2010 - Present Wine

Winemaker Description 

Originating from wild vines, Orangetraube was first selected as a recognized varietal in 1840 and has been a part of the Zahel family's field blends (Gemischter Satz) since the winery began in 1930, but only produced as a monovarietal white since 1954.

Two generations later, Alexander Zahel is the last remaining producer of this unique treasure of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

This unique historic variety from Vienna's vineyards is fresh, complex, and edgy, with under ripe stone fruit and zippy acidity. 

Winemaker Notes:

Campo di Camagi is one of the three labels of 100% Cabernet Franc produced by Andrea Franchetti from 2014, who wanted to devote the utmost attention to this historic grape of Bordeaux, enhancing its characteristics in relation to three different terroir of the estate. It is produced exclusively with grapes from a single plot of 1.5 hectares composed of a thin layer of quartz and limestone. The 27 year old vines struggle to grow in this space, the stems do not grow, the roots have filled it.

Expert Reviews 

Monica Larner writes:   Made with Cabernet Franc, the Tenuta di Trinoro 2020 Campo di Camagi shows a level of sharpness and precision that you don't get as clearly in the other wines in this series of single-vineyard releases. There is more oak spice with redwood and cedar, along with crushed granite and pencil shaving. The wine is linear and delivers big intensity to the palate, and it has the structure and acidity to accompany a long drinking window.  Drinking 2024 2045  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

James Suckling writes:  So perfumed with violets and lavender with some currants. Medium- to full-bodied with polish and finesse. Racy and fine. Finesse with drive. Very elegant and straightforward with a racy texture. Very long and lightly edgy. 92% cabernet franc and 8% merlot. Drink after 2027 but already beautiful.  - James Suckling 96

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A spicy red, featuring a beam of black currant and blackberry fruit shaded by violet, black pepper, iron and mint. Lithe and ends with a line of resonant tannins on the tobacco-tinged finish. Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 166 cases made, 65 cases imported.  Wine Spectator 94

Jancis Robinson writes:  Racy, lively and a little fragile and delicate. Tense.  Drinking 2024 - 2034  - Jancis Robinson 17.5

From the heart of Alsace, one of France's most celebrated wine regions, the Domaine Justin Boxler Sylvaner 2021 is a pristine, terroir-driven white that captures the quiet elegance and mineral precision that defines great Alsatian winemaking. Understated yet deeply satisfying, this is a bottle that rewards those who seek authenticity over spectacle.

The Boxler Estate

Domaine Justin Boxler is a benchmark producer in Alsace, farming some of the region's most expressive terroirs with a commitment to minimal intervention and varietal integrity. Their Sylvaner is a testament to what this often-overlooked grape can achieve in the right hands — fresh, focused, and genuinely compelling.

Tasting Profile

Pale yellow with a bright, clear appearance. The nose offers delicate anise, fresh citrus, and subtle herbal notes. On the palate it's powerful and mineral-driven with lively acidity, a clean texture, and a fresh, lingering finish. Classic Alsatian Sylvaner at its finest.

Vintage

2021

Grape

Sylvaner

Region

Alsace, France

Format

750ml

Why Sylvaner?

Sylvaner is one of Alsace's most food-friendly grapes — less aromatic than Riesling or Gewurztraminer, but prized for its refreshing acidity, mineral backbone, and remarkable versatility at the table. It's the kind of wine that makes every meal better.

Perfect Pairings

Serve well-chilled (46–50°F) with shellfish, whitefish, sauerkraut, choucroute garnie, fresh goat cheese, or light vegetable dishes. An effortless companion to Alsatian cuisine and beyond.

Winemaker Description

Deep dark purple in color. Leather on the nose. Black plums with tannins and a little heat on the palate. It's medium-bodied with a cleaner finish than you expect it to be. Let it open up a little for the most enjoyment. Pair with grilled meats.

Winemaker Descrption 

Milan Nestarec Youngster Red is a red natural wine made from a blend of Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dornfelder. The grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed. The juice ferments in 2000-liter stainless steel tanks. The wine ferments for about 2 months, with occasional pigeage and indigenous yeast fermentation. Elevage takes place in the same tanks for about 2 months. The wine is bottled unfiltered, unfined, and with zero sulfur added.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is richly layered, with cassis, crushed plum and blackberry puree flavors moving through slowly but steadily, while warm earth, ganache and black licorice notes follow along. Picks up a tarry edge on the finish as the fruit takes an encore. For fans of the muscular, fruit-driven style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2036. (2018). 

Wine Advocate 97 Points | The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. (2018).

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Very much in the style of the vintage with its pure, concentrated, yet also elegant and focused style, the 2018 Insignia offers up a vivid purple hue to go with lots of red and blue fruits, menthol, tobacco, graphite, and distinct minerality. With an almost Bordeaux-like style, medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish, it's a beautiful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend from this team that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more. (2018). 

James Suckling 99 Points | Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. (2018). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

The top Cabernet is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, which comes all from the Howell Mountain AVA. It's another inky colored beauty boasting a terrific perfume of black and blue fruits, ground herbs, spice box, graphite, and forest floor. With brilliant minerality on the palate as well as full-bodied richness and an expansive, opulent texture, it has sweet tannins and is approachable today, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 25-30 years. It's one of the few 2017s to come close to its 2016 counterpart. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2054.  Jeb Dunnuck 97

Bottled only three weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, having spent 22 months in 60% new French oak. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it reveals beautiful notions of kirsch, red and black currant preserves, raspberry pie and warm plums with hints of red roses, stewed tea, underbrush and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful red fruit and floral intensity intermingled with black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Very different from the epic 2016 Dancing Bear, but very exciting!  Drinking 2020 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear ranch is a gorgeous Howell Mountain red. Succulent black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange all run through this deep, resonant, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon from Cakebread. This is a very pretty wine.  Drinking 2022 to 2032.  - Vinous 93

Winemaker Description

A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with remarkable floral, cherry and raspberry aromas. In the mouth, bright fruit flavors with a wonderful texture and extraordinary acidity. Smooth and balanced with a long, silky and velvety finish.

Expert Review

92 Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red with aromas of wild raspberries, porcini, dried herbs and smoked meat. Powdery, fine tannins with a chalky feel. Concentrated and taut with a savory, mineral finish. Drink or hold. (2019)

Winemaker Description 

While this is a fruit-forward Moroccan red, it is made in an OldWorld style with moderate extraction, excellent balance, and complex aromatics: plenty of ripe purple black fruits and dark confiture, with hints of sandalwood. 

Villa Maria — Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin Marlborough 2024 | 2-Bottle Bundle

Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand | Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc | Format: 2 x 750ml | Save: $5.98 vs. buying individually

New Zealand’s most celebrated Sauvignon Blanc region meets one of its most trusted producers. Villa Maria’s Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the benchmark for the style — vibrant, aromatic, and unmistakably Kiwi. Bright citrus and tropical fruit, a signature grassy lift, and a crisp, refreshing finish that makes it one of the most food-friendly whites on the shelf. Two bottles, one great price.

Tasting Notes

Zesty grapefruit, passionfruit, and fresh-cut grass on the nose. Crisp and lively on the palate with vibrant acidity and a clean, lingering finish. Serve well-chilled.

Food Pairings

Oysters, grilled fish, sushi, goat cheese, green salads, and light pasta dishes.

Trediberri Barolo del Comune di La Morra — Piedmont 2022

Trediberri is one of La Morra’s most exciting young estates — a small, precision-focused domaine that has quickly earned a reputation for wines of exceptional purity and finesse. Their Barolo del Comune di La Morra is a single-commune bottling sourced primarily from the high-altitude Berri vineyard, with approximately 18% from the legendary Rocche dell’Annunziata cru. Aged 21 months in large Slavonian oak casks, the wine is built for transparency: no new oak, no extraction, no shortcuts — just the pure voice of La Morra Nebbiolo. The 2022 vintage, shaped by heat and drought, delivered lower yields and concentrated fruit; in the hands of Trediberri, the result is a wine of remarkable balance, freshness, and early approachability, with a drinking window stretching to 2036 and beyond.

The color is a classic translucent garnet. The nose is lifted and perfumed: cranberry, redcurrant, fresh cherry, rose petals, pepper, and brushwood, with hints of dried herbs and earth that take some coaxing — and reward patience. On the palate, it is tightly knit and slender but beautifully endowed: juicy red berries, cardamom, and floral tones framed by lively acidity and al dente tannins. There is a beautiful sense of tension and precision — no heaviness, just clarity and energy. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and classically Barolo.

Decanter 93 — “A quiet charmer. Precision and purity as its strengths — lively acidity meets al dente tannins. Do not take this for a pushover.” — Michaela Morris, Decanter. (Vintage 2022).

• Producer: Trediberri, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG — Comune di La Morra
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vineyards: Berri (~82%) & Rocche dell’Annunziata (~18%), La Morra
• Aging: 21 months in large Slavonian oak casks
• Style: Elegant, lifted, terroir-driven Barolo
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cranberry, redcurrant, fresh cherry, rose petals, pepper, brushwood, cardamom, mineral finish
• Drink Window: 2026–2036
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, game, truffle dishes, aged Parmigiano, wild boar ragù

La Morra Nebbiolo at its most precise — Trediberri is the quiet benchmark of the commune.

Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley — Sonoma County 2023

Lewis Cellars is one of Napa and Sonoma’s most celebrated producers of opulent, barrel-fermented Chardonnay — and the Russian River Valley bottling is the more feminine, floral counterpart to their Napa expression. The Russian River Valley is defined by its proximity to the Pacific: morning fog, cool afternoons, and salty ocean air that slow ripening and impart a distinctive floral aromatic quality and subtle minerality that sets this appellation apart. The 2023 growing season was one of the longest of the past decade — mild, consistently sunny weather promoted even ripening with exceptional complexity. Lewis waited until late September to begin harvest, picking the last fruit in the second week of November, allowing prolonged hang time for maximal flavor development. The wine is fully barrel-fermented with native yeast and undergoes 100% malolactic conversion in French oak — the Lewis signature.

The color is a luminous golden straw. The nose is rich and captivating: sweet jasmine, roasted pear, popcorn, caramel, cinnamon, and citrus blossom, with a whisper of salty Pacific air. On the palate, it is full-bodied, broad, and richly textured — pear syrup, lemon cream, apple chutney, flaky pastry, and Meyer lemon curd, with rocky minerality and barrel spice woven through a long, succulent, and elegant finish. Vibrant and elevated on entry, graceful and complex through the mid-palate, and deliciously succulent on the landing.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling — 94 Points
“This full-bodied, soft and rich wine drips with pear-syrup and lemon-cream flavors. Fully barrel-fermented with native yeast and 100% malolactic, it feels broad and melted, tasting ultraripe, almost sweet. Great wine if you like this style. Drink or hold.”

Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points
“Big, rich aromas of popcorn, roasted pear, caramel, and cinnamon waft on the nose. The palate is broad and richly textured, with flavors of apple chutney, flaky pastry, rocky minerality, barrel spice, and citrus blossoms, with echoes of cinnamon and Meyer lemon curd through the finish.”

• Producer: Lewis Cellars, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Russian River Valley
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vinification: Fully barrel-fermented with native yeast, 100% malolactic conversion, French oak
• Harvest: Late September – second week of November (extended hang time)
• Style: Rich, opulent, floral, cool-climate Russian River Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Jasmine, roasted pear, caramel, lemon cream, apple chutney, Meyer lemon curd, rocky minerality, salty Pacific air
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Lobster, crab, roast chicken, creamy pasta, soft-ripened cheeses, scallops

Russian River Chardonnay at its most lush and expressive — Lewis Cellars 2023 is the Pacific Coast in a glass.

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Veeder — Napa Valley 2021

Mt. Brave is the Mountain Veeder project of Chris Carpenter — the winemaker behind Lokoya and Cardinale, and one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated mountain viticulturists. The estate vineyards sit high above the fog line on the undulating ridgelines of Mt. Veeder, where some sites date back to just before the Civil War. The soils are volcanic and iron-rich, the yields are brutally low, and the fruit that survives is among the most concentrated and complex in all of Napa. Carpenter’s philosophy is one of restraint and terroir transparency — allowing Mt. Veeder to reveal itself in each vintage rather than imposing a winemaker’s hand. The 2021 blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot — 3,830 cases produced. James Suckling called it the best Mt. Brave ever made.

The color is a deep, saturated ruby. The nose is breathtaking: violets, black currant, cassis, blueberry, dried sage, bay leaf, and cedary oak, with gorgeous mid-palate depth and nuances of tobacco, graphite, and bouquet garni. On the palate, it is full-bodied and silky — very fine tannins that caress the palate with velvety precision, mouthwatering ripeness, and a long, focused, and deeply complex finish. There is upfront accessibility today, but this wine deserves 3–4 years in the cellar and will reward patience for two decades. Very Veeder, with a touch of old school.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling — 99 Points
“A fabulous wine of focus and polish with very fine tannins that caress your palate and give great length to the finish. Medium to full body. The aromas of violets and currants are so beautiful. Dreamy. Best ever? A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc, 2% merlot, 1% malbec and 1% petit verdot. A total of 3,830 cases produced. Give it three to four years to soften.”

Jeb Dunnuck — 97 Points
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is a classic Mountain Cabernet with full-bodied richness and ample, although velvety, tannins as well as pure cassis and currant-like fruits, gorgeous mid-palate depth and opulence on the palate, and beautiful complexity in its tobacco, graphite, and bouquet garni-like nuances. It’s another remarkable wine from Carpenter that has some upfront accessibility today yet deserves 3-4 years in the cellar. It will have two decades of overall longevity, and as top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon goes, it’s a terrific value.”

Wine Advocate — 95 Points
“Cassis and blueberries are joined on the nose by hints of dried sage, bay leaf and cedary oak. Full-bodied and silky, with drying tannins and mouthwatering ripeness on the long finish. Give it a couple of years in the cellar and drink it over the next couple of decades.”

Wine Spectator — 94 Points
“This is deep and winey, with cassis, plum paste and linzer torte notes leading the way. Structured but succulent, offering singed apple wood, bay and cast iron accents that support the fruit through the long and focused finish. Very Veeder, with a touch of old school. Best from 2025 through 2040.”

• Producer: Mt. Brave (Chris Carpenter), Mountain Veeder, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Mountain Veeder, Napa Valley
• Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
• Production: 3,830 cases
• Style: Powerful, silky, terroir-driven Mountain Veeder Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violets, black currant, cassis, blueberry, dried sage, tobacco, graphite, bouquet garni, cedary oak
• Drink Window: 2025–2040
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, grilled ribeye, lamb rack, wild mushroom dishes, aged hard cheeses

Mountain Veeder Cabernet at its absolute pinnacle — Mt. Brave 2021 is Chris Carpenter’s finest hour.

Paul Hobbs Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville — Napa Valley 2022

Paul Hobbs established his namesake winery in 1991 after working with some of the world’s greatest vintners — and his Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon is the purest expression of his philosophy: meticulous care in the vineyard, minimal intervention in the cellar, and an unwavering commitment to site-specific wines. Coombsville is Napa’s coolest sub-appellation — a volcanic bowl at the southern end of the valley, heavily influenced by the marine air of San Pablo Bay, where slow ripening preserves natural acidity and produces Cabernet of exceptional finesse and complexity. The 2022 blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot — the most Hobbs has ever used — 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, aged 20 months in 53% new French oak. The result is a Coombsville Cabernet of rare elegance and depth.

The color is a deep, luminous ruby. The nose is immediately captivating: dark cherry, black currant, cassis, and chocolate, layered with violets, leather, loamy earth, cool wet slate, and sagebrush — the unmistakable cool-climate signature of Coombsville. On the palate, it is luscious, balanced, and vivid — silky tannins, full-bodied and broad-shouldered yet supple, with vibrant currant fruit, savory spice, and underbrush leading to a refined, lingering, and expressive finish. Drink now or cellar through 2031 and beyond.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling — 96 Points
“A delicious, layered, chocolate- and cherry-scented wine that entices you from the first sniff and pulls you through a rich palate and a lingering finish. So luscious, balanced, vivid and deep, showing the silky tannins and cool fruit notes of this southern Napa district. Contains 6% petit verdot, 2% cabernet franc and 4% merlot. Aged in 53% new French oak.”

Decanter — 94 Points
“Savoury spices abound in this red- and black-fruited wine from Paul Hobbs’s Coombsville estate. Leather, violets, and loamy earth mingle with vibrant currant fruit. Medium-bodied with crunchy tannins, it unfolds through notes of cool, wet slate, sagebrush, and underbrush, leading to a refined and expressive finish.”

Wine Advocate — 93 Points
“The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville includes 6% Petit Verdot — ‘the most PV I’ve ever used,’ said Paul Hobbs — and 3% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aged in 50% new French oak, the nose easily blends black cherries and cassis with mere hints of cedar and vanilla. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and broad-shouldered but supple. Loaded with dark fruit — excellent and a reasonable value in the context of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
“Shows the vintage’s forward, soft and friendly fruit, with a hint of structure that keeps this stable through the finish. Acai and blueberry notes are supported by gentle iris and ink details. Drink now through 2031.”

• Producer: Paul Hobbs Winery, Coombsville, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Coombsville, Napa Valley
• Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
• Aging: 20 months in 53% new French oak
• Style: Elegant, cool-climate, site-specific Coombsville Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, cassis, chocolate, violets, leather, loamy earth, wet slate, sagebrush, silky tannins
• Drink Window: Now–2031+
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses

Coombsville Cabernet from one of Napa’s great winemakers — Paul Hobbs 2022 is cool-climate precision at its finest.

La Jota Vineyard Co. Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain — Napa Valley 2021

La Jota Vineyard Co. was founded in 1898 on Howell Mountain — one of Napa Valley’s most storied and demanding appellations. The estate sits above the fog line at elevation, on rocky, shallow volcanic soils that force vines to struggle and concentrate. Today owned by Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, La Jota farms 28 acres across three distinct estate vineyards — Hill, Meadow, and Winery Block — each with its own personality, all united by the iron-rich, volcanic character of Howell Mountain. The 2021 vintage was defined by drought: yields were down 30–35%, concentrating the fruit to extraordinary levels. The blend is a classic Howell Mountain assemblage — 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 2.5% Petit Verdot — and it is among the finest La Jota has ever produced.

The color is a saturated, inky ruby-black. The nose is powerful and complex: dark currants, scorched earth, graphite, pine cone, bark, and savory garrigue, with layers of ironstone minerality that are the unmistakable signature of Howell Mountain. On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, and concentrated — broad-shouldered tannins that are chocolaty and robust, yet framed by a balance of freshness that is almost hard to imagine at this level of fruit density. The finish is long, layered, and inward. This needs 4–6 years in the cellar but will age for decades.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck — 98 Points
“Another incredibly concentrated, focused, insanely impressive wine in the lineup is the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which offers a powerful nose of darker currants, scorched earth, graphite, and savory herb aromas and flavors. This full-bodied, dense, concentrated, powerful, inward beauty needs 4-6 years in the cellar but will age forever.”

Decanter — 97 Points
“In 2021, with yields down 30-35%, the La Jota was very precise and focused, with saturated layers of extremely dark fruit nuanced by very expressive ironstone minerality and fresh garrigue. Full-bodied with robust, broad-shouldered tannins that are chocolaty. More of that iron minerality is layered throughout, and for all the fruit density here, there is a balance of freshness that is almost hard to imagine. So, don’t imagine it; snap these up and see for yourself.”

James Suckling — 97 Points
“So much black currant, dark fruit, pine cone, bark and pine needle aromas that show a depth and intensity with round, polished and creamy tannins. Medium to full body, with a complex and gorgeously flavored finish. A blend of 82% cabernet sauvignon, 6.5% cabernet franc, 5% malbec, 4% merlot and 2.5% petit verdot. Give this three to four more years to come around.”

• Producer: La Jota Vineyard Co., Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
• Composition: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 4% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot
• Vineyards: Hill, Meadow & Winery Block — volcanic soils, above the fog line
• Yields: Down 30–35% due to drought
• Style: Powerful, concentrated, iron-driven Howell Mountain Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark currant, scorched earth, graphite, pine cone, garrigue, ironstone minerality, chocolaty tannins
• Drink Window: 2027–2045+
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, grilled ribeye, lamb rack, wild boar, aged Parmigiano, truffle dishes

Howell Mountain Cabernet at its most elemental — La Jota 2021 is iron, earth, and power in perfect balance.

Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley — Sonoma County 2022

Anakota is the Knights Valley project of Pierre Seillan — the visionary vigneron behind Vérité — and it stands apart from every other Sonoma Cabernet. The estate vineyards climb the southwest-facing volcanic slopes of Mount St. Helena at 700–950 feet of elevation, surrounded by cold mountain streams and forests of native fir and oak. The soils are volcanic and mineral-rich, and the message of the land is conveyed in every bottle. The 2022 blend draws from three estate parcels: Helena Montana (53%), Coyote Hills (34%), and Stonestreet Estate (13%), composed of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. This is Sonoma Cabernet at its most rugged, pure, and terroir-driven.

The color is a brilliant ruby-violet with a vivid rim. The nose is immediately captivating: crunchy boysenberry, juicy black plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, and roasted espresso bean, layered with herbes de Provence and subtle baking spice. On the palate, the wine is rich and velvety — full-bodied with fine-grained tannins that are soothing and precise, electric acidity, and wet stone minerality driving a layered, complex, and lingering finish. Drink now or hold for a decade.

“So pure, fruity and appealing — ripe, welcoming flavors and fine-grained texture that’s soothing on the palate. Black cherries, blackberries, dried blueberries and dark chocolate. Rich in velvety tannins, leading to a lingering finish.” — 94 Points. Jim Gordon, Executive Editor, JamesSuckling.com. (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Anakota (Pierre Seillan), Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
• Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
• Vineyards: Helena Montana 53%, Coyote Hills 34%, Stonestreet Estate 13%
• Elevation: 700–950 ft, southwest-facing volcanic slopes of Mt. St. Helena
• Style: Rich, precise, terroir-driven Knights Valley Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Boysenberry, black plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, espresso, herbes de Provence, wet stone minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10+ years
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar

Knights Valley Cabernet from one of California’s great vignerons — Anakota is the volcanic soul of Sonoma in a bottle.

About This Wine

Lewis Cellars has built its reputation on wines of explosive intensity and impeccable polish — and the 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. Sourced from prime Napa Valley fruit and aged 19 months in 100% French oak (65% new), this is a wine that balances power with precision, youthful exuberance with genuine aging potential.

The 2022 vintage in Napa was defined by warm days, cool nights, and a late-season heatwave in September that concentrated flavors beautifully. The result is a wine brimming with black cherry, brambly oak spice, cocoa, and cardamom — plush and fleshy on the palate, with soft, supple tannins and a finish that lingers. Approachable now, built to evolve through 2035.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with violet highlights
• Nose: Black cherry, bramble, cassis, cocoa, cardamom, flowery incense, cedary spice
• Palate: Medium-to-full body, plush and fleshy, concentrated dark fruit, roasted coffee, baking spice
• Finish: Long, polished, soft supple tannins — rich yet refined

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 93 | A rock-solid success in this challenging vintage. Plums, subtle cassis, flowery incense, and spicy, cedary nuances define the aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, round, lush, and textured with terrific overall balance. Drink 2025–2035.

James Suckling 91 | Plush and intense with deep-set, ripe dark berries, baking spices, roasted coffee beans and walnuts. Concentrated and dense on the full-bodied palate with spiced, cedary tightness to the tannins. Rich yet polished. Better from 2027.

Food Pairings

Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, aged hard cheeses, and dark chocolate. A Napa Cab built for the table — and equally at home on its own.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2022
Region: Napa Valley, California
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Oak Aging: 19 months, 100% French oak (65% new)
Style: Full-bodied Red Wine

Encomienda de Cervera Vulcanus Sauvignon Blanc/Verdejo — Campo de Calatrava 2025

Encomienda de Cervera is one of Spain’s most singular estate wineries — a historic property with documented vineyard records dating to 1741, situated in the Campo de Calatrava, a volcanic appellation in Castilla-La Mancha that remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets. The estate’s vineyards grow on volcanic soils at 750–850 meters of altitude, cooled by mountain microclimates with cold nights that preserve natural acidity and generate exceptional aromatic complexity. Vulcanus — named for the volcanic terroir that defines it — is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo, harvested selectively during the coolest hours of the day at optimal ripeness. Certified organic, the wine is fermented in restored 1927 concrete tanks that impart a distinctive creaminess through malolactic fermentation. This is Spanish white wine from a place unlike any other.

The color is a bright straw yellow. The nose is floral, fresh, and expressive: white flowers, white peach, currant, citrus, and aromatic herbs, with the stony, mineral undercurrent of volcanic soil. On the palate, it is mineral, elegant, and complex — refreshing acidity, a round and creamy mid-palate from concrete tank fermentation, and a long, clean, and satisfying finish. An explosion of sensations in perfect balance.

“Mineral, elegant and complex, with a refreshing acidity and a long and creamy aftertaste — everything perfectly harmonized, in balance, like an explosion of sensations and flavors.” — Encomienda de Cervera

• Producer: Encomienda de Cervera, Campo de Calatrava, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Campo de Calatrava, Castilla-La Mancha
• Blend: Sauvignon Blanc & Verdejo
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Terroir: Volcanic soils, 750–850m altitude, cool mountain microclimate
• Vinification: Selective harvest at cool hours, fermented in restored 1927 concrete tanks, malolactic fermentation
• Style: Mineral, floral, creamy volcanic Spanish white
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, white peach, currant, citrus, aromatic herbs, volcanic minerality, creamy finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 2–3 years
• Best Paired With: Ceviche, grilled seafood, mussels, clams, salads, asparagus, creamy cheeses (brie, camembert, ricotta), spicy dishes, poultry

Volcanic Spain at its most compelling — Vulcanus is the Campo de Calatrava in a glass.

About This Wine

Beaulieu Vineyard — BV — is one of Napa Valley's most storied estates, founded in 1900 and home to the legendary Georges de Latour Private Reserve. The BV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the house's approachable flagship: a Bordeaux-inspired blend drawing from Rutherford, Calistoga, and St. Helena, aged 15 months in French and European oak. Generous, polished, and built for immediate enjoyment.

The 2022 vintage delivers a warm, fruit-forward profile — strawberry, black cherry, and cassis up front, with kola nut, mocha, and toasted oak in support. The blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot adds mid-palate plushness and a lingering, finessed finish. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and a lovely mouthfeel, this is a Napa Cab that delivers at the table tonight.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby
• Nose: Caramel, ripe red berries, strawberry, black cherry, cassis
• Palate: Medium body, juicy red and black fruit, blueberry, kola nut, mocha, toasted oak
• Finish: Soft tannins, tangy freshness, lingering and finessed

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 93 | Focused and brilliant flavors of red and black cherries and black currants drive this sleek and powerful wine, as minty, toasty, and tobacco-like accents stay subtly in the background. A full body, medium to full tannins and good fruit acidity lend tangy freshness. Best from 2026.

James Suckling 92 | A warm and generous wine with a sweet-seeming richness that makes it easy to sip without further aging. Full-bodied, laced with mostly red fruit — strawberries to cherries — with underlying blueberry, cocoa and crème de cassis notes. Drink now.

Food Pairings

Grilled ribeye, roasted chicken, lamb burgers, aged cheddar, and tomato-based pasta. Versatile enough for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2022
Region: Napa Valley, California
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 5% Malbec, 3% Petite Sirah, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Oak Aging: 15 months, French & European oak (30% new)
Style: Full-bodied Red Wine

Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon — Sonoma County 2022

Ferrari-Carano is one of Sonoma County’s most celebrated family-owned wineries, founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano on the benchlands of Dry Creek Valley. Over four decades, they have built a reputation for estate-driven wines of exceptional quality and consistency — wines that express the warmth, generosity, and complexity of Sonoma County at its best. The Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is their benchmark red: a bold, structured wine sourced from select Sonoma County vineyards and crafted by Senior Red Winemaker Rebecka Deike. The 2022 is a distinctive blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Syrah — an unconventional but inspired combination that adds plush texture and savory depth to the classic Cabernet framework. James Suckling awarded it 92 points; Wine Enthusiast 91 points.

The color is a deep, concentrated ruby. The nose is rich and layered: damson plums, tobacco leaves, cedar, and licorice, with concentrated aromas of roasted cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper adding complexity and intrigue. On the palate, it is full-bodied and generous — firmly framed tannins, a plush mouthfeel, and flavors of blackberry, licorice, and toasty barrel spices that linger along a neatly balanced finish. Fruity yet savory, structured yet approachable — very generous and giving for the price.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling — 92 Points
“Aromas of damson plums, tobacco leaves, cedar and licorice. The full-bodied palate has firmly framed tannins and a plush mouthfeel. This is a fruity yet savory blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% syrah. Very generous and giving for the price. Drink or hold.”

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
“Concentrated aromas of roasted cherry, cocoa powder and black pepper dominate the nose of this Cab. The palate is rich and broad, with flavors of blackberry, licorice and toasty barrel spices that linger along the neatly balanced finish.”

• Producer: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Sonoma County
• Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Bold, plush, fruit-forward Sonoma County Cabernet
• Tasting Notes: Damson plum, roasted cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice, cocoa, blackberry, toasty spice
• Drink Window: Now–2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, BBQ, aged cheddar, dark chocolate

Two critics, two 90+ scores — Ferrari-Carano 2022 is Sonoma County Cabernet at its most generous.

Cline Rock Carved Cabernet Sauvignon — Alexander Valley 2023

In prehistoric times, a rampaging Russian River carved the Alexander Valley — leaving behind sedimentary rock that defines the vineyard soils to this day, while the towering surrounding hills trap summer heat like an oven. It is this dramatic geological history that gives Rock Carved its name and its character. The wine is sourced from the Rio Lago Vineyard, owned and managed by the Horowitz family since 1990 — a site at the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountain range that experiences one of the wettest microclimates within the Alexander Valley AVA. Planted in diverse clay-loam and silty-loam soils, the vineyard is cooled each evening by marine air moving in along the Russian River from the Pacific Ocean. The combination of daytime heat to ripen the grapes and cool evening air to preserve freshness and acidity is the key to producing ultra-premium quality Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Grapes are hand-harvested at night, sorted, and gently destemmed. Fermentation is carried out by native yeasts, warming to temperatures peaking at 100°F, with the wine left on skins for 24 days. After gentle pressing, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel and ages for 14 months in 50% new French oak. The result is full-bodied, multilayered, and genuinely complex: blackberry, black plum, and black currant, with cedar, leather, and mocha, balanced acidity, smooth rich tannins, and a long, powerful finish. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Wine Enthusiast 90 points.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling — 91 Points
“A robust, muscular, full-flavored and full-bodied wine that loads a ton of blackberry, black-cherry and cocoa flavors onto a frame of sturdy tannins. Cloves, cedar and toast add complexity to the core of dark fruit.”

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points
“This dark and intense Cabernet shows aromas of roasted plum compote, licorice, shattered granite, and cinnamon on the nose. The palate possesses a wealth of rich tannin, with flavors of blackberry pie, pithy orange, violets, and grilled bread along the finale.”

• Producer: Cline Cellars, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
• Vineyard: Rio Lago Vineyard (Horowitz Family)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 14 months in 50% new French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Robust, muscular, full-bodied Alexander Valley Cabernet
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black plum, black currant, cedar, leather, mocha, cocoa, cloves, sturdy tannins
• Drink Window: Now–2032
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb, BBQ brisket, aged hard cheeses

Carved by geology, defined by terroir — Cline Rock Carved 2023 is Alexander Valley Cabernet at its most powerful.

Turnbull Wine Cellars | Oakville, Napa Valley, California | 2022

From the heart of Oakville — one of Napa Valley's most coveted appellations — Turnbull's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon draws on fruit from the estate's Leopoldina and Fortuna Vineyards. The 2022 vintage expresses the softer, riper character of the year with authority: a full-bodied, fruit-forward wine with sweet tannins, refined structure, and the depth to reward patience. Perfumed, polished, and built for the cellar.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, Oakville estate fruit
Drink: Now–2034 | Best from 2028

Tasting Notes

• Wild blackberries, mulberries, blood plums, black cherries
• Cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, loam, hints of mint
• Chocolate and violet on the mid-palate
• Full body | Sweet, supple tannins | Focused acidity | Good length

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2022

• 93 pts — James Suckling: "Perfumed aromas of wild blackberries, mulberries and dried herbs... refined and balanced. Drinkable now, but best from 2028."
• 92 pts — Jeb Dunnuck: "Ripe, full-bodied, fruit-forward... sweet tannins and good length. Will drink well for 8–10 years."
• 91 pts — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Full-bodied and supple... black cherries and loam with hints of mint and cedar."

Turnbull. Stay true.

Kendall-Jackson | Santa Barbara County, California | Chardonnay | 2023

Santa Barbara County's unique east-west mountain orientation channels cold Pacific breezes deep into the estate vineyards of the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valleys — a geological quirk that produces grapes of exceptional intensity and natural acidity. Aged in partly new French oak, the Grand Reserve Chardonnay delivers a creamy, layered texture grounded by bright minerality from the region's calcareous soils. This is KJ at its most refined: lush, structured, and built for the table.

Clones: Dijon and Rued
Oak: Partly new French oak
Drink: Now–2028

Tasting Notes

• Lush tropical fruit, citrus, and floral notes on the nose
• Vanilla, spice, and calciferous minerality on the palate
• Creamy mouthfeel | Bright acidity | Long, rich finish

Pairings: Crab cakes, scallops, roast chicken, soft cheeses, creamy pasta

From one of the pioneering wineries of the Russian River Valley, Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 captures the richness and elegance that have made this region one of California's premier homes for Chardonnay. Sourced from the acclaimed River West Vineyard, this beautifully balanced wine combines vibrant fruit, refreshing acidity, and refined texture. 

The nose opens with expressive aromas of Gala apple, ripe nectarine, lemon peel, and toasted hazelnut, accented by delicate hints of citrus blossom and vanilla. On the palate, layers of orchard fruit and bright citrus unfold across a rich, textured mouthfeel. Fresh acidity provides lift and energy, while subtle oak influence adds complexity without overwhelming the wine's natural fruit character. The finish is long and polished, with lingering notes of salted lemon, pineapple, and baking spice.

A versatile and food-friendly Chardonnay, this Russian River Valley bottling pairs beautifully with roast chicken, grilled salmon, lobster, crab cakes, creamy pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points
"Aromas of Gala apple, nectarine, toasted hazelnut and lemon peel drive the nose of this acid-forward Chardonnay. The palate gives rich, pithy texture and sunny flavors of tart pineapple and citrus blossom, with salty lemon lingering on the finish." — Tom R. Capo

Tasting Notes

• Aromas: Gala apple, nectarine, lemon peel, toasted hazelnut
• Palate: Tart pineapple, citrus blossom, orchard fruit, subtle vanilla
• Body: Medium to full-bodied
• Style: Rich, vibrant, and beautifully balanced
• Finish: Long, fresh, and mineral-driven with lingering citrus notes

An elegant Russian River Valley Chardonnay that delivers both richness and precision, showcasing the distinctive character of one of California's most celebrated wine regions.

James Suckling 92 Points | Bright aromas of flowers, angelica and apricots with an undertone of sulphur smoke. Silky attack,light to medium body and graceful, refreshing acidity. 

Vinous 90 Points |  The 2024 Soave Classico Vin Soave is sweetly scented, mixing mint, chamomile and lime zest with green melon. soft-textured yet energetic, it washes across the palate with ripe orchard fruits and crisp mineral tones, leaving a lovely saline tinge. (EG)

JR
Jancis Robinson
Review Date: 05/2025
The wine is bright and lively and the lime-and-grapefruit mid palate has both zip and a little roundness. A little grassy in a way that makes it the most perfect wine for baby broad bean, pea, edamame or asparagus dishes. Textbook. (TC) 

San Felice — Rosso Toscana IGT 2023

San Felice is one of Chianti Classico's most storied estates — a historic borgo in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern reaches of the zone, with vineyards that have been producing wine for centuries. The estate is also home to one of Italy's most important ampelographic collections, preserving rare and ancient Tuscan grape varieties. The Rosso Toscana is their everyday expression: a wine built for the table, not the cellar, blending Sangiovese with complementary indigenous varieties to deliver the kind of honest, food-friendly red that Tuscany does better than anywhere.

The 2023 shows a young, rich ruby in the glass. The nose is refreshing and inviting — raspberry, cherry, and lavender — with a harmonious, easy-drinking palate that is fruit-forward without being simple. This is the bottle you open on a Tuesday, pour freely, and finish without regret. Serve it slightly cool alongside pasta, light meats, fish soups, or a simple charcuterie spread.

• Producer: San Felice, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Rosso Toscana IGT
• Varietal: Sangiovese-based blend
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, lavender, fresh and harmonious
• Serve: Slightly cool, 14–16°C
• Best Paired With: Pasta, light meats, fish soups, charcuterie, pizza

Honest Tuscan red at an honest price — San Felice's Rosso is the everyday bottle that over-delivers every time.

Domaine Louis Michel & Fils — Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux Vieilles Vignes 2023

Louis Michel is one of Chablis's most uncompromising estates — a house that has never wavered from its commitment to unoaked, terroir-driven Chardonnay. No new oak, no malolactic softening, no concessions to trend. The wines are aged entirely in stainless steel, which means what you taste in the glass is pure Chablis: the chalk, the Kimmeridgian clay, the cold northern light. The Butteaux is a premier cru climat on the left bank of the Serein, and this bottling comes from a single parcel of vines over 60 years old — planted in clay soils rich with ancient fossils, farmed for depth and concentration rather than yield. The 2023 receives a year longer in élevage than the regular cuvée, giving it additional texture and presence without sacrificing the estate's signature precision.

The nose is complex and layered: caramelized baked apple, toasted notes, wet stone, and undergrowth, opening to peach, tangerine zest, dried white flowers, and wild heather. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, built around racy acidity and ample extract from the old vines, with a saline, sappy, lingering finish. Youthfully introverted today — give it time, or decant generously.

Wine Advocate 91 • Burghound 89–92 • Vinous 89–91 — "Sappy, lingering and well-balanced… I really like the mouthfeel thanks to the sappy dry extract provided by the old vines." — Allen Meadows, Burghound

• Producer: Domaine Louis Michel & Fils, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru
• Climat: Butteaux, left bank — Kimmeridgian clay, fossil-rich soils
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay (vines 60+ years old)
• Élevage: Stainless steel, unoaked, extended aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, wet stone, peach, tangerine zest, white flowers, saline finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2025–2033
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled sole, scallops, goat cheese, roast chicken

A 91-point premier cru Chablis from 60-year-old vines — Louis Michel's Butteaux is the benchmark for what unoaked, old-vine Chardonnay can be.

Castello di Bossi — Corbaia Toscana IGT 2022

Castello di Bossi is one of the benchmark estates of Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern reaches of Chianti Classico, with a history stretching back to the 13th century. Corbaia — named for the vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on the estate some 42 years ago — is their flagship Super-Tuscan: a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in stainless steel and matured in Allier oak barriques. The result is a wine of superb finesse and elegance, where the structure of Cabernet and the soul of Sangiovese find a natural equilibrium.

The 2022 is heady and explosive. Intense ruby-red with garnet highlights, it opens with a rush of dark fruit, new leather, blood orange, spice, and pipe tobacco — backed by jammy black currants, cherries, cassis, mocha, and vanilla. On the palate it is full-bodied yet supple, layered with rich texture and well-integrated tannins, with no hard edges and terrific balance. Pure and total sensuality, as Vinous put it — and they awarded it 95 points.

Vinous 95 — "The 2022 Corbaia is heady and explosive in the glass. A rush of dark fruit, new leather, blood orange, spice and pipe tobacco soars out of the glass. Rich yet not at all heavy, Corbaia delivers the goods. Readers will find a wine of pure and total sensuality with no hard edges and terrific balance."

• Producer: Castello di Bossi, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Toscana IGT (Super-Tuscan)
• Blend: Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, Allier oak barrique aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, blood orange, leather, tobacco, cassis, mocha, vanilla, integrated tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar through 2035
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, meats alla Diavola, Béarnaise sauces, aged Pecorino

A 95-point Super-Tuscan at $64 — Corbaia 2022 is Castello di Bossi at its most compelling.

Domaine Olga Raffault Chinon Rosé 2025 — Chinon, Loire Valley

Domaine Olga Raffault is one of Chinon’s most storied estates, a benchmark producer in the Loire Valley whose wines have defined the appellation for generations. This Rosé is 100% Cabernet Franc — half from certified-organic estate parcels on the sandy, gravelly flats along the Vienne River, half from a neighboring grower in organic conversion. Hand-harvested, native yeast fermented, with no malolactic fermentation and no new oak — just pure, transparent winemaking that lets the fruit and terroir speak.

Half the fruit is pressed directly as whole clusters; the other half is saigné. The result is a rosé of precision and energy: wild strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon on the nose, with delicate floral notes and a touch of citrus zest. The palate is crisp and lively, with bright acidity, a light silky texture, and a clean, mineral-tinged finish. Bottled in spring with light filtration to preserve freshness.

Organic estate Cabernet Franc — Chinon Rosé at its most precise and expressive.

• Producer: Domaine Olga Raffault, Chinon, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Chinon AOC
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
• Farming: 50% certified organic estate + 50% organic conversion
• Winemaking: Native yeast, no MLF, stainless steel, light filtration
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, floral, citrus zest, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled salmon, goat cheese, niçoise salad, charcuterie, summer vegetables

A benchmark Loire Rosé at an honest price — Raffault’s Chinon is the standard for what Cabernet Franc rosé can be.

Domaine Moreau-Naudet Chablis 2024 — Chablis, Burgundy

Domaine Moreau-Naudet is one of Chablis’ most revered estates, with roots stretching back to the 17th century. The domaine as it exists today was born in 1950 from the marriage of Marie Naudet and René Moreau, and was elevated to greatness by Stéphane Moreau — a winemaker of extraordinary talent whose untimely passing in 2016 was a profound loss to the wine world. His family and team have carried on his vision with unwavering dedication: organic treatments only, manual harvesting, natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel, and aging on the lees for depth and texture. Their style draws frequent comparisons to Vincent Dauvissat — extreme purity, intensity, and a distinct sense of place.

The 2024 Chablis is vinified entirely in tank, preserving the appellation’s signature freshness and minerality. The nose offers lemon peel, spring flowers, and a youthful reductive lift. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied and racy, with bright, precise acidity and a long, saline finish that is unmistakably Chablis.

Wine Advocate — “Racy palate framed by bright acids, concluding with a saline finish.”

• Producer: Domaine Moreau-Naudet, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chablis AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Farming: Organic treatments, manual harvest, low yields
• Winemaking: Natural yeast, stainless steel, lees aging 10–11 months
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, spring flowers, saline minerality, bright acidity, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled sole, sea bass, lobster, fresh goat cheese, sushi

A benchmark village Chablis at an honest price — Moreau-Naudet is the standard for what Chablis purity and terroir expression can be.

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer Côtes de Nuits-Villages Clos de Magny 2020 — Burgundy

Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer is based in Magny-les-Villers, at the crossroads of the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Hautes Côtes de Nuits — a ten-hectare estate with a remarkable range of appellations, from Échezeaux Grand Cru down to village-level Côtes de Nuits-Villages. Under Alexandre’s stewardship, every parcel is treated with equal rigor: hand-harvesting across the board, no chemical herbicides or pesticides, organic certification in progress, and early experiments with biodynamics. The results are already thrilling — wines of precision, depth, and a distinct sense of terroir that punch well above their appellation level.

The 2020 Clos de Magny is a wine built for the cellar. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, noting “plenty of blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped around ample fine tannins” and a “long, well-structured finish” suggesting many years of life ahead. Still in an early phase of development, it is best from 2026 — but already compelling.

James Suckling 92 — “Long, well-structured finish suggests this has many years of life ahead of it.”

• Producer: Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer, Magny-les-Villers, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Côtes de Nuits-Villages AOC
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Hand-harvested, no chemicals, organic certification in progress, biodynamic trials
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black cherry, fine tannins, well-structured, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or best from 2026+, many years ahead
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, lamb chops, mushroom dishes, aged Époisses, beef bourguignon

A 92-point village Burgundy at an honest price — Hoffmann-Jayer’s Clos de Magny is the benchmark for what Côtes de Nuits-Villages can be.

Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes — Burgundy 2022

Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy is one of Gevrey-Chambertin’s most respected family estates, farming some of the village’s finest parcels with meticulous care and an unwavering commitment to terroir expression. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée is sourced from the Champ Perrier lieu-dit on the Brochon side of the appellation, where vines averaging 50 to 60+ years of age dig deep into the limestone-rich soils to produce fruit of extraordinary concentration, complexity, and character. Rated Outstanding by Burghound — the highest accolade from the world’s foremost Burgundy authority — the 2022 is a serious, age-worthy Gevrey-Chambertin villages that demands attention and rewards patience.

The nose is brooding and sauvage: black cherry, forest floor, subtle oak, and an overtly wild, mineral-inflected aromatic profile of real depth. On the palate, it is solidly concentrated and quite powerful for a village-level wine — medium-bodied with evident minerality, abundant sap buffering a firm tannic spine, and a serious, lingering finish of impressive length. A Gevrey villages that drinks like a premier cru and will reward cellaring for a decade or more.

Burghound — Outstanding — 90 Points - “Subtle though still easily discerned wood on the brooding and overtly sauvage-inflected black cherry and forest floor aromas. Solidly concentrated and quite powerful, with evident minerality on the serious and lingering finish where abundant sap buffers the firm tannic spine. An excellent, age-worthy Gevrey villages worth checking out.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
• Lieu-Dit: Champ Perrier, Brochon
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vine Age: 50–60+ years
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, forest floor, subtle oak, sauvage minerality, concentrated, firm tannins, long powerful finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2026–2040+
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, venison, beef bourguignon, lamb rack, aged Comté or Époisses

Fifty-plus-year-old vines, Burghound Outstanding, and a tannic spine built for the cellar — Harmand-Geoffroy’s Vieilles Vignes is Gevrey-Chambertin at its most compelling.

A vibrant, characterful red from one of Chile’s most exciting natural-minded producers, Roberto Henriquez País Verde 2025 is made from 100% País grown in the Secano Interior of the Bío Bío Valley in southern Chile. Fresh, lifted, and full of energy, this is a beautifully expressive wine that highlights the purity of old-vine País with bright fruit, floral aromatics, and a lively, juicy finish. Open-source retailer notes describe the wine as 100% País, made with carbonic maceration, with floral notes, tart red fruit, and juicy flavors, and RAW WINE lists Roberto Henríquez in Bio Bio Valley, Itata, Chile.

On the palate, expect a light- to medium-bodied red with notes of wild red berries, tart cherry, rose petals, and fresh herbs, supported by gentle spice and a refreshing, chillable profile. This is the kind of red that shines with a slight chill and pairs effortlessly with charcuterie, grilled sausage, roast chicken, or simply good company around the table. The same retailer notes specifically suggest pairings such as chorizo sausage or fresh fish off the grill.

• Producer: Roberto Henriquez
• Wine: País Verde
• Vintage: 2025
• Country: Chile
• Region: Secano Interior, Bío Bío Valley
• Grape Variety: 100% País
• Style: Fresh, juicy, chillable red wine
• Winemaking: Carbonic maceration
• Alcohol: 12% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Tasting Notes

Bright and energetic, with aromas and flavors of:

• Tart red berries
• Cherry and cranberry
• Floral notes
• Fresh herbs
• Juicy, savory finish

Food Pairing

Excellent with:

• Ibérico ham and charcuterie
• Chorizo
• Grilled fish
• Roast poultry
• Light tapas