$50 - $75 Wine

Winemaker Description

The Vallée de la Marne is the subregion within Champagne where pinot meunier dominates. Christophe Mignon’s family vineyards in Le-Mesnil-le-Huttier lie right in the meunier heartland, and Christophe himself is dedicated to growing that particular grape variety. 

Growing biodynamically for two decades now, he has attuned not only his farming practices but also the processes in the cellar to the rhythm of the moon cycle. He harvests his grapes at optimal ripeness and uses minimal sulfur. This brut nature combines equal parts of two recent vintages. It ages in the bottle for two years and receives no final dosage. Apricot and spice, with a touch of richness, lead to a bright, mineral palate and a long, dry finish. Biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.

Winemaker Description

The flagship red, Ampodium (formerly known as “Classique”), is assembled from parcels throughout Côte Rôtie. It is a terrific expression of the appellation, and by itself rivals the appellation’s best. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

90 - 91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Leading off the Côte Rôties from barrel, the 2021 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is rock solid and most likely outstanding. Its healthy ruby/purple color is followed by plenty of red and black fruits as well as notes of spring flowers, forest floor, and pepper. It has a terrific sense of elegant and purity and should drink nicely right out of the gate. (2021). 

Winemaker Description

This single-vineyard Bordeaux blend presents intense aromas of both black and red currants, classic peonies, and earth with subtle hints of graphite and mint. Flavors of mocha, nutmeg, and thyme are featured prominently on the elegantly structured frame. The palate is adorned with baking spices, wild berries, and fine-grained tannins that carry through to a robust and perfectly balanced finish. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Blackberry, black pepper, mulberry and leather on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. On the palate, it’s fresher and more red-fruited than the nose let on. Balanced acidity and good depth. A little toasted and well spiced. This will age nicely. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 10% malbec and 5% cabernet franc. Sustainable. Best after 2024. (2019).

93 Points Vinous | Dusty and floral in the glass, the 2019 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard shows masses of black berry fruits, earth, sawdust and tobacco. This is cool-toned and silky in feel, yet quickly gains in tension, as tactile wild berry and minerals saturate the palate. The 2019 finishes structured yet with a mentholated freshness to balance, as hints of mocha and exotic spice slowly fade. This is a vintage for the cellar. The Apogee is a compelling blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc that’s refined for 22 months in 40% French oak. Rating: 93+

92 Points Wine Spectator | Broad-shouldered yet refined, with currant, stony mineral and licorice flavors that take on structure and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,030 cases made. (2019). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

95 Points James Suckling | At once delicately spicy, but well-structured with so many subtle nuances, this is a very sophisticated Spatlese with only a hint of sweetness. Very long, spicy and smoky finish, and just beginning to open up. Drink or hold. (2018).

94+ Points Robert Parker | The 2018 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese is precise and remarkably refined on the subtle yet complex, terroir-driven and slightly flinty nose. Rich and piquant on the palate, with a vital acidity exposition and crunchy grip, this is a serious and sustainably structured Spätlese from "the other" Sonnenuhr. The finish is so mineral that it tastes almost dry and if not now in 10 or 20 years. This is a great ZSU to be served in a decade or two. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Winemaker Description 

On the nose, juicy scents and earthy spices fill up the glass. On the palate, a refreshing mineral character. Pair this Riesling with spicy Asian cuisine, poultry, or fish dishes. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

The Erden Prälat is the smallest grand cru vineyard in the Mosel with around 1.5 hectares of steep slopes. The label with the monk is reserved only for wines from this vineyard. Pristine aromas of very ripe pear, apple, and honey melon, slight salinity and dark earthy notes typical for the Prälat.

On the palate concentrated and wide, juicy, candied ginger, sweet lime, white pepper, with an excellent backbone of acidity, which keeps this wine fresh and full of tension for decades to come, long finish. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Eric Guido of Vinous Media 95 Points | "The 2019 Taurasi Radici is impossible to ignore, mixing cloves with incense, crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is saturating and intense, with a silken textural wave that ushers in masses of tart wild berry fruits and spices, all carried by a stream of vibrant acidity. It finishes long and youthfully tense, with a mineral tinge that lingers along with notes of black licorice and a sour cranberry crunch. In 2019, the Taurasi Radici is back to form. The new releases from Mastroberardino demonstrate this storied estate's ability to adapt to modern-day vintages...In fact, instead of coming across as sun-kissed or in any way dried out, they are notably energetic, with a beautiful purity of fruit and tannins that promise further development. When asked about global warming, Piero Mastroberardino explains, “We can now achieve soft tannins in a big Taurasi; the world has changed." Whether or not this is a good thing for the long term remains to be seen. As for the 2019 Taurasi Radici, it’s a drop-dead classic, and I am very excited to see how the Riservas will show two years from now. It will easily continue to impress for the next two decades or more...Mastroberardino remains a reference point producer in the region, with its eyes firmly set on the future."

James Suckling 95 Points | "Vivid dark ruby color, with aromas of blueberry jelly, earth, black truffles, toasted pepper and chocolate. Velvety on the palate, with juicy acidity, a full body and very good fruit concentration. Great complexity and polish in the finish. Drink or hold..."

Producer Notes

Full, complex and intense, with notes of cherry, violet, wild berries, and a distinctive spicy aroma. This elegant wine has flavors of plum, black cherry, strawberry and intense spices. Aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks, then a minimum 24 months refinement in bottle. aging potential of 50 years or more. Pair with mature cheeses, truffles, porcini mushrooms, Ragout and other dishes with long cooked sauces and roasted red meats.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Mont is precise, upright and flinty. It's less immediately charming than the styles we've seen in recent warmer vintages, but it was only tasted three weeks after bottling—this is one to revisit. There's just the right amount of juicy, peachy flesh within this light-bodied yet concentrated wine. It has the potential to charm but does so without showing off. Flinty and tightly sewn together, it has curves in the right places, but you're just going to have to wait for it to take shape.

Winemaker Description 

Le Mont wines are often the estate's most reticent, but develop the strongest perfume with age. Mineral-driven with a crystalline purity, this is the precision we've come to rely on with Le Mont.

Winemaker Description

Israel. 100% Petite Verdot Produced from grapes grown on old vines in the Carmel region. After fermentation and soaking on the skins, the wine aged in French oak barrels for 15 months.

The wine has a deep purple hue and aromas of blackberries, blueberries, licorice and leather. It is full bodied and has a long and well-balanced finish. Pair with lamb based casseroles, and pasta dishes with a mushroom or meat broth base.

Kosher for Passover.

Winemaker Description

Black crimson in color, this wine leaps from the glass with powerful aromatics of blueberries, fresh plum, licorice and nuances of chocolate biscuit. The seamless texture is laced with fresh berry fruit, coffee, vanilla cream and warm spice, giving us a full-bodied Shiraz with an endless depth of flavor and great length.

Expert Review

Robert Parker 92 Points | Once you taste a few of a producer's wines side by side, you really start to get a feel for stylistic preference between warm vintages and cool ones. I surprise myself by saying here that I prefer the warmer vintages at Mollydooker (this does not make it right) because the sunshine and ease with which ripening can occur in a warmer year really seems to suit the plush, high-octane style being proliferated here. So, this 2021 Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz is far more on the blue fruit spectrum than the 2020, which has a complex array of sweet/savory/spice characters. The detail here errs to blackberry, blood plum and resin—a spicy, full-bodied Shiraz. Not for the faint of heart.

Winemaker Description

Aromas of spiced raspberries and ripe Hood strawberries gently fold into warm vanilla oak. Rainier cherry and cocoa provide a savory sweetness and weight on the palate leading to a lengthy finish.

Woman Winemaker 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Vibrant and generous, with lilting raspberry and tart cherry flavors highlighted by green tea, forest floor and sandalwood tones as this gathers tension and structure toward refined tannins. (2021).

James Suckling 92 Points | Crushed cherries, raspberries and dried cranberries here, together with savory herbs, dried flowers and wet stones. Medium-bodied, chalky and polished with delicious cherries and hints of red spices. Crunchy and vibrant finish. Drink now. (2021).

Robert Parker 91 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley unwinds slowly in the glass to reveal black cherries, violet, Earl Grey tea leaves and turned earth. The medium-bodied palate features powerful, concentrated, dark fruit. It has a chalky frame, bright acidity and a long, spicy finish. (2021).

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley pours a dark but transparent hue and is ripe and forward with blackberry fruit, turned earth, and purple flowers. Medium-bodied, with ripe fruit and a modest finish. (2021).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The San Felice 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio (made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% complementary indigenous grapes) stands out due to its velvety richness and expressive flavor profile. The wine delivers measured intensity with bright purple and black fruits, a good sense of energy and drive, and some lingering spiciness on the close. It is rich but not heavy.

James Suckling 93 Points | This is spiced and racy with dark cherries, currants, savory herbs, walnuts and sandalwood. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, powdery tannins, juicy acidity and a mineral backbone on the palate. Bright and fruit-forward in the finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

Mercurey was named after the Roman temple built here to honour the god Mercury. Boasting 650 ha (1,605 acres), 85 plots and 32 Premier Crus, Mercurey is the largest of the Côte Chalonnaise’s appellations.

Their vineyard of "Pierre Milley" is planted on the hillside where they benefit from southwest–western exposure. The soil is rich in clay and well drained due to its stony nature. The bedrock consists of compacted limestone with a few predominately marly limestone areas. 

Expert Review

90 Points Wine Spectator | A bright red, offering pure cherry, raspberry and violet flavors. Elegant and balanced, ending in a mouthwatering impression. (2020).

Winemaker Description

Harvest is done by hand to select the best fruit. Only the most mature berries are chosen, it is followed by a secondary selection to avoid any compromise on quality. Wild yeasts (pied de cuve) that are naturally present on the skins of the berries are used to obtain exceptional wines that really reflect the terroir with complex flavors and texture. After resting with the skins for 30 days, the juice is fermented in Troncais barrels of French oak barrels for 12-15 days with frequent pump overs. The wine then ages 18 months in Slavonian oak barrels and at least an additional 6 months in the bottle.

The end result is a wine with garnet color with red fruit and cassis aromas
with licorice, smoke and caramel notes with silky tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Light, crisp and refreshing. Honeyed peach, apples and honeydew melon notes. Off dry, with lots of stone fruit on the palate. Light in body and medium, crisp acidity.

Perfect with Asian food.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Wine Enthusiast 94 points Editors' Choice  "The savory qualities of the Yamhill Cuvée's aromatics are a mix of red-currant compote, saline and roasted pork shoulder. The blackcap raspberry and blueberry flavors found on the slippery-textured palate are sweet and ripe. Velvety tannins are a nice match for the wine's crisp acidity. Serve with your next Cubano sandwich."

James Suckling 93 points "Full of oak spices and fresh-crushed raspberry and cherry aromas followed by slightly riper red plums and strawberries. Refreshing light tannins, a medium body and the exuberant fruit give a friendly, approachable appeal. One of the winery’s most widely available pinots."

Decanter Magazine 92 points "The Yamhill Cuvée is a blend across the Domaine Serene estates. This wine is blended to arrive at a particular signature with warm red and blue berry fruits, white pepper and rum cake notes. The palate is a balancer of sweet red berries, ripe Italian plums and a hint of savory garrigue."

The Wine Advocate 92 points "The 2021 Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvée, has pure scents of cranberry, cinnamon, potpourri and bitters. The medium-bodied palate offers generous layers of dark red, spicy fruit. It has a silky texture, bright acidity and a long, layered finish."

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

The history of Domaine Arlaud started durng World War II, when Joseph Arlaud (originally from the Ardèche) met and fell in love with Renée Amiot, who came from a historic Burgundian family. Part of the couple’s wedding gifts were parcels of land in the Côtes de Nuits, centered around the top crus of Morey St. Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin.

And so Domaine Arlaud was born. Joseph’s son, Hervé Arlaud, took over the estate in 1982 and expanded the domaine with more purchases of prime vineyards, mostly in their home village of Morey St. Denis. Today, the star of the show is Hevré’s son Cyprien, who in the last ten years, has come into his own as one of the most exciting growers in all of France.

Winemaker Description

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure. It is sourced from three different vineyard sites of various exposition on the hill of Montalcino. This will be ready to drink a touch earlier and be great to check in on over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.

93 Points Wine Spectator | Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 1,500 cases imported.

91 Points Decanter | Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely. A delightful jumping off point to Val di Suga’s single-vineyard offerings, which COO and winemaker Andrea Lonardi has been refining since 2012.

Winemaker Description

Woman Winemaker 

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021 

95+ Points Vinous | The 2021 Lytton Springs is fabulous. Bright and vibrant to its core, the 2021 impresses with its poise. Readers will find a Lytton Springs that is very much in reserve, as opposed to the rest of the 2021s in this report, all of which are more approachable. Salivating acids and veins of tannin lend shape and persistence, but the 2021 needs time. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, rose petal and sage are some of the notes that linger on the close.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2021 Lytton Springs is based on 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault, and Counoise. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort has a juicy, lively, medium-bodied style as well as both red and blue fruits, some peppery, herbal, spicy nuances, lots of floral character, and ripe, polished tannins. It shines for its fresher, focused, elegant profile, and its purity of fruit is top-notch. 

93 Points Wine Spectator | Robust and rustic, yet retains a sense of style, with deep blackberry, savory anise and black pepper flavors that gather tension and structure toward broad-shouldered tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault and Counoise.

Jancis Robinson 17.5+ | Samantha Cole-Johnson writes:  Medium ruby with a purple hue. Really dusty with some vanilla and spice, black plum, red cherry, a touch of cedar and spicy red floral notes. Long, sweet-spice finish. Cranberry sauce and cinnamon. Lots of depth and layering to this wine.  Drinking 2024 to 2035. 

Winemaker Description

From two tiny parcels in St. Joseph, this is a slightly fresher, more early-drinking wine than the remarkable Crozes-Hermitage that constitutes the majority of Alain's production.

Winemaker Description 

This saca de Junio comes from a Fino solera that has aged in a bodega in El Puerto de Santa Maria. It has spent the entirety of its time aging beneath a veil of flor. Typically used for blending purposes, this remarkable solera has never previously been bottled on its own. 

Nicolas Palazzi was raised surrounded by his family’s vineyards in Bordeaux and introduced to spirits, Cognac and Cognac cellars through a dear friend of Nicolas’ grandfather. This gentleman will be referred to as “Mr. X”.

Established somewhere in the Cognac region of France, Mr. X’s family started distilling at over a century ago. Recognizing in Nicolas a fledgling passion for Cognac, this mysterious man shared his knowledge and connections within the small and commonly impenetrable world of artisan Cognac. This gave rise to PM Spirits, as Nicolas began sourcing, collecting, aging and blending these rare casks and subsequently releasing limited series bottling in the USA.

PM Spirit’s passion for artisan spirits has slowly broadened its focus over the years to include within its portfolio other small-scale hand-crafted distillates such as Sicilian Grappas, French Eau-de-vies & Liqueurs, Rum, Tequilas, Mezcals.

Expert Reviews

Dillon Mafit writes:  The chinato tasted like the nectar of the gods, like the most perfectly ripe apricot drizzled in honey, dropped into a glass of 1967 Château Rieussec Sauterne, and dosed with some sort of bitter aphrodisiac.  - thrillist.com

In Mauro Vergano's words (courtesy of LDM website): "I must say that producing a Chinato from Moscato wine was my first big challenge. First produced in 2003, it was the first product of its kind present on the market. The wine I use is a Moscato d’Asti with a higher alcohol content (more than 10%) compared to the ones that are commonly available. As is well-known, the Moscato I use comes from the prestigious winery of Vittorio Bera & Figli. I have to admit that when I was first looking for a Moscato for the first attempts I used wine from various producers, then I was lucky enough to meet Gianluigi Bera and his Moscato and I haven’t left them since. His Moscato’s fragrance and its full-bodiedness meld perfectly with the aromatic extract composed of citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla. These fresh and sweet aromas are balanced by the bitter flavour of the China (Calisaya and Succirubra) which give it a persistent taste that is absolutely unique. A brief description of the production cycle which all the products share: The first step is the preparation of the extract or “concia”. This is done by leaving a mixture of chopped herbs and spices in alcohol for about 20/30 days. Then the extract is filtered and left to age for a few months. The second step is the actual preparation of the product. To make the product I mix the extract, sugar and alcohol. The last step is clarification followed by filtering which produces a clear product with long-term stability."

Winemaker Description

The blend is dominated by the Estate Vineyard, yet the significant percentage of Walker—Kanzler's Green Valley vineyard—bends the wine in an exciting red-note direction: hibiscus, rhubarb and red licorice. The aromatics deliver fresh berries, cola, white pepper and pine sap. Fig notes emerge on the palate with a spicy, black tea finish. Modest whole cluster and slightly more new oak make the wine soft and approachable, while bright acid keeps it fresh, juicy, and well-knit.

Winemaker Description

Its traditional production makes Vocation Champagne a Blanc de Noirs to enjoy on any occasion and turn it into a memorable moment.

The Champagne region is synonymous with excellence, hard work and continuous work to continue offering recognized world-class wines and bubbles. Our vocation and respect for nature, as well as our lives, manage to create the best fruit which is the basis and structure for our final offering.

Vocation is the living representation of what has been our home for centuries and radiates our values ​​as a family by making and respecting the traditional way of making champagne, the precious liquid.