90 + Points | Critical Acclaim

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

Olivier Leflaive is one of Burgundy's most respected négociant-éleveurs, founded in 1984 in Puligny-Montrachet by a member of the legendary Leflaive family — one of the most storied names in white Burgundy. The maison specializes in white wines from the Côte de Beaune and is known for sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. Les Sétilles — named for the small stones found in the vineyards — is the flagship entry-level wine and one of the most consistently praised value Burgundies on the market. While technically labeled as a Bourgogne Blanc, the fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, two of the Côte de Beaune's most celebrated white wine villages. The result is a wine with the DNA of much more expensive village-level Burgundy at a fraction of the price — a genuine insider's choice for those who know.

The nose offers aromas of white flowers, peach, grilled almond, and lemon peel on a mineral-tinged background, with appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit and a hint of white blossom. The attack is full and warm on the palate, with a surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage — lively acidity driving spicy, bitter citrus through to an elegantly long and lasting finish. Astonishing quality given the volume of production.

Decanter 90 — "Appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit aroma with a hint of white blossom. Surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage, and an elegantly lovely finish — astonishing quality given the volume of production."

Wine Spectator 90 — "Peach, almond, toasty oak and earth notes highlight this plush white. Backed by lively acidity that drives the spicy, bitter citrus finish. Fine balance and length."

• Producer: Olivier Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Fruit Sources: Puligny-Montrachet & Meursault vineyards
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, peach, grilled almond, lemon peel, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, mineral, lively acidity, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Lobster with drawn butter, seared scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken with tarragon, veal, Brie, aged Comté, light cream pasta

Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault fruit at a Bourgogne Blanc price — Les Sétilles is Burgundy's best-kept secret and one of the great white wine values under $40.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

Expert Review

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | Aromas of lemon-lime, orange blossom and sliced ginger arise from the glass. Ginger transitions to the palate alongside flavors of passion fruit, mango and a pleasing hint of rose petal that lingers on the taste buds. — Mike DeSimone 

Winemaker Description 

Tempranillo, Syrah

ONNA is a red wine made with the Tempranillo and Syrah variety of old vineyards of organic agriculture of our land, the Penedés. The must has macerated and fermented with the skins over a period of 2 weeks. Subsequently the wine has remained 3 months in French oak barrels of Allier. It is a fresh wine with aromas of red and black fruits with light spicy, pleasant and sweet notes.

• GOLD MEDAL – INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2022
• GOLD MEDAL – CATAVINUM WORLD WINES & SPIRITS COMPETITION 2022
• GOLD MEDAL – CATAVINUM WORLD WINES & SPIRITS COMPETITION 2021
• GOLD MEDAL – INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2021

Opus One was born from an extraordinary partnership — Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi of Napa Valley, united by a single dream: to create one wine of uncompromising quality that would stand among the world's greatest. First produced in 1979, Opus One has spent four decades refining that vision, drawing from four estate vineyards including 100 acres within the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and 70 acres in the Ballestra and River parcels. Winemaker Michael Silacci leads the estate with a rare combination of intuition and technical mastery, guiding both vineyard and cellar with equal care.

The Opus One Oakville Napa Valley 2022 750ml is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 0.5% Malbec, aged 18 months in French oak. The 2022 vintage presented extreme heat challenges, and the Opus team responded by picking early and decisively — beginning with Merlot on August 24th — to preserve freshness and purity. The result is a wine of great energy and elegance: chocolate, cherry, and rose petal on the nose, with creamy, slightly grippy tannins, juicy concentrated fruit, and a long, pure finish. Decanter calls it "a darling of a wine" — not a blockbuster, but something more refined and alive. Best from 2027–2037.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

• Decanter — 97 Points: "Chocolate, cherry and rose petal aromas. Juicy and lively, full of fun — fruity and concentrated. The tannins are just wonderful, creamy and slightly grippy. Long lasting with purity and delicacy. A darling of a wine."
• James Suckling — 96 Points: "Generous, with savory aromas of ripe blackcurrants and fresh black cherries. Graphite, pencil shavings, cocoa and espresso. Full-bodied and well structured. Best from 2028."
• Wine Advocate — 95 Points: "Ripe, extroverted personality. Rosemary and sandalwood notes accent cherries on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, expansive and plush, finishing with ample length and soft tannins."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 94 Points: "Very pretty, elegant, and seamless. Red and black fruits with fresh flowers and baking spices. Fresh, elegant, lively mouthfeel with fine tannins and a great finish."
• Vinous — 92+ Points: "Soft, relatively easygoing with terrific brightness throughout. Tannins are a bit searing at this stage — will be interesting to see how things shake out."
• Wine Spectator — 92 Points: "Lighter-bodied, fresher profile with red currant, damson plum and cherry coulis, tobacco and rose petal. Best from 2027 through 2037."

Wine Details

• 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 0.5% Malbec
• Oakville AVA, Napa Valley, California — To Kalon Vineyard & estate parcels
• Aged 18 months in French oak
• Vintage: 2022 | Drink 2027–2037 | 750ml

Orin Swift EIGHT YEARS In the Desert Zin, Petite Sirah, Syrah Napa Valley 2024 750ml

Winemaker Description

Eight Years in the Desert is the culmination of decades of Orin Swift winemaking — a wine born from an eight-year Zinfandel non-compete agreement entered in 2008 that pushed the team to hone their craft across other varietals, setting the stage for Zinfandel's triumphant return to the lineup.

The 2024 vintage is sourced from vineyards across California, including the historic Monte Rosso vineyard on Sonoma County's Moon Mountain District AVA, as well as Stefani Ranch, Dark Horse, and numerous others. What first catches the eye is the opaque mauve core with a vivid fuchsia rim. The nose opens with aromatics of black plum and boysenberry galette, Tellicherry peppercorn, cedar, and musk. Taut yet supple on entry, the palate delivers wild blackberry, crispy pluot, a hint of fennel, and slate, finishing with soft framing tannins and a close of milk chocolate-covered raspberry.

Expert Review

Wine Advocate 93 Points — Based primarily on Zinfandel (60%, mainly from Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley), with 28% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah, and 5% other reds. A terrific effort with a perfumed nose of ripe raspberries and hints of stone fruit. Full-bodied (15.4% ABV) and silky-textured, nicely balanced and mouthwatering, with soft tannins on the finish.

Wine Details

Producer: Orin Swift Cellars
Blend: 60% Zinfandel, 28% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah, 5% other reds
Region: California (Monte Rosso, Dry Creek Valley, and others)
Vintage: 2024
Aging: 8 months in French oak, 32% new
ABV: 15.4%
Size: 750ml

Orin Swift · Machete · California Red Blend · 2022

Machete is Orin Swift’s Petite Sirah-driven California red — a wine that wears its power unapologetically. Named for the blade, it is built for those who want something bold, brooding, and uncompromising: inky, chewy, and loaded with dark fruit. The 2022 blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache, aged 12 months in French oak (36% new), and earned 91 points from Wine Advocate for its combination of ripe, full-bodied intensity and surprising brightness on the finish.

The 2022 Machete pours an opaque, inky garnet with a neon violet rim — be careful, it stains. The nose opens with powerful notes of bright black plum, slate, cacao, wild sage, and crushed gravel. On the palate, brooding blackberry pie and ripe blue fruits are tempered with hints of orange peel and Amarena cherry. Chewy tannins, classic Petite Sirah, soften over time and culminate in a lengthy finish with a note of sweet oak. Full-bodied, mouthwatering, and built to impress.

“A blend based on Petite Sirah, the 2022 Machete features classic Petite Sirah aromas of black cherries, blueberries and licorice. Full-bodied and big-boned, this is very ripe, yet it’s surprisingly tart, mouthwatering and bright on the finish, framed by ripe, softly dusty tannins.”
— Wine Advocate · 91 Points (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Orin Swift Cellars, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: California
• Blend: Petite Sirah, Syrah & Grenache
• Aging: 12 months in French oak, 36% new
• Style: Dry red — full-bodied, inky, brooding
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black plum, blackberry pie, blueberry, cacao, slate, wild sage, orange peel, Amarena cherry, sweet oak finish
• Pairings: Dry-aged ribeye, braised short rib, lamb chops, smoked brisket, aged cheddar

WA:91 · California — Petite Sirah-driven, inky and brooding. Orin Swift at its most uncompromising.

Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 750ml

Explore the excellence of Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, a captivating red wine that expertly balances boldness and finesse. This super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and deep, showcasing the exceptional winemaking that has made Orin Swift one of California's most celebrated producers. With an impressive 96-point score from James Suckling, this vintage reveals an intricate tapestry of flavors that both novice and seasoned wine lovers will appreciate.

Outstanding Critical Acclaim - 96 Points - Vintage 2023

James Suckling - 96 Points
"A super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep, with black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit, graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced."

Orin Swift - California Wine Excellence

Orin Swift is one of California's most celebrated wine producers, known for creating bold, distinctive wines with exceptional quality and character. Founded by winemaker Dave Phinney, Orin Swift has earned a reputation for producing wines that push boundaries while maintaining balance and elegance. The MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of their Cabernet production.

Super-Concentrated & Age-Worthy

As James Suckling notes, this is "a super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep." The wine's concentration and structure provide the foundation for exceptional aging potential, making it both enjoyable now and worthy of cellaring for years to come.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Deep, concentrated color
Aroma: Black cherry, graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf. Dark fruits like blackberry and plum with hints of chocolate, tobacco, and spices
Palate: Very focused with supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit. Black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced. Smooth mouthfeel characteristic of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon
Finish: Structured and deep with lingering complexity

Napa Valley Terroir

The careful crafting of this wine allows it to reflect the unique terroir of the Napa Valley, ensuring a full-bodied experience. Napa Valley's ideal climate and soil conditions create the perfect environment for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon with depth, concentration, and elegance.

Very Focused & Elegant Texture

The wine is "very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit" according to James Suckling. This focus and elegance demonstrate the precision winemaking that defines Orin Swift's approach, creating a wine that is powerful yet refined.

Full-Bodied but Still Balanced

Despite its super-concentration and full-bodied character, this Cabernet Sauvignon maintains exceptional balance. This harmony between power and elegance makes it approachable while showcasing the complexity that defines great Cabernet Sauvignon.

Remarkable Aging Potential

One of the standout features of the Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is its remarkable aging potential. Crafted with careful attention to detail, this wine benefits from extended cellaring, allowing the flavors to deepen and evolve over time. It can be enjoyed fresh, revealing its vibrant fruit characters, or aged for several years to develop complex nuances that enhance its profile. Wine enthusiasts will find that this Cabernet evolves gracefully in the bottle.

2023 Vintage Excellence

The 2023 vintage showcases the exceptional quality and character that defines MERCURY HEAD. This vintage reveals an intricate tapestry of flavors, encompassing dark fruits, graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

Food Pairing Suggestions

To fully appreciate the richness of Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, consider pairing it with hearty dishes that match its robust character:

• Grilled meats - ribeye steaks and lamb chops
• Rich pasta dishes
• Aged cheeses
• Charcuterie board with salami and aged cheeses
• Dark chocolate
• Braised short ribs
• Roasted game meats

Perfect for Special Occasions

The wine's bold profile complements the flavors of hearty dishes, creating a harmonious dining experience. Each sip offers a smooth mouthfeel, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions, whether you're celebrating a special moment or enjoying an elevated dinner at home.

Excellent Addition to Any Collection

This age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon makes an excellent addition to any wine collection or a thoughtful gift for wine aficionados. The combination of super-concentration, structure, and aging potential ensures this wine will develop beautifully over time.

Graphite, Cocoa & Black Olive Complexity

The complex flavor profile featuring graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf creates layers of interest that reveal themselves with each sip. This complexity, combined with the elegant texture and supple tannins, demonstrates the artistry of Orin Swift's winemaking.

Structured & Deep Character

The structured and deep character of this wine provides both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging potential. The careful balance between concentration and elegance ensures that MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a memorable experience whether enjoyed young or after years of cellaring.

Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml

Winemaker Description

Palermo is Orin Swift's ode to the quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — a patchwork portrait of different vineyards, unique AVAs, and regional microclimates that is both classically Cabernet and unmistakably Orin Swift. Sourcing fruit from across the valley allows the team to produce lots of varying styles: dark and concentrated from the warmer areas of Napa, and more savory from the cooler sites. Once blended, they marry their strengths to showcase this incredible region.

The 2022 Palermo opens with a dark garnet core and brooding cardinal rim. The nose delivers crunchy cassis, muddled boysenberry, ripe elderberry, chaparral, and cedar. The palate continues many of the aromatics — cassis, blackberry, savory, and thyme — effuse with ripe dark fruits and complex savory tones, closing with long, soft tannin chains and hints of licorice, black pepper, and star anise.

Producer: Orin Swift Cellars
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2022
Aging: 12 months in French oak, 31% new
ABV: 15.2%
Size: 750ml

Orin Swift · Papillon · Napa County Red Wine · California · 2022

Papillon — French for “butterfly” — is Orin Swift’s flagship Napa Bordeaux blend, and one of California’s most distinctive cult reds. A wine of deliberate juxtapositions: delicate name, powerful wine; a boisterous personality with an elegant core. The 2022 is sourced primarily from the legendary Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak, with a small portion from Monte Rosso just over the county line — which is why it is labeled Napa County rather than Napa Valley. The blend brings together all five Bordeaux varietals: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% each Malbec and Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot, aged 13 months in French oak, 40% new. The label was photographed by fellow winemaker and friend Greg Gorman.

The 2022 pours an opaque crimson core with a brooding cardinal rim. The nose opens with ripe cassis, blackberry, coastal chaparral, cedar box, and allspice. On the palate, cassis, pluot, blueberry, boysenberry, shaved fennel bulb, and a touch of earth lead to a round, weighty mid-palate. Dusty, coating tannins give way to a charming, supple finish of barbecue tri-tip, Madagascar vanilla, and toffee. Full-bodied, silky-textured, and built for the cellar.

“Offers plenty of ripe cherries and a faint herbal streak on the nose, a full-bodied, silky-textured palate and a welcome bit of cedar on the charming, supple finish.”
— Wine Advocate · 91 Points

• Producer: Orin Swift Cellars, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa County, California
• Vineyards: Stagecoach (Atlas Peak) + Monte Rosso
• Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 7% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot
• Aging: 13 months in French oak, 40% new
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, blackberry, pluot, blueberry, chaparral, cedar, allspice, vanilla, toffee, dusty tannins
• Pairings: Dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops, braised short rib, aged cheddar, charcuterie

WA:91 · Napa County — Stagecoach-driven Bordeaux blend from one of California’s most iconic cult producers. Opulent, structured, and unmistakably Orin Swift.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Decanter 94 Points | Gorgeous Cabernet aromas, clear and crystalline, some herbal notes with a cool blueberry and chalky element. Rose scents, dark cherries and cinnamon bark. Full and expressive, warming tones but great acidity that gives such lift. Lovely purity and drive, this has a great sense of confidence - nothing overdone, really pristine and finessed. If anything it’s not super heavy, but it’s the better for it. You get the Napa richness in the fruit concentration but it’s so well defined and still with a graceful power. Yum. 0.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Winemaker Description

Since 1993, Overture has been an expression of place across time. In keeping with an internal desire to underscore the importance of the growing season, Opus One has taken the necessary steps for Overture to become a vintage-dated wine. In doing so, Opus One intends to emphasize the diversity of our estate with a renewed focus.

Over the years our winemaker, Michael Silacci, and his team have come to deeply understand the individual blocks within the vineyards. Farming practices may then be adjusted at the block level to enable the vines to fully capture the quality of the estate.  The majority of our vineyards are planted in alluvial soils in the extreme western part of the Oakville, AVA, at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains. 

The fruit is harvested and vinified with the same care, precision, and attention to detail as Opus One. Unique aromatics, flavors, and textures are recognized as ideal for Overture — more red fruit, herbal characteristics, soft tannins, and creamy texture. 

Expert Rating

Vinous Stephen Tanzer writes 93 Points | (from 63-year-old vines in the center of the vineyard; aged in a combination of old barriques and new larger casks) Sweet aromas of redcurrant, cherry, smoke and mint, all lifted by high notes of orange peel, rose petal and minerals. Concentrated, vibrant and gripping, with a silky quality and noteworthy precision to the flavors of red fruits, spices and minerals. Harmonious acidity gives a juicy, sappy quality and real elegance to this densely packed Barbaresco. Here the tannins are considerably finer than those of the normale, and the long, juicy, gripping finish leaves behind a captivating floral perfume. A beauty. 

This is from a massale selection, including a bit of the lighter, floral rose clone of nebbiolo while the rest of the vineyard features five different clones. 

Winemaker Description

Champagne Palmer & Co concentrates its vineyard holdings in the Montagne de Reims: in the grand cru villages of Mailly and Verzenay and the premier cru villages of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. While they also have holdings in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar, their prestige cuvée Grands Terroirs, channels those north- and north-east-facing slopes with power and precision.

The 2015 vintage is blended from 50% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Meunier, sourced from Mailly and Verzenay as well as Trépail, Villers-Marmery, Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Palmer & Co refers to the vintage as “exceptional” because it combined high temperatures and little rainfall – spelling little disease pressure and even ripening. Sunny days and cool nights in August, they say, allowed for “perfect” ripening.

The nose, subtle and charming, opens with notes of orange blossom and acacia, mixed with notes of yellow fruits, then it evolves towards lovely and delicately spiced aromas of fried pineapple and tonka bean. The palate is characterized by freshness, with citrus fruits sublimating the notes of brioche and dried fruits. Its creamy texture stretches deliciously into a persistent finish. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Markedly youthful in its smoky reduction, this wine sees its sulfur blow off quickly, leaving a flinty scent and an impression of clarity. It’s bright with pretty scents of black tea and herbs, firmed up by strong acidity.

92 Points James Suckling | A chalky and mineral Champagne with aromas of blanched almonds, chalk, seashells, biscuits, lemon pith and dried apples. Creamy mousse. Dry and bright, with a rounded finish. Drink now or hold.

Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice Rosato 2023 — Emilia-Romagna

Alberto Paltrinieri is the standard-bearer for Lambrusco di Sorbara, farming the sandy alluvial soils of the Po Valley with a focus on the native Sorbara grape — one of Italy’s most distinctive and food-friendly varieties. The Radice (“root”) is his single-vineyard flagship, sourced from old vines planted on the estate’s deepest soils. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 95 points, calling it “radiant” and “loaded with energy.” Bone-dry, focused, and built for the table, it is one of the most exciting values in Italian sparkling wine.

The nose is vivid and aromatic: woodland berry, violet, and botanical herb. On the palate it is bone-dry and energetic — strawberry, pomegranate, fennel, and a hint of citrus zest, carried by bright acidity and softly foaming bubbles that lend polish and finesse.

Wine Enthusiast 95 — “Bone-dry, focused and loaded with energy.”

• Producer: Paltrinieri, Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Varietal: Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Style: Rosato, bone-dry, lightly sparkling
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Woodland berry, violet, strawberry, pomegranate, fennel, citrus zest
• Best Paired With: Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, fried foods, pizza, charcuterie, light pasta

A 95-point bone-dry Lambrusco at an honest price — Paltrinieri’s Radice is the benchmark for what Sorbara can be.

Paltrinieri | Solco | Lambrusco dell'Emilia | Emilia-Romagna, Italy | 2024 | 750ml

Paltrinieri is one of the benchmark producers of serious Lambrusco — the kind that has nothing to do with the sweet, mass-market versions that defined the grape's reputation for decades. Based in Sorbara, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, the estate farms its vines with care and bottles wines that are dry, vivid, and deeply tied to the region's food culture.

The Solco is their entry point and one of the most satisfying bottles at its price. Deep purple-ruby in the glass, it opens with sweet cream, raspberry, and spice before revealing tantalizing acidity and tart wild berry fruit. The finish is long and intense, closing with violet and lavender florals. This is Lambrusco as it should be: wickedly fresh, perfumed, and built for the table.

Serve it chilled (10–12°C) — it works as an aperitif, alongside a charcuterie spread, or as the ideal foil to the rich, fatty classics of Emilian cuisine: tortellini in brodo, mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tigelle.

91 Points — Vinous (Eric Guido): "Wickedly fresh and perfumed with tantalizing acidity and tart wild berry fruit notes. Long and intense, closes with violet and lavender inner florals."

• Appellation: Lambrusco dell'Emilia IGT, Emilia-Romagna
• Grape: Lambrusco
• Style: Dry, sparkling red
• Serve: Chilled, 10–12°C
• Pairs with: Mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tortellini, charcuterie, pizza, tomato-based pasta

Barolo's Most Elegant Single Cru — Monvigliero by Paolo Scavino

Paolo Scavino is one of Barolo's most revered producers, and the Monvigliero is the crown jewel of their single-vineyard lineup. Sourced from the stately Monvigliero vineyard in Verduno — widely regarded as the grand cru of the village — this cru was first bottled as a single vineyard wine in 2007 after the Scavino family purchased the site. Monvigliero is celebrated for its distinctly feminine character: floral, spicy, balsamic, and precise, with a finesse and aromatic complexity that sets it apart from the more powerful expressions of Barolo.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

• Jeb Dunnuck — 95 pts: "Moving north to Verduno, the 2022 Barolo Monvigliero pours a bright ruby hue and remains slightly reserved at this stage, revealing aromas of preserved cranberries, white peach, candied orange, baking spice, ripe apricot, and dried earth. Medium-bodied, it has a more linear feel, with focused acidity and well-defined tannins. Citrus notes lift the palate and carry through a refined finish."  Rating: 95+                                                                                                     
• James Suckling — 95 pts: "This wine shines with freshness and transparency, full of red currants, red cherries and intense violets against a meaty background. Lightly extracted and medium-bodied, showing crisp, brilliant acidity and velvety tannins. A touch of sternness in the tense, fragrant finish. Drinkable now but best from 2027."

Winemaker Notes

Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 2022 750ml

Great finesse and aromatic complexity, distinctly floral spicy, savory, balsamic in its expression. The nose is vivid and compound. The texture is focused. An extremely elegant cru, feminine and full of character. 

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Nebbiolo
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG, Piedmont
• Vineyard: Monvigliero, Verduno
• Producer: Paolo Scavino
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A classic Piedmontese pairing — exceptional with braised beef, osso buco, white truffle dishes, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, wild boar ragù, and roasted lamb.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Vinous 90 Points | The 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba is impeccable. Bright and floral, with a lovely core of purplish fruit, Scavino's Dolcetto is a delight. Drink it over the next few years while the flavors remain vibrant.

Importer Notes

    •    100% Dolcetto from 70-year-old vines in Marne di Sant’Agata soils (a type of calcareous clay) within the Bricco Ambrogio vineyard of Roddi d’Alba
    •    The grapes are hand-harvested during the second week of September
    •    Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel with temperature control and indigenous yeasts.
    •    Maturation takes place in stainless steel for six months
    •    950 cases produced annually

Memo Summary Notes

The Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2024 is a quintessential Piedmontese "everyday" red. While the Scavino family is world-renowned for their complex, long-aging Barolos, their Dolcetto is designed to be consumed young, vibrant, and fresh.
Pair with this is the ultimate pizza and pasta wine. It also pairs perfectly with charcuterie, roasted pork, or mushroom risotto

La Igriega Paraje Altamira Principio Malbec Single Vineyard Valle de Uco 2024

La Igriega — Spanish for the letter "Y," meaning "and" in English — takes its name from the genetic structure at the heart of this project: the union of place, variety, and vision. This is a single-vineyard Malbec from Paraje Altamira, one of the most coveted and celebrated sub-appellations within the Valle de Uco in Mendoza. Situated at high altitude on ancient alluvial soils with a high proportion of limestone and clay, Paraje Altamira produces Malbecs of extraordinary precision, verticality, and aromatic complexity — wines that stand apart from the richer, more opulent styles found elsewhere in Argentina.

The 2024 vintage showcases everything that makes this terroir exceptional. Cool blue fruit, stemmy herbs, and fine-grained tannins give the wine a more vertical, structured character than most of the appellation — elegant rather than plush, with a freshness and mineral tension that speaks directly of the high-altitude vineyard site.

Deep ruby in the glass, the wine opens with ripe aromas of cool blue fruit, fresh mulberries, dark cherries, lavender, and stemmy herbs. The palate delivers intense red fruit — sour cherry, fresh plum, a hint of herbs — with smooth, slightly plush texture, soft chalk, and a juicy, clean finish. Al dente dark fruit and fine-grained tannins carry through to a long, focused close. A single-vineyard Malbec of real character and exceptional value.

James Suckling — 93 pts

“Ripe aromas of cool blue fruit, stemmy herbs, fresh mulberries, lavender and dark cherries. Medium-bodied with al dente dark fruit and fine-grained tannins. A bit more vertical than most of the appellation’s wines, with good length and tannins.” (Vintage 2024). 

Vinous — 92 pts

“Delivers intense red fruit, with sour cherry, fresh plum and a hint of herbs. Smooth and slightly plush, with soft chalk and a juicy, clean finish.” (Vintage 2024). 

Varietal: Malbec
Appellation: Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 pts James Suckling | 92 pts Vinous

Enjoy Balta Pairs: Mas Petit Organic 2021

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling writes 91 Points |  A well-balanced and flavorful blend of garnatxa and cabernet. Dark cherries, plums and earth aromas mingle on the nose and follow through to a medium body with creamy tannins. Vibrant with a fruity and chocolaty finish. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Rhone meets Bordeaux in Penedes. The Cab here provides the body and power, Grenache for the florality and freshness. A cold maceration and fermentation in stainless before finishing in oak. Rich, velvety, dark berry, vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of licorice lead the way. Very generous fruit, big body, framed nicely in oak without it taking a front seat. This is the big red that will appeal to many.

Memo Summary Notes

The Parés Baltà Mas Petit 2021 is a characterful, eco-conscious red blend from the Penedès region of Catalonia, Spain. Produced by a family estate that has been organic since 1790, this wine is a "Crianza" style that balances Mediterranean warmth with soft oak influence.

Its soft tannins and high fruit profile make it incredibly versatile for informal dining:

• Barbecue: Grilled sausages, burgers, or marinated flank steak.

• Tapas: Cured meats (Jamon Ibérico), Chorizo, or paté.

• Vegetarian: Roasted Mediterranean vegetables or Portobello mushroom steaks.

• Cheese: Mild semi-hard cheeses like Manchego or Gouda.

Unveiling the Essence of Balta Pairs

Balta Pairs Mas Petit Organic 2021 presents an intriguing blend of flavors that showcases the richness of organic farming. This wine, made from carefully selected grapes, embodies the spirit of the Penedes region. Its vibrant notes and delicate tannins invite you to explore its complex profile. The organic nature of this wine not only reflects a commitment to sustainable practices but also enhances the overall tasting experience. Enjoying this bottle means embracing a unique wine journey, enriched by its organic heritage.

A Perfect Pairing for Every Occasion

This exquisite organic wine is versatile, making it a fantastic choice for various culinary experiences. Whether you're enjoying grilled vegetables, a flavorful cheese platter, or a hearty roast, Balta Pairs Mas Petit 2021 harmonizes beautifully with your meals. The balanced acidity and fruity notes ensure that it complements rather than overwhelms the palate. Because of its adaptability, this wine is ideal for casual gatherings, celebratory dinners, or simply unwinding after a long day.

Why Choose Organic?

Choosing Balta Pairs means choosing a product crafted with care and respect for nature. Organic wines like Mas Petit are produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, allowing the natural terroir to shine through. This dedication to organic farming not only benefits the environment but also results in healthier wine options. As you sip on this delightful 750ml bottle, you can feel good about supporting sustainable choices while enjoying a deliciously crafted organic wine. Explore the wonders of nature with every sip of Balta Pairs!

Pascal Doquet Arpège Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature — Côte des Blancs 2019 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, farming his vineyards in Vertus, Villeneuve, and Mont Aimé with certified organic practices and a deep commitment to terroir transparency. The Arpège is his entry-point Blanc de Blancs — 100% Chardonnay from parcels not selected for his limited-production Coeur de Terroir bottlings — yet it is anything but secondary. The chalk and flinty silex soils of Mont Aimé give the wine its distinctive mineral structure and smoky depth, while a substantial proportion of reserve wine held in enamel tanks adds complexity and consistency. Finished with zero dosage, the Brut Nature designation allows the Chardonnay and its vineyard origins to speak with exceptional clarity. Rated 93 points by James Suckling and 91 by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet opens with ripe pear, crisp apple, and citrus, followed by spice, black tea, white flowers, and lightly toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is energetic and finely textured — bright acidity, delicate bubbles, and a pronounced chalky, saline character. Subtle smoky and savory notes add complexity, and the finish is dry, focused, and persistent. An exceptional aperitif with the structure to carry through a full meal.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 91 • Wine Spectator 90 — "A refined yet expressive Champagne… terroir-driven and precise."

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2019 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyards: Vertus, Villeneuve & Mont Aimé
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Brut Nature
• Dosage: 0 g/L
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Reserve Wine: Held in enamel tanks for freshness and purity
• Alcohol: ~12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, apple, citrus, spice, black tea, white flowers, brioche, chalky minerality, smoky notes, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, sashimi, grilled seafood, roast poultry, creamy cheeses, aged goat cheese

93 points from James Suckling. Zero dosage. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Arpège is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most honest and mineral-driven.

A distinctive, terroir-driven rosé Champagne from Pascal Doquet, one of the Côte des Blancs’ leading organic grower-producers. Anthocyanes is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all harvested in 2018, combining the mineral precision of the Côte des Blancs with the structure and expressive red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre, a named vineyard site in Vertus. It is macerated on the skins for approximately 48 hours before pressing, extracting its vivid color and aromatic intensity through the traditional saignée method. The wine is then matured in barrel for up to one year before being blended with Chardonnay from Vertus and bottled for its secondary fermentation.

The name Anthocyanes refers to anthocyanins, the natural pigments found in grape skins that give the Champagne its striking rosé color. Despite its depth of color and character, this is not a heavy or overtly vinous rosé. It retains the freshness, finesse and mineral energy associated with Pascal Doquet’s Champagnes.

Pale to medium salmon-pink in the glass, it opens with aromas of sliced strawberries, red berries, citrus peel and rose petals, followed by delicate notes of honey, spice and chalk. The palate is lively and finely textured, with elegant bubbles, bright acidity and a balanced combination of ripe red fruit, citrus freshness and savory mineral character. The finish is dry, energetic and persistent.

This expressive rosé Champagne is excellent as an aperitif but also has enough structure for the table. Pair it with salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, shellfish, roast poultry, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, creamy cheeses or aged goat cheese.

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Pinot Noir Vineyard: La Barre
Base Vintage: 2018
Farming: Certified organic
Production: Rosé de saignée
Maceration: Approximately 48 hours
Maturation: Pinot Noir aged in barrel for up to one year
Style: Rosé Premier Cru Brut
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

Highly Rated

90 Points — The Wine Advocate
90 Points — James Suckling

A remarkable Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the celebrated chalk soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Diapason is a precise, mineral-driven expression of Chardonnay from one of the Côte des Blancs’ most prestigious villages.

The ripe 2015 harvest forms the base of the cuvée, complemented by reserve wines maintained through a perpetual reserve system. The fruit comes from old Chardonnay vines rooted deeply in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger’s Cretaceous chalk, including parcels planted as far back as the 1920s. These exceptionally chalky soils give the Champagne its signature tension, salinity, and finely etched mineral character.

Pascal Doquet has farmed organically for many years and has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Approximately half of the wine is vinified in neutral oak barrels, while the remainder is fermented in enamel-lined tanks, preserving freshness while adding subtle texture and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is completed, and the Champagne spends an extended period aging on its lees before disgorgement. A restrained dosage of approximately 3.5 grams per liter maintains balance while allowing the purity of the fruit and terroir to remain at the forefront.

The bouquet opens with vibrant aromas of lemon peel, Asian pear, gooseberry, white flowers, and passion fruit, followed by deeper notes of pastry dough, toasted almond, dried apricot, and chalk. On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet beautifully controlled, with a creamy, finely textured mousse supported by bright acidity and a firm mineral structure. Flavors of citrus, nectarine, pear, ginger, and salted almond develop across the palate, leading to a long, precise, and distinctly saline finish.

Powerful enough to accompany a meal yet refined enough to serve as an aperitif, this is a compelling expression of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger—combining the richness of the 2015 base vintage with the freshness, chalky tension, and impressive length for which the village is renowned.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne
Base Vintage: 2015
Farming: Certified Organic by Ecocert
Soil: Cretaceous chalk
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in enamel-lined tanks and neutral oak barrels
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Dosage: Approximately 3.5 g/L
Bottle Size: 750ml

Food Pairings: Oysters, lobster, scallops, caviar, grilled white fish, sushi, roast chicken, creamy cheeses, or aged Comté.

Serving Recommendation: Serve well chilled at approximately 46–50°F in a white-wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass to allow its complexity and mineral depth to develop.

A rare, mature Blanc de Blancs from Pascal Doquet’s Coeur de Terroir collection, created to express the character of a single, distinctive Champagne landscape. Produced entirely from organically grown Chardonnay, this 2007 vintage comes from Mont Aimé, a historic chalk outcrop situated east of Vertus in the southern Côte des Blancs. Pascal Doquet farms just under nine hectares across several important Champagne villages and has become widely recognized for mineral-driven wines made with a strong commitment to vineyard health and organic agriculture.

Although the Mont Aimé vineyards face south, the site has a noticeably cooler microclimate than Doquet’s parcels in Vertus and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Chardonnay here can ripen approximately one week later, extending the growing season and helping the fruit retain freshness, acidity and aromatic precision. The site’s chalky soils contribute the firm mineral structure and persistent saline character that distinguish this Champagne.

The term Coeur de Terroir, or “heart of the terroir,” identifies Doquet’s most site-specific and limited-production wines. Rather than blending fruit from several villages, these bottlings are intended to capture the identity of an individual place and vintage. The 2007 Mont Aimé is therefore both a mature vintage Champagne and a focused expression of this cooler, less familiar corner of the Côte des Blancs.

In the glass, it is creamy, finely textured and beautifully balanced, with aromas of ripe apple, spiced pear and exotic spices. As it opens, layers of cinnamon, subtle chocolate, toasted pastry and chalky minerality emerge. The palate is medium-bodied, supported by fine bubbles and fresh acidity, with a precise, flavorful and persistent finish. James Suckling awarded the wine 93 points, praising its balance, comforting texture and spicy complexity. The wine was made without added sulfites.

Extended bottle aging has given this Champagne considerable depth and tertiary complexity while preserving the energy and mineral definition associated with Pascal Doquet’s wines. It is ready to enjoy now but should continue to evolve when stored under proper cellar conditions.

Serve slightly warmer than a young non-vintage Champagne to allow its mature aromas and layered texture to fully emerge. It is an excellent partner for seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, grilled seafood, mushroom dishes, poultry in cream sauce, aged Comté, creamy washed-rind cheeses or an aged French goat cheese.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Area: Mont Aimé, Côte des Blancs
Vintage: 2007
Style: Blanc de Blancs Vintage Champagne
Cuvée: Coeur de Terroir
Classification: Premier Cru
Farming: Organic
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%
Sulfites: No sulfites added

93 Points — James Suckling

A beautifully mature, terroir-focused Grower Champagne offering creamy texture, refined bubbles, exotic spice and the distinctive chalky freshness of Mont Aimé.

Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Côte des Blancs 2018 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading certified organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, and Champs Libres — "Free Fields" — is his most wide-ranging Blanc de Blancs, drawing 100% Chardonnay from six distinct vineyard sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet, and Bassu. Where his Arpège focuses on Premier Cru terroir, Champs Libres casts a broader net, assembling a cuvée of genuine complexity and breadth. The 2018 base was fermented in tank with full malolactic fermentation to soften the vintage's naturally high acidity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Finished at approximately 2–3 g/L dosage, the Extra Brut style keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 90 by The Wine Advocate.

The nose is vivid and refined: warm apple, baked pear, and citrus open to white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, and a subtle touch of nougat. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured — delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a distinctly chalky, saline mineral character. Fresh green apple, citrus, and lightly savory pastry lead into a clean, energetic, and persistent finish. James Suckling calls it "laser-focused… with lively energy and a delicious finish."

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A vivid, crisp and laser-focused Blanc de Blancs with aromas of warm apples, baked pears and pastry spices… lively energy and a delicious finish." — James Suckling

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyard Sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet & Bassu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Dosage: ~2–3 g/L
• Fermentation: Tank; full malolactic fermentation
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Warm apple, baked pear, citrus, white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, nougat, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, aged goat cheese

92 points from James Suckling. Six vineyard sources. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Champs Libres is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most expressive and accessible.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Eleven Family-Owned Vineyards

Patz & Hall draws from eleven small, independent family-owned vineyard sites across the Sonoma Coast, unified into a wine of saline freshness, lively red fruit, and structural elegance. The 2021 vintage delivered cool, even growing conditions that preserved natural acidity and exceptional purity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

• Decanter — 96 pts: "Delightful, extra juicy red and black fruits give graciously and generously with a mouth-filling texture and soft, silky tannins. The coolness of the Sonoma Coast takes the salty sea air and places it squarely on the grapes to give this wine a lovely saline finish. The great structural envelope will protect this wine for the future. It will last and last."
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: "Fresh and lively, raspberry and mulberry coulis with a mouthwatering savory edge. Textbook vintage and AVA profile. Drink now through 2031."
• Wine Advocate — 90 pts: "Aromas of red and black cherries, mint, forest floor and allspice. Generous, spicy fruit with grainy tannins and juicy acidity."

Winemaker Notes

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 750ml

Complex aromas of Morello cherry and wild strawberry, with cinnamon, clove, anise, and coriander alongside forest floor and pink flowers. Full palate with good purity, refined tannins, and fresh acidity.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
• Vineyard Sources: 11 independent family-owned sites
• Producer: Patz & Hall
• Vintage: 2021
• Drinking Window: Now–2031
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Exceptional with roasted duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb loin, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Paul Hobbs CrossBarn Pinot Noir — Sonoma Coast 2022 750ml

Paul Hobbs is one of California's most celebrated winemakers — a perfectionist whose name on a label is a guarantee of quality. CrossBarn is his Sonoma Coast project, sourced entirely from estate vineyards including George Menini, Cleary, Goldrock, and Catherine Lindsay Estates. The 2022 vintage is a triumph: four critics, four scores of 90 points or above, led by James Suckling at 94. This is Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at its most expressive — elegant, layered, and built for the table.

Brilliant deep ruby in color. The nose opens with pomegranate, cranberry, crisp red apple skin, delicate florals, and forest floor. On the palate, harmonious layers of plum, raspberry, and Morello cherry are lifted by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins, with a long, refreshing finish of spice and fruit. Creamy, focused, and beautifully balanced.

James Suckling 94 • Wine Advocate 93 • Jeb Dunnuck 92 • Wine Enthusiast 90 — "Lovely elegance, a refined feel, and great freshness through the finish." — Jeb Dunnuck. (VIntage 2022). 

• Producer: Paul Hobbs CrossBarn, Sonoma Coast, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vineyards: George Menini, Cleary, Goldrock & Catherine Lindsay Estates
• Style: Light-Medium Bodied Red
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pomegranate, cranberry, plum, raspberry, Morello cherry, florals, forest floor, spice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold 5–6 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, charcuterie

Four critics, four scores of 90+, one outstanding price — CrossBarn is the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that overdelivers every time.

CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024

CrossBarn is Paul Hobbs’s second label — and one of California’s most compelling values in cool-climate Chardonnay. Drawing on 81% estate fruit from Sonoma Coast vineyards, CrossBarn channels the same winemaking philosophy that has made Paul Hobbs one of Napa and Sonoma’s most celebrated names: minimal intervention, site transparency, and a relentless focus on freshness. The Sonoma Coast appellation is defined by its proximity to the Pacific — cold ocean winds and morning fog that slow ripening and preserve the natural acidity that makes this style so compelling. Partial malolactic conversion in stainless steel adds a subtle creamy texture without sacrificing the wine’s essential brightness and drive. The 2024 vintage is a textbook expression of the appellation.

The color is a luminous pale gold. The nose is fresh, pure, and immediately inviting: green apple, baked apple, ripe pear, lemon peel, and a whisper of bread dough and warm spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and easygoing — generous and juicy, with vibrant acidity, a subtle creamy mid-palate from partial malo, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Crisp, refreshing, and built for the table.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 90 — “Fresh, fruity, juicy, crisp — generous in green apples, baked apples and minerals. Subtle cream and butter from partial malolactic conversion.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Estate Fruit: 81%
• Vinification: Partial malolactic conversion, stainless steel maturation
• Style: Bright, fresh, cool-climate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, baked apple, pear, lemon peel, bread dough, warm spice, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Crab Louie, grilled shrimp, oysters, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta

Paul Hobbs’s vision for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — CrossBarn delivers serious winemaking at an honest price.

Paul Hobbs Brings His Winemaking Mastery to Sonoma Cabernet

Paul Hobbs is one of California’s most celebrated winemakers, and his Crossbarn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 delivers his signature precision and elegance at an accessible price point. Sourced from premier Sonoma County vineyards, this Cab-led Bordeaux blend is juicy, plush, and layered — earning 93 points from both Vinous and James Suckling and standing out as one of the great overachievers in California red wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

• Vinous — 93 pts: “A huge overachiever. Bright, punchy and super-expressive. Readers will have a very hard time finding a wine with this much quality for the money.”
• James Suckling — 93 pts: “Lots of currants and black berries with black cherries and tobacco. Medium body with nicely opened tannins that give length and beauty. Juicy at the end with hints of tobacco and cedar. Drink now or hold.”
• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: “Juicy and softer-style Cabernet with loads of raspberry and candied cherry aromas. Spiced black plum compote, cocoa powder and black pepper flavors concentrated on a plush but neatly balanced palate.”

Winemaker Notes

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 750ml

A Bordeaux-inspired blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Rich and approachable with raspberry, black cherry, spiced plum, cocoa, and cedar — plush tannins and a juicy, balanced finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Producer: Paul Hobbs (Crossbarn)
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — excellent with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, roasted duck, mushroom dishes, and aged cheddar.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Here’s Dolcetto flexing all tis muscles. Dark purple fruits hit first, then a crack of black pepper wakes up your senses. Violets drift above it all, adding complexity without getting precious. The structure means business but doesn’t forget Dolcetto’s friendly side.  This is the wine showing you why it deserves more attention, serious enough for wine geeks but fun enough for everyone else. (Best Buy)

The Wine Spectator 89 Points | Ripe and bursting with boysenberry, raspberry, violet and sweet spice flavors, this is dense and backed by gripping tannins on the finish. Balanced with succulent acidity.

Winemaker Description 

The Pecchenino "San Luigi" Dogliani Superiore is a distinguished example of Dolcetto, known for its depth and rich flavor profile. It features a well-structured profile with vibrant acidity and a smooth, elegant finish. Produced by Pecchenino, a notable estate in the Dogliani region, the winery is celebrated for its dedication to quality and traditional winemaking techniques.

This Superiore, crafted from carefully selected Dolcetto grapes, offers a complex array of flavors including ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of earthiness. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes such as pasta, grilled meats, and savory cheeses, making it a versatile choice for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Winemaker Description

Opaque, a dark core with a lighter deep red concession on rim. An eruption of fruits. At once lively and expressive, conceding Grange personality yet still not revealing all .... Dark coffee grind, malt and tapenade merge with black earths, almost verging on peat. Mandated V.A and formic notes propel a slurry of dark-skinned berried fruits, flirting with dark liquorice and soy. Oak completely hidden, long since absorbed. Now, back to the glass for a second sniff! Initially the ‘enlivened’ dark fruits of a Christmas pudding or boiled fruitcake mix demand attention. But there’s much more to complement these fruits – impressions of ironstone, graphite, iodine, black ink, and a black pudding viscosity. Formidable, meshed tannins – texturally honeycombed, without the honey! Oak has entwined itself invisible. Yes, every barrel still new, and completion of fermentation off skins in barrel still Grange modus operandi. Integrated, measured ... and clearly more than one sip required to gain an authentic ‘first-impression’. Certainly a wine of its vintage. A Grange of 2015. 

Expert Reviews

100 Point James Suckling | Much anticipated vintage for Grange and it is a powerhouse of concentration and complexity. Aromas of orange and lemon peel to start, then graphite, blackberries, plum paste, black cherries, boundless sweet oak spice, fresh cedar, tar, mahogany, roasted coffee and chocolate - the list goes on. Such complexity. Classic Grange, offering such deep, dark intensity. The palate has immense richness and depth with a super succulent and very long, fleshy, deeply weighted array of dense, velvet-wrapped tannins that run so long. The fruit flavors sit in the blackberry, blood-plum and blueberry zone with succulent, long and assertive structure, carrying through in an utterly seamless mode. The finish is tightly wrenched, in spectacularly powerful style, locking this wine in for a very long haul. Best from 2030.

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The flagship 2015 Grange is a monster of wine and one of those rare wines that blends power and elegance perfectly. Revealing a saturated purple color, it’s seemingly more forward and seductive than past great vintages, which I suspect is due to the incredible purity of fruit as well as the wine’s flawless balance than any change in winemaking or stylistic shifts. I also think the acidity is healthy, and the 2015 tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is certainly in the sweet spot, if not tame, for beautifully ripe Syrah these days. A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in new American oak hogsheads, it offers an extraordinary perfume of sweet crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, camphor, Asian spices, licorice, and wildflowers. This is followed by a full-bodied, powerful yet incredibly seamless and elegant Shiraz that has no hard edges, a big, dense mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Coming close to rivaling the 1986, which has always been a benchmark vintage of Grange for me, the 2015 offers a more polished, elegant, approachable style. Vintage comparisons aside, this is a legendary example of Grange in the making. The savvy wine lovers out there will give this 7-8 years of bottle age (I’ll probably be out of bottles by then) and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades.

98+ Points Robert Parker | The nose of the 2015 Grange features the wine's characteristic lifted aromas, joined by pronounced American oak influence and bold blackberry fruit, plus hints of red meat, raspberries, asphalt and vanilla. It's dense and concentrated on the palate, full-bodied yet balanced and firm, with a rich, velvety texture and long, plush finish. Don't expect great complexity at this stage—it's much too young to show much more than the primary fruit and oak elements—but this is a Grange that should easily go three or four decades.

97 Points Wine Spectator | Distinctive and powerful, yet still elegant, showing restraint despite the dense and generous flavors. Precise notes of dark chocolate, maraschino cherry, mahogany and toasted coconut complement the core of wild blackberry and blueberry fruit. The tannins are smooth and polished, delivering some tug on the finish, which persists as subtle hints of dried lavender and white pepper linger. Drink now through 2040.

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | This vintage of the famed wine is perhaps its most approachable to date. The nose is open and expressive, with waves of aromas ranging from licorice, currant and plum to baking spice, furniture polish, freshly picked olive, mushroom and vanilla. The mouthfeel is satiny in texture, awash with fruit and spices of all shapes and sizes, all wound by fine tannins. Drink through 2040.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

The Wine Advocate 93+ Points | The 2023 Bin 51 Riesling leads with an austere, searing nose of grilled lime, bath salts, lemon zest, crushed quartz, preserved citrus and pear skin. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy in its way and light on its feet — poised without being heavy or concentrated, with a cleansing, rounded finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Tangy and bright lemon-lime flavors on a sleek frame, with green apple, white pepper and sea salt minerality, plus lingering grapefruit zest. 660 cases imported.

About Bin 51

Penfolds Bin 51 captures the essence of Eden Valley, South Australia — a high-altitude, cool-climate region with worldwide recognition for producing definitive, world-class Riesling. The region's elevation gives the wines great finesse, elegance, and a capacity for long-term cellaring.

The 2023 vintage shows lifted orange blossom and pink lady apple aromatics. The palate brims with blood orange, passionfruit, and lime, balanced by natural zesty lemon acidity. In youth, these wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity that drives the palate texture.

Tasting & Pairings

Grilled lime, lemon zest, crushed quartz, green apple, white pepper, sea salt minerality, and grapefruit zest. Fleshy yet light on its feet with a cleansing, rounded finish. Serve well chilled.

• Seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc — mirrors the wine's lime and mineral notes.
• Thai green papaya salad — the acidity and fruit stand up to chili and lime dressing.
• Fresh oysters or ceviche — classic pairing for high-acid, mineral-driven Riesling.

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut — Épernay, Champagne NV

The Grand Brut is the signature non-vintage cuvée of Perrier-Jouët — one of Champagne's most storied houses, founded in 1811 in Épernay. Blended from Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay sourced across the Champagne appellation, this is a wine of effortless elegance and consistent house character. The Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points. Floral, precise, and beautifully balanced, it is one of the most versatile and food-friendly Champagnes at its price point.

The nose opens with oyster shell, smoke, and fleur de sel, leading into poached quince, tangerine sorbet, candied ginger, and brioche. On the palate, the mousse is plush and creamy, with a long, minerally finish that is well-cut and refreshing. James Suckling noted silky texture, apricot pie, lemon curd, and a gentle salinity that lingers beautifully through the close.

Wine Spectator 92 • James Suckling 91 — "A silky Champagne with aromas of apricot pie, shortcrust, croissants, lemon curd and seashells."

• Producer: Perrier-Jouët, Épernay, Champagne, France
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay
• Style: Brut, Non-Dosage
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Oyster shell, fleur de sel, brioche, poached quince, tangerine, candied ginger, lemon curd, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shrimp, fish carpaccio, roasted chicken with lemon and thyme, delicate pastries

A 92-point non-vintage Champagne at an honest price — Perrier-Jouët's Grand Brut is the benchmark for what elegant, food-friendly Champagne can be.

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

Wine Advocate — 94 Points | The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi contains 6% Sémillon. Matured in around 15% new French oak and bottled the spring after harvest. Continually unfurling scents of flint, white peach, tarragon, lemongrass, graham cracker, chamomile, and honey. The full-bodied palate bursts with layers of flinty stone and citrus fruit, lifted by a silky texture, succulent acidity, and a long, perfumed finish.

Winemaker Description

L’Après-Midi (The Afternoon) was named in honor of the pleasures of a slow and lazy afternoon — which, according to Sir Peter, is a good time to start enjoying this wine. One of two estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends, the grapes are grown alongside the red Bordeaux varietals within Les Pavots Vineyard, benefiting from steep slopes, excellent drainage, and cool air at altitude.

Whole-cluster-pressed and naturally fermented in barrel, forgoing malolactic fermentation to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with just a touch of Sémillon.

• Producer: Peter Michael Winery
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Blend: 94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon
• Vineyard: Les Pavots Estate
• Aging: 15% new French oak, no malolactic fermentation
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Petra Hebo — Toscana IGT, Maremma 2023

Near the ancient village of Suvereto, on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia looking out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, the estate of Petra has carved out one of Tuscany’s most compelling terroirs. Nestled in the spectacular nature of the Maremma — home to the majestic cork oaks that have defined this landscape for centuries — Petra produces wines of genuine coastal character: fresh, mineral, and alive with the energy of the sea. The Hebo is their benchmark Toscana rosso: a Merlot-led blend of 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Franc, it is soft, round, and beautifully expressive. Vinous awarded the 2023 vintage 90 points, praising its “pretty inner freshness that lingers.” 

The color is a bright, luminous ruby red. The nose opens with an herbal-laced bouquet of rose petals, black cherries, violets, blueberries, peonies, and wet stones — with mineral hints and nuances of earthy shrub. On the palate, it is fresh and pleasantly fruity, with gentle, well-tailored tannins, a cascade of citrus-infused red berry fruit, and blue and purple inner florals that linger on a long, spry finish.

Vinous 90 — "Soft and round, with fresh acidity and a cascade of citrus-infused red berry fruit. Long yet gentle and spry — a pretty inner freshness that lingers."

• Producer: Petra, Suvereto, Val di Cornia, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rose petal, black cherry, violet, blueberry, peony, wet stone, mineral, citrus-infused red berry, earthy shrub
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, bistecca, wild boar ragù, pasta with meat sauce, aged Pecorino, charcuterie

Coastal Tuscany at its most joyful and precise — Petra’s Hebo is the benchmark for what Maremma can deliver at this price.