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

This wine displays a pale straw colour with brilliant green edge. On the nose the wine
opens with crisp green apple and lime blossom. This evolves to incorporate a complex
melange of lemongrass, petrichor and subtle blackcurrant leaf. The palate is bright
and refreshing with a focussed tension that suggests longevity and a characteristic
oyster shell salinity.

Food pairing: Best served cold and drunk as an aperitif or with fresh summer oysters,
fresh grilled yellowtail with salsa verde or salmon roses with kewpie mayo and caviar.

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Pale straw colour. Intense aromas of ripe citrus and tropical fruit that lead to a fresh palate with medium body. The wine’s characteristic fruit intensity is balanced by fresh acidity and moderate alcohol. The finish is long.

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Concentrated and elegant, Valle Reale's Trebbiano d'Abruzzo combines bright fruit with delicate aromas of white flowers and flint (an aroma encouraged by the old-fashioned pied-de-cuve technique).    

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

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

This Pinot Noir expresses black fruits like boysenberries and blueberries with subtle floral notes and gentle acidity. The cocoa powder tannins and smoky toasty notes add complexity with a generous earthy textural finish.

This wine pairs well with New Zealand lamb, but rich enough to enhance slow cooked beef cheeks. For a plant-based alternative, try with mushroom or truffle accented dishes to accentuate its earthy character.

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

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

James Suckling 91 Points | A very spicy wine with assertive aromas of black pepper, leather and plums. Smooth and supple, with a medium body, light extraction and a fruity finish. Drink now.

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

Notes of acacia flowers, apple, lemon peel and grapefruit are balanced by refreshing and bright acidity.Produced using the Charmat, or tank method, the wine is a bright, straw yellow and presents a delicate and persistent bead.Produced using the Charmat, or tank method, the wine is a bright, straw yellow and presents a delicate and persistent bead.

Clos La Coutale · Cahors · 2024 Half Bottle

A 375ml half bottle of Clos La Coutale Cahors, made from Malbec and Merlot in southwest France. The smaller format is an easy choice when you want a glass or two of red with dinner without opening a full bottle.

Winemaker Description

Heaps of bramble fruit, with blackberry and cranberry followed by subtle vanilla, ripe plum and earthy undertones. A delicious red wine from this small region bordering Bordeaux in the South of France.

About Clos La Coutale

The estate describes Clos La Coutale as a blend of Malbec and Merlot. It vinifies the wine in temperature-controlled tanks with regular punch-downs, then ages it in oak barrels and large oak casks for one year to balance fruit and tannins. The estate also produces a separate cuvée called Grand Coutale; its blend and aging details are not those of this wine.

At a Glance

• Producer: Clos La Coutale
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Cahors, France
• Grapes: Malbec and Merlot
• Size: 375ml half bottle

Winemaker Description 

Are you always on the lookout for the next delicious dessert wine to accompany your meals? Our 750ml plum drink variety could not be a better choice! With all the distinctive flavors you look for in a fruit-flavored sake, our sweet KOSHU Plum sake finishes off dinner with a taste to remember. You can serve it cold at the end of the meal, or try one as a drink right before you dig into your dinner. Either way, you get a refreshing beverage your guests will ask for again and again.

Intense, appetizing aromas of candied plum and cherry. The palate is sweet, but not cloying, with concentrated flavors of plum, black cherry and almond, and a lingering finish.

The KOSHU PLUM is a decadent, complex plum 'sake', ideal as an aperitif or dessert drink.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 99 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi marks the return of this cuvée after the 2020 crop was destroyed by hail. The nose is layered and complex with notes of clove spice, ripe red raspberry liqueur, blood orange, framboise, peppery spices, and pressed floral notes. The palate has lovely, refined concentration, ripe tannins, haunting notes of strawberries that last long on the finish, and notes of leather. While it has the fruit and freshness to drink now, it certainly has the structure to age. It’s one of the more contemplative wines in the range to enjoy over the coming decades.

Keron O'Keeffe  99 Points | Fragrant and loaded with finesse, the 2021 Acclivi is simply magnificent, starting with its beautiful scents of rose, forest berry, menthol, star anise and whiffs recalling sweetgrass. A blend of selected Nebbiolo from the estate’s best and oldest vineyards in Verduno, in the Monvigliero, Neirane, Rocche dell’Olmo and Boscatto sites, the chiseled, elegantly structured and delicious palate reflects the nose, delivering red cherry, raspberry, licorice and crushed mint accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well balanced and fuels even more intensity while a cinnamon note lingers on the finish. This is a captivating, extraordinary wine and the best Acclivi I have had to date.

Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate writes 97 Points | This wine was not produced in 2020. The Comm. G.B. Burlotto 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a blend of old-vine fruit from Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo, three MGA sites in the village of Verduno. I tasted this sample at two stages with 24 hours between them, and the change was impressive. The wine goes from feeling tight and almost squeaky to relaxed, fragrant and ethereal with aeration. The bouquet reveals layers of lilac, raspberry tart with custard and finely shaved pencil. Drink 2027-2055.

James Suckling writes 96 Points | A graceful Barolo that shows aromas of smoke, licorice, violets, delicate red currants and strawberries. It’s restrained and elegant on the palate, with a slight sweetness, a medium to full body, refreshing acidity and ripe, chewy tannins. Tight and savory. There is a huge structure that’s well covered by the fruit. Drinkable now, but best from 2026 or 2027.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media writes 94 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a suave, sensual wine. All of this fruit is from vineyards in Verduno. That is very much evident in the wine's aromatic profile and overall weight. Blood orange, rose petal, mint, chalk and spice give the 2021 very pretty top notes. I admire the overall depth and brilliance here. This is a very serious Barolo. Drink 2026-2041.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014 

Vinous 98 Points | Bollinger’s 2014 La Grande Année is a great way to start the evening as guests mill around Wheeler Farms. It is early evening in Napa, but there is still plenty of action in the winery, where various lots are being pressed under the watchful eye of winemaker Nigel Kinsman. There are some moments where I would very much like to be a civilian, a regular person enjoying the night, but I am more concerned with our guests having a great night, so I quickly go back to check on our wines. The Bollinger 2014 is everything I expected; bright, focused and full of all the energy this late-ripening vintage conferred to the best wines. 

Producer Description 

La Grande Année: The Great Year. This Champagne is the embodiment of everything that makes Bollinger the producer that stands apart in Champagne. La Grande Année symbolizes the word “hand-crafted” so strongly that an overused word suddenly becomes the appropriate definition. 

La Grande Année is only produced in the most outstanding of vintages, where ripeness and acidity reach a perfect balance and aging potential is excellent.

Varieties

Winemaking

Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio Vecchie Vigne — Marche 2022

Umani Ronchi's Casal di Serra Vecchie Vigne is the pinnacle of the estate's Verdicchio program — and the 2022 vintage is a stunning expression of what old vines can achieve. Sourced from parcels planted in the early 1970s on the Montecarotto farm in the Marche, the wine is fermented in concrete tanks with native yeasts and aged at length in bottle to develop its signature fullness and complexity. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points, calling it "a wine that is as much of a feeling as it is tasty." A benchmark Verdicchio at an honest price.

The nose is a flower shop: mixed blossoms, green herbs, lemon oil, and white gravel. On the palate, the texture is extraordinary — a seamless, hugging mouthfeel with a pleasant pithy bitterness and a long, sea-salty mineral finish. It delivers the depth and elegance that only old-vine Verdicchio can achieve, and will drink beautifully through 2035.

Wine Enthusiast 93 — Jeff Porter: "This Verdicchio is a flower shop in a bottle with elegant aromas of mixed flowers, green herbs, lemon oil and white gravel... an amazing texture that hugs the palate with a pleasant pithy bitterness and sea-salty finish." (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Umani Ronchi, Osimo, Marche, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC
• Vineyard: Montecarotto estate — old vines planted early 1970s
• Varietal: 100% Verdicchio
• Vinification: Concrete tank fermentation with native yeasts, extended bottle aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Mixed flowers, green herbs, lemon oil, white gravel, pithy bitterness, sea-salty mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2035
• Best Paired With: Grilled branzino, seafood pasta, roasted chicken, fresh ricotta, seared scallops

A 93-point Verdicchio from one of the Marche's most celebrated estates — Umani Ronchi's Vecchie Vigne is the benchmark for what old-vine Verdicchio can be.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Luis Gutierez of The Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The white 2022 Terroir Històric Blanc is the regional wine that blends grapes from nine different villages, 75% Garnacha Blanca and 25% Macabeo from different soils, slate, clay, granite and alluvial. The bunches fermented for three to five days in stainless steel, and the wine matured in stainless steel for six months. It has 13% alcohol and mellow acidity, 4.5 grams. It has a spectacular nose that is very expressive, aromatic, clean and open with pungent notes of pollen and beeswax. It's juicy, round and clean with persistent and pungent flavors, not very high in acidity, eminently Mediterranean. Really impressive.

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

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

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

Wine Details

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

Duluc de Branaire-Ducru — Saint-Julien, Bordeaux 2020

Château Branaire-Ducru is one of Saint-Julien's most distinguished estates — a Fourth Growth (4ème Cru Classé) of the 1855 Classification, celebrated for wines of legendary finesse, elegance, and longevity. Duluc de Branaire-Ducru is the estate's second wine, designed to offer the same Saint-Julien signature — that hallmark combination of refinement, structure, and aromatic complexity — at a more accessible price point and with an earlier drinking window. The 2020 vintage is one of Bordeaux's greatest of the modern era: a warm, dry year of exceptional concentration and balance that produced wines of remarkable depth across all appellations, and Saint-Julien in particular.

The nose leads with plum, fig, and boysenberry fruit, accented by mulled spice and cedar. On the palate, it is lively and spicy with well-balanced, fresh red and black fruit — restrained and subtle in the true Saint-Julien style. The finish is silky, long, and polished — a second wine that drinks with the poise of a Grand Vin.

"Plum, fig and boysenberry fruit with mulled spice and cedar accents. Lively and spicy on the palate with well balanced, fresh red and black fruit. Restrained and subtle. Silky finish." — Winemaker, Château Branaire-Ducru

• Producer: Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Saint-Julien AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château Branaire-Ducru (1855 Fourth Growth)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Plum, fig, boysenberry, mulled spice, cedar, fresh red and black fruit, silky finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb cutlets, beef fillet, duck confit, mushroom stroganoff, Mimolette, aged Cheddar

The Saint-Julien signature at an accessible price — Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2020 is restrained, silky, and built for the table.

Producer Description

Askos is the name of our project dedicated to the research, selection and cultivation of local heritage native varieties.The symbol is an askos, a Greek “decanter” dating from the 1st century B.C.

Deep ruby red. A wine with great character on the nose: sensations of black and red berries are backed by spicy notes, hints of licorice and cocoa and notes of eucalyptus. It is a full-bodied but not heavy wine, extremely satisfying and easy to drink. The alcohol percentage is well-balanced. Delicious now, it will age well.  

A dry vermouth rooted in 19th-century Italian craft — Trincheri Dry Vermouth is made from the original family recipe dating to the 1890s, built on a base of French Colombard grapes and infused with 13 carefully selected herbs, spices, fruits, and botanicals. The result is a vibrant, complex dry vermouth with a perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness, and aromatic depth that sets it apart from mass-market alternatives.

Bright and aromatic on the nose with floral and herbal lift. On the palate it’s dry and layered — the interplay of Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, and Orris Root delivering a classic vermouth bitterness, while Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, and Juniper Berries add warmth and brightness. Clean, precise, and exceptionally well-suited to a dry martini or Gibson.

Awards

San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge — 91 Points, Gold Medal | Best Vermouth for Martini or Gibson cocktail.

Producer Description

Based on the original family recipe from the 1890s, Trincheri Dry Vermouth is made from French Colombard grapes and infused with 13 herbs, spices, fruits, and botanicals, including Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, Orris Root, Tansy Herb, Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, Juniper Berries, and Yarrow Flower.

• Producer: Trincheri, Italy
• Style: Extra Dry Vermouth
• Base: French Colombard Grapes
• Botanicals: Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, Orris Root, Tansy Herb, Ceylon Cinnamon, Lemon Peel, Juniper Berries, Yarrow Flower (13 total)
• Format: 750ml
• Serve: Dry Martini, Gibson, or on the rocks with lemon twist
• Tip: Refrigerate after opening and consume within 4–6 weeks

Winemaker Description 

Quite dark and earthy spice, a touch of dark chocolate, a touch of ethereal coolness, black pepper, and a hint of truffle spice.

But what a mineral, almost chalky grip and the inviting freshness of acidity. It's pure, precise, unvarnished, with edges and corners, and the acidity is top-notch; you just have to like it.

An incredibly nervy, yet racy style, despite the power. Has the potential to age for a very long time. Wow.

Winemaker Description 

Originating from the traditional cru area of Barolo, Tenuta Monchiero Barolo is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo d'Alba grapes. This 2019 Barolo offers a deep and complex flavor profile, featuring pronounced tannins that soften beautifully with time.

Expect rich notes of black fruit, complemented by strong, persistent tannins and a robust structure. Aged for two years in Slavonian oak barrels and an additional two years in the bottle, this wine delivers a refined, long-lasting finish.

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

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

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

Critical Acclaim — 2022 Vintage

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Profile

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

Details

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

Cellaring & Serving

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

Winemaker Description

Compelling and fresh, this wine is redolent of grapefruit and red berries

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone as devoted to the concepts of ‘sustainable’ and ‘local’ as Thierry and Céline Tissot. Their vision is of a sustainable ecological future with a thriving local economy to pass on to their two children. All one has to do is admire the privileged vineyards the Tissots farm along the steep mountainsides surrounding their village of Vaux-en-Bugey. Here, Thierry has committed to replanting with traditional local varieties, namely altesse and mondeuse.

Meanwhile, Céline has implemented her experience as an agriculture engineer and enologist, employing strictly sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on insect diversity. Their efforts earned organic certification in 2019. Their vineyards are surrounded by sub-alpine forests brimming with  biodiversity—birds’ nests, foxes, ladybugs, spiders—which Céline loves to share on social media as they work the vines with their dog Maya. The Tissot vineyards had never seen any herbicides, having been abandoned to the forest before the introduction of chemical treatments. The couple have steadfastly carried on this legacy with respect and dedication to their principles.

This méthode traditionelle sparkling wine is made with organically-farmed, estate gamay and mondeuse. As an Extra-Dry, it has an exceptional balance that will play well at the beginning and end of the meal (or throughout your picnic!). Céline and Thierry Tissot are showing that top quality méthode traditionelle sparklers can be made in Bugey, transmitting a clear and unique Bugey identity. The Tissots have been pushing the envelope with the development of their traditional method sparkling wines with a long lees-aging regimen.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2021

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

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

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

Winemaker Description 

Luminous amber colours. The aromas are pungent, almondy and persistent. On the palate it is slightly sweet, refined and with hints of dry flavours from the ageing. In short, the characteristics of an exceptional amontillado.

Straw-yellow, bright and transparent . Pungent and delicate. Light and dry on the palate.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

Expert Review — Vintage 2022

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

Winemaker Description

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

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

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that's almost translucent. Aromatically, bing cherry, briar fruit and some raspberry give way to ripe strawberry and associated red fruits. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift.

There’s a soul to this business and that soul isn’t just from the people who make wine, it’s from everyone who loves wines that make them feel something.” Dave Phinney

Pheasant's Tears | Rkatsiteli-Mtsvane | Tibaani | Qvevri Amber Wine | Kakheti, Republic of Georgia | 2024 | Organic

Pheasant's Tears is one of Georgia's most celebrated natural wine producers, founded by Gela Patalishvili — an 8th-generation winemaker from the Kakheti region — and John Wurdeman, an American painter who fell in love with Georgia and its ancient wine culture in 1998. Since 2007, they have farmed their vineyards with minimal intervention, using wild yeasts and traditional qvevri winemaking to best showcase the extraordinary terroir of Kakheti. The name comes from an old Georgian tale claiming that only the best wine could make a pheasant cry.

Tibaani is a sub-zone of Kakheti, in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, where the ancient Georgian grape varieties Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane have been cultivated for millennia. This blend of the two varieties is vinified in the traditional Georgian manner: fermented and aged in qvevri — traditional clay amphorae buried in the earth — with a full month of skin maceration, producing a wine of remarkable depth, texture, and complexity. The wine is unfiltered and unfined, allowing for natural sedimentation in the bottle.

The 2024 is deep golden in the glass. The nose offers honey blossom, dried apricot, quince, and a hint of walnut, with an earthy, ancient quality that speaks directly to the qvevri and the land. On the palate, full-bodied and dry with a nutty, textured richness, bright acidity, and a long, complex finish. A wine of genuine character that transports you to the cradle of wine civilization.

Made from certified organic grapes. Pair with roasted meats, spiced lamb, charcuterie, aged hard cheeses, washed-rind cheeses, and dishes with Caucasian or Middle Eastern spice profiles. Decant before serving; a little sedimentation is natural and expected.

• Producer: Pheasant's Tears
• Grapes: Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane
• Sub-zone: Tibaani, Kakheti, Republic of Georgia
• Style: Qvevri Amber Wine (Orange Wine)
• Vintage: 2024
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Vinification: Fermented and aged in qvevri (buried clay amphorae); 1-month skin maceration; unfiltered & unfined
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2016

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

Tasting Notes

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

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

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

Product Details

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

Château Picard — Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois 2020

Situated in the heart of the village of Saint-Estèphe, Château Picard is one of the appellation’s most respected Cru Bourgeois estates — classified as such since 1932. Acquired by the prestigious négociant house Mähler-Besse in 1997, the 8-hectare estate has been meticulously renovated, with gravity-fed harvest entry and Napoleon III-style cellars restored to their former glory.

The terroir is quintessential Saint-Estèphe: clay-dominant soils loaded with calcified cockle and sea urchin remains, delivering wines of structure, depth, and distinctive mineral character. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory — shows deep ruby color with a dark, rich nose of intense berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied on the palate with a solid core of fruit, silky tannins, and a beautifully balanced, polished finish.

• Producer: Château Picard / Mähler-Besse, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark berry, Indian spices, mineral, silky tannins, polished finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2024–2035+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, beef tenderloin

A serious Saint-Estèphe from a landmark Bordeaux vintage — structured, elegant, and built to age gracefully.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

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

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

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

Yellow Tail | Shiraz | South Eastern Australia | NV | 750ml

Yellow Tail is one of Australia's most recognized and beloved wine brands, produced by the Casella family in Yenda, New South Wales. Since its launch in 2001, [yellow tail] has become a global phenomenon — a wine that introduced millions of drinkers to the approachable, fruit-forward style of Australian Shiraz. Often referred to as the classic Australian red, it is crafted to be consistent, reliable, and endlessly enjoyable at an unbeatable everyday price.

Rich and smooth with concentrated red cherry and plum, complemented by notes of vanilla, mocha, and spice. Juicy red berries and a soft, approachable finish. Everything a great everyday Shiraz should be.

Pair with steak, burgers, BBQ ribs, grilled sausages, and hearty pasta dishes.

• Producer: Casella Family Brands
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Grape: Shiraz
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward Australian Shiraz
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 1997

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

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

Winemaker Description 

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

Expert Reviews 

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

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

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

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

Winemaker Description 

Appearance : Opaque red-black. Scarlet rim. Aroma: Initially closed. The wine opens to an amalgam of minerals and unctuous super-ripe berries. Palate : Deep, rich and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of liquorice, molasses and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.

Tasting notes | Deep, rich, and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of licorice, molasses, and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.