Women Winemakers

Experience the Excellence of Caroline Bonnefoy Estate's Organic Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2018

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | A delicious blend of organically grown grapes: 60% Grenache grown on upper south-southwest facing pebble slopes, and 40% Syrah grown in clay. Deeply colored with an enticing bouquet of blackberries, cherries and intense mineral notes. Velvety yet ample and rich in the mouth with supple tannins and an energetic lift on the delightful finish. This is a wine at the peak of its perfection to drink now. A great complement to country cooking and comfort foods. Certified organic.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

Anna Lee C. Lijjma of the Wine Enthusiast writes | Notes of incense and preserved black plums introduce this smoky, spicy blend of  Grenache and  Syrah. While full in body, it's a briskly composed wine highlighting tart blackberry flavors and a lingering earthen finish. Best now–2026. 

Memo Summary Notes

The 2018 Domaine Caroline Bonnefoy Rasteau is a classic expression of a "Cru" Rhone wine—meaning it comes from one of the top-tier villages permitted to put its own name on the label.

Introduction to Caroline Bonnefoy Estate

Caroline Bonnefoy Estate is renowned for producing exceptional organic wines, and the Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2018 is no exception. This wine captivates with its vibrant characteristics and is a true representation of the region’s terroir. It’s crafted meticulously from grapes grown in rich, mineral-laden soils, which contribute to its deep complexity. The estate focuses on sustainable practices, ensuring that each bottle reflects their commitment to quality and the environment.

Flavor Profile and Characteristics

The 2018 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau is characterized by its robust flavor profile. It offers rich notes of dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, complemented by subtle hints of spice and earthy undertones. This complexity makes it a perfect pairing for hearty meals. Its smooth tannins and well-balanced acidity create an enjoyable drinking experience, whether you’re sipping it solo or enjoying it with food.

Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions

This organic wine shines when paired with hearty dishes like grilled meats and rustic stews. Because of its rich flavor profile, it also matches well with aged cheeses and charcuterie. When serving, it’s advisable to decant this wine for at least an hour to allow its flavors to fully develop. Enjoy it at a temperature of around 16-18°C to experience its full potential. So, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet evening, the Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2018 is a great choice.

Parés Baltà Brut Nature Cava Organic — Penedès, Spain NV

Parés Baltà is one of Catalónia's most respected organic estates, farming biodynamically in the Penedès with a deep commitment to indigenous varieties and traditional methods. Their Brut Nature Cava is made exclusively from the classic Cava trio — Xarel·lo, Parellada, and Macabeu — with an emphasis on Xarel·lo, the most characterful and site-expressive of the three. Produced via the traditional method with zero dosage, this is a bone-dry, gastronomic sparkling wine of genuine precision and integrity — the kind of Cava that earns its place alongside Champagne at the table.

The wine pours a pale gold with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is fresh and inviting — green apple, citrus fruit, and a subtle brioche note from the lees aging. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with a crisp, enticing mouthfeel, superb fine bubbles, and a clean, refreshing, bone-dry finish. Excellent as an aperitif, and a natural match for crema catalana — the local cousin of crème brûlée — a pairing that showcases the wine's precision beautifully.

"This might have been a classic Cava, if all Cavas were farmed organically and made with as much care. Instead, it stands out — fresh, lively and dry." — Eric Asimov, The New York Times

• Producer: Parés Baltà, Penedès, Cataluña, Spain
• Style: Brut Nature Cava (zero dosage)
• Appellation: Cava DO
• Blend: Xarel·lo, Parellada, Macabeu
• Method: Traditional method, certified organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, citrus, brioche, fine bubbles, bone-dry finish
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, oysters, grilled fish, crema catalana, light tapas

Organic, zero-dosage Cava from one of Penedès' most committed estates — NYT-endorsed, traditionally made, and priced for every celebration.

Allegrini · Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT · Veneto, Italy · 2023 · 750ml

Allegrini is one of the Veneto's most important wine families, with roots in Fumane di Valpolicella stretching back to the 16th century. Palazzo della Torre is their signature Veronese IGT — a wine that has quietly become one of Italy's great overachievers. Blended from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and a touch of Sangiovese, it undergoes a partial ripasso-style process: a portion of the grapes are dried before fermentation, adding concentration, depth, and structure that punch well above the wine's price point. The result is a bottle that drinks like an Amarone's younger sibling — at a fraction of the cost. At $20.99, this is the Italian red you reach for when you want to impress without overthinking it.

Deep ruby in the glass with a generous, dark-fruited nose of black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate: full-bodied and richly textured, with lush fruit framed by graphite, crisp acidity, and tight, youthful tannins that give the wine real structure and aging potential. James Suckling awarded it 93 points for the 2023 vintage. Drink now through 2029, or cellar for a few years to let the tannins soften and the complexity deepen. Pair with braised short ribs, lamb ragu, aged pecorino, or a simple plate of charcuterie.

• Producer: Allegrini (est. Fumane di Valpolicella, Veneto)
• Wine: Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Veneto, Italy
• Blend: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Sangiovese
• Method: Partial ripasso-style drying process
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Veneto red
• Score: James Suckling 93 Points
• Drinking Window: Now–2029
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, dark chocolate, graphite, crisp acidity, chewy tannins
• Pair With: Braised short ribs · Lamb ragu · Aged pecorino · Charcuterie

Ripasso depth, Amarone soul — Allegrini's most reliable overachiever.

Pares Balta Cava Rose PINK Organic NV Brut · Cava, Catalonia, Spain

Family Winery

We are a family winery with a long tradition of winemaking with origins stretching back to 1790, when the first vineyards were established on our estates in the Penedès, situated a short journey of just 30 km from the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona.

Our aim is to care for our vineyards in the best way we know to create organic wines and cava (Spanish sparkling wines) full of expression and the essence of our land. Land that for centuries has been dedicated to the cultivation of the vines.

Organic and Biodynamic Farming

Our passion for nature has always been the primary driving force to grow our vines organically, certified since 2002, and biodynamic since 2012.

Our estates benefit from a rich biodiversity thanks to the different cultivation and fertilization methods that we practice. We have our own flock of sheep to fertilize the soil and feed the land. We carefully tend to and employ our own bee hives to take care of the pollination process and help us to reinforce the Mediterranean.

Women Winemakers

The wives of Joan and Josep Cusiné, third generation of the family, were the winemakers of the family winery for more than 20 years. María Elena and Marta arrived at the family winery around the year 2000 after studying oenology at the University of Tarragona. Their arrival brought about a change in ideas and caused a revolution in the winery by innovating and experimenting with different varieties and winemaking methods. By combining innovation with tradition, they managed to make organic and biodynamic wines and sparkling wines full of character and expressiveness, capable of generating emotions.

Marta Casas, elected Best Winemaker of the Year 2024 by Master of Wine Tim Atkin, currently heads the winemaking department along with her husband Josep and brother-in-law Joan.

Winemaker Description

Pares Balta Cava Pink is smooth, refreshing and very graceful on the palate, packed with ripe, red berry fruit and balanced by a crisp, fresh acidity. Ideal for helping you to enjoy the summer sunshine. Or a rainy Tuesday evening!

Made using the traditional method developed in Champagne, this terrific Parés Baltà Pink Cava is quite stunning, and it is by far the best rosé Cava we've tasted for the price. This modern blend sees the traditional Xarel.lo component of white Cava replaced by 38% Garnatxa, alongside the 32% Parellada and 30% Macabeu.

Tasting Notes

Redcurrant color with a very good sparkling crown of bubbles. On the nose aroma of red fruit with a light floral notes. In the mouth it is appetizing and fresh with hints of redcurrant and raspberry. Long, sweet and pleasant finish. Serving temperature: 8 – 10°.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Cava, Catalonia, Spain
• Grapes: Garnatxa, Parellada, Macabeu
• Type: Sparkling
• Farming: Organic

Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Ama 2021 · Sonoma Coast, California

Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Ama is made from grapes grown on the family's 53-acre estate vineyard, located above a river gorge in the far northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Sea Ranch. The vineyard sits in the chilly inversion layer, with fog and wind from the ocean maintaining cool temperatures with plenty of sunlight.

Producer

Peay Vineyards is a first-generation family winery. Husband and wife Nick Peay and Vanessa Wong grow and make the wine, and brother Andy Peay and his wife Ami sell the wine and run the business. Winemaker Vanessa Wong left her position as winemaker at Peter Michael Winery in 2001 to launch Peay Vineyards; formerly she worked at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Domaine Jean Gros and Hirsch Winery.

In a multitude of languages, ama means "love, being of love, a Japanese female diver, grandmother, and land or place." The last definition is pertinent, as Ama means "land or place" in the Kashaya language of the Pomo people, who thrived in this region of the Pacific Coast for millennia. By the 2009 vintage, the more recently planted blocks were revealing a distinct expression of Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir and deserved to be elevated to a vineyard designate named Ama.

Winemaking and Viticulture

Peay Vineyards farms organically and maintains licenses for fish friendly farming and integrated pest management. The winery also runs on bio-diesel at the vineyard and solar power at both the vineyard and winery.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck, 97 Points — The 2021 Pinot Noir Ama is dark ruby, with notes of red cherry and apple skin. The palate is full-bodied and has great structure, with a broad texture, ripe tannins and notes of dark cherry, tea leaf, and forest earth. It’s long on the palate and has a good finish.

Robert Parker, 94 Points — The 2021 Estate Pinot Noir Ama is powerful and perfumed this vintage. It offers aromas broody aromas of red and black cherries and aniseed with top notes of saline and citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with generous berry fruit and floral accents, and it has a long, spicy finish.

Details

• Producer: Peay Vineyards
• Region: Sonoma Coast, California
• Vineyard: Ama, 53-acre estate vineyard
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Organic, with fish friendly farming and integrated pest management
• Winemaker: Vanessa Wong

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from One of Oregon’s Founding Estates

Adelsheim Vineyard is one of Oregon’s original pioneering estates, founded in 1971 and instrumental in establishing the Willamette Valley as one of America’s great Pinot Noir regions. The 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir — 100% Pinot Noir from a broad array of origins and clones, matured nine months in 19% new French oak — is a hallmark of Adelsheim’s classic, elegant house style: fresh, balanced, and beautifully textured, with the seamlessly integrated tannins and lively acidity that define great Willamette Valley Pinot.

Expert Reviews

• Wine Advocate — 91 pts: "Bursting with scents of bramble fruit preserves, cranberry sauce, holiday spice and earth. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and spicy with well-integrated oak, soft dusty tannins, refreshing acidity and a long, nuanced finish."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 90 pts: "Refreshing and zesty, with notes of fresh cherries, red flowers, and bright stemmy spices. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity and a light astringency, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink over the coming 6–7 years."

67Wine Staff Pick

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com: "A very pretty expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Plenty of aromatic complexity with layered fruit and a lovely earthy character. Raspberries, spiced plums and baking spices supported by elegant tannins that linger on the long finish. Drinking perfectly right now."

Winemaker Notes

With its broad array of origins and clones, this 100% Pinot Noir displays aromas of cocoa, pomegranate, and raspberry on the nose and palate, with a light touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. True to Adelsheim’s house style, it is elegantly textured with seamlessly integrated, silky, polished tannins.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Producer: Adelsheim Vineyard (est. 1971)
• Vintage: 2023
• Aging: 9 months, 19% new French oak
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Highly versatile — exceptional with cedar-planked salmon, roasted duck with cherry reduction, herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, and earthy lentil dishes.

Expert Reviews 

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A very fresh, floral-laced style, offering a bright beam of cassis and plum gelée laced with flashes of violet, hibiscus and rose petal. Nicely grounded through the finish, with alder and warm earth hints filling in. Approachable, but this has more to show in time. Best from 2023 through 2036. (JM)

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Delicate herbal shadings accent the cassis notes on the nose of Corison's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's classic Corison, balanced and concentrated without being showy or weighty, silky in feel, with a long, lingering finish and two decades of ageability. (JC)Decanter 94 points Alluring aromas of dark cassis, graphite, cedar and wild herbs. It has a striking depth with layered flavours and texture, and while restrained now it is incredibly well-built and in need of time in the cellar to fully shine. Reveals subtle hints of fresh black and blue berries, currants and dried herbs tinged with red florals. Finishes with polish, energy and poise. (JC)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Lots of dark, blackcurrants, cassis, darker chocolate, and hints of violets emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced St. Helena Napa Cabernet Sauvignon offering nicely integrated acidity, terrific balance, and a great finish. This quintessential Cathy Corison Cabernet shines on all accounts. It's going to evolve for two decades. (JD)

James Suckling 94 Points | A perfumed nose of blackberries, dark cherries, cedar, cocoa and nutmeg. Violets too. Medium body with fine tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and refined with a bright core of wild fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. (JS)

Vinous 93 Points | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is full of charm. It offers all of the natural intensity of the year, with bright acids that keep the flavors bright. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco and spice all build effortlessly. This open-knit yet classically built Cabernet is likely to offer a wide window of drinkability over the next 15-20 years. As always, Cathy Corison's Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of three sites in St. Helena. (AG)

Wine & Spirits Magazine 96 Points | The 2019 vintage might be something of an outlier for Cathy Corison, who picked two weeks later than usual, taking advantage of the cool season from summer into fall. This wine is, in fact, an idealized version of her benchland cabernet sauvignon, holding on to the elegance she regularly achieves, while adding a luscious textural beauty that more often comes from bottle age. James Conley of NYC’s Keen’s Chophouse found the aroma suggested a more delicate wine than the density and extract this one carries in its “cabernet grape tannins and intriguing, lifted fruit. If someone said, ‘I love Napa, but show me what I’m missing.’ I’d say, ‘Well, try this.’” Warm and explosive in its energy, this wine carries an imprint of the benchland soils in the play of darkness and light, in the detailed tannins that make you crave another taste. (JG)