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South African Pinotage from an All-Women Run Winery

HER is the flagship collection from Adama Wines, an all-women run company based in Wellington, South Africa. Founded by eight dedicated South African women, the brand was created to represent sisters, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers — the women who strive to make the world a better place. The 2024 HER Pinotage is exactly what great everyday Pinotage should be: youthful, vibrant, and immediately enjoyable, with the bright fruit and velvety texture that make South African Pinotage one of the world’s most distinctive and food-friendly red varieties.

Winemaker Notes

Youthful and fun. Bright and punchy berries and ripe red fruits on the nose. Juicy on the palate with velvety tannins and a fresh, fruit-driven finish. Best enjoyed slightly cool.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinotage
• Appellation: Western Cape, South Africa
• Producer: Adama Wines (HER Collection)
• Vintage: 2024
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Wonderfully versatile — exceptional with grilled meats, BBQ ribs, burgers, spiced lamb, and casual weeknight meals.

Bob's South African Pinotage 2025

A bold and expressive Pinotage from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Western Cape, South Africa. Bob's 2025 vintage delivers the grape's signature smoky depth alongside vibrant red fruit — ripe plum, cherry, and a hint of dark chocolate — with a smooth, full-bodied finish.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby in the glass with aromas of ripe plum, smoked meat, and dark berry. On the palate, flavors of blackberry, mocha, and a touch of vanilla lead to a warm, lingering finish with well-integrated tannins.

Food Pairings

Pairs beautifully with boldly flavored comfort foods. Try with turkey meat loaf and spicy tomato chutney, vegetarian three-bean chili, or pulled pork sandwiches with burnt end baked beans.

• Grape: Pinotage
• Region: Western Cape, South Africa
• Vintage: 2025
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Notes

Aromas of red fruits with flavors of fragrant cherry, black pepper, and notes of wood. Hints of raspberry lead to a lingering finish.

About the Wine

The David & Nadia Topography Pinotage 2024 is a definitive example of the "New Wave" South African wine movement. David and Nadia Sadie are leading figures in the Swartland region, celebrated for their minimal-intervention, terroir-focused approach that reimagines Pinotage as an elegant, fresh, and cerebral wine rather than a heavy or rustic one.

This is Pinotage for people who think they don’t like Pinotage.

Tasting & Pairings

Fragrant cherry, raspberry, black pepper, and subtle wood notes. Fresh, elegant, and medium-bodied with a lingering finish. Serve at cellar temperature or with a slight chill.

• Grilled lamb chops with Ras el Hanout — North African spices complement the peppery fruit.
• Pulled pork or smoked duck — the wine’s freshness cuts through rich, smoky meats.
• Mushroom risotto or roasted squash — savory herbs and earthy flavors are a natural match.
• South African braai (BBQ) — the traditional pairing, and for good reason.

Babylonstoren Babel Red Blend — Western Cape, South Africa 2024

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa — set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley, where the farm has been cultivating vines, fruit, and vegetables since the 17th century. The Babel Red Blend is the estate’s most ambitious expression: a nine-variety blend of Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, and Marselan, each component aged separately in oak barrels before blending. The result is a wine of remarkable complexity and generosity for the price. 

Deep ruby in color. The nose is inviting and layered: ripe black fruit, dark plum, and a savory edge of cigar and warm spice. On the palate, it is dry and full-bodied, with a soft, juicy mouthfeel from careful oak aging and a lingering, fruit-forward finish that rewards every sip. Youthful and vibrant, with enough depth to cellar or enjoy right now.

• Producer: Babylonstoren, Simonsberg-Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Western Cape WO
• Blend: 53% Shiraz, 19% Pinotage, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache Noir, 1% Marselan
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black fruit, dark plum, cigar, warm spice, soft oak, juicy finish
• Best Paired With: Slow-cooked game, oxtail stew, barbecued boerewors, fire-grilled lamb chops with rosemary, lightly spiced pulled pork

A nine-variety Cape blend at an honest price — Babylonstoren Babel is the benchmark for what Western Cape red blending can be.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024 James Suckling

90/100 points

Pinot Grigio is one of the most cultivated grape varieties in Alto Adige and finds ideal conditions in Kurtatsch. Our Pinot Grigio Selection consists only of grapes from selected hillsides and steep slopes.

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir — California 2022

The Pinot Project was born from a simple conviction: that great Pinot Noir doesn't have to cost a fortune. Handcrafted from premium vineyards across California's most celebrated coastal regions — Monterey and San Benito on the Central Coast, and Suisun Valley in the north — the wine draws on a diversity of soils and climates to achieve remarkable balance and depth. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and carefully destemmed to express bright, pure fruit while maintaining the freshness that defines the variety. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points.

The nose opens with vibrant aromas of Bing cherry, dark plum, cinnamon, potpourri, and Tahitian vanilla bean. On the palate, fresh strawberry, dried cranberry, raspberry cream, white grapefruit zest, and dried bay leaf unfold with medium body, fine-grained integrated tannins, and a dry, mouthwatering finish. This is coastal California Pinot Noir at its most honest and approachable.

Wine Enthusiast 91 — "Vibrant, bright, and beautifully balanced."

Expert Reviews – Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry and dark plum, enhanced by cinnamon, potpourri, and Tahitian vanilla bean. Fresh strawberry, dried cranberry, raspberry cream, white grapefruit zest, and dried bay leaf on the palate. Medium-bodied with fine-grained, integrated tannins and a dry, mouthwatering finish.

• Producer: The Pinot Project, California
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: California (Monterey, San Benito, Suisun Valley)
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vinification: Destemmed, harvested at optimal ripeness
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Bing cherry, dark plum, cinnamon, vanilla, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, grapefruit zest, bay leaf
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2026
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

91 points from Wine Enthusiast — The Pinot Project delivers coastal California Pinot Noir with genuine character at an unbeatable price.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points: Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028.

Winemaker Description

Lush, layered and complex, this enticing Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry, alongside notions of pennyroyal, clove and sweet baking spices. On the palate, supple tannins and elegantly balanced acidity frame juicy flavors of blackberry and Bing cherry, with savory hints of nutmeg, leather and breakfast tea emerging on the long, robust finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Poultry: Roasted duck with cherry reduction or herb-crusted chicken thighs.
• Meat: Lamb chops with rosemary or pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.
• Cheese: Aged Gruyère, Brie, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Central Otago's Most Exciting Pinot Noir — Moonlight Race by Burn Cottage

Burn Cottage is one of Central Otago's most celebrated biodynamic estates, and the Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is their benchmark expression of this breathtaking South Island appellation. Sourced from three exceptional vineyards — Burn Cottage, Sauvage, and Luna — the 2023 vintage is a wine of extraordinary energy and precision. Crunchy, lively, and deeply satisfying, it captures everything that makes Central Otago Pinot Noir so compelling: vivid fruit, electric acidity, and a silky, fine-grained texture that is impossible to put down.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 96 pts: "I really like the crunchy character to this, with ripe, al dente pinot noir character highlighting the strawberry and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, lively and energetic with citrus and crushed stone undertones. This is so satisfying and fresh."
• Wine Spectator — 95 pts: "Stalky, spicy and bright, with notes of Campari/blood orange that mingle alongside dark chocolate, coffee, blood plum and star anise. The tannins and acidity work together as one, making this wine feel integrated, serious, and fun, all at once. Very fine."
• Wine Advocate — 94 pts: "Supple and spicy, with pink peppercorn, cherry blossom, red apple skins, a hint of blond tobacco and white pepper. The tannins are totally fresh and fine — finely milled and like poudre. Superb, silky, totally satisfying and enlivening."

Winemaker Notes

Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Moonlight Race Central Otago 2023 750ml

A blend of 56% Burn Cottage Vineyard, 22% Sauvage Vineyard, and 22% Luna Vineyard fruit. Seven percent whole bunch was included in the ferment with 17 days on skins. Aged in 22% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable freshness and complexity — bright red fruit, floral lift, spice, and a long, mineral-driven finish that is quintessentially Central Otago.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand
• Producer: Burn Cottage
• Vintage: 2023
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

Incredibly versatile — exceptional with roasted duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb rack, soft cheeses, and charcuterie boards.

Erath Pinot Noir — Oregon 2023

Erath is one of Oregon's founding Pinot Noir estates, established by Dick Erath in the Dundee Hills in 1969 — a pioneer who helped prove that the Willamette Valley could produce world-class Pinot Noir. Now part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates family, Erath continues to craft approachable, terroir-driven Oregon Pinot Noir that delivers genuine quality at an everyday price. The Oregon bottling draws from a broad network of cool-climate vineyards across the state, capturing the freshness, bright acidity, and red fruit character that define Oregon Pinot at its most accessible and food-friendly.

Bright cranberry in the glass with flashes of scarlet, the nose is inviting and expressive: black cherry and cola unfold gracefully, complemented by a subtle hint of toasted oak. On the palate, vibrant acidity brings energy and lift to layers of strawberry compote and gentle baking spice. The finish is soft and effortless — a harmonious balance between delicacy and plush, fruit-driven charm.

"Aromas of black cherry and cola unfold gracefully, complemented by a subtle hint of toasted oak. On the palate, vibrant acidity brings energy and lift to layers of strawberry compote and gentle baking spice. The finish is soft and effortless." — Erath Winemaker

• Producer: Erath Winery, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Founded: 1969 by Dick Erath
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Oregon AVA
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Closure: Screwcap
• Style: Light-to-Medium Bodied, Bright, Fruit-Driven
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, cola, strawberry compote, baking spice, toasted oak, vibrant acidity, soft finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Roast duck with cherry glaze, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, lamb chops, stuffed peppers, soft cheeses
• Serve: Slightly chilled, 58–62°F

Oregon's most trusted everyday Pinot Noir — Erath delivers cool-climate character, screwcap convenience, and genuine quality under $25.

Intensely flavored with a long finish, our Pinot Noir is elegantly balanced and filled with lush fruit flavors, complemented by subtle hints of toasted wood.

Winemaker Notes

Fresh red fruits and a floral note immediately jump from the nose. Dark ripe raspberries, spices, lavender, hints of oak and cassis emerge after the initial blast of fruit. Beautifully balanced with nice acidity and ripe tannins.

About the Wine

A to Z Wineworks is Oregon’s largest premium winery and one of the state’s most trusted names for everyday Pinot Noir. Founded by four Oregon wine veterans — including Deb Hatcher (Eyrie Vineyards) and Sam Tannahill (Archery Summit) — A to Z sources fruit from top vineyards across the Willamette Valley and beyond, blending for consistency, balance, and pure Oregon character at an accessible price. A certified B Corporation committed to sustainability.

Tasting & Pairings

Raspberry, lavender, cassis, spice, and hints of oak. Medium-bodied with nice acidity, ripe tannins, and beautiful balance.

• Roasted chicken or grilled salmon — the bright fruit and balanced acidity are a natural Oregon pairing.
• Mushroom pasta or risotto — the earthy undertones complement umami-rich dishes.
• Charcuterie or mild cheeses — an easy, versatile weeknight red.

Pinot Noir | Santa Barbara County, California
Vintage: 2024  |  Size: 750ml

Au Bon Climat has been crafting Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County since 1982 — well before Sideways put the region on the map. Founded by the legendary Jim Clendenen, ABC remains one of California’s most consistent and intellectually honest producers, committed to restraint, terroir, and the long game.

The 2024 is a handcrafted blend from five premier vineyards across the county: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real in the Santa Maria Valley, with a small percentage from Kick On and Los Alamos. Hand harvested, fermented in small lots with daily manual punch downs, and aged 8–12 months in François Frères French oak. The result is a wine of superb structure and earthy depth — red currant, blueberry, and blood orange on the nose, with bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone in the background. Fine tannins, lively acidity, and a finish that rewards patience. Drink now through 2031.

“The possible food pairings are almost endless.”
— Au Bon Climat

Vineyards: Bien Nacido, North Canyon, Rancho Real, Kick On, Los Alamos
Oak: 8–12 months, François Frères French oak  |  Alcohol: 13.5%
Pairs with: Lamb, duck, salmon, mild red sauce pasta

Angeline Pinot Noir — California 2024

Angeline delivers everything you want from a California Pinot Noir at an everyday price — bright, fruit-forward, and immediately approachable, with enough structure to pair beautifully with food. The 2024 vintage is fresh and vivid, showcasing the best of California’s sun-drenched growing season.

The nose opens with lively black raspberry, fresh pomegranate, and wild blueberry, layered with hints of sassafras and subtle licorice. On the palate, toasted oak and an earthy backbone add depth, while grippy tannins give the wine a satisfying structure that lingers through a clean, fruit-driven finish.

• Producer: Angeline Winery, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Closure: Screw cap
• Tasting Notes: Black raspberry, pomegranate, wild blueberry, sassafras, licorice, toasted oak
• Best Paired With: Salmon, roasted chicken, mushroom dishes, charcuterie

A reliable, crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir that over-delivers at its price point — perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Winemaker Description

The Saintsbury Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is the most complete wine in the portfolio — a masterful blend of 7 single-vineyard ferments spanning 5 Sub-AVAs and 8 clones across the breadth of Sonoma Coast. From Jim Pratt's Sebastopol Hills Vineyard to the Sangiacomo Family's Roberts Road Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, these sites represent decades of relationships and a deep understanding of Sonoma Pinot Noir's remarkable diversity. Together, they yield a richer, more harmonious canvas than any single vineyard could provide alone. Expect aromas of cranberry, spruce, and violets, with Goldridge soils, volcanic clay, and marine fog lending structure and freshness throughout.

Appellation: Sonoma Coast  |  Sub-AVAs: 5  |  Vineyards: 7  |  Clones: 8  |  Production: 1,083 Cases

Fermentation & Élevage: 15% whole cluster fermentation, 11 months in 10% new French Oak.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Blood sausage with apples on toast or leg of lamb with Dijon & rosemary.
• Vegetables: Braised fennel alla Romana with shallot, garlic, lemon & herbs.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Époisses, or a mild washed-rind cheese.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Harvest hand made. Fermented in stainless steel with hyper-oxygenation of the musts. Maturation on fine lees. Malo-lactic done. Bottled under vacuum. Straw yellow, elegant and refined on the nose with complex fruit aromas. Mature wines have a bouquet of toasted almonds and straw.

Organic-Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir from the Bendigo Heartland

Loveblock is the project of Kim and Erica Crawford — a certified organic estate dedicated to minimal-intervention winemaking in New Zealand’s most celebrated Pinot Noir region. The grapes for this bottling come from their family-owned “Someone’s Darling” vineyard on the Bendigo Loop Road in Central Otago, placed into organic conversion in March 2022. The 2021 delivers fleshy black plum, layers of cherry and sweet berries, with hints of violet and savoury spice — grown with love, made with care.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Pretty clove, nutmeg and cardamom details complement sleek maraschino cherry, raspberry and cranberry flavors at the core. A touch of malty Assam tea lingers on the finish, adding a firm note. Drink now through 2035.

Winemaker Notes

Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2021 750ml

From the “Someone’s Darling” vineyard, Bendigo Loop Road, Central Otago. Fleshy black plum, cherry, and sweet berries on the palate with hints of violet and savoury spice. Bright and structured with a long, elegant finish. Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand
• Vineyard: Someone’s Darling, Bendigo Loop Road
• Producer: Loveblock
• Farming: Organic conversion (certified March 2022)
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A versatile Central Otago Pinot — exceptional with roasted duck, lamb rack, salmon with pinot beurre blanc, mushroom risotto, and aged sheep’s milk cheeses.

L’Umami · Pinot Noir · Willamette Valley · 2024

The name says it all. L’Umami is built around the savory, earthy dimension that makes Willamette Valley Pinot Noir so compelling — that fifth flavor that lingers on the palate and makes you reach for another glass. Sourced from Oregon’s premier cool-climate appellation, this is a fresh, clean, food-friendly Pinot that showcases the classic Willamette profile: ripe cherry and plum fruit layered with mushroom, earth, and a hint of smoke. Screwcap for maximum freshness. At $19.99 (compare at $23.99), this is ready-to-drink Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at a price that makes it an easy weeknight yes.

The 2024 opens with terrific aromas of earthy dark fruits, juicy cherry, spiced blackberry, and plum. On the palate: savory and supple, with flavors of cherry, earth, plum, and a hint of smoke and sundried tomato. Well-balanced with smooth, velvety tannins and subtle oak spice that carries through to a clean, lingering finish. Drink now through 2027.

“A terrific value in ready-to-drink, flavorful fruit-forward Willamette Valley Pinot Noir… savory character with subtle oak and spice. Well balanced and supple textured with smooth velvety tannins.”
— Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com

• Producer: L’Umami
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Earthy dark fruit, juicy cherry, spiced blackberry, plum, mushroom, smoke, sundried tomato, velvety tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Food Pairings: Wild mushroom risotto, roast chicken, duck breast with cherry reduction, Gruyère, charcuterie

Savory, earthy, and supple — Willamette Valley Pinot Noir built for the table, not the cellar.

Expert Reviews 

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The NV Brut Pinot de Diel is an assemblage of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, a réserve perpetuelle predominantly harvested in 2021. Aged sur lattes for two years and disgorged with a dosage of four grams per liter in May 2024, the wine opens with deep, bright and fresh, lemony fruit intertwined with delicate brioche, sur lie and also flinty terroir aromas. Round but dry and fresh on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied Brut with a clear, long and mouth-cleansing finish. It's excellent in structure, complexity and length. 12% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in Burg Layen in February 2025.

James Suckling 92 Points | This creamy, barely medium-bodied sparkling wine tastes very French, with appealing aromas and flavors of yellow apples, brioche and flint. The lively mousse deftly lifts the long candied-citrus finish. A cuvee based on the 2022 vintage plus some reserve wine, disgorged June 2025. Drink now.

Producer Notes

Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris (co-planted and co-fermented) • Region: Nahe • Vineyard: Various estate sites • Soil Type: Slate & quartzite • Fermentation & Élevage: Stainless steel fermentation and aging, minimum 20 months en tirage, dosage is sweet Pinot Gris aged in barrique.

Memo Summary Notes

The Schlossgut Diel Pinot de Diel Brut NV is a sophisticated German sparkling wine (Sekt) from the Nahe region. While many German sparkling wines are made from Riesling, this specific cuvée is a "Pinot" blend, modeled after the traditional Champagne style but with a distinct German terroir.

Schlossgut Diel is one of Germany’s most prestigious estates. While they are famous for their Grand Cru Rieslings, Caroline Diel spent time training in Champagne, and that influence is clear here. The "Pinot de Diel" is designed to be their "luncheon" sparkling—elegant enough for a celebration but versatile enough for the table.

Food Pairings

• Classic: Raw oysters, sashimi, or lightly fried calamari.

• German Pairing: Veal schnitzel with a squeeze of lemon.

• Casual: It is famously good with high-quality salty snacks like truffle popcorn or Marcona almonds.

Elena Walch · Pinot Grigio · Alto Adige DOC · Trentino-Alto Adige · Italy · 2025

Elena Walch is one of Alto Adige’s most celebrated estates — and one of Italy’s most prominent woman winemakers and owners. Her Pinot Grigio is a benchmark for the Alto Adige style: not the flat, neutral Pinot Grigio of the Veneto plains, but a wine of genuine mineral tension, aromatic precision, and the kind of crisp, structured character that the Alpine climate of the Dolomites uniquely produces. Grown at altitude in the cool, sun-drenched vineyards of Alto Adige, the 2025 is a wine with real backbone — and exceptional value at this price.

The 2025 captivates with a light straw yellow color. The nose opens with ripe pear, white pepper, and a touch of sage, with an appealing creamy texture carrying notes of peach skin and blood orange peel. On the palate, mineral-salty richness and crisp acidity are the hallmarks — elegant, focused, and refreshing from first sip to finish.

“The creamy texture and tangy acidity harmoniously blended with the refreshing green apple and pear flavors. There was also a subtle hint of stony minerality that added an unexpected layer of complexity. The simplicity of the pairing beautifully complemented the well-structured aromas and flavors of the wine.”
— Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine.com

• Producer: Elena Walch (woman winemaker & owner), Tramin, Alto Adige, Italy
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Alto Adige DOC
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio
• Style: Dry white — mineral, crisp, structured
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, white pepper, sage, peach skin, blood orange peel, mineral-salty richness, crisp acidity
• Pairings: Grilled fish, seafood, chicken salad, light pasta, fresh cheeses, aperitivo

Alto Adige DOC — mineral, structured Pinot Grigio from one of Italy’s most celebrated woman winemakers. Alpine precision at an exceptional price.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Harvest hand made. Fermented in stainless steel with hyper-oxygenation of the musts. Maturation on fine lees. Malo-lactic done. Bottled under vacuum. Straw yellow, elegant and refined on the nose with complex fruit aromas. Mature wines have a bouquet of toasted almonds and straw.

The Prisoner Pinot Noir | Sonoma Coast | 2022 | 750ml | California, USA

Redefining taste once again, this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a masterful blend from two of California's most celebrated AVAs — Russian River Valley and Petaluma Gap. Russian River's diverse terroir contributes a wide range of styles, while the cool, foggy climate of the Petaluma Gap lends a distinctive coastal minerality.

• Winery: The Prisoner Wine Company
• Origin: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2022
• AVAs: Russian River Valley & Petaluma Gap

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Ripe cranberry and dried black cherry with early floral notes and hints of mocha, chai, and leather
• Palate: Luxurious mouthfeel with juicy black cherry and spice at midpalate
• Finish: Lengthy and complex with notes of cardamom and clove

Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2023 750ml

Banshee is one of Sonoma County's most exciting Pinot Noir producers — a winery built on the belief that the best wines from Sonoma are yet to be made, and determined to produce some of them. Sourcing from a carefully curated network of cool-climate vineyards across the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Anderson Valley, Banshee pursues Pinot that achieves power without weight — transparent, site-driven, and alive with the flavors of the coast: forest floor, pine, tea, spice, and minerals alongside the fruit.

The 2023 Sonoma County Pinot Noir is generous, layered, and immediately appealing — an excellent food wine that is equally charming on its own. Bright, medium-bodied, and bursting with red and dark fruit, it delivers real complexity for the price and confirms why Banshee has earned such a devoted following.

"Layers of dark cherries, spices, blackberry bush and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity, showing dried herbs, graphite and plums. Generous and bold." — James Suckling, 92 pts

• Producer: Banshee Wines, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Appellation: Sonoma County AVA
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-bodied, elegant, cool-climate California Pinot Noir
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, dark cherry, blackberry, violets, forest floor, five-spice, toasted caramel, graphite, bright acidity
• Best Paired With: Roast duck, salmon, mushroom dishes, grilled lamb chops, or brie

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling — 92 Points
Layers of dark cherries, spices, blackberry bush and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity, showing dried herbs, graphite and plums. Generous and bold.

Jeb Dunnuck — 90 Points
Pouring a medium ruby color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma County is forward in the glass, with bright aromas of preserved cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and red flowers. The palate has lovely energy within a medium-bodied frame, and it has a refreshing feel, with its spices and chalky texture coming through on the finish.

Wine Spectator — 90 Points
A pretty red, with a steady beam of raspberry and cherry coulis flecked with red tea and savory. The streamlined finish shows a late tug of red licorice.

Site-driven Sonoma Pinot Noir that over-delivers at every price — Banshee is the kind of bottle you open on a Tuesday and finish before dinner is over.

Winemaker Description

Since its 175th anniversary, Pol Roger has decided to offer a very limited range of older vintages from its iconic cuvées. After the original disgorgement, these bottles were then returned to the famously deep and cool Pol Roger cellars for additional extended maturation where they have rested undisturbed until their release. Not only do these bottles have a label, cap and collar based on a historic Pol Roger design, they also have been dressed by hand and arrive in an elegant wooden box.

The Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée was created in 1975 as a tribute to the "Old Lion", using the qualities he appreciated in champagne : robustness, structure and maturity. Whilst its exact composition is a secret guarded by family members, it is undeniable that it is based on a formula of which its dedicatee would have approved : "My tastes are simple, I am easily satisfied with the best". Made exclusively with grapes from the Grands Crus of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay already in production during the Churchill era, this cuvée is only produced in the very best vintages.

The predominance of Pinot Noir unquestionably ensures structure, fullness and robustness, while Chardonnay lends elegance, finesse and freshness. Produced in limited quantities, this cuvée has matured for 10 years prior to disgorgement.

Bottle Size: 750ml | Region: Champagne, France