Products

Winemaker Description 

Andalucía has a long tradition of producing non-fortified wines—reds and whites made from the same grapes used for fortified wines (Sherry). In Andalucia these still wines are known as Vinos del Marco de Jerez or Vinos de Pasto. It is important to highlight that these wines do not belong to the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry DO. In recent years, producers like Willy Pérez, Ramiro Ibanez and others have led a movement to bring these wines back into the spotlight, aiming to place them on tables around the world.

During a recent in-store tasting with Nacho Monclús, Spanish & South American Portfolio Manager at T. Edwards Wine & Spirits, he introduced me to a producer from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalucía: Juan Jurado of Agricola Calcarea.

Mr. Jurado represents a new generation of winemakers who have spent years working abroad, gaining experience in vineyards as well as in both front- and back-of-house roles in the restaurant industry. These experiences have enriched their perspective, and upon returning home, many have sought to revive the long-standing traditions of their ancestors. Mr. Jurado is one such story.

After more than a decade away, he returned to Andalucía and founded Agrícola Calcárea, producing wines in a small-scale, garage-style setting. His wines quickly gained national recognition, attracting the attention of the press. Now, his work has reached New York City, where wine lovers can experience his unique expressions firsthand.

When Nacho presented the wines to me, I was immediately drawn to their beautifully designed labels. The three wines I tasted featured indigenous Andalusian grape varieties, including Palomino (also known as Listán Blanco) and Tintilla Rota. All three expressions stood out, but my palate that day had a particular affinity to Agrícola Calcárea Porfía Tinto 2023 — an electric, vibrant red made from Tintilla Rota.

Porfia Tinto 2023 is unlike any other Spanish red currently available in the NYC market, this wine is a testament to the energy and innovation defining the new wave of Andalusian winemaking.

Porfia Tinto 2023 opens open with an alluring nose of sun-kissed black fruit: black cherries, black berries with undertones of dried Mediterranean herbs. On the palate this red is harmonious walking a tight rope of tannins, acidity and flavor: Suave tannins, crisp acidity and just perfect fruit quality.

Pair this red with Pan-Roasted Quail lightly dressed in thyme butter sauce.

Oscar Garcia Moncada

Winemaker Description 

Juan Jurado belongs to a new generation of young winemakers who see potential in the Marco de Jerez region beyond traditional fortified wines. After living away from his native Andalusia for many years (from Sitges to Australia via London), during which time he trained in the world of wine and sommellerie, he decided to return to his roots to start a project focused on authentic wines that reflect the diversity of the Jerez Region beyond Finos and Olorosos.

In 2022, Jurado invested all his savings to purchase a small vineyard in the Miraflores de Sanlúcar estate, along with winemaking equipment including a press, destemmer, casks, and jars to produce his first vintage. This marked the birth of Agrícola Calcárea, a project dedicated to crafting honest wines using minimal yet sufficient intervention to showcase the unique characteristics of each vineyard through classic and ancestral varieties of the Marco region.

The resulting wines are highly aromatic, featuring stone fruit, citrus, and white flower notes, with chalky and salty undertones. On the palate, they are savory and mineral, with a touch of bitterness.

Producer Description 

Akutain’s Rioja Reserva — a blend of Tempranillo with a touch of Garnacha and Viura — is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and fiberglass tanks, then aged for 35 months in predominantly neutral American oak with a small amount of French barrels. Mid-Ruby in color, this Reserva possesses a beautiful bouquet of ripe berry fruit mixed with notes of dried herbs, tobacco and rose petals.

The full-bodied palate displays concentrated flavors of black cherry, cooked-down strawberries and earth balanced by velvety, textured tannins. The finish exhibits enduring depth and complexity. The perfect companion to grilled, roasted or braised meats and game.

Winemaker Description

In France’s Northern Rhone Valley, there are few names as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the late, legendary Alain Graillot, who after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac, came back to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year his devotion to the art of making hauntingly delicious Syrah from his organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards, was rewarded with an ever growing and highly dedicated following around the world. Alain’s sons Maxime and Antoine have been in charge since 2008, continuing the legacy set forth by their father. All the work is still completely the same as it ever was: hand-harvesting, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 94 Points |  "A textural, balanced and harmonious red with such patina already. The nose shows notes of dark cherries, fresh plums, forest floor and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and velvety, with a kick of peppercorns. Juicy, vivid and fresh finish. Drink or hold."

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 95 Points | A fragrant nose of spiced cherries, ripe blackberries, dried herbs, baking spices and hints of earth follow through to a medium body with finely grained tannins. It has precision with a slight bitterness on the mid-palate. Layered and funnelled with a mineral edge. Long savory and spicy finish. Best after 2026.

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Sultry and smoldering, with incense and an attractive cherry and blackberry core. Powerful and densely packed on the smooth palate, with softening tannins still guiding the long, salty, iron-infused finish, which stands firm. Polished and well-crafted, with impressive texture. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Description

From two tiny parcels in St. Joseph, this is a slightly fresher, more early-drinking wine than the remarkable Crozes-Hermitage that constitutes the majority of Alain's production.

Winemaker Description

From two tiny parcels in Saint-Joseph, this is a slightly fresher, more early-drinking wine than the remarkable Crozes-Hermitage that constitutes the majority of Alain's production.

Winemaker Description

Mercurey was named after the Roman temple built here to honour the god Mercury. Boasting 650 ha (1,605 acres), 85 plots and 32 Premier Crus, Mercurey is the largest of the Côte Chalonnaise’s appellations.

Their vineyard of "Pierre Milley" is planted on the hillside where they benefit from southwest–western exposure. The soil is rich in clay and well drained due to its stony nature. The bedrock consists of compacted limestone with a few predominately marly limestone areas. 

Expert Review

90 Points Wine Spectator | A bright red, offering pure cherry, raspberry and violet flavors. Elegant and balanced, ending in a mouthwatering impression. (2020).

Our Professional Review

A blend of 40% Pinot Gris, 35% Muscat, 25% Riesling.  This is one of my favorite Alsace whites because of its amazingly fragrant nose of flowers, that I think the Muscat and Pinot Gris brings to this wine.  It is like smelling great perfume and when it enters your mouth you taste all the complex flavors the three grape varieties bring to the wine with the acidity of the Riesling making it both lush and crisp at the same time.  There is a certain creaminess and lushness that this particular wine envelopes your mouth with that makes me just love it.  Bernie, Follow the Drinker®

Winemaker Description - Importer Notes 

"The Edelzwicker, is a rare blend (one of two produced by Boxler) and often features fruit from his grand cru parcels. Jean Boxler says, “To find the right balance for the Edelzwicker Réserve, I cannot hesitate to steal from my more prestigious cuvées.”  Think of this bottling as his musical supergroup. Its purpose is to showcase what an Alsatian white tastes like when some of the region’s best grapes—which usually shine on their own—come together and harmonize. The result is a floral, luscious, and medium-bodied masterpiece, with notes of orchard fruit and tangerine. Incredibly versatile at table, it would be a match made in heaven with Chris Lee’s soufflé or a baked fish with grilled vegetables, but it would also complement a variety of Chinese, Indian, or Thai dishes that have a little spice." - Kermit Lynch

Winemaker Description 

100% Gewurztraminer from estate fruit averaging 35 years-old. Certified Organic and Biodynamic. White wine. Alsace, France. The 2022 vintage expresses a powerful and complex bouquet of exotic fruits, flowers, and spices. The enveloping palate strikes a delicate balance between power and finesse.

Domaine Albert Mann is heralded the world over as being in the top-tier of Alsace producers. Using organic methods guided by biodynamic practices, the Domaine cultivates precisely controlled yields to obtain grapes of elevated maturity and complexity, resulting in wines that produce their own unique style. Never heavy, clumsy or out of balance, each carefully-crafted vintage presents a beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures. Winemaker Description. 

Producer Description 

Life is a blank slate – filled with possibilities, promise, and potential. It falls on us to take each step of our journey living life to the fullest and turning those myriad possibilities into the reality we desire. And that desire is at the heart of Aldez Blanco. Bottled directly after its second distillation, our Blanco pairs and blends perfectly with the possibilities that lie before each one of us.

With its flavors of pure agave, untouched by outside influences and unaged, Aldez Blanco is fresh and ready to join you in taking life by the reins and forging your own unique path. 

Winemaker Description 

We harvest 70% of our Chardonnay at night when the grapes are cool to retain the natural acidity, then cold ferment those lots in stainless steel, without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging, to highlight the citrus and green apple flavors. We whole-cluster press 30% of the best fruit and barrel ferment that portion in French oak barrels.

The barrel fermented lots undergo secondary malolactic fermentation and age on the lees for six to eight months to develop roundness and body.

The 2019 is a full bodied, yet well balanced Chardonnay with just a kiss of oak. There are aromas of apple, pear, pineapple, and vanilla mixed with floral notes. Hints of citrus and bright flavors of pear, apple, tropical fruits and peaches fill the glass.

This is a Chardonnay that will appeal to a broad group of wine drinkers!

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 93 Points |This is a fantastic NV Champagne with a fine, creamy texture of small barrels and a deep, layered palate with dried apple, hints of pie crust and bread dough. Tangy. Layered and powerful, yet fresh. Lovely Brut Champagne. Based on 2015. Chardonnay 50% pinot noir 25% and 25% pinot meunier

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Delicate hints of verbena and spice notes of ground anise and cardamom accent rich flavors of ripe yellow peach and raspberry fruit, with notes of chopped hazelnut, pickled ginger and preserved lemon. Firmed by chiseled acidity, this is finely meshed and mouthwatering, with a satiny mousse and creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Description

The nose is moderately intense yet complex. The sweet pastry, biscuit and orchard fruit notes are followed and enhanced by hints of citrus, white flowers and fresh butter.The initial taste is clean: this is a very silky and sparkling wine whose sugar content works well with its body. There is a certain chalky minerality and the texture is smooth. It is characterful without being overbearing.The finish is crisp, with a slight mineral undertone, and long at 6 to 8 seconds. It leaves an excellently balanced acidic aftertaste, with a sugar component that is undeniably pleasing on the palate.

Expert Review 

The Tasting Panel 94 Points | Sunset-pink in the glass, this vivacious blend of 45% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 35% Pinot Meunier kicks off with scents of brioche, red currant, and Rome apple plus flashes of honey and white flowers. Cascading from a font of ripe acidity are fleshy flavors of nec- tarine and red plum as well as mandarin orange; an underlying stoniness reveals itself before a long finish of almond and orange rind.

James Suckling 93 Points | This is a fruitier rosé. Dry and layered with nice phenols, yet it’s lively. Full-bodied, creamy and relatively dry at the end. Not heavy, but agile. 46% chardonnay 20% pinot noir and 34% pinot meunier. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description 

The robe is reminiscent of rose petals. The healthy effervescence builds to an attractive mousse. The initial aroma is fruity (strawberries and redcurrants) and floral (peonies). Wheat, biscuit and crème fraiche notes are detectable, as are hints of more roasted flavors. The initial taste is clean, and then opens up to a pleasant structured quality. There is real harmony to this wine, bolstered by fine acidity, light tannin notes and discrete sweetness. Because it sparkles enthusiastically, the texture goes from 'gentle' to 'firm' and back again. It is long and the finish is slightly smoky with mineral notes.

Winemaker Description 

This 100% Garnacha wine boasts a big, bold, and funky flavor with a touch of freshness. Its dense, fruity palate is complemented by a prolonged finish and ample acidity, preventing it from feeling too heavy.

The producer purposefully maintains some of the CO2 for a spritzy texture, giving it a slightly effervescent quality. For the full expression, allow it to aerate. The vineyards of Alfredo Maestro Tejero are nestled within the Ribera del Duero. These natural wines are produced without the addition of sulphur in either the vineyard or winery. All grapes are carefully hand-harvested.

Winemaker Description

Wine made with only grapes, well-kept vineyards, and healthy land.” 

This is the mantra of Castellano winegrower Alfredo Maestro, a bright light amongst an abyss of industrially farmed, over-ripe, over-oaked, and over-manipulated wine-scape that is the Ribera del Duero these days.   

Alfredo Maesto is a city man, who has become a farmer as a choice and not because of circumstances. He is guided by passion and love, which we find in each of his bottles. His production is mainly of reds (Tempranillo and Garnacha) which can be drank both young and aged; then there’s the LoveAmor, the albillo (white grapes) pure which surprises even the most demanding of tasters. Alfredo Maestro manages some vineyards near Madrid, but mainly in Castilla y Leon, in Penafel in the Ribera near Valladolid (the Spanish Bolgheri), land which has always celebrated the most famous Spanish reds. To process natural wines in this piece of land is like finding yourself on the frontline in the Caporetto battle and yet, Alfredo Maestro, teacher both in name and facts, acting as a righteous Charon he takes on the task of ferrying heretic sommeliers from vanilla wines with shavings icing towards the right way of pure, real wine. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Alison Napjus writes:  Creamed black cherry and black raspberry fruit is structured by chewy tannins and fresh acidity in this balanced red. Shows a subtle underpinning of sanguine iron and earth accents, with appealing details of dark chocolate shavings, dried mint and anise that linger on the finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2029.  - Wine Spectator 90

James Suckling writes:  A fruity wine with bright raspberries, pressed flowers, bay leaves, sweet spice and forest floor. The attack is firm, with velvety tannins, a medium to full body and crisp acidity. Chewy with a chocolaty aftertaste. A bit chalky in the finish. Drinkable now, but best from spring 2025.  - James Suckling 92 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 91 Points | Reductive aromas of violets and camphor segue to black cherries and licorice root. This needs an aggressive decant, but the mouthfeel is polished and slick. The tannins are well wrought and compact. A full-weighted wine in a modern style that will have its fans. Sustainable. Drink or hold. 

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | Tart cherries and raspberries mingle with dried oregano and thyme on the nose. Earthy undertones and fine tannins grace the palate, as bright cherry flavors are added by vibrant acidity to lift the wine on the finish.

Winemaker Description

A vibrant bouquet of fresh red and  black fruits with floral notes and a hint  of pepper. It is medium-bodied, has a  moderate amount of gentle yet grippy  tannins and refreshing acidity. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Advocate 95+ Points |  A whopping 94% Cabernet Sauvignon but not labeled as such, Alpha Omega's 2021 ERA Red Wine is the 2,380-case flagship of the winery. As you might expect, it's dark, nearly impenetrable in color, with similarly opaque aromas that hint at camphor, creosote, cedar and cassis. Weighing in at 14.8% alcohol (on the label), it's very nearly full-bodied, with ample concentration, ripe but dense tannins and a lingering but somewhat astringent finish. Give this one some time in the cellar.

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Juicy and richly interwoven with a fresh underlay of acidity, this powerhouse blend is substantially etched in cassis, plum and red currant. The oak and tannin are equally substantial and present, contributing weight, breadth and length. This will do well to cellar; enjoy best from 2027-2032.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The flagship 2021 ERA (which is also the largest production release of these top cuvées) checks in 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec that was brought up in 50% new French oak. It's a more inward, concentrated 2021 revealing a deep ruby/purple hue as well as rocking black raspberry and blueberry fruits supported by background spicy oak, violets, and chalky minerality. This concentrated, medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced 2021 shows the slightly toned-down style of all these latest 2021s, yet it excels on its purity and finesse. It's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age yet evolve for 15-20 years.

Alta Mora is a winery from the Cusumano family where grapes are grown and harvested on the slopes of the active volcano, Mt. Etna, in Sicily. The Alta Mora name represents the great heights of the vineyards on the mountain and the dark, black volcanic soil. Alta Mora Etna Rosso is 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes - indigenous to Sicily and the predominant red grape of Mt. Etna. Many wine enthusiasts compare this wine to a Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir. The deeply colored, thick-skinned grapes contribute rich fruit, firm tannins and vibrant acidity. 

The 2022 Alta Mora is ruby red in color with spicy pepper and black currant aromas with hints of mountain herbs. Vibrant and intense with well-integrated tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Pinot Noir from Valladolid with a surprisingly modern twist. Extremely fruity, light and delicious, your perfect red for summer and spicy dishes.

Winemaker Description 

The philosophy of Bodegas Alta Pavina is to value Pinot noir, to produce wines with their own personality, a faithful reflection of where they come from, with the particularity of this variety. Alta Pavina has a team of people who interact, live and think in a coordinated and cooperative way, united with a common goal.

Pale yellow, with a greenish tinge in the glass. On the nose intense and powerful, with citrus and tropical fruit typical of the variety, as well as herbaceous nuances and white flowers. The palette is nicely structured – soft and fresh with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Medium-high acidity pairs well with a pleasing minerality.

Winemaker Description

This Brunello Riserva offers a solid, full body and excellent aging potential. Its ample and complex bouquet is reminiscent of violets, wild berries, cedar, leather, tobacco and spices. On the palate, it is austere and seductive with a perfect blend of fruit, acidity and mouth coating tannins. This is the perfect bottle for Brunello lovers.

Pair with steak au poivre, rack of lamb or beef carpaccio.

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | There is a more forward personality to the 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva, which pours a slightly darker hue. Aromas of black cherry, scorched earth, and violets emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers more ripe concentration, with black raspberry, tea leaf, cedar, and rosemary. It is elegant yet expressive of the warm vintage, with fine, ripe tannins and ripe fresh fruit through the mid-palate and a great balance between roundness and elegance.

James Suckling 95 Points | Complex and fragrant nose of neroli, currants, sour cherries, sandalwood, cassis and wild herbs. Roasted walnuts, too. Full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Full of energy and power.

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with 13,000 bottles made) shows dark fruit, dried cherry and baked plum. The wine is slightly subdued aromatically speaking compared to the new Brunello annata release, and I chalk that up to the very hot and dry conditions of the relentless 2017 summer. Cinnamon, cumin and crushed clove appear in a second wave and underline this Riserva's more elaborate aging regime. The finish is layered and rich with full-bodied Sangiovese intensity.

Decanter 93 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with 13,000 bottles made) shows dark fruit, dried cherry and baked plum. The wine is slightly subdued aromatically speaking compared to the new Brunello annata release, and I chalk that up to the very hot and dry conditions of the relentless 2017 summer. Cinnamon, cumin and crushed clove appear in a second wave and underline this Riserva's more elaborate aging regime. The finish is layered and rich with full-bodied Sangiovese intensity.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This red starts out round, turning more precise and taut as it builds to the finish. Shows cherry, wild herb, soy and loam flavors that ply the supple texture, before the tannins exert their influence and the finish tightens up (a good sign for the future). (2017).

Vinous 90 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a dark beauty, slowly unfurling with dried cherries, exotic sweet spice, fresh tobacco and hints of mint. It’s rich and dense in feel, yet lifted by cooling acidity, as ripe black fruits easily wash across the palate, leaving bitter-tea-like tannins that collect toward the close. The finish is tannic and drying, yet not severe, leaving nuances of plum and lavender to linger. The vintage has left its mark on the 2017 Riserva, yet cellaring will help relieve its youthful structure.

Winemaker Description

Its bouquet is intense, pure, pleasant and refined, reminiscent of sweet violet, tobacco, chocolate and pleasant hints of wild berries and vanilla. Its flavor fully confirms the above in a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with good tannins and a solid structure. 

Expert Reviews-Vintage 2019

Decanter 95 Points | Altesino counts approximately 50 hectares throughout Montalcino’s northern and southern stretches. A compilation of diverse sites, the estate Brunello is among the denomination’s best values. If the Montosoli bottling is more solemn in tone, this 2019 is joyful and bright. Heady red currant and cherry mingle with plum and anise. The sumptuously fruited, plush palate is mouth filling yet agile. Sandy textured tannins envelop and caress while citrusy acidity lifts the whole. Already accessible, it has sufficient depth, concentration and backbone for a solid decade of enjoyment. (2019). 

Robert Parker 95 Points | The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). (2019). 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. (2019). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste. (2019).

James Suckling 94 Points | A dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation. (2019).