blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, pairing Argentina's plush, dark-fruited signature grape with the structure and polish of Bordeaux's classic variety.

Expert Review (Earlier Vintage)

"Aromas of currants, sweet tobacco and oyster shell follow through to a medium to full body with firm, creamy tannins and a steely finish. Drink after 2021."
James Suckling, 92 points (earlier vintage)

Pairings & Serving

Grilled steak, lamb, empanadas or aged hard cheeses. Serve around 60–64°F.

Specs

• Producer: Bodegas CARO (Barons de Rothschild Lafite & Catena)
• Wine: Amancaya
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2021
• Varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml

Lafite pedigree meets Mendoza muscle, at a price that makes it an easy yes.

de Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé — Loire Valley, France 2024

Baron Patrick de Ladoucette is the defining name in Pouilly-Fumé — the man who, more than anyone, elevated this Loire Valley appellation to international prominence. His estate, Château du Nozet, has been in the family since the 18th century and remains the benchmark producer for the appellation’s mineral, smoke-kissed style of Sauvignon Blanc. De Ladoucette’s philosophy is uncompromising: no oak, ever. The wine is vinified and aged entirely on its fine lees in glass-tiled stainless steel tanks, preserving every nuance of the flint-rich Kimmeridgian soils and the Sauvignon Blanc grape in its purest expression. The result is Pouilly-Fumé as it should be — precise, mineral, and unmistakably of its place.

The color is pale golden-green, bright and luminous. The nose is delicate yet complex: white flowers (lilac, white blossom), citrus peel (grapefruit, lemon), and exotic fruit (lychee, mango), with the quintessential fumé — that haunting flinty, smoky mineral note that gives the appellation its name. On the palate, the wine is elegant and mineral-driven, with crushed shell, grilled lemon, green Anjou pear, and a beautiful acidity that drives a long, clean, saline finish. Orange blossom, white peach, and dried hay emerge as it opens — a wine that rewards patience in the glass.

“Chilled citrus and white-peach aromas mingle with orange blossom and lilac on the nose. The palate is pleasantly mineral driven, with flavors of crushed shell, grilled lemon, and green Anjou pear. A whiff of dried hay on the finish brings everything together.” — Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts. (Vintage 2024).

• Producer: de Ladoucette, Château du Nozet, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Loire Valley
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: No oak — aged on fine lees in glass-tiled stainless steel tanks
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flower, lychee, grapefruit, crushed shell, grilled lemon, green pear, dried hay, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, scallops, grilled sea bass, Crottin de Chavignol, fresh chèvre, asparagus, roast chicken with lemon

The definitive Pouilly-Fumé — de Ladoucette delivers Sauvignon Blanc’s most mineral, precise, and terroir-driven expression from the Loire’s most storied flint-soil estate.

Champagne Gamet | Rive Droite | Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut | Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | NV (60% 2021 Base) | Practicing Organic

Champagne Gamet is a grower-producer based along the right bank of the Marne River — a stretch of Champagne defined by its sunny exposures, sandy clay soils over limestone, and a distinctly saline, mineral character. The estate farms with purpose: practicing-organic viticulture, old vines averaging 40 to 50 years, and a winemaking philosophy that prizes precision and terroir transparency over power. Rive Droite is the house’s signature Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, drawing fruit from the villages of Fleury-la-Rivière and Damery — two contrasting sites whose combination of ripe fruit character and firm mineral backbone defines the wine’s identity.

The blend is 85% Pinot Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir. Approximately 60% comes from the 2021 harvest, with 40% reserve wines dating back to 2014 — a depth of material that adds complexity and consistency without sacrificing freshness. Vinification is primarily in stainless steel, with roughly 10% fermented and matured in oak for texture and nuance. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages approximately 18 months on its lees before disgorgement at a low dosage of approximately 4 grams per liter, placing it firmly within the Extra Brut category and emphasizing its freshness, precision and mineral character.

The wine pours pale straw with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose opens with dried pear, white cherry, raspberry and delicate strawberry, layered with apple blossom, dried flowers and a whisper of spice. With air, blood orange peel, grapefruit, almond, brioche and crushed stone emerge. On the palate, the wine is fresh, supple and finely textured — Pinot Meunier brings roundness and generosity, while Pinot Noir adds structure and savory depth. Bright acidity and a clean saline thread carry the wine through a mouthwatering, gently nutty finish.

Serve as an aperitif or throughout the meal. Pairs beautifully with oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, shellfish, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and soft or moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

Wine Spectator: 92 Points — Sleek and finely textured, with flavors of dried white cherry, raspberry, blood orange peel, almond blossom and chopped nuts. A refreshing saline note carries through the mouthwatering finish.

Vinous: 91 Points — Bright, expressive and full of character, offering notes of dried pear, cherry, cinnamon, dried flowers and nuts. Silky and understated, with additional harmony emerging as the Champagne opens in the glass.

Jeb Dunnuck: 90 Points — Savory aromas of wet stone lead to delicate strawberry, light spice and grapefruit. Medium-bodied and subtly textured, with increasing richness on the palate and a salty, mineral-driven finish.

• Producer: Champagne Gamet
• Cuvée: Rive Droite
• Style: Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Vallée de la Marne
• Villages: Fleury-la-Rivière and Damery
• Grape Varieties: 85% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 60% 2021 harvest
• Reserve Wines: 40%, dating back to 2014
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Vine Age: ~40–50 years
• Soils: Sand, clay, limestone and marl
• Vinification: ~90% stainless steel, ~10% oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: ~18 months
• Dosage: ~4 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a non-vintage Champagne, base vintage proportions, reserve wine composition, aging period, dosage and disgorgement date may vary by release.

Bramito Della Sala Chardonnay — Castello della Sala, Umbria, Italy 2024

Castello della Sala is one of Italy's most storied white wine estates — a magnificent medieval fortress set in the hills of Umbria, just 18 kilometers from Orvieto, where the Antinori family has spent decades proving that Italy can produce world-class Chardonnay. Bramito Della Sala is the estate's benchmark white: a pure, elegant expression of Chardonnay grown on the estate's high-altitude vineyards, fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and precision. Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2024 vintage 93 points, praising its perfect balance between richness and restraint. At $25.99, it is one of the most exciting values in Italian white wine.

The nose is inviting and complex: baked apple, hazelnut brittle, crème fraîche, and wet stones. On the palate, generous fruit meets mineral tension in a seamless, structured mid-palate, leading to a refreshing, tart finish that is clean and long. This is Chardonnay that finds the rare sweet spot between Old World restraint and New World generosity — and it delivers every time.

Wine Enthusiast 93 — "Baked apples and hazelnut brittle weave through notes of crème fraîche and wet stones. The palate delivers substance with style, where generous fruit meets mineral tension and a refreshing tart finish. Here’s Chardonnay finding perfect balance between richness and restraint." (Vintage 2024).

• Producer: Castello della Sala (Antinori), Umbria, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Umbria IGT
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, hazelnut, crème fraîche, wet stone, mineral tension, tart finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, lobster, roast chicken, risotto, soft cheeses, pasta with cream sauce

A 93-point Umbrian Chardonnay at an honest price — Bramito Della Sala is the benchmark for what Castello della Sala and Italian white wine can be.

François & Julien Pinon | Vouvray Blanc Sec — Buvez du Bon Pinon | Loire Valley, France | 2023

François and Julien Pinon are a father-and-son team working exclusively with Chenin Blanc on their 15-hectare estate in the Vallée de Cousse, in the heart of Vouvray. Certified organic by Ecocert since 2003, their work in the vineyard is in complete harmony with nature — a philosophy that translates directly into wines of exceptional purity, energy, and terroir expression.

Vouvray is one of the Loire Valley's most celebrated appellations, producing Chenin Blanc of extraordinary range and longevity. The region's tufa limestone soils and continental climate — tempered by the moderating influence of the Loire River — give Vouvray Chenin Blanc its signature combination of vibrant acidity, mineral precision, and generous aromatic complexity. Chenin Blanc is a grape that flies under the radar, which is baffling given its charming character and remarkable versatility.

The 2023 Buvez du Bon Pinon sports a gorgeous bouquet reminiscent of a walk through an orchard in spring blossom. Aromas of white stone fruits, peach, pear, wildflower honey, and quince emerge from the glass with lively fanfare. On the palate, energetic and effortless with refreshing lift, steely mineral intensity, and beautifully balanced vibrant acidity. The finish is long, tangy, chalky, and utterly delicious. Drink now through 2030.

A wine that adds cheerful accompaniment to roast chicken, grilled seafood, fresh salads, vegetable dishes, goat cheese, and herb-driven cuisine.

• Producer: François & Julien Pinon
• Cuvée: Buvez du Bon Pinon
• Appellation: Vouvray AOC, Loire Valley, France
• Grape: Chenin Blanc
• Style: Dry (Sec)
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2003)
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

• Wine Spectator — 90 pts: A steely, mineral-intense style that starts out austere and then fills in with crunchy apple, pear and dried herbs. Chalky feel to the finish, which is racy and pure. Drink now through 2030.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine — "Energetic and effortless in the mouth with refreshing lift and well-balanced vibrant acidity, with a long and tangy, delicious finish."

Alain Graillot · Crozes-Hermitage Rouge · 2023

A Northern Rhône Syrah from the Graillot domaine, this 2023 Crozes-Hermitage brings dark cherry, plum and wild-herb notes to a lively, textured palate. Its fine tannins and fresh finish make it a compelling choice for a table set with grilled lamb or mushroom-rich dishes.

Expert Reviews · 2023 Vintage

A driven, balanced, flavorful, textural and lively Crozes-Hermitage, showing aromas of dark cherries, spiced plums, wild herbs and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Superb texture and balance with a long, succulent and vivid finish. Drink or hold.

James Suckling · 94 points

Fermented with 100% whole clusters, the 2023 displays ripe red fruit tones, stemmy touches, pencil shaving, licorice and cedar aromas. Medium- to full-bodied and fresh — shaping up to be a delicious red Crozes-Hermitage. A long, defined finish wraps it up.

Vinous · 91+ points

Winemaker Description

In France’s Northern Rhône Valley, few names are as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the late, legendary Alain Graillot — after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac — returned to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year, his devotion to making hauntingly delicious Syrah from organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards earned him a devoted global following. Alain’s sons Maxime and Antoine have been in charge since 2008, continuing the legacy unchanged: hand-harvesting, organic farming, 100% whole-cluster fermentation, and aging primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels sourced from top Burgundy estates.

Winemaker Description

Pairings & Details

Pair with grilled lamb chops with herbes de Provence, roasted duck, venison with wild mushrooms, daube de bœuf, cassoulet, charcuterie, aged Comté or Saint-Nectaire.

• Producer: Alain Graillot
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, France
• Grape: Syrah
• Size: 750ml

About This Wine

Beringer's Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has long been one of California's benchmark expressions of the variety — a wine that bridges Napa's richness with Sonoma's elegance. Sourced from the volcanic soils of Knights Valley, just east of the Mayacamas Mountains, the 2022 vintage delivers everything this appellation is known for: depth, structure, and a sense of place.

The 2022 growing season brought warmth and richness, yielding bold layers of blackcurrant, plum, and boysenberry, accented by dark chocolate, sage, and hints of tobacco and cedar. Extended maceration extracted maximum color and flavor, while 14 months in French oak (30% new) added spice and texture without overwhelming the fruit. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity give this wine both immediate appeal and genuine aging potential.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep plum with ruby highlights
• Nose: Blackcurrant, boysenberry, cassis, dark chocolate, sage, cedar, wild lavender
• Palate: Medium-to-full body, plush sandy tannins, vibrant acidity, baking spice, crushed stone
• Finish: Long, elegant, savory — structured and mouthwatering

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 | Perfumed aromas of red currants, lavender, fresh thyme and graphite. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of raspberry coulis, red licorice and baking spices. Very soft and delicate, with a nicely constructed backbone. Drink or hold.

Food Pairings

Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, and mushroom risotto. A natural at the dinner table, equally at home with a casual weeknight meal or a celebratory feast.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2022
Region: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
Appellation: Knights Valley AVA
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Oak Aging: 14 months, French oak (30% new)
Style: Full-bodied Red Wine

Echo de Lynch-Bages — 2nd Label of Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2023

Château Lynch-Bages is one of Pauillac's most beloved estates — a Fifth Growth in classification but a Second Growth in reputation, consistently producing wines of extraordinary depth and character. Echo de Lynch-Bages is the official second label of the estate, drawing from younger vines and select parcels to produce a wine that carries the unmistakable Lynch-Bages DNA: graphite, ripe black fruit, smoked earth, and that signature broad-shouldered Pauillac structure. The 2023 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in new and once-used French oak — a ripe yet classic vintage that earned five critic scores of 89–93 points.

The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose is classically Pauillac: lead pencil, graphite, ripe black fruits, cassis, dark berries, cedar, and a compelling smoked earth character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced — juicy and fine-grained, with ripe, supple tannins, outstanding length, and a firm, fruit-forward finish. Approachable today but built to age gracefully through 2045.

"Classic Pauillac notes of lead pencil, graphite, and ripe black fruits as well as an almost Graves-like smoked earth character. Medium-bodied and balanced, with ripe, supple tannins and outstanding length." — Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points

• Producer: Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Official 2nd Label of Château Lynch-Bages (5ème Grand Cru Classé)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Pauillac AOC
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 14 months in new and once-used French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: JS 93 | JD 93 | WA 91 | Vinous 90 | WS 89
• Drink: Now–2045 (best from 2026–2027)
• Tasting Notes: Graphite, lead pencil, cassis, dark berries, smoked earth, cedar, supple tannins
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled ribeye, aged hard cheeses, classic Bordelaise cuisine

Five 89–93 point scores and a drink window through 2045 — Lynch-Bages pedigree at second label pricing, in one of Bordeaux's most compelling recent vintages.

Infamous Goose · Sauvignon Blanc · Marlborough 2024

From New Zealand’s Marlborough region, Infamous Goose brings a lively, aromatic take on Sauvignon Blanc to the table. The 2024 listing’s reviews describe a bright mix of citrus, tropical fruit and fresh herbs, with the mouth-watering acidity that makes this style so easy to pair with food.

Pour it well chilled alongside ceviche, fresh oysters or poached chicken salad. Grapefruit, passion fruit and lime notes in the reviews give the wine a vivid, sunny character without weighing it down.

Expert reviews · 2024 vintage

The Tasting Panel · 94 points · Meridith May

A bright, clear perfume of baby’s Breath and pink grapefruit. Sweet basil punctuates flavors of star fruit, honeyed peach, and lime zest. One of the more jubilant Sauv Blancs we tasted in the past 12 months, and surely over-delivers for the price.

Wine Enthusiast · 89 points · Christina Pickard

This is a rich, heady wine that combines all the punchy passionfruit, citrus, white peach and green garden veg aromas and flavors we’ve come to know and love from this famous style. The texture plays nicely with mouth-watering acidity, finishing on a dried herbal note

Wine Spectator · 89 points · MaryAnn Worobiec

Vibrant, aromatic and generous, with notes of pear, ginger, lime sherbet and passion fruit. Orange blossom, Honeycrisp apple, lime zest and celery salt details linger.

Additional tasting note on the listing

In appearance, it's a pale lime to straw color. Notes of kaffir lime, passionfruit pulp and lemon zest dominate the nose. The palate features concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with a salivating acidity.

Wine details

• Producer: Infamous Goose
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Size: 750ml
• Pair with: ceviche, oysters or poached chicken salad

A bright Marlborough white with citrus lift and plenty of energy at the table.

Loveblock | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough, New Zealand | 2024 | Organic

Loveblock is a certified organic winery founded by Kim and Erica Crawford — yes, that Erica Crawford, co-founder of the iconic Kim Crawford wine brand — on their estate in Marlborough, New Zealand. After selling Kim Crawford Wines, Erica returned to her passion for sustainable, organic viticulture and launched Loveblock as a vehicle for producing wines of genuine terroir expression and environmental integrity. The estate is certified organic, and every decision in the vineyard and winery is guided by a commitment to the land and to producing wines of exceptional quality and character.

Marlborough is New Zealand's most celebrated wine region and the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc — a place where the combination of intense sunshine, cool nights, and free-draining stony soils produces wines of extraordinary aromatic intensity, vibrant acidity, and distinctive saline minerality. Loveblock's Sauvignon Blanc draws on fruit from across the region to produce a wine of complexity and elegance that goes well beyond the category norm.

The 2024 is pale straw with a hint of green and gold. The nose is complex and elegant — citrus blossom, wild flowers, crushed ripe herbs, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit zest, and sliced peach. On the palate, medium- to full-bodied and chiseled, with a dense fruit core of juicy melon and peach, vibrant fleshy fruit, toasted herbs, green tea, ginger, lime zest, and a saline, umami-tinged finish. Beautifully rounded with layer upon layer of texture and a long, complex, mineral finish.

Pair with oysters, seafood, spaghetti alle vongole, grilled fish, goat cheese, and chicken.

• Producer: Loveblock (Erica Crawford)
• Appellation: Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

• James Suckling — 93 pts: Lemon, grapefruit zest and sliced peach aromas. Medium- to full-bodied and chiseled, with vibrant, fleshy fruit and a saline touch in the finish.
• Wine Spectator — 91 pts: Intense and juicy — toasted herbs, green tea and crunchy sea salt mingling with ginger, lime zest and fleshy notes of ripe melon that linger on the long finish.