90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico — Tuscany 2022

Fèlsina is the benchmark estate of Castelnuovo Berardenga, the sun-drenched southeastern corner of Chianti Classico where the zone spills toward Siena. The 2022 Berardenga is immediate and effusive — a wine that wears its terroir openly: Maritime pine, Mediterranean scrub, wild broom, and ripe strawberry, all framed by the estate's signature rocky minerality. Antonio Galloni called it "an archetype of Castelnuovo Berardenga" and awarded it 91 points. At $29.99, it is one of the most compelling values in Chianti Classico.

The nose is bright and expressive: black cherry, wild berries, leather, warm spice, tobacco, and dried herbs. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with fine tannins, juicy berry fruit, and a lift of spice that carries through to a long, tactile finish. Balanced, vibrant, and built to drink beautifully now through 2033.

Expert Reviews

Vinous 91 — Antonio Galloni writes: "Superb. Rich and deep yet also quite translucent, the 2022 is an archetype of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Black cherry, leather, spice, tobacco, menthol and dried herbs inform this potent, super-classic Chianti Classico. This is beautifully done, especially for the year. Drinking 2024–2037."

James Suckling 92 — "A well-balanced, seductive and lively red with aromas of forest berries, red currants, warm herbs and some crushed peppercorns. It's medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy berry character with a lift of spices bringing energy and vitality on the palate and onto the tactile finish. Drink now."

Wine Spectator 90 — Bruce Sanderson writes: "Walking the line between cherry and berry flavors and earth and iron notes, this red is bright and juicy midpalate, firming up on the long finish. Balanced overall, needing a year to knit together. Best from 2026 through 2033."

Decanter 91 — Michaela Morris writes: "At the southeastern end of Chianti Classico, the Fèlsina property spills into the Chianti Colli Senesi zone where, on a clear day you can see all the way to Siena, just 15km away. Harnessing its sunbathed setting, the 2022 is immediate and effusive in its charms. It evokes Maritime pine, scrubby Mediterranean brush and wild yellow broom, building in concentration as it glides fluently across the palate, where rocky minerals meet ripe strawberry. Vibrant, if a bit brisk to finish. Drinking 2024 to 2029."

• Producer: Fèlsina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, wild berries, leather, spice, tobacco, dried herbs, rocky minerals
• Drink Window: Now–2033
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, pasta al pomodoro, grilled lamb

A 90+ Chianti Classico at an honest price — Fèlsina Berardenga is the benchmark for what Castelnuovo Berardenga Sangiovese can be.

Roederer Estate · Brut NV · Anderson Valley · California

Roederer Estate is the California outpost of Louis Roederer — the legendary Champagne house behind Cristal — and it has long been not only one of California’s biggest sparkling wine producers, but one of its very best. Planted in the cool, fog-influenced Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, the estate grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in terroir that produces wines of genuine freshness and elegance. The Brut NV is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, aged two years on the lees, with a significant portion of oak-aged reserve wine adding richness and complexity. Dosage: 7.5 g/L. Rated 94 points by Decanter, 93 by Wine Spectator, and named #2 Wine Spectator Top Ten Value of 2024.

The Estate Brut opens with aromas of baked apple, pie crust, toasted cashews, almonds, and biscuit with flinty touches. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied — rounded and creamy with bright lemony character, seashell minerality, and a long, mineral-driven finish. More herbal and textural than Champagne, with a good Champagne’s freshness and elegance. As the New York Times put it: “It doesn’t taste like Champagne. It’s more herbal, less mineral, but it’s got a good Champagne’s freshness and elegance.”

Expert Reviews

“First overall in the sparkling category. Louis Roederer’s outpost in California’s cool Anderson Valley is a stylistic chip off the old block. Rich, weighty mouthful of creamy bubbles. Lots of baked apple and toasted cashews here.”
— Michaela Morris, Decanter · 94 Points

“Aromas of pie crust with hints of nuts and cooked apple. Some butter cookie. Medium to full body with notes of seashell, cooked apple and lemon rind. A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Two years on the lees.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

“Scented of sour lemon, almonds and biscuits with flinty touches. The medium-bodied palate is rounded and creamy with bright, lemony character and a long, mineral-driven finish.”
— Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate · 92 Points

• Producer: Roederer Estate (Louis Roederer), Anderson Valley, California
• Style: Brut NV Sparkling
• Appellation: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California
• Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 2019 | Lees Aging: 2 years
• Dosage: 7.5 g/L
• Accolades: #2 Wine Spectator Top Ten Value of 2024
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, pie crust, toasted cashews, almonds, lemon, seashell minerality, creamy mousse
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, seafood pasta, aperitivo

D:94 · JS:93 · WA:92 · #2 WS Top Ten Value 2024 — Anderson Valley sparkling from the house of Cristal. Creamy, mineral, and built to over-deliver.

St. Michael-Eppan | Pinot Grigio | Alto Adige DOC | South Tyrol, Italy | 2025

Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan is one of Alto Adige's most celebrated cooperative wineries, farming high-altitude vineyards in the shadow of the Dolomites where cool nights and mineral-rich soils define the house style. Their Pinot Grigio has become a benchmark for the appellation — an international bestseller prized for its precision, freshness, and effortless elegance.

The 2025 opens with restrained, pure aromatics of green apple, white peach, white pepper, and crushed stone. On the palate, a tight-knit structure unfolds with subtle silkiness, super-savory depth, and medium body — finishing long and mineral-driven. This is Pinot Grigio at its most serious and most satisfying.

• Producer: Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan
• Appellation: Alto Adige DOC, South Tyrol, Italy
• Grape: Pinot Grigio
• Vintage: 2025
• Serve: 44–48°F
• Pairings: Grilled fish, seafood risotto, light pasta, soft cheeses, vegetable antipasti
• Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

• James Suckling — 93 pts: Restrained and tight-knit with green apple, white peach, white pepper, and minerals. Subtle silkiness, super-savory flavors, and a long finish.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

92 pts — James Suckling: “Ripe yet restrained, this sits on the edge of reduction, showing aromas of yellow apples, grilled peaches, lemon curd and a touch of struck flint. The palate reflects the cool vintage with bright acidity and a layered feel, delivering baked citrus, toasted almonds and subtle spices. Rounded and fresh with a savory, lingering finish. Drink or hold.”

Winemaker Notes

Grgich Hills’ estate-grown Chardonnay is a singular expression of Napa Valley — biodynamically farmed, and uniquely crafted without malolactic fermentation to preserve its natural, vibrant acidity. The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of sweet lime, fresh lemon, green mango, and white peach, leading to a palate of fresh citrus, star fruit, mango, and a hint of vanilla, all supported by juicy acidity and abundant minerality. The finish is long, layered, and deeply satisfying.

Founded by the legendary Mike Grgich — the winemaker behind the celebrated 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that triumphed at the 1976 Judgment of Paris — Grgich Hills has been a benchmark for Napa Chardonnay for nearly five decades.

• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Certified biodynamic & organic, estate-grown
• Style: No malolactic fermentation — bright, fresh acidity
• Pairings: Lobster, halibut, roasted chicken, soft cheeses
• 750ml | Serve at 50–54°F | Drink or hold

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve — Champagne NV

Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Réserve is one of Champagne’s most enduring benchmarks — a non-vintage blend whose overall composition has remained virtually unchanged for nearly fifty years. Sourced from more than twenty top vineyards across the Marne, the wine blends 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Chardonnay, with over 50% reserve wines spanning up to 15 vintages. Aged 36 months on the lees and finished with just 3 grams per liter dosage, this is a Champagne of exceptional precision, generosity, and effortless elegance — equally at home as an apéritif or at the dinner table.

The nose offers ripe pear, raspberry, gingerbread, toast, and honey with a touch of cut hay. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with soft, creamy bubbles, bright acidity, and a crystalline texture — tense and precise, yet generous and rounded. Spring flowers, brioche, and lime linger on a long, delicate, ethereal finish.

James Suckling 93 — “Lovely aromas of raspberries, gingerbread, toast and honey. Generosity and concentration of flavor, with soft, creamy bubbles. Delicious now.”
Wine Advocate 91 — “Long, delicate and ethereal Champagne.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 — “A classic. Real richness and depth, structured and open with honeyed aromas and ripe, rounded white fruits.”

• Producer: Billecart-Salmon, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
• Reserve Wines: 50%+ across up to 15 vintages
• Aging: 36 months on lees; 6 months post-disgorgement
• Dosage: 3 g/L (Extra Brut style)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, raspberry, gingerbread, brioche, honey, spring flowers, lime, creamy bubbles
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, fried chicken, light pasta dishes

Nearly fifty years of consistency, precision, and elegance — Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Réserve is the Champagne house that never needs to shout.

Cambria Estate Winery | Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard | Santa Maria Valley, California | 2023

Cambria Estate Winery is one of Santa Barbara County's most celebrated producers, farming estate vineyards in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley — one of California's premier cool-climate appellations. Named for Katherine Jackson, Katherine's Vineyard sits at the western end of the valley where persistent Pacific Ocean breezes slow ripening and allow Chardonnay to develop remarkable complexity, balance, and natural acidity.

The 2023 vintage was fermented with 30% stainless steel and 70% barrel, then aged seven months in French oak (20% new) — a winemaking approach that delivers both freshness and texture without overwhelming the fruit. The result is a Chardonnay of genuine balance: ripe tropical and orchard fruit, toasty barrel spice, taut minerality, and mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything in focus.

The nose offers lemon balm, baked apricot, ripe pear, pineapple, and macadamia nut, with honeysuckle and subtle spice. On the palate, medium-bodied and fleshy with a creamy, mouth-coating texture, bright acidity, and a long finish of lemon verbena, fresh ginger, and a hint of marzipan. Serious complexity and impressive finesse, especially at this price point.

Incredibly versatile at the table — exceptional with roast chicken, lobster bisque, pan-seared halibut, creamy pasta, brie, and soft-ripened cheeses.

• Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
• Vineyard: Katherine's Vineyard
• Appellation: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2023
• Vinification: 30% stainless steel, 70% barrel; 7 months French oak (20% new)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2023

• Vinous — 92 pts: Rich yet energized, driven by taut minerality and juicy acidity. Barrel spice and ripe orchard fruit marry in harmony, with serious complexity, deep minerality and impressive finesse, especially for the price.
• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: Lemon balm, baked apricot and macadamia nut aromas. A blast of acidity cuts into the lightly salted core of pear, apple and citrus peel flavors, with a warm oak note carrying the finish.
• Jeb Dunnuck — 90 pts: Ripe stone and orchard fruits intermixed with honeysuckle and subtle spice. Medium-bodied, plush, round, and supple. A well-made, ready-to-drink California Chardonnay that delivers terrific value.
• Wine Spectator — 90 pts: Remarkable seamlessness and complexity — lemon blossoms, orange sherbet, papaya and marmalade, with a fresh thread of acidity and notes of lemon verbena, fresh ginger, and a hint of marzipan.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Debra, California Chardonnay Buyer — "This fleshy, medium-bodied wine offers plentiful flavors of tropical fruit, baking spice, and zest, with an underlying subtle oak influence. Harmoniously balanced with ample acidity and a buttery, creamy, mouth-coating finish."

Studio by Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé — Provence 2025

Studio by Miraval is a collaboration between the celebrated Perrin Family — the force behind Château Beaucastel and some of the Rhône’s greatest wines — and the legendary Miraval estate in Provence. Named as a tribute to the recording studio where Pink Floyd recorded The Wall, this wine embodies the spirit of Art de Vivre around the Mediterranean. Strongly influenced by sea spray and the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, the salty, almost iodized soils of the estate give the wine a unique coastal character that sets it apart from the crowd. The 2025 vintage — marked by intense summer heat, early maturity, and beautifully concentrated, aromatic berries — earned 90 points from Decanter and is punching well above its price.

The color is a seductive, clear, bright pale-pink with pastel reflections. The nose is all finesse and elegance: small red fruit, cherry blossom, and a superb aromatic bouquet. On the palate, it is lively and ample — blood orange, redcurrant, and cranberry are perfectly balanced by a fresh mineral structure and a hint of bitterness, with a long, tasty finish that lingers with iodized freshness.

Decanter 90 — “Concentrated, a really nice balance between cranberry and citrus. Open and lifted and aromatic, floral, dry and full of flavour. This is punching above its weight for the price.”

• Producer: Studio by Miraval, Perrin Family, Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOC
• Style: Dry Rosé
• Terroir: Mediterranean coastal soils with sea spray influence
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry blossom, small red fruit, blood orange, redcurrant, cranberry, fresh mineral structure, iodized finish
• Serve: Well-chilled at 44–48°F
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood, light salads, goat cheese, Provençal cuisine; perfect as an apéritif

Pink Floyd’s studio, the Perrin Family’s expertise, and the Mediterranean’s soul — Studio by Miraval is the Provence rosé that always earns its place at the table.

Winemaker Notes

Embodying the luxurious beauty of great Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this alluring wine draws you in with complex aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and sweet baking spices. Supple, round tannins frame juicy layers of dark berries and chocolate, with sophisticated hints of white pepper and toasty oak on a long, resonant finish.

About the Wine

The Decoy Limited series represents a step up from the standard Decoy line — sourced from a single premium appellation rather than a broader California blend. This bottling showcases Alexander Valley, one of Sonoma County’s most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon regions, known for its warm days, cool nights, and gravelly benchland soils that produce rich, structured reds.

Backed by the Duckhorn Portfolio — one of Napa and Sonoma’s most respected wine families — Decoy Limited delivers serious quality at a fraction of the flagship price.

Tasting & Pairings

Black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, chocolate, baking spices, white pepper, and toasty oak. Supple and round with juicy dark fruit and a long finish.

• Grilled ribeye or NY strip — the supple tannins and dark fruit are built for steak night.
• Braised short ribs — the chocolate and baking spice notes complement slow-cooked, rich meats.
• Aged cheddar or Gouda — the oak and dark berry character pairs beautifully with firm, nutty cheeses.

67Wine Buyer's Note

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine
Stephanie Fumoso is the great-granddaughter of Eugène Bonfils, who founded Domaine Gour de Chaulé in 1900. The estate has 10 hectares in the village of Gigondas, planted mainly to Grenache with small percentages of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The 2022 Cuvée Tradition is a pure expression of this beautiful part of the Southern Rhône — juicy, herb-infused strawberry fruit on the nose accented with crushed pepper and savory spices. Energetic and lively in the mouth, with a gentle grip of tannins and a lick of acidity on the long, elegant finish. Well balanced and perfectly suited to the dinner table — serve with braised meats, roasted vegetables, and hearty Mediterranean dishes.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"A refined, chiseled and bright red based mostly on Grenache with the addition of Syrah and Mourvèdre. The nose is precise and charming, with notes of wild strawberries, dried flowers, wet stones, and baking spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Fresh and well-balanced. Beautiful volume. Silky texture with a purity of fruit and a harmonious finish. Drink or hold."

Vinous — 93 Points
"The full-bodied 2022 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 is a total delight. Succulent red fruits mingle with floral tones and a pinch of dried herbs. Smooth tannins and bright acidity neatly structure this silky-textured Gigondas, which culminates with a concentrated, sapid finish. Give it two more years in bottle to develop even more complexity."

About the Vineyard

Several important vineyard sites form this Gigondas, including Gour de Chaulé, Les Blaches, and Les Bousquets. The Grenache vines average well over a half century in age, contributing the concentration and complexity that defines this cuvée.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Gour de Chaulé
• Region: Gigondas AOC, Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
• Vine Age: 50+ years
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Southern Rhône red
• Format: 750ml

Le Sughere di Frassinello Maremma Toscana — Tuscany 2022

Le Sughere di Frassinello is the flagship red of the Frassinello estate — a joint venture between Rocca di Frassinello and the Castellare di Castellina family on Tuscany’s wild, sun-drenched Maremma coast. Blending Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from coastal vineyards where the Mediterranean influence tempers the heat and concentrates flavor, this is a Super Tuscan that delivers serious complexity without sacrificing drinkability. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Vinous 90. At under $27, it is one of the most compelling values in coastal Tuscan wine.

Deep ruby in color. The nose is broad and expressive: ripe dark berries, plum skin, blueberry jam, dried orange, blue flowers, and cedar. On the palate, it is juicy and tense, with firm, ripe tannins, impressive fruit concentration, and a long, enveloping finish of black cherry and spice. It delivers the bold, coastal personality that only great Maremma Sangiovese can — and will reward another 5–8 years in the cellar.

James Suckling 91 — “Aromas of ripe dark berries, plum skin and blueberry jam with hints of blue flowers, dried oranges, spices and cedar. Juicy and tense on the palate, with firm tannins and impressive fruit concentration. Succulent and easy to drink.” (Vintage 2022).

Vinous 90 — “Bold, racy and super-expressive right out of the gate. Black cherry, spice, leather and a kiss of French oak open first. This aromatic, inviting coastal red has so much to offer in its engaging personality.” (Vintage 2022). 

Bart, 67Wine Buyer — “This beautifully crafted Super Tuscan will impress everyone at the table with its succulent fruit, plush texture, and savory complexity.”

• Producer: Frassinello Estate, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Maremma Toscana DOC
• Blend: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark berries, plum, blueberry, dried orange, cedar, black cherry, spice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–8 years
• Best Paired With: Wild boar, braised short ribs, game birds, full-flavored pasta, aged Pecorino

A 91-point Super Tuscan at an honest price — Le Sughere di Frassinello is the benchmark for what coastal Maremma can be.

Allegrini · Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT · Veneto, Italy · 2023 · 750ml

Allegrini is one of the Veneto's most important wine families, with roots in Fumane di Valpolicella stretching back to the 16th century. Palazzo della Torre is their signature Veronese IGT — a wine that has quietly become one of Italy's great overachievers. Blended from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and a touch of Sangiovese, it undergoes a partial ripasso-style process: a portion of the grapes are dried before fermentation, adding concentration, depth, and structure that punch well above the wine's price point. The result is a bottle that drinks like an Amarone's younger sibling — at a fraction of the cost. At $20.99, this is the Italian red you reach for when you want to impress without overthinking it.

Deep ruby in the glass with a generous, dark-fruited nose of black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate: full-bodied and richly textured, with lush fruit framed by graphite, crisp acidity, and tight, youthful tannins that give the wine real structure and aging potential. James Suckling awarded it 93 points for the 2023 vintage. Drink now through 2029, or cellar for a few years to let the tannins soften and the complexity deepen. Pair with braised short ribs, lamb ragu, aged pecorino, or a simple plate of charcuterie.

• Producer: Allegrini (est. Fumane di Valpolicella, Veneto)
• Wine: Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Veneto, Italy
• Blend: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Sangiovese
• Method: Partial ripasso-style drying process
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Veneto red
• Score: James Suckling 93 Points
• Drinking Window: Now–2029
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, dark chocolate, graphite, crisp acidity, chewy tannins
• Pair With: Braised short ribs · Lamb ragu · Aged pecorino · Charcuterie

Ripasso depth, Amarone soul — Allegrini's most reliable overachiever.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A bright, balanced red, with an aromatic overtone of medicinal herbs and spices accenting flavors of macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, stone, smoke, milled pepper and paprika. Lightly chewy on the finish. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Drink now through 2033. (Vintage 2023). 

Winemaker Notes

Benanti Etna Rosso is pale ruby red in color. The bouquet is ethereal and intense, with spicy red fruit aromas. Well balanced and medium-bodied, with a mineral-rich complexity, pleasant acidity, and a saline freshness on the long and lively finish.

Food Pairings

A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with red meats, aged cheeses, grilled fish, and white meats. Equally excellent by the glass.

Product Details

• Producer: Benanti
• Region: Etna DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Grape: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Volcanic red — mineral, floral, saline
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Grifi is born from two late-ripening grape varieties — one Italian, the other French. An incredible blend where the freshness of Sangiovese blends perfectly with the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sangiovese is sourced from Avignonesi’s vineyards in Montepulciano, producing a spicy, elegant wine, while the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from plots in Cortona and Montepulciano, lending tannins and structure. To facilitate the encounter of these two varieties, the grapes are harvested and fermented together.

Dark ruby red with purple hues. The nose opens with hints of blueberries, blackberries, and incense, moving on to graphite and vanilla nuances. In the mouth it is dense, broad, and complex with hints of plum and blueberry, evolving into a balsamic and spicy explosion supported by good acidity. Lively tannins accompany the savory, persistent finish.

Certified Organic and Biodynamic.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"Bright and focused, this offers aromas of fresh dark and blue fruit, fine herbs, crushed stones and a hint of walnuts. Medium-bodied, a little chewy and well structured, with a firm, juicy profile and a fresh, minerally finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold."

Product Details

• Producer: Avignonesi
• Region: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 61.77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.23% Sangiovese
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Vintage: 2022
• Drinking Window: Now–2030+
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Super Tuscan
• Format: 750ml

Château Bel-Air Lussac Saint-Émilion 2020 — Bordeaux, France

Château Bel-Air is a benchmark estate in Lussac Saint-Émilion, the satellite appellation just north of Saint-Émilion proper, where clay-limestone soils and a cooler microclimate produce Merlot and Cabernet Franc of remarkable depth and elegance. The 2020 Cuvée Jean & Gabriel — equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, raised in one-third new French oak — is a standout achievement in an exceptional vintage. James Suckling awarded it 92 points; the Wine Advocate 91; Jeb Dunnuck 90 — calling it “well worth seeking out” with 8–10 years of prime drinking ahead.

The nose is complex and inviting: crushed raspberries and blackberries, kirsch, lavender, dark spices, and a whisper of wild mushroom and damp earth. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied, with savory layers of red and black fruit, soft tannins, and a seamless, balanced finish of outstanding length.

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 91 • Jeb Dunnuck 90 — “Seamless, balanced mouthfeel and outstanding length.”

• Producer: Château Bel-Air, Lussac Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: One-third new French oak
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, kirsch, lavender, dark spice, earthy, seamless finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 8–10 years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, aged Comté, mushroom risotto

A 92-point Right Bank Bordeaux at an honest price — Château Bel-Air is the benchmark for what Lussac Saint-Émilion can be.

Gruet Brut Gold Label — New Mexico, USA

The story of Gruet is one of the great surprises in American wine. In 1984, the Gruet family of Champagne, France — already celebrated producers in the heart of the world’s most famous sparkling wine region — planted vineyards at 4,300 feet elevation in the New Mexico desert. What they discovered was a high-altitude terroir of remarkable character: cool nights, intense sun, and volcanic soils that produce grapes of exceptional natural acidity and finesse. The Gold Label Brut is their flagship cuvée: a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend crafted in the traditional méthode champenoise, with fine persistent bubbles, elegant brioche notes, and a crisp, refreshing finish that rivals sparkling wines at twice the price. Decanter awarded it 90 points. At $16.99, it is one of the most exciting values in American sparkling wine.

The nose is elegant and inviting: meringue, hints of lavender, and a whisper of molten candle wax. On the palate, fresh-cut apple flesh, wild honey, and quince come forward with brisk, satisfying acidity and a clean, persistent finish. Fine bubbles carry the wine from start to finish with real Champagne-house precision.

Decanter 90 — "Meringue, hints of lavender with notes of molten candle wax on the nose. The palate brings out the fruitiness of fresh cut apple flesh, wild honey, and quince. Brisk and satisfying."

• Producer: Gruet Winery, New Mexico, USA
• Style: Brut Sparkling Wine
• Blend: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
• Method: Traditional Méthode Champenoise
• Elevation: 4,300 feet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meringue, lavender, apple, wild honey, quince, brioche, fine persistent bubbles
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shrimp cocktail, sushi, soft cheeses, charcuterie, fried chicken, smoked salmon, brunch

A Champagne family’s New Mexico masterpiece — Gruet’s Gold Label Brut is the benchmark for what American sparkling wine can be at this price.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

Bollinger is one of Champagne's most storied and revered houses — a family-owned Grande Marque founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Pinot Noir-dominant Montagne de Reims. Fiercely independent, resolutely traditional, and uncompromising in quality, Bollinger is the only major Champagne house to still ferment a portion of its reserve wines in magnum and to use a significant proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in its blends. The Special Cuvée is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut — a benchmark of the Bollinger style and one of the most consistently celebrated Champagnes in the world. The current release is based on the 2019 vintage (45%), blended with 55% reserve wines, with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier — approximately 10% vinified in oak barrel, with around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums.

The color is a rich, youthful golden hue. The nose is classic and complex: golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, and toasty sourdough — the unmistakable Bollinger signature of depth, richness, and biscuity autolytic character. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel, racy acidity, and a pillowy, refined mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes carry through to a long, inviting finish with just a hint of warmth. Exceptional now, with plenty of life ahead.

Decanter 95 — "A classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan, toastiness and leesy sourdough. Classic for a reason — would only elevate any table it finds itself on."

Jancis Robinson 17/20 — "A particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger. Very fine texture, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes. Great length — a lovely example."

Jeb Dunnuck 93 — "Classic and ripe with lush, rounded aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone and black cherry. Full-bodied yet elegant. One of the best entry wines to the range from this house — a benchmark wine."

James Suckling 93 — "Lovely density and fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot, spice, zest and ginger. Always really well done."

Robert Parker 92 — "Bursting from the glass with honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Charming, characterful — Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs."

• Producer: Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 55% (including ~40% aged in magnum)
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Oak: ~10% vinified in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, sourdough, pillowy mousse, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté, charcuterie, aperitivo

James Bond's Champagne of choice — Bollinger Special Cuvée is the benchmark non-vintage Brut, and one of the great Champagnes at any price.

Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon — Napa Valley 2023

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at this price is a rare find — and Educated Guess makes a compelling case that you don’t have to spend a fortune to drink well from one of the world’s greatest wine regions. The 2023 vintage is bright, structured, and built for the table.

The nose is spiced and cedary, with dark cherry, ripe plum, hints of cigar box, and a whisper of wet earth. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and chewy with a lightly austere, bitter-spice character balanced by juicy, fruit-forward depth. Petite Sirah contributes beautiful color and spice, while splashes of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the mouthwatering finish.

“Full-bodied and chewy with juicy fruit underneath.” — James Suckling, 90 Points

• Producer: Educated Guess, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Malbec
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, plum, cedar, cigar box, wet earth, bitter spice
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, aged cheddar, braised short ribs

A crowd-pleasing Napa Cab with genuine structure and complexity — an educated choice for any occasion.

Maison Saint AIX Rosé — Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France 2025 750ml

Nestled in the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Maison Saint Aix is a Provençal estate with a rich winemaking heritage rooted in exceptional terroir. The vineyard spans 75 hectares, where Mediterranean sun, cooling Mistral winds, and limestone-rich soils provide the ideal environment for Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Grapes are cultivated using sustainable, organic practices that respect the environment and preserve local biodiversity. Aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve maximum purity and freshness, AIX Rosé is an authentic expression of Provence — elegant, crisp, and unmistakably of its place.

The 2025 opens with a hypnotizing pale pink color and aromas of citrus, wild berries, and white peach. On the palate it is refreshingly crisp and dry, with a mineral finish that lingers with precision and grace.

The Tasting Panel 92 Points — “Salted raspberries, summer watermelon, and a linear strike of wet stone weave through, creating a juicy, mouth-puckering pink sipper.”

• Producer: Maison Saint Aix, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
• Farming: Organic, sustainable practices
• Aging: Stainless steel tanks for maximum freshness
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pale pink, citrus, wild berries, white peach, salted raspberry, watermelon, wet stone, crisp mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled seafood, summer salads, goat cheese, charcuterie, light pasta dishes

The quintessential Provençal rosé — AIX 2025 is everything summer in a glass.

92 Points – View from the Cellar (John Gilman)
"Deep and complex bouquet of gooseberry, lime, a beautiful base of chalky minerality, newly-cut grass, just a whisper of anise and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and nicely soil-driven in personality, with a fine core of fruit, a lovely spine of acidity, excellent balance and a long, complex and nicely grassy finish." Drink 2025–2035.

There is a kind of magic that only the caillottes soils of Sancerre can conjure — shallow, stony limestone that forces the vine to dig deep, yielding wines of exceptional aromatic precision and a minerality that seems to hum with the energy of the earth itself. Renaissance Magie des Caillottes is exactly that: a wine born of restraint and conviction, where no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts, and no compromises stand between the grape and the glass.

A joint venture between the Frères Fleuriet and Stéphane Marchand, Renaissance has become one of Sancerre's most exciting organic and biodynamic estates. Their Magie des Caillottes is a testament to what happens when farming philosophy and terroir align perfectly — floral and fruity on the nose with citrus, gooseberry, and crushed stone, then precise and tensile on the palate, with a long, harmonious finish that lingers with elegance and purpose.

This is a Sancerre that drinks beautifully now yet has the structure to reward patience through 2035.

Tasting Notes
Citrus blossom, gooseberry, lime zest, and crushed chalk on the nose. The palate is crisp and focused — full-bodied yet precise — with a beautiful chalky minerality from the caillottes soils, vibrant acidity, and a long, grassy, harmonious finish.

Food Pairing
A natural match for oysters, grilled fish, shellfish, and fresh goat cheese. Equally stunning as a standalone aperitif.

Product Details

• Appellation: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
• Drinking Window: 2025–2035
• Producer: Renaissance (Frères Fleuriet & Stéphane Marchand)

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

94 pts — James Suckling
Bright and overtly fruity, this is full of intoxicating violets, cinnamon, blood oranges and black cherries, expressing mint and balsamic depth. Full-bodied with a soft, smooth attack, dusty yet velvety tannins and brilliant acidity. The chocolaty finish shows licorice and a mouth-coating texture. Delicious and balanced. Drink or hold.

93 pts — Vinous
The 2022 Barbaresco is a pretty rich, heady wine. Dark cherry/plum fruit, cloves, licorice and mocha build as the 2022 shows off its considerable depth. One of the few 2022s that is quite resonant texturally. The inclusion of some juice from Riserva lots is a great help. All things considered, this is a stellar showing.

92 pts — Jeb Dunnuck
Jeweled red color with aromas of ripe raspberry liqueur, fresh cherries, sweet herbs, and pressed flowers. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins and a clean, even finish. Juicy and approachable. Drink 2025–2040.

Winemaker Notes

Classic Barbaresco color with scents of spices, pepper, and black cherries. Powerful, firm, elegant, and ethereal.

About Produttori del Barbaresco

Founded in 1958, Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy's most revered wine cooperatives — and the benchmark producer for Barbaresco DOCG. The cooperative unites growers from the finest crus in the Barbaresco commune: Asili, Rabajà, Montefico, Montestefano, Ovello, Pora, and Rio Sordo. Under winemaker Aldo Vacca, Produttori remains committed to traditional Nebbiolo winemaking — long macerations, large Slavonian oak casks, and minimal intervention — producing wines of extraordinary purity, terroir expression, and age-worthiness at prices that consistently over-deliver.

Food Pairings

Fresh pasta with truffles or ragù, braised lamb, roasted game birds, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Barolo-braised short ribs. Cellar through 2040 or decant 2–3 hours before serving now.

Product Details

• Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
• Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vintage: 2022
• Aging: Large Slavonian oak casks
• Style: Full-bodied, structured, age-worthy
• Drink: Now–2040 (decant 2–3 hours)
• Format: 750ml

  Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 2024 — Carneros, Napa Valley

Frank Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates, founded in 1992 by Rich Frank — former president of Disney Studios — with a singular focus on producing benchmark Napa wines. Their Carneros Chardonnay is a perennial critical favorite, sourced from one of Napa Valley’s most prized appellations for the variety. Carneros, situated at the southern end of the valley just north of San Pablo Bay, is defined by cool maritime breezes, morning fog, and clay-rich soils that produce Chardonnay of exceptional balance between richness and acidity.

The 2024 leads with zesty lemon and guava aromas tempered by notes of vanilla and caramel-covered apples. On the palate, delicious layers of nutmeg and crème brûlée seamlessly combine with hints of toasted oak and elegant waves of fresh acidity, leading to a bright, lingering finish. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, calling it “a very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay — well made, poised and stylish.”

James Suckling 92 — “A very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay with a good core of fruit and spices, bright acidity and a textural, rounded mouthfeel.”

• Producer: Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley (est. 1992)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA (Carneros)
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, guava, vanilla, caramel apple, nutmeg, crème brûlée, toasted oak, bright acidity, lingering finish
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, lobster, crab, creamy pasta, brie, light butter and cream sauces

Carneros Chardonnay at its most poised — Frank Family delivers richness, elegance, and Napa Valley terroir in every glass.

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva — Sardinia, Italy 2021

Sella & Mosca is Sardinia's most storied and important winery, founded in 1899 near Alghero in the northwest of the island. With over 500 hectares under vine, it is one of Europe's largest single-estate wineries — and its Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva is the benchmark expression of the island's most celebrated indigenous red grape. Cannonau — known on the mainland and in France as Grenache — has been grown in Sardinia for centuries and thrives in the island's sun-drenched, wind-swept terrain. The Riserva designation requires extended aging, adding structure and complexity to the grape's naturally generous fruit character.

The 2021 pours a ruby red with garnet hues, translucent and brilliant. The nose is bright and refined — fresh violet, red berries, plum, blackcurrant, sun-dried tomatoes, and oriental spices with a savory, lightly smoky character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, solid, and well-structured, with fine tannins, fresh bursts of balsam and medicinal herbs, and a long finish that moves through toasted hints before returning to the spice route. Warm, balanced, and unmistakably Sardinian.

"Red berries, herbs, smoke and sun-dried tomatoes on the nose. Lightly peppery and spicy on the palate, medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a tasty finish." — James Suckling, 92 Points

• Producer: Sella & Mosca, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva
• Varietal: Cannonau (Grenache)
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: James Suckling 92
• Tasting Notes: Red berries, violet, plum, sun-dried tomatoes, oriental spices, balsam, fine tannins
• Best Paired With: Roasted lamb, grilled meats, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino Sardo, hearty pasta dishes

A 92-point Sardinian Riserva from the island's most iconic estate — Cannonau at its most expressive, structured, and authentically Mediterranean.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige — California NV

Mumm Napa is widely considered one of California’s finest producers of méthode champenoise sparkling wine, blending traditional French Champagne techniques with the vibrant, sun-ripened fruit of Napa Valley. The Brut Prestige is the house’s signature expression — a complex assemblage of primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that delivers elegance, freshness, and exceptional value in every glass. Earning 90 points from both Wine Spectator and Decanter, this is the best-value domestic sparkler that consistently punches above its price point.

The nose opens with gorgeous layered white blossom aromas, followed by creamy vanilla, citrus, stone fruit, and melon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and delicate yet plush — cherry, lemon verbena, green apple, orange blossom, and yeast roll flavors linger on a supple, refreshing finish with excellent mousse and crisp, elegant acidity. Equally at home as an apéritif or at the table.

Wine Spectator 90 — “Delicate in style yet plush, with pretty cherry, lemon verbena and yeast roll flavors that linger on the supple, refreshing finish.”

Decanter 90 — “A snappy sparkling with a seriously fresh nose of green apple, orange blossom, citrus and gingerbread. Medium-bodied, balanced, crisp and complex, with a lengthy finish.”

• Producer: Mumm Napa, Napa Valley, California, USA
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: California
• Blend: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
• Method: Méthode Champenoise
• Style: Brut Sparkling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White blossom, vanilla, citrus, stone fruit, cherry, lemon verbena, green apple, orange blossom, excellent mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sushi, truffle popcorn, roast poultry, creamy pasta, spicy Thai; excellent in Mimosas or French 75

French technique, California sunshine, 90 points from two continents — Mumm Napa’s Brut Prestige is the sparkling wine that makes every occasion feel special.

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

James Suckling 93 Points | A ripe but balanced wine with plenty of golden apple and Bartlett pear flavors on a smooth, buttery texture. Some green apple acidity brightens up the ripeness, lifting vanilla bean, toast, and butterscotch nuances. Full-bodied.

Winemaker Description

Decoy Limited represents the elevated tier of the Decoy lineup — where the standard Decoy Chardonnay draws from across California, the Limited label focuses strictly on the cooler maritime vineyards of the Sonoma Coast, delivering more precision, depth, and structural complexity. The 2024 growing season brought a cool, wet winter and moderate spring, with harvest beginning mid-September. Strategic leafing and crop adjustments yielded white wines with fresh aromatics and lively acidity.

Food Pairings

Dungeness crab with drawn butter, lobster rolls, seared scallops, roasted chicken with cream-and-mushroom sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, roasted squash with sage butter, and truffle mushroom risotto.

The benchmark rosé Champagne. The one every other measures itself against.

Billecart-Salmon Le Rosé has been setting the standard since 1830 — born in the prestigious cellars of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, crafted with a precision and elegance that is simply unmatched. This is not just Champagne. This is a moment.

In the Glass
A luminous salmon-pink with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose opens with fresh strawberry, wild raspberry, and a whisper of citrus blossom, lifted by a subtle warmth of brioche. On the palate — pliant, creamy, and strikingly expressive. Pomegranate and grapefruit weave into a brisk, finely cut finish. There is a vinous depth here, a sense that behind the Champagne, there is a real wine — effortlessly fresh, impossibly delicate.

The Blend
40% Chardonnay · 30% Pinot Noir · 30% Pinot Meunier (~7% still red wine)
NV base: 2020 · 46% reserve wines dating to 2014 · Dosage: 4.7 g/L

"At any time, it's like a ray of sunlight that transcends the beauty of the moment."
— Pierre Hermé, Legendary Pastry Chef

Expert Reviews

🍷 Antonio Galloni, Vinous — 91 pts | Pliant, creamy and super-expressive. Pomegranate and grapefruit laced into the brisk, finely cut finish. Drinking 2024–2030.

🍷 Tim Hewson, Decanter — 92 pts | Fragrant, crunchy redcurrant, red cherry and orange fruit with an alluring hibiscus-like floral lift. A rosé of immediacy and charm. Drinking 2024–2027.

Enjoy Balta Pairs: Mas Petit Organic 2021

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

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

Winemaker Description 

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

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

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

• Vegetarian: Roasted Mediterranean vegetables or Portobello mushroom steaks.

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

Unveiling the Essence of Balta Pairs

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

A Perfect Pairing for Every Occasion

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

Why Choose Organic?

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

Melville Winery · Sta. Rita Hills · 2023

Melville’s Estate Pinot Noir captures the cool-climate character of Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County, balancing ripe California fruit with savory detail, freshness, and structure. It is a polished, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with the focus and versatility to work at the table or in the cellar.

Redcurrant, framboise, strawberry, and raspberry coulis meet peppery herbs, pine, floral notes, dark fruit, and citrus peel. Fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in neutral wood, the wine carries integrated acidity, silky texture, and ripe, polished tannins through a sleek finish.

Expert Reviews — 2023 Vintage

Jeb Dunnuck: 93 points
“A terrific base appellation release, with redcurrants, framboise, peppery herbs, and floral nuances on the nose. Medium-bodied, pure, supple, and well-structured on the palate, with integrated acidity and ripe, polished tannins. Fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in neutral wood, it’s beautifully done and worth a case purchase.”

Wine Advocate: 92+ points
“Tasted just three weeks after bottling, the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate is already showing beautifully. The nose presents powerful dark fruit and citrus peel aromas with spry energy, mirrored on the silky, refined palate. It finishes with a lovely balance between saturated fruits and a powdery, subtly drying structure.”

Wine Spectator: 90 points
“Brisk and fresh, with pine and savory notes peeking out from a core of strawberry and raspberry coulis. The finish is light-bodied but sleek. Drink now through 2027.”

• Producer: Melville Winery
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
• Region: Santa Barbara County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Winemaking: 40% whole cluster; aged in neutral wood
• Style: Medium-bodied, cool-climate California Pinot Noir
• Tasting notes: Redcurrant, framboise, strawberry, raspberry, peppery herbs, pine, florals, and citrus peel
• Pair with: Mushroom risotto, grilled pork chops, roasted duck, salmon, tuna poke, or earthy vegetable dishes
• Drinking window: Now through 2027+
• Size: 750ml

A precise, cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir with 93-point pedigree, savory freshness, and polished structure.

La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti Superiore Ca’ di Pian Organic — Piedmont 2023

La Spinetta is one of Piedmont’s most celebrated estates, founded by Giorgio Rivetti in Castagnole delle Lanze. Rivetti is widely credited with modernizing Barbera d’Asti — bringing precision viticulture, organic farming, and meticulous cellar work to a variety long underestimated in the region. Ca’ di Pian, sourced from Castagnole delle Lanze and Costigliole d’Asti, is La Spinetta’s entry-level Barbera — yet it consistently punches well above its price, earning critical acclaim vintage after vintage. The estate farms entirely without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, expressing the purest possible fruit from its Piedmontese terroir.

The 2023 is soft, supple, and immediately captivating. A burst of blueberry, black cherry, morello cherry, spice, lavender, menthol, and chocolate gives the wine tremendous appeal and versatility. Fresh, fruit-forward, and beautifully balanced — an especially fine edition of this beloved cuvée.

“A terrific value… tons of immediacy and sheer appeal.” — Vinous, 90 Points

• Producer: La Spinetta, Castagnole delle Lanze, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOC
• Vineyard: Ca’ di Pian (Castagnole delle Lanze & Costigliole d’Asti)
• Varietal: 100% Barbera
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blueberry, black cherry, morello cherry, spice, lavender, menthol, chocolate
• Best Paired With: Cured meats, soft cheeses, Piedmontese agnolotti, roast veal, grilled meats, mushroom dishes

Giorgio Rivetti’s benchmark Barbera — organic, expressive, and one of Piedmont’s great values under $30.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 95 Points | A youthful wine full of fruit, showing intense fresh roses, black cherries and plums. The generous nose is supported by a lush, supple palate with medium body. Velvety tannins with a chalkier finish and refreshing length. 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Full of savory, umami flavors, this red evokes earth, leather, sweet spice, cherry, plum and Szechuan peppercorn notes. Firm and dry, with broad tannins and a lingering kernel of cherry. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2040. 

Winemaker Description - Vintage 2022 

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is intensely ruby red in color. Impressive on the nose with intense notes of black cherries, delicate floral hints of violets and rose petals that lead over to notes of vanilla and cocoa powder. Entry on the palate is mouth filling and lively then unfolds with great balance revealing supple vibrant tannins that accompany and sustain a long, sapid and persistent finish.

Feudi di San Gregorio · Falanghina del Sannio DOC · 2024

Feudi di San Gregorio is one of the standard-bearers of modern Campanian winemaking, known for bringing the region’s ancient indigenous grapes to a wider audience. This Falanghina comes from the volcanic soils of Sannio in Campania’s Benevento province, where the variety has long been cultivated.

Brilliant straw yellow with green reflections, it opens with jasmine, acacia honey, lemon, lime blossom, subtle nutmeg, salt, and wet stone. Lively acidity keeps the medium-bodied palate fresh and precise, while a lightly honeyed texture carries into a clean, mineral finish.

Expert Reviews — James Suckling & Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage)

James Suckling: 91 points
“Aromas of apples, precise fresh fruit and flowers. Light- to medium-bodied, it shows freshness with some silkiness and savory length. Full flavored for a falanghina.”

Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
“The nose energizes with aromas of lemon, lime, white flowers and crushed rocks. The palate contrasts with a leading note of bitter almond skin, which pushes the citrus towards an orange peel feel, but a drizzle of honey provides balance and sets up a finish of orange blossom honey that unifies and creates a round, filling mouthfeel.”

• Producer: Feudi di San Gregorio
• Varietal: 100% Falanghina
• Appellation: Falanghina del Sannio DOC
• Region: Sannio, Campania, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation
• Tasting notes: Jasmine, acacia honey, lemon, lime blossom, salt, wet stone, and a clean mineral finish
• Pair with: Seafood, grilled fish, fresh cheeses, vegetable dishes, light appetizers, or aperitivo
• Size: 750ml

A brilliant Campanian white with floral lift, citrus freshness, volcanic minerality, and easy table appeal.

Winemaker Description

Complex on the nose with aromas of black fruits, woody and spicy notes. On the palate, the expression is harmonious and balanced with ripe fruit and a toasted character. Silky tannins make this a perfect expression of the spirit of the Crus Bourgeois.

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2018

Vinous (Neal Martin) — 92 Points
"The 2018 Prieuré de Beyzac has a really lovely bouquet of perfumed red cherries and wild strawberry with well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, pinpoint acidity, and great precision toward the finish. This is one of the outstanding Cru Bourgeois of the vintage. Absolutely superb. Drinking 2023–2035."

Decanter (Georgina Hindle) — 92 Points
"Sweet red cherry and vanilla nose. Forward and energetic, with tannic weight, freshness, and very glossy fruit and oak on the palate. Drinking 2023–2030."

James Suckling — 91 Points
"Aromas of stewed blackberries, dried violets, walnuts, and dark chocolate. Medium-to-full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins. Chewy and structured. Try from 2023."

About Château Prieuré de Beyzac

Château Prieuré de Beyzac is a Cru Bourgeois estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, producing structured, terroir-driven reds from the classic Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest in recent Bordeaux history, combining exceptional ripeness with natural freshness and structure. At under $25, Prieuré de Beyzac represents outstanding value for a wine earning 92-point scores from both Vinous and Decanter — and named one of the outstanding Cru Bourgeois of the vintage by Neal Martin.

Food Pairings

Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, braised short ribs, mushroom-based dishes, and aged hard cheeses. Decant 30–60 minutes before serving; will continue to develop through 2035.

Product Details

• Producer: Château Prieuré de Beyzac
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
• Vintage: 2018
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, precise, cellar-worthy Bordeaux
• Drink: Now–2035 (decant 30–60 min)
• Format: 750ml

Castello Monaci Primitivo Piluna — Salento, Apulia 2023

Castello Monaci is one of Apulia's most storied estates, and Piluna — named for the ancient clay vessel once used to store water and wine — is its benchmark expression of Primitivo. Sourced from vineyards surrounding the historic estate in Salento, where dry clay, volcanic gravel, and limestone soils force vines deep in search of water, the wine delivers the rich, concentrated character that makes southern Italian Primitivo one of the world's most compelling value reds. James Suckling awarded it 90 points. At $14.99, it is one of Italy's most honest overachievers.

The nose opens with broad, ripe black fruit, sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges, and sweet spices, with notes of pepper, toasty vanilla, and Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, it is robust and concentrated with a jammy, lightly sweet-sour character, ripe tannins, and a lingering finish of small black fruit and licorice. Harvested by hand before dawn to preserve sugar levels, then aged 6 months in a blend of stainless steel and 2nd and 3rd use French oak.

"Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins." — James Suckling, 90 Points (Vintage 2023)

• Producer: Castello Monaci, Salento, Apulia, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Salento IGT
• Varietal: 100% Primitivo
• Style: Full-bodied, rich, fruit-forward southern Italian red
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation; aged 6 months in 75% stainless steel and 25% 2nd & 3rd use French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges, black fruit, pepper, toasty vanilla, licorice
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, aged pecorino, tomato-based pasta, charcuterie

A 90-point Apulian Primitivo at an honest price — Piluna is the benchmark for what Salento can deliver in a glass.

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2023 — Sonoma Coast, California

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards has been one of Sonoma Coast’s most dedicated Chardonnay producers since 1987, when Steve MacRostie began crafting wines that prioritized site expression over winemaking intervention. The Sonoma Coast AVA — with its cool Pacific-influenced climate, morning fog, and well-drained hillside soils — is one of California’s premier addresses for Chardonnay, producing wines with the kind of natural acidity and aromatic complexity that sets them apart from warmer inland bottlings.

The 2023 opens with beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, melon, and perfumed lemon mingling with hints of slate, wet chalk, and intriguing floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. On the velvety palate, pineapple and guava give way to layers of stone fruit, Key lime pie, Asian pear, and yellow apple, all flowing to a long, luxurious finish. James Suckling awarded it 90 points, noting “plenty of ripe, succulent fruit on a full body and a smooth, rounded texture.”

James Suckling 90 — “Applesauce, pineapple, brown butter and vanilla bean flavors give ample richness.”

• Producer: MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Sonoma Coast, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Closure: Screwcap
• Farming: Sustainable
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, melon, lemon, jasmine, orange blossom, pineapple, guava, stone fruit, Key lime, Asian pear, brown butter, vanilla
• Best Paired With: Grilled halibut, lobster bisque, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, crab cakes

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay at its most expressive — MacRostie delivers complexity and elegance at an honest price.

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc — Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Greywacke is the personal project of Kevin Judd — the winemaker who spent two decades building Cloudy Bay into one of the world's most recognized Sauvignon Blanc brands before striking out on his own. Named after the hard, dark stone that forms the riverbeds of Marlborough, Greywacke is a small-production estate focused on wines of genuine depth and site specificity. The Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc is their benchmark expression: harvested largely by machine during cool, often cold night-time conditions, picked earlier than normal over a three-week period commencing 16 March, transported directly to the winery in the Omaka Valley, lightly pressed for high-quality juice, and left on lees on individual vineyard batches until late June before blending. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with the volume turned down a notch — and all the better for it.

The 2025 pours a pale, luminous gold. The nose is vibrant and aromatic — lemon blossom, honeydew melon, orange blossom, passion fruit, white pineapple, kumquat, and lime sherbet, delicately infused with herb garden botanicals and a flourish of elderflower and wildflowers. On the palate, sleek and smooth with mid-palate richness, juicy lemon, steely cassis, beeswax, brine, and a generously textured finish with impressive structure and depth. Crunchy New Zealand acidity, savory phenolics, and a clean, lingering close.

• Producer: Greywacke (Kevin Judd)
• Appellation: Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2025
• Harvest: Night harvest; picked 16 March over 3 weeks
• Vinification: Stainless steel; individual vineyard batches on lees until late June
• Alcohol: 13%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2025

• Wine Advocate — 94 pts: Leads with a soft nose of musk sticks and brine, green apple skins, wet linen and green olive tapenade. Tightly coiled yet textured by pithy phenolics. The length of flavor is long, as we have come to expect from Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc. A superb wine in any vintage.
• James Suckling — 93 pts: Flavorful, focused and textural — papayas, limes and stones on the nose. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Lively and succulent, with a precise palate and a long finish.

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc — California 2024

Bogle Vineyards has been crafting honest, approachable California wines since 1968, and their Sauvignon Blanc is a perennial benchmark for the style at its price point. The 2024 vintage is sourced from cool-climate California vineyards, fermented in stainless steel to preserve the grape's natural aromatics and deliver the clean, vibrant character that has made this bottling an Editors' Choice selection year after year.

The nose is fresh and aromatic: citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach, and cut grass, with hints of key lime and fresh herbs. On the palate, the wine is crisp and textural, with flavors of lemon verbena, white nectarine, and guava, building toward a fleshy mid-palate and a dry, lingering finish of wet stone and citrus. It is clean, refreshing, and endlessly food-friendly.

“Fresh and aromatic with citrus, honeysuckle, and white peach notes. Flavors are crisp, with lemon verbena, white nectarine, and guava, ending dry.” — Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 89 pts — Editors’ Choice. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Aging: Stainless steel fermentation and aging
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach, key lime, lemon verbena, white nectarine, guava, wet stone finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, shellfish, fresh salads, goat cheese, light pasta dishes

California’s go-to Sauvignon Blanc at an honest price — Bogle delivers consistent, Editors’ Choice quality with every vintage.