2013 products
Yalumba Eden Valley Samuel's Collection Viognier 2021
Expert Review - Vintage 2021
Australian Wine Companion | Viognier sourced from six Yalumba growers across the Eden Valley. Yalumba continues to be the go-to for viognier in Australia. Here their entry-level offering ticks all the boxes. Textural and slinky with all the classic characters: apricot pith, stone fruits, crushed quartz, soft spice, lemon curd, blossom top notes and that expansive palate presence the variety is famous for. A great introduction to viognier.
PointsPoints Wine Spectator | Both powerful and elegant, with fleshy white peach, mango and lemon meringue notes on the softest, creamiest frame, while a fresh thread of acidity and lemon blossom accents linger. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported.
Decanter | Spicy aromas of lychees framed with sweet vanilla and some pine needle. Lovely oily texture with elegance and finesse.
PointsJames Suckling | A fragrant and spicy viognier with aromas of fresh apricot, grapefruit, lemon blossom, white pepper and ginseng. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a refreshing, peppery finish. Vegan.
PointsWine Enthusiast | Quite perfumed, this wild- fermented wine, from one of Aus’s greatest Viognier champions, wafts aromas of lychee, pineapple rind, apricot and a little honey and ginger. It’s full figured, with a mouth-coating texture and just enough acidity to handle it. Drink with buttery shellfish or a mildly seasoned pork loin.
PointsProducer Description
With 175 years of unbroken independence, Yalumba continues to make wine at its founder's home estate under the direction of the same family today. Samuel's Collection honors Yalumba's founder Samuel Smith, his spirit of independence and conviction to invest in the land and make great wine.
Pure aromas reminiscent of fresh apricots, lifted ginger, saffron and fresh white flowers. The palate is long, rich, and luscious, with intense and expressive stone fruit flavors finishing with an alluring freshness. This wine will continue to grow and develop in the bottle, firstly showing enhanced apricots and spice, then honey flavors and toast complexity.
Enjoy with a Moroccan tagine and couscous, or baba ghanoush.
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2020 750ml 94JD 91WS
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The 2020 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (20% new French oak) has a touch of chamomile in its perfumed aromatics of golden apple, honeyed toast, spice, and subtle green almonds. Complex and nuanced aromatically, it's medium-bodied on the palate, has high yet nicely integrated acidity, terrific balance, and outstanding length.
91 Wine Spectator | Displays wonderful density, offering nectarine and lemon sorbet notes at the core, with a touch of salted, roasted almond. This white shows a hint of crunchy sea salt, with lemon verbena and lemon blossom aromatics. Firming acidity adds a refreshing punctuation point. Drink now. 331 cases made
Producer Description
This Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay is bright, beautifully layered, and nuanced. Meyer lemon, candle wax, and cut straw all grace this very savory Chardonnay. Orange marmalade, stone fruits, and chamomile work seamlessly with the rich textures on the palate. This wine is natural with richer dishes and even light game.
Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli 2023 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2023
Vinous 90 Points | The 2023 Pinot Grigio is a total pleasure on the nose, blending crushed almonds with white flowers, wet stone and freshly sliced nectarines. It’s soft and round with a stimulating core of acidity to balance. A sour lime tinge nicely offsets ripe orchard fruits. The 2023 leaves a mineral note lingering, finishing crisp, refreshing and with medium length.
Winemaker Description
Terlato Family Vineyards Friuli Pinot Grigio is a light gold color. Bright notes of white peach, pear and spring flowers. Complex and layered with ripe peach, pear, citrus and a mouth filling texture with crisp mineral finish.
Domaine Tollot Beaut Corton Bressandes Grand Cru 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Winemaker Description
Domaine Tollot Beaut Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022 750ml
Domaine Tollot Beaut Savigny Lavieres 1er cru 2022 750 ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Burghound 90 Points | An attractively spicy nose freely offers up aromas of dark pinot fruit, Savigny-style earth, violet and an interesting hint of white pepper. There is slightly better verve suffusing the lightly stony middleweight flavors that also possess a caressing but punchy mouthfeel on the lingering finale that is noticeably finer thanks to the fine-grained tannins. This too could be approached young though at least a few years of cellaring should be beneficial.
Domaine Tollot Beaut Aloxe Corton 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Allen Meadows of Burghound | Ripe and very pretty aromas of both red and dark currant, violet, newly turned earth and a hint of crushed anise lead to rich, generous and round medium weight flavors that possess both fine volume and mid-palate density, all wrapped in a dusty, long and balanced finale where only a trace of rusticity is present. This always seem to outperform relative to its level chez Tollot and 2022 only adds to that reputation.
Winemaker Description
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.
The village of Aloxe-Corton sits at the foot of the Corton hill and is known for giving good-value red Burgundy that performs above its village-level status. A good Aloxe-Corton (pronounced Ahh-losse) will show some of the same structure, weight, and complexity found on the Grand Cru above.
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2023 375ml HALF BOTTLE
Winemaker Description
An elegant expression of the Marlborough region, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc showcases vibrant tropical notes underpinned by a crisp, herbaceous edge. Bright character meets balanced structure, with intense flavors of passionfruit, lemongrass, and white peach, leading to a long, clean finish.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2020 375ml HALF BOTTLE
Expert Review - Vintage 2020
James Suckling 93 Points | This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025.
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years.
Winemaker Description
Intense ruby red. Aroma: This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Tasting profile: Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva is well balanced on the palate, with velvety tannins, firm acidity, and a lingering finish of rosemary. Its structure will allow it to age for two to five years, if not longer.
Domaine Michel Magnien Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Sentiers 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 91-93 Points | There is an interesting hint of white pepper to the cool and exceptionally pretty aromas of exotic tea, anise, violet and lavender. I very much like the caressing mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors that possess moderate austerity and excellent persistence, Lovely.
Vasse Felix Chardonnay Filius 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | With the most upfront fruit in the Vasse Chard trio, Filius is immediately comforting in a favorite T-shirt kind of way, with bright, fleshy lime and peach blossom, a flicker of nougat and something stony, a bit salty. It flows seamlessly to a palate of mouth-watering acidity that balances the toasty oak and malolactic influences.
Wine Spectator 93 Points | Bright and expressive, with plenty of precision to the detailed notes of lemon sherbet, lemongrass, pear, lemon verbena, white pepper and green apple. Hints of tangerine, lemon oil and tarragon linger on a juicy frame.
James Suckling 92 Points | The nose is fruit-driven, with generous aromas of peaches, white nectarines and orange blossoms. The palate is medium-bodied with focused acidity, giving notes of lemon pith, pink grapefruit and flint. Very refined and polished, being a classic style of Margaret River chardonnay.
Soter Estates Pinot Noir 2022 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020
ames Suckling 94 Points | This gorgeous wine is fragrant with cinnamon, rose petal and cedar aromas, then rich in black cherries, plums and flowers with a medium body and moderate tannins. A firm texture and balancing acidity lead to good length in the finish.
Wine Spectator 93 Points | Refined and precise, this red serves up handsome flavors of raspberry and cherry accented by savory tea and mineral tones while building tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Estates has alluring scents of pomegranate, rhubarb, blood orange, tobacco and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is finely chalky with fireworks of fresh acidity. Its deep core of spicy fruit is immediately approachable, and a flourish of floral perfume defines the long finish. Wine Advocate 91 Points |
Winemaker Description
Soter's 'Estates' wines represents their fascination with the breadth of great vineyard sites located throughout the Northern Willamette Valley. This wine is comprised of Pinot Noir entirely from their Estate holdings, which includes but is no longer limited to their flagship property, Mineral Springs Ranch.
Caze Thibaut Champagne Brut Nature Crayere (Base 2021) 750ml
Producer Description
Straw yellow with brilliant reflections. Scents of fruit with white pulp, citrus and iodine notes. In the mouth it is savory, intense and juicy.
The aromas of Meunier and Chardonnay complement each other with notes of wild berries, red cherries and plums, as well as Meyer lemon, candied blood orange and peach, floral-mineral underlined with scents of almond blossom, some bergamot and a subtle touch of chalk. Juicy and crunchy on the palate, with great freshness and again mineral, fine-tart spice in the finish.
Brick House Pinot Noir Les Dijonnaise Organic Biodynamic 2021 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021
Jeb Dunnuck 95 | From two blocks next to the winery, with three different clones planted in 1995, the ripe red-hued 2021 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais is lush with notes of wild raspberry, wild herbs, and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it is approachable up front but has great underlying structure. It’s drinking well now but has lots of life ahead over the next 8-10 years if stored properly.
Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.
James Suckling 94 | A fresh and pretty pinot with fresh raspberries, orange zest, pomegranates, rose petals and nutmeg on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, with sleek, fine tannins and crunchy acidity. Lots of energy on a vibrant finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now or hold.
Decanter 94 Points | This Pinot plot planted in 1995 to all Dijon clones delivers a wine that is fresh and delicate. Aromas of fresh crushed raspberry, lavender and wet slate lean into a palate that balances savoury fresh and dried herbs of fennel and thyme with tomato leaf notes and cedar plank. There are notes of mineral-driven umami and pine bough, all undergirded by blue fruit character throughout. The wine finishes fresh and bright.
Wine Spectator 93 Points | Dynamic yet elegantly layered, with a beam of fresh acidity that drives vibrant cranberry and cherry flavors. Reveals crushed stone and dusky spice accents, finishing with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.
Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura 2021 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021
93 Points James Suckling | A well-crafted, aromatic and textural red. It shows notes of dark berries, game, wild herbs, grilled meat and baking spices with some cloves. Medium-bodied with fin tannings. Layered and highly textural. Spicy and well composed.
89 Points Wine Advocate | In a lighter year, the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura is a juicy, fresh, fun blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Notes of struck match and black olive lend a savory cast to the black cherry fruit, so it's not a simple, one-note wonder but a medium to full-bodied wine of reasonable complexity.
Producer Description
Born under an Osage orange tree, the Cuvée Maclura Côtes du Rhône calls for the greediness of the fruit revealing a blend of spices with delicate tannins. Designed with respect for the traditions of the south, this cuvée is like our grandmothers’ cuisine : generous and full of life.
Domaine Xavier Monnot Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru En Remilly 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Wine Spectator 92 Points | A ripe style, displaying pineapple, mango, peach, orange peel and toasty oak flavors. Juicy and broad, this shows power and length. A bit funky, yet there's a lot to like here. Drink now through 2028. 125 cases made, 10 cases imported.
Jasper Morris 92 Points
Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains 2022 750ml
Alain Chavy owns over 17 acres of prime vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet, including several premier crus. His winemaking reputation precedes itself with wines of class and distinction, so it comes as no surprise that the release of his 2022s have created some vinous excitement. His exquisitely styled premier cru Les Champs Gain is a tour de force effort par excellence! Elegant, precise and beautifully detailed with exquisite orchard and stone fruit aromas, delicately framed by subtle oak nuances. In the mouth, the flavors unfold with lively intensity. Layers of golden apple, lime zest and apricot emerging graciously on the palate with a quartz like mineral complexity. Perfectly balanced acidity brings harmony and purity to the lasting finish. This magnificent Puligny drinks beautifully now, living up to its high expectation, and will age gracefully for years to come.
Bart Hopkins
Winemaker Description
Alain Chavy produces restrained, structured, and long-lived white Burgundies from 17 acres of vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, with small holdings in the neighboring villages of Chassagne and Meursault. Alain established Domaine Alain Chavy in 2003 with vineyards inherited from his father and includes some of Puligny's top premier crus.
The Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Champs Gains' comes from two parcels planted between 1958 and 1962. Located below 1er Cru 'Les Folatieres', 'Les Champs Gains' is more sheltered by surrounding hedges. The limestone soils are 20cm in depth which lend a particular salinity to the finished wine.
Characterised by precise acidity and notes of peach and ripe lemon, the palate displays a mineral freshness and a long intense finish.
Vinedos del Contino Contino Rioja Blanco 2020 750ml
Critic Notes
Luis Gutierrez writes: The white 2020 Blanco is a little closed, young, clean and tender with subtle oak. They produced a little bit more in 2020, and the wine has less oak and less buttery sensations, a change that started with the 2017 vintage, which seems to have found its style harvesting earlier to retain freshness; it has 13.04% alcohol and a low pH 3.23 and matured in larger oak containers, 500-liter oak barrels and some concrete for 12 months. It's floral and expressive, a blend of Viura with 20% Garnacha Blanca that they still consider work in progress but moving in the direction they want to go. 16,200 bottles and 100 magnums were filled in March 2022. Drinking 2022 to 2028. - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93
James Suckling writes: A delicious, creamy white with aromas of apricots, baked peaches, hazelnuts, white chocolate and nougat. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a ripe and creamy palate. Lovely buttery pastry and nougat character, with a fresh finish. Drink now - James Suckling 93
Pedro Ballesteros MW, Sarah Jane Evans MW, Pierre Monsour write: Round and warm on the nose, with fine notes of smoke. A mouth-filling wine that's fresh and expressive. Drinking 2024 to 2027. - Decanter 90
Winemaker Notes
Contino Blanco 2020 shows a very intense nose, marked by its aging in barrel. It is fresh and fruity wine, a true reflection of the identity of our vineyard. San Gregorio offers a Garnacha Blanca with great complexity and volume. The soils are clayey-calcareous, with medium stoniness, key for good drainage.
Blend: 80% Viura, 20% Garnacha Blanca
Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estephe 2019 750ml
Winemaker Description
Experience the exquisite Les Pagodes De Cos 2019, a true testament to the artistry of winemaking. Crafted with precision and passion, this vintage showcases the unique terroir of the renowned Cos d'Estournel estate, offering a harmonious blend of elegance and complexity in every sip. With its rich aromas and velvety texture, this exceptional wine is perfect for enhancing special moments and fine dining experiences. Indulge in the luxurious notes of dark fruits, spices, and subtle oak that define this exceptional vintage. Elevate your wine collection with Les Pagodes De Cos 2019 and savor a taste of unparalleled sophistication.
Expert Review - Vintage 2019
James Suckling 94 Points | This is very spicy and linear with fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s medium-bodied with freshness and lovely length. Very classic in style. Closed at the end. Drink after 2025.
The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | The name of the second wine of Cos d'Estournel highlights the exotic Chinese pagodas that adorn the roof of the cellars. It is a dense wine, smoky, spiced from wood aging. Licorice flavors will integrate as the wine ages further. Drink this fine wine from 2025.
The Wine Advocate 92-94 Points | The 2019 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.03% alcohol) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, notions of wild blueberries, boysenberries and redcurrant jelly come bounding out of the glass, followed by a profound core of warm cassis, licorice and bouquet garni with a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with bright, expressive black and red fruit flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a lingering spicy note.
Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The second wine of Cos D'Estournel, the 2019 Pagodes De Cos is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, with the balance Petit Verdot. It's classic Saint-Estèphe on the nose with its pure black and blue fruits as well as notes of damp earth, sappy tobacco, cedar pencil, and graphite. This carries to a medium-bodied, elegant 2019 with impeccable balance, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. The balance and purity are spot on, and this will drink nicely for over two decades. It's not far off the style of the 2018 and certainly in the same ballpark qualitatively.
Blason D'Issan Margaux 2019 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019
James Suckling 93 Points | Blackcurrant, sandalwood and rose-petal aromas follow through to a medium body with very fine tannins and a fresh, pretty finish. Second wine. Better after 2024.
CK Mondavi Chardonnay 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
Our family winery has hand-crafted fine wines for four generations. We harvest grapes at their peak of ripeness from our 1,850 acres and prime California vineyards creating wines to be enjoyed every day – whatever the occasion. Our Chardonnay is a delightfully crisp wine with aromas of lemon and citrus.
- Flavors of apple and pear mingle with a hint of oak in this medium-bodied wine that is smooth and refreshing
Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Rouge 2021 750ml
Winemaker Description
Observing careful cultivation and vinification techniques, Domaine Matrot wines offer purity of fruit and terroir-driven character. This enticing Bourgogne Rouge is made from a selection of Pinot Noir vines located in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. Juicy red fruits dominate the aroma with earthy subtlety. Fresh and lively in the mouth with supple tannins caressing the fruit. This is a young wine that gives great drinking pleasure now.
Expert Review - Vintage 2021
Allen Meadows - Burghound | A super-fresh and very pinot nose introduces delicious and vibrant lighter weight flavors that are shaped by bright but not drying acidity on the clean and delineated finale. This is built on its fruit and should drink well basically upon release.
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos Des Porrets St. Georges Monopole2021 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2021
Allen Meadows-Burghound 91-93 Points | Background hints of wood are present on the brooding and much more sauvage-inflected aromas of plum and dark currant. The supple and delicious medium weight flavors possess better volume as well as mid-palate density, all wrapped in a youthfully austere and moderately rustic finish that is shaped by firm tannins. This decidedly powerful effort is excellent and much more Nuits in style.
Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot Meursault 2021 750ml
Winemaker Description
Observing careful cultivation and vinification techniques, Domaine Matrot wines offer purity of fruit and terroir-driven character. The beautifully textured 2021 Meursault is made from a blend of grapes from 12 different plots, which creates a classic representative of village Meursault. A lovely bouquet of peaches, pears and golden apples fills the glass with creamy elegance, with a lovely touch of citrus fruit on the detailed finish. Excellent purity, precision and expression of place.
Expert Review - Vintage 2021
Allen Meadows of Burghound | ...a discreet touch of wood can be found on the pretty aromas of mineral reduction, zest and a similar floral top note. There is a bit more volume and richness to the solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors that flash evident minerality on very clean, bone-dry and nicely complex and persistent finale. This is a quality Meursault villages.
Domaine Vincent & Sophie Morey Santenay Rouge Les Hates 2020 750ml
Winemaker Description
The Santenay lieu dit ‘Les Hâtes’ lies between two premier cru vineyards, Passetemps and Beaurepaire. Plush and juicy, the 2022 Santenay Rouge Les Hâtes sports an opulent bouquet of red and black cherries and currants with a touch of savory spice. Rich and generous in the mouth with a velvety texture and supple tannins. Drinking perfectly now.
Vadio Tinto Bairrada Baga 2020 750ml
Our Professional Review
Debra of 67Wine.com | Fresh berry fruits, currants, really pleasant and enjoyable with many foods.
Winemaker Description
Located one-hundred kilometers south of Porto in northern Portugal, Bairrada was once relegated to supplying grapes for Port wine when demand was high in England. The region is now in the midst of establishing its own wine making identity and young producers like Luis Patrao are using indigenous varieties in that pursuit.
Baga is the main red grape of the region and displays a firm and assertive character. In Vadio (slang for idler, dreamer), the vineyards are farmed organically and the fermentation derived from naturally occurring yeasts. This creates an atmosphere conducive for the variety to fully display its sinewy red fruits, cedary side notes and high-energy acid lift. A wholesaler's need to make room for the next vintage led to a fortuitous purchase and the following deal for you!
Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol ROUGE 2019 Organic 375ml HALF BOTTLE
Winemaker Description
The Bandol Rouge is composed of 85% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 5% Cinsault and grown on soils of limestone pebbles in brown clay, limestone and marl.
A complex nose of opulent Mourvèdre fruit and a whisper of animal/barnyard and turned earth.
On the palette fleshy raspberry melds with tea-leaf and currants around a core of chewy tannins.
Organic viticulture with absolutely no chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. Soil is worked regularly by plow and hand-hoes. Buds are trimmed and a green harvest is practice to purposefully limit yields; the average yield is between 35-38 hl/ha. All grapes are harvested by hand, and selection takes place in the vineyards instead of on a sorting table. Grapes are de-stemmed and then gently pressed by pneumatic press. Wines ferment for 15-21 days in underground, temperature-controlled, gravity-fed cuves. Wine ages in oak foudres for 18 months.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Before acquiring vineyards, Georges Delille trained as a sommelier in Paris. In 1963, he bought what would become Domaine de Terrebrune, a property in Ollioules, just east of Bandol, framed by the Mediterranean and the mountain called Gros-Cerveau (Big Brain), dotted with olive groves and scenic views—an idyllic spot. During the years following the declaration of A.O.C. Bandol (1941), mass overhauling and reconstruction of vineyards were commonplace, and vignerons were eager to revive the noble Mourvèdre grape. Georges spent ten years just renovating the property; he terraced hillsides, refashioned the masonry, replanted vineyards following the advice of Lucien Peyraud, designated soils to lie dormant and regenerate, and built a new cellar. In 1980, his son Reynald joined him after finishing winemaking school, and together they launched their first bottled vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune, which Reynald named in honor of the rich, brown soils they farm. Reynald’s credo of “Philosophy, Rigor, and Respect” is not a catch-phrase. He believes that the hard work and extra attention to the vines is worth it, and, as they say, the proof’s in the pudding—a glass of Terrebrune!
Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2021 750ml 90JD
Winemaker Description - Vintage 2021
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The 2021 Côtes Du Rhône Blanc sports a light gold hue as well as bright peach, honeyed flowers, and chalky mineral-like nuances. With a tight, focused, almost reductive style, it's beautifully done and a gorgeous white.
Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres 2019 750ml
Winemaker Description
Cinsault- and Carignan-based, this is the lightest and juiciest of Didier’s three rouge cuvées, with a velvety-soft mouthfeel. The soil in Faugères is all schist, favoring silky tannins.
50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Cinsault
Podere Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2020 750ml
Winemaker Description
Founded in 1977, and acquired by the Tipa Bertarelli Family in 2002, Grattamacco was one of first the two wineries in Bolgheri. A region typically known for Cabernet and Merlot, Grattamacco sets itself apart from surrounding wineries with its winemaking practices using 15% Sangiovese to impart quality and elegance in its wines. Grattamacco wines are known for both their power, elegance and complexity that evolves with time.
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | Next up is the 2020 Grattamacco, which really takes things up a notch. A deep ruby red, it offers decadent and harmoniously layered aromas of pristine oak spice, fresh leather, mossy earth, tobacco, and kirsch. Full-bodied and refined, it has a velvety texture, plush tannins, even acidity, and a long finish. This demands to be cellared and will continue to improve if adequately stored over the next two decades and likely beyond. Drink 2026-2046.
Vinous 97 Points | A stellar wine, the 2020 Grattamacco is dark, vibrant and nuanced to the core. Black fruit, lavender, spice, leather, menthol and dried herbs infuse the 2020 with tons of character and complexity. Deep yet also wonderfully translucent, the 2020 is one of the most finessed Grattamaccos I can remember tasting. There's incredible depth and resonance here, not to mention tons of personality.
Decanter 96 Points | This vintage gifted generous fruit with excellent, crisp acidities, alongside clean-edged balsam and pungent Mediterranean scrub,’ said winemaker, Luca Marrone. The grapes are hand-harvested in vineyards with an average age of 25 years. Spontaneous fermentation occurs in 7hl oak vats with a frequent and gentle manual pigeage, enabling long macerations and slow release of only fully ripe and noble tannins. This wine was aged for 18 months in oak barrels and bottled in August 2022. Restrained cassis and Mediterranean herb scents are allied to fresher red fruits and a floral touch. It's very well composed, demonstrating an elegant and juicy style with great integration of oak and youthful, chewy fruit. A Bolgheri to wait for – this is intended for the long haul.
The Wine Advociate 95 Points | The organic Grattamacco 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Grattamacco is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese fermented in conical oak vats and aged in barrique for 18 months. The vintage is fruit-driven for sure, and this expression shows nice detailing in terms of the quality and structure of the tannins. The bouquet is focused on grilled cherry and mixed berry. You definitely get a warm, earthy quality with black licorice and sweet Mediterranean tones. It should be interesting to see how it evolves. Production is 60,000 bottles.
James Suckling 94 Points | Aromatic nose of blackcurrants, berries and cherries, together with hints of flowers and smooth oak. Full-bodied with a super-clean and intense bead of fruit running through the lightly firm tannins to give a long, only lightly abrasive finish. From organically grown grapes. A classy, well-structured blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sangiovese. Drinkable now, but better from 2024.
The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Elegant and linear in profile, this red boasts cherry, black currant, mineral, earth and Mediterranean scrub aromas and flavors. There's fine tension and freshness, with a long, resonant aftertaste. Needs time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2042.
La Guardiense Janare Aglianico Beneventano 2021 750ml
Winemaker Description
The Janare Aglianico has a deep color with garnet hints. Cherry nuances melt with sweet vanilla notes given by ageing in the wood. On the palate it is full, powerful and intense with a light and soft tannins with a long, mouthfilling finish.
St. Michael Eppan Sudtirol Alto Adige Sauvignon Sanct Valentin 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
Color: Yellowish green. Nose: Thick bouquet of yellow fruit, gooseberry, elderflower and ripe currant. Taste: Crisp acidity, soft fullness and elegant fullness.
Expert Review - 2023 Vintage
Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre Le Grand Chemarin 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
Lively and intense, this Sancerre is dry and classic in style with aromas and flavors of peaches, green apples, gooseberries and quince with a backbone of stony minerality. Perfectly balanced acidity makes this a perfect pairing to grilled fish, poultry and vegetable based dishes.