$25 - $50 Wine

Winemaker Description

The castle of Verduno is a historic Piedmontese estate located in Verduno, the northernmost commune of Barolo. This is made from the Pelaverga grape and is a complex red wine full of savory spices and a lively tannin. "Basadone" is dialect for the poppy flower but doubles as a meaning for a "little kiss" as the locals believe that Pelaverga is indeed an aphrodisiac.

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.

Blend: 100% Sangiovese

Expert Ratings

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

Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. 

Grapes for this wine are farmed in 8 of Napa’s 16 sub-appellations, with diversification enabling us to make the best possible wine in a given year. Their Cabernet offers layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries. 

Critic Notes

Alistair Cooper MW of Jancis Robinson writes 16.5 Points | Tasted blind. Pure strawberry fruit on the nose, rosemary and thyme. Sweet and supple mid palate with a lovely savoury meaty note behind. Excellent energy drives this wine, juicy, fresh and really appealing!   Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Matt Walls of Decanter writes 91 Points | Fine and pretty, precise red berry fruits. Brisk, balanced, and drinkable. Enjoyable zingy acidity. Small but perfectly formed for a 2021 Gigondas. Mostly destemmed, natural yeasts, no acidification.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.

Nicolas Greinacher of VInous writes 91 Points | The 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 checks in at a moderate 13.7% alcohol. Cropped at 26hL/Ha, it offers shy red fruit aromatics but really comes alive on the palate. Solid flavor concentration flawlessly matches the energizing acidity, all tucked into a corset of gently sculpted tannins. The finish of this 2021 red is distinctively elegant. This spent one year in a combination of concrete tanks and foudres.  Drinking 2024 to 2031. 

Winemaker Description

Its bouquet is intense, pure, pleasant and refined, reminiscent of sweet violet, tobacco, chocolate and pleasant hints of wild berries and vanilla. Its flavor fully confirms the above in a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with good tannins and a solid structure. 

Expert Reviews 

Decanter 95 Points | Altesino counts approximately 50 hectares throughout Montalcino’s northern and southern stretches. A compilation of diverse sites, the estate Brunello is among the denomination’s best values. If the Montosoli bottling is more solemn in tone, this 2019 is joyful and bright. Heady red currant and cherry mingle with plum and anise. The sumptuously fruited, plush palate is mouth filling yet agile. Sandy textured tannins envelop and caress while citrusy acidity lifts the whole. Already accessible, it has sufficient depth, concentration and backbone for a solid decade of enjoyment. (2019). 

Robert Parker 95 Points | The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). (2019). 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. (2019). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste. (2019).

James Suckling 94 Points | A dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation. (2019). 

Winemaker Description

Before you wonder what Lebanon has to do with wine, just consider that it has been producing wine for perhaps millennia more than any other part of the world.

A deep ruby colored wine, Chateau Kefraya Comte de M 2018 is clear and brilliant with garnet-colored reflections.The first nose is remarkably powerful and emphasized by its volume and elegance.

The wine is an harmonious blend of fresh red fruits, spicy and floral notes, as well as woody, roasted and toasted notes. The second nose reveals notes of cigar box, menthol, licorice, spices and garrigue through a palette of ripe and slightly candied red fruits.

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. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Pascal Balland cultivates 22 acres of vines around the famed center of Sancerre wine production in the village of Bué in France's Loire Valley. Pascal Balland’s Sancerre wine has all the characteristics you can expect from a Sancerre: lemony, dry, mineral, aromatic, and lively. Pair with fish, shellfish, or cheese such as Chèvre. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021

92 Points James Suckling | Very bright with a purple edge to the color. Lots of dark cherries, violet and licorice that extend to a fleshy, medium-bodied palate. I love the crunch and the succulence here. An excellent Barbera d’Alba that can be enjoyed in the next five years. Drink or hold. (2021).

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This is a fun and exciting wine with deep red fruit of cherry and raspberry. The fruits are complimented by violets and rhubarb with loads of sweet and savory spices. The palate is bright and pops with tart “Frutti di Bosco” (translated to wild fruits of the forest) with fine tannins and good structure. Vineyard Brands.

90 Points Wine Spectator | A linear, compact red marked by a mix of violet, blackberry and boysenberry aromas and flavors. Bolstered by vivid acidity, this glides to a long, intense aftertaste. 

Winemaker Descrption

Deep purplish, almost impenetrable red. Elegant, sweet, and tempting, the intense and fruity notes characteristic of Barbera emerge. Vinous, fresh, and well-balanced. An easy to drink wine which is tasty and rich without being excessively heavy.

Perfect with Langhe cuisine and very tasty dishes in general. Excellent with pasts, rice, and soup, braised or grilled red meats, and medium mature cheeses. It is also perfect for aperitifs, with appetizers and sliced meats. Winemaker Description. 

This delicately hued rosé embodies true coastal character with its freshness, vibrancy and marine minerality. Lifted aromas of wild strawberry and rose petal give way to a trio of fresh, sweet and candied ruby grapefruit, underscored with a layer of wet stone minerality.

A welcoming and supple entry reveals hallmark flavors of red grapefruit and a hint of vine-ripened watermelon which echo the wine's charmingly complex aromatics. The palate is taut, neatly framing a latticework of texture and acidity that supports a persistent and mouth-watering finish.

Winemaker Description

100% Pinot Noir. The only kosher Pinot from Willamette Valley! Cherry on the nose, with flavors of blackberries, dried herbs and roasted coffee beans. Aged 12 months in neutral Oak barrels.

Critic Notes

James Suckling writes:  What a joyful dry white for Burgenland! A wide spectrum of ripe yellow fruit with mango and papaya, but nothing loud. Generous and juicy, but with extremely invigorating acidity. A cuvee based on gruner veltliner with furmint, welchriesling, chardonnay and pinot blanc, plus some mixed planted. From vines ranging ranging from 20 to 40 years of age. Drink or hold.  James Suckling 93

Winemaker Notes

The typical grape varieties of the region, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner and Furmint, work together to create a tightly knit, very precise, complex wine with mouth-filling, ripe pear fruit as well as beautiful almond, spice and herbal notes.

Powerful, creamy, dry and sensual, it is wonderfully complex and opens up countless exciting combination possibilities as a sophisticated food accompaniment. 

Oscar Garcia 67Wine.com | This lengendary Bodega produces some of the most classic and sought after Riojas. The entry level Reserva is my go-to wine to enjoy with any of my weekend favorite meals.Lovely nose of dark fruit, cedar, and herbs. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a structured finish.

Critic Notes

Luis Gutierrez writes:  The 2019 Rioja Reserva, their flagship wine, comes from the 300 hectares of estate vineyards. Here, Tempranillo is the backbone, making up 87% of the wine in the low-yielding vintage of 2019 and complemented with 6% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha. This is the second vintage in the new winery. It’s a balsamic and spicy version—a wine with muscle that they aged for a longer time in barrel, and it's more traditional and serious. It's ripe at 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.3 grams of acidity. They seek balance between fruit and oak, looking for freshness. A more powerful year.  Drinking 2023 to 2032.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93

James Suckling writes:  A precise and polished red with cherry, plum, slate, iron, and powdered earth. It's medium- to full-bodied with sublime tannins that are beautifully integrated into the wine. It's structured, yet the tannins are very silky. It's curated and thoughtful. Two years in American oak (10% new) and 14 months in bottle. Sophisticated and very drinkable, but will age nicely. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 96

Joaquin Hidalgo writes:  The 2019 Marqués de Murrieta is 93 Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha Tinta, sourced from Pago La Capellanía in the Ygay estate, Rioja Alta. Aged for 24 months in American oak barrels, this garnet wine offers notes of sour cherry, balsamic and dried flowers, along with a lactic-vanilla-cedar layer. On the palate, it is dry, mild and lean, with a juicy flow and fine-grained tannins that culminate in a long-lasting finish. The 2019 vintage represents a harmonious blend of traditional oak-vanilla influences and the emerging fruit-forward trend.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.  - Vinous 93

Alison Napjus writes:  An elegant red, bright and silky on the palate, with vibrant acidity and supple tannins well-meshed with flavors of pureed mulberry, delicate dried thyme and anise, mandarin orange peel and a touch of fragrant smoke. Long and juicy on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2034.  - Wine Spectator 91

Florencia Gomez writes:  Inviting aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry and violets (whole bunch?). Tannins are ripe and velvety, and it’s not short of bright acidity. Long, perfumed and toasty, it will benefit from some time in the bottle.  Drinking 2026 to 2036.  - Jancis Robinson 16.5+

Pale yellow color with hints of gold and green. Powerful notes of minerality and yellow fruits. Rounded and rich with a good structure and lengthy finish.

 Enjoy as an aperitif or with seafood, veal, goat cheese, or gruyère.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Plump and generous, with raspberry and cranberry flavors that are accented with forest floor, clove and other dusky spices, finishing with refined 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.

Winemaker Description

Rich and beautifully focused from top to bottom. Deep, and vibrant red fruits and baking spices aromas inform the palate which is supple, serious, and wonderfully fresh. Although charming now, it will continue to improve over several years.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Fresh mulberry and cherry fruit brings nice lift, with light iris and rose petal notes darting through on the racy finish. Drink now through 2026. 8,700 cases made. (2022). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast writes 92 Points | A fine, ripe, juicy wine with balanced tannins, this is rich in Merlot and fine spice. The wine's structure and its solid texture show fine potential. Drink this concentrated wine from 2025.

Wine Description 

Hand-harvested and mainly destemmed but with the berries left whole. They are fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and without sulfur in concrete tanks. Maceration lasts around 12 days and there are no extractive techniques, only a submerged cap or cappello sommerso. The wine is aged partly in 15-hectoliter foudres and partly in concrete for up to one and half years. It is bottled with a small amount of sulfur and without fining or filtering and is released in the late spring two years after the vintage.

Expert Ratings

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 93 Points | The 2020 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, floral and effusive, the 2020 is striking right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, mint, spice and blood orange all race out of the glass. A wine of vibrancy and nuance, impresses with its exceptional beauty and overall harmony. It's an absolutely stellar wine from Montesecondo.  Drinking 2022 -2030.

Walter Speller of Jancis Robinson writes 17.5 Points | Lustrous crimson. At first subdued then opens up to crushed raspberries with savoury hints. Vibrant fruit with lots of acidity but really filled out across the palate. Long and with lots of crunch.   San Casciano. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Certified organic.  Drinking 2022 - 2028.

Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate writes 91 Points | The Montesecondo 2020 Chianti Classico is redolent of bright cherry and wild blueberry. It presents those pretty fruit tones with attractive intensity. This blend of 90% Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino feels sweet and soft, but the ripeness is spot-on with no jammy sensations or heaviness. That contained quality of fruit, even in a hot vintage such as this, is one of the ace cards in Chianti Classico's hand. Aged in oak and cement, the wine ends with tart cherry and lasting freshness.  Drinking 2022 -2028. 

Michaela Morris of Decanter writes 92 Points | Montesecondo crafts just one Chianti Classico from two parcels in San Casciano. It ferments spontaneously, sees minimal sulphur additions and is aged in a combination of cement vats and medium-sized used oak casks. The 2020 starts discreetly, with forest brush and mint adding dimension to red currant and black raspberry. This is more savoury than sweet though, and it's the powdery, textured palate that really captivates. Fresh and tangy with nuances of orange peel, this sneaky wine isn't flamboyant but is very tasty. 

Expert Reviews - Vintager 2019

Antonio Galloni of Vinous 91-93 Points writes | The 2019 Cantemerle is fabulous. Deep, inky and super expressive, Cantemerle is a real standout in 2019. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, grilled herbs, rose petal, spice, sweet pipe tobacco and mint are some of the many notes that develop here with a bit of coaxing. More than anything else, it is the wine's extraordinary balance and sense of harmony that stand out here. Don't miss this! Drinking 2024 - 2050. 

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | An incredibly consistent estate that always delivers a quality wine, the 2019 Château Cantemerle checks in as 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Classic Médoc notes of red and black currants, cedar pencil, sappy herbs, and tobacco give way to a medium-bodied 2019 with terrific balance, ripe, polished tannins, good acidity, and outstanding length. This terrific wine will benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for 15+ in cold cellars. Drinking 2023 - 2039.

James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator 90 Points writes: Very direct in feel, offering plum and cherry puree notes gilded with violet and anise hints. Shows a graphite accent on the finish, which adds depth as the fruit blossoms around it. Solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030.

Richard Hemming MW of Jancis Robinson 16/20 Points writes: Old-fashioned savoury black fruit with tannins that grip without asphyxiating. Savoury tart finish with lots of classic cassis. Ready to drink now (with food). Drinking 2023 - 2029.

Neal Martin of Vinous 93 Points writes: The 2019 Cantemerle has a fruit-driven bouquet with opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit, certainly one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy and rounded, though I am looking for more tension and precision on the finish. This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar. Drinking 2025 -2050.

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate 92 Points writes | Opening in the glass with notions of rich berry fruit, licorice, cedar, violets and loamy soil, the 2019 Cantemerle is medium to full-bodied, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. This shut down a little after bottling (some 11 months ago at the time of writing), but it is beginning to bounce back to reveal a wine of real charm and character. Drinking 2025 - 2045 

James Suckling 95 Points | A red with lots of currant, blackberry, fresh-herb and tobacco character. Hint of mushroom, too. It’s full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Very long and focused. Give it time to come together. Very classic character here. Best after 2026. - James Suckling 95

Georgina Hindle of Decanter 94 Points writes: Green pepper and herbaceous notes on the nose with minty eucalyptus alongside ripe cherry and blackcurrant aromas - so classic. A lovely mouthfeel here, smooth, well defined and preise. Quite direct, serious and darkly fruited - such a concentrated core - but with smooth tannins, a soft sweetness and freshness that lifts the overall frame. Balanced with succulence. Makes a lasting impact and impression. A great value pick. Drinking 2025 - 2045.

Jane Anson 92 Points writes |  Plenty of smoked cedar oak on the opening beats, this is full-throated in its extraction but comes across as confident rather than too much, and as it softens the damson and black cherry fruits are attractive. 40% new oak. Drinking 2026 - 2040.

Winemaker Description 

La Fuerza revitalizes the long history of vermouth in Argentina with a modern and forward-looking twist - made from Mendoza-grown grapes and herbs from the Andes.

TASTING NOTES
Earthy notes: mace, juniper, and star anise, with notes of peppermint and green tea. The finish has a touch of dried fruits and spice.

COCKTAIL SUGGESTIONS
La Fuerza Rojo is the perfect addition to a simple spritz, or any other cocktail calling for vermouth like a Negroni or Americano. 

Winemaker Description 

Bodega Flechas de Los Andes is a result of the partnership between Baron Benjamin de Rothschild and Mr. Laurent Dassault on a unique terroir situated at the foot of the Andes cordillera, to the south of Mendoza. The Malbec grape variety reigns in this alluvial terroir of the Andes. 

The finest plots of the Flechas de Los Andes vineyards have been selected to offer you a wine that is the expression of a pure, top of the range Argentinean Malbec. This hearty, sultry, spicy, mouth-filling dark- ruby wine offers raspberry, chocolate, dark licorice and lightly oaky flavors along with soft tannins. Pairs well with barbeque.

Kosher for Passover.

Tropical fruit aromas of guava and pineapple with hints of toasted marshmallow and lavender. Flavors of pear, white peach and key lime. A weighty entry that is balanced by lively acidity brings complexity and elegance to this lovely wine. Enjoyable upon release and over the next six to seven years. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Notes

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco is a dry, organic and biodynamic white wine made with the Albanello and Moscato de Alejandría varieties and produced by Arianna Occhipinti, in Sicily, Italy.

"The name of a road, for a wine that is a journey", is the perfect and forceful description that Arianna Occhipinti gives to her Occhipinti SP68 Bianco, a wine that refers to the Strada Provinciale 68 as a tribute to all those peasants who have travelled along this road from the countryside for three thousand years, first with amphoras and then with barrels containing the fruit of their labour, fatigue and joy, and the aroma of their land.

In the middle of Strada Provinciale 68, in Vittoria, Sicily, we also find the Arianna Occhipinti winery where this Occhipinti SP68 Bianco was created. The wine is made with grapes that come from vineyards with an average age of 15 years, located 280 metres above sea level and composed of soils of red sand and limestone, which are cultivated according to the principles of organic agriculture and biodynamics.

The plots are cultivated without employing chemicals, and the grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with their native yeasts. The must remains in contact with the skins for 15 days. The wine is aged for 6 months in cement tanks and finally bottled unfiltered.

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco is a terroir wine born out of respect for the land and the vineyard, and reflects the philosophy of Arianna Occhipinti who states the following: "If the work in the vineyard is performed with care, the passage to the winery becomes simpler and requires fewer interventions. Winemaker Description. 

Critic Notes

Eric Guido writes:  The 2023 Bianco SP68 is distinctly savory, as wild herbs and wet concrete give way to crushed nectarines. This is soothingly round and supple with a spicy tinge of ginger up front, leading to tart orchard fruits and a cascade of salty minerals. The 2023 finishes vividly fresh yet still potent, leaving hints of green melon and lime zest that linger on and on. Allow the Bianco SP68 some time to open in the bottle to express its aromatics properly.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 90

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Wine Advocate 94 Points: You can't beat this value. The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Albe is buttoned up with fresh primary fruit, and the wine does not have that hint of over-ripeness that is found across this vintage. The fruit is dark and savory, and there is a big mineral component to match, but the bouquet is nicely redolent of dark currant, plum, granite and a raspy dry note that brings crushed shale to mind. The tannins are quite impactful, and they give this wine extra runway for moderate bottle aging.

Wine Spectator 94 Points This effusive red displays cherry, raspberry, rose, iron, juniper and hay flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity. Harmonious and supple in texture, with a long aftertaste of red fruit, mineral and floral elements.

James Suckling 93 Points This is a bright and lively Barolo showing sliced oranges, raspberries, crushed stones and rose petals on the nose. Medium-bodied, with sharp acidity and tight tannins. Lots of energy. Try from 2027.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points A ripe ruby hue, the 2020 Barolo Albe offers a beautiful bouquet of raspberries, fresh flowers, and delicate spice. Medium-bodied, it has a lot of elegance, with ripe and supple tannins and a bit of iron-rich earth. Drink 2024-2037.

Winemaker Description

The vineyards for this wine are located in Soria which is in the far Eastern portion of Ribera del Duero. This area is not the "norm" for most wines from Ribera. The vineyards in this area tend to be very old and "ungrafted".

A mixture of limestone, decomposed granite and clay. A majority of the blend is comprised of grapes grown on the granite and clay sites with some limestone used to create structure and depth.

Bertrand Sourdais, the head of the project is working with the vineyard owners to work biodynamically and organically.

15 day macerations in Inox. Temperature controlled. Spontaneous fermentation. No fining and No filtering. 6 months in used French barrique. 

Winemaker Description

100% Cabernet Franc. Les Barnabés stands apart from Raffault's other main sites, Les Picasses and Les Peuilles, still in the Véron region but far to the west and downhill on a plain of alluvial soils near the Loire River.

The sandy, gravelly site yields a lighter style of Cabernet Franc more approachable with less aging compared to the other two. Like Picasses and Peuilles, Barnabés comes from fruit which is organically farmed, harvested by hand, destemmed but not crushed, and fermented in tank with native yeasts. The fermentation is at cooler temperatures and the aging in tank only, all to preserve the freshness and brightness of the fruit. It is the earliest release of the three reds.

Expert Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A bright, energetic, beautifully focused red wine that makes food pairings an absolute pleasure. Juicy red fruits mingle with savory peppery complexity with supple tannins framed by classic minerality. Serve it lightly chilled and bring on the food!

Charles Curtis MW writes:  A classic Aligoté that expresses the essence of the grape with profuse aromas of gooseberry, fresh tarragon and flint. The wine offers bright acidity, medium body and impressive length. The yield was down by an average of 75% this year, with only three bunches per vine, not the 10-12 that are customary, but this light fruit load ensured the grapes ripened to perfection.  Drinking 2022 - 2030  - Decanter 92

Alan Meadows writes:  A very aligoté nose features notes of bright citrus, green apple and a whiff of quinine character. There is both excellent richness and density to the vibrant middleweight flavors that exude a subtle salinity on the clean and quite dry but not really austere finale. This is a very good example and worth a look.  - Burghound

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

La Copa Rojo is based on a Cream Sherry, a blend of 75% Palomino and 25% PX, with the addition of six botanicals; wormwood, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel and savory.

Intense spiced aroma, notes of clove and cinnamon stand out, with an elegant bitterness on the finish. On the palate smooth velvety slightly sweet note from the Cream base. Enjoy well chilled on its own or with soda and a slice of orange. A key ingredient in many cocktails. 

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | Brilliant in apples, vanilla, butter and pineapples, this full-bodied and silkytextured wine grabs attention with its sunny aromas. It follows up with a generous palate of fruits, mild spices and a melted texture that’s so easy to sip. (2021).

Aromatic and inviting, this Estate Chardonnay opens with the alluring aroma of freshly baked cardamom buns. The palate is fresh and complex, layering flavors of lemon zest, beeswax, and lemon verbena that delightfully linger on the palate. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Israel. The Castel La Vie Blanc is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer; each varietal adds its own beauty to this crisp white wine.

The Chardonnay is the backbone lending structure and balance, the sauvignon blanc adds citrus and melon notes, while the Gewurztraminer rounds out the floral characters and contributes to the overall silky texture. This wine is a great showing from a overall great Israeli winery.

Expert Review

Kristen Bieler writes:  A flinty, fresh version, with light-to-medium weight to the crunchy nectarine and lime blossom flavors. Notes of chopped chives, green pea and wet stone add dimension. Round in feel, with modest zip holding the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Description 

Fruit aromas forest, raspberry, strawberries, liquorice witht silky tannins.

Winemaker Description