2010 - Present Wine

August 2025, Dinners:  This is just a terrific wine.  We drank this wine with burgers, roast chicken, hanger steaks and it just worked so well.  50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, the wine fills your mouth with black fruit and cherry-like flavors and does it all in a gentle way.  Finishes absolutely clean, fresh and mouthwatering.  Everyone of our friends enjoyed drinking it.  -  Bernie & Dorothy, Paulo & Barbara, and Annie - Follow the Drinker®

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Gentleness and ripeness are rendered in a lovely way in this version, which offers dusty earth and chalky mineral hints. Shows real depth, with black pepper, pretty lavender and simmering incense notes in the backdrop, anchored by a foundation of iron. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported. 

Winemaker Description 

Ruby red, nicely bright. Fresh cherry and blackberry nose, notes of cracked pepper. Dark berry and touches of anise flavors, the quality of winemaking is evident. Touches of sweet cherries and raspberry on the palate.  A Parisian brasserie favorite.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

James Suckling 93 Points | A restrained pinot grigio with aromas of green apples, white peaches, white pepper and minerals. Tight-knit structure on the palate, with subtle silkiness, super-savory flavors and a medium body. Long finish.

Winemaker Description 

This wine is all the rage right now, an international bestseller – especially as a major export to the United States and Great Britain. The grape, which actually originates from Burgundy, loves not only the climate in South Tyrol, but also the soil conditions. It has found a second homeland here, and has become the most widely planted grape variety. It is appreciated for its freshness, nice acidity and pleasant, lingering aftertaste.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Tasting Panel 92 Points | Streamlined, with velvety tannins, this balanced red surpasses expectations for its price point. Creamy notes of black cherry, vanilla, and purple plum bathe the mouth, giving way to a delectable finish of spiced LOHR black currant.

James Suckling 90 Points | Currants, sage, roasted plums and cloves on the nose of this rich and spicy red. It’s full-bodied, plush and toasty, with ripe tannins.

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | Damp earth aromas lead quickly into sharp yet ripe cherry aromas on the nose of this bottling. Likable flavors of black cherry greet the palate, as wet clay, cocoa, mint and mace flavors add impressive complexity at this price point.

Winemaker Description

Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and currant are accented by notes of toasted pastry, hazelnut, and vanilla from J. Lohr's authentic barrel aging program. Big, juicy red-fruit flavors infuse the palate while softly textured tannins lead to a long, gratifying finish.

Winemaker Description

A very different year from 2022! After the spring frosts, the sun was long in coming, and the end of spring was marked by a lot of rain and humidity.
No drought to deplore this year, but excess humidity throughout the year, and until the harvest.

Diseases (mildew and powdery mildew) set in very early in the vines, the result of a cool and humid summer.

The 2023 harvests were marked by a lot of loss of grapes, due to rot (acetic pitting), linked to excess humidity.

For wines, the 2023 vintage is fresher than the previous year, with less alcohol concentration.

The aroma is rather floral and very fresh, with a nice balance. For reds, the tannins are more supple and the aromas are finer and more delicate.

If no wine region on earth can rival the stylistic diversity on display in France’s Loire Valley, the appellation of Anjou offers the perfect microcosm of the region as a whole. Long a staple of the bistros of Paris, the area is home a to a mind-bogglingly vast array of expressions— from white to red, bone-dry lusciously sweet, still to sparkling— derived from a handful of different grapes, from Cabernet Franc and Gamay to Sauvignon Blanc and Charodnnay. But one grape variety could be called the most distinctive of all: Chenin Blanc.

Sourced from vineyards that fall exactly along the border of the two sub-regions of Anjou, this gorgeously subtle white from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau comes from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers. 

Notes

The Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc Pascal Biotteau 2023 is a beautifully fresh and expressive Loire Valley white, made from Chenin Blanc. It offers bright aromas of crisp green apple, ripe pear, white peach, and delicate floral notes, with hints of honey and citrus zest. On the palate, it is vibrant and well-balanced, with refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Sourced from the rolling vineyards of Anjou in the Loire Valley, France, this elegant Chenin Blanc captures the region’s signature freshness and purity. Pascal Biotteau crafts this wine with a focus on terroir-driven expression, resulting in a lively, food-friendly white that pairs beautifully with seafood, soft cheeses, or light poultry dishes. A perfect choice for lovers of crisp, mineral-driven wines.

Our Professional Review

Debra 67Wine.com | This wine shows lovely flavors of ripe stone fruits, citrus and orchard apples . Balanced with aromas toasty oak, coconut and vanilla lead into a generous finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

James Suckling 90 Points | A nice mix of stone, citrus and tropical fruit aromas. Dry, with bright acidity. A solid, lively and refreshing California chardonnay at an affordable price.

Winemaker Description 

Pair with cheeses, grilled chicken,  broiled fish and salad. Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer 

Fresh notes of Bosc pear, lemon zest, touches of pineapple, and subtle vanilla on the finish. Fresh and spicy.  Pairs effortlessly with fresh fish tacos and mango salsa. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 92 Points | Fresh orchard fruit, lemon pith, citrus peel and spicy herbs define the nose. The palate is vivid and juicy, with medium to full body and crunchy acidity. Creamy and sleek with a flavorful, fruit-driven finish.

Winemaker Description 

Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay; 40% Malolactic Fermentation. A tribute to tradition and excellence, this Napa Valley Chardonnay is a sublime example of the vintage’s advantageous growing season. It begins with inviting aromas of ripe pear, fresh lemongrass and a delicate touch of ginger. As it unfolds, vibrant layers of citrus and creamy crème brûlée emerge, accompanied by a subtle hint of salinity that adds depth and intrigue. A silky entry leads to a long, juicy finish, where its balanced complexity shines through.

In 2023, heavy winter and spring rains delayed budbreak and set the stage for one of the latest vintages in decades. Cooler spring temperatures led to an extended flowering period with our team applying post-veraison thinning to achieve a balanced crop.

As the season progressed, temperatures remained below average, which provided additional hangtime but required extra patience. Our patience paid off, with 2023 offering one of our most unique and rewarding vintages to date! Semillon harvest began on August 28th with Sauvignon Blanc soon following. With no significant heat events, the grapes were able to ripen beautifully. Harvest concluded on November 9th with Cabernet Sauvignon from

Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain. Our 2023 whites are crisp, with ideal flavor development and bright acids, and the reds are pure, supple and balanced, with vibrant acidity, fresh flavors, and intense colors.

Winemaker Description

It has a bright ruby red color with light violet hues. The first approach on the nose is intense, revealing notes of anise, cardamom, cherry, thyme, fresh plum, jarilla and orange peel. On the palate, it has a fluid structure and supple tannins.

 It is a wine with energy, a pleasure wine that makes you want to drink it. An honest Malbec, made from organically grown grapes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 91 Points | The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo Botti is a classy, elegant wine. Crushed flowers, kirsch, orange peel, cinnamon and cedar are some of the many notes that open in the glass. There's gorgeous energy and delineation here. All the elements are so well balanced. This entry-level offering delivers the goods.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A pretty red, this features raspberry, cherry, rose and mineral flavors aligned with an elegant frame. Though airy and bright, this is intense, with its fruit builing to the long aftertaste. Shows fine harmony.

Winemaker Description 

Pecchenino winery is managed in a sustainable fashion: Orlando is convinced that the quality of his wine is strictly related to the natural health of his vineyard.

His main objective is that of growing the best possible grapes with the lowest possible impact on nature. In the vineyards, he opts for organic compost and avoids the use of any chemical products for weed or pest control; his treatments in the vineyards are all natural unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

Our Professional Review 

Debra of 67Wine.com writes | This fleshy medium bodied wine offers plentiful flavors of tropical fruit, baking spice, and zest, with an underlying subtle oak influence. Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is harmoniously balanced with ample acidity and a buttery, creamy mouth coating finish. 
- Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 93 Points | Achieves excellent balance between a tangy feel and generous flavors. Quite toasty, flinty and nervy in aromas before a ripe, buttery palate delivers good richness and length. Minerals and sea salt on the nose, then bright pineapple, baked apple, butter and lemon zest on the palate.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Aromas of honey drizzled on ripe honeydew melon invite the nose into this comfortingly classic style of California Chardonnay. Toasted hazelnut and apple pie flavors on the palate are balanced by brisk lemon, cinnamon and star anise spices.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Impressive for its intensity and harmony, with caramelized pineapple, ripe Bosc pear, papaya and apricot flavors at the core, accented by touches of wildflower honey, brown sugar and vanilla. Mouthwatering acidity keeps everything in focus.

Expert Review

Winemaker Description 

Crisp, fresh, and refreshing with notes of citrus, cut grass, and subtle tropical fruits. 

Winemaker Description 

Crisp, refreshing, and peppery with citrus, green apple and cool stone fruit. A balanced, fine wine that is fun and easy drinking.

The perfect food wine; drink with light meats, oysters, fried chicken, spicy cuisines, sushi, tofu, veggies, snacks and more!

Bright, fresh, and organically made, this Sicilian rosé bursts with notes of wild strawberry and citrus. Light-bodied and easy-drinking—perfect for picnics, beach days, or aperitivo hour.

Winemaker Description 

A perennial favorite from Southern Sicily, the Purato rosato is dry, bright, energetic and versatile. While it is delicious on its own, you really should try it with your next plate of charcuterie or alongside toasted bread with fresh ricotta, rosemary and olive oil. It just so also happens to be both Organic and Vegan!

Purato Rosé is a Sicilian wine made with the Nero d’Avola grape, and the winery is exceptionally environmentally friendly. This wine is not only organically farmed, but its production is also carbon-neutral and vegan-friendly, and it is packaged exclusively in recycled and recyclable materials. On the nose, it is surprisingly complex for an everyday rosé: notes of fruit, wet sand, sea breeze, but also orange honey and some spices. It’s fresh, simple and pleasant.

Our Professional Review 

This old vines Pinot Blanc Auxerrois comes from steep slopes near the town of Colmar. It is elegant, yet complex and rich.  Delicate yellow plum and white berry fruit intermingles with stony minerality and a subtle hint of spice.   Rand Sieger - 67 Wine Buyer

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Vinous 91 Points | The 2023 Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes, from vines planted between 60 and 75 years ago, is a pure Auxerrois. The palate is unusually smooth and fluid, just flowing and bright. This moves with poise and grace, living off its smooth texture and surprising freshness. The 2023 is exceptionally serene. (Bone-dry)

Winemaker Notes

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

93 Points by Tasting Panel: The 2024 rendition of this consistently fine rosé hits a winning balance between expressive fruit flavors and the sense of restraint that has made Provence the global standard for wines of this type. It shows a bit more palate weight than less expensive rosés but remains refreshing, with a touch of citrus acidity energizing classic notes of strawberries and red cherries. – Michael Franz

92 Points by VinePair: This sleek wine is a quintessential example of the Provençal style… It offers notes of both juicy, acidic grapefruit juice as well as bitter grapefruit pith and a chalky minerality. – Hannah Staab

Elizabeth Gabay MW writes:  This rosé stood out for its exuberant fruity ch2049arm. From the cool northern reaches of Coteaux d’Aix, comes this very pale creamy white pink. Fragrant aromas of orchard blossom, perfumed pears, apples and fresh citrus, the wine opens out to rich white fruit, pears, ripe white peaches, raw, toasty hazelnuts and ripe concentrated weightiness. Balanced by fresh, well-integrated acidity, this rosé is silky smooth and elegant, the ripe charm of the fruit gives attractive flavour and joyousness.  - Decanter Magazine

Producer Description 

A hypnotizing pale pink color with notes of citrus, wild berries, and white peach. Refreshingly crisp and dry with a mineral finish. 

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins writes:  One of our favorite recommendations for the past three years, Gerard Boulay Sancerre Rose is made of 100% Pinot Noir and is certain to make your mouth water!  The wine is balanced between juicyness and acidity, with obvious red berry notes.  Boulay’s Sibylle Rose is made from mature 35 to 40+ year old vines, in the village of Chavignol, where many believe the best Sancerre is made.  - 67Wine Buyer

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

Vinous by Rebecca Gibb writes 94 Points | The 2024 Sibylle is a fabulous Ros. There was no red made at Boulay in 2024 and what would normally go in the reds made it into the Sibylle. As a result, this is a high-quality, intensely concentrated style. There's an element of fleshiness, but then here comes the acidity to tie it all up. This is sophisticated, pale and vinous. Its a proper pink.

Winemaker Notes

Unlike many Sancerre Roses, Gerard harvests his Pinot specifically to make rose by direct press, then into tank. It is not a selection of young vines as he has no young Pinot vines. What makes the rosé one year could make red another, and vice versa, depending on what the vintage gives. 

Varietals: Pinot Noir. Organic: Practicing. Vineyard: From 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines on the steep hillsides in front of the Boulay home in Chavignol. Orientation: Multiple parcels, varied exposure. Soil: Steep clay hillside. Viticulture: Gerard works the soil manually and lets nature make the wine. Vinification: Tank fermented. Boulay adds no yeast and minimal amounts of SO2. Aging: Tank aged. Production: 200 cases annually.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Spiced and cedary on the nose, with dark cherries, plums and hints of cigar box and wet earth. Full-bodied and chewy with a lightly austere, bitter-spice character, yet with juicy fruit underneath.

Winemaker Description

A bright, fruit forward wine with supple tannins makes this a crowd pleaser. Petite Sirah contributes beautiful color and spice, while splashes of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the mouthwatering finish.

Winemaker Description

An undeniably juicy Pinot Noir that bursts with cherries, raspberries and a touch of cassis. Rich flavors of fresh fruit join with soft oak to create a beautifully long, smooth finish filled with sweet vanilla.

This wine goes well with roasted mushrooms, duck breast and dog-earing another page in your favorite book.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling writes 91 Points |  A well-balanced and flavorful blend of garnatxa and cabernet. Dark cherries, plums and earth aromas mingle on the nose and follow through to a medium body with creamy tannins. Vibrant with a fruity and chocolaty finish. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Rhone meets Bordeaux in Penedes. The Cab here provides the body and power, Grenache for the florality and freshness. A cold maceration and fermentation in stainless before finishing in oak. Rich, velvety, dark berry, vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of licorice lead the way. Very generous fruit, big body, framed nicely in oak without it taking a front seat. This is the big red that will appeal to many.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

A vivid, structured and textured wine in which vibrant acidity merges with bold sliced apple and Bosc pear flavors. It shows brightness, lift and freshness that are especially appetizing. Medium-bodied and quite affordable.

Winemaker Description

Raeburn Chardonnay shows an array of complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine, notes of Crème Brulee with a balanced and elegant finish.

Winemaker Description 

Our Columbia Valley Riesling is medium-dry style sourced from Riesling vineyards throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. The wine offers crisp apple and white peach aromas and flavors with subtle mineral notes. This is our go to Riesling that is incredibly refreshing and flavorful and easy to match with a variety of foods.

Wine Analysis

Blend: 100% Riesling

• Winemaking Notes: Fermented at 55-60˚F to maintain freshness
• TA: 0.70g/100mL
• PH: 2.94
• RS: 2.1g/100 mL
• Alcohol: 12.0%

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com | Made from organically grown grapes and vegan friendly, this dark, juicy, easy drinking Nero d’Avola is uncomplicated, packed with flavor, and irresistibly delicious. Plump and round in the mouth with blackberry, plum and raspberry fruit at its core with silky tannins and a velvety rich texture. An affordable indulgence for any meal, this is an ideal partner to pasta in tomato sauce and hearty pizza.

Winemaker Description

Deep purple red color. The nose reveals intense fruity notes of blackberry and blueberry compote, together with smoky and spicy notes. On the palate it is extraordinarily round and complete, with a natural and effortless balance of tannin and acidity, structure and length.

Purato’s environmental commitment extends into the winery. Purato uses eco-friendly packaging, made from recycled paper, pure vegetable ink on the labels and 85% recycled glass for the bottle.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 95 Points | A youthful wine full of fruit, showing intense fresh roses, black cherries and plums. The generous nose is supported by a lush, supple palate with medium body. Velvety tannins with a chalkier finish and refreshing length. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Full of savory, umami flavors, this red evokes earth, leather, sweet spice, cherry, plum and Szechuan peppercorn notes. Firm and dry, with broad tannins and a lingering kernel of cherry. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2040. 

Winemaker Description - Vintage 2022 

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is intensely ruby red in color. Impressive on the nose with intense notes of black cherries, delicate floral hints of violets and rose petals that lead over to notes of vanilla and cocoa powder. Entry on the palate is mouth filling and lively then unfolds with great balance revealing supple vibrant tannins that accompany and sustain a long, sapid and persistent finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024 

The Wine Enthusiast by Jeff Porter writes 93 Points | A stunning wine from a vastly underrated region, this wine opens with vibrant orchard fruits and cascading spring blossoms, creating a seductive aromatic cloud that pulls you into the glass. The dynamic palate dazzles with tart fruit, almond skin, and peach stone complexity, while fresh herbs add layers of intrigue. This brilliant Gavi captures both immediate pleasure and serious aging potential. Drink Now - 2035.

Winemaker Description 

Color  is straw yellow, with slight greenish hints. Offers a particularly fine mineral feeling and notes of fruit and white flowers. Mouthfeel is lively, balanced, with a fresh acidity, which increases its persistance and favours its drinkability.

A slight almondish finish.

Perfect pairing - Excellent as aperitif, paired with hors d’oeuvres and fish ragú or vegetable first courses. It is the perfect match also for seafood.

The vineyard's soil at La Raia is calcareous and clayey, it's approximately 400 metres above sea level with a south-east and south-west exposure. The vineyards surround the cellar, with an average density of 4500 plants per hectare. In accordance with the farm’s core philosophy and in line with the biodynamic principles, the vines are farmed without the use of any chemicals.

Winemaker Notes 

"Bright ruby in color. The bouquet on the nose is intense, with rich cherry and red berry aromas and leafy undertones. On the palate it is silky, balanced, with medium body, refined tanning and a long flavorful finish of blackberry and chocolate. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot."

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous Media 92 Points | The 2022 Chianti Classico is fruity, supple and very easy to drink. Succulent dark red fruit, plum, leather, spice and a kick of blood
orange are front and center. Medium in body and forward, with fine balance, the 2022 is full of charm. The warm vintage yielded an especially succulent Chianti Classico that is quite appealing. Antonio Galloni

Wine Spectator 90 Points | This is rich and exudes cherry and raspberry fruit. Iron, leafy underbrush and spice accents add detail as this winds down alongside a light dusting of tannins. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through
2035. 3,000 cases made, 525 cases imported. -Bruce Sanderson

Winemaker Description 

Embodying the luxurious beauty of great Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this alluring wine draws you in with complex aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the tannins are supple and round, framing juicy layers of dark berries and chocolate, with sophisticated hints of white pepper and toasty oak emerging throughout the long, resonant finish.

Our Professional Review

Debra of 67Wine.com | Cantine Colosi's Grillo is certified vegan and shows fresh floral aromas , stone fruits and  herbs.  This Southern Italian white is bright, with lively acidity, orange zest, grapefruit, white peaches and savoriness on the palate.  

Wonderfully balanced offering a generous crisp, refreshing finish. Pair with lemon pasta and cream sauce,  chicken,  seafood and goat cheese.  Debra, Italy White Wine Buyer.

Winemaker Description 

The color is a pale straw yellow. The bouquet on the nose is intense and rich with hints of golden apple followed by sensations of tropical fruit. Sapid, clean, and well balanced sip. 

Grillo is an indigenous Sicilian white grape variety once used as the base for the best Marsala. Originally it produced potent, full-bodied base wines that were supplemented by other varietals such as Inzolia and Catarratto. Sicilian producers have since resurrected their Grillo vineyards and are now producing Grillo as its own wonderfully fresh and clean varietal.

Perfect with fish, seafood and delicate cheeses.

Winemaker Description

Broad, ripe black fruit and spice aromas, with notes of pepper, toasty vanilla and Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, the wine has a robust, concentrated character, a firm structure, and small black fruit and licorice notes on the aftertaste.

“Piluna” translates into “pot of clay” or an ancient container used to store water or wine.
Terroir: This 100% Primitivo is grown from vineyards surrounding the ancient Castello Monaci estate. Soils are a blend of dry clay, volcanic gravel and limestone. Vines are forced deep in search of water, leading to low yields and rich, fragrant wines.

Vinification: Harvest is done by hand prior to dawn to preserve sugar levels and avoid the hot sunlight. The grapes are vinified in small stainless steel tanks prior to 6 months of aging in 75% stainless steel and 25% 2nd and 3rd use French oak. 300,000 bottles produced. 

Expert Rating - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins. 

Winemaker Description 

Excelsior Sauvignon Blanc offers an enticing bouquet of passion fruit, lime and ripe fig leads to complex flavors of citrus, herbs and gooseberry on the palate. A bracing acidity and long fruity finish balance out this invigorating, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.

Winemaker Description 

The Macon-Villages Château de Miarnde has an open and intense nose of citrus fruits, pears and hints of butter.  On the palate it is juicy and full, the long finish has touches of  creamy notes and finishes crisp and fresh.

Jean Loron's Château de Mirande Macon Villages is aged without contact with wood and ages for 6 months on the Lees, which gives the wine depth and structure. It also comes from a vineyard with Chardonnay vines that are on average forty years old, which gives the wine complexity and further depth.

Winemaker Description

Lovely dark fruit aromas waft from the glass with notes of spice and eucalyptus. Blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry flavors are accentuated by hints of vanilla, espresso and baker’s chocolate. The finish is round and supple. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 91 Points | Notes of spiced cherries, spices, and dried citrus peel, with fine tannins and a fine finish.

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby in color, its bouquet of leather, earth, herbs, black cherries, licorice and plums is confirmed on the medium to full-bodied palate - round, spicy, elegant, attractively fruity and extremely versatile.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | Black cherry and plum fruit signals this rich, round red. Boysenberry, eucalyptus and lavender notes chime in as this remains focused on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2027. 

Winemaker Description 

The charm of Mongrana does not take long to reveal. Well-defined aromas of ripe fruit, morello cherry, blackberry and blueberry jump out of the glass, anticipating a complex bouquet of kirsch, ivy, and pine needles, enriched by a touch of licorice. On the palate, it offers a juicy, fresh sip with soft tannins. The long finale is savory, with a mineral note that persists in the mouth.

Like the untamed nature of Maremma, Mongrana is vibrant and intense, a charming red wine to drink on its own, or pair easily with a variety of flavors.

Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon

Expert Review

100% Tempranillo. Red berries, plums and vanilla. Medium-bodied with good consistency on the palate. Very pleasant finish. 

- Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67 Wine Buyer

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020

James Sucking 94 Points: A discrete and savory nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, coffee beans and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with silky tannins, bright acidity and notes of dark cherries, olives and beets. A blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% malbec. A well-balanced wine that will age gracefully. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast 92 points: The expressive nose of this wine gives aromas of black currant, plum and tobacco, with just a whisper of capsicum. The palate displays vibrant cranberry, black cherry, cigar and black pepper flavors in a medium-bodied frame.

Winemaker Notes:

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia of 67Wine.com writes | Every release from Vina Ardanza La Rioja Alta is simply beautifully crafted to almost perfection. Reservas at the winery are aged up to maximum craftsmanship and release to the market until the wine team feels its aged consistently.<

Intense cherry red color, marking the garnet on the edge of the glass. Of great aromatic power, first of fruity character (cherry, currant, red plum) giving way then to balsamic and spicy notes (pepper, licorice, clove, vanilla, toasted caramel and nutmeg). Fresh and balanced in the mouth, with fine and silky tannins. Ample aftertaste that combines red fruits and spices with a fresh and long character.

Pair with roast lamb, red meats, barbecues, large game, spicy fish casseroles, smoked and aged cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2019 Vina Ardanza is a highly impressive, full-bodied blend of 80% older-vine Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from two different parts of Rioja grown at the same altitude. The producer’s own American oak was used to age the Tempranillo 36 months and the Garnacha 30 months, 20% new. The fruity nose of black cherry and plum complements beautifully against Garnacha’s seductively spicy texture and mouthfeel. It’s lively, complex, and lengthy, with melty tannins.

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | No 2018 was produced, so after the 2017 I tasted last year, we jumped to the 2019 Viña Ardanza Reserva, produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. It fermented destemmed in stainless steel and aged in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months for Garnacha, and was blended before bottling. 2019 is a very good year for them, a small crop of powerful and concentrated wines when they produced all their brands, an exception. This is spicy, structured, balanced and powerful in this warm year, reaching the customary 14.5% alcohol and keeping a pH of 3.54 and 5.5 grams of acidity. It's still very young and undeveloped, with the classical profile, generous in American oak aromas and flavors that should slowly integrate in the wine with years in bottle. For them, 2019 means a change in Ardanza, less spicy (but still quite spicy, with clove, vanilla and tobacco leaves) and with more fresh fruit from the Garnacha. But the year is a modern version of 2015.

Decanter 94 Points | A super-classic and great interpretation of Rioja reserva, this offers all the appealing sweet red berry fruit and American oak with serious struture and balance. Soft and inviting, this is surely a reference for reserva wines in the region. A blend of 80%Tempranillo – from two vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero, northern Rioja Alta – and 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla in Rioja Oriental, a 17-day fermentation was followed by ageing in American oak barrels from the producer's own cooperage: 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months (in 20% new) for the Garnacha. 

Our Professional Review 

Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer, writes: A lovely alternative to Sancerre, hands down delicious with refreshing purity and harmonious balance. The aroma is enticingly perfumed with scents of white peach, honeydew melon and lemon verbena. Lively and energetic in the mouth, with freshness and purity in every sip.  Nice mineral finish. Perfect with salads, light poultry and grilled fish.

Winemaker Description

Located in Pouilly-sur-Loire, in the heart of the France’s Loire Valley, the Domaine Gilles Chollet uses modern wine-making techniques to bring out the best of the Pouilly Fumé terroir. The 30 acres estate is comprised of clay-limestone and sandy soils and benefits from a south-western exposure. The vines are cultivated in accordance with sustainable agricultural methods known as “Lutte Raisonnée”. 

Gilles Chollet worked in the vineyards for over ten years before taking over the Domaine from his father to develop it with his wife. 

Little by little, Gilles has invested in high-performance equipment that allows him to better control the fermentation and to extract a maximum of aromas.

Concours Général Agricole Paris Silver Medal