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There is a wine that arrives each summer like a long-awaited guest — unhurried, luminous, and entirely at ease. Wölffer Estate's Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024 is that wine. Sourced from the rosé heartland of southern France and shaped by Wölffer's signature restraint, this is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Vermentino that captures the season in a single pour.

The color is a perfect, whisper-pale salmon. The nose opens with crushed stone, white peach, and delicate florals — fresh and inviting without excess. On the palate, the wine is sleek and mineral-driven, with crunchy nectarine, citrus zest, and a savory herb thread that keeps each sip honest. The finish is clean and long, carried by a lively, food-friendly acidity that makes it effortlessly versatile.

This is Provence rosé done with deliberate focus — sophisticated enough for the table, carefree enough for the moment. Pair with seafood, charcuterie, grilled chicken, or the kind of afternoon that doesn't need a reason.

Appellation: Côtes de Provence, France
Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Vermentino (Rolle)
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml

Awards & Recognition:
95 pts — Double Gold, "Drink Pino Vino" International Rosé Competition 2025
90 pts — Wine Spectator (Drink now)
90 pts — James Suckling, Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence Rosé 2021

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese — Toscana IGT 2024

Le Difese is the second wine of Sassicaia — and that pedigree means everything. Tenuta San Guido is the legendary Bolgheri estate that created the Super Tuscan category, producing one of Italy’s most celebrated wines in Sassicaia. Le Difese is crafted from the estate’s younger vines using the same philosophy and the same winemaking team: fermentation on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by 8 months of maturation in French and American oak barrels. The 2024 vintage was exceptional — early, uniform budbreak, ideal flowering and fruit set, warm July with early veraison, and cool nights through August ensuring perfect phenolic and technical ripeness. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. At under $57, it is one of the most compelling values in all of Tuscan wine.

Intense black fruit aromas and flavors, with vanilla and spice from oak, plums, cherries, light chocolate, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with supple tannins, a tangy touch of orange peel, and a crisp, satisfying finish. A delicious and complete glass of Tuscany.

James Suckling 92 — “A fresh and crunchy red with aromas of plums, cherries, light chocolate and cinnamon… fine tannins and a crisp finish. Tangy, with a touch of orange peel. A delicious and satisfying glass of Tuscany red. The second wine of Sassicaia.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 8 months in French and American oak barrels
• ABV: 13.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black fruit, plum, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, orange peel, supple tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled steak, steak salad, burgers, Bolognese, marinara, casual beef dishes

The second wine of one of Italy’s greatest estates at an honest price — Le Difese is the benchmark for what a Super Tuscan second label can be.

Winemaker Description 

The Crémant d’Alsace Brut Zero Rosé from Valentin Zusslin is 100% made with Pinot Noir, raised according to the traditional method for 18 months on slats, without dosage or addition of sulphites. The dress has salmon shades typical of this grape variety and reveals a beautiful fine effervescence, a sign of a neat farm.

On the nose as in the mouth, it delivers net aromas of red fruits – currant, blackcurrant, raspberry – supplemented with sweet spices and gourmet notes of hazelnut or macaroon. The tasting shows it brightly, dry, very digestible and with a controlled aromatic finish.

James Suckling writes | A rosé that for its class is relatively dry and winey, making it an excellent sparkling wine to accompany a meal.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Valentin Zusslin Crémant d'Alsace Brut Zéro Rosé is a highly regarded, biodynamic sparkling wine from Alsace, France. Known for its purity and lack of added sugar (Non-Dosé), it is a favorite among fans of "natural" and terroir-driven wines.

Paring Suggestions

Aperitif: Excellent on its own to wake up the palate.

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.

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

A very brilliant ruby red with beautiful purple nuances. Immediate and generous, the nose opens with notes of fresh red and black fruits such as cherry and blueberry, then it is enriched with cocoa powder and a delicate hint of licorice. Round and concentrated from the start, this wine develops a balanced structure on the palate. Present but delicate tannins and a tasty acidity highlight the fruit so well that it lingers on for a long time.

A polished and expressive Brunello offering ripe Tuscan fruit, savory woodland character, refreshing acidity and a firm, age-worthy finish.

Wine Description

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2020 is an elegant and layered expression of Sangiovese Grosso from one of Montalcino’s most historic estates. Situated southwest of Montalcino, the CastelGiocondo vineyards rise approximately 300 to 400 meters above sea level, with favorable southwest-facing exposures and a diverse combination of clay, sand and schist soils.

This varied landscape brings complexity and definition to the wine. The 2020 vintage opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry and pomegranate, followed by violet, rose and subtle woodland notes. With time in the glass, savory layers of licorice, white pepper, star anise, toasted spice and earth begin to emerge.

Medium to full-bodied, the palate begins soft and velvety, with generous ripe fruit balanced by refreshing acidity and dense, finely structured tannins. The finish is long, savory and mineral-driven, showing the depth and restraint expected from classic Brunello di Montalcino.

Winemaking

The Sangiovese Grosso grapes are carefully selected in the vineyard and again at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with frequent pump-overs during the early stages to encourage color, aroma and gentle extraction. The wine is subsequently matured in wood and refined in bottle until it reaches its characteristic balance and harmony.

About CastelGiocondo

CastelGiocondo is a remarkable historic estate dominated by an ancient castle and medieval village. Its vineyards benefit from elevation, well-drained soils, warm Tuscan sunshine and cooling Mediterranean influences—all ideal conditions for producing structured, aromatic and long-lived Sangiovese.

The diversity of the estate’s soils and exposures allows Frescobaldi to create a Brunello with remarkable depth and evolving complexity. Each glass reveals something new, from vibrant red and dark fruit to floral, earthy and spice-driven nuances.

Food Pairing

An excellent companion to braised beef, osso buco, roasted lamb, wild mushrooms, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It is also a natural match for traditional Tuscan preparations, including pappardelle with wild-boar ragù and bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Serving Suggestions

Serve at approximately 60–65°F in a large red-wine glass. When enjoyed young, decanting for one to two hours will help reveal the wine’s aromatic detail and soften its youthful structure. Delicious beginning in 2026, it also has the balance and tannic foundation for further development in the cellar.

Expert Ratings

94  James Suckling: Pretty Brunello with licorice, smoky woodland and ripe black cherries. Medium-bodied, soft and velvety at the start, then thick with an austere finish. Refreshing acidity. Good definition and savoriness here, yet it’s mostly fruity. Needs time to develop greater complexity. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

93 Decanter: Davide Bozzon has been the resident winemaker at Castelgiocondo since this 2020 vintage. Given the hot conditions, he kept macerations to under 28 days to rein in the power and keep the wine from becoming too heavy. After one year in neutral barriques, it refines for a further two in large Slavonian oak casks. Grenadine and macerated red plum are topped with chocolate, rosemary and oregano. Smooth and polished on entry, luxurious fruit is laced with espresso and leather. Despite its girth, a concentration of frisky acidity persists through the core. That charming touch of Tuscan rusticity is felt in its dry, dusty tannins on the back end.

93 Wine Spectator: Fresh and expressive, this red displays cherry, raspberry, earth, leather and menthol flavors. There are gripping tannins, yet it's the vivid acidity that makes a stronger impact as it propels the long finish. Best from 2028 through 2045. 25,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.

92 Jeb Dunnuck: Pouring a saturated magenta/ruby hue, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is warming with ripe fruit on the nose, including tarry notes of baked black cherries, pine sap, polished leather, and toasted oak spice. While it's full-bodied, it keeps a snappy lift of crunchy acidity, with a rich coating texture and notes of dark chocolate-covered orange on the finish.

Wine Details

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2020

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy | 750ml

Château L’Escart Cuvée Eden Organic Biodynamic Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux 2024

Château L’Escart is a certified organic and biodynamic estate located east of Bordeaux near Saint-Loubès, farming 26 hectares of vineyards planted with the full spectrum of traditional Bordeaux varieties. The Cuvée Eden is their flagship expression — a five-grape Bordeaux Supérieur that reflects the estate’s commitment to farming in harmony with nature while delivering a wine of genuine richness and complexity. Biodynamic viticulture treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem, producing grapes of exceptional concentration and terroir character without synthetic inputs. At this price, it is one of the most compelling organic Bordeaux values available.

Intense, bright red with a full-bodied, generous palate. The nose opens with cassis, blueberry, and blackberry, anchored by oak-influenced vanilla and a cedary accent. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, with fine tannins that provide texture and grip through a long, balanced finish. Ideal for the table and versatile enough for everything from a grilled entrecôte to a high-end pizza night.

• Producer: Château L’Escart, Saint-Loubès, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, blueberry, blackberry, vanilla, cedar, fine tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled entrecôte, lamb kebabs, beef tartare, grilled mushrooms, lentil stew, pizza

Certified organic and biodynamic Bordeaux Supérieur at a rock-bottom price — Château L’Escart Cuvée Eden is the five-grape Bordeaux that over-delivers at every level.

Bodegas Escudero · Serna Imperial Reserva · Rioja Baja, Spain · 2015 · 750ml

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852, and four generations on it's still very much a family business. Of their 150 hectares of vineyards, 120 sit on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga range in Rioja Baja, where the grapes for Serna Imperial are grown. The vines are around 40 years old and planted between 450 and 800 meters above sea level.

Predominantly Tempranillo, blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this Reserva spent 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle before release. The result is a mature, harmonious Rioja with real character, now showing the savory complexity that comes with age.

Winemaker Description

Brick red deep covered. Clean, complex and with a good intensity on the nose. Red fruit aromas well conjoined with those of the aging. Balsam, spices (pepper), tobacco and leather. Well structured, tasty, large, soft but with character and a good harmony in its flavors. Complex and retronasal clean.

Bodegas Escudero

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2015

The Escudero family started making wine in 1852 and, four generations on, it is still very much a family business. They own a total of 150ha of vineyards, of which 120ha are located on the southern slopes of the Monte Yerga mountain range, where the grapes for this wine are produced. The vines are grown at between 450m-800m above sea level and are approximately 40 years old. Predominantly made from Tempranillo blended with Mazuelo and Garnacha, this reserva was aged for 14 months in five-year-old American oak barrels followed by a further 28 months in bottle.

Decanter, 95 Points

Supple, juicy, well-balanced, fully rounded. A lovely vintage and a great wine.

Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter

A broad and generous mouthfeel, the tannic grip still persuasive, but acidity is wrapped around the black fruit core with subtle conviction.

Simon Field, Decanter

Liquorice and dark fruit, compact, quite complex, framed by muscular tannins, underlying depth that unfurls in the glass, and really good length. Drinking Window 2020 - 2023

Pierre Mansour, Decanter

Pairings & Serving

Serve at 60–65°F and give it 30 minutes to an hour in a decanter to open up. A classic partner for roast lamb, grilled steak, chorizo, jamón, wild mushrooms and aged Manchego.

Specs

• Producer: Bodegas Escudero
• Wine: Serna Imperial Reserva
• Vintage: 2015
• Appellation: Rioja Baja, Rioja, Spain
• Blend: Predominantly Tempranillo, with Mazuelo and Garnacha
• Vineyards: Southern slopes of Monte Yerga, 450–800m, ~40-year-old vines
• Aging: 14 months in five-year-old American oak, plus 28 months in bottle
• Rating: Decanter 95 points
• Size: 750ml

A 95-point, decade-old Rioja Reserva from a family making wine since 1852.

The Queen of Teroldego, at Her Finest

Elisabetta Foradori is one of Italy's most visionary winemakers — a pioneer who single-handedly rescued the ancient Teroldego grape from obscurity and elevated it to world-class status. Farming biodynamically in the dramatic foothills of the Dolomites in Trentino, her minimal-intervention approach produces wines of extraordinary purity, character, and sense of place.

This is the estate's flagship red: a wine that is simultaneously wild and precise, generous and structured — a benchmark for what indigenous Italian varieties can achieve in the right hands.

67 Wine Review

"Savory, earthy and slightly wild in style, Elisabetta Foradori sculpts one of Italy's finest natural wines. Luscious dark fruits and violets on the nose pick up some spice and wild herbs on the palate. Medium bodied with good depth of flavor and detailed complexity that winds through the finish with purity and a touch of exotic funk."
— Bart Hopkins, 67wino.shop

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Luscious dark fruits, violets, and wild herbs
• Palate: Savory, earthy, and slightly wild — spice, dark cherry, and a touch of exotic funk
• Structure: Medium-bodied with high acidity, moderate tannins, and excellent depth
• Finish: Long, pure, and complex

Vineyard & Vinification

• Grape: 100% Teroldego
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Appellation: Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino, Italy
• Producer: Foradori, Campo Rotaliano
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for Alpine cuisine: speck, Fontina, and rye bread; tagliatelle with wild boar ragù; roasted duck with cherry reduction; herb-crusted pork loin. Also exceptional with mushroom polenta or roasted beets with goat cheese.

Château de Ribebon Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux, France 2020

Château de Ribebon has one of the more remarkable backstories in Bordeaux — the estate was formerly a hunting lodge for King Louis XVI, and today it is part of the distinguished Aubert family portfolio, one of the most respected names in the region. Farmed from 40-year-old vines and crafted in the classic Petit Château tradition, Ribebon represents exactly what Bordeaux Supérieur does best: honest, terroir-driven wine at an accessible price, made with the same care and philosophy as estates that cost far more. The 2020 vintage is widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade.

The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose is inviting and well-defined — juicy black fruits, blackcurrant, plum, spice, and a touch of toast from careful oak aging. On the palate, it's structured and well-balanced with a savory, slightly earthy character, medium-to-full body, and a smooth mouthfeel. Still young and developing, it rewards patience — best from 2025 onward, but approachable now with decanting.

"A well-balanced wine, structured and still young. Spice and toast as well as juicy black fruits. The wine is on its way, but should not be drunk before 2025." — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points

• Producer: Château de Ribebon (Aubert Family), Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Varietal: Merlot-dominant blend
• Vine Age: 40 years
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 90 (Roger Voss)
• Drink: Best from 2025; decant if opening now
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, plum, spice, toast, earthy, structured tannins
• Best Paired With: Gourmet burgers, lamb chops with rosemary, duck confit, beef stew, mushroom risotto, aged Comté

A 90-point Bordeaux Supérieur from a former royal hunting lodge — Aubert family quality, 40-year-old vines, and one of Bordeaux's finest recent vintages at a Petit Château price.

Winemaker Description

Deep dark purple in color. Leather on the nose. Black plums with tannins and a little heat on the palate. It's medium-bodied with a cleaner finish than you expect it to be. Let it open up a little for the most enjoyment. Pair with grilled meats.

Big Table Farm Pinot Noir — Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023

Big Table Farm is one of Willamette Valley's most beloved small producers — a genuine farm winery run by Brian and Clare Carver, who raise animals, grow vegetables, and make wine with the same hands-on, unhurried philosophy. Their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from a network of trusted growers across the valley, blended to capture the region's signature elegance: bright red fruit, floral lift, and the kind of fine-grained structure that makes Oregon Pinot so compelling at the table. The 2023 vintage produced just 2,154 cases.

The wine pours a translucent ruby. The nose is supple and elegantly complex — delicate raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and dusky spices. On the palate, it's bright and energetic with crunchy tannins and focused acidity, delivering red apple, blood orange, and raspberry with a lovely balance of fruit and savory undertones. Fine-grained tannins carry it through a long, polished finish. Drink now through 2033.

"Supple and elegantly complex, with delicate raspberry and cherry flavors laced with rose petal, orange peel and dusky spices as this glides toward fine-grained tannins." — Wine Spectator, 93 Points

• Producer: Big Table Farm, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Production: 2,154 cases
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Spectator 93 | James Suckling 93
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, blood orange, dusky spices, fine-grained tannins
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, mushroom risotto, truffled dishes, lean pork or veal, brie, goat cheese

A dual 93-point Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from one of Oregon's most authentic farm wineries — elegant, precise, and built for the table.

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

A single-vineyard wine, Vinha de São Lázaro owes its name to the small 13th century chapel located in the vineyard that is dedicated to Saint Lazarus, protector of the sick and needy. 

Touriga Nacional is a great pairing for any meat dish. In this particular wine, as it is very delicate and full bodied, it is ideal with a lamb tagine, or any variety of matured meats. 

A Sonoma Chardonnay of quiet authority. Myrna opens with bright notes of white peach, toasted hazelnut, and Meyer lemon zest, before settling into a creamy mid-palate threaded with vanilla and fresh oak. The finish is focused and clean — a wine that earns its scores without announcing them.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Sonoma County, California, USA
Vintage: 2019
Format: 750ml

Far Mountain Winery is a small-production estate tucked into the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with fruit sourced from select Sonoma vineyards. Winemaker Tom Rice brings a minimalist touch to every bottle — native yeast fermentation, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to letting the vineyard speak for itself. Myrna is their flagship Chardonnay, named in tribute to a beloved mentor, and it shows the kind of personal investment that only small, passionate producers can deliver.

Expert Review

Vinous 97 Points Josh Raynolds writes |  Glass-staining ruby. Exotically perfumed black and blue fruit, incense and candied licorice scents, along with mineral, olive and exotic spice overtones. Seamless and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet lively blackberry, boysenberry, cherry-cola, salty olive and floral pastille flavors that show outstanding energy and mineral lift. Slow-building tannins grow on a strikingly long, focused finish that strongly echoes the licorice and mineral notes.

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.

Castello di Bossi | Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | Organic | 2020

Gran Selezione is the apex of the Chianti Classico pyramid — a single-vineyard or best-barrel selection aged a minimum of 30 months before release. Castello di Bossi's 2020 version is a textbook example of why this category matters. Sourced from the estate's southern Gaiole in Chianti holdings and certified organic, it spent 24 months in large 40–50HL casks — a deliberate choice that preserves Sangiovese's aromatic lift while building structure without over-oaking. The 2020 vintage delivered warm, even ripening across Tuscany, and Bossi channeled that richness into a wine of explosive intensity and remarkable finesse. Deep ruby with garnet lights, it opens with black cherry, plum, cedar, sweet spice, dark chocolate, and a whisper of saddle leather. The palate is fleshy and dense, yet balanced, with a very pronounced, lingering finish. Drink now with confidence, or cellar through 2034.

• Appellation: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Varietal: Sangiovese
• Vintage: 2020
• Format: 750ml
• Aging: 24 months in 40–50HL large casks
• Certification: Certified Organic
• Drink Window: Now – 2034

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2020

Vinous — Antonio Galloni | 92 Points: Gorgeous. Floral, lifted and quite expressive, the 2020 has a lot to offer. It marries the richness of this southern district with lovely aromatic presence and a good bit of brightness. A complete, deeply satisfying wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Drink 2024–2034.

Pairing Suggestions

• Classic Tuscan: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or pappardelle with meat sauce.
• Meat: Roasted lamb rack, braised short ribs, or aged beef tagliata.
• Cheese: Aged Pecorino Toscano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

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

This wine shows deep in color, with ruby tints. It has scents of red and black berries mixed with floral notes, together with hints of delicate spices and vanilla. On the palate, it displays aromas of crushed black fruits such as raspberries, blackcurrants, cherries and black-cherry jam. This wine is complex, rich and long with well integrated 

Adegas Guímaro Mencía — Ribeira Sacra, Spain 2024

Adegas Guímaro is Ribeira Sacra's most celebrated rebel — a family estate founded by Pedro Rodríguez, whose pioneering work in one of the world’s most dramatic wine landscapes helped put this Galician appellation on the international map. Guímaro means “rebel” in Gallego, and the name fits: farming old-vine Mencía on Ribeira Sacra’s impossibly steep, slate-terraced hillsides — vineyards cultivated since Roman times, rivaling the Douro, Côte Rôtie, and the Mosel in their dramatic beauty and treacherous terrain — demands spirited determination, eternal optimism, and a deep sense of tradition. The 2024 Mencía is a high-energy, mineral-driven Joven crafted from concentrated old-vine fruit, earning 92 Points from both James Suckling and Wine Advocate and overdelivering at every price point.

The nose is vivid and expressive: ripe cherries, dark plum, red fruit, and earth, with sweet spice, luscious savory depth, and a mineral undercurrent driven by the region’s signature slate soils. On the palate, the wine is silky and juicy with vibrant acidity, smooth tannins, and a long, mineral finish with subtle herbal lift. Often described as a cross between Pinot Noir and Syrah in its elegance and energy, it is approachable, versatile, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Spanish red that disappears fast at the table.

"Savory and silky, with luscious flavors of red fruit, plums, earth, and sweet spice. Old vine Mencía vines lead to concentrated and juicy grapes." — Producer’s Notes, Adegas Guímaro

• Producer: Adegas Guímaro, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Ribeira Sacra DO, Galicia, Spain
• Varietal: Mencía (100% old vine)
• Farming: Steep slate terraces, old vines — hand-harvested, sustainably farmed
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe cherry, dark plum, red fruit, earth, sweet spice, slate minerality, silky finish
• Best Paired With: Roasted pork loin, grilled chorizo, seared duck breast, aged Tetilla cheese, mushroom dishes

Ribeira Sacra’s most iconic rebel at an honest price — Guímaro Mencía is the benchmark for what old-vine, slate-driven Galician red can deliver.

The Wachau is one of the world’s great Riesling addresses — a narrow, dramatic corridor of the Danube where terraced granite and gneiss slopes catch the sun, cool rapidly at night, and coax extraordinary precision from the vine. Leo Alzinger’s estate in Unterloiben is among its quietest giants. Farming 11.5 hectares across celebrated sites including Loibenberg and Steinertal, Leo Jr. — who took the reins in 2002 after formative time with the legendary Hans Günter Schwarz at Müller-Catoir — makes wines that are never forceful or assertive. They are, in his own words, “amazingly sanguine and calmly transparent.”

The Ried Loibenberg is one of the warmest, most south-facing sites in the entire Wachau, with stony, shallow, primary rock soils on the upper terraces that push Riesling to physiological ripeness without excess sugar. Harvested later than most neighbors, whole-cluster crushed with a short maceration and 24-hour settling to drop green tannins, the 2021 Smaragd — the Wachau’s designation for its fullest, most age-worthy wines — is a wine of concentrated elegance: white stone fruit, citrus peel, crushed mineral, and a cool, saline thread that carries through to a long, refined finish. Drink now or cellar with confidence through 2035+.

95 points — James Suckling | “Dangerous freshness and enormous depth… very long and refined finish that feels almost weightless. Delightfully refined finish that makes you want to stay here for a long time. Drink or hold.”

• Producer: Alzinger, Unterloiben, Wachau, Austria
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Wachau DAC — Smaragd
• Vineyard: Ried Loibenberg
• Varietal: Riesling
• Soils: Stony, shallow primary rock (upper terraces); deep loess (lower terraces)
• Vinification: Whole cluster, short maceration, 24-hour settling, natural fermentation
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White stone fruit, citrus peel, crushed mineral, saline thread, long refined finish
• Cellar: Drink now through 2035+
• Food Pairings: Lobster, freshwater fish, Wiener Schnitzel, aged Gruyère, scallops

One of the Wachau’s most elegant voices — Alzinger Loibenberg Smaragd is Riesling made with the confidence of silence.

Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo — Maremma Toscana 2022

Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo is a Tuscan “Super Value,” crafted from a single-vineyard site in the Alta Maremma.

Poggio al Tufo is the Maremma estate of Tommasi Family Estates, one of Italy's most respected multi-generational wine families. Situated in the Alta Maremma near Pitigliano, the estate takes its name from the volcanic tufo rock that defines its soils — porous, mineral-rich, and unlike anything found in the more celebrated corners of Tuscany. The Rompicollo vineyard sits on a south-facing slope where the combination of volcanic soils, Mediterranean warmth, and coastal breezes produces wines of uncommon depth and freshness for the price.

The 2022 Rompicollo is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon — a Tuscan-international marriage that works beautifully here. The Sangiovese brings structure, acidity, and that characteristic Tuscan earthiness; the Cabernet adds body, dark fruit, and a plush mid-palate that rounds out the blend. The result is a wine that punches well above its price point: serious, food-friendly, and immediately approachable.

Deep, bright ruby in the glass. The nose is elegant and layered — ripe blackberries and raspberries, dried aromatic herbs, a whisper of sweet spice, and the faint mineral signature of volcanic soil. On the palate it is full-bodied and mellow, with velvety tannins, a mouth-filling texture, and a finish that lingers with dark fruit and earthy warmth. Richly flavored yet supple — a wine that rewards both the casual weeknight table and the more considered dinner.

• Producer: Poggio al Tufo (Tommasi Family Estates), Alta Maremma, Tuscany
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Maremma Toscana DOC
• Blend: 60% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Medium-full bodied, fruit-forward Tuscan red
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, dried herbs, sweet spice, volcanic mineral
• Drink Window: Now–2027
• Best Paired With: Pasta Bolognese, grilled lamb, wild boar ragu, aged pecorino, charcuterie

Maremma's volcanic soils. Tommasi's generational craft. A Tuscan red that overdelivers at every pour.

Chateau Ste. Michelle | Chardonnay | Columbia Valley, Washington State | 2024

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's founding winery and most iconic producer, with a history stretching back to 1934. Based in Woodinville, the winery has been instrumental in establishing the Columbia Valley as one of America's premier wine regions — and their Columbia Valley Chardonnay remains one of the most consistent and best-value expressions of Washington State white wine available anywhere.

The Columbia Valley AVA is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in the United States, stretching across eastern Washington. Its continental climate — with long, sunny days, cool nights, and low rainfall — allows Chardonnay to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity and freshness. Grapes are sourced from vineyards throughout the valley, blended to create a wine of complexity and consistency vintage after vintage.

The 2024 is crafted in a fresh, soft style with 50% of the wine aged sur lie for five months in a mix of neutral oak and 5% new oak, while the remaining 50% is fermented in stainless steel — a winemaking approach that delivers both texture and brightness. The result is a Chardonnay of genuine balance: juicy apple and sweet citrus fruit character, complemented by subtle spice and oak nuances, with a clean, food-friendly finish.

Incredibly versatile at the table — pair with roast chicken, grilled fish, pasta with cream sauce, seafood risotto, brie, and soft-ripened cheeses.

• Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State, USA
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Vinification: 50% sur lie in neutral/5% new oak (5 months); 50% stainless steel
• Bottle Size: 750ml