$25 - $50 Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• 
  James Suckling | July 2025 93 Points
“Aromas of flint, wet stones, Meyer lemons and lime zest with subtle white flowers. The palate is focused and textural, with loads of minerals and citrus oil in the finish.”
• The Somm Journal | July 2025 94 Points, Best Aromatic Whites
“Intense up front flavors with white-peppered lemon drop, sleek and lively. Crisp acidity brightens notes of elderflower, McIntosh apple, and hazelnut. The mineral tone is crystal clean and clear on the finish.”
• 
  Winemaker Description 
  
• The 2023 Jordan Russian River Chardonnay captures the region’s signature vibrancy with bright acidity, layered fruit and notes of white peach, citrus zest and subtle minerality. A cool, steady growing season allowed for extended hang time, resulting in a beautifully balanced wine that reflects both finesse and complexity.
• 
  Aromas of white peach, subtle acidity and delicate floral blossom immediately captivate the senses. On the palate, zesty lime, orange peel and crisp red Bosc pear mingle seamlessly, all elevated by refreshing acidity. A hint of French oak enhances the fruit’s elegance while preserving its brightness.
  
• Due to its crispness and citrus elements, Jordan Chardonnay can be enjoyed as an aperitif and is also a versatile food pairing wine. Unlike many fuller-bodied Chardonnays, Jordan Chardonnay will not overpower salads or raw bar favorites, and it also creates a nice contrast of flavors with richer seafood, such as salmon or ahi tuna.
•  The wine’s acidity and oak nuances can complement grilled chicken or roasted vegetable dishes and creamy pastas.
  

Winemaker Description 

Alain Chavy produces restrained, structured, and long-lived white Burgundies from 17 acres of vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, with small holdings in the neighboring villages of Chassagne and Meursault. Alain established Domaine Alain Chavy in 2003 with vineyards inherited from his father and includes some of Puligny's top premier crus. 

The Alain Chavy Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 features a bouquet of green apple, citrus, and subtle floral notes, with hints of toasted almonds and minerality. On the palate, it is crisp and well-balanced, offering flavors of lemon, pear, and a touch of honey, complemented by a firm acidity and a taut, fresh character. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus and mineral notes.

With its rich texture and toasted flavors, this elegant Bourgogne pairs perfectly with white fish and shellfish and its naturally energetic acidity can effortlessly counterbalance rich cream-based sauces and soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Winemaker Description

As their house cuvee, Lemelson's Thea's Selection is a blend from their five organic, estate vineyards that span three different Willamette Valley AVAs. As such, it is a wonderful representation of the vintage across all their sites. The nose is inviting and earthy with black cherry, black currant and plum fruit that is nuanced by subtle notes of black tea, chocolate, mushroom, and lavender. This wine is rich and supple with silky tannins and a juicy core which transitions into a long finish that leaves the taste of brambly fruit on the palate. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator by Tim Fish writes 92 Points | An old-school Zin that's loaded with zest and briar patch, plus raspberry, savory anise and white pepper flavors that end with snappy tannins. 

Winemaker Description 

This Zinfandel captivates with a complex fusion of blackberry, black currant, plum, cherry, and baking spice aromas. Its lively palate showcases succulent fruit interwoven with supple tannins, persisting from mid-palate to a gratifying finish.

Its intricate depth perfectly complements indulgent dishes like hearty short ribs, velvety pork belly, or luxurious gnocchi gorgonzola, enhancing the dining experience with robust yet nuanced harmony. 

Definitely a green streak to the colour. The nose is full of energy, with a touch of verbena. Fine steely intensity, very Chablis, barely a feel of the vintage except around the edges. This has an exciting future. Drink from 2026-2029. Tasted Jun 2024.

Star rating: 89-92

Julien Brocard Chablis "Vigne de la Boissonneuse" Organic Biodynamic 2023 is a luminous, mineral-driven Chardonnay from a single biodynamic vineyard, offering aromas of citrus, white fruit, and a hint of salinity. This full-bodied wine features a lively acidity, a creamy texture from lees contact, and a long finish, making it an excellent aperitif or pairing for shellfish and white meats. It is known for its purity, elegance, and expression of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

Revue des Vins de France 92 / 100 Points | Recognizes the wine's purity and complexity, reflecting the focus on Biodynamic farming.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Winemaker Description 

In 1927, the inaugural Riserva Ducale vintage was crafted as a homage to the wine-loving Duke of Aosta. Two decades later, in 1947, Ruffino commemorated the exceptional vintage by introducing the inaugural Riserva Ducale Oro, heralding the concept of Gran Selezione ahead of its time. Its potential for decades of aging is matched only by its historical significance. 

One out of every three bottles of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione opened in the world is Riserva Ducale Oro.

Tasting Notes: Ruby red with garnet hues. The wine expresses a distinctive Tuscan bouquet of violet, cherry, and plum, with aromas of chocolate and spice. Intense aromas of violet, blackberry, cherry, and ripe plum with intriguing notes of cinnamon and clove. Classic elegance and structure in which the fruit, tannins, and spices form a tightly woven balance, with a lingering finish of chocolate and coffee.

Our Expert Review

Bart Hopkins: La  Finage Chablis is highly charged and energetic. Delicate citrus and orchards fruit aromas dance from the glass with a lovely backdrop of crushed rocks and sweet spices. In the mouth the wines is elegant and precise, never out of balance, with refreshing acidity gliding through the invigorating finish. Perfect for all types of seafood and shellfish.

Winemaker Description

Opens with fruity aromas of pear with herbal and lemon hints. The palate is freshwith balanced acidity and a sense of energy. Enjoy this wine on its own or with seafood, charcuterie, curries, oysters and sushi

Winemaker Description

This bright, zesty Sauvignon Blanc delivers great aromatic complexity by opening with aromas of fresh lime, lemon verbena and gooseberry. On the palate are flavors of lime, tangy star fruit and a hint of green mango. The long chiseled finish exhibits a wonderful slate minerality followed by juicy fresh citrus notes.

Expert Review- Vintage 2022

Bodegas Cepa 21 Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2021 750ml Shifting gears to the famous Spanish DO of Ribera del Duero, Bodegas Cepa 21 is celebrated worldwide for crafting wines true to the Ribera del Duero terroir and its most famous grape varietal, Tempranillo, locally known as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino. Winemaker José Moro stamps his wines with knowledge that comes from generations of winemaking history in the region. Fresh and enticing red fruit aromas burst from the glass: wild strawberries and raspberries combine with earthy undertones, leading to a medium-bodied drinking experience that reveals notes of baking spices—cinnamon and cloves. Crisp, lively, and with superb “drink me now” quality, this Tempranillo is a must-buy bottle. 

- Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67 Wine Buyer

Winemaker Description 

A red that leaves its mark. Our Cepa 21 wine represents the maximum expression of the area's terroir. This wine combines the modernity and innovation of the winery itself but without forgetting the roots and legacy of a three-generation family that is a guarantee of quality in all its wines.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | This deep ruby-colored wine has a nose of raspberry jam, cocoa butter, and herbs de Provence. It is bright at first sip, with raspberry, red currant, toffee, milk chocolate, and aniseed flavors. Vivid acidity and luxurious tannins stroll hand in hand to a satisfying finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Kerin Okeefe 95 Points | Elegantly structured and loaded with finesse, the 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva from Antinori pushes all the right buttons, starting with its enticing aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, violet, exotic dark spice and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. On the delicious palate, notes of licorice vanilla and crushed mint accent a ripe black cherry core while velvety tannins provide seamless support and plenty of finesse. It’s well balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2030..." 05/25 

Winemaker Description 

Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is ruby red in color. The nose opens with fresh notes of pomegranates, cherries and orange peels accompanied by light spicy hints of ginger. Floral undertones complete the bouquet with accents of lavender, rose petals and delicate balsamic notes of white musk. A vertical entry on the palate leads to a savory and flavorful structure while supple tannins accompany an intense and expansive finish with warm notes of cocoa.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 95 Points | Lots of fresh flowers, limes, sliced apples and honeysuckle on the nose with candied lemon and heather notes. Full-bodied with a light phenolic tension, rich with lots of citrus peel and minerals in the finish. Concentration with freshness. Pinot bianco, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | An Alto Adige staple, this wine consistently offers exceptional value in Italian whites. Aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle lead to hints of peeled pears and white peach. The palate is harmoniously voluminous, showcasing pristine fruits and a burst of candied lemon zest. The finish, lifted with a mineral edge, seals the experience. Enjoy from now until 2040.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This fresh, minerally white offers both expression and restraint, with fine interplay between the well-cut acidity and flavors of yellow peach, glazed tangerine, pink grapefruit, green almond, jasmine and milled white pepper. Long and mouthwatering, with a salty tang cleaning the fragrant finish. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. Drink now through 2033. 

Winemaker Notes

Green apple and white peach combine with fine nuances of lemon balm and mint to create the typical aromas of the classic Terlano. Pronounced notes of peach on the palate, lending the wine its lively character. The multifaceted, well structured flavor derives from an interplay of freshness and minerality and also has a wonderfully long, persistent finish. 

Winemaker Description 

This wine captures the typical Chablis character with steely minerality, focused citrus expression and firm acidity.

Serve as an aperitif or with oysters, seafood, snails, charcuterie, goat cheese, Gruyere cheese. 

Domaine Vocoret & Fils, located near the town of Auxerre, is the epitome of a hands-on, family-owned estate. For five generations, the domaine has been passed down from father to son, with numerous uncles and cousins working at the estate. The strong feeling of dedication and close family relationships has allowed them to adapt throughout the years, each generation applying modern techniques that has promoted innovation in Chablis. Their Chablis appellation vineyards represent the majority, with 37 acres in production.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 92 Points | A fresh and pure Rias Baixas that has notes of lemons, grapefruit and peaches on the nose. It's medium-bodied and saline with a refreshing finish. Vegan. Drink now.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | A lithe, mouthwatering white, with peach skin and nectarine, pickled ginger and jasmine notes. Well-balanced and fresh, with a tang of salinity driving the finish. Drink now. 12,500 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.

Hervé Rafflin’s La Nature’l Extra Brut is a premier cru Champagne that offers a pure and elegant expression of the Montagne de Reims terroir. Made primarily from 80% Pinot Meunier, complemented by 15% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir, this champagne delivers bright citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit, alongside orchard fruits like green apple and white peach. The underlying floral tones and a subtle touch of baked bread add complexity to its light, acid-driven body, resulting in a vibrant and refreshing experience. With a dosage of only 1.8 grams per liter, the wine’s extra brut classification enhances its crisp, dry finish.

Winemaker Notes

This vivacious and insanely refreshing wine is characterized by notes of citrus, white flowers and baked bread. The juice’s bright, salivating acidity leads to a long-lasting finish. The wine pairs perfectly with fresh cheeses, buttered popcorn and raw bar favorites. ‘La Nature’L’ is the leading cuvée at Rafflin and is the most widely produced/sold bottling at the estate.

Hervé Rafflin took over his small family winery back in 2001, though his familial roots in Champagne date back to the 1840s. The estate’s 5 hectares are situated in the heart of the Montagne de Reims in the villages of Chigny-les- Roses, Ludes, Rilly la Montagne and Taissy.

A little over half of the vines are dedicated Pinot Meunier, with the rest rounded out by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vines average 30-40 years in age and as of 2021 are certified organic.

The estate puts out anywhere from no more than 5,000 to 13,000 bottles annually, depending on the vintage. To say we are a small production Champagne would be an understatement. 

Delicious, unpretentious, and always reflective of the growing season and the unique terroir of the Montagne de Reims. At Rafflin, nature dictates business, not demand. 

• Grapes: 26% Pinot Meunier, 36% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir. 60% 2016 + reserve wines.
• Soil/Terroir: 1er cru Chigny les Roses - lignite clay, green marl, Bartonian limestone, Ludian limestone (Upper Eocene, between 41 and 38 million years old), Campanian chalk, colluvium, marl
and Thanetian sand.
• Farming Practices: Organic (in conversion).
• Vinification: Malolactic fermentation with exogenous yeasts and dosage limited to 1.8 g/l.
• Aging: Aged in stainless steel tanks for 8 months.
• SO2: added at harvest and before bottling.
• Alc/Vol: 12.5
• Number of bottles produced: 9000

Expert Reviews

James Suckling writes:  Exquisite mix of dark fruit and earthy notes wrapped up with violets. Great fruit concentration and tension on the palate, with an extra dimension of blood orange fruit, a medium body and tight tannins that are polished on the finish. It shows sucrosity and is very crunchy. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 95

Eric Guidoo writes:  The 2022 Teroldego mixes rich dark fruits with earth tones, leather and spice to create a truly inviting bouquet. This is soft-textured and round with juicy acidity and masses of mineral-tinged wild berry fruits that cascade throughout. It finishes wildly fresh yet still long and potent, leaving the mouth watering as hints of wild blueberry slowly fade. The 2022 is completely open for business yet with a balance that will carry it for the next three to five years in the cellar.  Drinking 2024 to 2029.  - Vinous 91

Winemaker Description

100% Teroldego. Referred to simply as "Foradori" by the Foradori when speaking of their various wines, this is the estate's core red: first bottled by Elisabetta's parents back in 1960 and their largest production today. It comes from 9 hectares of estate vines, planted from 1956 to 2005 on the flat, sunny, well-drained Camp Rotaliano plateau right around the winery.

The soils are a range of alluvial sand and gravel and feature Dolomitic limestone. Older vines are trained traditionally in pergola; younger vines are trained on wires in guyot. The farming is certified-biodynamic. There are 15 separate parcels, all hand-harvested and vinified separately. The bunches are partly destemmed and partly left intact, depending on the vintage; the uncrushed berries and the whole clusters are layered in cement tanks, where they ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and no sulfur. The wine is aged for around a year in well-worn, 20-40-hectoliter botti and bottled without fining or filtration and with a small dose of sulfur.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | Savory, earthy and slightly wild in style, Elisabetta Foradori sculpts one of Italy’s finest natural wines. Luscious dark fruits and violets on the nose pick up some spice and wild herbs on the palate. Medium bodied with good depth of flavor and detailed complexity that winds through the finish with purity and a touch of exotic funk. Works great with vegetarian dishes and is a great match to wild game.

New York Times

Schramsberg was one of California’s modern pioneers of sparkling wine, with 1965 as its first vintage. A lot has changed in California’s sparkling wine world since then, with many small producers now making excellent wines. But Schramsberg is still going strong. This blanc de blancs, made entirely from chardonnay, is creamy, toasty, crisp and fresh. - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023

Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description 

100% Gewurztraminer from estate fruit averaging 35 years-old. Certified Organic and Biodynamic. White wine. Alsace, France. The 2022 vintage expresses a powerful and complex bouquet of exotic fruits, flowers, and spices. The enveloping palate strikes a delicate balance between power and finesse.

Domaine Albert Mann is heralded the world over as being in the top-tier of Alsace producers. Using organic methods guided by biodynamic practices, the Domaine cultivates precisely controlled yields to obtain grapes of elevated maturity and complexity, resulting in wines that produce their own unique style. Never heavy, clumsy or out of balance, each carefully-crafted vintage presents a beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Specatator 92 Points | A sleek and vibrant red, offering medium-bodied flavors of cherry and cranberry that take on green tea and forest floor accents as this builds toward zesty tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas complement notes of cinnamon and delicate violet, while the palate strikes a balance between juicy plum and boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brulée.

Vintage 2023 required experience and patience that was rewarded with essential hang-time and ripening. The growing season started cool, then May sunshine brought an average bloom in mid-June followed by a glorious summer. We enjoyed many classic 80-degree Willamette Valley days, with nighttime highs staying down in the 50s even in August, typically the warmest month here in Oregon. The only exception to these consistent diurnal swings was a single big heat spike in mid-August. We anticipated picking in early September. However, some fortuitous rain events allowed us to push back harvest and we were thankful for the additional hang time.

Harvest came early, but not too early. We brought in beautiful fruit and we were pleased to still be picking Pinot noir into early October. When you have fast accumulation of fruit sugars, cool weather can be a welcome respite with even small amounts of rain helping the grapevines regulate and slow ripening. One of the reasons why Oregon Pinot Noir is so prized is for its freshness of fruit, and you can only get that vibrancy when it’s under 50 degrees during picking.

2023 brought amazing fruit quality, but our production was down, especially on cool climate white wines like Pinot Gris. Being an estate grown winery, we must follow Mother Nature’s lead as we cannot buy fruit to increase production. Smaller yields do mean a smaller crop and less wine, but we embrace vintage variation. Another great benefit of being estate grown is that it’s our decision exactly when to pick. Rather than rushing to bring fruit into the cellar, in 2023 were able to play the odds and wait out the rain on blocks that needed additional hang time to get the flavor development we needed.
Vineyard

Our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made with 100% estate grown fruit from all six of our vineyard sites: The Winery Estate, Mount Richmond, Five Mountain, Clay Court, Goodrich and Windhill. These sites are comprised of both Pommard and Dijon plant material, with multiple clones represented.

Because we draw from vineyards representing all three of the major Willamette Valley soil types, we are able to pick and choose for different flavor components to make the best possible blend each year for our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Some people call this making wine “spice rack” style, we usually just call it delicious. Our goal is the perfect version of what we believe a Willamette Valley Pinot should be: a wine with freshness of fruit, well-integrated alcohol, and great concentration of flavor.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | A pleasing balance of rich flavor, mouthwatering acidity and verve deliver. This wine combines the aromatic lift of citrus blossoms with flavors of crisp nectarine, spice and a hint of guava. Delicious.

James Suckling 92 Points | A creamy and flavorful chardonnay, offering white peaches, raw walnuts, lemon rind and melon. Rich but clean and textured, with medium to full body and delicious stone fruit in the middle. Tense, juicy finish

Winemaker Description 

The 2023 vintage could be the vintage of the decade. It is among the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in the past ten-plus years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and have strong potential to age for decades to come. 

This Chardonnay presents a complex bouquet with enticing aromas of ripe melon, honeysuckle, and juicy peach, complemented by delicate hints of citrus blossoms.  

The name KARIA (KAR-ee-ah) is derived from the Greek word meaning graceful, and the 2023 KARIA Chardonnay lives up to its moniker. It shows how grapes from select cool-climate vineyards in southern Napa Valley can be vinified and blended into a seamless integration of fresh-fruit aromas and flavors, crisp acidity and subtle oak spice. Light and graceful: that’s KARIA. 

KARIA comes from a tapestry of vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley. For the 2023 vintage, vineyards in the Atlas Peak District (42%), Carneros (35%), Arcadia (14%) and Bravo Zulu (8%) contributed fruit for this wine. The vineyards in Carneros (Beckster Las Amigas and Carneros Creek), which are cooled in the mornings and evenings by breezes sweeping north from San Pablo Bay, contribute citrus and mineral notes to the wine. ARCADIA VINEYARD brings perfume and delicate fruit characters. The Oak Knoll vineyards (Bravo Zulu) provide bright, juicy apple and pear personality to the blend. Atlas Peak fruit adds a lemon/lime citrus character and a richer mouthfeel. The grapes for this wine were picked early in the morning to keep them cool and then they were whole cluster pressed to preserve freshness. Oak and malolactic fermentation were used in moderation to accent, rather than overwhelm, the fruit. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 95 Points | The lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The 2020 L'Esprit De Chevalier is more restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. It's a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2020 Esprit de Chevalier has a very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Very controlled and classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with quite concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and a touch of Provençal herbs. Slight viscosity here, powerful with a generous finish, this is a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12-15 years' drinking pleasure.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Fleshy and demonstrative, the 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier bursts with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish, it will drink well young.

Winemaker Description

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in unfashionable vintages thanks to its unique terroir and a draconian selection in the vineyard and the cellar. In fact, this philosophy at times requires vineyard workers to carry out five waves of picking in order to pick only the ripest possible grapes.

Furthermore, as of 1986, the planting of young vines led to the creation of both a red and white second wine called Esprit de Chevalier. This includes vats that do not have quite the structure and focus of the grand vin as well as wine made from young vines, Vats that go into red Esprit de Chevalier must nevertheless be complex, well-balanced, well-structured and, above all, elegant enough to be in keeping with Chevalier’s image. Esprit de Chevalier is a charming red wine with many of the same qualities as the grand vin and the added advantage that can be enjoyed earlier.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Juicy citrus, tart pineapple, and mint herb notes, as well as some classic background mineral and salty nuances, emerge from the 2022 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills, a medium-bodied Chardonnay that's nicely balanced, has bright yet integrated acidity, and outstanding length. The appellation release comes 90% from La Rinconada and 10% from Sanford & Benedict, saw malolactic in barrel (as do all of these Chardonnays from Sanford), and 11 months in 25% new French oak. Drink bottles through 2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Jim Gordon writes:  A delicious, generous and moderately oaked wine. It offers warm, toasted almond aromas and cool golden apple, kiwi and guava notes on the palate. Full-bodied, creamy and layered, well balanced by light acidity. Drink now.  - James Suckling 93

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2022 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a fabulous appellation-level wine that shows how compelling the 2022 vintage can be. Apricot, yellow flowers, chamomile and light tropical accents all grace this tasty, inviting Chardonnay. Most of the fruit is from La Rinconada.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Vinous 90

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description 

A elaboration that starts from a cold maceration, fermentation at low temperature and subsequent aging on lees of 4 months that lead us to a Galician white wine of excellent expression.

After a selection, the grapes are despressed and a cold maceration of the grapes previously refrigerated are carried out. Once the macerator's bleeding to get the tear must, the rest is pressed very softly and slowly in a pneumatic press. its fermentation is in stainless steel tanks for approximately 60-70 days. After fermentation, it stays for 4 months with the fine lens in the stainless steel tank.

Bright straw yellow color of medium-high intensity. The aromas of bone fruit and white flowers predominate. It shows a powerful, balanced, complex and fresh mouth displaying an attractive harmony of flavors.

Pair very well with roasted zamburiña on truffled potato or steamed drinks and lime.

Winemaking process

Hand-harvested with fruit selection in the vineyard. Destemming and pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature for 6 hours. Fermentation in stainless steel below 20°C. Aged for 4 months on fine lees with weekly periodic rackings

Tasting Notes Attractive bright pale yellow color with a steely rim, fluid and regular legs. The nose is subtle and delicate, revealing varietal aromas of white flowers, white fruits, citrus, and aniseed notes. On the palate, it is rich and fresh with good balance, featuring vibrant acidity that leads to a very pleasant and prolonged bitter finish.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2015

Eric Guido writes: Brown spice, crushed fall leaves cherry sauce and a lifting hint of fresh mint form a darkly alluring bouquet as the 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira opens in the glass. This washes across the palate with a velvety wave of ripe red and black fruits, underscored by saline minerals and a burst of spiced citrus. Long and potent, the 2015 leaves a web of fine tannins that are surprisingly sweet and round, nicely framing the notes of sour wild berries and dark chocolate that linger. - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes: The candied strawberries and caramelized orange peel draw you in on the nose; then you notice hints of ash and red licorice. The full-bodied palate has quite a serious tannin backbone, and vibrant red fruit lies beneath waiting to be drawn out tightly by a fine acid edge. The finish is quite fruit-forward. Drink now. - James Suckling 92

Expert Review

Eric Guido writes:  The 2023 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Malandrino entices with its mineral-drenched bouquet of crushed rock and smoke giving way to herbal-tinged blackberry. It sweeps across the palate with silken textures and ripe red and hints of blue fruits as a wave of cool-toned acidity maintains lovely energy. Long and potent, this leaves a subtle coating of fine tannins and nuances of licorice as it tapers off. This is already appealing today, despite its notable structure.  Drinking 2026 to 2031.  - Vinous 92

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby colored with intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum and violets with a lovely earthy complexity. Full bodied in the mouth with a rich texture, supple tannins and a long persistent finish. Perfect for lamb chops, steak and roasted veggies. Made from organically grown grapes.

Winemaker Notes

Deep purple colour with intense aromas of red and black fruits, crushed violets and a touch of mocha. The palate has generous ripe fruits and a plush, velvety texture supported by vibrant acidity, with fruits and spices that linger on the finish. Extreme refinement.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is also Merlot-dominated and includes 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers classic Saint-Julien elegance and purity in its darker currant and cherry fruits as well as notes of tobacco, violets, and lead pencil. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It needs air to show at its best and is just a charming, elegant, layered 2019 to enjoy over any time over the coming decade.  Drinking 2022 to 3032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Georgina Hindle writes:  Lovely, fresh, delicate and fruity nose; smells quite rich and ripe. Good push of plush fruit, bright cherry straight away then darkens to something more serious and sensual. Tannins are overpowering, just so abundant, covering the tongue and cheeks but they're soft - you need that structure to give it life. Feels sculpted if a little excessive right now, but good freshness and drive, and round on the mid-palate with no angles. Some spice at the end. From the western part of the appellation, a parcel of about 25ha purchased in the 1970s. 10ha in the process of being replanted - so 15ha in production. This is the third wine and receives declassified fruit from the higher wines, although produced with the same philosophy.  Drinking 2023 to 2031  - Decanter 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is plush, creamy and open-knit, all of which give it considerable immediacy, not to mention tons of charm. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha and licorice lend nuance in this racy, Merlot-based blend. The Petit Ducru is a new wine meant to be the third selection from the château.  Drinking 2025 to 2029.  - Vinous 92

Our Professional Review

A blend of 40% Pinot Gris, 35% Muscat, 25% Riesling.  This is one of my favorite Alsace whites because of its amazingly fragrant nose of flowers, that I think the Muscat and Pinot Gris brings to this wine.  It is like smelling great perfume and when it enters your mouth you taste all the complex flavors the three grape varieties bring to the wine with the acidity of the Riesling making it both lush and crisp at the same time.  There is a certain creaminess and lushness that this particular wine envelopes your mouth with that makes me just love it.  Bernie, Follow the Drinker®

Winemaker Description - Importer Notes 

"The Edelzwicker, is a rare blend (one of two produced by Boxler) and often features fruit from his grand cru parcels. Jean Boxler says, “To find the right balance for the Edelzwicker Réserve, I cannot hesitate to steal from my more prestigious cuvées.”  Think of this bottling as his musical supergroup. Its purpose is to showcase what an Alsatian white tastes like when some of the region’s best grapes—which usually shine on their own—come together and harmonize. The result is a floral, luscious, and medium-bodied masterpiece, with notes of orchard fruit and tangerine. Incredibly versatile at table, it would be a match made in heaven with Chris Lee’s soufflé or a baked fish with grilled vegetables, but it would also complement a variety of Chinese, Indian, or Thai dishes that have a little spice." - Kermit Lynch

Producer Description 

Purchased by the Comte Lafond, an ancestor of the current owner, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, Château du Nozet and its surrounding vineyards have a reputation for producing the finest Pouilly-Fumé.

The delicate and complex olfactory expression opens on aromas which remind of white flower, exotic fruits. There is a very beautiful complexity for a vintage where the end-of-season’s sun brought a lot to the aromas. Excellent complexity that translates into great and elegant richness. Nice attack, straight and bright, it takes place with elegance on fruity notes associated with a dense structure and a beautiful acidity which brings a great length in the end of the mouth. There are aromas of exotic fruits (litchi, mango).

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator by Kristen Bieler writes 89 Points | Apple, pear and citrus cream are backed by a laser beam of acidity and crushed flint. Warm hay and heather notes add dimension, while the finish is crackling and linear. Drink now through 2026. 2,500 cases imported.

Memo Notes Summary 

De Ladoucette is unique in that it utilizes no oak in its vinification, aging the wine on its fine lees in glass-tiled tanks. This process maximizes the fresh, terroir-driven characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

Color: Pale golden-green, bright and limpid.

The nose is delicate yet complex, exhibiting a beautiful array of white flowers (lilac, white blossoms), citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon peel), and exotic fruit (lychee, mango). The quintessential flinty/mineral aroma, known as fumé (smoke), is usually present, especially as the wine opens.

The classic, mineral-driven profile of Pouilly-Fumé makes it one of the most versatile white wines for dining:

• Seafood: A perfect match for all shellfish, including oysters, scallops, and shrimp, as well as grilled white fish (sea bass, turbot).

  Cheese: The traditional pairing is goat cheese, especially Crottin de Chavignol or fresh Chèvre. Its acidity cuts through the cheese's creaminess beautifully.

  
  

  Poultry & Other: Light white meats, salads, and vegetable dishes like asparagus risotto or chicken with a cream/lemon sauce.

Winemaker Description 

Overall, Gerard Boulay's “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay's neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan).

These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above "regular" Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay's place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons."

Memo Pairing Notes 

This wine is a classic pairing for goat cheese, especially the local Crottin de Chavignol. Other excellent pairings include:

• Fresh oysters and grilled seafood.

• Arugula salad or roasted peppers.

• Lemon Chicken 

Winemaker Description

In France’s Northern Rhone Valley, there are few names as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the late, legendary Alain Graillot, who after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac, came back to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year his devotion to the art of making hauntingly delicious Syrah from his organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards, was rewarded with an ever growing and highly dedicated following around the world. Alain’s sons Maxime and Antoine have been in charge since 2008, continuing the legacy set forth by their father. All the work is still completely the same as it ever was: hand-harvesting, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 94 Points |  "A textural, balanced and harmonious red with such patina already. The nose shows notes of dark cherries, fresh plums, forest floor and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and velvety, with a kick of peppercorns. Juicy, vivid and fresh finish. Drink or hold."

Winemaker Description

The 2023 Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir displays enticing aromas of pomegranate, white tea, and raspberry. Lively and energetic with flavors of dried fig, white truffle, and ripe cherry fruit. Savory in texture with notes of wild herbs and peppery spice on the finish.

Expert Reviews 

Winemaker Description 

A full-bodied wine with hints of minty characters, cigar box and lots of dark fruits. Bold palate with chewy tannins. 

Winemaker Ntsiki Biyela grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in Kwazulu Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) at Stellenbosch University and joined boutique winery Stellekaya Wines the following year.

Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew following a collaboration with Californian winemaker, Helen Kiplinger, as part of Mika Bulmash’s Wine for the World initiative. In addition, she has consulted in France, making wine under Winemakers Collection in Bordeaux.

Finally, she sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine industry. The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her own considerable success.

Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in Kwazulu Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) at Stellenbosch University and joined boutique winery Stellekaya Wines the following year.

Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew following a collaboration with Californian winemaker, Helen Kiplinger, as part of Mika Bulmash’s Wine for the World initiative. In addition, she has consulted in France, making wine under Winemakers Collection in Bordeaux.

Finally, she sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine industry. The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her own considerable success.

Winemaker Description

The Chianti Classico Riserva has a ruby red hue with a trace of garnet. The nose is elegant, displaying hints of spice and fruit. This is a well-structured wine with smooth tannins and a long finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 94 Points | Attractive aromas of ripe cherries, dried strawberries, dried orange peel, spices and crushed stones, following through to a medium to full body with compact tannins that are firm and finely grained. Smooth and textured with vivid fruit underneath and a lingering finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.(2020). 

Robert Parker 93 Points | In the bottle with the black label, the organic 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva offers ripe fruit with measured intensity that never feels heavy or overdone. Achieving this level of balance is not easy in a hot growing season such as this. This wine is characterized by an especially linear and direct personality that pushes it over the palate with good momentum. (2020).

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | A rich ruby color, the 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva is a selection from the best vineyards, aged for two years. The nose opens to ripe and polished aromas of toasted cedar, cherry lozenge, menthol, and spiced orange peel. Medium-bodied, it offers ripe tannins that fold into a more mineral texture, with mouthwatering stony earth and a rather long, clean finish.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | A juicy yet firmly structured red highlighted by bright cherry and blackberry fruit. Reveals dense tannins that inform the finish, where accents of earth and mineral linger. Balanced in a youthful, exuberant way. Best from 2025 through 2039.

Winemaker Description 

Pale yellow color with hints of green. You get on the nose a touch of oak, lots of finesse and minerality with white flowers, lemon and apple scents. On the mouth, the wine is fresh, round and fruity with aromas of melon, kiwi, peaches and apricot and a nice minerality. Overall, the wine is nicely balanced and fresh with a great length.