Red Wine

Yellow Tail | Shiraz | South Eastern Australia | NV | 1.5L Magnum

[yellow tail] is one of Australia's most recognized and beloved wine brands, produced by the Casella family in Yenda, New South Wales. Since its launch in 2001, [yellow tail] has become a global phenomenon — a wine that introduced millions of drinkers to the approachable, fruit-forward style of Australian Shiraz. Sourced from vineyards across South Eastern Australia, it is crafted to be consistent, reliable, and endlessly enjoyable at an unbeatable everyday price.

This Shiraz is everything a great everyday red should be — vibrant, smooth, rich, and easy to drink. Rich and smooth with juicy red berries, hints of vanilla and spice, and a soft, approachable finish. The 1.5L Magnum format is perfect for entertaining, parties, and gatherings — twice the wine, twice the fun.

Pair with burgers, BBQ ribs, grilled sausages, pizza, pasta with tomato sauce, and casual weeknight meals.

• Producer: Casella Family Brands
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Grape: Shiraz
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward Australian Shiraz
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)

Yellow Tail | Merlot | South Eastern Australia | NV | 1.5L Magnum

Yellow Tail is one of Australia's most recognized and beloved wine brands, produced by the Casella family in Yenda, New South Wales. Since its launch in 2001, [yellow tail] has become a global phenomenon — a wine that introduced millions of drinkers to the approachable, fruit-forward style of Australian red wine. Sourced from vineyards across South Eastern Australia, it is crafted to be consistent, reliable, and endlessly enjoyable at an unbeatable everyday price.

Silky smooth and easy on the palate. Juicy, ripe fruit flavors complemented by aromas of dark plums, a touch of mint, and soft vanilla oak. A great crowd-pleasing red that goes down effortlessly. The 1.5L Magnum format is perfect for entertaining, parties, and gatherings — twice the wine, twice the fun.

Pair with pasta, pizza, burgers, grilled chicken, BBQ, and casual weeknight meals.

• Producer: Casella Family Brands
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Grape: Merlot
• Style: Soft, fruit-forward Australian Merlot
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)

Winemaker Description

The nose is highly perfumed, showing aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, desert sage, sandalwood and dusty minerality. Secondary aromas reveal notes of cigar box, leather, bay leaf and black olive.

The palate is rich and weighty, offering generous flavors of black raspberry, spicy currant and blueberry compote with impressions of Bing cherry, boysenberry, fig and baking spices. Ripe, fine-grained tannins carry into a structured finish with lingering accents of cherry, espresso and vanilla. 

Gato Negro Balance Red Wine Blend — Chile

Gato Negro is one of Chile’s most recognized wine brands, known for delivering honest, flavorful wines at everyday prices. With Balance, they’ve done something genuinely useful: crafted a red wine blend that delivers the full flavor of their classic style at just 5.5% alcohol and 62 calories per glass. No compromise on taste — just a lighter, more flexible wine for any occasion. Whether you’re pacing yourself at dinner, cutting back without cutting out, or simply looking for a wine that fits your lifestyle, Balance is the answer.

The wine is approachable and fruit-forward, with the soft red fruit character and easy-drinking profile that has made Gato Negro a household name. Light on alcohol, generous on flavor — a guilt-free glass that doesn’t taste like one.

• Producer: Gato Negro, Chile
• Appellation: Chile
• Varietal: Red Wine Blend
• Alcohol: 5.5%
• Calories: ~62 per glass
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Soft red fruit, approachable, fruit-forward, light-bodied
• Best Paired With: Weeknight dinners, light pasta, pizza, charcuterie, casual entertaining

Full flavor, half the guilt — Gato Negro Balance is the everyday low-alcohol red that actually delivers.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir — California 2024

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is California's most trusted everyday wine brand, and this Pinot Noir is a textbook expression of the approachable, fruit-forward style that has made it a household name. Sourced from vineyards across California and crafted to highlight the soft, silky character that defines the varietal, it delivers genuine Pinot Noir pleasure at under $8 — a benchmark for what everyday California red can be. Light-bodied, smooth, and endlessly versatile at the table, it is the kind of wine that earns a permanent spot in the rack.

The nose opens with inviting aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries, and raspberries, with subtle notes of vanilla and light oak. On the palate, flavors of red berries, plum, and a hint of mocha unfold with soft, silky tannins and a smooth, clean finish. Fermented to preserve the delicate fruit character and fresh acidity that define this approachable California Pinot Noir style.

"Aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries, and raspberries with subtle vanilla and oak. Soft, silky tannins with a smooth, fruit-forward finish." — Winemaker Notes 

• Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Style: Light-bodied, soft, fruit-forward California Pinot Noir
• Vinification: Fermented to preserve delicate red fruit character and fresh acidity
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, plum, vanilla, mocha, silky finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled salmon, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, brie

An everyday California Pinot Noir that punches well above its price — Woodbridge is the reliable, crowd-pleasing red that belongs on every table.

Winemaker Description 

Curious, adventurous and outgoing, Sagittarius enjoy meeting new people, telling stories, and connecting deeply with those around them. Playful and brave, this Fire sign enjoys trying new things and bringing light and humor to the mundane. Cabernet Franc is bold and refreshing with an aroma of eucalyptus that matches a Sagittarius’ honest and inquisitive personality. This wine is smoky and earthy with accents of cherry, raspberry and black pepper. Like the long finish of the Cabernet Franc, Sagittarians leave a lasting impact. As a mutable sign, they love to travel and see new sights, like this grape, which grows across the globe.

CK Mondavi Merlot — California (1.5L Magnum)

CK Mondavi is California's go-to for approachable, everyday wines that deliver genuine varietal character at an unbeatable price. This 1.5L Magnum — equivalent to two standard bottles — is the perfect format for entertaining, casual gatherings, and any occasion that calls for a generous pour. Medium-bodied, smooth, and built for the table, it is the kind of wine that earns a permanent spot in the rack.

The wine opens with inviting aromas of ripe cherries and plums with a hint of oak. On the palate, it is rich and fruit-forward with flavors of cherries, plum, and soft red berries, a gentle oak influence, and a smooth, fruit-filled finish. Approachable tannins and balanced acidity make it endlessly versatile with food.

"Medium-bodied with a hint of oak and flavors of cherries and plums. Rich in the mouth with a soft, fruit-filled finish." — Winemaker Notes

• Producer: CK Mondavi, California
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Merlot
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward California Merlot
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Vinification: Aged with a hint of oak to enhance fruit complexity
• Tasting Notes: Cherries, plum, red berries, hint of oak, smooth fruit-filled finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled chicken, pasta with tomato sauce, burgers, mild cheeses, charcuterie

An everyday California Merlot in a crowd-pleasing Magnum format — CK Mondavi delivers reliable, fruit-forward character at an exceptional value.

Expert Review

Vinous Media - 95-97 points | Inky violet. Intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, olive, exotic spices and pipe tobacco are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of bacon fat. Chewy and subtly sweet, offering concentrated, smoke-laced kirsch, dark berry preserve, espresso and licorice flavors and a spicy jolt of black pepper. Finishes impressively long and spicy, with chewy tannins and a building floral note.

Decanter 96: A tasting of the constituent lieux-dits indicates that this will be a fresh, well-balanced style of Cornas. The acidity is high this year, and the tannins are classically Cornas in their granitic grain and intensity. A highly structured year, this will always be a vintage for dedicated Cornas-lovers, there's no great wealth of rich fruit behind like in some recent vintages, but nonetheless this should age well. Very much a classic year, rather than the powerfully ripe and rich vintages we've seen since 2017. Whole-bunch fermented in concrete, aged in old foudres.(MW)

Distributor Notes

Clape’s Cornas is produced from a collection of old-vine parcels from the very best lieux-dits in the appellation including Sabarotte, La Côte, and Reynard. In these strikingly steep sites, gnarled head-trained Syrah vines must send their roots deep into poor granite soils for survival.

The old-vine fruit is vinified without destemming and aged in large, ancient wooden casks in the family cellars. It produces a majestically dark and brooding Cornas, layered with aromas of herbs and mint.

—Anthony Lynch

Expert Reviews

Vinous Media 94-95 Points | Saturated magenta. Expansive aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice, olive and black pepper show fine clarity and building florality. Smoky and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy blackberry, cherry and baking spice flavors that slowly deepen through the back half. Becomes sweeter on the long, focused finish, which features grippy tannins and lingering floral and exotic spice notes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | The 2022 Cornas isn't going to match the 2020, but we're not far off. Tasted in its individual components, it has the riper yet still focused, structured style of the vintage, with classic aromatics of blue fruits, violets, iron, and ample textbook Clape bloody, meaty nuances. It's not going to be a massive Cornas and is more medium to full-bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and beautiful balance. It's a brilliant Clape in the making, as well as one for the traditionalist out there.

Vinous 93 Points | The 2022 Cornas is both classic and rustic, with hints of ripe black fruits, earthy tones, and leather on the nose. It's full-bodied, fleshy, and expansive, showing elevated flavor concentration. Beefy and monolithic, the 2022 carries an introverted attitude, finishing with firm structure yet plenty of Clape personality. This needs time.

Winemaker Description

The color of the wine is dark red, almost black with blueish hues. Very expressive on the nose with red fruits and black fruit flavors. A good swirl in the glass release a large range of flavors and spice. Star anise, licorice, as well as empyreumatic notes and flint stones. It goes very wide and powerful on the palate at first, then well-defined structure and smoothness of the wine gives all its balance, fresh and full body. The length is highlighted by a great tannic structure. On the palate, it is highly aromatic with a great fruit expression melted with soft spices, blond tobacco leaf, licorice and graphite pencil like notes.

Expert Reviews

Robert Parker 100 Points | A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aging in 60% new barriques, the very deep purple-black colored 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte makes an impactful entrance, opening with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant pastilles, chocolate-covered cherries and molten licorice, leading to nuances of ground cloves, woodsmoke, crushed rocks and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit preserves and shimmering mineral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe and fantastically firm tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting earthy and savory layers. This is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen. This 2020 has an alcohol of 14.5% with a pH of 3.65. The tannins this year were a little higher than 2018 and 2019. A little less than a third of production went into this grand vin. (2020).

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points | Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage's pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement.

James Suckling 99 Points | Extremely fresh and deep in the nose with raspberry and blackcurrant character, as well as stone, fresh green tobacco and ink. Full-bodied with a dense center palate and gorgeous fine yet steely tannins. It calms down at the end with berries, citrus and some lavender. Salty at the end. Very minerally. Flinty. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. (2020).

Wine Enthusiast 98 Points | This is a very fine wine, packed with tannins that are rich and suspended in the wine with its smoky edge and ripe blackberry fruits. The wine is direct in its fine, fragrant freshness and in its texture that gives power and concentration. Obviously for long-term aging. (2020).

Decanter 97 Points | Powerful on the attack, dense and concentrated at first then brighter on the retro-olfaction with layers of spice, liquorice and flowers. Intense but beautifully precise, with iris and peony aromatics coming in strongly as it opens in the glass. A ton of nuance and complexity, really takes its time, delivering a masterclass in restrained Pessac glamour. Average yields 30hl/ha for the reds. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 60% new oak. (2020).

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Exotic and lush in feel, with well-steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors rolling through, scored with hints of espresso crema, dark tobacco and black licorice along the way. Very polished in feel, but with a late flicker of savory and a subtle tug of earth to keep this honest in the end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026. (2020).

About the Wine

Concha y Toro's Frontera Malbec is an approachable, everyday Argentine red sourced from the sun-drenched vineyards of Mendoza. Crafted for easy enjoyment, this 1.5L magnum format is ideal for gatherings, dinner parties, or simply sharing a great bottle with good company.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby-purple in the glass with an inky core. The nose opens with ripe plum, black cherry, and a hint of cedar, with subtle suggestions of leather and a whisper of smoke. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and smooth, with juicy dark fruit — plum and black cherry — leading the way. Tannins are soft and well-integrated, finishing cleanly with good length.

Food Pairings

Pairs beautifully with grilled meats, burgers, BBQ ribs, empanadas, and hearty pasta dishes. Equally enjoyable on its own as a crowd-pleasing pour.

Wine Details

• Varietal: Malbec
• Region: Argentina
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Style: Smooth, fruit-forward red

Winemaker Description

Chambertin is the wine of Kings. Masculine, powerful and well built. Vigorous and firm, well-structured and very dense. With great persistence in the mouth and aromas of chocolate, licorice and red berries.

Expert Reviews 

Jasper Morris 100 Points | An imperial robe as we have come to expect. The bouquet is very backward, no problem there either, all about the fruit, the new wood is irrelevant. Starts slowly then builds immaculately, still too early really to see the detail. As always it is about grace style intensity and length rather than overt muscle, all the finesse one can want. Long and lovely

Robert Parker 97 Points Wine Advocate | Rousseau's 2020 Chambertin Grand Cru is brilliant, unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, orange rind, plums, exotic spices, Egyptian musk, woodsmoke and rose petals. Full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's deep and tightly wound, with striking intensity and energy. Still very primary, even after a year's élevage, it will require patience, but it's a magical Chambertin in the making.

Expert Review 

Vinous 99 Points | The 2020 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru was picked on 26 and 28 August at 28.7hL/ha. As usual, I leave it for 5-10 minutes to open in the glass, predisposed not to show everything upon first pour. It reveals lovely dark berry fruit, sous-bois, clove and haunting sea spray notes (picture yourself walking along the pebble beach at Whistable and the tang of shucked oyster shell in the salty air). The palate is medium-bodied with very fine and pliant tannins. Harmonious to a tee with a perfect silver bead of acidity, long and languorous, this fans out with ineffable ease on the finish. Stunning. 500 cases produced. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London.

Winemaker Description 

This Napa Valley Merlot is sourced from a combination of high elevation mountain sites as well as wonderful benchland vineyards around the valley. Freemark Abbey blends in a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and balance. The wine opens with aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, milk chocolate and cedar. The palate is met with flavors of wild raspberry, bramble fruits, allspice, cinnamon, dry herbs, and oak spice.

The textures are supple yet vibrant with well-integrated tannins that drink beautifully now on its own or paired with a wide range of dishes.

Winemaker Description

Cherry red color with garnet rims. On the nose it is elegant, clean and expressive, with a complexity typical of a wine made with an excellent quality grape and a very careful production process. In the mouth it is sweet, with good body and great balance, presenting a long and pleasant aftertaste.

The alma mater of the winery, a wine with imprint, plant, and lordship. A completely varietal red, mature, with a growing personality and a lot of elegance.

The soils of the Cepa 21 vineyards are the result of the evolution of millions of years. In them grow our vines that define who we are, learning from the passage of time, a deep love for our land, the care with which we work the fields and the history that precedes us. The Strain is much more than a part of our name, it is the basis of all our machinery, what moves us to be better every day, the greatest asset of our wineries, the origin, and the end. 

CK Mondavi | Cabernet Sauvignon | California | NV | 1.5L Magnum

CK Mondavi is a California staple — an approachable, reliably made Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the state's most established wine families. The 1.5L magnum format makes it an ideal choice for entertaining, casual gatherings and everyday pours, offering twice the wine with the same easy-drinking character that has made the brand a perennial crowd-pleaser.

Deep ruby red in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and a hint of oak. The palate is round and smooth, with flavors of dark cherry and blackberry fruit, a touch of vanilla and a soft, silky finish. Balanced and easy to enjoy, with enough structure to pair well with a wide range of foods.

Serve at 60–65°F. Pairs well with burgers, grilled steak, BBQ, pasta with red sauce, pizza, roasted meats and aged cheeses. A reliable go-to for any occasion.

• Producer: CK Mondavi
• Appellation: California
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Dry red wine
• Format: Magnum (1.5L)

El Pino Club · Funky Jory Pinot Noir 2022 · Dundee Hills, Oregon · 750ml

Funky Jory is a tribute to the deep red Jory soil of Oregon’s Dundee Hills. The supplied winemaker note describes a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir with bright red fruit, forest-floor character, and minerality, offering an Oregon expression with an Old World nod.

Character & Style

James Suckling’s supplied 93-point review highlights lifted cherry, cedar, sandalwood, and hibiscus aromas. Raspberry, violet, tea leaf, and potpourri follow on a light- to medium-bodied palate, with crunchy tannins and bright acidity.

Expert Review

James Suckling · 93 Points
Bright and lifted aromas of cherries, cedar, sandalwood and hibiscus. The palate is light- to medium-bodied with crunchy tannins and bright acidity, giving flavors of raspberries, violets, tea leaves and potpourri. So pretty and floral.

Winemaker Description

Funky Jory is a love letter to the deep red Jory soil that defines the Dundee Hills growing region of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. A lighter body with flavors of forest floor, bright red fruit and a mysterious minerality make this a classically Oregon Pinot with a big nod to the Old World.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve slightly cool and allow a little time in the glass. Try with roast chicken, grilled salmon, duck, or mushroom dishes.

Wine Details

• Brand: El Pino Club
• Wine: Funky Jory
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Dundee Hills
• Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Supplied rating: James Suckling, 93 points

Winemaker Description

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG “Zac” is 100% Sangiovese from the Gugliaie vineyard (2.5 ha). It is dedicated to Anna Corsini, the sister of Prince Tommaso and it represents the new challenges of the winery.

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | A blend of organically farmed Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this has aromas of forest floor, blue flower, sandalwood and crushed mint. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the savory palate features dried Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and black tea set against taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2028. (2018). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Vinous 93 Points by Joaquín Hidalgo writes 93 Points | The 2023 Clio is composed of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Jumilla. It was aged for 23 months in French and American oak barrels. Recently bottled, the oak is at the forefront but will integrate. The wine opens with plum, soft herbal notes and blackberry. Intense with fruit complexity, the palate is creamy, flavorful and delicate in tannins, finishing with a touch of oak that will meld with time.

Winemaker Description 

The wine exhibits a glass-coating opaque purple color. The nose is expressive with pain grille, underbrush, brier, minerality, blueberry and blackberry fruit. On the palate is a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish.

The Bodegas El Nido winery is located in the Valle de La Aragona, inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. The vineyards are 76.8 acres of very old Monastrell vines (also known as Matar or Mourvdre) all vaso trained and oriented northeast, and 28.8 acres of 30-year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on north facing hills. The vineyards have a foot deep layer of chalky stones over substrata of sandy soil. The Bodegas El Nido is a collaboration of the Gil Family and winemaker Chris Ringland, one of the best Australian enologists.

A blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aged 24 months French & American oak.

Memo Summary Notes

The Bodegas El Nido "Clio" 2023 is a powerhouse red from the Jumilla region of Spain. Created through a collaboration between the Gil family and legendary Australian winemaker Chris Ringland, it is famous for its "maximalist" style—intense, high-alcohol, and deeply oaked.

This wine will overwhelm delicate dishes. Pair it with heavy-hitters like venison, pepper-crusted ribeye, or wild boar stew.

Expert Review

Allan Meadows  of Burghound writes 91 Points | Bright red and dark berry fruit aromas are nuanced by notes of spice, earth and plenty of floral nuances, especially violet. The rich, concentrated and palate coating medium weight flavors possess plenty of sappy dry extract that buffers the firm tannins supporting the elegant yet powerful finish. At least some patience is strongly recommended. I would note that this example showed markedly better than one from last year, in fact so much so that I have no explanation.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 100 Points | The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigneti Del Versante is also a jeweled ruby color and is aromatic of kirsch, fresh flowers, sweet herbs, and toasted rosemary. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a compact and concentrated feel, well-defined tannins, and an extraordinarily long finish. As it opens, it continuously evolves in the glass, with pristine notes of licorice shining through, and becomes even more focused and pristine over time. In my book, this wine flirts with perfection and is more than deserving of top marks. Drink over the coming 2-3 decades..." 01/25

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 97 Points | Nuances of dusty florals, rosemary, sage, clove and leather give way to dried strawberry aromas as the radiant 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante blossoms in the glass. It's silky-smooth and deep, displaying extraordinary elegance. Soothingly soft textures, ripe red and blue fruit notes and a kick of vibrant acidity provide fantastic energy. Sweet, crunchy tannins steadily build toward the violet-tinged finale, tapering off with hints of blood orange and spice. In a word, spellbinding… I've been tasting the 2019 Brunellos at Pian dell'Orino over the past two years as they've slowly evolved in bottle. Last year, I mused over the Vigneti di Versante's classy profile and potential, as well as the Bassolino di Sopra's flirtations with perfection. The former may find its way there in time. Collectors will want to snatch up both of these upon release in 2025.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Winemaker Description

Aromas of plum, raspberry and cherry are layered with earthy tones of mushroom, sage and pine. Soft on the palate, flavors of black cherry and red plum with notes of dark chocolate lead to a bright finish.

Try this wine with fatty dishes. Red meats and flavor-forward ingredients like cooked tomatoes will deliciously complement this wine’s brightness and fine-grained tannins. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

A classic Pommard with a good structure. A complex nose with hints of red fruits, spices and flowers. The mouth is well balanced and structured, with ripe and sweet tannins. 

Winemaker Description

Expert Reviews

Winemaker Description

Rioja is without question the most famous wine region in Spain, but the region is anything but homogeneous. The three sub-regions – Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta – differ enormously. This wine comes from the small hamlet of Labastida in the northwest of Rioja Alavesa, the smallest and northernmost sub-region located in the Spanish Basque Country and characterized by calcareous clay and sandy soils. 

The mastermind behind the Dominio del Challao winery is Manu Michelini, whose family makes incredibly fine, terroir-driven wines under the name Michelini i Mufatto at both their winery in Bierzo, in northeastern Spain, and the Argentine winery in Mendoza. The Challao is the winery's top wine. Medium ruby ​​red with violet. There is significantly more intensity in the glass than with the Garnacha, but this wine still reminds me more of Burgundy than Bordeaux on the nose. The winery is clearly on the trail of elegance. Juicy, fresh wild berries, black cherries, rose petals and black Assam tea, that's delicately smoky. 

Then come violets and freshly fired clay. In the mouth, cassis, fresh blackberries and lots of black cherry again. The intense, chalky minerality is phenomenal, building up gradually on the tongue. Delicately bitter, fresh herbs and a touch of After Eight. The tannins are fine and chalky, and as soon as you feel the structure, the next wave of black cherry washes over your tongue. 

This is not at all what you imagine Rioja to be in the classic sense. But this wine is a lot of fun because of its freshness and mineral intensity without being boring. On the contrary, I am convinced that it will develop gracefully in the cellar for years because it is made for a long life. Super chic fabric and without question a Rioja in a class of its own! 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

93 Points Robert Parker | The 2020 Angelita del Challao comes from a blend of different vineyards in the three valleys from Labastida, looking for a village wine; it was produced with 85% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Blanca and other rare varieties from their own vineyards and purchased grapes. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts, 40% full clusters that are foot trodden and the rest uncrushed grapes and matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels and 2,000-liter foudres—10 months with each plot separate—and then it was blended and let to settle in concrete for another 10 months. They look for a more approachable wine than Challao, with more floral aromas in a very elegant and harmonious way. The palate is medium-bodied with medium ripeness, 13.5% alcohol and very good freshness and acidity, balanced and harmonious, very tasty and with elegant, refined tannins. Really very good. 17,282 bottles and some larger magnums were filled in May 2022. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

The Tinto DoUmia is a traditional blend of 70% Mencía, 20% Caino, and 10% Espadeiro from the weather battered coasts of Galicia. Biodynamically farmed, fermented with native yeasts and partial whole cluster in stainless steel vats, then aged on the lees for one year.

Light and refreshing red fruits with woodsy notes that never venture in to the tart fruit category. The palate is lean yet savory, with forest floor aromas and a pure fruit expression. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Adega Pedralonga DoUmia Tinto 2022 is a fascinating departure from the white Albariños usually associated with the Rías Baixas region of Spain. Crafted by winemaker Francisco Alfonso, this red blend is a tribute to the indigenous grapes of Galicia and the "Atlantic" style of winemaking—fresh, high-acid, and deeply mineral.

Because of its high acidity and lower tannins, this wine is incredibly versatile:

    Traditional: Octopus a feira, grilled fatty fish (tuna or salmon), or roasted chicken.

    Cured Meats: It cuts beautifully through the richness of Ibérico ham or aged cheeses.

    Global: Its freshness makes it a great partner for spicy Thai dishes or earthy mushroom risotto.

Winemaker Description

The red wine "Trio" by Berthet-Bondet consists of the three common red grapes of the Jura, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir. This elegant red wine smells of spices and pepper, a slight wild animal note, typical of the poulsard, can also be perceived. 

A completely independent wine, somewhat comparable in structure and fullness to neighboring Burgundy, but not aromatic. A characterful red for friends of the unusual.

In 1985, Chantal and Jean Berthet-Bondet took over a domaine that had not been producing wine for 50 years, and brought it back to life. In 2017, their daughter Hélène succeeded them, helped by her husband and two children. The vineyards spread on 15 hectares, 4.5ha of Savagnin in Château-Chalon and 10.5ha of Chardonnay, Savagnin, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir in Côtes-du-Jura appellation. A new plot of Chardonnay was planted in 2022, using for the first time massal selection and young plants from the Bérillon nurseries. The vineyard is off to a magnificient start. Château-Chalon possesses the noblest terroir in the Jura region. A composition of limestone and red and gray marl confers both power and great finesse to these wines. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

The blend is dominated by the Estate Vineyard, yet the significant percentage of Walker—Kanzler's Green Valley vineyard—bends the wine in an exciting red-note direction: hibiscus, rhubarb and red licorice. The aromatics deliver fresh berries, cola, white pepper and pine sap. Fig notes emerge on the palate with a spicy, black tea finish. Modest whole cluster and slightly more new oak make the wine soft and approachable, while bright acid keeps it fresh, juicy, and well-knit.

Winemaker Description 

This historic estate, situated in the hills just south of Aix-en-Provence, has been in the hands of the Rougier family for two centuries and holds a virtual monopoly on the appellation of Palette. Château Simone encompasses twenty hectares of vineyards that sit on limestone soils at elevations between 500 and 750 feet above sea level on the slopes of Montaiguet. The special mesoclimate of this appellation is influenced by the encircling pine forests, the mass of Mont Sainte-Victoire, and the Arc River. 

The vineyards were reconstituted after the invasion of phylloxera but many vines are over a century old. The Rougiers maintain the particular vinification methods developed and cherished over many decades. All of the grapes are hand harvested, destemmed, lightly pressed and fermented for 15 to 20 days in small wooden vats with only wild yeast, then put into small foudre to rest on the lees. 

The red from Simone is an elegant yet well-constituted wine of great depth. It is primarily composed of Grenache and Mourvèdre but its special character reflects the presence of a mélange other grape varieties, albeit in small proportion, including Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Castet, Manosquin, Théoulier, Tibouren, Picpoul Noir, and Muscat de Hambourg. 

Winemaker Description 

This new vintage from Camino Romano, is a vintage that has been classified as 'very good' in D.O. Ribera del Duero. Camino Romano has been produced in D.O. Ribera del Duero by Bodegas Dominio Romano.

This wine is a single variety Tinto Fino (100%) grown from a rigorous selection of vines which are between 15 to 30 years old.

As for the production, in order to extract the maximum aromatic potential of the grape, they use "cold soaking", a modern technique that extracts aromas and colour of the wine with little input from the tannins.

Finally, Camino Romano undergoes an aging of 12 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels of 2 and 3 years old.