90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

In the 1940s, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc cuttings on a gravelly hillside at his Tenuta San Guido estate in coastal Tuscany — an act of visionary defiance that would change Italian wine forever. The first vintage offered on the open market was 1968. By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 1.5L Magnum is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the 2023. Uncannily open and generous in its youth. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds."
• James Suckling — 99 Points: "Very cool, complex and pretty aromas of black currants, fresh herbs, lavender and violet. Crunchy and layered fruit with polished, velvety tannins. A very clear and distinctive Sassicaia with true character of the estate."
• Decanter — 98 Points: "Takes the idea of finesse and elegance to another level. Supple, lifted and fragrant, with pure, crunchy bramble fruits, succulent mid-palate and prolonged freshness. A true-to-life model for the future of Italian reds."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 98+ Points: "Full-bodied yet remarkably lifted, moving across the palate with precision and energy. Saline, coastal freshness adds tension and length. Already compelling, with the framework to evolve gracefully over the coming decades."
• Vinous — 97 Points: "Elegant and supremely polished. Blackberry, gravel, incense and new leather. One of the wines of the vintage. I can't wait to see how the 2023 ages."

Wine Details

• 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc
• Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy
• Aged 24 months in 40% new French oak
• Vintage: 2023 | 1.5L Magnum
• Cellar for decades — Magnum format ideal for long-term aging

One of Italy's most iconic wines and a cornerstone of the Super Tuscan movement, Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2022 is a masterpiece of Cabernet Sauvignon-led blending from the Bolgheri coast of Tuscany. Crafted by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia under the direction of proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the 2022 vintage has earned near-universal 96–97 point acclaim, celebrated for its Mediterranean elegance, concentrated fruit, and beautifully integrated structure. A wine of genuine collector status.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori on the Bolgheri coast of Tuscany, Ornellaia is one of Italy's most celebrated estates — a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement and a benchmark for Bordeaux-style blending in Italy. Drawing from multiple parcels including Bellaria, Pero, Fosso, Vigna Vecchia, and Stallina, the estate produces some 80 individual wines before final blending, ensuring extraordinary complexity and precision. The 2022 Ornellaia is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot — with Petit Verdot playing an elevated role, adding structure, length, and dark-leaning complexity to this exceptional vintage.

Critical Acclaim — 2022 Vintage

97 Points — Wine Advocate: "The 2022 vintage will be remembered for its full-bodied appeal, concentrated fruit and generous oak renderings. The wine's abundant fruit weight cedes to elegantly integrated tannins. This vintage will appeal to die-hard Ornellaia enthusiasts."

97 Points — James Suckling: "Stunning elegance on the nose, with vibrant dried eucalyptus leaves, flowers, restrained brambleberries and hints of black cherries, milk chocolate, cloves and graphite. Savory and well packed, with integrated, brilliant freshness and a ripe, fruity finish. Try from 2026."

96 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "A fantastic nose of blackberries, polished cedar, lavender, sweet herbs, and dark cocoa. Full-bodied with a rich structure, warming concentration but a very balanced feel. The tannins are ripe and frame the underlying mineral notes very nicely."

96 Points — Vinous: "A terrific wine for the year. Dark red-toned fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice and spice all take shape in a mid-weight, pliant Ornellaia that is quite alluring. The 2022 Ornellaia is clearly among the most successful wines of the vintage."

95 Points — Decanter: "Bold, dark fruited and spicy, swirling with peppery and herbal nuances and some lovely fresh acidity which carries through to a bright finish. A more compact and dense style compared to the previous year."

Tasting Profile

Deep, bright purple-red. The nose is complex and inviting — blackberry, dark cherry, dried eucalyptus, lavender, cedar, dark cocoa, and sweet spice. On the palate it's full-bodied with rich, concentrated fruit, warming depth, and ripe tannins of exceptional quality. Savory minerality and brilliant freshness carry through to a long, elegant finish with notes of blond tobacco and graphite. Mediterranean in spirit, Bordeaux in structure.

Details

2022 | 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot | Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | DOC Bolgheri Superiore | 750ml | 18 months in oak (up to 70% new)

Cellaring & Serving

Best from 2026 through 2040+. Decant 1–2 hours. Serve at 61–64°F with Florentine steak, lamb, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, or truffle-based dishes. A wine that rewards patience and rewards the table equally.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay — Alexander Valley, Sonoma County 2023

Alexander Valley Vineyards is one of Sonoma County's most storied family estates, farming the Alexander Valley AVA with a precision and philosophy that has made their Chardonnay one of the appellation's most consistent overachievers. The 2023 is built on a thoughtful split-harvest approach: 75% of the fruit is harvested at night when the grapes are cool, cold-fermented in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging to preserve bright citrus and green apple character; the remaining 25% is whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in French oak, then aged on the lees for six to eight months to develop roundness, body, and complexity. The result is a full-bodied, beautifully balanced Chardonnay that earned 92 points from The Tasting Panel.

The nose opens with apple, pear, vanilla, floral notes, and a hint of oak — generous and inviting. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and lush with flavors of grilled pineapple, baked pear, nectarine, juicy peach, and tropical fruit, cut by a bright acidity and a mineral core that keeps everything focused. The finish is subtly buttery and vanilla-flecked, long and satisfying. It is the kind of Chardonnay that rewards both the casual drinker and the wine enthusiast.

The Tasting Panel 92 — "The balance between richer and more mouthwatering in this estate-grown Chardonnay is excellent. Grilled pineapple and baked pear are cut by acidity. The mineral core is a solid counterpart to the subtly buttery, vanilla-flecked finish." 

• Producer: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Alexander Valley AVA
• Region: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: 75% night-harvested, stainless steel, no MLF; 25% whole-cluster pressed, French oak barrel-fermented, 6–8 months lees aging
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple, pear, pineapple, nectarine, peach, vanilla, floral, mineral, buttery finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, pasta in cream sauce

A 92-point estate Chardonnay from one of Sonoma's most trusted family vineyards — Alexander Valley Vineyards is the benchmark for what night-harvested, lees-aged Alexander Valley Chardonnay can deliver.

Bodegas Valduero Una Cepa — Ribera del Duero 2019/2020*

• *Mixed inventory - you will be delivered either vintage 2019 or 2020. If you prefer a particular vintage text us at 212-724-6767.
• Bodegas Valduero is one of Ribera del Duero’s most respected estates — and Una Cepa (“one grape”) is their purest expression of the appellation’s defining variety: 100% Tempranillo, aged 18 months in barrel and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Ribera del Duero sits on a high plateau at over 800 metres elevation in Castilla y León, where the extreme continental climate — scorching days, cold nights, and a short growing season — produces Tempranillo of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity. The 2019 vintage delivered outstanding conditions across the appellation. Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points; Decanter 90. Deep ruby in color. The nose is expressive and classic: blue fruit, tobacco, and cocoa. On the palate, it is lively and expressive, with fresh black cherry and currant flavors backed by cocoa, spice, and licorice, framed by well-integrated tannins, rounded structure, and a long, lively finish of real elegance. Drink now through 2030.

Expert Reviews - Viintage 2019

Wine Spectator 92 — “Lively and expressive. Black cherry and currant flavors are fresh and juicy, backed by cocoa, spice and licorice notes. Well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity give this a balanced structure.”

Decanter 90 — “Blue fruit, tobacco and cocoa nose. The palate is juicy and savoury with rounded tannins and well-integrated alcohol. Long, lively finish. Rather classic.”

• Producer: Bodegas Valduero, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Ribera del Duero DO
• Varietal: 100% Tempranillo
• Aging: 18 months in barrel + 12 months in bottle
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, tobacco, cocoa, black cherry, currant, spice, licorice, rounded tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef stews, suckling pig, aged Manchego, hearty game dishes

A 92-point Ribera del Duero at an honest price — Valduero Una Cepa is the benchmark for what single-varietal Tempranillo can be.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2021

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator writes 95 Points |  Supple, richly textured and elegantly complex, this Pinot opens with a burst of fresh raspberry, then unfolds with notes of forest floor and brown baking spices, plus a touch of licorice as it builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 1,100 cases made.

Clive Pursehouse of Decanter writes 94 Points | Elegance is personified in this 2021 bottling of Bergström's renowned Silice. So-named for the sandy silica soils, the hallmark of the hilly Chehalem Mountain vineyard source. Beautiful bright fruit aromas are further framed by touches of tomato leaf, pine bough and mossy forest floor. The palate is marked by fleshy red raspberries, early season blackberry and fine grain tannin that provides a structure that shows this wine's longevity. (Drink between 2023-2031).

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate writes 94 Points |  Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Silice Vineyard blossoms slowly to pomegranate, blackberry, watermelon, dried herbs and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with wild berry fruit. Combining power and elegance, it's silky and seamless in the mouth, and a flourish of spicy accents across the finish hints it has more to reveal over the next 2-3 years in bottle.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 Bergström Silice Pinot Noir is a highly acclaimed, estate-grown wine that gained significant fame after being named the #32 Wine of the Year in the 2023 Wine Spectator Top 100.

Named "Silice" (French for silica) due to the deep, sandy marine soils of the vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, this wine is known for its ethereal perfume and mineral complexity rather than heavy weight.

A California Chardonnay benchmark in a generous magnum format — J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2023 comes from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, where the Ventana winds off Monterey Bay slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. The result is a full-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay that balances ripe fruit generosity with freshness and finesse.

The nose offers pear, white peach, floral notes, and a hint of baking spice. On the palate it’s round and buttery with flavors of baked apple, toast, brown butter, and honey — ripe and generous, with a soft, lingering finish. A crowd-pleasing style that over-delivers at its price point, especially in the 1.5L magnum format ideal for entertaining.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 91 Points | This full-bodied, round and buttery chardonnay has notes of baked apples, toast and brown butter. Ripe, soft and generous.

• Producer: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, California
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-Bodied Chardonnay
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Pair With: Triple crème cheese, seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, chicken piccata

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a fine entry-level offering from Giacosa. This perfumed, mid-weight Barbaresco is all charm. Crushed flowers, bright red fruit, blood orange, spice and mint open first. Silky, polished tannins give this pliant, alluring Barbaresco tons of character. A delight.

Memo Summary Notes

Carlo Giacosa is a fourth-generation family estate in the heart of Barbaresco. 

Expert Review — Vintage 2022

Wine Advocate — 93 Points | Herbal and spicy, keeping freshness while reflecting the dry, warm vintage conditions. A powerful white with excellent aging potential. An unusual and compelling blend of 86% Sauvignon Blanc and 14% Verdejo — a little à la Bordeaux. Fermented and matured on lees in barrel for seven months.

Winemaker Description

Clean and bright, with fragrant aromas of white flowers, elder, and acacia, layered with refreshing notes of ginger and citrus — mandarin, grapefruit, and lime. On the palate, stone fruits emerge: apricot, nectarine, and ripe melon. Persistent, creamy, and unctuous, with fresh, crystalline acidity that makes this a highly age-worthy wine.

• Producer: Abadía Retuerta
• Classification: Vino de Pago (Spain’s highest single-estate designation)
• Appellation: Sardon del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Blend: 86% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Verdejo
• Aging: Barrel-fermented, 7 months on lees
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review

Winemaker Description 

González Byass Alfonso Oloroso Seco is a wine made from Palomino Fino from their own vineyards.

As soon as the grapes arrive at the winery, they are softly pressed to obtain the free-run must (mosto yema), which will be used to make this wine. After fermentation, classification and fortification at 18% vol., the wine enters the "solera", where it will remain for an average of eight years in American oak butts, following the traditional "solera" system. The wine ages in full contact with the air, which allows its complete oxidation. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2016

Decanter — 90 Points | Plum, lilac and vanilla, with a touch of toasted cinnamon alongside the bright red fruits. Powerful, even masculine, with chewy but refined tannins and plenty of life ahead.

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Château Castéra is currently at a beautiful stage, showing a compelling blend of ripe fruit and secondary, aged characteristics.

• Aromas: A complex bouquet of ripe blackberries, plums, blackcurrant, and violets, evolving into notes of cedar, tobacco, leather, and baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon).
• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a structure supported by fine, polished yet present tannins. The fruit is dense and savory, balanced by good acidity and a touch of earthiness typical of Bordeaux.

Pairings: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged cheeses, or a classic Bordelaise steak.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2016
• Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Appellation: Médoc, Bordeaux
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Producer: Château Castéra

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Michael Alberty of the Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | I'm a Kansas kid, so I'm a sucker for a sunflowers. The juice inside this bottle, however, is what will make me buy it again. The Sunflower offers aromas of lemon, rosemary and a wee bit of butterscotch. A rich texture and lemon curd and brioche flavors are counterpointed by tangy acidity. Pour with The Wizard of Oz.

Eric Guido OF Vinous writes 92 Points | Honeyed flowers, green melon, chamomile and hints of gingery spice waft up from the 2021 Chardonnay The Sunflower. Soothingly round, this impresses with its depths of ripe pit fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a salty tinge of minerality. The 2021 leaves a cheek-puckering freshness and minty herbal tones, finishing with staining length and freshness.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes 91 Points | A refreshing and citrusy chardonnay with notes of lemons, baking spices and some blanched almonds. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Focused and well-made, with a delicious finish. Drink now. 

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 98 Points | Made from old vines and blended from casks of Port averaging 40 years of maturity, this is a rare treat with which to finish an evening. The color is tawny brown, with a light orange-amber rim and mahogany center. Fully developed aromas of cinnamon, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, dried apricots and hazelnuts lead to layered, rich, sweet and creamy flavors and a long, long finish.

Decanter 97 Points | Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The NV 40 Year Tawny is a blockbuster Tawny! Coming all from the estate vineyard and aged 40 years or more in 640-liter oak barrels, it has a touch of ranico-like character as well as beautiful caramelized fruits, toasted spice, cigar, and walnut/nuttiness. Ripe, heady, full-bodied and beautifully complex, it’s going to be perfect for sipping at the end of a meal over the coming couple of decades.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is exotic, with a wide range of baked peach, dried cherry and fig, singed cinnamon, warmed praline, hazelnut and green tea notes all swirling around together. The long finish is rich and  thoroughly comforting.

Expert Review - Vintage 1997

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Plum and blackberry on the nose, with hints of dried violets. Wet earth. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, very chewy and rich. Long and caressing. Still very tight. Give it time. Very layered and structured. Much better than I remember. Impressive. '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,100 cases imported.

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | Blackberries, licorice, and melted asphalt stand out in this full-bodied, beautifully made vintage port's moderately intense bouquet. It is not one of the great Graham's ports, and is less sweet than normal, but it is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and impressive. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025.

Winemaker Description 

This excellent Vintage has an intense colour with a deep, purple rim. On the nose shows a luscious ripeness with attractive floral aromas and undertones of black cherry. On the palate, a typically Graham's full-bodied structure, packed with layers and layers of fruit and firm tannins. The very long, accomplished finish indicates a great Vintage for long-term ageing.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 92 Points | A rich, fruity red with plum, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied with lots of round tannins and a savory finish.

Monica Larner writes;  The 2018 Maremma Toscana Ornello is a blend of Sangioveto (Sangiovese), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the design winery of Rocca di Frassinello on the Tuscan Coast. This wine pays homage to the "butteri," or cowboys, that roam this remote and hilly terrain with their sturdy horses and leather hats. This wine shows a dark and meaty character, no doubt added by the Syrah, with some burnt ember and exotic spice. The bouquet is infused with dark fruit, dried plum and blackberry preserves. This is a full-bodied Tuscan red to pair with cowboy meals of steak and beans.  Drinking 2020 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2018 Rocca di Frassinello is a bold, exotic wine. Ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon and rose petal are all kicked up in this flamboyant Maremma red. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. Hints of sweet pipe tobacco, cedar and mint appear over time, adding striking inner perfume and sweetness. The 2018 is a decidedly racy Rocca di Frassinello.  Drinking 2020 to 2033.  - Vinous 94

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Alain Meadows of Burghound writes 95 Points |  Here too the beautifully layered nose is decidedly cool with its more citrus-suffused aromas of green apple, wet stone and crushed fennel. The more refined, if slightly less concentrated, medium weight flavors flash an almost pungent minerality on the beautifully textured, bone-dry and sneaky long finale. This chiseled effort will need at least a few years of cellaring first as it's quite tightly wound today.  - Burghound 95 ♥️

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Kristen Bieler writes:  For a demi-sec, this leans toward the dry, savory end of the spectrum. There are a lot of layers and substance to this, with a savory thread of green herbs and bitter white tea weaving through elderflower, quince and apple flavors, while gentle tannins provide a solid frame. Cool river stone and pink peppercorn notes line the finish, encased in smoke and salt, with length and a lot of depth. The toasty cedar notes will integrate with more time in bottle. Drink now through 2037. 740 cases made.  - Wine Spectator 93

Stuart Pigott Writes:  This off-dry Vouvray has terrific depth and a lovely creaminess that’s hard to resist, but it’s tightly wound and needs some time for the aromas to unfurl. With some aeration, red apple and honeysuckle notes emerge. Long, very clean finish that’s pretty dry thanks to the bright acidity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 93

Rebecca Gibb MW writes:  The 2023 Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont boasts a residual sweetness (20g/l) that brings a sense of tenderness and amplitude to a terroir that's big on precision and tension. The flint component in the soil and the natural freshness of the 2023 vintage provide persistence and momentum. Pure and tender, there’s a distinctive spearmint-like cooling sensation on the long finish.  Drinking 2024 to 2038.  - Vinous 94

Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py Organic — Beaujolais 2024

Jean Foillard is one of the founding members of Beaujolais’s legendary Gang of Four — alongside Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Guy Breton — the group of vignerons who, inspired by the teachings of Jules Chauvet, staged a quiet revolution against the industrial Beaujolais of the 1980s. Their manifesto: old vines, no synthetic herbicides or pesticides, late harvesting, rigorous sorting, minimal sulfur, no chaptalization, no filtration. The result is Morgon as it was always meant to be — structured, mineral, and age-worthy, with none of the bubblegum and banana aromas that plagued the region’s commercial wines. Jean and Agnès Foillard farm nearly 14 hectares, most of them on the Côte du Py — the famed granite and schist slope above Villié-Morgon that is the pride of the appellation. Vinous awarded the 2024 Côte du Py 92 points.

The nose is serious and mineral: earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, and black tea leaves with crushed stone. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively on entry, with a skip in its step — a Côte du Py with energy and precision, finishing with an assiduous sprinkle of white pepper and a long, harmonious close. Jean raises his wines in older Burgundy barrels, lending a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible young despite their considerable aging potential.

Vinous 92 — "A mélange of red and black fruit, black tea leaves and crushed stone. Fresh and lively on the entry, a Côte du Py with a skip in its step and an assiduous sprinkling of white pepper towards the harmonious finish." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Domaine Jean Foillard, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Morgon, Beaujolais
• Vineyard: Côte du Py — granite and schist soils
• Varietal: 100% Gamay
• Farming: Certified Organic, no synthetic inputs, minimal sulfur, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, black tea, crushed stone, white pepper, velvety finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, duck confit, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses

A 92-point organic Morgon from one of Beaujolais’s most important estates — mineral, structured, and built to age.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is rich, racy and super-expressive. Silky and deep, with notable resonance, the 2021 offers up dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Today, it is a very young wine in need of cellaring, but its potential is evident. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This should be positively stellar.

Winemaker Description 

The nose of the 2021 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon leads with juicy fruits – black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry jam, and muddled mixed berries. The fruit is layered with fresh mint, sage, and iron filings. These aromas are complemented by warming spices, vanilla, and cocoa nib. The palate has a beautiful, velvety texture with plush tannin and an enduring finish with impressions of espresso and dark chocolate.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Quick Expert Summary - Vintage 2022

 🍇 Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy) 92 Points Described the fruit as having a refined character and complexity, with a savory red berry note, plenty of energy, and good acidity.

🍷 Vinous (Neal Martin) 91 Points Noted a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit; the palate is medium-bodied, smooth and sensual toward the finish.

📜 Burghound (Allen Meadows) 90 PointsPraised the attractively spicy nose and the "slightly better verve" on the palate, which finishes with fine-grained tannins.

✨ Wine Spectator (Bruce Sanderson) 90 Points Found it to be a tangy red with spicy cherry, pomegranate, and blood orange flavors, calling it nicely integrated and juicy.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows writes:  An attractively spicy nose freely offers up aromas of dark pinot fruit, Savigny-style earth, violet and an interesting hint of white pepper. There is slightly better verve suffusing the lightly stony middleweight flavors that also possess a caressing but punchy mouthfeel on the lingering finale that is noticeably finer thanks to the fine-grained tannins. This too could be approached young though at least a few years of cellaring should be beneficial.  - Burghound 90

Bruce Sanderson writes:  A tangy red, this features spicy cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and toasty oak flavors. Nicely integrated, with a whisper of dusty tannins lining the finish. This is juicy, with the fruit resonating on the aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.   - Wine Spectator 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberry fruit, pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe red fruit and light pastille notes, smooth and sensual towards the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle.  - Vinous 91

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | A ripe, opulent second wine, the 2022 Amiral De Beychevelle offers lots of black cherry, mulberry, and plum-like fruits as well as some floral, violet, and graphite nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, has elegant, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's one heck of a sexy, already hard to resist second wine that should keep for 10-12 years, if not longer.

James Suckling 91-92 Points | Very refined and pretty already with linear fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Medium body. Attractive finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.

Weingut Forstreiter | Grüner Veltliner Tabor | Kremstal DAC | Niederösterreich, Austria | 2021

Weingut Forstreiter is one of the Kremstal's most respected family estates, farming sustainably on the steep terraced vineyards above the Danube in Niederösterreich — Lower Austria. The Kremstal DAC is one of Austria's premier appellations for Grüner Veltliner, where the combination of loess and primary rock soils, the moderating influence of the Danube, and the continental climate produce wines of exceptional concentration, mineral precision, and longevity.

The Tabor is Forstreiter's single-vineyard flagship Grüner Veltliner, always hand-harvested at the very end of the harvest season to achieve maximum ripeness without botrytis. The result is a monumental and complex expression of the variety — a wine that inspires with its concentration, aromatic complexity, clarity, and youthfulness.

The 2021 opens with a dense, powerful bouquet that evolves beautifully with air — ripe aromas of green sugar snap peas, sweet citrus, overripe banana, dried apricot, and candied ginger, with a great arc of tension between warm, ripe fruit and cool mineral precision. On the palate, medium-bodied and vibrant with apple, green melon, white chocolate, and lemon fruit, underscored by a crunchy minerality. The finish is long, citrusy, and stony, marked by loads of white pepper — the hallmark of great Grüner Veltliner.

Pair with Wiener Schnitzel, grilled fish, sushi, white asparagus, light pasta, and soft cheeses. Also exceptional as an aperitivo.

• Producer: Weingut Forstreiter
• Vineyard: Tabor
• Appellation: Kremstal DAC, Niederösterreich, Austria
• Grape: Grüner Veltliner
• Vintage: 2021
• Harvest: Hand-picked; end of harvest season
• Farming: Sustainable
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2021

• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: Medium-bodied and vibrant — apple, green melon, white chocolate and lemon fruit underscored by a crunchy minerality. Finish is marked by loads of white pepper and a long, citrusy and stony aftertaste. — Aleks Zecevic

Producer Description 

Las Beatas is a spectacular 1.9 hectare property which Telmo and Pablo have invested tremendous time and energy: 15 years of renovative viticultural work took place before a single bottle was made.

There are at least ten grape varieties grown on eight terraces, predominantly Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha, some Viura and traces of many other rare, perhaps unidentified cultivars, all planted on cold sandy soils. Las Beatas was made and aged in a single 1200 liter old French foudre. This is a refined, elegant and fluid wine with great complexity and nuance that will age beautifully. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

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

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

 Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

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

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

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

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

Winemaker Description

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

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

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

Wine Spectator — 97 Points
"This pure and stylish Barolo features rose, strawberry, cherry, mineral and underbrush aromas and flavors. Though silky in texture, this is well-structured, with integrated tannins and harmony. This is all about finesse and texture, with excellent length and a mineral aftertaste."

About Monprivato

Monprivato is one of the most celebrated single-vineyard crus in all of Barolo — and Giuseppe Mascarello’s exclusive domain. Located in Castiglione Falletto, the vineyard sits on a south-southwest facing slope of Helvetian soils: compact Tortonian marl and limestone that impart the signature minerality, structure, and aromatic complexity for which Monprivato is legendary. The Mascarello family has farmed Monprivato since 1904 and today owns virtually the entire cru — a rarity in Barolo, where vineyard fragmentation is the norm. The result is a wine of singular identity: unmistakably Monprivato, unmistakably Mascarello.

About Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello

Founded in 1881 in Monchiero and later relocated to Castiglione Falletto, Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio is one of Piedmont’s most revered and traditional producers. Under the stewardship of Mauro Mascarello — and now his son Giuseppe — the estate has remained steadfastly committed to traditional Barolo winemaking: long macerations, large Slavonian oak casks, and extended aging. No shortcuts, no modernization for its own sake. The Mascarello Barolo Monprivato is consistently ranked among the greatest wines of Italy and among the finest Nebbiolos produced anywhere in the world.

2019 Vintage Notes

The 2019 vintage in Piedmont is widely regarded as one of the greatest in a generation — a warm, dry year that produced wines of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity. For Barolo, 2019 delivered the ideal combination of ripeness and natural acidity, resulting in wines that are approachable young yet built to age for decades. Monprivato 2019 is considered a benchmark release: powerful, precise, and destined for a long cellar life.

Food Pairings

White truffle dishes, braised Piedmontese beef (brasato al Barolo), wild boar, roasted lamb, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and tajarin with meat ragù. A wine built for the Piedmontese table — and for the most special occasions.

Product Details

• Producer: Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello
• Vineyard: Monprivato (single vineyard cru)
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG, Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Soils: Tortonian marl and limestone (Helvetian)
• Aging: Extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks, traditional method
• Vintage: 2019
• Drink: 2026–2050+
• Style: Elegant, structured, age-worthy traditional Barolo
• Format: 750ml

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2020 Chianti Classico is impressive and pure, with ripe black cherry, a hint of blue fruit, violets, and sweet herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with supple fruit throughout, fine grained tannins, and a polished feel. It displays fresh acidity without any harsh edges, but it is mouthwatering and compels returning for more. This beautiful wine from Querciabella is drinking well now, and I imagine will continue to improve over the coming decade or more. (2020).

James Suckling 93 Points | Pure fruit on the nose, with rose hips, cherries, blueberries, lemon leaves and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and firm tannins. Vibrant and elegant, with such purity of fruit. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. (2020).

Decanter 92 Points | With an annual production of approximately 150,000 bottles, this is Querciabella’s calling card – and an impressive one at that. It also gives an incisive panoramic shot of the Chianti Classico region as it's a blend of estate vineyards in three different subzones. Bright and fresh, the 2020 annata emerges energetically out of the glass with exuberant and pure red cherry and currants. It gains intrigue with stylish touches of mocha, tarragon and truffles. It's full and vigorous yet light on its feet thanks to radiant acidity, while well-formed tannins lend just the right amount of chew. As suave as it is characterful. (2020).

Winemaker Description

The wine is medium bodied and moderate in tannin, with some beautiful suppleness to the mid-palate that reflects the moderate summer, accompanied by a touch of extra richness from the hot autumn weather. 100% Certified organic and dry farmed.

Expert Review

James Suckling 91 Points | Aromas of crushed herbs, sliced plums, blackcurrants and violets. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Bright acidity pairs nicely with the fresh red fruit on the palate. Could use another year to come together. Best after 2023. (2020).

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This wine is now mature, showing richness while also preserving elegance. Earthy, herbal tones are laced through the wine’s juicy fruit texture. Enjoy now for best enjoyment.

Wine Spectator 90-93 Points | Still very primal, but enticing, with sappy raspberry, sweet spice, melted licorice and linzer torte notes that have yet to stretch out fully. There's racy acidity as well, so this should knit nicely.

Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — Maipo Valley, Chile 2022 750ml

Chile’s first icon wine and a true benchmark among the world’s finest labels, Don Melchor is the singular expression of the Puente Alto Denomination of Origin — a vineyard planted at the foot of the Andes Mountains on the northern bank of the Maipo River at 650 meters elevation. The Don Melchor Vineyard spans 125 hectares, with vines averaging 38 years of age, rooted in the poor gravel soils and balanced temperatures that define this legendary Cabernet Sauvignon terroir. The 2022 blend is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in French oak barrels with 78% new oak.

The 2022 vintage delivered exceptionally even temperatures throughout the growing season, with stable conditions from veraison through ripening and cooler nights that preserved freshness and aromatic precision. Winemaker Enrique Tirado describes it as a wine of “intense aromatic expression dominated by red fruit and floral notes followed by blackcurrants and blackberries — smooth on entry, evolving into mouth-filling flavours with tremendous concentration, great energy, fine textures, and a long, expressive finish.”

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 99 Points: Blackcurrants, cassis, and graphite on the nose. Pure and fragrant. Full-bodied with superb density and tannins that are so polished — the texture is like touching a silk ball. The finish is very long and compact, and it will come together beautifully with time in the bottle.

Tim Atkin 97 Points: Fresh yet rich and concentrated. Youthful, focused, and well structured — a seamless cuvée showing delightful purity and elegance, top notes of cedarwood and graphite, layered tannins, and a core of cassis, vanilla spice, and black cherry.

Vinous 97 Points: Complex aromas of currant, blackberry, ash, mint, and a subtle floral tone. Dry, rich, and moderately juicy with precisely calibrated tannins and clear fruit imparting intensity and agility. A more nuanced and energetic edition of Don Melchor.

• Producer: Viña Don Melchor, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Puente Alto Denomination of Origin, Maipo Valley
• Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
• Aging: French oak barrels, 78% new
• Vineyard: 125 hectares at 650m, vines averaging 38 years old
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, cedarwood, black cherry, mint, floral, silk tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Exceptional aging potential — best from 2027 onward; decant if opening now
• Best Paired With: Prime ribeye, braised short ribs, roast lamb, aged hard cheeses, truffle dishes

Chile’s most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon — Don Melchor 2022 is a wine of extraordinary concentration, elegance, and Andean terroir that belongs in any serious cellar.

Expert Review

John Gilman 96 Points | This is my first taste of Domaine des Closiers top bottling, les Trezellières, which is made from a parcel of old vines and given fully two years aging in barrel, with somewhere between ten and twenty percent of the casks new. The 2019 les Trezellières is beautifully deep and refined aromatically, delivering scents of black cherries, cassis, Cuban cigar wrapper, a very complex base of soil, a touch of Cheval Blanc-like menthol, a gentle dollop of tree bark, cedar and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, elegant and rock solid at the core, with great focus and complex, superb soil undertow, fine-grained tannins and a very long, pure and classy finish.

The small percentage of new oak gives this wine more refinement than the les Coudraies bottling, but because it is no more than twenty percent new oak, the wood influence is far more subtle out of the blocks than in Clos Rougeard’s Le Bourg bottling, which is the closest comparison I can think of for this brilliant young Saumur Champigny. Give this beautiful wine plenty of time in the cellar to properly resolve its tannins and completely blossom! (2019). 

Descendientes de José Palacios | Pétalos | Bierzo DO | Castilla y León, Spain | 2021

Before Mencía became the darling of Northwestern Spain, Pétalos was already making waves. Descendientes de José Palacios — the project of Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo Pérez Palacios — has been the defining force in Bierzo’s modern renaissance, farming old-vine Mencía on ancient slate soils with biodynamic and organic principles. Pétalos is their entry wine, but it carries the full weight of the estate’s philosophy: precision, transparency, and a deep sense of place.

The 2021 is widely regarded as the finest vintage of the 2020–2022 trio. Lower alcohol than ever (13.5%), it shows a lighter, more delineated profile with the juicy, aromatic Mencía character that defines the appellation. The nose is enticing: red berries, violets, wild herbs, white pepper, and a whisper of agave. On the palate, a velvety mouthfeel and very fine, chalky tannins frame nimble red fruit with elegant structure and a long, gourmand finish. Approachable now and drinking beautifully through 2029. 320,000 bottles and 2,567 magnums produced.

Before the Mencia grape became the darling of Northwestern Spain, Petalos was already making waves. A beautifully tailored wine. Enticing aromas of red berries with underlying whiffs of violets. Poised and well integrated flavors.
Oscar Garcia, 67Wine

• Producer: Descendientes de José Palacios
• Appellation: Bierzo DO, Castilla y León, Spain
• Grape: 100% Mencía (Biodynamic, Organic)
• Vintage: 2021
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Drink: Now through 2029
• Production: 320,000 bottles + 2,567 magnums
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2021

• Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker — 93+ pts: Juicy, expressive, and showy. Aromatic herbs, velvety mouthfeel, very fine tannins. Very hedonistic. Drink 2023–2029.
• Zekun Shuai, James Suckling — 93 pts: Tangy white pepper, wild herbs, and red berries. Elegant and delineated with chalky tannins and nimble red fruit. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Purple with ruby highlights, this wine shows up-front aromas of raspberries and black cherries with undertones of leather and spice. On the palate, it is expansive and rich.

Pair with lamb and apricot tajines, prime rib, tomato stews, or green lentil-based dishes.

Expert Ratings

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points  | This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of brambly fruits of the wood, coffee bean and dried sage. It opens with notes of mint and clove accompanied by sturdy tannins and ripe summer cherry, Mission fig, cocoa powder and dried thyme flavors. The lengthy finish is marked with menthol and pomegranate. (2015). 

Robert Parker 92 Points |  There is some more development in the 2015 Finca Valpiedra Reserva, which also feels a little riper, showing the dry, warm and ripe character of the year but keeping a low pH of 3.47 and 6.2 grams of acidity. This is medium-bodied, although some will call them thin—and certainly, they are not full-bodied and round wines, they are sharper. This is a blend of 92% Tempranillo and 4% each Graciano and Maturana Tinta that matured in French oak barrels for 22 months. These wines are feeling a little more traditional than in the past.

James Suckling 92 Points | This shows notes of incense and smoke on the nose, together with spiced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Ripe, yet juicy and succulent, with a rich finish. Drink or hold.

Expert Review

Yohan Castaing of the Wine Advociate writes 90 Points | A blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Tibouren, 5% Syrah and 3% Carignan, the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose Lampe de Meduse possesses a fresh, fruit-driven bouquet with aromas of citrus, lemon oil, red berries, wild strawberry and menthol. Crunchy, juicy and perfectly balanced with a medium-bodied palate, it’s long and penetrating with lively acids, an iodine-salty finish and a clean and mouthwatering texture.  Drinking 2023 - 2025. (2022).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 97-99 Points | This is already shaping up to being one of the stars of the vintage. With its great fruit, fully enveloped by the structure and tannins, the wine has been set well for the future. The aromatic black fruits are intense and concentrated. — Roger Voss

Decanter 98 Poinhts | Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

James Suckling 98 Points | What a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyon