2010 - Present Wine

Winemaker Description

Dalton Shiraz is dark almost black in colour, the nose is intense with black fruit, plums, berries, liquorice, and pepper tones.

The wine has soft integrated tannins and a long finish. 

Kosher for Passover

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

Vinous 94 Points | The first of the two white wines, the 2024 Versante Nord is a blend of varieties sourced from six different vineyards at varying altitudes from the north side of the valley, which receives more sunlight during the day. This wine offers a wealth of power, with notes of salted pineapples, fresh sage, smoky earth, and saline. It’s bright with acidity, salinity, and a light wild side, though very well-managed. It had been bottled just three weeks earlier, so this tasting was a preview prior to its release. Drink over the coming 8-10 years.

Winemaker Description

Vibrant and mineral-driven white from the cooler northern slopes of Mt. Etna. Made from native Sicilian varieties grown on volcanic soils, it’s a wine of precision, tension, and layered complexity. Saline, citrusy, and full of energy, this is a must-try for lovers of terroir-expressive whites. A rising star from one of Etna’s most exciting young winemakers.

To get an idea of what this wine is, Eric Guido of Vinous Media said of last year’s vintage - 91 Points - A pretty blend of crushed yellow apples, lemon zest and ginger wafts up from the 2023 Uve Bianche Versant Nord. It splashes across the palate with tart orchard fruits and crunchy mineral tones enlivened by a core of sour citrus. Spice nuances embellish the close. This ends with a flowery concentration and sour lime, crisply refreshing yet potent and long. Fantastic.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024 

James Suckling 93 Points | A fresh, fruity, juicy, crisp white that's generous in green apples, baked apples and minerals on a medium body. Subtle flavors of cream and butter come from partial malolactic conversion while maturing in stainless steel containers.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Made with 81% estate fruit, the 2024 Chardonnay has fresh aromas of red apples and pears, lemon peel, bread dough and spice. The medium-bodied palate is easygoing with ripe flavors, vibrant acidity and a long, flavorful finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 is a bright, refreshing style, a great expression of a cool-climate Chardonnay.

Food Pairings The wine's bright acidity and mineral core make it extremely food-friendly.

Seafood: Crab Louie, Grilled Shrimp, Oysters

Poultry: Roast Chicken, Chicken Pailla

Vegetarian: Mushroom & Asparagus Frittata, Creamy Risotto

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

Dornfelder is an extremely popular German red grape that is based on four classic varieties: Lemberger (aka Blaufränkisch), Portugieser, Frühburgunder, and Trollinger. It produces fruity, medium-bodied wines with deep color and good acidity. Made in a medium-sweet, fruit-forward style, its lightly floral aroma and plush flavors of plums and cherries are well balanced by velvety tannins. It has an intense color, lip-smacking flavor, and pairs well with a wide variety of foods.

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

The Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | A fabulous vintage of Filius, and a total bargain for this level of quality. Layered aromas appear from first sniff: plump currants and plums, dark chocolate, savory herbs and florals, graphite and a mineral, iodine-like nuance. In the mouth, there's bright fruit and silky texture, with savory, fine tannins and a long, elegant finish. Made to drink now or to age for several more years. A wonderful intro to this distinctive Aussie style.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Offers cherry and plum fruit framed by earth, mineral and wild herb flavors. Poised between elegance and power, this red is beautifully balanced. Dusty tannins support the fruit on the long finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. 26,000 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 93 Points | The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva II Grigio da San Felice is a dark, dense, rather somber wine. Black cherry, leather, tobacco, incense and dried herbs reinforce that initial impression. A Riserva of substance and power, the 2021 has a ton to offer. It's an especially fine edition of II Grigio.

Tamlyn Currin writes:  This is utterly scrumptious. It's an arpeggio of sweet, audaciously ripe, red-berried, violet-flushed fruit that soars through the glass. Untrammelled freshness. The fruit is the flautist of the vineyard. Dauntlessly about the fruit but at the same time it's not speciously 'fruity'. It's complex. The tannins are silky but have fine-powdered chalky grip. There is spice, a little liquorice bark and a whisper of leafiness – that sort of green-purple petalled velvetiness of woodland violets. And the purity of fruit fills every molecule of the long finish. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2031.  - Jancis Robinson 17

Winemaker Description 

Deep ruby red. Rich, long-lingering aromas are redolent of violets and wild red berry fruit. Il Grigio is a full-bodied wine, lean and firm, with succulent tannins and a tangy acidity. Ideal when accompanying meat-sauced first courses, roast pigeon, grilled steak.

Winemaker Description 

AROMA: Clear & very expressive with great aromatic freshness on the nose, including aromas of red berries with hints of lime and melon.

PALATE: Subtle and smooth…shows a balanced acidity and minerality with delicious citrus and red fruit flavours.

FINISH: Fresh and round with a light and long peach, citrus flare.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast by Roger Voss 92 Points | This ripe blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is balanced. A perfumed, tobacco and spice aroma and dusty black fruits give promise in this ageworthy wine, reinforced by the tannins and structure. Drink from 2027. 

Winemaker Description

Intense purple robe. Rich fruity nose of ripe Merlot: chocolate and toasty oak flavors. Fresh red fruits with fresh strawberry notes, light spices, harmonious tannins, with exceptional freshness. It has all the characteristics of ageing potential and concentration.

August 2025 Dinners:  What we love about this Argentine wine is its muted alcohol in the nose.  We all feel that too often Argentine wines are dominated by alcohol and Mendel is not.  Yes, it is there but in a balanced way that does not disturb the excellent fruit nose.  It is almost full bodied, and has plenty of black fruit flavors, mixed with minerals and background herbs.  The winemaker Roberto de la Mota ages the Cabernet in 100% oak barrels for 12 months which really gives this wine the feel of many well made French Cabernet based wines.  And, yes of course enjoyed by our friends.  - Bernie & Dorothy, Paulo & Barbara, and Annie - Follow the Drinker®

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | Complex nose showing ashy blackcurrants, grilled dark spices, briars and cigar box. Full-bodied on the palate with a mouthful of fine, dusty tannins. Structured and very long. Showing lots of potential. Drink from 2025.

Jesica Vargas of The Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | This is a delicious and fresh Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo. A note of black pepper adds spice to a bouquet of ripe strawberries and red plums. Similar fruit flavors and leafy notes burst on the palate. It has a fine texture, with red berries shaping its tasty finish. 

Matthew Luczy writes:  The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Finca de Los Andes hails from ungrafted vines planted in 1994 and matured in equal parts new, second- and third-use barrique for 12 months. It opens with a dramatic, lush and dark-fruited nose, introducing a sleek, velvety and polished palate. It concludes with a refined, structured and spice-inflected finish. This is a sumptuous yet contemporary expression of Luján de Cuyo.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Virginia Boone writes:  Thick and rich, this 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Finca de los Andes is tannic and powerfully built, with full-bodied intensity and grip. The red and black currant and cherry fruit is overlaid in cedar, leather, and toasted oak, grippy through a long finish. It should drink best 2028-2032.  Jeb Dunnuck 90

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | The 2020 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard is nothing but phenomenal. It's very fresh and balanced and, for a warm year like 2020, doesn't show any heat or excess; it's subtle and has an ethereal character within the powerful and exuberant character from Gualtallary. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and some full clusters, sometimes up to 70% of the volume. It's intense and powerful, but something makes if feel light on its feet and with great inner power. This is still young and should develop nicely in bottle and for a long time.

James Suckling 96 Points | Ink and licorice with blackberry and black olive aromas. Medium-to full-bodied with round, fine tannins that are crunchy and refined. It has a juicy undertone and a savory finish. Just a hint of cedar and caramel at the end.

Vinous 95 Points | The 2020 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary hails from the higher-altitude regions of the Uco Valley. Despite being produced in a warm year, this wine maintains a juicy essence, although it lacks depth. It opens with an intense bouquet of grapefruit, violet and wild herbs. Natural fruit flavors emerge on the palate, highlighted by blackberry hints and a chalky texture, culminating in a long, fruit-driven finish. This wine is vertical, showcasing slightly riper fruit nuances. It’s interesting how a region like Gualtallary can shift its profile between warm and cool years, emphasizing the extremes.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fresh rosemary, graphite and tobacco accents meld with an elegant, orange peel–accented raspberry and plum core that reveals cocoa nib details while unfurling around a nice lift of fresh acidity, driving the flavors onto the finish structured around tannins. Drink now through 2040.

Winemaker Description 

El Gran Enemigo Gualtallary shows a deep purple color with red highlights. Its aromas are intense and elegant. Cabernet Franc brings sweet spices, black pepper and light notes of eucalyptus and thyme. Malbec brings notes of ripe black fruits, blackberries and black cherries. The oak aging gives a touch of chocolate and vanilla to blend. The taste is complex, sweet impact with structured tannins, and a very long and persistent finish. This wine was made in honor of the old Pomerol style where Cabernet Franc was blended with the other Bordeaux varieties.

This wine is excellent with grilled meats and various cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 95 Points | A beautiful red with cedar, mushroom and cherry character, as well as hints of sandalwood. It’s medium-bodied and very polished with loveliness and finesse that comes through clearly. A wine to drink young, but will age very nicely.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | A rich red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a touch shy on opening before revealing aromas of cherry pie, a hint of blue fruit coming through with violets, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pop of angular texture, chalky tannins, and a clean, lovely, tapered finish. This exceptional wine from Banfi offers a lot of purity and finesse.

Winemaker Description 

A rich and elegant Brunello, both in structure and in olfactory expression. Brilliant ruby red with garnet-colored reflections, on the nose the aroma is sweet and fruity, the hints of fresh red fruit stand out, which combine perfectly with the more complex notes of licorice and pipe tobacco. The structure is powerful, and the palate is pleasantly enveloped by a consistent tannic texture, well balanced by a pleasant acidity. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential.

It pairs particularly well with rich and tasty dishes. Perfect as a meditation wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Josh Raynolds of Vinous writes 92 Points | Bright ruby. Displays ripe, spice-accented cherry and dark berries, along with hints of succulent herbs and spices. Juicy and expansive in style, offering well-concentrated red and blue fruit flavors and a touch of cracked pepper. Creamy tannins sneak in late and add a gentle grip to a long, spice- and floral-driven finish. All de-stemmed fruit and raised in concrete tanks.

Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points |  Not yet bottled, the 2020 Gigondas offers more dark fruits as well as masculine notes of ground pepper, crushed stone, and sappy garrigue. Medium to full-bodied and nicely structured, it’s another rock-solid wine from this estate. The blend is 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, destemmed, and aged in concrete tank.

Jancis Robinson 16 Points, James Lawther MW writes:  Fruit bright and lifted on the nose. Supple and round on the palate. Firm, chalky tannins. Clean and fresh on the finish with some persistence.  55% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Organic.  Drinking 2022 to 2028.

Producer Description 

Intense, brilliant garnet color. On the nose, aromas of garrigue develop alongside spices and black fruits. Fleshy and dense palate, with notes of jam, ripe fruit, and spices.

The Domain: The history of Mas des Restanques began in 1995 with the union of our two family lands. After several years in a cooperative cellar, we took the plunge, created our own cellar, and released our 1st vintage in 2007.

We began orienting the domain towards Organic agriculture in 2009 and were certified by "Ecocert" in 2012. In 2019, our son Philippe joined us on the estate to continue the tradition while bringing new perspectives to the business. As a family, we put all our efforts into vine cultivation in order to offer consumers the best grape sources. Then, the low yields on clay soils limestone, thoughtful work of the harvest, and the development of our wines bring to our cuvées character, strength, and balance.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

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

Winemaker Description 

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

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Winemaker Description 

Producer Description 

Straw yellow in color with a green shimmer. The nose has clean and fruity notes of apple, apricot, and pear. Fresh and fruity, Schulthauser Pinot Bianco seduces the palate with its creamy softness, liveliness, and marked acidity. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Tasting Panel 91 Points | Bold and beautiful, with stand-up notes of espresso, black pepper, and blackberry arising within a frame of spiced oak. Grainy tannins are bolstered by fine acidity. Made with organic grapes.

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from vineyards throughout California, including Mendocino County, Paso Robles, and other celebrated Cabernet regions. The year was characterized by a dry, cold winter, followed by a warm spring prompting vigorous growth. Moderate summer temperatures allowed the grapes to mature slowly and develop deep concentrated flavor. Although water scarcity resulted in a lower than average yield, the quality of the fruit was outstanding, resulting in a superb 2021 vintage.

Petite Sirah adds a touch of color, texture and spice to this Cabernet Sauvignon. A brilliant deep garnet hue hints at the wine’s powerful aromas and flavors of blackcurrant, black cherry and prune, layered over rich notes of leather, tobacco and graphite. This well-structured, medium-bodied Cabernet delivers elegant tannins, pleasing acidity and a lingering finish.

91 Points James Suckling | A fresh, well-rounded, pale rosé made of 60% grenache (blanc, gris and noir), 30% cinsault and 10% syrah. Supple and fruity. It show notes of melon, apricots, flowers and a touch of peaches. It’s refreshing, fun and well-made. From organically grown grapes.

Kristen Bieler Wine Spectator |  Fragrant and creamy, with weight to the strawberry, kumquat and melon flavors. Laced with ginger and spice notes, this delicious version is round and lacy at the same time, showing real character. Grenache, Cinsaut and Syrah. Drink now. 

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description 

This is Lauer’s Platonic ideal of what a Saar Riesling should be. If we were in Burgundy this would be the equivalent of a Bourgogne Blanc.

As an appellation-level wine, it is sourced from multiple vineyards in three different villages of the Saar. This is always a thrilling off-dry and a silly value.

Winemaker Description

All our vines are located on the Morgon terroir. It is undoubtedly one of the most famous wines of Beaujolais! Typically, Morgon has four dominant aromas: cherry, violet, raspberry and a very slight touch of liquorice… Combining lightness and richness, our Morgon has an aging potential of around ten years on average. It should be noted that the Morgon appellation dates from 1936, only 12 years after the creation of the first AOCs, in Arbois and Châteauneuf. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Desrcription

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 95 Points | A deep ruby/red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino displays a brooding and serious profile initially, with aromas of dried cherries, cigar box, smoky incense, mint, and wild herbs. It comes to life with a refined and elegant feel on the palate, offering fine tannins, fresh, even acidity, and a lovely mineral-tinged backbone with wonderful freshness and purity. This is a gorgeous entry to the Brunello offerings of Val di Suga in this stellar vintage. Drink 2024-2040.

Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate writes 93 Points | Immediate and accessible in personality, the Val di Suga 2019 Brunello di Montalcino (with 90,000 bottles released) is very clean and polished in presentation and especially from a tactile point of view. Neat fruit aromas of dark cherry, mulberry and cassis fold into spice and earthiness. The wine's bright freshness also stands out and adds intensity and vibrancy to this mid-weight Brunello.

Michaela Morris of Decanter writes 92 Points |  A compilation of three distinctly diverse terroirs within Montalcino, Val di Suga’s estate Brunello is made up of equal shares from Vigna del Lago in the northeast, Poggio al Granchio in the southeast and Vigna Spuntali in the southwest. The bright ruby colour and youthful freshness are well preserved. Focused aromas of red cherry with flecks of pepper give way to deeper violet and sweet earth. Appealing and pure, the mid-weight palate offers a layer of luscious red berries and plump persimmon underscored by juicy acidity. Sandy textured tannins are supple and yielding. Hard to resist now.

Winemaker Description

Fresh, bright berry fruit form our heritage Russian River vineyard, combined with the ripe, peppery jam from their Alexander Valley and Dry Creek vineyards, make for a wonderful diversity of flavor, showcasing the best that Zinfandel can offer. This wine boasts notes of blackberry, plum and boysenberry with a touch of red fruit jam and creamy vanilla.

Enjoy this Zinfandel now with spiced short ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or a barbeque chicken pizza.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | Bright acidity buoys flavors of ripe nectarine, pineapple and guava fruit, plus accents of grated ginger, blood orange zest and honeysuckle. Lithe and lively on the palate, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2028. 

Winemaker Description 

Golden yellow in colour, often with copper tones. It has an intense and immediate bouquet with pronounced hints of acacia flowers, broom and apple. In the mouth it is elegantly fruity and becomes full bodies, well-structured and has a remarkably long finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I’m very encouraged by the results.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Fresh-crushed apple, quince and spice notes have an earthy dimension, with hints of roasted agave and wet soil. There's beautiful range and just enough plumpness to make this generous, yet it's held in check by a chalky mineral element and very fine tannins. Toasted almond and salted butter notes move in, with lime-edged acidity cleaning up the finish. Refined and complex. Drink now through 2037.

Winemaker Description 

The original Huët vineyard is nearly 9 hA. It has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus - a deep limestone-clay - and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable. In some vintages, small quantities from nearby estate parcels may be added to Le Haut-Lieu. Winemaker Description.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The Grand Vin 2020 Domaine De Chevalier ratchets everything up another notch and will be one of the legendary wines from this address. Notes of pure cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth define its incredible aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is pure, classic, regal Pessac-Léognan is as good as anything in the vintage. Give bottles 4-6 years and it will evolve for 50, 60, 70+ years. I absolutely love this wine. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc.  Drinking 2027 to 2077.  - Jeb Dunnuck 98+

Jane Anson writes:  Exactly as you hope to find a great Bordeaux at this stage, still very much firm in its tannic structure, rippled with clear cinammon, turmeric and black pepper notes alongside creamy cassis, blackberry, bilberry, cigar box, smoked earth. A brilliant Chevalier. 38hl/h yield.  Drinking 2027 to 2048.  - Jane Anson 95

Jancis Robinson writes:  Interesting to taste this immediately after Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020, which tastes as though it’s sort of aiming for Domaine de Chevalier style but possibly with younger vines? Or less experience? This Domaine de Chevalier 2020 effortlessly triumphs over the heat and drought of the 2020 vintage to produce a nuanced, promising wine that seems to have so much potential for future development without following any exterior trend – just expressing its location, with its trademark freshness. Bravissimo!   Drinking 2030 to 2050.  - Jancis Robinson 18

Richard Hemming MW writes:  Cask sample. Perfumed nose with violet and milk chocolate. Beautifully expressive and open-knit, with excellent fruit purity and smartly integrated oak spice. Yum yum, this gets the balance spot on – firm but approachable tannins, savoury but not austere fruit, lots of potential but tempting to drink now.   Drinking 2028 to 2040.  - Jancis Robinson 17.5

Neal Martin writes:  The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier has a refined and understated nose, well-defined with blackberry, briar, gravel and earth. Sensual in style, it gradually unfurls in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins and a little creaminess toward the back end, but there is still decent structure here. Give this four to five years in bottle—the class shines through. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.  Drinking 2028 to 2055.  - Vinous 95

James Molesworth writes:  Well-built, pulling ample and weighty waves of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry preserves along, atop a broad spine of warm loam, smoldering tobacco and singed alder. Long and deep through the fine-grained finish, with a warm paving stone note that won't quit, thanks to well-buried acidity -- not an easy feat in this vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2038.  - Wine Spectator 95

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier is brilliant. Bright, poised and wonderfully pure, the 2020 Domaine de Chevalier marries the radiance of the year with tremendous freshness. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, mint, star anise and cinnamon all meld together. The 2020 is a wine built on aromatic presence and persistence, more so than heft, with all the elements very nicely balanced. What a wine! Tasted two times.  Drinking 2030 to 2060.  - Vinous 96

William Kelley writes:  The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier is a touch more tightly wound than the brilliant 2019 out of the gates, but it seems likely to equal that vintage with a bit of time. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of minty blackberries and cassis mingled with notions of burning embers, spices, rose petals and orange rind, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, powdery structuring tannins and a long, saline finish. As I wrote last year, this estate in recent vintages has arrived at a sort of stylistic contemporary classicism that evokes the great wines of yesteryear from this address, and the 2020 continues that trend.  Drinking 2028 to 2060.  - 95+

James Suckling writes:  The purity of fruit is really something here, with blackcurrants and blackberries, together with orange, stone and granite character. Mind-boggling in many ways. Full-bodied with very fine tannins that are polished and pure. Such a fine texture. Lots of primary fruit. Like picking wonderfully ripe grapes. Great length. One for the cellar. Drink after 2030.  - James Suckling 97 - 99

Georgina Hindle writes:  Blueberry and blackcurrant fruit on the nose, touches of ripeness and freshness. juicy and lively, but straight and tense too, with such liquorice and tobacco and chocolate bitter spices. It's quite constricted and focused right now. Generous but not necessarily charming on the palate. Precision and clarity is there no doubt, this has been well made and it has that mature ripe fruit aspect that gives a wide mouthfeel with lots of tension and direction. Super young but super promising. Rich, heady, a touch high alcohol on the finish though. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.  Drinking 2028 to 2055.  - Decanter 96

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Tasting Panel 93 Points | Mouthwatering aromatics of spice, fennel, and thyme entice as a kaleidoscope of pepper, cherry, and graphite flavors melds with a structure of dense tannins and freshness. Satisfying to the end, this is an intriguing wine that invites reflection.

The Wine Enthusiast 89 Points | A lighter hue in the glass, this bottling offers aromas of blackberry, oregano and a mineral streak of wet clay on the nose. The broad red-fruit flavors of the palate are lifted by a minty licorice.

Winemaker Description 

This Cabernet Sauvignon is pure Paso Robles, full of polished aromas of blueberry, cherry and vanilla, leading to flavors of dark red fruits, black currants and hints of pepper, mocha and caramelized oak. Rich yet smooth, this wine is very approachable now, and will continue to mature for years to come. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate 92+  Points | I love the simplicity of the red blend 2020 Candea Tinto, which is straightforward, tasty, juicy and balanced, without any excess or makeup, raw and authentic, with note of wild berries, flowers and herbs and a medium-bodied palate with moderate alcohol and nice balance. Highly drinkable. 14,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2022.

Winemaker Description

This elegant, fruity Zinfandel brims with inviting aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry intermixed with hints of cranberry and blood orange. Graceful and soft on the front palate, the flavors of mixed red berries and the lively tannins add luscious texture throughout the mid-palate, balanced with perfectly integrated acidity. Its long finish reveals spicy undertones and a superb freshness that will allow it to age beautifully for many years. 

Expert Ratings- Vintage 2019 

Decanter 92 Points | Opulent and lavish nose of menthol, cassis and spice, palate of dark fruit, redcurrant, bramble and spicy oak. Decanter World Wine Awards

Wine Review Online 92 Points | This Zinfandel is a breath of fresh air. Unlike the Zins of a decade ago, this one is not dark or inky on the pour but an elegant medium ruby. On the nose, typical aromas of strawberry jam and sweet cherry come through, but even on the nose, the heightened acidity of the wine is detectable. These jammy notes carry through on the palate, where they are met with a kiss of vanilla, fine-grained tannins, and a moderate 14.5% alcohol. As the aromas alluded to, the acidity is indeed lifted and fresh. This wine showcases well what Zinfandel can do when approached with finesse.

Winemaker Description 

Israel. The Castel La Vie Blanc is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer; each varietal adds its own beauty to this crisp white wine.

The Chardonnay is the backbone lending structure and balance, the sauvignon blanc adds citrus and melon notes, while the Gewurztraminer rounds out the floral characters and contributes to the overall silky texture. This wine is a great showing from a overall great Israeli winery.

Expert Review

Kristen Bieler writes:  A flinty, fresh version, with light-to-medium weight to the crunchy nectarine and lime blossom flavors. Notes of chopped chives, green pea and wet stone add dimension. Round in feel, with modest zip holding the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 93 Points | Fresh lemons, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate delivers a focused and energetic body with vibrant acidity supporting a rounded and creamy mouthfeel. A very complex, mineral-driven and balanced chardonnay.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points |  A bright silver straw hue, the nose of the 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is very lifted with a vibrant energy on opening, offering notes of fresh green apples, lime leaf, linen, delicate sweet spices, and fresh white flowers. Medium-bodied, it has a kiss of sweet pear-noted fruit and a clean, easygoing feel. It’s very, very charming and drinking well now. I like this for the freshness, but it should hold on nicely over the coming 5-6 years.

Vinous 91 Points |  A vivid burst of crushed yellow apples and peaches, minty herbs, vanilla beans and sweet spice form an enticing bouquet as the 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley comes to life in the glass. This is fruit-focused and rich, with round and supple textures and a core of ripe orchard fruits. Juicy acidity keeps the mouth watering through the finish as candied lime notes linger on and on.

Winemaker Description 

A true expression of the Willamette Valley, and a partner to their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. This wine is driven by bright acidity overlaid on top of a solid foundation of fruit, sourced from premier sites across the region to incorporate the unique terroirs of the region's sub-AVAs.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Jeff Porter of the Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | Roasted cherries, warmed clove and star anise aromas waft from the glass as dried floral hints and wild thyme rise as the wine opens. Mouthfilling with loads of mixed wild berries fresh, dried and preserved all combined with oak spice finishing with subtle earth and superfine tannins. Drink now–2040. 

Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator writes 91 Points | A dense, compact red marked by plum, cherry, leather, forest floor and tar aromas and flavors. Well-balanced and lingers on the finish, where chalky tannins leave their impression. Best from 2027 through 2042. 

Winemaker Description

Pied à Terre is a phrase that translates to “foot to earth.” We feel that the farmer’s footprint is the best fertilizer and the most important sight in a vineyard. When the land is well-trodden, the vine will be well-tended, and the details not overlooked.

2018 was the first “normal” vintage in many years, with none of the climatic difficulties that complicated previous years of the past decade. Cooler temperatures and moderate weather led to a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen smoothly. It was an epic vintage that produced wines with great structure and concentration without being overripe.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 92 Points | This opens with earthy notes, dark fruit and dark olives, lifted by a subtle floral character. The palate is fresh and approachable with a clean, uncomplicated finish. The grapes for this wine come from various sites, predominantly Altamira.

James Suckling 92 Points | This opens with earthy notes, dark fruit and dark olives, lifted by a subtle floral character. The palate is fresh and approachable with a clean, uncomplicated finish. The grapes for this wine come from various sites, predominantly Altamira.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | This opens with earthy notes, dark fruit and dark olives, lifted by a subtle floral character. The palate is fresh and approachable with a clean, uncomplicated finish. The grapes for this wine come from various sites, predominantly Altamira.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A charming style, showing details of citrus blossoms, guava and huckleberry, with traces of fresh herbs and cassis that linger in the background. Subtle minerality and fresh acidity nudge the core flavors onto the polished finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Bright red color with purple shades. Intense floral and fruity notes on the nose with the presence of violets, ripe black cherry and plum aromas. This wine reveals a toasty and spicy character of black pepper and chocolate. Its sweet and juicy mouthfeel delivers finesse, delicate tannins and an elegant finish of black fruits.