2010 - Present Wine

Winemaker Description 

Appearance : Opaque red-black. Scarlet rim. Aroma: Initially closed. The wine opens to an amalgam of minerals and unctuous super-ripe berries. Palate : Deep, rich and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of liquorice, molasses and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.

Tasting notes | Deep, rich, and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of licorice, molasses, and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

These ancient, own-rooted País vines are 800 meters from the Bío Bío river in a dry river bed that used to hold the river. The soil is especially unique with an alluvial top-layer over black, sandy (basaltic) soils.

This is “País Franco”—as in piè franco—meaning the vine is ungrafted like most of Henriquez’s vines, but the name also draws attention to how this cuvée is one of the most honest, pure and frank versions of the variety available.

Memo Summary Notes

The Roberto Henríquez "País Franco" 2022 is a remarkable "natural" wine from the Bío-Bío Valley in Chile. Roberto Henríquez is a key figure in the Chilean wine revolution, focusing on reviving ancient, neglected vineyards and traditional winemaking techniques.

The name "Franco" refers to piè franco (French foot), meaning the vines are ungrafted. These vines are truly ancient—many are over 200 years old—and grow in the volcanic, black-sand soils of an old riverbed.

Pair with

Charcuterie boards, pâté, or a high-quality roast chicken.

• Traditional: Chilean empanadas or pastel de choclo.

• Vegetarian: Grilled vegetables or dishes with lentils and earthy spices.

Expert Review

Zekun Shuai writes: Dusty wood spices, white stone fruit and a touch of vanilla. This is fresh and creamy on the palate, with a medium to full body and a lengthy, creamy finish. Still energetic. Drink or hold. - James Suckling 91

Winemaker Notes

A CLASSIC, AMIABLE CASK-FERMENTED WHITE WINE CHARACTERISED BY ITS ELEGANT NOTES

The strength of all that is traditional. Produced by the white grape variety that is most characteristic of the Rioja region. Its classic composition means that it can be drunk immediately or laid down for later. A wine that typifies our region A very Riojan white wine.

It remains over its own lees for a minimum of three months in Central European acacia and French and American oak barrels. Each of these contributes its own aromas and fragrances. To taste it is to experience the impact of freshness alongside beautifully elegant notes. It is a wine that is both rich and smooth.

VARIETIES: Viura 100%.

Fermented on its own fine lees in new French Allier, American Missouri and Central European Acacia oak barrels. After fermentation it was kept in the barrels in the presence of the lees for three months.

TASTING NOTES: Pale greenish yellow colour with slight oak highlights. On the nose, the subtle fragrance of toasted oak is perceived on a honeyed background of fresh fruit, seasoned with the peculiar aroma of ripe banana provided by the acacia. On the palate it offers a fresh and acidic entry, combined with the slight taste nuance of oak, under which the caramel sensation persists.

Weingut Forstreiter | Grüner Veltliner Tabor | Kremstal DAC | Niederösterreich, Austria | 2021

Weingut Forstreiter is one of the Kremstal's most respected family estates, farming sustainably on the steep terraced vineyards above the Danube in Niederösterreich — Lower Austria. The Kremstal DAC is one of Austria's premier appellations for Grüner Veltliner, where the combination of loess and primary rock soils, the moderating influence of the Danube, and the continental climate produce wines of exceptional concentration, mineral precision, and longevity.

The Tabor is Forstreiter's single-vineyard flagship Grüner Veltliner, always hand-harvested at the very end of the harvest season to achieve maximum ripeness without botrytis. The result is a monumental and complex expression of the variety — a wine that inspires with its concentration, aromatic complexity, clarity, and youthfulness.

The 2021 opens with a dense, powerful bouquet that evolves beautifully with air — ripe aromas of green sugar snap peas, sweet citrus, overripe banana, dried apricot, and candied ginger, with a great arc of tension between warm, ripe fruit and cool mineral precision. On the palate, medium-bodied and vibrant with apple, green melon, white chocolate, and lemon fruit, underscored by a crunchy minerality. The finish is long, citrusy, and stony, marked by loads of white pepper — the hallmark of great Grüner Veltliner.

Pair with Wiener Schnitzel, grilled fish, sushi, white asparagus, light pasta, and soft cheeses. Also exceptional as an aperitivo.

• Producer: Weingut Forstreiter
• Vineyard: Tabor
• Appellation: Kremstal DAC, Niederösterreich, Austria
• Grape: Grüner Veltliner
• Vintage: 2021
• Harvest: Hand-picked; end of harvest season
• Farming: Sustainable
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2021

• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: Medium-bodied and vibrant — apple, green melon, white chocolate and lemon fruit underscored by a crunchy minerality. Finish is marked by loads of white pepper and a long, citrusy and stony aftertaste. — Aleks Zecevic

Producer Description 

Las Beatas is a spectacular 1.9 hectare property which Telmo and Pablo have invested tremendous time and energy: 15 years of renovative viticultural work took place before a single bottle was made.

There are at least ten grape varieties grown on eight terraces, predominantly Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha, some Viura and traces of many other rare, perhaps unidentified cultivars, all planted on cold sandy soils. Las Beatas was made and aged in a single 1200 liter old French foudre. This is a refined, elegant and fluid wine with great complexity and nuance that will age beautifully. 

Winemaker Description 

An exciting wine! Organically farmed, raised in amphora, 100% Blaufrankisch. Straka is a small family winery embracing a philosophy of pure and natural winemaking at their 84 year old family estate located in the Eisenberg district of Burgenland. 

The Eisenberg is a unique geological area where the foothills of the Alps meet the Pannonian lowlands and is comprised of metamorphic, magmatic rock and cristal schist. One of only 3 places in the world with this soil composition. The deep rooted vines naturally show a distinct mineral character and a compelling purity of fruit. 

Producer Description 

Our Napa Valley Merlot opens with lively bright red fruits and a soft, lush texture. Delicate floral aromas combine with ripe blackberry, milk chocolate, wet stone and barrel spice. The finish is bright and spreads out on the palate to reveal mineral notes that support the silky tannin structure.

Deep ruby in color, the 2019 Napa Valley Merlot features a tempting nose with hints of violet, ripe cherry and warm baking spices. The palate is supple in texture with luxurious layers of brambly red fruits, cocoa, and dusty tannins. This classic Napa Valley Merlot finishes long and vibrant with lingering notes of graphite.

Producer Description 

Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, lime zest, white flowers, white peach, lemon grass, and orange peel. On the palate are aromas of pineapple, guava, tropical fruit, Asian pear, candied lemon, and green melon. The wine has a bright acidity and wonderful texture on the mid-palate.

 While the core of this wine is Sauvignon Blanc, the Musqué, Sémillon, and Viognier add a lot of floral notes and viscosity to this vintage. We captured these wonderful floral notes by fermenting each variety separately in concrete eggs, stainless steel drums, and tanks.

The French oak barrels, in which 10% of the wine aged in, were very lightly toasted to preserve the delicate fruity aromas and provide a creamy texture to the mid-palate of the wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 92 Points | A rich, fruity red with plum, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied with lots of round tannins and a savory finish.

Monica Larner writes;  The 2018 Maremma Toscana Ornello is a blend of Sangioveto (Sangiovese), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the design winery of Rocca di Frassinello on the Tuscan Coast. This wine pays homage to the "butteri," or cowboys, that roam this remote and hilly terrain with their sturdy horses and leather hats. This wine shows a dark and meaty character, no doubt added by the Syrah, with some burnt ember and exotic spice. The bouquet is infused with dark fruit, dried plum and blackberry preserves. This is a full-bodied Tuscan red to pair with cowboy meals of steak and beans.  Drinking 2020 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2018 Rocca di Frassinello is a bold, exotic wine. Ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon and rose petal are all kicked up in this flamboyant Maremma red. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. Hints of sweet pipe tobacco, cedar and mint appear over time, adding striking inner perfume and sweetness. The 2018 is a decidedly racy Rocca di Frassinello.  Drinking 2020 to 2033.  - Vinous 94

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Alain Meadows of Burghound writes 95 Points |  Here too the beautifully layered nose is decidedly cool with its more citrus-suffused aromas of green apple, wet stone and crushed fennel. The more refined, if slightly less concentrated, medium weight flavors flash an almost pungent minerality on the beautifully textured, bone-dry and sneaky long finale. This chiseled effort will need at least a few years of cellaring first as it's quite tightly wound today.  - Burghound 95 ♥️

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Charles Curtis, MW of Decanter 94 Points | This village-level wine is a reliable benchmark for the commune. It reflects the sunny character of the vintage with its ripe stone fruit and citrus notes, yet offers depth and complexity as well, with saline hints, flint and fresh white flowers. The texture is silky and approachable. It’s drinking now, but with enough substance to hold for five to 10 years.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a nicely detailed bouquet of green apples. It's a touch spicier than the Bourgogne Blanc with a trace of walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a keen line of acidity sour lemon hints and again that spice that lingers on the aftertaste.

Allen Meadows of Burghound 90-92 Points | A markedly more floral-suffused nose features notes of cool Granny Smith apple citrus and a touch of mineral reduction. The caressing delicious and plump but agreeably energetic medium-bodied flavors possess solid depth and persistence on the balanced firm and highly refreshing finale. This is also excellent for its level and a wine that should drink well after only 3 to 4 years of keeping but age gracefully for a decade. Recommended.

Critical Acclaim for the 2022 Vintage:

James Suckling - 94 Points: Savory aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco leaves and mocha. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of blackberry bush, bark, graphite, licorice and spices. Layered black fruit has been finely integrated with a powerful undertone. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck - 92 Points: Absolutely textbook Howell Mountain notes of darker currants, black cherries, chocolate, bouquet garni, and leafy, herbal, forest notes all shine in Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, nicely concentrated 2022 that has integrated tannins and acidity, terrific overall balance, and outstanding length. As opposed to many 2022s, this has solid underlying structure and depth and is a rock-solid beauty that will evolve nicely over the coming 10-12 years or more.

The Wine Advocate - 92 Points: There are 9,000 cases of Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a reasonable volume for Howell Mountain. Classic hints of pine needles and resiny notes accent blueberry fruit on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is richly textured and concentrated, framed by grainy tannins on the long, dark chocolate-tinged finish. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 96 Points | A full-bodied cabernet sauvignon that’s fruity on the nose with notes of crushed raspberries, berries and herbs. Some bark and stones. The palate is fresh with velvety tannins and a generous, savory finish. One for the cellar. Try after 2023.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard has a similar herbal/classic Cabernet nose of red and black currants, green tobacco, bouquet garni, sandalwood, and spring flowers. Also beautiful on the palate, it’s full-bodied and has a concentrated, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and just an all-around classic, age-worthy style. Give bottles 2-4 years in a cold cellar and enjoy over the following 20 years or more. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Producer Description 

A nectar from one end of the tasting to the other! An intensely golden adornment, a nose of perfectly over-ripe Chenin, underlined by great elegance, a note of almond cream, quince, very ripe peach skin.

The palate is very straight, freshness, tension and sweetness so well integrated, a finish of candy sugar crystals but also the fine bitterness of the schists, it is a very beautiful vintage, a wine built to last and already so pleasant to taste now. It is the cuvée representative of the estate's terroir, i.e. almost five vines.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

Wine Spectator — 97 Points
"This pure and stylish Barolo features rose, strawberry, cherry, mineral and underbrush aromas and flavors. Though silky in texture, this is well-structured, with integrated tannins and harmony. This is all about finesse and texture, with excellent length and a mineral aftertaste."

About Monprivato

Monprivato is one of the most celebrated single-vineyard crus in all of Barolo — and Giuseppe Mascarello’s exclusive domain. Located in Castiglione Falletto, the vineyard sits on a south-southwest facing slope of Helvetian soils: compact Tortonian marl and limestone that impart the signature minerality, structure, and aromatic complexity for which Monprivato is legendary. The Mascarello family has farmed Monprivato since 1904 and today owns virtually the entire cru — a rarity in Barolo, where vineyard fragmentation is the norm. The result is a wine of singular identity: unmistakably Monprivato, unmistakably Mascarello.

About Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello

Founded in 1881 in Monchiero and later relocated to Castiglione Falletto, Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio is one of Piedmont’s most revered and traditional producers. Under the stewardship of Mauro Mascarello — and now his son Giuseppe — the estate has remained steadfastly committed to traditional Barolo winemaking: long macerations, large Slavonian oak casks, and extended aging. No shortcuts, no modernization for its own sake. The Mascarello Barolo Monprivato is consistently ranked among the greatest wines of Italy and among the finest Nebbiolos produced anywhere in the world.

2019 Vintage Notes

The 2019 vintage in Piedmont is widely regarded as one of the greatest in a generation — a warm, dry year that produced wines of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity. For Barolo, 2019 delivered the ideal combination of ripeness and natural acidity, resulting in wines that are approachable young yet built to age for decades. Monprivato 2019 is considered a benchmark release: powerful, precise, and destined for a long cellar life.

Food Pairings

White truffle dishes, braised Piedmontese beef (brasato al Barolo), wild boar, roasted lamb, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and tajarin with meat ragù. A wine built for the Piedmontese table — and for the most special occasions.

Product Details

• Producer: Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello
• Vineyard: Monprivato (single vineyard cru)
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG, Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Soils: Tortonian marl and limestone (Helvetian)
• Aging: Extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks, traditional method
• Vintage: 2019
• Drink: 2026–2050+
• Style: Elegant, structured, age-worthy traditional Barolo
• Format: 750ml

Gomez Cruzado Viña Dorana Reserva — Alto Najerilla, Rioja, Spain 2018

Gomez Cruzado is one of Rioja's most exciting modern producers, based in Haro and dedicated to rescuing the great wines of yesteryear — old bush vines, high-altitude sites, and traditional blends that honor the region's heritage. Viña Dorana is named for a historic brand from 1930 and sourced from old bush vines in the Alto Najerilla, grown at 600–710 meters above sea level in the triangle formed by the villages of Cordovín, Badarán, and Cárdenas. The 2018 vintage — a cool, fresh year — produced a wine of classical harmony and serious structure. Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points; Jeb Dunnuck 92; James Suckling 92. At $35.99, it is one of the most compelling values in serious Rioja Reserva.

The nose is refined and layered: rich red and dark fruit, dried herbs, subtle balsamic, earthy spice, and a whisper of nutty oak. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied, compact and firm yet round and polished — the freshness of the cool 2018 vintage giving it linear acidity and real tension. Soft, finely grained tannins frame flavors of ripe red fruit, light baking spice, and a textural, earthy depth that builds toward a long, elegant finish. Aged 24 months in French oak, then a minimum of 12 months in bottle. Drink now or cellar with confidence.

Wine Advocate 94 — "Very classical... serious and austere, with the freshness of a cool year... harmonious blend with good ripeness and the freshness from the year. It should improve with time in bottle."

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Finessed, long, and supple... linear acidity and soft texture. Classically flavored in rich red fruit and light baking spice."

James Suckling 92 — "Spiced and earthy, showing rich dark fruit, dried herbs and subtle nutty and balsamic undertones... round and polished mouthfeel."

• Producer: Gomez Cruzado, Haro, Rioja, Spain
• Vineyard: Viña Dorana — Alto Najerilla, 600–710m elevation, old bush vines
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa
• Blend: 60% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha
• Vinification: 4-day cold pre-fermentation maceration; 24 months in French oak (2nd & 3rd fill); 12+ months in bottle
• Production: 29,482 bottles + 710 magnums
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red fruit, dark fruit, dried herbs, balsamic, baking spice, earthy, finely grained tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, Iberian charcuterie, aged Manchego, wild mushroom dishes

A 94-point Rioja Reserva from one of Haro's most principled producers — Viña Dorana is the benchmark for what old-vine Alto Najerilla can achieve.

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2020 Chianti Classico is impressive and pure, with ripe black cherry, a hint of blue fruit, violets, and sweet herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with supple fruit throughout, fine grained tannins, and a polished feel. It displays fresh acidity without any harsh edges, but it is mouthwatering and compels returning for more. This beautiful wine from Querciabella is drinking well now, and I imagine will continue to improve over the coming decade or more. (2020).

James Suckling 93 Points | Pure fruit on the nose, with rose hips, cherries, blueberries, lemon leaves and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and firm tannins. Vibrant and elegant, with such purity of fruit. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. (2020).

Decanter 92 Points | With an annual production of approximately 150,000 bottles, this is Querciabella’s calling card – and an impressive one at that. It also gives an incisive panoramic shot of the Chianti Classico region as it's a blend of estate vineyards in three different subzones. Bright and fresh, the 2020 annata emerges energetically out of the glass with exuberant and pure red cherry and currants. It gains intrigue with stylish touches of mocha, tarragon and truffles. It's full and vigorous yet light on its feet thanks to radiant acidity, while well-formed tannins lend just the right amount of chew. As suave as it is characterful. (2020).

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

Wine Spectator — 94 Points
"Jammy and generous, with bold aromatics, this red is a pleasure to drink, offering polished cherry and blackberry tart flavors accented by briar patch and licorice as this zips along the lively finish. Drink now through 2034."

Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points (Elaine Chukan Brown)
"A Napa classic, the Black Chicken Zinfandel relies on vineyards in cooler parts of the region, here harvested from a cooler vintage as well. The combination delivers complexity, detail and plenty of flavor: juicy mixed berries and plum, citrus peel, incense and savory length complete with refreshing verve and well balanced structure."

Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points
"Offering brambly red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with peppery herbs, sandalwood, and savory, flowery incense, the 2023 Zinfandel Black Chicken is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a good finish."

Winemaker Description

The 2023 Black Chicken is the 25th-anniversary release of this iconic Napa Valley wine — and one of the most celebrated vintages in the wine’s history. A remarkably cool and balanced growing season produced a wine of exceptional complexity, detail, and structure.

Showing the influence of the breezy and fog-laced Oak Knoll District, the wine offers rich, plush fruit, delicate acidity, and a structure defined by well-ripened, fine-grained tannins. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, dried herbs, and sandalwood on the nose. Expansive on the palate with notes of blackberry, orange peel, plum, and baking spices, all driven to a long finish by balanced acidity.

The Black Chicken Story

It all started in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling to insider Napans — along with eggs and produce — some of the family’s homemade Zinfandel. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine, keeping nosy neighbors and the authorities from finding out about Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation. Legally produced since 1999, Black Chicken Zinfandel pays homage to the industrious patriarch of the Biale family and the prominence of Zinfandel in the history of Napa Valley.

The heart of Black Chicken is sourced from vineyards in the Oak Knoll District — among them the same family vineyard Aldo, Nonna, Bob, and the Biale family have farmed since the 1930s. Black Chicken stands as the quintessential expression of Zinfandel from the Napa Valley.

2023 Vintage Notes

The 2023 season was one of the coolest vintages in more than a decade. Several years of drought were erased in a single season as rains began just after the 2022 harvest and continued through spring 2023. Ample groundwater and cool temperatures delayed budbreak until April, with flowering in mid-May. Moderate temperatures through spring and summer allowed for balanced maturation — picking at the perfect intersection of flavor, sugar, acid, and tannin maturity. Harvesting began with earlier sites in September, with moderate heat in early October accelerating picking through the end of the month.

Food Pairings

Grilled ribeye, BBQ brisket, lamb chops, wild boar, aged cheddar, and hearty pasta with meat sauce. A quintessential Napa Zinfandel built for bold, flavorful food.

Product Details

• Producer: Robert Biale Vineyards
• Appellation: Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley
• Grape: 100% Zinfandel
• Farming: Practicing sustainable, head-trained, dry-farmed vines
• Soils: Ancient marine sediments and rocky alluvial fan
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: Open-top fermenters, 2–4-day cold soak, 2–3 punch-downs daily
• Aging: 16 months in 100% Burgundy oak barrels (25% new)
• Vintage: 2023 (25th Anniversary Release)
• Production: 6,000 cases
• Drink: Now through 2034
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Purple with ruby highlights, this wine shows up-front aromas of raspberries and black cherries with undertones of leather and spice. On the palate, it is expansive and rich.

Pair with lamb and apricot tajines, prime rib, tomato stews, or green lentil-based dishes.

Expert Ratings

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points  | This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of brambly fruits of the wood, coffee bean and dried sage. It opens with notes of mint and clove accompanied by sturdy tannins and ripe summer cherry, Mission fig, cocoa powder and dried thyme flavors. The lengthy finish is marked with menthol and pomegranate. (2015). 

Robert Parker 92 Points |  There is some more development in the 2015 Finca Valpiedra Reserva, which also feels a little riper, showing the dry, warm and ripe character of the year but keeping a low pH of 3.47 and 6.2 grams of acidity. This is medium-bodied, although some will call them thin—and certainly, they are not full-bodied and round wines, they are sharper. This is a blend of 92% Tempranillo and 4% each Graciano and Maturana Tinta that matured in French oak barrels for 22 months. These wines are feeling a little more traditional than in the past.

James Suckling 92 Points | This shows notes of incense and smoke on the nose, together with spiced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Ripe, yet juicy and succulent, with a rich finish. Drink or hold.

Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py Organic — Beaujolais 2024

Jean Foillard is one of the founding members of Beaujolais’s legendary Gang of Four — alongside Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Guy Breton — the group of vignerons who, inspired by the teachings of Jules Chauvet, staged a quiet revolution against the industrial Beaujolais of the 1980s. Their manifesto: old vines, no synthetic herbicides or pesticides, late harvesting, rigorous sorting, minimal sulfur, no chaptalization, no filtration. The result is Morgon as it was always meant to be — structured, mineral, and age-worthy, with none of the bubblegum and banana aromas that plagued the region’s commercial wines. Jean and Agnès Foillard farm nearly 14 hectares, most of them on the Côte du Py — the famed granite and schist slope above Villié-Morgon that is the pride of the appellation. Vinous awarded the 2024 Côte du Py 92 points.

The nose is serious and mineral: earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, and black tea leaves with crushed stone. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively on entry, with a skip in its step — a Côte du Py with energy and precision, finishing with an assiduous sprinkle of white pepper and a long, harmonious close. Jean raises his wines in older Burgundy barrels, lending a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible young despite their considerable aging potential.

Vinous 92 — "A mélange of red and black fruit, black tea leaves and crushed stone. Fresh and lively on the entry, a Côte du Py with a skip in its step and an assiduous sprinkling of white pepper towards the harmonious finish." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Domaine Jean Foillard, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Morgon, Beaujolais
• Vineyard: Côte du Py — granite and schist soils
• Varietal: 100% Gamay
• Farming: Certified Organic, no synthetic inputs, minimal sulfur, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, black tea, crushed stone, white pepper, velvety finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, duck confit, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses

A 92-point organic Morgon from one of Beaujolais’s most important estates — mineral, structured, and built to age.

Argyle Winery | Vintage Brut | Willamette Valley | 2022

Oregon is not the first place most people think of for serious sparkling wine — but it should be. Argyle has been making the case since 1987, and the Willamette Valley’s cool, maritime-influenced climate turns out to be near-ideal for the traditional method: long growing seasons, natural acidity, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and retain the tension that great sparkling wine demands. The 2022 Vintage Brut draws heavily on fruit from the legendary Knudsen Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected sites in the valley, which contributes natural weight, brightness, and a distinctive character that sets this wine apart from its non-vintage counterparts. Golden apple and Anjou pear lead the nose, layered with vanilla and toasted cake crust — opulent without being heavy. On the palate, apple, cherry blossom, and spiced cinnamon flavors linger at length, carried by a foamy mousse and vivid acidity. A classic modern vintage from one of America’s most important sparkling wine producers.

• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Method: Traditional method (Méthode Classique)
• Key Vineyard: Knudsen Vineyard
• Dosage: Brut
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Sustainable

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator | 90 Points: Appealing for its easygoing flavors of apple, cherry blossoms and spiced cinnamon that linger at length.

Pairing Suggestions

• Celebration: A versatile aperitif for any occasion that calls for bubbles.
• Seafood: Oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, or smoked fish.
• Casual: Fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or brunch dishes.

Roc de L’Abbaye Sancerre L’Antique — Saint-Satur, Loire Valley 2024

L’Antique is one of the founding cuvées of Roc de L’Abbaye — created 30 years ago as a tribute to the winemaker’s grandfather and his philosophy of minimal intervention. The grapes come from the best Silex hillsides in the village of Saint-Satur, one of Sancerre’s most prized terroirs, where the flint-rich soils impart the signature stony minerality that defines great Loire Sauvignon Blanc. True to its heritage, L’Antique is made unclarified and lightly filtered, allowing the full elegance of the terroir to express itself without interference. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points. Decanter 92. This is Sancerre as it was meant to be made.

The nose is flowery and complex, drawing you in with muddled green pear and keeping you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. On the palate, vibrant stony minerality is in perfect sync with Gala apple on a lengthy, precise finish. Flinty, bright, and punchy with citrus and grassy notes — everything that makes Sancerre one of the world’s great white wines.

“This wine has a flowery, complex nose that draws you in with muddled green pear and keeps you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. The stony palate boasts vibrant minerality that is in sync with Gala apple on the lengthy palate.” — Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Roc de L’Abbaye, Saint-Satur, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Cuvée: L’Antique
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Terroir: Silex (flint) hillsides, Saint-Satur
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Unclarified, lightly filtered — minimal intervention
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green pear, dried hay, lemon blossom, Gala apple, stony minerality, flinty citrus, long precise finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, herb-roasted chicken, asparagus, or Le Pico chèvre

A 93-point Sancerre built on Silex terroir and three decades of tradition — Roc de L’Abbaye’s L’Antique is the benchmark for what great Loire Sauvignon Blanc can be.

Chateau Ste. Michelle | Merlot | Columbia Valley, Washington State | 2022

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's founding winery and most iconic producer, with a history stretching back to 1934. Based in Woodinville, the winery has been instrumental in establishing the Columbia Valley as one of America's premier wine regions — and their Columbia Valley Merlot is one of the most consistent and best-value expressions of Washington State red wine available anywhere.

The Columbia Valley AVA is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in the United States, stretching across eastern Washington. Its continental climate — with long, sunny days, cool nights, and low rainfall — allows Merlot to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity and freshness. A touch of Syrah is blended in to add a jammy, fruit-forward character that complements Merlot's natural plushness.

The 2022 offers an almost perfume-like nose of black cherry, sandalwood, worn leather, and spice. On the palate, medium-bodied and supple with sturdy tannins and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, graphite, and black tea, with layers of rich dark red fruit and a long, smooth, sweet finish. Complex yet approachable — a benchmark Columbia Valley Merlot at an exceptional price.

Pair with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck, mushroom dishes, and aged cheeses.

• Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State, USA
• Blend: Merlot with a touch of Syrah
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward red
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

• Wine Enthusiast — 91 pts: An almost perfume-like aroma of black cherries, sandalwood and worn leather. Medium-bodied with a supple mouthfeel and sturdy tannins. Boysenberries, blueberries, graphite and black tea. — Michael Alberty

Expert Review

Yohan Castaing of the Wine Advociate writes 90 Points | A blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Tibouren, 5% Syrah and 3% Carignan, the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose Lampe de Meduse possesses a fresh, fruit-driven bouquet with aromas of citrus, lemon oil, red berries, wild strawberry and menthol. Crunchy, juicy and perfectly balanced with a medium-bodied palate, it’s long and penetrating with lively acids, an iodine-salty finish and a clean and mouthwatering texture.  Drinking 2023 - 2025. (2022).

Winemaker Description 

It is not known for certain how long Gelber Muskateller has been in the Rust vineyards. We do know that this grape variety used to be called Weirer. This name comes from Weihrauch (frankincense) because the nutmeg scent is so prevalent. Winemaker Description. 

Green apple, papaya, pineapple, white flowers, peppermint and flint dominate this rich, extracted and exotic delight from Heidi Schröck.

Expert Review 

92 Points Burghound | A slightly more deeply pitched nose is comprised by decidedly cool notes of plum, dark currant, forest floor and floral top notes, especially violet. Much like the Lavières, there is a positively gorgeous, even silky, texture to the lighter-bodied flavors thanks to the ultra-fine tannins shaping the overtly stony, dusty and youthfully austere finale. This is textbook Ile de Vergelesses.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of The Wine Enthusiast writes 94 Points | Medium straw colored, this wine has a bouquet of carambola, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. A soft floral note joins white peach, jasmine, lemongrass and dried apricot flavors set into a full-textured wine with well-matched acidity. Notes of wildflowers and bright citrus fruit endure on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Made of 100% Istrian Malvasia grape from four vineyards (Kastanjari, Vrh, Santa Lucia, Baredine) located on the west coast of Istria, in an area called Buje (in Croatian, Bujstina), just 50 miles away from Venice. They are 100 meters high on a little hill, a few miles away from the shore. Aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees. Look for alluring aromas of camomile, acacia, lime zest, quince, pear, apricot and ripe nectarine.
 

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Winemaker Description 

This wine has a unique freshness brimming with bright red berry fruit and hints of dried fruit. It is flavorful, yet restrained for a California Zin, with black peppercorn spice and hints of chocolate and nuts.

Memo Summary Notes

The Neyers Zinfandel "Vista Notre" 2021 is a distinct departure from the "jammy" style often associated with California Zinfandel. It is crafted with a French-influenced sensibility—focused on restraint, acidity, and lower alcohol—making it a favorite for those who enjoy food-friendly red wines.

Pair with its high acidity makes it perfect for Pasta with Artichokes, grilled lamb chops with salsa verde, or a high-quality grilled cheese sandwich.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 97 Points |  From a beautiful site that must be seen to be believed, the Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli is redolent with dark fruit, blackcurrant and crushed slate. The mineral element of Montosoli and its schistic galestro-rich soils comes through beautifully in this vintage to add a linear sense of immediacy and verticality to the bouquet. The mouthfeel is especially elegant, and the wine's acidity is delivered expertly to showcase freshness but more importantly to highlight the quality of the fruit. The effect is very tonic and bright, and you get hints of baked brioche or oven-baked Italian focaccia bread, thanks to careful aging in Slavonian oak. This is a 12,000-bottle release.

Vinous 97 Points | An enticing blend of steeped plums, blood orange, sage and sweet smoke makes the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli a total pleasure on the nose. Elegant and soothing, it flows across the palate with a silken wave of ripe red fruits and spices as saline minerals slowly saturate under an air of violet inner florals.

Decanter 95 Points | Elisabetta Gnudi took over the Altesino estate in 1992 and has continued with the Montosoli bottling, which has been produced since 1975. The 2019, harvested at the very end of September, is introverted to start with but the nose eventually hints at porcini with liquorice root and bark. Sleek cherry and raspberry provide the backdrop on the palate, yet that appealing earthy tone pervades. Racy with smooth, vertical tannins clinging in all the right places, it displays cleverly balanced structure and stuffing.

Winemaker Description 

One of the most sought after wines from Montalcino, Montosoli is consistently a blockbuster red. Its intense ruby red color tends towards elegant garnet with age. On the nose, it shows a complex personality with a delicious blend of black cherry, raspberry, violet, licorice, vanilla and black pepper. Extremely enticing, opulent and elegant on the palate, with a warm, long-lasting finish, Montosoli is a wine for special occasions

Pair this wine with beef bourguignon and stroganoff, lamb shank, and roasted rabbit.

Expert Review

Winemaker Description

Specially selected and carefully aged, this premier Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Vineyard Merlot captures the intense energy of arid vineyards resulting in velvety blackberry and vanilla flavors.

Turley Wine Cellars Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel — Paso Robles, California 2023

Turley Wine Cellars is the definitive address for old-vine Zinfandel in California. Founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and guided by winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, the estate farms organically across more than 50 vineyards statewide — many with vines dating to the late 1800s. The Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles is one of Turley's most storied sources: a historic site that produces Zinfandel of uncommon depth, intensity, and character. Wine Spectator awarded the 2023 vintage 95 points; Vinous 92–94. At $59.99, it is one of the most compelling old-vine Zinfandels in California.

Deep and hedonistic in the glass. The nose opens with plum, black cherry, briar patch, spice, leather, tobacco, and incense — layered and complex from the first pour. On the palate, the wine is mid-weight but intensely flavored: ripe dark fruit, savory pepper, scorched earth, dried flowers, and mocha build toward polished, detailed tannins and a deep, resonant finish. Supple, juicy, and mouthwatering, with a mineral zip that keeps everything in balance. Drink now through 2037.

Wine Spectator 95 — "Loaded with compelling flavors of black cherry, briar patch and savory pepper that build detail and tension toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2037."

Vinous 92–94 — "Laced with plum, spice, leather, tobacco and incense... tons of fruit intensity and character. Scorched earth, dried flowers and mocha build into the deep, resonant finish."

• Producer: Turley Wine Cellars, Napa Valley, California
• Vineyard: Dusi Vineyard, Paso Robles
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Paso Robles AVA
• Varietal: Zinfandel (old vines)
• Farming: Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, plum, briar, pepper, leather, tobacco, mocha, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2037
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, lamb chops, BBQ brisket, aged cheddar, wild boar ragù

A 95-point old-vine Zinfandel from California's most dedicated custodian of the variety — Turley Dusi is the benchmark for what Paso Robles Zinfandel can be.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 97-99 Points | This is already shaping up to being one of the stars of the vintage. With its great fruit, fully enveloped by the structure and tannins, the wine has been set well for the future. The aromatic black fruits are intense and concentrated. — Roger Voss

Decanter 98 Poinhts | Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

James Suckling 98 Points | What a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyon

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

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.

Winemaker Description 

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

Try with yellow curry or spring rolls.

Expert Reviews 

98 Points Vinous | The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous depth. In a word: magnificent. - Antonio Galloni

98 Points James Suckling | Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | This ancient estate, an oasis in the suburbs of Bordeaux city, offers a wine that is packed with promising tannins. The important and rich black fruits reveal concentration, density and the potential of the development of a fine balance and structure as it matures.

95 Points Decanter | Tannic heft from the get-go, though this does have a lovely fresh, clean and precise core with a narrow, focused frame so the elements come across as quite tight and severe right now but well worked. It has class, no doubt, on the high-toned scale, potent and upfront but there's gorgeous detail and precision to the fruit, acidity and tannins. Slick and classy with lots of glamour that plays to the strengths of the vintage.

95 Points Wine Spectator | This is snazzed up with flashy toast, but there's ample mulberry, cassis and plum compote fruit to soak it up, while notes of licorice and sweet spice fill in the background. A late tug of warm earth keeps this grounded. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

94 Points Robert Parker | Aromas of rich cherries, cassis, burning embers, violets and dark chocolate introduce the 2020 Pape Clément, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine that's ripe, layered and generously extracted but also a touch deeper and more reserved than the flashy 2019. While it would be an exaggeration to say that this estate's red wines are making much of a shift in the direction of restraint, the style is certainly less aspirational than it was a decade ago.