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Château Magnol is one of the Haut-Médoc's most distinguished Cru Bourgeois estates, with a certified classification dating back to 1932. Situated at the southern end of the appellation, close to the city of Bordeaux, the estate benefits from a privileged terroir and the guidance of Hubert de Boüard de Laforest — owner of the legendary Château Angélus — who serves as consulting winemaker. The estate is also certified vegan friendly, reflecting a commitment to both quality and responsible production.

The vineyards are planted on the classic gravelly, clay-limestone soils of the Haut-Médoc, producing a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This traditional Bordeaux assemblage delivers the structure, depth, and aromatic complexity that define the appellation's finest wines.

In the cellar, de-stalked grapes undergo careful optical sorting before alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures (22–26°C) with gentle daily pump-overs. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in 350-liter French oak barrels, with 30% new oak, imparting refinement and depth while preserving the wine's natural freshness and fruit character.

The 2023 opens with a deep, bright ruby color and an intense yet refined aromatic profile of ripe plums, black currants, and figs, interwoven with elegant notes of vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, and a delicate hint of menthol. On the palate, the wine is broad and expansive with velvety, beautifully ripened tannins, concentrated dark fruit, and well-integrated oak leading to a long, polished finish.

"A solid and structured red with medium body and very fine, compact tannins. Succulent and lively with good focus and length."
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

"This estate's vineyards at the southern end of the Haut-Médoc region close to the city of Bordeaux has produced a smooth, ripe wine. The spice and licorice aroma lead to black currant flavors and balanced juicy acidity, with touches of the wood aging coming through at the end. Drink from 2028."
— Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Vintage: 2023
Élevage: 12 months in 350L French oak barrels; 30% new oak
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Red meat, game, and ripe cheeses. Try with Pyrénées cheese, black cherry jam, and walnut bread. Best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F).

CK Mondavi Pinot Grigio — California (1.5L Magnum)

CK Mondavi is California’s go-to for approachable, everyday wines that deliver genuine varietal character at an unbeatable price. This 1.5L Magnum — equivalent to two standard bottles — is the perfect format for entertaining, al fresco dining, and any occasion that calls for a generous, crowd-pleasing pour. Light-bodied, crisp, and endlessly refreshing, it is the kind of white wine that earns a permanent spot in the fridge.

The wine opens with inviting aromas of wildflowers, ripe peaches, and pears. On the palate, fresh tropical flavors unfold with a touch of spice, a lively medium body, and a crisp, clean finish. Bright acidity keeps it refreshing from the first sip to the last.

"Aromas of wildflowers, peaches and pears. Fresh, tropical flavors with a touch of spice and a crisp, refreshing finish." — Winemaker Notes

• Producer: CK Mondavi, California
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Pinot Grigio
• Style: Light-bodied, crisp, fruit-forward California Pinot Grigio
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Tasting Notes: Wildflowers, peaches, pears, tropical fruit, touch of spice, crisp finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, shrimp, light pasta, fresh salads, soft cheeses, summer appetizers

An everyday California Pinot Grigio in a crowd-pleasing Magnum format — CK Mondavi delivers reliable, fruit-forward character at an exceptional value.

Winemaker Description

Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Disgorged in July 2016 with only three grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos Lanson is showing very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with notes of dried white flowers, citrus oil, toasted brioche, oyster shell and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and vibrant, with a racy spine of acidity, good concentration and chalky structuring extract. This is quite a tightly knit, tensile wine, despite the warm mesoclimate and two years on cork, which suggests it will enjoy a long future.

Vinous 93 Points | Clos Lanson's 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a very pretty, soft Champagne that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Bright citrus and floral notes, along with soft contours, give much of its immediacy and sheer allure. Understated and classy, the 2007 will drink well for a number of years, but it is also remarkably giving and enjoyable today for a relatively young Blanc de Blancs. Although it is not super-complex, the 2007 offers quite a bit of freshness and character. An open bottle was still in great shape when I re-tasted it a few days later. Disgorged: July 2016.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fragrant, featuring lime blossom and ground spice notes, this fine and creamy Champagne offers a broad range of lemon parfait, chopped hazelnut, spun honey and dried cherry flavors, underscored by chalky minerality. Elegant and well-knit, with a firm, focused finish. Disgorged July 2016. Drink now through 2030. 665 cases made.

Champagne Geoffroy · Empreinte Millésime 2018 · Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut

Geoffroy Empreinte 2018 is a pure expression of Pinot Noir from Cumières Premier Cru in the Vallée de la Marne. Sourced from three midslope plots, this vintage Blanc de Noirs combines depth and richness with a lively, fresh palate, making it a Champagne with a place at the dinner table as well as the opening toast.

Producer & Terroir

The Geoffroy family’s roots in Cumières date to the 17th century, with vineyards passed from generation to generation. Roger and Julienne Geoffroy began producing their own bottles in the early 1950s. Jean-Baptiste joined the estate at the end of the 1980s, and in 2008 he and his wife Karine moved the winemaking and commercial operations to Aÿ.

Empreinte is fermented and aged in demi-muids and barrels, without malolactic fermentation. A further 66 months on the lees adds depth, while a dosage of 3 g/L completes its Extra Brut style.

Producer Tasting Note

Champagne Geoffroy: On the nose, a complex bouquet of aromas of red fruit, baked apple and hints of dried fruit. Airy, lively and nervous on the palate. With its balance of richness and freshness, this Champagne stands out. It has the depth and complexity to accompany a gourmet meal. A fine match for roast poultry or mature cheeses.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled with roast poultry or mature cheeses, as recommended by the producer. Its balance of richness and freshness makes it a thoughtful choice for a gourmet meal.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
• Cuvée: Empreinte Millésime
• Vintage: 2018
• Origin: Cumières Premier Cru, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Style: Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut
• Vineyards: Three midslope plots
• Fermentation and aging: Demi-muids and barrels
• Malolactic fermentation: None
• Lees aging: 66 months
• Dosage: 3 g/L
• Bottle size: 750ml

A food-friendly vintage Champagne that pairs Pinot Noir depth with freshness.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | From a small 20-acre estate in the southern part of the prestigious Pauillac appellation, Bellegrave has produced a richly structured wine. Black-currant and toast aromas from the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend give the wine richness and dense, concentrated black fruits.

James Suckling 94 Points | A nice smoky layer to the fresh blackcurrants, cedar and graphite. This shows the Pauillac structure and demureness with an appealing touch of dark, ashy fruit and a lead-pencil note. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with dusty, fine-grained tannins. Excellent length and verticality here. It will become even more resolved and long.

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is a dark and sleek offering, with gently mulled black currant and blackberry fruit dusted with a cocoa note and gilded with violet and dried anise accents. A light kiss of singed cedar underscores the fresh finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2022 Chateau Bellegrave Pauillac is a standout vintage from this boutique 20-acre estate, which sits in a prestigious neighborhood between legendary neighbors like Chateau Latour and Lynch-Bages.

Pair with 

Best served with roasted lamb, a thick ribeye with rosemary, or a mushroom-heavy risotto.

Château Meyney — Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux 2023

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

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

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

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the 1940s, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc cuttings on a gravelly hillside at his Tenuta San Guido estate in coastal Tuscany — an act of visionary defiance that would change Italian wine forever. The first vintage offered on the open market was 1968. By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 1.5L Magnum is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the 2023. Uncannily open and generous in its youth. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds."
• James Suckling — 99 Points: "Very cool, complex and pretty aromas of black currants, fresh herbs, lavender and violet. Crunchy and layered fruit with polished, velvety tannins. A very clear and distinctive Sassicaia with true character of the estate."
• Decanter — 98 Points: "Takes the idea of finesse and elegance to another level. Supple, lifted and fragrant, with pure, crunchy bramble fruits, succulent mid-palate and prolonged freshness. A true-to-life model for the future of Italian reds."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 98+ Points: "Full-bodied yet remarkably lifted, moving across the palate with precision and energy. Saline, coastal freshness adds tension and length. Already compelling, with the framework to evolve gracefully over the coming decades."
• Vinous — 97 Points: "Elegant and supremely polished. Blackberry, gravel, incense and new leather. One of the wines of the vintage. I can't wait to see how the 2023 ages."

Wine Details

• 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc
• Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy
• Aged 24 months in 40% new French oak
• Vintage: 2023 | 1.5L Magnum
• Cellar for decades — Magnum format ideal for long-term aging

Winemaker Description

Appealing and elegant ruby robe. Delicate red fruit aromas. A subtle overtone of wood reveals its spicy bouquet. Remarkable balance with round and ripe tannins. Elegant and silky on the palate, it finishes with a delectable touch offemininity. This is a great wine to sip on the patio on a hot summer’s day or as a cocktail. The wine goes well with shell fish, white fish, sushi and curry, as well as white-meat dishes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | Still young and juicy, the wine is full of bright black-currant fruits. It also has a firm structure that will allow it age. Drink this succulent wine from 2025.

90 Points James Suckling | Plums, berry fruit and crushed stones on the nose. It’s juicy and mineral with a medium body, lightly chalky tannins and a soft finish. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. From organically grown grapes.

90 Points Decanter | Concentrated and scented on the nose. Smooth and oh so succulent, this is juicy and bright with tons of energy and a subtle vibrancy to the blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruit that is edged with liquorice, graphite and crushed stone elements. Nicely compacted right now, there is a core of cool and creamy blue fruit and a drive of freshness and life that goes all the way through. Touches of minerality come back on the finish that is long and sustained. Excellent potential here with intensity, acidity and structure. Darkly charming and will improve more over ageing.

Made by the talented winemaker José Luis Mateo, Candea Blanco is a blend of Treixadura, Doña Blanca, and Verdello. This is a delightful white wine from Galicia that bursts with aromas of white peaches, citrus fruit, and cantaloupe. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively with notes of green apples, lime, and white blossom flowers. The finish is dry and very precise.

- Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67 Wine Buyer

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.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | A ripe, opulent second wine, the 2022 Amiral De Beychevelle offers lots of black cherry, mulberry, and plum-like fruits as well as some floral, violet, and graphite nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, has elegant, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's one heck of a sexy, already hard to resist second wine that should keep for 10-12 years, if not longer.

James Suckling 91-92 Points | Very refined and pretty already with linear fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Medium body. Attractive finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.

Château Pédesclaux · Pauillac Grand Cru Classé · 2016

Château Pédesclaux 2016 brings together concentrated currant and blackberry fruit, floral notes and a mineral edge, framed by fine, polished tannins. The reviews emphasize the balance of freshness, depth and finesse in this Pauillac, with 94-point assessments from both Decanter and Jeb Dunnuck.

A 5ème Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac, Château Pédesclaux has undergone a renaissance through investment in its vineyards and cellar. The 2016 blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Wine Advocate reports 18 months of aging in French oak, 60% new and 40% one-year-old barrels.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2016

Decanter · 94 Points This really shows the heart of 2016 in the northern Médoc - it has the triumvirate of good acidity, good tannins and good fruit. It's a little austere and is going to take its time to truly get going. A second bottle proved much better for depth, as we queried rusticity on the nose of the first bottle. The second instead showed a hawthorn, hedgerow character and gorgeously rich black fruits, concentrated and focussed, and given complexity by tobacco and spice. It's the first time that four grape varieties have been used in the grand vin - Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, plus 3% Cabernet Franc. Eric Boissenot consults.

Jeb Dunnuck · 94 Points An estate that’s unquestionably on the upswing, the 2016 Château Pédesclaux is made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 60% new oak. In the past, the wines from this estate have been slightly chunky, but that started to change around 2014, and I think this 2016 is the best yet. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spicy oak, and a touch of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied Pauillac, which has fine, polished tannins, a seamless texture, and a great finish. With purity and finesse as well as richness and depth, it’s already reasonably approachable today, but it’s going to evolve for three decades or more.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate · 93 Points The 2016 Pedesclaux is composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 18 months in 60% new and 40% one-year-old French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red and black currants and blackberries with cigar box, new leather, pencil lead and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively with loads of mineral nuances and a lovely earthy finish. Around 15,000 cases produce

James Suckling · 95 Points · Vintage Not Specified So aromatic with crushed currants, raspberries and blackberries with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied and very tight with beautiful tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The tannins really build at the end of the palate. Try from 2024.

Wine Spectator · 92 Points · Vintage Not Specified An extroverted style, with bold plum and blackberry compote aromas and flavors, infused with anise accents and backed by an alluring finish of toasted vanilla, violet and mocha. On the showy side, but has enough latent drive to keep it honest. Drink now through 2030.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pair with roast lamb, grilled beef, braised short ribs or mushroom dishes. The wine's fresh structure and savory complexity suit rich, deeply flavored food.

Details

• Producer: Château Pédesclaux
• Vintage: 2016
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Pauillac AOC
• Classification: 5ème Grand Cru Classé
• Blend: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
• Type: Red Bordeaux blend
• Aging: 18 months in French oak, 60% new and 40% one-year-old barrels

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

96 Points James Suckling | Mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit with a touch of spice. A bright and linear Capellania that shows excellent tension, freshness and complexity. Long and appetizing finish. More taut and gastronomic now. 100% viura. Drink now or hold. 

95 Points Tim Atkin | The cooler 2018 vintage was ideally suited to the production of high-quality whites like this pure Viura from a six-hectare plateau at 485 metres within the extensive Castillo Ygay estate. Modern, perfumed and poised, it has finely integrated French oak, fennel, thatch and beeswax aromas, herbal complexity and a nutty, fragrant, citrus zest palate. 2025-40 

94 Points Wine Advocate | To catch up with the current vintages that I shall review every 12 months from now on, I tasted two vintages of some of the wines, including the whites. The 2018 Capellanía is 100% Viura from the plot that names the wine. The vineyard is six hectares planted in 1945 at 485 meters altitude, the highest in the estate. It fermented in concrete, the first vintage to do so, as it was fermented in stainless steel until then, and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. It spent a further seven months in concrete, a long élevage, with the idea to produce a structured white with aging potential, while keeping the varietal character. The wine is subtle and elegant, following the path of all the wines in the portfolio here, still marked by the élevage in oak, spicy and smoky. The palate is balanced, with a nice combination of fruit and oak, with a soft texture, clean, focused and tasty. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.1 and 6.10 grams of acidity. 21,836 bottled and 688 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. This is now released with the Gran Reserva back label.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 98 Points | Subtle and beautiful on the nose with currants, flowers and light sage aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised.

The Wine Spectator 97 Points | Dripping with black currant, blackberry, black cherry, iron and toasty oak flavors, this red is suave and polished. Features flashes of tobacco and wild herbs that add even more detail as this builds to a long, kaleidoscopic finish. Presents civilized tannins that are well-integrated and provide structure. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red.

Défaix Frères is a respected family domaine based in Milly, one of the most prized villages in the Chablis appellation. The Défaix family has been farming the chalky Kimmeridgian soils of Chablis for generations, producing wines of classic mineral precision and the austere, saline character that defines great Chablis at its finest. Their approach is rooted in respect for the terroir — minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the unique geology of the appellation to speak clearly in every bottle.

The Chablis Village is sourced from estate vineyards planted on the appellation's signature Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils — ancient marine sediments rich in fossilized oyster shells that impart the distinctive flinty minerality and saline tension that set Chablis apart from all other Chardonnay in the world. The cool continental climate of the Yonne valley, with its harsh winters and short, intense growing season, produces Chardonnay of natural freshness, high acidity, and restrained, precise fruit.

Vinification is carried out entirely in stainless steel, with the wine spending 10 months on the fine lees to develop texture and complexity while preserving the purity and tension that are the hallmarks of the style. No oak — just pure, unadulterated Chablis.

The 2023 opens with a restrained, elegant nose of white orchard fruit, citrus, green apple, and subtle floral notes, with a characteristic flinty, mineral undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively, with bright acidity, pronounced minerality, and a clean, saline finish. Pure, flinty, and edgy — classic Village-level Chablis at its most compelling.

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chablis AOC
Vintage: 2023
Élevage: Stainless steel; 10 months on fine lees
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, sushi, light poultry, salads, and fresh or soft cheeses. Serve well chilled.

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

Verdicchio brilliantly pairs with Fritto Misto, and within the context of local fare, all things seafood are natural go-to pairings. Because of the added textural richness from long lees aging, diverse crudo preparations and seafood-inspired pasta dishes are natural matches.

GAJA Ca’ Marcanda · Magari Bolgheri Rosso · 2023 · Tuscany, Italy

Magari 2023 combines Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in a Bolgheri red with dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs and a savory, saline accent. Plum and blackcurrant notes meet black tea, rosemary and thyme, while structured tannins give the palate shape and length.

The name Magari captures the playful Italian expressions “If only it was true…!” and “Maybe…”, a lighthearted counterpoint to the commitment behind the Ca’ Marcanda project. The wine's mix of fruit, herbal detail and polished texture offers a compelling direction for a thoughtfully paired dinner.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck · 95 Points: Also tasted as part of a short vertical, the 2023 Magari is a bright magenta/ruby color. It’s fresh, spicy, and floral on the nose, with balanced pure cherry fruit, spicy cedar, toasted incense, and fresh rosemary. It displays a medium-framed profile, but it doesn’t lack focus in its silky texture, fine tannins, and refreshing though seamless acidity. This vintage offers a lot of freshness and elegance. It’s lovely out of the gate but should have an even and long window for drinking over the coming 15 or so years.

The Wine Advocate · 94 Points: The Ca’ Marcanda 2023 Bolgheri Rosso Magari, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, shows appealing richness and a soft, generous side with plump berry fruit, baked blackberry pie and sweet spice. A creamy texture and ripe phenolics give the wine an immediately pleasurable palate impact, while a touch of subtle sweetness carries through on the finish.

James Suckling · 92 Points: This fruity, spicy wine shows plums, bell peppers, eucalyptus leaves and cherries. The crunchy palate has crisp acidity, medium body, light extraction and a grainy finish. 

Decanter  Magazine · 91 Points: Magari is Gaja's Cabernet Franc-dominant expression of Bolgheri. Deep and plummy, it has a chocolatey nose with balsamic herb notes. The broad palate shows plummy black and red fruits, lifted and with floral top notes. Poised and very fresh, that balsamic and menthol character runs through the core with a streak of chocolate. Balanced structure.

Wine Spectator  · 90 Points: Black currant, blackberry, bell pepper, iron and tobacco flavors gather in this sleek red. Tightens up on the finish, where the fruit and savory elements echo. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Description

Ca’ Marcanda: Magari is an Italian expression having different meanings “If only it was true…!”, “Maybe…”. It carries a sort of irony which leads people to smile, without showing off the great commitment and determination associated to the Ca’Marcanda project.

Purplish red in color, the nose presents a wonderful mixture of black fruits such as plums and blackcurrants. Notes of black tea, and hints of aromatic herbs commonly found in the Mediterranean like rosemary and thyme, lead to a structured mouthfeel with tannins that are denser and more elegant reflecting the style of the vintage all culminating with a salinity representative of a classic Bolgheri style.

Food Pairings & Serving

Suggested pairings include grilled steak, rosemary-roasted lamb, braised beef or roasted portobello mushrooms. Serve slightly below room temperature and allow time in the glass for its fruit and herbal notes to unfold.

Wine Details

• Producer: GAJA Ca’ Marcanda
• Wine: Magari
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bolgheri Rosso
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot
• Style: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Reviews: Jeb Dunnuck 95, The Wine Advocate 94, James Suckling 92, Decanter Magazine 91, Wine Spectator 90
• Wine Spectator drinking guidance: Now through 2032

Dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs and polished structure with a distinctly Bolgheri accent.

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

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.

Winemaker Description

A youthful nose of fresh berries, cherry, and floral aromas, finishing with a soft texture and a hint of sweetness — designed to be vibrant, flavorful, and enjoyed within four years.

This is a fruitier style of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of sweetness, perfect for those who prefer a softer, more approachable red wine.

Louis Latour | Mâcon-Lugny Les Genièvres | Mâconnais, Burgundy, France | 2024 | 375ml Half Bottle

Maison Louis Latour is one of Burgundy's most storied and respected negociants, family-owned and independent since 1797. With the largest holding of Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte d'Or and a winemaking heritage stretching back to the 17th century, Louis Latour has built a global reputation for producing wines that faithfully express the character of Burgundy's diverse terroir — from the grandest Grands Crus to the most approachable village wines.

Mâcon-Lugny is one of the Mâconnais's most reliable appellations, situated in southern Burgundy where the climate is warmer and sunnier than the Côte d'Or. Les Genièvres is Louis Latour's benchmark Mâcon-Lugny — a consistently excellent, food-friendly Chardonnay that delivers genuine Burgundian character at an accessible price point.

The 2024 is clean and lively with a flowery bouquet. The nose offers white flowers, honey, ripe apple, and a hint of hazelnut. On the palate, fresh and well-balanced with bright acidity, gentle fruit, and a clean, nutty finish. An effortlessly enjoyable white Burgundy — now in a convenient 375ml half bottle, perfect for solo enjoyment or as a pairing for a single course.

Pair with grilled fish, seafood, scallops, light pasta, and Comté cheese.

• Producer: Maison Louis Latour
• Appellation: Mâcon-Lugny AOC, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
• Cuvée: Les Genièvres
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 375ml Half Bottle

Critical Acclaim - Prior Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 90 pts: Clean and lively with a flowery bouquet and lovely honey, apple, and nutty flavors on the palate.