Red Half Bottles

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 93 Points | This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years. 

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red. Aroma: This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Tasting profile: Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva is well balanced on the palate, with velvety tannins, firm acidity, and a lingering finish of rosemary. Its structure will allow it to age for two to five years, if not longer.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb.

Decanter 90 Points | Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder. 

Winemaker Description 

Deep and dark red. On the nose intensely aromatic, with black fruits and spices. The palate is full, round and sexy. Round and smooth tannins present through the full bodied, ample wine. Overall a complete wine, with a long finish, with elegance and finesse accompanying the abundance of fruit and well-balanced tannins.

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red colour with violet nuances; intense, characteristic bouquet of the primary grape aromas; fruity component, full-bodied and robust, well-balanced with tannin and oak features. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

The nose is warm and shows an attractive complexity characterized by understated red fruit and spice along with leather and tertiary notes. The palate is composed and lighter in weight, exhibiting a mix of red cherry and spice. There is a fine, balanced structure. This is an elegant, not heavyweight style expressing Cinsault and Grenache in particular, with the emphasis on finesse rather than power.

Winemaker Description

The Amarone is considered a top wine in Veneto. Its incredible aromas derive from the strict selection of the grape material of the grape varieties Corvino, Rondinella and Sangiovese. After drying for 4 months on straw mats and fermenting these particularly concentrated grapes, the 30 months are aged in French and Slavonian oak. Only after another year on the bottle does the Amarone leave the Zenato family winery on Lake Garda.

The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Zenato is made from grapes from the classical Valpolicella region and is the jewel in the wine production of the Zenato family.

This Italian red wine presents itself dark red, almost black in the glass. It overwhelms in the best way with voluminous elegance, dense, multi-layered aromas and a beautiful balance of fruit and tannin. A phenomenal length makes this Amarone irresistible. An exceptional red wine at an amazingly low price.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 92 Points | The 2021 Chianti Classico Berardenga is boisterous and expressive right out of the glass. Dark fruit, earthiness, leather, spice and tobacco convey tons of Castelnuovo Berardenga character. The 2021 keeps getting better in the glass. It's a super-classic example of the house style and a wine readers should consider buying by the case. The Berardenga bottling can be a bit wild, but in 2021 has an added touch of sophistication that is undeniable. 

Winemaker Description

J.K. Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir is garnet in color. The nose is super effusive cherry, hibiscus, grilled meat, tan spice and cracked pepper. The flavors are massive and present as a cherry and peach pie with a one-minute too brown crust. The structure is quietly lurking, but unobtrusive. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 92 Points | Aromas of sour cherries, plums, violets, cocoa, incense and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and bright acidity. Fresh, textured and juicy with a bitter cocoa character. Flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.

Vinous 92 Points | Brilliant red. Ripe red fruit, floral and baking spice qualities on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood and musky herbs. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering subtly sweet cherry cola and raspberry flavors that firm up through the back half. Shows fine clarity and energy on a persistent finish shaped by smooth, even tannins. 20% new French oak. Best after 2022. 

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a dark, ruby ​​red color. Its aromas offer a savory impression of candied fruit. The taste is harmonious, concentrated with a strong tannin content that allows good storage. When it comes to grape varieties, there is a clear predominance of Merlot grapes, which are complemented by Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon.

A wine to accompany game and red meat with sauce.

Winemaker Description

Intense purple robe. Rich and fruity nose of ripe Merlot; chocolate and toasty oak flavors. Fresh red fruits with fresh strawberry notes, light spices, harmonious tannins, with exceptional freshness. It has all the characteristics of ageing potential and concentration. 

Expert Review

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This estate claims a lineage dating back to the fourth century. The latest manifestation is rich, full and powerful. Dark in color and in bold tannins, it's rich with black-plum fruits and perfumed acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2026.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

Georgina Hindle writes:  Wonderfully aromatic and expressive on the nose - the aromas really just jump out the glass. So inviting. Juicy, red fruits - strawberries, raspberries and red cherries - quite bright and a nice change from the dark fruits. This is lively and fun, light with hints of spice underneath the fruit giving some structure and backbone. Hard not to like for its fruit-forwardness and easy drinking style. Though does have a spicy undertone which comes through on the finish?!  - Decanter 90

Jane Anson writes:  Touches of dried mushrooms on the nose, this has savoury tannins, soft blueberry and raspberry fruits, soft on the finish.  - Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Winemaker Description

The result of a long history, Burgundy and its wines are known worldwide. Pinot Noir is a native grape variety of the area. Bourgogne Pinot Noir is the regional appellation whose wines can come from any part of Burgundy. This wine exhibits the characteristics of the great red Burgundies.

Our Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021 has a ruby color. Its nose reveals notes of blackcurrant buds. Its round and fresh palate offers notes of cherry for a soft finish.
Food Pairing: Grilled meat - mature cheeses. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description

This Malbec shows an intense, deep ruby red color. In the nose are aromas of berries, cherries, followed with notes of black pepper and light touches of vanilla and chocolate. On the palate, notes of plums and spices stand out with an impeccable structure and juiciness.

Winemaker Description

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 94 Points | Serious, well-driven and succulent, with forest berries, dried herbs, crushed stone and baking spices. Its medium-bodied with bright acidity. Intense and lively with plenty of verve and vitality. Sharp and focused with a long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | A blend of the five estate vineyards and always 100% Pinot Noir, the bright ruby red 2022 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve is fresh with aromas of pure red cherries, wildflowers, pure spice, and forest herbs. Medium-bodied, refined, and elegant, with bright acidity, it offers a finessed feel throughout its fine tannins and has a lovely lift of salty earth on the finish. Drink 2024-2034.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Expressive and inviting, with multilayered raspberry, orange peel, rose petal and dusky spice flavors that finish with verve and sleek tannins.

Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve has pure aromas of pomegranate, blackberry, underbrush and orange bitters. Chalky tannins and focused acidity drive a core of dark, earthy flavors in the mouth, and it has a long, spicy finish. 

Winemaker Description 

This Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine that started it all and set the exacting standards we hold ourselves to for all our varietals. Perfectly balanced and made to be shared, this California wine is round, juicy, and easily enjoy.

Blackberry, toasted hazelnut, and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

Pairs well with well-seasoned beef, pork, lamb, or your favorite chocolate desserts.

Winemaker Description

Ripe cranberry and cassis on the nose. Focused dark bramble fruit on the palate, layered with cocoa and clove. Vibrant acidity balances beautifully with opulent fruit and carries through to a long and elegant finish.

Blend: 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020

96 Points Decanter | Enormously complex and full of personality. Lots of juiciness and briaryness, with notes of espresso, soy sauce and gaminess. Very rich, impressive and structured, 2020 was Ridge’s 55th consecutive vintage of Geyserville, a wine that many Ridge collectors consider the winery’s best Zinfandel blend. Its pedigree is uncontested. Made from old vines, some of which are more than 125 years old and 60% of which are 50 years old or older, leading of course to tiny yields. A historic field blend of approximately 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (the old name used in California for Mourvedre). The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards, all of which are defined by an ancient washout of the Russian River that carried and deposited gravel and river stones to the site.

95 Points Points Wine & Spirits |  The founding partners at Ridge purchased the MonteBello Winery from Leo and Evelyn Trentadue, who also farmed some of the oldest surviving vines in Sonoma County at their ranch on the Alexander Valley floor near Geyserville. The Old Patch, planted in the 1880s, has provided the base of the blend for Ridge’s single-vineyard wine since 1966. In 2020, it was harvested just as the first fires brokeout generations of vines at the Trentadue’s ranch provided 28 different lots, with John Olney selecting 20 for this wine. He finds that carignan, which makes up 20 percent of the mixed planting (along with small amounts of petite sirah, alicante bouschet and mataro), provides the acidity to refresh the zinfandel, which accounts for 69 percent of the vines. The early harvest produced a ripe, rich Geyserville with racy energy. The dark blueberry flavors are layered with red cherry, their seemingly weightless concentration sustained in a sleek, clean and graceful impression that lasts. A great 2020

Tasting Panel 95 Points | An opulent, charming blend of 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro. Ultra-smooth and seamless, with rich flavors of plum and blackberry. Stunning and long, it’s a triumph of winemaking skill.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Deeply structured and briary, with a mix of red and black fruit accented by licorice, dill and savory underbrush flavors. Finishes with medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro.

Winemaker Description

Bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry notes greet the nose, along with fresh rose petals, baking spices and hints of earth. Bright acidity on the entrance combines with the showy red fruit and flavors of forest floor, rhubarb, sage and toast on the palate. Round, supple tannins provide an exceptionally good transition to the finish, with structured tannins providing nice body and length. 

Winemaker Description

A Columbia Valley Cabernet crafted to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is an inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins.

It’s also very versatile with food. Enjoy it with beef tenderloin or pasta.

Expert Rating - Vintage 2020 

90 Points Wine & Spirits - Best Buy | Straight-ahead red, this wine is dark and lean, offering scents of caramel, cedar, plum and mint. It’s a steal for the price, with firm, slightly bitter tannins to put up against a smash burger. (2020). 

Winemaker Description 

Intense aromas of blackberry and morello cherries. This wine is truly captivating, yet it remains fresh and extremely versatile.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | 2020 Reserva showcases wines from the Haro region and is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented in oak vat with a seven-day maceration. It was aged in barrel for 24 months—80% French and the rest are from central Europe and America. It was bottled at 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.55. This is a very reliable wine, keeping the profile year after year: ripe, juicy with integrated oak, spicy and tasty, with fine tannins with an approachable profile. This is a gentler year that is going to be a success with the general public. Balanced and gentle. It was bottled in June 2023. Drink: 2024-2029.

Tim Atkin 93 Points | One of a dwindling number of top Riojas that combines grapes from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental sub-regions, this impressive Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Aged in French and 15% American barrels, it’s a youthful, structured, intense red from a difficult year with toast, wood smoke, black cherry and blueberry fruit and lots of underlying structure. 2024-2032.

James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe but fresh nose of currants, blackberries, chocolate and plums. Not a big red, rather fluid and medium-bodied with soft tannins. A juicy, drinkable Muga Reserva that is already appealing.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | I loved the 2020 Muga Reserva, a spicy, complex, classic Rioja that has both red and black fruits, ample cedary spice, leather, and violet-driven aromas, medium to full body, a ripe, supple, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo, it's perfect for drinking over the coming decade.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | A rich, savory thread of tobacco, smoke and ground coffee underscores flavors of creamed cherry and blackberry fruit, black olive, orange peel and cocoa powder in this fresh and focused red. Medium-bodied and well-knit, with lightly chewy tannins firming the finish. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now through 2030. 80,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported

Winemaker Description 

This 2020 vintage has a bright ruby-red color, with medium depth and a garnet-tinged rim. On the nose you discover an intense, complex wine. Aromas of wild fruits of the forest (blackberries and blueberries) come to the fore, with hints of spices. On the palate it is long, elegant and nicely balanced. Its sharp acidity is perfectly integrated and it has soft tannins. The finish is very long and full of fruit.

This wine will be an excellent accompaniment to meat dishes like a ribeye steak, as well as with charcuterie and all kinds of casseroles.

Winemaker Description

Tuffe is Philippe Vatan’s red made from a wide variety of parcels spread across his limestone-rich vineyards. Aged in stainless-steel in an immaculate cavernous cellar, this has classic Cabernet Franc notes that include black raspberry and just the right amount of savory herbs while finishing with well-integrated tannins. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | A barrel selection of their preferred lots and barrels, the jeweled ruby-colored 2022 Pinot Noir Breaking Ground brings more intensity and depth, boasting aromas of pure red cherries, rosemary, roses, and a hint of licorice. Medium-bodied and appealing on the palate, it offers fine tannins, a bit more of a linear feel, refreshing, ripe acidity, and a pure, clean finish with good length. It’s going to drink well over the coming 6-8 years and should hold up over the coming 10 years if stored properly.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Breaking Ground wafts up with a bouquet of sweet lavender, pine shavings and black cherries. It sweeps across the palate, soft and pliant, with tactile mineral tones that add contrast as a wild blueberry concentration saturates. It leaves a tart concentration and edgy tannins to linger, tapering off with medium length and spicy.

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Sleek in style yet deeply flavored, with black raspberry, orange-flavored chocolate and black tea flavors that finish with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2031. 4,387 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

‘Lovely aromas of fresh boysenberry, grated nutmeg, and crushed rose petal lift out of the glass, framed with notes of loam and black peppercorns. The balance of this wine is impeccable, calmly walking a tightrope of tension and plushness. The fine-grained tannins bring finesse and elegance to the finish.’

-Gina Hennen, Winemaker

Appellation: Chehalem Mountains
Farming: LIVE certified
Composition: 100% Pinot noir

Winemaker Description

Vivid notes of black raspberry, fresh pomegranate juice, with wild blueberry, sassafras, subtle licorice, toasted oak an earthy backbone, and grippy tannins. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

90 Points James Suckling | A light and fresh pinot that has real pinot character, with sliced strawberry and citrus notes. Light-bodied, clean and an attractive.

Winemaker Description 

This classic Zinfandel exhibits lush, fruit-forward aromas of cherry, raspberry and candied orange with savory undertones of sandalwood and sweet licorice. On the palate, notes of juicy blood orange, plum and ripe fig lead into vivacious tannins on the mid-palate with vibrant acidity. This Zinfandel’s balanced and elegant structure promises a long, graceful aging potential.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Antoni Galloni of Vinous writes | I was so impressed with these 2021s from Poderi e Cantine Oddero. I suppose I should not be surprised, given where the wines have been over the last handful of years, but at the same time, I can't forget the enormous strides the Oddero family has made over that period.

Winemaker Description 

This wine shows off its depth with generous aromas and flavors of crushed wild blackberries, dark red fruits, cassis, and milk chocolate that meet up with savory notes of black olive and sage along with a hint of allspice. These vibrant flavors are balanced with smooth tannins and a long, rich finish.

Our 2021 harvest began just a little early with the first fruit picked on August 18. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops but brought intense, concentrated flavor and color. Free from lingering heat waves, the consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity for brightness and balance. Harvest continued through the middle of

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

James Suckling 95 Points | A more vibrant and fruitier expression of Ardanza this year with strawberries, mussels, warm spices and berries. Round and silky on the palate with lovely spices and a long, nicely saline finish. A nice touch of creaminess works really well here and further extends the finish. 80% tempranillo and 20% garnacha. Drink or hold.

 Wine Advocate 94 Points | 2017 was not an easy harvest, but it produced some beautiful and classical wines, like the 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, which shows a little more advancement and polish and is ready to drink. It was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from their vineyard La Pedriza in Tudelilla. It fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 for the Garnacha (that was harvested 15 days later), with six rackings. It's ripe and aromatic, tertiary, with 14.5% alcohol and mellow acidity, a medium-bodied palate and sleek tannins. It has a pungent note of clove and pepper, some licorice and ink and the cherries in liqueur from the Garnacha. An updated classical Ardanza.

Vinous 93 Points | Viña Ardanza is a wine that embodies the long history of Rioja. The 2017 Gran Reserva Viña Ardanza is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha sourced from Rioja Alta and Oriental. Aged for up to 36 months in American oak, it presents a ripe profile with aromas of black fruit, earth and balsamic, complemented by cedar and vanilla. On the palate, it is dry and rich, with a juicy texture and fine, polished tannins that culminate in a bold and lingering finish. This is a vibrant red wine with harmonious balance

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Baked cherry, raspberry ganache and warm fig flavors are ripe and expressive, with a pleasing counterpoint and added detail from rich notes of loamy earth and leather, plus accents of bay leaf, vanilla and red licorice. There's a supple generosity on the palate, trimmed nicely by fine-grained tannins and a tang of orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Description 

Intense cherry red color, marking the garnet on the edge of the glass. Of great aromatic power, first of fruity character (cherry, currant, red plum) giving way then to balsamic and spicy notes (pepper, licorice, clove, vanilla, toasted caramel and nutmeg). Fresh and balanced in the mouth, with fine and silky tannins. Ample aftertaste that combines red fruits and spices with a fresh and long character.

Pair with roast lamb, red meats, barbecues, large game, spicy fish casseroles, smoked and aged cheeses.

Winemaker Description

Half bottles hold ~2.5 glasses of your favorite Meiomi wines

From the dense fog and brilliant sun, to the high winds, cool coastal air, and diverse terrain, the California coast presents many challenges. And yet it's still one of the best winegrowing areas for producing world-class Pinot Noir. Each of the vineyards chosen for this wine offers the best expression of its respective appellation, carefully blended to achieve balance, complexity, and richness of flavor.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Wine Spectator 92 Points | A racy version, this boasts black cherry, blueberry, violet and iron flavors. A firm line of tannins works in concert with the acidity, while flashes of Mediterranean scrub peek through. Mouthwatering finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2032.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | A bright ruby color, the 2021 Chianti Classico is expressive on opening with aromas of grenadine, candied red flowers, orange peel, and wet stones. Medium-bodied, it’s linear and graceful, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a clean finish. A very charming wine, it’s prime for drinking over the next few years.

Winemaker Description 

The Chianti Classico has a vivid ruby color and a strong nose of fresh red fruit with hints of cherry. This is a well-structured wine with a fruity finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | This is a spicy, sublime and expansive wine, full bodied no doubt, yet brimming in freshness and complexity. It is red-fruit driven and dazzles in white and black pepper, accented by dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a long-lasting texture and richness.

Winemaker Description 

The Hendry family has been farming in Napa since 1939. The Hendry Block 7 and Block 22 were planted in 1975 and 1995 respectively. All of the Hendry wines are made with estate fruit, and blocks 7 and 22 are located on the benchlands west of the city of Napa. Block 7 was planted in 1975 and block 22 was planted in 1995.

Winemaker Description 

Our 2021 Monterey Pinot Noir has bright cherry aromas that are layered with notes of wild strawberries and black tea. On the mouth, you get juicy black cherry flavors and notes of cola with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and well balanced tannins. A silky texture leads to a long finish.

The slightest differences in clonal composition and terroir can have a terrific impact on Monterey Pinot Noir, yet the essentials remain. The wines are bright, crisp and silky, with a perfumed fragrance leading to complex flavors ranging from cherry pie filling to rhubarbs, pomegranates and dusty brown spices, all accented by smoky oak.

Winemaker Description 

The Barolo DOCG of Riva Del Bric signed by P. Conterno is a wine that fully expresses the distinctive character of the Langhe area. Produced with Nebbiolo grapes, ripened among the hilly vineyards of the region, this Barolo stands out for its complexity and elegance. On the nose it offers an intriguing bouquet of aromas of ripe berries, dried plum and a touch of dried rose, enriched by notes of sweet spices, licorice.

Winemaker Description

The flagship red, Ampodium (formerly known as “Classique”), is assembled from parcels throughout Côte Rôtie. It is a terrific expression of the appellation, and by itself rivals the appellation’s best. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

90 - 91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Leading off the Côte Rôties from barrel, the 2021 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is rock solid and most likely outstanding. Its healthy ruby/purple color is followed by plenty of red and black fruits as well as notes of spring flowers, forest floor, and pepper. It has a terrific sense of elegant and purity and should drink nicely right out of the gate. (2021). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Tasting Panel 91 Points | Blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, this French oak- aged red produces bold notes of tobacco, blackberry, and sandalwood. Savory notes are amplified by graphite for a fine textural experience.

Winemaker Description 

Inviting warm aromas featuring notes of violets, pomegranate, herbes de Provence, cedar, and baker’s chocolate. A soft mouthfeel with supple and concentrated flavors of plum, cherry cola and blackberry pie filling, all supported by melting, dusty tannins.

Pair with baked feta and plum tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over pasta.