90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Expert Reviews

91 Points James Suckling | A bright and fruity red with currant and berry character. Light vanilla. Medium body. Crisp finish. Sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. Drink now

90 Points Wine Spectator | There’s a lot going on in this complex red, which is loaded with cherry, strawberry, earth, spice and iron flavors, revealing hints of menthol and tobacco. Harmonious, with a long, resonant finish that echoes both the fruit and savory notes. Best from 2026 through 2045. 625 cases made, 365 cases imported.

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose balances rich fruit and stony minerality, with a flash of raw meat lending additional depth. That sanguinity swells on the palate, but plum skin and sour cherries push back. The tannins and acidity are both composed and serene

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Villa Antinori is packed with succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice. As always, the Villa Antinori is a rich, boisterous wine, but in 2020 it is less forthcoming than it can be. There's a bit more Sangiovese in this year's blend, which explains its overall profile.  Drinking 2023 - 2028.  - Vinous 90

Amy Wislocki writes:  Antinori is one of the biggest names in Italian winemaking, with a winemaking history stretching back over 26 generations. Its Villa Antinori red is like an entry-level SuperTuscan, a blend of Sangiovese with the international grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It works well, with both Tuscan character and something riper and richer going on too – the deep ruby hue a hint at what is to come. Sweetly fruited on nose, there is a soft perfume of cherries, blackberries and forest fruits, with a touch of sweet spice. Its well balanced in the mouth, a lovely balance of mouthwatering acidity and fine tannins with a weight of black plum and tart sour cherry, cranberry fruit, some rosehips, a hint of cloves, and subtle toasty oak on the finish.  - Decanter 90

Winemaker Description:

Villa Antinori 2020 is ruby red in color. The nose is intense, captivating and defined by fruity notes of black cherries and black currant with hints of cocoa and coffee. The pleasant bouquet is completed by aromas of spices and boxwood. The enveloping palate presents supple, velvety tannins sustained by excellent freshness and sapidity.

Oscar Garcia Lead Wine Sommelier 67Wine.com  | One of Rioja's benchmark Crianzas. A well-rounded red that delivers a solid drinking experience. Late spring of 2017 I had the pleasure to be in Rioja and although a late frost damaged some of the buds, the quality in what survived is fairly consistent. 

Aromas of plum compote, cassis and notes of cinnamon and cloves. Medium-bodied with polished and pleasant tannins. Consistent and satisfying finish. Pair with beef-stews or any rice dishes such as Shrimp-fried rice.

Critic Notes

James Molesworth writes: Ripe, fresh and polished, this delivers unencumbered red and black cherry fruit notes laced with a tickle of tobacco, all backed by a just firm enough finish to keep this balanced and engaging. Drink now through 2025.  - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Notes

The 2021 Joel Gott Blend No. 815 Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of raspberries, blackberries, plum, and mocha with notes of cinnamon and cedar. The wine opens with red fruit flavors, followed by velvety tannins on the mid palate and notes of black pepper on the long, textured finish.

Our Notes

One of the most classic and historic producers in all of Rioja. Medium-bodied with chew tannins with ripe red fruit flavors. Beautiful finish with a lively acidity.
- Oscar Garcia, Wine Buyer, 67wine

Critics Notes

Jancis Robinson writes:  Maturing blackish ruby with a pale rim. Classic, traditional rioja nose with notes of vanilla (American oak) and supremely ripe fruit – the sweetness and tobacco leaves of Tempranillo. The label looks a tad unserious but the wine belies this. It should be set for many years' further evolution because the tannins are still evident now. There's real lift and refreshment to this wine.  Drinking 2024 - 2034.  Jancis Robinson 17+

Winemaker Description

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the map with its captivating flavor. Their signature style is famous for its vibrant nose, mouthwatering palate and long finish. Stone fruit and citrus stand out, while minerality (think rain on river stones) provides balance.

Expert Reviews 

Rebecca Gibb MW writes: It must be difficult being Cloudy Bay, because fame brings extra scrutiny and the question, ‘Does this brand offer value for money in the context of the wider region?’ In 2023, the Sauvignon Blanc silences its critics. Its vineyard may be much larger than it once was, but it delivers – dry, clean and elegant, with classic characteristics and the bonus of welcome structure on the finish. It may not be the most flamboyant on the nose, focusing more on the herbal rather than tropical spectrum (whether that's elderflower, gooseberry or classic passion fruit), but that seems to be a function of the vintage. The 2023 is long, fragrant and exactly what you want from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but with an extra layer of class.  - Vinous 93

James Suckling writes:  Shows typical guava, grass and flint aromas with some green melon. Medium-bodied with a solid density of fruit as well as brightness and acid energy. Really well done for this vintage. Drink or hold. Screw cap.  - James Suckling 93

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Leaps out of the glass with effusiveness, featuring flavors of apple blossom, Key lime, Honeycrisp, lemon thyme and fresh grated ginger. Notes of passionfruit, pineapple and lemon candy linger on the long, expressive and mouthwatering finish. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator 93

James Suckling 91 Points | This is a clean and pure expression of pinot grigio, with notes of sliced green apples, pears, lime pith and lemon blossom. Medium-bodied, fresh and balanced. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Decanter 90 Points | This Pinot Grigio, fermented using neutral yeast in stainless steel, offers up some soft melon and apple aromas, while the palate is fresh, stony and juicy, with a succulent peachy core. 

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points |  A well-rounded Chardonnay with a great combination of fruit and florals that elevates the overall drinking experience. Enjoy notes of green apple, lemon, lime, just-ripe apricot and mango and a hint of baby's breath.

Our Professional Review

A text-book Crianza from Bodegas CVNE.  Aromas of red fruits and dried herbs. Medium-bodied with well integrated tannins and just enough grip to make a good impression. One of my personal go-to crianzas for every day enjoyment. 
Oscar Garcia, Wine Buyer, 67wine

Critics Notes

Zekun Shuai writes:  A fruity and plummy nose with lots of cherries, strawberries and some spices. Ripe, crunchy and fruit-expressive on the medium-bodied palate rounded by firm and nicely chewy tannins. Not complex, but has good length in the finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Alison Napjus writes:  A round, medium-bodied red, delivering ripe black cherry, eucalyptus, loamy earth and red licorice notes, with lively acidity and light tannins. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Tamlyn Currin writes:  Spicy nose. Dark-red plums and something a little tart, like hawthorn berries. Dried thyme, earthy dusty spices. Reliable and Great Value if not especially interesting.  - Jancis Robinson 15.5

90 Points Tasting Panel | This onion skin-hued sipper is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. Salty pear and cantaloupe unite within a crisp, floral frame. (2022). 

Elegant translucent pale-peach pink color with shiny reflections. Very fresh and very fruity, the nose is particularly seductive, combining notes of red fruit and juicy summer fruit such as nectarines and peaches.

Great vivacity on the palate with beautiful fruity aromas. Well balanced by a slight bitterness on the finish which brings a lot of savoriness. Winemaker Description.

James Suckling writes: Aromas of cooked apple, yogurt and shaved pine. Some vanilla. It’s full-bodied with plenty of fruit and wood. The new oak dominates the palate now making it a little old school. But there’s plenty of good fruit underneath. If you want a full-throttle chard, here it is. Drink now. Screw cap. James Suckling 91

MaryAnn Worobiec writes: Features fresh-cut Fuji apple, ripe pear, salted melon, lime zest and hints of spices that are generous and smooth, with a note of buttery brioche lingering on the round finish. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

Expert Ratings

James Suckling writes:  The blueberry and orange-peel aromas are all here. Medium body, fresh acidity and an attractive aftertaste. A little lean, but should soften by 2021. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot.  - James Suckling 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2016 Loirac has a simple but pleasurable bouquet with wild strawberry and briary aromas. It just lacks a little complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with just a touch of greenness on the entry, classic and slightly leafy in style. Pleasant but probably early drinking only. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.  Vinous

Julia Harding writes:  Deep crimson. Vanilla coating over the blackcurrant fruit. Dry-textured and slightly lacking in flesh but the tannins and freshness are good and this should be fine with a good dose of protein. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot.  Drinking 2020 - 2025  - Jancis Robinson 15.5

Winemaker Description

This vintage is of a beautiful presence, both in its rather sustained red color, as in its aromatic expression of red fruits and undergrowth with nuances of caramel and spices. On the palate, we find very ripe fruit with a nice freshness, the palate is charming. Round and warm, it benefits from good wood support and ends with a long and suave finish. Balanced, Château Loirac has a marked personalit

James Suckling writes:   Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish. Drink or hold.   - James Suckling 90

90 Points Wine Enthusiast: From the slopes just west of Castillon, this is a ripe Merlot-dominated wine. A core of tannins and juicy acidity have combined into a savory wine that will be ready from 2023.

Winemaker Description

Intense color, ruby reflections, shiny. Nose of black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry with toasted notes. Authenticity of the terroir through the tannic structure and fruitiness of the wine. The nature of the sandy-gravelly soil acts as a flavor enhancer and is found in the minerality of this wine.

Winemaker Description

Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. The vineyards are known for their limestone sand, red clay, and pebbles, which give a freshness and intensity to the Syrah grapes. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats.

This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.

Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions.  Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah.

Expert Reviews 

Wine Spectator - Kristen Bieler 90+ Points | A hefty version of Côtes du Rhône, with a lot of stuffing, showing ripe black plum and black currant flavors layered with black pepper and grilled rosemary. Sturdy tannins hem in the creamy palate, with a kick of bitter mineral and graphite through the medium-length finish. Very solid. Drink now through 2028. (2022). 

Jeb Dunnuck | The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône is juicy and up-front, with lots of classic Syrah darker fruits and peppery notes. It's medium-bodied, forward, has plenty of fruit, and is impeccably made.

James Suckling writes:  A chardonnay with excellent quality for the money with a phenolic tension and mineral and flint undertones. Serious and dry. Try it now. Screw cap.  - James Suckling 92

Clive Pursehouse writes:  Subtle and bright citrus fruit aromatics, white flowers and honeyed apricots announce the Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. The palate is concentrated and pronounced with loads of poached apple and pear flavors; hints of nutmeg and lemon curd carry this wine to it conclusion.  - Decanter

Audrey Frick writes:  A bright yellow color, the 2022 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is highly aromatic and forward with notes of beeswax, yellow flowers and poached apples. Full-bodied and round, it has a sunny, decadent feel, with modest acidity, and will be best enjoyed over the near term.  Jeb Dunnuck 

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Shows rich and round flavors of apricot, peach and cream pastry, with notes of sour lemon candy and toasted, salted almond, plus a touch of grilled pineapple on the finish. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator 

Winemaker Notes:

The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is bright, forward, balanced and approachable. Enticing aromas of red apple, spice, nectarine, and baked bread lead into a broad textured, and creamy palate. With its cool-climate influences, this chardonnay has remarkable varietal intensity, balanced acidity and mineral notes that complement the flavors of fresh peach and honey. Winemaker Description. 

Anne Krebiehl MW of Vinous writes 92 Points: The 2022 Grüner Veltliner Handwerk was harvested in Kremstal sites, from gneiss and conglomerate soils with a smaller proportion of loess and loam. The nose is a full hit of yeasty earthiness, pepper and super-savory miso paste, with hints of fern and sage. Peppery verve is alive on the palate, despite being bedded in this richness on a nonetheless slender body with a lovely phenolic web. (Bone-dry).

A Gruner that tastes just like Gruner should - citrus, white pepper, light and crisp. Perfect sipper, or pair with sushi, Thai, chicken, salads. Dry, not sweet. Winemaker Description. Rand Sieger - Lead Sommelier 67 Wine.

Winemaker Description

Deep and dark red. Shiny. Aromas of fresh fruits with red berries and spices. Full, round and racy. Rounded and smooth tannins. A full-bodied, rich and intensely aromatic wine. Full with a long finish and plenty of elegance and finesse due to the well balanced tannins and fruit.

Pair with cold meats, meat, game bird and cheese.

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Leading off the 2020s, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône is up-front, ripe, and textured, with pretty, medium-bodied aromas and flavors of cherries, flowers, and peppery herbs. It has a soft, elegant mouthfeel and is undeniably delicious.  - Jeb Dunnuck

Joe Czerwinski writes:  Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb.  Drinking 2024 0 2030.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90

Stuart Pigott writes:  An impressive Cotes-du-Rhone with stacks of blackberry and black raspberry fruit wrapped around a core of moderately dry tannins on the bold palate. Long self-confidently dry finish. A cuvee of 50% syrah, 45% grenache and 5% mourvedre. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Tina Gellie, Anne Krebiehl MW, Michaela Morris write:  Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder. Nominated by Thierry Meyer.  Drinking 2024 - 2030.  - Decanter 90

Nicolas Greinacher writes:  The 2020 Côtes-du-Rhône presents bright raspberry and strawberry nuances alongside pinches of dried herbs. Low levels of soft tannin and sufficient acidity neatly frame this inviting 2020 Côtes-du-Rhône, which I slightly prefer over the 2021. It ends with a juicy finale.  - Vinous 

Kristen Bieler writes:  Medium-bodied and smoky, with wild cherry and raspberry layered with powdered graphite and charred mesquite. Reveals red tea and savory herb details through the snappy finish. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator 

Winemaker Description

The Pommery Brut Royal shows a pale yellow color with light green accents. On the nose, it is vivacious and cheerful, fresh, easy, fine, delicate, and open. It has notes of citrus and white flowers combined with small berry notes. Elegant and vibrant in the mouth, it opens with initial notes of berries. 

The wine is round, ample, and delicate, with a nice finish. Clear end notes without any dryness. This wine is harmonious and never grows tiresome to the palate.

Enjoy it at any time of day or night.

Expert Reviews

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

Expert Ratings

James Suckling writes:  Blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry in the nose with some sweet tobacco and moss. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and savory. Fruity yet reserved finish. Give this two or three years to open. Try after 2023.  - James Suckling 93

Jane Anson writes:  A Cru Bourgeois Superieur as of the 2018 vintage, giving a good display of understated Médoc charm with its 2019 vintage. Blackberry and black cherry fruits, firm tannins, well measured with an elegant frame. Violet edges to the colour also suggesting bright acidities, a little austere overall at this stage but great potential to develop over the next few years in bottle.  - Decanter 90

Brilliant colour of good intensity with very slight notes of development. The dominant aromas are crunchy damson, black peppercorn. Fresh fruit returns on the palate with wild plum, and a definite balance between the tannic structure, the freshness coming from the acidity and the fat and smoothness provided by the alcohol. A great classic, full of elegance and finesse. To be decanted 30 minutes before tasting.

Winemaker Notes

Lisa Perrotti-Brown writes:  Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Pitray features bright, expressive wild blueberries, black raspberries and warm plums scents with hints of spice cake and potpourri. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with juicy blue and black fruits, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with beautiful purity.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90-92

James Suckling writes:  A juicy, flavorful red that is delicious now, offering plum, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm tannins and a savory finish. Nice acidity, too. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

Jane Anson writes:  Well textured, velvety fruits sit on a firm and fresh palate. This is good quality, stretching out in the mouth with tannins that are fully supportive of the project, not getting in the way but cheerleading as the fruit takes its first steps. There is so much to enjoy in the smaller appellations this year.  Drinking 2021 - 2031  - Decanter 91

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Coming from the eastern edge of Saint-Emilion, in the Côtes Castillon region, the 2018 Château De Pitray offers lots of ripe black fruits, asphalt, and licorice notes to go with a medium-bodied, nicely textured style on the palate. This ripe, fleshy, attractive 2018 opens up nicely with air and has lots to like. Enjoy bottles over the coming 4-6 years or so.  - Jeb Dunnuck

Ned Goodwin MW writes:  Glazed quince, marzipan and fecund stone fruits careen along a mid-weighted palate, towed by typically saline acidity and a furl of smokiness. A warm year. And it shows. A blend of all plots that are not designated for the Foscarino. Volcanic soils only. Partly sourced fruit. All Garganega. Screw cap. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

Eric Guido writes:  The 2022 Soave Classico Vin Soave entices with a whiff of crushed stone and chalk dust, giving way to crisp green apples. This blends ripe orchard fruits with stimulating mineral tones and fresh acidity. Silky and refined yet saline in character, this finishes remarkably fresh, with a lively tension that calls the taster back to the glass.  - Vinous 

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

James Suckling 93 Points |   This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025. 

Critic Notes

Winemaker Description

Expert Ratings

Georgina Hindle of Decanter 90 Points writes | Blue fruits and cola cubes on the nose. Linear and direct, this is powerful but restrained, with a core of dark, juicy fruits and a mineral undertow giving freshness and a velvety-smooth texture to the tannins. Needs more time to expand and be fully expressive, but this is nice and one I want another glass of. Can be enjoyed today with some time in carafe or hold on for a few more years. Drinking 2022 - 2029.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of blackberries, sweet tobacco and some crushed stones follow through to a medium body with a pretty core of fruit and well-integrated tannins. Give it a year or two to soften. Drink after 2024.

Jeb Dunnuck writes | Black cherries, candied violets, spicy oak, and floral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château La Vaisinerie, a medium-bodied, soft, supple, nicely textured, and impeccably balanced Puisseguin. It's already drinking nicely and should have a solid 8-10 years of prime drinking.   - Jeb Dunncuk

Neal Martin writes | The 2019 La Vaisinerie has thankfully dispensed with the New World ambitions that I found on the nose before, now displaying more refinement and focus. The palate is medium-bodied and pure, with supple tannins, fine acidity and a sensual finish. I am happy to raise my score.  - Vinous

Expert Description

James Suckling writes:  Some nice, floral character to the plum and berry aromas and flavors. Some leaves. Medium-bodied with medium, polished tannins and a medium finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2018 Greysac has a well-defined bouquet of wild strawberry and raspberry fruit laced with cigar box and smoky aromas. The finely balanced palate offers sappy red fruit laced with black pepper and tobacco. I admire the cohesion here, and there is fine weight on the finish. Definitely a cut above a lot of Cru Bourgeois Médocs, though it deserves 2–3 years in bottle.  Drinking 2023 - 2030.   - Vinous 

James Lawther MW writes:  Big and bold with plenty of dark fruit and chocolatey oak. Sweet and generous on the palate, the oak again evident but integrated and the fruit present. Perhaps more winemaking than terroir.  Drinking 2023 -2028.  - Jancis Robinson 15.5

2017 Vintage Reveiws:

Julia Harding writes:  Deep cherry red. Rocky dark fruit, smells dry even before you taste it – there’s no hint of sweetness. Compact in both flavour and tannin texture. Fine dark fruit, lightly spiced but tastes like fruit spice not oak spice. Just a little peppery. Firm, chewy but fully ripe tannins. Respectable but not notable acidity.   - Jancis Robinson 16

Expert Reviews

Michaela Morris writes:  First overall in the sparkling category. Louis Roederer's outpost in California's cool Anderson Valley is a stylistic chip off the old block. The blend includes a considerable portion of reserve wine that's been oak-aged, making for a rich, weighty mouthful of creamy bubbles. Malolactic fermentation is suppressed in order to preserve acidity but a healthy dosage of 12g/l adds to its girth. What this sparkler lacks in zip, it makes up in texture and concentration. Lots of baked apple and toasted cashews here.  - Decanter 92

Eric Asimov writes:  Roederer Estate, the Mendocino County outpost of the excellent Champagne house Louis Roederer, has long been not only one of California’s biggest sparkling wine producers, but one of the best. This is, not surprisingly, made with Champagne grapes, pinot noir and chardonnay, but grown in Anderson Valley terroir. It doesn’t taste like Champagne. It’s more herbal, less mineral, but it’s got a good Champagne’s freshness and elegance. - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023

Expert Ratings 

James Suckling 92 Points | Notes of ripe cherries and dried cranberries with hints of toasted cloves and chocolate. Some ashes, too. Medium-bodied with juicy crunchiness and chalky tannin structure. Vivid acidity with fresh sour cherries at the end.  - James Suckling.

Wine Spectator Tim Fish writes | This shows focus and good energy, with lively plum and guava flavors accented by dusky spices and forest floor, finishing with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2028. 

2Winemaker Description

An intense wine with blackcurrant and raspberry notes complemented by notes of white pepper. Powerful and fruity on the palate with lovely roasted notes, and silky, delicate tannins. Winemaker Description.

Expert Reviews 

90 Points James Suckling | Plenty of crunchy red berries and cherries on the nose with dark cherries, dried thyme and peppercorns. Medium body with firm tannins. Juicy fruit at the center with structure and a vibrant core of peppercorns to the finish. (2022). 

89 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Black raspberries, juicy cherries, peppery garrigue, and violet notes all emerge from Chapoutier's 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Belleruche, a medium-bodied, fleshy, balanced, straight-up delicious. (2022). 

Eric Guido writes:  The 2022 Grillo Timpa lifts from the glass with a minty freshness, blending sweet green melon with candied lime suggestions. It's soft and enveloping, with brisk acidity ushering in citrus-tinged orchard fruits and saline minerals that add a crunchy sensation. The 2022 finishes perfumed and wickedly fresh. The mouth is left watering as barely-ripe kiwi hints fade.  - Vinous 90

Monica Larner writes:  The organic Feudo Montoni 2021 Sicilia Grillo Timpa has a pretty bouquet that is woven tight with summer peach, pear and honey. This Grillo offers a slightly waxy or oily texture with subtle mineral tones and fresh acidity.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90

Clive Pursehouse writes:  Timpa, meaning steep slope, and the vines are located on 60% slopes, with sandy soils mixed with stone grown organically near Agrigento in central Sicily. Aromas of almond skin, white flowers, and citrus peel lead to notes of savoury herb and stony minerality. The palate is classically Grillo—bright notes of grapefruit, wet slate, a dash of herbs and a zest acid-driven finish.  - Decanter 90

Alison Napjus writes:  A zesty white, with vibrant acidity buoying an exuberant range of tangerine, kiwi fruit, pink grapefruit granita and lime blossom notes. Sleek and well-knit, with spice and mineral accents on the finish. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator 90

One of our best selling Langhe and our buyer Bart knows why, delicious quality for less than $30

Expert Reviews

Monica Lerner writes:  Here's a pretty little surprise from Produttori del Barbaresco. The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is slender and streamlined in consistency, but it remains surprisingly focused throughout. It shows raisiny flavors of prune and dried fig. The effect is delineated and sharp. The wine is generous, and it offers a lot of bright energy as well, within the context of hot-vintage fruit.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91

Audrey Frick writes:  The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo was bottled last September and a pours a deep, clear ruby color. Bright and lifted, with a lot of spice character, it offers notes of ripe raspberries, cinnamon, fresh mint, and pressed flowers, while the palate has an approachable and ripe feel that remains fresh. Made from all Barbaresco fruit, it’s ripe and has a good, plush texture, bright acidity, and a hint of warmth. This is a serious Langhe Nebbiolo with a lot of character to drink over the next 5-6 years.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  Just bottled, the 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is plump, juicy and very easy to like. The warm, dry year yielded a forward, supple Nebbiolo with lovely forward fruit, soft curves and tons of forward appeal.  Drinking 2023 to 2029.  - Vinous 

Winemaker Description

This wine is rich and round, opening with aromas of Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, graham cracker, and buttered popcorn. The palate shows incredible depth with a full mouthfeel and layers of flavor. Ripe peach, pineapple, and caramel lead to hazelnut and baking spice notes on the finish.

This versatile Chardonnay pairs perfectly with seafood, poultry, white meats and dishes with cream sauces. Try preparations that include citrus, butter, cream, cheese, bacon, nutmeg, thyme, basil or toasted nuts.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling writes:  Mineral and sliced cooked apples with lemon zest and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied with some phenolics and tension and a fruity finish. Drink now. Screw cap.  - James Suckling 91

Audrey Frick writes:  The bright yellow 2022 Chardonnay Sonoma County is forward and ripe in the glass with aromas of ripe melon, tangerine, and sweet oak spices. Full-bodied, generous, and persistent on the palate, it has a rounded feel and a fresh lift on the finish. It’s a charming and ripe style to drink over the next year or two. Bottled under screwcap.  - Jeb Dunnuck 

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Generous and round, this shows notes of butterscotch, peach preserves and apple pastry on a ripe, creamy frame, with nutmeg and clove details on the finish. Drink now.   - Wine Spectator

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points | Very aromatic, with raspberry, orange peel and floral aromas. Nice transparency. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a crisp, crunchy finish.

Wine Spectator 92 Points |  A fresh, expressive red, this also exhibits tension, lending energy to its black currant, cherry, licorice and cedar flavors. Graphite and salty accents add detail on the long, tightly wound finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 15,000 cases imported. - 

Expert Rating

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This cru bourgeois estate has produced a generously rich wine. Dense tannins and balanced acidity come from a texture that offers dusty tannins and ripe blackberry fruits. Drink from 2021

Winemaker Description

Deep red berry aromas underscored by black pepper, crushed herbs, and licorice. Lean and elegant on the palate with lovely red currant flavors. Very fine tannins, but pleasingly chewy and some spice on the finish.

Winemaker Description

Rich flavors of dark plum and black cherry with a hint of spice and ripe tannins with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and dried cranberry. This vibrant, fruit forward wine is laced with flavors of toasted oak and hints of warm brown spice, and finishes with velvety tannins. Elegant and food friendly, this wine is sure to please.

Elegant and food friendly, this wine is sure to please. Enjoy it with grilled portobello mushroom burgers, grilled steak with blue cheese butter, braised short ribs, pizza with sausage and mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Expert Rating

Silver Medal - 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Expert Review

Lettie Teague writes:  Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut,  Produced in very large quantities (over 10 million bottles yearly), this non-vintage bottling is produced by a sizable group of Champagne growers, too. Founded by Nicolas Feuillatte in 1976, the company now sources grapes from a staggering 6,000 growers—one out of every three growers in Champagne, according to the company’s press materials. The wine is an equal-parts blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (40% each), with 20% Chardonnay blended in. It’s fresh and clean and easy to drink—a real crowd-pleaser—with a crisp acidity and pleasant citric note. According to a 2023 Nielsen report, in France it is the most popular Champagne brand of all.  - Wall St. Journal, Dec. 16-17, 2023