Red Wine

Winemaker Description 

Hoffmann-Jayer’s Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge comes from a hectare’s worth of 60-year-old Pinot Noir planted in the lieux-dits En Foigery and Les Castaings in Magny-lès-Villers. After a pre-fermentation cold soak and a spontaneous fermentation in cement tank, the wine spends 18 months aging in a combination of two-thirds 228-liter barrels (20% new) and one-third terracotta jar before being bottled without filtration. Bright, red-fruited, and marked by lip-smacking minerality, this is a fresh but serious version of this appellation, buttressed by clean and elegant tannins.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Allen Meadows Burghound | A spicier and slightly more deeply pitched nose of plum, black cherry and similarly subtle earth influence gives way to bigger and richer medium weight flavors that also possess fine tension on the impressively long finish. One to buy.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The young, creamy and juicy 2019 Petra is pure Garnacha that fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured in well-seasoned, neutral oak barrels for 15 months, including malolactic. There is a lactic touch and some notes of cereals here that interferes a bit with the purity of Garnacha. It's medium-bodied and has moderate ripeness at 13.5% alcohol, revealing good freshness and acidity and a pH of 3.6.

The Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Deep garnet in color, this single-varietal Garnacha has a nose of black cherry, caramel and nutmeg. Bright fruit and soft baking spice flavors wrapped in silky tannins enliven the palate and drift into a cranberry and orange-zest finish.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2019 Petra de Valpiedra is 100% Garnacha sourced from a single vineyard next to the Ebro River, in the Cenicero area of Rioja Alta. Aged for 1nine months in American and French oak barrels, it displays a garnet hue and presents aromas reminiscent of liqueur, with hints of herbs and ash overlaying a fruit layer. On the palate, it is dry and edgy, with tannins that are fairly searing, leaving a lingering impression of balsamic notes.

James Suckling 92 Points | Aromas of baked raspberries and strawberries with spicy and earthy touches. Medium- to full-bodied with powdery tannins and a soft texture. Firm finish. Drink or hold.

Memo Summary Notes

The Finca Valpiedra Rioja Garnacha Petra de Valpiedra 2019 is a highly praised, single-varietal Garnacha (Grenache) from the Rioja Alta sub-region. It is part of a premium, limited-edition line from the respected Finca Valpiedra winery.

The 2019 vintage is noted for combining the power of Garnacha with great freshness and elegance, making it an excellent example of modern, high-quality Rioja.

The wine's silky texture and savory complexity make it versatile:

• Meat: Grilled lamb, roast duck, or white meats such as turkey and pheasant.

• Spanish Classics: Aged Manchego cheese.

• Other: Fish stews (like tuna marmitako), rice dishes, and mushroom risotto.

The Finca Valpiedra Rioja Garnacha Petra de Valpiedra 2019 is an outstanding example of premium, single-vineyard Garnacha from Rioja, praised for its elegance, freshness, and complexity.

 

Winemaker Description 

The 2020 Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon has a dull cherry red colour with purple shimmers. The nose unfolds notes of strawberries, ripe black cherries, cassis, accompanied by cloves, marzipan and some mint, tarragon and rosemary notes, all framed by pleasant touches of caramel and chocolate.

The palate is predominated by ripe red fruits and sweet notes that recall spices like cloves and some vanilla, chocolate, roasted coffee and cedar. It is a wine of great structure and juiciness with round tannins, crowned by an excellent persistence.

The Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is an outstanding selection, delivering power, elegance, and complexity for a great price.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 90 Points | I love the blue fruit and violet brightness of this amply structured medium- to full-bodied Israeli red. Some bitter chocolate and black licorice character, too. Moderately dry with crisp acidity at the long, straight finish.

Memo Notes

Jezreel Valley Winery is a modern and highly acclaimed boutique winery located on Kibbutz Hanaton in the fertile Jezreel Valley of the Lower Galilee, Israel. It is celebrated for its commitment to creating distinctly Israeli, Mediterranean-style wines and for its pioneering work with local grape varietals.

Truly Israeli Wine: Established in 2011, the winery's core vision is to craft wines that perfectly suit the Israeli climate and palate, moving away from imitation of traditional European styles.

Jezreel is best known for its red blends and its commitment to the indigenous Argaman grape.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 92 Points | Restrained and ambitiously structured, showing some roasted coffee beans, pine cones and sweet spices to the rich blackberries and cherries. Juicy and chewy on the palate with fine-grained tannins and a tight, lengthy finish. Drink from 2025.

Decanter 91 Points | Plummy fruit on the nose, with smoky bacon fat nuances and jammy fruit notes. Powerful and textural, long and pleasant.

Winemaker Description

This unique Israeli wine represent the best of the best of the specific vintage. Made from Jezreel's top rated barrels of Syrah and Carignan. 

Aromas of dark fruit, such as blackberry and black cherry, complemented by hints of leather, tobacco, and spice. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, smooth finish. 

Aged for 22 months in oak barrels.

Pair with grilled meats, hearty stews, or aged cheeses.

Memo Summary Notes

The Jezreel Valley Winery is a boutique winery located in the Jezreel Valley region of Israel, specifically in Kibbutz Hanaton.

The Jezreel Valley itself has one of the longest traditions of winemaking in the region.

Biblical Connection: The Jezreel Valley is famous in the Bible, most notably as the location of Naboth's Vineyard (1 Kings 21), a story that highlights the area's ancient importance for viticulture.

Archaeological Evidence: Archaeologists have uncovered a large, rock-cut ancient winery complex at the foot of Tel Jezreel, which dates back to the 9th century BCE, around the time of King Ahab and Naboth. This shows the land has been producing wine for thousands of years.

 

Expert Reviews - VIntage 2022 

A deep ruby/magenta color, the 2022 Il Pino Di Biserno starts to show more mineral-inflected notes of graphite, preserved strawberries, blackberries, cocoa, and sweet herbs. Full-bodied, the palate expands with ripe tannins, even acidity, and darker mineral undercurrents, as well as a hint of gamey richness and notes of tea leaf through the mid-palate and rather long finish. Hold this one another couple of years and drink 2027-2040.: Audrey Frick - Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points

A cedary twist to the typical notes of black olives, tobacco, paprika and black fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with prominent, fine-grained tannins and fruit. Long, demure and tight. Needs at least one more year to soften and open up. Drink from 2026."  Zekun Shuai - James-Suckling - 94 Points

The Tenuta di Biserno 2022 Il Pino di Biserno delivers a ripe fruit profile with blackberry confit and sweet cherry pie. Those warm vintage tones are followed by an ample use of oak that adds baking spice and toasted nutmeg. There is a hint of campfire ash or something blackened or toasted at the core of this full-bodied Tuscan blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. I pick up a note of dryness on the otherwise velvety tannins. Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 92 Points

Winemaker Description

A unique Mediterranean experience. Rich red wine with intense black fruit aromas. 
Varietals: Shiraz and Cabernet.

Jezreel Valley Winery is one of Israel's most talked-about boutique producers, located on Kibbutz Hanaton in the fertile Jezreel Valley (Lower Galilee).

Jezreel Winery is highly regarded both domestically and internationally. They are celebrated for their modern approach, their commitment to the local terroir, and for delivering excellent quality for the price. Their wines have been featured in top restaurants and have gained strong scores from critics like James Suckling and Decanter.

A bold and structured red with hints of ripe cherries and Mediterranean herbs. Organic elegance at a remarkable value.

A vibrant and elegant red from Puglia, Italy, this organic wine showcases the region’s signature Nero di Troia grape. On the nose, it offers aromas of dark cherry, plum, and subtle hints of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is structured yet approachable, with soft tannins, balanced acidity, and flavors of ripe red fruit, cocoa, and a touch of minerality. Perfect with roasted meats, hearty pasta dishes, or aged cheeses, this wine embodies the rich terroir of southern Italy while remaining fresh and expressive.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 97 Points | Rich, powerful and gorgeous, drenched in fruity, savory, mushroomy flavors on a full body and super-smooth tannins. It is deep in black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar and pine character that expands on the palate and lingers in the finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | A touch more saturated red in color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Laurène is deeper and more layered in the glass, with notes of pine, sage, ripe cherries, fresh leather, and pressed floral perfume. It has a refined and plush texture, with ripe tannins and elegant notes of dark earth. Drink 2025-2040. 

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Precise and vibrant, with sleek flavors of cherry and raspberry highlighted by stony mineral and black tea accents as this gathers richness toward refined tannins Drink now through 2034. 

Winemaker Description 

The Drouhin Oregon Experience features our 100% Estate cuvées from two of Willamette Valley’s most exciting sub-appellations: the Dundee and Eola-Amity Hills. Privately hosted by one of our valued wine professionals, you will be guided through a seated explorative tasting of six wines, including our flagship wine, the Cuvée Laurène.

Winemaker Description 

A young, powerful and fruity red wine. Intense ripe red fruit on the nose. On the palate, sweet fruit such as blueberries mingle with violets, scorched earth, and graphite in a plump, powerful, medium to full-bodied wine. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Raspberries, oranges, licorice and red plums on the nose of this fresh and bright red. It’s medium-bodied, juicy and fruity. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Deep red with purple hues. Dark chocolate and tobacco notes on opening. When oxygenated, subtle aromas of red fruit (raspberry) and blackberry appear, accompanied by a hint of pepper. A rich and complex scent that oscillates between these different aromas. Smooth and rich, flavors of stewed red fruit and spices, velvety texture provided by soft and deep tannins. The warmer finish is balanced by notes of pralin and black pepper. A powerful and savory mouthfeel.

Winemaker Description 

Fruit aromas follow into the palate with a fresh acidity balanced by a lot of baking spices and a chalky tannin structure. The finish is long and smoky with a note of black pepper.

Winemaker Description

Elegant, approachable, and focused on drinkability and fruit, with depth and balance. It's often described as a great representation of classic Blaufränkisch, showcasing its lighter, more mineral side.

Dark berries, wild cherry, violets, cracked pepper, a subtle herbal/spice background, and an earthy edge. Soft, juicy, and lively with bright acidity. Flavors often include dark berries, plum, graphite, and spice. Some notes mention a salty, peppery, and iron-rich minerality.

Medium-bodied with fine, well-dispersed, or "dusty" tannins that play a supporting role. It has a bright, engaging, and long finish.

Sourced from vineyards in and around Oggau in Burgenland, Austria, with soils comprised of limestone, mica-schist, and slate.

The winery practices organic farming.

Fermented in stainless steel with native yeast, often racked into used Stockinger (large wooden) barrels for aging. The focus is on achieving ripeness while maintaining freshness and lower alcohol.

Winemaker Description 

Unfined and Unfiltered. A pure old vine expression of Sicilian terroir! The Terre Nere vineyards are located at extremely high altitudes - 2100' to 2900' above sea level. The hot sun, cool breeze and cold nights make Terre Nere wines extroadinarily fine and elegant. A brilliant cohesion of craft, skill and deliciousness.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

The Tasting Panel 92 Points | Quintessential aromas of ripe berries and plum are joined by vanilla and peppercorn in this textbook Zin grown on the most southerly estate vineyard in Paso Robles 14 miles from the Pacific. The result is a red of effusive energy and real charm that's fruit-forward enough to sip on its own yet has sufficient spice and structure to stand up to grilled meats.

The Wine Spectator 89 Points | Snappy and briary, with user-friendly raspberry and green peppercorn flavors that end with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2030. 4,008 cases made.

Winemaking and aging | The grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature between 25 and 28 °C. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in new and used barrels for 12 to 16 months.

Tasting note | Red wine of intense colour. Powerful ripe fruit aroma, notes of mineral and oak barrel. In the mouth, it presents friendly and tempting, with smooth, well-integrated tannins and a long, persistent finish.

Type of vine | Vines located in the area of the cellar, at an altitude of 470 meters.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | A fine, beautifully crafted wine with ripe tannins and jammy red fruits. With its red berry aroma and its juicy acidity, it is developing well. Drink from 2026.

Winemaker Description 

Ruby red in color. This wine displays aromas of ripe red fruit and dried herbs. It is soft and robust with complex tannins. On the palate, the wine is spicy with a long finish.

This hand-crafted wine is a blend of native Alentejo grapes Trincadeira and Aragonez plus a touch of Syrah for added body. The fruit is sourced from 1,000 ft high schist and limestone vineyards surrounding the J Portugal Ramos Vila Santa winery. Unoaked, it is fresh and fruity while maintaining a plush mouthfeel.

Pair with sausage and peppers, herb-roasted lamb, or beef stew. 

Winemaker Description 

"Locos por el Vino” is a new project from Bodegas Alto Moncayo, aiming to expand their range with high-quality, modern and casual wines produced from the winery’s youngest vineyards, guaranteeing the continuity of the Alto Moncayo project for future generations to come. A local term used in the village of Borja, "Zismero" refers to one who is provocative, jovial, and mirthful, with a complexity and uniqueness that makes its audience think deeply from the pointed jocularity.

Winemaker Description 

Nestled in Navarras sun-kissed vineyards, Faustino VII Kosher tells a story of tradition, care, and distinction, combining the bold, expressive character of Navarras terroir with the elegance and ritual of kosher craftsmanship. This kosher-certified offering from Bodegas Faustino is produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes. It adheres to kosher standards, including certification for Passover. 

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red in appearance. Aromas are powerful and concentrated. Good tonicity of floral aromas but also blackberry then caramel and roasted chocolate. Volume of ripe fruit with dominant aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant, associated with notes of liquorice. Opulent and well-structured on the palate, this area is rich in tannins chiseled lace. The acidity is well integrated. 

The wine has a hint of minerality that makes you mouth water. The finish is persistent and fresh. The pairings are multiple and infinite and we can refer to all the pairings of our red Beaujolais, particularly the rabbit terrines, duck, wildfowl, young roast rabbit, a pigeon with peas, small Provencal stuffing, red fruit tarts etc.

Winemaker Description 

Distinguished by its ruby red color and a fresh bouquet of red berry fruits and sweet spices. Round on the palate, with a lively acidity, the wine is well balanced and persistent.

As is the case with the Nero d’Avola variety, Frappato also demonstrates Sicily’s full winemaking potential, able to produce a powerful, persistent and very elegant wine that inspires the taster from its very first olfactory notes, which characterise it in an unmistakable manner. Label drawn by Carolina Marengo.

Frappato is ideal with fresh cheeses, cold cuts and full-flavored fish dishes.

Distinguished by its ruby red color and a fresh bouquet of red berry fruits and sweet spices. Round on the palate, with a lively acidity, the wine is well balanced and persistent.

As is the case with the Nero d’Avola variety, Frappato also demonstrates Sicily’s full winemaking potential, able to produce a powerful, persistent and very elegant wine that inspires the taster from its very first olfactory notes, which characterise it in an unmistakable manner. Label drawn by Carolina Marengo.

Frappato is ideal with fresh cheeses, cold cuts and full-flavored fish dishes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Decanter 93 Points | A youthful magenta color, the 2023 Barbera D'Alba is fresh and fruity. This vintage was released at the end of 2024 and is the blend of more than 10 different locations in the Barolo and Barbaresco region as well as from villages outside the appellation. The nose is fresh with notes of ripe cherries, candied flowers, delicate baking spice, and just hint of turned earth. It’s medium-bodied and has snappy freshness, with a plush texture and a hint of savory earth notes, making this a very food-friendly wine, perfect for pasta nights and pizza.

Winemaker Description 

The Barbera grapes grown in the Barolo area give full structure, plummy and complex flavor, with spicy and ripe fruit, blackberry aroma and a hint of toasted tobacco. It ages quite well. Vinous, this classic Barbera has a very well balanced acidity and really represents the traditional character of the Barbera grape.

Winemaker Description 

Cartuxa red is a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Castelao, planted in the Eugenio de Almeida Foundation vineyards.

When the grapes are judged to be perfectly matured, they are carefully picked and brought into the winery for de-stalking, gentle crushing and fermentation in temperature controlled steel vats.

There follows an extended maceration period followed by maturation in vats and barrels for 12 months. The wine is aged in bottle for 12 months prior to release

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Stuart Pigott JamesSuckling.com writes 93 Points | Very cool, delicate and restrained, this Fleurie is barely medium-bodied but has quite a firm tannic core and plenty of wet-stone minerality. The red berry fruit is still a bit closed, so you need some patience. Very good structure in the long finish. From organically grown grapes. From approximately 40-year-old vines. Matured in large neutral oak foudre barrels and smaller barrels that are at least five years old. Drink from 2027. 

Kenna Wells of The Wine Advocate 91+ Points  | The 2023 Fleurie Clos de la Grand'Cour, sourced from "young" vines up to 50 years old, bursts with juicy red fruits—strawberries and cherries—layered with orange peel, hibiscus and a touch of brown spice. On the palate, enveloping tannins provide structure and guide a long, steady progression. A delicate thread of graphite-like salinity emerges on the mid-palate, harmonizing with the wine's fleshy fruit. Yet it is the vibrant, expressive flavors that take center stage, culminating in a bold, fruit-driven finish. With its refined architecture and impressive depth, this wine promises great aging potential. Drink: 2026-2035. 

Neal Martin of Vinous 91 Points  | The 2023 Fleurie Clos de la Grand Cour comes from vines that encircle the estate that are mostly 40-50-years-old. It has a fresh, marine-tinged bouquet with just a hint of oyster shell in the background. The palate is medium-bodied and very harmonious, with gentle grip, lithe tannins, and touches of orange pith and marmalade toward the finish. Give this a year in bottle. Drink: 2026-2036. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | I loved the nose of the 2014 Viña Bosconia Reserva, a red that sells at an incredible price for the quality, the problem is (like all their wines) finding it... They had to accelerate the harvest to avoid botrytis caused by the abundant rain during the harvest. This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the remaining 5% Graciano and Mazuelo, fermented in old oak vats with their yeasts and matured in neutral American oak barrels for no less than five years. It's elegant and nuanced, developed but young for its age, with a seamless palate and very fine tannins, with energy and light. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity, notable parameters of freshness. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2014 Viña Bosconia is 80% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from the El Bosque vineyard in Haro, Rioja. Garnet in hue, it opens with cassis, cola and oak-driven aromas. The palate is youthful and smooth, with well-integrated tannins, black fruit and anisette at the finish. Still growing, it’ll develop greater complexity with more time in bottle.

Winemaker Description 

Forest aromas, a precise and discreet barrel note, red, enveloping and complex fruit, is a radiant wine that pairs well with the fruit with the acidity and leaves a delicious spicy trail as an aftertaste.

 

Winemaker Description 

Nat Cool is the brainchild of Dirk Niepoort. Besides Dirk’s activities as owner of Niepoort Wines and Ports, he also owns a small wine distribution company in Portugal.

He created Nat Cool as a response to a market (both in Portugal and abroad) that wanted fun, easygoing, Naturally-made wines that could be enjoyed every day - at home, by the glass in restaurants, out on a fun picnic, etc. The project started in the appellation of Bairrada, working with the indigenous varietal, Baga. As a rule, this varietal produces, big, dark, tannic reds, but Dirk found a way to produce fresh, easy, glou-glou Baga in One-Liter bottles with 12% alcohol and minimal Sulphur added.

Bingo…he was onto something!

Now Nat Cool includes several wines!

The first extension was a white wine from Vino Verde. But not just any Vino Verde. In essence, it is a “Pet Nat”, but at very low pressure, sort of like a Txakoli. Here, the wines are bottled with a touch of sugar that is left to ferment inside the bottle to create a light fizz. It is a historic method that was practiced in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the region. Since the wine is not disgorged, there are also some lees in the bottle. You can let the sediment settle in the bottom of the bottle, or as Dirk likes to, mix it all up for a yummy, leesy, complex version. Alas, Vino Verde with a fun, adventurous attitude!

The next addition was Primata. This is a red wine from the Douro. Dirk challenged his cellar master Luis Pedro to make a Douro red to fit in the NatCool line. Primata is his baby. The high elevation, largely north-facing vineyards give it freshness and crunch. It is foot trodden in lagares where it continues to ferment and then finished in steel where it naturally stabilizes. This is a Douro red like you have never had!

We hope the Nat Cool spirit will continue to grow! But remember, here are the NAT COOL RULES:

RULE NUMBER ONE…THERE ARE NO RULES!
ALWAYS RESPECT THE FIRST RULE
LESS IS MORE
COOLER = LESS EXTRACTION, LESS MESS
AUTHENTIC, COOL ATTITUDE
ONE LITER BOTTLE
COOL PRICE
THE INCREDIBLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

Winemaker Description 

Fragrant aromas of fresh red fruits, herbs and an elegant vegetal character. Crisp acidity balances the richness of the body. The aftertaste is complex and long.

Winemaker Notes

#13 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Expert Reviews

96 James Suckling: The aromas of blackcurrants and dried flowers with fresh herbs like basil and rosemary are extremely attractive. Medium- to full-bodied, this has firm and velvety tannins with a tension and focus that I have not seen for a while. Long and chewy finish.

96 Wine Spectator: This delivers an energetic tumble of blackberry, boysenberry and black currant paste flavors injected with bramble and apple wood and supported by a licorice snap accent. The strapping finish is laced with violet and iris notes, while a cast iron edge lends bass. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2045.

95 Jeb DunnucSmoky currants, tobacco leaf, leather, and chocolaty notes all define the 2022 Château Talbot, a sensationally textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied Saint-Julien. It has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 60% new oak, it's one of the all-time greats from this château and will have three decades of longevity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Decanter 94 Points | Refined and elegant with dark cherry, raspberry and purple florals overlaid by wild herb and balsamic hints. Sapid, stony and bright with gentle power, fine structure and a quietly unfolding complexity.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | From loess parcels, the 2021 Pinot Noir TS is from the Tschuppen. The purple-ruby colored wine opens with clear, fresh, well-defined cherry aromas with tart floral notes. Silky, fresh and elegant on the palate, this is a saline, tight and mineral, beautifully refreshing and tart-finishing Pinot Noir with tight but fine tannins and serious mineral acidity. From a remarkable terroir, this is a thirst-quenching Pinot of remarkable character, bone dry but irresistible. 12% stated alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in February 2024.

Importer Memo Notes 

Site: Tschuppen is a site at the top of the hill, loess over loam soils, vines are 12-20 years old.
Fermentation: Spontaneous  in stainless steel
Maceration: 6 Weeks on skins
Whole Cluster: 70% destemmed
Elevage: 2 years in large fuder, bottled without filtration

Winemaker Description 

Dark red in color with blue reflections. Powerful nose of spices (black pepper, laurel), ripe red fruits and exotic scents (incense, curry). In the mouth, the flavors are attractively concentrated  but also elegant and rich due to a perfect balance  of alcohol, acidity and tannins. Made from grapes grown in two vineyards with different soil types gives the wine a beautiful complexity.  A delicious mix of fruits, spices and tobacco notes find their way into the long finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 98 Points | The iodine, blackberry and rose-stem character comes through clearly. Plenty of fruit and depth. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that caress the palate and provide endless flavors of Indian spices, flint, nutmeg and light crust. Such refinement and integrity. Drinkable now, but better in three or four years.

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | The 2023 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches (Domaine) is showing nicely, bursting with aromas of sweet berries, spices, orange zest and new oak. Medium to full-bodied, succulent and lively, with chalky grip on the finish, it will offer a broad drinking window.

Decanter 93 Points | Lovely cherry fruit with hints of lavender and rosemary. The texture is silky and dense, almost fat. There is more clay here, and less limestone than in Les Cras, and the tannic structure is not as firm. The grapes are from Drouhin's massive 6.75ha here, not far from Pommard; they are partially destemmed and fermented on native yeasts before ageing in cask (25% new) for 14–18 months.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points by Elaine Chukan Brown | Juicy, fresh and mouthwatering, this flavorful and friendly red delivers flavors of red plum, mixed berries, fennel, and a touch of sweet vanilla. 

Winemaker Description 

Alta Alella is the closest winery to Barcelona, located 2 kilometres from the Mediterranean between the towns of Alella and Tiana. It is a family-run project that began in 1991 with Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets and his wife Cristina Guillen. Now the estate is headed up by their daughter, Mireia.

Alella is one of the smallest appellations in Spain yet it possesses a fascinating terroirs that the Alta Alella team have harnessed in their journey to being recognised as the premier estate in the region. All the vines are planted on slopes and terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, between 100 and 250m above sea level. One of the key elements is the Sauló soil found throughout the vineyard.

Particular to this region, Sauló is an acidic and sandy soil with a low limestone content, low organic matter and good natural water drainage – ideal for the production of clean wines with a mineral edge.