Red Wine

Santi Santico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico — Veneto 2020

Santi is one of the Valpolicella Classico’s most historic producers, with roots stretching back to 1843 and vineyards in the heart of the original Classico zone — the hillside communes of Fumane, Marano, and Negrar where the finest Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes have been grown for centuries. Amarone is the pinnacle of the Valpolicella tradition: grapes are harvested in late September, then laid on bamboo racks in the estate’s lofts to dry for 90–120 days — a process called appassimento — concentrating sugars, flavors, and structure to extraordinary levels before fermentation. The Santico is Santi’s flagship Amarone — a wine of power, elegance, and remarkable value for the appellation. The 2020 vintage delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration in the Classico zone.

The color is a deep, concentrated dark red. The nose is fragrant and complex: cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, and a whisper of spice — the unmistakable aromatic richness of appassimento. On the palate, it is full-bodied and round, with velvety tannins, a pleasantly tangy backbone of acidity, and a long, alluring finish of red berries and dark fruit. This is Amarone as it should be: powerful yet balanced, concentrated yet elegant, built for the table and the cellar alike.

“Dark red hue; concentrated, fragrant nose with top notes of cherry jam and cranberries, followed by hints of plum, dried fruit and cocoa. Full, round, with velvety tannins — pleasantly tangy with a long finish.” — Santi Winemaker

• Producer: Santi, Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
• Blend: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
• Method: Appassimento — grapes dried 90–120 days before fermentation
• Style: Full-bodied, velvety, concentrated Amarone Classico
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherry jam, cranberry, plum, dried fig, cocoa, spice, velvety tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10–15 years
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, osso buco, roast lamb, game, aged Parmigiano, hard cheeses

Valpolicella Classico Amarone at an honest price — Santi Santico is the benchmark for what this great appellation can deliver.

Producer Description 

Aged in steel tanks at cold temperatures to maintain fruit aromas. A sweet wine Cherry with a pleasant mouth feel and a smooth aftertaste.

In the 1940s, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc cuttings on a gravelly hillside at his Tenuta San Guido estate in coastal Tuscany — an act of visionary defiance that would change Italian wine forever. The first vintage offered on the open market was 1968. By 1994, Sassicaia's reputation was so singular that it was granted its own DOC — Bolgheri Sassicaia — the only single-estate DOC in Italy. It remains the world's first and most celebrated Super Tuscan, still owned by the noble Incisa della Rocchetta family.

The Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2023 1.5L Magnum is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in 40% new French oak. The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cold winter, above-average rainfall, and a severe outbreak of downy mildew that forced brutal fruit selection and a 20% reduction in yields — a vintage of pressure and sacrifice that, like the legendary 1985, produced diamonds. The result is a Sassicaia of uncanny openness and generosity in its youth: wild sage, rosemary, dark fruit, crushed stone, rose petal, pink peppercorn, bergamot, and blood orange on the nose; chalky tannins, bright acidity, and a saline coastal freshness on the palate; and a long, persistent, mineral finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect 100 points. In Magnum — the ideal format for long-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• Wine Advocate — 100 Points: "Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the 2023. Uncannily open and generous in its youth. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds."
• James Suckling — 99 Points: "Very cool, complex and pretty aromas of black currants, fresh herbs, lavender and violet. Crunchy and layered fruit with polished, velvety tannins. A very clear and distinctive Sassicaia with true character of the estate."
• Decanter — 98 Points: "Takes the idea of finesse and elegance to another level. Supple, lifted and fragrant, with pure, crunchy bramble fruits, succulent mid-palate and prolonged freshness. A true-to-life model for the future of Italian reds."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 98+ Points: "Full-bodied yet remarkably lifted, moving across the palate with precision and energy. Saline, coastal freshness adds tension and length. Already compelling, with the framework to evolve gracefully over the coming decades."
• Vinous — 97 Points: "Elegant and supremely polished. Blackberry, gravel, incense and new leather. One of the wines of the vintage. I can't wait to see how the 2023 ages."

Wine Details

• 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc
• Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy
• Aged 24 months in 40% new French oak
• Vintage: 2023 | 1.5L Magnum
• Cellar for decades — Magnum format ideal for long-term aging

Duluc de Branaire-Ducru — Saint-Julien, Bordeaux 2020

Château Branaire-Ducru is one of Saint-Julien's most distinguished estates — a Fourth Growth (4ème Cru Classé) of the 1855 Classification, celebrated for wines of legendary finesse, elegance, and longevity. Duluc de Branaire-Ducru is the estate's second wine, designed to offer the same Saint-Julien signature — that hallmark combination of refinement, structure, and aromatic complexity — at a more accessible price point and with an earlier drinking window. The 2020 vintage is one of Bordeaux's greatest of the modern era: a warm, dry year of exceptional concentration and balance that produced wines of remarkable depth across all appellations, and Saint-Julien in particular.

The nose leads with plum, fig, and boysenberry fruit, accented by mulled spice and cedar. On the palate, it is lively and spicy with well-balanced, fresh red and black fruit — restrained and subtle in the true Saint-Julien style. The finish is silky, long, and polished — a second wine that drinks with the poise of a Grand Vin.

"Plum, fig and boysenberry fruit with mulled spice and cedar accents. Lively and spicy on the palate with well balanced, fresh red and black fruit. Restrained and subtle. Silky finish." — Winemaker, Château Branaire-Ducru

• Producer: Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Saint-Julien AOC
• Classification: 2nd Wine of Château Branaire-Ducru (1855 Fourth Growth)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Plum, fig, boysenberry, mulled spice, cedar, fresh red and black fruit, silky finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb cutlets, beef fillet, duck confit, mushroom stroganoff, Mimolette, aged Cheddar

The Saint-Julien signature at an accessible price — Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2020 is restrained, silky, and built for the table.

Sonsierra Tempranillo Rioja Alta Cosecha — San Vicente de la Sonsierra 2024

Bodega Viñedos de Sonsierra is one of Rioja Alta’s most storied cooperatives — founded in 1962 when over 240 grape farmers in San Vicente de la Sonsierra pooled their vineyards to make a shared dream come true. Generations later, those same family vineyards — cultivated with practices perfected over centuries in the high-altitude, continental climate of Rioja Alta — produce this Cosecha Tempranillo: a pure, honest expression of the grape that defines Rioja. At under $13, it is one of the most exciting values in all of Spanish red wine.

Cherry red with a vivid purple rim. The nose is expressive and varietal: blackberry, raspberry, and violet, with a swirl revealing licorice and mineral notes characteristic of Rioja Alta’s iron-rich soils. On the palate, it is fresh and lively, with sweet fruit, a retronasal loaded with berry and licorice, and a clean, inviting finish that makes you reach for another glass.

• Producer: Bodega Viñedos de Sonsierra, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja Alta, Spain
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa — Cosecha
• Varietal: 100% Tempranillo
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, raspberry, violet, licorice, mineral, fresh berry finish
• Best Paired With: Rice dishes, red meats, legumes, river fish, charcuterie, soft cheeses

A cooperative-grown Rioja Alta Tempranillo at an honest price — Sonsierra is the benchmark for what everyday Cosecha can be.

Mark West Pinot Noir California — 1.5L Magnum

Mark West is the original California Pinot Noir for the everyday table — the wine that proved you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a genuinely good Pinot. Sourced from vineyards across California’s cool coastal regions, it’s been a go-to carafe wine for over two decades, beloved for its approachable style, consistent quality, and the kind of easy drinkability that makes a bottle disappear faster than expected. Now in a 1.5L magnum — equivalent to two standard bottles — it’s the perfect pour for a dinner party, a backyard gathering, or any occasion where one bottle just isn’t enough.

Medium-bodied and smooth, with aromas and flavors of black cherry, strawberry, cola, and plum, with a fine combination of ripe red fruit and sweet oak. Soft, fine-grained tannins and a clean finish make it endlessly food-friendly — and just as good on its own.

Food Pairings

Pasta with light tomato sauce, grilled salmon, roasted pork tenderloin, a juicy cheeseburger, or simply poured into a carafe for a relaxed dinner. If you’re not a cook, drink it on its own — no judgment.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: California
Format: 1.5L Magnum (= 2 standard bottles)

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2020 Cepparello is a total stunner, just as it was last year. Deeply colored, layered and explosive in the glass, the 2020 possesses striking textural richness and overall intensity. Black cherry, graphite, plum, spice and lavender flesh out effortlessly. There's tremendous pedigree and sheer stature here. Cepparello is surely one of the wines of the year.  Drinking 2027 to 2045.  - Vinous 98

The Wine Advocate, Monica Larner, 96 Points | Supple and smooth, the 2020 Cepparello brings Sangiovese to soaring heights in a manner only Paolo De Marchi can manage. This is his second to last vintage before he would retire and sell this historic estate. The wine opens to medium to full-bodied concentration with dark plum and redcurrant. Those cede to sweet spice, earth, crushed stone, rusty nail and candied orange peel. Give the wine more time to flesh out with cellar age.

The Wine Spectator 96 Points | Expressive and sumptuous from the get-go, this red features cherry, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mineral and Tuscan herb aromas and flavors. Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2045.

James Suckling 94 Points | Attractive red and dark berries with dried flowers, nutmeg and cocoa powder. Dried orange peel and wet earth, too. Medium- to full-bodied, toned and steady with fine-grained tannins that are slightly chalky. Polished and even with a lingering finish. Try after 2026.

Bodegas Valduero Una Cepa — Ribera del Duero 2019/2020*

• *Mixed inventory - you will be delivered either vintage 2019 or 2020. If you prefer a particular vintage text us at 212-724-6767.
• Bodegas Valduero is one of Ribera del Duero’s most respected estates — and Una Cepa (“one grape”) is their purest expression of the appellation’s defining variety: 100% Tempranillo, aged 18 months in barrel and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Ribera del Duero sits on a high plateau at over 800 metres elevation in Castilla y León, where the extreme continental climate — scorching days, cold nights, and a short growing season — produces Tempranillo of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity. The 2019 vintage delivered outstanding conditions across the appellation. Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points; Decanter 90. Deep ruby in color. The nose is expressive and classic: blue fruit, tobacco, and cocoa. On the palate, it is lively and expressive, with fresh black cherry and currant flavors backed by cocoa, spice, and licorice, framed by well-integrated tannins, rounded structure, and a long, lively finish of real elegance. Drink now through 2030.

Expert Reviews - Viintage 2019

Wine Spectator 92 — “Lively and expressive. Black cherry and currant flavors are fresh and juicy, backed by cocoa, spice and licorice notes. Well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity give this a balanced structure.”

Decanter 90 — “Blue fruit, tobacco and cocoa nose. The palate is juicy and savoury with rounded tannins and well-integrated alcohol. Long, lively finish. Rather classic.”

• Producer: Bodegas Valduero, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Ribera del Duero DO
• Varietal: 100% Tempranillo
• Aging: 18 months in barrel + 12 months in bottle
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blue fruit, tobacco, cocoa, black cherry, currant, spice, licorice, rounded tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, beef stews, suckling pig, aged Manchego, hearty game dishes

A 92-point Ribera del Duero at an honest price — Valduero Una Cepa is the benchmark for what single-varietal Tempranillo can be.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2021

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator writes 95 Points |  Supple, richly textured and elegantly complex, this Pinot opens with a burst of fresh raspberry, then unfolds with notes of forest floor and brown baking spices, plus a touch of licorice as it builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 1,100 cases made.

Clive Pursehouse of Decanter writes 94 Points | Elegance is personified in this 2021 bottling of Bergström's renowned Silice. So-named for the sandy silica soils, the hallmark of the hilly Chehalem Mountain vineyard source. Beautiful bright fruit aromas are further framed by touches of tomato leaf, pine bough and mossy forest floor. The palate is marked by fleshy red raspberries, early season blackberry and fine grain tannin that provides a structure that shows this wine's longevity. (Drink between 2023-2031).

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate writes 94 Points |  Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Silice Vineyard blossoms slowly to pomegranate, blackberry, watermelon, dried herbs and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with wild berry fruit. Combining power and elegance, it's silky and seamless in the mouth, and a flourish of spicy accents across the finish hints it has more to reveal over the next 2-3 years in bottle.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 Bergström Silice Pinot Noir is a highly acclaimed, estate-grown wine that gained significant fame after being named the #32 Wine of the Year in the 2023 Wine Spectator Top 100.

Named "Silice" (French for silica) due to the deep, sandy marine soils of the vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, this wine is known for its ethereal perfume and mineral complexity rather than heavy weight.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a fine entry-level offering from Giacosa. This perfumed, mid-weight Barbaresco is all charm. Crushed flowers, bright red fruit, blood orange, spice and mint open first. Silky, polished tannins give this pliant, alluring Barbaresco tons of character. A delight.

Memo Summary Notes

Carlo Giacosa is a fourth-generation family estate in the heart of Barbaresco. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that's almost translucent. Aromatically, bing cherry, briar fruit and some raspberry give way to ripe strawberry and associated red fruits. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift.

There’s a soul to this business and that soul isn’t just from the people who make wine, it’s from everyone who loves wines that make them feel something.” Dave Phinney

Winemaker Description

A youthful nose of fresh berries, cherry, and floral aromas, finishing with a soft texture and a hint of sweetness — designed to be vibrant, flavorful, and enjoyed within four years.

This is a fruitier style of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of sweetness, perfect for those who prefer a softer, more approachable red wine.

Winemaker Description 

Appearance : Opaque red-black. Scarlet rim. Aroma: Initially closed. The wine opens to an amalgam of minerals and unctuous super-ripe berries. Palate : Deep, rich and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of liquorice, molasses and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.

Tasting notes | Deep, rich, and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of licorice, molasses, and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

These ancient, own-rooted País vines are 800 meters from the Bío Bío river in a dry river bed that used to hold the river. The soil is especially unique with an alluvial top-layer over black, sandy (basaltic) soils.

This is “País Franco”—as in piè franco—meaning the vine is ungrafted like most of Henriquez’s vines, but the name also draws attention to how this cuvée is one of the most honest, pure and frank versions of the variety available.

Memo Summary Notes

The Roberto Henríquez "País Franco" 2022 is a remarkable "natural" wine from the Bío-Bío Valley in Chile. Roberto Henríquez is a key figure in the Chilean wine revolution, focusing on reviving ancient, neglected vineyards and traditional winemaking techniques.

The name "Franco" refers to piè franco (French foot), meaning the vines are ungrafted. These vines are truly ancient—many are over 200 years old—and grow in the volcanic, black-sand soils of an old riverbed.

Pair with

Charcuterie boards, pâté, or a high-quality roast chicken.

• Traditional: Chilean empanadas or pastel de choclo.

• Vegetarian: Grilled vegetables or dishes with lentils and earthy spices.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 92 Points | A rich, fruity red with plum, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied with lots of round tannins and a savory finish.

Monica Larner writes;  The 2018 Maremma Toscana Ornello is a blend of Sangioveto (Sangiovese), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the design winery of Rocca di Frassinello on the Tuscan Coast. This wine pays homage to the "butteri," or cowboys, that roam this remote and hilly terrain with their sturdy horses and leather hats. This wine shows a dark and meaty character, no doubt added by the Syrah, with some burnt ember and exotic spice. The bouquet is infused with dark fruit, dried plum and blackberry preserves. This is a full-bodied Tuscan red to pair with cowboy meals of steak and beans.  Drinking 2020 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2018 Rocca di Frassinello is a bold, exotic wine. Ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon and rose petal are all kicked up in this flamboyant Maremma red. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. Hints of sweet pipe tobacco, cedar and mint appear over time, adding striking inner perfume and sweetness. The 2018 is a decidedly racy Rocca di Frassinello.  Drinking 2020 to 2033.  - Vinous 94

Producer Description 

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

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a classic, deep red color, rich with cherry and blackberry flavors with a hint of oak and a long, silky finish for a perfectly balanced wine.

Winemaker Description 

An exciting wine! Organically farmed, raised in amphora, 100% Blaufrankisch. Straka is a small family winery embracing a philosophy of pure and natural winemaking at their 84 year old family estate located in the Eisenberg district of Burgenland. 

The Eisenberg is a unique geological area where the foothills of the Alps meet the Pannonian lowlands and is comprised of metamorphic, magmatic rock and cristal schist. One of only 3 places in the world with this soil composition. The deep rooted vines naturally show a distinct mineral character and a compelling purity of fruit. 

Producer Description 

Our Napa Valley Merlot opens with lively bright red fruits and a soft, lush texture. Delicate floral aromas combine with ripe blackberry, milk chocolate, wet stone and barrel spice. The finish is bright and spreads out on the palate to reveal mineral notes that support the silky tannin structure.

Deep ruby in color, the 2019 Napa Valley Merlot features a tempting nose with hints of violet, ripe cherry and warm baking spices. The palate is supple in texture with luxurious layers of brambly red fruits, cocoa, and dusty tannins. This classic Napa Valley Merlot finishes long and vibrant with lingering notes of graphite.

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. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

James Suckling 96 Points | A full-bodied cabernet sauvignon that’s fruity on the nose with notes of crushed raspberries, berries and herbs. Some bark and stones. The palate is fresh with velvety tannins and a generous, savory finish. One for the cellar. Try after 2023.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard has a similar herbal/classic Cabernet nose of red and black currants, green tobacco, bouquet garni, sandalwood, and spring flowers. Also beautiful on the palate, it’s full-bodied and has a concentrated, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and just an all-around classic, age-worthy style. Give bottles 2-4 years in a cold cellar and enjoy over the following 20 years or more. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Producer Description 

Las Beatas is a spectacular 1.9 hectare property which Telmo and Pablo have invested tremendous time and energy: 15 years of renovative viticultural work took place before a single bottle was made.

There are at least ten grape varieties grown on eight terraces, predominantly Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha, some Viura and traces of many other rare, perhaps unidentified cultivars, all planted on cold sandy soils. Las Beatas was made and aged in a single 1200 liter old French foudre. This is a refined, elegant and fluid wine with great complexity and nuance that will age beautifully. 

Winemaker Description

Purple with ruby highlights, this wine shows up-front aromas of raspberries and black cherries with undertones of leather and spice. On the palate, it is expansive and rich.

Pair with lamb and apricot tajines, prime rib, tomato stews, or green lentil-based dishes.

Expert Ratings

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points  | This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of brambly fruits of the wood, coffee bean and dried sage. It opens with notes of mint and clove accompanied by sturdy tannins and ripe summer cherry, Mission fig, cocoa powder and dried thyme flavors. The lengthy finish is marked with menthol and pomegranate. (2015). 

Robert Parker 92 Points |  There is some more development in the 2015 Finca Valpiedra Reserva, which also feels a little riper, showing the dry, warm and ripe character of the year but keeping a low pH of 3.47 and 6.2 grams of acidity. This is medium-bodied, although some will call them thin—and certainly, they are not full-bodied and round wines, they are sharper. This is a blend of 92% Tempranillo and 4% each Graciano and Maturana Tinta that matured in French oak barrels for 22 months. These wines are feeling a little more traditional than in the past.

James Suckling 92 Points | This shows notes of incense and smoke on the nose, together with spiced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Ripe, yet juicy and succulent, with a rich finish. Drink or hold.

Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py Organic — Beaujolais 2024

Jean Foillard is one of the founding members of Beaujolais’s legendary Gang of Four — alongside Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Guy Breton — the group of vignerons who, inspired by the teachings of Jules Chauvet, staged a quiet revolution against the industrial Beaujolais of the 1980s. Their manifesto: old vines, no synthetic herbicides or pesticides, late harvesting, rigorous sorting, minimal sulfur, no chaptalization, no filtration. The result is Morgon as it was always meant to be — structured, mineral, and age-worthy, with none of the bubblegum and banana aromas that plagued the region’s commercial wines. Jean and Agnès Foillard farm nearly 14 hectares, most of them on the Côte du Py — the famed granite and schist slope above Villié-Morgon that is the pride of the appellation. Vinous awarded the 2024 Côte du Py 92 points.

The nose is serious and mineral: earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, and black tea leaves with crushed stone. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively on entry, with a skip in its step — a Côte du Py with energy and precision, finishing with an assiduous sprinkle of white pepper and a long, harmonious close. Jean raises his wines in older Burgundy barrels, lending a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible young despite their considerable aging potential.

Vinous 92 — "A mélange of red and black fruit, black tea leaves and crushed stone. Fresh and lively on the entry, a Côte du Py with a skip in its step and an assiduous sprinkling of white pepper towards the harmonious finish." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Domaine Jean Foillard, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Morgon, Beaujolais
• Vineyard: Côte du Py — granite and schist soils
• Varietal: 100% Gamay
• Farming: Certified Organic, no synthetic inputs, minimal sulfur, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Earthy stone, plum, red and black fruit, black tea, crushed stone, white pepper, velvety finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, duck confit, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses

A 92-point organic Morgon from one of Beaujolais’s most important estates — mineral, structured, and built to age.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 97-99 Points | This is already shaping up to being one of the stars of the vintage. With its great fruit, fully enveloped by the structure and tannins, the wine has been set well for the future. The aromatic black fruits are intense and concentrated. — Roger Voss

Decanter 98 Poinhts | Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

James Suckling 98 Points | What a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyon

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

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. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 97 Points |  From a beautiful site that must be seen to be believed, the Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli is redolent with dark fruit, blackcurrant and crushed slate. The mineral element of Montosoli and its schistic galestro-rich soils comes through beautifully in this vintage to add a linear sense of immediacy and verticality to the bouquet. The mouthfeel is especially elegant, and the wine's acidity is delivered expertly to showcase freshness but more importantly to highlight the quality of the fruit. The effect is very tonic and bright, and you get hints of baked brioche or oven-baked Italian focaccia bread, thanks to careful aging in Slavonian oak. This is a 12,000-bottle release.

Vinous 97 Points | An enticing blend of steeped plums, blood orange, sage and sweet smoke makes the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli a total pleasure on the nose. Elegant and soothing, it flows across the palate with a silken wave of ripe red fruits and spices as saline minerals slowly saturate under an air of violet inner florals.

Decanter 95 Points | Elisabetta Gnudi took over the Altesino estate in 1992 and has continued with the Montosoli bottling, which has been produced since 1975. The 2019, harvested at the very end of September, is introverted to start with but the nose eventually hints at porcini with liquorice root and bark. Sleek cherry and raspberry provide the backdrop on the palate, yet that appealing earthy tone pervades. Racy with smooth, vertical tannins clinging in all the right places, it displays cleverly balanced structure and stuffing.

Winemaker Description 

One of the most sought after wines from Montalcino, Montosoli is consistently a blockbuster red. Its intense ruby red color tends towards elegant garnet with age. On the nose, it shows a complex personality with a delicious blend of black cherry, raspberry, violet, licorice, vanilla and black pepper. Extremely enticing, opulent and elegant on the palate, with a warm, long-lasting finish, Montosoli is a wine for special occasions

Pair this wine with beef bourguignon and stroganoff, lamb shank, and roasted rabbit.

Expert Review

Expert Reviews 

98 Points Vinous | The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous depth. In a word: magnificent. - Antonio Galloni

98 Points James Suckling | Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | This ancient estate, an oasis in the suburbs of Bordeaux city, offers a wine that is packed with promising tannins. The important and rich black fruits reveal concentration, density and the potential of the development of a fine balance and structure as it matures.

95 Points Decanter | Tannic heft from the get-go, though this does have a lovely fresh, clean and precise core with a narrow, focused frame so the elements come across as quite tight and severe right now but well worked. It has class, no doubt, on the high-toned scale, potent and upfront but there's gorgeous detail and precision to the fruit, acidity and tannins. Slick and classy with lots of glamour that plays to the strengths of the vintage.

95 Points Wine Spectator | This is snazzed up with flashy toast, but there's ample mulberry, cassis and plum compote fruit to soak it up, while notes of licorice and sweet spice fill in the background. A late tug of warm earth keeps this grounded. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

94 Points Robert Parker | Aromas of rich cherries, cassis, burning embers, violets and dark chocolate introduce the 2020 Pape Clément, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine that's ripe, layered and generously extracted but also a touch deeper and more reserved than the flashy 2019. While it would be an exaggeration to say that this estate's red wines are making much of a shift in the direction of restraint, the style is certainly less aspirational than it was a decade ago.

Winemaker Description

Specially selected and carefully aged, this premier Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Vineyard Merlot captures the intense energy of arid vineyards resulting in velvety blackberry and vanilla flavors.

Turley Wine Cellars Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel — Paso Robles, California 2023

Turley Wine Cellars is the definitive address for old-vine Zinfandel in California. Founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and guided by winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, the estate farms organically across more than 50 vineyards statewide — many with vines dating to the late 1800s. The Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles is one of Turley's most storied sources: a historic site that produces Zinfandel of uncommon depth, intensity, and character. Wine Spectator awarded the 2023 vintage 95 points; Vinous 92–94. At $59.99, it is one of the most compelling old-vine Zinfandels in California.

Deep and hedonistic in the glass. The nose opens with plum, black cherry, briar patch, spice, leather, tobacco, and incense — layered and complex from the first pour. On the palate, the wine is mid-weight but intensely flavored: ripe dark fruit, savory pepper, scorched earth, dried flowers, and mocha build toward polished, detailed tannins and a deep, resonant finish. Supple, juicy, and mouthwatering, with a mineral zip that keeps everything in balance. Drink now through 2037.

Wine Spectator 95 — "Loaded with compelling flavors of black cherry, briar patch and savory pepper that build detail and tension toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2037."

Vinous 92–94 — "Laced with plum, spice, leather, tobacco and incense... tons of fruit intensity and character. Scorched earth, dried flowers and mocha build into the deep, resonant finish."

• Producer: Turley Wine Cellars, Napa Valley, California
• Vineyard: Dusi Vineyard, Paso Robles
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Paso Robles AVA
• Varietal: Zinfandel (old vines)
• Farming: Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, plum, briar, pepper, leather, tobacco, mocha, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2037
• Best Paired With: Braised short ribs, lamb chops, BBQ brisket, aged cheddar, wild boar ragù

A 95-point old-vine Zinfandel from California's most dedicated custodian of the variety — Turley Dusi is the benchmark for what Paso Robles Zinfandel can be.

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2020 Chianti Classico is impressive and pure, with ripe black cherry, a hint of blue fruit, violets, and sweet herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with supple fruit throughout, fine grained tannins, and a polished feel. It displays fresh acidity without any harsh edges, but it is mouthwatering and compels returning for more. This beautiful wine from Querciabella is drinking well now, and I imagine will continue to improve over the coming decade or more. (2020).

James Suckling 93 Points | Pure fruit on the nose, with rose hips, cherries, blueberries, lemon leaves and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and firm tannins. Vibrant and elegant, with such purity of fruit. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. (2020).

Decanter 92 Points | With an annual production of approximately 150,000 bottles, this is Querciabella’s calling card – and an impressive one at that. It also gives an incisive panoramic shot of the Chianti Classico region as it's a blend of estate vineyards in three different subzones. Bright and fresh, the 2020 annata emerges energetically out of the glass with exuberant and pure red cherry and currants. It gains intrigue with stylish touches of mocha, tarragon and truffles. It's full and vigorous yet light on its feet thanks to radiant acidity, while well-formed tannins lend just the right amount of chew. As suave as it is characterful. (2020).

Gomez Cruzado Viña Dorana Reserva — Alto Najerilla, Rioja, Spain 2018

Gomez Cruzado is one of Rioja's most exciting modern producers, based in Haro and dedicated to rescuing the great wines of yesteryear — old bush vines, high-altitude sites, and traditional blends that honor the region's heritage. Viña Dorana is named for a historic brand from 1930 and sourced from old bush vines in the Alto Najerilla, grown at 600–710 meters above sea level in the triangle formed by the villages of Cordovín, Badarán, and Cárdenas. The 2018 vintage — a cool, fresh year — produced a wine of classical harmony and serious structure. Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points; Jeb Dunnuck 92; James Suckling 92. At $35.99, it is one of the most compelling values in serious Rioja Reserva.

The nose is refined and layered: rich red and dark fruit, dried herbs, subtle balsamic, earthy spice, and a whisper of nutty oak. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied, compact and firm yet round and polished — the freshness of the cool 2018 vintage giving it linear acidity and real tension. Soft, finely grained tannins frame flavors of ripe red fruit, light baking spice, and a textural, earthy depth that builds toward a long, elegant finish. Aged 24 months in French oak, then a minimum of 12 months in bottle. Drink now or cellar with confidence.

Wine Advocate 94 — "Very classical... serious and austere, with the freshness of a cool year... harmonious blend with good ripeness and the freshness from the year. It should improve with time in bottle."

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Finessed, long, and supple... linear acidity and soft texture. Classically flavored in rich red fruit and light baking spice."

James Suckling 92 — "Spiced and earthy, showing rich dark fruit, dried herbs and subtle nutty and balsamic undertones... round and polished mouthfeel."

• Producer: Gomez Cruzado, Haro, Rioja, Spain
• Vineyard: Viña Dorana — Alto Najerilla, 600–710m elevation, old bush vines
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa
• Blend: 60% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha
• Vinification: 4-day cold pre-fermentation maceration; 24 months in French oak (2nd & 3rd fill); 12+ months in bottle
• Production: 29,482 bottles + 710 magnums
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red fruit, dark fruit, dried herbs, balsamic, baking spice, earthy, finely grained tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, Iberian charcuterie, aged Manchego, wild mushroom dishes

A 94-point Rioja Reserva from one of Haro's most principled producers — Viña Dorana is the benchmark for what old-vine Alto Najerilla can achieve.

Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — 1.5L Magnum

Fetzer Vineyards has been a California wine institution since 1968, pioneering sustainable and organic farming practices long before they became industry standards. The Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate’s flagship everyday red — sourced from some of Fetzer’s finest Cabernet vineyards across Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, and crafted to deliver genuine California Cabernet character at an exceptional value. The 1.5L magnum format — equivalent to two standard bottles — makes it the natural choice for dinner parties, casual gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a generous pour.

Bright cherry and currant aromas lead the way, accented by vanilla, cedar, and anise. The palate is mouth-filling and soft — lush, approachable, and amazingly drinkable for a young Cabernet — with a smooth, easy finish that makes it endlessly food-friendly.

Food Pairings

• Grilled or sautéed steaks with peppercorns
• Hearty stews and braised meats
• Burgers and BBQ
• Aged cheeses and charcuterie

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: California (Sonoma, Napa & Mendocino)
Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Format: 1.5L Magnum (= 2 standard bottles)

Winemaker Description

Bright, ruby-red color. The nose is very expressive with notes of wild strawberry, cherry and Mediterranean herbs.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully supple. Tannins are silky and the tasty finish reveals notes of black pepper, red fruits and a hint of eucalyptus.

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso is an intense ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit with sweet spice and toasted oak. On the palate, pure flavors and refined tannins lead to a persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but also has great aging potential. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Robert Parker | The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity.

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

95 Points Wine Spectator | Packed with exuberant blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruit, this red shows the expressive character of the vintage. Just when you think it's too flamboyant, the solid structure reins it in. Shows excellent balance and length, with a touch of lavender and wild herbs on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040.