2010 - Present Wine

Producer Description 

The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. Elegant and refined, the nose exudes floral aromas, going on with airing to develop notes of blackcurrant and licorice root. The full and smooth attack reveals an alluring and complex array of flavors in which ripe fruit is magnificently set off by notes of toasted cereals and violet. The mid-palate is underpinned by high-quality close-knit and creamy tannins, leading into a saline and slightly minty finish which lingers on hints of chocolates.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 96 Points | Aromas of crushed stone, blackcurrants and blackberries. Full-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that are chewy and layered, yet polished and fantastic. Love the finish. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 25% petit verdot, 22% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. (v.2019).

Wine Enthusiast 94-96 Points | Dense and rich, with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is another great vintage from the estate. Its black fruits ooze concentration alongside firm tannins that promise a potential for long aging. The aftertaste has opulent black currant richness. (v.2019). 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The 2019 Clerc Milon is a real success. At more than 70%, this blend contains one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon in the property's recent history, and the result is a wine of real nobility. Offering up aromas of violets, wild berries, licorice, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with notable depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. From clay-limestone soils rather than the sandy gravels that characterize d'Armailhac, this is by some margin the more structured and serious of Mouton-Rothschild's two Pauillac stablemates.(v.2019).

Decanter 95 Points | The wine has the highest levels of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1980s, and even on the nose you can feel its impact in terms of the depth of tight black fruit. Extremely good quality with fine tannins that build, build, build over the palate, and grip on, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. Beautiful spice with menthol, slate, pencil lead, blackberry and blackcurrant. An exciting wine with real energy and forward motion, helped to withstand the summer heat by its position by the river, and the fact that the average age of the vines at Clerc Milon is almost 50 years. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Jean Emmanuel Danjoy's last outing doing the full vintage at Clerc Milon before he heads over to Mouton as technical director. (v.2019).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Presents a very fresh core of cassis, red cherry and damson plum fruit flavors that meld nicely with a racy iron streak, while light savory and floral details run along the edges. A very pure and bright version that should age well. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. (v.2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Another beautiful effort from this team, the 2019 Château Clerc Milon is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, from vines just across the street from Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild. Brought up in a mix of new and used barrels, it has a healthy ruby/plum color to go with a great nose of ripe red and black fruits supported by some classic Pauillac lead pencil, tobacco, and spice box notes. I love its overall balance, it's medium-bodied, has silky tannins, and the fresher, elegant style of the vintage. I wouldn't call it mid-weight, but I compared this to the 2014 on release, and I still think that comparison holds, although there's a touch more length and intensity in the 2019. This will drink well today with a decant (I followed this bottle for two days) and will shine for a good two decades.(v.2019).

Producer Description 

There are two types of red grapes in the world that are always trimmed for finesse and elegance. The much better known is the Pinot Noir from France and then also with its relative, the German Pinot Noir.

Then in the outer tip of Austria - in Styria - there are more and more winemakers who feel a total devotion to their local red wine specialty - Blaufränkisch - and can derive just as much elegance from it as the much more prominent Pinot Noir. Now Gottfried Lamprecht is very fortunate to have the Buchertberg, a vineyard that can show dramatic differences in the soil. And anyone who has ever been to Burgundy in France and has seen the prices of wines that come from particularly fortunate soils - for the winemakers and their wallets - will appreciate Gottfried Lamprecht's wines.

For the connoisseurs it should be briefly mentioned that on the Buchertberg opok soils, partly sandstone weathering, sand and silt change in a very small space and make up the rare great class of this wine.

Winemaker Description 

The Bourgogne Blanc from Domaine Leflaive has the particularity to only come from vineyards located in the town of Puligny, making it easily one of the best Bourgogne Blanc you could get your hands on. This is the perfect first step into the Domaine Leflaive’s unique offerings. All vineyards are farmed biodynamically. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Allen Meadows of Burhound | A very pretty nose freely reveals its aromas of apple, pear and lemon rind. The succulent, delicious and appealingly vibrant middleweight flavors possess a relatively refined texture while displaying fine depth and length for a wine of this level. The 20% addition of young vines from upper-level vineyards clearly helps and overall, this is excellent.

Producer Description 

A blend of five of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites, this Chardonnay captures the fantastic character of the 2021 vintage. Fusing fresh lemon and white floral aromas with a throughline of minerality, this versatile Chardonnay is simultaneously easygoing and complex.  

Peak Drinking Window: 2023 – 2029. 

98 Points, James Suckling
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 
90 Points, Wine Spectator

Expert Review

James Suckling 98 Points | Extremely focused and energetic nose of sliced limes and Meyer lemons with lemongrass. Some stone and hints of flint. Full-bodied with superb density and structure and phenolics that you can feel. It goes on for minutes. Slightly chewy at the end. From Wente clones planted in 1974. (v.2021). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

A dense glowing purple. Considerable energy to the nose in a dark-fruited raspberry style. Started here for part of the Chorey vineyards. Has considerable muscle for this appellation, will be its usual super satisfying self. Enough acidity, tannins folded in, just a wealth of deep red fruit. Sunny but managed. Jasper Morris - Barrel Sample: 87-90

Memo Summary Notes

The Tollot family represents a long lineage of winegrowers dating back to the late 1880s when François Tollot began planting vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune. Today, cousins Nathalie, Jean-Paul, and Olivier Tollot are in charge. The wines of Tollot-Beaut are well-known for their serious but pleasing style across a range of appellations from Bourgogne to Grand Cru.

Chorey-lès-Beaune lies on the plains below the Cote d'Or escarpment with 336 acres almost exclusively planted with Pinot Noir. Initially, the Tollot family owned vines only in Chorey, but successive generations made small acquisitions in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Aloxe-Corton, and Beaune for a current total of 60 acres.

Most of the wine grown in Chorey-lès-Beaune is bottled as Côte de Beaune-Villages, a catchall appellation that allows several villages to blend their red wines. Tollot-Beaut is proud of their village and produces this classic example from vines planted between 1992 and 1998. The wine spent 18 months in 25% new Burgundian pièce.

Winemaker Description 

Aromatic and elegant expression of an otherwise deep and dark flavored grape. Delicious aromas of flowers, red berries and black cherries, shadowed by notes of orange peel, spices and earth. Supple on the palate with silky tannins and a refreshingly mineral finish.

It has a bright ruby color with the grip of the fine tannins and an herbal touch that provides freshness.

Expert Review- Vintage 2023

Christina Pickard of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | Lime leaf, waxy citrus, white peach notes and a hint of honey open this Clare Valley Riesling. The combo of dryness, cheek-sucking, orange peel acidity and chalky texture makes for a somewhat austere wine solo, but pair with a creamy goat's cheese or seafood risotto and watch it shine. 

Producer Description 

Originally a pastoral run dating back to 1839, and originally named Wolta Wolta, Jim Barry purchased the land for The Lodge Hill Vineyard in 1977 as he was sure it would “produce some of the best Riesling in the Clare Valley.” Situated at 480 meters above sea level and situated on the Eastern Ranges of the Clare Valley, the grapes at our Lodge Hill Vineyard are exposed to concentrated bursts of sunlight and cool nights which encourage slower ripening. This helps deliver beautiful natural acidity and citrus characters that ripen early because of the small crop it produces. Gentle pressing and a rapid move into the fermentation allows the natural fruit flavors to be preserved.

Aromas of fresh lime, spice, citrus blossom, white peach, and nectarine skins open on the nose. In the mouth, the lime flavors take center stage commanding attention on entry. The fruit is fleshy with considerable weight and framed with a refreshing driving acid. A lot of wine!

Chappellet Vineyard · 'Signature' Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2022

Since its first vintage in 1968, Chappellet has set the standard for mountain-grown Napa Cabernet — wines of rare depth, longevity, and elegance from Pritchard Hill, one of the valley’s most celebrated and demanding terroirs. The ‘Signature’ is the estate’s benchmark bottling: a Bordeaux-style blend anchored by 82% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (7%), and Merlot (2%), each variety contributing its own dimension to a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. JD:93 · WA:92. At $99.99, this is Pritchard Hill Cabernet at a price that makes it one of Napa’s most compelling values at this level of pedigree — “a killer wine and great value,” as Jeb Dunnuck put it.

The 2022 opens with tons of cassis and darker, almost blue fruits, interwoven with sappy spring flowers, crushed stone, and lead pencil nuances. On the palate: balanced and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins, bold mocha, black cherry, and a nicely concentrated mid-palate that avoids the overripeness that plagued lesser wines in this warm vintage. The finish is long and pronounced, with a lingering mocha note and supple structure. Drink now through 2035+.

“A killer wine and great value… balanced and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins.” — Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points. Vintage 2022. 

“Well-priced for the quality… full-bodied and packed with flavor, nicely concentrated and framed by supple tannins.” — Wine Advocate, 92 Points. Vintage 2022. 

• Producer: Chappellet Vineyard (est. 1968)
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Sub-Region: Pritchard Hill
• Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon · 9% Petit Verdot · 7% Malbec · 2% Merlot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, blue fruit, spring flowers, crushed stone, lead pencil, mocha, black cherry, supple tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2035+
• Food Pairings: Prime ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb rack, aged cheddar, wild mushroom dishes

JD:93 · WA:92 — Pritchard Hill mountain Cabernet, setting the Napa standard since 1968.

RouteStock · Chardonnay · Sonoma Coast · California · 2024 · 750ml

RouteStock is a Sonoma-based label built around a simple idea: source from the best sites, let the fruit speak, and keep the price honest. The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay draws from two consistent vineyard sources — one in the Petaluma Gap AVA, known for its cool, wind-driven conditions and naturally high acidity, and one located just 1.5 miles from the Pacific coast, where the marine influence is felt in every cluster. The result is a Chardonnay that leans into freshness and precision rather than weight and oak — bright, complex, and genuinely food-friendly. Sealed with a screw cap to preserve every bit of that coastal aromatics. At $23.99, this is Sonoma Coast Chardonnay at a price that makes it a weeknight staple.

Brilliant light straw in the glass with a beguiling, aromatic nose of Gravenstein apple, wild sage, Meyer lemon, and a lift of lemongrass — unmistakably Chardonnay, unmistakably coastal. On the palate: bright and racy, with a beautiful array of apple, tarragon, toasted nuts, and lemongrass, carried by a lovely richness that stays fresh and lifted through a long, lingering finish. Complex, inviting, and vibrant from first pour to last. Pair with roast chicken, grilled halibut, pasta with cream sauce, or a simple plate of soft cheeses.

• Producer: RouteStock Wines · Sonoma, California
• Wine: Chardonnay · Sonoma Coast
• Vintage: 2024
• Origin: Petaluma Gap AVA & Coastal Sonoma, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Bright, fresh, coastal California Chardonnay
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Gravenstein apple, wild sage, Meyer lemon, lemongrass, tarragon, toasted nuts, long lingering finish
• Pair With: Roast chicken · Grilled halibut · Cream pasta · Soft cheeses · Aperitif

Petaluma Gap precision, Pacific coast freshness — Sonoma Chardonnay the way it should taste.

Winemaker Description 

Cidrerie du Vulcain's Poire (Perry) Comment is a perry made from late-season perry pear varieties (end of October-December) such as Plant de Blanc, Fausset and Cloche, Gaubert, Courcou, and Rouge Vigné.

Pear cider from Domfrontais, Normandy made from late season varieties. 2 years aging in bottle and then disgorged. A little residual sugar.

The pure perry juice is fermented on its own wild yeasts and coarsely filtered on white clay. Ancestral method without disgorging: partial fermentation in stainless steel and resin vats, then aging in bottle. No added sulfites.

Cavicchioli Vigna del Cristo Lambrusco di Sorbara — Emilia-Romagna 2025

Vigna del Cristo is the crown jewel of Cavicchioli — a 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara sourced exclusively from the original 12.5-acre family vineyard in the Cristo locality of Sorbara, the birthplace of the Cavicchioli estate. Lambrusco di Sorbara is one of Italy’s most fascinating and demanding grape varieties: naturally low-yielding, it flowers with great difficulty and the vine is often sterile, requiring alternating rows of the more vigorous Salamino variety to aid fertilization. In this rare bottling, only pure Sorbara fruit is used — no Salamino blended in, as is permitted by the DOC. Hand-harvested fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and cold-macerated on skins for 3–5 days at 45–55°F to extract color and aromatics. Only 50% of the free-run juice — the “flower” of the press — then undergoes a secondary fermentation in autoclave at 55–60°F to achieve its delicate, persistent effervescence. The result is one of the most elegant and distinctive sparkling wines in all of Italy.

The color is a luminous light red with violet hues, crowned by a light pink evanescent froth and fine, persistent perlage. The nose is ample and intense: violets, red fruits, and a whisper of fresh florals that is the unmistakable signature of Sorbara. On the palate, it is full and dry — fruity, vibrant, and engaging, with a slightly acidulous aftertaste that makes it irresistibly refreshing and endlessly food-friendly. Total acidity: 8 g/L. Serve well-chilled.

“Light pink evanescent froth and fine and persistent perlage. The perfume of flowers and red fruits is ample and intense — the flavor is full and dry with a fruity aroma and an engaging slightly acidulous aftertaste.” — Sandro Cavicchioli, Winemaker

• Producer: Umberto Cavicchioli & Figli, Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Varietal: 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Vineyard: Vigna del Cristo — 12.5 acres, Cristo locality, Sorbara (original family estate)
• Vinification: Hand-harvested, cold skin maceration 3–5 days, secondary fermentation in autoclave (Charmat method), 50% free-run juice only
• Total Acidity: 8 g/L
• Style: Dry, elegant, floral sparkling red — Lambrusco di Sorbara at its purest
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violets, red fruits, fresh florals, vibrant acidity, fine persistent bubbles, dry and engaging finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Charcuterie, prosciutto di Parma, pasta with complex sauces, fried fish, vegetable dishes, red meats

The purest expression of Lambrusco di Sorbara — Vigna del Cristo is Italy’s most elegant sparkling red, and one of the great food wines of the world.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé "Les Chênes" 2023 is a prestigious biodynamic white Burgundy that serves as an entry point into the world of the most famous Chardonnay producer on earth. While Leflaive’s Grand Crus from Puligny-Montrachet fetch thousands, their Mâcon-Verzé wines are crafted with the same biodynamic rigor and technical precision by the same winemaking team.

The "Les Chênes" (The Oaks) is a specific vineyard within the Mâcon-Verzé appellation known for its older vines (some planted in 1935) and south-facing exposure, which produces a wine with more structure and "toasty" complexity than their standard Mâcon-Verzé.

    •    Food Pairing: Its mineral precision and creamy finish make it perfect for butter-poached lobster, grilled scallops, or a rich vegetable tart.

    •    Cheese: Pairs exceptionally well with Chèvre (goat cheese) or a younger Comté.

Winemaker Description 

Clay-limestone terroir with little depth before reaching the bedrock. Gentle to very steep slopes. Surface area: 3.43 ha located in the heart of the Verzé valley, "Les Chênes" comprises two south-west-facing parcels.

The vines are cultivated biodynamically.

Harvesting is entirely manual, and pressing is carried out in Verzé. After decanting, the musts are transported daily to Puligny- Montrachet for fermentation and ageing, under the watchful eye of Domaine Leflaive's technical team. Vinification takes place in vats, and ageing lasts from 15 to 16 months.
Pressing: Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, 24-hour decanting followed by settling.
Fermentation: 55% in stainless steel tanks, 42% in cement tanks and 3% in new oak barrels.

Ageing: After 10 months' ageing on lees in fermentation containers, the wine is racked into stainless steel tanks and aged on fine lees for 6 months. Winemaker Description. 

Our Professional Review

David of 67Wine.com |  If you are looking for a natural style wine this is fabulous. You may say to yourself this is so different in the tradition of a wine from old world France in the bard yard style. Its power immediately comes at you. If you prefer modern style California Zinfandel, then this wine is not for you. If you are an explorer, with a skydiver personality, I highly recommend this wine.

Expert Rating

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Organically farmed fruit from the Russian River Valley, neutral oak aging and the talents of Eric Sussman and his team at RadioCoteau combine to make this a pretty great zin for the price. It’s bursting with fresh wildblueberry flavor, rustic and harmonious in its barnyard-scented tannins. This is ready to decant for grilled vegetables or meats. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

The 2020 County Line Zinfandel is characterized by powerful fruit and spice aromas balanced by refreshing acidity and herbal complexity. It speaks to both the robust essence of the grape and the nuances of its Sonoma Coast terroir. The wine is vibrant, with scents of nutmeg-spiced blackberry pie and sun-warmed strawberry, elevated by floral earl grey tea. These rich, fruity notes are followed by earthy briar and flint on the palate, with a lively, savory finish. Lingering flavors of cacao nib and rugged leather make for a sophisticated compliment to the voluptuous fruit in the nose. Immediately approachable, this Zinfandel also has depth and layers to entice thoughtful sipping. An ideal pizza pairing, savor a bottle alongside a hearty salsiccia, or a white pizza with roasted zucchini flowers. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cranberry and aniseed. It is very soft on impact, with flavors of raspberry, cassis, milk chocolate and licorice. Satiny tannins hold off on the palate at first, make their presence known and then slip away in time for a bright finish. 

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars — AVETA Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Appellation: Napa Valley, California | Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc | Format: 750ml

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars needs no introduction — the Napa Valley estate that stunned the world at the 1976 Paris Tasting with its Cabernet Sauvignon is equally masterful with white wine. AVETA, named for the Celtic goddess of springs and water, is their Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc: a wine of remarkable freshness, aromatic complexity, and thirst-quenching precision that stands apart from the richer, oak-driven California white wine style.

The 2022 is bright, lively, and unmistakably Napa — fragrant, fruit-forward, and built for the table.

Critical Acclaim

Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points
“Lively aromas and inviting flavors of mixed tropical fruits, wild grasses and wet stones make this wine mouthwatering and inviting through a lengthy finish.”

Winemaker’s Notes

Fragrant aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, citrus, lychee, and orange blossom. Bright and lively on the palate with thirst-quenching acidity and pure flavors of mandarin orange and honeysuckle that lead to a lasting aftertaste.

Wine Details

• Producer: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Food Pairings

Fresh fish ceviche, crab cakes, grilled oysters with mignonette sauce, sushi, goat cheese, and light citrus-dressed salads.

Vigneti del Sole Pinot Grigio — Delle Venezie DOC 2025 — 1.5L Magnum

Northeast Italy's Delle Venezie DOC is the heartland of Italian Pinot Grigio, and Vigneti del Sole is one of its most reliable and honest expressions. Vinified with no oak to let the pure varietal character shine, this is Pinot Grigio as it should be — crisp, fresh, and effortlessly drinkable. Now in a generous 1.5L Magnum format, it is the perfect bottle for aperitivo spreads, summer gatherings, and any table that deserves something better than ordinary.

Pale yellow-green in color with a clean, inviting nose of crisp lemon, green apple, and almond. On the palate, the wine is lighter-bodied with lively acidity, bright citrus fruit, and a pure, unoaked character that keeps everything fresh and focused. The finish is clean, balanced, and refreshing — exactly what you want from a great everyday Italian white.

Unoaked — pure varietal Pinot Grigio from the Delle Venezie DOC, northeast Italy's benchmark appellation for the grape.

• Producer: Vigneti del Sole, Delle Venezie, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Delle Venezie DOC
• Varietal: Pinot Grigio
• Style: White Wine — Crisp, Unoaked
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Closure: Screwcap
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, green apple, almond, bright acidity, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Filet of sole, crab salad, grilled branzino, shrimp scampi, grilled chicken, pasta primavera, mild cheeses, aperitivo

Two bottles in one — Vigneti del Sole's Magnum Pinot Grigio is the benchmark for effortless Italian white wine at a price that makes every occasion feel like a celebration.

From one of Italy’s most storied wine dynasties, the Antinori family has been crafting wine in Tuscany for over six centuries. Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore is a benchmark expression of the appellation — deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition, with soft, velvety tannins and a refreshing, food-friendly palate that makes it one of the most versatile Italian reds at this price point.

The 2023 vintage pours ruby red with purplish highlights. The nose is rich with morello cherry, aromatic herbs, and balsamic notes. On the palate it is soft and mouth-filling, with velvety tannins and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairings: Pasta with tomato-based sauces, pizza, grilled meats, aged pecorino, and charcuterie boards.

Varietal: Sangiovese-based blend
Style: Chianti Superiore DOCG
Producer: Marchesi Antinori
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml

Winemaker Notes

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

89-92 points Jasper Morris |  Fresh pale lemon. The bouquet has a little more refinement than the St-Aubin, offering apple, fennel and citrus notes. Clean, lean and pure on the nose, extremely refreshing. While there is little reduction on the nose, the finish has a lively mineral limestone feeling. Drink from 2025-2028. 

88-90 points Burghound | Bright and fresh aromas of resin, petrol and lemon zest introduce slightly bigger and richer though less mineral-driven flavors that are at once generous but reasonably precise on the lingering and agreeably dry finale. This relatively forward effort could use better depth so I would suggest holding it for a few years first. 

88-90 points Wine Advocate | The 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Cuvée Margot reveals aromas of peach, freshly baked bread, oatmeal and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample palate with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and a slightly lactic finish. 

Winemaker Description 

100% Gros Manseng.  The wine is of medium body with notes of spiced citrus, brioche and salty minerality.

Known for its great value, Gascogny, in the hands of a really good wine-maker like Gilles Baumann with the help of his daughter Laure Baumann since 2010, can also make excellent wines in their own right, disregarding the bargain price.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Eric Guido of Vinous Media 95 Points | "The 2019 Taurasi Radici is impossible to ignore, mixing cloves with incense, crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is saturating and intense, with a silken textural wave that ushers in masses of tart wild berry fruits and spices, all carried by a stream of vibrant acidity. It finishes long and youthfully tense, with a mineral tinge that lingers along with notes of black licorice and a sour cranberry crunch. In 2019, the Taurasi Radici is back to form. The new releases from Mastroberardino demonstrate this storied estate's ability to adapt to modern-day vintages...In fact, instead of coming across as sun-kissed or in any way dried out, they are notably energetic, with a beautiful purity of fruit and tannins that promise further development. When asked about global warming, Piero Mastroberardino explains, “We can now achieve soft tannins in a big Taurasi; the world has changed." Whether or not this is a good thing for the long term remains to be seen. As for the 2019 Taurasi Radici, it’s a drop-dead classic, and I am very excited to see how the Riservas will show two years from now. It will easily continue to impress for the next two decades or more...Mastroberardino remains a reference point producer in the region, with its eyes firmly set on the future."

James Suckling 95 Points | "Vivid dark ruby color, with aromas of blueberry jelly, earth, black truffles, toasted pepper and chocolate. Velvety on the palate, with juicy acidity, a full body and very good fruit concentration. Great complexity and polish in the finish. Drink or hold..."

Producer Notes

Full, complex and intense, with notes of cherry, violet, wild berries, and a distinctive spicy aroma. This elegant wine has flavors of plum, black cherry, strawberry and intense spices. Aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks, then a minimum 24 months refinement in bottle. aging potential of 50 years or more. Pair with mature cheeses, truffles, porcini mushrooms, Ragout and other dishes with long cooked sauces and roasted red meats.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

96 Points James Suckling | Mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit with a touch of spice. A bright and linear Capellania that shows excellent tension, freshness and complexity. Long and appetizing finish. More taut and gastronomic now. 100% viura. Drink now or hold. 

95 Points Tim Atkin | The cooler 2018 vintage was ideally suited to the production of high-quality whites like this pure Viura from a six-hectare plateau at 485 metres within the extensive Castillo Ygay estate. Modern, perfumed and poised, it has finely integrated French oak, fennel, thatch and beeswax aromas, herbal complexity and a nutty, fragrant, citrus zest palate. 2025-40 

94 Points Wine Advocate | To catch up with the current vintages that I shall review every 12 months from now on, I tasted two vintages of some of the wines, including the whites. The 2018 Capellanía is 100% Viura from the plot that names the wine. The vineyard is six hectares planted in 1945 at 485 meters altitude, the highest in the estate. It fermented in concrete, the first vintage to do so, as it was fermented in stainless steel until then, and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. It spent a further seven months in concrete, a long élevage, with the idea to produce a structured white with aging potential, while keeping the varietal character. The wine is subtle and elegant, following the path of all the wines in the portfolio here, still marked by the élevage in oak, spicy and smoky. The palate is balanced, with a nice combination of fruit and oak, with a soft texture, clean, focused and tasty. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.1 and 6.10 grams of acidity. 21,836 bottled and 688 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. This is now released with the Gran Reserva back label.

Winemaker Description 

Etude Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch Carneros Estate — Napa Valley 2022

Etude was founded on a single, uncompromising philosophy: winemaking begins in the vineyard, long before harvest, with superior grape growing leading to wines of authentic varietal expression and a telling reflection of place. The Grace Benoist Ranch is Etude’s most prized Chardonnay vineyard — a Carneros estate site planted with heritage clones including the legendary Wente selection, one of California’s oldest and most revered Chardonnay clones. Carneros sits at the southern tip of Napa Valley, where the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay moderates temperatures and extends the growing season, producing Chardonnay of exceptional focus, complexity, and longevity. This is a micro-production wine — just 145 cases produced — and James Suckling awarded it 97 points, calling it reminiscent of the great white Burgundies of the 1980s and early 1990s. At this price, it is one of the most extraordinary values in California Chardonnay.

The color is a luminous golden straw. The nose is complex and captivating: dried grape skin, beeswax, cooked apple, subtle wood, and a clarity and focus that is immediately striking. On the palate, it is full and powerful — rich and concentrated yet always precise, with the structure and depth of a great white Burgundy. The finish is long, layered, and built for the cellar. Drinkable now but will reward 3–4 years of patience — and likely much more.

James Suckling 97 — “Lots of dried grape skin and subtle wood and beeswax aromas with lovely hints of cooked apple, yet it’s always clear and focused. Full and powerful, reminding me of the great white Burgundies of the 1980s and early 1990s. Superb. Only 145 cases.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Etude Wines, Carneros, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Carneros, Napa Valley
• Vineyard: Grace Benoist Ranch — Carneros Estate
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Clones: Heritage clones including Wente selection
• Production: 145 cases — micro-production
• Style: Full, powerful, Burgundian-inspired Carneros Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dried grape skin, beeswax, cooked apple, subtle wood, focused and precise, long structured finish
• Drink Window: Now–2030+
• Best Paired With: Lobster, crab, roast chicken, veal, creamy pasta, aged Gruyère

One of California’s most extraordinary Chardonnays — Etude Grace Benoist Ranch 2022 is 97 points and 145 cases of pure Carneros magic.

Chateau Carbonnieux WHITE Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classé 2023

Explore the elegance of Chateau Carbonnieux, one of the distinguished names in the Pessac-Leognan region, known for producing exceptional white wines. The 2023 vintage showcases the estate's commitment to quality, offering a finely balanced wine that reflects the terroir beautifully. With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, Chateau Carbonnieux has established itself as a Grand Cru Classé, known for its meticulous vineyard practices and sustainable viticulture. Each bottle is a testament to the tradition and innovation that has shaped the estate over centuries.

Expert Recognition - 2023 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast - 96 Points (Cellar Selection)
"The grapefruit and honey aromas of this wine are echoed in its crisp and rounded textures. It is ripe with apple and spice flavors, the wood aging subtly in the background. Drink from 2027."

Wine Spectator - 95 Points
"This crackles with tarragon, fleur de sel, oyster shell and lemon pith notes that ripple throughout, while a steady core of yuzu and mirabelle plum moves through. Live-wire acidity keeps everything focused and mouthwatering. Lovely. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2033."

James Suckling - 94 Points
"Sliced lemon, crushed stone, ginger and oyster shell aromas follow through to a medium body with crisp acidity and a crunchy finish. A very typical top white from Pessac. Drink now."

Wine Advocate - 90-92 Points
"A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, the 2023 Carbonnieux Blanc exhibits elegant aromas of pear, white peach, spring flowers and herbs, followed by a medium-bodied, satiny and long texture enhanced by bright acids and a lively mid-palate. It concludes with a long, delicate, mouthwateringly mordant finish, making it a classic white wine from this estate."

Jeb Dunnuck - 90-92 Points
"The 2023 Château Carbonnieux Blanc is light gold-hued and offer terrific aromatics of ripe citrus, minty herbs, and a kiss of grapefruit. These carry to a medium-bodied white with a round, supple texture, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length."

Grape Blend

Composition: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon
This classic Bordeaux white blend showcases the best of both varietals, combining Sauvignon Blanc's vibrant acidity and aromatic intensity with Sémillon's richness and texture.

Tasting Profile

The 2023 Chateau Carbonnieux white wine offers an exquisite blend of vibrancy and depth. Light gold-hued with terrific aromatics including grapefruit and honey, sliced lemon, crushed stone, ginger, oyster shell, tarragon, fleur de sel, lemon pith, yuzu, mirabelle plum, pear, white peach, spring flowers, herbs, ripe citrus, and minty herbs. The palate is equally expressive, featuring crisp and rounded textures, ripe with apple and spice flavors, live-wire acidity that keeps everything focused and mouthwatering, medium body with a satiny and long texture, round and supple with nicely integrated acidity. The finish is crunchy, long, delicate, and mouthwateringly mordant with outstanding length. Wood aging is subtle in the background, allowing the fruit and terroir to shine.

Grand Cru Classé Heritage

With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, Chateau Carbonnieux has established itself as a Grand Cru Classé in the prestigious Pessac-Leognan appellation. The estate is known for its meticulous vineyard practices and sustainable viticulture, producing wines that beautifully reflect the unique terroir of Bordeaux. Each bottle is a testament to centuries of tradition and innovation.

Aging Potential

Drink Window: Now through 2033 (Wine Spectator), from 2027 (Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection)
This vintage offers both immediate enjoyment and excellent aging potential, allowing collectors to cellar it for further development.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pairing Chateau Carbonnieux with the right dishes can enhance your overall dining experience. Its refreshing acidity and vibrant fruit character make it an excellent choice for:

• Grilled fish and shellfish
• Oysters and seafood platters
• Salads featuring citrus or vinaigrettes
• Creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert
• Gourmet picnics
• Summer barbecues
• Light cheese platters

Perfect for Wine Enthusiasts

This vintage is ideal for those who appreciate complexity and refinement in their wine, making it a sought-after selection for wine enthusiasts and collectors wanting to taste the essence of Bordeaux. Enjoy it chilled to fully appreciate its bright flavors and elegant character. The versatility of this Grand Cru Classé is sure to impress your guests at any occasion.

Winemaker Description

The 2024 Roserock Pinot Noir captures the purity and tension of our Eola–Amity Hills estate. Aromas of black cherry, violet, and raspberry rise from the glass, layered with notes of dried herbs, coffee, and stony earth. On the palate, it’s vibrant and poised, with bright acidity carrying flavors of strawberry, plum, and subtle spice. The texture is fine and supple, unfolding toward a long, graceful finish that conveys the youth and promise of this wine.

In 2024, a cool spring led to a slower start, but warm, dry conditions through summer and fall set the stage for an outstanding vintage. The vines ripened beautifully, with minimal disease pressure and ideal acidity. Harvest began on September 23 under perfect conditions. Véronique is already calling 2024 a standout year, with vibrant, balanced wines to come.

Roserock is an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils, an ideal elevation range, and the unique cooling effect of the Van Duzer corridor produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable.

Winemaker Description

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

94 Points James Suckling | Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure. It is sourced from three different vineyard sites of various exposition on the hill of Montalcino. This will be ready to drink a touch earlier and be great to check in on over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.

93 Points Wine Spectator | Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 1,500 cases imported.

91 Points Decanter | Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely. A delightful jumping off point to Val di Suga’s single-vineyard offerings, which COO and winemaker Andrea Lonardi has been refining since 2012.

Lindeman's Bin 50 Shiraz - Classic Australian Red

A full-bodied, well-balanced Shiraz showcasing the best grapes from South Eastern Australia's premium wine regions. This approachable red delivers ripe plum and warm spice flavors with smooth tannins and a satisfying finish.

Tasting Notes

Rich plum flavors complemented by warm spice, full-bodied with soft tannins and excellent balance. 13.5% ABV.

Perfect With

Grilled meats, hearty pasta, BBQ, aged cheeses, and pizza. Serve at room temperature for best results.

Wine Details

Region: South Eastern Australia | Volume: 750ml | Closure: Screw Cap

Winemaker Description

This vibrant Zinfandel opens with enticing aromas of dark plum, raspberry compote, and a touch of sandalwood. The palate reveals layered notes of baked strawberry, savory dried herbs, and a hint of cracked pepper. Ripe, structured tannins and bright acidity provide balance and lift, carrying the wine through a lingering finish.

Zinfandel is foundational to California’s viticultural heritage. This bright and bountiful grape has thrived in the Golden State since the 1880s. While it has become more scarce as Napa Valley continues to evolve and become more Cabernet-centric, Frank
Family Vineyards is honored to champion this beautiful grap and its iconic legacy.

This Napa Valley designate is primarily cultivated from our estate S&J Vineyard in Capell Valley, 206 acres located east of the Vaca Mountain range in the Napa Valley AVA. It is planted to 58 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 9 acres of Petite Sirah, and 9 acres of Zinfandel. The soils are fertile, well-draining, and clay loam-based, reminiscent of the Rutherford Bench. Along with S&J, grapes from neighboring vineyards in Chiles Valley (Sunseri Vineyard), Calistoga. 

Winemaker Description 

Arneis produces a lightly styled white wine with beautiful straw yellow colour. Citrus edged orchard fruits, pear and apricot are attractive on the palate with slightly bitter floral note that can resemble almonds. L'azienda Brovia is a traditional Piemontese family wine growing estate in Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of Barolo country. The wine is appreciated for its refined elegance.

The sole white wine of the estate is produced in the Roero district from an 0.80 hectare plot in Vezza d’Alba. The soil is essentially sandy in composition and sits at 340 meters altitude on south-facing slopes. The vineyard was planted in 1980. Harvest (manual) normally occurs in mid-September.

The grapes are briefly macerated and the fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures (around 15 degrees Celsius) for two to three weeks. The wine rests in stainless steel until the early spring months of the following year and is usually released to the market, after several months of bottle aging, in late summer/early fall.

Approximately 4500 bottles are produced annually, 3,000 of which are shipped to the USA. 

Memo Pairing Notes

This Arneis is incredibly versatile. Its freshness and body make it a perfect match for:

• Raw and Cooked Seafood: Oysters, raw tuna, grilled octopus, and white fish.

• Vegetable Dishes: Vegetable-based pasta, light risottos, or asparagus.

• Cured Meats & Cheese: Light ham or salami, and fresh, milky cheeses like Burrata or soft goat cheese.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais comes from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1995 with all Dijon clones. Bottled in late January of this year, the wine sports a vibrant ruby hue and shows off notes of wild raspberries, mixed berries, a hint of fresh violets, clove spice, forest herbs, and brambly earth. It’s chiseled in its structure, with coiled tannins and a good deal of youthful tension, and also offers mineral persistence, with wonderful salinity and dark undertones of earth. It demands another few years in cool cellars to soften and expand as it evolves and will drink well over the long haul. Drink 2026-2040. 590 cases were produced.

Winemaker Description 

Planted in 1995, the Dijon block is now in its prime, delivering the complexity and elegance one expects from carefully tended twenty-six-year-old vines. The 2021 “DJ,” as it is known in-house, shows characteristic black raspberry and rose hip notes. Consistent with previous vintages, it displays Asian five spice, briar and even hints of blood orange coupled with a refreshing acidity and persistent finish. It is a superior vintage, one of the best of the decade. While the 2021 Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir is delicious right now, it will reward patience after a few years in a cool cellar.  Winemaker Description.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Mike DeSimone of the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | Dark ruby in color, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cedar chest and violet candy. A pleasant floral note is a constant companion to blackberry, anisette, clove and dark-chocolate flavors that are enclosed in a shell of muscular tannins. A soft note of pomegranate permeates the grippy finish. Drink through 2035. 

Winemaker Description 

A 1er Cru RBD from Yolanda and Carolina García Viadero whose mission is to place the Tinto Fino varietal among the world’s best.  Bursts of blackberry and cassis, relaxed opulence and richness.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

JamesSuckling.com by Claire Nesbitt writes 92 Points | Mocha, chocolate truffles, cassis, oranges and lavender on the nose of this fragrant red. It’s full-bodied, warming and aromatic, filled with ripe blue and orange fruit and accompanied by ripe tannins.

Winemaker Description

Hand harvested grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation.

Each variety is vinified separately, and the wine is transferred to French oak barriques (2-3 years old) with a medium toast. The wine ages for 12 months then rests for about 45 days in cement tanks before being bottled without filtration. Released after 3 months in bottle. 

Winemaker Description

Garnet-red with violet hues. It is full-bodied with nicely integrated tannins and a persistent elegant finish.

Bodegas Ondarre is a respected Rioja producer with deep roots in the Valpiedra area of Rioja Alta, crafting wines that honor the region's grand tradition of extended aging and Tempranillo-driven elegance. Their Gran Reserva represents the pinnacle of the Ondarre range — a wine that can only be released after a minimum of five years of aging, including at least two in oak and two in bottle, ensuring a depth and complexity that few price points can match.

The Bodegas Ondarre Gran Reserva 2019 750ml is a classic expression of Gran Reserva Rioja from an excellent vintage. The complex, mature bouquet offers rich fruit aromas alongside hints of spice, raisin fruit, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, it is elegant and velvety, with mixed cherries deepened by wet tobacco, oiled leather, and sweet spices, balanced by bright acidity, supple tannins, and a savory, lingering finish. Outstanding value for a wine of this age and character.

Expert Review

Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points: "Mixed cherries gain depth with flavors of wet tobacco, oiled leather, and sweet spices. A pleasing balance of bright palate stimulation and savory length, alongside supple tannins showcase the advantages of additional aging."

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich fruit, raisin, spice, tobacco, and leather
• Palate: Mixed cherries, wet tobacco, oiled leather, and sweet spices with supple tannins
• Finish: Savory, bright, and lingering

Wine Details

• Tempranillo & Mazuelo
• Rioja DOCa, Spain
• Gran Reserva — minimum 5 years aging (2+ in oak, 2+ in bottle)
• Vintage: 2019 | 750ml

Hahn MERLOT Central Coast 2024 750ml

Winemaker Description

A rich, dark garnet with vibrant purple shimmer, the 2024 Hahn Merlot opens with inviting aromas of ripe plum, cocoa, blueberry, and violet, with hints of juicy black cherry. On the palate, a luscious mouthfeel delivers dark fruit, sweet spice, and restrained tannins, leading into a lingering finish with toasty oak undertones.

From Hahn Family Wines — based in the Santa Lucia Highlands and known for crafting everyday luxury wines — this Central Coast Merlot balances richness with smooth, approachable structure.

Pair with seared duck breast, beef short ribs, or grilled pork chops.

Wine Details

Producer: Hahn Family Wines
Varietal: Merlot
Region: Central Coast / Monterey, California
Vintage: 2024
Size: 750ml