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The 2019 is a Vintage Champagne of remarkable balance. Champagne Leclerc Briant Millésime 2019 is grafted with Pinot Noir in equal parts from both Grands Crus villages of Very and Mailly, and with Chardonnay from famous Mesnil-sur-Oger, giving a 100% Grand Cru provenance cuvée. 

96 Jeb Dunnuck &  95 James Suckling Points - The 2019 Champagne Millésime Extra Brut boasts a bright yellow/straw color and delivers intense, precise notes of fresh pear, bright crushed stones, delicate flinty reduction, Meyer lemon, and fresh lemongrass. 

SINGLE VINTAGE 2018 - From a warmer 2018 vintage - As described by the property: "A Champagne chiseled in its expression of greed, promoting a pleasure of all moments and revealing fruity aromas and freshness”. 

CERTIFIED ORGANIC and VEGAN

94+ Jeb Dunnuck It pours a rich, youthful yellow hue and is forward in its expressive notes of toasted oak spice that are very assertive and joined by notes of toasted croissant, orange marmalade, white pepper, and ripe red berries. 

Winemaker Description 

A richly flavored red with autumnal aromas, plush red/black fruits and peppery spice. Few other Provençal reds can match the power and grace of this bottle (its form a traditional Normandy "Calvados" shape that only Gourgonnier uses).

This is a classic "barbecue wine" but with enough elegance for a formal dinner.

• The Perfect Match: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

• Casual: Wood-fired pizza with olives and sausage or a hearty Ratatouille.

• Vegetarian: Roasted eggplant with miso or lentil stews.

Antonio Galloni, VINOUS 92 : The 2021 Brut Nature Blanc de Sable is soft, understated and creamy. This is an especially finessed style of Chardonnay with no hard edges. Intensely floral aromatics meld into a core of citrus fruit. All the elements are so nicely balanced. There's so much to like. All that is missing is a bit of depth in the mid-palate. No dosage. Disgorged: April 2024.

Vinous 94: The 2018 Brut Nature Blanc de Sable, 100% Chardonnay from Cheney, is the most impressive of the five Champagnes I tasted from Vincent Cuillier. The Blanc de Sable straddles the line between Champagne and Coteaux Champenois. It has a beautiful, striking duality that works so well here. A kiss of French oak adds complexity. Like all the Champagnes here, the Blanc de Sable was bottled with no dosage, but the lack of sugar is not at all evident.

Winemaker Notes

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is a good bit lighter and brighter than last year, unsurprising given the conditions of this long, cool growing season. Layers of rose petal, sweet black cherry, asphalt, crushed rocks and blood orange unfurl in a nicely focused, elegant wine with sweet tannins and a sexy finish.

James Suckling 92 Points | A racy beam of acidity runs through raspberries, cranberries and red cherries. That mouthwatering fruit is wrapped up in anise, grilled sage and tilled earth. Balanced, rich and full of life. Drink or hold.

Schloss Lieser SL Feinherb Estate Riesling has herbal and minerally aroma, really flinty on the nose. Has aromas of fruit and slate that lead to a fresh and round palate with a salty finish.

Winemaker Description

New World precision meets Old World Soul for a “Right Bank” of Napa claret with unparalleled deliciousness, depth and complexity. The 2018 vintage of POV makes its presence known in an emphatic way.

Summer-fresh tart bing cherry, ripe raspberry and blackberry bramble lend a crispness from first sip to last. Secondary notes of rose petal, fresh oregano, forest floor and mocha nod to the terroir of the Mayacamas foothills in the northern reaches of Los Carneros, rich in red soil and farmed with organic, regenerative practices.

The wine is framed in elegant, understated French oak with a savory core that will continue to open and evolve as the wine ages. 

Winemaker Description 

Pale golden color. Peach and apricot aromas are dominant and quince traces. There are floral notes of chamomile, jasmine and herbs. Rich flavor with the same dominant aromas. On the palate well-balanced acidity, full-bodied with a fine finish. 

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA 2025): The Aspros Lagos (the winery's premium, barrel-fermented Vidiano) 2024 vintage was noted as "Broad and welcoming with an ambrosial tropical richness".

Practicing Organic • 100% Chardonnay (Mt. Eden Selection) • Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (Sta. Rita Hills AVA) • Sourced from the original 1971 own-rooted vines • Elder Chert and shale over clay soils • Whole cluster pressed to tank • Native yeast fermentation • Racked into barrels and puncheons (15% new oak) • No battonage and full malolactic fermentation • Aged 10 months sur lies before going back to tank for an additional 3 months • 222 cases produced   • 13.1% abv  

WINE ADVOCATE:96 The 2023 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard opens with aromas of golden apple, white chocolate, fennel and citrus rind, delivered with the omnipresent combination of class and restraint that defines the site. The palate is dense, supple and concentrated, before springing into a driving, prescient finish grounded by a waxy richness and a phenolic grip. While the La Rinconada bottling offers a touch more intensity and invigorating energy in this vintage, this is one of the most definitive renderings of the vineyard, and it should evolve fantastically in bottle.

Practicing Organic • 100% Chardonnay (Wente, 15, 76, and 4 clones) • Mae Estate Vineyard (Sta. Rita Hills AVA) • Planted in 2017 • Elder series and Tierra complex sandy loam soils • Hand-harvested • Whole cluster pressed to tank to settle overnight • Native yeast fermentation in barrique and puncheon • No battonage • Fermented and aged 10 months in French barrique and puncheon (20% new) • Additionally aged 8 months in stainless steel before bottling • 398 cases produced • 12.8% abv   

VINOUS 95 The 2023 Chardonnay Mae Estate Vineyard pours a very light, crystalline yellow color, yet its weight and depth belie that translucent hue. Chalky and powdery in texture, it's a wine of excellent harmony and nuance that sings in perfect resonance all the way from start to finish. A fleshy, rich stone fruit profile leads the charge but, highlighted by shades of salty minerality and an almond-oil-like richness that lends a viscosity to the mouthfeel. Another excellent 2023 Chardonnay from Justin Willett. 

WINE ADVOCATE 93 The 2023 Chardonnay Mae Estate opens with a lovely bouquet of citrus curd, fennel and pastry cream, followed by a spongey, pure and succulent palate. The finish is understated and driven by an even-keeled finish that lingers with bright, chiseled acidity. This is a stellar example of the northern corridor of Sta. Rita Hills, and it will be an increasingly formidable presence in the Tyler roster as the vines mature.

Aged 18 months in 228L French barriques (20% new) and 500L neutral puncheons • Ony 153 cases produced   

Wine Advocate 96+ :  Always a centerpiece of the Tyler range, the 2023 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard is distinguished by an additional layer of high-resolution clarity in this vintage, elevating what is routinely one of the region's finest Chardonnay expressions. It combines a sumptuous, textural power with an equal measure of incredibly focused, mineral-driven energy throughout. Radiant, pure, herbal and honeyed on the nose, the palate exudes a broad, powerful muscularity that glides smoothly into a seamless, measured and mouthwatering finish that lingers with chalky grip.

VINOUS 96: The 2023 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard is an alluring, incredibly textural wine, with a generous, ample personality and impressive delineation of flavors. Mint, toasted spices, yellow apple, chamomile and chalk embrace a sumptuous, creamy mid-palate, leading to a finish of great precision. This is a beautifully balanced white with tons of suaveness and a clear mineral accent.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 93 Points | Generous aromas of preserved lemons, flint, grapefruit and brioche. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy, medium-bodied mouthfeel and bright acidity, giving flavors of yellow apples, sliced pears and baking spices. Well balanced, with underlying power. 

The Wine Spectator by MaryAnn Worobiec 89 Points | Fresh pear, apple and citrus notes are elegant on a light and sleek frame, with elements of citrus zest and ginger lingering on the finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The more backward 2022 Pintas has the nose of a dry Port, all violets, ripe plums and aromatic herbs, with plenty of spices, toast and smoke from the élevage in French oak barrels, 20% of them new, for 20 months. It needs time to integrate the oak and polish the tannins. 

James Suckling 95 Points | Abundant dark fruit with touches of blueberries, delicate violets and graphite on the nose. On the palate it is fleshy and medium- to full-bodied, perfectly balanced by a refreshing spark of acidity that carries through to a clean, bright finish. Supple tannins. This is an old field blend of more than 40 varieties. Versatile and delicately structured. Drink now or hold.

The Wine Spectator 94 Points | Bursting with brambly boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors and fragrant notes of mountain herbs, graphite and woodsy spices, this fresh, focused red shows concentration and length in an appealing, medium-bodied frame. There's a chalky feel to the integrated tannins, providing fine structure through the finish, which echoes fruit and spice elements, with a salty, iron-laced tang. Classy. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Rufete. Drink now through 2035.

Winemaker Description 

Full-bodied and deep, Pintas shows spicy and floral aromas and flavors of blackberry and dark chocolate. Ripe, round, and balanced with notable acidity, it has fine tannins and a long, persistent finish.

The harvest was planned for the second week of September in perfect weather conditions. All grapes previously selected and de-stemmed were foot trodden in stone lagares during all the fermentation process (10 days). The aging and malolactic fermentation was developed in french oak barrels during 20 months.

Varietals - Tinta Amarela, Rufete, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca 

Winemaker Description 

Siituated just below premier cru Aux Argillas on the slope in northern Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Bousselots provides an impressive showcase for the vigorous minerality typical of this village. Drag farms a half-hectare parcel of Bousselots that abuts the well-regarded premier cru Les Chaignots to its immediate north, and this bottling possesses a murmuring stony intensity which contrasts the often-floral character of its immediate neighbors. Notes of bright red fruits, warm leather, and dark dust orbit a core of iron-like mineral enormity, and its sinewy, densely concentrated palate promises plenty of positive evolution.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Allen Meadows Burghound writes 91 Points | Ripe but cooler aromas include those of plum liqueur, black raspberry and airy floral nuances. There is excellent energy to the delicious and nicely detailed flavors that exude evident minerality on the borderline rustic, youthfully austere and balanced finale where the only nit is a subtle hint of warmth that doesn't really detract from the overall sense of harmony. Note that this dusty and moderately austere effort could use more depth so this will require at least mid-term cellaring.

Winemaker Description 

Bitouzet’s formidable Bourgogne Rouge comes from a hectare’s worth of Pinot Noir planted between 1963 and 1970 in the lieu-dit Petit Près, situated just below the villages-level Volnay vineyard Les Pasquiers near the Meursault border. Aged entirely in used barrels for 12 months, it leads with fruit— small-berried, finely etched fruit—but possesses ample minerality and a notable sense of refinement for its level. 

Expert Review - VIntage 2023 

Allen Meadows Burghound | Slightly more elegant aromas include those of red currant, cherry and softer earth influence. There is slightly better size, weight and mid-palate density to the medium weight flavors that possess a caressing mouthfeel while delivering solid depth and persistence on the bitter pit fruit-inflected finale. This is quite good for its level and worth a look.

Winemaker Description 

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

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

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

Winemaker Description 

The wine is showing light legs, an intense and powerful nose which reminds us of the veil of the flor, chalk, dried fruits as well as citric, salty and mineral notes.

On the palate, the wine is fresh, salty and tasty. The finish is persistent and balanced, reminding us of salt, hazelnuts, yeast and green olives, with a dry and slightly bitter aftertaste.

The Macharnudo and Carrascal pagos express the best of our soils in this intense, salty and flavour some Fino.The Solera, with over 6 years of biological ageing, is made up of a total of 139 casks, from which number 79, 95 and 96 were selected, all found on the second floor of the Gran Bodega Tio Pepe.

Memo Summary Notes

That's a very specific and excellent sherry! The Tio Pepe Una Palma Fino Saca 2021 is part of a special, limited-edition collection of Fino and Amontillado sherries from González Byass in Jerez.

Here is a summary of the details for this particular release:

🌟 Key Characteristics
* Type: Fino Sherry
* Producer: González Byass (Tío Pepe)
* Origin: D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Spain
* Grape: 100% Palomino Fino
* Ageing: Approximately 6 years under a dense layer of flor (a veil of yeast) through the traditional Solera system.
* Saca (Bottling Release): 2021 (Bottled in October 2021)
* Style: "Una Palma" (One Palm) indicates it's the youngest and freshest in the "Las Palmas" series, but still an older and more intense Fino than the standard Tio Pepe. It is typically bottled "en rama" (unfiltered or lightly filtered) to retain maximum flavor and character.
* Bottle Size: 500ml (50cl)

* The Saca 2021 is celebrated for its concentration, intensity, and purity of the flor character:
    * Appearance: Pale yellow to bright golden color.
    * Nose: Intense and powerful, dominated by yeasty notes from the flor (like fresh  bread or brioche), combined with aromas of almonds/nuts, chalk/talc, seaweed/brine, and sometimes a hint of bruised or green apple.
    * Palate: Bone-dry, full-bodied, fresh, and intensely salty (saline) and savory. It offers flavors of green olives, hazelnuts, and a persistent, slightly bitter, yet balanced finish.
    * Overall: It is an intense, concentrated, and very dry sherry that beautifully captures the essence of prolonged biological aging.
* 🍽️ Pairing
This Fino is an ideal aperitif and pairs wonderfully with:
    * Traditional Spanish Tapas: Almonds, olives, Jamón Ibérico.
    * Seafood: Anchovies, sushi, sashimi, smoked fish.
    * Complex Dishes: Artichokes, asparagus, and Asian cuisine, which can be difficult to pair with other wines.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

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

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

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

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

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

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

• Spanish Classics: Aged Manchego cheese.

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

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

Winemaker Description 

With a straw yellow colour, Yzaguirre Blanco Clasico Vermouth has an intense aroma with herby and spicy notes. Mild balsamic touches give it a pleasant and very unique structure. Fresh and smooth in the mouth and very well balanced, it has notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

Excellent as an everyday aperitif. Serve with 2 anchovy-stuffed olives, 2 or 3 ice cubes and a twist of orange. Serve very chilled.

Memo Summary Notes

The Yzaguirre Blanco Clásico Vermouth is a well-regarded example of the Spanish style of white vermouth, produced by Bodegas Yzaguirre, a house with a long history in the Catalan region (between Reus and Tarragona) dating back to 1884.

Yzaguirre's vermouths are made using traditional, artisanal methods and a blend of over 80 aromatic herbs and spices that are macerated (soaked) in a white wine base.

Cocktails: It works excellently as the Bianco/Blanc component in various cocktails, often where a sweet, less bitter white vermouth is desired:

• White Negroni (often with Gin, and a bitter like Suze or Luxardo Bitter Bianco).

• Martini variations (as a sweeter alternative to Dry Vermouth).

• V&S (Vermouth and Soda): Simple, refreshing, and popular in Spain.

  
  

   

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

The Wine Enthusiast by Michael Alberty writes 90 Points | This modest Pinot Gris offers uncomplicated refreshment for a modest price. The show begins with outdoorsy aromas of Asian pear, honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass. The flavors are just as pleasing, with lemon curd uniting with notes of ginger, thyme and a touch of green tea. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2024 Acrobat Pinot Gris is refreshing and approachable, offering flavors of pear, guava, and honeydew melon with a touch of minerality. Bright acidity lifts this medium-bodied wine, imparting energy and length on the finish.

Winemaker Description 

Sea Sun is a California Chardonnay whose character speaks to the state's unique coastal regions. Our diverse vineyard sites span several hundred miles, and even subtle differences in temperature and the strength of the wind leave their mark on the grapes. The result is a wine of broad appeal, a perfect balance of lush and crisp — featuring scents of lemon zest and flavors of peaches and apricots.

Led by winemaker Charlie Wagner, Sea Sun focuses on sourcing grapes from California’s "premier coastal regions" where the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean (the "Sea") balances the heat (the "Sun"). This results in wines that are generally fruit-forward, widely appealing, and accessible in price.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous 94 Points | The 2022 Riesling Terrassen Smaragd is from 20- to 60-year-old vines planted on higher parcels at 250-350 meters. The nose has something of an eau de Cologne sense, with its conifer and citrus spice. The palate is super slender, very linear and uncompromisingly fresh, without a suspicion of fat or any opulence. This treads a thin line on perfect tiptoe. There is a weightless quality here. This is brimming with lemon and utterly fresh.

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | With fullness to the lychee, green plum and quince flavors, this delicious, mouthcoating and salty white is laced with baking spice notes. Stays elegant and well-defined despite its plump profile, offering zesty clementine acidity, with dried sage and fresh-cut grass notes bringing a savory dimension. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Description 

Wachau Riesling is dry and often defined by high levels of dry extract (due to a lengthy ripening period) and a pleasing freshness (due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night). Soils of primary rock from various terraced sites give this dry Riesling subtle minerality accompanied by aromas and flavors of citrus and stone fruit.

Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame a certain amount of saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette can.

Rudi Pichler is among the elite growers of the Wachau producing wines of precision, power, and longevity. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling make up 95% of the production with the remaining 5% shared between Weißburgunder and Roter Veltliner. Rudi Pichler belongs to the prestigious Vinea Wachau and vinifies under the strict parameters of their codex.

Yields are kept low between 30 and 35 hectoliters per hectare with botrytis carefully removed by hand.  Grapes are crushed by foot and receive between three and 36 hours of maceration on the skins. Vinification is entirely in stainless-steel tanks and malolactic fermentation is avoided.

Weingut Rudi Pichler consists of 37 acres spread between Wösendorf, Joching, and Weißenkirchen where south-facing terraces look down at the Danube River. Terrassen indicates it is a cuvée from multiple terraced sites. Smaragd is a term used by Vinea Wachau members indicating a dry wine with a minimum alcohol of 12.5%.

Winemaker Description

Very fresh and delicate nose with citric and floral notes. On the palate, the wine shows great texture and minerality, with excellent acidity and complexity.

Because of the Arinto grape’s natural high acidity, this wine is fantastic for food pairing. The best pairings are richer seafood dishes such as Portuguese bacalhau (salt cod), scallops in citrus butter sauce, oysters, lobster or crab dishes. Japanese food, spicy food, curry and grilled vegetables are also wonderful pairing options.

Winemaker Description 

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

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

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

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | I was able to taste the just-bottled 2023 Manoella Branco. This was a very balanced vintage, the growing season was almost perfect, and yields were good. The wine was a little closed for such an expressive year of wines with purity and freshness. It has notes of white flowers and fruit and a balsamic touch with the balance and harmony from the old vines.

Winemaker Description 

Vibrant and fresh wine with intense citric, floral and mineral notes. On the palate shows pure flavors and nice balance.

Varietals - Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Códega do Larinho.

Established in 2001 by Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges, both winemakers and couple, that have been investing and acquiring old vineyards and properties at Pinhão Valley. “Our goal is to create wines that express all the characters of the traditional vineyards and varieties from Douro Valley. Balanced wines between concentration, complexity and elegance.

Wine & Soul is one of the most exciting and dynamic producers in Portugal today, consistently earning high praise from international critics for both their still and fortified wines.

The harvest was planned for the first week of September in perfect weather conditions.

All grapes previously selected and de-stemmed were pressed on a pneumatic press and fermented on stainless steel tanks at low temperatures during 4 weeks, after which was aged sur lies during 6 months.


Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The white 2022 Quíbia was produced with 60% Premsal and 40% Giró Ros and sold as a generic wine without appellation because of the use of the Giró Ros grape. It matured with lees in stainless steel before being bottled. It has 12.9% alcohol and good freshness. Unfortunately, it feels quite reductive and is difficult to read on the nose, but the palate feels vibrant and fresher. Give it a little bit of time.

Memo Notes

The 2022 is celebrated for blending aromatic fruit with a refreshing, savory quality:

Color: Enticing straw-lemon with greenish highlights.

Aromas: A delightful mix of ripe white peach, pear, jasmine, and the striking note of sea brine or crushed seashells. You may also find subtle hints of Meyer lemon and green mango.

Palate: Crisp, lively, and well-balanced. The wine delivers concentrated flavors of ripe peach,

Anjou pear, and citrus zest. Reviewers often mention a silky, almost olive oil-like texture and a savory note of capers or green almond.

Salinity: A distinct salinity runs through the wine, acting as a complex counterpoint to the fruit, which makes it incredibly versatile with food.

Winemaker Description 

Ànima Negra was founded in 1994 when two self-taught friends — Pere Ignasi Obrador and Miquelàngel Cerdà — decided that the wines of their native Mallorca weren’t reaching full potential.

Taking advantage of some unused milk tanks at the dairy farm owned by Pere’s family, they made two barriques of wine from Callet grapes (a native Mallorcan varietal) they’d purchased from local farmers. The initial results were so encouraging that the friends decided to form a partnership and continue pursuing their newly found passion for wine.

Situated in the southeast of Mallorca, Ànima Negra winery produces its wines on the old country estate of Son Burguera, close to the town of Felanitx. The buildings date back to the 13th century, and contain a traditional winemaking area, which historically was used to supply wine for locals living on and near the estate.

Ànima Negra sources its grapes from more than 135 carefully selected parcels of land that the partners either own or control. Virtually all of these parcels are within a six-mile radius of the winery, and most of the vines are 50 to 85 years old.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

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

Memo Notes

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

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

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

Expert Reviews - Base 2019

James Suckling 93 Points | A vibrant, textural and precise blanc de blancs with aromas of dried pears, pastry spices and some warm herbs. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. It’s full of verve and focus, with a mineral core mingling with spices and dried pears. A textured and lingering finish.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | Disgorged in December 2023 without dosage, Doquet’s NV Blanc de Blancs Arpège untites the flesh and texture of the clayey sites in Vertus with the mineral profile of Le Mont-Aimé and Villeneuve. With two-thirds of reserve wines dating back to 2012 and the remaining 33% from the 2019 vintage, it soars from the glass with scents of jasmine, grapefruit, nectarine and plums. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with a compact and taut profile, elegant mousse, incisive acidity and a long, penetrating finish. Vinified in used oak barrels (one-third) and enameled steel. It’s the most chiseled of the three non-vintage blends.

Memo Summary Notes

Doquet was an early adopter of organic farming (certified since 2010) long before it was trendy. His wines are intellectually satisfying but delicious—marked by sharp acidity, chalky textures, and very low dosage (sugar).

• Style: Crystalline, tension-filled, saline, and complex.

• Best For: Enthusiasts of "terroir" wines and acid-forward styles like Pierre Péters or Larmandier-Bernier.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

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

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

Winemaker Description

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

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

Aged for 22 months in oak barrels.

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews - VIntage 2022 

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

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

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

Winemaker Description

It is an attractive, bright, pale gold sparkling wine, with tiny, abundant bubbles that rise up in streams to form a consistent crown. Deep, intense and elegant, initially evokes notes of ripe white fruit followed by hints of fennel, toast and citrus to complete its distinguished aroma.

Its creamy mousse is perfectly integrated in the palate, making the mouth simultaneously fresh, rounded, and evocative.

Winemaker Description

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

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

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

The 2009 L d’Or delivers a richer, slightly broader expression of this iconic single-vineyard Muscadet while retaining its hallmark finesse and mineral precision. The warmer vintage brings notes of ripe pear, lemon curd, and white peach alongside the classic aromas of crushed granite, oyster shell, and fresh herbs. On the palate, it’s generous yet impeccably balanced, with supple texture lifted by bright acidity and a long, saline, stony finish. A beautifully mature Muscadet that combines depth, freshness, and terroir transparency—released directly from the domaine’s cellar and drinking at a gorgeous point today.

The 2008 L d’Or is a strikingly fresh and finely structured mature Muscadet, drawn from old vines rooted in the estate’s signature granite soils. This vintage shows lifted aromas of citrus oil, green apple skin, crushed stone, and sea breeze, layered with subtle notes of almond and fennel as it opens. On the palate, it’s tense, vibrant, and beautifully chiseled, carrying the classic saline edge that defines great Muscadet. Long, mineral, and impeccably balanced, this is a superb example of how L d’Or evolves with time—precise, elegant, and still remarkably youthful despite its age.

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

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