2010 - Present Wine

Seductively fresh Pinot Blanc with orange zest, honeysuckle flowers, and lemongrass and a luscious texture from the bit of skin contact that we greet us like a big soft hug. He manages to coax an intense amount of flavor out a relatively neutral grape, and we think it could go with anything from a bitter green salad with winter citrus to roasted chicken, pork tenderloin or seared scallops. This could easily be our everyday white!  Because it has a nice, round body and prominent fruit, it also works as a Chardonnay alternative for those seeking a white with a bit more meat on the bones.

Winemaker Notes

The HERRENHOF was a former wine estate of the Vorau Abbey. I started this project in 2006 from scratch, without vines. It required me 15 years to rebuild the winery. Since I have always been very close to nature, it is clear to me that I grow and vinify my wines exclusively organically. I want to bring the taste of the land where I grew up into the bottle of wine. Gottfried Lamprecht. 

The wine project at the HERRENHOF is pretty young. I've started to recutivate vineyards on this perfect slope in the year 2006 completely from the scratch. My mission: I want to present the Buchertberg, the place where I grew up in a bottle of wine. Because wine just can do that! Everything is harvested by hand of course. What makes me a special wine grower? I ferment 100% in barrels. 50% of my barrels are made of wood from my own forest. This brings my wines much closer to my terroir - closer to the Buchertberg, the place where I grew up. After fermentation the wines stay on their lees till bottling. Prior bottling I just about 20mg of Sulphur or less, or nothing and anything else. It depends on the wine.

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 Description 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Decanter 96 Points |  A beautifully compact wine that delivers complex and nuanced aromas of Bing cherry and black raspberry with tobacco, currant leaf, and cedarwood laced with dried sage. Cool raspberry, cherry, and blackberry fruit are perfectly represented, and the lengthy finish is crisp, lively, and energetic. (2019).

James Suckling Points 95 Points |   So elegant, supple and silky, this vintage is a dream to drink now, but should also have plenty of life ahead of it. Aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate meld with luxe black fruit, mint and cocoa on the palate. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot and dashes of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink or hold through at least 2030. 

Tempier's Blanc, with its delicate florals, subtle note of anise, and stony finish, tastes perfect alongside shellfish or grilled seafood. After a few years in your cellar, pair it with cheeses or serve it alone to appreciate the “honeyed and marine aromas” that develop with age. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

There is so much perfume in this wine: fresh flowers and lavender are bolstered by ripe plum, sandalwood and cherry compote. There’s also an incredibly appealing note of Earl Grey or bergamot that lifts the entire aromatic profile. Lingering behind the fruit is where the action starts as black pepper, vanilla, crushed rock and soy are revealed.

Farming requires optimism. That’s especially true in viticulture, given the timeline to transition bare ground into a finished wine.

At a minimum, it takes three years from gently hand-planting each individual vine to the first harvest. However, that initial crop is quite small and it will be another two to three years before the vines really hit their stride. After harvest, fruit destined for the Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will spend an additional two years in barrel before bottle aging in our cellar prior to release. At best, it’s six solid years of farming, winemaking and cellaring before we can pull that first cork. That type of commitment requires a fundamental belief in ourselves, our work and our mission.

We have to believe that going the extra mile, pushing a little harder and accounting for every small detail is not only worth it, but will be appreciated years from now. Moreover, we have to be curious, creative and daring for the future of each wine and the land we steward. In short, we have to believe that the future will be better and we cherish our small contribution.

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. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

The classic Blaufränkisch from Zantho shows a fine fruit reminiscent of blackberries with a hint of cinnamon. Juicy berries on the palate are supported by a very harmonious acid and tannin structure. 

92 Points James Suckling | A chardonnay with excellent quality for the money with a phenolic tension and mineral and flint undertones. Serious and dry.

The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is bright, forward, balanced and approachable. Enticing aromas of red apple, spice, nectarine, and baked bread lead into a broad textured, and creamy palate. With its cool-climate influences, this chardonnay has remarkable varietal intensity, balanced acidity and mineral notes that complement the flavors of fresh peach and honey. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Connects the melody in a pleasing chorus that satisfies the whole audience. Leaves no one behind, sweeping the crowd into the cheer.

A harmonious blend of tropical fruit, toasty texture, and minerality. It seemlessly melds the different faces of northern and southern vineyards for a quaffable staple that will make you all warm inside.

Winemaker Description

The beautiful dark ruby saturated color hints to the lushness of the wine to come, and the nose confirms this impression, popping with a berry bowl of both bright and darker fruit. Boysenberry, cherry, and blueberry dance over sandalwood and baking spice bottom notes, while a scent of purple flowers adds a pretty touch. Plush and supple berry compote juicy goodness takes you through to the lingering finish.

This crowd-pleaser Pinot will be happy accompanying fish to fowl, along with savory side dishes that include mushrooms or earthy roasted root vegetables. An aged Gouda makes the perfect cheese match.

Expert Review

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | This silky, fruity and refined wine shows great balance between generous red cherry, raspberry and dark plum flavors, and refreshing acidity and moderate tannins. It’s poised to drink soon but OK to allow it to mature further. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Wine Spectator 90 Points | A balanced, medium-bodied version, with light, taut tannins providing fine-grained texture and support for flavors of mulled cherry, tobacco, red licorice and cocoa powder, this is creamy and fragrant on the finish. Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now through 2029. 50,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.

Winemaker Description 

A contemporary wine, alluring and well structured, it has captured the character of an outstanding part of the world. Ripe and full of berry fruits and spice, Beronia Reserva's velvety texture is an iconic classic.

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | The wine is structured with some firm tannins and a youthful texture. It is dense, with many layers of fruit, acidity and with a dry core. Age this impressive wine until 2024, when it will have softened into a powerful, generous wine.

90 Points Wine Spectator | This juicy red is well-knit and medium-bodied, with fine tannins and stylish flashes of spicy cedar and singed apple wood lacing the core of ripe black plum and mulberry fruit, with notes of Earl Grey tea and stone. Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Trincadeira Preta. Drink now through 2026. 44,444 cases made, 4,500 cases imported.

Intense ruby in color with notes of blackberry, cocoa, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of black pepper. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

"This red is all about finesse, delivering superb balance and complexity, with cherry, raspberry, earth and wild herb aromas and flavors. Succulent and charming, yet with a solid base of tannins and vivid acidity, this remains focused through the long aftertaste." Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 96 points

"The Caprili 2019 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a very pretty bouquet with a level of ripe fruit and pure cherry essence that does not come easily to a wine aged five years following the harvest. The primary fruit remains intact in this vintage. This village bottling shows velvety richness and concentration that stems directly from that exceptional fruit quality. There is rich texturing and fine chalky tannins to close. Some 55,000 bottles were made." Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 95 points

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is remarkably pretty, wafting up with a blend of violets and lavender before giving way to steeped plum lifted by mint. This is racy and sleek, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that excite the palate. Juicy acidity enlivens tart wild berry fruits. The 2019 finds its center through the finish, as fine tannins emerge and a crunchy sensation lingers. Licorice and bitter blackberry notes taper off slowly. In a word, fantastic. The balance of complexity, structure and energy places the 2019 very high in my book." Vinous Media - 95 points

"A ruby/magenta color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers more rounded floral aromas of preserved strawberry, baby powder, cocoa, and lavender. Medium-bodied, it brings forward excellent energy on the palate, with fresh acidity, good concentration, and a sustained and mouthwatering finish that’s pure and delicious. The structure feels more noble than the nose would suggest and perhaps just needs more time to come into its own, but this is a really delicious wine that I would love to have again and again. On the second tasting, it offers a more plush and velvety texture, and its chocolate notes last on the finish." Jeb Dunnuck - 94+ points

"Very pretty floral aromas with black cherry and orange peel. Medium body, firm tannins and a polished and silky-textured finish. Drink in two or three years and beyond. " James Suckling - 93 points

"Giacomo Bartolomei has been making the wine at his family’s property without an external consultant since 2016. He maintains an uber-pristine cellar, prepares a pied de cuve to aid spontaneous fermentations in stainless steel and has reduced time in wood to preserve freshness as the wine ages. From its deep ruby hue to its black cherry scents, the 2019 is youthful and primary. Accents of mocha, bitter orange and sage bestow complexity on the palate. Fairly robust and mouthfilling, this is buttressed by dry, grainy tannins. Could do with a bit more precision but there is potential here." Decanter Magazine - 92 points

Winemaker Description

Borgo Reale Chianti Riserva is made from a selection of the finest grapes, receiving additional aging following fermentation. Enjoy with all types of pasta, hor d'oeuvres, and red or white meats.

Reviews:

James Suckling writes:  Aromas of lemon pith, pear skin, white almond and yogurt. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity and a polished texture. Some chalkiness to it. Pleasant and satisfying, with a flavorful finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Audrey Frick writes:  The deep yellow 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is ripe with aromas of wet stone, fresh pineapple, and lemon rind. Lush, rounded, and full-bodied, with a creamy texture and hints of almond nuttiness and honeycomb on the palate, it’s in a good spot now and should hold up well over the next 4-5 years.  Drinking 2023 - 2028.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Tim Fish writes:  Vibrant and floral, showing pretty flavors of lemon and pear accented with honeysuckle and spice notes. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator 92

Notes of apple and ripe pear mingle with woody spice. Citrus zest and a touch of oak give this wine a balance of acid and sweetness creating weight and length in the finish. Winemaker Description.

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. 

Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2021 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett is deep and flinty but bright and clear on the refined and elegant nose with beautiful crushed slate aromas. On the palate, this is a rich, round and generous, incredibly lush and supple but crystalline and even pure Sonnenuhr with a highly stimulating, mouth-watering finish. This 2021 shows the great terroir of the cru, in particular in cool vintages due to its exposition that collects the sun's rays in the morning. 

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This shows very little sweetness, but is harmonious and well integrated despite the firm acidity that fuels it. Stone- and orchard-fruit notes are flecked by chrysanthemum and cardamom to create the full-spectrum. The finish is long and persistent.

Cassis and lime zest aromas with tart, salty and slate notes.

Try with yellow curry or spring rolls. Winemaker Description. 

Burghound | A much more floral-inflected nose freely offers up its aromas of cool and ripe pear, apple and zest. There is good richness if not quite the same density to the more finely textured middleweight flavors that conclude in a crunchy bitter lemon-tinged finale. Lovely and understated.

Our Chardonnay grapes come primarily from California's Central Coast vineyards, prized for producing pure, bright fruit. The cooling influence of coastal Pacific breezes temper ripening and help the grapes retain acidity, ensuring deep, concentrated flavor in the glass.

Our classically styled Chardonnay has a rich and creamy palate of baked apples, poached pears and pineapple. Balanced and elegant with threads of baking spice and citrus, the majority of the wine is aged in French oak, lending a toasty, creamy note to the finish. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description

Bright and pale golden. A fresh, citrus palate with mineral notes of flint from the caillote soils. Richly textured but with crisp acidity and textbook minerality. The finish is elegant with the typical purity and refreshment of Sancerre. Winemaker Description.

From the bright straw yellow colour with greenish undertones, the aroma stands out with mineral notes, citrus, yellow peaches and floral hints, typical of the vine in Bolgheri. It is a fresh, well-balanced and persistent, with a pleasant mineral finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

This is extremely linear and refined with a super-fine line of tannins running through the center of the wine. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and sophisticated, with a long, long finish. Plenty of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, walnut and cedar in the aftertaste. Try after 2025.

Expert Reviews

Winemaker Description

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

Winemaker Description

Rich, silky, velvety, soft and with smooth tannins. Fruity notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and ripe tomato. Floral notes reminiscent of rose petal and violet. Serve with Boeuf Bourginon, roast beef, and braised lamb. 

Winemaker Description

Fragrant and floral aromas of hibiscus and dried rose petal combined with bright cherry, dried cranberry, and just a hint of black licorice, are expressed in this classic Oregon Pinot Noir. A medium bodied entry instantly pleases and leads to a silky mid palate carried by dried Bing cherry, black tea, with light sandalwood and cedar notes. 

Well balanced, this wine’s body is supported by youthful yet integrated tannin and moderate acidity that lingers into a medium long finish. A direct and mouth watering Pinot Noir that promises to pair perfectly with both Wednesday night takeout or Friday date night!

Winemaker Description

Brunello is the prince of Montalcino wines, produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes picked by hand from the oldest vines in the farm. After being aged in wood, the wine is bottle aged: this is an essential process in guaranteeing the pleasantness and the complexity that have made the Brunello di Montalcino world-famous. Ruby red in color, with a very intense, persistent nose and with red fruit notes. Warm, balanced flavour with velvet-smooth tannins. Long-lasting aroma. 

Expert Reviews

95 Points Wine Enthusiast | Underbrush, camphor and new leather aromas get together with grilled herbs. Full-bodied and structured, it also shows restraint, featuring dried black cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.

94 Points Wine & Spirits | Rich flavors of dark cherry and plum glide in a smooth texture, gaining notes of dark chocolate and licorice as the wine sits in the glass. The tannins are firm and compact, like new leather, yet the generous fruit tones are already expressive, supported by a cool mineral layer and vivid acidity that keep the flavors fresh over several days. This is a refined and elegant Brunello from the warm 2017 vintage, with plenty of aging potential.

94 Points Robert Parker | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a saturated and shiny dark ruby color. This edition is loaded with black and purple fruits, such as blackberry preserves and plum. Those more robust tones are followed by spice, tar and campfire ash. The tannins are young (but not stemmy or bitter), and you'd be best served by letting this wine age and relax with more cellar aging. Il Poggione always makes some of the smoothest and most texturally enriched wines in the appellation, and this vintage is no exception. 94 Points + 

Winemaker Description

With this new wine from Sumoll, Grosella, we return to our origins.

Allen Meadows writes:  An exuberantly spicy nose reflects notes of petrol, various citrus and white orchard fruit, in particular pear. The gorgeously textured and highly seductive medium-bodied flavors also possess fine mid-palate density before terminating in a balanced, firm and youthfully austere finale. This beauty offers the most sophisticated mouthfeel of any of the St. Aubin 1ers and should age well, indeed En Montceau is justly known for it.  Allen Meadows’ Burghound 92 Outstanding Top Value 🖤

Neal Martin writes:  The 2020 Saint-Aubin en Montceau 1er Cru is quintessentially Saint-Aubin on the nose, offering green apples, oyster shells and just a touch of petrichor, all showing wonderful delineation. The intense palate is very well balanced with fine-grained tannins and a judicious touch of spice and orange peel toward the sustained finish. Maybe it needs a little more on the aftertaste; otherwise, this is impressive... and delicious.  Drinking 2024 - 2048.  - Vinous 92-94

William Kelley writes:  The 2020 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Montceau is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of citrus zest, white flowers and pear, framed by a discreet touch of youthful reduction. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and chiseled, it's textural and concentrated, with good tension at the core and a long, precise finish.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92-94

The Colin 2020 whites were bottled in January 2022 under the Diam brand composite cork after having been fined but not filtered. As was the case with the 2019 vintage, I was again very impressed with the quality I found and the domaine just seems to continue to go from strength to strength.