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Winemaker Description

Opaque, a dark core with a lighter deep red concession on rim. An eruption of fruits. At once lively and expressive, conceding Grange personality yet still not revealing all .... Dark coffee grind, malt and tapenade merge with black earths, almost verging on peat. Mandated V.A and formic notes propel a slurry of dark-skinned berried fruits, flirting with dark liquorice and soy. Oak completely hidden, long since absorbed. Now, back to the glass for a second sniff! Initially the ‘enlivened’ dark fruits of a Christmas pudding or boiled fruitcake mix demand attention. But there’s much more to complement these fruits – impressions of ironstone, graphite, iodine, black ink, and a black pudding viscosity. Formidable, meshed tannins – texturally honeycombed, without the honey! Oak has entwined itself invisible. Yes, every barrel still new, and completion of fermentation off skins in barrel still Grange modus operandi. Integrated, measured ... and clearly more than one sip required to gain an authentic ‘first-impression’. Certainly a wine of its vintage. A Grange of 2015. 

Expert Reviews

100 Point James Suckling | Much anticipated vintage for Grange and it is a powerhouse of concentration and complexity. Aromas of orange and lemon peel to start, then graphite, blackberries, plum paste, black cherries, boundless sweet oak spice, fresh cedar, tar, mahogany, roasted coffee and chocolate - the list goes on. Such complexity. Classic Grange, offering such deep, dark intensity. The palate has immense richness and depth with a super succulent and very long, fleshy, deeply weighted array of dense, velvet-wrapped tannins that run so long. The fruit flavors sit in the blackberry, blood-plum and blueberry zone with succulent, long and assertive structure, carrying through in an utterly seamless mode. The finish is tightly wrenched, in spectacularly powerful style, locking this wine in for a very long haul. Best from 2030.

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The flagship 2015 Grange is a monster of wine and one of those rare wines that blends power and elegance perfectly. Revealing a saturated purple color, it’s seemingly more forward and seductive than past great vintages, which I suspect is due to the incredible purity of fruit as well as the wine’s flawless balance than any change in winemaking or stylistic shifts. I also think the acidity is healthy, and the 2015 tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is certainly in the sweet spot, if not tame, for beautifully ripe Syrah these days. A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in new American oak hogsheads, it offers an extraordinary perfume of sweet crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, camphor, Asian spices, licorice, and wildflowers. This is followed by a full-bodied, powerful yet incredibly seamless and elegant Shiraz that has no hard edges, a big, dense mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Coming close to rivaling the 1986, which has always been a benchmark vintage of Grange for me, the 2015 offers a more polished, elegant, approachable style. Vintage comparisons aside, this is a legendary example of Grange in the making. The savvy wine lovers out there will give this 7-8 years of bottle age (I’ll probably be out of bottles by then) and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades.

98+ Points Robert Parker | The nose of the 2015 Grange features the wine's characteristic lifted aromas, joined by pronounced American oak influence and bold blackberry fruit, plus hints of red meat, raspberries, asphalt and vanilla. It's dense and concentrated on the palate, full-bodied yet balanced and firm, with a rich, velvety texture and long, plush finish. Don't expect great complexity at this stage—it's much too young to show much more than the primary fruit and oak elements—but this is a Grange that should easily go three or four decades.

97 Points Wine Spectator | Distinctive and powerful, yet still elegant, showing restraint despite the dense and generous flavors. Precise notes of dark chocolate, maraschino cherry, mahogany and toasted coconut complement the core of wild blackberry and blueberry fruit. The tannins are smooth and polished, delivering some tug on the finish, which persists as subtle hints of dried lavender and white pepper linger. Drink now through 2040.

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | This vintage of the famed wine is perhaps its most approachable to date. The nose is open and expressive, with waves of aromas ranging from licorice, currant and plum to baking spice, furniture polish, freshly picked olive, mushroom and vanilla. The mouthfeel is satiny in texture, awash with fruit and spices of all shapes and sizes, all wound by fine tannins. Drink through 2040.

Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend — California 2023

Apothic Red is one of California's most recognizable and best-selling red blends — a wine built for immediate pleasure, with a rich, layered style that has earned it a devoted following since its debut. The 2023 Winemaker's Blend is crafted from a multi-varietal California blend — Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon — aged on multiple types of oak to build complexity and draw out notes of vanilla, mocha, and toffee. The result is a full-bodied, velvety red that overdelivers at its price point and works equally well on a weeknight or at a dinner party.

The nose is intense and inviting: rhubarb, black cherry, dark plum, mocha, and chocolate, with warm accents of brown spice and vanilla from the oak aging. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and plush with a velvety mouthfeel, rich dark fruit, and a smooth, lingering finish. It is approachable, crowd-pleasing, and deeply satisfying — the kind of red blend that disappears fast.

“Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.” — Winemaker’s Notes

• Producer: Apothic Wines, Modesto, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: California
• Varietal: Red Blend — Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: Multi-oak aging for vanilla, mocha & toffee complexity
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rhubarb, black cherry, dark plum, mocha, chocolate, brown spice, vanilla, velvety finish
• Best Paired With: BBQ ribs, grilled burgers, pasta bolognese, aged cheddar, dark chocolate

California’s most beloved red blend at an honest price — Apothic Red is the benchmark for what approachable, oak-aged, multi-varietal California red can deliver.

Winemaker Description

Ménage à Trois Red Blend brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. To add complexity and retain character, each variety was fermented separately, then blended together prior to bottling. On top you’ve got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouthfeel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal candidate for the bottom layer of the trio.

Forward, silky, and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats and chicken.

About Ménage à Trois

Ménage à Trois is produced by Folie à Deux Winery in California’s Napa Valley. The brand was born from a simple but inspired idea: that the best wines are often the result of unexpected partnerships. By blending Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon — three varieties rarely combined — winemaker Glen Salva created a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Rich, approachable, and unapologetically fun, Ménage à Trois has become one of California’s most beloved red blends, consistently delivering crowd-pleasing fruit and silky texture at an everyday price.

Food Pairings

Grilled burgers, BBQ ribs, roasted chicken, pizza, pasta with meat sauce, mild cheddar, and charcuterie. A crowd-pleasing red that works at any table, any night of the week.

Product Details

• Producer: Folie à Deux Winery
• Region: California, USA
• Blend: Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Forward, silky, fruit-driven California red blend
• Format: 750ml

Domaine Jean Foillard Beaujolais Villages Organic 2024

Jean Foillard is at the pinnacle of Beaujolais winemakers. Serve chilled to 64°F — about 20 minutes in the fridge!

Jean Foillard is one of the Gang of Four — the legendary quartet of Beaujolais producers who, alongside Marcel Lapierre, Guy Breton, and Jean-Paul Thévenet, helped define the natural wine movement in the 1980s. His Beaujolais Villages is sourced from Gamay parcels across Villié-Morgon, Lancié, Saint-Amour, and Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne, farmed organically and vinified with minimal intervention. The 2024 is everything you want from Foillard: sensuous red fruit, mouthwatering acidity, low alcohol, and a silky, dreamy finish that makes you reach for another glass.

• Producer: Domaine Jean Foillard
• Grape: Gamay
• Region: Beaujolais Villages, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Size: 750ml
• Farming: Certified Organic, Natural Winemaking

Pairs beautifully with charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled salmon, or a classic Lyonnaise bouchon spread. Serve slightly chilled.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 90 Points | This red shows some depth to the black cherry, black currant, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. There is a hint of tar, and the firm structure is well-integrated. Drink now through 2032.  — Bruce Sanderson

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This blend opens with ripe aromas that recall blueberry and strawberry jam, followed by notes of spice, chocolate and moist tobacco. The finish is soft and velvety, and it comes with a touch of plush richness. This is complex and balanced.

Decanter 91 Points | Sweet wood nuances lead with cinnamon, clove and a touch of vanilla eventually ceding to wild cherry and wet soil. On the palate, forest berries are laced with chocolate. The fruit is concentrated and plush with ripe, powdery tannins giving effortless support. This is its usual sophisticated and polished self, with lots of juiciness. Yields are a low 30 hL/ha and ageing is in a combination of French oak tonneaux and barriques, 10% new. Give this another year for the wood to integrate.  Drinking 2022 -2027 — Michaela Morris

Jancis Robinson 17.5 Points | Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese.  The grapes were destemmed but not crushed and fermented in stainless steel as well as oak casks where it also went through MLF. Aged in barriques and tonneaux for up to 14 months. Certified vegan and organic.

Walter Speller | Medium to deep crimson. Gorgeous nose of cherry and with the scent of cigar box. Luscious juicy fruit on the palate and silky tannins that make their mark. Beautiful balance and elegant and concentrated at the same time. Amazing length and focus. Drinking 2021 -2028.

Vinous 93 Points | The 2018 Chianti Classico is classy, polished and exceptionally beautiful. Like so many wines in 2018, the Chianti Classico is aromatic and gracious in feel, more finesse than power. Silky tannins wrap around a core of bright Sangiovese fruit. From start to finish, the 2018 is all class.  Drinking 2020 -2033.

Winemaker Description

Chambertin is the wine of Kings. Masculine, powerful and well built. Vigorous and firm, well-structured and very dense. With great persistence in the mouth and aromas of chocolate, licorice and red berries.

Expert Reviews 

Jasper Morris 100 Points | An imperial robe as we have come to expect. The bouquet is very backward, no problem there either, all about the fruit, the new wood is irrelevant. Starts slowly then builds immaculately, still too early really to see the detail. As always it is about grace style intensity and length rather than overt muscle, all the finesse one can want. Long and lovely

Robert Parker 97 Points Wine Advocate | Rousseau's 2020 Chambertin Grand Cru is brilliant, unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, orange rind, plums, exotic spices, Egyptian musk, woodsmoke and rose petals. Full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's deep and tightly wound, with striking intensity and energy. Still very primary, even after a year's élevage, it will require patience, but it's a magical Chambertin in the making.

Renieri Rosso di Montalcino — Montalcino, Tuscany 2024

Renieri is one of Montalcino's most respected organic estates, and this Rosso di Montalcino is the clearest expression of why. Sourced from certified organic vineyards in the heart of Tuscany and crafted from Sangiovese Grosso — the same noble grape as Brunello di Montalcino — the 2024 delivers uncommon depth and precision for a Rosso. Vinous awarded it 92 points, noting it displays "significantly more depth than expected." 

The wine opens with a mentholated freshness and a classic bouquet of cherries, prunes, and floral aromas that open to more sophisticated notes of slate. On the palate, it is complex and vibrant with cooling acidity, crisp wild berry fruits, violet pastille nuances, and gentle, fine tannins. A touch of tartness is accompanied by a succulent, balanced body and an exciting finish with returning hints of ripe fruit and fantastic length.

"The 2024 Rosso di Montalcino opens with a mentholated freshness and floral aromas. This displays significantly more depth than expected, with cooling acidity and crisp wild berry fruits. Violet pastille nuances swirl over gentle, fine tannins as the 2024 tapers off with fantastic length." — Eric Guido, Vinous, 92 Points (Vintage 2024)

• Producer: Renieri, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino DOC
• Varietal: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello clone)
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, elegant, mineral-driven Tuscan red
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cherries, prunes, wild berries, violet, slate, mentholated freshness, fine tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roast lamb, wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, truffle pasta

A 92-point organic Rosso di Montalcino at an honest price — Renieri is the benchmark for what Montalcino can deliver before Brunello.

Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Red Blend 2023

Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s most iconic and respected wineries — a benchmark producer whose Monte Bello Cabernet has competed with the world’s greatest wines, and whose commitment to traditional winemaking is unmatched. Three Valleys, made since 2001, is Ridge’s Sonoma County field blend: a multi-vineyard, multi-appellation wine sourced from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley, crafted in the exact same way as all of Ridge’s wines — open-top tanks, native fermentations, and real oak. It’s meant to represent a vintage more than a location, and the 2023 is one of the finest in recent memory.

The 2023 blend is 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, and 2% Alicante Bouschet, aged 12 months in 19% new air-dried American oak. Floral, complex, and less rustic than usual — the vintage showing classic charm and elegance. A popular by-the-glass pour at restaurants across the country. Order it when you see it.

Aromas of confit cherries, licorice, blackberry, baking spices, wild berries, Italian plums, and lavender. The palate is full-bodied yet light on its feet — expressive raspberry and blueberry, licorice, pepper, and chargrilled herbs — with chalky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, spicy, generous finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck — 93 Points

“Floral, complex and less rustic than usual, the vintage showing classic charm and elegance… A popular by-the-glass pour, order it when you see it.”

Wine Spectator — 93 Points

“Generous and robust yet retains a sense of polish, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors highlighted by licorice and pepper. Drink now through 2034.”

James Suckling — 93 Points

“Aromas of confit cherries, licorice, blackberry bush, baking spices and violets. Full-bodied with a rounded mouthfeel and firmly framed tannins that end in a lush and generous finish.”

Wine Advocate — 91 Points

“Layered aromas of wild berries, Italian plums, chargrilled meats, resinous herbs and lavender. Full-bodied with highly concentrated flavors, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity. Long, spicy finish.”

Track Record

Three Valleys has scored 92 points or above for five consecutive vintages: 94 pts Decanter (2022) | 92 pts WS (2021) | 93 pts WS (2020) | 93 pts WS (2019).

Food Pairings

Grilled lamb, BBQ ribs, braised short rib, aged cheddar, and hearty pasta with meat sauce.

Blend: 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, 2% Alicante Bouschet
Appellation: Sonoma County, California
Vintage: 2023
Aging: 12 months, 19% new air-dried American oak
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 pts JD | 93 pts WS | 93 pts JS | 91 pts WA

Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

Château Mont-Redon is one of the most storied estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, its history predating the appellation itself. In 1923 — more than a decade before the AOC was formally established in 1936 — visionary proprietor Henri Plantin acquired this isolated plateau property, then covered in scrubland and groves, and set about clearing the land and planting vines in the famous rolled pebbles (galets roulés) that define the appellation's most iconic terroir.

Located in the northwestern sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the estate is uniquely privileged to possess all three of the appellation's emblematic terroir types: the pebble-strewn plateau, the compact sandy safres, and the ancient urgonian limestone. This rare combination of complementary soils is the foundation of Mont-Redon's complexity and consistency across vintages.

The 2022 is a blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and a mix of other authorized varieties including Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse, and Cinsaut, matured in a combination of new and used barrels, concrete, and large foudres. The result is a wine of remarkable depth, structure, and elegance — built for the cellar, but already showing its extraordinary potential.

Deep ruby in the glass, the wine opens with a gorgeous nose of dark cherries, black raspberries, cassis, dried thyme, black pepper, violets, and spicy garrigue, with hints of leather, licorice, and gravel. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with a firm yet refined tannic frame, dark berry fruit at the core, and a long, focused finish with crushed stone and graphite minerality. Best from 2027–2028 and drinking brilliantly for 15+ years.

James Suckling — 96 pts
"A well-composed, structured and refined Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The nose reveals notes of dark cherries, cassis, dried thyme, black pepper and a touch of violets. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Robust and focused, and the funneled finish has length. Try after 2028." (Vintage 2022). 

Jeb Dunnuck — 94 pts
"A gorgeous nose of black raspberries, Bing cherries, spicy garrigue, leather, and ground pepper. With medium to full-bodied richness and a concentrated yet focused, elegant style on the palate, it’s going to benefit from 2–3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 15+ years." (Vintage 2022). 

Vinous — 92 pts
"Distinct licorice, gravel, red cherry and violet notes alongside minty undertones. Constructed around a firm tannic core, the full-bodied 2022 is clearly built for the long haul, demanding five more years in a cool cellar." (Vintage 2022). 

Wine Spectator — 92 pts
"Large in scale and richly styled, with a ripe core of cherry and cassis liqueur hemmed in with chalk-fine tannins. Smoked anise, meat and earth merge in, while graphite and crushed stone notes line the robust finish." (Vintage 2022). 

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 91+ pts
"Aromas of violet, dark wild berries, lavender and smoke. A medium to full-bodied, concentrated and structured wine with an assertive tannic frame, velvety tannins and a long and spicy finish." (Vintage 2022). 

Blend: ~60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, plus Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Cinsaut
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Southern Rhône, France
Vintage: 2022
Format: 750ml
Scores: 96 JS | 94 JD | 92 Vinous | 92 WS | 91+ WA

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.

Expert Reviews – Vintage 2021

Vinous 94 Points (Audrey Frick): Opens with rosemary, Mediterranean herbs, ripe cherries, and forest earth. Medium to full-bodied and classic in style, with well-defined tannins, bright acidity, and a long finish that keeps it fresh and balanced. Showing very well today and should drink beautifully over the next 15 years or more. Drink 2026–2041.

Winemaker Description

Le Ragnaie is perched at high elevation just south of the hill of Montalcino, led by Ricardo and Jennifer Campinoti. The estate produces some of the most compelling single-vineyard expressions of Brunello, with clarity, focus, and distinction between each cru. This 2021 is sourced from a selection of top vineyard sites, fermented in concrete with 35 days of skin contact, then aged three years in large Slavonian oak casks. Lifted aromas of dark cherry, ripe plum, and subtle spice, with a graceful, structured palate, fine-grained tannins, and a long, elegant finish.

Previous vintage (2020) earned 95pts Wine Advocate, 94pts Jeb Dunnuck, 93pts James Suckling & Vinous.

Pairing Suggestions

• Red Meat: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised short ribs, or lamb.
• Game: Wild boar, venison, or duck.
• Cheese: Aged Pecorino, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Taleggio.

Dalton Alma Deep Red Rhone Blend Crimson Galilee Kosher 2021 750ml

Winemaker Description

From the sun-drenched hillsides of Galilee, Dalton's Alma Crimson is a bold, structured Rhone-style blend that speaks to the ambition of Israeli fine wine. Dark and full-bodied, it opens with generous aromas of ripe cherries, plums, and sweet dark fruits, leading to a rich, buttery palate layered with vanilla, cloves, and a distinctive whisper of green tea.

Crafted with meticulous attention, the grapes were harvested and fermented in separate batches to preserve the character of each variety. The wine was pressed just before completing fermentation, malolactic fermentation was encouraged, and the wine was then racked into French oak barriques for 12 months of aging. Each parcel was individually assessed before the final blend was assembled and returned to barrel for a further six months of integration.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points — "We think of this as Israeli Châteauneuf-du-Pape — tasted blind, it will fool you!" Blackberry, cassis, and toasted nut aromas lead the way. A bright thread of pomegranate runs beneath layers of Mission fig, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, orange zest, and caramel. Luxurious tannins and perfectly balanced acidity carry through to a long, satisfying finish.

Wine Details

Producer: Dalton Winery
Wine: Alma Deep Red Crimson — Rhone Blend
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Appellation: Galilee, Israel
Vintage: 2021
Aging: 18 months in French oak barriques
Size: 750ml
Kosher: Yes — Mevushal

Château de Ribebon Bordeaux Supérieur — Bordeaux, France 2020

Château de Ribebon has one of the more remarkable backstories in Bordeaux — the estate was formerly a hunting lodge for King Louis XVI, and today it is part of the distinguished Aubert family portfolio, one of the most respected names in the region. Farmed from 40-year-old vines and crafted in the classic Petit Château tradition, Ribebon represents exactly what Bordeaux Supérieur does best: honest, terroir-driven wine at an accessible price, made with the same care and philosophy as estates that cost far more. The 2020 vintage is widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade.

The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose is inviting and well-defined — juicy black fruits, blackcurrant, plum, spice, and a touch of toast from careful oak aging. On the palate, it's structured and well-balanced with a savory, slightly earthy character, medium-to-full body, and a smooth mouthfeel. Still young and developing, it rewards patience — best from 2025 onward, but approachable now with decanting.

"A well-balanced wine, structured and still young. Spice and toast as well as juicy black fruits. The wine is on its way, but should not be drunk before 2025." — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points

• Producer: Château de Ribebon (Aubert Family), Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
• Varietal: Merlot-dominant blend
• Vine Age: 40 years
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 90 (Roger Voss)
• Drink: Best from 2025; decant if opening now
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, plum, spice, toast, earthy, structured tannins
• Best Paired With: Gourmet burgers, lamb chops with rosemary, duck confit, beef stew, mushroom risotto, aged Comté

A 90-point Bordeaux Supérieur from a former royal hunting lodge — Aubert family quality, 40-year-old vines, and one of Bordeaux's finest recent vintages at a Petit Château price.

E. Guigal · Côtes du Rhône Rouge · Southern Rhône · France · 2022 · 750ml

E. Guigal is the most celebrated name in the Rhône Valley — a family estate founded in Ampuis in 1946 by Etienne Guigal and now run by his son Marcel, whose obsessive commitment to quality has made Guigal synonymous with the finest expressions of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre from Hermitage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Côtes du Rhône Rouge is Guigal’s benchmark entry-level wine: a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in large oak foudres, and crafted to deliver genuine Rhône character at an honest price. The 2022 vintage was the hottest and driest growing season since 1950 — intense heatwaves followed by mid-August rainfall that promoted ripening and yielded concentrated, full-bodied wines of exceptional richness and depth. Jeb Dunnuck called it “smoking good.” At $18.99, this is one of the most compelling values in French red wine.

Deep ruby in the glass with an intensely aromatic nose of blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, and a whisper of cocoa — generous, expressive, and unmistakably southern Rhône. On the palate: full-bodied and round, with lush dark fruit, velvety tannins, and a long, elegant finish that shows real finesse beyond the abundance of fruit. Three critics, three 90+ scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91, Wine Enthusiast 91, Wine Advocate 90. Drink now through 2028. Pair with charcuterie, braised lamb, beef stew, roast chicken, or a simple cheese board.

• Producer: E. Guigal (est. 1946, Ampuis)
• Wine: Côtes du Rhône Rouge AOC
• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Southern Rhône Valley, France
• Blend: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
• Aging: Partially aged in large oak foudres
• Style: Full-bodied, generous southern Rhône red
• Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 91 · Wine Enthusiast 91 · Wine Advocate 90
• Drinking Window: Now–2028
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black plum, pepper, garrigue, cocoa, velvety tannins, long elegant finish
• Pair With: Charcuterie · Braised lamb · Beef stew · Roast chicken · Cheese board

The Rhône’s most celebrated name, three 90+ scores — southern France’s most reliable everyday red.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck — 91 Points
“Smoking good — blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Remarkable quality for the appellation.”

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points
“Black plum and cocoa-dusted aromas bump against raspberry and black tea. Fulsome in body, with red fruit riding all the way to the finish, made more complex by velvety tannins.”

Wine Advocate — 90 Points
“Juicy, round and elegant — remarkably dense for the vintage and represents excellent value.”

Château Hyot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux — Bordeaux, France 2019

Château Hyot is situated on the slopes just west of Castillon, in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation — one of Bordeaux's most exciting value regions, where Merlot-dominant wines of genuine character are produced at a fraction of the price of their Saint-Émilion neighbors across the border. The estate's sandy-gravelly soils act as a natural flavor enhancer, contributing a distinctive minerality and freshness that elevates the wine beyond its price point. The 2019 vintage — one of Bordeaux's finest of the last decade — delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration across the Right Bank.

The wine pours an intense ruby with shiny reflections. The nose is expressive and layered — blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, mulberry, dark plum, dried herbs, and a touch of cigar box and toasted oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and Merlot-driven, with powdery tannins, juicy acidity, and a savory, earthy, flavorful finish that reflects the authenticity of the terroir. Drink now or hold through 2026.

"Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish." — James Suckling, 90 Points

• Producer: Château Hyot, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2019
• Appellation: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
• Varietal: Merlot-dominant
• Terroir: Sandy-gravelly slopes west of Castillon
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: James Suckling 90 | Wine Enthusiast 90
• Drink: Now through 2026
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plum, dried herbs, cigar box, powdery tannins, earthy finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses

Dual 90-point Right Bank Bordeaux at an exceptional price — Castillon terroir, 2019 vintage, and Merlot-driven generosity in every glass.

Winemaker Description

Ruby red. Aromas of cherries, plums, raspberries, and black pepper. Refined, light tannins and bright acidity make this a lifting, fruity wine.

Pair with salumi, tomato and meat-based sauces and pizza Margherita.

Memo Summary Notes

Vibrant, volcanic red wine that serves as a historic benchmark for the Campania region. Produced by the legendary Mastroberardino family—who famously saved many of southern Italy's indigenous grapes from extinction—this wine is made from 100% Piedirosso grapes grown in the mineral-rich ash of Mount Vesuvius.

Producer Notes

Estate director Axel Heinz called 2020 ‘a classic Ornellaia,’ selecting ‘La Proporzione’ (proportion) as the theme to describe its character. The blend — 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot — marks a return to a more typical composition. Raised in 70% new French oak for 18 months, then 12 months in bottle prior to release. Fine-grained and beautifully textured, with finely integrated tannins supporting a concentration of black fruits lightened by red berries. Aromas of black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth, with menthol and balsamic streaks imparting freshness. A stony, salty finish. Tight and moreish in its youth — best from 2026 through 2045.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

• James Suckling 98 pts | Alluring aromas of lead pencil, currants, crushed stone, and iodine. Full-bodied with tight, focused tannins. Very fresh and energetic with wonderful length and intensity. Better from 2028 onwards.
• Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts | Flush with herbs, menthol, blackberry, and cedar. Full-bodied with luxurious plum, black cherry, and toast. Supple and velvety tannins. Drink 2026–2046.
• Wine Spectator 96 pts | Inviting aromas of blackberry, black currant, anise, cedar, vanilla, and tobacco. Sleek and open on the palate, beautifully balanced. Mineral and spice on the finish with a salty, flinty element. Best from 2026 through 2045. — Bruce Sanderson
• Vinous 96 pts | Gorgeous and elegant. Seamless and wonderfully deep, with terrific freshness and cut. Super-refined from the outset. Precision and understated finesse. Drink 2027–2045. — Antonio Galloni
• Decanter 96 pts | Fine-grained and beautifully textured. Black cherry, liquorice, dark chocolate, cedar, and damp earth. Tight and moreish with ripeness, freshness, and structure. Drink 2023–2050. — James Button
• Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95 pts | Dark fruit, pencil shaving, toasted oak, Spanish cedar, campfire ash, and iron ore. Especially concentrated and oak-driven. Requires more aging. Drink 2026–2045. — Monica Larner
• Jancis Robinson 18/20 | Very sumptuous nose followed by a hedonistic palate that finishes especially fresh. Ripe but not too-ripe fruit. Savoury persistence. Drink 2024–2028.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or prime dry-aged ribeye
• Braised short ribs or slow-roasted lamb
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano
• Truffle pasta or wild mushroom risotto

Domaine Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir — Burgundy 2022

Wine runs deep in the Faiveley family’s blood — for nearly two centuries and seven generations, they have been among Burgundy’s most deeply rooted and respected domaines. Today they are one of the largest vineyard owners in the region, with holdings spanning from the Côte de Nuits to the Côte Chalonnaise, producing polished, collectible reds and whites with consistently exceptional ratings. Their Bourgogne Rouge is the entry point to this storied estate — and it overdelivers at every turn.

Sourced from Faiveley’s own estate vineyards as well as carefully selected partner growers, each plot is quality-controlled to ensure the same standards applied to their premier and grand cru wines. The 2022 shows beautiful ruby color, fresh red-fruit aromas, and a rich, ripe palate with fine round tannins and a bright, crisp finish — “quite a serious wine for the humble appellation,” as James Suckling noted.

“Quite a serious wine for the humble appellation. Plenty of red cherry fruit. A surprising amount of structure.” — James Suckling, 90 Points

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Bourgogne Rouge AOC
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, fresh red fruit, round tannins, rich texture, bright crisp finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, duck breast, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, soft-ripened cheeses

Seven generations of Burgundy mastery in every bottle — Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge is the benchmark for what village-level Pinot Noir can be.