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Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024

Ferrari-Carano has been one of Sonoma County’s most beloved Chardonnay producers for decades, crafting wines of generous richness, depth, and approachability from their estate vineyards across the county’s finest appellations. The 2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay is barrel-fermented to deliver the house’s signature full-bodied, layered style — earning 92 points from James Suckling and representing exceptional value for the quality in the glass. Rich, round, and satisfying, this is California Chardonnay at its most crowd-pleasing.

The nose opens with Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, graham cracker, and buttered popcorn — inviting and generous. On the palate, incredible depth and a full mouthfeel deliver layers of ripe peach, pineapple, and caramel, leading to hazelnut and baking spice on the finish. Sweet aromas of vanilla bean and pear blossom add elegance, while a weighty creaminess and flavors of butterscotch and golden apple round out a rich, satisfying finish.

James Suckling 92 — “Sweet aromas of vanilla bean and pear blossoms with a generous mouthfeel, a weighty creaminess and flavors of butterscotch and golden apples. A rich, satisfying, barrel-fermented wine.”

• Producer: Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma County AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vinification: Barrel-fermented
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Meyer lemon, apricot, vanilla, peach, pineapple, caramel, butterscotch, hazelnut, baking spice, creamy finish
• Best Paired With: Lobster, grilled prawns, roast chicken, creamy pasta, dishes with citrus, butter, cream, bacon, or toasted nuts

Decades of Sonoma Chardonnay mastery in every bottle — Ferrari-Carano’s Sonoma County is the rich, crowd-pleasing California white that always delivers.

L’Umami · Pinot Noir · Willamette Valley · 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

Wine Advocate — 94 Points | The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi contains 6% Sémillon. Matured in around 15% new French oak and bottled the spring after harvest. Continually unfurling scents of flint, white peach, tarragon, lemongrass, graham cracker, chamomile, and honey. The full-bodied palate bursts with layers of flinty stone and citrus fruit, lifted by a silky texture, succulent acidity, and a long, perfumed finish.

Winemaker Description

L’Après-Midi (The Afternoon) was named in honor of the pleasures of a slow and lazy afternoon — which, according to Sir Peter, is a good time to start enjoying this wine. One of two estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends, the grapes are grown alongside the red Bordeaux varietals within Les Pavots Vineyard, benefiting from steep slopes, excellent drainage, and cool air at altitude.

Whole-cluster-pressed and naturally fermented in barrel, forgoing malolactic fermentation to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with just a touch of Sémillon.

• Producer: Peter Michael Winery
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Blend: 94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon
• Vineyard: Les Pavots Estate
• Aging: 15% new French oak, no malolactic fermentation
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

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

Winemaker Description

Pazo de La Cuesta Mencía Ribeira Sacra 2022 750ml

A single-varietal expression of 100% Mencía from the historic estate vineyards of Pazo de La Cuesta in San Clodio, Ribas de Sil — the easternmost reaches of Ribeira Sacra. The wine opens with an intense, vivid ruby color and a frank, expressive nose of strawberry and blackcurrant with floral notes and characteristic varietal ripeness. On the palate, the attack is fresh and cool, with excellent roundness and fine balance between alcohol, acidity, and tannin. The finish is long and mineral, reflecting the granite and slate character of this historic hillside plot.

Grapes are hand-harvested and gravity-fed to fermentation tanks. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are carried out at controlled temperatures in stainless steel, followed by aging on the lees and 6 months in 300–500L French and Central European oak barrels.

Pairing Suggestions

• Meat: Roasted lamb, grilled chorizo, or slow-cooked pork shoulder with Galician spices.
• Seafood: Grilled octopus a la gallega, salt cod, or hearty fish stews.
• Cheese: Tetilla, Arzúa-Ulloa, or a mild semi-cured Spanish cheese.

Renato Ratti Ochetti Langhe Nebbiolo — Piedmont, Italy 2024

For more than 50 years, the name Ratti has been indissolubly tied to Barolo — and to the very soul of Piedmontese winemaking. Renato Ratti was a pioneer who helped define the modern style of Nebbiolo, and today the estate in La Morra continues his legacy with the same commitment to elegance, transparency, and terroir. The Ochetti is their benchmark Langhe Nebbiolo: an ancient wine originally sourced from the sandy hills of Roero on the left bank of the Tanaro River, now blended with fruit from cooler sites in Dogliani for added freshness and lift. Fermented with full berries and approximately one week of skin contact, the 2024 emphasizes elegance over power — and delivers it beautifully. A Decanter Silver Medal winner.

The color is a transparent, luminous ruby-red with orange hints. The nose is bright and fragrant: cranberry, forest strawberry, raspberry, fresh flowers, orange zest, and warm spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, snappy, and lively — smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, refreshing finish that is pleasantly bitter in the classic Nebbiolo tradition. This is Nebbiolo at its most approachable and joyful.

Jeb Dunnuck 89 • Decanter Silver Medal — "Bright and refreshing, with aromas of cranberries, fresh flowers, orange zest, and spice. Snappy and lively on the palate, with bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish."

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

Jeb Dunnuck — 89 Points
Pouring a transparent red-orange hue, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo Ochetti is bright and refreshing, with aromas of cranberries, fresh flowers, orange zest, and spice. Historically sourced from Roero, the wine now also includes fruit from cooler sites in Dogliani, balancing the warmth of Roero with added freshness. Made with roughly one week of skin contact and fermented as of 2024 with full berries, the style emphasizes elegance rather than power. Medium-bodied, it’s snappy and lively on the palate, with bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.

• Producer: Renato Ratti, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vineyards: Roero (sandy hills, left bank of Tanaro) + Dogliani (cooler sites)
• Vinification: Full berry fermentation, ~1 week skin contact
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cranberry, forest strawberry, raspberry, orange zest, fresh flowers, warm spice, bright acidity
• Best Paired With: Grilled red meats, game, truffled fondue, agnolotti, spiced meat sauces, aged cheeses

Nebbiolo at its most elegant and joyful — Ratti’s Ochetti is the benchmark for what Langhe can deliver at this price.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This is richly layered, with cassis, crushed plum and blackberry puree flavors moving through slowly but steadily, while warm earth, ganache and black licorice notes follow along. Picks up a tarry edge on the finish as the fruit takes an encore. For fans of the muscular, fruit-driven style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2036. (2018). 

Wine Advocate 97 Points | The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. (2018).

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Very much in the style of the vintage with its pure, concentrated, yet also elegant and focused style, the 2018 Insignia offers up a vivid purple hue to go with lots of red and blue fruits, menthol, tobacco, graphite, and distinct minerality. With an almost Bordeaux-like style, medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish, it's a beautiful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend from this team that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more. (2018). 

James Suckling 99 Points | Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. (2018). 

Enjoy Balta Pairs: Mas Petit Organic 2021

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

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

Winemaker Description 

Rhone meets Bordeaux in Penedes. The Cab here provides the body and power, Grenache for the florality and freshness. A cold maceration and fermentation in stainless before finishing in oak. Rich, velvety, dark berry, vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of licorice lead the way. Very generous fruit, big body, framed nicely in oak without it taking a front seat. This is the big red that will appeal to many.

Memo Summary Notes

The Parés Baltà Mas Petit 2021 is a characterful, eco-conscious red blend from the Penedès region of Catalonia, Spain. Produced by a family estate that has been organic since 1790, this wine is a "Crianza" style that balances Mediterranean warmth with soft oak influence.

Its soft tannins and high fruit profile make it incredibly versatile for informal dining:

• Barbecue: Grilled sausages, burgers, or marinated flank steak.

• Tapas: Cured meats (Jamon Ibérico), Chorizo, or paté.

• Vegetarian: Roasted Mediterranean vegetables or Portobello mushroom steaks.

• Cheese: Mild semi-hard cheeses like Manchego or Gouda.

Unveiling the Essence of Balta Pairs

Balta Pairs Mas Petit Organic 2021 presents an intriguing blend of flavors that showcases the richness of organic farming. This wine, made from carefully selected grapes, embodies the spirit of the Penedes region. Its vibrant notes and delicate tannins invite you to explore its complex profile. The organic nature of this wine not only reflects a commitment to sustainable practices but also enhances the overall tasting experience. Enjoying this bottle means embracing a unique wine journey, enriched by its organic heritage.

A Perfect Pairing for Every Occasion

This exquisite organic wine is versatile, making it a fantastic choice for various culinary experiences. Whether you're enjoying grilled vegetables, a flavorful cheese platter, or a hearty roast, Balta Pairs Mas Petit 2021 harmonizes beautifully with your meals. The balanced acidity and fruity notes ensure that it complements rather than overwhelms the palate. Because of its adaptability, this wine is ideal for casual gatherings, celebratory dinners, or simply unwinding after a long day.

Why Choose Organic?

Choosing Balta Pairs means choosing a product crafted with care and respect for nature. Organic wines like Mas Petit are produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, allowing the natural terroir to shine through. This dedication to organic farming not only benefits the environment but also results in healthier wine options. As you sip on this delightful 750ml bottle, you can feel good about supporting sustainable choices while enjoying a deliciously crafted organic wine. Explore the wonders of nature with every sip of Balta Pairs!

Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon — Mendoza, Argentina 2023

Viña Cobos is Paul Hobbs’ celebrated Mendoza project, and Felino is its entry point — a wine that, vintage after vintage, punches way above its price. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from rigorously selected vineyards across Mendoza’s two finest growing areas: 65% from Luján de Cuyo and 35% from Valle de Uco, blending the warmth and richness of lower elevations with the precision and freshness of the high-altitude Uco Valley. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 94 points. 

The wine opens with rich dark and red fruit, blackcurrants, ripe cherries, and strawberries, with notes of peppercorn and a hint of barrel spice. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied with juicy, supple red fruit at its core, sinewy tannins, and a generous, rich finish with moderate freshness. 7% of the wine is aged in barrel. Tremendously impressive and built to drink now through 2034.

"Another delightful offering from the producer that punches way, way above its price point. Finding the best parts of each area of Mendoza, the warm and the cool, the lower elevation and higher elevation, it’s juicy in supple red fruit and juicy at its core, a tremendously impressive and delicious wine from Paul Hobbs and his team. Drink now through 2034." — Jeb Dunnuck, 94 Points (Vintage 2023)

"Lots of rich dark and red fruit with notes of blackcurrants. The well-balanced palate is medium- to full-bodied with sinewy tannins and a generous, rich finish." — James Suckling, 92 Points (Vintage 2023)

• Producer: Viña Cobos (Paul Hobbs), Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Mendoza
• Sub-Regions: 65% Luján de Cuyo, 35% Valle de Uco
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-to-full-bodied, fruit-forward Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vinification: 7% aged in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrants, ripe cherries, strawberries, peppercorn, barrel spice, juicy finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2034
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, empanadas, aged manchego, hearty stews

A 94-point Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon at an honest price — Felino is the benchmark for what Paul Hobbs and Viña Cobos can deliver in a glass.

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc — Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2024

The Crossings is the calling card of the Awatere Valley — and the 2024 vintage is a textbook expression of why this windswept sub-region of Marlborough produces Sauvignon Blanc of uncommon intensity. Sourced from vineyards shaped by cool nights, relentless sunshine, and stony river soils, the wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve the vivid, aromatic purity that defines this style. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 88 points, calling it "poolside sipping right here." At $12.99, it is one of New Zealand's most honest overachievers.

The nose is immediate and expressive: pineapple, passionfruit, lime leaf, flowering herbs, and fresh-cut grass. On the palate, it is dry and focused with concentrated tropical fruit, bright citrusy acidity, and a pithy, mineral finish that lingers cleanly. It delivers the lively energy and precision that only Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can achieve — and it is built to be enjoyed now.

Wine Enthusiast 88 (Christina Pickard) — "A perfume of pineapple, passionfruit, lime leaf and grass offers all the hallmarks of this boisterous, crowd-pleasing style. The palate is dry and pithy in texture with a big zing of citrusy acidity to the finish." (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: The Crossings, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Marlborough
• Sub-Region: Awatere Valley
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, passionfruit, lime leaf, flowering herbs, fresh-cut grass, citrus, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now
• Best Paired With: Fresh oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, Thai cuisine, poolside sipping

An 88-point New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at an honest price — The Crossings is the benchmark for what Awatere Valley can deliver in a glass.

Expert Reviews 

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

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

Producer Notes

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

Memo Summary Notes

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

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

Food Pairings

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

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

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

The Secret Ingredient Is Dirt — Brendel’s Multi-Vineyard Napa Cabernet

Brendel sources from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted sites — the eastern side of Rutherford, the highest elevations of Howell Mountain, two diverse plots in St. Helena, and a steep parcel in Oak Knoll. Their philosophy is simple: great wine starts with great dirt. The 2021 Cooper’s Reed Cabernet Sauvignon is a fresh, vibrant expression of Napa’s famed grape — harvested under moonlight, fermented cool, and aged 9 months in upright oak casks to preserve bright red and black fruit character.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Made by the Heitz team led by winemaker Brittany Sherwood, Brendel's 2021 Cooper's Reed Cabernet Sauvignon now includes a sufficient amount of Sonoma fruit to carry a North Coast AVA on the label—this vintage is approximately two-thirds Napa and one-third Sonoma, and the blend includes 5% Petite Sirah and 1% Merlot. Still made in old oak vats to avoid overt wood influence and just medium-bodied, it's something of a throwback stylistically. Although the fruit is quite obvious upfront, combining black cherries and blackberries, the wine is streamlined and somewhat restrained on the palate, finishing with ample length, hints of star anise and a silky texture. (Vintage 2021). 

As Featured In

San Francisco Chronicle — “Their range of wines are made from some of the best sites in Napa’s most renowned regions. Each vineyard is chosen for its quality and unique aptitude, with soil types ranging from volcanic to clay to bring out the best in each grape. It’s, as they put it, good dirt.”

Winemaker Notes

Brendel Cabernet Sauvignon Cooper’s Reed Napa Valley 2021 750ml

Harvested under moonlight and crushed at cool temperatures, this Cab is thoughtfully monitored throughout fermentation. After 7–10 days, it’s gently pressed to upright oak casks for 9 months of maturation. Fruit sourced from prized Napa and Sonoma vineyards delivers mouthwatering structure with bright red and black fruit throughout.

— Brittany Sherwood, Director of Winemaking

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Key Sites: Rutherford, Howell Mountain, St. Helena, Oak Knoll
• Producer: Brendel
• Vintage: 2021
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural Napa Cab pairing — excellent with grilled ribeye, roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, aged gouda, and hearty pasta.

Winemaker Description 

The 2018 Grace Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exudes gorgeous dark red fruit, black cherry, black currant, accented by notes of bittersweet cocoa, black licorice, cigar box, resin, pink peppercorn, rose, and a hint of mint which offers freshness and lift.

The palate is broad and plush with layers of vibrant dark red fruit and spice seamlessly underpinned by soft, fine tannins and an extremely long palate. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will age at a glacial pace for years to come.

Experience the Elegance of J Vineyards Pinot Noir

Discover the vibrant elegance of J Vineyards Pinot Noir from California's renowned Russian River Valley. This exceptional 2022 vintage captures the essence of cool-climate winemaking with its bright, expressive character.

Tasting Notes:

• Bright sliced strawberry and citrus aromas
• Energetic mineral undertones
• Medium-bodied with vivid focus
• Crisp, refreshing finish

Expert Acclaim:
James Suckling 92 Points - "An energetic pinot with bright sliced strawberry and citrus character. Some mineral. Medium body. Vivid and focused."

Perfect Pairings:
This versatile Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Its bright acidity and elegant structure make it ideal for both special occasions and everyday enjoyment.

About J Vineyards:
J Vineyards has been crafting premium wines in Sonoma County since 1986, specializing in cool-climate varietals that showcase the unique terroir of Russian River Valley.

Overview of J Vineyards Pinot Noir

The J Vineyards Pinot Noir from the 2022 vintage exemplifies the artistry and dedication that the winemakers at J Vineyards pour into every bottle. Sourced primarily from the Russian River Valley, this wine is known for its lush flavors and rich aroma profile. The cool climate of this region allows the grapes to ripen slowly, leading to a full-bodied wine that maintains the characteristic finesse of Pinot Noir. With its vibrant notes of cherry, raspberry, and subtle hints of earthiness, this wine is perfect for both casual sipping and special occasions.

Tasting Notes and Pairing Suggestions

The tasting notes of J Vineyards Pinot Noir are as captivating as the beautiful bottle it comes in. On the palate, you will experience layers of ripe red fruits complemented by soft tannins and a lingering finish. The wine presents aromas of fresh strawberries and a whiff of roasted coffee beans, making it an aromatic delight. This Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with a wide range of dishes such as roast chicken, salmon, or a rich mushroom risotto. Additionally, it makes for an excellent companion with gourmet cheeses, enhancing the overall tasting experience.

Why Choose J Vineyards Pinot Noir?

Choosing J Vineyards Pinot Noir means selecting a wine that embodies quality, tradition, and passion. The rigorous selective harvesting process ensures that only the best grapes make it into the bottle, corresponding to the vineyard's commitment to excellence. Moreover, J Vineyards has garnered accolades and awards, making it a trusted name among wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Whether you are celebrating a special milestone, hosting a dinner party, or simply enjoying a night in, this Pinot Noir delivers an exceptional taste profile that will impress. Elevate your wine collection today with J Vineyards Pinot Noir!

Winemaker Description 

Deep ruby in color with bright streaks of purple and garnet. The bouquet opens up with bright cherry and plum aromas with accents of sweet spices, vanilla and licorice. In the mouth, the flavors harmonize joyfully with sweet, silky tannins and a long, pleasant finish.

Showing its age with grace and elegance, this is a wine that’s drinking perfectly now. Makes a great accompaniment to red meat, wild game, mature cheese and hearty pasta dishes.

Winemaker's Notes

Castello Monaci crafts Kreos as a dry, elegant rosé that captures the sun-drenched character of Salento, Puglia. Bright and aromatic on the nose, it opens with lingering floral notes alongside fresh cherries, raspberries, and redcurrants.

On the palate, Kreos is velvety and rounded with a tangy, minerally backbone and an intoxicatingly fresh finish. Ripe fruit notes linger beautifully — making this an ideal companion for warm evenings, light Mediterranean fare, or simply on its own.

• Winery: Castello Monaci
• Appellation: Salento IGP, Puglia, Italy
• Varietal: Negroamaro
• Vintage: 2025
• Format: 750ml
• Style: Dry, elegant, fruit-forward rosé
• Pairings: Seafood, light pasta, charcuterie, aperitivo

From the dramatic northern slopes of Mount Etna, Alta Mora Etna Bianco is a pure expression of Carricante — Sicily’s indigenous white grape — grown on ancient volcanic soils at altitude. The project was born from the Cusumano family’s passion for this singular terroir, where dry-stone terraces and centuries-old vines yield wines of rare character and precision.

The 2023 vintage pours a luminous golden straw, offering waxy aromas of sweet peach, poached pear, and citrus blossom. On the palate, it delivers medium body with a little extra richness from the warm vintage — sleek, polished, and layered, with juicy acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Aged 10 months on fine lees in stainless steel, this is Etna Bianco with more heft and depth than most.

“The Alta Mora 2023 Etna Bianco shows a golden straw color with medium texture and a little extra heft from a hot vintage. It offers waxy aromas of sweet peach and poached pear. There is more richness here compared to your standard Etna Bianco.”
— Wine Advocate, 92 Points

Carricante | Mt. Etna, Sicily / Italy
Vintage: 2023  |  Size: 750ml
90+ Rated

Winemaker's Description

Our Russian River Selection bottlings are quintessential Russian River Valley wines blended from some of the region’s top vineyards, taking advantage of varied climates and unique site characteristics. The 2022 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir has seductive aromas of Luxardo cherries intertwined with rose petals, fresh fennel, dark berry preserves, and a hint of savory earth. The youthful yet complex palate offers juicy flavors of sour cherries, blood orange, wild raspberries and with a dollop of tangy tamarind. Fine-grained tannins are balanced by firm acidity, creating a full-bodied texture, lending to an incredibly long, spicy finish.

Expert Review 

James Suckling - 92 Points: Bright aromas of dried strawberries, wild raspberries, dried herbs and Jolly Ranchers candy. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and acidity, giving fresh flavors of cherry confit, toffee apples and rhubarb.

Ca' del Bosco | Cuvée Prestige 48th Edition | Brut | Franciacorta DOCG | NV

Franciacorta is Italy’s most serious answer to Champagne — made by the traditional method, from the same grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco), with the same extended lees aging, and with the same ambition for complexity and finesse. Ca’ del Bosco is the house that built the category’s reputation. Founded in the 1960s in Lombardy’s lake district, it remains the benchmark producer — meticulous in the vineyard, exacting in the cellar, and consistent across every edition of its flagship Cuvée Prestige. The 48th Edition spends a minimum of 24 months on the lees, building the fine, persistent mousse and the toasted brioche character that define the house style. The result is a wine of genuine elegance: ripe peach and apple on the nose, layered with buttery brioche, butterscotch, and a subtle mineral thread. The palate is rich yet precise, with a creamy texture and a long, clean finish. Exceptional as an aperitif, and equally at home alongside a celebratory meal.

• Appellation: Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco
• Method: Traditional method (Metodo Classico)
• Lees Aging: Minimum 24 months
• Edition: 48th
• Dosage: Brut
• Format: 750ml

Tasting Notes

Ripe peach, apple, and toasted brioche on the nose with notes of butterscotch and a subtle mineral thread. Rich, creamy palate with a fine, persistent mousse and a long, clean finish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Aperitivo: Prosciutto, grana padano, or light antipasti.
• Seafood: Risotto ai frutti di mare, grilled langoustines, or seared scallops.
• Celebration: A versatile companion for any occasion that calls for bubbles.

Allegrini · Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT · Veneto, Italy · 2023 · 750ml

Allegrini is one of the Veneto's most important wine families, with roots in Fumane di Valpolicella stretching back to the 16th century. Palazzo della Torre is their signature Veronese IGT — a wine that has quietly become one of Italy's great overachievers. Blended from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and a touch of Sangiovese, it undergoes a partial ripasso-style process: a portion of the grapes are dried before fermentation, adding concentration, depth, and structure that punch well above the wine's price point. The result is a bottle that drinks like an Amarone's younger sibling — at a fraction of the cost. At $20.99, this is the Italian red you reach for when you want to impress without overthinking it.

Deep ruby in the glass with a generous, dark-fruited nose of black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate: full-bodied and richly textured, with lush fruit framed by graphite, crisp acidity, and tight, youthful tannins that give the wine real structure and aging potential. James Suckling awarded it 93 points for the 2023 vintage. Drink now through 2029, or cellar for a few years to let the tannins soften and the complexity deepen. Pair with braised short ribs, lamb ragu, aged pecorino, or a simple plate of charcuterie.

• Producer: Allegrini (est. Fumane di Valpolicella, Veneto)
• Wine: Palazzo della Torre · Veronese IGT
• Vintage: 2023
• Origin: Veneto, Italy
• Blend: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Sangiovese
• Method: Partial ripasso-style drying process
• Style: Full-bodied, structured Veneto red
• Score: James Suckling 93 Points
• Drinking Window: Now–2029
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, blackberry, ash, incense, dark chocolate, graphite, crisp acidity, chewy tannins
• Pair With: Braised short ribs · Lamb ragu · Aged pecorino · Charcuterie

Ripasso depth, Amarone soul — Allegrini's most reliable overachiever.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Medium- to full-bodied, this is juicy and succulent with a saline note and dried herbs, the dark fruit well defined and balanced. 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc. Try after 2028.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Château Saint-André Corbin is a high-value Bordeaux red from Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion, the smallest of the "satellite" appellations of Saint-Émilion. This vintage continues the estate’s reputation for producing "Right Bank" wines that punch well above their price point.

Hahn Founder's Pinot Noir — Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California 2024

Hahn Family Wines was founded by Nicky Hahn in 1980, when he recognized the extraordinary potential of Monterey County's cool-climate appellations for producing wines of genuine elegance and varietal precision. The Arroyo Seco appellation — a gravelly alluvial plain beneath the Santa Lucia Mountains — is one of California's most distinctive Pinot Noir sites: cool winds funneling in from Monterey Bay ensure gradual, extended ripening and the development of vibrant fruit and natural acidity, while the rocky, well-drained soils enhance intensity and promote balanced ripeness. The Founder's Pinot Noir is Nicky Hahn's personal expression of the appellation — a tribute to the vision that brought Hahn to Monterey and a showcase for everything that makes Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir so compelling at any price.

The nose is vibrant and expressive: red and dark cherry, ripe strawberry, raspberry, and plum, with subtle touches of vanilla, sweet tobacco, and toasted oak. On the palate, silky tannins and excellent acid balance frame flavors of red cherry and raspberry, with a dash of salinity and a hint of earthiness that adds complexity. The finish is long, lingering, and juicy — a classic example of fruit-forward, balanced, supple California Pinot Noir that retains freshness thanks to the cool Monterey climate.

"Vibrant aromas of red and dark cherry, raspberry and plum with subtle touches of vanilla and toasted oak. Silky tannins and excellent acid balance, with notes of earthiness on a long and lingering finish." — Hahn Family Wines, Winemaker

• Producer: Hahn Family Wines, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California, USA
• Founder: Nicky Hahn (est. 1980)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red cherry, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, vanilla, toasted oak, silky tannins, earthy finish
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, silky, cool-climate
• Drink: Now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, grilled salmon, duck breast, mushroom risotto, Portobello tacos, roasted beet salad, aged Gouda

Cool-climate Monterey Pinot Noir from one of California's founding estates — Hahn Founder's 2024 is silky, vibrant, and one of the great California Pinots under $20.