Red Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Bright and concentrated black cherries, rose petal and fresh aromatics create a lively nose. On the palate, fruit and earthy notes come into perfect balance with a bit of aeration. A great pairing for meaty dishes, offering exceptional value.

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.

The Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Bright and concentrated black cherries, rose petal and fresh aromatics create a lively nose. On the palate, fruit and earthy notes come into perfect balance with a bit of aeration. A great pairing for meaty dishes, offering exceptional value.

James Suckling 90 Points | A juicy, fruity red with aromas of dark cherries, red berries and mild spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Bright fruit character on the palate with a playful finish and a touch of spices. Drink now. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Decanter 93 Points | A wine of pure pleasure, From wine maker, Josh Phelps. Mixed berry, fruit and cherry compote lift out of the glass with hints of candied violets and brown baking spices. Medium bodied with all the same aromatics making appearances on the palate, framed by crisp tannins with velvet edges, finishing with cool graphite minerality and a hint of graham cracker and vanilla with crushed cocoa nibs nuances. Like I said, pure pleasure.

Winemaker Description

Black cherry and cassis framed by cocoa, cedar, and a streak of graphite. Supple fruit and steady tannins meet in balance—Cabernet that speaks with ease and quiet depth. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2014 

Jane Anson writes:  Intense, smoky, plenty of black fruit, who doesn't love this 2nd wine of Château Montrose? It's a vintage that is often overlooked, particularly after the run of great years Bordeaux has had recently, but it's at a great moment to open right now, and delivers a ton of St Estèphe and Left Bank typicity, with crayon and graphite. Harvest September 22 to October 16.  - Jane Anson 94

Antonio Galloni writes:  A gorgeous second wine, the 2014 La Dame de Montrose is soft, open-knit and very pretty. Bright floral notes add lift and a measure of elegance to the dark-fleshed fruit. Medium in body, with good depth and fine overall balance, the 2014 is just about as good as it gets for a second wine. I won't be surprised if it is still delicious at age 20, although I think its best drinking will take place earlier than that.  Drinking 2018 - 2029  - Vinous 92+

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  As to the 2014s, these are beautiful wines and certainly a match for the 2015s. The 2014 La Dame de Montrose offers a deep purple color and classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes as well as a touch of violets, spring flowers and leafy herbs. This medium-bodied, elegant, spicy, complex 2014 has loads of charm yet should keep nicely for 15+ years.  Drinking 2018 - 2038  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

Steven Spurrier writes:  An even Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend: lots of spice, deep cassis fruit and incredible freshness. Will show soon and last well.  - Decanter 90

James Molesworth writes:  Offers a brisk, racy feel, with red currant, damson plum and Campari notes coursing through, carried by a bright iron spine through the savory-flecked finish. Very pure and firmly grounded in terroir. Best from 2018 through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.  - Wine Spectator 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2014 La Dame de Montrose lagged a long way behind the superlative Grand Vin at primeur, but has since made up some ground. Now in bottle, it has a nicely poised bouquet with red cherries, bilberry and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, tightly wound and linear, a conservative La Dame de Montrose that I suspect will age better than I originally thought.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

Test of Endurance: Bordeaux 2014 Ten Years On (Mar 2024)

Neal Martin writes:  The 2014 La Dame de Montrose is more precocious than Lafon-Rochet on the nose, with hints of dried cherries and black olive compote infusing the black fruit, touches of humidor and red brick. The palate is medium-bodied with dusky black fruit, fine tannins and a little austerity towards the finish, though at least it does exude Saint-Estèphe DNA. Give it a year in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.  - Vinous

Winemaker Description 

Argyle Pinot Noir 2023 is a rich and complex wine that showcases the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley. With its range of flavors from juicy red cherry to blackberry, it evolves with exotic spices like star anise, peppercorn, and black tea. The wine is carefully fermented in small vessels to extract pillowy and refined tannins, while preserving its striking acidity, making it a youthful and age-worthy Pinot Noir.

This Pinot Noir is perfect for those who appreciate the depth and complexity of a well-crafted wine. The Argyle Pinot Noir 2023 is a perfect pairing for a variety of dishes, from grilled salmon to roasted duck or even mushroom risotto.

Winemaker Description

The 2016 Peyrabon has a finely detailed bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower and mineral aromas. This exudes class. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin, one of the more saline Cru Bourgeois with touches of oyster shell and spice towards the poised, edgy finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | With its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a good structure and ripe, generous black-currant flavors. Its fresh character gives juiciness that contrasts with the rich fruits. It's a wine with tannins and aging potential. Drink from 2023. (Best Buy).

91 Points Vinous | The 2016 Peyrabon has a finely detailed bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower and mineral aromas. This exudes class. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin, one of the more saline Cru Bourgeois with touches of oyster shell and spice towards the poised, edgy finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London Decanter 90 points Built on some serious Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend runs full throttle into rich, ripe black fruit motifs with plenty of structural support from grippy and energetic tannins that are well balanced by bright acidity, engaging textures, and a lingering finish. Drinking Window 2023 - 2038.

Winemaker Description

Canaan is an easy drinking medium bodied red wine with sweet fruit, with notes of black pepper, cherries and plums, low tannins and soft vanilla tones. This is a wine with very few pretensions and is made for immediate consumption.

The Canaan wines were made with the Israeli climate and cuisine in mind so they particularly suitable for Mediterranean cuisine. Red Canaan is a good accompaniment to pasta, pizza, poultry, and mixed grills, it is also an excellent party wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Spectator 89 Points | Round and ripe, with mulled cherry and steeped tea flavors edged in graphite, warm earth and singed alder. Grippy tannins hold firm, keeping the generous finish honest. Incense smoke blows from start to finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah and Cinsault. 

Winemaker Description 

The Côtes-du-Rhône Reserve is more serious effort than the regular Côtes-du-Rhône bottling that showcases the estate’s ability to marry richness with finesse. Moderately tannic and endowed with a beautiful structure, this Côtes-du-Rhône develops greedy notes of fresh fruit (crushed strawberry, blackberry) on their crunchiness, supported by a hint of licorice.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

A perfect pairing for food with balanced acidity and flavors of cranberry, currant, and vanilla.

Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon’s complexity is crafted by blending fruit from contrasting soil compositions and climates. The beauty of this wine is that it offers a great deal of dimension while still maintaining supple tannins for immediate drinkability.

Winemaker Description 

Bogle’s “heritage” Petite Sirah is known for its concentration and jammy, luscious flavors. Lush with touches of cacao and roasted coffee bean on the nose. 

Barrel aging this bold Petite Sirah for a year has created an incredibly well structured, yet very approachable, wine of great color and depth. Blue fruits and boysenberry command the senses upon entry, while notes of black pepper and spice linger on the palate. On the finish, ripe textured tannins have been noticeably softened by those 12 months in American oak.

FOOD PAIRINGS
This versatile wine pairs well with a variety of foods like smoked lamb shoulder with rosemary, braised short ribs with blackberry barbecue sauce and smoked gouda cheese.

AGING
12 months in American oak

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Gold  |  2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold  |  2024 Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Challenge

Certified by the California Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, Vegan Frindly & Gluten-Free

Winemaker Description

A dominant fruitiness (blackcurrant, cherry), blackberries with a small spicy note. A supple and round on the palate with melted tannins and a beautiful length with a lot of finesse.

Perfect with red meats, either grilled or roasted, cold cuts, vegetable salads, meat or poultry tarts, simmered beef and vegetables (pot-au-feu). Veal, cold tabbouleh, or hard cheeses like Gouda.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling writes:  Exquisite mix of dark fruit and earthy notes wrapped up with violets. Great fruit concentration and tension on the palate, with an extra dimension of blood orange fruit, a medium body and tight tannins that are polished on the finish. It shows sucrosity and is very crunchy. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 95

Eric Guidoo writes:  The 2022 Teroldego mixes rich dark fruits with earth tones, leather and spice to create a truly inviting bouquet. This is soft-textured and round with juicy acidity and masses of mineral-tinged wild berry fruits that cascade throughout. It finishes wildly fresh yet still long and potent, leaving the mouth watering as hints of wild blueberry slowly fade. The 2022 is completely open for business yet with a balance that will carry it for the next three to five years in the cellar.  Drinking 2024 to 2029.  - Vinous 91

Winemaker Description

100% Teroldego. Referred to simply as "Foradori" by the Foradori when speaking of their various wines, this is the estate's core red: first bottled by Elisabetta's parents back in 1960 and their largest production today. It comes from 9 hectares of estate vines, planted from 1956 to 2005 on the flat, sunny, well-drained Camp Rotaliano plateau right around the winery.

The soils are a range of alluvial sand and gravel and feature Dolomitic limestone. Older vines are trained traditionally in pergola; younger vines are trained on wires in guyot. The farming is certified-biodynamic. There are 15 separate parcels, all hand-harvested and vinified separately. The bunches are partly destemmed and partly left intact, depending on the vintage; the uncrushed berries and the whole clusters are layered in cement tanks, where they ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and no sulfur. The wine is aged for around a year in well-worn, 20-40-hectoliter botti and bottled without fining or filtration and with a small dose of sulfur.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | Savory, earthy and slightly wild in style, Elisabetta Foradori sculpts one of Italy’s finest natural wines. Luscious dark fruits and violets on the nose pick up some spice and wild herbs on the palate. Medium bodied with good depth of flavor and detailed complexity that winds through the finish with purity and a touch of exotic funk. Works great with vegetarian dishes and is a great match to wild game.

Winemaker Description

The McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel is a dark purple wine, loaded with notes of ripe red currant, strawberry, caramelized sugar, and toasty oak. The savory red fruit on the palate leads to soft, supple tannins and a smooth finish.

Expert Rating - Vintage 2022 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of orange, cranberry, mulberries, red plums, mulled spices, allspice, clove on thinemaker Description

Expert Notes - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling writes:  Attractive notes of cherries, dried blood oranges, cocoa and hints of hibiscus and licorice. Bright and savory on the palate, with dusty tannins and lively acidity. Medium-bodied. It’s very pretty and refreshing, with savory nuances at the end. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Winemaker Description 

Is the result of the union between Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon (85% Sangiovese & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon): it gives the idea of a young red, significant but with easy drinkability and is linked to the characteristics of its native territory, with an unforgettable Casanova di Neri stamp.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 95 Points | The lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The 2020 L'Esprit De Chevalier is more restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. It's a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2020 Esprit de Chevalier has a very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Very controlled and classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with quite concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and a touch of Provençal herbs. Slight viscosity here, powerful with a generous finish, this is a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12-15 years' drinking pleasure.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Fleshy and demonstrative, the 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier bursts with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish, it will drink well young.

Winemaker Description

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in unfashionable vintages thanks to its unique terroir and a draconian selection in the vineyard and the cellar. In fact, this philosophy at times requires vineyard workers to carry out five waves of picking in order to pick only the ripest possible grapes.

Furthermore, as of 1986, the planting of young vines led to the creation of both a red and white second wine called Esprit de Chevalier. This includes vats that do not have quite the structure and focus of the grand vin as well as wine made from young vines, Vats that go into red Esprit de Chevalier must nevertheless be complex, well-balanced, well-structured and, above all, elegant enough to be in keeping with Chevalier’s image. Esprit de Chevalier is a charming red wine with many of the same qualities as the grand vin and the added advantage that can be enjoyed earlier.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Specatator 92 Points | A sleek and vibrant red, offering medium-bodied flavors of cherry and cranberry that take on green tea and forest floor accents as this builds toward zesty tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas complement notes of cinnamon and delicate violet, while the palate strikes a balance between juicy plum and boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brulée.

Vintage 2023 required experience and patience that was rewarded with essential hang-time and ripening. The growing season started cool, then May sunshine brought an average bloom in mid-June followed by a glorious summer. We enjoyed many classic 80-degree Willamette Valley days, with nighttime highs staying down in the 50s even in August, typically the warmest month here in Oregon. The only exception to these consistent diurnal swings was a single big heat spike in mid-August. We anticipated picking in early September. However, some fortuitous rain events allowed us to push back harvest and we were thankful for the additional hang time.

Harvest came early, but not too early. We brought in beautiful fruit and we were pleased to still be picking Pinot noir into early October. When you have fast accumulation of fruit sugars, cool weather can be a welcome respite with even small amounts of rain helping the grapevines regulate and slow ripening. One of the reasons why Oregon Pinot Noir is so prized is for its freshness of fruit, and you can only get that vibrancy when it’s under 50 degrees during picking.

2023 brought amazing fruit quality, but our production was down, especially on cool climate white wines like Pinot Gris. Being an estate grown winery, we must follow Mother Nature’s lead as we cannot buy fruit to increase production. Smaller yields do mean a smaller crop and less wine, but we embrace vintage variation. Another great benefit of being estate grown is that it’s our decision exactly when to pick. Rather than rushing to bring fruit into the cellar, in 2023 were able to play the odds and wait out the rain on blocks that needed additional hang time to get the flavor development we needed.
Vineyard

Our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made with 100% estate grown fruit from all six of our vineyard sites: The Winery Estate, Mount Richmond, Five Mountain, Clay Court, Goodrich and Windhill. These sites are comprised of both Pommard and Dijon plant material, with multiple clones represented.

Because we draw from vineyards representing all three of the major Willamette Valley soil types, we are able to pick and choose for different flavor components to make the best possible blend each year for our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Some people call this making wine “spice rack” style, we usually just call it delicious. Our goal is the perfect version of what we believe a Willamette Valley Pinot should be: a wine with freshness of fruit, well-integrated alcohol, and great concentration of flavor.

Winemaker Description

The California Pinot Noir is an elegant, well-balanced wine offering mouthwatering flavors of Bing cherry and strawberry accented beautifully with just a touch of spice and hints of forest floor. The wine is light in body, with a medium finish and pairs perfectly with a variety of lighter dishes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points |  Attractive aromas of red and dark berries, crushed walnuts, dried flowers and stone. Medium-bodied, juicy and bright on the palate with fine tannins and a sleek, textural finish. 48% charbono, 45% malbec and 7% semillon. Drink now or hold.

Winemaker Description 

This wine has a bright and attractive red color. On the nose, aromas of red fruits and spices prevail, but it also shows subtle citric notes, like fresh tangerine rind. The palate is round with a silky texture and concentrated flavors, an easy-to-drink wine. The finish is linear and refreshing, with a smooth and inviting acidity.

Winemaker Notes

Aromas of black fruit. Opens with notes of black cherry and boysenberry. The mid palate is layered with notes of black tea, herb and spice. Balanced and concentrated wine with a smooth and lasting finish. 

Critic Notes

91 Points James Suckling | A fruit-forward, berry-soaked character with dried flowers, cedar and spices. Medium- to full-bodied, bright and succulent with supple tannins. Firm and velvety finish. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

The nose shows forest fruits and crushed strawberry notes. The mouth is rich and silky with dense, supple tannins. 

Winemaker Description 

Deep and brilliant crimson color. It is a very intense wine with a powerful yet delicate nose. It offers all the characteristics of its incredible complexity: noble wood, lightly spiced, with hints of vanilla and cocoa against a background of dark fruit, touches of licorice and woodland, giving this wine personality and elegance.

Very expressive on the palate, full-bodied and refined, with delicious flavors of berries laced with toasty notes. It's a very classy wine.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | A classic dry Lambrusco, made from organically grown grapes from the village of Castelfranco, near Modena. It’s refreshing fizziness is attributed to the ‘Metodo Ancestrale’, today known as Pet Nat. Delicious red fruit richness with an earthy floral complexity that makes it the perfect complement to pizza, cheeses and cured meats.

Winemaker Description 

Folicello Lambrusco Pet Nat is a red sparkling natural wine grown organically in Emilia-Romagna. It's made with the 'Metodo Ancestrale' technique, also known as Pet Nat. Zesty and refreshing with red currant on the nose, crisp palate, ideal to be enjoyed with cured meats. 

Winemaker Description 

Full-bodied red wine from Montepulciano grapes grown in the Abruzzo region. Deep color with raspberry notes, robust flavor, slightly tannic palate balanced with a smooth finish.

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is a quintessentially food-friendly Italian red, with a pleasantly dry acidity that makes it the perfect pairing for classic Italian dishes, tomato-based pasta dishes, spicy sausages, and everyone's favorite: cheesy, tangy pizza.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2015

Eric Guido writes: Brown spice, crushed fall leaves cherry sauce and a lifting hint of fresh mint form a darkly alluring bouquet as the 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira opens in the glass. This washes across the palate with a velvety wave of ripe red and black fruits, underscored by saline minerals and a burst of spiced citrus. Long and potent, the 2015 leaves a web of fine tannins that are surprisingly sweet and round, nicely framing the notes of sour wild berries and dark chocolate that linger. - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes: The candied strawberries and caramelized orange peel draw you in on the nose; then you notice hints of ash and red licorice. The full-bodied palate has quite a serious tannin backbone, and vibrant red fruit lies beneath waiting to be drawn out tightly by a fine acid edge. The finish is quite fruit-forward. Drink now. - James Suckling 92

Winemaker Description 

Medium-to-full bodied combining dark berry fruit and cassis flavors with hints of chocolate and mint.

This Zinfandel is a bold wine grown from some of the oldest vines in California. Gnarly Head’s untamed vines produce full-flavored grapes, dense with aromas of blackberry bramble, juicy plum, and toasted oak. This medium-bodied wine boasts a balanced acidity and supple tannins for those who like unique, big wines with a little eclectic edge.

Enjoy this wine with chili, mini stuffed peppers or with rich and tangy BBQ. 

Winemaker Notes

Deep purple colour with intense aromas of red and black fruits, crushed violets and a touch of mocha. The palate has generous ripe fruits and a plush, velvety texture supported by vibrant acidity, with fruits and spices that linger on the finish. Extreme refinement.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is also Merlot-dominated and includes 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers classic Saint-Julien elegance and purity in its darker currant and cherry fruits as well as notes of tobacco, violets, and lead pencil. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It needs air to show at its best and is just a charming, elegant, layered 2019 to enjoy over any time over the coming decade.  Drinking 2022 to 3032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Georgina Hindle writes:  Lovely, fresh, delicate and fruity nose; smells quite rich and ripe. Good push of plush fruit, bright cherry straight away then darkens to something more serious and sensual. Tannins are overpowering, just so abundant, covering the tongue and cheeks but they're soft - you need that structure to give it life. Feels sculpted if a little excessive right now, but good freshness and drive, and round on the mid-palate with no angles. Some spice at the end. From the western part of the appellation, a parcel of about 25ha purchased in the 1970s. 10ha in the process of being replanted - so 15ha in production. This is the third wine and receives declassified fruit from the higher wines, although produced with the same philosophy.  Drinking 2023 to 2031  - Decanter 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is plush, creamy and open-knit, all of which give it considerable immediacy, not to mention tons of charm. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha and licorice lend nuance in this racy, Merlot-based blend. The Petit Ducru is a new wine meant to be the third selection from the château.  Drinking 2025 to 2029.  - Vinous 92

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling writes 97 Points | Fresh currants and raspberries pop out of the glass, together with oranges and cedar. Such purity of fruit in the nose. Full-bodied, yet so refined and vertical. It goes deep and long with tight, compressed tannins that are pure and exciting. Really tight and focused. Precise. Try after 2026.  - James Suckling 97

Georgina Hindle writes Decanter 96 Points | Stylish nose, feels polished and poised. A svelte style with satiny tannins and such depth of flavour - intense but nuanced with perfumed edges and red and black cherry flavours. You feel the sculpting of the fruit, there are layers of flavour and with good support round the edges and softly chewy tannins. Such a long finish too, really goes on and on. I love it, you get the power without doubt but it's very neatly packaged right now with a smoothness and clarity that's impressive.  Drinking 2025 - 2045.  - Decanter 96

Jane Anson of Decanter writes 96 Points | A concentrated but graceful feel to this Issan, showcasing why it is one of the powerhouses of Margaux without necessarily flexing its muscles the most obviously. Takes a few moments to unroll on the palate but as it does it expands both forward and outwards, beautifully filling the mid palate with creamy brambly fruits and firm but flexible tannins. This inches open, suggesting it has an extremely long life ahead of it, and is close to the 2016 in expression, although not quite with the depth of expression of that exemplary vintage. 50% new oak, 3.7pH. 45% of overall production went into the 1st wine. Harvest from 25th September to 11th October.  Drinking 2029 - 2045.  - Decanter 96

Jeb Dunnuck writes 95 Points | Pure cassis, graphite, violets, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2019 Château D'Issan, a richer, medium to full-bodied, powerful Margaux. It develops a gorgeous sense of minerality with time in the glass, has plenty of mid-palate oomph, integrated oak, and just terrific overall balance. It's a stunning success in the vintage in Margaux, which was one of the more challenging in the vintage. This will round into form with just 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more. Bravo.  Drinking 2026 - 2047. - Jeb Dunnuck 95

James Lawther MW of Jancis Robinon writes 17.5 Points |  A touch restrained but pure, bright, juicy and intense. Palate silky and substantial with the backing of plentiful tannins. Perception of old-vine intensity. Builds to an impressively long finish. Similar to 2016 but more aromatic freshness.  70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot.   Drinking 2027 - 2045.  Jancis Robinson 17.5

Neal Martin of Vinous writes 94 Points | The 2019 Château d'Issan has a glorious Margaux bouquet with pressed violets fusing with the black fruit and crushed stone scents. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine delineation, taut and fresh, a pinch of black pepper towards the structured and detailed finish that lingers in the mouth. Superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.  - Drinking 2025 - 2045.  William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 94 Points | The 2019 D'Issan is showing well from bottle, offering up aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with violets, orange rind and raw cocoa. Medium to full-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a seamless, elegant profile, it's a charming, perfumed wine that will offer a broad drinking window. The blend is dominated by an atypically high proportion (70%) of Cabernet Sauvignon. The heart of Issan is its walled "Clos" to the rear of the picturesque moated château, which is complemented by more recently acquired holdings situated on the same gravel terrace.  Drinking 2025 - 2055.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Review

Eric Guido writes:  The 2023 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Malandrino entices with its mineral-drenched bouquet of crushed rock and smoke giving way to herbal-tinged blackberry. It sweeps across the palate with silken textures and ripe red and hints of blue fruits as a wave of cool-toned acidity maintains lovely energy. Long and potent, this leaves a subtle coating of fine tannins and nuances of licorice as it tapers off. This is already appealing today, despite its notable structure.  Drinking 2026 to 2031.  - Vinous 92

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby colored with intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum and violets with a lovely earthy complexity. Full bodied in the mouth with a rich texture, supple tannins and a long persistent finish. Perfect for lamb chops, steak and roasted veggies. Made from organically grown grapes.

Winemaker Description

Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz. Crimson-purple in color. Aromas of dark plum, boysenberries, subtle black pepper and a touch of licorice. On the palate is where the wine becomes fascinating. Rich and opulent black plums, blackberries and boysenberries are intertwined with savory spices, mocha and a plush coat of red cherries. Tannins are ripe and velvety. Acidity, alcohol and oak are finely tuned, and their balance enhances length on the finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | Savory notes of sage and bay leaf are as forward on the nose as the plum and cherry notes. There’s a lick of vanillin oak showing, too. The abundance of tangy fruit continues its journey in the mouth, lingering on the finish amidst a powerful, well-placed frame of tannins. (2021).

90 Points James Suckling | Good shiraz, strongly regional, aromatic and attractive. While I query the dryness of the tannins here, there is ample pleasure to be found behind a veneer of violets, purple pastilles, blue fruit, iodine and licorice. A little reduction creates tension without ever becoming too hard. (2021). 

Our project Avenida 67 is back after a few years of hiatus.

This time, we’ve teamed up with one of the most iconic Argentine winegrowing families — the Benegas-Lynch family. Fifth-generation producers in Mendoza, Argentina, their legacy is deeply rooted in the cradle of Argentine winemaking.

Avenida 67 was the first label I ever created for 67 Wine, so it carries tremendous sentimental value. Working with Tiburcio Benegas, who currently leads operations at Bodegas Benegas, has been an absolute pleasure. Tiburcio is a man of many talents, and preserving his family’s legacy is among his greatest passions.

Avenida 67 Malbec is crafted from 100% estate-grown grapes sourced from the Benegas-Lynch vineyards in Mendoza.

Technical & Tasting Notes

Variety: 100% Estate-Grown Malbec from three Benegas-Lynch vineyards

Vinification: Grapes undergo cold maceration after crushing to enhance aroma, color depth, and fruit expression

Aging: Following alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for six months in French oak barrels

Sight: Bright cherry-red color that leaps from the glass.

Aromas: An enticing bouquet of freshly picked red fruits—strawberries and raspberries—with hints of prunes and a subtle floral undertone. Well-integrated notes of vanilla and caramel add depth and complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins and lively acidity. Fresh red and black fruits intertwine harmoniously, complemented by a delicate touch of baking spices on the finish.

Finish: Clean, lean, and persistent, showing great gastronomic versatility. This wine highlights refinement and vibrant fruit quality.

Pairings: Ideal with stews, grilled meats, and poultry. This Malbec offers remarkable value and character.

Oscar Garcia Moncada

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | A delicious blend of organically grown grapes: 60% Grenache grown on upper south-southwest facing pebble slopes, and 40% Syrah grown in clay. Deeply colored with an enticing bouquet of blackberries, cherries and intense mineral notes. Velvety yet ample and rich in the mouth with supple tannins and an energetic lift on the delightful finish. This is a wine at the peak of its perfection to drink now. A great complement to country cooking and comfort foods. Certified organic.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

Anna Lee C. Lijjma of the Wine Enthusiast writes | Notes of incense and preserved black plums introduce this smoky, spicy blend of  Grenache and  Syrah. While full in body, it's a briskly composed wine highlighting tart blackberry flavors and a lingering earthen finish. Best now–2026. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This beefy red relies on its dense texture, concentrated flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruit, and muscular tannins to get its message across. Wild herb, iron and earth notes add depth, while the finish is long and spicy.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | The nose is savory and umami, with aromas of leather, graphite, underbrush, crushed rocks, bitter herbs and citrus swirling in the glass. Those earthy, bitter notes remain on the palate, but sweet cherries and wild strawberries pop overhead, while charged with powerful tannins and acid.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

The 2023 Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir displays enticing aromas of pomegranate, white tea, and raspberry. Lively and energetic with flavors of dried fig, white truffle, and ripe cherry fruit. Savory in texture with notes of wild herbs and peppery spice on the finish.

Winemaker Description

In France’s Northern Rhone Valley, there are few names as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the late, legendary Alain Graillot, who after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac, came back to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year his devotion to the art of making hauntingly delicious Syrah from his organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards, was rewarded with an ever growing and highly dedicated following around the world. Alain’s sons Maxime and Antoine have been in charge since 2008, continuing the legacy set forth by their father. All the work is still completely the same as it ever was: hand-harvesting, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 94 Points |  "A textural, balanced and harmonious red with such patina already. The nose shows notes of dark cherries, fresh plums, forest floor and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and velvety, with a kick of peppercorns. Juicy, vivid and fresh finish. Drink or hold."