1969 - Older Wine

Celebrate with the official Champagne of the FIFA World Cup in this limited-edition Taittinger Brut Réserve bottle. Elegant, festive, and unmistakably Taittinger, this special release brings together the prestige of one of Champagne’s great houses with a bold collector’s label created for the world’s biggest sporting celebration.

Taittinger Brut Réserve is a beautifully balanced Champagne crafted from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Fresh and refined, it offers lively notes of citrus, white peach, brioche, and delicate floral accents, with fine bubbles and a clean, elegant finish. Perfect for gifting, celebrations, Mother’s Day, graduation parties, weddings, and any moment worth raising a glass.

• Producer: Taittinger
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Style: Brut Non-Vintage
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Special Feature: FIFA World Cup Official Champagne — Limited Edition bottle
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white peach, brioche, floral accents, fine bubbles
• Best For: Gifting, celebrations, collector’s piece, parties, weddings

Gosset · Grande Réserve Brut NV · Champagne AOC · France

Gosset is the oldest wine house in Champagne — established in Aÿ in 1584, when Pierre Gosset, alderman and winegrower, founded the house that bears his name. Nearly five centuries of Champagne-making later, Gosset remains one of the region’s most distinctive producers: a house defined by richness, Pinot Noir texture, extended cellaring, and an unwavering commitment to the Grande Réserve style. The NV Grande Réserve is the house’s signature Champagne — a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 10% Meunier from premier villages including Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, aged a minimum of four years in the cellar before disgorgement, then rested a further six months to assimilate the dosage (8 g/L). Rated 94 points by Decanter and 93 by Wine Spectator.

Luminous golden hue with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose opens with fresh lemon meringue pie, yellow apple, Mirabelle plum, and white peach, deepening with warmth into honeyed, toasted notes. On the palate, a spine of chiseled acidity structures a vivid, creamy texture — Asian pear, baked pineapple, lemon curd, toasted brioche, and roasted almond, with a minerally underpinning of smoke, brine, and wet stone. Elegant, long, and absolutely fresh from first bubble to finish.

Expert Reviews

“Elegance, length and absolute freshness are inherent and quietly convincing. Beautifully subtle autolysis on the palate, deepening into notes of creamy apple crumble, Golden Delicious and Mirabelle plum.”
— Decanter · 94 Points

“A spine of chiseled acidity structures this vivid, creamy Champagne, which has a minerally underpinning of smoke and brine and flavors of Asian pear, baked pineapple, lemon curd, toasted brioche and roasted almond.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Pure and inviting aromas of white peach, fresh flowers, and wet stone. A fresh pillowy mousse and a delicate saline finish — a wonderful calling card for the freshness of the house style.”
— Jeb Dunnuck · 92 Points

“Lemon tart, spiced apples, almonds and pastries. Fresh, lively and very precise, with fine bubbles and a light, chalky undertone.”
— James Suckling · 92 Points

• Producer: Gosset, Aÿ, Champagne, France (est. 1584 — oldest wine house in Champagne)
• Style: Brut NV Champagne
• Blend: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier
• Base Vintage: 2018 | Cellaring: 4+ years minimum
• Dosage: 8 g/L
• Villages: Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villers-Marmery
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon meringue, Mirabelle plum, Asian pear, brioche, roasted almond, smoke, brine, chiseled acidity
• Pairings: Grilled fish, lobster, oysters, scallops, soft cheeses, aperitif

D:94 · WS:93 · JD:92 · JS:92 · Champagne AOC — the oldest wine house in Champagne, since 1584. Rich, creamy, and built for the long haul.

Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut — Épernay, Champagne, France NV

Leclerc Briant is one of Champagne's most celebrated and pioneering grower-producers — a historic house based in Épernay with roots going back to 1872, and today one of the region's most committed advocates for biodynamic viticulture. Under the stewardship of the Lignac family, Leclerc Briant farms its vineyards according to strict biodynamic principles — certified by Demeter — believing that the health of the soil is the foundation of great Champagne. The estate works with the lunar calendar, uses only natural preparations, and practices minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir of their Marne Valley and Côte des Blancs vineyards to express itself with clarity and precision. The Réserve Extra Brut is the house's signature non-vintage cuvée — a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2019 harvest, with reserve wines adding depth and complexity. Extra Brut in style, it is drier and more precise than a standard Brut, allowing the terroir and the fruit to speak without the softening effect of dosage.

The color is bright pale yellow with a fine, lively mousse. The nose is complex and inviting: wet asphalt, ripe white peach, fresh redcurrant, pear, verbena, lime, herbs, and a touch of menthol — the signature of biodynamic Champagne. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and approachable with a rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture, and sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, and oyster shell. The finish is persistent, lightly spiced, and mouthwatering — clean, energetic, and long.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Wet asphalt, ripe white peach, and fresh redcurrant. Rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture with a lively yet fine mousse. Attractive and balanced with a clean finish."

Wine Spectator 92 — "Lithe and graceful, with sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon and oyster shell. Fine and satiny in texture, offering a persistent, lightly spiced finish."

Wine Advocate 90 — "Lively, fresh bouquet of pear, verbena, lime tree, herbs and menthol. Vinous and energetic with an incisive mid-palate and a mouthwatering, fresh finish."

• Producer: Leclerc Briant, Épernay, Champagne, France (est. 1872)
• Style: Extra Brut NV
• Blend: 40% Pinot Noir / 40% Pinot Meunier / 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
• Dosage: Extra Brut (very low dosage)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, redcurrant, raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, oyster shell, wet asphalt, chalky texture, persistent spiced finish
• Style: Precise, energetic, terroir-driven
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sushi, grilled fish, lobster, soft cheeses, charcuterie, caviar

Biodynamic Champagne from one of Épernay's most celebrated grower-producers — Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut is precise, energetic, and triple 90+ point rated.

Ruggeri Argeo | Prosecco Treviso Brut Rosé Millesimato | 2023 | 750ml | Valdobbiadene, Italy

Rated 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast

For five generations, the name Ruggeri has been synonymous with the finest Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Founded by Eliseo Bisol and his son Luigi — among the first modern winemakers in the region — Ruggeri stands today among the top wineries of Valdobbiadene, pioneering quality and vision since the 1950s. Now part of the Rotkäppchen-Mumm Group, Ruggeri continues to be recognized worldwide for its commitment to excellence.

• Winery: Ruggeri
• Origin: Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Italy
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Style: Brut Rosé Millesimato (Vintage)
• Varietal: Glera with Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Prosecco DOC Treviso

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Soft pink hue reminiscent of peach flowers with abundant foam and lively, fine perlage
• Nose: Glera aromatics enriched with red currants, raspberries, white flowers, and a balsamic note of fresh rosemary
• Palate: Succulent cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate, and full-bodied structure from Pinot Noir
• Finish: Long, elegant, crisp, and harmonious — perfectly matching the aromas

Critical Acclaim

• 🏆 Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points: "With its soft pink hue and inviting berry-scented bouquet, this Prosecco rosé is a charmer. The palate is awash with succulent cherry, wild strawberry and a subtle hint of pomegranate. The finish is crisp and refreshing, making it an ideal aperitivo or a surprising addition to tacos or burgers."

Serving Suggestions: Ideal as an aperitivo; pairs beautifully with tacos, burgers, light appetizers, and fresh fruit desserts.

Villa Sandi Asolo Prosecco Superiore — DOCG NV

Villa Sandi is one of the Veneto’s most celebrated sparkling wine estates, and their Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG represents the pinnacle of the category. Asolo is Italy’s highest-quality tier of Prosecco — a hillside DOCG appellation with strict quality standards that sets it firmly apart from standard Prosecco DOC. Crafted from carefully selected Glera grapes grown on the prestigious Asolo hillsides, this is mineral-driven, elegant, and endlessly food-friendly sparkling wine. The Tasting Panel awarded it 91 points.

The nose is intense and inviting: honeydew, ripe pear, honeysuckle, and banana with a fine, persistent perlage. On the palate, it is glossy and fleshy — poached pear, preserved lemon, sliced almond, and a touch of smoke — finishing clean and bright with lemon sorbet, peach, and a slight herbaceous lift.

🇮🇹 The Tasting Panel 91 — “This one’s got vivacity to spare. Intense scents of honeydew and ripe pear mingle with honeysuckle and banana before descending on a glossy, fleshy palate that finishes clean and bright with lemon sorbet, peach, and a slight herbaceousness.”

• Producer: Villa Sandi, Asolo, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: NV
• Appellation: Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG
• Grape: Glera
• Style: Extra Dry / Brut Sparkling (Charmat method)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Honeydew, ripe pear, honeysuckle, banana, poached pear, preserved lemon, almond, lemon sorbet, peach
• Best Paired With: Fresh oysters, grilled shrimp, light seafood pasta, fried appetizers, charcuterie, cream-sauced pastas, risotto

Mineral-driven, vivacious, and unmistakably Asolo — Villa Sandi’s Prosecco Superiore is Italy’s hillside sparkling at its most elegant.

Philipponnat Champagne Reserve Perpetuelle Brut NV 750ml

Producer Notes

Philipponnat's Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV represents a landmark rebranding of the house's flagship “Royale Réserve” — a name now updated to reflect the perpetual reserve (solera) system the house has maintained since 1946, where older wines are continuously refreshed with younger vintages to ensure a consistent, complex, and deeply layered house style.

Based on the 2021 base vintage with over 50% reserve wines, this is a Pinot Noir-driven expression that emphasizes the vinous, gastronomic character of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ terroir. The blend — 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier — is vinified primarily in stainless steel, with reserve wines aged in oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Disgorged December 2024 with 8g/L dosage.

Expert Reviews

Decanter 94 Points — A distinctly red-berry nose of red currants and small forest fruit. Red Delicious apple carries a telltale Pinot scent. The palate has pure, bright apple fruit, a lemony verve, and a very delicate mousse backed by gently salty autolysis. Vanilla oak comes through like the custard on an apple crumble, carrying freshness and flavour to a lingering finish.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points — The nonvintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged. Rich while also showing great freshness from citrus fruit flavors.

James Suckling 93 Points — Complex and smoky nose with orange blossom, green apple, licorice, chalky minerality, and toasted bread. Refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity, and a tight, tense, clean aftertaste.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points — Bright straw color. Inviting and pure, with gorgeous red fruits, notes of almond, peaches, red berries, and fresh bread. The mousse is elegant and integrates beautifully into the wine.

Wine Spectator 92 Points — A baseline of chalky minerality supports juicy pear and white cherry fruit, lemon peel, and pickled ginger alongside rich accents of crystallized honey and biscuit. Harmonious and finely knit, with good length through the lightly spiced finish.

Wine Advocate 90 Points — Opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe peach, red berries, pear, and pastry. Medium- to full-bodied, broad-shouldered and textural, delivering a generous, enveloping style energized by racy acidity.

Food Pairings

A gastronomic Champagne with the body to carry a full meal. Exceptional with scallops in butter sauce, lobster, roasted poultry, premium charcuterie, and high-quality sushi or sashimi.

Wine Details

Producer: Philipponnat
Cuvée: Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV
Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier
Base Vintage: 2021
Disgorgement: December 2024
Dosage: 8 g/L
Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
Size: 750ml

Producer Description 

Vermouth di Torino GI, features only Italian wines enriched with a botanical bouquet featuring Artemisia (wormwood) from Piedmont.

Colour Reddish brown with amber reflections

Nose Complex spiced, wood, and root notes open to smooth vanilla, dried fruit (especially, fig) and floral wormwood signature.

Taste On the palate, dried fig opens to spiced (cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon) and wood (roots & barks such as liquorice), rounded with vanilla and Alpine flowers. Mouth-warming, with long bittersweet finish, typical of Piedmont wormwood, and amber resin memories. 

Winemaker Description 

This Prosecco, boasts a flavor profile guaranteed to delight your palate. With notes of white peach and ripe apple, as well as dog roses and other florals, this white wine is perfectly balanced.

Memo Summary Notes

Fasol Menin "Leonte" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry is the most classic and representative version from this artisanal winery in Valdobbiadene. It is a Prosecco that focuses entirely on the balance between the typical softness of the residual sugar (Extra Dry) and the mineral freshness of the Treviso hills.

Food pairing: It pairs beautifully with finger food, shellfish, legume soups (such as the typical Venetian pasta and bean soup in a lighter version), and fresh cheeses. It's also surprisingly good with not-too-spicy Asian cuisine (sushi and sashimi).

González Byass Noé Pedro Ximénez VORS — 30 Years, Jerez

Noé is one of the rarest and most extraordinary sherries in existence. Produced by González Byass — the historic house behind Tio Pepe — from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes with a final average age of over 30 years, this VORS (“Very Old Rare Sherry”) is a wine of almost incomprehensible concentration and complexity.

With a sugar level of 400 grams per liter, Noé pours like liquid velvet: deep mahogany, viscous, and intensely aromatic. The nose layers buckwheat honey, Black Forest cake, dried fig, raisin, chocolate, cinnamon, and a haunting balsamic depth. On the palate, the sweetness is perfectly balanced by a bright, racy acidity that is utterly uncommon for wines of this richness — finishing long, fiery, and unforgettable.

James Suckling 95 • Wine Spectator 94 • Wine Enthusiast 94 • Wine Advocate 91

• Producer: González Byass, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
• Style: Pedro Ximénez VORS Sherry
• Average Age: 30+ Years
• Size: 375ml (Half Bottle)
• ABV: 15.5%
• Residual Sugar: 400 g/L
• Tasting Notes: Buckwheat honey, Black Forest cake, dried fig, raisin, dark chocolate, cinnamon, balsamic
• Best Served: Slightly chilled over vanilla ice cream, with aged cheeses, or as a contemplative digestif

A once-in-a-lifetime sherry experience in a half bottle — perfect for gifting or savoring over an evening. One of the greatest sweet wines in the world.

Champagne Gamet | Rive Droite | Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut | Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | NV (60% 2021 Base) | Practicing Organic

Champagne Gamet is a grower-producer based along the right bank of the Marne River — a stretch of Champagne defined by its sunny exposures, sandy clay soils over limestone, and a distinctly saline, mineral character. The estate farms with purpose: practicing-organic viticulture, old vines averaging 40 to 50 years, and a winemaking philosophy that prizes precision and terroir transparency over power. Rive Droite is the house’s signature Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, drawing fruit from the villages of Fleury-la-Rivière and Damery — two contrasting sites whose combination of ripe fruit character and firm mineral backbone defines the wine’s identity.

The blend is 85% Pinot Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir. Approximately 60% comes from the 2021 harvest, with 40% reserve wines dating back to 2014 — a depth of material that adds complexity and consistency without sacrificing freshness. Vinification is primarily in stainless steel, with roughly 10% fermented and matured in oak for texture and nuance. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages approximately 18 months on its lees before disgorgement at a low dosage of approximately 4 grams per liter, placing it firmly within the Extra Brut category and emphasizing its freshness, precision and mineral character.

The wine pours pale straw with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose opens with dried pear, white cherry, raspberry and delicate strawberry, layered with apple blossom, dried flowers and a whisper of spice. With air, blood orange peel, grapefruit, almond, brioche and crushed stone emerge. On the palate, the wine is fresh, supple and finely textured — Pinot Meunier brings roundness and generosity, while Pinot Noir adds structure and savory depth. Bright acidity and a clean saline thread carry the wine through a mouthwatering, gently nutty finish.

Serve as an aperitif or throughout the meal. Pairs beautifully with oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, shellfish, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and soft or moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

Wine Spectator: 92 Points — Sleek and finely textured, with flavors of dried white cherry, raspberry, blood orange peel, almond blossom and chopped nuts. A refreshing saline note carries through the mouthwatering finish.

Vinous: 91 Points — Bright, expressive and full of character, offering notes of dried pear, cherry, cinnamon, dried flowers and nuts. Silky and understated, with additional harmony emerging as the Champagne opens in the glass.

Jeb Dunnuck: 90 Points — Savory aromas of wet stone lead to delicate strawberry, light spice and grapefruit. Medium-bodied and subtly textured, with increasing richness on the palate and a salty, mineral-driven finish.

• Producer: Champagne Gamet
• Cuvée: Rive Droite
• Style: Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Vallée de la Marne
• Villages: Fleury-la-Rivière and Damery
• Grape Varieties: 85% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 60% 2021 harvest
• Reserve Wines: 40%, dating back to 2014
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Vine Age: ~40–50 years
• Soils: Sand, clay, limestone and marl
• Vinification: ~90% stainless steel, ~10% oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: ~18 months
• Dosage: ~4 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a non-vintage Champagne, base vintage proportions, reserve wine composition, aging period, dosage and disgorgement date may vary by release.

Paltrinieri | Solco | Lambrusco dell'Emilia | Emilia-Romagna, Italy | 2024 | 750ml

Paltrinieri is one of the benchmark producers of serious Lambrusco — the kind that has nothing to do with the sweet, mass-market versions that defined the grape's reputation for decades. Based in Sorbara, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, the estate farms its vines with care and bottles wines that are dry, vivid, and deeply tied to the region's food culture.

The Solco is their entry point and one of the most satisfying bottles at its price. Deep purple-ruby in the glass, it opens with sweet cream, raspberry, and spice before revealing tantalizing acidity and tart wild berry fruit. The finish is long and intense, closing with violet and lavender florals. This is Lambrusco as it should be: wickedly fresh, perfumed, and built for the table.

Serve it chilled (10–12°C) — it works as an aperitif, alongside a charcuterie spread, or as the ideal foil to the rich, fatty classics of Emilian cuisine: tortellini in brodo, mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tigelle.

91 Points — Vinous (Eric Guido): "Wickedly fresh and perfumed with tantalizing acidity and tart wild berry fruit notes. Long and intense, closes with violet and lavender inner florals."

• Appellation: Lambrusco dell'Emilia IGT, Emilia-Romagna
• Grape: Lambrusco
• Style: Dry, sparkling red
• Serve: Chilled, 10–12°C
• Pairs with: Mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tortellini, charcuterie, pizza, tomato-based pasta

Winemaker Description 

Bottega Rose Gold is a 100% Pinot Noir Prosecco from Lombardy in Italy. The cool climate and hilly terrain makes the ideal place for sparkling wine production.

On the eye: A salmon pink color with a fine, persistent mousse.
On the nose: Peach and summer berries.
On the palate: Fresh and crisp with floral notes and flavors of strawberry and peach. Fresh and fragrant with sweet peach and summer berries on the nose. 

Excels as an aperitif or with fish and chicken dishes. Also great with fruit desserts.

Famiglia Carafoli L’Onesta Lambrusco di Sorbara — Emilia-Romagna NV

Famiglia Carafoli is a third-generation family estate based in Modena, the heartland of authentic Lambrusco. Under the stewardship of Carlo, Paolo, and Mario Carafoli, the domaine has remained committed to the traditional, dry style of Lambrusco di Sorbara — a far cry from the sweet, mass-market versions that defined the category for decades. L’Onesta (“The Honest One”) blends Sorbara, Salamino, Marani, and Grasparossa grapes into a bright, dry sparkling red of genuine character and refreshing precision. At this price, it is one of the most exciting values in Italian sparkling wine.

The nose is fragrant and inviting: violets, fresh red berries, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is light-bodied with lively, fine bubbles, refreshing acidity, and a crisp, dry finish that is clean and moreish. This is Lambrusco as it was always meant to be — honest, food-friendly, and impossible to put down.

67 Wine — “L’Onesta is the real deal: dry, bright, and violet-scented, with the kind of refreshing acidity that makes every bite of prosciutto taste better.”

• Producer: Famiglia Carafoli, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Blend: Sorbara, Salamino, Marani, Grasparossa
• Style: Dry (Secco)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violets, fresh red berries, floral notes, fine bubbles, crisp dry finish
• Best Paired With: Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tagliatelle al ragù, charcuterie, pizza

Honest, dry, and irresistibly food-friendly — Famiglia Carafoli’s L’Onesta is the Lambrusco that converts skeptics.

Our Professional Reviews

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: This 100% Chardonnay comes from vineyards in the village of Mâcon-Chardonnay, one of the villages allowed to append its name to the Mâcon appellation. An outstanding fresh white with aromas of quince and white stone fruits and a delicate touch of oak. Great pairing with soft-ripened cheeses or white fish.

Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer: The 2023 Mâcon-Chardonnay is the inaugural vintage of this wine from renowned Puligny-Montrachet winemaker Alain Chavy and his son Corentin. The grapes are sourced from various growers and vinified at the family cellar in Puligny under their care and guidance. Clean and refreshing with lovely Chardonnay white fruit character and floral complexity. Medium-bodied with a nice lift of acidity on the long finish.

About the Wine

The Chavy-Martin Mâcon-Chardonnay 2023 is a standout value from Burgundy, crafted by the father-son team behind some of Puligny-Montrachet’s finest whites. This inaugural release brings premier cru-level winemaking expertise to an accessible Mâcon appellation bottling.

Tasting & Pairings

Quince, white stone fruits, floral notes, and a delicate touch of oak. Clean, refreshing, and medium-bodied with bright acidity and a long finish. Serve well chilled.

• Roasted chicken or grilled white fish — the wine’s freshness and weight are a natural match.
• Soft-ripened or creamy goat cheese — complements the stone fruit and floral character.
• Pasta with garlic-butter sauce — enough body to stand up to a light cream preparation.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | I was able to taste the just-bottled 2023 Manoella Branco. This was a very balanced vintage, the growing season was almost perfect, and yields were good. The wine was a little closed for such an expressive year of wines with purity and freshness. It has notes of white flowers and fruit and a balsamic touch with the balance and harmony from the old vines.

Winemaker Description 

Vibrant and fresh wine with intense citric, floral and mineral notes. On the palate shows pure flavors and nice balance.

Varietals - Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Códega do Larinho.

Established in 2001 by Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges, both winemakers and couple, that have been investing and acquiring old vineyards and properties at Pinhão Valley. “Our goal is to create wines that express all the characters of the traditional vineyards and varieties from Douro Valley. Balanced wines between concentration, complexity and elegance.

Wine & Soul is one of the most exciting and dynamic producers in Portugal today, consistently earning high praise from international critics for both their still and fortified wines.

The harvest was planned for the first week of September in perfect weather conditions.

All grapes previously selected and de-stemmed were pressed on a pneumatic press and fermented on stainless steel tanks at low temperatures during 4 weeks, after which was aged sur lies during 6 months.


About the Sake

Don’t let the Futsushu (everyday sake) classification fool you — Kirinzan Classic takes the concept of daily sake to new heights. While most breweries focus on showcasing premium ginjo styles, Kirinzan takes immense pride in this entry-level expression, crafting it with the same care and precision as their finest bottles.

Made from Gohyaku Mangoku and Koshi Ibuki sake rice polished to 65% — beyond the requirements for even the premium Honjozo grade — all rice is sourced directly from small farmers in the local agricultural cooperative, none farther than five miles from the brewery. Brewed with soft Niigata mountain water in the house style: dry, clean, light-bodied, and beautifully balanced.

Tasting Notes

Dry and clean with notes of hazelnut and toasted rice, a gentle minerality, and a crisp, refreshing finish. Light-bodied and food-friendly — never competing with a dish, only enhancing it.

Serving

Versatile and approachable — excellent served chilled, at room temperature, or gently warmed (nurukan).

Food Pairing

The ultimate food sake — pairs beautifully with sushi, sashimi, grilled fish, tempura, yakitori, ramen, and izakaya-style dishes.

Product Details

• Producer: Kirinzan Brewery
• Style: Futsushu (Everyday Sake)
• Rice: Gohyaku Mangoku & Koshi Ibuki
• Polishing Ratio: 65%
• Sake Meter Value: +6 (Dry)
• Acidity: 1.3
• ABV: 15–16%
• Region: Niigata Prefecture, Japan
• Format: 720ml

Delight in the elegance of A Margaine 1er Cru Le Brut NV, a refined Champagne that perfectly balances freshness and finesse. Bursting with vibrant notes of citrus, green apple, and delicate brioche, its fine bubbles and crisp acidity make every sip celebratory. Ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood and light dishes, this NV Champagne embodies the artistry of the Premier Cru vineyards and the house’s dedication to excellence.

About the Wine

Raeburn Skylight Chardonnay is a lower-alcohol expression of Sonoma County Chardonnay, crafted for modern wine lovers who want full flavor at a lighter level. All the character of Sonoma Chardonnay — without sacrificing flavor or finesse.

Tasting Notes

Fresh apple, pear, and citrus blossom on the nose, followed by subtle stone fruit and a gentle touch of oak. Clean and refreshing on the palate with lively acidity and a smooth, elegant finish.

Pairings & Serving

• Grilled fish or shrimp with lemon — the bright acidity and citrus notes are a natural match.
• Light salads or roasted chicken — the wine’s clean profile complements without overpowering.
• Soft cheeses or light appetizers — an easy-going aperitif or patio sipper.

Winemaker Description

The Cava Brut by Elvi is a highly drinkable sparkling wine made from grapes grown in Spain's fertile wine regions. The coloring is very light, and nearly translucent with a straw coloring and some greenness. The bubbles are nice and prominent, both pleasurable to the eye and mouth.

The aroma is complex, with many different notes. A touch of fruit, a touch of yeast, and a touch of almond swirl around in the nose. The texture feels nice in the mouth with lighter acids that fall away at the end and a shorter aftertaste. Very enjoyable and easy to drink.

The most elegant expression in the Martini & Rossi portfolio — Bianco Vermouth has been captivating aperitivo culture since its creation in Pessione, Italy in 1910. Originally known as "Bianchissimo" (meaning ‘whitest’), it remains the most cosmopolitan of Italian vermouths: pale, aromatic, and unmistakably refined.

Crafted from a base of selected white wines infused with a proprietary blend of aromatic herbs and flowers, Bianco strikes a distinctive balance between sweet and dry. The nose is delicate and floral, with vanilla and citrus at the fore. On the palate it’s smooth and rounded, with an intense yet gentle sweetness that makes it as approachable on its own as it is versatile in cocktails.

Producer Description

Martini Bianco is made from white wines graced with extracts of aromatic herbs and flowers, giving it a unique and delicate character. Beneath its crisp innocence lies a wealth of flavor — vanilla and citrus seducing the palate with an intense yet sweet, rounded smoothness.

• Producer: Martini & Rossi, Pessione, Turin, Italy (est. 1863)
• Style: Bianco (White) Vermouth
• Character: Semi-sweet, floral, vanilla & citrus
• Format: 750ml
• Serve: Over ice with tonic and a slice of lemon, or in a Bianco Spritz or White Negroni
• Tip: Refrigerate after opening and consume within 4–6 weeks

VINOUS 93 Points

The NV Extra Brut Rosé ADN de Meunier is a classic-layered and supple with rose petals, mint, dried cherry, mint, spice and orange peel. Assembled with the inclusion of 10% still red Meunier, the Rosé is exquisitely nuanced and super expressive, offering great depth and tons of personality.

Expert Reviews

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | The NV 10 Year Old Tawny was bottled in 2013 with a bar top cork. It comes in at 106.7 grams per liter of residual sugar. Some Ports emphasize flavor, others emphasize structure. This starts out with perfect focus, elegant but increasingly intense on the tight finish. Early on, it was all about the structure, with a haze of velvet. The flavors were a bit muted initially, but it unfolded into an elegant and graceful whole with a flavorful finish. Its bright, clean feel always remains as it fleshes out and puts on weight. 

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | Refined, with bright flavors of dried berry, plum compote and cherry tart that are long and lush. Very creamy on the finish, which features chocolate mousse.

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | In the full Fonseca style, this aged tawny shows both rich fruit and a more serious wood-aged character. Good acidity follows the sweet initial taste, broadening into ripe flavors of nut, plum jelly, and a final crisp acidity.

Winemaker Description 

A beloved classic from one of America's most iconic kosher wine producers, Kedem Cream White Concord is a sweet, smooth, and approachable white grape wine made from native Concord grapes. Light, fruity, and effortlessly drinkable, it's a staple at holiday tables and a go-to for those who enjoy a gently sweet wine without complexity.

Tasting Notes

Color: Pale golden

• Nose: Fresh white grape, light floral notes, and a hint of honey
• Palate: Sweet, smooth, and soft with classic Concord grape character
• Finish: Clean and refreshing

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled at 8–10°C
• Pairs well with desserts, pastries, fruit platters, and light cheeses
• A natural choice for Shabbat, Passover, and holiday celebrations

Kosher certified. 750ml. New York, USA.

Winemaker Description 

Charmat method sparkling wine.

This is a refined Brut with a delicate mineral nature and a flowery, welcoming bouquet which charms the senses.

Each sip conjures fresh sensations and light thoughts.

Soft pressing in pneumatic press, sedimentation of must and fermentation at controlled temperature with inoculation of selected yeasts. Aflnation in steel barrels for at least 4 months.

Charmat method for 30 days in autoclave. 

Importer Description 

This Pinot Blanc is a masterful display of subtlety and refinement. Honeysuckle, peaches, and stone don’t shout at, but whisper seductively to your nose and palate." - Kermit Lynch.

Coming from vines located mainly at the bottom of hillsides and on granite soil, this Pinot Blanc borders on insolence in its elegance and deliciousness. It is very far from the classic style that is often found in Alsatian Pinot Blancs, which is quite simple. Here, Jean Boxler has done a real job in the vineyards as well as in the winemaking where we feel a much finer and more mineral side.

On the palate, the attack is precise, there is, as with his Sylvaner, a beautiful maturity that brings a real delicacy. The wine has a sensual texture, very silky, no aggressiveness emerges.

This is really not just a simple Pinot Blanc, it is extraordinarily long, precise and delicious.

Expert Review

Sylvia Wu of Decanter 92 Points | The base wine went through malolactic fermentation with battonage. Yeasty on the nose with citrus blossom, salted nuts and yellow apple. Generous mousse opens up to a full-on palate of brioche, citrus, green fruit acidity and depth of spiced red berries. Satisfying and long. The latest release is based on the 2018 vintage. Drink 2023 - 2028

Winemaker Description 

Our signature Hambledon Classic Cuvée is produced exclusively from our own estate on the South East facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.

Our Hambledon Classic Cuvée is a well-balanced blend of all 3 traditional grapes, handpicked on our own estate. Aged at least 35 months, it is vibrant, with structured yet ripe acidity. Tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.

Our Hambledon Classic Cuvée is a well-balanced blend of all 3 traditional grapes, handpicked on our own estate. Aged at least 35 months, it is vibrant, with structured yet ripe acidity. Tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.

A distinctive Premier Cru white Burgundy from Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils, this wine is produced from Chardonnay grown in the Beaune Premier Cru vineyard of Champs-Pimont. Introduced by the estate with the 2021 vintage, the cuvée is made from grapes carefully selected during harvest.

The vineyard’s chalky, limestone-rich soil gives the wine its characteristic mineral and saline expression. Its eastern exposure encourages freshness, while its position at mid-slope provides balance, concentration and structure. The vines are approximately 40 years old, contributing additional depth and complexity.

The 2023 vintage offers elegant aromas of lemon-lime, freshly sliced apple and delicate floral notes. The palate is beautifully textured and concentrated, with bright acidity and subtle mineral tension. A bone-dry finish brings together citrus zest, saline freshness and a lightly bitter note that adds definition and length.

Refined and energetic, this is a precise expression of Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune, combining generous texture with freshness, minerality and excellent aging potential.

Critical Acclaim

Allen Meadows, Burghound: 88–91 Points “More elegant and slightly fresher aromas include those of lemon-lime, just sliced apple and a variety of floral wisps. There is again a lovely texture and even better volume to the more concentrated flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the bone-dry finale that also flashes a bitter zest character.”

Serving and Pairing

Serve lightly chilled with scallops, lobster, grilled or roasted fish, poultry in a cream sauce, mushroom risotto, vegetable dishes or soft and semi-firm cheeses. The wine may be enjoyed young for its freshness or carefully cellared to develop greater complexity.

Wine Details

Producer: Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils
Vintage: 2023
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Côte de Beaune
Appellation: Beaune Premier Cru
Vineyard: Champs-Pimont
Vineyard Classification: Premier Cru
Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
Exposure: East
Soil: Limestone, chalk and clay
Wine Type: Dry White Wine
Bottle Size: 750ml
Suggested Drinking Window: 5–8 years
Estimated Aging Potential: Up to 10 years under proper storage conditions

Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils Beaune Blanc Premier Cru Les Champs Pimonts 2023

Rémi Leroy | Réserve Blanc de Noirs | Extra Brut | Côte des Bar, Aube, Champagne | 85% 2022 Base | Practicing Organic

Jeb Dunnuck: 92 Points — Concentrated Pinot Noir fruit with bright citrus, a finely textured mousse and a dry, mineral-driven finish. Rated on the current 2022-base release.

Gismondi on Wine: 92 Points — An abundance of fresh raspberry and cherry fruit, supported by vibrant limestone minerality and a precise, energetic finish. Praised for its freshness, clarity and versatility at the table.

Rémi Leroy is one of the Côte des Bar's most compelling young grower-producers. After completing graduate studies in oenology and viticulture in Bordeaux, Leroy returned to his family's vineyards in Meurville in the Aube — the southern reaches of Champagne, where Pinot Noir reigns and the soils bear a striking resemblance to those of nearby Chablis. He farms a selection of carefully chosen parcels across the villages of Meurville, Bergères and Fontaine using practicing-organic methods, with an emphasis on precision, transparency and minimal intervention in the cellar.

The Réserve Blanc de Noirs is made from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vines approximately 30 years old. What sets these vineyards apart is the soil composition: approximately 60% of the fruit comes from Kimmeridgian clay-limestone — the same ancient seabed geology that defines the finest vineyards of Chablis — while the remaining 40% comes from the rarer Portlandian limestone soils found around Meurville. The interplay between these two soil types gives the wine both generous fruit and a firm, chalky mineral backbone.

The current release blends 85% from the 2022 harvest with 15% from 2021, adding complexity and balance while preserving the freshness and ripe red fruit character of the primary base year. Vinification and maturation take place entirely in stainless steel, preserving the clarity and natural character of the Pinot Noir. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full. The wines are generally bottled without fining or filtration. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the Champagne spends approximately 24 months aging on its lees and is disgorged at an exceptionally low dosage of approximately 1 gram per liter — a near-zero addition that keeps the wine bone dry and allows the fruit and mineral terroir to speak without interference.

The wine opens with aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry and crisp red apple, followed by blood orange, citrus peel, dried flowers and fresh bread. Subtle hints of almond, chalk and gentle spice emerge with air. The palate is energetic and finely textured — a lively mousse carries ripe red fruit and citrus freshness, while Pinot Noir provides structure, depth and a lightly savory character. Cranberry, orange peel, toasted grain and green almond lead into a dry, persistent finish marked by limestone minerality and a refreshing saline quality. Immediately expressive, yet with enough concentration and structure to reward short-term cellaring.

Serve as an aperitif or throughout the meal. Pairs beautifully with charcuterie, smoked salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, roast chicken, pork, duck, mushroom dishes, grilled fish and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: Rémi Leroy
• Cuvée: Réserve Blanc de Noirs
• Style: Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Côte des Bar, Aube
• Villages: Meurville, Bergères and Fontaine
• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 85% 2022 harvest, 15% 2021
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Vine Age: ~30 years
• Soils: 60% Kimmeridgian, 40% Portlandian clay-limestone
• Vinification: Stainless steel; unfined and unfiltered
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: ~24 months
• Dosage: ~1 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a multi-vintage Champagne, base vintages, blending proportions, dosage, lees aging period and disgorgement date may vary by release. Critic ratings may apply to different releases or disgorgements of the same cuvée.

Gaston Chiquet | Tradition | Premier Cru Brut | Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | NV (68% 2021 Base) | Sustainable

Wine Spectator: 92 Points — Vivacious and well balanced, with integrated acidity and a refined mousse. Ripe black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon peel, biscuit and white flowers, followed by a lingering mineral finish. (Disgorged February 2024)

Vinous: 90 Points — Rich and expressive, showing dried pear, chamomile, spice, dried flowers, mint and marzipan. Meunier and Pinot Noir give the wine its generous texture and broad presence. (Disgorged February 2025)

Jeb Dunnuck: 90 Points — Bright and inviting, with notes of fresh berries, citrus, flowers and peach. Juicy and medium bodied, with a soft, pillowy mousse and a clean finish.

The Wine Advocate: 90 Points — Inviting aromas of yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, citrus and warm biscuits lead to a fleshy, charming palate with a refined mousse, ripe fruit and lively balancing acidity. (Disgorged November 2019)

Gaston Chiquet is one of Champagne's most storied grower-producers. In 1919, brothers Fernand and Gaston Chiquet became pioneers among the region's independent growers by producing and selling Champagne from their own fruit — a tradition now carried forward by eighth-generation Nicolas Chiquet from the Premier Cru village of Dizy in the Vallée de la Marne. Tradition is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut, a classic three-grape blend that has defined the Chiquet style for generations.

The current release is composed of 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir, drawn entirely from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay. The vines are rooted in clay and limestone soils over the region's underlying chalk. The base is 68% from the 2021 harvest, supplemented by reserve wines from 2018 through 2020 — a blend that maintains the estate's consistent house style while adding depth and complexity.

Grapes are harvested by hand and vinified entirely in stainless steel, preserving the purity of fruit and the character of each vineyard site. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full, softening the wine's natural acidity and contributing to its rounded, accessible texture. Following secondary fermentation in bottle, Tradition spends more than 48 months aging on its lees — an extended maturation that develops a fine, persistent mousse and layers of fresh bread, biscuit and toasted nut complexity. The wine is finished at a dosage of approximately 6 grams per liter, producing a dry but beautifully balanced Brut style.

Golden yellow in color, Tradition opens with aromas of ripe pear, golden peach, fresh apricot and red berries, followed by white flowers, citrus peel, chamomile and freshly baked bread. Subtle notes of almond, biscuit, ginger and crushed chalk emerge as the Champagne opens in the glass. The palate is lively, creamy and well balanced — Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir bring a generous, vinous texture, while Chardonnay provides freshness and lift. Flavors of peach, black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon and toasted pastry develop across the palate, leading to a persistent, dry and mineral-driven finish.

Approachable enough to serve as an aperitif but structured enough for the table. Pairs beautifully with oysters, shrimp, smoked salmon, sushi, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, fried appetizers, mushroom dishes and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: Gaston Chiquet
• Cuvée: Tradition
• Classification: Premier Cru Brut
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Vallée de la Marne
• Villages: Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay
• Grape Varieties: 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 68% 2021 harvest
• Reserve Wines: 32%, from 2018–2020
• Farming: Sustainable
• Soils: Clay and limestone over chalk
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: 48+ months
• Dosage: ~6 g/L
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a non-vintage Champagne, base vintages, reserve wine proportions, dosage, lees aging period and disgorgement dates may vary by release. Critic ratings may apply to different disgorgements of the same cuvée.

Veuve Clicquot · Yellow Label Brut · Limited Edition - ICE JACKET · Champagne, France · NV · 750ml

Veuve Clicquot is one of the great houses of Champagne — founded in Reims in 1772 and forever transformed by the Widow Clicquot herself, who invented the riddling rack and created the first vintage Champagne. The Yellow Label Brut is the house’s signature expression: a Pinot Noir-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier, with up to 45% reserve wines ensuring the consistency and house style that has made it one of the world’s most recognized Champagnes. The ICE JACKET edition wraps the bottle in a redesigned, eco-engineered insulating sleeve — crafted from 100% recycled plastic fibres using 3D knitting technology that reduces production waste by 30% — keeping the bottle perfectly chilled for up to 60 minutes. Lighter, reusable, and customizable. 

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles and an expressive nose of baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, and a thread of fresh citrus and pastry. On the palate: firm and beautifully structured, with a fleshy mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity — sliced apple, green pear, red berry, lemon parfait, and oyster shell minerality carrying through a long, vibrant, mineral-driven finish. Four critics, four 90+ scores: Tasting Panel 93, James Suckling 92, Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 91. Drink now. Pair with oysters, lobster, sushi, fried chicken, aged Comté, or simply on its own to start any celebration.

• Producer: Veuve Clicquot (est. 1772, Reims)
• Wine: Yellow Label Brut · ICE JACKET Edition
• Style: NV Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve wines: Up to 45% in the blend
• ICE JACKET: Recycled plastic fibres · 3D knit · Keeps chilled 60 min · Reusable
• Scores: Tasting Panel 93 · James Suckling 92 · Decanter 91 · Wine Spectator 91
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, citrus, red berry, oyster shell, long mineral finish
• Pair With: Oysters · Lobster · Sushi · Fried chicken · Aged Comté · Aperitif

The Widow’s legacy, wrapped in innovation — Yellow Label Brut in the ICE JACKET that keeps the party going.

Expert Reviews

Tasting Panel — 93 Points
Aromas of baked apple and quince are energetically dappled with salted almond and white blossom, while the fleshy mouthfeel intersects neatly with firm acidity amid intimations of red berry and pastry.

James Suckling — 92 Points
Firm and delicious, showing sliced apples and green pears with some flint and bread dough. Medium-bodied with fine bubbles and a crisp, delicious finish.

Decanter — 91 Points
The nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with lovely creaminess to the bright finish.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
Appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, with notes of patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell. Vibrant acidity and lacy texture carry the profile on the mineral-driven finish.

"Scott and Jenny Schultz of Jolie-Laide make highly distinctive wines from grapes that are not among California’s usual suspects. The Trousseau Gris grapes for this bottle were farmed organically and stomped by foot. The wine is lively and aromatic and will go with a wide range of savory and sweetish things." — Eric Asimov, The New York Times

About the Wine

Planted in the late 1970s, these rare, near-extinct vines with massive, gnarly trunks produce unique and fascinating fruit. Since Jolie-Laide’s first Fanucchi Wood Road Trousseau Gris bottling in 2010, the wines have shown a strong structural foundation with vintage-driven character.

In 2024, Mother Nature yielded half the fruit of 2023 — making this Trousseau Gris as rare as the old vines that produced it. To preserve natural acidity, the grapes were harvested early and foot-stomped for a three-day whole-cluster cold soak. This gentle maceration adds subtle phenolic texture, lifted aromatics, and a gorgeous rose-gold hue. The juice was then moved to a combination of neutral puncheon and stainless steel for a slow, cold native yeast fermentation, followed by a 6-month élevage in neutral puncheons and barrique to preserve freshness.

Tasting Notes

Fresh and elegant — summer melon, nectarine, white tea, and pine. 12.5% ABV.

About the Label

The 2024 labels feature the work of Sandra Fontenas, a French visual artist and photographer based in La Rochelle, France.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled fish, sushi, charcuterie, soft cheeses, roasted vegetables, and light poultry. Equally stunning as an aperitif. Serve well chilled.

• Producer: Jolie-Laide (Scott & Jenny Schultz)
• Vineyard: Fanucchi Wood Road, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Grape: Trousseau Gris
• Farming: Organic, old vines (planted late 1970s)
• Vinification: Foot-stomped, whole-cluster cold soak, native yeast
• Aging: 6 months, neutral puncheon + stainless steel
• ABV: 12.5%
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Classic, mineral-driven Chablis with a crisp, elegant profile. Bright citrus, green apple, and subtle floral notes lead into a fresh, lively palate with pronounced minerality and a clean, saline finish. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with time on the lees, preserving purity and tension.

Food Pairing:
Perfect with oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, sushi, light poultry dishes, and fresh cheeses.

Our Notes:

Pure, flinty, and edgy, this is classic Village level Chablis.  The white orchard fruit and citrus character is restrained and delicate.  Aged in stainless steel tanks, it spends 10 months on the fine lees.  This is a wine to be enjoyed with salads, fowl, and other lighter dishes, as well as soft cheeses.

Winemaker Evan Martin has called Koosah “the greatest Chardonnay vineyard in the Willamette Valley” — and the scores agree. Sourced from the Koosah Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, this is Oregon grand cru Chardonnay in every sense: remarkable texture and tension between fruit, minerality, and acidity, with a finish that lingers with persistent freshness and a note of salinity. Martin himself describes it as Oregon’s answer to Puligny-Montrachet — built to drink now or cellar for 15+ years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

“Dazzles with spiced apples, damp earth, a hint of saline, green melon, and subtle notes of white tea. Beautiful structure with a touch of tannins, perfect acidity and balanced sweetness, leading to a long, fruit-forward and saline-infused finish. An outstanding bottle poised for an even brighter future. Editor’s Choice.” — 97 pts, International Wine Cellar

“Bright yellow/silver color. Notes of smoky earth, white peach, lemon oil, and white floral tone. Lovely richness without weight, exceptionally focused length. Drink 2025–2037.” — 96 pts, Jeb Dunnuck

“The floral quality of its aromas balances the somewhat rich mouthfeel. Vibrant energy and nice overall structure — balanced acidity — featuring notes of stone fruits, crispy apples, lemon peel, and herbs. This wine nails both phenolic structure and rich texture.” — 95 pts, Decanter

Winery Notes: Lemon oil, green & gold apple, moss, white flower & minerals. Medium weight while possessing weightlessness. Our ‘Puligny’ — Oregon grand cru Chardonnay to enjoy now or cellar 15+ years.

Food Pairings: Roasted halibut, lobster, scallops, truffle risotto, aged Gruyère, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Varietal: Chardonnay
Producer: Martin Woods
Vineyard: Koosah Vineyard
Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vintage: 2022
Cellar: Drink now or cellar 15+ years
Bottle Size: 750ml

Cupcake Lighthearted Low Alcohol Pinot Noir 750ml

Discover Cupcake Lighthearted Low Alcohol Pinot Noir, a refreshing choice crafted to support an active lifestyle without compromising on flavor. Winemaker Jessica Tomei was inspired to create Cupcake Vineyards' Lighthearted collection after struggling to find delicious tasting wines that fit her active lifestyle. This elegant Pinot Noir is light and juicy with notes of wild strawberry and plum, offering only 80 calories, 8% ABV, and less than one gram of sugar per serving, while maintaining the classic Pinot Noir profile you love.

Crafted for an Active Lifestyle

These wines are crafted with grapes grown in sunny California vineyards, perfectly structured to create well-balanced and medium-bodied wines. The grapes are harvested early in the growing season to minimize brix levels, which allow for a lower sugar, lower alcohol product after blending. The quality of these grapes makes for wines that deliver exceptional taste while supporting health-conscious choices, designed for a lighthearted sipping experience that's ideal for any occasion.

Tasting Profile

Light and juicy with vibrant notes of wild strawberry and plum. This Pinot Noir presents an inviting bouquet of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of vanilla, which is characteristic of the varietal. Upon tasting, you'll discover a vibrant acidity that enhances the fruitiness, making it incredibly refreshing. The light body ensures that it can be enjoyed chilled, perfect for warm weather sipping. Each sip is a celebration of bright flavors, showing that you don't have to compromise on taste to enjoy a low alcohol option.

Only 80 Calories Per Serving

Nutritional Benefits:

• Only 80 calories per serving
• 8% ABV (lower than traditional Pinot Noir)
• Less than 1 gram of sugar per serving
• Classic Pinot Noir profile maintained

Food Pairing Suggestions

This versatile low alcohol Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with:

• Grilled salmon and seafood
• Roasted vegetables
• Light cheese platters
• Poultry and chicken dishes
• Mushroom-based dishes
• Perfect for casual gatherings
• Ideal chilled for warm weather

Winemaker Jessica Tomei's Vision

Cupcake Vineyards believes in creating wines that are not only delightful to the palate but also accessible for all drinkers. The Lighthearted line is innovatively produced to reduce alcohol content without compromising on flavor or quality. Each bottle embodies a commitment to sustainability and quality, reflecting the vineyard's dedication to responsible wine production. Enjoy each drop with the knowledge that you're making a mindful choice.

Why Choose Low Alcohol Wines?

Low alcohol wines like the Cupcake Lighthearted Pinot Noir are gaining popularity for several good reasons. They allow you to enjoy the rich experience of wine tasting while keeping your alcohol intake in check, particularly beneficial for those who are health-conscious or looking to moderate their alcohol consumption. With its lower ethanol content, you can savor the intricate flavors without the heaviness that often accompanies higher alcohol wines. Embrace the trend of lighter wines, and discover the joys of a glass that pairs perfectly with both meals and casual gatherings, striking the right balance between flavor and lightness.

Joel Gott's 2024 Light California Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing, low-alcohol expression crafted for those who seek balance without compromise. Sourced from California, this bright and aromatic white opens with Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, and lime zest, layered with delicate citrus blossom. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with lively tropical fruit flavors, crisp acidity, and a subtle slate-like minerality that lends elegance and focus. The finish is long, clean, and beautifully balanced.

At just 9% alcohol and 80 calories per 5-oz serving, this is a guilt-free pour that doesn't sacrifice character. Sealed with a screw cap for everyday accessibility.

Appellation: California
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 9%
Calories: 80 per 5 oz serving
Closure: Screw Cap
Format: 750ml