450 products
C.N. Kopke Porto 30 Years Old Tawny Port 750ml
Expert Review
The Wine Spectator 94 Points | A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift.
Winemaker Description
If time is marked by special moments, Kopke’s history is written in exceptional years.
Years that are worth keeping, so they can be relived and celebrated any time. When we retrieve years from Kopke’s history, we are creating more history: the age on the label of this Kopke Port wine is the average age of all the wines in the blend.
The wine should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature uctuations, and the bottle should remain in an upright position. Over time, it is natural that sediment will form at the bottom of a bottle of Port wine.
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Hand-picked at the optimum time, the grapes are then destemmed, crushed and converted into wine through a process of careful maceration to extract their colour, tannins and aromas, enhanced by constant churning during fermentation. This takes place in vats (lagares) at a controlled temperature (between 28-30°C) until the right degree of sweetness (baumé) is achieved. At this point, grape brandy is added to create the final fortified wine. A wine of high quality, made by blending wines of different harvests to achieve the array of sensory qualities that are typical of these aged tawny Port wines. These wines have each matured in oak casks for varied periods of time, with the average age of all the wines in the blend defining the age on the label. The resulting blend expresses the characteristics given by the ageing in wood.
Warre's Porto 2017 Vintage Port 750ml
Expert Reviews
James Suckling 98 Points | Loads of wet earth and grape aromas with hints of stems. Old vine aromas of bark and moss. Full-bodied, sweet and structured with a big kick on the end. Very impressive. Exceptional layers of fruit and energy. A stronger and more muscular Warre.
Wine Spectator 97 Points | Lush and inviting in feel, with a beautifully creamy texture that lets plum sauce, blueberry reduction and raspberry pte de fruit flavors glide along effortlessly. Notes of violet, anise and black tea are beguiling in the background before melding seamlessly on the finish. This shimmers with fruit, balanced by depth and spine. Best from 2035 through 2055.
Wine Advocate 96 Points | Relatively accessible, this still shows some impressive firmness to go with its fine concentration. An elegant wine this may be, as Charles Symington called it, but it is still admirable for its structure, even if the whole package is a little understated. Its fruit and mid-palate are nicely supported by moderate tannins. It evolves well with air, easily showing vivid and fresh fruit. It is beautifully textured as well. This is a fine Warre's Port, holding its own next to Dow, better than the 2016 Warre and a force in its own right. It is one of the best in a while. It is relatively accessible but not ready.
Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | A ripe, floral wine that has many layers of black fruits with a fresh touch of acidity. The wine is dense while also elegant and poised with tannins and fruit already in balance. That suggests the Port will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2025.
Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet 2023 750ml
Domaine Michel Niellon | Chassagne-Montrachet | Burgundy, France | 2023
One of Chassagne-Montrachet's most trusted names, Michel Niellon has long produced village-level whites of uncommon precision and depth. The 2023 vintage brings a ripe yet fresh expression of the appellation — orchard fruit, white flowers, and hazelnut on the nose, followed by yellow apple, lemon curd, and flint on the palate. The texture is rounded and polished, balanced by underlying freshness and chalky lift. A wine of aromatic depth and quiet authority.
Tasting Notes
Pear and apple compote, citrus confit, rosemary oil. Punchy and delicious flavors with a clean, dry, and refreshing finish. A few years of cellaring will reward patience.
Critical Acclaim
Burghound 88 Points — Allen Meadows
"A ripe but agreeably fresh and layered nose reflects notes of pear and apple compote, citrus confit and a suggestion of rosemary oil. The punchy and delicious, if not especially dense, flavors also conclude in a clean, dry and refreshing finale. This could use better depth so a few years of cellaring should prove to be beneficial."
- Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Vintage: 2023
- Format: 750ml
- Producer: Domaine Michel Niellon
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand Vergelesses Rouge 1er Cru Ile Des Vergelesses Organic Biodynamic 2021 750ml
Expert Review
92 Points Burghound | A slightly more deeply pitched nose is comprised by decidedly cool notes of plum, dark currant, forest floor and floral top notes, especially violet. Much like the Lavières, there is a positively gorgeous, even silky, texture to the lighter-bodied flavors thanks to the ultra-fine tannins shaping the overtly stony, dusty and youthfully austere finale. This is textbook Ile de Vergelesses.
Jack Daniel's Whiskey SINATRA Select Tennessee Whiskey 1L
Producer Description
Sinatra Select pays tribute to Jack’s biggest fan: Frank Sinatra. It is made with our unique “Sinatra Barrels” that have deep grooves, specially carved into their staves to expose the whiskey to extra layers of toasted oak, balanced with our finest Tennessee Whiskey. This added exposure imparts a rich amber color, bold character, and pleasant smokiness, punctuated by an incredibly smooth vanilla finish. Much like Frank, this Whiskey is one of a kind.
Cakebread Cellars BENCHLAND SELECT Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 750ml
Expert Ratings - Vintage 2018
Wine Advocate 93 Points | Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select gives up intense cassis, stewed plums and cedar chest notes with hints of licorice and wild sage. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the palate has a taut, grainy texture supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and mineral tinged.
James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, spearmint, cocoa and walnut on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Supple, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
Domaine Bruno Clair Morey Saint Denis BLANC En la Rue de Vergy 2004 750ml
Winemaker Description
Bruno Clair set up an eponymous estate in France established in 1979 with vineyard holdings spread all over the area. Half of the vines are a century old. Bruno Clair, a true vigneron, has the expertise needed to reinvent this area better than anyone and his Marsannay wines are very elegant and long-lasting. His respect for the terroir and the stylistic precision of his wines makes him one of the best producers in Burgundy.
This textbook En la Rue de Vergy is one of the rare white wines of the Côte de Nuits. It is complex, perfectly balanced, and well-structured with very clean tannins and crisp acidity and a long finish. The intense, rich palette presents lemon, grapefruit, oak, vanilla, yellow apple, almonds, and white melon flavors with herbal, floral, and mineral nuances. It's a nice accompaniment to paella.
Adrien Camut Calvados Pays d'Auge 6 ans d'Age 750ml
Producer Description
Since the 1800s, the Camut family has grown 46.5 hectares of apple trees in the Pays d'Auge, the finest growing region for Calvados. In Normandy, 800 types of apples are grown; the Camut family grow about 25 of these, all of which are hand-harvested at optimum maturity between October and mid-December. While pears are allowed in Calvados (actually mandatory in the Domfrontais region with a minimum of 30%), only apples grown on the Camut property are used in Camut calvados.
Aromas of green apple and caramel. Impressive viscosity for a relatively young (hors d'age) spirit. Long finish reminiscent of initial aromas. 86 proof.
Cinco Sentidos La Coleccion Guerrero Destilado de Agave Ancho Spirits 95.2 Proof 750ml
Domaine Arlaud Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes Biodynamic 2022 750ml
Critic Notes
Charles Curtis MW writes: hint of exotic Asian spice. The palate has a deft balance between density, moderately firm tannins, and a lively freshness that leads to a pleasantly lingering finish—lovely wine. The grapes come from the domaine holding of just under a half-hectare located under Clos de la Roche; they are partially destemmed and carefully fermented before ageing in mainly used casks. Age five years before opening. Drinking 2028 to 2055. - Decanter 95
Neal Martin writes: The 2022 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes 1er Cru has one-third whole bunches. Brambly red fruit, sous-bois and light chalky scents on the nose that feels quite strict at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. There’s mainly black fruit here, plus cedar and graphite, rather "serious" towards the finish. Fine, but it will require bottle age. Drinking 2026 to 2042. - Vinous 90-92
Allen Meadows writes: A discreet application of wood sets off the softly spicy and earthy aromas of violet, lavender plum and red currant. The powerful and markedly more concentrated broad-shouldered flavors exude a subtle minerality on the succulent yet very firmly structured finale that exhibits excellent length. Patience will be necessary but it should be well-rewarded in time as this is packed with development potential. Drink 2024+ - Burghound 93
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 7 years old 700ml
Producer Description
Old Fitzgerald Bourbon has a long history of excellence, dating back to 1870. Today, this 7-Year-Old expression is made under the exacting standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, with a whisper of wheat. Rich and viscous, with notes of brown sugar, baking spices, and oak—this Bourbon is worth sharing. So, make it Your Key to Hospitality. Color: Bright copper.
- Aroma: Graham crackers and honey. Light citrus and summer fruit notes.
- Taste: Rich and viscous. Fresh bread, brown sugar, and baking spices.
- Finish: Long-lasting richness, Brown sugar sweetness with cinnamon fades to a hint of oak.
Proof: 100 Proof
Age: 7 Years Old
Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port 2009 750ml PORT
Expert Reviews
Wine Spectator 98 Points | Powerfully rich and refined, with plenty of grip behind the lip-smacking flavors of kirsch, dark plum, chocolate and boysenberry. Shows excellent balance as well, with a silky texture and a long, spicy finish that's accented with hints of licorice and cedar. Best from 2014 through 2034
Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Rich wine, as befits a ripe year, full of damson jam and sweet tannins. Of course, it is still very young in a ripe fruity style. The structure is all there, ready for aging.
Vinous 94 Points | Deep ruby. Hypnotic perfume of black fruits, minerals, botanical herbs and earth. Suave, seamless and sharply focused, with concentrated dark fruit flavors complicated and lifted by subtle floral, incense, saline and mineral qualities. Not a powerhouse but wonderfully pliant and aromatic. Finishes with compelling sweetness, harmonious tannins and superb lingering perfume of black cherry and flowers.
Arette Gran Clase Extra Anejo Tequila 750ml
Producer Description
Tequila Premium that is rested for 36 months in American White Oak barrels. It is a limited production where each one of the bottles is decorated by hand. Beautiful amber color, with cooper shades and wooden flavor.
Memo Summary Notes
Arette Gran Clase Extra Añejo is a highly respected, "insider" tequila produced by the Orendain brothers at the historic El Llano distillery (NOM 1109) in the heart of Tequila, Jalisco.
It is known as a "whiskey-drinker’s tequila" because of its extensive time in wood and its deep, savory complexity.
Joseph Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2023 750ml
Winemaker Description
A wine of great elegance. Pale yellow colour with greenish hints. White flower aromas are detected on the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, round, well balanced, with good stuffing. The fruit flavours are enhanced by intense mineral notes, evolving towards slightly smoky tones. A beautiful aftertaste.
Gaja Barolo Dagromis 2021 750ml
The 2021 Gaja Barolo Dagromis is an expression of two great terroirs of Barolo, La Morra and Serralunga. "Gromis" refers to the the previous owner of the land. The wine opens with balsamic aromas, where the fruit prevails and fills the nose with its vibrant presence. One can perceive wild, ripe, and freshly picked fruit, with notes of plum blending into a bouquet of red and balsamic flowers, including rose, violet, and sweet licorice. The tannins are soft and juicy, providing a sensation of roundness and length on the palate. The structure is remarkable, rich, and full, and the wine has a good balance. It concludes with an elegant aftertaste of violet and a long, persistent finish.
Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Estate 2022 750ml
Critical Acclaim for the 2022 Vintage:
James Suckling - 94 Points: Savory aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco leaves and mocha. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of blackberry bush, bark, graphite, licorice and spices. Layered black fruit has been finely integrated with a powerful undertone. Drink or hold.
Jeb Dunnuck - 92 Points: Absolutely textbook Howell Mountain notes of darker currants, black cherries, chocolate, bouquet garni, and leafy, herbal, forest notes all shine in Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, nicely concentrated 2022 that has integrated tannins and acidity, terrific overall balance, and outstanding length. As opposed to many 2022s, this has solid underlying structure and depth and is a rock-solid beauty that will evolve nicely over the coming 10-12 years or more.
The Wine Advocate - 92 Points: There are 9,000 cases of Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a reasonable volume for Howell Mountain. Classic hints of pine needles and resiny notes accent blueberry fruit on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is richly textured and concentrated, framed by grainy tannins on the long, dark chocolate-tinged finish.
Marquis de Puysegur Vieile Armagnac 1982
Producer Description
Jacques de Chastenet de Puységur ‘ 1600 – 1682 ) was born in the shadows of the ancient towers of Puységur, which guad the left bank od the Gers River between Auch and Fleurance.
The Marquis was field Marshall and advisor to King Louis XIII and the father of Maréchal de Puységur ( 1656 – 1743 ) , Knight of the Orders of the King and of Saint-Louis.
Only an exceptional Armagnac could bear the name of such illustrious ancestors.
Chateau Le Gay Pomerol 2018 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet of crème de cassis, black cherries, white truffle, camphor, tobacco, and acacia flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, expansive texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to put a smile on any wine lover's face over the coming 20-25 years.
James Suckling 97 Points | Aromas of plums, violets and mushrooms with earthy notes. Fleshy and succulent texture to the full body with round, firm tannins and a salivating, savory finish. Very persistent. Opulent and reserved at the same time. Contrastive wine. Drink after 2025.
Wine Advocate 95 Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness.
Vinous 94 Points | The 2018 Le Gay is unusually reticent today. Lavender, rose petal, mint, blood orange and crushed red berry fruit emerge over time. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2018 packs serious punch. It is one of more sensual wines of the vintage in Pomerol, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is in no mood to show its cards just yet.
Wine Spectator 93-96 Points | Plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors give this a slightly exotic character, with a polished texture and lingering anise notes. Shows latent grip on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Domaine Annet et Herve Sigaut Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots 2021 750ml
Expert Review
Four Roses Bourbon Single Barrel Cask Strength New York PS OESK 116 Proof 750ml
Producer Description
OESK represents as follows - a recipe that is spicy and has a full body. 116 Proof.
PS stands for Private Selection.
Only Four Roses combines two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains to create ten distinct bourbon recipes. Each recipe brings something different to the batch – and carefully mingling them allows us to achieve an endless range of flavor profiles to please any bourbon lover.
Taylor Fladgate Porto Vintage 2003 750ml 97WE, 96WA
Winemaker Description
Taylor's finest and rarest wine, the very pinnacle of port. Only in a year when everything is perfect does Taylor's ‘declare' a vintage. With the company's reputation at stake, ‘declaring' is not taken lightly, since it invites a knowledgeable and worldwide audience to judge whether perfection has indeed been achieved.
The ultimate collector's wines, Taylor's Vintage Ports will last for fifty years or more. They are renowned for their massive structure, concentration of flavor and distinctive ‘masculine' style.
Bottled after two years in wood, they continue to mature for decades in the cellar, slowly attaining the sublime elegance and power which are the hallmarks of the Taylor's style. view vintage charts Taylor's Vintage Ports are classically served after lunch or dinner, in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere when their powerful aromas and rich flavors can be fully appreciated and discussed.
They can be enjoyed without food, but cheese is a fine accompaniment, as are nuts or dried fruits.
Expert Reviews
97 Points Wine Enthusiast | Inky purple in color, this youngest Taylor vintage Port boasts a floral, wonderfully open and appealing bouquet, backed by layers of rich fruit. What makes this wine extra special is the seductive texture—somewhere between creamy and syrupy—and ample length
96 Points Wine Advocate | The 2003 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for approximately 21 months in oak vats. It comes in with 93 grams of residual sugar. This oldie will be rereleased soon. As much as the Fladgate Group's 2003 oldies in this report all have bragging points, this is Taylor's, and the structure takes the lead for all of them. Still a wee bit tight, this is far younger than the Croft, not fully mature or at peak and classic Taylor's. The remaining tannins support the fruit perfectly, but nothing to me is better here than the flavor profile. This is a fine Taylor's, still with plenty of room to evolve and improve. It could actually use a few more years, not to tame the tannins, but to acquire more maturity. Of the three (including Croft and Fonseca), this is the winner, but the Fonseca shows better today and the Croft seems to be at peak. So, cellar this a bit more and drink the others now.
94 Points Wine Spectator | Lovely aromas of currants, blackberries and licorice. Full-bodied, with medium sweetness and layers of ripe, round, velvety tannins. Flavorful finish. More round and refined than from barrel.
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt Japanese Whisky 90 proof Non-Year 750ml
Producer Description
This is a single malt from the Yoichi distillery, Nikka's first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky making.
Yoichi single malt has pleasant peaty notes and smokiness originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation as well as a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process.
Domaine Boingneres Reserve Speciale Bas Armagnac 750ml
Producer Description
Domaine Boingnères is, by and large, considered the benchmark of brandy from the Bas-Armagnac. The estate was acquired in 1807 by Jean- Baptiste Boingnères, ancestor of current proprietor, Martine Lafitte. Located in the small commune of Le Frêche, the area has perhaps the best growing soil of the region. The Boingnères estate vineyards cover 21 hectares, 13 of which are planted in Folle Blanche, 4.5 in Colombard, and 4 in Ugni Blanc. Martine’s focus on brandy distilled from Folle Blanche reflects her commitment to the noble varieties, though a Boingnères bottling of Baco can sometimes be found—an echo of distillation from her father’s time.
Much of the oak at Boingnères comes from the Gascon forests. Martine contracts trees every year, and the staves are air-dried next to one of the Boingnères chais. The staves are then fabricated into 420-liter barrels by the local tonnelier, Gilles Bartholomo. Gilles’s grandfather actually made the barrels for Martine’s grandfather more than 60 years ago! The barrels are stored in one of two chais, both of which are relatively dry. Consequently, the alcohol level descends very slowly, and even after 20 years, some barrels have only lost 3 degrees of alcohol!
Armagnac is traditionally bottled without being reduced in alcohol, and as Martine Lafitte is a strict traditionalist, the Armagnacs at Boingnères are released at cask strength to ensure their absolute purity.
The Reserve Speciale is distilled from approximately one-third each of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche (exact proportions will vary lot to lot) and aged in used, 420-liter French oak casks for a minimum of 5 years (again, age range will vary lot to lot). Aromas of melted marshmallow and orange zest are joined on the palate by fire and tannin. A savory finish of Castelvetrano olives and umami concludes this fascinating flavor arc. 48% ABV.
Cinco Sentidos Coleccion 4 Azul 750ml Batch AZAT02-23
Producer Description
Two producers, one state – this is the 4th edition of La Colección Mixteca from Cinco Sentidos. This yearly release is made up of tiny batches that highlight the unique, rustic production styles used throughout the mountainous Mixteca region of south-central Mexico.
Bodegas Montecillo 22 Barricas Grand Reserva 2011 750ml
Winemaker Description
This wine comes from plots of bush-trained vines on poor, sandytextured soils in the Rioja Alta area. The vines are an average of morethan 35 years old and smaller yields. They are harvested with great care and transported to the winery in small containers. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainlesssteel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28ºC, with prior bleeding-off and a long maceration of three weeks in contact with theskins. Ageing in French and American oak barrels (90%-10%) over 28 months, followed by subsequent bottle conditioning for at least 4 years until it is leaves the winery.
AWARDS
93 Silver Medal · International Wine Challenge (v. 2011).
90 Puntos · James Suckling (a. 2010).
90 puntos · Guía Repsol (a. 2010).
90 puntos · Wine Spectator (a. 2009).
91 puntos · Wine Enthusiast (a. 2009).
91 puntos · Wine Wine Advocate (a. 2008).
SENSORY EVALUATION
Look: Ruby red with a noticeable rim. Excellent brightness and clarity.
Aroma & palate: On its first contact with oxygen, it appears clean but reticent. Then, sweet notes of oak appear, cinnamon, clove and candied fruits. Infinite nuances that change with the passage of time.
On the palate, it is subtle and pleasant, with great finesse uponentry and through the mid-palate.
The tannins are extremely well polished and it has a serene acidity that maintains a long finish.
SERVING & FOOD PAIRING
White meat, oven-baked fish. Cured meat and dark chocolate desserts.
93 Silver Medal · International Wine Challenge (v. 2011).
Dos Artes Tequila Anejo LITER 1L
Producer Description
Made from 100% mature. estate-grown blue weber agave, aged to perfection. A smooth, slightly sweet tequila displayed in a gorgeously hand-painted ceramic bottle.
Vanilla notes give it some uniqueness. Hints of Caramel and Toffee.
Aging: 3 years
Grace Family Reliquus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 750ml
Winemaker Description
The 2018 Grace Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exudes gorgeous dark red fruit, black cherry, black currant, accented by notes of bittersweet cocoa, black licorice, cigar box, resin, pink peppercorn, rose, and a hint of mint which offers freshness and lift.
The palate is broad and plush with layers of vibrant dark red fruit and spice seamlessly underpinned by soft, fine tannins and an extremely long palate. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will age at a glacial pace for years to come.
Dominio del Challao Challo Rioja Alavesa Vino Labastida 2020 750ml
Winemaker Description
Rioja is without question the most famous wine region in Spain, but the region is anything but homogeneous. The three sub-regions – Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta – differ enormously. This wine comes from the small hamlet of Labastida in the northwest of Rioja Alavesa, the smallest and northernmost sub-region located in the Spanish Basque Country and characterized by calcareous clay and sandy soils.
The mastermind behind the Dominio del Challao winery is Manu Michelini, whose family makes incredibly fine, terroir-driven wines under the name Michelini i Mufatto at both their winery in Bierzo, in northeastern Spain, and the Argentine winery in Mendoza. The Challao is the winery's top wine. Medium ruby red with violet. There is significantly more intensity in the glass than with the Garnacha, but this wine still reminds me more of Burgundy than Bordeaux on the nose. The winery is clearly on the trail of elegance. Juicy, fresh wild berries, black cherries, rose petals and black Assam tea, that's delicately smoky.
Then come violets and freshly fired clay. In the mouth, cassis, fresh blackberries and lots of black cherry again. The intense, chalky minerality is phenomenal, building up gradually on the tongue. Delicately bitter, fresh herbs and a touch of After Eight. The tannins are fine and chalky, and as soon as you feel the structure, the next wave of black cherry washes over your tongue.
This is not at all what you imagine Rioja to be in the classic sense. But this wine is a lot of fun because of its freshness and mineral intensity without being boring. On the contrary, I am convinced that it will develop gracefully in the cellar for years because it is made for a long life. Super chic fabric and without question a Rioja in a class of its own!
Cinco Sentidos Coleccion Mixteca Edicion 4 Pizorra 750ml Batch PZDEF10-22
Producer Description
La Coleccin Mixteca Edicin 4 is a curated selection of small-batch agave spirits crafted in the rustic distilleries of the mountainous Mixteca region of Oaxaca and Puebla. Each bottling explores the maestro mezcaleros interpretation of subjecting agave endemic to the region to peculiar production methods and styles that have largely fallen out of favor in modern times.
This batch of agave Pizorra (a. Marmorata) was distilled by maestro mezcalero Delfino Tobn Meja in his hometown of San Pablo Ameyaltepec, Puebla. Along with friends and family members, Delfino wild-harvested these massive, white-striped agaves in the outskirts of his hometown, whose name roughly translates to "the mountain where water is born" in Nahuatl.
After harvesting, Delfino roasted the agave with tlahuicole firewood in an underground conical pit oven for four days. He then milled the cooked agave with a mechanical shredder and allowed them to ferment naturally with spring water for about a week. Once fermentation was complete, he distilled the mash and tepache once in a custom-made, hybrid 3-plated copper still. Proofed with heads, hearts, and holanda by Delfino.
Graham's 1997 Vintage Port 750ml
Expert Review - Vintage 1997
Wine Spectator 95 Points | Plum and blackberry on the nose, with hints of dried violets. Wet earth. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, very chewy and rich. Long and caressing. Still very tight. Give it time. Very layered and structured. Much better than I remember. Impressive. '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,100 cases imported.
Wine Advocate 93 Points | Blackberries, licorice, and melted asphalt stand out in this full-bodied, beautifully made vintage port's moderately intense bouquet. It is not one of the great Graham's ports, and is less sweet than normal, but it is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and impressive. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025.
Winemaker Description
This excellent Vintage has an intense colour with a deep, purple rim. On the nose shows a luscious ripeness with attractive floral aromas and undertones of black cherry. On the palate, a typically Graham's full-bodied structure, packed with layers and layers of fruit and firm tannins. The very long, accomplished finish indicates a great Vintage for long-term ageing.
Pian dell'Orino Vigneti del Versante Brunello di Montalcino Biodynamic 2019 750ml
Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019
Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 100 Points | The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigneti Del Versante is also a jeweled ruby color and is aromatic of kirsch, fresh flowers, sweet herbs, and toasted rosemary. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a compact and concentrated feel, well-defined tannins, and an extraordinarily long finish. As it opens, it continuously evolves in the glass, with pristine notes of licorice shining through, and becomes even more focused and pristine over time. In my book, this wine flirts with perfection and is more than deserving of top marks. Drink over the coming 2-3 decades..." 01/25
Eric Guido of Vinous writes 97 Points | Nuances of dusty florals, rosemary, sage, clove and leather give way to dried strawberry aromas as the radiant 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante blossoms in the glass. It's silky-smooth and deep, displaying extraordinary elegance. Soothingly soft textures, ripe red and blue fruit notes and a kick of vibrant acidity provide fantastic energy. Sweet, crunchy tannins steadily build toward the violet-tinged finale, tapering off with hints of blood orange and spice. In a word, spellbinding… I've been tasting the 2019 Brunellos at Pian dell'Orino over the past two years as they've slowly evolved in bottle. Last year, I mused over the Vigneti di Versante's classy profile and potential, as well as the Bassolino di Sopra's flirtations with perfection. The former may find its way there in time. Collectors will want to snatch up both of these upon release in 2025.
Winemaker Description
The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines.
The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area.
The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area.
Querciabella Camartina 2008 750ml
Expert Reviews
Wine Spectator 90 Points | This red shows some depth to the black cherry, black currant, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. There is a hint of tar, and the firm structure is well-integrated. Drink now through 2032. — Bruce Sanderson
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This blend opens with ripe aromas that recall blueberry and strawberry jam, followed by notes of spice, chocolate and moist tobacco. The finish is soft and velvety, and it comes with a touch of plush richness. This is complex and balanced.
Decanter 91 Points | Sweet wood nuances lead with cinnamon, clove and a touch of vanilla eventually ceding to wild cherry and wet soil. On the palate, forest berries are laced with chocolate. The fruit is concentrated and plush with ripe, powdery tannins giving effortless support. This is its usual sophisticated and polished self, with lots of juiciness. Yields are a low 30 hL/ha and ageing is in a combination of French oak tonneaux and barriques, 10% new. Give this another year for the wood to integrate. Drinking 2022 -2027 — Michaela Morris
Jancis Robinson 17.5 Points | Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese. The grapes were destemmed but not crushed and fermented in stainless steel as well as oak casks where it also went through MLF. Aged in barriques and tonneaux for up to 14 months. Certified vegan and organic.
Walter Speller | Medium to deep crimson. Gorgeous nose of cherry and with the scent of cigar box. Luscious juicy fruit on the palate and silky tannins that make their mark. Beautiful balance and elegant and concentrated at the same time. Amazing length and focus. Drinking 2021 -2028.
Vinous 93 Points | The 2018 Chianti Classico is classy, polished and exceptionally beautiful. Like so many wines in 2018, the Chianti Classico is aromatic and gracious in feel, more finesse than power. Silky tannins wrap around a core of bright Sangiovese fruit. From start to finish, the 2018 is all class. Drinking 2020 -2033.
Origen Raiz del Espiritu Pecho de Venado Mezcal Artesanal Durango 750ml
Producer Description
Origen Raiz Con Pecho de Venado is made with maguey cenizo (Agave durangensis) that is distilled with deer meat and seasonal fruits. The tradition of Pechuga mezcal is rich in Oaxaca and this mezcal is an illustration of that tradition brought to Durango by maestro mezcalero Valentin Cortes.