commerce WINES

Brunello di Montalcino That Overdelivers with Pure Sangiovese Elegance

Caprili is a small, family-run estate in Montalcino producing traditional Brunello from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, celebrated for wines of exceptional purity, freshness, and balance. The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino comes from a warm, generous vintage and delivers the classic Caprili profile: bright, aromatic, and silky, with the refreshing energy and well-defined tannins that reward both early drinking and extended cellaring through 2040.

Expert Reviews

• Jeb Dunnuck — 94 pts: "Bright jeweled ruby in color, flush with pure aromas of candied flowers, cherry lozenge, pine needles, and blood orange. Medium-framed, ripe and pure on the palate, with refreshing energy, a very balanced feel, wonderfully refreshing salinity, and well-defined tannins."
• Vinous — 94 pts: "Reveals the dark side of Sangiovese, with more black fruit than red. A mass of crushed stone minerality blows off to reveal spiced orange peels and incense. Silken and round, with a polished core of ripe blackberries offset by a tinge of sour citrus. Edge tannins resonate and hints of licorice fade slowly."
• Wine Advocate — 93 pts: "Delivers a rather robust fruit profile with blackcurrant and blackberry preserves, black licorice, sweet spice and fragrant incense. An open-knit Brunello with velvety, medium-grained tannins. You don't need to wait too long to enjoy this wine."
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: "Cherry, blood orange, earth and sanguine notes matched to a lively structure. Dusty tannins seep in on the finish, leaving an echo of ripe red fruit. Balanced and long. Drink now through 2040."
• James Suckling — 91 pts: "Sweet berries and cherries with violets and flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied with delicate fruit, fine tannins and crisp acidity."

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Producer: Caprili
• Vintage: 2020
• Production: 4,000 cases made, 2,700 cases imported
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Classic Tuscan pairings — exceptional with roasted lamb, pork ragù, bistecca alla Fiorentina, aged Pecorino, and truffle-based dishes.

Mahi | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough, New Zealand | 2025

James Suckling: 93 Points (prior vintage)

Mahi is the project of Brian Bicknell, one of Marlborough's most thoughtful and independent-minded winemakers. Where much of the region's Sauvignon Blanc is made in a loud, industrial style — cold-fermented in stainless steel to maximize tropical fruit and aromatic punch — Bicknell takes a fundamentally different approach. Drawing on what he calls a "chef's philosophy," he incorporates wild yeast ferments and aging in old oak barrels to build texture, complexity and genuine depth into a variety that is too often reduced to a single dimension. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that stands apart: more sophisticated, more food-friendly and more interesting than the category norm.

The 2025 opens with an expressive and layered nose — lemon peel, grapefruit pith, apple blossom and pastry, with citrus and tropical notes woven through secondary characters that emerge from the wild ferments and barrel aging. The palate is elegant and well-structured, with a creamy, textural mid-palate that sets it apart from the region's stainless-steel standard. Bright acidity provides freshness and lift, while the long, complex finish reflects the care and intention behind the winemaking.

Serve well chilled at 46–50°F. One of the few Sauvignon Blancs with the weight and texture to handle lightly seared scallops or oysters without overpowering them. Also excellent with grilled fish, shellfish, fresh goat cheese (chèvre), Greek salad with feta, light pasta and herb-driven dishes.

• Producer: Mahi
• Winemaker: Brian Bicknell
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
• Vintage: 2025
• Vinification: Wild yeast ferments; partial aging in old oak barrels
• Style: Dry white wine, textural and complex
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Icardi Langhe Nebbiolo Surisjvan Organic 2024 750ml

A wine of honesty, character, and integrity from one of Piedmont's most committed organic estates. The Icardi family has been growing grapes since 1914, farming in full harmony with nature — no herbicides, no pesticides, no nitrogen fertilizers. Just certified organic viticulture and a deep respect for the land.

Tasting Notes

100% Nebbiolo. Perfumed and elegant with inviting aromas of rose petals, violets, red berries, and spice. Medium-bodied and juicy with succulent cherry fruit, savory richness, and earthy complexity, framed by sturdy yet fine-grained tannins and beautifully integrated oak.

Food Pairings

• Braised meats, osso buco, and slow-cooked lamb
• Aged cheeses and charcuterie boards
• Mushroom risotto and truffle dishes
• Roasted pork and game birds

Wine Details

• Varietal: Nebbiolo
• Region: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Producer: Icardi

Experience the Elegance of Domaine Leflaive

Experience the elegance of Domaine Leflaive Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru En Vigneraie Biodynamic 2023, a rare gem from one of Burgundy's most legendary estates. This exceptional 1er Cru Chardonnay marks a new chapter for Domaine Leflaive in Pouilly-Fuissé, showcasing the same commitment to terroir and purity that defines their iconic Côte de Beaune bottlings. Sourced from the prestigious En Vigneraie vineyard and farmed biodynamically, this wine captures the elegance and depth of southern Burgundy.

Premier Cru En Vigneraie Vineyard

The En Vigneraie vineyard is a very precocious terroir situated below the Roche de Solutré, facing due south. The 0.234-hectare parcel features clay-limestone soil with very shallow depth, creating a gentle slope that produces grapes of exceptional quality. This unique terroir, combined with Domaine Leflaive's biodynamic farming practices, results in wines that are both precise and powerful.

Tasting Profile

This wine showcases a beautiful pale gold hue that entices the senses. The 2023 vintage is both precise and powerful, revealing notes of white peach, citrus zest, and crushed stones, wrapped in a fine mineral structure. Layers of stone fruit, citrus, and subtle floral hints are complemented by a minerality that speaks to the unique clay-limestone soil composition. Vibrant acidity and excellent balance create a rich experience with elegance and depth. A beautifully balanced wine that offers complexity in every sip.

Biodynamic Winemaking Excellence

Domaine Leflaive's commitment to biodynamic farming sets it apart as a leader in sustainable viticulture. This holistic approach focuses on the relationship between soil health, vineyard growth, and ecological balance. The winery employs natural preparations and follows lunar cycles to enhance the vitality of the grapes. Harvesting is entirely manual, and after decanting, the musts are transported daily to Puligny-Montrachet for fermentation and aging under the watchful eye of Domaine Leflaive's technical team.

Winemaking Process

• Pressing: Long, gentle pneumatic pressing, 24-hour decanting, followed by settling and racking
• Fermentation: 100% in oak barrels
• Aging: 12 months in barrel, followed by 6 months in vats for preparation before bottling (15-16 months total)
• Vinification: Takes place in vats with meticulous attention to detail

Food Pairing Suggestions

The excellent balance and vibrant acidity make this wine an ideal accompaniment to:

• Fresh seafood and shellfish
• Roasted or grilled poultry
• Creamy fish dishes
• Aged cheeses like Comté or Gruyère
• Rich vegetable preparations

Domaine Leflaive Legacy

Domaine Leflaive is an iconic name celebrated for exceptional winemaking techniques and commitment to biodynamic practices. Established in the renowned Burgundy region, this estate has earned a reputation for producing some of the finest Chardonnay wines available globally. By choosing this Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru, you are not only indulging in an exquisite wine but also supporting environmentally responsible viticulture that honors both tradition and innovation, preserving the environment while enriching wine quality.

Winemaker Description

Peay Vineyards is a first-generation family winery. Husband and wife, Nick Peay & Vanessa Wong, grow and make the wine and brother, Andy Peay, and his wife Ami, sell the wine and run the business.

All wines are made from grapes grown on our 53-acre estate vineyard located above a river gorge in the far northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Sea Ranch. We sit in the chilly inversion layer with fog and wind from the Ocean maintaining cool temperatures with plenty of sunlight.

Winemaker Vanessa Wong left her position as winemaker at Peter Michael Winery in 2001 to launch Peay Vineyards. Formerly she worked at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Domaine Jean Gros and Hirsch Winery.

We farm organically and maintain our licenses for fish friendly farming and integrated pest management. The health of our vineyard dictates these approaches to farming and making wine. We also run on bio-diesel at the vineyard and solar power at both the vineyard and winery.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | The 2021 Pinot Noir Ama is dark ruby, with notes of red cherry and apple skin. The palate is full-bodied and has great structure, with a broad texture, ripe tannins and notes of dark cherry, tea leaf, and forest earth. It’s long on the palate and has a good finish. (2021). 

Robert Parker 94 Points | The 2021 Estate Pinot Noir Ama is powerful and perfumed this vintage. It offers aromas broody aromas of red and black cherries and aniseed with top notes of saline and citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with generous berry fruit and floral accents, and it has a long, spicy finish. (2021).