All Wine On Sale

Chilean Merlot That Delivers Everyday Pleasure at an Unbeatable Price

Gato Negro is one of Chile's most beloved everyday wine brands, sourcing from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Central Valley to produce approachable, fruit-forward wines that consistently overdeliver for the price. Their Merlot is a textbook example of Chilean value: smooth, fresh, and immediately enjoyable, with the ripe fruit character and soft tannins that make Merlot one of the world's most crowd-pleasing varieties.

Winemaker Notes

Ruby-red in color with violet hues. Intense, fresh, and fruity aromas of blackberry and plum, melded with smooth toasted notes and sweet vanilla. Medium-bodied on the palate with smooth tannins, lively fruit flavors, and a pleasing finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Merlot
• Appellation: Central Valley, Chile
• Producer: Gato Negro / Viña San Pedro
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Wonderfully versatile — great with grilled chicken, pasta with tomato sauce, burgers, mild cheeses, and casual weeknight meals.

Ramey Cellars Chardonnay — Russian River Valley, Sonoma County 2023

David Ramey is one of California's most celebrated winemakers — a Burgundy-trained perfectionist who has spent decades proving that the Russian River Valley can produce Chardonnay of genuine world-class stature. The 2023 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is sourced from seven exceptional cool-climate vineyard sites — Lafranchi, Westside Farms, Sonoma Foothills, Martinelli Laughlin, Kilcullen, Dutton Sebastopol, and Frank Johnson — all planted on low-vigor Goldridge loam soils between 1978 and 2017. Whole-cluster pressed, native-yeast fermented, and aged 12 months on the lees in 10% new French oak, it is a Chardonnay of extraordinary intensity, purity, and precision. Decanter, The Wine Advocate, and Wine Spectator all awarded it 94–95 points. 

The nose is open and inviting: stone fruit, white peach, guava, macerated mango, and apricot, layered with exotic baking spices, toasted brioche, ginger, and honey. On the palate, the fruit is luxuriously ripe yet laser-focused — concentrated and layered, with fireworks of fresh acidity, crushed rock minerality, and a very long, perfumed finish. Drink now through 2039.

Decanter 95 • Wine Advocate 95 • Wine Spectator 94 — "One of the finest, most balanced, and well-structured Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley at this price point."

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Decanter — 95 Points
Clean and sleek, a beautifully balanced medium-bodied Chardonnay with luxuriously ripe stone and orchard fruit. Exotic baking spices complement layers of guava, white peach, and macerated mango with apricot. What’s most impressive is the intensity and purity of the fruit — so precisely delineated, profoundly spicy, and laser-focused. At $50, this is one of the finest, most balanced, and well-structured Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley at this price point.

The Wine Advocate (Erin Brooks) — 95 Points
Open, inviting aromas of stone fruit and pineapple, panna cotta, ginger, toasted brioche and honey. The palate combines concentrated, layered flavors with fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a very long, perfumed finish.

Wine Spectator — 94 Points
Leaps out of the glass with intensity, offering vibrant fruit flavors of crisp Meyer lemon, apple and pear. Aromatic details of tangerine, lime sherbet and lemon blossoms add complexity alongside fresh herbal accents of lemon balm and sweetgrass. Crushed rock minerality lingers on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2039.

• Producer: Ramey Cellars, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Lafranchi (26%), Westside Farms (18%), Sonoma Foothills (16%), Martinelli Laughlin (15%), Kilcullen (12%), Dutton Sebastopol (9%), Frank Johnson (4%)
• Soils: Goldridge loam, cool-climate, low-vigor sites planted 1978–2017
• Vinification: Whole-cluster press, native-yeast fermentation, full native malolactic, sur lies bâtonnage
• Aging: 12 months in 10% new French oak (Taransaud Beaune, François Frères); fined, bottled unfiltered December 2024
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, guava, mango, apricot, baking spice, brioche, ginger, crushed rock minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2039
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roast halibut, butter-poached scallops, roast chicken, truffle risotto, aged Comté

Three scores of 94–95 points from the world’s top critics — Ramey’s Russian River Valley Chardonnay is the benchmark for what California can do at this price.

Honig Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — Napa Valley 2022

Honig is one of Napa Valley’s most trusted family estates — a multi-generational winery committed to sustainable viticulture and the kind of honest, terroir-driven Cabernet that made Napa famous. Sourced from estate vineyards in the heart of the valley and aged in a combination of French and American oak, the 2022 delivers everything that defines great Napa Cabernet: concentrated dark fruit, elegant structure, silky tannins, and a long, complex finish. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Wine Advocate 90. At under $60, it is one of the most compelling values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

The nose is inviting and expressive: blackberry, kirsch, red plum, dried flowers, and walnuts. On the palate, it is full-bodied and luscious, with layers of black cherry, cranberry, cedar, loam, and subtle bitter spice, framed by ripe yet lightly chewy tannins and a silky-velvety texture that leads to a long, intense finish. Drink now or cellar through 2030+.

James Suckling 91 — “Attractive nose of blackberries, kirsch and hints of dried flowers and walnuts. Full and well-structured with ripe yet lightly chewy tannins and deep, succulent fruit underneath. Intense, bitter-spice finish.” (Vintage 2022).

Wine Advocate 90 — “Delivers notes of cedar, loam, black cherries and dried spices… full-bodied, silky-velvety in texture and softly tannic, with ample length and texture on the finish.” (Vintage 2022).

• Producer: Honig Vineyard & Winery, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: French and American oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, kirsch, red plum, black cherry, cedar, loam, dried spice, bitter-spice finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar through 2030+
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, beef Wellington, aged cheddar, mushroom risotto

A 91-point Napa Valley Cabernet at an honest price — Honig is the benchmark for what family-farmed Napa Cab can be.

Buena Vista Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon — Napa Valley, California 2022

Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery — and one of its most colorful. Founded in 1857 in Sonoma by Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista,” a Hungarian immigrant who pursued “purple gold” in the hills of Northern California after following the forty-niners, Buena Vista established the template for California fine wine. Since 2011, winemaking has resumed in the original caves — the first wine caves in California — with small-lot wines crafted in open-top oak fermenters with native yeasts and hand punch-downs. The Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon honors the estate’s Napa Valley roots: a full-bodied, plush, and expressive Cabernet that delivers the richness and concentration the valley is famous for. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Tasting Panel 95. At under $43, it is one of the most compelling values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deep purple in the glass. The nose is captivating: fresh raspberry, luscious cherry, cranberry, vanilla, chocolate plum, and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied, plush, and concentrated, with flavors of strawberry, sweet cherry, blackcurrant, boysenberry, and vanilla cake, framed by velvet tannins, a tickle of white peppered cedar, and a long, harmoniously balanced finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Tasting Panel 95 — “Undeniable aromas of chocolate plum… divine notes of violets, summer-ripe boysenberry, and vanilla cake. Elegant and expressive, with velvet tannins and a tickle of white peppered cedar.”

James Suckling 91 — “Plush, ripe and saturated… deep in red and black fruit on a rather gentle texture of smooth tannins and a full body. Everything from strawberry to sweet cherry and blackcurrant flavors.”

• Producer: Buena Vista Winery (est. 1857), Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Winemaking: Native yeasts, open-top oak fermenters, hand punch-downs
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, chocolate plum, violets, boysenberry, vanilla, velvet tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, aged cheddar, dark chocolate

California’s oldest winery at its most expressive — Buena Vista Chateau Cabernet is the benchmark for what Napa Valley Cab can be.

Nobilo is one of New Zealand's most storied wine families, founded in 1943 when Nikola Nobilo emigrated from Croatia to New Zealand, bringing with him over 300 years of his family's winemaking heritage. An early champion of New Zealand wine, Nikola recognized the country's pristine landscapes — expansive sunlit valleys, rolling hills, and mineral-rich soils — as ideal for producing wines of exceptional freshness and character. His pioneering focus on quality and varietal expression helped shape the New Zealand wine industry into what it is today.

Marlborough, situated at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, is the country's most celebrated wine region and the spiritual home of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The region's long, sunny days and cool nights, combined with free-draining stony soils and a reliable maritime climate, produce grapes of remarkable intensity and aromatic precision. Nobilo sources fruit from carefully selected Marlborough vineyards, ensuring consistent quality and a vivid expression of the appellation's signature character.

The 2025 vintage is crafted to preserve the natural vibrancy of the fruit. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and vinified with minimal intervention to maintain freshness, aromatics, and the clean, precise profile that defines Nobilo's style.

The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc opens with an expressive, aromatic nose of ripe passionfruit, pineapple, and zesty citrus, layered with subtle hints of fresh green herbs. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing with mouthwatering acidity, vibrant tropical fruit flavors, and a clean, generous finish. Intensely flavored yet beautifully balanced — a quintessential expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vintage: 2025
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Oysters, grilled fish, lemon herb chicken, goat cheese, summer salads, and light seafood dishes.

Domaine de la Grosse Pierre — Chiroubles, Beaujolais 2024

Pauline Passot’s story is one of the most compelling in Beaujolais. A trained sommelier who worked at the Michelin-starred Pierre Orsi in Lyon, she returned to her family’s roots in Chiroubles in 2016 with a clear mission: to show the world what this underrated Cru could do. Her principal holding is the La Grosse Pierre parcel — classic rose granite soils, 45-year-old vines — vinified whole-cluster in open carbonic maceration, aged in concrete, unfiltered, with little or no sulfites. This is Beaujolais made with the seriousness of a grand cru and the soul of a grower who believes in her terroir.

The nose is vibrant and expressive: red and black cherries, delicate floral notes, and a hint of vine smoke. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with silky texture, lively energy, and juicy fruit carried by fine tannins. The finish is clean, elegant, and unmistakably Chiroubles — the most perfumed and ethereal of all the Beaujolais Crus.

• Producer: Domaine de la Grosse Pierre (Pauline Passot), Chiroubles, Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Chiroubles AOC, Beaujolais
• Grape: Gamay
• Soils: Rose granite
• Vines: Average 45 years
• Vinification: Whole-cluster carbonic maceration, aged in concrete, unfiltered, minimal sulfites
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, black cherry, floral lift, vine smoke, silky texture, juicy finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses

Chiroubles at its most soulful — Pauline Passot’s La Grosse Pierre is the Cru Beaujolais that rewards those paying attention.

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

A straw-yellow wine characterised by rich apple and pear notes, which render it instantly recognisable and appreciated. The taste is warm and dry, slightly tannic and displaying a citric aroma.

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

It is a garnet-red colored wine with a blue hue. Its scent of ripe fruit is dominated by black currants underlined with hints of spices and pepper. In the mouth, it is round and harmonious with long smooth tannins.

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

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is mineral and fresh, with almost spritzy acidity on the palate. This is all about green fruit and soft leaf herbs, gentle persuasions of white pineapple and mint and a salty Margherita character that is really quite attractive.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Intensely aromatic and crisp on the palate, with aromas and flavors of yellow apple, white peach, pear and notes of white flowers.

SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF FLOWERS BUBBLY ROSÉ ZERO SUGAR LOW ALCOHOL | 750ML

🇺🇸 United States — Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot | Greenfield, California

Everything is better with bubbles — and even better when they come guilt-free. Sunny Bubbly Rosé delivers a full sparkling experience at just 9% alcohol and zero sugar. A creamy mousse reveals aromas of fresh strawberry, watermelon, and peach on the nose. On the palate, lime peel and rounded strawberry flavors work beautifully with the fine, persistent bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. Low alcohol, low calorie, and positively delicious.

Made for those who want all the pleasure of sparkling rosé without compromise — a crowd-pleasing bottle that works as an aperitif, at brunch, or any time the sun is out.

91 Points — Wine Enthusiast (★ Best Buy)
“A creamy mousse reveals aromas of strawberry and peach on the nose. The mousse also engages the palate, with lime peel and rounded strawberry flavors working well with the creamy texture.”

Pairs well with: Brunch, fruit salads, light appetizers, soft cheeses, and poolside sipping.

Grapes: Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot
Region: Greenfield, California, United States
Style: Sparkling Rosé — Zero Sugar, Low Alcohol (9%)
Format: 750ml
Score: 91 pts Wine Enthusiast | Best Buy

Brunello di Montalcino from One of Tuscany's Most Celebrated Estates

Castello Banfi has been one of Montalcino's most important estates since 1978, playing a pivotal role in elevating Brunello di Montalcino to its status as one of Italy's greatest wines. Their 2020 Brunello di Montalcino — 100% Sangiovese Grosso from the estate's vineyards in the southern reaches of the appellation — comes from a warm, generous vintage that produced wines of exceptional richness and approachability, with the structure and depth to age beautifully through 2045.

Expert Reviews

• Wine Advocate — 93 pts: "Opens to a velvety character that includes the softness and generosity of a warm and dry vintage. The bouquet is redolent of cherry, blackcurrant, grilled herb and sweet rose. Open-knit and accessible with sweet tannins on the close."
• James Suckling — 93 pts: "Abundant violets and roses on the nose, together with cherries and pomegranates. Fruity on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm, velvety tannins, a lot of freshness and good length. Best after 2026."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 92 pts: "Pretty on the nose with aromas of baked strawberries, sweet spices, dusty earth, and hints of lavender. Medium-bodied with fine, dusty tannins and an elegantly fruity feel. Charming and approachable with good freshness and finesse."
• Wine Spectator — 92 pts: "Aromas and flavors of graphite, cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and wet earth. Vibrant and focused with a long aftertaste embedded in muscular tannins. Best from 2029 through 2045."

Winemaker Notes

Brilliant ruby red with garnet reflections. Sweet and fruity on the nose with fresh red fruit, licorice, and pipe tobacco. Powerful on the palate with a consistent tannic texture, well balanced by pleasant acidity. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Producer: Castello Banfi
• Vintage: 2020
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Classic Tuscan pairings — exceptional with bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, braised lamb, aged Pecorino, and truffle-based dishes. Also outstanding as a meditation wine.

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico — Tuscany 2022

Isole e Olena is one of Chianti Classico’s most storied estates, born from the union of two medieval villages in the heart of the appellation. Founded in 1956 by Francesco De Marchi and shaped into a benchmark producer by his son Paolo, the estate has long been synonymous with authentic, terroir-driven Sangiovese. In 2022, the De Marchi family passed the baton to Christopher Descours, whose team — led by longtime estate director Emanuele Reolon — continues the same mission: to give voice to an extraordinary region through wines of superb character. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling and 92 from both Wine Advocate and Vinous.

A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, the nose is layered and expressive: bright red cherries, dried cherries, sweet violets, licorice, and a hint of Tuscan rosemary and laurel leaf. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and supple — silky tannins frame a core of bright red fruit, rose petal, cinnamon, and blood orange, with a crunchy, refreshing finish. Vibrant, lively, and unmistakably Chianti Classico.

🇮🇹 James Suckling 93 — “A layered wine with bright red cherries, dried cherries, sweet violets and a lot of licorice on the nose. Medium-bodied and very supple and refreshing on the palate.” (Vintage 2022). 

🇮🇹 Wine Advocate 92 — “Soft fruit and cherry with light spice and a hint of Tuscany rosemary or laurel leaf. Vibrant and lively quality of fruit in a vintage that also delivers ample ripeness.” (Vintage 2022). 

🇮🇹 Vinous 92 — “An elegant, gracious wine. Silky tannins frame a core of bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG
• Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, dried cherry, violet, licorice, rosemary, rose petal, cinnamon, blood orange, crunchy finish
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roasted lamb, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, pasta al pomodoro

Chianti Classico at its most authentic — Isole e Olena is the benchmark for what Sangiovese and Canaiolo can achieve in the heart of Tuscany.

McBride Sisters · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2024

Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John grew up on opposite sides of the world — one on the rugged shores of California’s Central Coast, the other in New Zealand — before discovering each other as adults and founding one of the most compelling stories in modern wine. McBride Sisters is built on that shared passion: wines that reflect the coastal energy, cool-climate freshness, and sense of purpose that shaped both sisters’ lives. Their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a direct expression of that vision.

The nose is generous and aromatic — tropical fruits, white flowers, and citrus, with ripe peach, mango, passionfruit, and Fuji apple layered throughout. On the palate, key lime flavors anchor a medium-full body, contrasting beautifully with firm acidity and a slightly mineral tone on the finish. Bright, vibrant, and unmistakably Marlborough.

• Producer: McBride Sisters Collection
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, mango, passionfruit, Fuji apple, key lime, white flowers, mineral finish
• Pairings: Fresh oysters, spicy Asian stir-fry, grilled fish, fresh herbs, goat cheese

92 points from Wine Spectator — a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with a story as compelling as the wine itself.

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc — Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2025

Wairau River is one of Marlborough's founding family estates, established in 1978 by the Rose family on the banks of the Wairau River — pronounced "why-row" — whose stratified river soils give the wines a distinct and unmistakable sense of place. Sourced from six family vineyards on the northern side of the Wairau Valley — Home Block, Riverlore, Rapaura, Longbend, The Angler, and Burnside — the 2025 is a refined, aromatic expression of everything that makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc a benchmark for the style worldwide. At $15.99, it is one of New Zealand's most elegant overachievers.

The nose is intense and lifted: ripe tropical fruits, guava, passionfruit, grapefruit, and citrus, with a pungent thread of fresh grass and snow pea. On the palate, it is refined and elegant with a finely textured mouthfeel, flavors of guava and stone fruit, and a big lift of bright acidity that carries through to a fresh, dry finish. Wonderfully expressive and built to be enjoyed now.

"It checks the Savvy B boxes with a pungent combo of grapefruit, passionfruit, grass and snow pea aromas. There's a big lift of acidity here that seems to mask the residual sugar, although it sticks out a little at the finish. A young, straightforward style." — Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast, 86 Points (Vintage 2025)

• Producer: Wairau River, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough
• Sub-Region: Wairau Valley
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation to preserve fresh aromatics and fruit purity
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Guava, passionfruit, grapefruit, citrus, fresh grass, stone fruit, crisp dry finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Fresh oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, Thai cuisine, green salads

A refined Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from one of the valley's pioneering family estates — Wairau River is the benchmark for what the Wairau Valley can deliver in a glass.

Covenant Wines | Sauvignon Blanc ‘Red C’ | Lake County, California | 2025 | Kosher | Kosher for Passover

Wine Spectator: 88 Points (2022 prior vintage) — Intensely mouthwatering, with bright acidity and tangy lemon-centered citrus flavors, revealing fresh ginger, yuzu and lemongrass notes.

Covenant Wines is one of California's most respected kosher producers, founded by Morgan Lee and Jeff Morgan with a mission to make world-class wine that happens to be kosher — not kosher wine that happens to be drinkable. The Red C label represents the estate's premium tier: non-mevushal, crafted with the same attention to sourcing and winemaking as any serious California white, and certified kosher under the highest standards.

The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Lake County, a high-elevation appellation north of Napa Valley known for its volcanic soils, intense sunlight and cool nights. These conditions produce Sauvignon Blanc with exceptional aromatic intensity, bright natural acidity and a clean, focused character. The wine is vinified to preserve the variety's signature freshness — crisp, aromatic and built for the table.

The nose is vibrant and expressive, with aromas of guava, passionfruit, lemon zest, yuzu and fresh ginger, accented by lemongrass and white flowers. The palate is lively and mouthwatering, with tangy citrus flavors, bright acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish. Approachable on release and best enjoyed young while its freshness is at its peak.

Versatile and food-friendly. Pairs beautifully with oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, sushi, goat cheese, green salads, roasted vegetables, chicken and light pasta dishes. An excellent choice for Shabbat, Passover and year-round celebrations.

• Producer: Covenant Wines
• Label: Red C
• Appellation: Lake County, California
• Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
• Vintage: 2025
• Kosher Certification: Kosher; Kosher for Passover
• Mevushal: No
• Style: Dry white wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Simonnet-Febvre · Chablis · 2022 Half Bottle

A 375ml half bottle of Chablis from Maison Simonnet-Febvre, a Burgundy house founded in 1840. This smaller format suits a seafood dinner or an aperitif for two. The producer’s description emphasizes citrus, freshness and the mineral character associated with its Chablis.

Winemaker Description

This pretty Chablis is a balanced wine that reveals a fine, fruity nose that is oriented towards citrus fruit. On the palate, the freshness and minerality of the appellation are found, as well as a hint of minerality supported by a white-flesh fruit side. This vintage has a beautiful concentration as well as a nice balance. Produced from vines with and average age of 35 years old and aged in stainless steel tanks for 6-10 months on the lees.

Simonnet-Febvre · Winemaker Description; vintage not identified in supplied note

Expert Review · Vintage 2022

This has excellent freshness with notes of sea shells, sliced apples, wet stones and a touch of jasmine. Crisp and brisk, medium-bodied, with a subtle peppery spritz at the end.

James Suckling · 91 points 2022 bottle

About Simonnet-Febvre

Based in Chablis, the house produces wines across Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois. Maison Louis Latour acquired it in 2003; Simonnet-Febvre continues to operate with its own house style.

At a Glance

• Producer: Maison Simonnet-Febvre
• Vintage listed for sale: 2022
• Appellation: Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Size: 375ml half bottle

Domaine de Durban | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC | Rhône Valley, France | 2021 | 375ml

Domaine de Durban is widely regarded as the benchmark estate for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, perched on the dramatic foothills of Mont Ventoux in the southern Rhône Valley. The Leydier family has farmed these sun-drenched hillside vineyards for generations, and they are among the last producers to craft this celebrated vin doux naturel in the traditional style — keeping added spirits as low as possible to preserve the extraordinary freshness and delicacy of the Muscat grape.

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is made from Muscat à Petits Grains, one of the oldest and most aromatic grape varieties in the world. Fermentation is arrested by the addition of neutral grape spirit, preserving natural sugars and locking in the grape's vivid aromatic character. The result is a wine of remarkable purity — more refined and elegant than most Muscats from southern France.

The 2021 is luminous gold in the glass. The nose is a pure delight — orange blossom, jasmine, ripe apricot, peach, tropical fruit, and honey, with a delicate mineral thread running through. On the palate, lusciously sweet yet beautifully balanced, with bright natural acidity keeping everything fresh and lifted. The finish is long, fragrant, and utterly captivating.

The perfect dessert wine, and equally magnificent with foie gras, fresh melon, Roquefort and blue cheeses, fruit tarts, and crème brûlée. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F.

• Producer: Domaine de Durban
• Appellation: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Grape: Muscat à Petits Grains
• Style: Vin Doux Naturel (naturally sweet, fortified)
• Vintage: 2021
• Serve: 46–50°F
• Bottle Size: 375ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This graceful, lighter bodied Chardonnay rested in neutral French oak for 12 months after partial malo. It is brisk and tangy, with aromas and flavors of peach skins, lemon drops, chamomile, green tea and chalk. This nimble wine wants to tango, and you should accept.

Winemaker Description 

This exquisite wine, crafted from grapes harvested in both Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills, offers a delightful journey into Oregon's terroir. With a harmonious balance achieved through 12 months of aging in neutral French oak, it presents flavors of the region's ripe fruit, supported by subtle oak influence. Limited to just 200 cases, this small production showcases the artistry of winemaking and the unique qualities of this vintage.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars · Artemis · Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2023 · 750ml

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of the most storied names in American wine — the estate whose 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon famously defeated Bordeaux’s finest in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, announcing Napa Valley to the world. Artemis is the house’s flagship Napa Valley Cabernet: named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, it is the culmination of Stag’s Leap’s search for the finest fruit across the valley. The 2023 blend draws from a carefully selected network of vineyards — 42% from Atlas Peak, 11% from Arcadia in Coombsville, 11% from Battuello in St. Helena, and additional parcels from Calistoga and the Stags Leap District — fermented in stainless steel and aged 14 months in 57% new French oak. The 2023 vintage is being called one of the coolest and most promising growing seasons in Napa in over a decade, producing wines of exceptional freshness, structure, and aging potential. At $99.99, Artemis delivers Stag’s Leap elegance at its most accessible.

Deep ruby in the glass with a fragrant, expressive nose of ripe currants, Bing cherry, blackberry compote, bay laurel, fresh tobacco leaf, and a lift of graphite and cedar — complex, layered, and unmistakably Napa. On the palate: rich and full-bodied, with a silky, well-balanced mouthfeel and polished tannins that coat the palate with dark chocolate, black currant, and Indian spice. Loamy, volcanic earth and salty crushed-stone minerality carry through a long, resonant, savory finish. Decanter awarded 95 points; Vinous 93; Wine Advocate 91. Drink now through 2035+, or cellar for a decade to watch it fully unfold. Pair with grilled tri-tip, braised short ribs, slow-roasted lamb, wild mushroom pasta, or aged cheddar.

• Producer: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa Valley · 1976 Judgment of Paris winner)
• Wine: Artemis · Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Napa Valley, California (Atlas Peak, Coombsville, St. Helena, Calistoga)
• Blend: 97.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Merlot
• Aging: 14 months · 100% French oak (57% new)
• ABV: 14%
• Style: Full-bodied, elegant, age-worthy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
• Scores: Decanter 95 · Vinous 93 · Wine Advocate 91
• Drinking Window: Now–2035+
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe currant, Bing cherry, blackberry, bay laurel, tobacco, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate, volcanic earth, long savory finish
• Pair With: Grilled tri-tip · Braised short ribs · Slow-roasted lamb · Wild mushroom pasta · Aged cheddar · Manchego

The house that won the Judgment of Paris — Artemis is Napa Cabernet at its most elegant and complete.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Decanter — 95 Points
Fragrant aromatics of dark berry fruit lead, layered with bay laurel and sagebrush freshness, cassis, and a lift of graphite. The palate delivers excellent density and poise, framed by polished tannins and loamy, volcanic earth, with rich Indian spice accents and salty, crushed-stone minerality carrying through the long, resonant finish.

Vinous — 93 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is fabulous. Black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice and chocolate are front and center. Brisk acids lend freshness to this boisterous, hugely delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Best of all, the 2023 is a terrific value. It will drink well on release.

Wine Advocate — 91 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a fine example, with gentle herbal shadings of sage and thyme bringing savory complexity to the cassis and cherry fruit along with hints of cedar and mocha. It’s medium- to full-bodied and silky in texture, with a sprinkling of fine-grained tannins on the finish. Enjoy this fairly priced wine over the next decade.

RouteStock · 'Route 29' Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2023

Route 29 is the highway that runs the length of Napa Valley — and RouteStock's flagship Cabernet is named for it because it captures exactly what makes this corridor one of the world's great wine roads. Sourced from Napa Valley fruit and blended with the precision of a classic Bordeaux assemblage, this is a Cabernet built for both the dinner table and the cellar. The winemaking team crafted the blend with intention: Cabernet Sauvignon for power and structure, Cabernet Franc for wild aromatics and flavor complexity, Merlot for dusty plum character, Malbec for violet notes, and Petit Verdot for color and tannin grip. At $23.99 with a compare-at of $26.99, this is Napa Valley Cabernet at a price that makes it an everyday luxury.

The 2023 opens with an alluring nose of cedar, cola, dark black fruit, and a kiss of toasted oak. On the palate: round, expansive, and bright — flavors of cocoa, coffee, dark fruit, and herbs weave together with impressive complexity. The wine fills the mouth without being dominated by any single element, finishing with a brightness that is rare for Cabernet Sauvignon at this price. Drink now through 2030.

• Producer: RouteStock Wines
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot
• Vinification: Classic Bordeaux-style assemblage · Blended before bottling for balance
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cedar, cola, dark black fruit, toasted oak, cocoa, coffee, herbs, bright finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Food Pairings: Ribeye steak, braised short ribs, lamb chops, aged cheddar, mushroom ragù

Bordeaux-style precision, Napa Valley power — Route 29 Cabernet at a price that makes it a no-brainer.

Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml

Winemaker Description

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

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

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

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of cassis, clove, and Christmas spice jump out of the glass while notes of blueberry pie filling and toasted mocha continue on the palate. Structured tannins lead to a long and elegant finish, making this an instant seasonal classic.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Producer Notes

Twenty Rows sources fruit from diverse North Coast vineyards to create complexity and rich structure. Mountain fruit provides velvety tannins with aromas and flavors of cherry and black pepper with a hint of herbs. Valley floor fruit complements with cherry, plum, and dark fruit. The result is a well-made, balanced, and textured North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon — fruit-forward, pleasantly rustic, and worthy of savoring.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

• Wine Enthusiast 91 pts | Robust and rich with dark berry, plum, tarragon, and maple aromas. Supple blackberry, cassis, orange slices, and dried tobacco on the palate. A classic wine.
• The Tasting Panel 91 pts | Perfumed with savory herbs and spices. Fruit-forward yet pleasantly rustic with rhubarb and cigar box lingering with a hint of smoke. A showcase of classic California Cabernet.
• James Suckling 90 pts | Well-made, balanced, and textured with dark berries, sweet spices, and chocolate wafers. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Mellow, seductive, and generous finish.

Food Pairings

• Grilled ribeye or lamb chops
• BBQ brisket or slow-braised short ribs
• Aged cheddar or smoked gouda
• Hearty pasta or wood-fired pizza

#3 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025 | #71 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the USA 2025

California Zinfandel That Stands Among the Greatest in the World

Ridge Vineyards has been one of California's most celebrated estates since the 1960s, and Lytton Springs — an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972 — is among their most iconic bottlings. The 2023 vintage blends 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro, aged in 100% air-dried American oak. A cooler growing season delayed harvest by a month, delivering a wine of remarkable restraint, freshness, and structural elegance — built to drink beautifully now and evolve through 2035 and beyond.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

• Jeb Dunnuck — 98 pts: "Initial chewiness leads to fine tannins, with good heft and underlying acidity. Well-woven oak supports a moderately ripe, medium-bodied frame of structured elegance. Enjoy now through 2033."
• Decanter — 96 pts: "Fresh aromas of herbs from a bouquet garni mix with earthy tones and subtle sweet notes from baking spices. The fruit profile oscillates between ripe red and black berries, with a touch of plums and ripe cherries. Tannins are firm yet polished, with a soft creaminess to the palate. Balanced and enjoyable now, with many years to evolve."
• Wine Spectator — 95 pts: "Deeply structured and full of tension, this polished red displays a distinctive personality, offering bold blackberry flavors accented with savory anise, black pepper, and dark Asian spices. Ends with big but refined tannins. Drink now through 2035."
• James Suckling — 95 pts: "A lovely release with lots of freshness from a cooler vintage. Bright and perfumed aromas of red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, licorice, and spice. Full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and vibrant, crunchy acidity."
• Vinous — 95 pts: "Powerfully aromatic and expressive from the jump. Explodes from the glass with dark blue fruit, lavender, and blood orange peel, framed by mocha-like richness and a wave of exotic spice. The texture is pure silk. Remarkable persistence and poise — clearly built for the long haul."

Winemaker Notes

Nose of raspberry, pepper, licorice, and a hint of vanilla. Black cherry and plum on the palate with supple tannins, minerality, and present acidity. Long, layered finish with notes of garrigue and black tea.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro
• Vineyard: Lytton Springs Estate, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
• Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Producer: Ridge Vineyards
• Vintage: 2023
• Aging: 100% air-dried American oak
• Drink: Now through 2035+
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for bold, rustic fare — exceptional with BBQ brisket, lamb chops, wild boar sausage, aged cheddar, and wood-fired pizza.

Clos du Mont-Olivet · Côtes-du-Rhône · Vieilles Vignes · 2024

Clos du Mont-Olivet is one of the benchmark producers associated with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and this Vieilles Vignes Côtes-du-Rhône shows the same classic Rhône sensibility in a more approachable bottle. The 2024 opens with expansive aromas of garrigue, cherries, blackberries, and light incense.

On the palate, raspberry and black cherry fill the mouth, supported by moderate tannins and a long, savory finish. The Grenache-led blend brings generous fruit, while Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan add spice, structure, and depth.

“One of the benchmark producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape…the consistent results have always been classic Châteauneuf-du-Papes that stand the test of time.”
— Robert Parker

“Consistently outstanding, classic Côtes du Rhônes and Châteauneuf du Papes emerge from Clos du Mont-Olivet, run by the incredibly talented and thoughtful Thierry Sabon.”
— Jeb Dunnuck

• Producer: Clos du Mont-Olivet
• Blend: 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 5% Carignan
• Appellation: Côtes-du-Rhône
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Tasting notes: Garrigue, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, light incense, and a long finish
• Pair with: Roast lamb, grilled meats, sausages, ratatouille, or hearty Provençal dishes
• Size: 750ml

A classic, Grenache-led Rhône red with wild herbs, dark fruit, and the pedigree of a Châteauneuf producer.

Groth · Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon · 2022

Groth’s roots in Oakville reach back to 1981, when Dennis and Judy Groth chose a 121-acre property to pursue their dream of growing Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The 2022 bottling is an Oakville red with dark fruit, cedar and a polished structure, suited to a lingering dinner or time in the cellar.

Winemaker Description · 2022 Vintage

The 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine that presents a deep, purple-ruby hue. It offers an elegant bouquet on the nose, with layers, of toffee, blueberry pie, and raspberry compote, complemented by delicate vanilla bean, macerated cranberry, and shortcrust pastry. Herbal notes of bay leaf and tarragon add complexity, enhancing the wine’s refined character. On the palate, vibrant flavors of cherry reduction sauce, tart red plum, wild cherry, and fresh strawberry come to the forefront, while hints of dried herbs, tobacco leaf, and fresh pomegranate juice bring depth and intrigue. The wine finishes with fine, grippy tannins, offering structure and a lively, energetic experience.

Director of Winegrowing Ted Henry

Expert Reviews · 2022 Vintage

An impressive value for an Oakville AVA Cabernet, Groth's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit reticent and slow out of the chute, but aeration brings out nice aromas of black cherries and subtle cedar notes. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, it's medium- to full-bodied but streamlined and silky, showing impressive length and elegance for the vintage. The new-oak component comes in at 45%, imparting just enough structure to ensure a decade's worth of drinkability.

The Wine Advocate · 92 points

This young wine is impressively concentrated, tannic and tight at this stage of its development, but it carries the proper amount of dark fruit, dark chocolate and heady oak spices to gain complexity with age.

James Suckling · 92 points

At a Glance

• Producer: Groth
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
• Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, per The Wine Advocate
• Size: 750ml

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon That Defines the Silver Oak Legacy

Silver Oak has been one of Napa Valley's most iconic Cabernet producers since 1972, celebrated for a house style that balances power with elegance and approachability. The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — a blend of 76.61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.13% Merlot, 2.56% Cabernet Franc, 2.32% Petit Verdot, and 0.38% Malbec, aged in American oak seasoned 24 months and toasted 90 minutes — is a benchmark expression of the estate: structured yet silky, complex yet immediately rewarding, with the depth to cellar through 2047.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

• Decanter — 96 pts: "Beautifully compact with complex aromas of Bing cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, currant leaf, and cedarwood laced with dried sage. Focused and linear on the medium to full-bodied palate with expressive dark berry character and exotic oak spices. Fine-grained structured tannins, a crisp, lively, energetic finish. One to cellar. Drink 2024–2038."
• James Suckling — 95 pts: "So elegant, supple and silky, this vintage is a dream to drink now, but should also have plenty of life ahead of it. Aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate meld with lux black fruit, mint and cocoa on the palate. Drink or hold through at least 2030."

Winemaker Notes

Expressive and lively on the nose with black cherry and huckleberry aromas laced with dry floral notes. Integrated oak adds a light note of sweet nutmeg. Ruby in color, with a fruit-forward entry, silky tannins that build across the mid-palate, and a long, balanced finish. Structured while still approachable — true to the signature Silver Oak style. Will continue to improve through 2047 with proper cellaring.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: 76.61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.13% Merlot, 2.56% Cabernet Franc, 2.32% Petit Verdot, 0.38% Malbec
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Producer: Silver Oak Cellars
• Vintage: 2019
• Oak: American oak, 24-month seasoning, 90-minute toast
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for Napa-style entertaining — exceptional with prime ribeye, lamb rack, braised short ribs, aged cheddar, and mushroom-crusted filet mignon.

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — Abruzzo 2024 | 1.5L Magnum

Masciarelli is the benchmark producer of Abruzzo — the estate that put this rugged, sun-drenched region on the fine wine map. Founded by the late Gianni Masciarelli and now led by his wife Marina Cvetič, the domaine farms over 300 hectares across Abruzzo's finest hillside sites. Their estate Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the calling card of the house: a wine of remarkable depth and generosity at an honest price, and in Magnum format it is even better — slower to evolve, more expressive, and built to impress at the table.

The 2024 vintage delivered ideal growing conditions across Abruzzo — warm days, cool nights, and a dry harvest that concentrated the Montepulciano grape to its fullest. The result is a wine that is rich and ripe without being heavy: dark cherry fruit at the core, layered with spice, smoke, and a whisper of dried herbs. Fleshy and full on the palate, with surprising depth and a long, satisfying finish. Drink now through 2028, or cellar for a few more years to let the tannins fully integrate.

• Producer: Masciarelli, San Martino sulla Marrucina, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Montepulciano
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Closure: Screwcap
• Color: Deep ruby-red
• Nose: Dark cherry, ripe plum, spice, smoke, dried herbs
• Palate: Full-bodied, fleshy, with depth and a long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028+
• Best Paired With: Roasted meats, braised lamb, pasta al ragù, wood-fired pizza, aged pecorino

The ultimate trattoria wine — now in a format made for the table.

Paradosso Pinot Noir Trevenezie 2023

From the sweeping plains and foothills of Trevenezie in northeastern Italy, Paradosso delivers a Pinot Noir that punches well above its price point. The 2023 is light, bright, and effortlessly elegant — think fresh red cherries, wild strawberry, and a whisper of earth, with lifted acidity and silky tannins that make it as easy to drink as it is to love. Serve lightly chilled for maximum pleasure.

• Producer: Paradosso
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Region: Trevenezie IGT, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Size: 750ml

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com | Looking for something elegant and well balanced? Here’s a light, bright northern Italian Pinot Noir with refreshing red berry fruit, earthy complexity, and lifted acidity. Served lightly chilled, everything comes together nicely to provide perfect accompaniment to light meals and casual sipping.

Pairs beautifully with charcuterie, roasted salmon, mushroom risotto, or light pasta dishes.

Failla · Willamette Valley Pinot Noir · 2023

Failla’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir brings the winery’s cool-climate Pinot focus to Oregon. Founder Ehren Jordan has long explored how different vineyard sites shape the grape, from California’s coastal vineyards to the Willamette Valley. This 2023 bottling offers an aromatic, red-fruited expression for a dinner built around roast poultry or mushrooms.

Winemaker Description

Bright and aromatic with notes of pomegranate, orange zest, bright cherries, and dried herbs. This wine perfectly emphasizes the essence of the Willamette Valley.

Failla · Winemaker Description

Expert Review · 2023 Vintage

The 2023 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) is a gorgeous and very serious appellation-level wine. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, white pepper, blood orange, mint, chalk and slate all meld together in this gracious, silky Pinot. What a beauty.

Vinous · 93 points

About Failla

Failla’s first vintage was released as Failla-Jordan in 1998. Ehren Jordan’s interest in distinct cool-climate sites has shaped the winery’s work with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Its Pinot program later expanded north to Oregon, including fruit from Seven Springs Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills.

At a Glance

• Producer: Failla
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews

• Wine Spectator 93 Points | Stylish, complex elements of minerality, floral aromatics and a supple, elegant frame set this wine apart. Offers details of jasmine and white rose, with whiffs of honeycomb and orange blossoms that mingle with a juicy core of lemon curd, orange sherbet and lemon verbena on the long, expressive finish.

Winemaker Notes

Invivo X SJP Sauvignon Blanc has earned more than 50 accolades and 15 Gold medals since its launch in 2019. Bright and expressive aromas of lifted passionfruit, white florals, and kaffir lime lead to a concentrated, vibrant palate with great freshness and a long, zesty finish.

• Grape Source: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Appellation: Marlborough
• Location: New Zealand
• Closure: Screwcap
• Collaboration: Created with Sarah Jessica Parker

Producer Notes

Estate director Axel Heinz called 2020 ‘a classic Ornellaia,’ selecting ‘La Proporzione’ (proportion) as the theme to describe its character. The blend — 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot — marks a return to a more typical composition. Raised in 70% new French oak for 18 months, then 12 months in bottle prior to release. Fine-grained and beautifully textured, with finely integrated tannins supporting a concentration of black fruits lightened by red berries. Aromas of black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth, with menthol and balsamic streaks imparting freshness. A stony, salty finish. Tight and moreish in its youth — best from 2026 through 2045.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

• James Suckling 98 pts | Alluring aromas of lead pencil, currants, crushed stone, and iodine. Full-bodied with tight, focused tannins. Very fresh and energetic with wonderful length and intensity. Better from 2028 onwards.
• Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts | Flush with herbs, menthol, blackberry, and cedar. Full-bodied with luxurious plum, black cherry, and toast. Supple and velvety tannins. Drink 2026–2046.
• Wine Spectator 96 pts | Inviting aromas of blackberry, black currant, anise, cedar, vanilla, and tobacco. Sleek and open on the palate, beautifully balanced. Mineral and spice on the finish with a salty, flinty element. Best from 2026 through 2045. — Bruce Sanderson
• Vinous 96 pts | Gorgeous and elegant. Seamless and wonderfully deep, with terrific freshness and cut. Super-refined from the outset. Precision and understated finesse. Drink 2027–2045. — Antonio Galloni
• Decanter 96 pts | Fine-grained and beautifully textured. Black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth. Tight and moreish with ripeness, freshness, and structure. Drink 2023–2050. — James Button
• Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95 pts | Dark fruit, pencil shaving, toasted oak, Spanish cedar, campfire ash, and iron ore. Especially concentrated and oak-driven. Requires more aging. Drink 2026–2045. — Monica Larner
• Jancis Robinson 18/20 | Very sumptuous nose followed by a hedonistic palate that finishes especially fresh. Ripe but not too-ripe fruit. Savoury persistence. Drink 2024–2028.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or prime dry-aged ribeye
• Braised short ribs or slow-roasted lamb
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano
• Truffle pasta or wild mushroom risotto

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I’m very encouraged by the results.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Fresh-crushed apple, quince and spice notes have an earthy dimension, with hints of roasted agave and wet soil. There's beautiful range and just enough plumpness to make this generous, yet it's held in check by a chalky mineral element and very fine tannins. Toasted almond and salted butter notes move in, with lime-edged acidity cleaning up the finish. Refined and complex. Drink now through 2037.

Winemaker Description 

The original Huët vineyard is nearly 9 hA. It has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus - a deep limestone-clay - and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable. In some vintages, small quantities from nearby estate parcels may be added to Le Haut-Lieu. Winemaker Description.

Château Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon — Columbia Valley, Washington 2022

Château Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery and one of the most important names in American wine. The Indian Wells label is their warm-climate expression — sourced from the Indian Wells Vineyard and a selection of other warm-climate Washington sites ranging from the Wahluke Slope to Cold Creek Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. These are some of the hottest, most sun-drenched growing sites in the Pacific Northwest, producing grapes of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and dark fruit intensity. The result is a lush, opulent New World Cabernet that delivers serious pleasure at an honest price: rich, round, and full-bodied, with the kind of generous fruit that makes it immediately approachable.

The nose is dark and inviting — blackberry, black cherry, and ripe plum with a hint of mocha and spice. Syrah (12%) adds richness and concentration; Merlot (3%) rounds out the texture. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a lush, velvety mouthfeel, concentrated dark fruit, and a smooth, lingering finish. Aged 18 months in a combination of neutral and new American and French oak, with gentle pump-overs to extract optimal flavor and color while minimizing harsh tannins.

• Producer: Château Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Washington, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
• Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 3% Merlot
• Aging: 18 months in 75% neutral oak, 20% new American oak, 5% new French oak
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black cherry, ripe plum, mocha, spice, velvety finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, BBQ brisket, lamb chops, aged cheddar, mushroom burgers

Washington State’s most celebrated winery delivers a lush, warm-climate Cabernet built for the table — Indian Wells is the Columbia Valley red that over-delivers at every price point.