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Château Greysac Cru Bourgeois Supérieur — Médoc, Bordeaux 2019

Château Greysac has a remarkable story. Built in the 1700s in the Médoc hamlet of Begadan, north of St. Estèphe, the estate was purchased in 2012 by Jean Guyon — a tastemaker, designer, and visionary who moved in the circles of fine art and couture fashion. Guyon arrived with a clear objective: to craft wines with the same care and attention to detail as a Cru Classé, but at far more approachable prices. He modernized the winery, overhauled vineyard practices with sustainability in mind, and by 2018 the estate was classified as Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. As the largest landowner in the Médoc, Guyon controls quality and consistency that few Bordelaise châteaux can claim — which is why, since 2015, Greysac has been the persistent #1 Médoc over $20 in the United States.

The 2019 — widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest vintages of the last decade — is a seamless, beautifully structured expression of the estate. The nose is plush and enticing: blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it's medium-to-full-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine depth, smooth structured tannins, and a pure, caressing finish that belies its backbone. Aged 12 months in 50% one-year-old French oak and 50% tank, with malolactic fermentation in oak and three months of lees stirring.

"Seamless nose with plush black fruits and a hint of spice. Fabulous fruit on the palate with great balancing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Persistent finish." — Decanter, 96 Points

• Producer: Château Greysac, Begadan, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Médoc AOC
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Vineyard: 68 ha on clay-gravel hilltop; avg. 35-year-old vines; sustainably farmed
• Aging: 12 months, 50% one-year-old French oak / 50% tank; MLF in oak; 3 months lees stirring
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Decanter 96 | Vinous 91 | Jeb Dunnuck 90
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, smooth tannins, persistent finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, classic Bordelaise cuisine

The #1 Médoc over $20 in the US — Cru Bourgeois Supérieur quality at an approachable price, in one of Bordeaux's greatest recent vintages.

Louis Latour | Bourgogne Pinot Noir AOC | Burgundy, France | 2023 | 375ml Half Bottle

Maison Louis Latour is one of Burgundy's most storied and respected négociants, 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 regional appellations.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir is Burgundy's regional appellation, drawing fruit from vineyards across the entire region. Pinot Noir is the native red grape of Burgundy — one of the world's most celebrated and terroir-sensitive varieties — and Louis Latour's Bourgogne expression offers a genuine introduction to the elegance and finesse that defines great red Burgundy.

Vinified traditionally in open vats and aged 10 to 12 months in stainless steel to preserve freshness and fruit purity. The 2023 shows a deep, bright ruby hue. The nose is elegant — red fruits, blackcurrant bud, and licorice, lifted by a hint of spice. On the palate, round and well-balanced with freshness and a supple texture, expressing notes of cherry, blackcurrant, and licorice that linger through a harmonious finish. A classic, food-friendly Burgundy red in a convenient 375ml half bottle.

Pair with grilled meats, roast duck, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses.

• Producer: Maison Louis Latour
• Appellation: Bourgogne Pinot Noir AOC, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Vinification: Traditional open vat fermentation; 10–12 months in stainless steel
• Format: 375ml Half Bottle

Winemaker Description 

Made from Moscato d'Asti pomace. Transparent and clear in color; aromatic and distinctively delightful aroma. Intense yet smooth and aromatic flavor. 

Water white in color with aromas of white peach and apple blossoms. Smooth and clean on the palate with warm flavors of stone fruit and freshly cut grass.

Marqués de Riscal is one of Spain's most storied estates, founded in 1858 in the village of Elciego in Rioja Alavesa. Elevated vineyards, meticulous farming across 540 owned hectares, and a cellar housing every vintage back to the 1860s define a house built on permanence and precision. The Frank Gehry–designed hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant on-site speak to the same ambition: world-class in every dimension.

The 2021 Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged 20 months in American oak. The nose opens with licorice, black cherry, cinnamon, and black pepper — expressive and layered, with a balsamic freshness that keeps everything lifted. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet polished, with silky tannins, ripe red and black fruit, and a long, persistent finish with gentle spice. Classic Riscal: structured, elegant, and built to age another 10–15 years.

Expert Ratings

"The winery's flagship wine, the 2021 Reserva has a highly appealing spicy balsamic character and an undertone of freshness... rich in red and black cherry fruit that's textured and layered throughout supple, silky tannins. This is a classic, ready to go another 10-15 years." — Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Points. (Vintage 2021).

"A combination of licorice, blackberries and cherries on the nose... The medium- to full-bodied palate is incisive with polished, focused tannins and a clean, chiseled finish." — James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

"Ripe mulberry and boysenberry fruit is accented by wild thyme, warm spices, mineral and mandarin orange peel in this well-balanced red, with light, taut tannins." — Wine Spectator, 90 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

Winemaker Notes

Intense black-cherry color with good depth and barely any signs of evolution. Very expressive aromas of licorice, cinnamon, and black pepper with a subtle hint of oak, balanced by ripe, concentrated fruit. Fresh and easy to drink, with good backbone, polished tannins, and a long, balsamic finish.

Pairs well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles, bean and pulse dishes, poultry, red meat, grills, and roasts.

#27 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025

91 Points James Suckling: (2025)A charming, floral, light-bodied white in a lightweight bottle. It bursts with green apple, white peach and lemon blossom flavors on a low-alcohol body. A trace of residual sugar softens the edges. All tank-fermented with no malolactic.

Winemaker Notes

Discover Pine Ridge's refreshing white wine. Crisp, bright and vivacious, with notes of orange blossom, honeysuckle, and juicy stone fruit flavors.

Easy to enjoy on its own or paired with a variety of dishes.

Ayala’s Brut Nature is a zero-dosage Champagne that highlights the House’s remarkable vinification expertise. After nearly four years of cellar aging, the wine reveals an elegant complexity.

The blend primarily features Chardonnay, with a touch of Pinot Noir and a small amount of Pinot Meunier, resulting in a balanced, pure expression. 

Expert Ratings

92 VINOUS:  Pale gold. Nervy lime, ginger and floral scents, with suggestions of iodine and tarragon. Tightly wound, mineral-driven citrus fruit flavors put on weight with air and take a turn to deeper nectarine and pear. Unfolds slowly on the finish, hanging on with excellent tenacity and resonating mineral and floral notes.

91 Wine Enthusiast: With zero dosage, this is a particularly dry Champagne. However, a few extra months before release has softened the taut nature of the Chardonnay and allowed the red grapes to come through. The result is a success, ripe and full, while having a fine structure. Drink now.

Boen Belle Glos · Santa Maria Valley, California · 2023

Boen Belle Glos is one of California's most celebrated Pinot Noir projects, sourcing fruit from the fog-kissed vineyards of Santa Maria Valley — a cool-climate AVA where the Pacific Ocean's influence stretches deep inland, preserving natural acidity and coaxing wines of remarkable depth and finesse. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a deliberate growing season: cooler spring temperatures slowed budbreak, while consistent warm days and cool coastal nights through summer allowed each cluster to develop exceptional concentration. Harvesting from late September to early October, the winemaking team captured fruit at peak ripeness.

In the glass, this Pinot Noir opens with a vibrant scarlet red shot through with glimmers of garnet. Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and tart cherry intertwine with subtle hints of tobacco and cocoa powder. On the palate, very ripe boysenberry, blueberry, and plum pie unfold in layers alongside rosemary and cocoa — anchored by firm, structured tannins that carry through to a long, mouthwatering finish. Rich, expressive, and built for the table.

"Vibrant colors, rich flavors of cherry and blackberry, excellent acidity, and smooth tannins — a promising vintage from one of Santa Maria Valley's most distinctive estates."
— Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points. (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Boen Belle Glos
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Santa Barbara County
• Sub-Region: Santa Maria Valley AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, boysenberry, tart cherry, tobacco, cocoa powder, rosemary, plum pie, blueberry
• Food Pairings: Duck confit, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, aged cheeses

A standout California Pinot Noir that delivers cool-climate elegance and Santa Maria Valley's signature coastal character in every pour.

Nino Franco Rustico — Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV

Nino Franco has been making Prosecco in Valdobbiadene since 1919, and Rustico is the wine that put them on the map. Named in honor of an old tradition of bottle-fermented Prosecco, it remains one of the world's most celebrated values in high-quality sparkling wine — earning 94 points from Wine Enthusiast and a place on their Top 100 Wines of 2019. Non-vintage by design, Rustico is blended each year to maintain a consistent house style: bright, aromatic, and effortlessly drinkable. Primo Franco recommends serving it in a wine glass rather than a flute — the wider bowl lets the aromatics fully open up.

The nose opens with white spring flowers, Bartlett pear, green apple, and honeysuckle. On the palate it is light-bodied and creamy, with soft, persistent effervescence and ripe orchard fruit accented by a whisper of fennel seed. The finish is clean and refreshing, with just a touch of quinine bitterness that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Wine Enthusiast 94 — Top 100 Wines of 2019 • Vinous 91 • James Suckling 91

• Producer: Nino Franco, Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Glera
• Style: Extra Dry Sparkling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White spring flowers, Bartlett pear, green apple, honeysuckle, citrus, fennel seed, quinine finish
• Serve: 44–48°F in a wine glass (not a flute)
• Best Paired With: Oysters, prosciutto, light seafood, risotto, fresh salads, aperitivo spreads

A 94-point Prosecco Superiore DOCG at an honest price — Nino Franco's Rustico is the benchmark for what Valdobbiadene sparkling wine can be.

Husch Vineyards · Pinot Noir · Anderson Valley · Mendocino County, California · 2022 · 750ml

Husch Vineyards holds a special place in California wine history: founded in 1971, it was the first winery established in the Anderson Valley, a remote, fog-laced appellation in Mendocino County that has since become one of the state’s most celebrated addresses for Pinot Noir. The valley’s cool, maritime climate — shaped by Pacific fog that rolls in through the Navarro River corridor — produces Pinot Noir that sits at a compelling stylistic crossroads: darker and earthier than Russian River or Sonoma Coast, yet more structured and spice-driven than Willamette Valley Oregon. Husch has been farming this land for over fifty years, and the estate Pinot Noir remains the benchmark expression of what makes Anderson Valley special.

Lively ruby in the glass with an inviting, complex nose of raspberry compote, strawberry jam, dried florals, dried herbs, and a savory note of portobello mushroom. On the palate: baked red plum, pomegranate, and orange zest, interwoven with vanilla bean, earth, and mineral, carried by smooth tannins and lifted acidity that brings focus and length to a dry, supple finish. Wine Enthusiast awarded 92 points, calling it “a legacy family in the Anderson Valley still going strong.” Drink now through 2029. Pair with coq au vin, mushroom ravioli, roasted duck, grilled salmon, or creamy cheeses.

• Producer: Husch Vineyards (est. 1971, Anderson Valley — first winery in the appellation)
• Wine: Estate Pinot Noir · Anderson Valley
• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Style: Earthy, spice-driven, food-friendly Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
• Score: Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
• Drinking Window: Now–2029
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry compote, strawberry, dried florals, portobello mushroom, red plum, pomegranate, orange zest, vanilla, earth, mineral, supple finish
• Pair With: Coq au vin · Mushroom ravioli · Roasted duck · Grilled salmon · Creamy cheeses

Anderson Valley’s founding winery, 92pts Wine Enthusiast — California Pinot Noir at its most authentic.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points
“This lively wine offers aromas of raspberry compote, strawberry jam, florals, dried herbs and portobello mushroom on the nose. The flavors on the palate are baked red plum, pomegranate and orange zest, interwoven with vanilla bean, earth, mineral and a dry, supple finish. From a legacy family in the Anderson Valley still going strong.”

Bart Hopkins — 67wino.shop 
“The beautiful Anderson Valley of Mendocino County is home to some of California’s best Pinot Noir. I look at it as a stylistic bridge between Russian River–Sonoma Coast and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The fruit leans more to the darker spectrum with earthy complexity and a spicy character. Aromas of cherry and strawberry mingle with shades of violet, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Well balanced and harmonious with smooth tannins and lifted acidity that brings focus to the fruit on the long flavorful finish.”

La Raia · Gavi DOCG · Piedmont, Italy · 2025

At 400 metres above sea level in the hills of Gavi, where the calcareous clay soils of Piedmont meet the cool breezes of the Ligurian Apennines, La Raia farms its Cortese vines with an unwavering commitment to biodynamic principles — no chemicals, no shortcuts, just a sincere and dynamic balance between land and people. The result is a Gavi of rare purity and precision, one that speaks clearly of its place.

The nose is delicate and mineral, with notes of white peach, pear, citrus blossom, and white flowers underpinned by a fine, stony minerality. On the palate it is lively and beautifully balanced — fresh acidity giving the wine both energy and length, with a characteristic hint of almond on the finish that is the hallmark of great Cortese.

• Producer: La Raia
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Gavi DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Varietal: Cortese
• Farming: Biodynamic, chemical-free
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, pear, citrus blossom, white flowers, stony minerality, almond finish
• Pairings: Oysters, seafood, fish ragù, vegetable first courses, fresh young cheese, aperitif

One of Piedmont’s most committed biodynamic estates — elegant, mineral, and effortlessly food-friendly.

#32 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Delicate red in color. The incredibly expressive bouquet offers notes of sandalwood, herbs de Provence, and Red Delicious apples. On the palate, freshly picked red huckleberries provide tart and lasting succulence with a hint of baking spice. The sandy soils of the Chehalem Mountains offer salinity and minerality on the finish that is complemented with dark cherry and rhubarb.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2021

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator writes 95 Points |  Supple, richly textured and elegantly complex, this Pinot opens with a burst of fresh raspberry, then unfolds with notes of forest floor and brown baking spices, plus a touch of licorice as it builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 1,100 cases made.

Clive Pursehouse of Decanter writes 94 Points | Elegance is personified in this 2021 bottling of Bergström's renowned Silice. So-named for the sandy silica soils, the hallmark of the hilly Chehalem Mountain vineyard source. Beautiful bright fruit aromas are further framed by touches of tomato leaf, pine bough and mossy forest floor. The palate is marked by fleshy red raspberries, early season blackberry and fine grain tannin that provides a structure that shows this wine's longevity. (Drink between 2023-2031).

Wine & Spirits Magazine 95 Points | The first impression of this stunning red is of brilliant red raspberry fruit, as pure as a sunbeam. Yet an inky depth plays counterpoint, rumbling beneath, dark and a bit spicy, grounding the fruit with tannins from the silica-based soils of Bergström’s estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains. The tension between these two elements is gorgeous, the fruit saturating and full, and yet it has an energy and drive giving the texture a lifted, graceful feel.

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate writes 94 Points |  Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Silice Vineyard blossoms slowly to pomegranate, blackberry, watermelon, dried herbs and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with wild berry fruit. Combining power and elegance, it's silky and seamless in the mouth, and a flourish of spicy accents across the finish hints it has more to reveal over the next 2-3 years in bottle.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 Bergström Silice Pinot Noir is a highly acclaimed, estate-grown wine that gained significant fame after being named the #32 Wine of the Year in the 2023 Wine Spectator Top 100.

Named "Silice" (French for silica) due to the deep, sandy marine soils of the vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, this wine is known for its ethereal perfume and mineral complexity rather than heavy weight.

Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024

Ferrari-Carano has been one of Sonoma County’s most beloved Chardonnay producers for decades, crafting wines of generous richness, depth, and approachability from their estate vineyards across the county’s finest appellations. The 2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay is barrel-fermented to deliver the house’s signature full-bodied, layered style — earning 92 points from James Suckling and representing exceptional value for the quality in the glass. Rich, round, and satisfying, this is California Chardonnay at its most crowd-pleasing.

The nose opens with Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, graham cracker, and buttered popcorn — inviting and generous. On the palate, incredible depth and a full mouthfeel deliver layers of ripe peach, pineapple, and caramel, leading to hazelnut and baking spice on the finish. Sweet aromas of vanilla bean and pear blossom add elegance, while a weighty creaminess and flavors of butterscotch and golden apple round out a rich, satisfying finish.

James Suckling 92 — “Sweet aromas of vanilla bean and pear blossoms with a generous mouthfeel, a weighty creaminess and flavors of butterscotch and golden apples. A rich, satisfying, barrel-fermented wine.”

• Producer: Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma County AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vinification: Barrel-fermented
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, peach, pineapple, caramel, butterscotch, hazelnut, baking spice, creamy finish
• Best Paired With: Lobster, grilled prawns, roast chicken, creamy pasta, dishes with citrus, butter, cream, bacon, or toasted nuts

Decades of Sonoma Chardonnay mastery in every bottle — Ferrari-Carano’s Sonoma County is the rich, crowd-pleasing California white that always delivers.

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir That Sets the Benchmark for the Appellation

Bergström Wines has been one of Oregon's most celebrated estates since its founding in 1999, farming biodynamically across five estate vineyards in the Willamette Valley. The Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir — a blend from Bergström's estate vineyards plus select purchased fruit, matured for 10 months — is the estate's definitive appellation-level expression: aromatic, silky, and layered, with the cool-climate precision and effortless balance that have made Bergström a reference point for Oregon Pinot Noir.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024 

• James Suckling — 96 pts: " Delicious aromas and flavors of just-ripe cherries, strawberries, spices and pine forest. Structured and fresh, with nice concentration and weight on the mid-palate. Sumptuous, with fine tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Complete and mouthwatering with a long, satisfying finish. Medium-bodied. A blend of all this producer’s single-vineyard wines. Drink or hold.."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 94 pts: "The first of the reds, the 2024 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve pours a jeweled ruby hue and immediately impresses with aromas of incense, toasted spice, fresh black cherries, red berries, and dried rose and hibiscus potpourri. Medium-bodied, it has bright acidity, excellent tension, refined tannins, and terrific definition. It drinks far above its appellation today yet clearly has the structure to age for decades."
• Wine Spectator — 92 pts: "Precise and well-structured, with handsome flavors of raspberry and guava framed by black tea and rose petal accents. Finishes with refined tannins. Drink now through 2034"

Winemaker Notes

The 2024 Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir, the 24th vintage of this proprietary blend of select estate vineyard barrels, shimmers a gorgeous ruby red with youthful pink hues. Lovely floral aromas of roses and peonies burst from the glass, framing succulent red fruit notes of raspberry, strawberry, red currant, rhubarb, and cherry. The palate is vibrant and spicy, with hints of cinnamon, cardamom, sandalwood, pepper, and a subtle herbal savoriness from whole-cluster inclusion, a hallmark of Bergström Pinot Noirs. Juicy and silky, with an exceptionally smooth texture and a long, fruit-and-spice finish.

Food Pairings

Exceptional with Pacific Northwest cuisine — roasted salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, truffle dishes, and aged Pinot-friendly cheeses.

Elk Cove Vineyards · Willamette Valley · Pinot Noir · 2024 · 375ml Half Bottle

Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2024 brings fresh cherry, delicate toast and refined spice together in a balanced, medium-bodied Oregon red. Ripe tannins and good length frame the estate-grown fruit, presented here in a convenient 375ml half bottle for occasions when a full bottle is more than you need.

The Estate & Vineyards

Founded in 1974, Elk Cove Vineyards is one of Oregon's pioneering estates, with a commitment to site expression and sustainable viticulture. Its benchmark Willamette Valley Pinot Noir draws fruit from across the estate vineyards, bringing together red-fruit clarity, earthy complexity and silky structure.

Winemaker's Notes · Vintage Not Specified

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas complement notes of cinnamon and delicate violet. The palate strikes a balance between juicy plum and boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brûlée.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Tasting Panel, 93 Points · 2024: This is a Pinot that deftly walks the line between subtlety and sweet fruitiness. Red berry and cherry flavors stand at center stage, with a faint whiff of oak spice lending complexity along with a tender tug of tannin that frames the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Points · 2024: The 2024 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a jeweled ruby color and leaps from the glass with delicate toast, fresh cherries, and refined spice. Medium-bodied, it has ripe tannins, lovely balance, and good length, with fruit drawn from all of the estate vineyards.

James Suckling, 91 Points · Vintage Not Specified: A fresh, juicy, light- to medium-bodied wine with loads of red-cherry, spice and rose-petal aromas. Fine, gentle tannins and a silky texture.

Pairing & Serving

Try with roast chicken, salmon or mushroom dishes. Serve slightly below room temperature to highlight the fruit and spice.

Details

• Producer: Elk Cove Vineyards
• Vintage: 2024
• Bottle size: 375ml Half Bottle
• Country: United States
• Region: Oregon
• Appellation: Willamette Valley
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Type: Red wine
• Viticulture: Sustainable vineyard practices
• Fruit source: Estate vineyards

Paul Bara Brut Réserve Grand Cru NV is the signature cuvée of Champagne Paul Bara and a classic expression of Bouzy, one of the most celebrated villages in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims. Produced entirely from estate-grown Grand Cru fruit, this non-vintage Champagne combines the generosity and structure of Bouzy Pinot Noir with the freshness and finesse of Chardonnay.

The blend is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay from vines averaging approximately 35 years of age. Bouzy’s south-facing vineyards and deep clay-limestone soils encourage excellent ripeness while preserving the freshness, mineral definition and balance essential to fine Champagne. Only the first pressing of the grapes is used, and malolactic fermentation is avoided to retain natural acidity and vibrancy.

Light yellow-gold in color with fine, abundant bubbles and a persistent mousse. The bouquet opens with ripe orchard and stone fruits — Mirabelle plum, yellow peach and quince — followed by sweet spice, honey, candied citrus, bergamot and orange peel. On the palate, the Brut Réserve is rich, fresh and beautifully focused, with lively acidity, a fine mineral backbone and the subtle peppery character associated with Pinot Noir from Bouzy. The texture is generous and mouth-filling, yet the finish remains dry, precise and refreshing.

Press Notes

91 pts — James Suckling: "Attractive aromas of pears and sliced apples with hints of yeast follow through to a medium body with bright acidity and a delicate bread-dough finish. A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay."

91 pts — Wine Spectator: "A creamy Champagne, offering concentrated flavors of mandarin orange preserves, dried white cherry and grated ginger, underscored by a streak of salty mineral. Well-balanced, with a lip-smacking finish."

Wine Details

• Producer: Paul Bara
• Cuvée: Brut Réserve
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Grand Cru
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Montagne de Reims
• Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
• Grapes: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: ~35 years on average
• Soil: Clay and limestone over deep chalk
• Vinification: First pressing only; stainless steel; no malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: ~7 g/L (may vary by disgorgement)
• Alcohol: ~12.5%
• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F

About Paul Bara

The Bara family has been rooted in Bouzy since 1833. Today, the historic grower estate farms approximately 11 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards, producing Champagnes admired for their ripe fruit, vinous depth, freshness and distinctive expression of Bouzy’s chalk-rich terroir.

Why We Like It

The Brut Réserve is a benchmark Grower Champagne — Pinot Noir-driven, terroir-expressive and consistently excellent. At this price point, it offers a compelling window into what Grand Cru Bouzy Champagne can be: structured, generous and unmistakably characterful.

Food Pairings: Oysters, shrimp, scallops, smoked salmon, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, creamy mushroom dishes, aged Comté or savory pastries.

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

This Pinot Noir expresses black fruits like boysenberries and blueberries with subtle floral notes and gentle acidity. The cocoa powder tannins and smoky toasty notes add complexity with a generous earthy textural finish.

This wine pairs well with New Zealand lamb, but rich enough to enhance slow cooked beef cheeks. For a plant-based alternative, try with mushroom or truffle accented dishes to accentuate its earthy character.

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits — Burgundy 2020

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer is one of Burgundy’s most compelling small estates, and their Hautes-Côtes de Nuits is a masterclass in what old vines and meticulous winemaking can achieve at a village level. Sourced from one hectare of 60-year-old Pinot Noir planted in the lieux-dits En Foigery and Les Castaings in Magny-lès-Villers, the 2020 vintage is vinified with a pre-fermentation cold soak and spontaneous fermentation in cement tank, then aged 18 months in a combination of two-thirds 228-liter barrels (20% new oak) and one-third terracotta jar — a rare and thoughtful approach that preserves freshness and amplifies terroir. Bottled without filtration for maximum purity and expression.

The nose is spicier and slightly more deeply pitched than expected for the appellation: plum, black cherry, and subtle earth. On the palate, bigger and richer medium-weight flavors are framed by fine tension and lip-smacking minerality — fresh but serious, with clean, elegant tannins and an impressively long finish. Allen Meadows of Burghound calls it simply: “One to buy.”

Allen Meadows, Burghound — “A spicier and slightly more deeply pitched nose of plum, black cherry and subtle earth gives way to bigger and richer medium-weight flavors that also possess fine tension on the impressively long finish. One to buy.”

• Producer: Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits AOC
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vine Age: 60 years
• Vineyards: En Foigery & Les Castaings, Magny-lès-Villers — 1ha
• Vinification: Cold soak, spontaneous fermentation in cement, 18 months in barrel (20% new) & terracotta jar, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Plum, black cherry, spice, earth, mineral, red fruit, elegant tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–8 years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, duck breast, mushroom tart, gratin dauphinois, mild aged cheeses

Sixty-year-old vines, terracotta aging, and zero filtration — Hoffmann-Jayer’s Hautes-Côtes de Nuits is village Burgundy at its most honest and compelling.

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

Ruby in color with purple tints. Surprisingly opulent with explosive aromas of fresh fruits like raspberry, black currant and red berry. Perfect balance between freshness and fruitiness.

Hahn Estates SLH Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2023 750ml

Hahn Estates is one of Monterey’s most respected producers, and the SLH bottling is their flagship Pinot Noir — estate-grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of California’s most celebrated cool-climate AVAs. The SLH sits at 1,200–2,200 feet elevation in the mountains above Monterey Bay, where the famous “wind-gap” effect funnels cold Pacific air and morning fog through the valleys each afternoon. The result is a long, slow growing season that builds extraordinary flavor complexity while preserving the bright acidity that makes great Pinot Noir possible.

The 2023 SLH is a standout — generous, deep, and deeply Californian, with a richness of fruit that is beautifully balanced by savory complexity and silky tannins. A clear step up from the standard California tier and a wine that punches well above its price.

"So generous, deep and flavorful, offering crushed raspberry and baked-cherry notes on soft tannins. Savory nuances of black tea, mushrooms and forest floor." — James Suckling, 93 pts. (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Hahn Estates, Soledad, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California
• Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Elevation: 1,200–2,200 ft — Pacific wind-gap effect, morning fog
• Tasting Notes: Crushed raspberry, baked cherry, red plum, blackberry, black tea, mushroom, forest floor, allspice, silky tannins, long elegant finish
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, or soft ripened cheese
• James Suckling: 93

Estate-grown Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir at a rock-bottom price — Hahn SLH 2023 is the kind of discovery that makes you buy a case before it’s gone.

This wine is a testament to elegance and complexity, with an intense bouquet of violets and spices, leading to a palate of profound silkiness. It exhibits an ethereal balance of fruit, earth, and minerality, where each sip reveals layers of flavor from dark cherries to subtle truffles. The finesse and depth of this wine make it a benchmark for Pinot Noir, showcasing the ultimate expression of its terroir. "As if, in this square of earth, the gods had bequeathed us a memory of the fascinating vestige of a timeless perfection.” — Richard Olney. Surface area: 1.81 hectares.

Gulfi Carjcanti DOC Sicilia Carricante 2022 Organic 750ml

Gulfi is one of Sicily's most respected family estates, based in Chiaramonte Gulfi in the Monti Iblei hills of Ragusa — a world away from the volcanic drama of Etna, yet equally compelling. The Carjcanti is made from 100% Carricante, an indigenous Sicilian grape variety traditionally associated with Etna, here grown at 420 meters altitude on limestone-clay soils using traditional alberello training with 9,000 vines per hectare. Certified organic, no irrigation, natural yeasts — this is winemaking with deep respect for the land.

Aged one year in 500L and 2,500L oak barrels followed by several months in bottle, the 2022 Carjcanti is a wine of real tension and complexity — mineral, savory, and built to age, yet already showing beautiful aromatic detail and a palate that rewards every sip.

"Sweet almond paste, young peaches, hints of flint and smoke waft up from this wine. Its soft texture soothes as a savory display of herbal-tinged orchard fruits and salty minerals wash across the palate. There’s a lovely cut of acidity as this finishes with youthful tension revealing hints of hazelnuts and inner florals."

• Producer: Gulfi, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy
• Appellation: DOC Sicilia Carricante
• Grape: 100% Carricante
• Vintage: 2022
• Farming: Certified Organic — traditional alberello, no irrigation
• Altitude: 420 meters — limestone-clay soils
• Aging: 1 year in oak barrels (500L & 2,500L) + several months in bottle
• Tasting Notes: Almond paste, peach, flint, smoke, herbal orchard fruit, salty minerals, hazelnut, florals, bright acidity
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood pasta, swordfish, burrata, or light antipasti

A rare indigenous Sicilian white from one of the island’s most dedicated organic estates — Carjcanti is the kind of discovery that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about Italian white wine.

Explore the Excellence of Henriot Champagne

Winemaker Description 

The Brut Souverain is the most historical cuvée in the region, as it was the first cuvée Apolline Henriot produced in 1808. Apolline aspired to put the light on her vineyards through the expression of a champagne. According to her, one year was not enough to tell the story of the terroirs, so she decided to put wines in reserve each year to incorporate them into a future blend.

Therefore, she founded the House by creating a Champagne that would have blending as its fundamental principle. The House respects this philosophy today and uses every terroir in this multi-cru, multi-vintage cuvée. It was named Brut Souverain by Ernest Henriot, Apolline's grandson, when the House was appointed the official champagne supplier to the Courts of the King of Holland and of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This vivid Champagne is tightly meshed, with a firm spine of acidity married to notes of poached apricot, toast point, preserved lemon and white cherry. Minerally through the creamy, focused finish.

James Suckling 91 Points | This has aromas of chopped apples, biscuits, croissants, walnuts, praline and lemon pie. Dry, tasty and toasty, with a medium body, fine bubbles and bright acidity. All in balance. 48% pinot noir, 42% chardonnay, 10% meunier. Base 2016, with 38% reserve wine.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | The nonvintage Champagne from this producer is beautifully textured, its white fruits lightly touched by a more steely edge. A fine Champagne to drink now.

Henriot Champagne is a remarkable choice for those seeking an exquisite sparkling wine experience. The Brut Souverain NV, in a 750ml bottle, showcases the distinctive characteristics of this prestigious Champagne house. With over two centuries of winemaking expertise, Henriot creates a blend that reflects the best of the terroir, appealing to both casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. This iconic wine is renowned for its balance of freshness and complexity, making it an ideal option for celebrations or intimate gatherings.

The Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain NV features a delightful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Champagne region. This harmonious combination results in a Champagne that is both lively and refined. The crisp acidity and vibrant citrus notes complement the wine’s sumptuous flavor profile, which includes hints of white fruits and delicate floral aromas. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience that encapsulates the essence of traditional French Champagne.

Perfect for food pairings, Henriot Champagne can elevate any dining occasion. Whether you’re savoring it alongside seafood, poultry, or light pastries, this Champagne enhances the flavors of your meal. Its versatility makes it suitable for a range of events, from weddings and anniversaries to casual dinners and picnics. With each sip, the Brut Souverain NV transports you to the scenic vineyards of Champagne, offering a taste of luxury that is unmatched. Embrace the spirit of celebration with Henriot Champagne.

Winemaker Description 

Leads with deep red cherry, mid-palate of bright red fruit, balanced acidity, earth tones and minerality, complemented by earthy spices of clove and black pepper notes. Long finish of pepper with rich mouth feel. Gorgeous wine with long life ahead!

Gato Negro | Pinot Noir | Valle Central, Chile

Gato Negro is one of Chile's most beloved everyday wine brands, produced by Viña San Pedro — a winery with roots dating back to 1865 and one of the most established names in South American wine. The iconic Black Cat label has built a global following for delivering consistent, fruit-forward wines at exceptional value.

Valle Central is Chile's heartland wine region, stretching between the Andes and the Coastal Range. The warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir — preserving natural acidity and allowing the grape to develop its signature bright red fruit character without losing freshness or lift.

Gato Negro Pinot Noir is light ruby in the glass with a fresh, inviting nose of strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry, with subtle floral hints. On the palate, light-bodied and lively with smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, fruit-forward finish. Approachable, versatile, and endlessly easy to enjoy — a great everyday Pinot at an unbeatable price.

Pair with pasta, roast turkey, grilled salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie, and light vegetable dishes. Serve slightly chilled for best results.

• Producer: Gato Negro / Viña San Pedro
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Valle Central, Chile
• Style: Light-bodied, fresh, fruit-forward red
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml