Red Wine

St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel — Sonoma County, California 2022

St. Francis Winery is one of Sonoma County’s most celebrated producers — a winery whose commitment to old-vine Zinfandel has made it a benchmark name for the variety in California. The 2022 Old Vines Zinfandel is sourced from Sonoma County’s most storied Zinfandel vineyards, where ancient, deeply-rooted vines produce fruit of remarkable concentration, complexity, and character. Bright, lively, and generous, this is a Zinfandel built for immediate pleasure without sacrificing structure — earning a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 90 Points from VinePair, and 88 Points from Wine Enthusiast, and overdelivering at its price point.

The nose is vibrant and inviting: red raspberry, wild blackberry bramble, cranberry, licorice, and barrel spice, with an abundance of berry aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with roasted plum, cinnamon, and earth, set in a framework of barrel structure with well-integrated tannins and a long, smooth, lingering finish. It is approachable, crowd-pleasing, and deeply satisfying — the kind of old-vine Sonoma Zinfandel that disappears fast at the table.

"Aromas of wild blackberry bramble, licorice and barrel spice dominate the nose. On the palate, flavors of roasted plum, cinnamon and earth sit in a framework of barrel structure that lingers into the finish." — Tom R. Capo, Wine Enthusiast, 88 Points. (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: St. Francis Winery, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Zinfandel (Old Vines)
• Aging: Barrel-aged for blackberry, cinnamon & spice complexity
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Awards: Double Gold — San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | VinePair 90 pts | Wine Enthusiast 88 pts
• Tasting Notes: Red raspberry, wild blackberry, cranberry, licorice, roasted plum, cinnamon, barrel spice, smooth finish
• Best Paired With: BBQ ribs, blue cheese burgers, grilled sausage, braised short ribs, aged cheddar

Sonoma’s benchmark old-vine Zinfandel at an honest price — St. Francis is the standard for what concentrated, barrel-aged California Zinfandel can deliver.

Winemaker Description

Gilgal wines are premium, quality-aged varietal wines from Golan Heights Winery in Israel — fruit-forward and expressive, produced with the same care and attention to quality as the flagship Yarden label. The coin on the label references recent archaeological excavations that tell an exciting and heroic story of the region’s ancient heritage.

Flavors of blackberry, plum, and raspberry, along with notes of black tea and cocoa, with hints of fresh herbs and French oak.

Kosher for Passover.

About Golan Heights Winery

Founded in 1983, Golan Heights Winery is widely credited with transforming the Israeli wine industry. Situated at elevations of 400–1,200 meters above sea level, the Golan Heights benefits from cool nights, volcanic basalt soils, and a long growing season — ideal conditions for producing structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery produces wines under the Yarden, Hermon, and Gilgal labels, all under strict kosher supervision.

Food Pairings

Roast lamb, braised brisket, grilled ribeye, herb-roasted chicken, and aged hard cheeses. An excellent choice for Passover Seder and holiday celebrations.

Product Details

• Producer: Golan Heights Winery
• Region: Golan Heights, Israel
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Certification: Kosher for Passover
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, fruit-forward Israeli Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Bodegas Olarra Cerro Añón Reserva — Rioja Alta, Spain 2020

Bodegas Olarra is one of Rioja's most storied estates — a winery so architecturally ambitious it has been called the Grand Cathedral of Rioja, its landmark building designed by architect Juan Antonio Ridruejo as one of the first purpose-built wine production facilities in Spain. The 2020 Cerro Añón Reserva is crafted from a Tempranillo-dominant blend — with Graciano and Mazuelo — grown in the prestigious Rioja Alta sub-district, aged in oak in accordance with Reserva regulations to build the classic structure and depth that has defined this bottling for decades. The result is a sophisticated, layered red that overdelivers at its price point and is approachable now but built to hold.

The nose is complex and inviting: dusty dark cherry, blood orange, cedar, dark fruit, fragrant blossom, rosehip, and a sultry seam of cigar box oak. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied with finely corded tannins, a smooth mouthfeel, and a savory, lightly earthy finish with sweet tobacco and lingering spice. It is elegant, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Reserva Rioja that disappears fast at the table.

"Deep ruby in the glass. Enticing dark fruit aromas join flavors of cedar and sweet tobacco with a savory, lightly earthy finish. Tannins are finely corded and lengthy, creating a smooth mouthfeel. Sophisticated, layered, and enjoyable with both the approachability to drink now, and the hutzpah to hold years in cellar." — Wine Enthusiast, 94 Points. (Vintage 2020). 

"Thriving with fragrant blossom, rosehip and fresh cranberries and a sultry seam of cigar box oak, and furnished with a broad structure and opulent tannins." — Decanter Magazine, 96 Points. (Vintage 2020). 

• Producer: Bodegas Olarra, Logroño, Rioja Alta, Spain
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: DOCa Rioja — Rioja Alta
• Varietal: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
• Aging: Oak-aged Reserva — cedar, tobacco & dark fruit complexity
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, blood orange, cedar, blossom, rosehip, cigar box, sweet tobacco, earthy finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, chorizo, aged Manchego, slow-braised short ribs

One of Rioja's most celebrated estates at an honest price — Cerro Añón Reserva is the benchmark for what structured, oak-aged Rioja Alta Tempranillo can deliver.

Paso Robles Cabernet That Delivers Napa-Level Richness

Austin Hope has become one of Paso Robles' most celebrated names, crafting wines that showcase the region's unique ability to produce powerful, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with remarkable depth and approachability. 

The 2024 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon captures the depth, richness, and generosity that have become synonymous with Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Layered with ripe dark fruit, warm spice, cocoa, and polished tannins, this full-bodied vintage is bold yet balanced, delivering a long, expressive finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Paso Robles, California
• Producer: Austin Hope Winery
• Vintage: 2023
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for bold, rich dishes — exceptional with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, and hearty pasta with meat sauce.

Intensely flavored with a long finish, our Pinot Noir is elegantly balanced and filled with lush fruit flavors, complemented by subtle hints of toasted wood.

Winemaker Description 

Experience the dark side of Ménage a Trois with Midnight, a luxurious dark red blend sure to satisfy your deepest desires. Voluptuous black cherry and berry flavors with hints of mocha and exotic spice play across your lips, urging you to turn out the lights and savor the pleasures of the dark.

San Marzano is one of Puglia’s most celebrated cooperative wineries, drawing from over 1,200 grower families across the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot. This Negroamaro — Puglia’s great indigenous red grape — is a textbook expression of the variety: deeply colored, richly aromatic, full-bodied, and built for the table. At $14.99, it’s one of the finest values in Italian red wine.

Expert Review
“Deep purple-red color with black-violet reflections; intense and persistent aroma, with hints of blackcurrant and wild berries, spicy, with notes of thyme. Full-bodied, velvety and harmonious wine, with a long and savory finish.” — 94 pts, Luca Maroni

Food Pairings: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, pasta al ragù, aged pecorino, charcuterie, and hearty stews.

Varietal: Negroamaro
Producer: San Marzano
Region: Puglia (Salento), Italy
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml

Our Professional Review

Giusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily — and one of the most important, influential winemakers in all of Italy. Founded in 1980 by three friends (Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano — whose initials form the winery name), COS has never used synthetic or chemical additives in the vineyard. Certified organic since 2007 and biodynamic since 2000, their Frappato is Sicily’s answer to Cru Beaujolais: joyous, floral, and built on elegance and purity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 94 Points (Nov 2025): “Overt and spicy, showing elegant black-pepper aromas with black cherries, leather and earthy notes. Vinous and juicy. Medium-bodied, it shines with lightness, offering a silky texture and fragrant, crunchy tannins well-tamed and sustained by crisp acidity. Delicious. Drink now.”

Decanter — 90 Points (Apr 2026): “Cherry compote, basil and sage meet pepper, thyme and star anise. Bright, dark fruit energy and earthy smoke follow; grainy tannins add structure, and the finish is rustic, meaty and joyful.”

Tasting Notes

Vibrant and aromatic with bright red fruit flavors of cherry and strawberry. Low tannins, fresh acidity, and a silky, light-bodied texture make this an effortlessly drinkable expression of Sicily’s most charming indigenous grape.

Pairings: Charcuterie, grilled fish, roasted vegetables, light pasta dishes, or a slight chill for summer sipping.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2024
• Varietal: Frappato
• Appellation: Terre Siciliane, Sicily
• Region: Sicily, Italy
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Producer: Azienda Agricola COS (Giusto Occhipinti)

Château Gillet | Bordeaux Rouge AOC | Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France | 2022

Château Gillet is a family estate with roots stretching back over 150 years, situated on the limestone plateau of Faleyras in the heart of l'Entre-Deux-Mers, south of Libourne. Jean Louis and Christine Nadau, both born into winemaking families, oversee 70 hectares of vineyards that produce around 350,000 bottles annually — a testament to the estate's scale and consistency.

The vineyards are planted to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, trained in a simple Guyot system with full grass cover between the rows. This classic Bordeaux blend brings together the roundness of Merlot with the structure and complexity of the two Cabernets, resulting in a wine that is both approachable and well-built.

Vinification is traditional: grapes are destemmed and crushed before alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures between 25°C and 28°C, with two pump-overs daily for optimal color extraction. The wine is then matured in oak casks to add depth and ennoble the vintage.

The 2022 shows a deep, sustained ruby color. The nose offers pleasing red fruit aromas — cherry, plum, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is powerful on entry yet supple, with tight, well-integrated tannins and a clean, satisfying finish. An excellent everyday Bordeaux that punches well above its price.

Pair with roasted lamb, beef stew, duck confit, charcuterie, or aged hard cheeses.

• Producer: Château Gillet
• Appellation: Bordeaux Rouge AOC
• Region: Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
• Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2022
• Vinification: Classic red vinification; matured in oak casks
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Bodegas Perica · Rioja Alta · Spain · 2012

In Rioja, Gran Reserva is not a marketing term — it is a commitment. A minimum of 28 to 30 months in Bordelaise barriques, followed by at least 36 months of bottle aging before release. Bodegas Perica Viña Olagosa Gran Reserva honors that tradition fully: a family project rooted in Rioja Alta, drawing Tempranillo from the Viña Olagosa estate in San Asensio and Garnacha and Mazuelo from the Zaco estate in Haro, blended with the kind of patience and craft that only a multigenerational producer can sustain.

The nose is intense and complex — vanilla, cedar, tobacco, and leather, the unmistakable signature of long oak aging done well. On the palate it is medium-bodied and beautifully composed, with polished, aged tannins, notes of espresso and dark spice, and an elegant, lingering finish that speaks of both time and terroir.

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer | “Ruby color with copper rim; on the nose intense and complex: vanilla, cedar, and tobacco. Medium-bodied with polished aged tannins and espresso and more tobacco notes. Very elegant finish. For sure one of my top Gran Reservas to drink now!”

• Producer: Bodegas Perica
• Vintage: 2012
• Appellation: Rioja Alta, Spain
• Varietals: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo
• Aging: 28–30 months in Bordelaise barriques + 36 months bottle aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Vanilla, cedar, tobacco, leather, espresso, dark spice, polished tannins
• Pairings: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged Manchego, charcuterie, mushroom dishes

A textbook Rioja Gran Reserva — complex, elegant, and drinking beautifully right now.

Bogle Vineyards has been farming the Sacramento Delta since 1968, and Phantom is their flagship red — a bold, layered blend built from the estate's oldest and most expressive blocks. The 2021 is anchored by Petit Sirah and Zinfandel, aged over 24 months in 1- and 2-year-old American oak.

The result is a wine that punches well above its price: rich, structured, and unmistakably Californian.

The nose pulses with ripe Bing cherry, black currant, layered incense spice, molasses, and vanilla cream. On the palate, it is fresh and zesty — red berries, citrus, and dark chocolate mousse give way to spicy pepper, juniper, black plum, and blueberry. Pipe tobacco and clove settle around the long, lingering finish, framed by dry, mouth-watering tannins. A 92-point red blend at a rock-bottom price.

"The aromatics of ripe Bing cherry and black currant pulsate throughout the glass, and the notes of layered incense spice, molasses and vanilla cream create another dimensional element. The mouthfeel is fresh and zesty with red berries, citrus, dark chocolate mousse and dry, mouth-watering tannins on the finish." — Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points (Vintage 2021)

Winemaker Notes

Full-bodied and jammy, Phantom's origins of Petit Sirah and Zinfandel emerge from the glass. Spicy pepper and juniper tantalize your senses, while black plums and blueberries emerge on the palate. After aging for over 24 months in 1 & 2 year old American oak, pipe tobacco and clove settle around the finish, long and lingering.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada | Senior Wine Buyer | One of my favorite Catalan producers, Bodegas Pinord — whose name translates roughly to “Pines of the North” — is based in Vilafranca del Penedès and was the first winery in Spain to obtain Demeter biodynamic certification. Their Red Bat Priorat, sourced from Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah vineyards in DOQ Priorat, supports local bat preservation efforts — hence the name. This is classic Priorat: rich, powerful, and marked by that unmistakable slate minerality. Expect dark fruit, balsamic notes, herbs, olives, and hints of dark chocolate and espresso. I love pairing it with beef tenderloin in a creamy mushroom sauce. (Oscar's review in 2026). 

Oscar Garcia Moncada | Senior Wine Buyer |  At the end of my tour of Spain in September of 2022, I had the pleasure to spend time with Mireia Tetas of Bodegas Pinord in Vilafranca del Penedes, Catalonia, Spain. I was overjoyed with anticipation to visit the facilities of their brand new eco-friendly Winery. As Mireia explained to me, "it is one of the most energy efficient wineries in all of Europe". The entire Winery is equipped with state-of-art solar panels that fuel their need of electricity throughout the multi-level winery. Mireia also gave me a bit of a history lesson by explaining the word Pinord translates from Catalan to English as : "PINES OF THE NORTH". The winery name is a homage to the abundance of pine trees in the region. Pine Trees are a crucial part of the flora in Vilafranca del Penedes. (Oscar's review in 2022). 

Bodegas Pinord, also, has the distinction of being one of the first wineries in Spain to receive Demeter Biodynamic certification. Pinord is very proactive in preserving indigenous species of Fauna and Flora, an initiative that has been part of their DNA as wine producers for over 100 years in El Penedes.

Mas Blanc Red Bat Priorat  2021 is a new project that Bodegas Pinord has developed in their Priorat winery of MAS BLANC. Pinord and The World Nature Foundation are working together to help protect the Bat population of the area. Bats are an integral part in maitaining balance in the vineyard's ecosystem. Part of the proceeds of the purchase of Red Bat go directly to The World Nature Foundation.

Mas Blanc Red Bat 2021 is predominantly Garnatxa Negre (local clone of Grenache Noir) with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Visually the wine shows radiant hues of deep ruby. Aromas and flavors of dark berries, black cherry and warm spices. Medium-bodied with good grip and well-integrated tannins. The finish brings together nuances of espresso, figs and black olives.

Pair this beautiful Red Priorat with thinly sliced Roast beef dressed in a creamy red wine sauce. I had the pleasure to be served this great pairing at a local restaurant in Vilafranca del Penedes.

Winemaker Description

Intense aroma of fresh red fruits, with nuances of blackberry and slight hints of minerals and spices.

Taste: Notable taste of fruits, in good balance with the body of wine. Large concen- tration of soft tannins that give it a pleasant palate.

Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Susana Balbo Crios Malbec | Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina | 2024 | 750ml

From the high-altitude vineyards of Valle de Uco, Susana Balbo's Crios Malbec is a fresh, expressive expression of Argentina's signature grape. Violets, ripe cherries, and a whisper of spice lead to a palate of vibrant red fruit, balanced acidity, and a subtle hint of oak — all wrapped in silky, approachable tannins. (Vintage 2024). 

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia of 67wino.shop | Easy drinking, yet very delicious Malbec. Just the right touch of red berries, soft tannins and juicy finish.

Critic Notes - Vintage 2024

92 Points | James Suckling — Earthy and savory on the nose, with dark olives and blackberries. The palate is dense and focused, framed by creamy tannins and vibrant fruit. A generous layer of ripe fruit carries through the mid-palate, building toward a bold, lingering finish. Drink now or hold.

• Grape: Malbec
• Region: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

Mark West Pinot Noir California 2023/2024

Mark West is the original California Pinot Noir for the everyday table — the wine that proved you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a genuinely good Pinot. Sourced from vineyards across California’s cool coastal regions, it’s been a go-to carafe wine for over two decades, beloved for its approachable style, consistent quality, and the kind of easy drinkability that makes a bottle disappear faster than expected.

Medium-bodied and smooth, with aromas and flavors of black cherry, strawberry, cola, plum, and a touch of vanilla. Soft, fine-grained tannins and a clean finish make it endlessly food-friendly — and just as good on its own. Screw cap for easy opening anytime.

Food Pairings

Pasta with light tomato sauce, grilled salmon, roasted pork tenderloin, a juicy cheeseburger, or simply poured into a carafe for a relaxed dinner. If you’re not a cook, drink it on its own — no judgment.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2023/2024
Format: 750ml | Screw cap

Lindeman’s · Bin 99 Elegant Pinot Noir · Australia

Lindeman’s Elegant Pinot Noir Bin 99 is an Australian red made from 100% Pinot Noir. Its delicate style brings together bright fruit flavours, hints of spice and savoury complexity.

For those who prefer a gentler style of red, Bin 99 offers a fruit-led expression of Pinot Noir with a savoury accent.

Winemaker Description

A delicate style of wine with bright fruit flavours, hints of spice and savoury complexity.

Blackcurrant and cherry fruit complemented its delicate style, with body on the palate and a hint of spice. 

Details

• Producer: Lindeman’s
• Range: Bin 99 Elegant Pinot Noir
• Country: Australia
• Region: South Australia
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Type: Red wine
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Paul Jaboulet Aîné · Côtes du Rhône · 2024

Paul Jaboulet Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône 2024 is a fruit-forward red from France’s Rhône Valley. Strawberry and cherry notes mingle with spice and floral accents, making it an inviting bottle for the dinner table.

A classic since 1950, Parallèle 45 takes its name from the circle of latitude midway between the equator and the North Pole, which also passes over the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Aîné. Its approachable character is best enjoyed young.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2024

James Suckling, 91 Points | Juicy, balanced and subtle, showcasing aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, Mediterranean herbs and warm spices. It’s medium-bodied, velvety and fruity with fine tannins and a delicious finish. A blend of 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 5% carignan and 5% mourvedre. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast, Anna-Christina Cabrales, 91 Points | Structured aromas of black raspberry, black olive and pomegranate open on the nose accented by violet blossom. The palate performs as a Côtes du Rhône blend should with balanced flavors that capture the spirit of the region. A tinge of leather adds to the finish. Pair with pork tenderloin, boiled peanuts and hanger steak.

Producer Description

Paul Jaboulet Aîné
A classic since 1950, Parallèle 45 is celebrated around the globe and is one of France’s most recognizable wines. Parallèle 45 is named after the 45th parallel, a famous circle of latitude that marks the midpoint between the equator and the North Pole. It also passes over the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

Garnet red with purple hues, this fruit-forward wine has notes of strawberry, red currant, peony and dried roses and an elegant finish.

Food Pairings

Pair with Mediterranean vegetable lasagna, pork tenderloin or hanger steak. The producer also suggests fondant au chocolat.

Details

• Producer: Paul Jaboulet Aîné
• Wine: Parallèle 45
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC
• Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Marselan and Carignan
• Type: Red wine
• Farming Attribute: Sustainable

Château Meyney — Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux 2023

Château Meyney is one of Saint-Estèphe’s great overachievers — a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel estate situated right next to the famed Château Montrose, whose proximity to the Gironde estuary helps cool the vines during summer heatwaves and contributes to the wine’s remarkable balance and longevity. The 2023 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 12% Petit Verdot, sourced from a mix of gravelly and clay soils and aged 18 months in French oak barrels. James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck both awarded it 94 points; Vinous and The Wine Independent 93; Wine Spectator 91. Jeb Dunnuck noted that “the quality here has stepped up a notch recently” and projects a cellar window of 2029–2053.

The color is a deep, saturated purple. The nose is dark and savory: cassis, elderberry, graphite, smoky tobacco, crushed stone minerality, incense, licorice, dried herbs, and pressed lavender. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a pure, focused, layered mouthfeel — linear acidity, ripe and polished tannins, and a long, driving finish with beams of structure that demand cellaring. Drinkable now with aeration, but built to evolve beautifully over the next 25–30 years.

James Suckling 94 • Jeb Dunnuck 94 • Vinous 93 • The Wine Independent 93 • Wine Spectator 91 — "Beautifully done and going to evolve nicely over the coming 25–30 years." — Jeb Dunnuck

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 94 Points
Crunchy dark fruit with elderberries, herbal notes and licorice. The chiseled palate is medium-bodied, showing linear acidity complemented by a crisp edge. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. Drinkable now with some aeration, but better from 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck — 94 Points
Always a classic Saint-Estèphe (and I think the quality here has stepped up a notch recently), the 2023 Château Meyney comes from a mix of gravelly and clay soils and is based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 12% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in French oak barrels. It sports a deep purple hue as well as beautiful cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, and crushed stone-like minerality. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, focused, layered mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It’s beautifully done and is going to evolve nicely over the coming 25–30 years if well stored. Drink 2029–2053.

Vinous — 93 Points
The 2023 Meyney is every bit as convincing as it was en primeur. Dark and quite savory, the 2023 has a lot to offer. Gravel, incense, tobacco, licorice, dried herbs, chocolate and pressed lavender infuse this mid-weight Saint-Estèphe with a good deal of character. Beams of tannin shape the insistent, driving finish.

The Wine Independent — 93 Points
2023 Meyney has a creamy, rounded and fruity nose with hints of yoghurt and dairy products. It is very soft and forthcoming and is made in the velvety, pleasant style very typical for the chateau. This is a good Meyney that should age well and be approachable at an early stage.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
A fresh, racy-edged style, with damson plum and bitter cherry fruit framed by a chalky edge that’s embedded nicely. Iris and violet accents gild the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033.

• Producer: Château Meyney, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Appellation: Saint-Estèphe AOC, Bordeaux
• Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot
• Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, elderberry, graphite, tobacco, crushed stone, licorice, dried herbs, pressed lavender
• Cellar Potential: Drink now (with aeration) or cellar through 2053
• Best Paired With: Braised lamb shoulder, côte de boeuf, duck confit, cassoulet, aged Comté, Saint-Nectaire

Five scores of 91–94 points from the world’s top critics — Château Meyney is the benchmark for what Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois can be.

Frame of Mind Vineyards · The Pessimist Red · 2023

The Pessimist is Frame of Mind Vineyards' signature red blend, built each vintage around a shifting mix of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Lagrein to chase maximum character rather than a fixed formula. The 2023 vintage delivers yet another bewitching blend with trademark Pessimist flair: a bold and powerful wine that opens with ample aromas of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, and strawberry.

Smoky notes of truffle and roasted coffee are accompanied by floral notes of lavender and lilac. The palate is lush and engulfing, showing both robustness and elegance with juicy flavors of cherry, huckleberry, kirsch, and cassis. Underlying suggestions of fennel, olive, and spice bring enticing complexity to a silky, balanced finish.

Winemaker Description

The 2023 vintage delivers yet another bewitching blend with trademark Pessimist flair. This is a bold and powerful wine that opens with ample aromas of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, and strawberry. Smoky notes of truffle and roasted coffee are accompanied by floral notes of lavender and lilac. The palate is lush and engulfing, showing both robustness and elegance with juicy flavors of cherry, huckleberry, kirsch, and cassis. Underlying suggestions of fennel, olive, and spice bring enticing complexity to a silky, balanced finish.
— Frame of Mind Vineyards

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

The Tasting Panel, 93 Points — Graphite, espresso, cedar, and black olives commingle in this savory, brooding, dramatic beast with teeth-grabbing cocoa tannins. Intense, lengthy flavors of blackberry and plum speak to the wine's inherent ripeness on the finish.

Specs

• Producer: Frame of Mind Vineyards
• Wine: The Pessimist Red
• Vintage: 2023
• Blend: 68.7% Petite Sirah, 17.9% Syrah, 11.4% Zinfandel, 2.0% Lagrein
• Barrel Aged: 10 months in 50% new French oak
• Size: 750ml

Tenuta Rapitalà | Nadir | Syrah | Sicilia IGT | 2023 | Certified Organic

67Wine Buyer — Bart Hopkins: For centuries, Sicily has been a crossroad of cultures, languages and religions. With a multitude of cultural exchange, many things came from distant places — grape varieties included. The Syrah grape had its origins in Persia and Mesopotamia and migrated across Europe, finding its way to Sicily. The hot, sunny climate is a perfect home for this intrepid variety and is conducive to natural organic farming. Tenuta Rapitalà Nadir Syrah is rich and well-endowed, with layers of black fruits and earthy spice. Full-bodied and robustly structured, with savory complexity, a chewy texture and supple tannins providing good grip on the finish. A perfect wine for foods of substance.

Tenuta Rapitalà is one of Sicily's most respected estates, farming the volcanic soils of the island's interior with a commitment to organic viticulture and a focus on expressing the singular character of Sicilian terroir. The Nadir is the estate's Syrah — a variety that has found a natural home in Sicily's warm, sun-drenched climate, where it develops the ripe, generous fruit and spice-driven complexity that defines the wine's character. Certified organic farming across the estate reflects a long-term commitment to soil health and the integrity of the fruit.

The 2023 pours an intense ruby red with damask-violet tints. The nose is generous and expressive, with aromas of ripe dark fruit, blackberry, plum and the characteristic spice of the Syrah variety, accented by attractive hints of vanilla and a subtle earthy depth. The palate is full-bodied and richly textured — layers of black fruit and savory spice are supported by soft, elegant tannins and a long, balanced finish that reflects the depth and uniqueness of the Sicilian terroir.

Serve at 60–65°F. Pairs beautifully with pizza, pasta with rich meat sauces, grilled and roasted meats, lamb, hearty vegetable dishes and aged cheeses.

• Producer: Tenuta Rapitalà
• Cuvée: Nadir
• Appellation: Sicilia IGT
• Region: Sicily, Italy
• Grape Variety: Syrah (100%)
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Style: Dry red wine, full-bodied
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Val di Suga · Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · 2020

Val di Suga’s 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is a Sangiovese red from Tuscany, Italy, offered here in a 375ml half bottle. The smaller format makes it a practical choice when you want to open Brunello without committing to a full-size bottle.

For a food-pairing suggestion, bring it to the table with roast beef, lamb, mushroom pasta or aged cheese. These are general Brunello pairing ideas, rather than tasting notes for this particular vintage.

At a glance

• Producer: Val di Suga
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Grape: Sangiovese
• Style: Red wine
• Size: 375ml half bottle
• General pairing suggestions: Roast beef, lamb, mushroom pasta or aged cheese

Val di Suga Brunello in a convenient half-bottle format.

Château La Plaige Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux, France 2023

Perched on a hillside overlooking the river Dordogne on the eastern edge of Bordeaux, Château La Plaige is a family estate with five generations of roots and a clear sense of purpose. Since 2000, Frédéric Naud and his wife Lise have stewarded these vines with quiet dedication, carrying forward a winemaking tradition that the Naud family has maintained across more than a century. The combination of clay and limestone soils gives Frédéric the raw material to craft wines that are at once powerful and elegant — a balance that defines the estate’s character. The 2023 Bordeaux Supérieur is a meticulously crafted blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc: approachable now, yet built with the integrity to reward patience. At under $17, it is one of the most compelling values in classic Bordeaux.

The nose is fresh and inviting: forest fruits and crushed strawberry. On the palate, it is rich and silky, with dense, supple tannins and a long, elegant finish of real depth. A wine that bridges tradition and modernity — the kind of honest, food-friendly Bordeaux that belongs on every table.

• Producer: Château La Plaige (Naud family, 5 generations), Dordogne hillside, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• Soils: Clay and limestone
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Forest fruits, crushed strawberry, rich, silky, supple tannins, long elegant finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, aged cheeses, charcuterie

A five-generation Bordeaux family estate at an honest price — Château La Plaige is the benchmark for what classic Bordeaux Supérieur can be.

Montepulciano from the Adriatic Cliffs of Le Marche

Fattoria Le Terrazze is one of the Marche's most celebrated estates, perched on terraced hillsides overlooking the Adriatic Sea near Ancona. Their Rosso Conero is the estate's entry point into the appellation — and a benchmark for what Montepulciano can achieve at an accessible price: generous, warm, and genuinely satisfying.

The 2021 vintage in central Italy delivered excellent ripeness with good freshness, producing wines of depth and balance. This is a wine built for the table, not the cellar — drink it now with confidence.

Winemaker Notes

Brilliant ruby red. Intense and fruity on the nose with ripe red fruits — a classic expression of Montepulciano from this coastal appellation. Rich, full-bodied, and warm on the palate, with soft tannins, lively freshness, and a long, satisfying finish.

Vineyard & Vinification

• Grape: 100% Montepulciano
• Appellation: Rosso Conero DOC, Marche, Italy
• Producer: Fattoria Le Terrazze, Ancona
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Perfect with grilled red meats, lamb chops, hearty pasta with meat ragù, aged pecorino, and charcuterie. Equally enjoyable by the glass on its own.

Tempo d’Angélus · Bordeaux · 2024

Tempo d’Angélus Bordeaux 2024 brings the expertise of the Château Angélus team to a more approachable expression of Bordeaux. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it is conceived to offer depth, complexity and precision without the extended cellaring associated with the estate’s grand wines.

The de Boüard de Laforest family draws on eight generations of winemaking in Saint-Émilion. For Tempo, vines grow on clay-limestone slopes in Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille and Sainte-Colombe, a few kilometres from Saint-Émilion. Angélus acquired these plots in 2017 specifically to create a wine under the Bordeaux appellation.

Producer Description

Angélus
Tempo d’Angelus has been created as a more streamlined version of its illustrious older siblings, Château Angelus and Carillon d’Angelus, with which it shares their characteristic depth and complexity, while offering at the same time a more approachable aspect. Produced from the great Angelus terroirs and made with the expertise of the estate’s teams, Tempo d’Angelus will offer demanding wine lovers an attractive, well-structured, precise and hedonistic wine that doesn’t require 15 or 20 years of cellaring to be enjoyed at its peak, as is often the case for the Grand Cru wines.

Winemaking & Identity

Tempo d’Angélus is vinified in a cellar designed specifically for the cuvée within Chai Carillon at Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, combining modern technology with the Angélus team’s expertise. The label echoes its older siblings, displaying the emblematic Angélus bell in a swinging movement to convey the wine’s distinctive “tempo.”

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast beef, lamb, mushroom dishes or a selection of firm cheeses.

Details

• Wine: Tempo d’Angélus
• Producer: Angélus / de Boüard de Laforest family
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Bordeaux
• Grapes: Merlot and Cabernet Franc
• Type: Red wine
• Terroir: Clay-limestone slopes
• Vineyard Locations: Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille and Sainte-Colombe
• Style: Structured and approachable, designed for earlier enjoyment

Ca’ Marcanda Promis — Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy 2023

When Angelo Gaja — the most celebrated name in Piedmontese wine — decided to plant roots in Bolgheri, he did not do it quietly. After four years of negotiations with a single landowner (the estate’s name, Ca’ Marcanda, means “house of endless negotiations” in local dialect), he acquired the property in 1996 and set about building one of the most ambitious wine estates in all of Tuscany. Promis is Ca’ Marcanda’s entry-level wine — but “entry-level Gaja” is a very different thing from entry-level anything else. A blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Sangiovese from the estate’s Bolgheri vineyards, the 2023 is a classic, expressive vintage: bright, structured, and unmistakably coastal Tuscan in character.

The color is a vivid, bright ruby-red. The nose is immediately captivating: cinnamon, star anise, and warm spice frame pronounced red fruits — strawberry, black cherry, and a hint of dried violet. On the palate, the tannins are juicy and persistent, building through the mid-palate to a finish defined by a beautiful coastal salinity — the classic hallmark of great Bolgheri vintages. Elegant, energetic, and built to age.

Ca’ Marcanda — “House of Endless Negotiations.” Angelo Gaja’s Bolgheri estate, acquired after four years of talks. Worth every one of them.

• Producer: Ca’ Marcanda (Angelo Gaja), Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Toscana IGT, Bolgheri
• Blend: Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, star anise, strawberry, black cherry, dried violet, juicy tannins, coastal salinity
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised short ribs, wild boar ragù, lamb chops, aged Pecorino Toscano

The most celebrated name in Italian wine, reimagined for the Tuscan coast — Ca’ Marcanda Promis is the benchmark for what Bolgheri can deliver at this price.

Rioja Gran Reserva That Rivals Wines Twice the Price

Marques de Vargas is one of Rioja’s most respected estates, distinguished by its commitment to varietal correctness and minimal intervention. Only indigenous yeasts from the vineyard are used for fermentation — a philosophy that prioritizes terroir expression over the homogenizing effects of commercial yeast. Rather than chasing the heavily extracted, over-oaked style common in the appellation, Marques de Vargas produces a Gran Reserva of remarkable freshness, elegance, and longevity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

• Wine Enthusiast — 94 pts: Deep ruby in color with aromas of black cherry, caramel and thyme. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry, licorice, dark chocolate and orange zest wrapped in feathery tannins and a soft sheath of acidity. A nice floral note on the bright finish.
• Wine Advocate — 91 pts: Surprisingly clean and fresh — peppery and spicy with toasty notes. 70% Tempranillo, 17% Garnacha, 13% Mazuelo, matured in 225- and 500-liter French oak barrels for 23 months.
• James Suckling — 91 pts: Delicate creaminess and sweet spices to the blackberries and dark plums. Medium to full body with lots of dusty tannins. Subtle finish with creamy, spiced cherries. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Notes

Marques de Vargas Rioja Gran Reserva 2017 750ml

A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 17% Garnacha, and 13% Mazuelo, aged 23 months in French oak. The 2017 is peppery, spiced, and layered — with black cherry, dark chocolate, and orange zest on the nose, and a long, floral finish. Built for the cellar, but approachable now.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo
• Appellation: Rioja, Spain
• Producer: Marques de Vargas
• Vintage: 2017
• Classification: Gran Reserva
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — exceptional with roasted lamb, Iberian pork, cochinillo asado, rabo de toro, Jamón Ibérico, aged Manchego, and Idiazábal.

Producer Description

Dark and luscious, the 2023 Diamond Collection Claret showcases flavors of plum, black pepper, and cocoa. Good length, firm tannins, and sophisticated character are enhanced by a full body and long finish.

The term “Claret” is traditionally used to describe a Bordeaux-style red blend, and this wine consistently delivers a rich, smooth, and fruit-forward take on that classic style.

Food Pairings

Serve at 60–65°F. This rich red blend is versatile and pairs wonderfully with:

• Roasted or Grilled Meats: Steak, lamb, beef tenderloin.
• Hard Cheeses: Aged Cheddar or Gouda.
• Savory Dishes: Mushroom risotto or pasta with a meat-based sauce.

• Producer: Francis Ford Coppola Winery
• Appellation: California
• Style: Bordeaux-style Red Blend (Claret)
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml

Tenuta Sette Cieli · Yantra · Toscana IGT · Italy · 2024

Tenuta Sette Cieli — “Estate of Seven Skies” — sits 1,300 feet above sea level in Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci on the Tuscan coast, its terraced vineyards overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of Capraia and Gorgona. Everything is done by hand, with organic and sustainable farming, indigenous yeast fermentation, and single-variety vinification before final blending. Yantra — Sanskrit for “instrument” or “mandala” — is the estate’s entry into the Bolgheri tradition: a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend aged six months in French oak, earning 89 points from Jeb Dunnuck and delivering exceptional value from one of Tuscany’s most beautifully situated estates.

The 2024 vintage was shaped by dramatic climatic contrasts — a rainy spring, a bone-dry summer, and exceptional September rains that demanded rigorous selection at harvest — yielding wines of striking freshness and aromatic intensity. The Yantra opens with wild blackberry, preserved cherry, brambly earth, spice, and fresh wildflowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with refreshing acidity, crunchy berry fruit, and a touch of mocha on the finish. Lifted, approachable, and built for the near term.

“The 2024 Yantra, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged for six months in French oak, is a fresh and fruit-driven wine with aromas of wild blackberry, preserved cherry, brambly earth, spice, and fresh wildflowers. Medium to full-bodied, it offers refreshing acidity, crunchy berry fruit, and a touch of mocha on the finish. Lifted and approachable, it’s best enjoyed over the near term.”
— Jeb Dunnuck · 89 Points · Audrey Frick, 2026

• Producer: Tenuta Sette Cieli, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Varietals: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
• Farming: Organic & Sustainable; hand harvested
• Vinification: Cold maceration, stainless steel fermentation, indigenous yeasts, 100% malolactic; no fining, no filtration
• Aging: 6 months in French oak
• Alcohol: 14% | RS: 0.65 g/L | TA: 5.10 g/L | pH: 3.67
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild blackberry, preserved cherry, brambly earth, spice, wildflowers, mocha finish
• Pairings: Grilled lamb, bistecca alla Fiorentina, pasta with meat ragù, aged pecorino, charcuterie
• Drink: 2026–2030

89 pts Jeb Dunnuck · Toscana IGT — organic Bolgheri Cab-Merlot from a hilltop estate overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Fresh, lifted, and built to over-deliver.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Eric Guido writes:  Delicate and understated, the 2022 Pinot Noir Grande Cuvée opens with a peppery citrus tinge and dusty dried strawberries. It's round and softly textured with pure red berry fruits riding a wave of brisk acidity. An herbal tinge comes forward over time as gently grippy tannins tug at the cheeks and hints of licorice fade.  Drinking 2025 to 2030.  - Vinous 91

Audrey Frick writes:  Medium ruby red-hued, the 2022 Pinot Noir Grande Cuvee is expressive and elegant on the nose, with notes of red cherries, candied cranberries, roses, fresh spice and herbs, and lifted piney herbs. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless, linear feel, with fine tannins, even acidity, and a clean, tapered finish with a light herbal note. It’s a very charming wine to drink over the next 5-6 years.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91 

James Suckling writes:  Lemon zest, mushrooms, raspberries and sliced strawberries on the nose. Some rose petal, too. It’s bright and fruity, with a medium body and powdery tannins. Chalky, grainy elements at the end. Better in 2024.  - James Suckling 90

Clive Pursehouse writes:  An early released wine blended from estate sites within the McMinnville and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs. Earthen aromatics of sous bois, moss, and turned garden soils are lifted by a note of bright berries. Ripe raspberry, pomegranate and savoury sumac predominate the palate and are buoyed by mint and wild fennel notes.  Drinking 2023 to 2029.  - Decanter 92

Winemaker Description 

The Grande Cuvée Pinot Noir is made from a collection of family-owned vineyards across the Willamette Valley. This wine has a welcoming nose of cedar-spiced mulberries, hints of garden herb, and candied orange rind.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Here’s Dolcetto flexing all tis muscles. Dark purple fruits hit first, then a crack of black pepper wakes up your senses. Violets drift above it all, adding complexity without getting precious. The structure means business but doesn’t forget Dolcetto’s friendly side.  This is the wine showing you why it deserves more attention, serious enough for wine geeks but fun enough for everyone else. (Best Buy)

The Wine Spectator 89 Points | Ripe and bursting with boysenberry, raspberry, violet and sweet spice flavors, this is dense and backed by gripping tannins on the finish. Balanced with succulent acidity.

Winemaker Description 

The Pecchenino "San Luigi" Dogliani Superiore is a distinguished example of Dolcetto, known for its depth and rich flavor profile. It features a well-structured profile with vibrant acidity and a smooth, elegant finish. Produced by Pecchenino, a notable estate in the Dogliani region, the winery is celebrated for its dedication to quality and traditional winemaking techniques.

This Superiore, crafted from carefully selected Dolcetto grapes, offers a complex array of flavors including ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of earthiness. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes such as pasta, grilled meats, and savory cheeses, making it a versatile choice for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Joel Gott Wines · California · 2023

Joel Gott has been crafting approachable, expressive California wines since 1996, sourcing the best fruit from premium growing regions across California, Oregon, and Washington. His Old Vine Zinfandel draws from some of California's oldest and most revered Zinfandel plantings, yielding a wine of exceptional concentration and character. Balanced, food-friendly, and consistently over-delivering at its price point, it has earned a loyal following among casual drinkers and wine lovers alike.

The 2023 Old Vine Zinfandel opens with inviting aromas of blackberries and black plum, layered with notes of tobacco and warm spice. On the palate, rich dark fruit gives way to soft, velvety tannins and a long, elegant finish with a satisfying touch of black pepper. A crowd-pleasing California Zinfandel that works as well at a dinner party as it does on a quiet weeknight.

• Producer: Joel Gott Wines
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California
• Grape Variety: Zinfandel (Old Vine)
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberries, black plum, tobacco, warm spice, velvety tannins, black pepper finish
• Food Pairings: BBQ ribs, grilled sausage, lamb burgers, tomato-based pasta

A reliable, fruit-forward California Zinfandel — drink now through 2027.

Pio Cesare · Barolo DOCG · Piedmont, Italy · 2022

Founded in 1881, Pio Cesare is one of Barolo's historic houses. Its flagship Barolo brings together Nebbiolo from multiple sites across the appellation, combining fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Novello and Monforte d'Alba in a single expression of the region.

The 2022 reviews describe a rich, succulent wine shaped by a hot, dry growing season. Black cherry and blackberry meet balsamic herbs, dusty earth, black tea and dried cherry. Savory iron, thyme blossom and blood orange add detail, while integrated tannins provide a firm framework and a lingering mineral finish.

The Producer

Pio Cesare's long tradition centers on the character of Nebbiolo and the complementary qualities of Barolo's vineyards. This multi-site approach is reflected in the 2022 bottling.

Expert Reviews · 2022 Vintage

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 Points: The Pio Cesare 2022 Barolo shows the fleshed-out texture and power of this hot and dry vintage, offering a degree of succulence and richness that only comes to Nebbiolo in arid growing seasons that result in more concentrated fruit. There is a darkness to the wine that comes through as black cherry and blackberry, and there is a hint of tightness to the tannins that are otherwise well managed and already on their way to integration. The wine reflects the warm conditions seen across the Langhe in 2022, where reduced yields and steady summer heat produced Barolos with extra density and early accessibility. This wine is a blend of fruit from Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, La Serra and Briccolina), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava and Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera) and Monforte d'Alba (Mosconi).

Decanter, 93 Points: Pio Cesare’s historic Barolo takes its lion’s share from Serralunga. Vineyards in Monforte, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra and Novello round it out. A solid showing in 2022 makes another strong case for blending. Delightful from the get-go, it exhibits balsamic herb, dusty earth, black tea and dried cherry. Elegantly weighted but properly mouth filling, the palate brings in savoury iron, thyme blossom and a blood orange tang. Sweet tannins are seamlessly embedded giving crisp structure. Firm yet friendly. 

James Suckling, 97 Points: One of the best Barolos that Pio has ever made. A perfumed wine, slightly but pleasantly old-fashioned and full of personality. Open, generous aromas of mint, flowers, wild strawberries and pomegranate join vibrant violets and bergamot. Full-bodied and very juicy with firm, grainy tannins, well integrated and polished. Delicious licorice flavor, a bit chocolaty, with persistent acidity and a savory umami finish. Impressive and classic. Drink or hold.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Pair with braised short ribs, osso buco, truffle risotto, wild boar ragù or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve slightly below room temperature and allow time in a decanter to explore its evolving aromas.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pio Cesare
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Nebbiolo
• Size: 750ml

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste · Pauillac · 2023

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a fifth-growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) estate in Pauillac, long overseen by the Borie family and known for producing classically structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven Bordeaux with real precision and age-worthiness. The 2023 Grand Vin is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, raised in 75% new French oak.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Decanter, 95 Points (Barrel Sample) — Fragrant floral and blackcurrant notes on the nose. Just ripe fruit, on the bright side but nothing out of place, not too high toned or too sour. It's lacking a touch in density, but makes up for it in precision and nuance. Lots of fine, salty and spiced tannins support the pure fruit with a graphite edge that lingers on the tongue. It's clean and focussed, not so vertical or wide, but there's finesse here no doubt. Mouthwatering and minty all the way through. Very classy and classic with fine ageing potential. Excellent quality. Ageing 75% new oak. 3.56pH. A yield of 48hl/ha. 55% grand vin production. 12.5% press wine.

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points (Barrel Sample: 93-95) — The Grand Vin 2023 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot (the 11th to the 28th of September) with the élevage in 75% new French oak. Its deeper plum hue is followed by beautiful aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, and flowers. This carries to a medium-bodied Pauillac with a pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and beautifully integrated oak. It's a little gem of a 2023 that has the pure, focused, elegant, yet concentrated style of the vintage.

James Suckling, 95 Points — Cabernet sauvignon comes through beautifully. Lovely aromas of crushed raspberries, currants and pencil shavings follow through to a medium body with integrated tannins, pure fruit on the center palate and a creamy texture. Very drinkable now. Drink or hold.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 Points — A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, the 2023 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has turned out very well, evoking aromas of cassis, dark berries, cigar wrapper and rose petals, lifted by a delicate minty nuance. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and seamless, it is shaped by powdery, velvety tannins and a layered mid-palate that opens onto a long, vibrant and saline finish. A classic at this address, it nonetheless stands out as a particularly fine effort and an excellent value.

Vinous, 95 Points (Barrel Sample: 93-95) — The 2023 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak. It has a classic "GPL" bouquet with blackberry, pencil box and light marine scents, obviously not as powerful as the previous vintage, yet in typical style, beautifully defined and focused. Just a touch of cracked black pepper surfaces with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle but insistent grip, just a light bitter edge lending tension and nerve. I perceive good depth here, but this is not a powerhouse of a Pauillac (is GPL ever?). It fans out toward the finish whilst maintaining control. There's an impressive linearity to this wine, and thus I suspect it will require less bottle-age compared to recent vintages.
— Neal Martin

Wine Spectator, 94 Points — A textbook Pauillac, with a slightly taciturn feel to its rock-steady beam of cassis and bitter cherry fruit, allied to a bright iron spine. Flecks of savory and tobacco dart about, adding a sparkle of energy through the chiseled finish. Shows the vintage's modest scale, but everything is in proportion. For the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Specs

• Producer: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: 5th Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé), 1855 Classification
• Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

#1 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025  |  #8 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025

Château Giscours, a Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is one of Margaux’s most storied estates — and the 2022 vintage may be its finest hour. With almost 60% of the blend drawn from vines over 50 years old, and a historic yield of just 27 hl/ha, this is a wine of extraordinary depth, precision, and generational ambition.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

98 pts — James Suckling: “Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers. Plenty of energy and verve. This has gravity, too. Best after 2029.”

97+ pts — Jeb Dunnuck: “Packed with cassis, black cherries, violets, and graphite-like aromatics. Concentrated and intense, with beautifully ripe tannins, a pure, graceful mouthfeel, and a long, structured finish. Serious depth with remarkable balance.”

96 pts — Wine Advocate: “Deep bouquet of sweet berries, mint, rose petals and pencil shavings. Textural and enveloping, built around lively acids and sweet powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. Why is the 2022 so good? Almost 60% of the blend derives from vines over 50 years old — in a vintage that favored deep, well-established root systems.”

96 pts — Decanter: “Seriously impressive and beguiling — one of the most elegant Giscours ever. Gorgeous clarity and purity, gentle seduction, fresh and lifted, fragrant and juicy with textured tannins. Elegant, finessed, subtle confidence with cool minerality throughout. A compelling wine. Possible upscore in bottle.”

95 pts — Wine Spectator: “Warmed cassis and plum notes, with lilac, violet and iris accents. A flash of black tea on the finish, along with a beguiling, cashmere-like mouthfeel. A pitch-perfect example of the vintage profile.”

• Appellation: Margaux AOC, Bordeaux
• Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2022
• Ageing: 17 months, 50% new oak
• Yield: 27 hl/ha — lowest in estate history
• Drink: Best after 2029 | Will age beautifully for decades
• 750ml | Serve at 60–65°F

Hahn Founder's Pinot Noir — Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California 2024

Hahn Family Wines was founded by Nicky Hahn in 1980, when he recognized the extraordinary potential of Monterey County's cool-climate appellations for producing wines of genuine elegance and varietal precision. The Arroyo Seco appellation — a gravelly alluvial plain beneath the Santa Lucia Mountains — is one of California's most distinctive Pinot Noir sites: cool winds funneling in from Monterey Bay ensure gradual, extended ripening and the development of vibrant fruit and natural acidity, while the rocky, well-drained soils enhance intensity and promote balanced ripeness. The Founder's Pinot Noir is Nicky Hahn's personal expression of the appellation — a tribute to the vision that brought Hahn to Monterey and a showcase for everything that makes Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir so compelling at any price.

The nose is vibrant and expressive: red and dark cherry, ripe strawberry, raspberry, and plum, with subtle touches of vanilla, sweet tobacco, and toasted oak. On the palate, silky tannins and excellent acid balance frame flavors of red cherry and raspberry, with a dash of salinity and a hint of earthiness that adds complexity. The finish is long, lingering, and juicy — a classic example of fruit-forward, balanced, supple California Pinot Noir that retains freshness thanks to the cool Monterey climate.

"Vibrant aromas of red and dark cherry, raspberry and plum with subtle touches of vanilla and toasted oak. Silky tannins and excellent acid balance, with notes of earthiness on a long and lingering finish." — Hahn Family Wines, Winemaker

• Producer: Hahn Family Wines, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California, USA
• Founder: Nicky Hahn (est. 1980)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, vanilla, toasted oak, silky tannins, earthy finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, silky, cool-climate
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, grilled salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, Portobello tacos, roasted beet salad, aged Gouda

Cool-climate Monterey Pinot Noir from one of California's founding estates — Hahn Founder's 2024 is silky, vibrant, and one of the great California Pinots under $20.

Elk Cove Vineyards · Willamette Valley · Pinot Noir · 2024 · 375ml Half Bottle

Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2024 brings fresh cherry, delicate toast and refined spice together in a balanced, medium-bodied Oregon red. Ripe tannins and good length frame the estate-grown fruit, presented here in a convenient 375ml half bottle for occasions when a full bottle is more than you need.

The Estate & Vineyards

Founded in 1974, Elk Cove Vineyards is one of Oregon's pioneering estates, with a commitment to site expression and sustainable viticulture. Its benchmark Willamette Valley Pinot Noir draws fruit from across the estate vineyards, bringing together red-fruit clarity, earthy complexity and silky structure.

Winemaker's Notes · Vintage Not Specified

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas complement notes of cinnamon and delicate violet. The palate strikes a balance between juicy plum and boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brûlée.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Tasting Panel, 93 Points · 2024: This is a Pinot that deftly walks the line between subtlety and sweet fruitiness. Red berry and cherry flavors stand at center stage, with a faint whiff of oak spice lending complexity along with a tender tug of tannin that frames the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Points · 2024: The 2024 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a jeweled ruby color and leaps from the glass with delicate toast, fresh cherries, and refined spice. Medium-bodied, it has ripe tannins, lovely balance, and good length, with fruit drawn from all of the estate vineyards.

James Suckling, 91 Points · Vintage Not Specified: A fresh, juicy, light- to medium-bodied wine with loads of red-cherry, spice and rose-petal aromas. Fine, gentle tannins and a silky texture.

Pairing & Serving

Try with roast chicken, salmon or mushroom dishes. Serve slightly below room temperature to highlight the fruit and spice.

Details

• Producer: Elk Cove Vineyards
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle size: 375ml Half Bottle
• Country: United States
• Region: Oregon
• Appellation: Willamette Valley
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Type: Red wine
• Viticulture: Sustainable vineyard practices
• Fruit source: Estate vineyards

Producer Notes

Villa di Capezzana’s Barco Reale di Carmignano is often called the ‘little brother’ to the estate’s prestigious Carmignano DOCG — offering a more accessible, youthful entry into one of Tuscany’s most historic and unique wine regions. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Canaiolo. the 2023 is dusty and floral with autumnal spices, cedar shavings, Tuscan dust, and dried strawberries. Soft-textured and supple on the palate with mineral-tinged red berry fruits and a web of fine tannins. Finishes with hints of orange citrus and a tart cherry twang.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

• Wine Enthusiast 92pts | A primarily herbaceous, earthy nose has warm Bing cherry undertones to provide balance. Cherries grow into themselves on the palate, above a latent bitterness of coffee and bergamot. Acidity is fierce, and tannins clear the mouth, but dynamism doesn't come at the expense of coherence. 
• Vinous Media 91 pts | The 2023 Barco Reale is a total pleasure to the senses, as crushed cherries and wild berries mix with sweet sage and spice. It possesses a pretty inner sweetness offset by crisp mineral tones and a steely sensation. Tart blackberries mix with a sour citrus twang as it finishes long and staining yet remarkably fresh. The 2023 Barco Reale is a total pleasure to taste.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or wild boar ragù pasta
• Wood-fired pizza or herb-roasted chicken
• Grilled lamb or pork chops
• Charcuterie with salty Pecorino