Red Wine

Our Professional Review — Oscar Garcia Moncada

In September 2022, I had the pleasure of traveling to Rioja, Spain, to visit one of my favorite producers: Bodegas Perica. Located in the picturesque village of San Asensio in La Rioja Alta, Bodegas Perica has been a bastion of winemaking tradition for three generations. The winery was in the midst of harvest, and I was fortunate enough to participate—gaining firsthand insight into the rigorous grape selection process that defines Bodegas Perica’s approach.

Anyone who has experienced a wine harvest understands the backbreaking labor involved in hand-harvesting: long hours, quick reflexes, and relentless speed. Yet despite the physical demands, the reward is undeniable—gathering at the end of the day to share a hearty meal and plenty of wine with a community united by purpose and passion.

David García Ábalos, the current owner of Bodegas Perica, and Zigor Cornago García, Director of Commerce, graciously gave me a personal tour of the winery, cellar, and production facilities. Perica stands out for using only estate-grown grapes from its own vineyards—a true commitment to quality and terroir. The winery also ages its Crianzas in 225-liter French oak barrels, and notably, many of its wines undergo extended aging beyond the minimum requirements set by the Rioja DOCa.

Founded in 1912 by Don Juan García, Bodegas Perica now cultivates over 150 hectares of vineyards in the prestigious Rioja Alta subregion, known for producing some of the finest expressions of Tempranillo.

This visit was especially meaningful to me, as it culminated in a tasting straight from the barrel to select the next wine for a private label project with 67Wine. After exploring a range of vintages and barrels, I ultimately chose the 2020 vintage. For me, it hit all the right notes—vibrant fruit, layered aromas, balanced structure, integrated tannins, and just the right touch of acidity. This wine is layered with nuances of tobacco, perfectly matured red fruit, and a touch of vanilla.

This superb Crianza, aged for up to 16 months in barrel followed by further aging in bottle, overdelivers in both quality and value. It drinks more like a Reserva—a testament to the exceptional fruit quality grown in Viña Olagosa in La Rioja Alta and to the meticulous work of the Bodegas Perica winemaking team.

Tasting Notes

Color: Medium garnet

Nose: Enticing aromas of red and black fruit — strawberries, raspberries, black cherry, and blackberry — with subtle hints of tobacco, cedar, and vanilla.

Palate: Medium-bodied with great balance. Acidity, tannins, and alcohol are all in harmony. Black cherry, strawberries, and raspberries intermingle with notes of tobacco, dried mushrooms, and a touch of eucalyptus.

Finish: Clean and pleasant with a long-lasting mouthfeel.

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine

Food Pairings

Steaks, grilled tuna, roasted poultry, BBQ, and burgers.

Product Details

• Producer: Bodegas Perica
• Vineyard: Viña Olagosa
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa, Rioja Alta, Spain
• Blend: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo
• Aging: Up to 16 months in 225L French oak barrels
• Vintage: 2020
• Style: Medium-bodied, elegant Rioja Crianza
• Format: 750ml

Monte Antico Rosso — Toscana IGT 2021 750ml

Monte Antico is one of Tuscany's most reliably excellent values — a benchmark Toscana IGT that has built a devoted following among sommeliers and everyday wine lovers alike. Blended from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grown across the rolling hills of the Maremma, it is vinified to express the warmth and generosity of the Tuscan sun without sacrificing structure or elegance. The 2021 vintage delivers everything that has made Monte Antico a perennial go-to: dark fruit, earthy complexity, and a round, food-friendly palate at an honest price.

Deep ruby in color. The nose offers leather, earth, dried herbs, black cherry, licorice, and ripe plum. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with round tannins, a spice-laced mid-palate, and a dry, persistent finish with attractive tension and mineral lift. Elegant, versatile, and built for the table.

James Suckling 91 — "Notes of dark cherries, blackberries, cedar, crushed stones and iodine. Tight and layered, medium body, dry spice-laced finish with persistent tension." (Prior Vintage 2020). 

• Producer: Monte Antico, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
• Style: Medium-Full Bodied Red
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, leather, earth, herbs, licorice, plum, cedar, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Ragù, grilled sausages, pork chops, mushroom pasta, pizza with robust toppings

A 91-point Tuscan red at an everyday price — Monte Antico is the bottle you reach for when you want Tuscany without the fuss.

67 Wine Petit Somm Series Pinot Noir — Valle Central, Chile 2023

The 67 Wine Petit Somm Series® is a project created by our in-house buyer and sommelier Oscar Garcia Moncada — a meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines sourced from world-class regions and brought to life with labels celebrating iconic New York City neighborhoods and landmarks. Each wine in the series is personally selected by Oscar to deliver genuine varietal character and regional typicity at an exceptional everyday price point: the kind of bottle a knowledgeable sommelier would reach for without hesitation, now available to every 67Wine customer. The Petit Somm Pinot Noir is sourced from Chile's Valle Central — one of South America's most productive and versatile wine regions, where the combination of warm days, cool nights, and Andean snowmelt irrigation creates ideal conditions for growing fresh, elegant Pinot Noir with excellent natural acidity and vibrant red fruit character.

The nose is inviting and expressive: strawberry and spiced wood with a fresh, lifted quality. On the palate, it is smooth and round with excellent structure and balance — fresh red fruit, soft tannins, and a clean, lingering finish. 100% Pinot Noir crafted to deliver the freshness and elegance of the variety at a price that overdelivers at every pour.

"A meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines. Each label features iconic NYC neighborhoods and landmarks, bringing a New York spirit to world-class wine regions." — Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer & Sommelier

• Label: 67 Wine Petit Somm Series®
• Curated by: Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer & Sommelier
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Valle Central, Chile
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, spiced wood, smooth and round, fresh red fruit, soft tannins, clean finish
• Style: Light-to-medium bodied, fresh, elegant
• Drink: Now
• Best Paired With: Beef carpaccio with capers, charcuterie and cured meats, mushroom risotto, roasted duck, grilled salmon

New York spirit, Chilean terroir, sommelier-curated — 67 Wine Petit Somm Pinot Noir 2023 is fresh, elegant, and one of the best values on the shelf.

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta Hinia — Rioja Reserva 2014

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta is one of Haro's most storied producers, crafting wines in the historic heart of Rioja Alta since 1895. Hinia — named for the fossilized shells found in the vineyard soils, remnants of an ancient sea that once covered the entire region — is a homage to the refined, classic wines that made Haro famous. A traditional Rioja blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo, it was aged for 36 months in American oak with natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, producing a wine of genuine complexity and elegance.

Deep cherry red in the glass with an aromatic nose of ripe black fruit, spiced plums, tobacco leaf, balsamic, and a seductive layer of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate from the extended oak aging. On the palate, it is full-bodied with palate-coating tannins, vibrant citrus zest energy, and a long, persistent finish of ripe cherry and vanilla blossom. Balanced, opulent, and built to last.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points — Elaine Chukan Brown | "Spiced and ripe plums and cherries gain the energy of citrus zest, and the opulence of vanilla blossom and a drizzle of balsamic. Balanced with great persistence for a pleasurable wine." (Vintage 2014).

• Producer: Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta, Haro, Rioja Alta, Spain
• Founded: 1895
• Vintage: 2014
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa (Rioja Alavesa)
• Varietals: Tempranillo, Graciano & Mazuelo
• Aging: 36 months in American oak
• Classification: Reserva
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe black fruit, spiced plum, cherry, tobacco, balsamic, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, Manchego, charcuterie, grilled ribeye, mushroom risotto
• Serve: 60–65°F, decant 30 minutes

93 points from Wine Enthusiast — Hinia is classic Rioja at its most refined: a wine that honors a century of winemaking tradition in Haro.

Castello Monaci Primitivo Piluna — Salento, Apulia 2023

Castello Monaci is one of Apulia's most storied estates, and Piluna — named for the ancient clay vessel once used to store water and wine — is its benchmark expression of Primitivo. Sourced from vineyards surrounding the historic estate in Salento, where dry clay, volcanic gravel, and limestone soils force vines deep in search of water, the wine delivers the rich, concentrated character that makes southern Italian Primitivo one of the world's most compelling value reds. James Suckling awarded it 90 points. At $14.99, it is one of Italy's most honest overachievers.

The nose opens with broad, ripe black fruit, sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges, and sweet spices, with notes of pepper, toasty vanilla, and Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, it is robust and concentrated with a jammy, lightly sweet-sour character, ripe tannins, and a lingering finish of small black fruit and licorice. Harvested by hand before dawn to preserve sugar levels, then aged 6 months in a blend of stainless steel and 2nd and 3rd use French oak.

"Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins." — James Suckling, 90 Points (Vintage 2023)

• Producer: Castello Monaci, Salento, Apulia, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Salento IGT
• Varietal: 100% Primitivo
• Style: Full-bodied, rich, fruit-forward southern Italian red
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation; aged 6 months in 75% stainless steel and 25% 2nd & 3rd use French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges, black fruit, pepper, toasty vanilla, licorice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, aged pecorino, tomato-based pasta, charcuterie

A 90-point Apulian Primitivo at an honest price — Piluna is the benchmark for what Salento can deliver in a glass.

Howard Park · Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon · Margaret River · 2021

Howard Park Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 brings together dark berry fruit, savory herbs and polished structure. Blackberry and dark cherry notes mingle with bay leaf, dried mint, tobacco and spice, while lively acidity and silky, textured tannins carry the wine toward a softly saline finish.

Producer & Heritage

Howard Park is a family-owned Western Australian winery focused on Margaret River and the Great Southern, with a commitment to wines that express their regional terroir. Founder John Wade began with Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, recognizing the Great Southern's potential for wines with generational cellaring ability. Both varieties remain central to the range.

In 1988, Jeff and Amy Burch purchased a pastoral property in Margaret River that would become Leston vineyard. They became partners with Wade in 1993, opened a winery and cellar door in Denmark in 1997, and took sole control of Howard Park in 1998. The family, winemakers and viticultural team continue to champion the character of Western Australia's wine regions.

Howard Park acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which it operates across Perth, Margaret River, Pemberton and the Great Southern: the Whadjuk, Wadandi, Pibelmun and Minang Peoples of the Nyoongar Nation, paying respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2021

James Suckling · 93 Points. I like the savory iodine and bark notes here overlaid with black berry fruit, nutmeg and bay leaves. It’s juicy and supple with a medium to full body, silky tannins and soft, salty finish. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.

Wine Enthusiast · 92 Points · Best Buy. Dark cherries, dried mint and tobacco peep through the cracks of this polished, rather reticent wine from Australia’s west. It’s tightly wound with textured tannins and a nice lift of acidity. Flavor gets a little lost in all the power, but it should evolve nicely over the next several years. (Best Buy)

Pairing & Serving

Try grilled steak, roast lamb with herbs, mushroom dishes or aged cheddar. Serve slightly below room temperature and allow time in the glass for the fruit and savory notes to unfold.

Details

• Producer: Howard Park
• Wine: Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2021
• Country: Australia
• Region: Western Australia
• Appellation: Margaret River
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Type: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Closure: Screw cap

Le Sciare Primitivo Rocca Normanna — Puglia, Italy 2024

Cantine Due Palme is one of southern Italy's most celebrated cooperatives, founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco in the province of Brindisi by Angelo Maci — a third-generation winemaker whose family has farmed the sun-drenched soils of Salento for decades. Le Sciare Primitivo is sourced from old vines planted on the region's distinctive sandy coastal soils, which stress the vines naturally and concentrate flavor to extraordinary levels. The result is a full-bodied, hedonistic Primitivo that delivers unexpected complexity at its price point — a genuine over-achiever from the heel of Italy's boot.

The nose is perfumed and inviting: rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, warm spice, and dark chocolate fill the glass with an exotic, sun-drenched intensity. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a rich, plush texture, soft tannins, and a surprisingly complex, lingering finish. Juicy, generous, and built for the table.

Bart Hopkins, 67wino.shop — "A full bodied, full flavored Primitivo guaranteed to please! Perfumed aromas and flavors of rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, spice and dark chocolate fill the nose and fill the mouth with rich texture and soft tannins on the surprisingly complex finish."

• Producer: Cantine Due Palme, Cellino San Marco, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
• Founded: 1989
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Puglia IGT (Salento)
• Varietal: 100% Primitivo
• Vines: Old vines on sandy coastal soils
• Style: Full-Bodied, Fruit-Forward, Hedonistic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rich blackberry, black cherry, warm spice, dark chocolate, plush texture, soft tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, pizza, pasta with meat ragù, aged pecorino, charcuterie
• Serve: 62–66°F

Old-vine Primitivo from the heart of Salento — Le Sciare is southern Italy's most satisfying everyday red, full of sun, soul, and flavor.

Querciabella Mongrana — Maremma Toscana, Italy 2022

Querciabella is one of Tuscany's most visionary estates — a certified organic and biodynamic producer whose uncompromising commitment to sustainable viticulture and vegan winemaking has set the standard for responsible fine wine production in Italy. The 2022 Mongrana is their Maremma flagship: a structured Sangiovese-dominant blend — 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon — crafted from biodynamically farmed estate fruit in the wild, untamed coastal terroir of Maremma. The result is a rich, round, and deeply expressive red that earned 90 Points from Wine Spectator and overdelivers at its price point.

The nose is complex and inviting: black cherry, plum, boysenberry, morello cherry, blackberry, and blueberry, with layered notes of kirsch, eucalyptus, lavender, ivy, pine needles, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the wine is juicy and fresh with a rich, round mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a long, savory mineral finish that persists. It is vibrant, intense, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Super Tuscan that disappears fast at the table.

"Black cherry and plum fruit signals this rich, round red. Boysenberry, eucalyptus and lavender notes chime in as this remains focused on the long finish. Drink now through 2027." — Wine Spectator, 90 Points. (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Querciabella, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Toscana IGT — Maremma
• Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic — vegan winemaking
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, plum, boysenberry, morello cherry, kirsch, eucalyptus, lavender, licorice, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, lamb chops, charcuterie boards

Tuscany's benchmark organic Super Tuscan at an honest price — Querciabella Mongrana is the standard for what biodynamic, coastal Maremma red can deliver.

Castello dei Rampolla · Chianti Classico 2022 · Tuscany, Italy

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

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2022

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

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

Winemaker Notes

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

Tasting Notes

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

Food Pairings

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

Wine Details

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

Supple Tuscan fruit and savory detail for a leisurely meal.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

Decanter 93 Points: The 30th Anniversary bottling of Mt. Jeff, with fruit from four of the five Cristom estate vineyards. Pure Willamette character on the nose — forest floor, tart cranberries, and mint leaves balanced by a kiss of sea salt. The palate is a mélange of juicy red berries, salty mineral glimpses, and savoury amaro herbals. A classic, after all these years.

Wine Advocate 90–92 Points: Slowly opening aromas of blackberry and black cherry, earth and violets. The medium-bodied palate matches concentrated, floral fruit with well-integrated oak spice, framed by silky tannins and fresh acidity. A nuanced finish.

Winemaker Description

Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2024 750ml

Cristom’s flagship Pinot Noir — known colloquially as “Mt. Jeff” — embodies the hallmark Cristom style, marrying whole-cluster and native yeast fermentations. With the 2024 vintage, this iconic wine debuts for the first time as a fully Estate Pinot Noir, comprised of fruit from the Paul Gerrie, Eileen, Louise, and Jessie Vineyards, marking its 30th Anniversary.

Mt. Jeff captures the diversity of volcanic soils, elevations, and aspects that define Cristom’s Eola-Amity Hills hillside. Coastal winds funneled through the Van Duzer Corridor further shape its structure and complexity. The 2024 opens with pronounced floral aromas of roses and lavender combined with blue fruit and plum, accented by subtle earth. The palate is well-balanced with fresh acidity, tart cherry, and raspberry — a benchmark classic Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and an exceptional value.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck breast with cherry reduction, herb-roasted chicken, or turkey with cranberry.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary, pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce, or salmon with pinot beurre blanc.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Brie de Meaux, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir Monterey 2023

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

Tasting Profile

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

Perfect Pairings

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

Wine Details

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

Alta Mora Etna Rosso · Mount Etna · 2023

Alta Mora is the Cusumano family’s project on the slopes of Mount Etna, where Nerello Mascalese, an indigenous Sicilian grape, grows in the mountain’s dark volcanic soils. The variety’s combination of vivid fruit, firm tannins and lively acidity has drawn comparisons to Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.

Expert Review · 2022 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast 92 points (2022 vintage): The cool, fresh, floral nose swirls with aromas of violets, lilacs, crushed rocks, earth, herbs, and blackberries. Figs lift a sweet, ripe blackberry element on the palate, while an undertone of salted dark chocolate and hints of chili pepper heat keep you on your toes. Tannins provide structure throughout.

Wine Details

• Producer: Alta Mora (Cusumano)
• Appellation: Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Grapes: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio
• Size: 750ml

Louis Jadot · Bourgogne, Burgundy · 2023

Louis Jadot Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir brings together fruit from across Burgundy in a balanced blend of the Côte d’Or, Saône-et-Loire, including Mercurey and Buxy, and Irancy. Grapes from the Côte de Nuits, Saône-et-Loire and Irancy contribute tannin and structure, while those from the Côte de Beaune bring fruitiness.

The 2023 Bourgogne is an elegant Pinot Noir with complex aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries. Fresh red-fruit flavors are complemented by earthy, floral, mushroom and mineral notes, with balanced acidity keeping the palate lively.

Winemaker Description

The production area for this wine is the whole of Burgundy. The Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir comes from a balanced blend of Côte d'Or, Saône et Loire (Mercurey, Buxy) and Irancy. Grapes originating from Côte de Nuits, Saône et Loire and Irancy will bring deep tannins while grapes coming from Côte de Beaune will bring more fruitiness.

Pairing Suggestions

Serve with roasted chicken, pork or grilled fish.

Details

• Producer: Louis Jadot
• Vintage: 2023
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Bourgogne
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Type: Red wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Renieri Rosso di Montalcino — Montalcino, Tuscany 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rated 90 Points – Vinous | 90 Points – James Suckling

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

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

Tasting Notes

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

Critical Acclaim

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

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

McManis Family Vineyards · Cabernet Sauvignon · Lodi AVA 2024

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

Expert Review · 2024

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

Winemaker Description

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

Food Pairings

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

At a Glance

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

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

Catena Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina 2024

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

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

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

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

From arguably the greatest cooperative on earth, this Langhe Nebbiolo is Produttori del Barbaresco's most accessible expression — essentially a "declassified" Barbaresco made from the same high-quality Nebbiolo grapes, just from younger vines, offering an approachable, early-drinking window into one of Piedmont's most celebrated estates.

The Producer

Produttori del Barbaresco is the benchmark cooperative of the Langhe, renowned worldwide for their single-vineyard Riserva Barbarescos. Sourcing exclusively from members' vineyards in the Barbaresco DOCG, they combine traditional winemaking methods with an unwavering commitment to terroir. This Langhe Nebbiolo is the perfect entry point into their world — serious wine at an approachable price.

The 2024 Vintage

The 2024 growing season began with a mild winter and welcome rainfall in late 2023 and March 2024, partially restoring soil water reserves after nearly two years of severe drought. Mild temperatures brought an early bud break around March 20th in Barbaresco, setting the stage for a fresh, vibrant vintage with bright natural acidity and elegant fruit expression.

Tasting Profile

Classic Nebbiolo character in a more approachable, earlier-drinking style. Expect aromas of red cherry, dried rose petal, tar, and subtle earthiness. On the palate it's medium-bodied with bright acidity, fine tannins, and a clean, mineral-driven finish — all the hallmarks of great Nebbiolo without the decade-long wait.

Perfect Pairings

• Italian Classics: Pizza, pasta with meat ragù, lasagna Bolognese
• Meats & Charcuterie: Roasted chicken, fennel sausage, prosciutto, mild cheeses
• Earthy Dishes: Mushroom risotto, truffle-infused pasta, aged Parmigiano

Serve at 60–65°F. Decant for 30 minutes to open up. At $29.99, this is one of the most compelling values in Italian wine — Barbaresco pedigree at a Langhe price.

King Estate · Willamette Valley Pinot Noir · 2023

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

Winemaker Description

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

King Estate · Winemaker Description

Expert Review · 2023 Vintage

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

James Suckling · 91 points

About King Estate

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

Pairing & Details

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

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

Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine · Margaux · 2020

Confidences is the second wine of Château Prieuré-Lichine, a Fourth Growth estate in Margaux. Produced from the estate's younger vines, it is harvested, vinified and aged with the same care as the Grand Vin, offering an accessible introduction to the château's approach to Bordeaux.

This 2020 bottling comes from Margaux in Bordeaux, France. Choose it for a dinner centered on roast meats, mushrooms or aged cheeses, or as an introduction to the second wines of Bordeaux's classified estates.

Wine Spectator, 87 Points: Delivers a compact core of plum and black cherry flavors, which are framed by singed cedar on the direct finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 12,000 cases made. (Vintage 2020). 

Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast lamb, duck confit, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses or classic Bordelaise cooking.

Wine Details

• Producer: Château Prieuré-Lichine
• Wine: Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine
• Designation: Second wine of a Fourth Growth estate
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Margaux
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Type: Red wine
• Size: 750ml

Les Allées de Cantemerle — Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux 2020

Château Cantemerle is one of Bordeaux's most storied estates — a Fifth Growth of the 1855 Classification, nestled in the southern Haut-Médoc appellation amid one of the most beautiful park settings in all of Bordeaux. Les Allées de Cantemerle is the estate's second wine, crafted primarily from the château's younger vines with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged partly in tank and partly in barrel to avoid over-oaking, it captures the generous, fruit-forward character of Cantemerle in a more approachable, earlier-drinking style — a wine that invites sharing and friendliness even in its youth. The 2019 vintage is one of Bordeaux's finest of the decade: a warm, dry year that produced wines of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and balance.

The nose is wonderfully aromatic and expressive — the aromas really just jump out of the glass. Juicy red fruits dominate: strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries, quite bright and a refreshing change from the darker fruit profile of many Haut-Médoc wines. On the palate, it is lively and fun, light-bodied with hints of spice underneath the fruit giving structure and backbone. The finish is spicy and persistent, with the fruit-forwardness and easy-drinking style that makes this wine hard not to like.

• Producer: Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château Cantemerle (1855 Fifth Growth)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend
• Vinification: Aged partly in tank, partly in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, spice, lively acidity, persistent finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled beef, charcuterie, aged cheeses

The approachable face of a Bordeaux Fifth Growth — Les Allées de Cantemerle 2019 is lively, generous, and built for the table right now.

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

Winemaker Description

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

About Luce della Vite

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

Food Pairings

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

Product Details

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

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

The Producer

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

The Wine

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

Expert Review (2023 Vintage)

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

Pairings & Serving

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

Specs

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

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

Château Blaignan — Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2019

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

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

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

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

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

Winemaker Description

The Grounded by Josh Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon California 2024 is a practicing sustainable California Cab from the Phelps family — crafted with the same attention to detail that defines their storied winemaking heritage. Sourced from premium vineyards across California’s North and Central Coast interior valleys, this blend of 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.2% Merlot, 4.5% Petit Verdot, and 4.8% Petite Sirah is harvested at optimal ripeness, carefully fermented for balanced tannins, and aged in oak to preserve varietal integrity. 14% ABV.

The nose leads with heady aromas of black cherry, cassis, and licorice. On the palate, ripe blackberry, dusty cocoa, and sweet oak complement the silky texture throughout a long, aromatic finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Classic: Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, or a slow-braised short rib.
• Casual: Burgers, BBQ brisket, or a hearty pasta Bolognese.
• Cheese: Aged cheddar, Gouda, or a sharp Manchego.

Château Peyrabon Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois — Bordeaux 2016

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

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

Winemaker Notes

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

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

Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 9 — California

Bonanza is the passion project of Chuck Wagner — the legendary winemaker behind Caymus Vineyards, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic estates. The concept is deeply personal: Chuck recalls fondly how his family gathered around the dinner table each night to share his father’s homemade wine, and Bonanza is his answer to that memory. His vision is simple and democratic — delicious Cabernet Sauvignon should be accessible to everyone, not just collectors. Lot 9 is sourced from premium California vineyards across the state, blended with the same meticulous attention to quality that has defined Caymus for decades. This is the bonanza of California — a discovery of land where great Cabernet can be farmed and shared at the everyday table.

The color is a medium ruby-red with depth and clarity. The nose is inviting and expressive: currants, dried roses, ripe blackberry, black currant, grape pomace, and fresh-tilled soil, with hints of vanilla and warm spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich — velvety texture, silky tannins, and an easy, generous drinkability that makes it impossible to put down. This is Chuck Wagner’s gift to the everyday wine drinker: Caymus-level care at a fraction of the price.

“Delicious Cabernet should be accessible to a broad group of people. I want everyone to have the chance to enjoy good wine as a simple pleasure of everyday life.” — Chuck Wagner

• Producer: Bonanza Wine by Chuck Wagner (Caymus Vineyards), California
• Lot: Lot 9
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Full-bodied, velvety, approachable California Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Currants, dried roses, blackberry, black currant, vanilla, spice, silky tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, burgers, BBQ ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, casual entertaining

Caymus craftsmanship at an everyday price — Bonanza Lot 9 is Chuck Wagner’s most democratic wine, and one of California’s best values.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon — Columbia Valley 2022

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

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

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

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

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

Winemaker Description

The Saintsbury Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is the most complete wine in the portfolio — a masterful blend of 7 single-vineyard ferments spanning 5 Sub-AVAs and 8 clones across the breadth of Sonoma Coast. From Jim Pratt's Sebastopol Hills Vineyard to the Sangiacomo Family's Roberts Road Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, these sites represent decades of relationships and a deep understanding of Sonoma Pinot Noir's remarkable diversity. Together, they yield a richer, more harmonious canvas than any single vineyard could provide alone. Expect aromas of cranberry, spruce, and violets, with Goldridge soils, volcanic clay, and marine fog lending structure and freshness throughout.

Appellation: Sonoma Coast  |  Sub-AVAs: 5  |  Vineyards: 7  |  Clones: 8  |  Production: 1,083 Cases

Fermentation & Élevage: 15% whole cluster fermentation, 11 months in 10% new French Oak.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Blood sausage with apples on toast or leg of lamb with Dijon & rosemary.
• Vegetables: Braised fennel alla Romana with shallot, garlic, lemon & herbs.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Époisses, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Critical Acclaim – Vintage Reference (2021)

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

Critical Acclaim – Previous Vintage Reference (2020)

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

Tasting Notes

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

About the Wine

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

Food Pairing

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

Product Details

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

Winemaker Description

A wonderfully food-friendly Barbera from one of our favorite producers in Piedmont. Ruby red and medium-bodied with light cherry fruit and great acidity. Lovingly made from organically grown grapes.

Tabaren (from the French “tabarin”) was a venue used for theatre plays, art, and dancing. We are all better dancers after a couple of glasses of wine.

About Icardi

Icardi is a family-run estate based in Castagnole Monferrato in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, farming organically across their vineyards in the Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato appellations. The Icardi family has long been committed to sustainable, organic viticulture — allowing the Barbera grape to express its natural vibrancy, bright acidity, and cherry-driven fruit without synthetic intervention. Their Tabaren bottling is a perennial favorite among sommeliers and wine lovers for its effortless drinkability, food versatility, and honest expression of Piedmontese Barbera at an accessible price.

Food Pairings

Pizza, pasta with tomato or meat sauce, grilled chicken, antipasto, salumi, mild cheeses, and vegetable dishes. One of the most versatile food wines in the cellar — equally at home with a weeknight dinner or a long Italian lunch.

Product Details

• Producer: Icardi
• Appellation: Barbera d’Asti DOC, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Barbera 100%
• Certification: Organic
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Medium-bodied, bright, food-friendly Piedmont red
• Format: 750ml

Our Professional Review 

Starts out with sweet, slightly stewed red plum and cherry fruit on the nose and on entry, then opens up to baking spice, medicinal herbs, and crushed flowers.  Medium bodied, and very satisfying on the palate with finely etched but assertive tannins.   

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

Memo Summary Notes

The 2019 Château La Bastienne comes from Montagne-Saint-Émilion, one of the "satellite" appellations of Saint-Émilion. The 2019 vintage in Bordeaux is widely considered exceptional, characterized by a perfect balance of concentration, freshness, and elegance.

Podere Castorani · Cadetto · Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC · Abruzzo · Italy · 2022

Podere Castorani is one of Abruzzo’s most compelling estates — a historic family winery in Alanno co-owned by former Formula One driver Jarno Trulli, who brought a racing driver’s obsession with precision and detail to his family’s winemaking heritage. The estate farms organically, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, letting the terroir of Abruzzo speak clearly in every bottle. Cadetto — meaning “Cadet” — is the estate’s entry-level expression of Montepulciano: pure fruit, freshness, and organic integrity at an exceptional price point.

The 2022 pours a deep ruby with violet notes. The nose is intense and inviting — red fruit, dark cherry, plum, and light hints of spice and chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied with mature, smooth tannins, refreshing acidity, and a finish that lingers with spice and cocoa. Approachable now and versatile at the table.

• Producer: Podere Castorani (Jarno Trulli), Alanno, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Montepulciano
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Style: Dry red — full-bodied, fruit-forward, smooth tannins
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, red plum, spice, chocolate, mature tannins, refreshing acidity
• Pairings: Grilled chicken, light beef dishes, veal, pasta with tomato or meat sauce, pizza

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC — certified organic, estate-bottled, and co-owned by an F1 champion. Pure Abruzzo character at an unbeatable price.

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

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

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

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

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