2010 - Present Wine

A California Chardonnay benchmark in a generous magnum format — J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2023 comes from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, where the Ventana winds off Monterey Bay slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. The result is a full-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay that balances ripe fruit generosity with freshness and finesse.

The nose offers pear, white peach, floral notes, and a hint of baking spice. On the palate it’s round and buttery with flavors of baked apple, toast, brown butter, and honey — ripe and generous, with a soft, lingering finish. A crowd-pleasing style that over-delivers at its price point, especially in the 1.5L magnum format ideal for entertaining.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 91 Points | This full-bodied, round and buttery chardonnay has notes of baked apples, toast and brown butter. Ripe, soft and generous.

• Producer: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, California
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-Bodied Chardonnay
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Pair With: Triple crème cheese, seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, chicken piccata

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Vinous 92 Points Eric Guido | More savory than sweet and wonderfully complex, the 2019 Brut Rosé North Coast bursts from the glass with toasty notes of fresh baguette and almonds, giving way to crushed apples and gingery spice. This rushes the palate with an elegant bead of silken bubbles. It is creamy yet energetic, and mineral-tinged orchard fruits add further tension. The 2019 leaves the senses wonderfully refreshed through the long, crunchy finale, as white strawberry and spice cookie notes fade. The Brut Rosé is a pleasure bomb, yet it’s wonderfully balanced throughout.  Drinking 2023 to 2027.    

Wine Spectator 92 Points | A delicate, graceful rosé, with refined strawberry, fresh ginger and yeast roll tones that glide on the supple finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now.  

Château Picard — Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois 2020

Situated in the heart of the village of Saint-Estèphe, Château Picard is one of the appellation’s most respected Cru Bourgeois estates — classified as such since 1932. Acquired by the prestigious négociant house Mähler-Besse in 1997, the 8-hectare estate has been meticulously renovated, with gravity-fed harvest entry and Napoleon III-style cellars restored to their former glory.

The terroir is quintessential Saint-Estèphe: clay-dominant soils loaded with calcified cockle and sea urchin remains, delivering wines of structure, depth, and distinctive mineral character. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory — shows deep ruby color with a dark, rich nose of intense berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied on the palate with a solid core of fruit, silky tannins, and a beautifully balanced, polished finish.

• Producer: Château Picard / Mähler-Besse, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark berry, Indian spices, mineral, silky tannins, polished finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2024–2035+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, beef tenderloin

A serious Saint-Estèphe from a landmark Bordeaux vintage — structured, elegant, and built to age gracefully.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Producer Description 

Barbera, along with Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, is widely planted throughout Piemonte. Many Barolo and Barbaresco producers will also make a Barbera mainly because the aging requirement is far shorter allowing them to see a profit from the harvest earlier. In the commune of Nizza, the Barbera grape steps into the spotlight and takes center stage. This is where Barbera reaches its heights of glory.

The wine presents itself with an intense garnet red hue, complemented by alluring purple reflections. Its bouquet is both deep and intricate, revealing a delightful combination of fruity aromas dominated by cherry and plum, while subtle undertones of chocolate add an intriguing layer of complexity. Upon tasting, the wine showcases a full-bodied and harmonious profile, where the luscious flavors of red fruits intertwine seamlessly with almond-like notes. This captivating blend culminates in a pleasantly harmonious and enduring finish, leaving a lasting impression on the palate.

Winemaker Description

A youthful nose of fresh berries, cherry, and floral aromas, finishing with a soft texture and a hint of sweetness — designed to be vibrant, flavorful, and enjoyed within four years.

This is a fruitier style of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of sweetness, perfect for those who prefer a softer, more approachable red wine.

Winemaker Description 

Blending Petite Sirah into this Zinfandel gave it greater perfume, color and complexity in the glass. A glint of purple against a deep red hue hints at the luscious aromas of violets, raspberry and strawberry on the nose. A rich palate of briery fruit, brown spice and vanilla is framed by a subtle thread of white pepper and oak. The generous mid-palate showcases soft tannins and balanced acidity followed by a lingering, bold finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The Bonterra Organic Zinfandel 2022 is one of the most reliable organic wines in the United States. Produced by Bonterra Organic Estates (a B Corp certified winery in Mendocino County), this wine is a pioneer in sustainable viticulture, proving that "green" wine can be both high-quality and affordable.

Expert Review - Vintage 

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This wine is dense, complex, with aromas of black currant, black cherry, black plum, pink grapefruit, dried potpourri, cardamom on the nose. The palate is red plum, strawberry, pomegranate, mulled spice, mandarin orange, wafting into cracked black pepper, clove, bittersweet chocolate, and sweet cigar.

Winemaker Description 

Dark briary fruit of mulberry, white pepper, cigar box, ripe strawberry, grilled steak, spicey, cherry tobacco, sage, and plum lead to an extractive fleshy structure with firm tannin and a balanced long lingering finish.

Our Professional Review 

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | Made from 50 year old organic and Biodynamically grown Nero d’Avola vines, the 2020 Contrada is a beautifully crafted, totally natural Sicilian red wine. The bouquet is deep and rich with earthy plum and dark berry and licorice aromas that mingle playfully with notes of exotic spices. In the mouth the flavors are seductive and elegant with purity, freshness and detailed complexity. An exceptionally unique expression of Nero d’Avola.
Bart Hopkins

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

The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch is a refreshing, vibrant Chardonnay characterized by its lush, glass-filling aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and exotic fruit. On the palate it offers a graceful balance of energy and richness, with flavors of white melon, apricot, ripe pineapple, flint, honey, and Crème Brûlée. With its pure, Chablis-like acidity this vintage offers effortless structure and elegant balance with a long, delightful finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment.

James Suckling 96 Points | A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today.

Winemaker Description 

The name derives from Moresco, the previous owner of the parcel in Pajorè vineyard which was purchased in 1979.

Abundant snowfall and low temperatures led to an unusually severe, rainy winter, followed by a dry spring. Temperatures picked up again in mid-March, accelerating the plant life cycle.

Unfortunately, the cold temperatures returned in early April with icy winds that channeled through the valleys and affected the lower vineyards, especially in the Barbaresco area.

Other Barbaresco vineyards affected by frost recorded minimal losses of 5%. Our Barolo vineyards are located at higher altitudes and survived the frost unscathed. The summer rolled out dramatically with a bright and windy start, hot and violent midseason, characterized by frequent thunderstorms, and ended hot and dry.

While both benefited from thunderstorms that cooled the land, powdery mildew became a real threat in Barbaresco in July. A redeeming rainfall came at the end of August, refreshing the Barbaresco and Barolo vineyards.

2021 was a late vintage, tending to be dry but cool, resulting in wines of great volume and richness marked by savoriness and length, generous even on the nose, with intense and complex aromas.

The two varieties ferment and macerate separately for three weeks. After the malolactic fermentation, they are blended and then aged in oak for 12 months.

A beautiful violet color atypical of Nebbiolo but reflective of the 2021 vintage where fullness and richness are even present to the eye. The wine has bold notes of blackberry, cherry, blood orange, and bergamot with a touch of flintiness. Medium-structured with lots of juiciness and harmony on the palate all lead to well-balanced acidity and tannin structure with a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

This is the Grand Vin Blanc, mainly made from Roussanne with Clairette and Marsanne. The Roussane was oak aged in French oak barrels. The wine is named after Albert, Jacques Capsouto’s younger brother. The wine is straw colored with a lemony, apricot character and a hint of a floral aroma. It is medium bodied and with good complexity, and a long broad flavored finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Paul Gregutt from the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | From Draper clone vines planted in 1965, this bright gold-hued wine brings myriad details to its apple, jicama, white peach and nut oil flavors. A whiff of smoke carries throughout, and its sheer complexity strains the vocabulary. Stay with it as more subtle layers unfold. Though seductive now, it should mature well through 2030. — Paul Gregutt 

James Suckling 92 Points | A layered and fresh white with cooked apples, honey and straw. Medium- to full- bodied, creamy and textured wine with fresh and pretty fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Origin Alella, Catalunya.

Varieties 100% Pansa Blanca

From 7 vineyards around Alella, all planted on Saulò (granitic sand) aty 120-300m. The vines were planted between 1939 and 1998.

Vinification Method The grapes were harvested by hand and half were destemmed and crushed by foot, then left to macerate on the skins for 3-4 days; the other half were destemmed, left whole, and macerated on the skins for 9 days. The two parts were pressed and finished fermentation in stainless steel tanks and fiberglass, then rested for 11 months on
the lees in the same vessels. 

Bottled without fining, filtering, or added sulfur. Oriol Artigas, an Alella native and trained enologist, started his project of making non- interventionist wines in 2011. His over-arching philosophy is to “cultivate the vineyards in the most natural and least interventionist way possible, to allow the grapes to express in the most intense way the landscape from which they come.”

He works about 12 hectares in total, mostly of old vines. He allows vegetation to grow between the vines, prunes very little, and works the vineyards primarily along the lunar calendar. In the winery, fermentations are completely spontaneous, aging is primarily done in steel vats, and sulfur is never used at any point in his process. The vineyards of Alella are essentially the vineyards of Barcelona, located just north of the city along the coast of the Mediterranean. 

The primary soil type is a kind of white granite, locally called Sauló, and the main grape grown here is Pansa Blanca (the local clone of Xarel- lo) with a whole slew of other grape varieties inter-planted as well.

Alphonse Mellot La Moussière Sancerre Blanc Organic — Loire Valley 2025

Alphonse Mellot is one of Sancerre’s most storied and celebrated estates — and the only domaine in the entire Sancerrois to hold the prestigious hors concours (beyond competition) distinction, a recognition that places them in a category of their own. La Moussière is the estate’s flagship cuvée and its cornerstone: a 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from the La Moussière vineyard at the very heart of the Sancerre appellation, farmed organically and vinified to express the richness, energy, and precision that define the Alphonse Mellot style. In the elegant 375ml half-bottle format, it is the perfect introduction to one of the Loire Valley’s greatest estates.

The color is a resplendent golden robe with glints of green. The nose is floral and fruity: white flowers, citrus fruits, and the characteristic mineral tension of great Sancerre. On the palate, it is lively and refreshing — precise, energetic, and beautifully focused, with a clean, mineral-driven finish that speaks clearly of its terroir. A wine of genuine distinction in every sip.

67 Wine — “La Moussière is the benchmark Sancerre — the only estate in the Sancerrois to hold the hors concours distinction. Organic, precise, and endlessly elegant.”

• Producer: Alphonse Mellot, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Distinction: Only hors concours estate in the Sancerrois
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Format: Half Bottle (375ml)
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, citrus, golden robe, lively acidity, mineral precision, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, seafood, light salads

Beyond competition, organically farmed, and perfectly sized for two — Alphonse Mellot’s La Moussière is the Sancerre that earns its hors concours status with every vintage.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 97 Points |  Like a racing spinnaker, this is tightly trimmed yet voluminous in character. Toasty notes of roasted almond and vanilla wafer are deftly integrated with sun-dried black cherry, baked peach, blood orange sorbet and candied ginger flavors, all well-defined by racy acidity and a subtle streak of salinity. This is long and fragrant, with pain d'épices, graphite and tea rose notes playing on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged February 2024. Drink now through 2040.

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 96 Points | Bollinger's 2015 Brut La Grande Année Rosé was disgorged in May last year with seven grams per liter dosage. Offering up deep aromas of orchard fruits, blood orange, mandarin rind and peach mingled with nuances of coffee, praline and fino sherry, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and layered, with a broad attack that segues into a vinous palate framed by high levels of structuring dry extract that makes its presence felt on the sapid, nutty and penetrating finish. Given the skin maturity and inherent structure of the year, the Bollinger team elected to include only 4.5% of still red wine in the blend, a comparatively low percentage.

Château La Chevillardière Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie — Loire Valley, France 2024

Château La Chevillardière is one of the Muscadet appellation's most respected estates, farming 88 hectares of Melon de Bourgogne vines on the granite and micaschist soils that define the finest terroirs of Sèvre et Maine. Claude-Michel Pichon took over from his father Raymond in 2009 and has steadily expanded the domaine, acquiring abandoned plots and planting new areas with a clear mission: to elevate Muscadet's reputation and showcase the genuine typicity that only this corner of the Loire can produce. Sur lie aging — resting on the spent yeast cells through the winter — adds texture and complexity while preserving the wine's essential freshness.

The 2024 pours a clear, pale yellow. The nose is delicate and precise — fresh grapes, white flowers, and elegant mineral tones that speak directly to the granite beneath the vines. On the palate, it's dynamic and focused, with a clear emphasis on freshness and aromatic clarity. The finish carries a distinctive saline quality — the hallmark of great Muscadet sur lie — that makes it one of the most food-friendly whites in the world.

"Our whites are characterized by fresh mineral notes and a real typicity — benefiting from a terroir of granite and micaschist." — Claude-Michel Pichon, Château La Chevillardière

• Producer: Château La Chevillardière, Sèvre et Maine, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie AOC
• Varietal: Melon de Bourgogne
• Terroir: Granite and micaschist
• Aging: Sur lie (on lees through winter)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh grapes, white flowers, mineral, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, mussels, grilled sole, shrimp, fresh goat cheese, light seafood dishes

A benchmark Muscadet sur lie from one of the appellation's most committed estates — mineral, saline, and the perfect companion to anything from the sea.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 Points |  A bright and racy pinot with lots of strawberries, raspberries, hibiscus, spices and dried lavender. Tense and agile with a medium body and a crunchy feel to its tannins. Fresh and minerally. Drink now or hold.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Plush and elegantly structured, this red unfurls raspberry and cherry flavors accented with forest floor, black tea and savory spices as this builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Crisp, mouthwatering acidity is but one of many highlights here. Pretty dried rose-petal and dark raspberry aromas are flanked by a loamy soil note. The flavors are fruit-driven, with raspberry and lemon flavors uniting with tiny bits of sugar cookie and walnut behind a curtain of silky tannins. — Michael Alberty

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir touts all the hallmarks of our storied appellation. It begins with hints of ripe plum skin, ocean air, baking spices, and cocoa powder dustiness on the nose. The palate is just as expressive, with fresh, juicy red fruit backed by graceful tannins, a complex brininess, and a mouth-watering acidity. Finishing with spiced oak and a mouth-coating basalt minerality, this wine is great now and will be for years to come.

Winemaker Description 

A good balance of fresh but softly perfumed ripe red currant and strawberry fruits with a touch of rosewater and anise. The nose leads to well-rounded but lively crunchy red fruits on the palate with spice and chalk notes on the elegantly tailored finish.

After being founded in the 1750s, in the mid-18th century, the Domaine de Montille century extended over 12 hectares. The family's financial problems meant that Etienne de Montille, the manager at that time, had to abandon certain parcels of land and focus on 3 hectares, mainly in Volnay. With the arrival of Hubert de Montille, Etienne's grandson, the domaine took off in another direction. Like his father, Hubert was a lawyer, however he would go on to lead a double life as a wine grower and a lawyer. He decided to produce his own wines from A to Z. Within a few decades, he would become one of the finest examples in the region, perfectly expressing the terroir of each climat with pure and elegant wines.

Today, the domaine is managed by Etienne and Alix de Montille, Hubert's children who also were originally steered towards a legal career. The domaine now has 20 hectares of vines, including 15 of grand and premier crus, on the best climats of Burgundy, in white and red! Domaine de Montille now produces its wines using biodynamic methodology, perpetuating the tradition of innovation and excellence introduced by Hubert de Montille. Etienne and Alix also created a mini trading structure, Maison Deux Montille Soeur Frère.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This ripe and generous wine smells like a cherry pie and tastes like warm raspberries and cherries dusted with cinnamon and ground cloves. It’s a welcoming, almost-sweet Pinot that is comfy in texture and alluring in flavor.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Juicy and elegant, with a savory edge to the mix of gently mulled raspberry and cherry fruit flavors, revealing a sous-bois accent as they move through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 342 cases made.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Pouring a deep youthful red hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve is ripe and expressive on opening, offering loads of black cherries, sweet herbs, forest floor, and cola. Medium-bodied, it retains good levity on the palate while keeping a ripe feel, with ripe tannins and a clean finish.

Winemaker Description 

Ripe cherry and plum aromas open to a complex mix of rhubarb, forest floor, creamy oak and exotic dark floral tones. The fruit flavors continue a smooth, full bodied palate with forest floor, vinous and dark cherry flavors, finishing with supple volume and balance acidity.

Enjoy this wine now with sweet and spicy Moroccan roasted carrots, truffle risotto or cellar for enjoyment over the next few years.

Winemaker Description 

A beautiful structured medium-bodied Shiraz with juicy ripe plum and dark berry flavours. Has fine textures of sweet spice, new leather and a hint of savoury, refreshed with a juicy, plummy finish.

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Pairings: This is a versatile "braai" (BBQ) wine. It pairs excellently with:

• Meats: Grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, or spicy sausages.

• Casual: Wood-fired spicy pizzas or hearty pasta bolognese.

• Vegetarian: Grilled portobello mushrooms or lentil stews with earthy spices.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet of crème de cassis, black cherries, white truffle, camphor, tobacco, and acacia flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, expansive texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to put a smile on any wine lover's face over the coming 20-25 years.

James Suckling 97 Points | Aromas of plums, violets and mushrooms with earthy notes. Fleshy and succulent texture to the full body with round, firm tannins and a salivating, savory finish. Very persistent. Opulent and reserved at the same time. Contrastive wine. Drink after 2025.

Wine Advocate 95 Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2018 Le Gay is unusually reticent today. Lavender, rose petal, mint, blood orange and crushed red berry fruit emerge over time. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2018 packs serious punch. It is one of more sensual wines of the vintage in Pomerol, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is in no mood to show its cards just yet.

Wine Spectator 93-96 Points | Plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors give this a slightly exotic character, with a polished texture and lingering anise notes. Shows latent grip on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

The Wine Advocate 93+ Points | The 2023 Bin 51 Riesling leads with an austere, searing nose of grilled lime, bath salts, lemon zest, crushed quartz, preserved citrus and pear skin. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy in its way and light on its feet — poised without being heavy or concentrated, with a cleansing, rounded finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Tangy and bright lemon-lime flavors on a sleek frame, with green apple, white pepper and sea salt minerality, plus lingering grapefruit zest. 660 cases imported.

About Bin 51

Penfolds Bin 51 captures the essence of Eden Valley, South Australia — a high-altitude, cool-climate region with worldwide recognition for producing definitive, world-class Riesling. The region's elevation gives the wines great finesse, elegance, and a capacity for long-term cellaring.

The 2023 vintage shows lifted orange blossom and pink lady apple aromatics. The palate brims with blood orange, passionfruit, and lime, balanced by natural zesty lemon acidity. In youth, these wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity that drives the palate texture.

Tasting & Pairings

Grilled lime, lemon zest, crushed quartz, green apple, white pepper, sea salt minerality, and grapefruit zest. Fleshy yet light on its feet with a cleansing, rounded finish. Serve well chilled.

• Seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc — mirrors the wine's lime and mineral notes.
• Thai green papaya salad — the acidity and fruit stand up to chili and lime dressing.
• Fresh oysters or ceviche — classic pairing for high-acid, mineral-driven Riesling.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Winemaker Description 

Expert Review

Burghound Allen Meadows 93 Points | Much more layered aromas are comprised by notes of wet stone, citrus confit, Granny Smith apple and pretty spice wisps. The dense but sleek and highly energetic larger-bodied flavors display impressive power and length on the compact, austere and impeccably balanced finale. This is excellent and a wine that is built to repay extended keeping.

Quick Expert Summary - Vintage 2022

 🍇 Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy) 92 Points Described the fruit as having a refined character and complexity, with a savory red berry note, plenty of energy, and good acidity.

🍷 Vinous (Neal Martin) 91 Points Noted a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit; the palate is medium-bodied, smooth and sensual toward the finish.

📜 Burghound (Allen Meadows) 90 PointsPraised the attractively spicy nose and the "slightly better verve" on the palate, which finishes with fine-grained tannins.

✨ Wine Spectator (Bruce Sanderson) 90 Points Found it to be a tangy red with spicy cherry, pomegranate, and blood orange flavors, calling it nicely integrated and juicy.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows writes:  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.  - Burghound 90

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A tangy red, this features spicy cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and toasty oak flavors. Nicely integrated, with a whisper of dusty tannins lining the finish. This is juicy, with the fruit resonating on the aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.   - Wine Spectator 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit, pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe red fruit and light pastille notes, smooth and sensual towards the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle.  - Vinous 91

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Kristen Bieler writes:  For a demi-sec, this leans toward the dry, savory end of the spectrum. There are a lot of layers and substance to this, with a savory thread of green herbs and bitter white tea weaving through elderflower, quince and apple flavors, while gentle tannins provide a solid frame. Cool river stone and pink peppercorn notes line the finish, encased in smoke and salt, with length and a lot of depth. The toasty cedar notes will integrate with more time in bottle. Drink now through 2037. 740 cases made.  - Wine Spectator 93

Stuart Pigott Writes:  This off-dry Vouvray has terrific depth and a lovely creaminess that’s hard to resist, but it’s tightly wound and needs some time for the aromas to unfurl. With some aeration, red apple and honeysuckle notes emerge. Long, very clean finish that’s pretty dry thanks to the bright acidity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 93

Rebecca Gibb MW writes:  The 2023 Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont boasts a residual sweetness (20g/l) that brings a sense of tenderness and amplitude to a terroir that's big on precision and tension. The flint component in the soil and the natural freshness of the 2023 vintage provide persistence and momentum. Pure and tender, there’s a distinctive spearmint-like cooling sensation on the long finish.  Drinking 2024 to 2038.  - Vinous 94

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | A ripe, opulent second wine, the 2022 Amiral De Beychevelle offers lots of black cherry, mulberry, and plum-like fruits as well as some floral, violet, and graphite nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, has elegant, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's one heck of a sexy, already hard to resist second wine that should keep for 10-12 years, if not longer.

James Suckling 91-92 Points | Very refined and pretty already with linear fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Medium body. Attractive finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.

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. 

Producer Description 

The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. The nose reveals red berry fruit aromas combined with delicate floral notes of peony and fresh mint. A dense and muscular attack leads into a full-bodied mid-palate whose juicy and expressive substance is underlined by well-rounded, silky tannins. The long and balanced finish lingers on notes of spice, especially white pepper.

Expert Reviews - 2021 Vintage

James Suckling 95 Points | This is surprisingly full-bodied and round, reflecting the warmth and sunny exposure of the vineyard around the chateau. Tangy and vivid with currants, fresh flowers and plenty of energy and length. Delicate yet ripe. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to come together completely. Drink after 2027.

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | The second wine of this great estate, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels. It has plenty of class and charm, with pure Cabernet notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco, and damp earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant, seamless wine with fine tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish.

Vinous 90-92 Points |  Representing 40% of the total volume, a little more than usual, the 2021 Le Petit-Mouton, is aged in 50% new oak. A very Cabernet nose with conspicuous graphite scents infusing the black fruit, a little Earl Grey in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, not amazingly complex but well balanced with fine tannins and just a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Classic in style, it should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.

Decanter 92 Points | Beautifully fragrant strawberries and red cherries, just so perfumed and appealing, really a very lovely nose drawing you in. An excellent Petit Mouton in 2021; serious intensity here but also such a liveliness as well as creaminess. It has weight and layers while having fruit intensity and a core of aromatics. There's a softness and delicacy in terms of the tannins and frame - beguiling - but a real base of concentrated blue, red and black fruits - strawberries, red cherries and blackcurrants. You get the stony tones and the clove on the finish but this feels round, expansive and approachable. It's uber glamorous, still with freshness and lift. A gorgeous wine with lots going on! 0.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.73pH. 14% press wine.

Wine Advocate 89-91 Points | Since Mouton-Rothschild itself this year derives exclusively from the two plateaus that always make up the core of the blend, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton benefits from the inclusion of parcels that often make it into the grand vin. Exhibiting aromas of crème de cassis, mint, cigar wrapper, violets and espresso roast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a rich core of fruit, powdery tannins, succulent acids and a persistent finish. Characterful and beautifully made, I wonder if I'm being a little severe with my score?

Producer Description 

Akutain’s Rioja Reserva — a blend of Tempranillo with a touch of Garnacha and Viura — is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and fiberglass tanks, then aged for 35 months in predominantly neutral American oak with a small amount of French barrels. Mid-Ruby in color, this Reserva possesses a beautiful bouquet of ripe berry fruit mixed with notes of dried herbs, tobacco and rose petals.

The full-bodied palate displays concentrated flavors of black cherry, cooked-down strawberries and earth balanced by velvety, textured tannins. The finish exhibits enduring depth and complexity. The perfect companion to grilled, roasted or braised meats and game.

Winemaker Description

Glazter’s vineyards are predominately South-facing and are all around the village of Göttlesbrunn, where the Pannonian microclimate and loess-rich soils were already used to cultivate wine in Roman times. Here you will find a combination of sandy loam, gravel with clay and sand. 

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

Big Table Farm Pinot Noir — Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023

Big Table Farm is one of Willamette Valley's most beloved small producers — a genuine farm winery run by Brian and Clare Carver, who raise animals, grow vegetables, and make wine with the same hands-on, unhurried philosophy. Their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from a network of trusted growers across the valley, blended to capture the region's signature elegance: bright red fruit, floral lift, and the kind of fine-grained structure that makes Oregon Pinot so compelling at the table. The 2023 vintage produced just 2,154 cases.

The wine pours a translucent ruby. The nose is supple and elegantly complex — delicate raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and dusky spices. On the palate, it's bright and energetic with crunchy tannins and focused acidity, delivering red apple, blood orange, and raspberry with a lovely balance of fruit and savory undertones. Fine-grained tannins carry it through a long, polished finish. Drink now through 2033.

"Supple and elegantly complex, with delicate raspberry and cherry flavors laced with rose petal, orange peel and dusky spices as this glides toward fine-grained tannins." — Wine Spectator, 93 Points

• Producer: Big Table Farm, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Production: 2,154 cases
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Spectator 93 | James Suckling 93
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, blood orange, dusky spices, fine-grained tannins
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, mushroom risotto, truffled dishes, lean pork or veal, brie, goat cheese

A dual 93-point Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from one of Oregon's most authentic farm wineries — elegant, precise, and built for the table.