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Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 98 Points | Made from old vines and blended from casks of Port averaging 40 years of maturity, this is a rare treat with which to finish an evening. The color is tawny brown, with a light orange-amber rim and mahogany center. Fully developed aromas of cinnamon, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, dried apricots and hazelnuts lead to layered, rich, sweet and creamy flavors and a long, long finish.

Decanter 97 Points | Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The NV 40 Year Tawny is a blockbuster Tawny! Coming all from the estate vineyard and aged 40 years or more in 640-liter oak barrels, it has a touch of ranico-like character as well as beautiful caramelized fruits, toasted spice, cigar, and walnut/nuttiness. Ripe, heady, full-bodied and beautifully complex, it’s going to be perfect for sipping at the end of a meal over the coming couple of decades.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is exotic, with a wide range of baked peach, dried cherry and fig, singed cinnamon, warmed praline, hazelnut and green tea notes all swirling around together. The long finish is rich and  thoroughly comforting.

Winemaker Description 

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

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

Pair with

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

• Traditional: Chilean empanadas or pastel de choclo.

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

Expert Review

Zekun Shuai writes: Dusty wood spices, white stone fruit and a touch of vanilla. This is fresh and creamy on the palate, with a medium to full body and a lengthy, creamy finish. Still energetic. Drink or hold. - James Suckling 91

Winemaker Notes

A CLASSIC, AMIABLE CASK-FERMENTED WHITE WINE CHARACTERISED BY ITS ELEGANT NOTES

The strength of all that is traditional. Produced by the white grape variety that is most characteristic of the Rioja region. Its classic composition means that it can be drunk immediately or laid down for later. A wine that typifies our region A very Riojan white wine.

It remains over its own lees for a minimum of three months in Central European acacia and French and American oak barrels. Each of these contributes its own aromas and fragrances. To taste it is to experience the impact of freshness alongside beautifully elegant notes. It is a wine that is both rich and smooth.

VARIETIES: Viura 100%.

Fermented on its own fine lees in new French Allier, American Missouri and Central European Acacia oak barrels. After fermentation it was kept in the barrels in the presence of the lees for three months.

TASTING NOTES: Pale greenish yellow colour with slight oak highlights. On the nose, the subtle fragrance of toasted oak is perceived on a honeyed background of fresh fruit, seasoned with the peculiar aroma of ripe banana provided by the acacia. On the palate it offers a fresh and acidic entry, combined with the slight taste nuance of oak, under which the caramel sensation persists.

Producer Description 

This brush will not scratch, chip or mar your valuable crystal champagne, prosecco and sparkling wine flutes, nor will it harbor bacteria.

Winemaker Description 

Ugni blanc” gives finesse, elegance and a little acidity. Colombard gives persistence and a lovely fruity taste. This blend of these 2 varieties finds a perfect balance!

Perfect for Aperitif, this is a perfect match with cheese for exemple. Pineau should be served chilled, at 5°C!

Harvest: after maturity controls, grapes are picked-up by hand for the best selection of grapes.

Maceration: a maceration is realized during 36 hours for the best concentrations of all aromas and give the body to our Pineau des Charentes

Pressing: the 2 varieties are pressed separately in a specific pneumatic press
Mutage (fermentation stop): the grape juice (3/4) is blended with ¼ of eau-de-vie de Cognac (at least 70 % volume and age of maximum one year). Adding the eau-de-vie of Cognac with this high alcohol content makes fall down the departure in fermentation, so keeping the natural sugar of the grape
Ageing: this blend will be aged in French oak casks (roux and old) for much more than the minimum required by the appellation which is 5 years to get the mention “Vieux”.

Bottling: a bottling line for all round bottles at Famille Vallet estate.

Château La Chevillardière Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie — Loire Valley, France 2024

Château La Chevillardière is one of the Muscadet appellation's most respected estates, farming 88 hectares of Melon de Bourgogne vines on the granite and micaschist soils that define the finest terroirs of Sèvre et Maine. Claude-Michel Pichon took over from his father Raymond in 2009 and has steadily expanded the domaine, acquiring abandoned plots and planting new areas with a clear mission: to elevate Muscadet's reputation and showcase the genuine typicity that only this corner of the Loire can produce. Sur lie aging — resting on the spent yeast cells through the winter — adds texture and complexity while preserving the wine's essential freshness.

The 2024 pours a clear, pale yellow. The nose is delicate and precise — fresh grapes, white flowers, and elegant mineral tones that speak directly to the granite beneath the vines. On the palate, it's dynamic and focused, with a clear emphasis on freshness and aromatic clarity. The finish carries a distinctive saline quality — the hallmark of great Muscadet sur lie — that makes it one of the most food-friendly whites in the world.

"Our whites are characterized by fresh mineral notes and a real typicity — benefiting from a terroir of granite and micaschist." — Claude-Michel Pichon, Château La Chevillardière

• Producer: Château La Chevillardière, Sèvre et Maine, Loire Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie AOC
• Varietal: Melon de Bourgogne
• Terroir: Granite and micaschist
• Aging: Sur lie (on lees through winter)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh grapes, white flowers, mineral, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, mussels, grilled sole, shrimp, fresh goat cheese, light seafood dishes

A benchmark Muscadet sur lie from one of the appellation's most committed estates — mineral, saline, and the perfect companion to anything from the sea.

Producer Description 

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

Winemaker Description

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

Winemaker Description 

A beautiful structured medium-bodied Shiraz with juicy ripe plum and dark berry flavours. Has fine textures of sweet spice, new leather and a hint of savoury, refreshed with a juicy, plummy finish.

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Pairings: This is a versatile "braai" (BBQ) wine. It pairs excellently with:

• Meats: Grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, or spicy sausages.

• Casual: Wood-fired spicy pizzas or hearty pasta bolognese.

• Vegetarian: Grilled portobello mushrooms or lentil stews with earthy spices.

Cora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo — Abruzzo, Italy 2022 | Magnum 1.5L

The Cora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the kind of bottle that earns a permanent spot on the table — and in Magnum, it becomes the life of the party. A proprietary label crafted exclusively for David Bowler Wine, Cora sources fruit from established vineyards in the Abruzzo region, where the rugged Apennine foothills and Adriatic breezes produce Montepulciano of exceptional depth and drinkability. Fresh, fun, and uncomplicated by design — but built to satisfy exacting standards. At $15.99 for 1.5 liters, it is one of the most compelling value plays in Italian red wine.

The nose is generous and approachable: dark cherry, ripe plum, dried herbs, and a hint of earthy spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with soft, rounded tannins, lively acidity, and a clean, fruit-forward finish that makes it endlessly easy to pour. The Magnum format keeps the wine fresher for longer — and makes a statement at any table.

“Great value wines that are fresh, fun, and uncomplicated, yet satisfy our exacting standards.” — David Bowler Wine

• Producer: Cora, a proprietary label for David Bowler Wine, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Montepulciano
• Format: Magnum — 1.5 Liters (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, ripe plum, dried herbs, earthy spice, soft tannins, fruit-forward finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed within 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled sausages, lamb ragù, margherita pizza, arancini, aged Pecorino, casual weeknight pasta

Generous, crowd-pleasing, and built for the table — the Cora Montepulciano Magnum is the benchmark for what everyday Italian red can be at this price.

Winemaker Description 

Blandy's 5-year old Verdelho is a dark golden brown in color with the characteristic aromatic complexity of Madeira wines - raisins, dried apricots, roasted nuts, toffee and a distinctive marine note. Great with many desserts especially fruit based tarts, cakes, cheeses. Also, a great accompaniment to foie gras.

Clear, topaz color, with a golden rim. Complex nose, revealing a fresh bouquet with raisins, dried fruits, wood and spices. 

Verdelho grapes are hand-harvested and fermented off the skins in stainless steel tanks. Neutral grape spirit is added to stop the fermentation at the desired level of sweetness. Then, the wines are aged in American oak casks and heated in the traditional Canteiro system, meaning they are transferred from higher floors in the lodge where it is warm to cooler floors below. The wine is regularly racked before bottling.

The island of Madeira is known for its distinctive varietal wines. Each varietal defines a particular style. Madeira wines are typically made from only one varietal, each made in one of the four Madeira styles: Dry, Medium-Dry, Medium Rich, and Rich. Madeira wines are fortified with grape spirit and have higher alcohol than so-called 'light' wines.

Winemaker Description

Fruity and fragrant, palatable, fine and elegant in the mouth with a direct and clear flavour and a good persistence. Wild Nature wines, symbolise the outmost care and respect for the soil, terroir and the environment where these wines come from. Pioneers in organic farming since 1974, each Wild Nature bottle's label is dedicated to the wildlife inhabiting their estates, located in Venice and Verona provinces, to further stress their effort to maintain a balance ecosystem and respect for plants and wildlife.

Prosecco Col Fondo is characterized by the deposit of the yeasts on the bottom: it is made according to the 'Ancestrale' method, which was used since ancient times, of second fermentation in the bottle without disgorgement. What is obtained is a dry, fruity and refreshing wine. The prolonged contact with the yeast confers a sapid and decisive finish and well-balanced flavors, with bread crust, green apple and white peach aromas.

Perfect as an aperitif wine, it works well also alongside the main entrée.

Winemaker Description 

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

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

Producer Description 

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

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

Producer Description 

Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, lime zest, white flowers, white peach, lemon grass, and orange peel. On the palate are aromas of pineapple, guava, tropical fruit, Asian pear, candied lemon, and green melon. The wine has a bright acidity and wonderful texture on the mid-palate.

 While the core of this wine is Sauvignon Blanc, the Musqué, Sémillon, and Viognier add a lot of floral notes and viscosity to this vintage. We captured these wonderful floral notes by fermenting each variety separately in concrete eggs, stainless steel drums, and tanks.

The French oak barrels, in which 10% of the wine aged in, were very lightly toasted to preserve the delicate fruity aromas and provide a creamy texture to the mid-palate of the wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Alain Meadows of Burghound writes 95 Points |  Here too the beautifully layered nose is decidedly cool with its more citrus-suffused aromas of green apple, wet stone and crushed fennel. The more refined, if slightly less concentrated, medium weight flavors flash an almost pungent minerality on the beautifully textured, bone-dry and sneaky long finale. This chiseled effort will need at least a few years of cellaring first as it's quite tightly wound today.  - Burghound 95 ♥️

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Charles Curtis, MW of Decanter 94 Points | This village-level wine is a reliable benchmark for the commune. It reflects the sunny character of the vintage with its ripe stone fruit and citrus notes, yet offers depth and complexity as well, with saline hints, flint and fresh white flowers. The texture is silky and approachable. It’s drinking now, but with enough substance to hold for five to 10 years.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a nicely detailed bouquet of green apples. It's a touch spicier than the Bourgogne Blanc with a trace of walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a keen line of acidity sour lemon hints and again that spice that lingers on the aftertaste.

Allen Meadows of Burghound 90-92 Points | A markedly more floral-suffused nose features notes of cool Granny Smith apple citrus and a touch of mineral reduction. The caressing delicious and plump but agreeably energetic medium-bodied flavors possess solid depth and persistence on the balanced firm and highly refreshing finale. This is also excellent for its level and a wine that should drink well after only 3 to 4 years of keeping but age gracefully for a decade. Recommended.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

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

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

Producer Description 

A nectar from one end of the tasting to the other! An intensely golden adornment, a nose of perfectly over-ripe Chenin, underlined by great elegance, a note of almond cream, quince, very ripe peach skin.

The palate is very straight, freshness, tension and sweetness so well integrated, a finish of candy sugar crystals but also the fine bitterness of the schists, it is a very beautiful vintage, a wine built to last and already so pleasant to taste now. It is the cuvée representative of the estate's terroir, i.e. almost five vines.

Winemaker Description

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

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

Expert Ratings

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

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

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

Winemaker Description 

Cidrerie du Vulcain's Poire (Perry) Comment is a perry made from late-season perry pear varieties (end of October-December) such as Plant de Blanc, Fausset and Cloche, Gaubert, Courcou, and Rouge Vigné.

Pear cider from Domfrontais, Normandy made from late season varieties. 2 years aging in bottle and then disgorged. A little residual sugar.

The pure perry juice is fermented on its own wild yeasts and coarsely filtered on white clay. Ancestral method without disgorging: partial fermentation in stainless steel and resin vats, then aging in bottle. No added sulfites.

Argyle Winery | Vintage Brut | Willamette Valley | 2022

Oregon is not the first place most people think of for serious sparkling wine — but it should be. Argyle has been making the case since 1987, and the Willamette Valley’s cool, maritime-influenced climate turns out to be near-ideal for the traditional method: long growing seasons, natural acidity, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and retain the tension that great sparkling wine demands. The 2022 Vintage Brut draws heavily on fruit from the legendary Knudsen Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected sites in the valley, which contributes natural weight, brightness, and a distinctive character that sets this wine apart from its non-vintage counterparts. Golden apple and Anjou pear lead the nose, layered with vanilla and toasted cake crust — opulent without being heavy. On the palate, apple, cherry blossom, and spiced cinnamon flavors linger at length, carried by a foamy mousse and vivid acidity. A classic modern vintage from one of America’s most important sparkling wine producers.

• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Method: Traditional method (Méthode Classique)
• Key Vineyard: Knudsen Vineyard
• Dosage: Brut
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Sustainable

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator | 90 Points: Appealing for its easygoing flavors of apple, cherry blossoms and spiced cinnamon that linger at length.

Pairing Suggestions

• Celebration: A versatile aperitif for any occasion that calls for bubbles.
• Seafood: Oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, or smoked fish.
• Casual: Fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or brunch dishes.

Roc de L’Abbaye Sancerre L’Antique — Saint-Satur, Loire Valley 2024

L’Antique is one of the founding cuvées of Roc de L’Abbaye — created 30 years ago as a tribute to the winemaker’s grandfather and his philosophy of minimal intervention. The grapes come from the best Silex hillsides in the village of Saint-Satur, one of Sancerre’s most prized terroirs, where the flint-rich soils impart the signature stony minerality that defines great Loire Sauvignon Blanc. True to its heritage, L’Antique is made unclarified and lightly filtered, allowing the full elegance of the terroir to express itself without interference. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points. Decanter 92. This is Sancerre as it was meant to be made.

The nose is flowery and complex, drawing you in with muddled green pear and keeping you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. On the palate, vibrant stony minerality is in perfect sync with Gala apple on a lengthy, precise finish. Flinty, bright, and punchy with citrus and grassy notes — everything that makes Sancerre one of the world’s great white wines.

“This wine has a flowery, complex nose that draws you in with muddled green pear and keeps you there with aromas of dried hay and lemon blossom. The stony palate boasts vibrant minerality that is in sync with Gala apple on the lengthy palate.” — Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Roc de L’Abbaye, Saint-Satur, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
• Cuvée: L’Antique
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sancerre AOC
• Terroir: Silex (flint) hillsides, Saint-Satur
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Unclarified, lightly filtered — minimal intervention
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green pear, dried hay, lemon blossom, Gala apple, stony minerality, flinty citrus, long precise finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, herb-roasted chicken, asparagus, or Le Pico chèvre

A 93-point Sancerre built on Silex terroir and three decades of tradition — Roc de L’Abbaye’s L’Antique is the benchmark for what great Loire Sauvignon Blanc can be.

Winemaker Description

This exquisite blend of grapes, stemming from four different harvests, showcases its strong personality through a symphony of fruits and a full-bodied, elegant presence. Singular in its expression of terroir, a revelation of the variety that nature offers from one year to the next.

Réserve Rosé evokes romance and harmony. The initial nose reveals fresh red fruits with a touch of brioche. The first sensation is reminiscent of biting into a perfectly ripe Morello cherry, bursting with full and mature aromas. Powerful, yet remarkably subtle with an extraordinarily long-lasting finish.

Expert Review

Yohan Castaing of the Wine Advociate writes 90 Points | A blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Tibouren, 5% Syrah and 3% Carignan, the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose Lampe de Meduse possesses a fresh, fruit-driven bouquet with aromas of citrus, lemon oil, red berries, wild strawberry and menthol. Crunchy, juicy and perfectly balanced with a medium-bodied palate, it’s long and penetrating with lively acids, an iodine-salty finish and a clean and mouthwatering texture.  Drinking 2023 - 2025. (2022).

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cranberry and aniseed. It is very soft on impact, with flavors of raspberry, cassis, milk chocolate and licorice. Satiny tannins hold off on the palate at first, make their presence known and then slip away in time for a bright finish. 

Willamette Valley Chardonnay Blended Across Seven Distinct Soil Types

Rex Hill is one of Oregon’s most respected Willamette Valley estates, and the Seven Soils Chardonnay is a testament to the appellation’s remarkable diversity. A blend of Chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity — spanning seven distinct soil types — fermented and aged in small French oak barrels, this is a lighter-bodied, energetic Oregon Chardonnay with the tropical fruit character and creamy texture that make it a compelling alternative to heavier, more oak-driven styles.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

• Wine Enthusiast — 91 pts: "The wine’s dominant tart pineapple aroma is tempered by bursts of brown sugar and chalkboard dust. The tropical theme continues on the palate, with tangerine, coconut and orange-cake flavors gliding along a creamy texture. A lighter-bodied Chardonnay with energetic acidity and a nice finish."

Winemaker Notes

A blend of Chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity, fermented and aged in small French oak barrels for depth and longevity. The Seven Soils name reflects the diversity of soil types across the sourced vineyards, each contributing distinct character to the final blend.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Producer: Rex Hill Vineyards & Winery
• Vintage: 2021
• Aging: Small French oak barrels
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural match for Pacific Northwest cuisine — exceptional with roasted halibut, pan-seared scallops, lobster bisque, roasted chicken, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars — AVETA Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Appellation: Napa Valley, California | Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc | Format: 750ml

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars needs no introduction — the Napa Valley estate that stunned the world at the 1976 Paris Tasting with its Cabernet Sauvignon is equally masterful with white wine. AVETA, named for the Celtic goddess of springs and water, is their Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc: a wine of remarkable freshness, aromatic complexity, and thirst-quenching precision that stands apart from the richer, oak-driven California white wine style.

The 2022 is bright, lively, and unmistakably Napa — fragrant, fruit-forward, and built for the table.

Critical Acclaim

Wine Enthusiast — 92 Points
“Lively aromas and inviting flavors of mixed tropical fruits, wild grasses and wet stones make this wine mouthwatering and inviting through a lengthy finish.”

Winemaker’s Notes

Fragrant aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, citrus, lychee, and orange blossom. Bright and lively on the palate with thirst-quenching acidity and pure flavors of mandarin orange and honeysuckle that lead to a lasting aftertaste.

Wine Details

• Producer: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml

Food Pairings

Fresh fish ceviche, crab cakes, grilled oysters with mignonette sauce, sushi, goat cheese, and light citrus-dressed salads.

From one of Italy’s most storied wine dynasties, the Antinori family has been crafting wine in Tuscany for over six centuries. Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore is a benchmark expression of the appellation — deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition, with soft, velvety tannins and a refreshing, food-friendly palate that makes it one of the most versatile Italian reds at this price point.

The 2023 vintage pours ruby red with purplish highlights. The nose is rich with morello cherry, aromatic herbs, and balsamic notes. On the palate it is soft and mouth-filling, with velvety tannins and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairings: Pasta with tomato-based sauces, pizza, grilled meats, aged pecorino, and charcuterie boards.

Varietal: Sangiovese-based blend
Style: Chianti Superiore DOCG
Producer: Marchesi Antinori
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of The Wine Enthusiast writes 94 Points | Medium straw colored, this wine has a bouquet of carambola, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. A soft floral note joins white peach, jasmine, lemongrass and dried apricot flavors set into a full-textured wine with well-matched acidity. Notes of wildflowers and bright citrus fruit endure on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Made of 100% Istrian Malvasia grape from four vineyards (Kastanjari, Vrh, Santa Lucia, Baredine) located on the west coast of Istria, in an area called Buje (in Croatian, Bujstina), just 50 miles away from Venice. They are 100 meters high on a little hill, a few miles away from the shore. Aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees. Look for alluring aromas of camomile, acacia, lime zest, quince, pear, apricot and ripe nectarine.
 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

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

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

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

Winemaker Description 

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

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

Winemaker Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

96 Points James Suckling | Mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit with a touch of spice. A bright and linear Capellania that shows excellent tension, freshness and complexity. Long and appetizing finish. More taut and gastronomic now. 100% viura. Drink now or hold. 

95 Points Tim Atkin | The cooler 2018 vintage was ideally suited to the production of high-quality whites like this pure Viura from a six-hectare plateau at 485 metres within the extensive Castillo Ygay estate. Modern, perfumed and poised, it has finely integrated French oak, fennel, thatch and beeswax aromas, herbal complexity and a nutty, fragrant, citrus zest palate. 2025-40 

94 Points Wine Advocate | To catch up with the current vintages that I shall review every 12 months from now on, I tasted two vintages of some of the wines, including the whites. The 2018 Capellanía is 100% Viura from the plot that names the wine. The vineyard is six hectares planted in 1945 at 485 meters altitude, the highest in the estate. It fermented in concrete, the first vintage to do so, as it was fermented in stainless steel until then, and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. It spent a further seven months in concrete, a long élevage, with the idea to produce a structured white with aging potential, while keeping the varietal character. The wine is subtle and elegant, following the path of all the wines in the portfolio here, still marked by the élevage in oak, spicy and smoky. The palate is balanced, with a nice combination of fruit and oak, with a soft texture, clean, focused and tasty. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.1 and 6.10 grams of acidity. 21,836 bottled and 688 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. This is now released with the Gran Reserva back label.