Products

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The medium ruby-hued estate bottling, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is fresh and spicy, with aromas of bright cherries, fresh flowers, fresh forest spice, and dewy earth. Medium-bodied, it offers refined tannins and a beautifully approachable feel, with a clean, elegant, ripe note of orange citrus on the finish. Gorgeous all the way through, this will have a wide drinking window over the next 10 years.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Plump and juicy, this lush crowd-pleaser offers delicious cherry and raspberry compote notes laced with singed vanilla, red tea and sandalwood accents.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate has pure aromas of pomegranate and rhubarb accented by notes of tobacco leaves and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate balances concentrated, earth-laced fruit with velvety tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, bitters and citrus-laced finish.

Winemaker Description 

Elegant and beautifully balanced, this Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of savory herbs, while on the palate it is juicy and refined with a hint of dusty cherry. The wine has a big rich mouth-feel, silky tannins and a long finish. This wine expresses classic Rochioli character.

Winemaker Description

Rich with dark cherry, plum and baking spices. The delicious fruit is accompanied by black pepper notes, crushed violet and cassis. The palate has medium tannins, lingering spicy oak flavors with a velvety lush finish. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This ripe and generous wine smells like a cherry pie and tastes like warm raspberries and cherries dusted with cinnamon and ground cloves. It’s a welcoming, almost-sweet Pinot that is comfy in texture and alluring in flavor.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Juicy and elegant, with a savory edge to the mix of gently mulled raspberry and cherry fruit flavors, revealing a sous-bois accent as they move through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 342 cases made.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Pouring a deep youthful red hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve is ripe and expressive on opening, offering loads of black cherries, sweet herbs, forest floor, and cola. Medium-bodied, it retains good levity on the palate while keeping a ripe feel, with ripe tannins and a clean finish.

Winemaker Description 

Ripe cherry and plum aromas open to a complex mix of rhubarb, forest floor, creamy oak and exotic dark floral tones. The fruit flavors continue a smooth, full bodied palate with forest floor, vinous and dark cherry flavors, finishing with supple volume and balance acidity.

Enjoy this wine now with sweet and spicy Moroccan roasted carrots, truffle risotto or cellar for enjoyment over the next few years.

Winemaker Description

Fresh, bright berry fruit form our heritage Russian River vineyard, combined with the ripe, peppery jam from their Alexander Valley and Dry Creek vineyards, make for a wonderful diversity of flavor, showcasing the best that Zinfandel can offer. This wine boasts notes of blackberry, plum and boysenberry with a touch of red fruit jam and creamy vanilla.

Enjoy this Zinfandel now with spiced short ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or a barbeque chicken pizza.

Pasteurized cow’s milk | France

Sumptuous and very, very rich, this French triple crème is aged by the masterful Rodolphe Le Munier.

- Martin Johnson, Cheesemonger | 67 Gourmet

If you look for light, fresh cheese for whole family, from tolders to Grand'Ma then Cremeux des Citeaux is for you. Nature of together with jam, marmelade or salt and pepper, Cremeux means Creamy. Here you get the full taste of what a fresh artisanal cheese made from selected milk can give: Silky and light, simply very smooth cheese.

Cremeux des Citeaux can be used as a layer to top you finger food: Cremeux + Smoked Salmon or Cremeux with Dried ham or else you like to use as finger food!

Bliss.  Pure, unadulterated bliss.  Yes, we're talking about a butter, but the RLM Beurre de Baratte is a butter like no other.  Smooth, creamy and sweet with big chunks to salt.  It's a cheat code to melt into pasta, atop grilled proteins or in popcorn, but seriously, all you really need is a spoon.  

Pair it with a Jura Chardonnay (yeah, really!)

Martin Johnson, Cheesemonger 

Expert Reviews

Michaela Morris writes:  First overall in the sparkling category. Louis Roederer's outpost in California's cool Anderson Valley is a stylistic chip off the old block. The blend includes a considerable portion of reserve wine that's been oak-aged, making for a rich, weighty mouthful of creamy bubbles. Malolactic fermentation is suppressed in order to preserve acidity but a healthy dosage of 12g/l adds to its girth. What this sparkler lacks in zip, it makes up in texture and concentration. Lots of baked apple and toasted cashews here.  - Decanter 92

Eric Asimov writes:  Roederer Estate, the Mendocino County outpost of the excellent Champagne house Louis Roederer, has long been not only one of California’s biggest sparkling wine producers, but one of the best. This is, not surprisingly, made with Champagne grapes, pinot noir and chardonnay, but grown in Anderson Valley terroir. It doesn’t taste like Champagne. It’s more herbal, less mineral, but it’s got a good Champagne’s freshness and elegance. - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023

Cherry blossom and green tea provide a floral and sweet aroma. Complex, multi layered, yet harmonious flavor of various botanicals. Traditional gin taste in the base, plus characteristic Japanese botanical notes with yuzu as the top note. Smooth and silky texture. The crisp Japanese sansho pepper brings a little spiciness to the finish.

Expertly crafted in meticulous detail by Japanese artisans, ROKU gin combines six unique Japanese botanicals blended with eight traditional gin botanicals that result in a complex yet harmonious gin with a smooth and silky texture. 

Producer Description 

Sambuca is produced by the infusion of elder bush and licorice, sweetened with sugar and enhanced with a secret combination of herbs and spices. Romana Black is a unique blend of essences derived from Sambucus Nigra berries and star Anise. 

Producer Description 

Sambuca is produced by the infusion of elder bush and licorice, sweetened with sugar and enhanced with a secret combination of herbs and spices. Romana Sambuca is a distinctive, flavorful and unique Italian liqueur. At 42% alcohol by volume, with a bold yet pleasingly sweet anise flavor. Romana offers a memorable taste experience with a smooth finish. 

Producer Description 

Sambuca is produced by the infusion of elder bush and licorice, sweetened with sugar and enhanced with a secret combination of herbs and spices. Romana Black is a unique blend of essences derived from Sambucus Nigra berries and star Anise. 

Producer Description 

Romanov is a brand of vodka manufactured and marketed by United Spirits Limited which is a subsidiary of United Breweries Limited. The brand derives its name from the Romanov dynasty which ruled the Russian Empire from 1612 to 1917.  It has a 42.8% alcohol by volume. Sale of Romanov vodka in 2006 was 8.5 lakh (850,000) cases. Producer Description.

Producer Description 

A good mixing vodka, with hints of vanilla and cream. Vodka is a chameleon and blends seamlessly with just about anything. This is no accident: While there are no universal rules for producing the spirit, the final product is supposed to be colorless, odorless and tasteless.A good mixing vodka, with hints of vanilla and cream. Vodka is a chameleon and blends seamlessly with just about anything. This is no accident: While there are no universal rules for producing the spirit, the final product is supposed to be colorless, odorless and tasteless.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | This deep and concentrated wine is as smooth as silk, scented with black currants, spearmint and a touch of toast, then soothes the palate with velvety tannins and lush, ripe fruit flavors. While easy to sip, it has a subtle, restrained tannin structure.

92 Points James Suckling | Aromas of blackberries and currants with spicy herbs, pine wood and crushed rocks. Medium- to full-bodied, sleek and polished with soft tannins and silky texture. Juicy, blue-fruited finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

The color is intense and beautiful, almost black with purple, reddish hues. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, piecrust, spice, and mint mingle and leap from the glass. The palate is full and concentrated with similar aromas but also featuring black currant and sweet red cherry with the mild presence of oak, seamlessly integrated. Signature finely structured tannins and balanced acidity give way to a long finish which continues to build after that last sip.

Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Description.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | This deep and concentrated wine is as smooth as silk, scented with black currants, spearmint and a touch of toast, then soothes the palate with velvety tannins and lush, ripe fruit flavors. While easy to sip, it has a subtle, restrained tannin structure.

92 Points James Suckling | Aromas of blackberries and currants with spicy herbs, pine wood and crushed rocks. Medium- to full-bodied, sleek and polished with soft tannins and silky texture. Juicy, blue-fruited finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

The color is intense and beautiful, almost black with purple, reddish hues. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, piecrust, spice, and mint mingle and leap from the glass. The palate is full and concentrated with similar aromas but also featuring black currant and sweet red cherry with the mild presence of oak, seamlessly integrated. Signature finely structured tannins and balanced acidity give way to a long finish which continues to build after that last sip.

Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description 

This is a bold and classic California Chardonnay from team Rombauer, the winery who arguably made bold, rich, butter-scented Chardonnays the standard across California. This one comes from the cool stretches of Carneros, and balances bright citrus and orchard fruit flavors with bright, refreshing acidity and just enough oak-driven spice.

Winemaker Description 

The wine bursts with bright fruit aromas of cherry and red plum, with notes of vanilla, holiday spices, and lavender all jumping out on the nose. Plum flavors continue to the palate, joined by layers of raspberry jam, mocha, clove, and white pepper. The mid-palate is soft and creamy, framed by fine tannins and ending with a long, lush finish that will leave you wanting another sip.

Producer Description 

This rum is a decadent blend of rums from 6 to 24 years old, extra-aged in an assortment of double charred American oak and Pedro Ximénez wine casks.

• Appearance - Profound mahogany with an intense copper tone.
• Nose - Caramelised fruit, plum, raisins, chocolate and spices. A high intensity rum, perfectly balanced with smooth smoky notes.
• Palate - Zacapa Negra is a rich, dark rum with smokey intensity, revealing accentuated woody, spicy and dense fruity notes in the liquid, and a unique and magical finish.
• Serving suggestions - Enjoy neat or on the rocks in Zacapa's tumbler.

Producer Description 

This is first-class Guatemalan rum is made from virgin sugar cane honey--the first press of the sugar cane that's boiled down to thicken--rather than molasses, which is a byproduct of the sugar-making process. 

This results in a finer, sweeter, smoother rum. Aged in the solera method, like Sherry, the Zacapa Centenario is very dark--mahogony with coppery tints--and has a clove, cocoa, cinnamon and orange peel-scented nose.

The palate is sweet and smooth, with cocoa, orange and honey flavors and a sensuous, viscous texture. It finishes long and smooth. 

Winemaker Description

Ronan by Clinet is an approachable wine that reflects the style and savoir-faire of a prestigious Pomerol winery. It is a fresh, fruit-forward and delicately spiced wine, ready to drink now or age for several years – the perfect choice for a spontaneous after-work treat or a dinner party with friends.

Expert Review

Decanter 88 Points | Very fresh and peachy aromas on the nose. Broad and oily, lively and delicious, rich finish. (Bronze). (2022).

Expert Ratings

Straw yellow in color. The aromas are very subtle and elegant, with hints of pear, apple and plum fruit, of vanilla and with floral notes of acacia and jasmine. Dry, full-bodied with very well-balanced acidity and refined minerality; it shows notes of grace and elegance, remarkable character and unique personality. Winemaker Description. 

A very classic Ribolla Gialla. Plush with yellow plum skins and textured minerals on the palate, one is initially taken in by effusive aromas of pear and acacia on the nose. Fuller in texture with orchard fruit acidity, this wine marries well with an array of dishes. 

Try with white fish appetizers, cod fish croquettes, and Parma ham. This tasty wine is also fine on its own as an apéritif.

Expert Reviews

Vinous 93 Points | The 2017 Schioppettino di Cialla is wildly spicy and fresh, with an intense burst of peppery rose and smokey raspberry offset by a dusting of savory spice. This is silky-smooth and sapid with masses of mineral-tinged dark red fruits offset by zesty acidity. It finishes potent with a staining of primary concentration and a coating of sweet tannins. What a beauty, and with the potential for a very long life. In 2017, Ronchi di Cialla lost 30% of their production due to frost at the end of April. Drinking window: 2025-2040. (2017).

The Ronchi di Cialla winery is located within its own valley, like something out of a fairy tale, with roads that curve through rows of vines planted between outcroppings of forest. The family home and cellar sit at the top of a hill, overlooking vineyards in all directions. Ivan Rapuzzi runs the winery with his mother and brother, following the same traditional methods as their father before them. Thanks to Ronchi di Cialla, Schioppettino may be one of the top reds of Friuli in the not-too-distant future. The Rapuzzi family saved the variety from extinction, creating a library of wines that spans decades and proves just how well Schioppettino matures. Today, the variety has its own subzone within Friuli Colli Orientali, Schioppettino di Prepotto, while Ronchi di Cialla enjoys its own unique terroir.

This year, I tasted several back vintages at the estate: 1983, 1992, 2005, 2014 and the recently released 2017. Ronchi di Cialla releases these older vintages at regular intervals and at extremely reasonable prices. As for the 2017 Schioppettino, which hailed from a tough, warm and dry year (there is no irrigation permitted in the appellation), the Rapuzzi family decided to limit the amount of time in wood to one year, down from the usual three to four years, to preserve freshness. Moreover, they lost 30% of their production due to spring frosts. As a result, this is an atypical style of Ronchi di Cialla that will be amazing to follow over the years. Lastly, I would be remiss not to mention the white wines of Cialla, which include an off-dry Verduzzo that’s to die for, the age-worthy Ciallabianco, a blend of 65% Ribolla Gialla, 25% Picolit and 10% Verduzzo, and a varietal Ribolla Gialla. While the entire portfolio is worth seeking out, the Ronchi di Cialla Schioppettino is a must for lovers of deeply complex, age-worthy wines.

Wine Notes