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Single-Vineyard Napa Perfection — Nickel & Nickel State Ranch

Nickel & Nickel is Napa Valley's preeminent single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon producer, dedicated exclusively to crafting wines that express the unique character of individual estate vineyards. State Ranch is their Yountville expression — a site that delivers a distinctive combination of power, elegance, and aromatic complexity that sets it apart from other Napa appellations. At $110, this is a serious collector's Cabernet that rewards both immediate enjoyment and medium-term cellaring.

Winemaker Notes

Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Napa Valley 2022 750ml

Powerful and driven, State Ranch captivates the nose with a perfume of mixed wild berries, black cherry, and aromatic herbs. At once juicy and concentrated, layers of black plum, black currant, and clove flavors unfold on the tongue. Polished tannins melt into the palate, beautifully framing the wine from entry to the long, silky finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Yountville, Napa Valley
• Vineyard: State Ranch (single-vineyard)
• Producer: Nickel & Nickel
• Vintage: 2022
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the fine dining table — exceptional with dry-aged ribeye, lamb rack with herbs, braised short ribs, wild mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses.

Tasting Notes

• White peach, pear, and citrus blossom on the nose
• Lively grapefruit and stone fruit on the palate
• Mouth-filling texture | Crisp acidity | Clean, refreshing finish

Pairings: Seafood, grilled fish, light pasta, goat cheese, tapas

Vegan-friendly.

Marqués de Cáceres | Rueda DO, Castilla y León, Spain | 2025

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

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

Winemaker Description 

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

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

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points |  Bramble, red berries, black tea, vanilla, and dried flowers are notes on the nose. The flavors on the palate are strawberry, watermelon, Bing cherry, fresh fennel, and a mouth-watering juicy finish. pair with bresaola, fontina cheese pizza  — Tonya Pitts 

Winemaker Description 

The Judean Hills Blanc reflects the character and quality of the vineyards, located in the ancient region of Judean Hills. The color on this wine is a light gold, its not a deep color but its a pretty light gold.

The aromas are really nice, citrusy, melony, gooseberries, but also some yellow pear and green apple. There are lots going on fruit wise on the nose which makes it a really nice, medium to full bodied wine.

The acid comes on in the mid palate with more citrus in the mouth and a big acid on the finish. This wine is still going strong. It has a fairly long finish for a white wine, with some nice residual acid and melon flavor on the back.

The wine is super enjoyable with its fairly big white wine flavors. It drinks beautifully today and will keep developing in the bottle during the next 2-3 years.

Winemaker Description 

Straw yellow color. The nose is intense and delicate with notes of orange blossom, apricot, and peach. On the palate, it is soft, fresh, with a tasty finish and a fruity aftertaste.

From the rolling hills of Umbria, the Antinori Santa Cristina Orvieto Classico Campogrande 2024 is a fresh and vibrant expression of one of Italy’s historic white wine regions, Orvieto Classico. Crafted primarily from traditional local varieties including Grechetto and Procanico (the local name for Trebbiano Toscano), this wine captures the bright, easygoing character that has made Orvieto famous for centuries.

Pale straw in color, it opens with inviting aromas of white peach, citrus blossom, green apple, and delicate floral notes. The palate is crisp and refreshing, showing lively acidity and flavors of lemon, pear, and subtle almond, finishing clean and mineral-driven.

Perfect as an aperitif or paired with seafood, light pasta dishes, salads, and fresh cheeses, this classic Italian white offers both elegance and everyday drinkability.

A refreshing, food-friendly white that showcases the timeless charm of Orvieto.

Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon Biodynamic 2024 · Burgundy, France

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Burghound, reviewed June 2026 — 91-94 Points - The more elegant nose is cooler and also overtly floral with its aromas of apple, pear, spice and just sliced citrus. There is excellent energy and delineation to the slightly more mineral-driven and gorgeously textured middle weight flavors that display fine length on the comparably complex finale. This too is lovely and I particularly like the balance.

The Vineyard

Clavoillon – 1 parcel in Puligny-Montrachet, 4ha 79a (11.84 acres). Domaine Leflaive owns more than 85% of this Premier Cru, planted in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1981, 1983 and 1988. Cultivation: Organic (Ecocert 1992), Biodynamic (Biodyvin 1998).

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White
• Farming: Biodynamic

Egly-Ouriet | Les Crayères VV | Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut | Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Practicing Organic

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. Francis Egly farms his parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision that have earned the domaine a cult following among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.

Among the rarest and most celebrated wines in the Egly-Ouriet portfolio, Les Crayères VV is a single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs made entirely from old-vine Pinot Noir. VV stands for Vieilles Vignes — old vines. The fruit comes exclusively from the legendary Les Crayères parcel, located just east of Ambonnay, planted largely in 1946 and 1947. The vineyard occupies a prized south-facing site with only a thin layer of topsoil above a deep bed of pure chalk — the name Les Crayères itself refers to this intensely chalky terroir. Very old vines, naturally low yields, and chalk-rich soils produce Pinot Noir of extraordinary concentration, minerality, and freshness.

Harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (small proportion of new oak), with malolactic fermentation blocked to preserve energy and acidity. The wine spends approximately six years aging on its lees before disgorgement, and is finished with an exceptionally low dosage — bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving its depth, texture, and individual vineyard character.

Deep golden in the glass. Aromas of ripe pear, dried apple, red berries, and bitter orange unfold alongside toasted brioche, roasted nuts, honey, cocoa, and warm baking spices. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated — fine, persistent mousse, layers of red fruit, ginger, cardamom, and toasted pastry, balanced by mouthwatering acidity, pronounced chalky structure, and a long, saline mineral finish. Although immediately impressive, this is a Champagne built to develop gracefully in the cellar.

An exceptional Champagne for the table — pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, lobster, roasted poultry, duck, charcuterie, wild mushrooms, richly flavored fish, aged Comté, Parmesan, and other firm, mature cheeses.

• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Cuvée: Les Crayères VV (Vieilles Vignes)
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut
• Appellation: Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Vineyard: Les Crayères single parcel, Ambonnay
• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vine Age: Planted 1946 & 1947
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Soils: Pure chalk with thin topsoil
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels (small % new)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
• Lees Aging: ~6 years
• Dosage: Exceptionally low
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Base vintages, dosage, and disgorgement dates may vary by release.

Expert Review - Vintage 2010

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 98 Points  | Dinner starts with a fresh, briny oyster and a glass of 2010 Dom Ruinart. It’s a beautiful pairing. I have always loved the 2010 for the way it straddles the worlds of Champagne and still wine. It is absolutely glorious on this night. In fact, I could have had it for the entire meal. A deep, luscious morel broth and Brittany scallops are other highlights among the amuse-bouches. (Drink between 2023-2050).

Winemaker Description 

Indulge in the pure expression of Chardonnay with Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010. A vintage Champagne capturing the elegance and finesse of Chardonnay, with notes of citrus blossom, green apple, and a refined minerality. A perfect aperitif or accompaniment to delicate seafood dishes.

William Fèvre · Chablis Champs Royaux · Chablis AOC · Burgundy · 2024

William Fèvre is one of Chablis’ most storied domaines, farming 37 hectares across the appellation’s most prized exposures on both banks of the Serein river. Champs Royaux — the “Royal Fields” — draws from vineyards rooted in Kimmeridgian limestone, the ancient seabed of oyster fossils and marine sediment that defines Chablis’ signature minerality. Fermented on native yeasts in predominantly stainless steel with full malolactic conversion, this is a textbook expression of the appellation: linear, fresh, and built for the table.

The 2024 opens with a clean, inviting nose of citrus, white fruit, and a whisper of chalk. On the palate, it is fresh and supple — medium-bodied with bright acidity, a subtle mineral thread, and a slightly oaky finish that adds just enough texture without obscuring the wine’s essential freshness. Classic Chablis character at an exceptional price point.

• Producer: William Fèvre
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chablis AOC, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone (oyster fossils & marine sediment)
• Vinification: Native yeasts; 95% stainless steel, 5% old French oak; full malolactic fermentation
• Aging: 10–12 months stainless steel; 5–6 months old French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white fruit, crushed chalk, subtle oak, linear mineral finish
• Pairings: Oysters, grilled seafood, chicken in cream sauce, soft cheeses
• Serve: Well-chilled, 44–48°F

Chablis AOC — Kimmeridgian minerality and classic Burgundian precision from one of the appellation’s benchmark estates.

Terre de Vertus is one of Larmandier-Bernier's most celebrated single-terroir Champagnes — a vintage Blanc de Blancs drawn entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Premier Cru village of Vertus. The fruit comes from two plots within the Les Barillers lieu-dit, situated mid-slope with a southeast exposure, a site the estate has vinified separately since 1995. Farmed biodynamically and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres, the wine rests on its lees through winter before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle and more than five years of additional lees aging. The 2017 was disgorged in May 2023 with zero dosage — no sugar added — preserving the vineyard's exceptionally pure, dry and mineral expression.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

93 Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus imparts a very mineral, almost crystalline character. A vineyard that rarely produces powerful wines, even in the context of 2017, it has retained its personality, though it's a little more generous and slightly less focused than the 2016 rendition. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle and oyster shell, it is medium-bodied, racy and saline-tinged."

93 Vinous: "Creamy, open-knit and quite seductive. Readers will find a generous, sensual Champagne with plenty of early appeal. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint and chamomile build beautifully over time. This is a fine effort in a very challenging year."

Tasting Notes

Precise, expressive and intensely mineral. The nose opens with lemon peel, dried pear and delicate floral notes, followed by honeysuckle, mint, chamomile and a distinctive oyster-shell salinity. The palate is creamy and generous yet beautifully energized — fine acidity and a taut mineral backbone carry through to a finish that is dry, racy, saline and exceptionally pure. Oak fermentation lends supple texture; zero dosage ensures nothing stands between you and the terroir of Vertus.

Food Pairing

An exceptional partner for oysters and shellfish, sashimi, sushi, scallops, grilled or roasted white fish, lobster, roast poultry and aged cheeses. Its saline character and zero dosage make it especially compelling alongside seafood and dishes built around fresh herbs or citrus.

Specifications

Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Blanc de Blancs / Brut Nature / Non Dosé
Dosage: 0 g/L — Zero Dosage
Vintage: 2017
Vineyard: Les Barillers lieu-dit
Farming: Biodynamic
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in old oak casks and large wooden foudres
Aging: 5+ years on the lees in bottle
Disgorgement: May 2023
ABV: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

Produced from 100% Chardonnay, this distinguished white Burgundy comes from Les Clavoillons, a Premier Cru vineyard situated in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet. The vineyard lies between Les Pucelles to the south and Les Folatières to the north, placing it among some of the appellation’s most celebrated Chardonnay terroirs.

The approximately 40-year-old vines are planted at an elevation of about 230 meters, with a southeast-facing exposure and chalky limestone soils containing a higher proportion of clay. This lower-slope location gives Les Clavoillons a character that is typically richer and rounder than Puligny-Montrachet vineyards situated higher on the hillside, while retaining the appellation’s signature freshness and mineral precision.

The elegant 2023 vintage opens with aromas of lime blossom, fresh citrus, white peach and crisp apple. The palate is graceful and beautifully balanced, offering a creamy texture supported by fine acidity and a distinct mineral backbone. As the wine unfolds, delicate notes of baking spice and toasted brioche emerge, adding complexity to the long, refined finish.

The Chavy family has lived and worked in Puligny-Montrachet for more than two centuries. Jean-Louis Chavy established his own domaine in 2004 and today farms nearly seven hectares, including prized Premier Cru parcels in Les Clavoillons, Les Folatières, Les Champs Gains and Les Perrières. His wines are known for their purity, elegance and restrained use of oak, allowing each vineyard’s individual character to remain at the forefront.

• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Subregion: Côte de Beaune
• Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru
• Vineyard: Les Clavoillons
• Classification: Premier Cru
• Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
• Altitude: Approximately 230 meters
• Exposure: Southeast
• Soil: Chalky limestone with a higher concentration of clay
• Alcohol: Approximately 13%
• Style: Dry, elegant, creamy and mineral-driven white Burgundy
• Serving Temperature: Approximately 50–55°F

Food Pairings: An excellent match for oysters, raw seafood, grilled fish, scallops, lobster, roast poultry, veal, creamy mushroom dishes and mild Alpine cheeses.

Domaine J-L & F Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Clavoillons 2023

J. Vignier Les Abbesses Blanc de Blancs Brut — Côte de Sézanne 2015

Les Abbesses is J. Vignier’s single-vineyard expression of the Côte de Sézanne — a 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs from one exceptional parcel in Vindey, a village whose name is believed to derive from the Latin vinum dei: “wine of God.” The vineyard is planted on a rare combination of silex and alluvial soils over deep Cretaceous chalk — the flint-rich surface absorbs warmth during the day, driving full Chardonnay maturity, while the underlying chalk preserves freshness, tension, and mineral precision. 2015 was the inaugural vintage of this cuvée. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged 60 months in bottle, it emerges with the depth and integration of a wine that has found its voice. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Deep and self-possessed on the nose: white flowers, ripe orchard fruit, and fresh citrus, with subtle brioche and a focused mineral core emerging with air. The palate is elegant yet generous — fine bubbles, creamy texture, and a chalky freshness that carries through a long, dry, and graceful finish. The Sézanne terroir gives the wine a rounder, more expressive character than the northern Côte des Blancs, while the silex soils add a distinctive smoky, flinty edge that sets Les Abbesses apart.

“Les Abbesses is the inaugural expression of a remarkable terroir — silex and chalk in Vindey, the village of the ‘wine of God,’ rendered with precision and generosity in equal measure.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte de Sézanne, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2015 (inaugural release)
• Appellation: Champagne
• Village: Vindey, Côte de Sézanne
• Vineyard: Les Abbesses (single-vineyard)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Silex and alluvium over deep Cretaceous chalk
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Bottle Aging: 60 months
• Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/L | Acidity: 4.4 g/L | pH: 3.08 | Alcohol: 12.3%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, orchard fruit, citrus, brioche, silex smokiness, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, soft-ripened cheeses

2015 vintage. 60 months in bottle. A single parcel in Vindey — silex over chalk. J. Vignier’s Les Abbesses is Côte de Sézanne Blanc de Blancs at its most distinctive and compelling.

Anterra Pinot Grigio | Terre Siciliane | 2024 | 1.5 Liter Magnum

Sun-drenched and effortlessly elegant — the Anterra Pinot Grigio is grown using 100% sustainable viticulture in the dry, warm heart of Central-Western Sicily, where the variety takes on a uniquely decisive character while retaining its signature freshness. The name Anterra — "ancient land" in Italian — pays homage to Sicily's millennia-long winemaking heritage.

This 1.5 Liter Magnum is the perfect format for the table: generous, impressive, and built for sharing. Expect a pale lemon pour with aromas of tropical fruit, green apple, fresh peach, and delicate floral notes with a whisper of almond. On the palate, it's crisp, balanced, and clean — a crowd-pleaser that punches well above its price.

Food Pairing

Excellent with appetizers, flavorful soups, poultry, and seafood — particularly shellfish.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Tropical fruit, green apple, peach, floral notes, hint of almond
• Palate: Crisp, light-bodied, fresh and elegant
• Finish: Clean, refreshing, pleasantly dry

Wine Details

• Grape: 100% Pinot Grigio
• Region: Terre Siciliane, Sicily — Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 1.5 Liter Magnum
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Farming: 100% Sustainable

Bull by the Horns · Paso Robles · 2022

This Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon delivers generous, perfumed fruit in a full-bodied style, with supple tannins and a lift of juicy acidity. Notes of baked red cherry and plum meet savory hints of graphite, tobacco, tea leaves and anise.

Pour it alongside ribeye, barbecue brisket, lamb burgers, smoked short ribs or aged cheddar for an easygoing California red that holds its own at the table.

Expert Review · 2022 Vintage

Wine Advocate 90 points: The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is scented of baked red cherry and plum with nuances of graphite, tobacco, tea leaves, and aniseed. The full-bodied palate offers generous, perfumed fruit. It has supple tannins and just enough juicy acidity to call you in for another sip.

Wine Details

• Producer: Bull by the Horns
• Appellation: Paso Robles, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Its traditional production makes Vocation Champagne a Blanc de Noirs to enjoy on any occasion and turn it into a memorable moment.

The Champagne region is synonymous with excellence, hard work and continuous work to continue offering recognized world-class wines and bubbles. Our vocation and respect for nature, as well as our lives, manage to create the best fruit which is the basis and structure for our final offering.

Vocation is the living representation of what has been our home for centuries and radiates our values ​​as a family by making and respecting the traditional way of making champagne, the precious liquid.

Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot · Montagny 1er Cru · 2023

Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot Montagny 1er Cru 2023 brings together the mineral character of Montagny with round, silky Chardonnay texture. Crushed-shell notes and a light lemon freshness meet juicy fruit, creamy vanilla and spice in a white Burgundy with both richness and lift.

Origin & Style

Made from 100% Chardonnay from Montagny 1er Cru in Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise, this wine balances tropical pineapple and citrus with lovely acidity and a lingering finish. Jasper Morris awards the 2023 vintage 90 points, highlighting its intensity, pure white fruit and extended finish.

Expert Review · Vintage 2023

Jasper Morris · 90 Points

Pale with a lime streak. Classically Montagny with a crushed shell note on the nose. Very intense overall, pure white fruit, just a light lemon rinse, stretching out nicely at the finish. Does just what it should. Drink 2026–2029.

Winemaker Notes

Very spicy on the nose and on the palate. Creamy vanilla bean flavors, round and silky in texture with lovely acidity and juicy fruit — a beautiful balance of tropical pineapple and citrus with a lingering finish.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, pan-seared fish with a lemon-butter sauce, scallops or a creamy mushroom risotto. Its combination of citrus freshness and silky texture makes it a versatile choice for dishes with a little richness.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Subregion: Côte Chalonnaise
• Appellation: Montagny 1er Cru
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Type: White wine
• Review: Jasper Morris, 90 Points (2023 vintage)
• Suggested Drinking Window: 2026–2029, per Jasper Morris

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

Rated 91 points by Tasting Panel (January 2024) 

Rated 90 points & Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast (December 2023) 

The 2021 One Stone Cabernet is loaded with complex aromas of plum, black olive, caramel, graphite and earthy loam. The palate is sumptuous and integrated, offering generous flavors of black cherry, cassis, cranberry, fig, anise and espresso. Velvety textures and flashy tannins complete the experience of this fully expressed Cabernet Sauvignon.

Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2023 — Napa Valley, California

Frank Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates, with roots tracing back to the historic Larkmead Winery site in Calistoga. Founded by Rich Frank in 1992, the winery has built its reputation on benchmark Napa Cabernet Sauvignon — wines that combine the valley’s signature power and richness with genuine elegance and age-worthiness. The 2023 vintage was a cool, precise year in Napa, producing wines of exceptional freshness and structure.

The 2023 opens with pronounced aromas of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla. On the palate, flavors of black plum, nutmeg, dark chocolate, and a touch of espresso build into a complex, full-bodied structure, anchored by a core of elegant acidity and fine tannins that carry from start to a long, savory finish. James Suckling awarded it 94 points, calling it “a refined and complete example of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon showing all the poise and freshness of the cool vintage.”

James Suckling 94 — “Taut and austere, with a good core of fruit, fine tannins, a textured mouthfeel and balanced acidity, leading to a savory, mouthwatering finish.”

• Producer: Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, black plum, nutmeg, dark chocolate, espresso, elegant acidity
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar, Manchego

A benchmark Napa Cabernet at a price that still makes sense — Frank Family delivers every time.

Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — Maipo Valley, Chile 2022 750ml

Chile’s first icon wine and a true benchmark among the world’s finest labels, Don Melchor is the singular expression of the Puente Alto Denomination of Origin — a vineyard planted at the foot of the Andes Mountains on the northern bank of the Maipo River at 650 meters elevation. The Don Melchor Vineyard spans 125 hectares, with vines averaging 38 years of age, rooted in the poor gravel soils and balanced temperatures that define this legendary Cabernet Sauvignon terroir. The 2022 blend is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in French oak barrels with 78% new oak.

The 2022 vintage delivered exceptionally even temperatures throughout the growing season, with stable conditions from veraison through ripening and cooler nights that preserved freshness and aromatic precision. Winemaker Enrique Tirado describes it as a wine of “intense aromatic expression dominated by red fruit and floral notes followed by blackcurrants and blackberries — smooth on entry, evolving into mouth-filling flavours with tremendous concentration, great energy, fine textures, and a long, expressive finish.”

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 99 Points: Blackcurrants, cassis, and graphite on the nose. Pure and fragrant. Full-bodied with superb density and tannins that are so polished — the texture is like touching a silk ball. The finish is very long and compact, and it will come together beautifully with time in the bottle.

Tim Atkin 97 Points: Fresh yet rich and concentrated. Youthful, focused, and well structured — a seamless cuvée showing delightful purity and elegance, top notes of cedarwood and graphite, layered tannins, and a core of cassis, vanilla spice, and black cherry.

Vinous 97 Points: Complex aromas of currant, blackberry, ash, mint, and a subtle floral tone. Dry, rich, and moderately juicy with precisely calibrated tannins and clear fruit imparting intensity and agility. A more nuanced and energetic edition of Don Melchor.

• Producer: Viña Don Melchor, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Puente Alto Denomination of Origin, Maipo Valley
• Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
• Aging: French oak barrels, 78% new
• Vineyard: 125 hectares at 650m, vines averaging 38 years old
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, cedarwood, black cherry, mint, floral, silk tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Exceptional aging potential — best from 2027 onward; decant if opening now
• Best Paired With: Prime ribeye, braised short ribs, roast lamb, aged hard cheeses, truffle dishes

Chile’s most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon — Don Melchor 2022 is a wine of extraordinary concentration, elegance, and Andean terroir that belongs in any serious cellar.

Expert Review — Vintage 2021

Vinous 90 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Grillos Cantores hails from Requínoa in the Cachapoal Andes region. After a year in concrete vats, this bright purple wine unfolds currant and sweet briar notes along with a faintly balsamic layer. Dry, polished and light, this easygoing red offers fine-grained tannins with a lasting fruity/herbal finish — an unexpectedly light Cabernet from Cachapoal.

About Clos des Fous

Clos des Fous ("Enclosure of the Madmen") was founded in 2008 by four friends — including world-renowned terroir expert Pedro Parra — who were tired of hearing that Chilean wine was boring and industrial. They set out to make exciting wines from extreme terroirs with minimal intervention. Pedro holds a Ph.D. in terroir science and consults globally with vignerons like Jean-Marc Roulot.

The name "Grillos Cantores" means "Singing Crickets," a nod to the sound that fills this specific vineyard in Alto Cachapoal at the foot of the Andes.

Tasting & Pairings

Dark fruits (blackberry, plum), currant, sweet briar, and a faintly balsamic layer. Dry, polished, and surprisingly light-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a herbal finish. Serve at cellar temperature.

• Grilled lamb with rosemary — herbal notes in the wine mirror the seasoning.
• Steak with chimichurri — the wine's acidity stands up to vinegar and herbs.
• Aged cheddar — tannins cut through the fat in hard, salty cheeses.

Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot · Bourgogne Blanc · 2023

Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Blanc 2023 is a Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, offered in a 750ml bottle. It introduces the domaine's white wines through the regional Bourgogne appellation, making it a natural choice for a meal centered on roast chicken, fish or soft cheese.

Producer & Context

The existing estate notes describe Domaine Matrot as a Côte de Beaune family estate with vineyards concentrated in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault-Blagny. They emphasize the attention given to the Bourgogne Blanc alongside the domaine's higher-tier cuvées.

Staff Review · Vintage Not Specified

Bart Hopkins

“This fabulous Bourgogne is a dead ringer for a top quality Meursault… round and fleshy with flavors and aromas of white peach, pear and nectarine. Plump in the mouth with a delightful mid palate that finishes with lively freshness and just a shade of toasty oak.”

This staff review was carried in the previous listing without a stated vintage; it is not presented as a confirmed tasting note for 2023.

Previous Listing Notes · Vintage 2022

The earlier description characterized the 2022 as round and fleshy, with white peach, pear and nectarine, mid-palate richness, lively freshness and a shade of toasty oak. It also described hand-harvesting from 20-year-old vines near Meursault, whole-bunch pressing, indigenous-yeast fermentation in oak barrels with 20% new oak, complete malolactic fermentation and 12 months of lees aging without stirring. These details are retained as historical listing context and have not been established for the 2023 vintage.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, grilled fish, lobster bisque, vegetarian dishes or soft Burgundian cheeses.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot
• Wine: Bourgogne Blanc
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Bourgogne
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine

Power, elegance, and exceptional pedigree come together in this Grand Cru Chardonnay from Burgundy’s celebrated Corton hillside. The 2023 vintage reveals a brilliant pale-yellow color and expressive aromas of toasted almond and vanilla. Generous and full-bodied, the palate unfolds with fresh almond and roasted coffee notes, leading to a long, richly layered finish. Sourced from southeast-facing vineyards with stony limestone soils, this wine reflects Louis Latour’s historic connection to Corton-Charlemagne, where the family is the appellation’s largest vineyard owner. Hand-picked grapes undergo barrel fermentation and full malolactic fermentation, followed by eight to ten months in 100% new French oak barrels crafted at the house’s own cooperage. Awarded 98 points by James Suckling, this distinguished white Burgundy offers the depth for special-occasion dining and a producer-estimated cellaring potential of 10–15 years. Serve alongside lobster, fine fish dishes, shellfish, or mature cheeses for a memorable pairing.

Expert Ratings

98 James Suckling: Fantastic depth and length to this wine, showing aromas and flavors of sliced apples, stone, flint,matchstick and white pepper. It's full-bodied and reserved, with very fine layers of bright fruit and minerals. Tight, structured and compact with a long finish. Already impressive, but best after 2027.

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Latour's 2023 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru wafts from the glass with notes of pear, mandarin oil and peach mingled with notes of struck match and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, it's rich and textural, with a sweet, layered core of fruit and an expansive finish. Now bottled under Diam, it should age with grace.
Barrel Sample: 92-94

93 Wine Spectator: Opulent, creamy and expansive, this white fills the mouth, offering peach, apple, quinine and salty mineral flavors embraced by vanilla and toasty oak notes. There’s a tactile sensation, and this still lacks integration, yet all of the components are there, along with power and length.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Place: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France.