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Awards & Accolades

Platinum Award & Director's Best Spirits Barrel Aged Wine | 2023 Monterey International Wine & Spirits Competition

Winemaker Description

Cooper and Thief Cellarmaster's Red Wine Blend 2022 750ml

Crafted by Cellarmaster Jeff Kasavan, this California Red Blend is aged three months in bourbon whiskey barrels, imparting a velvety mouthfeel, subtle warmth, and notes of toasty vanilla and classic bourbon spice. Blackberry and jammy dark currants lead to a rich, full-bodied finish. The blend — Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon — draws from prime winegrowing regions across California, unified by the unmistakable character of bourbon barrel aging.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb, grilled ribeye, or slow-smoked brisket.
• Poultry: Bourbon-glazed chicken, duck confit, or turkey with dark fruit sauce.
• Cheese: Aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, or a bold blue cheese.

Château Prieuré-Lichine — Margaux 2020

Château Prieuré-Lichine is a jewel of the Margaux appellation — a 4ème Grand Cru Classé estate whose wines express the quintessence of one of Bordeaux's most celebrated terroirs. Certified High Environmental Value (HVE Level 3) and awarded a Best of Gold Wine Tourism prize in 2019, the estate is as committed to sustainability and hospitality as it is to winemaking excellence. The 2020 vintage is the estate's finest in a generation: seven critics weighed in, led by James Suckling at 96 points and Wine Enthusiast at 95 — a wine of extraordinary elegance, depth, and cellaring potential. Best from 2026, with a drinking window extending to 2036 and beyond.

Deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is complex and captivating — black cherries, blackcurrants, boysenberries, tobacco, cacao, licorice, dried Provence herbs, pencil shavings, and a lingering florality of roses and lavender. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied with great intensity of pure black and red fruit, framed by firm yet creamy, grainy tannins and a lively backbone. The finish is long, beautifully balanced, and refreshingly herbal — with salty, chalky minerality that gives the wine its signature Margaux elegance and sleek, restrained power.

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2020

James Suckling — 96 Points
Black cherries, blackcurrants, tobacco, cacao and some licorice on the nose. Firm yet creamy, with very fine tannins that spread across the palate. Medium to full body. So long and beautifully balanced. Try from 2026.

Wine Enthusiast — 95 Points
This wine already shows a luscious side with its ripe black fruits and rich tannins. The obverse shows structure and acidity. Both these elements will together give a wine for aging.

Decanter — 94 Points
Ripe and deeply scented on the nose and palate, a lingering florality follows the dark black fruits from start to finish. This has a lovely richness, more textural depth than some with salty, liquorice and wet stone tannins that support the fruit and give the frame. Rich and intense but so sleek. Super glamour on show, but elegant in its presentation. Definitely mineral, a salty coolness on the finish but textured tannins giving an appealing chalkiness too. Bold but restrained and super refreshing. A great wine.

Wine Advocate — 93 Points
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Prieure-Lichine offers up notes of fresh redcurrants, blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberries and dried Provence herbs, plus wafts of tobacco leaf and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of pure black and red fruit flavors, framed by grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with a refreshing herbal lift.

Vinous — 93 Points
The 2020 Prieuré-Lichine is elegant and nuanced, just as it was en primeur. Prieuré-Lichine is still a very good wine with real class.

Wine Spectator — 92 Points
Ripe and focused, with a violet and alder frame that marries well to the core of lightly steeped plum and black currant fruit flavors. The alder edge asserts itself on the finish, though the fruit keeps pace just a half-step behind. This should settle in with some cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2036. 14,000 cases made.

Jeb Dunnuck — 92 Points
The 2020 Château Prieuré-Lichine has a solid perfume of redcurrants, blueberries, smoky oak, and chocolate that shows more and more floral nuances with time in the glass. Nicely textured on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It needs a solid 4–6 years of bottle age but is another impressive 2020 with real class.

• Producer: Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: 4ème Grand Cru Classé, Margaux AOC
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
• Style: Red Wine — Full-Bodied, Elegant, Built for Aging
• Certification: High Environmental Value (HVE Level 3)
• Production: 14,000 cases
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, blackcurrant, boysenberry, tobacco, cacao, licorice, roses, lavender, pencil shavings, salty mineral, chalky finish
• Cellar Potential: Best from 2026 — drink through 2036+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, truffle dishes

Seven critics, one extraordinary vintage — Château Prieuré-Lichine 2020 is the benchmark for what 4ème Grand Cru Classé Margaux can achieve in a legendary year.

Jordan Winery | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California | Chardonnay | 2023

Russian River Valley's cool, fog-driven climate is tailor-made for Chardonnay, and Jordan has long been one of its most elegant interpreters. A cool, steady 2023 growing season allowed for extended hang time, producing a wine of exceptional finesse and complexity — bright acidity, layered citrus and stone fruit, and a restrained touch of French oak that enhances without dominating. Versatile enough for the aperitif glass, refined enough for the table.

Oak: Hint of French oak
Drink: Now–2029

Tasting Notes

• White peach, Meyer lemon, lime zest, and delicate floral blossom on the nose
• Zesty lime, orange peel, crisp Bosc pear, and elderflower on the palate
• Focused, textural mouthfeel | Crystal-clean mineral finish | Refreshing acidity

Critical Acclaim

• 94 pts — The Somm Journal (July 2025), Best Aromatic Whites: "Intense up-front flavors with white-peppered lemon drop, sleek and lively. Crisp acidity brightens notes of elderflower, McIntosh apple, and hazelnut. The mineral tone is crystal clean and clear on the finish."
• 93 pts — James Suckling: "Aromas of flint, wet stones, Meyer lemons and lime zest with subtle white flowers. Focused and textural, with loads of minerals and citrus oil in the finish."

Pairings: Raw bar, oysters, grilled salmon, ahi tuna, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, light salads

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 92 Points | A rich, fruity red with plum, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied with lots of round tannins and a savory finish.

Monica Larner writes;  The 2018 Maremma Toscana Ornello is a blend of Sangioveto (Sangiovese), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the design winery of Rocca di Frassinello on the Tuscan Coast. This wine pays homage to the "butteri," or cowboys, that roam this remote and hilly terrain with their sturdy horses and leather hats. This wine shows a dark and meaty character, no doubt added by the Syrah, with some burnt ember and exotic spice. The bouquet is infused with dark fruit, dried plum and blackberry preserves. This is a full-bodied Tuscan red to pair with cowboy meals of steak and beans.  Drinking 2020 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2018 Rocca di Frassinello is a bold, exotic wine. Ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon and rose petal are all kicked up in this flamboyant Maremma red. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. Hints of sweet pipe tobacco, cedar and mint appear over time, adding striking inner perfume and sweetness. The 2018 is a decidedly racy Rocca di Frassinello.  Drinking 2020 to 2033.  - Vinous 94

Castello di Bossi — Corbaia Toscana IGT 2022

Castello di Bossi is one of the benchmark estates of Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern reaches of Chianti Classico, with a history stretching back to the 13th century. Corbaia — named for the vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on the estate some 42 years ago — is their flagship Super-Tuscan: a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in stainless steel and matured in Allier oak barriques. The result is a wine of superb finesse and elegance, where the structure of Cabernet and the soul of Sangiovese find a natural equilibrium.

The 2022 is heady and explosive. Intense ruby-red with garnet highlights, it opens with a rush of dark fruit, new leather, blood orange, spice, and pipe tobacco — backed by jammy black currants, cherries, cassis, mocha, and vanilla. On the palate it is full-bodied yet supple, layered with rich texture and well-integrated tannins, with no hard edges and terrific balance. Pure and total sensuality, as Vinous put it — and they awarded it 95 points.

Vinous 95 — "The 2022 Corbaia is heady and explosive in the glass. A rush of dark fruit, new leather, blood orange, spice and pipe tobacco soars out of the glass. Rich yet not at all heavy, Corbaia delivers the goods. Readers will find a wine of pure and total sensuality with no hard edges and terrific balance."

• Producer: Castello di Bossi, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Toscana IGT (Super-Tuscan)
• Blend: Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, Allier oak barrique aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, blood orange, leather, tobacco, cassis, mocha, vanilla, integrated tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar through 2035
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, meats alla Diavola, Béarnaise sauces, aged Pecorino

A 95-point Super-Tuscan at $64 — Corbaia 2022 is Castello di Bossi at its most compelling.

Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2023 — Paso Robles, California

Daou Vineyards is one of Paso Robles’ most ambitious estates, founded by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou on a dramatic hilltop site in the Adelaida District — one of the appellation’s coolest, most limestone-rich growing areas. Since their first vintage, Daou has pursued a singular vision: to produce Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals Napa Valley at a fraction of the price. The 2023 vintage continues that mission with a wine of genuine complexity and cellar-worthy structure.

The 2023 opens with heady aromas of black plum, Zante currant, frankincense, and sage, followed by trailing scents of blackberry, cardamom, and espresso bean with accents of vanilla, saddle leather, and cinnamon toast. On the palate, fine-grained tannins provide structure for rich flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and mulberry, with secondary layers of black olive, sandalwood, and dark chocolate. The finish is velvety and long, with lingering impressions of chocolate-covered cherry, dried herbs, and toasty oak. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points, noting “clean lines of cherry, toasted wood, red flower and a pinch of thyme.”

Wine Enthusiast 91 — “The palate pairs familiar blackberry flavors with mocha spice. A satisfying, widely available bottling.”

• Producer: Daou Vineyards, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Paso Robles AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black plum, Zante currant, blackberry, cardamom, espresso, vanilla, dark chocolate, saddle leather, velvety finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, rich pasta, aged cheddar, hearty roasts — serve at 60–65°F

Paso Robles Cabernet at its most compelling — Daou punches well above its price.

Joel Gott | California | Unoaked Chardonnay | 2023

Joel Gott's answer to the heavy, buttery California Chardonnay: 100% stainless steel fermentation that preserves every bit of the grape's natural brightness and tropical acidity. No oak, no malolactic softening — just clean, vivid fruit and crisp minerality from start to finish. The 2023 is the go-to for Chardonnay lovers who want freshness over richness, and for those who've been burned by over-oaked whites before.

Fermentation: 100% stainless steel, unoaked
Closure: Screwcap
Drink: Now–2026

Tasting Notes

• Pear, sweet-tart apple, and mango on the nose
• Citrus and honeysuckle aromatics
• Bright fruit entry | Crisp minerality on the mid-palate | Long, clean finish

Pairings: Grilled fish, shrimp, light salads, goat cheese, sushi

FETZER VALLEY OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON NV | 750ML

🇺🇸 United States — Cabernet Sauvignon | California

A reliable, food-friendly California Cabernet that delivers more than its price suggests. The nose opens with enticing aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and vanilla, with evident oak spice and a hint of herbs. On the palate, ripe blackberry, mocha, toffee, and vanilla layer together in a medium-bodied wine with medium-firm tannins that provide structure and balance. A wine that will continue to evolve in the bottle.

Fetzer’s Valley Oaks range has long been a benchmark for approachable, well-made California red — consistent, versatile, and built for the table.

Pairs well with: Grilled meats, burgers, pasta with red sauce, aged cheddar.

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California, United States
Style: Medium-bodied, oak-aged
Format: 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Vinous 92 Points Eric Guido | More savory than sweet and wonderfully complex, the 2019 Brut Rosé North Coast bursts from the glass with toasty notes of fresh baguette and almonds, giving way to crushed apples and gingery spice. This rushes the palate with an elegant bead of silken bubbles. It is creamy yet energetic, and mineral-tinged orchard fruits add further tension. The 2019 leaves the senses wonderfully refreshed through the long, crunchy finale, as white strawberry and spice cookie notes fade. The Brut Rosé is a pleasure bomb, yet it’s wonderfully balanced throughout.  Drinking 2023 to 2027.    

Wine Spectator 92 Points | A delicate, graceful rosé, with refined strawberry, fresh ginger and yeast roll tones that glide on the supple finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now.  

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 95 Points: Lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points: More restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. Medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious — a second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade.

Vinous 91 Points: Very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Controlled and classic in style. Medium-bodied with concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and Provençal herbs. Powerful with a generous finish — a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure.

Wine Advocate 90 Points: Fleshy and demonstrative, bursting with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish. Will drink well young.

Winemaker Description

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in unfashionable vintages, thanks to its unique Pessac-Léognan terroir and a draconian selection process in both vineyard and cellar — at times requiring five successive passes through the vines to pick only the ripest possible grapes. L’Esprit de Chevalier, created in 1986 from young vines and vats not destined for the grand vin, is a charming second wine that shares many of the same qualities as Domaine de Chevalier’s flagship — complex, well-balanced, and elegant — with the added advantage of being approachable earlier.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb rack with herbs, beef tenderloin, or duck confit.
• Classic Bordeaux: Lamb chops with truffle jus, venison, or a classic French cassoulet.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

A Classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from One of the Valley’s Most Iconic Estates

Cakebread Cellars has been crafting benchmark Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon since 1973, and the 2022 is a quintessential expression of the house style — rich, layered, and beautifully balanced. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, and 1% Cabernet Franc, it delivers ripe blackberry, plum, and boysenberry with dark chocolate, baking spices, and toasty oak, underpinned by bright acidity and velvety tannins.

Expert Reviews

• James Suckling — 92 pts: Plush and generous aromas of blackcurrants, mulberries and baking spices. Full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving flavors of olive tapenade, blackberries and cedar. Approachable for early drinking, but will age nicely. (Vintage 2022). 

Winemaker Notes

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml

Rich layers of ripe blackberry, plum, and boysenberry enhanced by subtle hints of dark chocolate, baking spices, and toasty oak. Bright acidity and velvety tannins deliver a full-bodied yet refined and elegant structure. Approachable now and built to age gracefully.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Producer: Cakebread Cellars
• Vintage: 2022
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — exceptional with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb rack, rich pork dishes, game, and aged cheddar or Gruyère.

Buehler Vineyards Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022

A family-owned estate established in 1978, Buehler Vineyards has quietly built one of California’s most respected reputations for quality and value — wines that consistently overdeliver at their price points, vintage after vintage. Their Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a standout expression of cool-climate winemaking from one of Sonoma’s most celebrated appellations, where the influence of the Pacific Ocean and morning fog creates ideal conditions for Chardonnay of genuine elegance and complexity.

Crafted from two exceptional vineyard sources — Wood Vineyard on River Road and River Vineyard on East Side Road — the blend brings together the floral, mineral, and lime character of River Vineyard with the lush peach and apricot richness of Wood Vineyard. Sur-lie aging adds toasty brioche and graham cracker notes with a creamy, velvet-textured mouthfeel that elevates the wine well above its price point.

Abundant floral and stone fruit aromas on the nose. The palate is plush and smooth — lemon meringue, peach preserves, grilled pineapple, and subtle spice — with toasty brioche richness, bright natural acidity, and a long, clean finish with marmalade and spice accents.

Wine Spectator — 88 Points

“Lemon meringue, peach preserves and grilled pineapple mingle with spice, toasted brioche and marmalade notes on a plump and smooth frame.”

Food Pairings

Roasted chicken, lobster with butter, grilled halibut, creamy pasta, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Varietal: Chardonnay
Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California
Vintage: 2022
Aging: Sur-lie
Format: 750ml
Score: 88 pts Wine Spectator

The Original Super Tuscan — Sassicaia at Its Most Compelling

No wine better defines the Super Tuscan movement than Sassicaia. Created by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the 1940s and first commercially released in 1968, Sassicaia pioneered the use of Cabernet Sauvignon on the Tuscan coast and forever changed the landscape of Italian fine wine.

By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary

Dönnhoff Estate Riesling — Nahe VDP.Gutswein 2024

Dönnhoff is the Nahe. For decades, Helmut Dönnhoff and now his son Cornelius have set the standard for German Riesling from this compact, geologically extraordinary region between the Mosel and the Rhine. The estate's vineyards sit on steep slopes around Oberhausen in the middle Nahe, where volcanic porphyry, melaphyre, slate, and quartzite converge in soils unlike anywhere else in Germany. It is this geological complexity — ancient, mineral-rich, and deeply expressive — that gives Dönnhoff Rieslings their signature clarity, precision, and finesse.

The 2024 Estate Riesling is a VDP.Gutswein — the entry point into the Dönnhoff range, and one of the most overdelivering bottles in German wine. Sourced from a broader selection of sites than usual, including Oberhäuser Felsenberg and Kieselberg, and fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large oak barrels, the wine captures the full character of the 2024 vintage: brilliant fruit, lively acidity, and a cool, precise finish. Bone dry, screw-capped, and built for immediate pleasure.

Luminous pale gold in the glass. The nose is effusive and aromatic — mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, and white peach, with a fine saline minerality threading through. On the palate it is svelte and medium-bodied, zesty and ripe, with a sunny, lip-smacking quality and a long, saline, savory finish. Pure Riesling. Vibrant, fresh, and immensely clean — a crystal-clear expression of what Dönnhoff and the Nahe are all about.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling — 92 Points
“Brimming with mandarin orange and yellow peach aromas, this is a very attractive entry-level dry Riesling. Barely medium-bodied, but so effusive and elegant. Very zesty finish.”

Vinous — 91 Points
“An absolutely clear-cut, lip-smacking Riesling. The palate is totally strait-laced, zesty and ripe, with a sunny aspect. Svelte and immensely fresh.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Remarkably intense and aromatic yellow stone fruit intermingled with complex and saline terroir notes of the middle Nahe. Fresh and savory on the palate — pure and fresh with remarkable intensity and sustainability on the finish.”

• Producer: Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, Germany
• Vintage: 2024
• Classification: VDP.Gutswein
• Appellation: Nahe
• Grape: 100% Riesling
• Closure: Screw cap
• Style: Bone-dry, mineral, medium-bodied Nahe Riesling
• Tasting Notes: Mandarin orange, yellow peach, green apple, citrus zest, saline minerality
• Drink Window: Now–2032
• Best Paired With: Spicy Thai or Indian cuisine, fresh trout, Jägerschnitzel, salty cheeses, oysters

Three critics. Three 90+ scores. The Nahe’s finest estate — at its most accessible.

Stellenbosch Cabernet from South Africa's Most Trailblazing Winemaker

Ntsiki Biyela is one of South Africa's most celebrated winemakers — the first Black woman to earn a winemaking degree in South Africa, and the founder of Aslina Wines, named in honor of her grandmother. Her Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of genuine character: bold, structured, and deeply expressive of the Cape's finest red wine appellation.

Winemaker Notes

Aslina Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Natural 2023 750ml

Full-bodied with hints of minty character, cigar box, and lots of dark fruit. Bold on the palate with chewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish.

About Ntsiki Biyela

Growing up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, Ntsiki was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999 and graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) from Stellenbosch University. She has since consulted in Bordeaux, collaborated with Californian winemakers, and sits on the board of the Pinotage Youth Development Academy — which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans entering the wine industry.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
• Producer: Aslina Wines
• Winemaker: Ntsiki Biyela
• Vintage: 2023
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised lamb, venison, aged hard cheeses, and Cape Malay-spiced dishes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2008

97 Points Wine Spectator:  Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast:  The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.

96 Points Decanter: Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

93 Points Wine Advocate:  The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Half-Bottle. This wine is a gastronomic specialty made from hand-picked frozen grapes that were harvested in the early morning hours at 10F. These grapes produce only a small amount of highly concentrated juice.

The resulting wine is similarly concentrated with intense flavors of apricot, pineapple and spicy pear. Its silky sweetness is balanced by bright acidity, which makes it perfect to pair with richer desserts.

Warehouse stored item - please allow three to five business days to fulfill.

The Musar Jeune (formally known as Cuvée Rouge) is the second wine of Château Musar. This red has some spicy Syrah added to the regular mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault. Great dark cherry fruit on the palate with palpable yet approachable tannins.

Winemaker Description 

An elegant and feminine Riesling with fine fruit of ripe lemon, apricot and pineapple. Juicy and harmonious on the palate, with charming acidity and a fine floral finish.

The Hochheimer 2024 comes from one of the lime-rich southwest-facing slopes of the renowned VDP. Erste Lage (Premier Cru) Hochheimer Hölle – a steep slope above Hochheim am Main, protected from northerly winds and characterized by loess loam and clay marl, which lend this Riesling its structure, depth, and saline tension.

Memo Summary Notes

The designation "Alte Reben" (Old Vines) indicates complexity and depth, while "Trocken" means the wine is bone-dry. The Hochheimer Stielweg vineyard is also designated as a VDP.Erste Lage (First Growth), signifying a top-tier site.

This wine's power and acidity make it a versatile food partner:

• Seafood: Grilled fish, lobster, or scallops.

• Asian Cuisine: Spicy dishes, especially with a balance of sweet and sour.

• Traditional German Fare: Lauchsuppe (leek soup), asparagus, or veal.

Antinori Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado al Tasso — Bolgheri 2024

The Antinori family has been making wine in Tuscany for over 600 years, and Tenuta Guado al Tasso is their crown jewel on the Bolgheri coast — situated near the birthplace of the Super Tuscan movement, where the moderating influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea produces wines of remarkable freshness, structure, and Mediterranean character. Il Bruciato is the estate’s second wine: a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend that delivers the elegance and complexity of the appellation at an approachable price point. One of Italy’s most consistent and beloved Super Tuscans, and an outstanding value from one of Tuscany’s greatest estates.

The 2024 vintage shows an intense, deep ruby color. The nose is expressive and detailed: ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, wildflowers, thyme, sweet spice, and a lifted hint of liquorice. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with polished tannins, a rounded chocolate-tinged texture, fresh coastal acidity, and a long, savory, fruit-driven finish with umami depth. Approachable now, with the structure to develop further over 3–5 years.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 — “Expressive and detailed, with aromas of wildflowers, thyme, ripe cherry, and subtle gamey earthiness. Rounded, chocolate-tinged texture balanced by refreshing acidity. Polished and approachable.”

Wine Advocate 90 — “Ripe, chewy darkness with thick flavors of plummy fruit, blackberry and a savory note reminiscent of tomatoes on the vine. Soft in texture with a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel and a gentle dustiness from fully-integrated tannins.”

67 Wine — “Il Bruciato is the benchmark entry into the world of Bolgheri — the elegance and complexity of a great Super Tuscan estate at a price that makes it an everyday pleasure.”

• Producer: Marchesi Antinori, Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
• Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot
• Style: Super Tuscan
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, wildflowers, thyme, sweet spice, liquorice, chocolate, savory umami finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Serve: 64–68°F
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, lamb chops, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, hearty pasta

Six centuries of Antinori mastery, one exceptional Bolgheri estate — Il Bruciato is the Super Tuscan that belongs on every table.