Products

Winemaker Description

An expressive Pinot Noir which shows hints of herbs and spice on the nose, with layers of bright cherry and strawberry fruit on the palate. Lovely fresh acidity, with a floral lift on the finish. Great on its own or when paired with a wide variety of cuisines. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Producer Description 

Opens with an inviting aroma, with the first sip bringing a lot of character. Caramel notes are touched by sweet vanilla and caramel corn, then underwritten by slightly smoky flavors and oak tannins. It maintains a smooth evenness between the four grains interacting with the charred oak barrel. Overall, a nice balance, and unique. 

Critic Notes

James Suckling writes:  A juicy red showing red plums, tobacco, oranges and some tar on the nose. Touch of sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied, soft and ripe, with lively acidity to balance. Nerello cappucio and nerello mascalese. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Our Notes

"One of my favorite great value reds! Velvety textured with delicious flavors of blackberry, plum and strawberry with savory spice and aromatic herbs. Medium to full bodied with supple tannins that provide lift and structure.  Great for pizza, pasta and any midweek excursion."
Bart Hopkins

Winery Notes

Intense, dark ruby red. On the nose, notes of black fruit, strawberries, flowers and herbs. Dry and full-bodied on the palate.

Winemaker Description

This bold style Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure. Slight pepper, round body, dried cherry, silky vanilla, concentrated with a long velvet finish.

Pair with - Blue Cheese, Dark Chocolate and Grilled or Roasted Duck, Beef or Veal. 

Expert Ratings

90 Points Vinous | The 2020 Merlot Grand Estates is darkly floral and earthy with hints of animal musk and crushed blackberries. This washes across the palate with juicy acids that enliven its tart wild berry fruits. It leaves a mark of minerality along with a chewy blueberry skin concentration and hints of mocha. This is an excellent entry to the "value category" of Washington State Merlot.

90 Points James Suckling | Blackberries, tobacco, mint chocolate and dark cherries here, with a kiss of vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with soft, ripe tannins and a creamy finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

This Merlot has round juicy flavors of dark plum and herb, finishes bold and structured with notes of vanilla and raspberry.

Pair this wine with blue cheese, duck, beef, veal and dark chocolate

Producer Description 

Generous blackberry, huckleberry, dark currants, and plum flavors wrapped around a core of vanilla.

Producer Description 

A blend of blackcurrants from the Loire Valley with neutral alcohol, the result of which is a tart, subtly sweet, earthy liqueur bursting with fruit flavors.

Winemaker Description

Introduced in 1881, Comoz Vermouth Blanc expressed Claudius Comoz’s selection of wines, plants and fruits, many of which come from the hills above Chambéry. Comoz came to fame as the essential vermouth in the El Presidente cocktail in Cuba. 

Comoz is less sweet than other vermouth blanc, with notes of stone fruits, alpine flowers and a deep, resonant undercurrent of wormwood. This deeper profile marries with whiskey better than any other pale vermouth.

Producer Description 

Compass Box Artist Blend is a tribute to Edinburgh and all of the painters and performers, writers and restaurateurs, who call it home. Scotland’s capital city and Scotch whisky are both ideal platforms from which to create beautiful things.

The vibrancy of Artist Blend will please the palates of the most discerning single malt enthusiasts, while exacting bartenders will appreciate its versatility.

This box showcases three families of blends that can be made from Scotland’s two styles of spirit, malt whisky and grain whisky.

Glasgow Blend, a blend of malt and grain whiskies; Orchard House, a blend of only malt whiskies, and Hedonism, a blend of only grain whiskies.

From delicate sweetness to robust layers of peat and dried fruit, the styles featured in our Blenders’ Collection offer a delicious exploration of the Scotch whisky flavour spectrum. Producer Description. 

93 Points Whisky Advocate | Honey, vanilla, poached pears in cream, driftwood bonfires, and a sprinkle of wood spices comprise a clean, focused, and well-balanced nose. A golden and silky palate of sweet honey, vanilla, white chocolate, and lemon zest, with plenty of body. Enter caramel; the smoke cuts to the front, outstripping aromatic spices, orchard fruit, and baked citrus flavors. Compelling and moreish: drink whenever it’s raining in Glasgow and you can’t go wrong.

91 Wine Enthusiast | This robust bottling is a permanent addition to the Great King range, added in 2014. Light golden in the glass, look for a lightly smoky aroma with fresh pear notes underneath. On the palate, a waft of peat smoke mingles with lemon cream, vanilla and pear, flavors supplied by Sherry cask-aged whiskies. Slight salinity sets the mouth watering. Best Buy.

Full, rich and smoky on the palate, with notes of baking spices and sherry wine notes. Producer Notes.

There is a very nice balance between freshness and liveliness combined with richness and precision. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

An elegant, fragrant wine with great concentration and intensity. A complex and intense aroma, with a fresh mineral base. Powerful and rich on the palate, with fresh rounded tannins. A limited edition wine that we only craft from the best vintages.

The bodega stands in the historic Pago de Valdestremero estate, where the vineyards were already famous in the 16th century, producing grapes used in the wine served at the Court of King Philip II in Valladolid.

Extraordinary.  Nadege Gaultier and Laura Goninet make some of the best French preserves available in the United States.  The secret to their success is that they use very little sugar (60% fruit) and their flavor combinations are ingenious.  

Martin Johnson, Cheesemonger

Extraordinary.  Nadege Gaultier and Laura Goninet make some of the best French preserves available in the United States.  The secret to their success is that they use very little sugar (60% fruit) and their flavor combinations are ingenious.  

Martin Johnson, Cheesemonger

Producer Description 

Bright golden color. Vibrant aromas of creme brulee, singed flowers, dense spices, and Provence herb soap follow through on a round, supple entry to dryish medium-full body with layers of praline, vanilla bean, and exotic peppercorns. Finishes with very long, evolving honeyed cereal and grassy.

Unique among Irish whiskeys, Connemara® is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Inspired by the 18th century art of drying malting barley over peat fires, Connemara® possesses a distinct peaty flavour and aroma, instilling a delicate smokiness and smooth, sweet taste. Its complex peat flavours and smooth, sweet malt taste make it a truly unique Irish whiskey. Connemara® is a highly decorated Irish whiskey receiving over 20 medals in major spirits competitions since 2012.

Expert Reviews 

95 Points James Suckling | Black cherries with cedar and dried flowers, as well as dusty earth. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins that are long and polished. Lots of structure. Very typical and focused. Drinkable now, but better in 2024. (2018).

Robert Parker 94 Points | I tasted two vintages of the estate red that represents the blend and the character of the place. The 2018 Reserva comes from a cooler year and is a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 6% Mazuelo, 6% Graciano and 2% Garnacha with 14.12% alcohol and a pH of 3.48. The grapes ripened thoroughly and the wine is tasty but has a vibrant palate with freshness and depth. It has a classical nose and is complex and spicy with an earthy touch, a little developed and with fine-grained tannins. Very tasty. It spent 18 months in oak barrels, 90% of them French and 10% American; they are reducing the amount of American oak in this wine. (2018). 

91 Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red, round and creamy, with supple tannins and citrusy acidity providing definition for appealing flavors of pureed black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Offers accents of mocha, violet and star anise, with savory hints of tobacco and mineral showing on the finish. Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now. (2018). 

Producer Description 

On the nose Contratto Bitter is bright and fruity, packed with gentian, dried strawberry, black cherry, cherry blossom and licorice. This aperitivo is a perfect balance of bitter and sweet fruit. Contains aloe, wormwood, orange peel.

The first Contratto Vermouth recipes date back to the 1890s. The were the base for a Vermouth that was only consumed locally. In the 1920s, the Vermouth production was extended and recipes were modified. Most of the Vermouth was exported as Vermouth became the drink of the epoch. Contratto Vermouth di Torino was the in drink in the 1930s, allowing the winery an annual production of 100,000 bottles.

Today, with recipes older than 100 years and passed on by generations, Contratto is very excited about the reintroduction of Contratto Vermouth Bianco, Vermouth Rosso, Americano Rosso, Contratto Bitter & Aperitif, and Fernet. For the first time again since the 60th, Contratto is making six historic products, high on demand as they currently are fashionable artisanal revival ingredients for classic and contemporary cocktails.

Winemaker Description

Cooper & Thief’s bourbon barrel-aged Red Blend offers notes of warm toasty vanilla, with dark fruit and a gentle hint of classic bourbon spice. Blackberry and jammy dark currants lead to a rich finish, with the elegance of a fine-sipping bourbon.

Cooper and Thief Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine Blend is aged in bourbon whiskey barrels for three months, giving it a velvety mouthfeel with subtle heat. Merlot, syrah, zinfandel, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon collide in one bourbon barrel to create this dark and jammy wine, which features true bourbon flavor. Crafted by Cellarmaster Jeff Kasavan, each taste of this California red wine gives way to aromatic hints of fruit and toasty vanilla.

This dark red wine garners its unique taste thanks to varietals found all across California's prime winegrowing regions. Bring this red blend along on your next picnic and enjoy it on its own, or stack this rich, bold taste up against lamb or poultry. The bourbon barrel aging gives this wine soft tannins that deliver a full-bodied and lingering finish in each sip. For a devilishly good taste, keep this red wine blend stored at room temperature, and chill it before serving. Born from mischief, Cooper and Thief Wine celebrates doing things differently. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Delightful dark berry and pomegranate notes laced with earth and cola are dominant in this dry, but fruity, fresh and supple organic and biodynamic Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Description

Cora is an exciting proprietary label made for David Bowler Wine with fruit sourced from vineyards in the Abruzzo region of Italy. These are great value wines that are fresh, fun, and uncomplicated, yet satisfy our exacting standards.

Expert Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A lighter, brighter snappier rendition of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that offers easy, uncomplicated sipping and food friendliness. Brambly aromas of cranberry, strawberry blossoms, red apple skin and rose petals are accented with spicy notes of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon stick. Crisp and juicy in the mouth with good acidity keeping it lively and agile and moderate tannins that drive it energetically into the finish. A great wine for pizza and pasta, and just about anything else.

Winemaker Description 

Cora is an exciting proprietary label made for David Bowler Wine with fruit sourced from vineyards in the Abruzzo region of Italy. These are great value wines that are fresh, fun, and uncomplicated, yet satisfy our exacting standards

The Coravin Aerator, designed exclusively to be used with your Coravin Wine Preservation Opener, is the perfect accessory to enhance the taste of your wine in seconds by mixing the right amount of air with the wine as you pour. Its unique design uses the system’s pressure to force wine through 24 carefully placed and sized holes.

By creating small jets that dramatically expand the surface area of wine exposed to air, it rapidly aerates the wine to yield silky, smooth, and aromatic results equivalent to decanting wine for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The Coravin Aerator is compatible with all Coravin Systems.