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Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Kim Crawford is New Zealand's most recognized wine brand and one of the defining names in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — the style that put New Zealand on the world wine map. Founded in 1996, Kim Crawford pioneered the high-energy, intensely aromatic style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that has since become a global benchmark: vibrant, tropical, herbaceous, and irresistibly fresh. Sourced from select Marlborough vineyards and crafted sustainably, the 2025 vintage continues to deliver the intense, high-energy profile that made it a household name worldwide — one of the most consistent and recognizable white wines at any price.

The nose is lifted and expressive: passion fruit, melon, stone fruit, lime, bell pepper, and crushed herbs — classic Marlborough aromatics in full force. On the palate, it is fresh and juicy with ripe tropical flavors, vibrant acidity, and plenty of weight and length. Laid-back and delicious, with a clean, refreshing finish. Serve well chilled.

James Suckling 90 — "Juicy and fruit-driven with notes of limes, bell peppers and herbs on the nose. Medium body with fresh acidity. Laid-back and delicious. Sustainable." * (Vintage 2025). 

• Producer: Kim Crawford Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Passion fruit, melon, stone fruit, lime, bell pepper, crushed herbs, vibrant acidity, long finish
• Style: Light-to-medium bodied, crisp, aromatic
• Serve: Well chilled
• Drink: Now
• Best Paired With: Fresh oysters, ceviche, grilled asparagus, summer salads, lobster with lemon butter, shrimp, goat cheese

The benchmark Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — Kim Crawford 2025 is tropical, crisp, and one of the world's most reliably delicious whites.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige — California NV

Mumm Napa is widely considered one of California’s finest producers of méthode champenoise sparkling wine, blending traditional French Champagne techniques with the vibrant, sun-ripened fruit of Napa Valley. The Brut Prestige is the house’s signature expression — a complex assemblage of primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that delivers elegance, freshness, and exceptional value in every glass. Earning 90 points from both Wine Spectator and Decanter, this is the best-value domestic sparkler that consistently punches above its price point.

The nose opens with gorgeous layered white blossom aromas, followed by creamy vanilla, citrus, stone fruit, and melon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and delicate yet plush — cherry, lemon verbena, green apple, orange blossom, and yeast roll flavors linger on a supple, refreshing finish with excellent mousse and crisp, elegant acidity. Equally at home as an apéritif or at the table.

Wine Spectator 90 — “Delicate in style yet plush, with pretty cherry, lemon verbena and yeast roll flavors that linger on the supple, refreshing finish.”

Decanter 90 — “A snappy sparkling with a seriously fresh nose of green apple, orange blossom, citrus and gingerbread. Medium-bodied, balanced, crisp and complex, with a lengthy finish.”

• Producer: Mumm Napa, Napa Valley, California, USA
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: California
• Blend: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
• Method: Méthode Champenoise
• Style: Brut Sparkling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White blossom, vanilla, citrus, stone fruit, cherry, lemon verbena, green apple, orange blossom, excellent mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sushi, truffle popcorn, roast poultry, creamy pasta, spicy Thai; excellent in Mimosas or French 75

French technique, California sunshine, 90 points from two continents — Mumm Napa’s Brut Prestige is the sparkling wine that makes every occasion feel special.

Winemaker Description

If you’re after Sauvignon Blanc with all the incredible crisp, tropical Marlborough flavours and less of the calories, you’ve come to the right place. Matua has crafted this Sauvy so you can enjoy it with 25% less alcohol and calories — now that’s a winning combination. Just 9% ABV.

Tasting Notes

• Crisp and refreshing with classic Marlborough character
• Tropical fruit notes — passionfruit, citrus and fresh-cut grass
• Light-bodied with vibrant acidity and a clean, zesty finish

Food Pairings

• Fresh salads, sushi, or light seafood
• Grilled fish or shrimp with citrus
• Goat cheese, light appetizers, or summer picnic fare

Product Details

• Producer: Matua
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
• ABV: 9% (25% less alcohol than standard)
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points
"A bright ruby/magenta color, the 2024 Barbera d’Alba is spicy and lifted on the nose with notes of pepper, fresh herbs, and bright red fruit. The palate is zesty and lively, with electric energy, refreshing focused acidity, and a compact linear feel. This is not a Barbera for volume of richness — it’s about the crunchy, bright fruit, and it will be best enjoyed while it retains its lively nerve. Drink over the next several years."

Winemaker Notes

G.D. Vajra’s Barbera d’Alba comes from a wonderful range of estate vineyards in Piedmont. Fermented for an average of 20 days and aged no less than twelve months in respect of the rhythm of nature, it is a fine blend — charming, rich yet forward.

The 2024 vintage exhibits a brilliant purple hue. On the nose, a celebration of freshness: red berry juice, roses, and fresh plums. The palate is crisp and juicy, layering sweet red and black cherries, spices, and fresh dark berries into a vibrant, aromatic finish that defines the vintage.

Food Pairings

A natural companion for pasta with tomato-based sauces, wood-fired pizza, grilled sausages, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve slightly chilled (60–65°F) to enhance its refreshing character.

Product Details

• Producer: G.D. Vajra
• Region: Barbera d’Alba DOC, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Barbera
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Bright, zesty, fruit-forward Piedmont red
• Format: 750ml

About Nigori Sake

Nigori — meaning "cloudy" in Japanese — is an unfiltered style of sake with a milky-white appearance and characteristically full, smooth palate. Sho Chiku Bai Nigori Silky Mild is crafted by Takara Sake USA in Berkeley, California using traditional Japanese methods, making it one of the most approachable and food-friendly sakes available.

Tasting Notes

• Fruity aromas of ripe banana, vanilla, melon and strawberry
• Creamy sweet rice custard on the palate
• Full, smooth and milky with a gently sweet finish
• Slightly sweeter than Sho Chiku Bai Nigori Crème de Sake

Serving & Food Pairings

• Serve chilled or over ice as a dessert alternative
• Pairs beautifully with spicy dishes — the sweetness tempers heat
• Excellent with sushi, Thai cuisine, or fresh fruit desserts
• Kosher certified — suitable for a wide range of occasions

Product Details

• Producer: Takara Sake USA
• Style: Nigori (Unfiltered Sake)
• Origin: Berkeley, California, USA
• Format: 750ml
• Kosher: Yes

Winemaker Description

The deep ruby color indicates a luxe complexity, while aromas of black cherry, cassis, and rich earth are abundant in this classic Cabernet Sauvignon. On entry, currants and black plums generously lead to a plush mouthfeel, with ample tannins carrying the fruit to a long, lingering finish. Aged 12 months in 1-year-old American oak barrels, developing notes of baking spices, nutmeg, and hints of caramel.

Expert Review —  Current Vintage 2023, Prior Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast - 90 Points - (Tonya Pitts) (Vintage 2023) Pronounced nose, with a focused fruit core, notes of Black plum, black licorice, molasses, vanilla bean, and violets. Fresh youthful blackberries on the palate, dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and grippy tannins to finish. Aerate and enjoy mid-week.  —

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points (Vintage 2022)
"For $11, this California Cab packs bags of flavor. Find notes of black cherry, plum and currant, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, crushed violets and toasted wood alongside mouthcoating tannins and modest acidity."

Food Pairings

Pairs well with rib-eye steak with blue cheese butter, roasted eggplant with provolone, and dark chocolate mousse with fresh berries.

Product Details

• Producer: Bogle Vineyards
• Region: California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 12 months in American oak
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, plush, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

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. Deep black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar and pine character that expands on the palate and lingers on the finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Deeper and more layered, with notes of pine, sage, ripe cherries, fresh leather, and pressed floral perfume. Refined and plush texture with ripe tannins and elegant notes of dark earth. Drink 2025–2040.

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

About the Wine

Cuvée Laurène is the flagship Pinot Noir of Domaine Drouhin Oregon — the Willamette Valley estate founded by Burgundy’s legendary Maison Joseph Drouhin. Named after Véronique Drouhin’s daughter, this 100% estate wine is sourced from the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills, two of the valley’s most exciting sub-appellations.

The vines are planted at high Burgundian density, forcing competition for nutrients and producing small, intensely concentrated berries. The estate’s famous Jory soil (red volcanic clay) gives the wine its signature red-fruit profile and silky, elegant texture.

Tasting & Pairings

Black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar, pine, sage, mushroom, leather, and dark earth. Full-bodied yet super-smooth with refined tannins and extraordinary length. Decant or cellar through 2040.

• Roasted duck breast with cherry reduction — the wine’s dark fruit and savory depth are a perfect match.
• Wild mushroom risotto or truffle dishes — the mushroomy, earthy character is built for umami.
• Rack of lamb with herbs de Provence — the cedar and pine notes complement herbed meats beautifully.

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Oyster Bay is the wine that put Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the world map — the original expression that won Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World and introduced a generation of wine lovers to the electric, aromatic style that only New Zealand's most famous wine region can produce. Sourced from Marlborough's sun-drenched Wairau and Awatere Valleys, where warm days and cool nights create an extended growing season, the grapes develop intense varietal character while maintaining the crisp, natural acidity that is Oyster Bay's signature. Uniquely Marlborough. Undeniably Oyster Bay.

The nose is stunningly aromatic: tropical fruits — passionfruit, guava, and white peach — leap from the glass alongside bright citrus notes of grapefruit and lime zest. On the palate, it is brilliantly clear and refreshingly zesty, with extraordinary aromatic intensity, a lively, mouthwatering acidity, and a clean, lingering finish. Elegant, crisp, and always refreshing — this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at its most iconic.

"The wine that started it all — Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World. Stunningly aromatic, brilliantly clear, and refreshingly zesty." — Oyster Bay Winemaker

• Producer: Oyster Bay Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Passionfruit, guava, white peach, grapefruit, lime zest, zesty finish
• Style: Light-bodied, vibrant acidity, intensely aromatic
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Fresh seafood, sushi, ceviche, goat cheese salad, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, light appetizers

The wine that started it all — Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the benchmark New Zealand white, and the 2025 vintage is as brilliant as ever.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

• Vinous 92 Points | Opens with earthy notes, dark fruit and dark olives, lifted by a subtle floral character. Fresh and approachable on the palate with a clean, uncomplicated finish. Grapes sourced predominantly from Altamira.
• James Suckling 92 Points | Dark fruit, olives, and floral lift. Fresh, approachable, and clean on the finish — a textbook Reserva Malbec from a top Mendoza site.
• Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Earthy and fruit-driven with dark olive and floral notes. Clean and well-structured finish.
• Wine Spectator 90 Points — Top 100 #33 of 2023 | A charming style showing citrus blossoms, guava, and huckleberry with traces of fresh herbs and cassis. Subtle minerality and fresh acidity nudge the core flavors onto the polished finish.

Winemaker Notes

Bright red with purple shades. Intense floral and fruity notes on the nose — violets, ripe black cherry, and plum — with a toasty, spicy character of black pepper and chocolate. Sweet and juicy on the palate with finesse, delicate tannins, and an elegant finish of black fruits.

• Grape Source: 100% Malbec
• Appellation: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
• Location: Argentina
• Grapes: Sourced predominantly from Altamira
• Country of Origin: Argentina

Winemaker Description

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is the signature champagne of the House. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it offers the perfect balance of structure and finesse. Golden-yellow in color, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. It is pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later brioche. Note the fine balance between the fruity aromas coming from the grape varieties and the toasty notes, the result of the three years of bottle aging. The first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with a symphony of fruit following (pear, lemon). It is a true member of the Brut family, well-structured, admirably vinous.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 91 | This has aromas of grapefruit, pomegranates, and biscuits. It's honeyed and sleek with a medium body and supple bubbles. Soft and creamy finish. Majority Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and Meunier. Around 40% reserve wines.

Decanter 91 | The nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with lovely creaminess to the bright finish. A blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier. Up to 45% reserve wines. Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Wine Spectator 90 | This harmonious Champagne boasts a bright streak of tangerine peel–infused acidity, with flavors of ripe green apple, pastry cream and biscuit, plus accents of crystallized honey and candied ginger, all set on the lacy mousse. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck 89 | A golden straw hue, ripe with aromas of yeasty bread dough, peaches, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied on the palate, ripe and juicy with rounded red berried fruit, a supple texture, a pillowy mousse, and a warming finish. Fresh and inviting. Drinking 2023 to 2026.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage)
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (30%), Pinot Meunier (20%)
Style: Brut Champagne
Aging: 3 years on the lees

Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent — Bordeaux Blanc 2023

Clos des Lunes is one of Bordeaux’s most compelling white wine stories — an estate in the heart of the Sauternes appellation that has dedicated itself entirely to producing world-class dry white wine from legendary sweet wine terroir. Lune d’Argent (“Silver Moon”) is the estate’s flagship cuvée, blending the density and richness of Sémillon with the refinement and precision of Sauvignon Blanc, aged with a touch of French oak to add complexity without obscuring the magic of the terroir.

The 2023 vintage was harvested in multiple passes from August 28 through September 21, allowing optimal ripeness across the blend. The result is a vibrant, medium-bodied white with vivid acidity, a chalky mineral finish, and outstanding depth — floral, orchard fruit, honeyed grapefruit, golden apple, and a lovely umami complexity from the Sémillon. Four critics, four outstanding scores.

James Suckling 93 • Vinous 92 • Jeb Dunnuck 92 • Decanter 91 — “A top value pick!”

• Producer: Clos des Lunes, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bordeaux Blanc
• Blend: 70% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
• Aging: Touch of French oak
• Harvest: Multiple passes, Aug 28 – Sep 21
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Orchard fruit, honeyed grapefruit, golden apple, citrus, chalky minerality, umami complexity
• Best Paired With: Grilled lobster, pan-seared scallops, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, foie gras

Sauternes terroir, dry white ambition, four 91+ scores — Lune d’Argent is one of the great white wine values in Bordeaux.

Winemaker Description

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure from Washington State's renowned Columbia Valley. Bold and expressive, with slight pepper, a round body, dried cherry, silky vanilla, and a concentrated, long velvet finish.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby in color with aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and a hint of cedar. The palate is full-bodied and well-structured with flavors of dried cherry, plum, vanilla, and subtle pepper spice. Silky tannins lead to a long, velvety finish.

Food Pairings

Pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted beef, veal, duck, blue cheese, and dark chocolate. An excellent everyday Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Washington's most celebrated producers.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2020
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA
Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Columbia Crest
Style: Red Wine, Dry, Full-Bodied

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico — Tuscany 2022

Isole e Olena is one of Chianti Classico’s most storied estates, born from the union of two medieval villages in the heart of the appellation. Founded in 1956 by Francesco De Marchi and shaped into a benchmark producer by his son Paolo, the estate has long been synonymous with authentic, terroir-driven Sangiovese. In 2022, the De Marchi family passed the baton to Christopher Descours, whose team — led by longtime estate director Emanuele Reolon — continues the same mission: to give voice to an extraordinary region through wines of superb character. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling and 92 from both Wine Advocate and Vinous.

A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, the nose is layered and expressive: bright red cherries, dried cherries, sweet violets, licorice, and a hint of Tuscan rosemary and laurel leaf. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and supple — silky tannins frame a core of bright red fruit, rose petal, cinnamon, and blood orange, with a crunchy, refreshing finish. Vibrant, lively, and unmistakably Chianti Classico.

🇮🇹 James Suckling 93 — “A layered wine with bright red cherries, dried cherries, sweet violets and a lot of licorice on the nose. Medium-bodied and very supple and refreshing on the palate.” (Vintage 2022). 

🇮🇹 Wine Advocate 92 — “Soft fruit and cherry with light spice and a hint of Tuscany rosemary or laurel leaf. Vibrant and lively quality of fruit in a vintage that also delivers ample ripeness.” (Vintage 2022). 

🇮🇹 Vinous 92 — “An elegant, gracious wine. Silky tannins frame a core of bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG
• Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, dried cherry, violet, licorice, rosemary, rose petal, cinnamon, blood orange, crunchy finish
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roasted lamb, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, pasta al pomodoro

Chianti Classico at its most authentic — Isole e Olena is the benchmark for what Sangiovese and Canaiolo can achieve in the heart of Tuscany.

CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024

CrossBarn is Paul Hobbs’s second label — and one of California’s most compelling values in cool-climate Chardonnay. Drawing on 81% estate fruit from Sonoma Coast vineyards, CrossBarn channels the same winemaking philosophy that has made Paul Hobbs one of Napa and Sonoma’s most celebrated names: minimal intervention, site transparency, and a relentless focus on freshness. The Sonoma Coast appellation is defined by its proximity to the Pacific — cold ocean winds and morning fog that slow ripening and preserve the natural acidity that makes this style so compelling. Partial malolactic conversion in stainless steel adds a subtle creamy texture without sacrificing the wine’s essential brightness and drive. The 2024 vintage is a textbook expression of the appellation.

The color is a luminous pale gold. The nose is fresh, pure, and immediately inviting: green apple, baked apple, ripe pear, lemon peel, and a whisper of bread dough and warm spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and easygoing — generous and juicy, with vibrant acidity, a subtle creamy mid-palate from partial malo, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Crisp, refreshing, and built for the table.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 90 — “Fresh, fruity, juicy, crisp — generous in green apples, baked apples and minerals. Subtle cream and butter from partial malolactic conversion.” (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Estate Fruit: 81%
• Vinification: Partial malolactic conversion, stainless steel maturation
• Style: Bright, fresh, cool-climate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, baked apple, pear, lemon peel, bread dough, warm spice, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Crab Louie, grilled shrimp, oysters, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta

Paul Hobbs’s vision for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — CrossBarn delivers serious winemaking at an honest price.

Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Red Blend 2023

Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s most iconic and respected wineries — a benchmark producer whose Monte Bello Cabernet has competed with the world’s greatest wines, and whose commitment to traditional winemaking is unmatched. Three Valleys, made since 2001, is Ridge’s Sonoma County field blend: a multi-vineyard, multi-appellation wine sourced from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley, crafted in the exact same way as all of Ridge’s wines — open-top tanks, native fermentations, and real oak. It’s meant to represent a vintage more than a location, and the 2023 is one of the finest in recent memory.

The 2023 blend is 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, and 2% Alicante Bouschet, aged 12 months in 19% new air-dried American oak. Floral, complex, and less rustic than usual — the vintage showing classic charm and elegance. A popular by-the-glass pour at restaurants across the country. Order it when you see it.

Aromas of confit cherries, licorice, blackberry, baking spices, wild berries, Italian plums, and lavender. The palate is full-bodied yet light on its feet — expressive raspberry and blueberry, licorice, pepper, and chargrilled herbs — with chalky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, spicy, generous finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points

“Floral, complex and less rustic than usual, the vintage showing classic charm and elegance… A popular by-the-glass pour, order it when you see it.”

Wine Spectator — 93 Points

“Generous and robust yet retains a sense of polish, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors highlighted by licorice and pepper. Drink now through 2034.”

James Suckling — 93 Points

“Aromas of confit cherries, licorice, blackberry bush, baking spices and violets. Full-bodied with a rounded mouthfeel and firmly framed tannins that end in a lush and generous finish.”

Wine Advocate — 91 Points

“Layered aromas of wild berries, Italian plums, chargrilled meats, resinous herbs and lavender. Full-bodied with highly concentrated flavors, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity. Long, spicy finish.”

Track Record

Three Valleys has scored 92 points or above for five consecutive vintages: 94 pts Decanter (2022) | 92 pts WS (2021) | 93 pts WS (2020) | 93 pts WS (2019).

Food Pairings

Grilled lamb, BBQ ribs, braised short rib, aged cheddar, and hearty pasta with meat sauce.

Blend: 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, 2% Alicante Bouschet
Appellation: Sonoma County, California
Vintage: 2023
Aging: 12 months, 19% new air-dried American oak
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 pts JD | 93 pts WS | 93 pts JS | 91 pts WA

Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba — Piedmont 2024

Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont’s most storied and respected producers, with over 140 years of winemaking history in Alba. Their Barbera d’Alba is a benchmark for the variety — a wine that balances the grape’s naturally exuberant acidity and fruit with genuine structure and complexity, drawn from carefully selected calcareous clay and alluvial vineyards in the Barolo zone. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for nearly 12 months in large French and Eastern European oak barrels, the 2024 is a classically built Barbera with real depth and excellent longevity.

The nose is assured and inviting: damson plum, violets, whole peppercorn, and freshly turned earth, with blackberry and ripe dark fruit underneath. On the palate, the wine is generous and full, with a live wire of characteristic Barbera acidity keeping the ripe blue and black fruit fresh and honest. It is approachable now, food-friendly across a wide range of cuisines, and built to age — a must-have from the Pio Cesare lineup.

“Few houses understand Barbera the way Pio Cesare does, and 140 years of practice show clearly in this glass. Damson plum, violets, whole peppercorn, and freshly turned earth set an assured and classic tone. The palate is generous, ripe blue and black fruits fresh and preserved, a live wire of acidity keeping everything honest. Barbera as it should be.” — Wine Enthusiast, 91 points. (Vintage 2024) 

• Producer: Pio Cesare, Alba, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Barbera d’Alba DOC, Piedmont
• Varietal: 100% Barbera
• Aging: ~12 months in large French & Eastern European oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Damson plum, violets, peppercorn, earth, blackberry, ripe dark fruit, vibrant acidity
• Best Paired With: Pasta bolognese, grilled meats, aged cheeses, pizza, braised short ribs

Piedmont’s benchmark Barbera — Pio Cesare delivers 140 years of expertise in every bottle, offering classic structure, vibrant acidity, and genuine aging potential at an exceptional value.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points | "Incredibly elegant yet concentrated 2021 that does everything right." Purple-hued, with ample cassis, wild sage, graphite, and darker chocolate aromatics. Picks up a Graves-like gravelly earth character with air. Full-bodied with ripe, polished tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. Needs 4–5 years of bottle age but will drink well for 30 years.

James Suckling 98 Points | Intense aromas of iodine, blackcurrants, cedar, sandalwood and mint. Medium to full body with silky tannins that spread across the palate and expand in a balanced, harmonized way. Hints of chocolate and tar. Better in a few years — try 2027 and beyond.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Packed with dark, winey flavors of blackcurrant and blackberry paste underscored with alder, sweet tobacco, warm paving stone and black licorice. Violet accent fills the background. Polished finish makes it accessible now, with plenty of life ahead. Drink now through 2042. — Wine Spectator’s #2 Wine of the Year 2024.

Winemaker Notes

A truly remarkable vintage of BV’s iconic flagship. The bouquet is intense with wild sage, blackcurrant, cedar, and fresh mint. The palate is expansive and full-bodied with layers of ripe blackberry, redcurrant, and red rose petal alongside graphite, licorice root, gravelly stone, and dark chocolate. French oak aging adds sandalwood, clove, and Ceylon cinnamon. The signature "Rutherford Dust" tannins are silky, polished, and fine-grained, finishing long with a cocoa powder texture.

Slightly reserved upon release but incredibly drinkable — significant presence, depth, and concentration foreshadowing cellar-worthy potential across the next few decades.

Tasting & Pairings

Cassis, wild sage, graphite, dark chocolate, blackberry, cedar, sandalwood, and Rutherford Dust. Full-bodied with polished, fine-grained tannins and extraordinary length. Decant generously now or cellar through 2042+.

• Prime rib or dry-aged ribeye — the wine’s concentration and tannin structure demand equally serious beef.
• Braised lamb shank with herbs — the sage and cedar notes mirror herbed, slow-cooked meats.
• Dark chocolate truffles — the cocoa powder finish and chocolate aromatics are a decadent match.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 94 Points | Attractive aromas of ripe cherries, dried strawberries, dried orange peel, spices and crushed stones. Medium to full body with compact, firm, finely grained tannins. Smooth and textured with vivid fruit underneath and a lingering finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Rich ruby color. A selection from the best vineyards, aged for two years. Toasted cedar, cherry lozenge, menthol, and spiced orange peel. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins folding into a mineral texture, mouthwatering stony earth, and a long, clean finish.

Robert Parker | Wine Advocate 93 Points | Ripe fruit with measured intensity that never feels heavy or overdone — achieving this level of balance is not easy in a hot growing season. Characterized by an especially linear and direct personality that pushes over the palate with good momentum.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Juicy yet firmly structured with bright cherry and blackberry fruit. Dense tannins inform the finish with accents of earth and mineral. Balanced in a youthful, exuberant way. Best 2025–2039.

Winemaker Notes

Ruby red with a trace of garnet. Elegant nose displaying hints of spice and fruit. Well-structured with smooth tannins and a long finish. Certified organic Sangiovese from one of Chianti Classico’s most historic and beautiful estates.

Tasting & Pairings

Ripe cherry, dried strawberry, orange peel, crushed stones, cedar, menthol, and spice. Medium to full body with firm, finely grained tannins and a mineral finish. Decant or cellar through 2039.

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or grilled lamb — the classic Tuscan pairing for a Riserva of this caliber.
• Wild boar ragù or pappardelle with meat sauce — the tannin structure and earthy notes complement rich, slow-cooked sauces.
• Aged Pecorino Toscano — a regional cheese that mirrors the wine’s earthy, mineral character.

Château Les Gravettes — Bordeaux Supérieur 2019

Bordeaux Supérieur is the appellation that over-delivers — and Château Les Gravettes is a textbook example of why. The 2019 vintage, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory, brings explosive intensity and classic structure at a price that makes it an instant cellar staple.

The wine pours a deep, brilliant dark ruby. The nose is complex and inviting — blackberries, blueberries, baking spices, and walnuts. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with chewy tannins, juicy fruit, and a chalky texture that carries through to a flavorful, aromatic finish. Harmonious and long, with the balance to drink now or hold for several more years.

“Juicy with a chalky texture and a flavorful finish.” — James Suckling, 91 Points

• Producer: Château Les Gravettes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blueberry, baking spices, walnuts, chalky texture, aromatic finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold through 2027+
• Best Paired With: Leg of lamb with herbs, game, goat’s cheese, roast duck

A 91-point Bordeaux at a rock-bottom price — Château Les Gravettes is the kind of find that makes wine lovers smile.

Louis Roederer · Collection 246 · Brut NV · Champagne · France

Louis Roederer is among the last great family-owned Champagne houses, and Collection 246 is its non-vintage flagship — a wine of uncommon ambition and transparency. Based on the 2021 base vintage, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon made a bold call: bumping Chardonnay to 54% (vs. the typical 44%) to navigate a challenging year, blending in 35% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and 11% Meunier. The blend draws on 55% base 2021 wines, 30% perpetual reserve stretching back to 2012, and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask — a Cristal pedigree at a fraction of the price. Triple 93 points from Wine Spectator, Vinous, and James Suckling.

The Collection 246 opens with white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, and biscuit — precise and inviting. On the palate, brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, and slate. The mousse is silky and soft, the finish creamy and chalky with delicate spice and floral accents. Harmonious, impeccably balanced, and built to drink beautifully now through 2030.

Expert Reviews

“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, depth and focus. White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, retaining vibrancy and grace. Chalky underpinning on the creamy finish with delicate spice and floral accents. Drink now through 2030.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Positively stellar. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. No hard angles or awkward contours — impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
— Vinous · 93 Points

“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with very soft bubbles.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

• Producer: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France
• Cuvée: Collection 246 (base vintage 2021)
• Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
• Reserve: 30% perpetual reserve (back to 2012) + 10% Cristal-plot cask-aged juice
• Vinification: 24% fermented in oak; ~30% malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 7 g/L Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, biscuit, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, slate, chalky finish
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, lobster, creamy risotto, Brie, Chaource
• Drink: Now through 2030

WS:93 · V:93 · JS:93 · Champagne — Cristal reserve wines, Chardonnay-forward precision, and triple 93-point acclaim from one of the great family houses.

St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel — Sonoma County, California 2022

St. Francis Winery is one of Sonoma County’s most celebrated producers — a winery whose commitment to old-vine Zinfandel has made it a benchmark name for the variety in California. The 2022 Old Vines Zinfandel is sourced from Sonoma County’s most storied Zinfandel vineyards, where ancient, deeply-rooted vines produce fruit of remarkable concentration, complexity, and character. Bright, lively, and generous, this is a Zinfandel built for immediate pleasure without sacrificing structure — earning a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 90 Points from VinePair, and 88 Points from Wine Enthusiast, and overdelivering at its price point.

The nose is vibrant and inviting: red raspberry, wild blackberry bramble, cranberry, licorice, and barrel spice, with an abundance of berry aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with roasted plum, cinnamon, and earth, set in a framework of barrel structure with well-integrated tannins and a long, smooth, lingering finish. It is approachable, crowd-pleasing, and deeply satisfying — the kind of old-vine Sonoma Zinfandel that disappears fast at the table.

"Aromas of wild blackberry bramble, licorice and barrel spice dominate the nose. On the palate, flavors of roasted plum, cinnamon and earth sit in a framework of barrel structure that lingers into the finish." — Tom R. Capo, Wine Enthusiast, 88 Points. (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: St. Francis Winery, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Zinfandel (Old Vines)
• Aging: Barrel-aged for blackberry, cinnamon & spice complexity
• Closure: Cork
• Size: 750ml
• Awards: Double Gold — San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | VinePair 90 pts | Wine Enthusiast 88 pts
• Tasting Notes: Red raspberry, wild blackberry, cranberry, licorice, roasted plum, cinnamon, barrel spice, smooth finish
• Best Paired With: BBQ ribs, blue cheese burgers, grilled sausage, braised short ribs, aged cheddar

Sonoma’s benchmark old-vine Zinfandel at an honest price — St. Francis is the standard for what concentrated, barrel-aged California Zinfandel can deliver.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 96 Points | #13 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025. Energetic tumble of blackberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant paste injected with bramble and apple wood, supported by a licorice snap accent. Strapping finish laced with violet and iris notes, with a cast iron edge lending bass. Best from 2027 through 2045.   

James Suckling 96 Points | Extremely attractive aromas of blackcurrants and dried flowers with fresh herbs like basil and rosemary. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins, tension and focus. Long and chewy finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | "One of the all-time greats from this château." Smoky currants, tobacco leaf, leather, and chocolaty notes. Sensationally textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied. Plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe building tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. Raised in 60% new oak. Three decades of longevity.

About the Wine

Château Talbot is a 4th Growth (Quatrième Cru Classé) estate in Saint-Julien, one of the Haut-Médoc’s most prestigious appellations. Named after the English commander John Talbot, the estate has been producing benchmark Left Bank Bordeaux for centuries. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new French oak.

With a Wine Spectator Top 100 placement and Dunnuck calling it "one of the all-time greats," the 2022 is a landmark vintage for Talbot.

Tasting & Pairings

Blackcurrant, blackberry, boysenberry, tobacco, leather, chocolate, dried flowers, basil, rosemary, violet, and iris. Medium to full body with firm, velvety tannins and extraordinary length. Decant generously now or cellar through 2045+.

• Rack of lamb with herbs de Provence — the herbal aromatics and firm tannins are a classic Bordeaux match.
• Dry-aged côte de boeuf — the wine’s concentration and structure demand serious beef.
• Aged Comté or Roquefort — the tobacco and chocolate notes complement rich, complex cheeses.

Vietti | Cascinetta | Moscato d'Asti DOCG | Piedmont, Italy | 2025

Vietti is one of Piedmont's most celebrated and historic estates, based in Castiglione Falletto in the heart of the Langhe and renowned above all for their benchmark Barolo and Barbaresco. Yet the Cascinetta Moscato d'Asti is a wine that stands entirely on its own merits — sourced from estate vineyards in Santo Stefano Belbo in the Canelli zone, the most prized area for Moscato Bianco in all of Piedmont, and consistently one of the finest expressions of the DOCG. Delicate, aromatic and irresistibly charming, it is the perfect introduction to the joys of great Italian Moscato.

Moscato d'Asti is a lightly sparkling (frizzante), low-alcohol style — typically around 5.5% ABV — that captures the pure, fragrant character of Moscato Bianco with a gentle effervescence and a natural sweetness that never feels heavy or cloying. The Cascinetta is a benchmark of the style: precise, fresh and beautifully balanced, with the kind of aromatic intensity and delicacy that only the finest Canelli-zone fruit can deliver.

The 2025 pours bright straw-yellow with shimmering hints of gold and a fine, persistent perlage. The nose is intensely aromatic — ripe peach, apricot, rose petals, acacia flowers and a whisper of ginger. The palate is sweet and delicate, with modest acidity, excellent balance and a lingering finish of fresh apricot and white flowers. Serve well chilled at 43–46°F and enjoy young while its freshness and aromatics are at their peak.

A natural partner for fresh fruit tarts, peach desserts, panna cotta, almond biscotti, panettone and light pastries. Also stunning as an aperitif or alongside spicy Asian cuisine.

• Producer: Vietti
• Cuvée: Cascinetta
• Appellation: Moscato d'Asti DOCG
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Village: Santo Stefano Belbo, Canelli zone
• Grape Variety: Moscato Bianco (100%)
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Sweet, lightly sparkling (frizzante)
• Alcohol: ~5.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon — California 2023 750ml

Josh Cellars was founded by Joseph Carr as a heartfelt tribute to his father, Josh — a hardworking man who inspired a lifetime of dedication and craft. Today, Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of the brand and one of California’s most beloved everyday reds. A quintessential Modern California Cabernet — approachable, fruit-forward, and smooth — the 2023 vintage showcases the careful selection of grapes from California’s finest growing regions, crafted to deliver bold character with balanced acidity and silky tannins that make every occasion feel special.

Deep ruby in color, the 2023 opens with aromas of blackberry, toasted hazelnut, and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak. The palate is rich and smooth — dark fruit, plum, and blackberry with a refined vanilla and oak character — leading to a balanced, satisfying finish that is as versatile at the dinner table as it is enjoyable on its own.

“A quintessential Modern California Cabernet — fruit-forward, smooth, and crafted as a tribute to the hardworking spirit of Josh Carr.”

• Producer: Josh Cellars, California, USA
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, plum, toasted hazelnut, cinnamon, vanilla, toasted oak, smooth tannins
• Best Paired With: Well-seasoned beef, grilled pork chops, lamb, Bolognese, aged Cheddar or Gouda, dark chocolate desserts

California’s most approachable Cabernet Sauvignon — Josh Cellars 2023 is a wine built for sharing, celebrating, and everyday enjoyment.

Joel Gott Blend No. 815 Cabernet Sauvignon — California 2022

Joel Gott is one of California’s most beloved winemakers — a third-generation vintner who built his reputation on the simple idea that great wine should be approachable, consistent, and honestly priced. Blend No. 815 is his signature Cabernet Sauvignon — the number refers to the specific blend Joel crafts each vintage from select vineyards across California, always chasing the same benchmark of ripe fruit, velvety texture, and reliable quality. It has become one of the most recognized everyday Cabernets in the country, and for good reason: vintage after vintage, it delivers. The 2022 earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast.

The color is a deep, concentrated ruby. The nose is layered and expressive: raspberries, blackberries, plum, and mocha, with savory notes of damp soil, charcoal, and a whisper of tar that steadily open with air into something genuinely complex. On the palate, red fruit leads into an asphalt minerality, dried plum, dark spice, and espresso bean — velvety tannins carrying through the mid-palate to a long, textured finish of black pepper and cedar. Familiar, satisfying, and built for the table.

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points (Matt Kettmann) — “Savory, slightly reductive aromas of damp soil, charcoal, and tar meet with dark berry on the nose, steadily opening up with air. The palate’s asphalt minerality gives way to dried plum, dark spice, and espresso bean, making for a familiar experience.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Joel Gott Wines, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Blend: No. 815
• Style: Approachable, velvety, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, blackberry, plum, mocha, espresso, dark spice, black pepper, velvety tannins
• Drink Window: Now–2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, burgers, BBQ, lamb chops, pasta with meat sauce, aged cheddar

California’s most reliable everyday Cabernet — Joel Gott 815 is the bottle you reach for when you want something great without thinking twice.

Château d'Esclans | Whispering Angel Rosé | Côtes de Provence 2025

There is a reason Whispering Angel became the world's most recognized Provence rosé: it is simply, consistently, beautifully made. Sacha Lichine and his team at Château d'Esclans set the benchmark for pale Provençal rosé, and the 2025 continues that tradition with the effortless elegance the wine is known for.

Pale salmon in the glass, it opens with fresh peach, strawberry, and delicate red berry fruit, with a floral lift that is quintessentially Provence. The palate is full and lush yet bone dry — pink grapefruit and hints of peach, lively acidity, and a smooth, round finish with real concentration. Grenache provides the body, Cinsault the freshness, and Rolle (Vermentino) the aromatic lift that ties it all together.

Drink it from mid-day to midnight. It goes with everything and offends no one.

James Suckling 91 Points | An elegant and scented nose of pink cherry pits, peach skin and cherry blossoms. Medium-bodied with fresh, round acidity and a textured finish. Elegant and pure finish. (Vintage 2025). 

Pair with: Grilled seafood · Summer salads · Charcuterie · Light pasta · Goat cheese

• Appellation: Côtes de Provence AOP
• Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino)
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Dry Rosé
• Size: 750ml

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Eleven Family-Owned Vineyards

Patz & Hall draws from eleven small, independent family-owned vineyard sites across the Sonoma Coast, unified into a wine of saline freshness, lively red fruit, and structural elegance. The 2021 vintage delivered cool, even growing conditions that preserved natural acidity and exceptional purity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

• Decanter — 96 pts: "Delightful, extra juicy red and black fruits give graciously and generously with a mouth-filling texture and soft, silky tannins. The coolness of the Sonoma Coast takes the salty sea air and places it squarely on the grapes to give this wine a lovely saline finish. The great structural envelope will protect this wine for the future. It will last and last."
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: "Fresh and lively, raspberry and mulberry coulis with a mouthwatering savory edge. Textbook vintage and AVA profile. Drink now through 2031."
• Wine Advocate — 90 pts: "Aromas of red and black cherries, mint, forest floor and allspice. Generous, spicy fruit with grainy tannins and juicy acidity."

Winemaker Notes

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 750ml

Complex aromas of Morello cherry and wild strawberry, with cinnamon, clove, anise, and coriander alongside forest floor and pink flowers. Full palate with good purity, refined tannins, and fresh acidity.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
• Vineyard Sources: 11 independent family-owned sites
• Producer: Patz & Hall
• Vintage: 2021
• Drinking Window: Now–2031
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Exceptional with roasted duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb loin, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma Coast, California 2024

Sonoma-Cutrer is one of California's most celebrated Chardonnay producers — a winery built on precision viticulture, estate fruit, and a commitment to site expression that has earned it a devoted following for decades. The 2024 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is crafted from carefully selected estate vineyard blocks — including the renowned Cutrer and Vine Hill sites — fermented and aged in French oak to build texture and draw out notes of stone fruit, vanilla, and subtle barrel spice. The result is a full-bodied, elegant white that overdelivers at its price point and works equally well at a weeknight table or a formal dinner.

The nose is rich and inviting: ripe pear, golden delicious apple, apple blossom, and honeydew, with warm accents of pineapple and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is lush and medium-to-full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a smooth, lingering finish defined by gentle barrel spice. It is approachable, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Chardonnay that disappears fast.

"Our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay enchants with aromas of stone fruit and apple blossom, complemented by honeydew, pineapple and subtle oak spice. On the palate, it offers a lush blend of ripe pear and golden delicious apple, balanced by bright acidity and a soft mid palate. The finish is distinguished by gentle barrel spice, adding a layer of sophistication." — Winemaker's Notes

• Producer: Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Aging: French oak aging for stone fruit, vanilla & barrel spice complexity
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, golden apple, apple blossom, honeydew, pineapple, vanilla, gentle barrel spice, bright finish
• Best Paired With: Dungeness crab, grilled salmon with lemon-butter, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, soft cheeses

California's benchmark estate Chardonnay at an honest price — Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast is the standard for what site-driven, French oak-aged California Chardonnay can deliver.

Echo de Lynch-Bages — 2nd Label of Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2023

Château Lynch-Bages is one of Pauillac's most beloved estates — a Fifth Growth in classification but a Second Growth in reputation, consistently producing wines of extraordinary depth and character. Echo de Lynch-Bages is the official second label of the estate, drawing from younger vines and select parcels to produce a wine that carries the unmistakable Lynch-Bages DNA: graphite, ripe black fruit, smoked earth, and that signature broad-shouldered Pauillac structure. The 2023 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in new and once-used French oak — a ripe yet classic vintage that earned five critic scores of 89–93 points.

The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose is classically Pauillac: lead pencil, graphite, ripe black fruits, cassis, dark berries, cedar, and a compelling smoked earth character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced — juicy and fine-grained, with ripe, supple tannins, outstanding length, and a firm, fruit-forward finish. Approachable today but built to age gracefully through 2045.

"Classic Pauillac notes of lead pencil, graphite, and ripe black fruits as well as an almost Graves-like smoked earth character. Medium-bodied and balanced, with ripe, supple tannins and outstanding length." — Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points

• Producer: Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: Official 2nd Label of Château Lynch-Bages (5ème Grand Cru Classé)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Pauillac AOC
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
• Aging: 14 months in new and once-used French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: JS 93 | JD 93 | WA 91 | Vinous 90 | WS 89
• Drink: Now–2045 (best from 2026–2027)
• Tasting Notes: Graphite, lead pencil, cassis, dark berries, smoked earth, cedar, supple tannins
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, grilled ribeye, aged hard cheeses, classic Bordelaise cuisine

Five 89–93 point scores and a drink window through 2045 — Lynch-Bages pedigree at second label pricing, in one of Bordeaux's most compelling recent vintages.

#1 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025  |  #8 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025

Château Giscours, a Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is one of Margaux’s most storied estates — and the 2022 vintage may be its finest hour. With almost 60% of the blend drawn from vines over 50 years old, and a historic yield of just 27 hl/ha, this is a wine of extraordinary depth, precision, and generational ambition.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

98 pts — James Suckling: “Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers. Plenty of energy and verve. This has gravity, too. Best after 2029.”

97+ pts — Jeb Dunnuck: “Packed with cassis, black cherries, violets, and graphite-like aromatics. Concentrated and intense, with beautifully ripe tannins, a pure, graceful mouthfeel, and a long, structured finish. Serious depth with remarkable balance.”

96 pts — Wine Advocate: “Deep bouquet of sweet berries, mint, rose petals and pencil shavings. Textural and enveloping, built around lively acids and sweet powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. Why is the 2022 so good? Almost 60% of the blend derives from vines over 50 years old — in a vintage that favored deep, well-established root systems.”

96 pts — Decanter: “Seriously impressive and beguiling — one of the most elegant Giscours ever. Gorgeous clarity and purity, gentle seduction, fresh and lifted, fragrant and juicy with textured tannins. Elegant, finessed, subtle confidence with cool minerality throughout. A compelling wine. Possible upscore in bottle.”

95 pts — Wine Spectator: “Warmed cassis and plum notes, with lilac, violet and iris accents. A flash of black tea on the finish, along with a beguiling, cashmere-like mouthfeel. A pitch-perfect example of the vintage profile.”

• Appellation: Margaux AOC, Bordeaux
• Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2022
• Ageing: 17 months, 50% new oak
• Yield: 27 hl/ha — lowest in estate history
• Drink: Best after 2029 | Will age beautifully for decades
• 750ml | Serve at 60–65°F

In the northernmost commune of Barolo, perched in a castle that has stood since the early 1500s, the Burlotto family has quietly produced some of the most elegant Nebbiolo in Piedmont. Castello di Verduno has been theirs since 1909, and the Massara vineyard — planted on the chalky Marne di Sant’Agata soils that define the commune’s signature minerality — is among its finest expressions.

The 2022 Massara is, by any measure, a seriously impressive Barolo. Vinified in open-top wooden vats with an extended maceration using the traditional submerged cap method, then aged in large Austrian and Slavonian botti grandi, it carries the full weight of its terroir with uncommon grace. Bottled unfined and unfiltered — nothing added, nothing taken away.

On the nose: macerated cherry, new leather, spice, and pomegranate with an exotic, almost heady complexity. The palate is broad and ample, with a lovely textural intensity and a seamless mid-palate carried effortlessly by fine, ripe tannins through a long and structured finish. A standout of the vintage.

• Producer: Castello di Verduno
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG — Verduno, Piedmont, Italy
• Vineyard: Massara — Marne di Sant’Agata (30% sand, 55% clay, 15% limestone)
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Viticulture: Practicing organic, hand-harvested
• Bottling: Unfined & unfiltered
• Drink: Now through 2040+

Expert Review - Vintage 2022:

94 Vinous — “Seriously impressive… broad and ample, with a lovely level of textural intensity and complexity that is exceedingly rare in this vintage.”

Food Pairings: Braised short ribs, roast lamb, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, wild boar ragù.

Ruinart Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs NV — Reims, Champagne

Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in Reims. For nearly three centuries, the house has been synonymous with Chardonnay-driven Champagne of exceptional finesse and elegance — and the Blanc de Blancs is their purest expression of that philosophy. Sourced from the Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Sézanne, this 100% Chardonnay cuvée captures the full spectrum of what the grape can achieve in Champagne: vivid, precise, and endlessly refined.

The NV opens with scents of citrus zest, green apple, lemon (fresh and candied), sliced pear, white flowers, and fresh bread. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, pillowy yet incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit, brisk acidity, and a mouth-filling mousse. Steeped apricot, candied ginger, kumquat, toast point, and salted Marcona almond layer through the mid-palate, with a long, minerally, saline finish that is effortlessly integrated and impossible to stop sipping.

James Suckling 93 — “Lovely balance of juicy fruit and acidity that dances nimbly across the palate. Delicate, silky finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 — “Fresh and racy, yet there’s an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping.”
Wine Advocate 90 — “Vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse.”

• Producer: Ruinart, Reims, Champagne, France (est. 1729)
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Sources: Côtes des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Sézanne
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus zest, green apple, lemon, pear, white flowers, apricot, candied ginger, toast, Marcona almond, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, Dover sole, sushi, fresh goat cheese, caviar, light canapés

The oldest Champagne house. The purest Chardonnay expression. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is the benchmark.

Celebrate with the official Champagne of the FIFA World Cup in this limited-edition Taittinger Brut Réserve bottle. Elegant, festive, and unmistakably Taittinger, this special release brings together the prestige of one of Champagne’s great houses with a bold collector’s label created for the world’s biggest sporting celebration.

Taittinger Brut Réserve is a beautifully balanced Champagne crafted from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Fresh and refined, it offers lively notes of citrus, white peach, brioche, and delicate floral accents, with fine bubbles and a clean, elegant finish. Perfect for gifting, celebrations, Mother’s Day, graduation parties, weddings, and any moment worth raising a glass.

• Producer: Taittinger
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Style: Brut Non-Vintage
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Special Feature: FIFA World Cup Official Champagne — Limited Edition bottle
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white peach, brioche, floral accents, fine bubbles
• Best For: Gifting, celebrations, collector’s piece, parties, weddings

Villa Maria · Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2024

Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s most decorated wine estates, and the Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc is the wine that put them on the world map. A blend of Marlborough’s two great valleys — Wairau and Awatere — it is the benchmark for what Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc does best: vivid tropical aromatics, bright acidity, and a freshness that makes every sip feel like the first. Consistent across every vintage, it earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast (Best Buy), James Suckling, and Wine Advocate in 2024 — and delivers exceptional value at any price.

The 2024 bursts with intensely tropical aromas of passionfruit, lime curd, mango, and white pineapple, layered with cassis, green apple, and white pepper. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, tangy, and ultra-fresh — briny acidity, juicy peach and citrus, and a clean, herb-tinged finish. As Wine Enthusiast put it: like the first bite of a juicy, fuzz-covered peach on a mid-summer’s day.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

“Like the first bite of a juicy, fuzz-covered peach on a mid-summer’s day... a tangy, ultra fresh, slightly slippery little number that is a likable drop in the warmer months.”
— Wine Enthusiast · 89 Points · Best Buy

“Intensely tropical with notes of passion fruit, lime curd and mangoes. Medium-bodied, fruity and straightforward with fresh acidity.”
— James Suckling · 89 Points

“Cassis and green apple, passion fruit, white pineapple and white pepper with briny acidity. Neat, ordered and impressive.”
— Wine Advocate · 89 Points

• Producer: Villa Maria Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Valleys: Wairau & Awatere
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Passionfruit, lime curd, mango, cassis, green apple, white pepper, briny acidity, juicy finish
• Pairings: Grilled fish, oysters, goat cheese, asparagus, Thai cuisine, herb-forward salads

WE:89 Best Buy · JS:89 · WA:89 · Marlborough — the Sauvignon Blanc that put Villa Maria on the world map. Tropical, briny, and built for summer.

Limited Time Offer: Buy 6 bottles and get 1 bottle for just 1 cent. Please add 7 bottles to your cart to receive the offer.

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.

Food Pairings

Stews, grilled meats, roasted poultry, lamb chops, and hearty pasta dishes. A remarkably versatile Malbec at an exceptional value.

— Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine

Château L’Escart Cuvée Eden Organic Biodynamic Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux 2024

Château L’Escart is a certified organic and biodynamic estate located east of Bordeaux near Saint-Loubès, farming 26 hectares of vineyards planted with the full spectrum of traditional Bordeaux varieties. The Cuvée Eden is their flagship expression — a five-grape Bordeaux Supérieur that reflects the estate’s commitment to farming in harmony with nature while delivering a wine of genuine richness and complexity. Biodynamic viticulture treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem, producing grapes of exceptional concentration and terroir character without synthetic inputs. At this price, it is one of the most compelling organic Bordeaux values available.

Intense, bright red with a full-bodied, generous palate. The nose opens with cassis, blueberry, and blackberry, anchored by oak-influenced vanilla and a cedary accent. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, with fine tannins that provide texture and grip through a long, balanced finish. Ideal for the table and versatile enough for everything from a grilled entrecôte to a high-end pizza night.

• Producer: Château L’Escart, Saint-Loubès, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cassis, blueberry, blackberry, vanilla, cedar, fine tannins
• Best Paired With: Grilled entrecôte, lamb kebabs, beef tartare, grilled mushrooms, lentil stew, pizza

Certified organic and biodynamic Bordeaux Supérieur at a rock-bottom price — Château L’Escart Cuvée Eden is the five-grape Bordeaux that over-delivers at every level.