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Pinot Noir | Santa Barbara County, California
Vintage: 2024  |  Size: 750ml

Au Bon Climat has been crafting Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County since 1982 — well before Sideways put the region on the map. Founded by the legendary Jim Clendenen, ABC remains one of California’s most consistent and intellectually honest producers, committed to restraint, terroir, and the long game.

The 2024 is a handcrafted blend from five premier vineyards across the county: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real in the Santa Maria Valley, with a small percentage from Kick On and Los Alamos. Hand harvested, fermented in small lots with daily manual punch downs, and aged 8–12 months in François Frères French oak. The result is a wine of superb structure and earthy depth — red currant, blueberry, and blood orange on the nose, with bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone in the background. Fine tannins, lively acidity, and a finish that rewards patience. Drink now through 2031.

“The possible food pairings are almost endless.”
— Au Bon Climat

Vineyards: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, Rancho Real, Kick On, Los Alamos
Oak: 8–12 months, François Frères French oak  |  Alcohol: 13.5%
Pairs with: Lamb, duck, salmon, mild red sauce pasta

Julien Sunier is one of Beaujolais' most celebrated natural winemakers, known for producing wines of exceptional purity, precision, and terroir expression. Working from his base in the Beaujolais crus, Sunier farms all of his fruit organically and approaches winemaking with a philosophy of minimal intervention — allowing the Gamay grape and the land to speak for themselves. Wild Soul is his ‘anytime red’: a wine conceived for pure, effortless pleasure, and a perfect introduction to his singular style.

The 2024 Wild Soul is sourced from 4.5 hectares of organically farmed vineyards in Régnié, with the addition, for the first time, of some declassified Morgon and Fleurie — making this effectively a Beaujolais Cru blend in all but name. The vineyards sit at high altitude (400 meters), where cooler temperatures and granitic soils produce Gamay of exceptional freshness, aromatic vibrancy, and natural tension.

Vinification follows Sunier's signature approach: cold carbonic maceration without extraction, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and maturation in 3,000-liter foudres on fine lees. Only 10mg/L of SO₂ is added just prior to bottling, and the wine is released unfiltered — preserving every nuance of the fruit and terroir.

The 2024 opens with an open, expressive bouquet of cranberry, tomato vine, and subtle ferrous notes — complex and well-defined for a Beaujolais-Villages. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, poised, and transparent, with fine tannins, lively acidity, and a tensile, persistent finish. Pure, vibrant Gamay at its most compelling. Best served slightly chilled.

"Open and expressive bouquet with cranberry and touches of tomato vine, very well defined and complex for a Beaujolais-Villages… The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very poised and transparent, with a tensile and quite persistent finish. Excellent."
— Vinous, 89 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

Grape: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais, France
Appellation: Beaujolais Villages
Vintage: 2024
Farming: Certified Organic
Altitude: ~400 meters
Élevage: 3,000L foudres; unfiltered; 10mg/L SO₂
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Charcuterie, pâté, roast chicken, duck confit, mushroom dishes, and earthy lentil stews. Serve slightly chilled.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia, 67Wine Buyer: This legendary Bodega produces some of the most classic and sought-after Riojas. The entry-level Reserva is my go-to wine to enjoy with any of my weekend favorite meals. Lovely nose of dark fruit, cedar, and herbs. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a structured finish.

Marqués de Murrieta didn’t just make one of the first Rioja wines — they essentially invented the category. Founded in 1852 by Don Luciano Murrieta, the estate has spent over 170 years refining a house style built on elegance, consistency, and the singular personality of the Finca Ygay estate. The 2022 Reserva is a classic expression: raspberry, blueberry, and cherry on the nose, lifted by thyme, rosemary, and sandalwood, with a juicy, precise palate shaped by fine tannins and a fresh, pleasant finish. Medium-bodied, structured, and thoroughly satisfying.

Blend: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano, Garnacha
Appellation: Rioja, Spain
Estate: Finca Ygay, Castillo de Ygay
Vintage: 2022
Format: 750ml

The Castillo de Ygay — declared a museum in 2019 — sits at the heart of a self-contained estate of over 300 hectares. Led since 1983 by the Cebrián-Sagarriga family, Marqués de Murrieta completed a landmark renovation in 2021, adding 25,000 m² of state-of-the-art production facilities while leaving the estate’s identity untouched. Every variety in the blend — Tempranillo for structure, Mazuelo for acidity, Graciano for freshness, Garnacha for roundness — is grown on-estate and contributes its own personality to a wine that has been made the same way for generations.

“A palpable example of the elegance, consistency and regularity that characterize Marqués de Murrieta. This wine shows the incredible personality of the Ygay Estate.” — Winemaker’s Notes

Winemaker Description

Gilgal wines are premium, quality-aged varietal wines from Golan Heights Winery in Israel — fruit-forward and expressive, produced with the same care and attention to quality as the flagship Yarden label. The coin on the label references recent archaeological excavations that tell an exciting and heroic story of the region’s ancient heritage.

Flavors of blackberry, plum, and raspberry, along with notes of black tea and cocoa, with hints of fresh herbs and French oak.

Kosher for Passover.

About Golan Heights Winery

Founded in 1983, Golan Heights Winery is widely credited with transforming the Israeli wine industry. Situated at elevations of 400–1,200 meters above sea level, the Golan Heights benefits from cool nights, volcanic basalt soils, and a long growing season — ideal conditions for producing structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery produces wines under the Yarden, Hermon, and Gilgal labels, all under strict kosher supervision.

Food Pairings

Roast lamb, braised brisket, grilled ribeye, herb-roasted chicken, and aged hard cheeses. An excellent choice for Passover Seder and holiday celebrations.

Product Details

• Producer: Golan Heights Winery
• Region: Golan Heights, Israel
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Certification: Kosher for Passover
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, fruit-forward Israeli Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc — Sonoma County 2024

Ferrari Carano's Fumé Blanc is one of Sonoma County's most distinctive takes on Sauvignon Blanc — a wine built around the winery's signature style of blending stainless steel freshness with the subtle richness of neutral French oak. The 2024 vintage is crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc with 30% aged in neutral French oak and 70% in stainless steel. The result is a white wine of uncommon depth: vibrant and crisp on the entry, yet round and generous through the mid-palate, with a lees-driven creaminess that sets it apart from the typical Sauvignon Blanc.

The nose is bright and inviting: grapefruit, lemon pith, kaffir lime, and a touch of flint, with lifted white flower and stone fruit accents. On the palate, the wine opens with melon, apricot, and papaya, building toward notes of apple and white tea, with a creamy mid-palate and a fresh, vibrant finish. It is precise, polished, and deeply satisfying — the kind of white that rewards both casual drinking and the dinner table equally.

“Aromas of grapefruit, lemon pith, kaffir limes and flint. The light-bodied palate has notes of melons, apricots, white flowers and papayas. Fresh and vibrant with a generous texture. Delicious.” — James Suckling, 92 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

“Richer than the average Sauvignon Blanc, the winery’s iconic nod to this style includes the use of 30% neutral French oak along with 70% aging in stainless steel. Made from a warm vintage, it shows notes of apple, apricot, and white tea, and you can experience the weight of the lees stirring on the round, creamy middle.” — Tasting Panel, 92 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Ferrari Carano Vineyards & Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc (Fumé Blanc style)
• Aging: 30% neutral French oak, 70% stainless steel with lees stirring
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, lemon pith, kaffir lime, melon, apricot, white flowers, papaya, apple, white tea, creamy finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled white fish, scallops, goat cheese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine

Sonoma County’s most elegant take on Fumé Blanc — Ferrari Carano delivers a Sauvignon Blanc that is both refreshingly bright and luxuriously textured, rated 92 points by both James Suckling and The Tasting Panel.

Groth · Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon · 2022

Groth’s roots in Oakville reach back to 1981, when Dennis and Judy Groth chose a 121-acre property to pursue their dream of growing Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The 2022 bottling is an Oakville red with dark fruit, cedar and a polished structure, suited to a lingering dinner or time in the cellar.

Winemaker Description · 2022 Vintage

The 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine that presents a deep, purple-ruby hue. It offers an elegant bouquet on the nose, with layers, of toffee, blueberry pie, and raspberry compote, complemented by delicate vanilla bean, macerated cranberry, and shortcrust pastry. Herbal notes of bay leaf and tarragon add complexity, enhancing the wine’s refined character. On the palate, vibrant flavors of cherry reduction sauce, tart red plum, wild cherry, and fresh strawberry come to the forefront, while hints of dried herbs, tobacco leaf, and fresh pomegranate juice bring depth and intrigue. The wine finishes with fine, grippy tannins, offering structure and a lively, energetic experience.

Director of Winegrowing Ted Henry

Expert Reviews · 2022 Vintage

An impressive value for an Oakville AVA Cabernet, Groth's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit reticent and slow out of the chute, but aeration brings out nice aromas of black cherries and subtle cedar notes. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, it's medium- to full-bodied but streamlined and silky, showing impressive length and elegance for the vintage. The new-oak component comes in at 45%, imparting just enough structure to ensure a decade's worth of drinkability.

The Wine Advocate · 92 points

This young wine is impressively concentrated, tannic and tight at this stage of its development, but it carries the proper amount of dark fruit, dark chocolate and heady oak spices to gain complexity with age.

James Suckling · 92 points

At a Glance

• Producer: Groth
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
• Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, per The Wine Advocate
• Size: 750ml

Decoy by Duckhorn · California · 2023

Decoy is the approachable expression of Duckhorn Wine Company, bringing the house’s quality-minded style to premium California Cabernet at an inviting price. The 2023 growing season began with abundant winter rain and a cool spring, followed by a long harvest that helped build depth, color, and texture in the fruit.

Deep ruby in the glass, it opens with black cherry, blackberry, mocha, savory blueberry, and sweet baking spice. The palate is rich and supple, with silky tannins, dark berry and cocoa flavors, a touch of barrel spice, and a long, lush finish.

Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
“Dark berry and plum aromas on the nose of this bottling are cut by nutmeg, cola and bittersweet cocoa touches. The palate is quite dry with flavors of dark-chocolate flake and oregano, as dark berry fills in the fruit tones. A very classic California Cab.” (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Decoy by Duckhorn Wine Company
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: California
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Rich, supple, approachable California Cabernet
• Tasting notes: Black cherry, blackberry, mocha, blueberry, cocoa, baking spice, and silky tannins
• Pair with: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, burgers, barbecue, or aged cheddar
• Cellar potential: Enjoy now or cellar for 3–5 years
• Size: 750ml

Duckhorn quality at an everyday price, a polished California Cabernet with 93-point appeal.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

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

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

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

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville · Alexander Valley · 2024

Ridge has championed site-driven California wines since its first Monte Bello in 1962 and first Zinfandel two years later. Geyserville brings Zinfandel and other red varieties together in an Alexander Valley blend with ripe fruit, savory detail and a long finish.

The winemaker note on this listing opens with cranberry and cassis, followed by focused dark bramble fruit, cocoa and clove. Vibrant acidity balances the generous fruit and carries the wine toward an elegant finish. Bring it to the table with grilled or slow-roasted meats.

Winemaker description

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

Ridge Vineyards · Winemaker description

Expert reviews · 2024 Vintage

Vinous, 97 Points; barrel sample: 95–97 — Tasted from tank just prior to bottling, the 2024 Geyserville is one of the very best Geyservilles I’ve ever tasted. It's weightless and elegant but supremely concentrated and packed to the gills with intense flavor. Rich blue fruit, incense, crushed rocks and deeply pitched spice tones march with gravitas from open to close. What a sensational edition of this wine. I can't wait to taste it from bottle.

Wine Spectator, 94 Points — Densely structured yet retains a sense of style and finesse, with deep flavors of black cherry and raspberry accented by dark chocolate, orange peel and dark Asian spices. Finishes with big but refined tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet.

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points — Zinfandel-dominant, the 2024 Geyserville leads with 71% Zin followed by 19% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, and 2% Alicante Bouschet, spending 13 months in American oak. Sticky tannins wrap around full-bodied, concentrated layers of plummy black fruit, dried herb, and dusty tannins, textured but still young.

At a glance

• Producer: Ridge Vineyards
• Vintage: 2024
• Region listed: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Style: Zinfandel-led red blend
• Size: 750ml

An expressive Ridge blend with dark fruit, spice and lift.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A bright, balanced red, with an aromatic overtone of medicinal herbs and spices accenting flavors of macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, stone, smoke, milled pepper and paprika. Lightly chewy on the finish. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Drink now through 2033. (Vintage 2023). 

Winemaker Notes

Benanti Etna Rosso is pale ruby red in color. The bouquet is ethereal and intense, with spicy red fruit aromas. Well balanced and medium-bodied, with a mineral-rich complexity, pleasant acidity, and a saline freshness on the long and lively finish.

Food Pairings

A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with red meats, aged cheeses, grilled fish, and white meats. Equally excellent by the glass.

Product Details

• Producer: Benanti
• Region: Etna DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Grape: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Volcanic red — mineral, floral, saline
• Format: 750ml

Benton Lane Estate Pinot Noir — Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023

Benton Lane is one of Oregon's most respected estate Pinot Noir producers, farming sustainably in the Willamette Valley since 1988. The estate vineyards sit in the foothills of the Coast Range in the southern Willamette Valley, where diverse microclimates, volcanic Jory soils, and a long, cool growing season create ideal conditions for world-class Pinot Noir. Now part of the Huneeus Vintners family — the team behind Quintessa and Flowers — Benton Lane continues to produce estate-grown Pinot Noir of exceptional purity and elegance. The 2023 Estate bottling represents the full expression of the estate's best blocks, delivering benchmark Willamette Valley character at an accessible price.

The nose is pretty and inviting: pure ripe raspberries, fresh floral perfume, wet stones, and pine. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and elegant, floating with fine tannins and a lovely, even finish — a breath of fresh air. Holiday spice, toast, and brown sugar layer over red cherry and forest floor, with concentrated, earthy flavors framed by soft, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity on the long, spicy finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points — "Pretty on opening, with pure notes of ripe raspberries, fresh floral perfume, wet stones, and pine. Medium-bodied, elegant, and floating on the palate, with fine tannins and a lovely, even finish. A highly charming and approachable wine — a breath of fresh air from the Benton-Lane team." (Vintage 2023). 

Wine Advocate 90 Points — "Opens with scents of holiday spice, toast, and brown sugar over red cherry and forest floor aromas. The medium-bodied palate offers concentrated, earthy flavors framed by soft, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity, with a long, spicy finish." (Vintage 2023). 

• Producer: Benton Lane Winery, Southern Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Owner: Huneeus Vintners (Quintessa, Flowers)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Farming: Sustainable, 100% estate-grown
• Soils: Volcanic Jory
• Style: Medium-Bodied, Elegant, Terroir-Driven
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, red cherry, forest floor, holiday spice, wet stones, pine, chalky tannins, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, herb-roasted chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie
• Serve: Slightly chilled, 58–62°F

91pts Dunnuck, 90pts Wine Advocate — Benton Lane Estate is benchmark Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at under $25. It doesn't get better than this.

Château Hyot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2020 · Bordeaux, France

Château Hyot is situated on the slopes just west of Castillon, in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank, a neighboring region to Saint-Émilion known for Merlot-dominant wines of genuine character at value prices. The estate's sandy-gravelly soils act as a natural flavor enhancer, contributing a distinctive minerality and freshness to the wine.

Tasting Notes

Intense color with ruby reflections and a shine. The nose offers black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant and blueberry with toasted notes. The authenticity of the terroir comes through in the tannic structure and fruitiness of the wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Wine Enthusiast (Roger Voss), 91 Points— A well-balanced wine with acidity and black currant fruits, this is structured and juicy. It is set to age well, freshness keeping the fruit vivid. Drink from 2025.

Prior Vintage Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling, 90 Points — Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish.

Details

• Producer: Château Hyot
• Appellation: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, Right Bank, France
• Varietal: Merlot with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2020
• Size: 750ml
• Terroir: Sandy-gravelly slopes west of Castillon
• Pairings: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Le Petit Haut Lafitte · Pessac-Léognan · 2022

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot | Bordeaux, France | 750ml

Producer & Terroir

Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a second wine of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. The estate's gravel soils in the Graves territory provide the setting for a Cabernet-led Bordeaux blend, combining structure with Merlot's supple fruit.

Respect for nature and biodiversity guides the estate's work in both vineyard and cellar. Vines propagated through its nursery on Ile de Lalande help maintain genetic diversity, while organic compost, wooded areas, hedges and beehives support life throughout the estate.

Tasting Notes

Cassis, plum, blueberry and blackberry alongside floral, graphite and spice nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon brings a focused backbone and polished tannins, balanced by fleshy fruit, lively freshness and a long finish.

Expert Reviews - 2022

Decanter, 94 Points (Barrel Sample: 94) Beautiful nose, blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with the Cabernet really giving the backbone, length and overall structure. Feels a bit tense, but it does have texture too so it’s not austere or harsh, just strong. Really well built, delivering power no doubt, but keeping a soft juiciness underneath. Very medicinal - clove, liquorice, unmistakable Cabernet speaking here, but feels clean and well worked. Nothing sticking out too much with body, plushness and cool freshness. Good potential, really impressively constructed.

Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points (Barrel Sample: 92-94) A more straight, focused, structured wine, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot brought up in a mix of new and used oak. It's a powerful, medium to full-bodied, structured Graves offering classic darker, almost blue fruits, some violet, floral, and graphite nuances, fine yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It's another clearly outstanding wine from this team.

James Suckling, 94 Points Aromas of currants and blackberries with orange peel and rose petals follow through to a medium body with racy and polished tannins that go on for a long time. Vivid and energetic. Second wine of Smith Haut-Laffite. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 Points (Barrel Sample: 90-92) A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte possesses a delicate yet perfumed bouquet of cassis, plum, blueberry, dark berries and hints of flowers (violet and lilac). It’s medium-bodied, fleshy, lively and charming, with an elegant yet fresh finish.

Pairing & Serving

Suggested pairings: roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. Serve slightly below room temperature; decanting can help the wine open in the glass.

Wine Details

• Producer: Château Smith Haut Lafitte
• Wine: Le Petit Haut Lafitte
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

A Cabernet-led Bordeaux for lovers of dark fruit, fresh definition and structured elegance.

Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse 2024 · Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy, France

Producer Description

At the top of the Mâconnais hierarchy, Pouilly-Fuissé is Burgundy’s great white wine of the south — and Louis Jadot’s expression is a benchmark of the appellation. Sourced from the villages of Fuissé, Pouilly, Loché, and Vinzelles, this is a Chardonnay of genuine complexity: rich and structured, yet precise and fresh. Judicious oak use adds texture without obscuring the wine’s terroir-driven character.

Vineyard

Varietal: Chardonnay (100%). Region: Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France. Soil: Limestone and clay. Viticulture: Conventional.

Vinification

Fermentation: Barrel fermented. Aging: Partial oak aging, subtle and well-integrated. Style: Rich, structured, with mineral precision.

Tasting Notes

The nose opens with aromas of fresh apple, honey, and white flowers. On the palate, elegant and rich — toasted hazelnuts, citrus zest, and a creamy mid-palate give way to a long, mineral finish. A “mini-Meursault” at a far more approachable price.

Pair with roasted salmon, shellfish in garlic butter, or creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White

Justin Vineyard is one of Paso Robles' founding estates, established in 1981 in the Adelaida Hills — where calcareous soils, hot days, and dramatically cool nights create ideal conditions for Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon. Justin has become the benchmark producer of the appellation, crafting wines of genuine depth, balance, and approachability that rival Napa at a fraction of the price. The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is aged 14 months in traditional small oak barrels, built with the same care as the finest traditionally crafted Bordeaux-style wines.

The nose is aromatic and inviting: red raspberry and black cherry laced with vanilla, soft herbs, and warming spices. On the palate, it is dry, moderately full-bodied, and supple — bursting with bright red plum and ripe cherry, with velvety, well-integrated tannins and nuanced elements of caramel, toasted coconut, fennel, and sage. The long finish turns pleasantly savory with floral notes and a hint of pepper. Remarkably balanced and complex, with a fresh palate that invites another sip.

"Lush aromas of cherry, cinnamon, and candied pecan show on the inviting nose. The palate is silky and generous with ample cherry, vanilla, and spicecake flavors. This is a deeply satisfying and bold Cab at a very fair price." — Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points (Vintage 2023)

Winemaker Notes

Bright ruby red with moderate concentration. Red raspberry and black cherry on the nose with vanilla, soft herbs, and warming spices. Dry and supple on the palate with red plum, ripe cherry, caramel, toasted coconut, fennel, and sage. Long, savory finish with floral notes and a hint of pepper. Pairs well with filet mignon, ribeye, grilled chicken, aged Cheddar, and Manchego.

Critical Acclaim

James Suckling 93 Points: A rich, yet balanced wine with honest cabernet characteristics of savory herbs and graphite as well as cedar, tobacco and cigar box. Full-bodied with cleansing acidity and flavors of black cherry, cocoa and spiced orange rind.

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points: This is a deeply satisfying and bold Cab at a very fair price. Lush aromas of cherry, cinnamon, and candied pecan show on the inviting nose. The palate is silky and generous with ample cherry, vanilla, and spicecake flavors. Editors' Choice

Vinous Media 90 Points: The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with bright raspberry and cherry, complemented by autumnal spice. It is juicy in feel, with a solid core of ripe red and blue fruits supported by vibrant acidity. Gently tannic yet lively, the 2023 leaves a licorice and dark chocolate tinge that lingers.

Tua Rita Rosso dei Notri 2023 · Tuscany, Italy · 750ml

Producer History

When, in 1984, Rita and Virgilio decided to purchase what would become Tua Rita, those lands and buildings were meant to be merely the setting for a place where they could live in harmony with nature, cultivating their own land. But the irresistible drive of their passion for wine decidedly changed everything...

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2023

James Suckling · 93 Points: Lovely crushed berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a crunchy and delicious finish. A blend of mostly merlot and cabernet sauvignon with some syrah and cabernet franc. Drink now.

Decanter · James Button · 90 Points: Rosso dei Notri is Tua Rita's biggest production, at about 150,000 bottles a year. This is the first vintage using concrete alongside the usual stainless steel vats, which in theory should give a bit more softness of texture and fruit expression. Creamy red and black berry aromas carry through to the mouth, where they are joined by overtones of liquorice and violet. Fresh and spicy, this is a fairly straightforward, easy-drinking red which shows lovely purity of fruit. 80% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Drinking 2024 to 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck · Audrey Frick · 91 Points: Pouring a medium red color, the 2023 Rosso Dei Notri is a blend coming from all the cru vineyards and is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the rest Syrah and Cabernet Franc. It’s the entry-level wine but always comes from the cru vineyards and is raised in concrete for six months. The nose of the 2023 is inviting, fresh, and fruity, with notes of mixed berries, apricots, candied flowers, and sweet herbs. It moves seamlessly to the palate and is medium to full-bodied, with a silky texture and a clean, fruity feel throughout. It’s a joyful wine to drink over the next several years. Drinking 2025 to 2028.

Vinous · Antonio Galloni: The 2023 Rosso di Notri, the estate’s entry-level red, is a fine choice for drinking over the next few years. Succulent red cherry, tobacco, spice and leather are nicely pushed forward in this refreshing, juicy red blend of 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Franc. Drinking 2024 to 2027.

Winemaker Description

This youthful offering from Tua Rita is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Franc, harvested in September from vineyards in the foothills of Suvereto, a small hilltop village in Tuscany. After a gentle pressing, the wine is aged for three months in French oak barriques and stainless steel tanks.

Deep ruby red in color, with aromas of black fruits, namely blackberries, plums and ripe black cherries over more subtle notes of cocoa, licorice and sweet spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth, with silky tannins and bracing acidity, showing structural balance long into the finish.

Food Pairings

Pair this wine with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, spice rubbed chicken, or lasagna Bolognese with béchamel sauce.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: Tuscany, Italy
• Appellation: Toscana
• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
• Type: Red

Joel Gott Blend No. 815 Cabernet Sauvignon — California 2023

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 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.

• Producer: Joel Gott Wines, California
• Vintage: 2023
• 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.