$25 - $50 Wine

Winemaker Description

Fresh, offering cherry, strawberry, rose and white pepper aromas and flavors. Graceful, yet with ample grip on the long, dense and dusty finish.

Captures the best of the vintage. 

The Loewen estate has been around since 1803 and boasts some extremely important grand crus sites with some very, very old vines. Golden yellow color , scent of apples , peaches and pineapple . Perfectly integrated acidity, slightly spicy, wonderful fullness on the palate.

Winemaker Description

Intense blackberry, bramble, and lavender aromas with gentle nuances of potting soil and cured meat dominate a dark and brooding nose. The abundance of perfume and the earthy character of the nose follows through generously onto a powerful palate, with a lush compote of blueberries, ripe plums, black currants and cherries.

Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity to an almost savory mid-palate, seamlessly complementing the vivid dark fruits, alcohol and acidity. This is a robust, structured wine, yet it is delicate, poised and elegant at the same time. Black fruits, cumin spice, white pepper, licorice and hints of garrigue persist on a velvety finish.

Expert Review

91 Points James Suckling | An inviting nose of pitted cherries, sliced plums, white pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Juicy and savory with nicely ripened red and black fruit. Subtle spice and cocoa undertones. (2021).

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

Dark opaque plummy colors jump from the glass. Aromas of dark fruit: blackcherry, Plum and blackberry; Layered with soft notes of cinnamon and cloves. Full and satisfying finish.

Expert Reviews

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine: Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa that expresses the terroir and microclimate of this acclaimed region. The Saenz family, who owns the winery and vineyards,  date their winemaking tradition all the way back to the 16th century. 

Sarah Jane Evans MW, 91 Points | Pedro Ballestero Torres MW, and Pierre Mansour write:  Black fruits, wild herbs, savoury tannin, and balsamic notes with rich fruit feel in the mouth. Long and open on the finish. 

Expert Reviews

Lettie Teague writes:  Champagne Pommery Brut Royal  - Although I’m generally not big on glossy Champagne boxes, the groovy Pommery package with its paisley design was pretty eye-catching; happily, the wine inside was good too. A lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish, the non-vintage wine is a blend of three main Champagne grapes—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier—in equal amounts.  Corporate-owned Pommery Champagne claims to have introduced the first successful dry “Brut” style Champagne to the world in 1874—it’s certainly a style they do well. A terrific aperitif.  - Wall St. Journal, Dec. 16-17, 2023.

93 Points Decanter | Civilised apple, lemon and dried fruit nose. There's a nice lift in the mouth with citric balance and real poise. Full of character.

92 Points James Suckling | Peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit and some honey on the nose. Creamy and round with a juicy, peachy and lightly off-dry palate. Sleek bubbles. One third each of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Base vintage 2018. 9-10g/L dosage.

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | An equal blend of the three major Champagne grape varieties, this cuvée is a reference in the region. It has a fine balance and is rich but with good touches of minerality as well as crisp white fruits. The finish with its bite of citrus is attractively refreshing. Drink the bottling now.

Winemaker Description

Smoke, tar, and char on the nose along with stewed plums, blackberries, and figs. The palate is softer on the tongue than the nose might suggest. Berries and figs come through with a little black pepper and cinnamon. Woody tannins settle into the sides of the tongues and linger a little with a background of umami. Pair with game meats, bbq, honeyed hams, and dark chocolate.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description

The incredible quality of the 2018 vintage is on full display in our Estate Merlot. Sensationally dense with ripe plum, boysenberry, and blackberry flavors that leap out of the glass, the smooth, rich fruit is complemented by milk chocolate, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, black licorice, violet, and mocha. 

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Merlot excelled in 2018, and Pride's 2018 Merlot offers a beautiful, medium to full-bodied, plump, rounded style that's a joy to drink. Giving up lots of redcurrants, black cherries, tobacco leaf, earth, and chocolate, it has nicely integrated tannins and no hard edges. It's a gem to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years, if not upwards of a decade or more.

Vinous 93 Points | The 2018 Merlot is another very pretty wine in this part of the Pride range. Plump and juicy, with mid-weight structure, the 2018 is gorgeous right out of the gate. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice all flesh out effortlessly, with bright acids that keep the flavors lively. The restrained style is so appealing.

The incredible quality of the 2018 vintage is on full display in our Estate Merlot. Sensationally dense with ripe plum, boysenberry, and blackberry flavors that leap out of the glass, the smooth, rich fruit is complemented by milk chocolate, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, black licorice, violet, and mocha. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Valduero Dos Cotas Reserva is a barrel-aged, single-variety Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) red wine made by Bodegas Valduero in the D.O. Ribera de Duero.

Set up in the small Burgos town of Gumiel del Mercado by Gregorio García álvarez in 1984, the Valduero family winery was one of the first to be founded in Ribera de Duero. Currently, alongside their two daughters Yolanda and Carolina, they cultivate 200 hectares of Tempranillo variety vineyards to make Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines in their winery, built at the foot of a mountain. An authentic cave over 30 metres deep that houses more than 4,000 oak barrels and a million bottles ready to send out all over the world.

Valduero Dos Cotas Reserva comes from old strains over 50 years old planted at an altitude of 830 metres in clay-calcareous soils. They use traditional agriculture and a bush training system to naturally limit production to an average of 3,500 kg / ha. When the grapes reach optimum ripeness, they are manually harvested into 14 kg boxes.

In the winery, Valduero Dos Cotas Reserva ferments for 8 days in stainless steel tanks between 23ºC and 28ºC with pump-overs and 10 days of maceration. It then ages for 30 months in oak barrels of 3 different origins and finally stabilises in the bottle for 18 months before going to market.

Valduero Dos Cotas Reserva is a fine and elegant barrel-aged red wine that is a classic Ribera de Duero with well-balanced fruit and wood.

The 2019 Bordeaux vintage is one for the books - a perfect combination of ripe fruit and structure.  

Chateau Clos de la Cure is a sleeper from this highly acclaimed vintage and one of the best values in the region.

75% Merlot & 25% Cabernet Franc. Oaky, with hints of blackberry, plum, chocolate, and leather. Big, rich and powerful.

Not much Clos de la Cure is imported; in fact, the wine is only represented in four markets in the United States.

The quality in the vintage is undeniable, "perhaps the best I have ever tasted at this stage." Jancis Robinson

Order your Clos de la Cure and experience one of the best vintages ever!

Winemaker Description

This Merlot offers notes of raspberry croissant, red currants, cocoa powder, and layers of graphite. The palate showcases fine, firm tannins alongside chocolate cherry lollipop, red plums, dried goji berries, and toasted brioche. It is supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 91 Points |  Refined and structured, with expressive red currant, toasty mocha and tomato leaf tones that gather tension and polish toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.

James Suckling 91 Points |  Vibrant, fruity nose of ripe plums, raspberries, mulberries, licorice and nutmeg. Some chocolate orange, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy tannins. Plush, round and succulent.

Think citrus flowers, orange meringue, salted almonds with bright acidity.
This wine is produced from the Rancho Vinedo Vineyard, planted in the Santa Maria Valley in 1973 on its own roots. It is farmed organically. The grapes are picked based on natural acidity, flavors, and visual signs in the vineyard. 

Once in the cellar the grapes are pressed, juice collected and barreled down to ferment with native yeast in old french oak barrels. The wine is aged on its lees for 17 months before being racked for the first time to bottle, unfined & unfiltered. 

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 Description 

Miho-san revived Hattanso rice, an extinct heirloom breed from the Akitsu region in Hiroshima, by devoting over 10 years of her life to learning how to grow it and brew with it. One of the few female brewery owners and "Toji" (brewmaster), Miho Imada mills the rice for this sake less than most Junmais because she believes it results in the best expression of rice flavor, balance, and complexity.

An amazing oyster pairing, as Hiroshima has more oyster beds than anywhere else in Japan and influences the sake. Also try it with red curry and ginger steamed clams. 

Our Professional Review

Earthy, bold and zesty with accents of lemon and apricot.

Producer Description 

This savory sake is inspired by local legends of Niigata's annual fox-bride festival. Local lore tells of mysterious lights that appeared on nearby Mt. Kirin in the distant past, which are claimed to be the lanterns carried in the fox-bride procession. With a 50% polishing rate, this sake could technically qualify as a Junmai Daiginjo, but the savory notes and food pairing versatility identify more with the style expected from Junmai 

Intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio, and a hint of white chocolate. Ripe honeydew notes finish crisp with a hint of lingering sweetness.

One of the best meat pairings in the portfolio. Try with duck, fig-stuffed pork loin, or black cod with miso glaze.

Winemaker Description

Scarlet red in color with an aromatic medley of gooseberry, raspberry, and cranberry with hints of ginger, black pepper, and shaved milk chocolate. Dark fruit on the palate with flavors of wild berries, milk chocolate, toffee, black cherry, and ground nutmeg. Rich and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas. The palate is hefty and heavy, carrying ripe berry but also tart red-plum-skin flavors, as licorice adds spice. (2021). 

Winemaker Description

This new bottling is from a vineyard site on old, deep volcanic soils and an elevation of 2900’. Tightly spaced, head trained vines planted on an old apple orchard just east of Placerville. Whole cluster fermented and aged in a combination of puncheons and tanks. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with a mere 20ppm of sulfites.

The aromatic character of this wine shows what are, for me, classic El Dorado County Mourvèdre plum & citrus peel aromas. There’s a note of freshly tilled soil in there as well, common from these volcanic soils. Plum skin flavors, savory, thyme, mushroom and a bright acidity.  Everything wraps up in a long finish with fine tannins. Suitable for a wide variety of meals.

Straw yellow with greenish highlights. Slightly aromatic nose with overtones of flowers and fruit. Elegant, soft and lingering taste. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 92 Points | Well-balanced, dense and textural with aromas of dark berries, chocolate and sliced raw beef. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a powdery texture on the palate, with a robust frame shaping the palate and the spicy, cocoa-powder finish. Excellent length.

Decanter 91 Points | This Cabernet Sauvignon is made from a selection of grapes sourced throughout Napa Valley, with a significant portion coming from the Oak Knoll District, where Black Stallion is based. It's a classically fashioned wine with black cherry, plums, graphite, wild herbs and sandalwood notes. Full-bodied with a rich tapestry of robust tannins framing crunchy cherry and blackberry fruit, sweet oak spices, and fragrant wild herbs on the finish hinting at sage and spearmint. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 vintage continues our signature profile of a slightly softer, and approachable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This rich and refined wine does not require years of further aging to achieve ideal balance and enjoy upon release. The full-bodied structure is a hallmark. The wine opens with stunning aromas of blackberry, black currant, and toasty notes of cedar; the palate is concentrated with bold, velvety flavors of black cherry and a hint of spice. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 94 Points | This shows notes of dried cherries and red plums with cured meat, dried sage and tree bark undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of structure. Ripe and velvety tannins with a fluid and polished mid-palate. Flavorful and intense.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | The nose starts herbaceous and fresh, with aromas of mint, fennel and salt, before tart fruit emerges with notes of black cherry and blood orange. The palate brings more cherries, but maintains an overall fresh, earthy and minty feel. Acid blazes behind dense, chewy tannins.

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. 

Intense cherry, plum, and violet notes on the nose, leading to a complex bouquet with hints of eucalyptus, chocolate, and black pepper. A strong structure with elegant tannins, good acidity, and a finish marked by sweet tobacco, balsamic notes, and plum.

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

Our Notes | Oscar Garcia Moncada

For several months, I have been searching for a German sparkling wine that could truly captivate my palate. Yet, every time a sales rep presented an option, I found myself disappointed. Then came the Weingut Stephan Steinmetz Liaison Crémant Brut, Mosel, Germany.

I swirled the wine in the glass, carefully observing its color and analyzing its nose. Finally, I took a sip. As the wine unfolded on my palate and my brain processed the experience, three words came to mind: Electric, Enticing, and Enigmatic.

Yes, this was it—the German sparkling wine I had been longing for!

Sight: A delicate stream of fine bubbles rises steadily, forming a small rosary of effervescence. The wine presents a pale silver hue on the glass.

Nose: Aromas of orchard fruits dominate, with notes of crisp green pears and apples, complemented by stone fruits like white peaches.

Palate: On the palate, vibrant flavors of green apples, lime peel, and orange zest shine through, enhanced by subtle hints of toast. The wine’s electric acidity and mouth-coating minerality create a dynamic and invigorating experience.

Finish: The finish is long, refreshingly dry, and leaves you eager for the next sip.

Pairing: This wine pairs beautifully with a variety of cuisines. I recommend seafood ramen, as its umami-rich broth and delicate textures harmonize perfectly with the wine’s brightness and minerality.

Oscar Garcia Moncada

Winemaker Description 

We reduce the use of machines to the bare minimum and rely on traditional handwork from spring to the harvest in autumn. Only this intensive care of each individual vine, such as constant foliage work or cutting out grapes, enables the desired quality to be achieved.

Respectful treatment of nature is very important to us. Once you have seen our beautiful Moselle landscape, you will know what we are talking about. We live and work in the rhythm of nature. Every vintage is different. Every year has surprises in store for us. And not always just positive ones. We have decided to intervene as little as possible in both the vineyard and the cellar and to work as sustainably as possible.

Only natural cork guarantees harmonious maturation and storage for years. For us, the technical closure is not an alternative! The advantages and rituals of natural cork predominate.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Decanter 94 Points | Winemaker Mike Grgich turned 100 on April 1, 2023. That's no April Fool's joke. It would be almost unthinkable that even in a challenging vintage, after innumerable challenging vintages, that Miljenko Grgich, the immigrant from Croatia who crafted the Chardonnay that took top honors at the 1976 Paris Tasting, would not bottle a wine in 2020. It's a good thing he did. Grgich's 2020 Napa Cabernet is a bright, energetic, savory-styled Napa classic. Its effusive black fruits and spearmint aromas give way to a medium to full-bodied red with a dusty tannin backbone framed by almost electric acidity. This impressive, tightly-knit, lovely structured Cabernet will prove a standout of the vintage.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sweet red and purple berries, dried hibiscus, moss and thyme. Full-bodied with firm tannins. The aromas continue onto the palate, with the sweet fruit as the star of the show.

Winemaker Description 

This elegant, graceful wine opens with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, sweet blackcurrant and ripe black cherry, supported by hints of vanilla and sandalwood. The flavors on the palate are of fresh, red and black berry fruit accompanied by hints of rosemary and violets. The richness of the fruit is balanced with a bright acidity and soft, smooth tannins leading to a long and vibrant finish.

Pair with Gorgonzola gnocchi, beef bourguignon, seared steak and ratatouille.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Advocate 94+ Points | Bin 51 captures many of the attributes of the Eden Valley locale. The region’s high altitude and cool climate induces riesling with great finesse and elegance with a capacity for long-term cellaring. South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing world-class Riesling and Eden Valley always features. In their youth, the wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas, with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity, contributing significantly to the palate texture and flavor.

James Suckling 94 Points | I love the very delicate and subtle nose of lemon and lime blossoms. Sleek, elegant and focused, this is an excellent Eden Valley dry riesling with wonderful mineral and lime zest freshness at the long precise finish.

Australian Wine Companion 94 Points | A highly floral bouquet spanning citrus blossom and rose petals. A fresh and bright palate has the expected length and balance, promising much for the future.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | The wine’s delicate appeal arrives at first sniff in the form of lemon-lime and white florals, with a touch of honey and beeswax. The palate is dry and crisp with piercing acidity and a limey finish. A few more years in bottle should round things out— consider cellaring until 2030 or beyond.

Winemaker Description 

Bin 51 captures many of the attributes of the Eden Valley locale. The region’s high altitude and cool climate induces riesling with great finesse and elegance with a capacity for long-term cellaring. South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing world-class Riesling and Eden Valley always features. In their youth, the wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas, with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity, contributing significantly to the palate texture and flavor.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Pale golden colored with a fresh and lively bouquet of lime blossoms and tropical fruits highlighted by a note of  toasty oak. Creamy and complex in the mouth with a delicious exotic richness and beautiful balance. Food friendly and drinking perfectly now!

Winemaker Description 

Pale lemon in colour. On the nose aromas of lime and tropical fruits are married with a well integrated toastiness from the oak. Deliciously mouthwatering on the palate with a creamy texture from the lees ageing. As you would expect from this producer, the wine has a Côte d’Or sensibility and exceptional balance.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 91 Points | Fragrant nose of violets, cherries, wild strawberries and some nutmeg. Hints of hazelnuts, too. Lovely creamy tannins, with a medium body and silky finish.

Winemaker Description 

The character of Pinot Noir in the Pernand-Vergelesses Rouge is marked by red fruit notes and a fairly supple tannic structure. Ideal with meats with relatively strong flavors such as roasted veal, leg of lamb, game birds and grilled pork.