90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Turnbull Wine Cellars | Napa Valley, California | 2023

Forty years of estate farming distilled into a single bottle. Turnbull's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is grown, harvested, and crafted entirely on their own land — a commitment to the long view that shows in every sip. The 2023 vintage arrives with deep purple hues and a nose of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and violets. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied with layered texture, focused structure, and fine tannins that promise a decade or more of graceful aging.

This is estate Napa Cabernet at a remarkable value — a crowd-pleaser with the bones to cellar.

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Drink: 2025–2038

Tasting Notes

• Crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, violets
• Dark plums, blackberries, black currants, cedar, tobacco
• Succulent red cherry, cinnamon, new leather, mocha
• Medium to full body | Fine, layered tannins | Balanced acidity

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2023 

• 93 pts — Jeb Dunnuck: "Beautifully pure aromatics... layered, fresh, focused mouthfeel... enough tannins to keep it drinking nicely for 10–15 years." Drink 2025–2038.
• 92 pts — James Suckling: "Full-bodied with fine tannins and balanced acidity... textural and fresh. Drink or hold."
• 91 pts — Vinous: "Positively stellar... a stellar value and a crowd-pleaser."

Turnbull. Stay true.

Exceptional Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

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

Expert Reviews & Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2022

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

Artisanal Winemaking Process

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

Tasting Profile & Sensory Experience

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

Perfect Food Pairings

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

Santa Lucia Highlands Terroir

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

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

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

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

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

Winemaker Notes

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

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

Tasting & Pairings

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

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

Rombauer Vineyards · Sauvignon Blanc · Napa & Sonoma Counties · California · 2025

Rombauer Vineyards has long been synonymous with California’s most hedonistic whites — and their Sauvignon Blanc, affectionately known as “California Sunshine in a Glass,” is no exception. Sourced from two estate vineyards in Sonoma prized for freshness and vibrancy, blended with select warmer sites in Napa County, the wine is farmed sustainably with NDVI aerial imaging to optimize each block individually. Whole-cluster pressed, fermented primarily in stainless steel with a portion in French oak and concrete for texture, and bottled under screwcap to lock in every bit of its aromatic intensity. 91 points from James Suckling.

The 2025 was shaped by a long, cool growing season — heavy winter rains replenishing the water table, followed by slow, even ripening through a cool spring and summer — yielding a wine of exceptional freshness and aromatic precision. Pale lemon-green in the glass, it bursts with key lime, freshly cut grass, grapefruit, stone fruit, and lychee. The palate is mid-weighted with brilliant acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a linear, bright, mouthwatering finish that keeps you reaching for the next sip.

“Generous, fresh and vibrant, with white pepper, stone fruit, lychee and sliced lemon. The palate is mid-weighted with balanced acidity and textured mouthfeel with a linear, bright finish and freshness.”
— James Suckling · 91 Points (Vintage 2025). 

• Producer: Rombauer Vineyards, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Napa & Sonoma Counties, California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable; NDVI precision viticulture; night harvest
• Vinification: Whole-cluster press; stainless steel + French oak + concrete tank fermentation
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Key lime, freshly cut grass, grapefruit, stone fruit, lychee, white pepper, bright acidity, textured finish
• Pairings: Persian herbed omelet, green curry, fried fish tacos, grilled seafood, goat cheese, light salads

JS:91 · Napa & Sonoma — California’s most aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Sustainably farmed, screwcap fresh, and built for sunshine.

Castello di Verduno Barolo Massara — Verduno, Piedmont 2020

Castello di Verduno is one of Piedmont's most historic estates, occupying a castle constructed in the early 1500s in Verduno — the northernmost commune of Barolo — and owned by the Burlotto family since 1909. The Massara vineyard sits on chalky clay soils known as Marne di Sant'Agata (30% sand, 55% clay, 15% limestone), farmed organically and hand-harvested in the first or second week of October. The 2020 vintage was vinified in open-top wooden vats with a remarkable 61-day maceration using the traditional submerged cap method, then aged 31 months in large Austrian and Slavonian botti grandi, followed by one month in stainless steel and 18 months in bottle before release. Just 5,940 bottles and 30 magnums were produced. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The nose is inviting and open: ripe cherries, raspberry seed, fresh flowers, fresh herbs, and a delightful note of cola that melds seamlessly with mixed red fruits both fresh and preserved. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and elegant with lovely zesty lift, opulent texture, fine tannins, and a kiss of sweet berried fruit through the finish. Juicy, fresh, and structured — highly appealing now with a wide window for enjoyment through 2040.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Elegant and inviting, with fine tannins and a kiss of sweet berried fruit through the finish." | Wine Enthusiast 91 — "Lushness kept in check by fine tannins, ensuring each sip remains structured and elegant. Drink Now–2040."

• Producer: Castello di Verduno, Verduno, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG
• Vineyard: Massara — Marne di Sant'Agata soils (30% sand, 55% clay, 15% limestone)
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Viticulture: Practicing organic, hand-harvested
• Vinification: 61-day maceration, open-top wooden vats, submerged cap
• Aging: 31 months in Austrian & Slavonian botti grandi, 1 month stainless steel, 18 months bottle
• Production: 5,940 bottles + 30 magnums
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe cherry, raspberry, cola, fresh flowers, herbs, fine tannins, zesty finish
• Drink: Now through 2040
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano, wild boar ragù

A classically structured Verduno Barolo from one of Piedmont's most storied estates — Massara 2020 is patience rewarded and elegance defined.

95 Jeb Dunnuck: From one site, the 2015 Finca Iscorta De Pecina Gran Reserva has more density, more alcohol, more color, and more black fruit on the palate and should age outstandingly. Finca Iscorta is the winery’s oldest vineyard, which it treats as a grand cru, only making the wine in worthy years. The next won’t be until 2019. Strong and powerful in tannin and full-bodied weight, it could go another 20-30 years, so intensely concentrated, spiced, and textured, from both a powerful year and a powerful site. It spent four years in used American oak.

94  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: A more modern Gran Reserva from a single vineyard, the 2015 Finca Iscorta de Peciña Gran Reserva was produced with the grapes from a 50-year-old vineyard, fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel with a moderate extraction and short-ish maceration. It matured in used American oak barrels for four years and was racked every six months. It's a little darker, the color and the fruit profile, and it's intensely balsamic, with notes of camphor and abundant spicy notes. It's solid and seamless and fills your mouth; it's powerful with 15% alcohol and 6.2 grams of acidity, ripe but balanced.

Winemaker Notes

Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay Anderson Valley 2024 375ml Half Bottle

Experience the elegance of Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay, a remarkable wine that embodies the spirit and charm of California's Anderson Valley. The 2024 vintage showcases the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into every bottle, delivering a distinctive, character-driven Pinot Noir with exceptional quality. This half bottle offers the perfect amount for intimate gatherings or a personal treat, making it an ideal choice for both new wine enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs alike.

Critical Acclaim - 92 Points Vinous

Vinous - 92 Points (2023 Vintage)
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Blue Jay hails from the Anderson Valley. It delivers a dusty, floral, blue-fruited profile with enticing richness and a deep well of minerality. Black-tea-like tannins grab hold of the tongue on the lengthy finish as the Blue Jay leaves behind a mouthwatering touch of citrusy bite. I like the character and distinctiveness here."

Walt Wines - California Pinot Noir Excellence

Walt Wines is dedicated to crafting exceptional Pinot Noir from California's premier wine regions. With a focus on terroir-driven winemaking and meticulous attention to detail, Walt produces distinctive wines that showcase the unique characteristics of each vineyard site. The Blue Jay bottling represents their commitment to quality and character.

Anderson Valley Terroir

The Anderson Valley is renowned for producing some of California's finest Pinot Noir. Located in Mendocino County, this cool-climate region benefits from coastal fog and marine influence, creating ideal conditions for Pinot Noir to develop complex flavors, bright acidity, and elegant structure. The valley's unique terroir imparts distinctive minerality and character to the wines.

Distinctive Flavor Profile

Aroma: Dusty, floral, blue-fruited profile. Dark cherry, raspberry, and subtle hints of oak
Palate: Enticing richness with a deep well of minerality. Notes of dark cherry, raspberry, and subtle oak. Luscious and complex taste experience. Balance between fruitiness and earthiness. Bright acidity and soft tannins
Finish: Black-tea-like tannins grab hold of the tongue on the lengthy finish. Mouthwatering touch of citrusy bite. Smooth finish that lingers with elegance

Character & Distinctiveness

As Vinous notes, "I like the character and distinctiveness here." The Blue Jay bottling delivers a dusty, floral, blue-fruited profile that sets it apart from typical Pinot Noir. The deep well of minerality and black-tea-like tannins create a wine with personality and presence, making it memorable and distinctive.

2024 Vintage Quality

The 2024 vintage showcases the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Walt Pinot Noir. This vintage continues the tradition of quality and character that has earned Walt critical acclaim, delivering a wine that is both elegant and distinctive.

Ideal Food Pairing Suggestions

Walt Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, enhancing your dining experience. Its bright acidity and soft tannins make it an excellent complement to:

• Grilled salmon and seafood
• Mushroom risotto and earthy dishes
• Roasted duck and poultry
• Soft cheeses like Brie or goat cheese
• Pork tenderloin
• Charcuterie boards
• Roasted vegetables

Versatile Wine for Any Occasion

The balance between fruitiness and earthiness makes this Pinot Noir a versatile choice for any occasion, whether you're enjoying a quiet evening or entertaining guests. The wine's fruit-forward profile harmonizes with savory flavors, allowing each bite and sip to elevate the meal.

Perfect Half Bottle Format

The 375ml half bottle is perfectly sized for:

• Personal enjoyment and sampling
• Intimate gatherings and romantic dinners
• Trying new wines without full bottle commitment
• Pairing with smaller meals
• Picnics and outdoor dining
• Gift giving for wine lovers
• Building a diverse wine collection

Artistry in Every Detail

The packaging of the Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay 2024 half bottle reflects the artistry and care that goes into its making. The attractive design not only captures attention but also ensures freshness, preserving the exquisite flavors every time you pour a glass.

Deep Well of Minerality

One of the defining characteristics of the Blue Jay bottling is its deep well of minerality, a hallmark of Anderson Valley terroir. This mineral character adds complexity and depth, creating layers of flavor that evolve in the glass and on the palate.

Mouthwatering Finish

The mouthwatering touch of citrusy bite on the finish keeps the palate engaged and refreshed. Combined with the black-tea-like tannins and lengthy finish, this wine delivers a complete and satisfying tasting experience from start to finish.

A Staple for Wine Lovers

This versatility and distinctive character make Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay a staple for any wine lover's collection. Whether you're celebrating a special moment or indulging in a cozy night at home, this wine promises to deliver a memorable experience with its elegant balance, rich minerality, and distinctive Anderson Valley character.

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

Expert Review — Vintage 2021

Vinous 92 Points | A blend of Chardonnay, Welschriesling and Sauvignon Blanc from the younger vines of the estate (~15 years old). Gentle nuttiness and a touch of tatami mat on the nose, very subtle and calm. With air, a hint of butter emerges. The palate is all clarity, all lightness and all brightness on a super-slender frame that is soothing and smooth. Bone-dry.

About the Wine

Velich Tó White takes its name from the Hungarian word for "lake" — a nod to the estate’s proximity to Neusiedlersee in Burgenland, Austria. The Tó cuvée is sourced from the estate’s younger vines (15–25 years old) and blends Chardonnay, Welschriesling, and Sauvignon Blanc into a wine of remarkable purity and restraint.

Velich is one of Burgenland’s most respected producers, known for precision winemaking and a deep connection to terroir.

Tasting & Pairings

Gentle nuttiness, tatami mat, butter, orchard fruit, and citrus. Super-slender, bone-dry, and soothing with bright clarity and a smooth finish. Serve well chilled.

• Seafood — oysters, ceviche, or grilled branzino — the wine’s slender frame and acidity are ideal.
• Roasted chicken with herbs — the subtle nuttiness and butter notes complement poultry beautifully.
• Soft-ripened cheese or fresh burrata — the bone-dry finish cleanses the palate between bites.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Tim Atkin MW 92 Points | Kara-Tara is Stark-Condé winemaker Rudger van Wyk’s own project, entirely focused on Burgundian grapes. This stylish Chardonnay marries grapes from Elgin, the Overberg and Paarl. Poised between citrus and stone fruit flavours, with subtle toast and wet stone undertones. 2022-27′.

Producer Description 

Kara-Tara is a joint-venture between Rüdger van Wyk (2018 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year) and José Conde of Stark-Condé Wines. Translated from the Khoisan, the language from the first people in Southern Africa, it means “deep dark shadows” and refers to the Karatara river that runs through Rüdger’s home town, near Knysna which is located in South Africa, on the Cape South Coast, facing the Indian Ocean.

This wine has the classic notes of lemon and grapefruit you’d expect from Chardonnay, with hints of almond and a fine mineral finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Decanter 96 Points | Super-fresh with balsamic herb, blueberry and floral aromatics, Guidalberto 2023 has blossomed into a grand vin all of its own. Invigorating cool forest berry flavours mingle with touches of spice and fine, silky tannins. So poised. Wow!"
Decanter Magazine 

James Suckling 96 Points | This vintage shows a remarkable aromatic profile of Mediterranean herbs, cassis, black cherries, leather and earth with a kind of gamey depth. Full-bodied, it shows velvety, slightly sandy tannins with a firm structure, refreshing integrated acidity and a savory cedar finish.

The Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | On the nose, the density of blackberries and damp earth is balanced by the clean snap of pencil eraser and wild mint. The palate brings tangy, tart blackberries, black plums and citrus, alongside more wild mint and fennel, while smooth tannins sit back and watch a hot, acidic river carry the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points | The 2023 Guidalberto was tasted as a preview and was a preliminary blend of barrel samples prepared for this tasting by the winery team, led by Carlo Paoli. The second sample that was blended was pure and ripe, with detailed layers of youthful cherry liqueur, fresh herbs, and lavender perfume. The palate offers medium to full-bodied richness, with a supple and primary feel, though it starts to reveal its underlying refined structure. While this was an early preliminary look at what the wine could look like, I’m looking forward to next year’s tasting to see how it develops. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Pure and juicy, revealing black cherry, blackberry, floral and Mediterranean herb notes, plus touches of spices. Light-bodied, elegant and deftly balanced, with a lingering, mouthwatering finish. This is approachable now but will benefit from another 612 months aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. 5,400 cases imported.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Guidalberto is another terrific wine from Tenuta San Guido in this vintage. Aromatic, medium in body and gracious, the 2023 is pure charm. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, spice and blood orange all pulse through a vibrant, refreshing Guidalberto that will drink well on release. The more refined side of Bolgheri is very much on display. This is a fine effort in a year marked by heavy rains and elevated disease pressure. What a delight.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto is a highly acclaimed release from the legendary estate behind Sassicaia. Often called "Sassicaia’s little brother," Guidalberto is a distinct, standalone wine designed to be more approachable in its youth while still possessing the elegance of Bolgheri's coastal terroir.

In 2023, the blend shifted slightly due to a hot start to August that made the Merlot more challenging to manage. As a result, the Cabernet Sauvignon plays a more dominant role than in recent previous years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling 90 Points | A flattering version, with star fruit, white peach and verbena notes backed by a rounded, shortbread-accented finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Memo Summary Notes

Château Haut Selve Graves Blanc 2024 is the newest release of this high-performing white Bordeaux. The 2024 vintage in Graves is characterized by vibrant acidity and intense aromatic profiles, as the cooler-than-average spring followed by a warm summer allowed for excellent "aromatic snap" in Sauvignon Blanc.

Varietals - Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 94 Points | This exhibits violets and tar, as well as underbrush and a distant bitter-chocolate note. The palate is angular and incisive, well-constructed with a harmonious interplay between the focused acidity, fine grained tannins and delineated, fleshy fruit. Precise. Best ever from here. Better in 2028.

The Wine Spectator by Bruce Sanderson 94 Points | A sleek, elegant red, silky in texture and linear in profile. Rose, macerated cherry, strawberry, mineral and spice flavors abound, while a line of energetic tannins shows up on the long finish. This wine's purity and structure show the potential of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck by Audrey Frick 93 Points |  One of the overachievers of the vintage for a regional Barolo and a strong contender for top of the year lists, the 2021 Barolo Ludo pours a reflective brick red color and is attractive on the nose with notes of cinnamon sticks, fresh cherries, mossy earth, and anise. The palate offers a good balance of richness in the structure of its medium-bodied frame, with ripe tannins, lovely clarity of fruit, and refreshing ripe acidity. A gorgeous entry-level Barolo, it’s stunning now and has the potential to age with ease over the next 12-15 years.

Memo Summary Notes

The Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo "Ludo" 2021 is a significant release, as 2021 is being hailed as an exceptional, "best-ever" vintage for this specific bottling. Unlike Einaudi’s single-vineyard crus (like Cannubi or Bussia), Ludo is a blend of Nebbiolo from younger vines across those famous sites, designed to be more approachable in its youth.

Why "Ludo"? The name comes from the Latin ludus, meaning "playful."

Pair with Wild mushroom risotto or tajarin pasta with truffles.

Meats: Braised beef short ribs or herb-crusted lamb chops.

Cheese: Aged Grana Padano or Castelmagno.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast by Jesica Vargas writes 90 Points |  Delicate sweet notes of nectarine introduce this lively wine. The palate offers white fruit flavors, balanced by moderate acidity, leading to a crisp finish.  

Winemaker Description 

An attractive greenish-yellow colour. Its ageing in foudres has lent it citrus and green chilli pepper aromas, as well as saline notes. In the mouth, it is very structured and tense thanks to its high acidity and minerality. The finish is clean and persistent, with a subtle saline note coming through. This highly complex Sauvignon Blanc tempts you to enjoy it with food.

Block 22 is located on the first terrace of the river Huasco. It has very old, stony soils from the river which have very special qualities: a little clay and a lot of calcareous soil – lime, calcium carbonate – white soils. Characterized by low yields of grapes with very concentrated fresh fruit. In the Atacama Desert in the Huasco valley, the temperatures were fresh, especially at night. Temperatures are kept low because of the constant cool morning breezes blowing in from the Pacific Ocean, as well as the classic “Camanchaca”, a dense fog which comes in from the ocean, helping to regulate the temperatures and ensure an optimum level of humidity in the atmosphere.

Memo Summary Notes

The Ventisquero Grey Glacier Sauvignon Blanc 2023 from the Longomilla Vineyard is a highly distinctive wine that pushes the boundaries of Chilean viticulture. Grown in the Atacama Desert—the driest place on Earth—this wine is defined by "extreme" conditions, resulting in a profile that is far more saline and mineral than your typical New Zealand or Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc.

Pair with

The Perfect Match: Fresh oysters, sea urchins, or ceviche. The salinity in the wine acts like a squeeze of lime on fresh seafood.

The Perfect Match: Fresh oysters, sea urchins, or ceviche. The salinity in the wine acts like a squeeze of lime on fresh seafood.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Aromatically complex yet still anchored, the balance between lemon blossom lift and citrus acidity is beautifully woven. Flavors of white grapefruit, papaya, fennel bulb, and tarragon mingle seamlessly, and resolve in a savory, mineral finish."  -Brian Freedman  93 points, Tasting Panel 

“Sliced pears, lemon pith, jasmine and mineral nuances on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is textured yet crunchy, with lively acidity coming through. Flavorful and sleek."  -Jim Gordon   91 points, JamesSuckling.com

“Peach, apricot and lemon curd flavors are generous, plump and juicy in this white, with plenty of oomph to the details of tangerine, orange zest and lemon thyme that linger on a mouthwatering frame. -MaryAnn Worobiec  90 points, Wine Spectator

Winemaker Description 

Gramona Imperial — Corpinnat, Catalonia 2018

Gramona is the crown jewel of Corpinnat — the prestigious breakaway appellation of the Penèdes committed to the highest standards of traditional-method sparkling wine production in Spain. Founded in 1881 and farming biodynamically for decades, Gramona produces wines of extraordinary depth, precision, and longevity that stand comfortably alongside the finest Champagnes in the world. The Imperial is Gramona's flagship expression: a vintage-dated Brut aged on the lees for a minimum of five years, crafted from a blend of the great indigenous Catalan varieties led by Xarel·lo. The 2018 vintage is particularly notable — a cooler, wetter year that produced a wine of exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure, with the kind of calibrated acidity that will reward further cellaring.

The bouquet is elegant and complex after 60 months on the lees: lime and lemon pie lead, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs, brioche, and a subtle autolytic creaminess. On the palate, it is dry and creamy with an ethereal, flowing texture enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, with a long, mineral-driven finish — this is sparkling wine of genuine distinction.

🏆 Vinous 91 Points — "The bouquet features aromas of lime and lemon pie, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs. Dry and creamy on the palate, the ethereal flow is enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, this sparkling wine is a delight."

• Producer: Gramona, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penèdes, Catalonia, Spain
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Corpinnat
• Method: Mètode Tradicional (Traditional Method)
• Blend: 56% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, 10% Parellada, 4% Chardonnay
• Aging: 60 months on the lees
• Style: Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Vintage Note: Cooler, wetter year — exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure
• Tasting Notes: Lime, lemon pie, fine herbs, brioche, creamy texture, calibrated acidity, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled monkfish, scallops, lobster, roast poultry, Ibérico ham, mature Manchego, Comté

Five years on the lees, one of Spain's greatest sparkling wine houses — Gramona Imperial 2018 is a Corpinnat benchmark of rare elegance and freshness.

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf | Ruppertsberg Riesling Trocken 2023 | Pfalz, Germany

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is one of Germany's most storied biodynamic estates, farming the Pfalz with meticulous precision. Their Ruppertsberg Ortswein (village-level wine) is an open secret among Riesling lovers: sourced primarily from the estate's exclusively owned Gaisböhl Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) vineyard, it delivers Grand Cru-quality fruit at a village-level price. Certified biodynamic, vegan, and sealed with a screwcap for pristine freshness.

The 2023 vintage in the Pfalz produced wines of remarkable juiciness and precision. This bottling opens with a coolish, pure bouquet of star fruit, ripe citrus, and smoky mineral notes. The palate is mouth-filling yet elegant — creamy on entry, then salty minerality and electric acidity drive the finish long. Bone-dry, clean, and built to reward a few years of cellaring.

Tasting Notes - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling — 94 Points: What a stunning village wine. The mouth-filling juiciness (think star fruit and the ripest citrus) is backed up with ample power. Creamy front palate, then the salty minerality and animating acidity kick in and push the finish way out there. A cuvée based on the Gaisböhl GG site of Ruppertsberg. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate — 92 Points: Opens with a remarkably coolish, pure and refined bouquet with bright, elegant fruit and smoky aromas. Lean and elegant on the palate yet with ripe and juicy fruit — a very fine, elegant-finishing Riesling whose savory grip and tension will be better integrated after a few years of bottle age.

Vinous — 90 Points: A lovely flicker of reduction on the nose leads to an immensely juicy, rounded palate. Lemon-fresh Reine Claude plums with a lovely undertow of yeast. Absolutely bone-dry and clean on the bright finish.

Technical Details

Variety: Riesling  |  Vineyard: Gaisböhl (Grosse Lage), Ruppertsberg  |  Region: Pfalz, Germany  |  Farming: Biodynamic  |  Closure: Screwcap  |  Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Stunning and sleek, with intensity and precision to the citrus, pear and white peach flavors. Offers notes of orange blossom and jasmine, with notes of fresh-cut Fuji apple and buttery shortbread on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2034. 300 cases imported.

James Suckling 93 Points | A sleek, mid-weighted & very contemporary chardonnay, embellishing a pungent mineral chassis with roasted cashew, nougat and curdy creaminess. Vanilla-cedar oak, an integrated framework. Apricot pith, white peach and nectarine, too. The acidity, palpably natural of feel and really juicy, towing impressive length. One of the better recent iterations of this rightly popular cuvee. 

The Australian Wine Companion 93 Points | A sleek, mid-weighted & highly contemporary chardonnay, embellishing a pungent mineral chassis with roasted cashew, nougat and curdy creaminess. Vanilla-cedar oak, an integrated framework. Apricot pith, white peach and nectarine, too. The acidity, palpably natural of feel and really juicy, towing impressive length. Among the better recent iterations of this rightly popular cuvée.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 M3 Chardonnay is nutty and spiced on the nose, with green apple, crushed cashews, citrus rind and brine. The wine is, true to form, polished, sleek and flavorsome. This is a bit of a cherished wine in Australia; it is reliable and classy, and this vintage is no exception. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Memo Pairing Suggestions 

Food Pairings: Pairs beautifully with roasted chicken with thyme, grilled scallops in lemon butter, or creamy pasta primavera.

Expert Reviews - 2021 Base

Vinous by Antonio Galloni 92 Points | The 2021 Brut Nature Blanc de Sable is soft, understated and creamy. This is an especially finessed style of Chardonnay with no hard edges. Intensely floral aromatics meld into a core of citrus fruit. All the elements are so nicely balanced. There's so much to like. All that is missing is a bit of depth in the mid-palate. No dosage. Disgorged: April 2024.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | I loved the nose of the 2014 Viña Bosconia Reserva, a red that sells at an incredible price for the quality, the problem is (like all their wines) finding it... They had to accelerate the harvest to avoid botrytis caused by the abundant rain during the harvest. This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the remaining 5% Graciano and Mazuelo, fermented in old oak vats with their yeasts and matured in neutral American oak barrels for no less than five years. It's elegant and nuanced, developed but young for its age, with a seamless palate and very fine tannins, with energy and light. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity, notable parameters of freshness. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2014 Viña Bosconia is 80% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from the El Bosque vineyard in Haro, Rioja. Garnet in hue, it opens with cassis, cola and oak-driven aromas. The palate is youthful and smooth, with well-integrated tannins, black fruit and anisette at the finish. Still growing, it’ll develop greater complexity with more time in bottle.

• Practicing organic
• 90% Pinot Noir (15% vin rouge), 10% Chardonnay
• 50% 2022, 50% 2021-2020
• From Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru and Villers-Allerands 1er Cru
• Clay and limestone
• 35+ year old vines
• No malo
• Fermented and aged in large foudre
• Aged 30+ months on the lees
• Dosage: 8g/L

• The Wine Advocate by William Kelley writes 92 Points |

  Generous and expressive, the latest rendition of Vilmart's NV Brut Premier Cru Cuvée Rubis is showing very well, bursting with aromas of red berries, plums, blood orange and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a sapid core of fruit, a pillowy mousse and a lively, delicately phenolic finish, it's already drinking well. This is based on the 2017 vintage, with reserve wines from the 2016 and 2015 vintages, and it was disgorged with nine grams per liter dosage.

• The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fine and harmonious, this is lightly chalky and refined in texture, showing pinpoint integration of its well-spiced range of pureed raspberry, blood orange granita, lime peel, biscuit and mineral notes and its spine of chiseled acidity. Concentrated yet ethereal. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Drink now through 2030.
• Allen Meadows Burghound 91 Points | Medium ruby color. The moderately fruity nose is composed of raspberry, cherry, strawberry and lovely yeast, apple and citrus peel whiffs. The delicious and super-yeasty flavors possess fine depth on the clean and relatively dry finish, indeed this is notably drier than what is typical for the genre. Lovely and this is a wine that could be enjoyed now or held for a few years first.
• Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The NV Cuvée Rubis is vibrant pink, with aromas of wildflowers, wild raspberry, and juicy fruit. The palate is juicy and round, with blood orange, and perfect for relatively near-term drinking over the next 6-8 years.

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 Review - Vintage 2024

Vinous 93 Points | The first of the two white wines, the 2024 Versante Nord is a blend of varieties sourced from six different vineyards at varying altitudes from the north side of the valley, which receives more sunlight during the day. This wine offers a wealth of power, with notes of salted pineapples, fresh sage, smoky earth, and saline. It’s bright with acidity, salinity, and a light wild side, though very well-managed. It had been bottled just three weeks earlier, so this tasting was a preview prior to its release. Drink over the coming 8-10 years.

Winemaker Description 

This wine offers a strikingly pure expression of Mt. Etna’s eastern slopes. Grown on volcanic soils at high elevation, this white blend is taut, mineral, and refreshingly saline, with notes of citrus zest, herbs, and crushed rock. A brilliant new bottling from one of Etna’s most exciting voices—available now on pre-sale in limited quantities.

Eric Guido also last year assigned 91 Points to this plot- and said as follows of the 2023 vintage - Crushed rocks, dried flowers, raw almonds and freshly sliced nectarines form a savory bouquet as the 2023 Carricante Versante Est opens in the glass. Nearly salty in character, it washes across the palate with ease, showing tart orchard fruits and hints of lemony custard. The 2023 finishes with medium length, leaving a pleasant chamomile air to linger.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | A deliciously dark-fruited tempranillo that has aromas and flavors of grilled herbs, charcoal and black plums. Hints of soy, too. It’s full-bodied with ripe, mellow tannins.

Winemaker Description

Intense purple color. Aromas of tobacco, licorice and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with hints of toast and mature fruit. Long balanced finish.

Lallier Brut Réflexion R.021 — Aüy-en-Champagne, France

The Brut Réflexion R.021 is the signature non-vintage cuvée of Lallier — a grower-focused Champagne house based in Aüy-en-Champagne, one of the appellation's most prized Grand Cru villages. Blended from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, the R.021 is built on the house's philosophy of precision and transparency: each release is numbered to reflect the blend year, and each bottle is crafted to express the purity of the terroir rather than the weight of oak or dosage. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. Restrained, citrusy, and beautifully precise.

The nose opens with vibrant lime and mandarin, lifted by elegant floral touches and mature hints of brioche and fresh hazelnut. On the palate, the mousse is frothy and light-bodied with remarkable purity and freshness — a delicate salty sensation balanced by the structure of Pinot Noir and the soft roundness of Meunier. The finish is long, deep, and aromatic, with a youthful crispness that rewards both immediate drinking and short-term cellaring.

“Restrained and citrusy with lemon peel and stone fruit. Slightly toasty with a leafy touch. Quite frothy bubbles with light body, a substantial palate and a crisp finish, precise and youthful.” — James Suckling, 92 Points (2021)

• Producer: Lallier, Aüy-en-Champagne, France
• Release: R.021 (Non-Vintage)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC — Grand Cru
• Blend: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier
• Style: Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime, mandarin, brioche, hazelnut, floral, salty minerality, crisp finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or as a refined aperitif

A 92-point Grand Cru Champagne built on precision and terroir — Lallier's Brut Réflexion is the benchmark for what grower-focused, non-vintage Champagne can be.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | This is the flagship Chardonnay produced by Domaine Anderson. It is a glimpse into the winemaking style of the house, highlighting the cool climate, sunshine and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The nose conveys pithy apple, youthful nectarine and butterscotch candy. The palate intensifies these notes, along with high acidity, minerals, cinnamon and a mouthwatering finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Made from estate-grown, certified organic vineyards, including three single-vineyard designates (Navarro-Fairhills, Walraven, and Dach), the 2021 Chardonnay Estate is a light-bodied white that is tangy in acidity and fresh citrus notes, expertly showcasing both the cool-climate region and coolness of the vintage, one of the earliest harvests on record in the Anderson Valley. Meyer lemon and a twist of lime highlight the aromatic profile, with more lemon developing on the palate as a nice complement to the green and Golden Delicious apple flavors.

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | With sleek notes of lemon, pear and yuzu alongside racy acidity, this pops out of the glass, finding wonderful harmony with the grace notes of white pepper and vanilla custard, plus a hint of salted butter shortbread on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

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

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Under screw cap, the De Wetshof Estate 2024 Robertson Limestone Hill Chardonnay offers a simple delivery of citrus, pomelo and wild sage. The wine focuses on brightness and is extremely drinkable, but perhaps it's a little less complex compared to all the other very different Chardonnays in this portfolio. You get a pretty note of latex or natural rubber, which I really like. This wine is unoaked, and that's what sets it apart.

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

James Suckling 93 Points | Attractive notes of slice pears and peaches with hints of fresh herbs and lemon peel. Medium-bodied, tangy and zesty on the palate with vibrant acidity coming through.

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

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

James Suckling 90 Points | The nose expresses notes of red berries, roasted meat and raw chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Rather light center palate with a dense berry- and chocolate-packed finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Luis Guitierez of The Wine Advocate writes 93+ Points | They haven't produced this wine since 2019, and there are substantial changes. There's no Treixadura in the 2022 Viño Branco Dos Canotos; they didn't do any skin contact; and it didn't go through malolactic, because it has a low pH (3.0) and high acidity. It matured in chestnut cask with full less until bottling in May 2023, quite early. The wine is dominated by the Albariño (around 40%, the rest, Lado, Caíño Branco and Loureira) in the aromatics, floral and herbal. It has around 11.7% alcohol, a very tasty and vibrant palate with pungent flavors, and very good persistence and length. There are only 910 bottles.

Winemaker Description 

Lovely lemon and peach aromas with hints of honeysuckle and white pepper, super fresh, light-bodied, airy, silky on the palate.

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.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 97 Points | Outstanding balance and complexity from the beginning that showcases concentrated black fruits and purple flowers with plenty of spices and subtle yet harmonious toast and cedar aromas. Intense graphite and stony minerality, too. Full- to medium-bodied on the mid-palate with delightful acidity that gives this wonderful crunchiness. Fine-grained juicy tannins. Precisely focused wine that is colorful and sound. Beautiful length, too. Already so drinkable now but will age gracefully, especially for Atlas Peak.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 92 Points | Delicate peachy fruit and racy acidity are beautifully balanced on the sleek, medium-bodied palate. Excellent mountain freshness and wet-stone minerality at the super-clean and straight finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.