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Domaine Stéphane Ogier Le Temps Est Venu Côtes du Rhône 2024

From the celebrated Ogier family of Ampuis, Le Temps Est Venu is a polished, expressive Côtes du Rhône with the generous fruit and savory spice that make the southern Rhône so compelling. The nose opens with ripe cherry and warm spice, followed by a medium-bodied palate shaped by lively acidity and silky tannins.

Made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, this is a bright, beautifully balanced red that brings Rhône character to the table without feeling heavy. Enjoy it with roast chicken, grilled lamb, sausages, ratatouille, or a board of aged cheeses.

About Domaine Stéphane Ogier

The Ogier family has been rooted in Ampuis for seven generations. Stéphane joined the family domaine in 1997 after completing his oenological studies in Beaune, carrying forward a deep commitment to the vineyards of the northern Rhône while crafting wines such as Le Temps Est Venu from the wider Côtes du Rhône appellation.

• Varietals: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
• Appellation: Côtes-du-Rhône
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

A silky, spicy Rhône red with ripe cherry fruit, lively freshness, and easy food-pairing appeal.

Le Petit Haut Lafitte · Pessac-Léognan · 2022

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot | Bordeaux, France | 750ml

Producer & Terroir

Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a second wine of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. The estate's gravel soils in the Graves territory provide the setting for a Cabernet-led Bordeaux blend, combining structure with Merlot's supple fruit.

Respect for nature and biodiversity guides the estate's work in both vineyard and cellar. Vines propagated through its nursery on Ile de Lalande help maintain genetic diversity, while organic compost, wooded areas, hedges and beehives support life throughout the estate.

Tasting Notes

Cassis, plum, blueberry and blackberry alongside floral, graphite and spice nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon brings a focused backbone and polished tannins, balanced by fleshy fruit, lively freshness and a long finish.

Expert Reviews - 2022

Decanter, 94 Points (Barrel Sample: 94) Beautiful nose, blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with the Cabernet really giving the backbone, length and overall structure. Feels a bit tense, but it does have texture too so it’s not austere or harsh, just strong. Really well built, delivering power no doubt, but keeping a soft juiciness underneath. Very medicinal - clove, liquorice, unmistakable Cabernet speaking here, but feels clean and well worked. Nothing sticking out too much with body, plushness and cool freshness. Good potential, really impressively constructed.

Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points (Barrel Sample: 92-94) A more straight, focused, structured wine, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot brought up in a mix of new and used oak. It's a powerful, medium to full-bodied, structured Graves offering classic darker, almost blue fruits, some violet, floral, and graphite nuances, fine yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It's another clearly outstanding wine from this team.

James Suckling, 94 Points Aromas of currants and blackberries with orange peel and rose petals follow through to a medium body with racy and polished tannins that go on for a long time. Vivid and energetic. Second wine of Smith Haut-Laffite. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 Points (Barrel Sample: 90-92) A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte possesses a delicate yet perfumed bouquet of cassis, plum, blueberry, dark berries and hints of flowers (violet and lilac). It’s medium-bodied, fleshy, lively and charming, with an elegant yet fresh finish.

Pairing & Serving

Suggested pairings: roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. Serve slightly below room temperature; decanting can help the wine open in the glass.

Wine Details

• Producer: Château Smith Haut Lafitte
• Wine: Le Petit Haut Lafitte
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
• Size: 750ml

A Cabernet-led Bordeaux for lovers of dark fruit, fresh definition and structured elegance.

Susana Balbo Crios Malbec | Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina | 2024 | 750ml

From the high-altitude vineyards of Valle de Uco, Susana Balbo's Crios Malbec is a fresh, expressive expression of Argentina's signature grape. Violets, ripe cherries, and a whisper of spice lead to a palate of vibrant red fruit, balanced acidity, and a subtle hint of oak — all wrapped in silky, approachable tannins. (Vintage 2024). 

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia of 67Wine.com | Easy drinking, yet very delicious Malbec. Just the right touch of red berries, soft tannins and juicy finish.

Critic Notes - Vintage 2024

92 Points | James Suckling — Earthy and savory on the nose, with dark olives and blackberries. The palate is dense and focused, framed by creamy tannins and vibrant fruit. A generous layer of ripe fruit carries through the mid-palate, building toward a bold, lingering finish. Drink now or hold.

• Grape: Malbec
• Region: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml

Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Sainte Claire Biodynamic 2025 · Chablis, Burgundy, France

Jean Marc Brocard is one of Chablis' most respected and forward-thinking producers, farming biodynamically across his estate to honor the region's singular Kimmeridgian limestone terroir. Chablis is the northernmost appellation of Burgundy, a place where Chardonnay expresses itself with precision, purity and mineral tension. The Sainte Claire is Brocard's entry point into the appellation: 100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested, naturally fermented with minimal intervention, and vinified without synthetic inputs.

Tasting Notes

Aromatically this wine is tart, with notes of lemon oils and mango skin, as well as a bit of minty herbaceousness. On the palate, there are flavors of honey and tropical fruits just barely ripened, with a finish of bracing acidity.

Prior Vintage Reviews

Neal Martin, Vinous, 87 Points — The 2023 Chablis Sainte Claire has a delightful peachy bouquet that opens nicely in the glass. The palate is ripe and (again), a little honeyed on the entry–smooth in texture. Lightly spiced with a simple finish. Fine. Drinking 2024 to 2029.

Allen Meadows, Burghound — Moderate reduction overshadows the fruit so a quick aeration should be beneficial if you're going to open a bottle young. Otherwise the old vines are in evidence as there is both solid density and richness to the medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive mouthfeel, all wrapped in a lingering finale. While this could also be enjoyed young, it could use better depth so a few years of keeping should prove helpful. Worth checking out provided you intend to cellar it over the next 2 to 4 years.

Details

• Producer: Jean Marc Brocard, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Appellation: Chablis AOC
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2025
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic; hand-harvested; no synthetic inputs
• Vinification: Natural fermentation, minimal intervention
• Terroir: Kimmeridgian limestone
• Size: 750ml
• Pairings: Oysters, clams, grilled sole, plateau de fruits de mer, goat cheese, leek tart, roast chicken with lemon

Contact us for current bottle picture. 212-724-6767 (text or call). 

Domaine Olivier Foucher | Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France | 2025

Olivier Foucher took over his family's 10.5-hectare estate in 2011 after studies in viticulture and oenology and years working alongside his parents. Le Chant du Silex — "The Song of the Flint" — takes its name from the estate's prized silex (flinty) soils, which impart a signature smoky, gunflint minerality and exceptional aging potential. The focus here is precision and tension: energetic, bright, and impeccably balanced rather than tropical or overworked.

Praised by 67 Wine's Bart Hopkins as "a classic mineral-driven Sancerre with excellent precision."

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Soils: Silex (flint)
Drink: Now–2030

Tasting Notes

• Delicate floral, lime zest, and tangerine on the nose
• White peach, pear, grapefruit, and subtle exotic fruit on the palate
• Full, mouth-puckering acidity | Smoky gunflint minerality | Long, precise finish

Pairings: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled fish, sushi, light poultry

Hugel Gentil — Alsace, France 2024

Hugel is one of Alsace's most storied and respected family estates, based in Riquewihr and producing wine since 1639 — nearly four centuries of unbroken winemaking in one of France's most distinctive wine regions. Gentil is their signature multi-varietal blend and one of the great value wines of Alsace: a kaleidoscope of grapiness produced exclusively from hand-harvested grapes grown in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards across a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. The 2024 is a blend of 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, and 5% Muscat — each variety contributing its own character to the whole.

The 2024 pours a pale, luminous gold. The nose is aromatic and inviting — citrus is the keynote, with a subtle overtone of rose and the gentle grapiness that only Muscat can bring. On the palate, it's slender and almost delicate, with lemon setting the tone and a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Bone-dry, superbly refreshing, and straight as an arrow — the Riesling's finesse, the Gewurztraminer's spice, the Pinot Gris's body, and the Muscat's aromatic lift all in perfect balance.

"Straight as an arrow, slender, almost delicate, but with a live-wire acidity that makes it shine. Superbly refreshing. Bone-dry." — Vinous, 89 Points

• Producer: Hugel & Fils, Riquewihr, Alsace, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Alsace AOC
• Blend: 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sylvaner, 5% Muscat
• Farming: Hand-harvested, clay and limestone vineyards
• Style: Bone-dry, aromatic
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Vinous 89
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, rose, lemon, grapiness, live-wire acidity, bone-dry, refreshing finish
• Best Paired With: Alsatian tarte flambée, grilled fish, sushi, Thai cuisine, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Nearly four centuries of Alsatian winemaking in a glass — six varieties, hand-harvested, bone-dry, and one of the great everyday whites of France.

Te Mata Estate · Hawke's Bay · 2025

Te Mata Estate has been making wine in Hawke's Bay since 1896. The 2025 Estate Sauvignon Blanc comes from estate vineyards in the Bridge Pā Triangle, Dartmoor and Havelock Hills, where the warm climate and free-draining soils help shape ripe fruit balanced by fresh acidity.

The winery’s tasting note describes a brilliant pale gold wine with lifted aromas of lime, blackcurrant, gooseberry, fennel, guava and passionfruit. The palate carries that citrus and tropical character through a creamy mid-palate, mouth-watering freshness and a long, balanced finish. Serve chilled with oysters, grilled fish or fresh goat cheese.

Winemaking

Te Mata reports that the grapes were chilled and gently pressed, with the juice cold-settled before fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the variety’s aromatics and flavors.

Expert Reviews · 2025 Vintage

The 2025 Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc leads with notes of cassis, white currant and passion fruit, alongside hints of white pineapple and yellow guava. A highly detailed approach to viticulture at Te Mata enables smaller, more selective harvest picks, contributing to the precision and detail evident in the finished wine. The palate here is soft and textural yet also restrained and persistent, with impressive length and a distinctly mouthwatering acidity. Fermentation was managed with approximately 200 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) retained in tank, while different yeast strains were employed across individual vineyard blocks to enhance complexity and site expression. This is very good.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate · 94 points

Aromas of melon, pears and lotus flowers follow through to a medium body with crunchy fruit and a crisp and delicious finish. Lots of Meyer lemon character at the end. Bone dry. Bring on the oysters.

James Suckling · 93 points

A distinctive, lucid SB that evokes a summer garden: green beans still on their vines, sun-ripened bell pepper, and basil bushes; a tomato plant or two; the fruit holds its own—a spiced tropical-citrus-stone fruit combo that feels ripe yet fresh. Unlike many Marlborough SBs, which contain a small amount of sugar, this is fermented totally dry, with a rush of lemony acidity and some subtle textural weight beneath. It’s both classic and characterful, a carefully made bottle from one of NZ’s most historic producers.

Wine Enthusiast · 93 points

Wine Details

• Producer: Te Mata Estate
• Appellation: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Style: Dry
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2009 

Antonio Galloni writes | The estate's 2009 Taffe Ta' (100% Colorino) is striking. Blackberry jam, cloves, menthol, licorice and melted road tar seem to jump from the glass. Rich, layered, and impeccably balanced throughout, the Taffe Ta' is simply stunning in this vintage.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of The Wine Enthusiast writes 94 Points | Medium straw colored, this wine has a bouquet of carambola, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. A soft floral note joins white peach, jasmine, lemongrass and dried apricot flavors set into a full-textured wine with well-matched acidity. Notes of wildflowers and bright citrus fruit endure on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Made of 100% Istrian Malvasia grape from four vineyards (Kastanjari, Vrh, Santa Lucia, Baredine) located on the west coast of Istria, in an area called Buje (in Croatian, Bujstina), just 50 miles away from Venice. They are 100 meters high on a little hill, a few miles away from the shore. Aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees. Look for alluring aromas of camomile, acacia, lime zest, quince, pear, apricot and ripe nectarine.
 

On the sun-warmed shores of the Neusiedlersee in Burgenland, Hannes Schuster tends his organically farmed vineyards with quiet conviction. Sankt Laurent — an ancient variety thought to be a crossing related to Pinot Noir, native to this corner of Austria — finds one of its most honest expressions here. The Klassik is exactly what its name promises: focused, unadorned, and deeply satisfying.

The 2022 arrives brimming with red cherry and wild berry fruit, carrying the earthy, mineral-rich signature of the St. Margarethen soils. The palate is barely medium-bodied yet anything but thin — silky tannins, lively acidity, and a delicate spice thread keep each sip animated through to a long, clean finish. At just 11% alcohol, it drinks with effortless elegance.

Fermented with native yeasts and aged one year in used 500-liter Stockinger barrels, this is a wine made without shortcuts. Drink slightly chilled as an aperitif, or alongside mushroom dishes, charcuterie, roast chicken, or duck confit.

Appellation: Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria
Grape: Sankt Laurent
Farming: Organic
Vintage: 2022
Format: 750ml

Critical Acclaim - Vintage 2022

91 Points — James Suckling | “Brimming with red-cherry fruit and joyful freshness… Amazing for just 11% alcohol!”

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

On the nose, this wine is fruit forward with a touch of apple, peach and apricot with a slight spice. Fresh and tangy, fine spices, white pepper and round body.

Paul Hobbs Brings His Winemaking Mastery to Sonoma Cabernet

Paul Hobbs is one of California’s most celebrated winemakers, and his Crossbarn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 delivers his signature precision and elegance at an accessible price point. Sourced from premier Sonoma County vineyards, this Cab-led Bordeaux blend is juicy, plush, and layered — earning 93 points from both Vinous and James Suckling and standing out as one of the great overachievers in California red wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

• Vinous — 93 pts: “A huge overachiever. Bright, punchy and super-expressive. Readers will have a very hard time finding a wine with this much quality for the money.”
• James Suckling — 93 pts: “Lots of currants and black berries with black cherries and tobacco. Medium body with nicely opened tannins that give length and beauty. Juicy at the end with hints of tobacco and cedar. Drink now or hold.”
• Wine Enthusiast — 92 pts: “Juicy and softer-style Cabernet with loads of raspberry and candied cherry aromas. Spiced black plum compote, cocoa powder and black pepper flavors concentrated on a plush but neatly balanced palate.”

Winemaker Notes

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 750ml

A Bordeaux-inspired blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Rich and approachable with raspberry, black cherry, spiced plum, cocoa, and cedar — plush tannins and a juicy, balanced finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
• Appellation: Sonoma County, California
• Producer: Paul Hobbs (Crossbarn)
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — excellent with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, roasted duck, mushroom dishes, and aged cheddar.

Winemaker Description

Grifi is born from two late-ripening grape varieties — one Italian, the other French. An incredible blend where the freshness of Sangiovese blends perfectly with the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sangiovese is sourced from Avignonesi’s vineyards in Montepulciano, producing a spicy, elegant wine, while the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from plots in Cortona and Montepulciano, lending tannins and structure. To facilitate the encounter of these two varieties, the grapes are harvested and fermented together.

Dark ruby red with purple hues. The nose opens with hints of blueberries, blackberries, and incense, moving on to graphite and vanilla nuances. In the mouth it is dense, broad, and complex with hints of plum and blueberry, evolving into a balsamic and spicy explosion supported by good acidity. Lively tannins accompany the savory, persistent finish.

Certified Organic and Biodynamic.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2022

James Suckling — 93 Points
"Bright and focused, this offers aromas of fresh dark and blue fruit, fine herbs, crushed stones and a hint of walnuts. Medium-bodied, a little chewy and well structured, with a firm, juicy profile and a fresh, minerally finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold."

Product Details

• Producer: Avignonesi
• Region: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• Blend: 61.77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.23% Sangiovese
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Vintage: 2022
• Drinking Window: Now–2030+
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Super Tuscan
• Format: 750ml

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer, writes: Raventós i Blanc De Nit Rosé is a benchmark rosé sparkling wine. The Raventós family’s commitment to biodynamic agriculture serves as the core philosophy of their winemaking. Fine bubbles with a nose of raspberry, red currants, and wild strawberries. Crisp and enticing finish. Serve chilled as an aperitif.

A Spanish sparkling rosé made with biodynamically grown estate grapes in the style of Cava. This Macabeo-driven blend has a pale light pink hue — matched on the palate with an elegant bouquet of pink grapefruit, rose petals, red berry fruits, and lively acidity.

Expert Reviews

Wine & Spirits Magazine — 94 Points | Pepe Raventós adds depth and a touch of color with fruit from Monastrell vines planted in 1974. That addition lays a smoky note and red-fruit hints over a base of Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. Narcissus scents, peach fuzz, and brisk clarity of flavor — its elegance is hard to resist.

Decanter — 91 Points | Simple nose but very pretty red crunchy fruit and mulberries on the palate. Pleasant acidity and excellent length. Very pretty.

• Producer: Raventós i Blanc
• Appellation: Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain
• Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada, Monastrell (1974 vines)
• Farming: Certified biodynamic & organic
• Style: Sparkling Rosé, Brut
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml

Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel — California 2024 750ml

Turley Wine Cellars is California’s most celebrated Zinfandel specialist, founded by Larry Turley in Napa Valley in 1993 with a singular mission: to rescue and vinify fruit from California’s oldest, most historic Zinfandel vines. The Juvenile is Turley’s entry-level Zinfandel — but “entry-level” is a relative term here. Sourced from younger vines across California’s finest Zinfandel-growing regions, the Juvenile consistently delivers the house’s signature combination of perfumed aromatics, mid-weight elegance, and vibrant fruit character. The 2024 vintage is described by critics as an especially delicate and gracious expression — a beauty by any measure.

The 2024 Juvenile opens with crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice, and mint on an expressive, perfumed nose. The winemaker notes juicy dark cherries, blackberries, and just-ripened raspberries alongside savory Thanksgiving spices. On the palate, notes of salty dried meats and brambly fruits are paired with silken tannins — mid-weight, refined, and utterly drinkable.

Vinous 91 Points — “A very pretty entry-level offering from Turley. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice and mint give this mid-weight, perfumed red tons of character. The 2024 is an especially delicate, gracious Zinfandel. What a beauty.”

• Producer: Turley Wine Cellars, Napa Valley, California (est. 1993)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Zinfandel
• Style: Mid-weight, perfumed, elegant California Zinfandel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Crushed flowers, sweet red berry, spice, mint, dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, savory spice, salty dried meat, brambly fruit, silken tannins
• Best Paired With: BBQ ribs, grilled sausages, roasted lamb, pizza, aged Gouda, charcuterie

California’s greatest Zinfandel specialist at its most approachable — Turley Juvenile 2024 is a perfumed, elegant beauty built for drinking now.

Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano — Umbria 2020

Arnaldo Caprai is the definitive name in Sagrantino di Montefalco — the producer who put this ancient Umbrian grape on the world map. Founded in 1971 when Arnaldo Caprai purchased 42 hectares in Montefalco, the estate was transformed in 1986 when his son Marco took the helm and launched a series of collaborations with agronomic and winemaking research institutes that would redefine the region. The result was the legendary “25 Anni” cuvée, which captured the attention of critics worldwide and established Montefalco Sagrantino as one of Italy’s great DOCG appellations. Today, Caprai farms 160 hectares across all four cardinal points of the Montefalco DOCG, and the Collepiano is the estate’s benchmark expression of Sagrantino — powerful, structured, and built for the long haul. James Suckling awarded it 94 points; Wine Spectator 92, recommending best drinking from 2030 through 2040.

The nose is dark and commanding: wild blackberries, meat, graphite minerality, and a stern, brooding intensity. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with firm, austere tannins, lifted acidity, and a chewy, concentrated core of pureed black cherry and blackberry paste. Accents of marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood, and smoke carry through to a polished finish of salt, chocolate, and fruit. This is Sagrantino at its most serious — a wine that demands patience and rewards it generously.

James Suckling 94 — "A dark mix of wild blackberries, meat and graphite minerality. Firm, austere tannins, a full body and lifted acidity. A very chewy style, with a polished finish showing salt, chocolate and fruit." (Vintage 2020). 

Wine Spectator 92 — "Dense tannins impart a thick, creamy texture… pureed black cherry and blackberry paste, with accents of marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood and smoke. Best from 2030 through 2040." (Vintage 2020).

• Producer: Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Sagrantino
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wild blackberry, black cherry, graphite, marjoram, garam masala, sandalwood, dark chocolate, salt
• Cellar Potential: Best from 2030–2040
• Best Paired With: Braised wild boar, lamb osso buco, aged Pecorino, truffle pasta, beef short ribs

A 94-point Sagrantino from the appellation’s defining estate — dark, powerful, and built to age for decades.

MAN Family Wines "Padstal" Chardonnay is a fresh, fruit-driven expression of South African Chardonnay, crafted to highlight purity, balance, and exceptional drinkability. Named after the traditional roadside farm stalls, or padstals, found throughout South Africa, this wine celebrates local hospitality and simple pleasures.

Bright aromas of ripe peach, Golden Delicious apple, citrus blossom, and pineapple lead into a smooth palate layered with juicy stone fruit, lemon zest, and hints of tropical fruit. Gentle oak aging adds subtle notes of vanilla and toasted almond without overshadowing the wine's vibrant fruit character. Crisp acidity keeps the finish fresh, clean, and beautifully balanced.

Food Pairing

An excellent match for grilled shrimp, lobster, roast chicken, creamy pasta dishes, seafood risotto, salmon, pork tenderloin, and mild cheeses. It also makes an ideal aperitif.

Serving Temperature

Serve chilled at 48–52°F (9–11°C).

Approachable, versatile, and consistently overdelivering for the price, MAN Family Wines "Padstal" Chardonnay is a superb everyday Chardonnay that offers outstanding quality and value from South Africa's renowned Western Cape.

Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape (Cape Coast)
Wine Type: White Wine
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage: 2025

  Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 2024 — Carneros, Napa Valley

Frank Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates, founded in 1992 by Rich Frank — former president of Disney Studios — with a singular focus on producing benchmark Napa wines. Their Carneros Chardonnay is a perennial critical favorite, sourced from one of Napa Valley’s most prized appellations for the variety. Carneros, situated at the southern end of the valley just north of San Pablo Bay, is defined by cool maritime breezes, morning fog, and clay-rich soils that produce Chardonnay of exceptional balance between richness and acidity.

The 2024 leads with zesty lemon and guava aromas tempered by notes of vanilla and caramel-covered apples. On the palate, delicious layers of nutmeg and crème brûlée seamlessly combine with hints of toasted oak and elegant waves of fresh acidity, leading to a bright, lingering finish. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, calling it “a very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay — well made, poised and stylish.”

James Suckling 92 — “A very generous, luscious and focused Chardonnay with a good core of fruit and spices, bright acidity and a textural, rounded mouthfeel.”

• Producer: Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley (est. 1992)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA (Carneros)
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon, guava, vanilla, caramel apple, nutmeg, crème brûlée, toasted oak, bright acidity, lingering finish
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, lobster, crab, creamy pasta, brie, light butter and cream sauces

Carneros Chardonnay at its most poised — Frank Family delivers richness, elegance, and Napa Valley terroir in every glass.

Flowers Vineyard & Winery | Chardonnay | Sonoma Coast AVA | California | 2024

Flowers Vineyard & Winery is a pioneer of the Far Sonoma Coast — one of California's most extreme and celebrated cool-climate wine regions. Perched on rugged coastal ridges just miles from the Pacific Ocean, Flowers has built its reputation on wines of exceptional tension, purity, and precision. Where most of California basks in warmth, the Far Sonoma Coast is defined by cold Pacific fog, relentless ocean winds, and a growing season that pushes Chardonnay to its limits — producing wines of remarkable focus, minerality, and longevity.

The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay captures the signature interplay between cool Pacific influence and bright California sun that defines this remarkable terroir. Energetic and bright, it balances mouthwatering acidity, fresh citrus, and an elegant, finely-woven texture with exceptional purity and precision.

Meyer lemon and just-ripe mandarin orange mingle with pithy herbaceous notes and a fine mist of green citrus oil. On the palate, savory preserved lemon and a hint of spice are supported by a backbone of persistent acidity. Briny ocean spray minerality lifts the tightly-knit texture, which expands across the mouth for a vibrant, lingering finish. Drink now through 2036.

A natural match for fresh oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled halibut, roasted chicken with lemon and thyme, and dishes with bright citrus or herb-driven sauces.

• Producer: Flowers Vineyard & Winery
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA (Far Sonoma Coast), California, USA
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2024
• Style: Dry, crisp & mineral white
• Drink: Now through 2036
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2024

• Wine Enthusiast — 95 pts | Editor's Choice: Zesty lemon, lime, and green herb aromas mingle with citrus blossoms and cinnamon. The palate delivers a surge of vibrant acidity and pithy texture, with flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon, toasted hazelnut, and chopped lemon balm echoing for over a minute.
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Lemon sorbet and orange sherbet, plus lemongrass, lemon verbena, and fresh and dried ginger notes, with touches of saline and white tea on the long, detailed finish. Plenty of intensity and sleek, mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2036.

High on the terraced slopes above the River Anoia, where marine soils hold the memory of an ancient sea, Raventós i Blanc has been quietly redefining what sparkling wine can be. The De La Finca is their most personal expression — drawn exclusively from vineyards first classified by Pepe Raventós’s grandfather, on plots of singular character that demand lower yields and reward patience above all else.

The 2022 is a blend of 60% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeu, and 10% Parellada, whole-cluster pressed and fermented in concrete to preserve freshness and build for longevity. After reférmenting in bottle, it ages no fewer than 30 months on the lees, sealed with cork — a commitment to complexity that few producers in Catalonia match. Bone dry, unadjusted, and released as a Brut Nature. Certified organic and biodynamic.

The result is a sparkling wine of extraordinary precision: a bright, almost luminous yellow-gold with tiny, tightly integrated bubbles. The nose is expressive and layered — yeasts, Mediterranean herbs, white almond, chalk, and a subtle mineral salinity drawn from the fossil-rich limestone beneath the vines. On the palate it is vibrant and clean, with ample mousse, real weight and volume, and a long, phenolic finish that speaks of place and time in equal measure.

• Appellation: Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain
• Blend: 60% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeu, 10% Parellada
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Method: Traditional Method, 30+ months on lees
• Style: Brut Nature (bone dry, unadjusted)
• Production: 55,000 bottles

Expert Reviews:

93 Wine Advocate — “Vibrant, clean and precise palate, super tasty… a generous wine from a generous year.”

92 James Suckling — “Almost bone-dry on the palate, with an ample mousse and very good weight and volume.”

Food Pairings: Oysters, grilled langoustine, aged Manchego, or simply as an aperitif on its own terms.

GAJA · Dagromis Barolo · 2022 · Piedmont, Italy

GAJA Dagromis 2022 brings together two Barolo origins, La Morra and Serralunga, in a wine made entirely from Nebbiolo. The name recalls Gromis, the previous owner of the land, connecting this bottling to the history of its vineyards.

Ripe fruit, plum, rose and violet mingle with balsamic notes and sweet licorice. Earth, warm spice, sandalwood and juniper add savory depth. A rich, concentrated palate combines bright acidity with polished tannins, leading into a persistent finish with violet and blood-orange accents.

Wine Description

Dagromis 2022: The 2022 Gaja Barolo Dagromis is an expression of two great terroirs of Barolo, La Morra and Serralunga. "Gromis" refers to the previous owner of the land. The wine opens with balsamic aromas, where the fruit prevails and fills the nose with its vibrant presence. One can perceive wild, ripe, and freshly picked fruit, with notes of plum blending into a bouquet of red and balsamic flowers, including rose, violet, and sweet licorice. The tannins are soft and juicy, providing a sensation of roundness and length on the palate. The structure is remarkable, rich, and full, and the wine has a good balance. It concludes with an elegant aftertaste of violet and a long, persistent finish.

The nose shows deep wet earth, warm spice, sandalwood, juniper, red fruit, and subtle savory, sanguine notes. Powerful and concentrated on the palate, it is balanced by bright savory acidity and dense yet polished tannins, finishing fresh with a hint of blood orange.

Blend: 100% Nebbiolo

Food Pairings & Serving

Suggested pairings include braised beef, roast lamb, mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses. Serve slightly below room temperature and give the wine time in the glass to explore its floral and savory layers.

Wine Details

• Producer: GAJA
• Wine: Dagromis
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Barolo
• Vineyard origins: La Morra and Serralunga
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Style: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml

Floral Nebbiolo, savory depth and polished structure from two Barolo origins.

Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2023 — Half Bottle (375ml)

Domaine Raspail-Ay is one of the most respected and beloved estates in Gigondas — a benchmark producer in an appellation that is itself one of the Southern Rhône’s finest. The estate has long been a favorite of serious wine lovers for its commitment to traditional winemaking, organic and biodynamic viticulture, and wines of exceptional depth, structure, and longevity. The Wine Advocate calls it “one of my favorite Gigondas estates,” and the 2023 is among the finest vintages in recent memory.

The 2023 Gigondas is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, completely destemmed and raised in old foudres to preserve purity and terroir expression. Medium to full-bodied, with a ripe, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length — a classic, well-made Gigondas that will shine right out of the gate yet still have 15+ years of overall longevity. Now available in a 375ml half-bottle.

Full-bodied and fruity, with aromas of raspberries, black cherries, black pepper, licorice, and herbes de Provence. The palate is warm and generous, with ripe tannins, Provençal spice, meaty and peppery nuances, and classic garrigue notes. The wine fills the mouth with layered, complex flavors and a long, structured finish.

Wine Advocate — 94 points

“One of my favorite Gigondas estates, Raspail-Ay has made brilliant wines in both 2023 and 2022. Subtle darker berries, Provençal spice, meaty and peppery nuances, and classic garrigue notes… medium to full-bodied, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. A classic, well-made Gigondas that’s going to shine right out of the gate yet still have 15+ years of overall longevity.” (Vintage 2023). 

Food Pairings

Lamb chops, roasted duck, wild boar, Provençal stews, aged cheeses, and grilled meats with herbs.

Blend: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Appellation: Gigondas AOC, Southern Rhône, France
Vintage: 2023
Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
Aging: Old foudres
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Score: 94 points Wine Advocate

Bosman Family Vineyards · 'Twyfeling' Cinsaut · Wellington · 2024

Just an hour from Cape Town, in the sun-baked valley of Wellington, the Bosman family has been farming the same land for eight generations — one of the Cape Winelands' most enduring stories of heritage, community, and environmental stewardship. Their 'Twyfeling' (“Doubt” in Afrikaans) Cinsaut is their modern take on what Wellington bush vine Cinsaut can be: a wine that questions the assumption that South Africa's most underrated red grape is anything less than world-class. Vegan. Certified Sustainable. Made by a woman winemaker. At $24.99, it’s one of the most compelling and fairly priced Cinsauts coming out of South Africa right now.

The 2024 is harvested in three components, hand-sorted, de-stemmed, and slightly crushed. Spontaneous fermentation with daily punch-downs and pump-overs, with 10% whole-bunch and 10% stem-contact components adding freshness and complexity. Extended skin contact post-fermentation, followed by 12 months in 225L and 500L French oak barrels. Deep plum in the glass with a purple rim. The nose is fresh and inviting — lively berry, cherry, tobacco, and savoury spice. On the palate: medium-bodied but bold, with an elegant structure, luscious berry and cherry fruit, and a long, refined finish. Drink now through 2029.

• Producer: Bosman Family Vineyards (est. 8 generations · Woman winemaker)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa
• Varietal: 100% Cinsaut (bush vines)
• Vinification: Hand sorted · 3-component harvest · 10% whole bunch · 10% stem contact · Spontaneous fermentation · Extended skin contact · 12 months French oak (225L & 500L) · Gently filtered
• Certifications: Vegan · Certified Sustainable
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh berry, cherry, tobacco, savoury spice, medium-bodied, elegant structure, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029
• Food Pairings: Grilled lamb, roasted duck, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, aged gouda

Eight generations of Wellington heritage, bush vine Cinsaut, and a woman winemaker’s modern vision — South Africa’s most exciting red grape at its finest.