White Wine

Winemaker Description 

This is the Grand Vin Blanc, mainly made from Roussanne with Clairette and Marsanne. The Roussane was oak aged in French oak barrels. The wine is named after Albert, Jacques Capsouto’s younger brother. The wine is straw colored with a lemony, apricot character and a hint of a floral aroma. It is medium bodied and with good complexity, and a long broad flavored finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Paul Gregutt from the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | From Draper clone vines planted in 1965, this bright gold-hued wine brings myriad details to its apple, jicama, white peach and nut oil flavors. A whiff of smoke carries throughout, and its sheer complexity strains the vocabulary. Stay with it as more subtle layers unfold. Though seductive now, it should mature well through 2030. — Paul Gregutt 

James Suckling 92 Points | A layered and fresh white with cooked apples, honey and straw. Medium- to full- bodied, creamy and textured wine with fresh and pretty fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch is a refreshing, vibrant Chardonnay characterized by its lush, glass-filling aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and exotic fruit. On the palate it offers a graceful balance of energy and richness, with flavors of white melon, apricot, ripe pineapple, flint, honey, and Crème Brûlée. With its pure, Chablis-like acidity this vintage offers effortless structure and elegant balance with a long, delightful finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment.

James Suckling 96 Points | A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today.

Winemaker Description 

Origin Alella, Catalunya.

Varieties 100% Pansa Blanca

From 7 vineyards around Alella, all planted on Saulò (granitic sand) aty 120-300m. The vines were planted between 1939 and 1998.

Vinification Method The grapes were harvested by hand and half were destemmed and crushed by foot, then left to macerate on the skins for 3-4 days; the other half were destemmed, left whole, and macerated on the skins for 9 days. The two parts were pressed and finished fermentation in stainless steel tanks and fiberglass, then rested for 11 months on
the lees in the same vessels. 

Bottled without fining, filtering, or added sulfur. Oriol Artigas, an Alella native and trained enologist, started his project of making non- interventionist wines in 2011. His over-arching philosophy is to “cultivate the vineyards in the most natural and least interventionist way possible, to allow the grapes to express in the most intense way the landscape from which they come.”

He works about 12 hectares in total, mostly of old vines. He allows vegetation to grow between the vines, prunes very little, and works the vineyards primarily along the lunar calendar. In the winery, fermentations are completely spontaneous, aging is primarily done in steel vats, and sulfur is never used at any point in his process. The vineyards of Alella are essentially the vineyards of Barcelona, located just north of the city along the coast of the Mediterranean. 

The primary soil type is a kind of white granite, locally called Sauló, and the main grape grown here is Pansa Blanca (the local clone of Xarel- lo) with a whole slew of other grape varieties inter-planted as well.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

The Wine Advocate 93+ Points | The 2023 Bin 51 Riesling leads with an austere, searing nose of grilled lime, bath salts, lemon zest, crushed quartz, preserved citrus and pear skin. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy in its way and light on its feet — poised without being heavy or concentrated, with a cleansing, rounded finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Tangy and bright lemon-lime flavors on a sleek frame, with green apple, white pepper and sea salt minerality, plus lingering grapefruit zest. 660 cases imported.

About Bin 51

Penfolds Bin 51 captures the essence of Eden Valley, South Australia — a high-altitude, cool-climate region with worldwide recognition for producing definitive, world-class Riesling. The region's elevation gives the wines great finesse, elegance, and a capacity for long-term cellaring.

The 2023 vintage shows lifted orange blossom and pink lady apple aromatics. The palate brims with blood orange, passionfruit, and lime, balanced by natural zesty lemon acidity. In youth, these wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity that drives the palate texture.

Tasting & Pairings

Grilled lime, lemon zest, crushed quartz, green apple, white pepper, sea salt minerality, and grapefruit zest. Fleshy yet light on its feet with a cleansing, rounded finish. Serve well chilled.

• Seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc — mirrors the wine's lime and mineral notes.
• Thai green papaya salad — the acidity and fruit stand up to chili and lime dressing.
• Fresh oysters or ceviche — classic pairing for high-acid, mineral-driven Riesling.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Jesica Vargas of the Wine Enthusiast writes 90 Points | The nose of this white wine leans toward tropical, offering aromas of sweet peach and citrus fruit. The palate has texture, lifting acidity and fine tannins. Balanced flavors of chamomile, lemon, green apple and white peach slide through the lingering finish.  

Expert Review

Burghound Allen Meadows 93 Points | Much more layered aromas are comprised by notes of wet stone, citrus confit, Granny Smith apple and pretty spice wisps. The dense but sleek and highly energetic larger-bodied flavors display impressive power and length on the compact, austere and impeccably balanced finale. This is excellent and a wine that is built to repay extended keeping.

St. Michael-Eppan Sanct Valentin Sauvignon — Südtirol Alto Adige, Italy 2024

St. Michael-Eppan is one of Alto Adige’s most celebrated cooperative wineries, uniting 320 winemaking families across 390 hectares of vineyards in Appiano — the most important wine-growing municipality on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, at the doorstep of the Dolomites. Since 1989, their Sanct Valentin Sauvignon has been the crown jewel of the estate: selected from the finest vineyards at the foot of the Mendel Massif, crafted by legendary kellermeister Hans Terzer, and recognized as one of Italy’s most consistently award-winning white wines. The 2024 earned 95 points from Decanter, 92 from James Suckling, and 91 from Wine Enthusiast — a triple-score performance that places it among the finest Sauvignon Blancs produced anywhere in the world.

The nose is explosive and captivating: sweet mango, peach, apricot, gooseberry, elderflower, ripe redcurrant, and a herby lift of mint and peppery rocket. On the palate, the wine is full and precise — crisp acidity, a smooth, elegant body, and a long, mineral-laced finish with notes of lime blossom, green apple skin, and salt crystals. It is a Sauvignon of extraordinary intensity and grace, proving that delicacy and power are not mutually exclusive. Decant briefly or serve well chilled.

Decanter 95 — "Explosive intensity: sweet mango, peach, apricot, mint and peppery rocket. Big on the palate with mouthwatering acidity and infinite length. A full-on version of the extrovert style, created by legendary kellermeister Hans Terzer." (Vintage 2024). 

James Suckling 92 — "Spiced white fruit, elegant gooseberries and sea salt. Delicious and lightly saline, with a medium body and a tactile, mealy finish." (Vintage 2024). 

Wine Enthusiast 91 (Jeff Porter) — "Floats like lime blossom on mountain breeze. Zippy precision meets stony depth while green apple skin’s fierce tartness and salt crystals create tension. Proves delicacy and intensity aren’t mutually exclusive." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: St. Michael-Eppan Winery, Appiano, Südtirol Alto Adige, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Südtirol Alto Adige DOC
• Vineyards: Selected sites at the foot of the Mendel Massif, Appiano
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Winemaker: Hans Terzer (legendary kellermeister)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Mango, peach, apricot, gooseberry, elderflower, lime blossom, mint, green apple, salt crystals, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled asparagus, seared scallops, goat cheese, herb-crusted fish, light pasta with pesto

A 95-point Alto Adige Sauvignon from one of Italy’s most celebrated white wine estates — Sanct Valentin is the benchmark for what mountain-grown, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc can deliver.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | "Juicy and intense, with concentration to the passionfruit, pineapple, Key lime and kumquat flavors at the core. Details of toasted green tea, lemon thyme and makrut lime leaf add aromatic intensity, with a touch of crunchy sea salt on the finish. Drink now. 8,259 cases made, 207 cases imported." 

Winemaker's Notes:

Te Koko 2023 is initially reticent on the nose, but with time in the glass opens to reveal notes of just-ripe mango, lemon verbena and juicy sun-warmed lemon. The palate is concentrated and mouthwateringly complex. The sun-warmed impression continues, with notes of meadow hay, preserved citrus, and white nectarine, with layers of salted almond and a gentle smoky minerality leading through to a long and focused finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Lively, fruity nose, mixing notes of lemon, white flowers, pineapple and yellow peach. The palate is nervous and remarkably fruity, combining the fatness, saltiness and sap of a ripe wine with the freshness of a thirsty wine.

This wine comes exclusively from the vineyards of Domaine Marcel DEISS. It is produced from ripe grapes, vinified with the utmost respect and without oenological inputs. 

These grapes express the depth of the Alsatian terroir and we are happy to produce a wine that expresses our attachment to our region. Varietals: All the Alsatians grapes allowed in the AOC (13 in total). 
 

The Wachau is one of the world’s great Riesling addresses — a narrow, dramatic corridor of the Danube where terraced granite and gneiss slopes catch the sun, cool rapidly at night, and coax extraordinary precision from the vine. Leo Alzinger’s estate in Unterloiben is among its quietest giants. Farming 11.5 hectares across celebrated sites including Loibenberg and Steinertal, Leo Jr. — who took the reins in 2002 after formative time with the legendary Hans Günter Schwarz at Müller-Catoir — makes wines that are never forceful or assertive. They are, in his own words, “amazingly sanguine and calmly transparent.”

The Ried Loibenberg is one of the warmest, most south-facing sites in the entire Wachau, with stony, shallow, primary rock soils on the upper terraces that push Riesling to physiological ripeness without excess sugar. Harvested later than most neighbors, whole-cluster crushed with a short maceration and 24-hour settling to drop green tannins, the 2021 Smaragd — the Wachau’s designation for its fullest, most age-worthy wines — is a wine of concentrated elegance: white stone fruit, citrus peel, crushed mineral, and a cool, saline thread that carries through to a long, refined finish. Drink now or cellar with confidence through 2035+.

95 points — James Suckling | “Dangerous freshness and enormous depth… very long and refined finish that feels almost weightless. Delightfully refined finish that makes you want to stay here for a long time. Drink or hold.”

• Producer: Alzinger, Unterloiben, Wachau, Austria
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Wachau DAC — Smaragd
• Vineyard: Ried Loibenberg
• Varietal: Riesling
• Soils: Stony, shallow primary rock (upper terraces); deep loess (lower terraces)
• Vinification: Whole cluster, short maceration, 24-hour settling, natural fermentation
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White stone fruit, citrus peel, crushed mineral, saline thread, long refined finish
• Cellar: Drink now through 2035+
• Food Pairings: Lobster, freshwater fish, Wiener Schnitzel, aged Gruyère, scallops

One of the Wachau’s most elegant voices — Alzinger Loibenberg Smaragd is Riesling made with the confidence of silence.

Winemaker Description

This Riesling is rich in taste with a fresh, fruity delicate flavor.

Serve slightly chilled.

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 96 Points | Here is a great Mosel Kabinett that needs a bit more time to show what it is really made of. Still very young with a pronounced yeasty character that slowly recedes with aeration, but the white peach and honeysuckle aromas that emerge are stunning. Extremely vibrant and precise, the slatey acidity making this fabulously graceful. As pure as an Alpine stream running with glacier water.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This elegant version starts off closed before opening to reveal flavors of jasmine, sweet green apple and Asian pear. Shows impressive purity and inner density, with accents of fresh-cut chive and wet slate. Bitter, pithy acidity moves through, making for the shimmering, razor-edge finish, which lingers. Drink now through 2040. 300 cases imported.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 95 Points | All the ripeness of this very warm vintage, married to wonderful freshness that gives this the light-footedness of a great dancer. Mostly white fruit, but just a hint of fresh pineapple. Long, silky finish. Drink or hold. (2018). 

Robert Parker 93+ Points | The 2018 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese is discreet yet deep and complex on the elegant and spicy nose that exhibits very fine stone fruit aromas. Round, lush and piquant on the palate, this is a crystalline, piquant, persistently salty and stimulating Himmelreich with fine tannins on the finish that add grip and a very light, food-friendly astringency that moderates away the sweetness. Still young, this is a Spätlese to serve with food in 10-15 years. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This has all of the elements of a great spätlese, with pronounced acidity supporting the ripe peach, yellow apple, mango and spruce flavors, while hints of vanilla and piecrust add to the complexity. Still a bit intense, but this should develop beautifully with age, allowing the minerality to become more prominent. Best from 2022 through 2038. (2018).

Anterra Pinot Grigio | Terre Siciliane | 2024 | 1.5 Liter Magnum

Sun-drenched and effortlessly elegant — the Anterra Pinot Grigio is grown using 100% sustainable viticulture in the dry, warm heart of Central-Western Sicily, where the variety takes on a uniquely decisive character while retaining its signature freshness. The name Anterra — "ancient land" in Italian — pays homage to Sicily's millennia-long winemaking heritage.

This 1.5 Liter Magnum is the perfect format for the table: generous, impressive, and built for sharing. Expect a pale lemon pour with aromas of tropical fruit, green apple, fresh peach, and delicate floral notes with a whisper of almond. On the palate, it's crisp, balanced, and clean — a crowd-pleaser that punches well above its price.

Food Pairing

Excellent with appetizers, flavorful soups, poultry, and seafood — particularly shellfish.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Tropical fruit, green apple, peach, floral notes, hint of almond
• Palate: Crisp, light-bodied, fresh and elegant
• Finish: Clean, refreshing, pleasantly dry

Wine Details

• Grape: 100% Pinot Grigio
• Region: Terre Siciliane, Sicily — Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 1.5 Liter Magnum
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Farming: 100% Sustainable

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Advocate | The 2020 Meursault Village has turned out beautifully in bottle, unwinding in the glass with scents of crisp Anjou pear, lemon zest, freshly baked bread, blanched almonds, pastry cream and apple blossom. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, its textural attack segues into a fleshy, precise mid-palate that's animated by racy acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's another terrific rendition of this benchmark cuvée.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Burhound 92-94 Points | An elegant, pure and ultra-fresh nose offers up notes of lilac, rose petal, white peach, tea and citrus zest. There is a markedly more refined mouthfeel to the utterly delicious and highly seductive medium weight flavors that are more precise, all wrapped in a citrusy, impressively persistent and youthfully austere finale. This is very classy and I particularly like the underlying tension and balance that should also permit this beauty to age effortlessly over the next 12 to 15 years. In a word, excellent.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Burghound | A much more floral-inflected nose freely offers up its aromas of cool and ripe pear, apple and zest. There is good richness if not quite the same density to the more finely textured middleweight flavors that conclude in a crunchy bitter lemon-tinged finale. Lovely and understated.

CK Mondavi Pinot Grigio — California (1.5L Magnum)

CK Mondavi is California’s go-to for approachable, everyday wines that deliver genuine varietal character at an unbeatable price. This 1.5L Magnum — equivalent to two standard bottles — is the perfect format for entertaining, al fresco dining, and any occasion that calls for a generous, crowd-pleasing pour. Light-bodied, crisp, and endlessly refreshing, it is the kind of white wine that earns a permanent spot in the fridge.

The wine opens with inviting aromas of wildflowers, ripe peaches, and pears. On the palate, fresh tropical flavors unfold with a touch of spice, a lively medium body, and a crisp, clean finish. Bright acidity keeps it refreshing from the first sip to the last.

"Aromas of wildflowers, peaches and pears. Fresh, tropical flavors with a touch of spice and a crisp, refreshing finish." — Winemaker Notes

• Producer: CK Mondavi, California
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Pinot Grigio
• Style: Light-bodied, crisp, fruit-forward California Pinot Grigio
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Tasting Notes: Wildflowers, peaches, pears, tropical fruit, touch of spice, crisp finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, shrimp, light pasta, fresh salads, soft cheeses, summer appetizers

An everyday California Pinot Grigio in a crowd-pleasing Magnum format — CK Mondavi delivers reliable, fruit-forward character at an exceptional value.

Kolfok · Mittelburgenland, Austria · 2022

Stefan Wellanschitz of Kolfok wanted to make an orange wine that broke the mold — one with the structure and texture of skin contact, but none of the heavy tannins or oxidative roughness that can make the style feel difficult. His answer was intracellular fermentation: whole, uncrushed grapes rested in a closed vessel, where native yeasts slowly began working inside the berries themselves, drawing color and character from the skins with extraordinary gentleness before the fruit was pressed off into massive 1,100 and 1,500-liter used oak barrels to finish.

The result is Intra! — pale amber in the glass, bone dry, smooth, and mineral. The nose lifts with apple, grapefruit, melon, white flowers, and a subtle yeast breadth. The palate is simultaneously tropical and structured, with a fistful-of-blossoms quality that lingers long after the sip. A blend of Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, and Chardonnay from organically farmed Burgenland fruit. Vegan. No added sulfites.

“An innovative skin-contact wine that showcases the distinctive character of the grapes and the winery’s commitment to experimentation and creativity. Elegant, not just tannic and out-there.” — Kolfok Winery

• Producer: Kolfok
• Winemaker: Stefan Wellanschitz
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Mittelburgenland, Burgenland, Austria
• Varietal: Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Chardonnay
• Style: Orange Wine (Intracellular / Skin Contact)
• Farming: Organic | Vegan | No Added Sulfites
• Vinification: Intracellular fermentation in closed vessel; pressed to large used oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple, grapefruit, melon, white flowers, yeast, mineral
• Food Pairings: Charcuterie, aged cheeses, roasted vegetables, grilled fish, Thai cuisine

Proof that orange wine can be both wild and elegant — this is Burgenland at its most inventive.

Cacique Maravilla | Vino Naranja | Torrontés | Bío-Bío Valley, Sur de Chile | 2025

Cacique Maravilla is one of Chile's most singular and historically significant wine estates, farming ancient, ungrafted vines in the Bío-Bío Valley in the far south of Chile — one of the country's coolest and most remote wine regions. The estate's vines are among the oldest in South America, some dating back centuries, and the winemaking philosophy is rooted in tradition, minimal intervention, and a deep respect for the land and its heritage.

The Vino Naranja is made from Torrontés — an aromatic white grape with deep roots in South American wine history — vinified as an orange wine with 2 to 3 weeks of skin maceration. This extended skin contact gives the wine its distinctive golden color, textural grip, and the gentle tannin structure that sets orange wine apart from conventional whites.

The 2025 is bright golden in the glass. The nose is aromatic and expressive — tropical fruit, ripe tangerine, sweet chamomile, and fresh floral notes. On the palate, dry and full with high acidity, a nice grip from the skin contact, a touch of pleasant bitterness, and a long, fruity, aromatic finish. Beautiful intensity and persistence throughout.

Pair with spiced dishes, grilled fish, sushi, aged cheeses, charcuterie, and Middle Eastern or North African cuisine. Serve slightly chilled.

• Producer: Cacique Maravilla
• Grape: Torrontés
• Style: Orange Wine (Vino Naranja)
• Region: Bío-Bío Valley, Sur de Chile
• Vintage: 2025
• Vinification: 2–3 weeks skin maceration; minimal intervention
• Vines: Ancient, ungrafted estate vines
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Bright, zesty, and built for sharing — Frontera's Sauvignon Blanc in Magnum form is a crowd-pleaser that punches well above its price. The nose is instantly inviting: fresh lime, Granny Smith apple, and a hint of elderflower. On the palate it's tangy and vibrant, with grapefruit, damp herbs, and a clean saline finish that keeps things lively. At just 12% alcohol it's light enough to drink freely without losing any of the personality that earned it 92 points from the Toronto Star. The 1.5L Magnum makes it the obvious call for a table of friends, a backyard gathering, or anywhere you'd rather open one big bottle than two small ones.

• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Chile
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Alcohol: 12%
• Closure: Screw cap

Food Pairing

Tacos, goat cheese salad, grilled fish, steamed asparagus, or anything finished with a squeeze of lime. Serve well chilled.

Critical Acclaim

92 pts — Toronto Star: "Each fragrant sip starts with bright lime and freshly sliced Granny Smith on the nose before beaming in with a tangy attack of lime, elderflower, grapefruit and damp herbs before tapering to a final sifting of salt. This dry thriller… is an easy win."

Winemaker Description

Rich with tropical and pear fruit, displaying an outstanding, creamy core of elegance. Winemaker Phillip Titus combines the finesse of great Burgundy, with the ripe fruit of Sonoma county. Fantastic! 

Try with Halibut, Swordfish & Tuna.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Sonoma Loeb "Dignitary" Chardonnay is a significant release in the kosher wine world. It marks a "new kosher run" for the esteemed Sonoma-Loeb winery, bringing their high-end Sonoma County.

 It is specifically crafted for those who want a premium, buttery California Chardonnay.

Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay — Golan Heights, Israel 2022

Golan Heights Winery is Israel’s most acclaimed producer, and their Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay is the flagship white of the lineup — a single-vineyard, full-bodied Chardonnay produced exclusively from the winery’s finest Chardonnay plots in the northern Golan Heights. Grown at high altitude on sustainably certified volcanic basalt soils, the 2022 is aged in French oak to build complexity and texture while preserving the site’s natural minerality and freshness. It is Kosher certified, with the depth and structure to rival serious Burgundian Chardonnay at its price point.

The nose is rich and aromatic: ripe lemon, poached pear, and tropical fruit, with toasted baguette, French oak, and a distinctive mineral undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, elegant, and polished — generous fruit and creamy oak seamlessly integrated, with a long, refined finish. It is approachable now with food, and built to develop further with a few years of cellaring.

“Katzrin Chardonnay presents aromatic characteristics of ripe lemons, pears and tropical fruits, alongside hints of minerality, toasted baguette and French oak. A full-bodied Chardonnay, rich in flavors, elegant and pleasant to drink.” — Golan Heights Winery

• Producer: Golan Heights Winery (Yarden label), Katzrin, Golan Heights, Israel
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Galilee — Golan Heights, Israel
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Aging: French oak
• Certification: Kosher | Sustainably Farmed
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe lemon, poached pear, tropical fruit, toasted baguette, French oak, minerality
• Best Paired With: Halibut with lemon butter, smoked duck, wild mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, aged cheeses

Israel’s benchmark Kosher Chardonnay — Yarden Katzrin delivers single-vineyard Golan Heights character, French oak complexity, and genuine aging potential in every bottle.

92 James Suckling — Aromas of key lime pie, lemon confit and passion fruit on the nose. The palate is light- to medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a creamy mouthfeel, giving notes of lychees, red apples and flint. Nicely constructed and textural. (Vintage 2023). 

90 Vinous — Far from your stereotypical Marlborough style. This wine plays on its clarity, texture and freshness. Aromatically subtle, with green notes meeting nectarine and blackcurrant. While the region's natural freshness abounds, the wine retains a round shape and natural curve before being sewn up by a thread of acidity. Layers of interest that will keep you coming back. (Vintage 2023). 

A truly thoughtful and classy expression of Sauvignon Blanc. The nose exudes vibrancy, showing lifted notes of white passionfruit and lemon balm, supported by a savoury, leafy edge contributed by the inclusion of Sémillon. The palate is layered and textural, balanced by a slate-like mineral acidity. Fermented with native yeasts and aged on lees in oak barrels — a sophisticated, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc that transcends the category.

• Certified organic and biodynamically grown
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
• No dairy products or eggs used during production

Désire Petit Le Grapiot Chardonnay — Arbois Pupillin, Jura 2022

The Jura is one of France's most quietly thrilling wine regions — tucked between Burgundy and the Swiss border, farming ancient soils with a patience and philosophy that the natural wine world has come to revere. Désire Petit's Le Grapiot is a textbook expression of what this region can do with Chardonnay: sourced from 50-year-old vines in the prized Pupillin village, fermented and aged in new oak foudres without filtering, racking, or the addition of sulphites. Nature does the rest. The result is a wine of remarkable freshness, precision, and mineral depth — a no-sulphites Chardonnay that bears favorable comparison with Burgundies at twice the price.

The nose is fresh and precise: white peach, citrus zest, green apple, and meadow herbs, with a delicate underpinning of stony minerality and subtle toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is lively and focused — crisp acidity, a silky texture from the lees, and a long, clean finish where fruit, minerality, and oak sit in perfect harmony. It is everything a great Jura Chardonnay should be: honest, complex, and deeply satisfying.

"A deliciously mineral no-sulphites Chardonnay, lightly oaked and with bags of character and personality. Fruit from 50-year-old vines, fermented and aged in new oak foudres without filtering, racking, or sulphite addition. Wonderfully fresh, precise and tidy — fruit, minerality and subtle oak all sit in a satisfying harmony."

• Producer: Désire Petit, Pupillin, Jura, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Arbois Pupillin AOC
• Region: Jura, Eastern France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: 50-year-old vines
• Vinification: Fermented & aged in new oak foudres; unfiltered, unracked, no sulphites added
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, citrus zest, green apple, meadow herbs, stony minerality, subtle toasted oak, silky finish
• Best Paired With: Fruits de mer, oysters, butter-poached fish, soft cheeses, aperitif

A no-sulphites Jura Chardonnay from 50-year-old vines — Le Grapiot is the benchmark for what natural, terroir-driven winemaking in Pupillin can deliver.

 Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 97 Points | A superb and rich chardonnay with driven phenolics that frame the wine, giving it form and intensity. It’s full-bodied but not heavy. Dried apples, nuts, peach pie and hints of salted butter and honey. It’s flavorful and intense. Real Napa chardonnay. 70% Wente clone and the rest Calera. So drinkable now, but will age very well. 

Winemaker Description 

Delicate aromas of Bartlett pear and fresh-sliced pineapple are lifted by notes of jasmine and citrus zest, maturing into subtle warming tones of baking spices, brioche, and vanilla custard. On the palate, the flavors are intensely focused, yet the pleasant round body fills the mouth with a wide, elegant mid-palate. The salinity and minerality of this wine bring a refinement that is gently carried by bright, integrated acidity. 

Winemaker Description 

Johann Stadlmann is chairman of the regional wine committee and was named "Falstaff Winemaker of the Year" in 1994.

In the nose, the aromas of this special grape variety immediately attract attention: ripe pear (including skin!), peach and apple supplemented with cinnamon and matcha. Already at the first sip, the beautiful balance between the pleasant acidity and the rounder mouthfeel is striking, with the additional aroma of bitter orange. A surprising glass of wine that lingers for a long time, in aftertaste and memory! Wine-food: seared lobster with bisque-based gravy.

Kosta Browne's One Sixteen Chardonnay is a masterful blend sourced from premier sites across Sonoma County — including Cerise, Ritchie, El Diablo, and Bootlegger's Hill — fermented in barrel and aged 12 months in 34% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable precision and depth, balancing generous fruit with vibrant, mouthwatering acidity.

The nose opens with aromas of fresh apple, river rocks, orange blossom, peach, nectarine, beeswax, and a whisper of flint. On the palate, flavors of Meyer lemon, grilled pineapple, ripe melon, lemon curd, and pineapple sage unfold with a lovely salty grip and a long, spicy finish accented by white cardamom, clove, and wildflower honey. Delicious now, with exceptional aging potential of at least a decade.

• Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Cerise, Ritchie, El Diablo, Bootlegger's Hill
• Aging: 12 months in 34% new French oak
• Format: 750ml

• 95 pts — Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection): "Aromas of fresh apple, river rocks, orange blossom and a whisper of flint... lively acidity with flavors of pithy Meyer lemon, white flowers, grilled brioche and pineapple sage with a lovely salty grip at the finish." (Vintage 2023).
• 93 pts — Wine Spectator: "Grilled pineapple, ripe peach, melon and lemon curd flavors are generous, plump and juicy... Vibrant acidity keeps the flavors fresh and in focus." (Vintage 2023). 
• 92 pts — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Layered, flint-laced flavors and well-integrated new oak spice... balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity and a long, spicy finish." (Vintage 2023). 

Winemaker Description 

Straka's Mash skin-fermented white is a blend of Straka's specialty, Welschriesling, with a bit of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. It spends 20 days on the skins followed by 10 months in large, neutral oak. The result is a wine that is both aromatic and tertiary, lending intriguing savory notes making it a perfect accompaniment to food.

Straka, which means Magpie, is a small family estate located in the Eisenberg district of Burgenland, Austria. It has been run by Tom Straka since 2008. Tom farms organically and practices minimal intervention in the cellar. Located on the last foothill of the Alps, in Rechnitz, his primary focus is Welschriesling, the main indigenous grape of the area. His best vineyard site is Pratner (he farms all but 4 rows of it) which is very densely planted old vines dating from 1932.

Since taking over the family winery, Tom has slowly expanded their vineyard holdings from 3-7 hectares and converted to organic farming. The estate was established by his family in the 18th century when they moved to the area from Bohemia. In the 1950s they were the first family in the area to start a Heuriger or Buschenschank (wine tavern) so that people could come and eat while sampling their wines. It proved a very successful model for them and today, their Buschenschank remains a staple of the area while most others have closed. It remains a great way for many people to try their wines.

Tom is huge advocate of Welschriesling which he says can pair with anything if grown properly. Welschriesling is an old indigenous grape perfectly suited to the geography of this rare geological area. Rechnitz sits 360 m above sea level on the slopes of the Geschriebenstein, the highest mountain in the Burgenland. The vineyards climb as high as 500m and are known for their unique geological soils -- a combination of crystalline schist and magmatic deposits that can only be found in 3 other places in the world. It is a very windy and dry area which cools off considerably at night. This results in very few pests, no need for herbicide or any other treatments and crisp clear mineral-driven wines. The parentage of Welschriesling is not known (it is not related to Rhine Riesling) and is thought to be a most closely related to Elbling, originating in Northern Italy and Croatia along the Danube and typically shows good acidity and fruit with notes of lemon, salt and green apple.

For one and a half decades Thomas Straka has been working with organic waste and cattle manure, but very little compost. "I apply some phosphor from time to time as fertilizer, and also a little chalk, because without it the vines would suffer malnutrition. But all in all I don't have to interfere much in the vineyards." Green cover like vetch between the rows contribute nitrogen to the soil. He lets them grow rather high. "Because we do little work with tractors and most by hand, our soils are nearly uncompressed and rich in humus. And as our soils are meagre and constantly wind-blown, we have almost no problems with fungal diseases." The biggest threat in Rechnitz is and always has been drought. "Today the only things I do in the cellar are a clarification with bentonite and addition of neutral yeasts if necessary."

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

Wine Advocate 94 Points: Pretty aromas of honey, allspice and roasted almonds complement a core of peach and quince fruit. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with a dynamic interplay of textural breadth and energetic acidity, offering layered flavors on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: Refined and elegant, with notes of pure white flowers, lemon curd, and white peach. Medium to full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel driven by citrus — tangerine, orange sherbet — with great texture and a long, decadent finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points: Polished and sleekly layered, with honeydew, pear and spice flavors that build structure toward the handsome finish. Drink now through 2026. 220 cases made.

Winemaker Description

Brick House Chardonnay Cascadia Organic Biodynamic 2021 750ml

Brick House’s “Cascadia” is the winery’s reserve-level Chardonnay — a highly regarded, estate-grown wine from Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA. Hand-crafted on a 40-acre farm that has been at the forefront of sustainable viticulture for decades, it is made with an Old World sensibility: organic and biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and an unwavering focus on terroir expression. One of Oregon’s benchmark Chardonnays.

Pairing Suggestions

• Rich Seafood: Scallops in brown butter, roasted salmon, or halibut with lemon-cream sauce.
• Poultry: Roast chicken with herbes de Provence or pheasant.
• Earthy Dishes: Mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or roasted root vegetables.

Winemaker Description 

Le Berceau de Fees" by Domaine Aux Moines is a lovely and juicy Chenin Blanc from young vineyards of famous Roche-aux-Moines grand cru. It opens on the nose to clean and straight aromas of fruit, flowers and aromatic herbs, surrounded by sharp saltiness. The sip is fresh and direct, animated by great acid shoulder and long mineral persistence. 

Manischewitz has been synonymous with Kosher wine in America for generations — a name woven into the fabric of the holiday table, the Passover Seder, and the Shabbat dinner. Elijah is their modern expression: a range that speaks to a new generation of Kosher wine drinkers without abandoning the heritage and accessibility that made the brand a household name.

This Chardonnay is sourced from Chile’s Curicó Valley, a region that has quietly established itself as a reliable source of fresh, fruit-forward whites. The climate here lends itself to clean, expressive Chardonnay — bright in fruit, approachable in style, and finished with the warmth of brown spice that makes it a natural partner for the rich, savory cooking of the Jewish table.

On the nose, aromas of apple, juicy peach, and ripe pear arrive with freshness and clarity. The palate follows with a rich, smooth mouthfeel — the fruit notes balanced by hints of nutmeg and clove — and finishes cleanly and with good length. Certified Kosher Mevushal, making it suitable for all settings and observances.

• Producer: Manischewitz (Elijah range)
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Curicó Valley, Chile
• Certification: Kosher Mevushal
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml

Food Pairings: Roasted chicken, grilled fish, creamy pasta, vegetable dishes, and the full range of holiday and Shabbat cooking.

Winemaker Description 

Originating from wild vines, Orangetraube was first selected as a recognized varietal in 1840 and has been a part of the Zahel family's field blends (Gemischter Satz) since the winery began in 1930, but only produced as a monovarietal white since 1954.

Two generations later, Alexander Zahel is the last remaining producer of this unique treasure of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

This unique historic variety from Vienna's vineyards is fresh, complex, and edgy, with under ripe stone fruit and zippy acidity. 

Heitz Cellar Quartz Creek Vineyard Chardonnay — Napa Valley 2021

Heitz Cellar is one of Napa Valley’s founding estates — and the Quartz Creek Vineyard Chardonnay is its sole white wine, making it one of the most singular and sought-after expressions of Napa Chardonnay. The fruit comes from the Burgess-owned Quartz Creek Vineyard in Oak Knoll, a cool sub-appellation at the southern end of the Napa Valley where the influence of San Pablo Bay moderates temperatures and extends the growing season. The 2021 vintage was shaped by drought and a cool, long growing season that dramatically reduced yields — and concentrated everything that remained. The result is a Chardonnay of exceptional intensity, harmony, and cellar-worthiness: a step up even from the celebrated 2020.

The color is a luminous pale gold. The nose opens with effusive floral top notes, followed by cool, almost mentholated aromas of concentrated lime essence, lemon curd, white pear, and a whisper of toasted cashew and crushed stone. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and linear — silky and creamy in texture, with gorgeous finesse and a taut, focused structure. Vibrant citrus drives the mid-palate, with savory mineral complexity and a long, precise, and elegant finish. First and foremost, a wine of harmony.

Vinous 94 • Wine Advocate 92 • Wine Spectator 91 — “Fabulous — silky and creamy on the palate, with gorgeous finesse. First and foremost, a wine of harmony.” — Vinous

• Producer: Heitz Cellar, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Napa Valley — Oak Knoll District
• Vineyard: Quartz Creek Vineyard (Burgess-owned), Oak Knoll
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Production: 1,310 cases
• Style: Linear, mineral-driven, harmonious Napa Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime essence, lemon curd, white pear, toasted cashew, floral notes, crushed stone minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 5–8 years
• Best Paired With: Dungeness crab, razor clams, grilled seafood, chicken marsala, creamy pasta, soft cheeses

Napa Valley’s most singular Chardonnay — Heitz Quartz Creek is harmony, precision, and terroir in a single bottle.

Winemaker Description 

Delicate profile, floral with notes of citrus, a hint of pineapple and banana. Fresh taste, pleasantly acidic with a long finish. 

Straw yellow with greenish reflections. Delicate profile, floral with notes of citrus, a hint of pineapple and banana. Fresh taste, pleasantly acidic with a long finish.

This light, refreshing Bianco Toscana is a versatile and very drinkable wine to complement many dishes and to capture the heart.

Ideal as an aperitif or to accompany fish and vegetables.