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Winemaker Notes

Expert Reviews

94 James Suckling | Notes of dried apples, glazed lemons, orange curd, roasted almonds and crushed stones. Hints of dried lemon peel, too. Full-bodied and broad yet it is delicate with impressive fresh acidity. Incredible minerality here with a touch of zestiness at the end. Lingering finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

In the hands of Hannes Schuster, Sankt Laurent becomes a focused expression of the soils in and around St Margarethen. Sankt Laurent is thought to be related to Pinot Noir, a crossing of the noble grape and another variety of unknown origin, native to Burgenland. The Schuster always shows earthy yet fresh mineral-rich notes of cherry and red berries which explode on the palate.

Silky tannins, delicate spice and a lovely long finish are signature characteristics. As all the Schuster wines, it is organically farmed with meticulous work in the ideally situated vineyards. This Sankt Laurent was fermented with native yeasts and spent one year in used 500 Liter Stockinger barrels. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

90 Points Wine Advocate | The 2021 Sankt Laurent Burgenland blends the fruit of 14- to 34-year-old vines cultivated in Sankt Margarethen, Zagersdorf, Oslip and Donnerskirchen. Aged in large, used barrels for 10 months, this release displays a bright cherry color and a pure, fresh and reductive nose of cherries, red berries, black pudding, earth and grass. Silky and fresh on the palate, this is a charmingly fruity, light to medium-bodied red wine with remarkable finesse, juiciness and fruit intensity. If at all, this autochthonous red is reminiscent of a refreshing Gamay from the Loire Valley. A great drinking pleasure indeed. 11.5% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted in April 2023.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling writes:  What a joyful dry white for Burgenland! A wide spectrum of ripe yellow fruit with mango and papaya, but nothing loud. Generous and juicy, but with extremely invigorating acidity. A cuvee based on gruner veltliner with furmint, welchriesling, chardonnay and pinot blanc, plus some mixed planted. From vines ranging ranging from 20 to 40 years of age. Drink or hold.  James Suckling 93

Winemaker Description 

The typical grape varieties of the region, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner and Furmint, work together to create a tightly knit, very precise, complex wine with mouth-filling, ripe pear fruit as well as beautiful almond, spice and herbal notes.

Powerful, creamy, dry and sensual, it is wonderfully complex and opens up countless exciting combination possibilities as a sophisticated food accompaniment. 

Winemaker Description

Kith & Kin, Old English for “Friends & Family”, is a Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from all corners of the Napa Valley but with its heart rooted in Rutherford. This wine is approachable in its youth, with balanced tannins and a fruit-forward character. The vast majority of fruit comes from our estate, supplemented by a limited amount from Napa Valley growers.

Beautifully complex and rich aromatics of bright cassis and ripe red fruit jump out of the glass upon the first encounter. This wine opens with bright raspberry, softening through the mid-palate with notes of toffee, cocoa, and crème brulee. The soft and smooth mouth feel paired with fine-grained tannins effortlessly round out this young and serious, yet remarkably approachable Cabernet.

Expert Reviews

Winemaker Description

This bright Sauvignon Blanc leaps out of the glass with aromas of honeysuckle, white peach, and Meyer lemon. Tropical notes of lychee and guava meld into notes of key lime and a touch of grapefruit with a vibrant acidity on the palate balanced by a rich mid-palate weight. This zippy wine finishes long and clean with a beautiful roundness at the end. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 91 Points | This shows vivid and crunchy stone fruit character with hints of spicy herbs, pear skins and guava. Medium-bodied and textural with crunchy acidity and vivid juiciness in the middle, toned up with notes of citrus peel and mint. Drink now. Screw cap.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This ripe tasting and round textured wine blends soft peaches and melons with tangy lemon notes for a mouthfilling yet well-balanced and lively expression.

The ensuing wine is amazingly complex and classic Napa Valley. The aroma is cedar, cola, dark black fruit and just a kiss of oak. The pallet is round, expansive, bright and complex with flavors of cocoa, coffee, fruit and herbs. The wine fills the mouth but isn't dominated by any one element and finishing amazingly bright for Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the great joys of making Cabernet is blending the wine before bottling and this wine was so very fun to combine just the right amount of Cabernet Sauvignon with its power, Cabernet Franc for the beautiful wild aroma and flavor, a touch of Merlot for the dusty plum character, Malbec for violet notes and Petit Verdot for color and tannin. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This earthier Pinot Noir is a deep garnet color, with flickering hints of a darker edge glint as the glass swirls. The nose is a woodsy affair, with aromas of cedar, black tea and tart black cherry emerging. Savory, lithe and balanced, the palate has a woodsy tannic grip at the finish.

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a beautiful vibrant red color, and a deep brooding aroma reminiscent of dried herbs, toasted hazelnuts, and blood orange peel. The flavors are bright from acidity, and deep from concentration at the same time having flavors of shiitake mushrooms, bay laurel, lavender, and cooked red and blackberries. The wine is amazingly complex, bright, rich, and inviting. Winemaker Description. 

Producer Description 

Bringing your nose to the glass and your olfactory is treated to caramel and vanilla layered on herbal and floral notes. The mouthfeel starts oily but finishes dry. On the palate you are treated to sweet caramel, vanilla, dusted in floral notes... finishing notes of oak and a lingering spiciness. 

Producer Description 

Rum Rubirosa, was created as a tribute to the famous Dominican diplomat Porfirio Rubirosa, style icon and last great playboy of the 20th century. Among the jet set of the fifties, he was considered the "Most Interesting Man in the World".

Winemaker Description

Sustainable. 100% Grüner Veltliner. Nice and balanced nose with fresh tones of white fruits, white peaches, white pepper, snap peas, and some citrus tones. On the palate, medium- to full-bodied with crisp, refreshing acidity and flavors of white fruits, white peaches, minerals and white pepper.

Winemaker Description

Wachau Riesling is dry and often defined by high levels of dry extract (due to a lengthy ripening period) and a pleasing freshness (due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night). Rudi Pichler’s Riesling Achleithen comes from steep, southwest-facing terraces of meager primary rock soils resulting in a dry white wine of great structure and strong mineral character.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 94 Points | This shows notes of dried cherries and red plums with cured meat, dried sage and tree bark undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of structure. Ripe and velvety tannins with a fluid and polished mid-palate. Flavorful and intense.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | The nose starts herbaceous and fresh, with aromas of mint, fennel and salt, before tart fruit emerges with notes of black cherry and blood orange. The palate brings more cherries, but maintains an overall fresh, earthy and minty feel. Acid blazes behind dense, chewy tannins.

Winemaker Description 

In 1927, the inaugural Riserva Ducale vintage was crafted as a homage to the wine-loving Duke of Aosta. Two decades later, in 1947, Ruffino commemorated the exceptional vintage by introducing the inaugural Riserva Ducale Oro, heralding the concept of Gran Selezione ahead of its time. Its potential for decades of aging is matched only by its historical significance. 

Intense cherry, plum, and violet notes on the nose, leading to a complex bouquet with hints of eucalyptus, chocolate, and black pepper. A strong structure with elegant tannins, good acidity, and a finish marked by sweet tobacco, balsamic notes, and plum.

One out of every three bottles of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione opened in the world is Riserva Ducale Oro.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 93 Points | This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years. 

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red. Aroma: This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Tasting profile: Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva is well balanced on the palate, with velvety tannins, firm acidity, and a lingering finish of rosemary. Its structure will allow it to age for two to five years, if not longer.

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years. 

James Suckling 93 Points |   This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025. 

They source the grapes for Lumina from the Delle Venezie IGT, an appellation comprised of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino. These are the top regions in Italy for the cultivation of Pinot Grigio. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

Enjoy Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio as an aperitif or as a wonderful companion with a variety of foods. It's delicious with prosciutto and mild cheeses, fresh salads, and pasta with cream sauces. It also pairs well with seafood, shellfish, white meat, or Asian dishes. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 90 Points:  The latest rendition of Ruinart's NV Blanc de Blancs unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus zest, green apple, white flowers and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse, it concludes with a saline finish.

James Suckling 93 Points:  A vibrant and refreshing Champagne with a bright, enticing nose of lemon (fresh and candied) and sliced pear, as well as some floral and passion-fruit notes. Lovely balance of juicy fruit and acidity that dances nimbly across the palate. A biscuit note from lees lies in the background. Delicate, silky and finish. A blend of wines from Côtes des Blanc, Montagne de Reims and Sézanne. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 93 Points: Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator: "Steeped apricot and candied ginger flavors are an aromatic entry for this graceful Champagne, backed by finely cut acidity and layered with accents of kumquat, toast point and salted Marcona almond. It's fresh and racy, yet there's an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping. Long, minerally finish. Drink now through 2027.

Expert Reviews

94 Points Wine Specator | A classy rosé that glides across the palate, with flavors of raspberry coulis, yellow peach, chamomile and blanched almond that expand on the creamy mousse and linger on the lightly spiced finish, powered by mouthwatering acidity. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2026.

90 Points Robert Parker |  The latest rendition of Ruinart's NV Brut Rosé is a pretty, vibrant wine that offers up inviting aromas of tangerine, blood orange, plum and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with tangy acids and a pretty mousse, it's ca harming, comparatively vinous wine that is already showing well.

92 Points James Suckling | The appeal of this excellent rosé Champagne begins with the nose of red berries, ripe nectarine, coriander and red roses. Striking balance of delicate tannins, animating freshness and just a touch of creaminess. Long, very clean and dry finish. The cuvée is 55% pinot noir from Aÿ (some fermented as red wine) and 45% chardonnay. Drink now.

Producer Description 

Rum Chata Horchata Con Ron Liqueuer is a specialty cream liqueur that begins with a base of non-alcoholic horchata. It is an old and varied drink that one can find referred to as "Cinnamon Rice Milk."

 It is said that it comes from Spain and is a drink with ground tiger nuts and melon seeds, then flavored with almonds, milk, cinnamon, and sugar "though variations abound.

Producer Description 

Enjoy the cooling and bracing experience of Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps. The unmistakable taste of fresh and crisp peppermint followed by a silky-smooth, extended finish will take your breath away.

Famous for shots and daring cocktails, this 100 proof peppermint flavored liqueur is a holiday favorite and enjoyed best in the company of friends. Serve in a chilled shot glass for a refreshing tasting kick.

Produced Description 

More than 90 years. That's the combined tenure of Master Distillers Jimmy & his son Eddie Russell. They hand-select barrels only when ready, resulting in a Bourbon that delivers a balance of rich, creamy toffee vanilla flavors. Their experience guarantees yours.

Expert Review 

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points |  From Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell, this tawny and full-bodied whiskey evolves on the palate. At first, it features orange peel, vanilla and caramel, then dry leather and cocoa notes midpalate, and finishes long and lean with clove and allspice accents. Dilute to taste, sip slowly and consider all the complex flavors. 

Produced Description 

This distinctive bourbon, aged 13 years, delivers aromas of dried fruits, and flavors of aged oak and sweet caramel, culminating in a smooth, robust finish that you have come to expect from Russell's Reserve. Masterfully crafted and brought to you by Master Distillers and bourbon hall of Famers, Jimmy & Eddie Russel. The legacy continues.