Women Winemakers

Expert Reviews

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW, Andy Howard MW, Susan Hulme MW of Decanter writes 91 Points | This is a fantastically complex Prosecco: tart Granny Smith apples and ripe and creamy Meyer lemons move into tropical fruits like lychee and pineapple. The palate is rich but dry, with just a tease of toastiness that draws favourable comparisons with Champagne. 

Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate writes | The Sommariva NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut is a simple and stripped-down Italian sparkler with a cheerful playlist of grapefruit, honeydew melon, white rose aromas and salty minerality. The fine beading and fresh acidity of this wine promises to refresh your palate just in time for your next appetizer dish. 

Winemaker Description

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 is an intense ruby red color. The nose delivers notes of red fruit, in particular black cherries, light hints of flowers and sweet impressions of powdered sugar. The bouquet is completed by hints of cinnamon and dill that impart pleasantly spicy nuances. The vertical palate is taut, pleasantly mouthfilling with supple tannins and closes with a lengthy, sapid, and full finish. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Monica Larner writes:  This is one of the big surprises of this tasting and ultimately represents one of the best buys in the entire extended Marchesi Antinori portfolio. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori shares the DNA of Tignanello. It is Sangiovese kissed with small parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Of course, the wine is more accessible and open compared to Tignanello, and spiritually, this wine is a Chianti Classico. By that I mean that the elegant minerality of these soils and th e sunny flavors of its environs are the determining characteristics. You get wildflower, iris, tart fruit and plum. The wine's enhanced mineral character, with dusty white rock, is what adds lasting complexity and depth.  Drinking 2024 to 2033.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 94+

Bruce Sanderson writes:  This ripe style is fresh and harmonious, delivering plum, cherry and boysenberry fruit, with accents of earth, iron and eucalyptus. Supple in texture, with a beautifully integrated structure and long, complex aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2043.   - Wine Spectator 95

James Button writes:  Among this estate's 130 hectares of vines in San Casciano Val di Pesa are the Tignanello and Solaia vineyards. This Riserva is fermented in stainless steel, undergoing a spontaneous malolactic fermentation and ageing in French and Hungarian oak barriques for 12 months before bottling. An old vintage, 2010, impressed us all in 2023 by topping the leaderboard at our ‘Ageing Chianti Classico’ panel tasting, and this 2021 equally has plenty of potential. It oozes with menthol, fresh hedgerow berries and some baked currants. There's plenty of fruit intensity, backed by well integrated wood structure, and it keeps quite a vertical profile in the mouth which helps to belie its density. Powdery tannins coat the cheeks, balanced by fresh acidity, while the inherent juiciness of the fruit waits to be unlocked with time.  Drinking 2025 to 2036.  - Decanter 93

Walter Speller writes:  Impenetrable dark ruby. Deep, concentrated marasca cherry and cherry liqueur with a minty, oaky note and a hint of cinnamon. A concentrated cherry-fruit palate layered with minty oak notes and lots of sandy tannins building up on the tangy finish. Will disappoint no one.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Jancis Robinson 16.5

Our Professional Review 

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Napa Valley’s shining stars, but it’s always a ‘special occasion’ wine that’s priced beyond the reach of ordinary quaffing. The good news is Cakebread is now producing an affordable top notch Cabernet from Paso Robles that drinks deliciously. The 2022 Bezel Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied and lush with a terrific bouquet of blackberries, spiced plums, cappuccino, tobacco and dried herbs. Rich and generous with great balance and velvety tannins, this is a wine that will satisfy the Napa crave and stay within the budget. See, you can have your ’Cake’ at drink it too!

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | Aromas of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, dried herbs and wild blackberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of mulberries, cedar and mocha. Plush and generous, with a complete fini ijtsromas of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, dried herbs and wild blackberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of mulberries, cedar and mocha. Plush and generous, with a complete finish.

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. 

Winemaker Description

Celler Bàrbara Forés is a woman owned and operated winery located in the Terra Alta region of Catalonia, Spain. It was founded on the principles of agroecology and is known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines while respecting the environment. Uniting the efforts of three women, the winery's philosophy is rooted in sustainable viticulture and the unique terroir of the Terra Alta The wine is made with Morenillo from a single estate that has partly sandy soil but mostly a loamy texture. When the grapes have been manually harvested, they ferment in contact with the skins. Maceration lasts 21 days. After pressing, fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature.

The wine is then aged for 9 months in clay amphoras.With the name Bàrbara Forés, the marriage of Carmen Ferrer and Manuel Sanmartín wanted to pay tribute to their great-grandmother Bárbara Forés, who was born in Gandesa on February 7, 1828. Bárbara Forés, the daughter of a wine merchant (Rafael Forés) and an agricultural owner (Maria Figueras), was a person of great character and had a decisive influence on her son Rafael.

Rafael Ferrer Forés, a pharmacist and illustrious winegrower, constructed the cellar of the manor house where he began bottling wine at the end of the 19th century. Bárbara Forés, therefore, represents respect and tradition in the production of wines, passed down from generation to generation for more than a hundred years in their house.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | Here is a hand’s down delicious Demeter certified Biodynamic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre made by Anne Collard of Château Mourgues du Grès. The lively bouquet is a Pandora’s Box of scintillating aromas: strawberries, raspberries, plums, violets, lavender, lilac, Herbs de Provence and licorice. The palate is lively and harmonious, light bodied and completely natural, with juicy tannins and refreshing acidity on the energetic finish, with very little sulfur used at bottling. Served chilled, this makes the perfect picnic-party wine. A fun wine with a name to match, She Fu Mi, Japanese for Rock, Paper, Scissors. Enjoy!

A rustic Italian style blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc & Merlot. Perfect with Spaghetti!

New York Times 

"This might have been a classic cava, if all cavas were farmed organically and made with as much care. Instead, it stands out. Parés Baltà uses only the traditional grapes, xarello, parellada and macabeu, with the emphasis on xarello. It’s fresh, lively and dry. Other good Spanish sparklers to seek out include Gramona, AT Roca, Recaredo and Raveentos Blanc" - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada 67Wine.com | For those seeking a superb sparkling wine made the Traditional method and blending the flagship Cava Varietals, Xarel.lo, Parellada and Macabeu, Pares Balta Brut Nature NV should be on your wine  radar. 

Tasting Notes: Aromas to green apples, citrus fruit and brioche. Medium-bodied with superb fine bubbles. Crisp and enticing mouthfeel. Bone-dry with a refreshing finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 91 Points | Reductive aromas of violets and camphor segue to black cherries and licorice root. This needs an aggressive decant, but the mouthfeel is polished and slick. The tannins are well wrought and compact. A full-weighted wine in a modern style that will have its fans. Sustainable. Drink or hold. 

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | Tart cherries and raspberries mingle with dried oregano and thyme on the nose. Earthy undertones and fine tannins grace the palate, as bright cherry flavors are added by vibrant acidity to lift the wine on the finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Alison Napjus writes:  Creamed black cherry and black raspberry fruit is structured by chewy tannins and fresh acidity in this balanced red. Shows a subtle underpinning of sanguine iron and earth accents, with appealing details of dark chocolate shavings, dried mint and anise that linger on the finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2029.  - Wine Spectator 90

James Suckling writes:  A fruity wine with bright raspberries, pressed flowers, bay leaves, sweet spice and forest floor. The attack is firm, with velvety tannins, a medium to full body and crisp acidity. Chewy with a chocolaty aftertaste. A bit chalky in the finish. Drinkable now, but best from spring 2025.  - James Suckling 92 

Winemaker Description

With this new wine from Sumoll, Grosella, we return to our origins.By recovering little-cultivated varieties, we want to pay homage to that ancestral agriculture, which was practiced in the past, and which at Parés Baltà we have never forgotten.The large grain Sumoll has surprised us on how it exhibits its intense aromas with bright colors and mallow nuances.It has a very fruity pulp with thick and tinted skins, it shows all its splendor in a fresh and attractive wine.Sight: Red currant colour, low layer and bright.Nose: Forest fruits with intense and delicious aroma.Mouth: Refreshing, perfumed, light, acidity perfectly accompanied by the aromas that the post taste leaves us which makes it vibrant and easy to drink.

“Red cherry and light raspberry, rooibos, fresh peppercorn, light herbal notes of thyme, quite fresh overall, good deal of talc mineral notes. Decently chewy on the palate with good red fruit and light blackberry notes, fresh and crisp. While this is Sumoll, it’s from the ‘gra gros’ clone or larger-berried variant.”Miquel Hudin,  journalist

Expert Review

James Suckling writes 91 Points |  A well-balanced and flavorful blend of garnatxa and cabernet. Dark cherries, plums and earth aromas mingle on the nose and follow through to a medium body with creamy tannins. Vibrant with a fruity and chocolaty finish. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink now.

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.

Grape Variety: Garnatxa, Parellada, Macabeo/Viura

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°

Winemaker Description

Peay Vineyards is a first-generation family winery. Husband and wife, Nick Peay & Vanessa Wong, grow and make the wine and brother, Andy Peay, and his wife Ami, sell the wine and run the business.

All wines are made from grapes grown on our 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. We sit in the chilly inversion layer with fog and wind from the Ocean maintaining cool temperatures with plenty of sunlight.

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.

We farm organically and maintain our licenses for fish friendly farming and integrated pest management. The health of our vineyard dictates these approaches to farming and making wine. We also run on bio-diesel at the vineyard and solar power at both the vineyard and winery.

Expert Ratings - 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. (2021). 

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. (2021). 

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 95 Points | The 2019 Pinot Noir Estate Scallop Shelf is a nervy, tense wine that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. This is an especially savory, mineral Pinot, with the fruit moved more into the background. Lavender, rose petal, mint, sage and crushed rocks linger in this vivid, exceptionally polished Pinot Noir from the Peay family.

Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2019 Estate Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf has a perfume of red berries, dried flowers, blood orange and potpourri with earthy undertones. The palate is seriously styled, with a grainy tannic frame, seamless freshness, broody, earth-laced fruits and a long, spiced finish. I'd give this another year or two in bottle. 600 cases produced.
 
Vinous 94+ Points | The 2019 Pinot Noir Estate Scallop Shelf is a nervy, tense wine that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. This is an especially savory, mineral Pinot, with the fruit moved more into the background. Lavender, rose petal, mint, sage and crushed rocks linger in this vivid, exceptionally polished Pinot Noir from the Peay family.

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)

Winemaker Description

The result of a nearly perfect, long and cool ripening season (and oblivious to the Covid chaos swirling around it), the 2020 was picked and in the barn fully two and a half weeks before the Glass Fire broke out. Industrial-grade air filters kept smoke out of the winery as the wines went down to barrels. We are so grateful, and relieved, to present the lovely 2020.

This wine is wildly complex with tart cherry, blueberry, red and black currants, raspberry, plum and boysenberry fruit, fleshed out with notes of baking spices and peppermint. The tannins are characteristically polite yet grippy. Mineral notes add lift and the evolving violet perfume is so pretty. - Cathy Corison.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020 

Decanter 96 Points | Medium to full-bodied beautiful and restrained with savoury aromatics of fennel black liquorice cedar and black currants. Soft satiny blackberry fruits are lifted by fine-grained yet supple tannins while a purity of fruit guides the palate to a long tobacco-tinged finish marked by a mineral-freshness that beckons sip after sip. 100% Cabernet aged 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. (Drink between 2023-2035. (2020).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Distinctive, with a vivid display of mulberry, pomegranate and plum fruit aromas and flavors that glide through easily, carried by a silky but persistent structure. Reveals nice floral nuances through the finish, with a late twinge of iron, too. (2020). 

James Suckling 92 Points | Quite fruit-expressive and floral with spiced dark cherries rust baked plums hibiscus and violet extract on the nose. Rich and fruity with tart cherries cassis and dried herbs on the palate. Full-bodied and juicy with silky tannins that smoothen it out. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | Corison fans should enjoy the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon. Gentle herbal streaks run through the wine's classic black cherries and cassis fruit. Medium-bodied sleek and streamlined it shows vibrant energy and ample length framed by gentle silky tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The base 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty with a medium-bodied elegant style as well as lots of sappy herbs flowers and currant-driven aromatics fine tannins and nicely integrated acidity. Drink this balanced satisfying old school Cabernet over the coming 10-12 years or so. This Cuv e spent 18 months in 50% new oak.

Winemaker Description

The 2017 is brighter and less brooding than typical Kronos vintages in their youth, with luscious, juicy cassis, luxardo cherry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Signature blackberry pie flavors, complete with baking spices, proclaim a sense of place. Approachable now, the tannins provide a velvet grip. Grace notes include toasted almonds and hints of peppermint. Firm acidity and mineral verve keep it lively. Violets and dried rose petals are already perfuming the aromas. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Focused, with slightly high-toned vanilla and red licorice notes running along the edges of a red currant and plum preserve-filled core. A late flurry of sweet spice, black tea and incense on the finish adds a distinctive edge. Relies on freshness and acidity, more than outright grip. Cellar this for a bit. Best from 2023 through 2034. 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Tangy in red fruit, tangerine, grapefruit and a hint of iron, this vineyard-designate imparts bold, concentrated intensity within a restrained and balanced package of brightness and verve. From a relatively warm vintage and warm location, it retains nuance, elegance and length, with structure to age. Enjoy this impressively made wine best from 2027–2037 Cellar Selection.

Wine Advocate 95 Points | Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard needs a little coaxing to reveal enticing notes of freshly crushed black cherries, redcurrant jelly and wild blueberries with a undercurrent of cassis, allspice, sandalwood and rose oil plus a touch of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has a real skip in its step, with delicately played, bright, energetic black and red berry layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 

James Suckling 96 Points |  Beautiful blueberry and lavender aromas. Violets, too. So perfumed. Medium to full body and very fine, focused tannins. Purity and beauty to the wine. Pretty length. Drinkable now, but much better after 2024. 

Our Professional Review 

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com | A very pretty expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, this delicious 2022 shows plenty of aromatic complexity with layered fruit with a lovely earthy character. In the mouth, the flavors unfold to reveal raspberries, spiced plums and baking spices supported by elegant tannins that linger delightfully on the long finish. Drinking perfectly right now, this is a perfect accompaniment to salmon, poultry and vegetarian cuisine. - Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points |  With a youthful transparent red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is perfumed out of the gate with notes of fresh red cherries, sweet herbs, wet stone, and a hint of purple flowers shining through. Approachable and medium-bodied, it has a delicate, savory, juicy feel, with fine tannins and a light, earthy note of beetroot on the finish. This is a very charming wine to drink over the next few years.

Winemaker Description

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | A barrel selection of their preferred lots and barrels, the jeweled ruby-colored 2022 Pinot Noir Breaking Ground brings more intensity and depth, boasting aromas of pure red cherries, rosemary, roses, and a hint of licorice. Medium-bodied and appealing on the palate, it offers fine tannins, a bit more of a linear feel, refreshing, ripe acidity, and a pure, clean finish with good length. It’s going to drink well over the coming 6-8 years and should hold up over the coming 10 years if stored properly.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Breaking Ground wafts up with a bouquet of sweet lavender, pine shavings and black cherries. It sweeps across the palate, soft and pliant, with tactile mineral tones that add contrast as a wild blueberry concentration saturates. It leaves a tart concentration and edgy tannins to linger, tapering off with medium length and spicy.

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Sleek in style yet deeply flavored, with black raspberry, orange-flavored chocolate and black tea flavors that finish with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2031. 4,387 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

‘Lovely aromas of fresh boysenberry, grated nutmeg, and crushed rose petal lift out of the glass, framed with notes of loam and black peppercorns. The balance of this wine is impeccable, calmly walking a tightrope of tension and plushness. The fine-grained tannins bring finesse and elegance to the finish.’

-Gina Hennen, Winemaker

Appellation: Chehalem Mountains
Farming: LIVE certified
Composition: 100% Pinot noir

Expert Reviews 

Allison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes |  A balanced bubbly with a lively mousse, this presents juicy flavors of black cherry and pineapple backed by a buoyant spine of acidity. Reveals hints of candied ginger and tangerine peel on the finish. Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. Drink now.

90 Points Tasting Panel |  Blending 50% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, and 20% Parellada from 25-plus-year-old high-elevation vines makes for an extroverted sparkler. A nose of croissant and lemon oil leads to flavors of lemon pudding, candle wax, and white flowers. Lively and focused.