892 products
Proidl Riesling Steilheit 2023 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2023
James Suckling 92 Points | Delicate peachy fruit and racy acidity are beautifully balanced on the sleek, medium-bodied palate. Excellent mountain freshness and wet-stone minerality at the super-clean and straight finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
Purple Hands Freedom Hill Oregon 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | A richer reflective ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard is a savory wine with notes of wet stones, graphite, pine, fresh black cherries, mixed berries, and tea leaf. It is very appealing on the palate early on. with refined tannins and a juicy feel. It’s very attractive now, and it’s not going to slow down any time soon. Drink 2024-2040.
James Suckling 95 Points | Aromas of fresh sour cherries and strawberries with hints of violets, crushed herbs and seashells. Crunchy and savory on the palate, with a medium body and wet stone and mineral character. Structured with refined yet firm tannins. Long finish.
The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard opens with tarry, meaty tones that give way to wild berry fruit, mushrooms, dried herbs and potpourri. The light-bodied palate is delicately styled with understated yet detailed flavors, silky tannins, juicy acidity and a long, spicy finish.
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Briary raspberry and wild strawberry aromas burst from the glass, followed by traces of violets and grilled portobello mushrooms. The wine’s Bing cherry, lemon and white chocolate flavors fill the mouth. A combination of jangly acidity and rippling tannins suggests a long life for this wine.
Wine Spectator 92 Points | Brooding and deeply structured, offering blueberry and cherry flavors laced with black tea and savory spice notes as this builds toward medium-grained tannins.
Winemaker Description
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range, toward the western edge of the Willamette Valley near the Eola-Amity AVA. The grapes from Freedom Hill make their way into the wine portfolios of some of the most esteemed, artistic wineries in the Willamette Valley.
Querciabella Camartina 2008 750ml
Expert Reviews
Wine Spectator 90 Points | This red shows some depth to the black cherry, black currant, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. There is a hint of tar, and the firm structure is well-integrated. Drink now through 2032. — Bruce Sanderson
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This blend opens with ripe aromas that recall blueberry and strawberry jam, followed by notes of spice, chocolate and moist tobacco. The finish is soft and velvety, and it comes with a touch of plush richness. This is complex and balanced.
Decanter 91 Points | Sweet wood nuances lead with cinnamon, clove and a touch of vanilla eventually ceding to wild cherry and wet soil. On the palate, forest berries are laced with chocolate. The fruit is concentrated and plush with ripe, powdery tannins giving effortless support. This is its usual sophisticated and polished self, with lots of juiciness. Yields are a low 30 hL/ha and ageing is in a combination of French oak tonneaux and barriques, 10% new. Give this another year for the wood to integrate. Drinking 2022 -2027 — Michaela Morris
Jancis Robinson 17.5 Points | Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese. The grapes were destemmed but not crushed and fermented in stainless steel as well as oak casks where it also went through MLF. Aged in barriques and tonneaux for up to 14 months. Certified vegan and organic.
Walter Speller | Medium to deep crimson. Gorgeous nose of cherry and with the scent of cigar box. Luscious juicy fruit on the palate and silky tannins that make their mark. Beautiful balance and elegant and concentrated at the same time. Amazing length and focus. Drinking 2021 -2028.
Vinous 93 Points | The 2018 Chianti Classico is classy, polished and exceptionally beautiful. Like so many wines in 2018, the Chianti Classico is aromatic and gracious in feel, more finesse than power. Silky tannins wrap around a core of bright Sangiovese fruit. From start to finish, the 2018 is all class. Drinking 2020 -2033.
Querciabella Chianti Classico Organic Biodynamic 2020 750ml
Expert Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2020 Chianti Classico is impressive and pure, with ripe black cherry, a hint of blue fruit, violets, and sweet herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with supple fruit throughout, fine grained tannins, and a polished feel. It displays fresh acidity without any harsh edges, but it is mouthwatering and compels returning for more. This beautiful wine from Querciabella is drinking well now, and I imagine will continue to improve over the coming decade or more. (2020).
James Suckling 93 Points | Pure fruit on the nose, with rose hips, cherries, blueberries, lemon leaves and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and firm tannins. Vibrant and elegant, with such purity of fruit. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. (2020).
Decanter 92 Points | With an annual production of approximately 150,000 bottles, this is Querciabella’s calling card – and an impressive one at that. It also gives an incisive panoramic shot of the Chianti Classico region as it's a blend of estate vineyards in three different subzones. Bright and fresh, the 2020 annata emerges energetically out of the glass with exuberant and pure red cherry and currants. It gains intrigue with stylish touches of mocha, tarragon and truffles. It's full and vigorous yet light on its feet thanks to radiant acidity, while well-formed tannins lend just the right amount of chew. As suave as it is characterful. (2020).
Querciabella Mongrana Toscana Organic Biodynamic 2022 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 2022
The Wine Spectator 90 Points | Black cherry and plum fruit signals this rich, round red. Boysenberry, eucalyptus and lavender notes chime in as this remains focused on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2027.
Winemaker Description
The charm of Mongrana does not take long to reveal. Well-defined aromas of ripe fruit, morello cherry, blackberry and blueberry jump out of the glass, anticipating a complex bouquet of kirsch, ivy, and pine needles, enriched by a touch of licorice. On the palate, it offers a juicy, fresh sip with soft tannins. The long finale is savory, with a mineral note that persists in the mouth.
Like the untamed nature of Maremma, Mongrana is vibrant and intense, a charming red wine to drink on its own, or pair easily with a variety of flavors.
Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
Dark ruby red in the glass, with rich notes of chocolate, black currant, ripe blackberry, and marionberry with hints of toasted oak and dark cherry on the nose. The palate is rich and complex with flavors of ripe dark fruits, chocolate cherry, plum, toffee, and blackberry pie. A lingering fruit-forward finish with firm acidity and smooth, velvety tannins. A classic yet complex Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023
Tasting Panel 94 Points | Silky and streamlined, rich and approachable, with cigar leaf, roast coffee, and dark chocolate. The refined mouthfeel is graced with black currant and a touch of oak mingled with anise and notably balanced acidity.
Food Pairings
- Grilled ribeye or filet mignon
- Braised short ribs or lamb chops
- Aged hard cheeses
- Dark chocolate desserts
Quinta Da Corte Tawny 10 Years 750ml 91WE
Winemaker Description
Incredibly rich amber colour with golden mahogany reflections, this 10-year-old Tawny emanates from the opening of the bottle a superb aromatic bouquet: with initial notes of almond, walnut, fig, dried fruit, currants, candied orange, then evolving for roasting and wood notes. In the mouth the same complexity, a rich, concentrated, deep structure supported by a magnificent acidity. It evolves with energy and firmness and as an exceptionally long finish. Winemaker Description.
Expert Review
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | From old, field blend vineyards, this Port has a fine nutty character. It shares that with red fruits, gentle spice and a fine balance between sweetness and a drier core. This wine, rich and with toffee flavors, is ready to drink.
Quinta de la Rosa Estate Red 2020 750ml
Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill. The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A creamy, medium-bodied red, with a light sanguine edge enriching notes of crushed black raspberry and mulberry fruit. Shows dried sage and sandalwood accents, with crisp tannins firming the fresh finish. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.
Quinta do Noval 20 Year Old Tawny Port 750ml
Expert Review
The Wine Advocate 91 Points | My favorite of the three tawnys reviewed in this segment is the 20 Year Old Tawny. It offers an amber color, a spicy, tobacco, cedary, smoky, complex nose, dense, rich flavors that belie the color's aged, feeble look, and an expansive personality. It is a classic example of how delicious and complex a 20 year old tawny port can be. Tawny ports are aged in wood from essentially a solera system for the number of years indicated on the bottle. In most cases I prefer the younger ten or twenty year Tawnys to the ancient forty to fifty year old wines, but it is really a matter of taste. I tend to like more fruit rather than the oxidized and aged characteristics of the very old tawnys.
Winemaker Description
Quinta do Noval 40 Year Tawny Port 750ml 98JS 96JD 97Decanter
Expert Reviews
James Suckling 98 Points | Made from old vines and blended from casks of Port averaging 40 years of maturity, this is a rare treat with which to finish an evening. The color is tawny brown, with a light orange-amber rim and mahogany center. Fully developed aromas of cinnamon, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, dried apricots and hazelnuts lead to layered, rich, sweet and creamy flavors and a long, long finish.
Decanter 97 Points | Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating.
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The NV 40 Year Tawny is a blockbuster Tawny! Coming all from the estate vineyard and aged 40 years or more in 640-liter oak barrels, it has a touch of ranico-like character as well as beautiful caramelized fruits, toasted spice, cigar, and walnut/nuttiness. Ripe, heady, full-bodied and beautifully complex, it’s going to be perfect for sipping at the end of a meal over the coming couple of decades.
Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is exotic, with a wide range of baked peach, dried cherry and fig, singed cinnamon, warmed praline, hazelnut and green tea notes all swirling around together. The long finish is rich and thoroughly comforting.
Quinta Do Noval NACIONAL 2020 Port 750ml 99D 99VM 99WS 97JS
Producer Description
Like the rest of Quinta do Noval, the Nacional parcel ripened early in 2020 and was harvested in one day on 17th September. Deepest inky crimson-black colour; sullen and dense on the nose but with underlying opulence; amazing depth and concentration, nothing raw about this despite its youth. Broad, ripe, gravelly tannins, focused with glorious spice and richness. Big and broad on the finish but with remarkable freshness and finesse for a hot year. A ‘wow’ of a wine with a lifetime or more in bottle ahead.
Expert Review
Wine Spectator 99 Points | A bird of a different feather, this shows remarkable purity for the vintage, along with a rippling tension that sets it completely apart. Delivers a mix of cassis, plum sauce and açaí berry compote on the fruit side, along with bramble, salted licorice, cast iron and bittersweet chocolate notes filling in throughout. Massively structured, too, and there's even a flash of violet at the very end—which takes a while to get to. A special wine. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. Best from 2040 through 2070.
Decanter 99 Points | Like the rest of Quinta do Noval, the Nacional parcel ripened early in 2020 and was harvested in one day on 17th September. Deepest inky crimson-black colour; sullen and dense on the nose but with underlying opulence; amazing depth and concentration, nothing raw about this despite its youth. Broad, ripe, gravelly tannins, focused with glorious spice and richness. Big and broad on the finish but with remarkable freshness and finesse for a hot year. A ‘wow’ of a wine with a lifetime or more in bottle ahead.
Vinous 99 Points | The 2020 Nacional was picked from 1 to 22 September, a relatively short harvest. It has a magnificent, exquisitely defined bouquet with a purity that bowls you over, perhaps even more intense than the 2019 Nacional tasted alongside. The palate is extraordinarily pure and intense, slightly viscous in texture, with layers of cassis, black cherries, blood orange and a dab of spice. Seamless on the finish. This is a worthy follow-up to the stellar 2019 Nacional. The two will fight between themselves for supremacy. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.
Quinta Do Noval Porto Noval Black Reserve Port 750ml
Winemaker Description
Black is a revolutionary new style of port. The bright aromatics, incredible freshness and perfect balance bring it outside the stodgy "vintage-character" category. Enjoy it any time: chilled, before dinner, after, for a seductive edge to cocktails, as an indulgence with chocolate. The custom-designed bottle is distinctive, modern yet timeless, reflecting the uniqueness of Noval Black. It is simply the most beautiful port bottle we've seenn
Expert Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | I always love this cuvée, which offers tons of character for a great price. Classic Noval notes of spicy red and blue fruits, orange blossom, cigar, tobacco, and candied mint emerge from the NV Black, and It's round, supple, and full-bodied on the palate, with nicely balanced sugar, a layered yet elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish.
The Wine Advocate 90 Points | 'Black' is a new blend produced from classic varieties that do not make it into the Quinta do Noval vintage. There are ripe blackberries, tar, smoke and orange liqueur on the nose that takes time to open. The palate is medium-bodied, very sleek on the entry, fleshy black fruits, sloe, spice and just a hint of white pepper, leading to a very focused finish.
Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port 2019 750ml
Winemaker Description
Typical blackcurrant and lavender aromas with traces of fennel, whose fragrance is often carried by the breeze in the vineyards at Vesúvio. On the palate the wine delivers mouth-filling ripe black fruit flavors; opulent and velvety, although with substantial volume and weighty structure. Very polished tannins provide a satisfyingly long, silky finish.
Expert Reviews
Wine Spectator 96 Points | This is really vivid, with a beautiful range of cassis, cherry purée, boysenberry coulis and plum reduction notes unfurling across the palate while succulent licorice, warm fruitcake and enticing red and black tea.
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | One of the Douro's grandest quintas has produced a powerful, structured wine that shows concentration and density. The aromas and dark fruits speak to the Touriga Nacional in the blend, giving a Port that is destined for long-term aging. Drink from 2030. Cellar Selection.
Quintessa Napa Valley Red Biodynamic 2018 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018
James Suckling 99 Points writes | This is beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character. Some much earthier character, too, from mushrooms to bark. Forest flowers. Perfumed. It’s full-bodied with round tannins and a soft, creamy finish. Some iron and iodine to this. So attractive at the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2023. (2018).
Decanter Georgina Hindle 96 Points writes | A less traditional style of wine in Napa Valley, this is lifted and charming with poise, powdery tannins and a chalky finish. Richly perfumed and wonderfully evocative on the nose, it’s seductive and inviting with black cherries, raspberries and blueberries alongside savoury notes of dried herbs. The flavours open and evolve on the palate bringing cocoa, tobacco and pencil lead into play underpinned by supple tannins. It’s powerful but on the leaner side, refined and elegant with a good sense of diretion and drive - everything feels well placed and well defined. Tasted twice and both times were highly enjoyable. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenére and 1% Petit Verdot. Wines are aged for 20 months in oak, 100% French, 62% new. Biodynamically grown and certified organic. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg and estate director Rodrigo Soto.
Robert Parker Joe Czerwinski 94+ Points writes | The dense, purple-hued 2018 Proprietary Red Wine seemed just a bit closed at this tasting, with pronounced cedary notes overshadowing the black cherry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel, silky-textured tannins and cocoa powder-like nuances on the lingering finish. (2018).
Vinous Antonio Galloni 93 Points writes | The 2018 Red Wine is a powerful, driving Napa Valley wine. Scorched earth, iron, chocolate, and leather give the red cherry/plum fruit distinctly savory accents. This is an especially tight wine in a vintage that yielded generally more supple, open-knit reds. Quintessa is one of the first Napa Valley estates I visited, many years ago. Since then, the property has undergone several stylistic phases. It will be interesting to see where things go over the next handful of years here. Drinking 2023 - 2038
Jancis Robinson 18.5 Points writes | Youthful purplish crimson. Vibrant nose with a suggestion of a creamy texture. Dense and savoury and beautifully balanced. Lovely and pure with a great future and tannins almost hidden by the fruit. Attractive savoury note. You could drink this now but it would be a pity. (2018).
Jancis Robinson Richard Hemming MW 17.5 Points writes Luxuriously rich and velvety, opulent but with enough herbal contrast to keep freshness on the nose. Lots of oak and dark chocolate on the palate. Such soft tannins! Really ready to drink. The oak is predominant on the finish. For Napa, this is reasonably restrained, and I'm sure it will develop well. (2018).
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 2% Carménѐre
Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Quintessa is a wine of perfect harmony, with deep flavors and elegant layers that are apparent even from a young age. Intense aromas of cassis, black cherry, and raspberry intermingle with savory notes of sage and thyme; the 2018 Quintessa continues to unfold as notes of dark chocolate, graphite and fresh tobacco mingle with the fresh fruit. Precise and dense, the wine shows supple tannin that play with flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and crushed rocks. The 2018 Quintessa has a perfect balance of fresh acidity followed by bright fruit and minerality at the finish that portends unparalleled aging potential.
Radio Coteau County Line Zinfandel 2020 750ml
Wine & Spirits | Organically farmed fruit from the Russian River Valley, neutral oak aging and the talents of Eric Sussman and his team at RadioCoteau combine to make this a pretty great zin for the price. It’s bursting with fresh wildblueberry flavor, rustic and harmonious in its barnyard-scented tannins. This is ready to decant for grilled vegetables or meats. (2020).
Winemaker Description
The 2020 County Line Zinfandel is characterized by powerful fruit and spice aromas balanced by refreshing acidity and herbal complexity. It speaks to both the robust essence of the grape and the nuances of its Sonoma Coast terroir. The wine is vibrant, with scents of nutmeg-spiced blackberry pie and sun-warmed strawberry, elevated by floral earl grey tea. These rich, fruity notes are followed by earthy briar and flint on the palate, with a lively, savory finish. Lingering flavors of cacao nib and rugged leather make for a sophisticated compliment to the voluptuous fruit in the nose. Immediately approachable, this Zinfandel also has depth and layers to entice thoughtful sipping. An ideal pizza pairing, savor a bottle alongside a hearty salsiccia, or a white pizza with roasted zucchini flowers. Winemaker Description.
Ramey Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023
Decanter 95 Points | Sourced from Lafranchi, Westside Farms, Sonoma Foothills, Martinelli Laughlin, Kilcullen, Dutton Sebastopol, and Frank Johnson—all cool-climate sites with low-vigour soils such as Goldridge loam, planted between 1978 and 2017 and aged for 12 months on the lees in barrel (10% new French oak). This is clean and sleek, a beautifully balanced medium-bodied Chardonnay with luxuriously ripe stone and orchard fruit. Exotic baking spices complement layers of guava, white peach, and macerated mango with apricot. But what’s most impressive is the intensity and purity of the fruit—so precisely delineated, profoundly spicy, and laser-focused. At $50, this is one of the finest, most balanced, and well-structured Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley at this price point.
The Wine Advocate by Erin Brooks 95 Points | Grapes for the 2023 Chardonnay Russian River Valley were harvested over the course of a month, from initial picks on September 13 to the last pick on October 14. It was barrel-fermented, underwent full malolactic conversion and was matured for 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels. It has open, inviting aromas of stone fruit and pineapple, panna cotta, ginger, toasted brioche and honey. The palate combines concentrated, layered flavors with fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a very long, perfumed finish.
Winemaker Description
The perfect dichotomy of fruit and acid exemplifies the Russian River Valley. The crisp mouthfeel is nurtured in cool sites with low vigor soils such as Goldridge Loam. A classic.
Coming from special vineyard sites, our Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy. Typically, the climate is cool and the soil vigor low, producing graceful yet vibrant wines. The 2023 vintage is 26% Lafranchi, 18% Westside Farms, 16% Sonoma Foothills, 15% Martinelli Laughlin, 12% Kilcullen, 9% Dutton Sebastopol, and 4% Frank Johnson.
Harvest Date: Sept 13-Oct 14
Brix: 22.3˚ average
Soil: These are cool sites, with low vigor soil such as Goldridge Loam, planted between 1978 and 2017.
Clones: The vineyards are mostly planted to UC Davis Clone 4, known for its prominent acidity and large clusters, with lesser percentages of Wente and aromatic clones like Rued.
AVA: Russian River Valley
Winemaking
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: We press whole clusters for phenolic delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.
Aging: After aging 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels (Taransaud Beaune, François Frères), the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity during the following harvest and bottled without filtration in December 2024.
Ramon Bilbao Rioja Crianza Tempranillo 2022 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022
James Suckling 91 Points | Spiced plums, dark cherries and a touch of hazelnuts and chocolate. Juicy and fine-grained with medium to full body and a plump, fruity finish showing a hint of vanilla and plenty of strawberries at the end. Vegan. Drink now but can hold for a few years.
Decanter 89 Points | The oak here is well integrated, supporting the wine and bringing balsamic, minty notes. It is classic in style with red fruits on the finish and fresh acidity.
Memo Summary Notes
The Ramon Bilbao Rioja Crianza 2022 is a quintessential expression of modern Rioja. It is widely regarded as a "reliable classic"—a wine that balances the traditional influence of American oak with a vibrant, fruit-forward profile.
Ramon Canals Cava Reserva Rose Metode Tradicional Garnacha Pinot Noir Organic 2021 750ml
Awards & Acclaim
- Gold Medal — Vinari Awards Barcelona Rosé International Bubbles Awards 2025
- 90 Points — James Suckling
- Gold Medal — International Wine Awards 2024
- Gold Medal — Catavinum World Wine & Spirits Competition 2022
- 92 Points — Gourmets Guide 2021 (Best Cavas)
Winemaker Notes
The Canals Canals family crafted this rosé cava from 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Garnatxa (Garnacha), following the Traditional Method — secondary fermentation in bottle with 24+ months aging on lees in their cellars. Certified organic.
Deep red-rose color with fine, persistent bubbles. Fresh and floral on the nose with ripened red fruits and a slightly nutty character. Perfectly balanced and full-bodied on the palate with a long, clean finish.
Tasting & Pairings
Red fruits, floral notes, and a nutty edge. Full-bodied for a sparkling rosé with fine mousse and a clean, lingering finish. Serve cold (6–8°C / 43–46°F).
- Charcuterie or tapas — a natural aperitif pairing with Spanish flair.
- Pasta, rice dishes, or blue fish — the body and acidity handle richer fare.
- Seasoned white meat or red meat stews — this has the structure to stand up to heartier dishes.
Ramon Canals Fragancia de Marta Rose 2024 750ml
Expert Reviews – Vintage 2024
Guia Gourmets 93 Points — Best Rosé from Catalonia: Gold Medal, International Wine Awards 2024.
Tim Atkin MW 90 Points.
Winemaker Description
Fragancia de Marta is a unique wine in concept and design — a pale rosé with a white wine soul. Crafted from Xarel·lo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir grown in the Penedès vineyards of Catalonia. Beautiful pale rosé color with fresh tropical and white fruit aromas and delicate floral notes. Smooth on the palate with a pleasant, balanced finish.
Xarel.lo, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Pairing Suggestions
- Aperitif: Ideal on its own or with light starters.
- Salads & Vegetables: Assorted salads and vegetable dishes.
- Seafood & Light Mains: Fish dishes, pasta, and rice.
Ramos Pinto 2011 Vintage Port 750ml
Expert Review
Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | This delicately perfumed wine opens to reveal power combined with elegance. The wine has great ripeness—a soft texture on the surface masking the severe tannins at the center.
Winemaker Description
A fragrant aroma of well ripened fruit; supple and polished tannins give structure and length on the palate, with a rich sweet flavour and crisp mineral freshness. Herbal and dark fruit notes on the aftertaste. Winemaker Description.
Ramos Pinto 30 Year Tawny 750ml Port
Expert Reviews
Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is alluring, with whiffs of warm date, green tea and walnut backed by juicy fig bread and salted caramel flavors. The racy, focused finish lets a singed juniper note glide through. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast 94 points | The wonderful old-gold color of this tawny leads into a generous, rich wine that has retained fruits while also showing a woody character that is typical of wines this old. With spice, dried raisins and intense acidity, it is a beautiful wine that deserves to be drunk just by itself.
Wine Advocate 94 Points | The NV RP 30 Year Old Tawny Port comes in with 119 grams per liter of residual sugar and was bottled in 2015. This is the new release. This mingles complexity of flavor with a fresh and surprisingly elegant feel (relative to the category, of course). The finish is very long, complex and persistent, adding new flavors as it lingers. Beautifully constructed and balanced, this is a 30 that starts with a bit of understatement and keeps getting more impressive. It's fun to just smell, but you expect that with long-aged Tawnies. The lift to the fruit and the sunny demeanor aren't always as guaranteed. It has a surprisingly supple and fresh style that I rather appreciated, delivering those old Tawny flavors while also seeming remarkably elegant. Then, it finishes with that big acidity. It was notably better a few days later, no longer seeming quite so understated, particularly in regards to its concentrated flavors and intense aromatics. Note that this comes with a bar top cork. If you're wondering, this is their oldest NV Tawny; Ramos Pinto does not make a 40.
The Ramos-Pinto 30-Year old Tawny is amber colored with orange and garnet tones. The delicate green highlights of the meniscus are characteristic of old cask-aged wines, and illustrate the quality and advanced age of this fine port.
This complex, perfectly balanced port shows rich aromas of dried fruit and vanilla. Agitate the glass and spice aromas of cinnamon and cocoa are liberated. In the mouth, the attack is fresh, fine and delicate. Ripe, dried fruit softly merges with almond and hazelnut, culminating in vanilla flavors which linger gracefully on the palate. Winemaker Description.
Raventos i Blanc Conca Del Riu Anoia De La Finca 2022 750ml
Expert Reviews - 2022
The Wine Advocate 93 Points | The 2022 De La Finca comes exclusively from their own vineyards, 60% Xarel.lo, 30% Macabeu and 10% Parellada, and has the added complexity and nuance from a longer élevage, no less than 30 months in bottle with lees and closed with a cork after refermenting. It's bone dry, not adjusted, and sold as a brut nature. It has a bright, almost fluorescent yellow color and a very expressive nose with notes of yeasts and Mediterranean herbs, subtler, more complex and with smaller, more integrated bubbles and a vibrant, clean and precise palate, super tasty. It comes from the plots on slopes already classified by Pepe Raventós's grandfather. Here, they have lower yields, accentuated by the vintage, which is more marked in the wine, as it's always from the same plots. The whole clusters are pressed, looking for longer aging potential, and fermentation is in concrete, always thinking about a longer-lived wine. It's a generous wine from a generous year. 55,000 bottles and 1,000 magnums were produced.
James Suckling 92 Points | The nose shows subtle cream, minerals and touches of white almonds, dried herbs and chalk. Almost bone-dry on the palate, with an ample mousse and very good weight and volume. Medium- to full-bodied with a subtle, medium-long finish. Nicely phenolic at the end. From organically grown grapes. Xarel-lo, macabeu and parellada. Nothing earthy here. Drink now or hold.
Winemaker Description
Situated on the highest terraces of the River Anoia, the Vinya dels Fòssils vineyard has marine soils with a high fossil content. This characterises the structure and the soil composition of this vineyard. The carbonates are the component that provides the main source of typicity to this sparkling wine with a high saline expression. It is a sparkling wine with a unique identity and personality.
Raventos i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia de Nit Rose Organic 2023 750ml
Our Professional Review
Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer, writes: Raventós i Blanc De Nit Rosé is a benchmark rosé sparkling wine. The Raventós family’s commitment to biodynamic agriculture serves as the core philosophy of their winemaking. Fine bubbles with a nose of raspberry, red currants, and wild strawberries. Crisp and enticing finish. Serve chilled as an aperitif.
A Spanish sparkling rosé made with biodynamically grown estate grapes in the style of Cava. This Macabeo-driven blend has a pale light pink hue — matched on the palate with an elegant bouquet of pink grapefruit, rose petals, red berry fruits, and lively acidity.
Expert Reviews
Wine & Spirits Magazine — 94 Points | Pepe Raventós adds depth and a touch of color with fruit from Monastrell vines planted in 1974. That addition lays a smoky note and red-fruit hints over a base of Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. Narcissus scents, peach fuzz, and brisk clarity of flavor — its elegance is hard to resist.
Decanter — 91 Points | Simple nose but very pretty red crunchy fruit and mulberries on the palate. Pleasant acidity and excellent length. Very pretty.
- Producer: Raventós i Blanc
- Appellation: Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain
- Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada, Monastrell (1974 vines)
- Farming: Certified biodynamic & organic
- Style: Sparkling Rosé, Brut
- Vintage: 2023
- Format: 750ml
Ravines Dry Riesling Finger Lakes 2022 750ml
Ravines Dry Riesling — Finger Lakes, New York 2022
Ravines Wine Cellars is one of the Finger Lakes' most celebrated producers, and their Dry Riesling is the wine that put them on the national map. The 2022 is a blend of fruit from two estate sites — 71% from Limestone Springs Vineyard and 29% from Sixteen Falls Vineyard on the eastern side of Seneca Lake — a vintage shaped by a polar vortex winter that dramatically reduced yields and concentrated the fruit. The result earned a remarkable five 91+ point scores across the major critics and landed at #36 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2025.
The wine pours a vibrant golden hue. The nose is classically Finger Lakes: lemon sorbet, Asian pear, white peach, soft blossom, and a delicate current of flint and minerality. On the palate, it's dry and precise — surprisingly plump and rounded yet with a long, vibrant, linear finish. Finished at just 3 grams per liter of residual sugar, this is Riesling that earns its "dry" designation completely.
"Somehow curvy but linear at the same time — and a total bargain for the quality. Editor's Choice." — Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points
- Producer: Ravines Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes, New York
- Vintage: 2022
- Appellation: Finger Lakes AVA
- Vineyards: Limestone Springs (71%) & Sixteen Falls (29%), Seneca Lake
- Varietal: Riesling
- Style: Dry (3 g/L RS)
- Size: 750ml
- Accolades: #36 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025 | JS 92 | WE 92 | Vinous 91 | WA 91 | WS 91
- Tasting Notes: Lemon sorbet, Asian pear, white peach, flint, minerality, vibrant finish
- Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled trout, Thai cuisine, aged goat cheese, roast pork
Five 91+ point scores and a Wine Spectator Top 100 ranking — Ravines Dry Riesling is the definitive argument for Finger Lakes as one of America's great white wine regions.
Red Car Cabernet Sauvignon Mohrhardt Ridge Vineyard 2018 750ml
Expert Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Lastly, this estate fashioned a solid 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mohrhardt Ridge Vineyard, which comes from the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation, and you don’t see many Bordeaux varieties from this region. This inky-hued beauty offers lots of cassis and blueberry fruit as well as sappy green herbs, tobacco, and subtle cedar-like aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and has ripe, building tannins, good overall balance, and a solid finish. It will benefit from another year or three of bottle age and should drink nicely for a solid decade. (2018).
James Suckling 93 Points | Aromas of plump red and black fruit. Full-bodied with structured tannins and rich, opulent dark fruit. Chocolate and spice on the palate. Smoke and ash at the finish. Very tasty. Drink now or hold. (2018).
Vinous 94 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mohrhardt Ridge Vineyard is another super-distinctive wine in this range. A Cabernet of tremendous character and nuance, the Mohrhardt speaks with distinction. Rich, red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, spice and cedar infuse the Cabernet with striking inner sweetness and perfume. The 2019 feels unctuous and luxurious in the glass, and yet it has plenty of mountain savoriness. The Cabernet has so much sheer personality. -- Antonio Galloni (2018).
Renaissance Magie des Caillottes Sancerre Organic Biodynamic 2024 750ml
Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2024
- View from the Cellar – John Gilman 92 Points | “Deep and complex bouquet of gooseberry, lime, a beautiful base of chalky minerality, newly-cut grass, just a whisper of anise and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and nicely soil-driven in personality, with a fine core of fruit, a lovely spine of acidity, excellent balance and a long, complex and nicely grassy finish.” Drink 2025–2035.
Tasting Notes
Floral and fruity with notes of citrus, gooseberry, and stones, underpinned by a beautiful chalky minerality from the caillottes soils. Precise and balanced with great acidity, this is a harmonious, “gourmet” Sancerre of real elegance and length.
About the Wine
A joint venture between the Frères Fleuriet and Stéphane Marchand, Renaissance is one of Sancerre’s most exciting organic and biodynamic producers. The name “Magie des Caillottes” refers to the shallow, stony limestone (caillottes) soils of Sancerre — a terroir that produces wines of exceptional aromatic elegance, ready to drink earlier than those from heavier clay or flint soils. No synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts — just the pure expression of one of the Loire Valley’s greatest appellations.
Food Pairing
A natural match for oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, goat cheese, and light salads. Equally stunning on its own as an aperitif.
Product Details
- Appellation: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
- Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
- Vintage: 2024
- Format: 750ml
- Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
- Drinking Window: 2025–2035
- Producer: Renaissance (Frères Fleuriet & Stéphane Marchand)
Rex Hill Chardonnay Seven Soils 2021 750ml
Willamette Valley Chardonnay Blended Across Seven Distinct Soil Types
Rex Hill is one of Oregon’s most respected Willamette Valley estates, and the Seven Soils Chardonnay is a testament to the appellation’s remarkable diversity. A blend of Chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity — spanning seven distinct soil types — fermented and aged in small French oak barrels, this is a lighter-bodied, energetic Oregon Chardonnay with the tropical fruit character and creamy texture that make it a compelling alternative to heavier, more oak-driven styles.
Expert Review - Vintage 2021
- Wine Enthusiast — 91 pts: "The wine’s dominant tart pineapple aroma is tempered by bursts of brown sugar and chalkboard dust. The tropical theme continues on the palate, with tangerine, coconut and orange-cake flavors gliding along a creamy texture. A lighter-bodied Chardonnay with energetic acidity and a nice finish."
Winemaker Notes
A blend of Chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity, fermented and aged in small French oak barrels for depth and longevity. The Seven Soils name reflects the diversity of soil types across the sourced vineyards, each contributing distinct character to the final blend.
Vineyard & Provenance
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Producer: Rex Hill Vineyards & Winery
- Vintage: 2021
- Aging: Small French oak barrels
- Size: 750ml
Food Pairings
A natural match for Pacific Northwest cuisine — exceptional with roasted halibut, pan-seared scallops, lobster bisque, roasted chicken, and soft-ripened cheeses.
Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Organic 2023 750ml
Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points | "A unicorn wine." The acids naturally occurring with ease in this cool, long, extended growing season, producing wines of tremendous elegance and balance. Sourced entirely from Monte Bello Estate. Minerality is off the charts after barrel fermentation of 9 months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak (15% new). Gorgeously lengthy and bright.
Owen Bargreen 95 Points | Decanter 94 Points (Clive Pursehouse) | Wine Advocate 94 Points (Matthew Luczy) | Wine Spectator 93 Points (MaryAnn Worobiec)
Winemaker Notes
100% Chardonnay, organically grown on the Monte Bello Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Apple fruit, brioche, and vanilla on the nose. Focused citrus, pear, bright acidity, and a clean finish on the palate. Barrel fermented for 9 months on lees in American and French oak.
About Ridge
Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s most iconic and historically significant wineries, founded in 1962 on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Known for their Monte Bello Cabernet, Ridge’s estate Chardonnay is crafted with the same uncompromising philosophy: organic farming, natural fermentation, and minimal intervention. The 2023 vintage represents a landmark release — a perfect score from Dunnuck confirms this as one of the greatest California Chardonnays ever produced.
Tasting & Pairings
Apple, brioche, vanilla, citrus, pear, and extraordinary minerality. Bright, lengthy, and elegant with focused acidity and a clean finish. Serve lightly chilled.
- Lobster or Dungeness crab with drawn butter — a wine of this caliber deserves equally luxurious shellfish.
- Roasted halibut or turbot with herbs — the minerality and acidity complement noble white fish.
- Aged Comté or triple-crème Brie — the brioche and oak notes pair beautifully with rich cheeses.
Ridge Vineyards LYTTON SPRINGS Zinfandel Red Blend 2023 750ml
#3 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025 | #71 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the USA 2025
California Zinfandel That Stands Among the Greatest in the World
Ridge Vineyards has been one of California's most celebrated estates since the 1960s, and Lytton Springs — an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972 — is among their most iconic bottlings. The 2023 vintage blends 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro, aged in 100% air-dried American oak. A cooler growing season delayed harvest by a month, delivering a wine of remarkable restraint, freshness, and structural elegance — built to drink beautifully now and evolve through 2035 and beyond.
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023
- Jeb Dunnuck — 98 pts: "Initial chewiness leads to fine tannins, with good heft and underlying acidity. Well-woven oak supports a moderately ripe, medium-bodied frame of structured elegance. Enjoy now through 2033."
- Decanter — 96 pts: "Fresh aromas of herbs from a bouquet garni mix with earthy tones and subtle sweet notes from baking spices. The fruit profile oscillates between ripe red and black berries, with a touch of plums and ripe cherries. Tannins are firm yet polished, with a soft creaminess to the palate. Balanced and enjoyable now, with many years to evolve."
- Wine Spectator — 95 pts: "Deeply structured and full of tension, this polished red displays a distinctive personality, offering bold blackberry flavors accented with savory anise, black pepper, and dark Asian spices. Ends with big but refined tannins. Drink now through 2035."
- James Suckling — 95 pts: "A lovely release with lots of freshness from a cooler vintage. Bright and perfumed aromas of red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, licorice, and spice. Full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and vibrant, crunchy acidity."
- Vinous — 95 pts: "Powerfully aromatic and expressive from the jump. Explodes from the glass with dark blue fruit, lavender, and blood orange peel, framed by mocha-like richness and a wave of exotic spice. The texture is pure silk. Remarkable persistence and poise — clearly built for the long haul."
Winemaker Notes
Nose of raspberry, pepper, licorice, and a hint of vanilla. Black cherry and plum on the palate with supple tannins, minerality, and present acidity. Long, layered finish with notes of garrigue and black tea.
Vineyard & Provenance
- Blend: 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro
- Vineyard: Lytton Springs Estate, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
- Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- Producer: Ridge Vineyards
- Vintage: 2023
- Aging: 100% air-dried American oak
- Drink: Now through 2035+
- Size: 750ml
Food Pairings
A natural match for bold, rustic fare — exceptional with BBQ brisket, lamb chops, wild boar sausage, aged cheddar, and wood-fired pizza.
Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel Blend 2021 750ml
Winemaker Description
Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel offers rich plum and pipe tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied on the palate with boysenberry, ripe black cherry, and pepper. Well-balanced with lively acidity and a long, layered finish.
Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021
Jeb Dunnuck | A blend of 90% Zinfandel and 5% each of Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet, the 2021 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch has textbook Zinfandel sweet red and black plum, sandalwood, cigar, candied orange-driven aromatics as well as a beautifully layered, textured style on the palate. I love its overall balance, it has ripe, polished tannins, and a just a pure, layered, complex style with so much to love. (2021).
Points Wine Spectator | Potent at the core, yet retains a sense of refinement, with multilayered flavors of black cherry, fruitcake spices and licorice that build richness and structure toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 7,300 cases made. (2021).
Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Organic 2023 750ml
The 2023 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first return of this historic cuvée since 2007 — a blend of Monte Bello estate fruit and neighboring vineyards (Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch, Vidovich), aged 16 months in 100% American oak. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, it is a superb access point to the Ridge house style at a more approachable price.
Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023
Owen Bargreen — 93 Points | Refined and elegant on the tongue, as toasty oak caresses a gorgeous core of dark currants, black cherry compote, and espresso bean notes alongside gravelly soils. Very fresh and vibrant with terrific acidity. Drink 2025–2035.
Vinous — 93 Points | Taut and structured, opening with dark fruit, cracked pepper, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, and cedar, all enshrouded in firm, chalky tannins that lead to a long, savory finish. A very fine access point to the Ridge house style. — Billy Norris
Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points + Cellar Selection | Aromas of black plum, clove, and ajwain draw in the nose, while the palate picks up licorice and more black plum alongside a firm structure. — Matt Kettmann
Wine Advocate — 92 Points | A lush nose of sweet black fruits, pine needles, sage, and a gourmand touch of vanilla pod introduces a soft, velvety, and pliable palate, ending with a pure, mouthwatering finish. A solid, accessible, and over-performing example of Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet. — Matthew Luczy
Wine Spectator — 92 Points | Lively singed mesquite and savory notes up front, with juicy red currant, bitter cherry, and plum coulis held in check by nicely chiseled tannins. Best from 2027 through 2038. — James Molesworth
- Producer: Ridge Vineyards
- Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California
- Vineyards: Monte Bello Estate + Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch, Vidovich
- Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
- Aging: 16 months, 100% American oak
- Farming: Organic
- Vintage: 2023
- Drink: Now through 2038
- Format: 750ml
Ritual Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Organic 2019 750ml
Expert Review
Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red with aromas of wild raspberries, porcini, dried herbs and smoked meat. Powdery, fine tannins with a chalky feel. Concentrated and taut with a savory, mineral finish. Drink or hold. (2019)
Roagna Barbaresco Paje 2020 750ml
Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020
James Suckling 97 Points | An elegant and stylish wine with fresh violets, roses, wild strawberries, earthy minerals and hints of Sichuan pepper and licorice on the nose. Full-bodied, firm, tense and fresh with a dusty texture, yet tight and well packed. Austere finish.
Wine Spectator 95 Points | A high-toned aroma of rose petal meets earth and savory underbrush notes in this multifaceted red. Flavors of strawberry and cherry hold the middle ground, while bracing acidity and sinewy tannins lend support. Long and elegant, with a lasting aftertaste of ripe cherry.
Winemaker Notes
Pajé is a small 1.83-hectare (4.52-acre) strip of land facing southwest, particularly rich in calcareous marl with a high content of active limestone. The amphitheater of Pajé opens onto the Tanaro river valley, which mitigates cold winters and hot summers, creating a unique microclimate. The vines range from 25 to 50 years of age (averaging over 40), and all new plantings are propagated using the massale selection method — clippings pruned exclusively from the Pajé vineyard itself.
About Roagna
The Roagna Barbaresco Pajé 2020 is a legendary release from one of the most artisanal and traditionalist producers in the Langhe. Luca Roagna is known for "monastic" patience, often aging his wines for five years or more before they leave the cellar.
The 2020 vintage is characterized by a "velvet glove" elegance — more approachable in its youth than the structured 2019s, showing silkier tannins while maintaining the estate's signature power and depth.
Tasting & Pairings
Expect classic Nebbiolo aromatics — dried rose, tar, red cherry, and earthy spice — wrapped in silky, fine-grained tannins with remarkable length. This is a wine built for contemplation but generous enough to enjoy now with proper decanting.
- Braised short ribs or osso buco — the tannin structure and acidity cut through rich, slow-cooked meats.
- Truffle risotto or tajarin pasta — a classic Piedmontese pairing that lets the wine shine.
- Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno — hard, nutty cheeses complement Nebbiolo’s complexity.
Roagna Barolo Pira 2020 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019
Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media - 97 Points "The 2019 Barolo Pira is powerful and deep but also very closed. There's so much energy here but readers will have to be patient as this classically austere young Barolo clearly needs time. Hints of pine menthol licorice and dried herbs appear with some reluctance. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. Superb."
Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 96 Points "A distinctive white pepper aroma leads off followed by flavors of strawberry sour cherry mint menthol and iron. Despite the lightness and ethereal quality the texture reveals viscosity and intensity. Balanced and complex ending with terrific length. Best from 2027 through 2045."
Roagna Langhe Rosso 2020 750ml
Luca Roagna's Langhe Rosso is a masterclass in Piedmontese restraint — a Nebbiolo-based blend from the Pajé vineyard in Barbaresco, crafted to be approachable in its youth while carrying the hallmark depth and complexity of the estate. The 2020 vintage delivers a multifaceted, savory expression with vibrant acidity and silky structure.
Regenerative Agriculture.
- Producer: Roagna
- Region: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
- Grape: Nebbiolo
- Vintage: 2020
- Format: 750ml
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James Suckling
A multifaceted wine, super rich and profound, with aromas of embers, dried cherries, wild strawberries, violets and bright blood oranges. Medium-bodied and slightly firm, with dusty tannins coated by fruit. Very tasty, savory, slightly lifted and citrusy.
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Wine Spectator
This red exudes cherry, rose hip and mineral flavors, with vibrant acidity and pliable tannins. Balanced overall, with staying power on the finish.
Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel 2023 750ml
Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023
Wine Spectator — 94 Points
"Jammy and generous, with bold aromatics, this red is a pleasure to drink, offering polished cherry and blackberry tart flavors accented by briar patch and licorice as this zips along the lively finish. Drink now through 2034."
Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points (Elaine Chukan Brown)
"A Napa classic, the Black Chicken Zinfandel relies on vineyards in cooler parts of the region, here harvested from a cooler vintage as well. The combination delivers complexity, detail and plenty of flavor: juicy mixed berries and plum, citrus peel, incense and savory length complete with refreshing verve and well balanced structure."
Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points
"Offering brambly red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with peppery herbs, sandalwood, and savory, flowery incense, the 2023 Zinfandel Black Chicken is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a good finish."
Winemaker Description
The 2023 Black Chicken is the 25th-anniversary release of this iconic Napa Valley wine — and one of the most celebrated vintages in the wine’s history. A remarkably cool and balanced growing season produced a wine of exceptional complexity, detail, and structure.
Showing the influence of the breezy and fog-laced Oak Knoll District, the wine offers rich, plush fruit, delicate acidity, and a structure defined by well-ripened, fine-grained tannins. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, dried herbs, and sandalwood on the nose. Expansive on the palate with notes of blackberry, orange peel, plum, and baking spices, all driven to a long finish by balanced acidity.
The Black Chicken Story
It all started in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling to insider Napans — along with eggs and produce — some of the family’s homemade Zinfandel. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine, keeping nosy neighbors and the authorities from finding out about Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation. Legally produced since 1999, Black Chicken Zinfandel pays homage to the industrious patriarch of the Biale family and the prominence of Zinfandel in the history of Napa Valley.
The heart of Black Chicken is sourced from vineyards in the Oak Knoll District — among them the same family vineyard Aldo, Nonna, Bob, and the Biale family have farmed since the 1930s. Black Chicken stands as the quintessential expression of Zinfandel from the Napa Valley.
2023 Vintage Notes
The 2023 season was one of the coolest vintages in more than a decade. Several years of drought were erased in a single season as rains began just after the 2022 harvest and continued through spring 2023. Ample groundwater and cool temperatures delayed budbreak until April, with flowering in mid-May. Moderate temperatures through spring and summer allowed for balanced maturation — picking at the perfect intersection of flavor, sugar, acid, and tannin maturity. Harvesting began with earlier sites in September, with moderate heat in early October accelerating picking through the end of the month.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, BBQ brisket, lamb chops, wild boar, aged cheddar, and hearty pasta with meat sauce. A quintessential Napa Zinfandel built for bold, flavorful food.
Product Details
- Producer: Robert Biale Vineyards
- Appellation: Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley
- Grape: 100% Zinfandel
- Farming: Practicing sustainable, head-trained, dry-farmed vines
- Soils: Ancient marine sediments and rocky alluvial fan
- Harvest: Hand-harvested
- Fermentation: Open-top fermenters, 2–4-day cold soak, 2–3 punch-downs daily
- Aging: 16 months in 100% Burgundy oak barrels (25% new)
- Vintage: 2023 (25th Anniversary Release)
- Production: 6,000 cases
- Drink: Now through 2034
- Format: 750ml
