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Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 95 Points | A very pretty red with blackberry, black-cherry, flint and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a firm, focused tannin structure under the poised fruit. Long and caressing. Complex and crunchy. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The 2023 Cabernet Franc Magdalena Vineyard boasts slightly darker-hued fruit than the regular bottling, with the aromas tending toward black raspberries and black cherries. At the same time, it's perhaps a bit less leafy but still reasonably floral. In the mouth, the wine is medium- to full-bodied and silky-textured, with soft tannins that linger on the finish.

Winemaker Description 

Our single-vineyard iteration of our pillar red variety, Cabernet Franc, with more weight and structure than our traditional version. This fruit hails from a two-and-a-half-acre block within our Magdalena Vineyard- a warmer site which produces fruit that is amongst our ripest picks in each vintage. This additional development yields bold tannins up front which advance into red fruit transitioning to purple; black cherries, red plums, holiday seasoned cranberries. Texture, depth, and freshness are found in green flavors and garden soil earthiness, thanks to the rain of the earlier part of the '23 vintage. A drier and hotter fall is to thank for the counterbalancing fruit and composition.

Upon release, this Cab Franc has youthful muscularity to it, and has been destined to cellar beautifully. Drink now through 2038.

Perfect for pairing with rosemary roasted Parsnips and Lollipop Lamb Chops or Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate Seeds and Pepitas.

Memo Summary Notes

The Hermann J. Wiemer Cabernet Franc "Magdalena Vineyard" 2023 is a standout single-vineyard red from arguably the most prestigious estate in the Finger Lakes. While the winery is world-famous for Riesling, their Magdalena Vineyard—a warmer, 2.5-acre site on the western shores of Seneca Lake—is known for producing the region's most "serious," age-worthy Cabernet Franc.

The 2023 vintage is a significant release, as it was recently highlighted by James Suckling as one of the top-scoring New York reds ever tasted.

Pair with - Meats: Roast pork belly with sweet soy, lollipop lamb chops, or a classic steak with arugula and Parmigiano. 

• Vegetarian: Maple-roasted butternut squash with pomegranate seeds or a hearty lentil soup.

• Service: This is a "serious" red; decant for 30 minutes to let the flinty mineral and tobacco notes emerge from the primary fruit.

Famille Vincent Pouilly-Fuissé Marie Antoinette — Mâconnais, Burgundy 2023

Famille Vincent is the family behind Château Fuissé — one of the most celebrated and historic domaines in Pouilly-Fuissé, and the benchmark producer of the appellation. Located in the village of Fuissé in the Mâconnais, the estate has been in the Vincent family for generations and is today led by Antoine Vincent, who continues the family's commitment to expressing the full potential of Chardonnay on the distinctive limestone and clay soils of southern Burgundy. The Marie Antoinette cuvée is a tribute to Marie-Antoinette Vincent — Antoine's grandmother and a beloved figure in the family's history — crafted to be an approachable, high-quality introduction to the Château Fuissé style: elegant, mineral, and unmistakably Pouilly-Fuissé.

The color is pale yellow with hints of green. The nose offers a touch of oak alongside great finesse and minerality — white flowers, lemon, and apple scents lead into aromas of melon, kiwi, peach, and apricot. On the palate, the wine is fresh, round, and fruity with a lovely mineral backbone and a nicely balanced, long finish. Elegant and complete — a Pouilly-Fuissé that drinks well above its price.

"A touch of oak, lots of finesse and minerality with white flowers, lemon and apple scents. Fresh, round and fruity with aromas of melon, kiwi, peaches and apricot and a nice minerality. Nicely balanced and fresh with a great length." — Famille Vincent, Winemaker

• Producer: Famille Vincent / Château Fuissé, Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Cuvée: Named in tribute to Marie-Antoinette Vincent, grandmother of proprietor Antoine Vincent
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, lemon, apple, melon, kiwi, peach, apricot, mineral backbone, long balanced finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, fresh, elegant, lightly oaked
• Drink: Now through 2029
• Best Paired With: Seared scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, veal, soft cheeses, mushroom risotto, light cream sauces

The Château Fuissé pedigree in an approachable, elegant package — Marie Antoinette is Pouilly-Fuissé at its most charming.

Producer Description 

This new red wine blend is produced from Suisun Valley, a remarkable AVA that has become the Wagner family's second home. A 30-minute drive from Napa, Suisun has ideal soils and climate for a variety of grapes. The Walking Fool is named after a long-ago relative who was often seen traveling by foot - thus earning this affectionate moniker. Featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this wine is smooth and lively, with juicy raspberry, notes of espresso and softly fine tannins.

Monte Degli Angeli Pinot Noir Monferrato Piedmont 2024

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

James Suckling 91 Points | Raspberries and raw mushrooms on the nose of this medium-bodied red. Earthy and fresh with a medium body and lightly chalky tannins.

Winemaker's Notes

Rich, silky, and velvety with smooth tannins. Expressive fruity notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and ripe tomato, layered with floral hints of rose petal and violet. A wine that delivers elegance and approachability in equal measure — a standout value from Piedmont's Monferrato appellation.

Food Pairings

• Meats: Roast beef, braised lamb, or classic Boeuf Bourguignon.
• Vegetarian: Wild mushroom risotto, truffle-infused pasta, or butternut squash ravioli with sage.
• Cheese: Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or mild goat cheese.

About the Wine

While Piedmont is celebrated for its bold Nebbiolo-based wines like Barolo, this Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) from Monte Degli Angeli is a rare gem — offering Burgundian-inspired elegance at a remarkable price point. A high-quality, budget-friendly Italian red that punches well above its weight.

Mark West Pinot Noir California — 1.5L Magnum

Mark West is the original California Pinot Noir for the everyday table — the wine that proved you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a genuinely good Pinot. Sourced from vineyards across California’s cool coastal regions, it’s been a go-to carafe wine for over two decades, beloved for its approachable style, consistent quality, and the kind of easy drinkability that makes a bottle disappear faster than expected. Now in a 1.5L magnum — equivalent to two standard bottles — it’s the perfect pour for a dinner party, a backyard gathering, or any occasion where one bottle just isn’t enough.

Medium-bodied and smooth, with aromas and flavors of black cherry, strawberry, cola, and plum, with a fine combination of ripe red fruit and sweet oak. Soft, fine-grained tannins and a clean finish make it endlessly food-friendly — and just as good on its own.

Food Pairings

Pasta with light tomato sauce, grilled salmon, roasted pork tenderloin, a juicy cheeseburger, or simply poured into a carafe for a relaxed dinner. If you’re not a cook, drink it on its own — no judgment.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: California
Format: 1.5L Magnum (= 2 standard bottles)

Winemaker Description

The Yarden Sauvignon Blanc is produced exclusively from the Sauvignon Blanc grapes by the Golan Heights Winery in northern Israel. Almost completely transparent in color, the wine has a pleasantly refreshing and fruit-forward nose with aromas of lemons, apples, and some cantaloupe. with green undertones. 

Aged in French oak barrels for 2 months adds a light toastiness to the already complex fruit and herbaceous characters typical of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. The wine is medium-bodied with a mouthful that is pleasantly dry, with vibrant acidity reminiscent of lemon and lime flavors on the palate. It's got a lingering and rather acidic finish that makes it a great food wine for pasta or even something a little heavier like chicken. Winemaker Description.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon — South Eastern Australia (1.5L Magnum)

Yellow Tail is Australia’s most recognized wine brand — and for good reason. Built on the philosophy that great wine should be approachable, affordable, and fun, Yellow Tail has introduced millions of people to Australian Cabernet Sauvignon with a style that is consistently reliable, fruit-forward, and easy to love. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from South Eastern Australia’s warm, sun-drenched vineyards, producing grapes of generous ripeness and soft tannin structure. This 1.5L Magnum format is the smart choice for entertaining: more wine, better value, and a bottle that makes a statement on any table.

The nose offers a touch of mint layered over ripe blackberries and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is smooth and approachable, with toasted oak, ripe dark fruit, and soft, velvety tannins that carry through a generous, easy-drinking finish. No fuss, no pretension — just a crowd-pleasing Cabernet that delivers every time.

• Producer: Yellow Tail, South Eastern Australia
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)
• Tasting Notes: Mint, blackberry, vanilla, toasted oak, soft velvety tannins
• Best Paired With: Burgers, BBQ, grilled sausages, pizza, casual entertaining

Australia’s most beloved Cabernet in a Magnum — Yellow Tail is the no-brainer choice for parties, picnics, and any occasion that calls for more wine.

Nino Franco Rustico — Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV

Nino Franco has been making Prosecco in Valdobbiadene since 1919, and Rustico is the wine that put them on the map. Named in honor of an old tradition of bottle-fermented Prosecco, it remains one of the world's most celebrated values in high-quality sparkling wine — earning 94 points from Wine Enthusiast and a place on their Top 100 Wines of 2019. Non-vintage by design, Rustico is blended each year to maintain a consistent house style: bright, aromatic, and effortlessly drinkable. Primo Franco recommends serving it in a wine glass rather than a flute — the wider bowl lets the aromatics fully open up.

The nose opens with white spring flowers, Bartlett pear, green apple, and honeysuckle. On the palate it is light-bodied and creamy, with soft, persistent effervescence and ripe orchard fruit accented by a whisper of fennel seed. The finish is clean and refreshing, with just a touch of quinine bitterness that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Wine Enthusiast 94 — Top 100 Wines of 2019 • Vinous 91 • James Suckling 91

• Producer: Nino Franco, Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Glera
• Style: Extra Dry Sparkling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White spring flowers, Bartlett pear, green apple, honeysuckle, citrus, fennel seed, quinine finish
• Serve: 44–48°F in a wine glass (not a flute)
• Best Paired With: Oysters, prosciutto, light seafood, risotto, fresh salads, aperitivo spreads

A 94-point Prosecco Superiore DOCG at an honest price — Nino Franco's Rustico is the benchmark for what Valdobbiadene sparkling wine can be.

Experience the elegance of Curio California Pinot Noir 2024

Experience the elegance of Curio California Pinot Noir 2024, an honest expression of Pinot Noir as it was meant to be. Lovingly produced by minimalist winemakers James and Lorenza Allen of Accenti Wines, this wine showcases pure, unblemished Pinot Noir character through spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence. With its lush, fruity aromas and sophisticated tannins, this wine beautifully captures the essence of California, making it an excellent choice for both casual drinkers and discerning connoisseurs.

Professional Review - Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com

"Curio Pinot Noir is lovingly produced by minimalist winemakers James and Lorenza Allen of Accenti Wines. Spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence are hallmarks of their style in the cellar. They don't add stuff like yeast, bacteria, tannins, or enzymes to the wines because well-farmed fruit and careful attention to detail eliminates the need for additives.

The 2024 Curio is Pinot Noir as it was meant to be. It's an honest expression of the varietal, pure and unblemished, every sip a revelation of flavor. On the nose, inviting aromas of dark cherry, wild strawberry and spiced plum swirl from the glass with elevated anticipation. The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance, revealing a gentle earthiness and savory spice that resonates into the finish like a long Mediterranean sunset.

True to its form, this is a food lover's Pinot Noir. Don't be afraid to be adventurous, this Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility, whether it's a gourmet feast or a simple mid-week excursion."

James & Lorenza Allen - Accenti Wines

Curio Pinot Noir is crafted by James and Lorenza Allen, the talented winemaking duo behind Accenti Wines. Their minimalist approach to winemaking focuses on letting the fruit speak for itself, using spontaneous fermentation and careful attention to detail rather than additives. This philosophy creates wines of exceptional purity and character.

Minimalist Winemaking Philosophy

Spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence are hallmarks of the Allens' style in the cellar. They don't add yeast, bacteria, tannins, or enzymes to the wines because well-farmed fruit and careful attention to detail eliminates the need for additives. This natural approach allows the true character of the Pinot Noir grape to shine through.

Pinot Noir as It Was Meant to Be

The 2024 Curio is Pinot Noir as it was meant to be - an honest expression of the varietal, pure and unblemished. Every sip is a revelation of flavor, showcasing the grape's natural elegance and complexity without manipulation or heavy-handed winemaking techniques.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Bright ruby red characteristic of Pinot Noir
Aroma: Inviting aromas of dark cherry, wild strawberry and spiced plum swirl from the glass with elevated anticipation. Lush, fruity aromas with hints of vanilla
Palate: The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance. Ripe cherries, hints of vanilla, and subtle earthy undertones. Gentle earthiness and savory spice. Well-structured with sophisticated tannins. Vibrant acidity
Finish: Resonates into the finish like a long Mediterranean sunset. Smooth finish that lingers, allowing you to appreciate its depth

Well-Farmed Fruit

The quality of Curio Pinot Noir begins in the vineyard with well-farmed fruit from California's sun-kissed vineyards. Careful attention to viticulture ensures grapes of exceptional quality that require minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir and vintage to express themselves fully.

2024 Vintage Excellence

The 2024 vintage showcases the exceptional quality that Curio wines are known for. This vintage captures the essence of California Pinot Noir with its pure fruit expression, elegant structure, and harmonious balance.

A Food Lover's Pinot Noir

True to its form, this is a food lover's Pinot Noir. Don't be afraid to be adventurous - this Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility, whether it's a gourmet feast or a simple mid-week excursion. The wine's versatility and balance make it perfect for pairing with a wide range of dishes.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This Pinot Noir elevates any meal with its refined character and vibrant acidity:

• Grilled salmon and seafood
• Rich mushroom risotto
• Roasted duck and poultry
• Pork tenderloin
• Earthy vegetable dishes
• Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert
• Charcuterie boards
• Gourmet feasts or simple mid-week meals

Elegant & Harmonious Balance

The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance. This complexity creates a harmonious balance on the palate and invites you to dive deeper with every sip, revealing layers of flavor that make each glass a discovery.

Pure & Unblemished Expression

Every sip is a revelation of flavor - pure and unblemished Pinot Noir character without additives or manipulation. The minimalist winemaking approach ensures that what you taste is the true expression of the grape and terroir.

California Terroir

Each sip unfolds a story crafted from grapes grown in the sun-kissed vineyards of California. The wine beautifully captures the essence of the region, showcasing California's ability to produce world-class Pinot Noir with elegance and character.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Curio California Pinot Noir is more than just a bottle of wine; it's an experience waiting to be savored. Enjoy it with good company or as a perfect complement to your favorite dishes. It's a wine that enhances occasions, making it a perfect option for gatherings or a cozy night in.

Delectable Agility

This Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility. The wine's versatility, balanced structure, and vibrant acidity make it adaptable to various cuisines and cooking styles, from elegant fine dining to casual weeknight meals.

A Wine That Tells a Story

The Curio California Pinot Noir tells a story of minimalist winemaking, well-farmed fruit, and the pursuit of pure expression. Let the story of Curio unfold with each glass, revealing the passion and dedication of James and Lorenza Allen in creating an honest, elegant Pinot Noir that honors the varietal and the California terroir.

Le Sciare Primitivo Rocca Normanna — Puglia, Italy 2024

Cantine Due Palme is one of southern Italy's most celebrated cooperatives, founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco in the province of Brindisi by Angelo Maci — a third-generation winemaker whose family has farmed the sun-drenched soils of Salento for decades. Le Sciare Primitivo is sourced from old vines planted on the region's distinctive sandy coastal soils, which stress the vines naturally and concentrate flavor to extraordinary levels. The result is a full-bodied, hedonistic Primitivo that delivers unexpected complexity at its price point — a genuine over-achiever from the heel of Italy's boot.

The nose is perfumed and inviting: rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, warm spice, and dark chocolate fill the glass with an exotic, sun-drenched intensity. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a rich, plush texture, soft tannins, and a surprisingly complex, lingering finish. Juicy, generous, and built for the table.

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com — "A full bodied, full flavored Primitivo guaranteed to please! Perfumed aromas and flavors of rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, spice and dark chocolate fill the nose and fill the mouth with rich texture and soft tannins on the surprisingly complex finish."

• Producer: Cantine Due Palme, Cellino San Marco, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
• Founded: 1989
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Puglia IGT (Salento)
• Varietal: 100% Primitivo
• Vines: Old vines on sandy coastal soils
• Style: Full-Bodied, Fruit-Forward, Hedonistic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rich blackberry, black cherry, warm spice, dark chocolate, plush texture, soft tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, pizza, pasta with meat ragù, aged pecorino, charcuterie
• Serve: 62–66°F

Old-vine Primitivo from the heart of Salento — Le Sciare is southern Italy's most satisfying everyday red, full of sun, soul, and flavor.

Maison Saint AIX Rosé — Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France 2025 750ml

Nestled in the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Maison Saint Aix is a Provençal estate with a rich winemaking heritage rooted in exceptional terroir. The vineyard spans 75 hectares, where Mediterranean sun, cooling Mistral winds, and limestone-rich soils provide the ideal environment for Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Grapes are cultivated using sustainable, organic practices that respect the environment and preserve local biodiversity. Aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve maximum purity and freshness, AIX Rosé is an authentic expression of Provence — elegant, crisp, and unmistakably of its place.

The 2025 opens with a hypnotizing pale pink color and aromas of citrus, wild berries, and white peach. On the palate it is refreshingly crisp and dry, with a mineral finish that lingers with precision and grace.

The Tasting Panel 92 Points — “Salted raspberries, summer watermelon, and a linear strike of wet stone weave through, creating a juicy, mouth-puckering pink sipper.”

• Producer: Maison Saint Aix, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
• Farming: Organic, sustainable practices
• Aging: Stainless steel tanks for maximum freshness
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pale pink, citrus, wild berries, white peach, salted raspberry, watermelon, wet stone, crisp mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled seafood, summer salads, goat cheese, charcuterie, light pasta dishes

The quintessential Provençal rosé — AIX 2025 is everything summer in a glass.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 95 Points: Lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points: More restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. Medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious — a second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade.

Vinous 91 Points: Very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Controlled and classic in style. Medium-bodied with concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and Provençal herbs. Powerful with a generous finish — a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure.

Wine Advocate 90 Points: Fleshy and demonstrative, bursting with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish. Will drink well young.

Winemaker Description

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in unfashionable vintages, thanks to its unique Pessac-Léognan terroir and a draconian selection process in both vineyard and cellar — at times requiring five successive passes through the vines to pick only the ripest possible grapes. L’Esprit de Chevalier, created in 1986 from young vines and vats not destined for the grand vin, is a charming second wine that shares many of the same qualities as Domaine de Chevalier’s flagship — complex, well-balanced, and elegant — with the added advantage of being approachable earlier.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb rack with herbs, beef tenderloin, or duck confit.
• Classic Bordeaux: Lamb chops with truffle jus, venison, or a classic French cassoulet.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or a firm sheep’s milk cheese.

Decoy by Duckhorn Pinot Noir California 2023 — California

Duckhorn Wine Company is one of Napa Valley’s most iconic producers, and Decoy is their approachable everyday label — crafted with the same attention to detail as their flagship wines but priced for the table. This California Pinot Noir draws from the state’s finest cool-climate growing regions, where the combination of coastal fog, moderate temperatures, and well-drained soils coaxes out the delicate aromatics and silky texture that define great Pinot Noir.

The 2023 is lush and alluring from the first pour. Aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea, and sage lead to rustic hints of earthy forest floor. On the palate, generous ripe berry flavors are framed by bright, balanced acidity and refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, silky finish.

“Lush and alluring — black cherry, wild strawberry, and sage with a long, silky finish.” — Winemaker’s Notes

• Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company (Decoy Label), California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea, sage, earthy forest floor, silky finish
• Best Paired With: Salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, roasted chicken, soft cheeses

Duckhorn craftsmanship at an everyday price — California Pinot Noir done right.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon — California 2024

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is California's most trusted everyday wine brand, and this Cabernet Sauvignon is the clearest expression of why. Sourced from vineyards across California and crafted in the approachable, fruit-forward tradition that Robert Mondavi championed, it delivers genuine Cabernet character at under $9 — a benchmark for what everyday California red can be. Medium-bodied, smooth, and built for the table, it is the kind of wine that earns a permanent spot in the rack.

The nose opens with inviting aromas of ripe cherries, mixed berries, cedar, brown sugar, and toast. On the palate, flavors of blackberries, dark cherry, spice, toasted marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate unfold with pleasing complexity. A smooth, toasty caramel finish lingers cleanly. Fermented and aged to highlight the ripe, approachable fruit character that defines this style.

"Opens with aromas of cherries, berries, cedar, brown sugar, and toast. Flavors of berries, toasted marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker follow with a toasty caramel finish. Medium-bodied and approachable." — Winemaker Note

Producer: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, California

• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Vinification: Fermented and aged in oak to enhance fruit complexity and smooth tannins
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherries, blackberries, cedar, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, caramel finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Grilled meats, burgers, BBQ, tomato-based pasta, chili, aged cheddar

An everyday California Cabernet that punches well above its price — Woodbridge is the reliable, crowd-pleasing red that belongs on every table.

Château Simard | Saint-Émilion AOC | Bordeaux, France | 2015

Château Simard has a history rooted in the very foundations of Saint-Émilion. The estate takes its name from Johan de Las Symas, a Jurat of Saint-Émilion in the 15th century who founded the village of Simard — where the Vauthier family's two estates are currently located. The vineyard was purchased in 1954 by Claude Mazière, and in 2008 his nephew Alain Vauthier — the celebrated proprietor of Château Ausone, one of Bordeaux's most iconic estates — took the reins. The estate has thus remained in the same family for seven decades, and the Vauthier connection to Ausone brings world-class winemaking expertise to every vintage.

Located in the southern valley of Saint-Émilion running down to the plain, the 40-hectare estate is planted on a patchwork of clay-limestone, sand, and gravel soils. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon — though the 2015 is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. After manual harvesting and meticulous berry sorting, the wine is fermented and aged primarily in concrete and stainless-steel tanks to preserve freshness and roundness, with approximately 30% oak. The result is a wine of pure fruit, concentration, and generosity — the very definition of Saint-Émilion's accessible, pleasure-driven style.

The 2015 is a superb vintage for Saint-Émilion. Medium to deep garnet-purple in the glass. The nose is vibrantly scented with red currants, black cherries, warm plums, violets, oranges, lemons, and fragrant earth. On the palate, medium-bodied, very fine, fruity, and elegant — ripe, fine-grained tannins, wonderful freshness, and a red cherry lift on the finish. Silky, juicy, and delicious. Ready to drink now or hold.

Pair with roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses.

• Producer: Château Simard (Vauthier Family / Château Ausone)
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2015
• Vinification: Concrete & stainless-steel tanks; ~30% oak aging
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2015

• Wine Advocate — 91 pts: Vibrantly scented of red currants, black cherries and warm plums with hints of violets and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, very fine, fruity and elegant with ripe, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness. Finishes with a red cherry lift.
• James Suckling — 91 pts: Oranges and lemons with blackberry and dark-earth character. Full-bodied, round, juicy and silky. Delicious and soft. A gorgeous wine. Drink now or hold.
• Vinous Media — 90 pts: Intense and dark — succulent jammy fruit with exotic spice, leather and rose petal overtones wrapping around the juicy finish. An attractive, early-drinking Simard.

Cavicchioli Vigna del Cristo Lambrusco di Sorbara — Emilia-Romagna 2025

Vigna del Cristo is the crown jewel of Cavicchioli — a 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara sourced exclusively from the original 12.5-acre family vineyard in the Cristo locality of Sorbara, the birthplace of the Cavicchioli estate. Lambrusco di Sorbara is one of Italy’s most fascinating and demanding grape varieties: naturally low-yielding, it flowers with great difficulty and the vine is often sterile, requiring alternating rows of the more vigorous Salamino variety to aid fertilization. In this rare bottling, only pure Sorbara fruit is used — no Salamino blended in, as is permitted by the DOC. Hand-harvested fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and cold-macerated on skins for 3–5 days at 45–55°F to extract color and aromatics. Only 50% of the free-run juice — the “flower” of the press — then undergoes a secondary fermentation in autoclave at 55–60°F to achieve its delicate, persistent effervescence. The result is one of the most elegant and distinctive sparkling wines in all of Italy.

The color is a luminous light red with violet hues, crowned by a light pink evanescent froth and fine, persistent perlage. The nose is ample and intense: violets, red fruits, and a whisper of fresh florals that is the unmistakable signature of Sorbara. On the palate, it is full and dry — fruity, vibrant, and engaging, with a slightly acidulous aftertaste that makes it irresistibly refreshing and endlessly food-friendly. Total acidity: 8 g/L. Serve well-chilled.

“Light pink evanescent froth and fine and persistent perlage. The perfume of flowers and red fruits is ample and intense — the flavor is full and dry with a fruity aroma and an engaging slightly acidulous aftertaste.” — Sandro Cavicchioli, Winemaker

• Producer: Umberto Cavicchioli & Figli, Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Varietal: 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Vineyard: Vigna del Cristo — 12.5 acres, Cristo locality, Sorbara (original family estate)
• Vinification: Hand-harvested, cold skin maceration 3–5 days, secondary fermentation in autoclave (Charmat method), 50% free-run juice only
• Total Acidity: 8 g/L
• Style: Dry, elegant, floral sparkling red — Lambrusco di Sorbara at its purest
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violets, red fruits, fresh florals, vibrant acidity, fine persistent bubbles, dry and engaging finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Charcuterie, prosciutto di Parma, pasta with complex sauces, fried fish, vegetable dishes, red meats

The purest expression of Lambrusco di Sorbara — Vigna del Cristo is Italy’s most elegant sparkling red, and one of the great food wines of the world.

Rombauer Vineyards has been one of Napa Valley's most beloved family estates since 1980, celebrated for wines of generosity, precision, and genuine pleasure. While their Chardonnay is iconic, their Zinfandel is a quiet revelation — drawing on old-vine fruit from both Napa and the Sierra Foothills, where 120–130-year-old vines in Plymouth, California add extraordinary depth and concentration.

The Rombauer Zinfandel Napa 2023 750ml is a standout vintage. Aged 14 months in a combination of American and French oak (10% new), it bursts with bright cherry, red plum, and raspberry jam on the nose, layered with vanilla, holiday spices, lavender, and mocha. The 2023 growing season was cool and consistent, with warm September spells that extended hang time and delivered exceptional fruit intensity. On the palate, the wine is soft and creamy at mid-palate, with fine tannins, a zesty thread of acidity, and a long, lush finish. Sustainably farmed, block by block, with NDVI aerial imaging guiding every decision.

Expert Reviews

• Decanter — 92 Points: "Beautifully lifted and red-fruited, showing strawberry and cranberry alongside sweet clove, vanilla, and gentle baking spices. There's wonderful mid-palate concentration, with a freshness factor in 2023 that's off the charts. Just spectacular."
• Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points: "Lush red berries, cassis, sarsaparilla, cocoa, supple vanilla on the nose; the palate is balanced with youthful blackberry, blueberry, cardamom, orange zest, and mouth-watering acidity to finish."

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Cherry, red plum, raspberry jam, vanilla, lavender, and holiday spices
• Palate: Soft and creamy with mocha, clove, white pepper, and fine tannins
• Finish: Long, lush, and lifted with zesty acidity

Wine Details

• Zinfandel — Napa Valley & Sierra Foothills (120–130-year-old vines)
• Aged 14 months in American & French oak (10% new)
• Sustainably farmed | Vintage: 2023
• 750ml

There is a wine that arrives each summer like a long-awaited guest — unhurried, luminous, and entirely at ease. Wölffer Estate's Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024 is that wine. Sourced from the rosé heartland of southern France and shaped by Wölffer's signature restraint, this is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Vermentino that captures the season in a single pour.

The color is a perfect, whisper-pale salmon. The nose opens with crushed stone, white peach, and delicate florals — fresh and inviting without excess. On the palate, the wine is sleek and mineral-driven, with crunchy nectarine, citrus zest, and a savory herb thread that keeps each sip honest. The finish is clean and long, carried by a lively, food-friendly acidity that makes it effortlessly versatile.

This is Provence rosé done with deliberate focus — sophisticated enough for the table, carefree enough for the moment. Pair with seafood, charcuterie, grilled chicken, or the kind of afternoon that doesn't need a reason.

Appellation: Côtes de Provence, France
Blend: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Vermentino (Rolle)
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml

Awards & Recognition:
95 pts — Double Gold, "Drink Pino Vino" International Rosé Competition 2025
90 pts — Wine Spectator (Drink now)
90 pts — James Suckling, Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence Rosé 2021

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A bright, balanced red, with an aromatic overtone of medicinal herbs and spices accenting flavors of macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, stone, smoke, milled pepper and paprika. Lightly chewy on the finish. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Drink now through 2033. (Vintage 2023). 

Winemaker Notes

Benanti Etna Rosso is pale ruby red in color. The bouquet is ethereal and intense, with spicy red fruit aromas. Well balanced and medium-bodied, with a mineral-rich complexity, pleasant acidity, and a saline freshness on the long and lively finish.

Food Pairings

A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with red meats, aged cheeses, grilled fish, and white meats. Equally excellent by the glass.

Product Details

• Producer: Benanti
• Region: Etna DOC, Sicily, Italy
• Grape: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Volcanic red — mineral, floral, saline
• Format: 750ml

Vincent Cuillier L'Arbre Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature — Champagne 2022

L'Arbre is Vincent Cuillier's most personal wine — a single-parcel Blanc de Noirs from Les Voyets, the family's most historic vineyard in the Marne village of Pouillon. The name references Cuillier's deep commitment to vitiforestry: the integration of trees and biodiversity into the vineyard ecosystem as a living expression of natural viticulture. Made exclusively from 100% Pinot Meunier with zero dosage, this is a vintage Champagne of remarkable purity and depth. Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel, 36 months sur lattes, and hand disgorgement with no fining or filtration — nothing added, nothing taken away.

Plump, forward berry fruit opens the nose — red cherry, wild strawberry, and a whisper of brioche — kept in elegant check by crisp acidity and fine, mineral-driven lines. The palate is taut and precise, with the zero dosage revealing the wine's true character: pure, focused, and long on the finish. A Blanc de Noirs of genuine cellar-worthiness and rare transparency of place.

"L'Arbre is grower Champagne at its most uncompromising — a single parcel, a single variety, zero dosage, and a winemaker who lets the vineyard speak."

• Producer: Vincent Cuillier, Pouillon, Marne, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2022 (Disgorged)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Parcel: Les Voyets, Pouillon
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Meunier
• Style: Blanc de Noirs, Brut Nature (Zero Dosage)
• Vinification: Indigenous yeast, stainless steel; 36 months sur lattes; hand-disgorged
• Dosage: Zero | Farming: Natural viticulture / Vitiforestry
• Fining & Filtration: None
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, wild strawberry, brioche, crisp acidity, mineral lines, long pure finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sea urchin, shellfish, charcuterie, aged ham, mushroom dishes, Brie, Camembert, roast chicken

Single parcel. Single variety. Zero dosage. 36 months on the lees. Vincent Cuillier's L'Arbre is the purest expression of Pinot Meunier in Champagne.

Producer Description

Wild blackberry and brambly forest fruits are underscored by aromas of roasted bell pepper and bold toasty oak. On the palate, the 2023 vintage is bright and structured, offering flavors of just-ripe blackberries, savory dried herbs, and a hint of smoked paprika. Firm, age-worthy tannins provide grip and depth, giving this wine a powerful yet balanced finish

About Juggernaut

Juggernaut is a California Cabernet Sauvignon brand built around a single idea: that the best hillside fruit — grown at elevation, with poor soils and natural stress — produces wines of exceptional concentration, structure, and age-worthiness. Sourced from hillside vineyards along California’s North Coast, Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet is crafted to deliver the power and complexity of a serious Napa Cab at a fraction of the price. Bold, structured, and built to age, it has quickly become a go-to for Cabernet lovers who want more than the average California red.

Food Pairings

• Smoked brisket or grilled ribeye
• Game meats: venison or lamb
• Aged cheddar or Gouda
• Rich BBQ and burgers with caramelized onions

Product Details

• Producer: Juggernaut Wines
• Region: North Coast, California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-bodied, structured, age-worthy California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

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

Christina Pickard The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points |  Appealing aromas of lime, white peach and kiwi fruit lead to a palate that's shows lovely, delicate fruit woven neatly with bright acidity, and padded by a softly pithy texture. It steers clear of the green, underripe pungency common to this style and is the better (half) for it.

Winemaker Description 

This wine’s tart, spiky glints of passion fruit tease the nose amidst all its lemony freshness. With a little air, the passion fruit note grows smoother and fuller. The palate glows in this fruitiness and complements it with creamy richness. It’s lovely and seductive now but sure to get even better.

La Petite Lune Rouge — Graves, Bordeaux 2022

La Petite Lune is the entry-level expression from Clos des Lunes — a project founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier, one of Pessac-Léognan's most celebrated Grand Cru Classé estates, in collaboration with Stéphane Dérenoncourt, widely regarded as one of the top winemakers in France. The vineyards sit a stone's throw from Chevalier's famed plots in Graves, and the wine is built on a special selection of vineyard lots handpicked by Dérenoncourt and vinified by Bernard's team at Domaine de Chevalier. The aim: a wine that is slightly more modern in styling than a classic Bordeaux, with an excellent quality-to-price ratio — and at under $20, it delivers exactly that.

The 2022 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is pretty and inviting — blackberry, dried tobacco, and herbal notes with a classic Graves character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and mouth-filling with generous fruit, supple tannins, and a delicious, clean fruit finish. Approachable now and built for easy enjoyment.

"Founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier and Stéphane Dérenoncourt, one of the top winemakers in France — a Bordeaux of excellent quality-price ratio." — Clos des Lunes

• Producer: Clos des Lunes (Domaine de Chevalier & Stéphane Dérenoncourt), Graves, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Bordeaux AOC
• Blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, dried tobacco, herbal notes, medium-bodied, supple tannins, clean fruit finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, roast chicken, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Grand Cru Classé pedigree and Dérenoncourt's touch at an everyday Bordeaux price — the smartest under-$20 red in the shop.