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CK Mondavi | White Zinfandel | California | NV

CK Mondavi's White Zinfandel is California's classic warm-weather pour — bright, fruity and refreshingly easy to enjoy. Made from Zinfandel grapes vinified as a blush-style wine, it delivers the ripe, summery fruit character that has made White Zinfandel one of America's most popular styles: approachable, crowd-pleasing and perfectly suited to casual entertaining, backyard gatherings and everyday sipping.

The wine pours a beautifully bright salmon pink. The nose is fresh and inviting, with aromas of ripe strawberry and a hint of spice. The palate is light-bodied and lively, with a fruit cocktail of flavors — ripe strawberry, sugared lemon, passionfruit, watermelon and a whisper of quince jam — leading to a refreshing, crisp and clean finish with a touch of natural sweetness.

Serve well chilled. Enjoy on its own or pair with light appetizers, fruit and cheese boards, grilled chicken, spicy Asian dishes, BBQ and summer salads.

• Producer: CK Mondavi
• Appellation: California
• Grape Variety: Zinfandel (White/Blush style)
• Style: Off-dry blush wine, light-bodied
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Benziger Family Winery | Chardonnay | 2023

A bright, food-friendly Chardonnay sourced primarily from Monterey County — California's premier cool-climate home for Burgundian whites. The Pacific Ocean's maritime fog rolls in to slow ripening, preserving crisp acidity while allowing flavors to fully develop over the long growing season. Limestone-rich Lockwood shale adds a layer of complex minerality that lifts the wine beyond its price point. In the cellar, cold fermentation in neutral French oak followed by six months of sur lie aging in new French oak builds texture and depth, while 75% malolactic fermentation softens the mid-palate without sacrificing freshness. The result: a clean, balanced Chardonnay with a long finish that overdelivers at the table.

• Appellation: Monterey County, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml | Screwcap
• Cellaring: Drink now through 2027
• Oak: Cold fermented in neutral French oak; sur lie aged 6 months in new French oak
• MLF: 75%

Tasting Notes

Dry and crisp with medium body and a long finish. Notes of lemon zest, green apple, ripe pear, and apricot, with a subtle mineral thread and a hint of toasted oak on the close.

Winemaker's Notes — 2023 Vintage

Moderate conditions during the growing and ripening seasons produced healthy yields and superb quality. Mild temperatures and extended hang time allowed acidity to remain in balance with full flavor development.

Chateau Montelena · Chardonnay · Napa Valley · California · 2023 · 750ml

On May 24, 1976, Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay changed the wine world forever. In a blind tasting judged by a who’s-who of French food and wine critics — now known as the Judgment of Paris — it took first place over Burgundy’s most celebrated whites, announcing California as a serious fine wine region to a skeptical world. Nearly fifty years later, the Montelena Chardonnay remains the benchmark: a wine of extraordinary precision, minerality, and longevity that has never chased trends or compromised its identity. Winemaker Matt Crafton has described the 2023 vintage as one of the best in the last decade — a cool, mild growing season that produced wines of exceptional tension, acidity, and aging potential. At $69.99, this is a piece of California wine history in every bottle.

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with a vivid, pure nose of Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, white peach, and oyster shell minerality — linear, precise, and utterly compelling. On the palate: lush pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, and flinty minerals, with bright, racy acidity that gives the wine extraordinary shape and drive. Marcona almond notes add depth and texture through a long, elegant finish. Decanter called it “vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character… crisp, crunchy acidity provides shape and drive.” Winemaker Matt Crafton notes the mouthfeel is “just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected.” Drink now through 2035+, or cellar for a decade to watch it fully unfold. Pair with lobster, roast halibut, Dover sole, or aged Comté.

• Producer: Chateau Montelena · Winemaker Matt Crafton
• Wine: Chardonnay · Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Napa Valley, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Precise, mineral, age-worthy Napa Chardonnay
• Certifications: Sustainable
• Notable: 1976 Judgment of Paris — 1st Place
• Press: Decanter — “Vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character”
• Drinking Window: Now–2035+
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, pear, lime leaf, orange blossom, flinty minerals, Marcona almond, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Lobster · Roast halibut · Dover sole · Aged Comté

The wine that won the Judgment of Paris — Napa Chardonnay at its most precise and enduring.

Winemaker Description 

Origin Alella, Catalunya.

Varieties 100% Pansa Blanca

From 7 vineyards around Alella, all planted on Saulò (granitic sand) aty 120-300m. The vines were planted between 1939 and 1998.

Vinification Method The grapes were harvested by hand and half were destemmed and crushed by foot, then left to macerate on the skins for 3-4 days; the other half were destemmed, left whole, and macerated on the skins for 9 days. The two parts were pressed and finished fermentation in stainless steel tanks and fiberglass, then rested for 11 months on
the lees in the same vessels. 

Bottled without fining, filtering, or added sulfur. Oriol Artigas, an Alella native and trained enologist, started his project of making non- interventionist wines in 2011. His over-arching philosophy is to “cultivate the vineyards in the most natural and least interventionist way possible, to allow the grapes to express in the most intense way the landscape from which they come.”

He works about 12 hectares in total, mostly of old vines. He allows vegetation to grow between the vines, prunes very little, and works the vineyards primarily along the lunar calendar. In the winery, fermentations are completely spontaneous, aging is primarily done in steel vats, and sulfur is never used at any point in his process. The vineyards of Alella are essentially the vineyards of Barcelona, located just north of the city along the coast of the Mediterranean. 

The primary soil type is a kind of white granite, locally called Sauló, and the main grape grown here is Pansa Blanca (the local clone of Xarel- lo) with a whole slew of other grape varieties inter-planted as well.

RouteStock · 'Route 29' Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2023

Route 29 is the highway that runs the length of Napa Valley — and RouteStock's flagship Cabernet is named for it because it captures exactly what makes this corridor one of the world's great wine roads. Sourced from Napa Valley fruit and blended with the precision of a classic Bordeaux assemblage, this is a Cabernet built for both the dinner table and the cellar. The winemaking team crafted the blend with intention: Cabernet Sauvignon for power and structure, Cabernet Franc for wild aromatics and flavor complexity, Merlot for dusty plum character, Malbec for violet notes, and Petit Verdot for color and tannin grip. At $23.99 with a compare-at of $26.99, this is Napa Valley Cabernet at a price that makes it an everyday luxury.

The 2023 opens with an alluring nose of cedar, cola, dark black fruit, and a kiss of toasted oak. On the palate: round, expansive, and bright — flavors of cocoa, coffee, dark fruit, and herbs weave together with impressive complexity. The wine fills the mouth without being dominated by any single element, finishing with a brightness that is rare for Cabernet Sauvignon at this price. Drink now through 2030.

• Producer: RouteStock Wines
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot
• Vinification: Classic Bordeaux-style assemblage · Blended before bottling for balance
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cedar, cola, dark black fruit, toasted oak, cocoa, coffee, herbs, bright finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Food Pairings: Ribeye steak, braised short ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, mushroom ragù

Bordeaux-style precision, Napa Valley power — Route 29 Cabernet at a price that makes it a no-brainer.

Winemaker Description 

After working at Cia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez Juan Antonio Ponce returned home. The project started in 2005, he was 23, just 11 barrels, and a loan. The family’s wine growing tradition dates back to Juan Antonio’s great-grandfather, although his father never made wine–he used to sell the grapes to the local cooperative. “Ponce says. “The area is full of prejudices, people lack self-confidence.

These days Manchuela is probably the most interesting appellation in central Spain, led by Ponce. This is sharp and austere, mineral and electric. A wine to keep.

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

Tasting Panel 92 Points  Befitting its name, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah is opaque in hue, but the palate is juicy, glossy, and lusciously crafted, unmasking notes of dark chocolate, sage, and blackberry licorice.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling 90 Points | Striking aromas of cardamom, cloves and dried flowers. Very good balance of restrained richness, fine-grained tannin and bitterness on the medium-bodied palate. Surprisingly dry finish.

Winemaker Notes

A bright colour with clear legs that herald what is to come, the aromas rapidly announcing a charming and almost heady wine. Delicate floral notes of rose and jasmine interact with hints of yellow fruit — peach, Mirabelle — and tropical fruit: lychee, mango, dragon fruit. The bouquet is expressive but retains a sense of refinement and nuance, a true Hugel wine. On the palate it is fine and delicate, inviting you to travel afar and enjoy it with strongly flavoured dishes.

Food Pairing

Gewurztraminer is an invitation to accompany a variety of spicy Asian dishes as well as smoked salmon and strong cheeses.

• Grape Source: 100% Gewurztraminer
• Appellation: Alsace
• Location: France
• Producer: Famille Hugel
• Style: Aromatic, dry finish

About the Wine

The 2021 Vincent Girardin Saint Romain "Les Vieilles Vignes" is a standout example of why Saint Romain is often called Burgundy’s best-kept secret. Sitting at higher elevation than its famous neighbors in Meursault, Saint Romain produces wines with a signature bracing freshness and vivid minerality that set them apart from the richer, more opulent whites of the Côte de Beaune.

The "Vieilles Vignes" (Old Vines) designation indicates grapes from vines averaging 50+ years old — adding a layer of concentration and depth that younger vines simply cannot match. The result is a Chardonnay of real precision: taut, mineral-driven, and built to age.

Tasting Notes

• Bright citrus and green apple on the nose with floral lift
• Crisp, focused palate with chalky minerality and restrained oak
• Long, fresh finish with excellent tension and length

Food Pairings

• Grilled fish, scallops, or lobster
• Roast chicken with herbs
• Aged goat cheese or Comté

Product Details

• Producer: Vincent Girardin
• Appellation: Saint Romain, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vines: 50+ years old
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Distinctive and well-done, with a pronounced earthiness sharing the stage with notes of warm apple, quince and candied ginger in this late-release wine. Time has softened the acidity on a supple, savory palate, layering toasted brioche, brine and dried flower petal details. A hint of honey water graces the elegant, well-meshed finish. Drink now through 2028. 19,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.

Winemaker Description 

This Pinot-Gris shows some ripe fruits such as ripe pears and yellow peaches with a touch of smokiness, it is very pure and focused which makes it an ideal wine for the gastronomy. Impeccable, solar 2018 vintage with ripe and focused acidity - a dry Pinot Gris. A top seller in Alsace, ideal for all cuisines of the world.

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Louis Roederer · Collection 246 · Brut NV · Champagne · France

Louis Roederer is among the last great family-owned Champagne houses, and Collection 246 is its non-vintage flagship — a wine of uncommon ambition and transparency. Based on the 2021 base vintage, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon made a bold call: bumping Chardonnay to 54% (vs. the typical 44%) to navigate a challenging year, blending in 35% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and 11% Meunier. The blend draws on 55% base 2021 wines, 30% perpetual reserve stretching back to 2012, and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask — a Cristal pedigree at a fraction of the price. Triple 93 points from Wine Spectator, Vinous, and James Suckling.

The Collection 246 opens with white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, and biscuit — precise and inviting. On the palate, brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, and slate. The mousse is silky and soft, the finish creamy and chalky with delicate spice and floral accents. Harmonious, impeccably balanced, and built to drink beautifully now through 2030.

Expert Reviews

“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, depth and focus. White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, retaining vibrancy and grace. Chalky underpinning on the creamy finish with delicate spice and floral accents. Drink now through 2030.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Positively stellar. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. No hard angles or awkward contours — impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
— Vinous · 93 Points

“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with very soft bubbles.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

• Producer: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France
• Cuvée: Collection 246 (base vintage 2021)
• Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
• Reserve: 30% perpetual reserve (back to 2012) + 10% Cristal-plot cask-aged juice
• Vinification: 24% fermented in oak; ~30% malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 7 g/L Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, biscuit, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, slate, chalky finish
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, lobster, creamy risotto, Brie, Chaource
• Drink: Now through 2030

WS:93 · V:93 · JS:93 · Champagne — Cristal reserve wines, Chardonnay-forward precision, and triple 93-point acclaim from one of the great family houses.

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James Suckling 92 Points | Very fruity and generous, bursting with cherries, blackberries and raspberries on the nose, and creamy blueberries and strawberries on the palate. Toast, cedar and savory nuances come out with more sips. Full-bodied, long and rich. Rather soft tannins. Drink or hold.

Antinori Santa Cristina Toscana Rosso — Tuscany 2024 750ml

Santa Cristina is the everyday Tuscan red from Marchesi Antinori — one of Italy’s oldest and most storied wine dynasties, with over 600 years of winemaking history in Florence. Blended from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, it is crafted to deliver the warmth, generosity, and food-friendliness of Tuscany in an approachable, everyday format. The 2024 vintage is vibrant and expressive — a wine that overdelivers at its price and earns its place on any Italian table.

Ruby red with violet hues. The nose is fruity and inviting: fresh cherry, blueberry, and currant meet delicate hints of vanilla and cocoa. On the palate, it is enveloping and supple — medium-bodied with flavors of red cherry, mint, blueberry, and black pepper, a light oak touch, and a smooth, fruit-forward finish that lingers pleasantly.

• Producer: Marchesi Antinori, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
• Style: Medium-Bodied Red
• ABV: 13%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry, blueberry, currant, mint, black pepper, vanilla, cocoa, smooth finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Roasted meats, cured meats, hard cheeses, Caesar salad, pizza, pasta al pomodoro

Six centuries of Tuscan winemaking in every bottle — Santa Cristina is Antinori’s gift to the everyday table.

Winemaker Description

Opaque, a dark core with a lighter deep red concession on rim. An eruption of fruits. At once lively and expressive, conceding Grange personality yet still not revealing all .... Dark coffee grind, malt and tapenade merge with black earths, almost verging on peat. Mandated V.A and formic notes propel a slurry of dark-skinned berried fruits, flirting with dark liquorice and soy. Oak completely hidden, long since absorbed. Now, back to the glass for a second sniff! Initially the ‘enlivened’ dark fruits of a Christmas pudding or boiled fruitcake mix demand attention. But there’s much more to complement these fruits – impressions of ironstone, graphite, iodine, black ink, and a black pudding viscosity. Formidable, meshed tannins – texturally honeycombed, without the honey! Oak has entwined itself invisible. Yes, every barrel still new, and completion of fermentation off skins in barrel still Grange modus operandi. Integrated, measured ... and clearly more than one sip required to gain an authentic ‘first-impression’. Certainly a wine of its vintage. A Grange of 2015. 

Expert Reviews

100 Point James Suckling | Much anticipated vintage for Grange and it is a powerhouse of concentration and complexity. Aromas of orange and lemon peel to start, then graphite, blackberries, plum paste, black cherries, boundless sweet oak spice, fresh cedar, tar, mahogany, roasted coffee and chocolate - the list goes on. Such complexity. Classic Grange, offering such deep, dark intensity. The palate has immense richness and depth with a super succulent and very long, fleshy, deeply weighted array of dense, velvet-wrapped tannins that run so long. The fruit flavors sit in the blackberry, blood-plum and blueberry zone with succulent, long and assertive structure, carrying through in an utterly seamless mode. The finish is tightly wrenched, in spectacularly powerful style, locking this wine in for a very long haul. Best from 2030.

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The flagship 2015 Grange is a monster of wine and one of those rare wines that blends power and elegance perfectly. Revealing a saturated purple color, it’s seemingly more forward and seductive than past great vintages, which I suspect is due to the incredible purity of fruit as well as the wine’s flawless balance than any change in winemaking or stylistic shifts. I also think the acidity is healthy, and the 2015 tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is certainly in the sweet spot, if not tame, for beautifully ripe Syrah these days. A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in new American oak hogsheads, it offers an extraordinary perfume of sweet crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, camphor, Asian spices, licorice, and wildflowers. This is followed by a full-bodied, powerful yet incredibly seamless and elegant Shiraz that has no hard edges, a big, dense mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Coming close to rivaling the 1986, which has always been a benchmark vintage of Grange for me, the 2015 offers a more polished, elegant, approachable style. Vintage comparisons aside, this is a legendary example of Grange in the making. The savvy wine lovers out there will give this 7-8 years of bottle age (I’ll probably be out of bottles by then) and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades.

98+ Points Robert Parker | The nose of the 2015 Grange features the wine's characteristic lifted aromas, joined by pronounced American oak influence and bold blackberry fruit, plus hints of red meat, raspberries, asphalt and vanilla. It's dense and concentrated on the palate, full-bodied yet balanced and firm, with a rich, velvety texture and long, plush finish. Don't expect great complexity at this stage—it's much too young to show much more than the primary fruit and oak elements—but this is a Grange that should easily go three or four decades.

97 Points Wine Spectator | Distinctive and powerful, yet still elegant, showing restraint despite the dense and generous flavors. Precise notes of dark chocolate, maraschino cherry, mahogany and toasted coconut complement the core of wild blackberry and blueberry fruit. The tannins are smooth and polished, delivering some tug on the finish, which persists as subtle hints of dried lavender and white pepper linger. Drink now through 2040.

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | This vintage of the famed wine is perhaps its most approachable to date. The nose is open and expressive, with waves of aromas ranging from licorice, currant and plum to baking spice, furniture polish, freshly picked olive, mushroom and vanilla. The mouthfeel is satiny in texture, awash with fruit and spices of all shapes and sizes, all wound by fine tannins. Drink through 2040.

Vinous 98 Points | One of the finest examples of 100% Folle Blanche in all of Armagnac. This 31-year-old is light copper, with a complex floral bouquet of rose and almond blossom along with aromas of fig and candied orange that roll onto the palate, developing seamlessly into gingerbread on the midpalate and finishing fresh with notes of mint and licorice and that go on forever. Pretty, delicate, yet still dense and intense. A beautiful spirit that justifies its price.

Dalton Alma Deep Red Rhone Blend Crimson Galilee Kosher 2021 750ml

Winemaker Description

From the sun-drenched hillsides of Galilee, Dalton's Alma Crimson is a bold, structured Rhone-style blend that speaks to the ambition of Israeli fine wine. Dark and full-bodied, it opens with generous aromas of ripe cherries, plums, and sweet dark fruits, leading to a rich, buttery palate layered with vanilla, cloves, and a distinctive whisper of green tea.

Crafted with meticulous attention, the grapes were harvested and fermented in separate batches to preserve the character of each variety. The wine was pressed just before completing fermentation, malolactic fermentation was encouraged, and the wine was then racked into French oak barriques for 12 months of aging. Each parcel was individually assessed before the final blend was assembled and returned to barrel for a further six months of integration.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points — "We think of this as Israeli Châteauneuf-du-Pape — tasted blind, it will fool you!" Blackberry, cassis, and toasted nut aromas lead the way. A bright thread of pomegranate runs beneath layers of Mission fig, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, orange zest, and caramel. Luxurious tannins and perfectly balanced acidity carry through to a long, satisfying finish.

Wine Details

Producer: Dalton Winery
Wine: Alma Deep Red Crimson — Rhone Blend
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Appellation: Galilee, Israel
Vintage: 2021
Aging: 18 months in French oak barriques
Size: 750ml
Kosher: Yes — Mevushal

Producer Description 

Assembly of two thirds of white grape freshly pressed and very mature (Ugny Blanc) with a third of one year Cognac, the whole aged in oak cask during five years.
It is only at the end of this period that we obtain Pineau of the Charente carefully married.

The subtlety lies in fresh notes of fruit, a delicate sugar and a well melted alcohol.
TO DRINK SHILLED WITHOUT ICE CUBES IN APÉRITIF OR AS DESERT WINE.

Characteristic: fresh and fruity with a dash of “rancio".

Winemaker Description

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

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

About Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio

Produced by the legendary Marchese Antinori — one of Italy's most storied wine families with over six centuries of winemaking heritage — Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio is an extremely versatile, food-friendly white wine sourced from the Delle Venezie DOC in northeastern Italy. It showcases all the characteristic aromas and flavors of one of Italy's most beloved white varietals with approachable elegance at every pour.

Tasting Notes

Fruity aromas of pineapple and green apple with hints of orange zest. Balanced, soft, and savory on the palate with a clean, pleasant finish and refreshing acidity.

Food Pairings

Extremely food-friendly — perfect with appetizers, seafood, light pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, and fresh salads. An ideal everyday white wine for any occasion.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Region: Delle Venezie, Northeastern Italy
Appellation: Delle Venezie DOC
Grape Variety: Pinot Grigio
Producer: Marchese Antinori
Style: White Wine, Dry

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast by Tonya Pitts 91 Points | This wine is bright and lively, with aromas of dark berries, malted chocolate, crushed florals and notes of toasted vanilla. Structured with gripping tannins the palate opens with flavors of cranberry-strawberry, black raspberry and dried bay leaf, which evolve into red plum and citrus zest.

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon is a refined yet approachable expression of the Dunnigan Hills AVA, crafted to showcase ripe, sun-soaked fruit and the region’s signature balance.

Deep dark garnet in the glass, it opens with inviting aromas of plum and black cherry layered with subtle notes of mocha, chocolate and mild cigar box. The palate is soft, supple and immediately welcoming, offering rich flavors of blackberry and boysenberry supported by dusty tannins and well-integrated oak that adds both structure and length.

Hints of anise and warm spice elevate the finish, giving the wine lift and nuance.

Awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this Cabernet maintains varietal integrity while delivering broad appeal—an easy-drinking, food-friendly red that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, hearty pastas or aged cheeses.

Memo Summary Notes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petit  Sirah

The 2022 Matchbook "Red Gravel" Cabernet Sauvignon is a standout value from the Dunnigan Hills AVA in Yolo County, California. Named after the distinct iron-rich, gravelly soils of the estate, this wine is designed to compete with much pricier Napa Cabs by offering a similar "bold and plush" profile at a fraction of the cost.

The NV (2018) Brut Rosé Henriette is a blend of 90% Chardonnay from old vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and 10% Pinot Noir from the south-facing slopes of Bouzy.

Vinous describes this release as a powerful, savory and serious Rosé Champagne, with complex notes of dried cherry, chalk, dried herbs and white pepper.

93 Points — Vinous Media The NV (2018) Brut Rosé Henriette is a blend of 90% Chardonnay from old vines in Mesnil with 10% Pinot Noir from the south-facing slopes of Bouzy, a pretty intriguing combination. Powerful and quite savory, the Henriette is very much a serious Rosé for the dinner table. Dried cherry, chalk, dried herbs and white pepper lend notable complexity throughout. This is a terrific showing for Moncuit's Rosé, the best I can remember tasting. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

Pierre Moncuit Henriette Brut Rosé Grand Cru (Base 2018)

Pierre Moncuit Henriette Brut Rosé Grand Cru is an elegant and distinctive Grower Champagne from one of the historic family estates of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Unlike the domaine's Blanc de Blancs bottlings, Henriette introduces Pinot Noir into the blend, bringing red-fruit character, additional structure and a more vinous personality while retaining the freshness and mineral precision that define the Pierre Moncuit style.

This release is based entirely on the 2018 harvest. Chardonnay from the Grand Cru vineyards of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger forms the core of the wine, complemented by Grand Cru Pinot Noir. The result is a beautifully balanced Rosé Champagne that combines Côte des Blancs finesse with the depth and savory character of Pinot Noir.

The wine is vinified in stainless steel, in keeping with Pierre Moncuit's philosophy of preserving freshness, purity of fruit and a clear expression of terroir. The finished Champagne carries a dosage of approximately 8 grams per liter, giving it a harmonious Brut profile while maintaining excellent freshness and definition.

In the glass, Henriette shows an attractive rosé hue and a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry are joined by suggestions of citrus peel, dried flowers, chalk and subtle spice. The palate is lively yet substantial, with bright red fruit framed by crisp acidity, mineral tension and a gently creamy texture.

This is a Rosé Champagne with enough depth and structure for the dinner table while remaining elegant enough to serve as an aperitif. Its combination of fruit, freshness and savory complexity makes it particularly versatile with food.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Moncuit
• Cuvée: Henriette
• Style: Brut Rosé Grand Cru Champagne
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Primary Village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Grapes: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
• Dosage: Approximately 8 g/L
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Tasting Notes

Expressive aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry mingle with delicate floral notes, citrus, chalk and spice. The palate is fresh and energetic, with fine bubbles, attractive fruit concentration and a mineral backbone. Subtle savory notes add complexity through the long, balanced finish.

Food Pairing

A particularly food-friendly Rosé Champagne, Henriette is excellent with salmon, tuna, lobster, shrimp, sushi, duck, charcuterie and roast poultry. It also pairs beautifully with creamy cheeses and dishes featuring mushrooms or gently savory sauces.

About Champagne Pierre Moncuit

Champagne Pierre Moncuit is a family-run Grower Champagne estate based in the celebrated Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs. The Moncuit family has cultivated vines in the village since the late nineteenth century, developing a particular expertise with Chardonnay and the chalk-rich soils of Le Mesnil.

A distinctive feature of the domaine is its approach to non-vintage Champagne: rather than blending multiple harvests and reserve wines, Pierre Moncuit's NV cuvées are produced from a single harvest. This allows each release to express not only its vineyard origins but also the individual character of its growing season.

Henriette Brut Rosé Grand Cru offers a fascinating counterpoint to the domaine's celebrated Blanc de Blancs wines, combining the precision and mineral character of Le Mesnil Chardonnay with the richness and red-fruit expression of Pinot Noir.

Producer Description 

This easy sipping white blend shows off each of its grapes. Full of green apple notes, a touch of stone fruit, a beautiful floral touch, and a hint of peppery finish, this wine is a delight. All stainless steel fermented for a bright, crisp Austrian gem.