90 + Points | Critical Acclaim

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2025

• Wine Spectator – 92 Points | “Vibrant, juicy and wonderfully intense, showing off fleshy notes of passion fruit, mango and citrus, with mouthwatering acidity and a touch of saline and lemongrass on the finish. Drink now.”

Tasting Notes

A veritable fruit basket of tropical proportions — kiwi, pineapple, spearmint, and crunchy apple — with the vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that defines great Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Beautifully balanced and intensely expressive.

About the Wine

Originally Australian, winemaker Anthony ‘Ant’ Moore moved to Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island in the early 2000s and never looked back. His signature approach — old oak barrels and extended lees aging — tempers the searing acidity and typical greenness of NZ Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in a wine with greater texture, complexity, and tropical fruit depth than most in its class.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with grilled fish, goat cheese, crunchy salads, and light seafood dishes. Perfect for any sunny moment.

Product Details

• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Ant Moore Wines

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 96 Points | A full-bodied cabernet sauvignon that’s fruity on the nose with notes of crushed raspberries, berries and herbs. Some bark and stones. The palate is fresh with velvety tannins and a generous, savory finish. One for the cellar. Try after 2023.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard has a similar herbal/classic Cabernet nose of red and black currants, green tobacco, bouquet garni, sandalwood, and spring flowers. Also beautiful on the palate, it’s full-bodied and has a concentrated, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and just an all-around classic, age-worthy style. Give bottles 2-4 years in a cold cellar and enjoy over the following 20 years or more. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points (Jesica Vargas): "This Malbec reveals an earthy character, with a bouquet of delicate hints of herbs and black fruit. The palate unfolds leafy flavors, supported by soft tannins and enough freshness. Enjoy it with beef empanadas."

Antigal UNO Malbec is a polished, approachable expression of Mendoza Malbec — fruit-forward and silky, with the natural acidity and violet character that define Argentina's signature red grape.

The Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year 2023

Tasting Notes

• Color: Violet-red with brilliant clarity
• Nose: Plum, strawberry, blackberry, violets and hints of herbs
• Palate: Dark plum and blackberry with vanilla, milk chocolate and soft, well-integrated tannins
• Finish: Silky texture with agreeable persistence and fresh acidity

Production Details

• Winery: Antigal Winery & Estates
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina
• Varietal: Malbec
• Vintage: 2023 | Format: 750ml
• Style: Fruit-forward, approachable & elegant
• Allergens: Contains sulfites

Food Pairings

• Beef empanadas and grilled skirt steak
• Roasted lamb and BBQ ribs
• Hearty pasta with tomato-based sauces
• Aged cheeses — Manchego, sharp cheddar

Antigal Winery & Estates is a family-owned producer crafting wines from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards. The UNO label represents their commitment to quality and value — wines that over-deliver at every price point.

Antinori Napa Valley Chardonnay A-26 Vineyard — Napa Valley 2022

The Antinori family has been making wine for over six centuries, and their Napa Valley project brings that same uncompromising pursuit of excellence to California’s most celebrated appellation. The A-26 Vineyard Chardonnay is sourced from a single estate block in Napa Valley, vinified to showcase the site’s natural tension between richness and precision. The 2022 vintage is a tour de force — earning 95 points from James Suckling and 94 from Wine Spectator — a Chardonnay of extraordinary balance, energy, and detail that drinks beautifully now and will reward cellaring through 2031.

The nose is bright and inviting: white nectarine, Meyer lemon, salted lemon, marzipan, raw almonds, dried flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, delicate and sleek — a wonderful tension between rich aromatics and a juicy thread of fresh Fuji apple, lemon curd, and caramelized pineapple, all framed by beautiful, energizing acidity. The finish is silky, long, and highly detailed.

James Suckling 95 — “Delicate and sleek with beautiful acidity that brings balance and energy. Silky and lingering.” (Vintage 2022).

Wine Spectator 94 — “What makes this wine memorable is the wonderful tension between rich aromatics and its sleek, juicy thread of fresh Fuji apple, lemon curd and caramelized pineapple. Long, expressive and highly detailed finish.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Antinori, Napa Valley, California, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Vineyard: A-26 Estate Vineyard
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White nectarine, Meyer lemon, marzipan, honeysuckle, toasted brioche, Fuji apple, lemon curd, caramelized pineapple, silky finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2031
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roast halibut, truffle risotto, soft-ripened cheeses, roast chicken with cream sauce

Six centuries of Italian winemaking mastery, one exceptional Napa vineyard — Antinori’s A-26 Chardonnay is California through a Florentine lens.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Antonio Galloni  of Vinous writes 100 Points |  2021 Solaia is another wine that captures all of the potential I sensed when I tasted it some months ago. More than anything else the 2021 is a fine example of the style Antinori favors these days an approach that favors finesse more than opulence. Dark plum mocha licorice chocolate spice lavender and menthol build effortlessly in the glass. Oak and tannin are impeccably balanced. The 2021 spent 18 months in wood three months in once-used barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 15 months in 100% new barrels for the rest of its aging.

The Wine Spectator 98 Points | A deep, dense red, drenched with blackberry, pomegranate, plum and sweet spice flavors. Iron, tobacco and wild herb elements peek through as this plays out on the finish under a strong grip of tannins. Shows terrific balance and length now, yet this should only improve after a few more years in the bottle. Superb. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2047.

Decanter 97 Points | For me [2021 is] one of the best vintages ever,’ says Renzo Cotarella, Antinori's CEO and head winemaker, of the widely lauded vintage in Tuscany, explaining to me that it shares characteristics with 1997 and 2007, with a cool, frosty start slowing down vegetative growth and helping to extend the growing season, aided by milder temperatures later in the summer which enabled the grapes to build concentration while preserving freshness. Recent vintages of Solaia have benefitted from an increased use of Cabernet Franc, which stands at 9% in 2021. Due to be launched this autumn, Solaia 2021 is still a baby but its potential is immediately apparent. Inky and concentrated, with a dark chocolate barrique signature on the nose, it combines salinity with bountiful and sapid fruits, offering ripe black and red cherries, and dark hedgerow berries alongside herbal freshness, and finely textured tannins. Ferrous, meaty and earthy undertones emerge after some time in the glass, providing a counterpoint to the inherent sweetness of the fruit. Muscular yet wonderfully poised, this will only reveal all its complexities after significant ageing.

The Wine Advocate 97 Points | All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September. 

James Suckling 97 Points | This is a beautifully curated Solaia with blackcurrants and raspberries plus lavender and violet undertones. Graphite highlights it all. Just some new wood coming through. It’s full-bodied with fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine, caressing the palate. Give this three or four years to come around.

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso is an intense ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit with sweet spice and toasted oak. On the palate, pure flavors and refined tannins lead to a persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but also has great aging potential. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Robert Parker | The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity.

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

95 Points Wine Spectator | Packed with exuberant blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruit, this red shows the expressive character of the vintage. Just when you think it's too flamboyant, the solid structure reins it in. Shows excellent balance and length, with a touch of lavender and wild herbs on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Tenuta Guado al Tasso is one of the crown jewels of the Antinori portfolio — a 320-hectare estate in the prestigious Bolgheri DOC on the Tuscan coast, set within the distinctive "Bolgheri Amphitheater" of rolling hills and cooled by constant sea breezes from the Tyrrhenian coast. Cont'Ugo is the estate's singular statement on Merlot: a wine produced entirely from this variety as a new interpretation of the Bolgheri territory, sourced from vineyards at 45–60 meters elevation on clay-loam alluvial soils that deliver deep, complex notes while preserving the fragrance and freshness that Merlot does best.

The Antinori Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo Bolgheri Rosso 2023 750ml is 100% Merlot, sourced from vineyards across the northern, central, and southern zones of the Bolgheri appellation. Deep, inky red in the glass, it opens with an aromatic and inviting bouquet of crushed lavender, plum compote, blackberry, sweet earth, mint, and fresh herbs. On the palate it is full-bodied, supple, and rounded, with velvety tannins, a balanced core of acidity, and pristine, clean fruit that carries seamlessly from entry through the finish. Polished, expressive, and built to drink beautifully from 2026 through 2035.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points: "Peppery and earthy with tart blackberries over damp soil and graphite. Layers of sweet dark berries and dark chocolate create a sleek, acrobatic wine."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points: "Aromatic and inviting with crushed lavender, plum compote, blackberry, sweet earth, mint, and fresh herbs. Full-bodied, supple, and rounded with velvety tannins. Polished and expressive with good depth and length."
• Wine Spectator — 93 Points: "Rich, inviting and harmonious with black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, toast and earth. Vibrant with dense tannins and an expansive finish. Best from 2026 through 2035."
• Wine Advocate — 92 Points: "Soft, fleshy texture with black cherry and blackberry. Pristine and clean fruit sustaining the wine seamlessly from entry through the finish."

Wine Details

• 100% Merlot — Cont'Ugo single-variety expression
• Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy — clay-loam alluvial soils, 45–60m elevation
• Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Marchesi Antinori
• Vintage: 2023 | Drink 2026–2035 | 750ml

Antinori Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado al Tasso — Bolgheri 2024

The Antinori family has been making wine in Tuscany for over 600 years, and Tenuta Guado al Tasso is their crown jewel on the Bolgheri coast — situated near the birthplace of the Super Tuscan movement, where the moderating influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea produces wines of remarkable freshness, structure, and Mediterranean character. Il Bruciato is the estate’s second wine: a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend that delivers the elegance and complexity of the appellation at an approachable price point. One of Italy’s most consistent and beloved Super Tuscans, and an outstanding value from one of Tuscany’s greatest estates.

The 2024 vintage shows an intense, deep ruby color. The nose is expressive and detailed: ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, wildflowers, thyme, sweet spice, and a lifted hint of liquorice. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with polished tannins, a rounded chocolate-tinged texture, fresh coastal acidity, and a long, savory, fruit-driven finish with umami depth. Approachable now, with the structure to develop further over 3–5 years.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 — “Expressive and detailed, with aromas of wildflowers, thyme, ripe cherry, and subtle gamey earthiness. Rounded, chocolate-tinged texture balanced by refreshing acidity. Polished and approachable.”

Wine Advocate 90 — “Ripe, chewy darkness with thick flavors of plummy fruit, blackberry and a savory note reminiscent of tomatoes on the vine. Soft in texture with a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel and a gentle dustiness from fully-integrated tannins.”

67 Wine — “Il Bruciato is the benchmark entry into the world of Bolgheri — the elegance and complexity of a great Super Tuscan estate at a price that makes it an everyday pleasure.”

• Producer: Marchesi Antinori, Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
• Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot
• Style: Super Tuscan
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, wildflowers, thyme, sweet spice, liquorice, chocolate, savory umami finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Serve: 64–68°F
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, lamb chops, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, hearty pasta

Six centuries of Antinori mastery, one exceptional Bolgheri estate — Il Bruciato is the Super Tuscan that belongs on every table.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | The nose brings aromas of vanilla bean, freshly brewed coffee, Bing cherry, and wild strawberry. Raspberries join more strawberries and cherries on the palate, but earthy undertones and chalky tannins ground things and create a substantial mouthfeel.

James Suckling 91 Points | A spicy wine with aromas of licorice, dried flowers, bright red cherries, violets, and blood oranges. Light-bodied, soft and extracted, with crisp acidity and a chalky finish.

Winemaker Description

Pèppoli 2024 is a bright ruby red. The nose is vibrant and expressive, offering fresh notes of cherries, raspberry jelly, and pomegranate juice with floral sensations of violets and geraniums. The palate is lively and dynamic: an energetic entry leads to a juicy, flavorful mid-palate followed by a long, savory finish characterized by soft, sweet tannins.

About Antinori & Pèppoli

The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries, since 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. The Pèppoli estate, located 5 kilometers northeast of the Tenuta Tignanello estate, spans 100 hectares in the heart of Chianti Classico DOCG. Its vineyards produce a Sangiovese-led blend celebrated for its full fruit expression, characteristic floral aromas, and faithful representation of the Chianti Classico territory.

Food Pairings

A natural companion for pasta with tomato-based sauces, grilled meats, roasted lamb, and aged Italian cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino.

98 James Suckling: This has a complex array of blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, dried herbs, slate, tobacco, olives and charred bark. Some dried roses and iodine, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm yet refined tannins. Powerful, in an understated way. Long. 73% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 20% sangiovese.

98 Wine Spectator: Youthful, featuring intense fresh black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in accents of cedar, Mediterranean scrub and toasty oak, with a mineral streak underlining everything. Shows a solid spine of tannins that lend support, while the dark fruit returns on the finish. Delivers terrific balance, vigor and excruciating length, yet this needs time in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

97 Decanter: Wonderful raspberry and black cherry fragrance on the nose, ripe and sweet and expressive, aromas bursting from the glass. Fleshy and sweet, sticky and full, this is giving a whole load of ripe, plush tannins and powerful fruit but underpinned by bright acidity that keeps things lifted and vibrant. A very serious wine, this is brooding and confident. It's showcasing lots of elements right now - ample, generous, hefty and stylish with flecks of red flowers, white pepper spice, ground coffee, herbs and chocolate.

The 2019 Solaia is fabulous. Deep and exquisitely layered, the 2019 is so expressive right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, incense, pipe tobacco, chocolate, and grilled herbs all take shape. Here, too, the aromatics are alluring. Cabernet Franc is bumped up a bit in teh blend, and that works so well here. Solaia is often a bombastic, intense wine. The 2019 is incredibly refined and ubttoned up. The 2019 Solaia is the sort of wine I would like to spend a whole evening with. Aging was 18 months in 100% new French oak.

Winemaker Description

The 2019 vintage Solaia is deep ruby red in color. The nose offers complex notes of red fruit, apricots and red oranges with hints of rose petals. Distinct aromas of coffee beans, chocolate, licorice and white pepper complete the rich bouquet of this red wine. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and harmonious with excellent balance and structure. Vibrant tannins lead into an exceptionally long finish. 

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 98 Points | Subtle and beautiful on the nose with currants, flowers and light sage aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised.

The Wine Spectator 97 Points | Dripping with black currant, blackberry, black cherry, iron and toasty oak flavors, this red is suave and polished. Features flashes of tobacco and wild herbs that add even more detail as this builds to a long, kaleidoscopic finish. Presents civilized tannins that are well-integrated and provide structure. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red.

Expert Review

James Suckling by Andrii Stetsiuk 96 Points |  Joyful and juicy but also concentrated and very precise, this is a stunning cool-climate chardonnay. Brimming with sliced pear, white peach and white flower aromas. The delicate oak is already beautifully integrated on the mouth-filling yet only medium-bodied palate. Then comes a wave of toasted hazelnut flavor in the very long and super-silky finish. Drink from release.

Producer Description 

• 100% Chardonnay
• The Knoll, Lahoma Vineyard
• small sandstone hill
• Umbrella training system – results in more shading
• Cold soak overnight
• Fermented in 3 French oak large format puncheons
• Aged 10 months in the puncheons, stirred regularly
• 13% abv

As a Harvard educated Economist, Kelby made the unusual transition to wine in pursue of his passion. He also brought with him his deep love for music as a way to inspire his winemaking approach. For well over a decade, he patiently perfected his art while working at another winery. Finally in 2023, Kelby and his also-winemaker wife Julia, embarked on the adventure of their dreams and launched Apollo’s Praise. Despite the wait, the musical influence is as strong as it has ever been. Every bottle suggests an unusual pairing. Turn the bottle around to find a recommended song to listen to while enjoying a glass!

Kelby and Julia produce complex, yet approachable wines by carefully merging art and science. Every single one of them is the reflection of vintage variation, site specificity and unique varietal characteristics. Unsurprisingly, critics regard their highly-sought-after Lahoma Vineyard series as some of Finger Lakes’ best wines.

Apollo’s Praise philosophy in Kelby’s and Julia’s words: “The Best Wines are Art. They are an expression of culture and speak to where they come from, when they come from, and who they come from.”

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 Points |  A bright and racy pinot with lots of strawberries, raspberries, hibiscus, spices and dried lavender. Tense and agile with a medium body and a crunchy feel to its tannins. Fresh and minerally. Drink now or hold.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Plush and elegantly structured, this red unfurls raspberry and cherry flavors accented with forest floor, black tea and savory spices as this builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Crisp, mouthwatering acidity is but one of many highlights here. Pretty dried rose-petal and dark raspberry aromas are flanked by a loamy soil note. The flavors are fruit-driven, with raspberry and lemon flavors uniting with tiny bits of sugar cookie and walnut behind a curtain of silky tannins. — Michael Alberty

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir touts all the hallmarks of our storied appellation. It begins with hints of ripe plum skin, ocean air, baking spices, and cocoa powder dustiness on the nose. The palate is just as expressive, with fresh, juicy red fruit backed by graceful tannins, a complex brininess, and a mouth-watering acidity. Finishing with spiced oak and a mouth-coating basalt minerality, this wine is great now and will be for years to come.

Argyle Winery | Vintage Brut | Willamette Valley | 2022

Oregon is not the first place most people think of for serious sparkling wine — but it should be. Argyle has been making the case since 1987, and the Willamette Valley’s cool, maritime-influenced climate turns out to be near-ideal for the traditional method: long growing seasons, natural acidity, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and retain the tension that great sparkling wine demands. The 2022 Vintage Brut draws heavily on fruit from the legendary Knudsen Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected sites in the valley, which contributes natural weight, brightness, and a distinctive character that sets this wine apart from its non-vintage counterparts. Golden apple and Anjou pear lead the nose, layered with vanilla and toasted cake crust — opulent without being heavy. On the palate, apple, cherry blossom, and spiced cinnamon flavors linger at length, carried by a foamy mousse and vivid acidity. A classic modern vintage from one of America’s most important sparkling wine producers.

• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Method: Traditional method (Méthode Classique)
• Key Vineyard: Knudsen Vineyard
• Dosage: Brut
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Sustainable

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator | 90 Points: Appealing for its easygoing flavors of apple, cherry blossoms and spiced cinnamon that linger at length.

Pairing Suggestions

• Celebration: A versatile aperitif for any occasion that calls for bubbles.
• Seafood: Oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, or smoked fish.
• Casual: Fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or brunch dishes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 95 Points | Some blue fruit with iron and lavender character. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a bright finish. Linear and tight. Hibiscus at the end. A blend of declassified barrels from the single-vineyard wines. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The ripe ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley saw the small addition of about 10% whole cluster. The nose opens to a just gorgeous perfume of red and blue fruit as well as fresh violets and cherry candies. Very tasty indeed, the palate is inviting and medium-bodied, and it has a supple, silky texture, with a long, fresh, pure finish. This inviting red is going to have a wide drinking window over the next 6-8 years.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a blend of fruit from Arista’s seven vineyard-designate wines. It has pretty aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, licorice and turned earth. The medium-bodied palate offers layered, spicy flavors structured by finely astringent tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Bright and punchy, offering energetic pomegranate, cherry and loganberry fruit infused with sassafras and hibiscus notes, while fresh and slightly high-pitched acidity gives the finish a racy edge. Drink now through 2031.

Winemaker Description 

The core principle of the winemaking philosophy at Arista is to capture and express the true character and potential of each vineyard. They work with a very carefully chosen handful of grand-cru level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, and are uncompromising in their efforts to maximize the full potential of the wines crafted from these special sites.

The 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends several vineyards from across the storied Russian River appellation, which makes it a prime snapshot of our home region as a whole in each vintage. In 2021, conditions for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley were exceptional, leading to deeply colored, intensely aromatic, wonderfully vibrant wines.

This ruby-hued wine shows classic Pinot Noir aromas of black plum, tart cherry, and cola. Across the palate, similar ripe fruit notes are abundant and buttressed by the tangy acidity. The firm tannins, which are a hallmark of the 2021 vintage, round out the long finish on this quintessential Sonoma Pinot Noir.

Producer Description 

A blend of five of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites, this Chardonnay captures the fantastic character of the 2021 vintage. Fusing fresh lemon and white floral aromas with a throughline of minerality, this versatile Chardonnay is simultaneously easygoing and complex.  

Peak Drinking Window: 2023 – 2029. 

98 Points, James Suckling
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 
90 Points, Wine Spectator

Expert Review

James Suckling 98 Points | Extremely focused and energetic nose of sliced limes and Meyer lemons with lemongrass. Some stone and hints of flint. Full-bodied with superb density and structure and phenolics that you can feel. It goes on for minutes. Slightly chewy at the end. From Wente clones planted in 1974. (v.2021). 

Montefalco Rosso That Overdelivers at Every Price Point

Arnaldo Caprai is the benchmark producer of Montefalco, the Umbrian appellation that put Sagrantino on the world wine map. Their Montefalco Rosso — a blend of Sagrantino, Sangiovese, and Merlot — is the estate's entry point into the appellation and one of central Italy's great value reds: aromatic, full-bodied, and richly textured, with the signature Sagrantino grip and spice at a fraction of the price of their flagship Sagrantino di Montalcino.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

• James Suckling — 92 pts: "Bright and fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as sweet spices, chocolate and candied orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with deep, succulent fruit and firm, tightly packed tannins."

Winemaker Notes

Sensationally intense, with notes of wild flowers, violet and red berry jam. Full-bodied, rich, and dry with a long finish and a delicate hint of spice.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot
• Appellation: Montefalco Rosso DOC, Umbria, Italy
• Producer: Arnaldo Caprai
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Highly versatile at the Umbrian table — exceptional with grilled lamb, wild boar ragù, truffle pasta, aged Pecorino, and hearty lentil soups.

Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano — Umbria 2020

Arnaldo Caprai is the definitive name in Sagrantino di Montefalco — the producer who put this ancient Umbrian grape on the world map. Founded in 1971 when Arnaldo Caprai purchased 42 hectares in Montefalco, the estate was transformed in 1986 when his son Marco took the helm and launched a series of collaborations with agronomic and winemaking research institutes that would redefine the region. The result was the legendary “25 Anni” cuvée, which captured the attention of critics worldwide and established Montefalco Sagrantino as one of Italy’s great DOCG appellations. Today, Caprai farms 160 hectares across all four cardinal points of the Montefalco DOCG, and the Collepiano is the estate’s benchmark expression of Sagrantino — powerful, structured, and built for the long haul. James Suckling awarded it 94 points; Wine Spectator 92, recommending best drinking from 2030 through 2040.

The nose is dark and commanding: wild blackberries, meat, graphite minerality, and a stern, brooding intensity. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm, austere tannins, lifted acidity, and a chewy, concentrated core of pureed black cherry and blackberry paste. Accents of marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood, and smoke carry through to a polished finish of salt, chocolate, and fruit. This is Sagrantino at its most serious — a wine that demands patience and rewards it generously.

James Suckling 94 — "A dark mix of wild blackberries, meat and graphite minerality. Firm, austere tannins, a full body and lifted acidity. A very chewy style, with a polished finish showing salt, chocolate and fruit." (Vintage 2020). 

Wine Spectator 92 — "Dense tannins impart a thick, creamy texture… pureed black cherry and blackberry paste, with accents of marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood and smoke. Best from 2030 through 2040." (Vintage 2020).

• Producer: Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Sagrantino
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild blackberry, black cherry, graphite, marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood, dark chocolate, salt
• Cellar Potential: Best from 2030–2040
• Best Paired With: Braised wild boar, lamb osso buco, aged Pecorino, truffle pasta, beef short ribs

A 94-point Sagrantino from the appellation’s defining estate — dark, powerful, and built to age for decades.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Brut Nature Reserva blends Macabeo and Xarel·lo from Penedès and was aged 2 years on lees. Citrus, lime, soft herbs and a nutty note define the nose. Dry and vibrant, it has fine, well-integrated bubbles, a touch of malic grip and a saline finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The grapes are pressed directly cold and without de-stemming.

Base wine aged for 7 months in stainless steel tanks and 500L French oak barrels.

Second fermentation is carried out with concentrated must from our own vineyards and minimum aging of 20 months on lees in the bottle.

Manual riddling on pupitres and disgorging without freezing. Zero dosage. 

Memo Summary Notes

The AT Roca Rosat Reserva Brut Nature 2023 is a high-quality sparkling rosé from the Corpinnat collective in the Penedès region of Spain. Crafted by Agustí Torelló Roca, this wine is a standout for those who appreciate precision, organic viticulture, and a bone-dry finish.

You might notice it isn't labeled as "Cava." AT Roca is part of Corpinnat, an elite group of producers who broke away from the Cava DO to maintain stricter quality standards, including 100% organic grapes, hand-harvesting, and vinification entirely on the estate.

Pairing: Its high acidity and bone-dry profile make it incredible with sushi, oily fish (like salmon), or light Mediterranean rice dishes. It’s also sharp enough to cut through fried appetizers or salty cured meats.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2021 Pinot Noir Isabelle comes from a mix of sites and spent two years in new barrels. It has a translucent ruby hue as well as a beautiful nose of mulled cherries, savory raspberries, spicy wood, and dried flowers. It’s balanced, medium-bodied, has an elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. This classy, complex, elegant 2021 will drink nicely over the coming decade.

Winemaker Notes

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Juicy ripe fruits and a blend of baking spices are carried by this full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are ample and palate coating with a moderate finish. — Elaine Chukan Brown 

Expert Review

Decanter 94 Points | Starts soft and gentle, then the sparkling, bright acidity spreads over the palate. Great purity, balance and roundness; very satisfying. A mix of 60-year-old and seven-year-old vines, vinified in oak. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

93 Points Decanter | Quince and pear. Rich and ripe but not overly so, it's silky on the palate, fairly high in alcohol, enjoyably full and opulent, with a fresh core. Includes a new parcel this year of 70-year-old Marsanne, so is now around 90% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne. The rest is a mix of 60-year-old and seven-year-old vines. Vinified in oak.

Aveleda · Minho · Vinho Verde DOC · Minho · Portugal · 2024

Aveleda is one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine estates — a historic quinta in the Minho region that has been producing Vinho Verde for generations. The Minho is Aveleda’s flagship expression of the appellation: a proprietary white blend crafted to capture everything that makes Vinho Verde irresistible — pale, slightly fizzy, vibrantly fresh, and built for the moment. At $12.99, it is one of the great value whites in the world. Vegan. Screwcap. 90 points from James Suckling.

Clear pale yellow in the glass, the 2024 opens with an elegant, crisp bouquet of green apple, lime, lemon, and peach with a whisper of seashell minerality. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and refreshing — slightly fizzy, saline, and vibrant, with a clean citrus finish that makes every sip feel like the first. Versatile and effortless, it is perfect for the simplest moments in life.

“This saline white has aromas of lemons, peaches and seashells. It’s medium-bodied and simple but refreshing. Vegan.”
— James Suckling · 90 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Aveleda, Quinta de Aveleda, Minho, Portugal
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Vinho Verde DOC, Minho, Portugal
• Blend: Proprietary white blend
• Style: Dry white — slightly fizzy, saline, citrus-fresh
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vegan: Yes
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, lime, lemon, peach, seashell minerality, slight spritz, saline finish
• Pairings: Cod fish cakes, marinated olives, empanadas, grilled fish and vegetables, seafood, aperitif

JS:90 · Vinho Verde DOC — saline, slightly fizzy, and endlessly refreshing from one of Portugal’s great historic estates. One of the world’s best value whites.

Winemaker Description

Grifi is born from two late-ripening grape varieties — one Italian, the other French. An incredible blend where the freshness of Sangiovese blends perfectly with the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sangiovese is sourced from Avignonesi’s vineyards in Montepulciano, producing a spicy, elegant wine, while the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from plots in Cortona and Montepulciano, lending tannins and structure. To facilitate the encounter of these two varieties, the grapes are harvested and fermented together.

Dark ruby red with purple hues. The nose opens with hints of blueberries, blackberries, and incense, moving on to graphite and vanilla nuances. In the mouth it is dense, broad, and complex with hints of plum and blueberry, evolving into a balsamic and spicy explosion supported by good acidity. Lively tannins accompany the savory, persistent finish.

Certified Organic and Biodynamic.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"Bright and focused, this offers aromas of fresh dark and blue fruit, fine herbs, crushed stones and a hint of walnuts. Medium-bodied, a little chewy and well structured, with a firm, juicy profile and a fresh, minerally finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold."

Product Details

• Producer: Avignonesi
• Region: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 61.77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.23% Sangiovese
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Vintage: 2022
• Drinking Window: Now–2030+
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Super Tuscan
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeasts. Seven to ten days of skin contact. Aged in concrete vats for eight months, followed by three months in bottle before release. No additions, no fining, no filtration.

92 Points James Suckling

Tasting Notes

Golden-hued with aromas of ripe apricot, orange peel, chamomile, citrus fruit, and Mediterranean herbs. Saline minerality on the palate with a textured, slightly tannic structure, excellent depth of flavor, bright acidity, and a long, pleasant finish — the hallmark of great skin-contact wine.

Food Pairings

Grilled fish, sushi, mezze, roasted vegetables, aged pecorino, and spiced dishes. Equally stunning as an aperitivo. Serve slightly chilled (55–60°F).

• Producer: Azienda Agricola COS, Vittoria, Sicily
• Appellation: Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy
• Grapes: Grecanico, Insolia
• Farming: Certified biodynamic, organic
• Vinification: Skin contact (7–10 days), concrete tanks, indigenous yeasts
• Aging: 8 months concrete + 3 months bottle
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Orange wine / skin-contact white
• Format: 750ml

Producer Notes

The Chianti Classico Riserva is central to Badia a Coltibuono’s vision and its deep relationship with place and history. Using the traditional blend of Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, and Ciliegiolo — propagated by massal selection — has always been the backbone of the wine. Modern techniques such as gravity vinification bring forth the best expression of the fruit, while traditional approaches — indigenous yeast fermentation and aging in oak casks rather than barriques — are central to its authenticity. The winery’s long-established certified organic practices are fundamental to the truly unique character of the grapes.

Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

• Wine Spectator 93 pts | Raspberry and kirsch aromas and flavors with iron, eucalyptus, wild herbs, and spices. Impressive up front yet still needs time to resolve the assertive tannins. Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, and Ciliegiolo.
• James Suckling 92 pts | Complete and balanced with good fruit concentration, freshness, and vibrancy. Red berries, spices, and dried orange peel with medium to full body, tense acidity, and compact but nicely ripened tannins. Lingering finish.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or braised lamb
• Wild boar ragù or truffle pasta
• Aged Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Mushroom risotto or roasted duck

Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2023 750ml

Banshee is one of Sonoma County's most exciting Pinot Noir producers — a winery built on the belief that the best wines from Sonoma are yet to be made, and determined to produce some of them. Sourcing from a carefully curated network of cool-climate vineyards across the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Anderson Valley, Banshee pursues Pinot that achieves power without weight — transparent, site-driven, and alive with the flavors of the coast: forest floor, pine, tea, spice, and minerals alongside the fruit.

The 2023 Sonoma County Pinot Noir is generous, layered, and immediately appealing — an excellent food wine that is equally charming on its own. Bright, medium-bodied, and bursting with red and dark fruit, it delivers real complexity for the price and confirms why Banshee has earned such a devoted following.

"Layers of dark cherries, spices, blackberry bush and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity, showing dried herbs, graphite and plums. Generous and bold." — James Suckling, 92 pts

• Producer: Banshee Wines, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Appellation: Sonoma County AVA
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-bodied, elegant, cool-climate California Pinot Noir
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, dark cherry, blackberry, violets, forest floor, five-spice, toasted caramel, graphite, bright acidity
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, salmon, mushroom dishes, grilled lamb chops, or brie

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling — 92 Points
Layers of dark cherries, spices, blackberry bush and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity, showing dried herbs, graphite and plums. Generous and bold.

Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points
Pouring a medium ruby color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma County is forward in the glass, with bright aromas of preserved cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and red flowers. The palate has lovely energy within a medium-bodied frame, and it has a refreshing feel, with its spices and chalky texture coming through on the finish.

Wine Spectator — 90 Points
A pretty red, with a steady beam of raspberry and cherry coulis flecked with red tea and savory. The streamlined finish shows a late tug of red licorice.

Site-driven Sonoma Pinot Noir that over-delivers at every price — Banshee is the kind of bottle you open on a Tuesday and finish before dinner is over.

Banshee Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2022 - Premium California White Wine

Discover the rich, luxurious character of Banshee Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2022, a beautifully crafted California Chardonnay that showcases the best of Sonoma County's warmer vineyard sites. This full-bodied white wine delivers layers of golden apple, yellow peach, and luscious caramel wrapped in a creamy, mouth-filling texture.

Why Choose Banshee Sonoma Coast Chardonnay?

• Exceptional Value: 93 points from James Suckling - premium quality at an accessible price
• Rich & Luxurious: Full-bodied with extraordinary depth and complexity
• Perfectly Balanced: Lush texture with bright acidity and a creamy finish
• Versatile Pairing: Ideal with seafood, poultry, creamy pasta, and rich cheeses

Tasting Notes

Experience a wonderfully complex wine with enticing aromatics of caramel toffee, exotic lychee, hints of spice, and lemon pie filling. On the palate, this Chardonnay is lush and viscous, packed with flavors of lemon pie, luscious caramel, and vanilla wafer. The wine finishes with bright acidity and a creamy, lingering finish that invites another sip.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 93 Points | From warmer parts of Sonoma County, this rich and luxurious wine offers golden apples, yellow peaches, hints of caramel and vanilla on a full body and rounded, mouth-filling texture.

Perfect Food Pairings

This versatile Sonoma Coast Chardonnay pairs beautifully with:

• Grilled lobster or crab with drawn butter
• Roasted chicken with herbs and lemon
• Creamy fettuccine Alfredo or carbonara
• Aged Gruyère or triple-cream Brie
• Pan-seared scallops with brown butter

About Banshee Wines

Banshee Wines crafts exceptional, terroir-driven wines from California's finest coastal regions. Their Sonoma Coast Chardonnay showcases the winery's commitment to producing rich, expressive wines that over-deliver on quality and value.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled at 50-55°F to fully appreciate the wine's complex aromatics and creamy texture. This Chardonnay is perfect for enjoying now or can be cellared for 2-3 years to develop additional complexity.

Baron de Brane 2nd Label of Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux 2023 750ml

Château Brane-Cantenac is one of Margaux’s most storied Second Growths — a vast, historic estate owned by Henri Lurton with vineyards on some of the deepest gravel beds in the appellation, up to 12 metres deep. Baron de Brane is its second wine: a blend of approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot drawn from the estate’s developing vineyards, offering the unmistakable Brane-Cantenac character — floral, precise, and elegant — at a fraction of the Grand Vin price.

The 2023 vintage is a revelation for Baron de Brane, earning exceptional scores across every major critic. Cassis, graphite, violets, and lead pencil on the nose; medium to full-bodied on the palate with flawless balance, fine tannins, and a fresh, vivid finish of exceptional purity. This is a wine that needs 4–5 years of bottle age to show its full potential — and rewards patience handsomely.

"Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity." — Jeb Dunnuck, 95–97 pts

• Producer: Château Brane-Cantenac (Henri Lurton), Margaux, Bordeaux, France
• Appellation: Margaux AOC — 2ème Grand Cru Classé second wine
• Blend: ~60% Cabernet Sauvignon, ~40% Merlot
• Vintage: 2023
• Aging: Oak barrel aging — gravel terroir, up to 12m deep
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, red cherry, raspberry, fine tannins, fresh vivid finish
• Cellar: Drink 2028–2040
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, aged Bordeaux cheese

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck — 95–97 Points
Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential.

Decanter — 96 Points
Very aromatic, gorgeous florality on the nose, so inviting and welcoming. Really open and generous — roses, violets, peonies, red cherries and strawberries. Supple and juicy, instantly quite pretty and fun, a lively bright aspect to the red fruits — cranberry, crisp green apple, raspberry and strawberry — then the fine tannins come into play and give the structure and the focus to the finish. Feels calm, relaxed, smooth, intentional, juicy and lifted.

Jane Anson — 96 Points
A great aromatic hit on the opening beats, giving way to silky tannins, spiced plum, rhubarb and slate, cassis and bilberry fruit, all showing depth and intensity. Such an accomplished wine, once again showing how it’s done.

James Suckling — 95 Points
This shows very pretty fruit and ultra-fine tannins that have an almost al-dente sense to them. It has a medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. The tannin quality is exceptional.

One of the great second wine bargains in Bordeaux — Baron de Brane 2023 is a hidden gem from one of Margaux’s finest estates, and it will only get better with time.

About This Wine

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

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

Tasting Notes

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

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

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

Food Pairings

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

Product Details

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

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points | "Incredibly elegant yet concentrated 2021 that does everything right." Purple-hued, with ample cassis, wild sage, graphite, and darker chocolate aromatics. Picks up a Graves-like gravelly earth character with air. Full-bodied with ripe, polished tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. Needs 4–5 years of bottle age but will drink well for 30 years.

James Suckling 98 Points | Intense aromas of iodine, blackcurrants, cedar, sandalwood and mint. Medium to full body with silky tannins that spread across the palate and expand in a balanced, harmonized way. Hints of chocolate and tar. Better in a few years — try 2027 and beyond.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Packed with dark, winey flavors of blackcurrant and blackberry paste underscored with alder, sweet tobacco, warm paving stone and black licorice. Violet accent fills the background. Polished finish makes it accessible now, with plenty of life ahead. Drink now through 2042. — Wine Spectator’s #2 Wine of the Year 2024.

Winemaker Notes

A truly remarkable vintage of BV’s iconic flagship. The bouquet is intense with wild sage, blackcurrant, cedar, and fresh mint. The palate is expansive and full-bodied with layers of ripe blackberry, redcurrant, and red rose petal alongside graphite, licorice root, gravelly stone, and dark chocolate. French oak aging adds sandalwood, clove, and Ceylon cinnamon. The signature "Rutherford Dust" tannins are silky, polished, and fine-grained, finishing long with a cocoa powder texture.

Slightly reserved upon release but incredibly drinkable — significant presence, depth, and concentration foreshadowing cellar-worthy potential across the next few decades.

Tasting & Pairings

Cassis, wild sage, graphite, dark chocolate, blackberry, cedar, sandalwood, and Rutherford Dust. Full-bodied with polished, fine-grained tannins and extraordinary length. Decant generously now or cellar through 2042+.

• Prime rib or dry-aged ribeye — the wine’s concentration and tannin structure demand equally serious beef.
• Braised lamb shank with herbs — the sage and cedar notes mirror herbed, slow-cooked meats.
• Dark chocolate truffles — the cocoa powder finish and chocolate aromatics are a decadent match.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate 95 Points | I tasted the 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley about a month after it was bottled, but it doesn't seem to matter—it bursts from the glass with generous pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry preserves aromas and accents of orange peel, aniseed and tea leaves. The palate is stunning: it strikes a balance between highly concentrated, nuanced fruit and an uplifted, silky structure, and it has a particularly elegant finish. 

James Suckling 94 Points | Wild and vibrant nose of rosemary, cherry stones, small strawberries, violets and seaweed. So fresh, with a medium body and powdery tannins. I like the persistent fine, chalky texture. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 94 Points |  Sleek, graceful and elegantly proportioned, with expressive violet, raspberry, guava and black tea flavors that jump out of the glass and gather richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Decanter 93 Points | Sourced from 13 vineyards throughout the Valley, though predominantly Star Morring and Doration vineyards. Aromas of violets and crushed stone hint at edginess. The palate offers sappy blackberries and bright, fresh fruits backed by spearmint. There is an excellent lingering juiciness and a finish that goes on for minutes.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Deep ruby with a purple tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is generous and attractive, with a pure and spicy perfume of pressed flowers, wild raspberry preserve, and brambly herbs. Approachable and drinking well out of the gate, this medium to full-bodied red is ripe with juicy fruit, good structure, ripe tannins, and pithy texture, as well as a touch of warming spice on a long finish. It’s a solid appellation wine that casts a very large net for appeal. Drink 2024-2030. - Audrey Frick

Vinous 91 Points |  The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is lifted and pure with a cool-toned bouquet of dusty florals, lavender and spice-dusted blackberries. Soft and round, it casts violet inner florals and wild berries across the palate, taking on a saline tinge and hints of licorice toward the close. The 2021 finishes remarkably fresh and with a pleasantly chewy sensation, leaving slowly fading inner rose tones. -- Eric Guido

A Limited Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir from Arroyo Seco, Monterey County

“Balade” is French for wandering — a fitting name for Belle Glos’s annual exploration of the most compelling single-vineyard Pinot Noir blocks on the West Coast. Each vintage, only the most nuanced and expressive block is selected for this limited bottling. The 2022 comes from the Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, delivering dark purple-violet tones, enticing blackberry and boysenberry aromas, and a palate of black cherry, wild blackberry, and jammy plum with beautiful acidity and a long, mouthwatering finish.

Expert Reviews

• Wine Enthusiast (Matt Kettmann) — 92 pts: Dried cherry, baked plum and a full spice rack of aromas on the nose. Tense, slightly sappy tannins frame the sip, where black plum, stewed cherry and bay leaf flavors lead into a wood smoke-kissed finish. (Vintage 2022). 

Winemaker Notes

Belle Glos Pinot Noir BALADE Single Survey Arroyo Seco Monterey County 2022 750ml

Dark purple-violet in color with enticing aromas of blackberry and boysenberry. Sophisticated on the palate with flavors of black cherry, wild blackberry, and jammy plum. Balanced and structured with beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California
• Producer: Belle Glos
• Vintage: 2022
• Bottling: Limited Single-Vineyard Release
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A versatile partner at the table — exceptional with roasted duck, grilled salmon, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, pork tenderloin, and aged cheeses.

Exceptional Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is a stunning expression from one of California's most prestigious wine regions. The vineyard name "Las Alturas" translates to "the heights," reflecting its elevated position on the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, reaching up to 1,200 feet. This lofty elevation creates a unique microclimate where sunny days meet cool coastal breezes, producing a wine that is robust, expressive, full-bodied, and beautifully balanced by firm acidity.

Expert Reviews & Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast - 93 Points: "Deep and dark aromas of black cherry, sandalwood and incense make for a heady nose on this bottling. The palate is big and bold, loaded with ripe black cherry and boysenberry flavors, as peppery, incense-like spices add complexity and the texture stays lusciously creamy."

Artisanal Winemaking Process

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the grapes were harvested in the early morning to preserve vineyard-fresh flavors. After destemming without crushing, the berries underwent a two-week cold soak to soften skins and optimize extraction. Fermentation took place in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters, using both punch-downs and pump-overs to extract color, tannins, and maximize flavors. The wine was aged in 100% French oak (60% new) for up to nine months, followed by malolactic fermentation and two rackings before final blending.

Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience

This wine displays a rich crimson color that hints at its depth and complexity. The nose opens with fragrant aromas of Bing cherry, dried fig, black cassis, and hints of rich dark chocolate, complemented by sandalwood and incense notes. On the palate, discover bold and elegant flavors of marionberry pie, boysenberry preserves, dark plum, and subtle mocha, with peppery spices adding layers of complexity. The lusciously creamy texture is balanced by beautiful acidity that carries through to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Perfect Food Pairings

Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir's versatility makes it an exceptional companion to a wide range of dishes. Pair it with roasted duck, grilled salmon, or mushroom risotto for classic combinations. It also complements lamb chops, beef tenderloin, pork loin, wild game, or aged cheeses beautifully. For vegetarian options, try it with truffle pasta, eggplant parmesan, or roasted root vegetables. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner or a festive celebration, this wine elevates any culinary experience.

Santa Lucia Highlands Terroir

The Las Alturas Vineyard benefits from the exceptional terroir of the Santa Lucia Highlands, where elevation, diverse soil types, and coastal influence combine to create wines of remarkable complexity and depth. The vineyard is meticulously cared for, ensuring only the finest grapes make it into each bottle. This commitment to quality and the unique characteristics of the region result in a Pinot Noir that truly captures the essence of one of California's most celebrated wine-growing areas.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A bright, balanced red, with an aromatic overtone of medicinal herbs and spices accenting flavors of macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, stone, smoke, milled pepper and paprika. Lightly chewy on the finish. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Drink now through 2033. (Vintage 2023). 

Winemaker Notes

Benanti Etna Rosso is pale ruby red in color. The bouquet is ethereal and intense, with spicy red fruit aromas. Well balanced and medium-bodied, with a mineral-rich complexity, pleasant acidity, and a saline freshness on the long and lively finish.

Food Pairings

A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with red meats, aged cheeses, grilled fish, and white meats. Equally excellent by the glass.

Product Details

• Producer: Benanti
• Region: Etna DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Grape: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Volcanic red — mineral, floral, saline
• Format: 750ml