Products

Expert Review

Vinous 96 Points | The nose is alive with fresh flowers and mint, along with richer aromas of dried apricot, pastry dough and a hint of rancio. The freshness carries onto the palate, where there’s great linear structure, nuttiness and attractive acidity, and the surprisingly intense grilled walnut finish. This is a lively, drinkable style of XO that offers excellent value. 

Producer Description 

Created by Pierre Frapin 100 years ago, Fontpinot cognac has always been a delight to demanding epicureans. As opposed to a ubiquitous passion for planning, roots of the pleasure of tasting continue to work serenely and unstoppably at Frapin. To celebrate the centenary, Cognac Frapin is publishing a limited-edition anniversary packaging. Inspired by the original version, the label brings up to date the symbols of ownership and the colors popular during the Roaring twenties. The bottle is presented in a rough wooden box inspired by the straw-lined crates used at the time.

A real treasure of Cognac Frapin, Fontpinot XO can lay claim to the Chateau appellation because it is made exclusively from grapes harvested, distilled, aged, and bottled at the Chateau Fontpinot. Distillation over lees and a long aging in dry cellars provide its distinct character.

With an average age of over 20 years, this expression has a nose of candied fruit, marzipan, and rancio. The long aging brings toffee, almond butter, and spice to the palate before a long, elegant finish.

Producer Description

This three-year-old bottling from AOC Domfrontais is made from 70% pears and hearkens back to old-school Calvados in the best sense. Light amber in color, the nose is wild and rustic, with earthy aromas of poached pear, pear skin, along with toffee and crème brûlée. In the mouth, there’s great acidity, fresh fruit, along with green, herbal notes, and a pop of fresh fennel on the attractive finish. 

Eye: Beautiful straw yellow color.

Nose: Aromas of vine flower & linden with a touch of vanilla.

Palate: Round, rich, and harmoniously balanced. Fresh, original, with notes of vanilla and toast.

Expert Review

Jason Wilson of Vinous writes 96 Points | Falling between VS and VSOP level, this four- to five-year-old is light golden and simple. It’s fruity on the nose and a little grapey, and on the palate, there’s a lot of creamy vanilla and a touch of spice. Not particularly a cocktail brandy due to its price. It is what it is. 

Expert Review

Jason Wilson of Vinous writes | Aged eight to 10 years, this is a traditional VSOP that offers solid value. Amber-colored, with aromas of violet, ginger and vanilla. On the palate, there are rich dessert flavors of gingerbread and orange pound cake, and a decent finish of cinnamon and pepper.  

Producer Description 

Aged eight to 10 years, this is a traditional VSOP that offers solid value. Amber-colored, with aromas of violet, ginger and vanilla. On the palate, there are rich dessert flavors of gingerbread and orange pound cake, and a decent finish of cinnamon and pepper. Producer Description.

Winemaker Description

The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet is our interpretation of a quintessentially classic style. The color is deep garnet and the nose yields aromas of dark chocolate, pomegranate, cedar shavings, blackberry, and leather. The palate exhibits flavors of blueberry compote, black cherry, espresso, and cigar box with bright and juicy fruit forward sensations. The texture is rich and bold with well-structured tannins that make it approachable now and will yield great results in the cellar for decades. 

Expert Review

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | A wine that’s been made since 1967, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, sweetly fruited charmer that has lots of cassis and redcurrant fruit, some spicy oak, ripe tannins, and the balance to evolve and drink nicely for a decade. I think it’s outstanding. (2019).

This Napa Valley Merlot is sourced from a combination of high elevation mountain sites as well as wonderful benchland vineyards around the valley. Freemark Abbey blends in a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and balance. The wine opens with aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, milk chocolate and cedar. The palate is met with flavors of wild raspberry, bramble fruits, allspice, cinnamon, dry herbs, and oak spice.

The textures are supple yet vibrant with well-integrated tannins that drink beautifully now on its own or paired with a wide range of dishes.

Winemaker Description 

Our Chardonnay is stainless steel fermented and exposed to minimal oak. It is fruity and bright with hints of apple, pear, and caramel. Enjoy with pumpkin risotto, honey-glazed carrots, or scalloped potatoes.

Winemaker Description

Using their now well-established technique of cold-soaking the Petite Sirah portion of the co-ferment and then infusing it into the fermenting Zinfandel ten days later, Frog's Leap locks in the freshness of the fruit and accentuate the elegance of the resulting wine.

A dash of Carignane adds additional acidity and structure, preserved nicely by their practice of aging Zinfandel largely in small concrete tanks. The resulting wine is beautiful: deeply flavored, balanced, and fresh—a great summer drinker to be sure, especially with a quick chill. But don’t be afraid to put a few bottles away in the cellar; like all Frog's Leap Zins, this wine has decades of life ahead of it.

Winemaker Description 

Frontera Chardonay is a full-bodied white wine with a smooth, creamy texture. It has a bright golden hue and a nose of ripe apples, pears, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it has a rich, buttery flavor with notes of citrus, honey, and vanilla. 

The finish is long and lingering, with a hint of oak. This Chardonay is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual dinner with friends or a special occasion. It pairs well with seafood, poultry, and creamy cheeses. Its smooth texture and balanced flavor make it a great choice for sipping on its own. 

Tasting Notes: Frontera Chardonay has a bright golden hue and a nose of ripe apples, pears, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it has a rich, buttery flavor with notes of citrus, honey, and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering, with a hint of oak.

Winemaker Description 

The color of the wine is light yellow. It is an expressive wine with attractive aromas of pineapple, citrus, and vanilla. This elegant wine is balanced with an attractive acidity and a long, memorable finish.

Winemaker Description 

Fruity character, with red plums and species aromas: soft and rounded. 

Expert Review

Toronto Star 92 Points | Each fragrant sip starts with bright lime and freshly sliced Granny Smith on the nose before beaming in with a tangy attack of lime, elderflower, grapefruit and damp herbs before tapering to a final sifting of salt. This dry thriller with just 12 per cent alcohol, is an easy win — especially when tacos, goat cheese salad or anything served with a squeeze of lime is on the table. It’s also excellent with steamed spears or Ontario asparagus. 

Winemaker Description 

The number 100 in French is pronounced "cent," making FRV100 a play on words for "effervescent." A playful name for a fun, frivolous, and absolutely delicious sparkling Gamay! The slight sweetness is offset by the refreshing acidity on the finish making for a crushable crowd-pleaser. Make sure to get more than one bottle - you'll be surprised with how fast this wine disappears!

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 90 Points | This is a funky sparkling wine that is 100% gamay. Lots of strawberries. Juicy and fruity with a pretty bubble and delicious finish. 7.5% alcohol. Drink now.

Vinous | Ripe red berries and blood orange on the perfumed nose. Fleshy and broad in style, offering gently sweet raspberry and tangerine flavors and a hint of white pepper that adds spicy cut and lift. Strongly repeats the red berry note on the finish, which lingers with good persistence. 

Winemaker Description 

Miho-san revived Hattanso rice, an extinct heirloom breed from the Akitsu region in Hiroshima, by devoting over 10 years of her life to learning how to grow it and brew with it. One of the few female brewery owners and "Toji" (brewmaster), Miho Imada mills the rice for this sake less than most Junmais because she believes it results in the best expression of rice flavor, balance, and complexity.

An amazing oyster pairing, as Hiroshima has more oyster beds than anywhere else in Japan and influences the sake. Also try it with red curry and ginger steamed clams. 

Our Professional Review

Earthy, bold and zesty with accents of lemon and apricot.

Winemaker Description

This wine’s aroma has it all: plums, incense, tobacco leaf, violets, and exotic spices. Zero racking and extended lees contact has given the 2011 FUTO a satisfying balance of creamy richness and superb freshness. Generous and inviting flavors of black-skinned fruits, cappuccino, citrus and cloves work in harmony with the sweet tannin and well integrated oak. While texturally approachable now, the inner density and complexity of this wine will continue to unfold with cellar age.

Expert Reviews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 97 Points: The 2011 Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot. It offers sweet blackcurrant and blueberry fruit intermixed with hints of toast and white flowers, beautiful body and a savory personality. A top success for the vintage, it should drink well for 10-12 years.

Critic notes

Audrey Frick writes:  A deep purple/magenta color, the 2023 Barbera D'Alba offers loads of fresh lavender, fresh blackberries, red plum, and delicate, fresh herbs, and spice. (I love the nose on this vintage.) On the palate, the wine has a fantastically refreshing feel and a clean finish, with a lot of charm and versality. Drink 2024-2030.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

Winemaker Notes

G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba comes from a wonderful range of estate vineyards. It is fermented for an average of 20 days and ages no less than twelve months, in respect of the rhythm of nature. This is a fine blend, a charming wine, rich yet forward.

Our Barbera d’Alba is a joyous wine, graced by the complexity that arises from blending different terroirs. The long and gentle maceration is followed by a delicate aging so as to express the varietal fragrance and perfumes. The 2023 Barbera exhibits a brilliant purple hue. On the nose, this wine is a celebration of freshness, bursting with aromas of red berry juice, roses, and fresh plums, each wave adding to its vibrant energy. The palate is both crisp and juicy, offering a delightful drinking experience. It layers flavors of sweet red and black cherries, spices, and fresh dark berries, culminating in a melange of aromatics that defines the 2023 vintage.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Monica Larner writes:  You can't beat this value. The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Albe is buttoned up with fresh primary fruit, and the wine does not have that hint of over-ripeness that is found across this vintage. The fruit is dark and savory, and there is a big mineral component to match, but the bouquet is nicely redolent of dark currant, plum, granite and a raspy dry note that brings crushed shale to mind. The tannins are quite impactful, and they give this wine extra runway for moderate bottle aging.  Drinking 2025 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 94

Audrey Frick writes:  A ripe ruby hue, the 2020 Barolo Albe offers a beautiful bouquet of raspberries, fresh flowers, and delicate spice. Medium-bodied, it has a lot of elegance, with ripe and supple tannins and a bit of iron-rich earth. Drink 2024-2037.  - Jeb Dunnuck 93 

James Suckling writes:   This is a bright and lively Barolo showing sliced oranges, raspberries, crushed stones and rose petals on the nose. Medium-bodied, with sharp acidity and tight tannins. Lots of energy. Try from 2027.  - James Suckling 93 

Bruce Sanderson writes:  This effusive red displays cherry, raspberry, rose, iron, juniper and hay flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity. Harmonious and supple in texture, with a long aftertaste of red fruit, mineral and floral elements. Best from 2028 through 2049.  - Wine Spectator 94

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Barolo Albe is light-bodied, elegant and gracious. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice, new leather and dried herbs are all nicely lifted. Bright acids and nervy tannins give the wine its shape and overall character. The Albe is meant to be an entry-level offering, but I find it often blossoms with a year or two in bottle. The Albe is not terribly complex in 2020, but it is a delight.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Vinous 90

Jancis Robinson writes:  Described as ‘the first post-modernist Barolo’. Great to drink young yet ageworthy, too. Blend of three high vineyards, Fossati, Le Volte and Coste di Vergne in the commune of Barolo, each vinified separately. Maceration is 20–30 days. No more than 18 months in botte for the last 15 years or so. They want to keep freshness and decide on the exact blend for Albe only just before bottling.

Intense, mineral and racy. Edgy and quite modern. But a bit dry on the end.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.  - Jancis Robinson 16

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Notes

G.D. Vajra Barolo Vino Spumante Neve Rose 750ml. 60% Nebbiolo 40% Pinot Noir Nostra Signora Della Neve is the most important vineyard in the blend of this Metodo Classico of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. It is located in Roddino, where the Barolo hills rise into the Alta Langa. With magnificent vines growing on steep sides, this vineyard is every year a beautiful challenge for our harvest crew.

Critic Notes

Billy Norris writes:  Vajra's NV Extra Brut Rosé N.S. Della Neve is incredibly characterful, sizzling out of the glass with leather, mesquite smoke, blackberry and white pepper. A blend of 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Pinot Noir, the structure of the former comes through loud and clear through bright acids and firm, powdery tannins. Sour berry fruit and mentholated herbs meet with salty stoniness in the mouth, elevated by a lively, fine mousse. It's not the most finessed sparkling wine you'll taste, but it's certainly charming.  Drinking 2024 - 2027.  - Vinous 91

Producer Description 

G4 Tequila Reposado is a premium Mexican tequila that offers a unique and exceptional drinking experience. Crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, this tequila is made from 100% blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

One of the most important aspects of G4 Tequila Reposado is its production process. The agave plants are carefully selected, hand-harvested, and cooked in traditional brick ovens to extract the sweet nectar. The extracted juice is then fermented using natural yeast, which adds complexity and depth to the final product.

After fermentation, the tequila undergoes a double distillation process in copper stills. This method helps to preserve the natural flavors and aromas of the agave, resulting in a smooth and refined spirit.

G4 Tequila Reposado is aged for a minimum of 8 months in American oak barrels, which imparts a rich golden color and adds layers of complexity to the tequila. During this aging process, the flavors of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak are infused into the spirit, creating a harmonious balance between the agave and the wood.

The aroma of G4 Tequila Reposado is inviting and enticing. It offers a delicate blend of cooked agave, citrus, and floral notes, with a hint of spice. On the palate, the tequila is smooth and velvety, with a perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness. The flavors of agave, vanilla, caramel, and oak are beautifully integrated, creating a complex and satisfying taste profile.

G4 Tequila Reposado is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, allowing the flavors to fully develop and unfold. It can also be used as a base for premium cocktails, adding depth and character to any mixed drink.

What sets G4 Tequila Reposado apart is its commitment to quality and tradition. The brand is owned by the Sauza family, who have been producing tequila for over 140 years. The master distiller, Felipe Camarena, is a fourth-generation tequila producer and is known for his dedication to preserving traditional production methods while incorporating modern techniques.

Winemaker Description 

A balanced bouquet of wild red berries and floral violet notes. This Chianti has a mélange of dryness and great freshness, with soft tannins and a medium body. The lingering finish of berries on the palate is pleasant and smooth.

In the Creme de Cassis de Dijon tradition, the Creme de fruits range is dedicated to lovers of variety and different flavours. They are all produced using the same methods as the original creme, a guarantee of quality and the commitment of Maison Boudier. This raspberry liqueur adds subtle embellishments to your aperitifs, wines and Champagnes, and a more colorful taste. Producer Description.

The Wine Enthusiast writes: Made with a harmonious blend of Scottish and Burgundy raspberries, this liqueur sports a deep, vivid dark-cherry hue and a mouth-filling cherry-berry preserves flavor.

Producer Description 

In the Creme de Cassis de Dijon tradition, the Creme de fruits range is dedicated to lovers of variety and different flavours. They are all produced using the same methods as the original creme, a guarantee of quality and the commitment of Maison Boudier.

This raspberry liqueur adds subtle embellishments to your aperitifs, wines and Champagnes, and a more colorful taste.