Red Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

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

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

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

Winemaker Description 

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

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is rich, racy and super-expressive. Silky and deep, with notable resonance, the 2021 offers up dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Today, it is a very young wine in need of cellaring, but its potential is evident. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This should be positively stellar.

Winemaker Description 

The nose of the 2021 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon leads with juicy fruits – black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry jam, and muddled mixed berries. The fruit is layered with fresh mint, sage, and iron filings. These aromas are complemented by warming spices, vanilla, and cocoa nib. The palate has a beautiful, velvety texture with plush tannin and an enduring finish with impressions of espresso and dark chocolate.

Gato Negro | Pinot Noir | Valle Central, Chile

Gato Negro is one of Chile's most beloved everyday wine brands, produced by Viña San Pedro — a winery with roots dating back to 1865 and one of the most established names in South American wine. The iconic Black Cat label has built a global following for delivering consistent, fruit-forward wines at exceptional value.

Valle Central is Chile's heartland wine region, stretching between the Andes and the Coastal Range. The warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir — preserving natural acidity and allowing the grape to develop its signature bright red fruit character without losing freshness or lift.

Gato Negro Pinot Noir is light ruby in the glass with a fresh, inviting nose of strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry, with subtle floral hints. On the palate, light-bodied and lively with smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, fruit-forward finish. Approachable, versatile, and endlessly easy to enjoy — a great everyday Pinot at an unbeatable price.

Pair with pasta, roast turkey, grilled salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie, and light vegetable dishes. Serve slightly chilled for best results.

• Producer: Gato Negro / Viña San Pedro
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Valle Central, Chile
• Style: Light-bodied, fresh, fruit-forward red
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

This wine has a unique freshness brimming with bright red berry fruit and hints of dried fruit. It is flavorful, yet restrained for a California Zin, with black peppercorn spice and hints of chocolate and nuts.

Memo Summary Notes

The Neyers Zinfandel "Vista Notre" 2021 is a distinct departure from the "jammy" style often associated with California Zinfandel. It is crafted with a French-influenced sensibility—focused on restraint, acidity, and lower alcohol—making it a favorite for those who enjoy food-friendly red wines.

Pair with its high acidity makes it perfect for Pasta with Artichokes, grilled lamb chops with salsa verde, or a high-quality grilled cheese sandwich.

Winemaker Description

Medium to medium-dark ruby-red. Very cool, stately aromas of red cherry, cola, and fresh tobacco leaf. On the palate, medium-full bodied. Flavors of red fruits and blood orange take front and center stage, persisting through the long, smooth finish. Not a wine of bombast but instead, one of elegance, purity, and quiet confidence. Wonderful now, this can be enjoyed through at least 2028.

Expert Ratings

94 Points Wine Spectator | Few Zinfandels show this much nuance and detail, yet there's an elegant power to this red, with cherry and raspberry flavors that mingle with orange peel and fresh sage. Ends with refined tannins.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Zinfandel Papera Ranch is ripe with fresh berries, raspberry preserve, and baking spice. Its gushy fruit up front gives way to a note of raspberry seed and refreshing lift on the finish. Drink 2023-2032.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. Israel. Full bodied red wine. Deep ruby red in color, on the nose, aromas of plum and blackberry with notes of spices. Medium tannins. Low acidity. Rich and intense red wine in style.

On the palate, dry, oaky, deep, intense, fruit-driven, fleshy, jammy, hint of dark chocolate, touch of leather, delivers dark red fruit character, filled with ripe, rich, structured, velvety, firm, buttery, spicy, soft, lengthy. It has long finish.

Winemaker Description

Château de La Maltroye’s Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Boudriotte 2021 spills forth with a bouquet of red and dark berries — blackberry, cherry, and raspberry — complemented by subtle earthy and floral hints of violet and a touch of spice from oak aging. Elegant and medium-bodied, with finely integrated tannins and a lingering finish. Seductive and delicious.

About Boudriotte

Boudriotte is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most celebrated Premier Cru vineyards for red wine — a rarity in an appellation better known for its whites. Located on the southern end of the village, Boudriotte’s clay-rich soils produce Pinot Noir of exceptional depth and structure, with the earthy, mineral character that distinguishes the finest red Burgundies of the Côte de Beaune. At Château de La Maltroye, Boudriotte is the flagship red — a wine that consistently demonstrates why Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge deserves far more attention than it receives.

About Château de La Maltroye

Château de La Maltroye is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most historic and respected estates, with origins dating to the 18th century. The domaine farms a significant holding of Premier Cru vineyards in both Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay, producing wines of genuine terroir character with a philosophy rooted in traditional Burgundian winemaking — careful viticulture, minimal intervention, and patient aging. Under the direction of the Cournut family, the estate has maintained its reputation as one of the village’s most reliable and authentic producers, for both its celebrated whites and its underrated reds.

Food Pairings

Roasted duck, guinea fowl, rabbit in mustard sauce, mushroom dishes, aged Epoisses, Comté, and classic Burgundian preparations. A Premier Cru red Burgundy built for the table — drink now through 2030.

Product Details

• Producer: Château de La Maltroye
• Vineyard: Boudriotte (Premier Cru)
• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Aging: Oak aged
• Vintage: 2021
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Style: Elegant, medium-bodied Premier Cru red Burgundy
• Format: 750ml

Hahn · Central Coast, California · GSM · 2023

Hahn GSM brings together Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre in a California interpretation of the Southern Rhône blend. Its story began when Swiss-born Nicky and Gaby Hahn arrived in the Santa Lucia Highlands in the late 1970s, drawn to the region’s altitude, cool nights and coastal influence.

Bright ruby in color, the 2023 opens with black raspberry, Bing cherry, violet and pink peppercorn. The medium-bodied, savory palate layers pomegranate, strawberry, clove and orange peel, finishing with grippy, well-composed tannins and a touch of brown sugar warmth.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points, Tonya Pitts, Vintage 2023: “Lively aromas of black raspberry, Bing cherry, and cinnamon stick… concentrated pomegranate, clove, orange slices, brown sugar, and grippy tannins on the finish.”

Wine Spectator, 88 Points, Vintage 2023: “A perky, fruit-forward, quaffable red, showing a juicy, hibiscus-accented berry mélange, with thyme and sarsaparilla notes on the finish around fresh tannins. Drink now.”

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with BBQ beef, Italian sausage, grilled mushrooms, aged hard cheese or pizza. A bright, savory red built for the table.

Details

• Producer: Hahn
• Vintage: 2023
• Country: United States
• Region: California, Central Coast
• Appellation: Monterey
• Grapes: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre
• Type: Red blend
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Cacique Maravilla Pipéno 100% País 2025 Secano Interior de Yumbel 1.0L

The United States was founded in 1776 — the same year Manuel Moraga Gutiérrez’s ancestors planted País and native grapes on volcanic soil in Yumbel, deep in Chile’s Bío-Bío Valley. Manuel is the seventh-generation steward of what became the 33rd registered winery in all of Chile, tending some 16 hectares of ancient vines — the oldest pre-phylloxera, over 250 years old — on trumao soil: volcanic sands redeposited over a lava river. This is one of the most singular wine addresses on earth.

Everything at Cacique Maravilla is done by hand and by tradition: dry-farmed with no irrigation, minimal pruning, horses treading the volcanic soil, hand-harvesting only, fermentation on indigenous yeasts in open-top vats of Raulí (native Chilean pink oak), free-run juice aged in Raulí pipas on the fine lees, and bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without any added sulfur. The result is a Pipéno — Chile’s ancient, lightly sparkling young red wine style — of extraordinary purity, freshness, and terroir transparency.

"For us, the cellar has its own magic and gives us options that sometimes we would not imagine." — Manuel Moraga Gutiérrez, Cacique Maravilla

• Producer: Manuel Moraga Gutiérrez, Cacique Maravilla, Yumbel, Bío-Bío Valley, Chile
• Appellation: Secano Interior de Yumbel, Bío-Bío Valley
• Grape: 100% País
• Vintage: 2025
• Vines: Pre-phylloxera, up to 250+ years old — dry-farmed volcanic trumao soil
• Format: 1.0 Liter
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic — no irrigation, no chemical intervention, horses used for soil work
• Winemaking: Hand-harvested, destemmed on traditional zaranda (bamboo screen), indigenous yeast fermentation in open Raulí vats, aged in Raulí pipas on fine lees — unfined, unfiltered, no added SO2
• Style: Pipéno — Chile’s ancient fresh red wine tradition — light, vibrant, and joyfully drinkable
• Tasting Notes: Fresh red fruit, cranberry, pomegranate, earthy volcanic mineral notes, light tannins, vivid acidity, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Charcuterie, grilled chicken, roast pork, aged cow’s milk cheese, or simply chilled and enjoyed on its own

Ancient vines, volcanic soil, and 250 years of family tradition in a 1.0L — Cacique Maravilla Pipéno is the most alive red wine on the shelf at any price.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva shows velvety richness and good textural support. This comes thanks to the warmer microclimate and thicker soils, sometimes with a lot of clay, that distinguish the Castelnuovo Berardenga region of Chianti Classico. The finish is dry and long, but there is plenty of sweet earth, dark fruit, plum and balanced cherry in the mix.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (90% Sangiovese and the rest Merlot) takes on more spiced layers of smoke, cedar, menthol, and blackberry. It is full-bodied, with snappy acidity and fine tannins, and is noted with redcurrant, orange zest, tea leaf, and clove. Hold another year or two and drink 2025-2035.

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, with vegetable and spicy hints, light liquorice nuance. Dry and smooth to the palate, enjoyably fresh, well balanced and harmonious, good nose-palate persistence.

Matching and service – Lean starters, dry and liquid soups even with savoury sauces, grilled and pan cooked meat, goat and sheep medium seasoned cheeses.
There are no studies on the Monica vine capable of identifying its exact origin. What is certain is that it was brought to Sardinia and planted in 1400 by the Camaldolese monks around their monasteries. 

From here, grapes of the monks, grapes of monks and then Monica … many theories, many memories of other vines that the character of Sardinia has transformed and adapted. Today Monica is a perfectly integrated son of Sardinia, the south-eastern part is his land of choice… and therefore at home in the Pala family.

Oltreluna has the spirit and character of Sardinia where the vine lives and breathes, but retains a small and intriguing memory of its mysterious origin. Kind like its name, but extraordinarily complex like the land that hosts it. It is the moon that is reflected on a silver sea in the blue of the night, it is a journey that has begun and is always evolving… it is thinking about the character of wild Sardinia with an extraordinary and elegant versatility.

Grapes – Monica 100%. 

About This Wine — A Rare Expression of Nebbiolo

Rose delle Casasse is widely considered the only Barbaresco produced entirely from Nebbiolo Rosé — a grape that, while related to Nebbiolo, has been proven genetically distinct. As noted by ampelographer Ian d’Agata in his landmark book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, Nebbiolo Rosé is not simply a clone but its own variety, making this Riserva a genuinely singular wine in the Barbaresco appellation.

Cascina Baricchi is a small husband-and-wife estate in Neive, farming with deep respect for the land and producing wines of remarkable character and authenticity. The Rose delle Casasse vineyard gives a wine of uncommon delicacy and complexity — more aromatic and fine-boned than classic Nebbiolo, yet no less age-worthy.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2016

Vinous — 94 Points
"The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a fine follow-up to the stellar 2015. A bit more austere than its older sibling, the 2016 presents a distinctly savory profile redolent of crushed flowers, herbs, mint, spice, leather and tobacco, while the fruit is pushed into the background. This is such a gorgeous wine."

Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points
"Made entirely from the Rosé clone of Nebbiolo, this is fresh with wild raspberry, pine, and dark earth. Medium body and good concentration, with fine tannins and a good finish of peppery spice and red cherry. Refreshing and cleanses the palate nicely."

Food Pairings

A natural match for salumi, aged hard cheeses, roasted lamb, braised Piedmontese beef, and truffle-based dishes. Decant for at least 45 minutes; will continue to develop beautifully with additional cellaring.

Product Details

• Producer: Cascina Baricchi
• Region: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Nebbiolo Rosé (100%)
• Classification: Barbaresco Riserva
• Vineyard: Rose delle Casasse
• Vintage: 2016
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review

Vinous 95 Points | The 2017 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru has an expressive bouquet that is a dead ringer for a Dujac, conveying plenty of energy and earthy black fruit laced with undergrowth and sea cave scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite a firm backbone. Fresh from the start to the refreshing, elegant, saline finish that gets the saliva flowing. Excellent."

Winemaker Description

Ruby red. Aromas of cherries, plums, raspberries, and black pepper. Refined, light tannins and bright acidity make this a lifting, fruity wine.

Pair with salumi, tomato and meat-based sauces and pizza Margherita.

Memo Summary Notes

Vibrant, volcanic red wine that serves as a historic benchmark for the Campania region. Produced by the legendary Mastroberardino family—who famously saved many of southern Italy's indigenous grapes from extinction—this wine is made from 100% Piedirosso grapes grown in the mineral-rich ash of Mount Vesuvius.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2013 

Josh Raynolds of Vinous writes 96 Points |  (made with 50 percent whole clusters) Bright purple. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet of fresh black and blue fruit, candied licorice and Asian spice scents develops a sexy floral note as the wine opens up. Vibrant and appealingly sweet on the palate, offering intense, smoke-tinged black currant, boysenberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors energized by a refreshing snap of juicy acidity. Blends richness and vivacity with a deft hand and finishes extremely long and gently tannic, leaving a sappy blue fruit note behind. Drinking 2023 - 2032.

James Suckling writes 97 Points | The most brooding nose of the trio of La La's with dark coal smoky aromas and dark stones, graphite and cocoa powder. Fruits are in the very dark plum and blackberry spectrum but flavors are held in a more savory mode with assertive, powerful clean-cut tannins that hold endless length. Truly a masterpiece. Best from 2022 and for two decades or more.

Joe Czerwinski of The Wine Advocate writes 94 Points | The 2013 Cote Rotie La Mouline shows none of the vintage’s sometimes dry tannins. It offers crisp black fruit—plums and blackberries—underscored by hints of pencil shavings, espresso and grilled meat. Suave and long, it should drink well for a couple of decades. Drinking 2020 - 2035. 

James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator writes 96 Points | Very ripe, with layers of fig, boysenberry and plum compote forming the core, inlaid liberally with licorice snap, roasted apple wood and Turkish coffee notes. Shows lots of heft, but everything pulls together on the finish, exhibiting drive and definition. Best from 2020 through 2040. 65 cases imported.

Jeb Dunnuck writes 94+ Points | One of the more restrained and fresh vintages of this cuvée out there, the 2013 Côte Rôtie La Mouline still has a classic Mouline floral, gamey, and spicy bouquet to go with medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. With good concentration, notable complexity, sweet tannin, and plenty of length, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 15+. Drinking 2022 - 2037.

Richard Hemming MW of Jancis Robinson writes 18/20 Points | Hickory smoke, violets, tobacco, black-cherry fruit, pepper and a touch of stemmy herbal character. Super-fine tannins, and quite light body with a finish that isn't as expansive as the palate. Still young, so the length may well develop. Drinking 2019 - 2033 

98 James Suckling: This has a complex array of blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, dried herbs, slate, tobacco, olives and charred bark. Some dried roses and iodine, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm yet refined tannins. Powerful, in an understated way. Long. 73% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 20% sangiovese.

98 Wine Spectator: Youthful, featuring intense fresh black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in accents of cedar, Mediterranean scrub and toasty oak, with a mineral streak underlining everything. Shows a solid spine of tannins that lend support, while the dark fruit returns on the finish. Delivers terrific balance, vigor and excruciating length, yet this needs time in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

97 Decanter: Wonderful raspberry and black cherry fragrance on the nose, ripe and sweet and expressive, aromas bursting from the glass. Fleshy and sweet, sticky and full, this is giving a whole load of ripe, plush tannins and powerful fruit but underpinned by bright acidity that keeps things lifted and vibrant. A very serious wine, this is brooding and confident. It's showcasing lots of elements right now - ample, generous, hefty and stylish with flecks of red flowers, white pepper spice, ground coffee, herbs and chocolate.

The 2019 Solaia is fabulous. Deep and exquisitely layered, the 2019 is so expressive right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, incense, pipe tobacco, chocolate, and grilled herbs all take shape. Here, too, the aromatics are alluring. Cabernet Franc is bumped up a bit in teh blend, and that works so well here. Solaia is often a bombastic, intense wine. The 2019 is incredibly refined and ubttoned up. The 2019 Solaia is the sort of wine I would like to spend a whole evening with. Aging was 18 months in 100% new French oak.

Winemaker Description

The 2019 vintage Solaia is deep ruby red in color. The nose offers complex notes of red fruit, apricots and red oranges with hints of rose petals. Distinct aromas of coffee beans, chocolate, licorice and white pepper complete the rich bouquet of this red wine. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and harmonious with excellent balance and structure. Vibrant tannins lead into an exceptionally long finish. 

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc

Tenuta Guado al Tasso is one of the crown jewels of the Antinori portfolio — a 320-hectare estate in the prestigious Bolgheri DOC on the Tuscan coast, set within the distinctive "Bolgheri Amphitheater" of rolling hills and cooled by constant sea breezes from the Tyrrhenian coast. Cont'Ugo is the estate's singular statement on Merlot: a wine produced entirely from this variety as a new interpretation of the Bolgheri territory, sourced from vineyards at 45–60 meters elevation on clay-loam alluvial soils that deliver deep, complex notes while preserving the fragrance and freshness that Merlot does best.

The Antinori Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo Bolgheri Rosso 2023 750ml is 100% Merlot, sourced from vineyards across the northern, central, and southern zones of the Bolgheri appellation. Deep, inky red in the glass, it opens with an aromatic and inviting bouquet of crushed lavender, plum compote, blackberry, sweet earth, mint, and fresh herbs. On the palate it is full-bodied, supple, and rounded, with velvety tannins, a balanced core of acidity, and pristine, clean fruit that carries seamlessly from entry through the finish. Polished, expressive, and built to drink beautifully from 2026 through 2035.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points: "Peppery and earthy with tart blackberries over damp soil and graphite. Layers of sweet dark berries and dark chocolate create a sleek, acrobatic wine."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points: "Aromatic and inviting with crushed lavender, plum compote, blackberry, sweet earth, mint, and fresh herbs. Full-bodied, supple, and rounded with velvety tannins. Polished and expressive with good depth and length."
• Wine Spectator — 93 Points: "Rich, inviting and harmonious with black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, toast and earth. Vibrant with dense tannins and an expansive finish. Best from 2026 through 2035."
• Wine Advocate — 92 Points: "Soft, fleshy texture with black cherry and blackberry. Pristine and clean fruit sustaining the wine seamlessly from entry through the finish."

Wine Details

• 100% Merlot — Cont'Ugo single-variety expression
• Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy — clay-loam alluvial soils, 45–60m elevation
• Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Marchesi Antinori
• Vintage: 2023 | Drink 2026–2035 | 750ml

Expert Review

John Gilman 96 Points | This is my first taste of Domaine des Closiers top bottling, les Trezellières, which is made from a parcel of old vines and given fully two years aging in barrel, with somewhere between ten and twenty percent of the casks new. The 2019 les Trezellières is beautifully deep and refined aromatically, delivering scents of black cherries, cassis, Cuban cigar wrapper, a very complex base of soil, a touch of Cheval Blanc-like menthol, a gentle dollop of tree bark, cedar and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, elegant and rock solid at the core, with great focus and complex, superb soil undertow, fine-grained tannins and a very long, pure and classy finish.

The small percentage of new oak gives this wine more refinement than the les Coudraies bottling, but because it is no more than twenty percent new oak, the wood influence is far more subtle out of the blocks than in Clos Rougeard’s Le Bourg bottling, which is the closest comparison I can think of for this brilliant young Saumur Champigny. Give this beautiful wine plenty of time in the cellar to properly resolve its tannins and completely blossom! (2019). 

Winemaker Description

The weather in 1953 was very favourable to vine growth and the crop was both plentiful and of excellent quality.

The growing season began with a warm, wet April, followed by a very warm, but dry month of May.  June and July were cool and rainy, whereas August and September were dry and slightly warmer than average.

Flowering went very well in May because it did not rain very much. Even though June and July were cool, which slowed down the growth cycle somewhat, the harvest was able to begin on the 21st of September. The grapes were excellent because August and September we very dry and hot.  Yields were high, but 1953 Cheval Blanc shows that quantity and quality are not incompatible.
Degree of alcohol: 12°.

This is a great vintage for Cheval Blanc. The wine is very well-balanced and still elicits enormous praise.

Winemaker Description

Smoke, tar, and char on the nose along with stewed plums, blackberries, and figs. The palate is softer on the tongue than the nose might suggest. Berries and figs come through with a little black pepper and cinnamon. Woody tannins settle into the sides of the tongues and linger a little with a background of umami. Pair with game meats, bbq, honeyed hams, and dark chocolate.

Baron Herzog Winery · California · Kosher 2024

Baron Herzog Winery has been crafting approachable, high-quality kosher wines in California since 1985. Named after the Herzog family — wine merchants with roots stretching back to 19th-century Slovakia — the winery draws from top California appellations to produce kosher wines that compete with the best in the state. Baron Herzog Merlot is sourced from selected vineyards across California's premier growing regions and is fully certified Kosher for Passover.

Bold and richly textured, the 2024 Merlot opens with inviting aromas of red cherry and strawberry jam, with a soft, plush mid-palate. A touch of oak weaves in hints of mocha and warm spice on the finish, adding complexity without weight. Smooth, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly versatile at the table.

• Producer: Baron Herzog Winery
• Vintage: 2024
• Region: California, United States
• Grape Variety: Merlot
• Certification: Kosher, Kosher for Passover
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, strawberry jam, mocha, warm spice, soft tannins
• Food Pairings: Roast chicken, lamb chops, pasta with tomato sauce, soft cheeses

A reliable everyday kosher Merlot — drink now through 2027.

Stunning Pinot from the cool, high-altitude Colchagua Valley. Grown on volcanic soils and aged in concrete egg and neutral oak. Light, bright color with high aromatic intensity of fresh strawberries and red fruit such as currants and raspberry. On the palate, mineral with high acidity, along with ripe, soft and persistent tannins. 

Very aromatic with bright, structured strawberry and raspberry fruit, wet leaves, and stoney minerality. Sustainably farmed. Winemaker Description.

Cyprien Arlaud · Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits · 2023

Cyprien Arlaud Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2023 is an organic Pinot Noir from Burgundy, made from purchased grapes with vineyard work managed by the Arlaud team from pruning through harvest. Indigenous yeast, barrel aging with just 5% new oak, and bottling without fining or filtration reflect an approach focused on expressing the vineyard.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The vineyard lies 300 meters west of Romanée-Conti, on the border of Vosne-Romanée, in an area where many of Vosne's elite growers also have vines. High-density planting encourages competition and limits yields. Vines more than 65 years old grow in iron-rich clay, with just 10 centimeters of soil above solid bedrock.

Producer Notes

Domaine Arlaud was among the first in Burgundy to recognize the negative impact “modern agriculture” was having both on the environment generally and on the uniqueness of the wine produced from each of its many separate terroirs. This uniqueness had been recognized and honored by the Cistercian monks as early as the 1200, and carefully maintained for centuries thereafter. In 1998, the Estate stopped the use of herbicide, which was affecting soil life and polluting the subsoil water. At the same time, the use of all other chemical treatments in the vineyards was greatly reduced. Since 2004, the total estate (15 hectares) has been cultivated according to organic principles: no pesticides, no synthetic fertilizer. In 2007, in order to formalize this approach, the Domaine started the process needed to obtain organic certification, which was awarded in 2010 by the prestigious organization Veritas. The next decision, taken in 2009, was to become completely biodynamic. This methodology demands the use of simple treatments (natural fertilizer, silicates, compost, herbs infusion). These time tested procedures revitalize the soil life and ultimately allow the vines to find the best balance in the vineyard and thus to produce wine fully expressing terroir. In 2014 the Domaine became the first in Morey Saint Denis to have biodynamic certification by Biodyvin.

The ‘Cyprien Arlaud’ wines are made from grapes purchased from neighboring growers. The estate manages all of the work done in the vineyard from pruning to growing to harvest. All Cyprien Arlaud wines have been certified organic since 2019.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try this Pinot Noir with roast chicken, duck, mushroom dishes or a simple pork roast. These are versatile pairing suggestions for red Burgundy.

Details

• Producer: Cyprien Arlaud / Domaine Arlaud
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Type: Red wine
• Farming: Organic; Cyprien Arlaud wines certified organic since 2019
• Vine Age: 65+ years
• Soil: Iron-rich clay over bedrock
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
• Aging: Barrel-aged, 5% new oak
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered

Gundlach Bundschu · Sonoma County · Mountain Cuvée · 2023

Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée is a Bordeaux-style red blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its medium-bodied style brings generous fruit and an elegant structure together in a wine suited to relaxed meals and backyard gatherings.

Boysenberry, cranberry and pomegranate mingle with juicy red fruit and black currant, followed by hints of toasty oak and cedar. Silky tannins carry the palate toward a dark chocolate finish.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description : A Bordeaux-obsessed blend featuring layer upon layer of ripe fruit - think boysenberry, cranberry and pomegranate - followed by a hint of toasty oak. Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée is a medium-bodied, red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot packed with juicy red fruit, black currants and and a dark chocolate finish. We’re getting silky tannins. Hints of oak and cedar. And an elegant structure with a finish that’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Enjoy it on its own or paired up with something as perfectly unassuming as the wine (Gundlach Bundschu especially loves it with backyard burgers).

Expert Review · Vintage 2023

James Suckling, 90 Point : Aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs, plums, violets, tobacco leaves, black and red fruit and a hint of graphite. The tannins are abundant but not aggressive. Full-bodied and very satisfying.

Previous Vintage Reviews · 2021

Tasting Panel, 92 Points, Vintage 2021: This blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and small portions of Cab Franc and Malbec offers standout scents of dark chocolate and blackberry cobbler. It's rich and round, with supple tannins and a dusty mouthfeel. Coffee and wildflowers combine to create an expansive array of aromas and flavors as plum and oak enter midway, tan- gling with good acidity to affirm the wine's fine food-pairing abilities.

Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points, Vintage 2021: Velvety in texture and full in body, this moderately tannic wine is packed with milk chocolate, black cherries and vanilla flavors. It is quietly powerful, and its rich chocolaty character lingers on the finish.

Details

• Producer: Gundlach Bundschu
• Cuvée: Mountain Cuvée
• Vintage: 2023
• Country: United States
• Region: California, Sonoma County
• Appellation Listed: Sonoma Valley
• Grapes Listed: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec
• Type: Bordeaux-style red blend
• Farming Attribute: Sustainable
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description

This fresh, fruity, semi-sweet wine displays aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy berries with dark chocolate undertones.

The perfect balance between sweetness and acidity makes for a refreshing approachability. It is a versatile food wine, best served slightly chilled. 

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz is the ultimate "guilty pleasure" wine for those who prefer their reds without the bite of heavy tannins or dryness. Hailing from South Africa’s Western Cape, this wine specifically targets the gap in the market for high-quality, non-sparkling sweet reds. 

Jam Jar was created by acclaimed winemaker Bruwer Raats with the belief that "sweet wine lovers deserve a well-crafted option." Unlike many budget sweet reds, this uses high-quality Shiraz grapes (some from 14-18 year old vines) and avoids artificial flavors or colorings. It’s a popular choice for sangria bases or for those transitioning from sweet cocktails to red wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

The top Cabernet is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, which comes all from the Howell Mountain AVA. It's another inky colored beauty boasting a terrific perfume of black and blue fruits, ground herbs, spice box, graphite, and forest floor. With brilliant minerality on the palate as well as full-bodied richness and an expansive, opulent texture, it has sweet tannins and is approachable today, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 25-30 years. It's one of the few 2017s to come close to its 2016 counterpart. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2054.  Jeb Dunnuck 97

Bottled only three weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, having spent 22 months in 60% new French oak. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it reveals beautiful notions of kirsch, red and black currant preserves, raspberry pie and warm plums with hints of red roses, stewed tea, underbrush and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful red fruit and floral intensity intermingled with black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Very different from the epic 2016 Dancing Bear, but very exciting!  Drinking 2020 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear ranch is a gorgeous Howell Mountain red. Succulent black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange all run through this deep, resonant, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon from Cakebread. This is a very pretty wine.  Drinking 2022 to 2032.  - Vinous 93

Luciano Sandrone · Dolcetto d'Alba · 2024

Sandrone’s philosophy centers on native grape varieties, careful observation, and a deep respect for the vineyards of Piedmont. More than 50 years of dedication to wine underpin the family’s pursuit of a distinctive style that expresses the nuances of each harvest.

This Dolcetto brings ripe plum and blackberry aromas together with spice and a distinct mineral note. The 2024 Jeb Dunnuck review highlights a medium-bodied, refreshing palate, linear acidity, a silky, stony texture, and a savory finish.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description | The aromas of ripe plums and blackberries rise from the glass, modulated by spicy elements and a distinct mineral note.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling, 93 Points | Intense and reductive style with tense plums and black cherries Very vinous and lightly spicy. Super-juicy on the palate with medium body, moderate to refreshing acidity and well poised tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck, 90 Points | Pouring a reflective magenta hue, the 2024 Dolcetto D'Alba offers expressive aromatics of red and black berries, poppy flowers, and wet stones. Medium-bodied, the palate is focused and refreshing with linear acidity, a silky, stony texture, and a mouthwatering savory finish. Barrel Sample: 89-91

Pairing Suggestions

Try with mushroom pasta, pizza, roasted poultry, or a plate of salumi for an inviting Piedmont-inspired meal.

Wine Details

• Producer: Luciano Sandrone
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: Dolcetto
• Appellation: Dolcetto d'Alba
• Region: Piedmont
• Country: Italy
• Style: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml

A fruit-driven Dolcetto with a refreshing, savory side, well suited to the dinner table.

Justin Vineyard · Isosceles · 2021

Winemaker Description

In 1987, we made our first vintage of a wine styled after the famous First Growth producers of Bordeaux, created with the same uncompromising care as the Grands Vins of those venerable chateaux. Full-bodied with ripe black fruit and complex baking spice, this wine is amazingly ready to drink right out of the gate, and you can try a bottle or two now—but make sure to save a few to enjoy this wine as it continues to evolve after some time in the cellar.
— Justin Vineyard & Winery

Expert Review — Vintage 2021

James Suckling, 93 Points — A concentrated and rich nose with aromas of blood plums, mocha, prunes and baking spices. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and long, lingering notes of blackberry compote, roasted meat, graphite and citrus rind. Made from a blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 7% merlot. It needs time in bottle for the tannins to soften. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.

Specs

• Producer: Justin Vineyard & Winery
• Wine: Isosceles
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Paso Robles, California
• Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

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

Producer and Terroir

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

Tasting Notes

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

Expert Reviews

2024 · Review Attributed to VF in the Listing

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

Wine Enthusiast · 2024

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

Food Pairings

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

Details

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

Winemaker Description

The 2019 Bernardot is dark and austere with wonderful nuances of ripe red fruit. Tannins are very silky and delicate in this 2019, showing a lot of finesse, typical from the Barbaresco area. It’s an elegant and very expressive Barbaresco. One of the favorite vineyards of winemaker Alessandro Ceretto.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate Monica Larner 95 Points writes | The organic Ceretto 2019 Barbaresco Bernadot shows a broader character and a more open-knit personality compared to the Asili. There is a lot of dark fruit, spice, truffle and earth to frame the medium-build of this elegant wine.  (2019).

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A bright red, delivering a core of cherry and raspberry fruit supported by earth, mineral and wild herbs. Intense, complex and dense, this is solidly built and persists with an aftertaste of dark fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2025. (2019).

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot — California NV | 1.5L Magnum

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi has been California's benchmark for approachable, everyday wine since 1979. This Merlot is sourced from the Lodi region, crafted using unique growing techniques and state-of-the-art winemaking to deliver consistent quality at an honest price. The 1.5L Magnum format is made for sharing — generous, crowd-pleasing, and built for the table.

Rich aromas of blackberry, cherry, chocolate, and red berries lead to a palate of ripe plum, toasty mocha oak, and cherry cola. Full-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins, well-balanced acidity, and a soft, versatile finish.

• Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Acampo, CA
• Region: Lodi, California
• Varietal: Merlot
• Style: Full-bodied, soft, fruit-forward California red
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Best Paired With: Hearty pasta Bolognese, grilled steak, lamb, pork chops, hamburgers

California Merlot at its most generous — a Magnum built for the table.

Winemaker Description

The wine is medium bodied and moderate in tannin, with some beautiful suppleness to the mid-palate that reflects the moderate summer, accompanied by a touch of extra richness from the hot autumn weather. 100% Certified organic and dry farmed.

Expert Review

James Suckling 91 Points | Aromas of crushed herbs, sliced plums, blackcurrants and violets. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Bright acidity pairs nicely with the fresh red fruit on the palate. Could use another year to come together. Best after 2023. (2020).

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Epenots 2023 is an exceptional Pinot Noir from one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Renowned for its remarkable combination of power, elegance, and longevity, Les Grands Epenots is among the distinguished Pommard vineyards proposed for elevation to Grand Cru status.

The domaine cultivates a small 0.23-hectare parcel of approximately 25-year-old vines. The vineyard's clay-limestone soils contribute complexity, structure, and mineral character, while careful aging in French oak adds subtle refinement and depth.

The 2023 vintage reveals expressive aromas of ripe black cherries, raspberries, dark plums, violets, and delicate smoky oak, complemented by earthy nuances and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet beautifully balanced, offering layers of red and dark berries, fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and a distinctive mineral backbone. The texture is elegant and harmonious, leading to a long, complex finish with lingering notes of fruit, spice, and savory earth.

Combining the powerful structure traditionally associated with Pommard and the finesse of an exceptional Premier Cru terroir, this wine offers excellent aging potential. A sophisticated and collectible Burgundy, it pairs beautifully with roasted duck, venison, lamb, beef tenderloin, wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Recommended Drinking Window: 2029-2045.

Expert Review

95 Points Wine Spectator: This alluring red exudes pure cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, with a firm underlying structure.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune

Appellation: Pommard Premier Cru, Les Grands Epenots

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

Wine Type: Dry Red Wine

Classification: Premier Cru

Vintage: 2023

Ammura · Etna Rosso DOC · 2023

Tommasi Ammura Etna Rosso 2023 is an elegant Sicilian red that brings together Nerello Mascalese’s finesse and Mount Etna’s distinctive volcanic character. Produced by Ammura, part of Tommasi Family Estates, it balances vibrant red fruit with refreshing acidity, fine tannins and savory mineral complexity.

The vineyards lie on Mount Etna’s northeastern slopes near Linguaglossa, in the Alboretto and Chiuse del Signore districts, approximately 650 meters above sea level. Volcanic soils, cooling mountain breezes and pronounced day-to-night temperature variations encourage aromatic intensity and freshness. The vines average approximately 20 years of age, with select older vines contributing to the vineyard mix.

Winemaking

Crafted from 100% Nerello Mascalese, the wine begins with grapes carefully hand-harvested during October in small 15 kg baskets. Temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation includes approximately 12–15 days of maceration, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. Six months in stainless steel and another 12 months in large 20-hectoliter oak barrels develop structure and complexity while preserving vibrant fruit and volcanic character.

Tasting Notes

Bright ruby red with delicate garnet reflections, the 2023 vintage opens with ripe wild cherries, raspberries, pomegranate and red berries. Black pepper, Mediterranean herbs, sweet tobacco and smoky volcanic stone add savory detail, alongside subtle floral and earthy nuances.

The light- to medium-bodied palate is lively and balanced, layering fresh red cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry and savory spice. Fine, silky tannins and refreshing acidity create a graceful structure, while volcanic ash, crushed minerals and herbs lend depth. The long, precise, pleasantly savory finish captures Etna’s distinctive energy. Combining the elegance of Pinot Noir with structure and aromatic complexity often associated with Nebbiolo, this wine offers an expressive introduction to Sicily’s volcanic landscape.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling, 93 Points · Vintage Not Specified: A distinctive, smoky and savory Etna Rosso with aromas of volcanic ash, black pepper, strawberries and red cherries. Light-bodied and energetic, with firm, chalky tannins, crisp acidity and a vibrant, crunchy texture that reflects the wine's volcanic origins.

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points · Vintage Not Specified: Aromas of sweet Bing cherries and raspberries mingle with savory notes of mocha and spearmint. The palate reveals ripe red berries, tart cherries, white pepper and a touch of salinity. Focused tannins and lively acidity provide excellent precision and balance.

Vinous, 92 Points · Vintage Not Specified: An elegant expression of Nerello Mascalese, combining vibrant red fruit, savory complexity and the distinctive mineral character of Mount Etna.

Pairing & Serving

Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C) with grilled lamb, roasted pork, braised rabbit, mushroom risotto, Pasta alla Norma, Sicilian caponata, fennel sausage or moderately aged cheeses. Its lively acidity and refined tannins suit Mediterranean cuisine and traditional Italian dishes. Suitable for medium-term aging under proper storage conditions.

Details

• Producer: Ammura, Tommasi Family Estates
• Wine: Ammura Etna Rosso
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily (Sicilia)
• Appellation: Etna Rosso DOC
• Subregion: Mount Etna, northeastern slopes
• Grape: 100% Nerello Mascalese
• Type: Red wine, dry
• Body: Light to medium
• Vineyard location: Linguaglossa, Alboretto and Chiuse del Signore districts
• Altitude: Approximately 650 meters above sea level
• Soil: Volcanic soils
• Vine age: Approximately 20 years, with select older vines
• Vine training: Spur cordon
• Harvest: Hand-harvested in 15 kg baskets during October
• Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation with 12–15 days of maceration, followed by natural malolactic fermentation
• Aging: Six months in stainless steel, followed by 12 months in 20-hectoliter oak barrels
• Alcohol: 13.5% ABV