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Producer Notes

Pazo de La Cuesta is a boutique estate in Ribeira Sacra, one of Spain’s most dramatic and exciting wine regions — where steep, terraced vineyards plunge toward the Sil River in Galicia. The Batanero is made from Brancellao, a rare indigenous red grape variety that thrives in the region’s granite soils and cool Atlantic climate. Elegant red with purple nuances and a medium-high depth. Deep nose of cherry, blackcurrant, stone fruits, compotes, and sweet toasted wood. Very direct attack on the palate where freshness and the passage of time prevail. Aromatic nuances emerge at retronasal, calling for another sip to recall them.

Food Pairings

• Roasted lamb or slow-braised pork
• Pulpo a la gallega (Galician octopus)
• Aged Tetilla or Arzúa-Ulloa cheese
• Mushroom dishes or charcuterie

Winemaker Description 

The Faìve Spumante Rosé Brut from the Nino Franco winery is obtained from a skilful blend of 80% Merlot grapes and 20% Cabernet Franc grapes. The vineyards are located in the heart of Valdobbiadene, a typical prosecco area, where the soil structure rich in nutrients and the very mild climate favor optimal development of the vines and the production of quality grapes.

This winery has been producing quality wines and sparkling wines for several years, combining two important concepts such as excellence and typicality of the products. To produce Faìve Spumante Rosé Brut, a specific production cycle is followed. After a brief contact between the skins and the must, the fermentation takes place in steel tanks before carrying out the second fermentation with the Classic Method.

The refinement takes place directly in the bottle. In this way an elegant and refined sparkling wine is obtained, with a persistent foam, balanced and ideal to be consumed during an aperitif. 

Expert Reviews

Dillon Mafit writes:  The chinato tasted like the nectar of the gods, like the most perfectly ripe apricot drizzled in honey, dropped into a glass of 1967 Château Rieussec Sauterne, and dosed with some sort of bitter aphrodisiac.  - thrillist.com

In Mauro Vergano's words (courtesy of LDM website): "I must say that producing a Chinato from Moscato wine was my first big challenge. First produced in 2003, it was the first product of its kind present on the market. The wine I use is a Moscato d’Asti with a higher alcohol content (more than 10%) compared to the ones that are commonly available. As is well-known, the Moscato I use comes from the prestigious winery of Vittorio Bera & Figli. I have to admit that when I was first looking for a Moscato for the first attempts I used wine from various producers, then I was lucky enough to meet Gianluigi Bera and his Moscato and I haven’t left them since. His Moscato’s fragrance and its full-bodiedness meld perfectly with the aromatic extract composed of citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla. These fresh and sweet aromas are balanced by the bitter flavour of the China (Calisaya and Succirubra) which give it a persistent taste that is absolutely unique. A brief description of the production cycle which all the products share: The first step is the preparation of the extract or “concia”. This is done by leaving a mixture of chopped herbs and spices in alcohol for about 20/30 days. Then the extract is filtered and left to age for a few months. The second step is the actual preparation of the product. To make the product I mix the extract, sugar and alcohol. The last step is clarification followed by filtering which produces a clear product with long-term stability."

Winemaker Description

Bruno Clair set up an eponymous estate in France established in 1979 with vineyard holdings spread all over the area.  Half of the vines are a century old. Bruno Clair, a true vigneron, has the expertise needed to reinvent this area better than anyone and his Marsannay wines are very elegant and long-lasting. His respect for the terroir and the stylistic precision of his wines makes him one of the best producers in Burgundy.

This textbook En la Rue de Vergy is one of the rare white wines of the Côte de Nuits. It is complex, perfectly balanced, and well-structured with very clean tannins and crisp acidity and a long finish. The intense, rich palette presents lemon, grapefruit, oak, vanilla, yellow apple, almonds, and white melon flavors with herbal, floral, and mineral nuances. It's a nice accompaniment to paella.

Santi Santico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico — Veneto 2020

Santi is one of the Valpolicella Classico’s most historic producers, with roots stretching back to 1843 and vineyards in the heart of the original Classico zone — the hillside communes of Fumane, Marano, and Negrar where the finest Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes have been grown for centuries. Amarone is the pinnacle of the Valpolicella tradition: grapes are harvested in late September, then laid on bamboo racks in the estate’s lofts to dry for 90–120 days — a process called appassimento — concentrating sugars, flavors, and structure to extraordinary levels before fermentation. The Santico is Santi’s flagship Amarone — a wine of power, elegance, and remarkable value for the appellation. The 2020 vintage delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration in the Classico zone.

The color is a deep, concentrated dark red. The nose is fragrant and complex: cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, and a whisper of spice — the unmistakable aromatic richness of appassimento. On the palate, it is full-bodied and round, with velvety tannins, a pleasantly tangy backbone of acidity, and a long, alluring finish of red berries and dark fruit. This is Amarone as it should be: powerful yet balanced, concentrated yet elegant, built for the table and the cellar alike.

“Dark red hue; concentrated, fragrant nose with top notes of cherry jam and cranberries, followed by hints of plum, dried fruit and cocoa. Full, round, with velvety tannins — pleasantly tangy with a long finish.” — Santi Winemaker

• Producer: Santi, Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
• Blend: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
• Method: Appassimento — grapes dried 90–120 days before fermentation
• Style: Full-bodied, velvety, concentrated Amarone Classico
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, spice, velvety tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10–15 years
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, osso buco, roast lamb, game, aged Parmigiano, hard cheeses

Valpolicella Classico Amarone at an honest price — Santi Santico is the benchmark for what this great appellation can deliver.

Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay — Monterey County, California 2024

Named after founder Robb Talbott's daughter, Kali Hart is the estate's most approachable and fruit-forward expression — and one of the most consistent overachievers in California Chardonnay. Grown on Talbott's certified sustainable estate vineyards in Monterey County, where morning fog rolls in off the Pacific and the Santa Lucia Highlands channel cool maritime air through the vines, the 2024 vintage delivers the kind of lush, balanced Chardonnay that earns 90-point scores and Best Buy recognition from Wine Enthusiast year after year. The estate uses 100% recycled irrigation water, solar-offset vineyard power, and a 2:1 industry-leading water-to-wine ratio — sustainability built into every bottle.

The nose opens with vanilla, brioche, ripe Bosc pear, pineapple, tangerine, and melon — generous and inviting, with a cool-climate freshness underneath. On the palate, the wine is smooth and full-bodied with lush tropical fruit, soft texture, and a clean finish with a hint of minerality. It is the kind of Chardonnay that works equally well on a Tuesday night or at a dinner party — effortless, crowd-pleasing, and genuinely delicious.

Wine Enthusiast Best Buy — "Kali Hart delivers ripe tropical fruit, vanilla, and brioche with a smooth, balanced finish. Estate-grown Monterey Chardonnay at its most approachable." (Prior Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Talbott Vineyards, Monterey County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Monterey County AVA
• Region: Central Coast, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Certification: Certified California Sustainable (CSWA)
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Vanilla, brioche, Bosc pear, pineapple, tangerine, melon, soft minerality
• Best Paired With: Fish tacos with pineapple salsa, Dungeness crab, seared scallops, roast chicken, Brie

A Best Buy Chardonnay at an honest price — Talbott's Kali Hart is the benchmark for what sustainable, estate-grown Monterey Chardonnay can deliver.

Winemaker Description

This wine comes from plots of bush-trained vines on poor, sandytextured soils in the Rioja Alta area. The vines are an average of morethan 35 years old and smaller yields. They are harvested with great care and transported to the winery in small containers. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainlesssteel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28ºC, with prior bleeding-off and a long maceration of three weeks in contact with theskins. Ageing in French and American oak barrels (90%-10%) over 28 months, followed by subsequent bottle conditioning for at least 4 years until it is leaves the winery.

AWARDS
93 Silver Medal · International Wine Challenge (v. 2011).

90 Puntos · James Suckling (a. 2010).

90 puntos · Guía Repsol (a. 2010).

90 puntos · Wine Spectator (a. 2009).

91 puntos · Wine Enthusiast (a. 2009).

91 puntos · Wine Wine Advocate (a. 2008).

SENSORY EVALUATION

Look: Ruby red with a noticeable rim. Excellent brightness and clarity.

Aroma & palate: On its first contact with oxygen, it appears clean but reticent. Then, sweet notes of oak appear, cinnamon, clove and candied fruits. Infinite nuances that change with the passage of time.

On the palate, it is subtle and pleasant, with great finesse uponentry and through the mid-palate.

The tannins are extremely well polished and it has a serene acidity that maintains a long finish.

SERVING & FOOD PAIRING

White meat, oven-baked fish. Cured meat and dark chocolate desserts. 

93 Silver Medal · International Wine Challenge (v. 2011).

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast by Jesica Vargas writes 90 Points |  Delicate sweet notes of nectarine introduce this lively wine. The palate offers white fruit flavors, balanced by moderate acidity, leading to a crisp finish.  

Winemaker Description 

An attractive greenish-yellow colour. Its ageing in foudres has lent it citrus and green chilli pepper aromas, as well as saline notes. In the mouth, it is very structured and tense thanks to its high acidity and minerality. The finish is clean and persistent, with a subtle saline note coming through. This highly complex Sauvignon Blanc tempts you to enjoy it with food.

Block 22 is located on the first terrace of the river Huasco. It has very old, stony soils from the river which have very special qualities: a little clay and a lot of calcareous soil – lime, calcium carbonate – white soils. Characterized by low yields of grapes with very concentrated fresh fruit. In the Atacama Desert in the Huasco valley, the temperatures were fresh, especially at night. Temperatures are kept low because of the constant cool morning breezes blowing in from the Pacific Ocean, as well as the classic “Camanchaca”, a dense fog which comes in from the ocean, helping to regulate the temperatures and ensure an optimum level of humidity in the atmosphere.

Memo Summary Notes

The Ventisquero Grey Glacier Sauvignon Blanc 2023 from the Longomilla Vineyard is a highly distinctive wine that pushes the boundaries of Chilean viticulture. Grown in the Atacama Desert—the driest place on Earth—this wine is defined by "extreme" conditions, resulting in a profile that is far more saline and mineral than your typical New Zealand or Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc.

Pair with

The Perfect Match: Fresh oysters, sea urchins, or ceviche. The salinity in the wine acts like a squeeze of lime on fresh seafood.

The Perfect Match: Fresh oysters, sea urchins, or ceviche. The salinity in the wine acts like a squeeze of lime on fresh seafood.

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

The story of Gran Passione is not merely about wine; it is a narrative woven through time, with roots that trace back to the Roman era. The crown jewel of their offerings, the Gran Passione Rosso, is crafted in the revered tradition of “Appassimento.” This technique, akin to the esteemed Amarone wines, involves the meticulous drying and shriveling of grapes before they are crushed, allowing their flavors to concentrate and intensify.

Producer Description 

The bouquet offers smells of tropical fruits and baking spice. Entry is minerally, pleasantly ripe, viscous in texture; the midpalate point is earthy, floral, stony and off dry. Finishes gracefully, minerally and drier than the midpalate. 

The 2022 Nerello Mascalese Pirrera is impossible to ignore. It blends crushed blackberries with lavender pastille and hints of candied citrus and spice. This is zesty, with a reverberation of brisk acidity and masses of mineral-doused wild berry fruits. The 2022 finishes with medium length and a chalky concentration, leaving the cheeks puckered with youthful poise as hints of tart blackberry slowly taper off.

Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay — Carneros, California 2023

Ramey Wine Cellars is one of California's most celebrated addresses for Chardonnay — founded in 1996 by David and Carla Ramey, and now co-led by the second generation, Claire and Alan. David Ramey, hailed as "Professor Chardonnay" by Wine Spectator, pioneered whole-cluster pressing, sur lies aging, malolactic fermentation, and native yeast fermentations in California — techniques now standard across the state. The Hyde Vineyard in Carneros is one of his most storied sources: a benchmark site that produces Chardonnay of extraordinary elegance, tension, and longevity. James Suckling awarded the 2023 vintage 99 points; Wine Advocate 95; Vinous 95; Wine Spectator 94. At $89.99, it is one of the most compelling single-vineyard Chardonnays in California.

The nose is refined and expressive: quince, white peach, lemon curd, orchard fruit, lemon confit, marzipan, elderflower, white flowers, mint, and a whisper of matchstick and crème brûlée. On the palate, the texture is silky and layered — concentrated and nuanced, with vibrant acidity that adds compelling tension and a sense of total finesse. Citrus, green apple, mango, guava, lemongrass, and lime leaf unfurl slowly toward a very long, elegant, mineral finish. Generous and full-flavored, yet restrained and precise. Drink now or best from 2030.

James Suckling 99 — "So well layered, delicious and vibrant... great balance, minerality and a slight sense of restraint in the vivid acidity. Fresh and compelling."

Wine Advocate 95 — "Elegant and expressive... bursting with concentrated, nuanced flavors delivered in a silky texture. Vibrant acidity adds compelling tension."

Vinous 95 — "Classy, elegant and polished. Soft contours and lifted aromatics convey total finesse... an especially refined rendition of Hyde."

Wine Spectator 94 — "Supple and incredibly juicy... details of green apple, celery salt, lemongrass and lime leaf linger on the fresh, persistent finish."

• Producer: Ramey Wine Cellars, Healdsburg, California
• Vineyard: Hyde Vineyard, Carneros
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Carneros AVA
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Whole-cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, sur lies barrel aging, malolactic fermentation, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Quince, white peach, lemon curd, marzipan, elderflower, lemongrass, lime leaf, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or best from 2030
• Best Paired With: Roast lobster, halibut, truffle risotto, roast chicken, aged Gruyère, scallops with beurre blanc

A 99-point Chardonnay from California's most principled Chardonnay house — Ramey Hyde Vineyard is the benchmark for what Carneros can achieve.

About the Winemaker — Sandra Bravo

High up in the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa, Sandra Bravo works some of the oldest, highest-altitude vineyards in Rioja. Trained in engineering and enology, with harvests in Bordeaux, Tuscany, New Zealand, California, and seven years in Priorat, she returned to her native Rioja in 2012 with a singular vision: wines that respect the vineyard, prioritize freshness, and express the mineral soul of the mountain.

"I was in love with this area — calcareous soil, small plots, Mediterranean herbs, and always the North wind at high altitude. It was perfect. Because of all this, my wines are really mineral." — Sandra Bravo

Winemaker Notes

Intense color with purple reflections. Aromas of violets and Mediterranean herbs complement delicate notes of chocolate and toast from subtle aging. Elegant on the palate with fresh notes that combine with round, sweet tannins. In perfect balance with natural acidity — a pleasant and long-lasting finish.

Food Pairings

• Tapas & Charcuterie: Jamón Ibérico, chorizo al vino, Manchego
• Roasted Meats: Herb-crusted lamb chops or rosemary roast chicken
• Spanish Classics: Paella Mixta or skirt steak tacos

• Grape Source: 100% Tempranillo
• Appellation: Rioja Alavesa
• Location: Spain
• Viticulture: Organic, Biodynamic
• Winemaker: Sandra Bravo
• Vinification: Steel, anforas, and old wood

Cline Family Cellars · 'Seven Ranchlands' Chardonnay · Sonoma County · 2024

The Cline family has farmed the Sonoma Coast for decades, and their 'Seven Ranchlands' Chardonnay draws from two of their most prized sites — Catapult Ranch and Tolay Vista — situated in the Petaluma Gap, the cool corridor where Pacific air funnels east through the Sonoma mountain range and slows ripening to a crawl. The result is a Chardonnay with the kind of natural acidity and layered flavor development that most California whites have to work hard to achieve. 2024 was a warm, consistent vintage with a late heat spike that allowed grapes to reach perfect ripeness without sacrificing freshness — and at $14.99 with JS:92 and WE:91, this is one of the best-value Chardonnays in Sonoma.

Handpicked before dawn, each parcel is vinified separately: destemmed, lightly crushed, and pressed to extract richness, then racked after 24 hours to retain solids. Half ferments in stainless steel (inoculated), half in barrel with native yeast. Both go through 100% malolactic fermentation and age 8 months in French oak before blending. On the nose: ripe stone fruit, toasted brioche, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate: creamy and full-bodied with bright acidity, flavors of peach, lemon curd, and toasted oak, finishing long and clean.

“Rich and creamy with excellent balance — a benchmark for Sonoma Chardonnay at this price.”
— James Suckling, 92 Points | Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Cline Family Cellars
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Sub-Region: Petaluma Gap (Catapult Ranch & Tolay Vista)
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vinification: Hand harvested before dawn · 50% stainless steel / 50% barrel fermented · 100% malolactic fermentation · 8 months French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, lemon curd, toasted brioche, vanilla, creamy palate, bright acidity
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Food Pairings: Roast chicken, lobster bisque, creamy pasta, soft-ripened cheese

JS:92 · WE:91 — Petaluma Gap precision at a price that makes it an easy yes.

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.

Zardetto | Prosecco DOC, Conegliano, Veneto, Italy | Brut | 187ml Split

Made from Glera grapes sourced from hillside vineyards northeast of Conegliano — the heartland of Prosecco DOC — Zardetto's Z Prosecco is bright, lively, and immediately appealing. A brief maceration preserves the Glera grape's natural citrus and tropical aromatics, while the second fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks locks in freshness and fine perlage. The 187ml split format is the perfect single-serve pour: for brunch, celebrations, or wherever a full bottle is one too many.

Grape: Glera
Method: Charmat (tank method)
Style: Brut
Drink: Now

Tasting Notes

• Sliced lemon, green apple, lime, and citrus blossom on the nose
• Light, lively perlage with vibrant citrus on the palate
• Medium body | Fresh, clean finish | Dry

Critical Acclaim

• 90 pts — James Suckling: "Plenty of fruit and intensity with sliced lemon and apple character. Fresh finish. Light bubble. Dry."
• 90 pts — Wine Enthusiast: "Fresh lemon, lime and citrus blossom... the palate pops with light perlage and vibrant citrus flavors. Clean and crisp on the finish."

Pairings: Aperitivo, oysters, light seafood, prosciutto, fresh fruit

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 98 Points
"Dark and complex wine, earthy and concentrated yet balanced. Vibrant aromas of cassis, violets, licorice, pencil shavings and graphite. Full-bodied, it displays a dynamic palate with dense, velvety tannins, fruit concentration and crisp, integrated acidity, which keeps it in balance. Gorgeous now, but even better in two or three years and beyond."

Wine Spectator — 95 Points (Bruce Sanderson)
"This is concentrated with cherry, blackberry, plum, iron, sweet spice and tar flavors. Muscular tannins leave a firm grip on the finish, yet overall, this red feels balanced and crunchy. Best from 2027 through 2040."

About Oreno

Oreno is the flagship wine of Tenuta Sette Ponti — a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the Valdarno di Sopra in eastern Tuscany that has established itself as one of Italy’s most celebrated Super Tuscans. First produced in 1999, Oreno is built around Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, with a small addition of Petit Verdot, and is crafted to express the unique terroir of the Sette Ponti estate: galestro and alberese soils at altitude, with a continental microclimate that delivers exceptional concentration and natural acidity. The 2023 vintage — 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot — is certified organic.

About Tenuta Sette Ponti

Tenuta Sette Ponti is a historic estate in the Valdarno di Sopra, situated on the hills above Arezzo in eastern Tuscany — a region that takes its name from the seven bridges (sette ponti) that once crossed the Arno River nearby. The estate has been owned by the Moretti Cuseri family since 1957 and produces wines of exceptional quality from its organically farmed vineyards. Under the direction of winemaker Carlo Ferrini, Tenuta Sette Ponti has become one of Tuscany’s most acclaimed estates, with Oreno consistently earning scores in the mid-to-high 90s from the world’s leading critics.

2023 Vintage Notes

The 2023 vintage in Tuscany delivered a warm, dry growing season with well-timed rainfall that preserved natural acidity and allowed for ideal phenolic maturity. The result across the region was wines of exceptional concentration, balance, and aromatic complexity — and for Oreno, a vintage that James Suckling rated among the finest in the wine’s history at 98 points.

Food Pairings

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised wild boar, roasted lamb, aged Pecorino Toscano, truffle pasta, and hearty Tuscan ragù. A Super Tuscan built for the table — drink now through 2040.

Product Details

• Producer: Tenuta Sette Ponti
• Wine: Oreno
• Appellation: Toscana IGT, Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vintage: 2023
• Drink: Now through 2040
• Style: Full-bodied, complex, age-worthy Super Tuscan
• Format: 750ml

Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Brut is a deeply colored, intensely vinous rosé Champagne produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the Premier Cru village of Cumières. Based exclusively on the ripe 2019 harvest, this is not a delicate pink Champagne created by blending red and white wines. Instead, it is made by the traditional saignée method, in which Pinot Noir grapes remain in contact with their skins until the juice develops its vivid color, concentrated red-fruit character and distinctive structure.

The result is a powerful yet beautifully balanced rosé Champagne, filled with wild strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, pomegranate and blood-orange flavors. Its generous fruit is supported by ripe acidity, a finely textured mousse and the firm mineral structure of Cumières’ clay-limestone soils.

The Place

The grapes come entirely from Cumières, a Premier Cru village in Champagne’s Vallée de la Marne. Cumières is situated between the Marne River and steep, favorably exposed slopes immediately west of Hautvillers.

The village’s vineyards generally face south and southeast, receiving abundant sunlight and allowing Pinot Noir to reach excellent ripeness. This warmer exposure contributes to the broad texture, ripe fruit and distinctly vinous character traditionally associated with Cumières Champagne.

Geoffroy’s source vineyards are planted on clay, sandstone and limestone soils over deep chalk. Clay contributes body, richness and red-fruit concentration, while limestone and chalk bring freshness, mineral tension and structure.

The 2019 Base Vintage

This release is produced entirely from the 2019 harvest rather than being blended with reserve wines from several vintages. Although legally labeled non-vintage Champagne, it is effectively a single-vintage expression of Cumières Pinot Noir.

The 2019 growing season was marked by periods of frost, intense summer heat and drought, followed by favorable conditions approaching harvest. Pinot Noir from well-positioned sites achieved considerable ripeness and concentration while retaining the acidity necessary for balance.

In Geoffroy’s Rosé de Saignée, the vintage produced a Champagne with rich red-fruit intensity, full body and a generous texture, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish.

The Grape: 100% Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir gives this Champagne its color, structure and vinous depth. The variety contributes flavors of wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry, blackberry and pomegranate, together with the body required to accompany substantial dishes.

Unlike many rosé Champagnes, no still red wine is added to create the color. The natural ruby and copper tones come entirely from contact between the clear Pinot Noir juice and the dark grape skins.

The Saignée Method

“Saignée” translates literally as “bleeding.” In this method, ripe red grapes are placed into a vat and allowed to macerate with their skins. Once the desired color, aroma and structure have been extracted, the free-run juice is drawn away—or “bled”—from the vat.

Geoffroy favors gentle infusion rather than aggressive extraction. The whole berries undergo approximately 70 to 80 hours of cold maceration in open, tapered oak vats. Careful temperature control and fully ripe fruit allow color and flavor to develop gradually without producing excessive bitterness or harsh tannins.

This technique creates a rosé Champagne with considerably more body, fruit concentration and gastronomic versatility than a conventional blended rosé.

Viticulture

The Pinot Noir vines are approximately 30 to 40 years old and are cultivated in selected parcels on the Cumières hillsides. Yields are deliberately limited to increase concentration and preserve the individual expression of the village.

Champagne Geoffroy follows a practicing-organic, sustainability-focused approach. The estate avoids chemical weedkillers, encourages biodiversity and works to preserve healthy vineyard soils.

The grapes are harvested by hand at full ripeness and carefully sorted before entering the vat. Achieving optimal ripeness is essential for this cuvée because the skins remain in contact with the juice for several days.

Vinification and Aging

After approximately three to four days of maceration in open oak vats, the free-run juice is drawn off and allowed to begin fermentation spontaneously.

Following the maceration stage, fermentation and maturation take place in temperature-controlled enameled vats. Oak is therefore used principally during skin contact rather than as a source of barrel flavor during the wine’s maturation.

Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve the natural freshness and acidity of the ripe Pinot Noir fruit. This gives the finished Champagne enough energy and tension to balance its considerable body and concentration.

The wine remains on its fine lees before bottling and then spends approximately 42 to 48 months aging on the lees in Champagne Geoffroy’s cellars. This extended maturation contributes a creamy mousse and subtle notes of brioche, bread crust and toasted nuts.

The wine is neither fined nor filtered, preserving its texture, aromatic complexity and natural expression.

Dosage

The producer and current importer specifications list a dosage of approximately 6 grams per liter, placing the Champagne within the Extra Brut range despite some commercial listings calling it Brut.

The Wine Advocate review covers a specific base-2019 bottle disgorged in September 2024 with a dosage of 4 grams per liter. Dosage can vary slightly between disgorgement lots, so the exact back-label information should be followed for an individual bottle.

Tasting Notes

The wine displays an intense ruby, copper and deep-rose color with a persistent stream of fine bubbles.

The bouquet is immediately expressive, offering wild strawberry, raspberry, red currant, blackberry and ripe cherry. With air, notes of pomegranate, blood orange, grapefruit zest, watermelon and dried apple emerge alongside rose petals, hibiscus, violets and gentle savory spice.

The palate is medium- to full-bodied, rich and broad-shouldered, with the texture and concentration of a light red Burgundy carried by a lively Champagne mousse. Ripe red and dark fruit are balanced by vibrant acidity, subtle chalk and finely structured phenolics.

Hints of clove, toasted bread, brioche and nuts appear toward the finish. The Champagne remains focused despite its richness, concluding with excellent length, perfumed red fruit and an appetizing touch of bitterness.

This is a distinctive, gastronomic rosé Champagne with far more depth and structure than a conventional aperitif-style rosé.

Professional Ratings

95 Points — James Suckling: "An enticing rosé champagne that™s more like a red with bubbles. Bronze with a red hue. Aromas of watermelon, jasmine and hibiscus. Medium- to full-bodied with a lovely consistency of fruit and a focused, polished palate with dried apples and pomegranate. Cantaloupe and some brioche in the aftertaste. 2019 vintage. Pure pinot noir. Drink now."

94 Point - Vinous: "The NV Brut Rose de Saignée (100% Premier Cru Pinot Noir from the 2018 vintage) is fabulous and a great example of this style. A burst of dark red cherry, lavender, spice, blood orange and pomegranate races across the palate. This release screams with Pinot character, marrying depth with notable finesse along the way. I loved it. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2023."

92 Points — Wine Advocate: "From the 2019 vintage and disgorged in September 2024 with a dosage of four grams per liter, the latest rendition of Geoffroy™s NV Rose de Saignee Cumieres Premier Cru"as always"derives exclusively from Cumieres. The only stage at which this cuvee encounters oak is during its 70 to 80 hours of maceration in open vats. Thereafter, it matures in enameled vats with very little in the way of solids, and this provides a point of distinction from many other saignee-style roses in Champagne. It leaps from the glass with an expressive bouquet of grapefruit zest, blood orange and redcurrant mingling with nuances of red flowers and clove. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich and broad-shouldered"intense and textural"with ripe yet vibrant acidity, culminating in a long, perfumed finish, where subtly bitter phenolics assert themselves. This is not a wine suited for casual aperitifs; rather, it is best savored alongside hearty fare such as red meats or tuna tartare, where its depth can be fully appreciated."

The Producer

The Geoffroy family has cultivated vines in Cumières since the 17th century. Estate bottling began during the early 1950s, when Roger and Julienne Geoffroy produced the family’s first Champagne under their own name.

René Geoffroy expanded the family’s vineyard holdings and established its reputation as an independent grower-producer. Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy joined the domaine during the late 1980s and now leads the estate with his wife, Karine.

In 2008, the family transferred its winemaking and commercial operations to a historic property in Aÿ, while retaining its deep vineyard roots in Cumières. The estate now farms approximately 14 hectares in Cumières, Hautvillers, Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière.

The Geoffroy style emphasizes ripe fruit, careful parcel selection, minimal handling and the preservation of natural acidity. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided, and the Champagnes receive extended cellar aging before release.

Food Pairing

This is an exceptionally food-friendly rosé Champagne. Its body and red-fruit intensity make it an excellent partner for tuna tartare, seared tuna, salmon, lobster, crawfish and pan-seared scallops.

It is equally successful with roast duck breast, duck with cherries or peaches, pork tenderloin, veal, charcuterie and lightly grilled red meats. Its fruit and acidity can also complement dishes incorporating pomegranate, blood orange or red-berry sauces.

For cheese, consider aged Comté, Gruyère, Époisses or other flavorful washed-rind cheeses. The producer also recommends pairing it with a dessert of peach soup and fresh strawberries.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 48–52°F in a generous tulip-shaped Champagne glass or white-wine glass. A wider bowl will allow the wine’s Pinot Noir fruit, floral aromas and vinous complexity to develop.

The Champagne is ready to drink now, but its concentration, acidity and extended lees aging should allow it to develop additional savory and brioche complexity over several years.

Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Rosé de Saignée
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Village: Cumières Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Rosé de Saignée Champagne
Base Vintage: 2019
Vintage Composition: 100% 2019 harvest
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Vine Age: Approximately 30–40 years
Soils: Clay, sandstone and limestone over deep chalk
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainable
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Maceration: Approximately 70–80 hours in open oak vats
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation in enameled vats
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Lees Aging: Approximately 42–48 months
Dosage: Approximately 6 g/L; some disgorgement lots may vary
Fining and Filtration: Neither fined nor filtered
Alcohol: Approximately 12–12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml

Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Brut Champagne — Base 2019

Winemaker Description 

Sarpa, the bridge between the past and the future. This Grappa was conceived in 1983, but it took a few years to see the light of day. The goal was clear in my mind: a Grappa to encase the aromas of Tradition, but without the typical flaws of old fashion Grappas, often stingy, aggressive and oily. It had to be an authentic Grappa, sincere and genuine, what one would now call a classic Grappa.

Moreover, it was meant to be a bridge between the Grappa of the past and the Grappa of the future, representing the present of Grappa with its best typical features. It took some time to figure out which vines to use and after various trials I turned to the timeless Bordeaux blend, that mix of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that gave rise to the best wines in the world, the Bordeaux wines.

These vines have successfully been grown in the Veneto region for a long time and it seemed just natural to use them to try to produce a symbolic Grappa, the Grappa that should have embodied years of experience and passion. 

Sarpa di Poli has a robust, almost rustic character, with pleasantly grassy scents that remind of freshly cut grass, an aroma of wine and red flowers like geranium, rose and violet that make it a timeless classic.

  Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 2024 — Carneros, Napa Valley

Frank Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates, founded in 1992 by Rich Frank — former president of Disney Studios — with a singular focus on producing benchmark Napa wines. Their Carneros Chardonnay is a perennial critical favorite, sourced from one of Napa Valley’s most prized appellations for the variety. Carneros, situated at the southern end of the valley just north of San Pablo Bay, is defined by cool maritime breezes, morning fog, and clay-rich soils that produce Chardonnay of exceptional balance between richness and acidity.

The 2024 leads with zesty lemon and guava aromas tempered by notes of vanilla and caramel-covered apples. On the palate, delicious layers of nutmeg and crème brûlée seamlessly combine with hints of toasted oak and elegant waves of fresh acidity, leading to a bright, lingering finish. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, calling it “a very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay — well made, poised and stylish.”

James Suckling 92 — “A very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay with a good core of fruit and spices, bright acidity and a textural, rounded mouthfeel.”

• Producer: Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley (est. 1992)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA (Carneros)
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, guava, vanilla, caramel apple, nutmeg, crème brûlée, toasted oak, bright acidity, lingering finish
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, lobster, crab, creamy pasta, brie, light butter and cream sauces

Carneros Chardonnay at its most poised — Frank Family delivers richness, elegance, and Napa Valley terroir in every glass.

Assai represents the pinnacle of Chianti Classico winemaking — the Gran Selezione designation accounts for just 8–9% of total Chianti Classico production and requires a minimum 30 months of aging including bottle time, approved only through blind tasting by a committee of expert winemakers.

Crafted exclusively from 100% organic Sangiovese sourced from a single 15-year-old estate vineyard in the prestigious U.G.A. Vagliagli, Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), this is a masterclass in Tuscan terroir. Aged in French oak barrels, it achieves exceptional balance, depth of flavor, and the unmistakable Sangiovese signature. Only 4,500 bottles produced.

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby color with rich complexity. Fruity and spicy on the nose with balsamic nuances. Smooth, full-bodied, and persistent on the palate with remarkable depth and a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairings

Elaborate meat and game dishes, braised lamb, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and aged cheeses. Decant 1–2 hours before serving. Cellar with confidence through 2035+.

• Producer: Terra di Seta / Assai
• Appellation: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• U.G.A.: Vagliagli, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena
• Grape: 100% Sangiovese (organic)
• Aging: 30+ months, French oak + bottle aging
• Production: 4,500 bottles
• Certification: Kosher, Organic
• Vintage: 2019
• Format: 750ml