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Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Antonio Galloni  of Vinous writes 100 Points |  2021 Solaia is another wine that captures all of the potential I sensed when I tasted it some months ago. More than anything else the 2021 is a fine example of the style Antinori favors these days an approach that favors finesse more than opulence. Dark plum mocha licorice chocolate spice lavender and menthol build effortlessly in the glass. Oak and tannin are impeccably balanced. The 2021 spent 18 months in wood three months in once-used barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 15 months in 100% new barrels for the rest of its aging.

The Wine Spectator 98 Points | A deep, dense red, drenched with blackberry, pomegranate, plum and sweet spice flavors. Iron, tobacco and wild herb elements peek through as this plays out on the finish under a strong grip of tannins. Shows terrific balance and length now, yet this should only improve after a few more years in the bottle. Superb. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2047.

Decanter 97 Points | For me [2021 is] one of the best vintages ever,’ says Renzo Cotarella, Antinori's CEO and head winemaker, of the widely lauded vintage in Tuscany, explaining to me that it shares characteristics with 1997 and 2007, with a cool, frosty start slowing down vegetative growth and helping to extend the growing season, aided by milder temperatures later in the summer which enabled the grapes to build concentration while preserving freshness. Recent vintages of Solaia have benefitted from an increased use of Cabernet Franc, which stands at 9% in 2021. Due to be launched this autumn, Solaia 2021 is still a baby but its potential is immediately apparent. Inky and concentrated, with a dark chocolate barrique signature on the nose, it combines salinity with bountiful and sapid fruits, offering ripe black and red cherries, and dark hedgerow berries alongside herbal freshness, and finely textured tannins. Ferrous, meaty and earthy undertones emerge after some time in the glass, providing a counterpoint to the inherent sweetness of the fruit. Muscular yet wonderfully poised, this will only reveal all its complexities after significant ageing.

The Wine Advocate 97 Points | All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September. 

James Suckling 97 Points | This is a beautifully curated Solaia with blackcurrants and raspberries plus lavender and violet undertones. Graphite highlights it all. Just some new wood coming through. It’s full-bodied with fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine, caressing the palate. Give this three or four years to come around.

67Wine Somm Series Rosé — Rioja, Spain 2024

The 67Wine Somm Series Rosé is the house rosé we’ve always wanted — and the 2024 vintage is its most vibrant expression yet. Curated by Oscar Garcia Moncada, our in-house Wine Buyer, this Grenache-based rosé is sourced from Rioja, where warm days and cool nights produce fruit of exceptional purity and freshness. It is the kind of bottle that disappears fast: pale pink, effortlessly refreshing, and priced to drink without hesitation.

The nose is bright and inviting: fresh-cut watermelon, wild strawberries, cranberries, and ripe raspberries. On the palate, it is medium-light in body with crisp, beautifully integrated acidity and a finish that is dry, clean, and endlessly thirst-quenching. A pure, delicious expression — perfect for picnics, beach days, or an easygoing lunch in the sun.

“Pale pink in the glass, it opens with vibrant aromas of fresh-cut watermelon, wild strawberries, cranberries, and ripe raspberries. Crisp, beautifully integrated acidity, dry and effortlessly refreshing.” — Oscar Garcia Moncada, Wine Buyer, 67Wine

• Producer: 67Wine Somm Series, curated by Oscar Garcia Moncada
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Rioja, Spain
• Varietal: Grenache (Garnacha)
• Style: Dry rosé
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Watermelon, wild strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, crisp acidity, dry finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Grilled shrimp, summer salads, charcuterie, light pasta, ceviche, or simply on its own

Bright, dry, and made for summer — the 67Wine Somm Series Rosé is the benchmark for what a house rosé should be.

Underwood Sparkling Rosé — Oregon in a Can

Light, lively, and endlessly sippable, Underwood Sparkling Rosé brings the spirit of Oregon's Willamette Valley to wherever the day takes you. Crafted from estate-grown fruit, this effervescent pink pours with a delicate blush and a fine, persistent bubble.

The nose opens with wild strawberry, citrus blossom, and a whisper of rose petal. On the palate, bright tart cherry and lemongrass carry through to a clean, refreshing finish — dry enough to pair with food, approachable enough to enjoy on its own.

• Format: 355ml Can
• Origin: Oregon, USA
• Style: Sparkling Rosé
• Tasting Notes: Wild strawberry, citrus blossom, tart cherry, lemongrass
• Best Enjoyed: Chilled — at the beach, park, picnic, or patio

No glass required. No compromise on quality.

Le C de Calon Ségur | Saint-Estèphe AOC | Bordeaux, France | 2022

Le C de Calon Ségur — formerly known as Le Marquis de Calon Ségur — is the second wine of Château Calon Ségur, one of Saint-Estèphe's most distinguished and storied estates. Classified as a Grand Cru Classé, Château Calon Ségur has been producing wines of exceptional quality on the Left Bank of Bordeaux for centuries, and Le C offers a different, more immediately approachable interpretation of the same celebrated Calon terroir.

Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the Haut-Médoc's great communes, known for producing Bordeaux's most structured and age-worthy reds. Its heavy clay soils retain moisture and moderate the growing season, giving Saint-Estèphe wines their characteristic depth, firm tannins, and remarkable longevity. The 2022 vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest in recent Bordeaux history — a warm, dry year that produced wines of exceptional concentration, balance, and aging potential.

Le C de Calon Ségur 2022 is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, aged approximately 17 months in oak barrels (30% new). Deep ruby-purple in the glass. The nose offers plum, blackcurrant, damson, dark cherry, and cocoa, with notes of garrigue, damp earth, and subtle spice. On the palate, medium to full-bodied with firm, well-integrated tannins, generous dark fruit, bright acidity, and a long, structured, savory finish. Deliciously expressive now, with excellent aging potential.

Pair with roast lamb, braised beef, duck confit, aged cheeses, and hearty Bordeaux-style dishes.

• Producer: Château Calon Ségur (Second Wine)
• Appellation: Saint-Estèphe AOC, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Vintage: 2022
• Aging: ~17 months in oak (30% new)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

A beautifully expressive Sauvignon Blanc from one of Chavignol’s most historic vineyards, Gérard Boulay’s Clos de Beaujeu captures the depth, energy and mineral character that make this corner of Sancerre so distinctive.

The Boulay family’s winegrowing roots in Chavignol date back to 1380. Gérard has farmed organically since 1990, tending steep hillside vineyards with a meticulous, hands-on approach. His small Clos de Beaujeu parcel lies within the vineyard’s original medieval boundaries, where mature vines grow in rocky, limestone-rich soils scattered with fossils. These demanding slopes yield one of the domaine’s most structured and ageworthy wines.

The 2024 combines concentrated fruit with lively freshness. Citrus and orchard-fruit notes meet a pronounced stony minerality, while savory nuances add complexity. There is substance and texture on the palate, balanced by bright acidity and a long, focused finish—a compelling expression of Sauvignon Blanc with both immediate appeal and the structure to develop beautifully in the cellar.

Expert Rating

Vinous 92 Points: "excellent tension and chalkiness this is all about texture, structure and line... reveals an innate power, demonstrating precision and balance". 

Natural fermentation and aging in neutral wood reflect Boulay’s restrained approach in the cellar, allowing the vineyard’s character to lead. The result is a Sancerre of precision, depth and individuality.

Pair with seared scallops, roast fish, lobster or classic Loire Valley goat cheese. Give it time to open in the glass when young, or cellar it to discover the additional complexity that makes Boulay’s single-vineyard wines so rewarding.

Bruno Giacosa · Roero Arneis DOCG · 2024

Arneis · Piedmont, Italy · 750ml

Producer & Tradition

Bruno Giacosa joined his family’s winemaking business at 15, becoming the third generation of his Langhe family to work in wine. Over a career spanning nearly eight decades, his exacting palate and intimate knowledge of the region’s vineyards helped establish his reputation through single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco.

His legacy continues with daughter Bruna, who upholds a philosophy of respecting traditional techniques while using the best of modern technology. This Roero Arneis brings the estate’s Piedmont identity to a fresh, expressive white wine.

Tasting Notes

The producer describes lemon, pineapple, peach and apricot aromas with floral hints. A fresh, full-bodied palate brings mineral notes and a persistent finish. In the review explicitly naming the 2024 vintage, Jeb Dunnuck highlights white peach, melon, fresh herbs and wet stone, with a medium-bodied, refreshing feel.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

James Suckling, 95 Points: A lovely white with green mangoes and pineapple, white flowers and a hint of flint. Medium to full body with depth, intensity and plenty of fruit. Tangy at the end. Very complete.

Jeb Dunnuck, 90 Points, 2024: Pouring a bright silver/yellow hue, the 2024 Roero Arneis is immediately appealing. Aromatically, it offers white peach, melon, chive, fresh basil, and wet stone. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and light on its feet, with a clean, refreshing feel that favors drinkability over weight. This is straightforward, well-made, and highly approachable while it remains fresh.

Winemaker Description

Intense straw colored with greenish glints. The nose presents lemon, pineapple, peach and apricot notes with floral hints. On the palate, it is fresh, full-bodied, with mineral notes and a persistent finish.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Try with grilled fish, seafood pasta, roast chicken or vegetable antipasti. Serve chilled to highlight its fresh fruit and floral character.

Wine Details

• Producer: Bruno Giacosa
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG
• Grape: Arneis
• Region: Piedmont
• Country: Italy
• Style: White wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

The Wine Advocate 93+ Points | The 2023 Bin 51 Riesling leads with an austere, searing nose of grilled lime, bath salts, lemon zest, crushed quartz, preserved citrus and pear skin. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy in its way and light on its feet — poised without being heavy or concentrated, with a cleansing, rounded finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Tangy and bright lemon-lime flavors on a sleek frame, with green apple, white pepper and sea salt minerality, plus lingering grapefruit zest. 660 cases imported.

About Bin 51

Penfolds Bin 51 captures the essence of Eden Valley, South Australia — a high-altitude, cool-climate region with worldwide recognition for producing definitive, world-class Riesling. The region's elevation gives the wines great finesse, elegance, and a capacity for long-term cellaring.

The 2023 vintage shows lifted orange blossom and pink lady apple aromatics. The palate brims with blood orange, passionfruit, and lime, balanced by natural zesty lemon acidity. In youth, these wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity that drives the palate texture.

Tasting & Pairings

Grilled lime, lemon zest, crushed quartz, green apple, white pepper, sea salt minerality, and grapefruit zest. Fleshy yet light on its feet with a cleansing, rounded finish. Serve well chilled.

• Seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc — mirrors the wine's lime and mineral notes.
• Thai green papaya salad — the acidity and fruit stand up to chili and lime dressing.
• Fresh oysters or ceviche — classic pairing for high-acid, mineral-driven Riesling.

Elvio Cogno | Anas-Cëtta | Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello DOC | Piedmont, Italy | 2025 | Organic

Elvio Cogno is one of the Langhe's most respected and forward-thinking estates, based in Novello in the heart of the Barolo zone. Founded by the legendary Elvio Cogno and now led by his son-in-law Walter Fissore and daughter Nadia, the estate is celebrated for its commitment to indigenous Piedmontese grape varieties and its pioneering role in the revival of Nascetta — an ancient white grape that had nearly disappeared from the region entirely.

Nascetta is a rare, indigenous white variety native to the commune of Novello, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Nearly extinct by the late 20th century, Elvio Cogno was instrumental in its revival, and today the grape has its own dedicated DOC — Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello — a testament to the variety's unique character and the estate's advocacy. The Anas-Cëtta — the name is a playful phonetic rendering of "Nascetta" in Piedmontese dialect — is the benchmark expression of this extraordinary grape, farmed organically and vinified with minimal intervention to let the terroir speak.

The 2025 offers a vibrant, distinctive nose of yellow fruit, jasmine, citrus, ginger, and thyme, with complex notes of white flowers and mineral precision. On the palate, fresh and precise with a lovely waxy viscosity, rich texture, and a long, saline finish that balances energy and elegance. A structured, expressive white that reflects the unique Novello terroir and the variety's genuine aging potential.

Pair with white truffle dishes, risotto, grilled fish, seafood pasta, soft cheeses, and herb-driven cuisine.

• Producer: Elvio Cogno
• Cuvée: Anas-Cëtta
• Appellation: Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello DOC, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Nascetta
• Vintage: 2025
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Bottle Size: 750ml

67Wine Buyer's Note

Debra, 67Wine — My Pick! A rare and extraordinary indigenous Piedmontese white — waxy, saline, and utterly distinctive.

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer: A fresh, bright Bordeaux Blanc with aromas of citrus and white stone fruits backed by subtle herbs and bracing minerality. Incredible complexity for an amazing price!

About the Wine Château La Rame is among the oldest and most renowned properties in the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation, situated on a hill overlooking the Garonne River, 25 miles southeast of Bordeaux. While the estate is world-famous for its sweet wines, this "Sec" (dry) bottling is a sommelier favorite for its oyster-shell minerality and electric freshness.

95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon from hillside clay-limestone soils blessed with an exceptional substratum — a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era. Vines average 25 years old. Manual harvest, fermented in temperature-controlled vats, and aged 6 months on fine lees.

Tasting & Pairings

Citrus, white stone fruit, subtle herbs, and bracing oyster-shell minerality. Crisp, vibrant, and electric with impressive complexity for the price.

• Fresh oysters, mussels, or moules frites — the fossilized oyster terroir meets actual oysters. A perfect match.
• Grilled white fish with lemon and sea salt — the classic Bordeaux Blanc pairing.
• Goat cheese (chèvre) — the acidity and minerality cut through creamy cheese beautifully.

McBride Sisters · Marlborough · New Zealand · 2024

Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John grew up on opposite sides of the world — one on the rugged shores of California’s Central Coast, the other in New Zealand — before discovering each other as adults and founding one of the most compelling stories in modern wine. McBride Sisters is built on that shared passion: wines that reflect the coastal energy, cool-climate freshness, and sense of purpose that shaped both sisters’ lives. Their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a direct expression of that vision.

The nose is generous and aromatic — tropical fruits, white flowers, and citrus, with ripe peach, mango, passionfruit, and Fuji apple layered throughout. On the palate, key lime flavors anchor a medium-full body, contrasting beautifully with firm acidity and a slightly mineral tone on the finish. Bright, vibrant, and unmistakably Marlborough.

• Producer: McBride Sisters Collection
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
• Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, mango, passionfruit, Fuji apple, key lime, white flowers, mineral finish
• Pairings: Fresh oysters, spicy Asian stir-fry, grilled fish, fresh herbs, goat cheese

92 points from Wine Spectator — a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with a story as compelling as the wine itself.

MacRostie · Sonoma Coast · 2025 · 375ml Half Bottle

Rooted in Sonoma for more than three decades, MacRostie works with a network of the region's finest growers, over 30 Chardonnay vineyards alongside its own estate sites. Head Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen and founder Steve MacRostie let each vineyard's fruit guide the wine, running 130+ small fermentations every vintage to build a wide palette for blending. The result is Chardonnay of real character and complexity that captures the whole Sonoma Coast.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, tropical fruit, melon and perfumed lemon mingle with hints of slate, wet chalk and floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. The velvety palate echoes that lush tropical fruit, with pineapple and guava giving way to stone fruit, Key lime pie, Asian pear and yellow apple, all flowing to a long, luxurious finish.

Winemaker Description

With a medium golden color and alluring layers of persimmon, ripe Meyer lemon and rich brioche this is an elegant and alluring wine. Lush, textural and beautifully complex on the palate, its bright citrus flavors and cool-climate energy showcase the poise and purity of great Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.

MacRostie Winery

The journey from land to bottle is organic, intuitive and more often felt than calculated.

Heidi Bridenhagen, Head Winemaker

Pairings & Serving

Serve chilled at 50–55°F. Lovely with roast chicken, crab cakes, seared scallops, lobster, creamy pastas and soft-ripened cheeses. The half bottle is perfect for a dinner for two or a glass or two without opening a full 750ml.

Specs

• Producer: MacRostie Winery
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California, USA
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Winemaker: Heidi Bridenhagen
• Size: 375ml (half bottle)

A woman-led Sonoma Coast benchmark, in a perfectly sized half bottle.

Siblings António and Joana Maçanita founded Maçanita Vinhos in the Douro Valley in 2011 with a clear mission: to make wines that express the region's terroir, freshness, and indigenous grape varieties with honesty and precision. Their Branco has become one of the most celebrated white wines from the Douro — a mountain wine sourced from two high-altitude vineyards at 520–700 meters above sea level in Baixo Corgo, the more Atlantic-influenced western zone of the appellation, where slate soils and cool temperatures preserve the natural acidity and aromatic intensity that define this style.

The Maçanita Branco Douro 2023 750ml is a blend of 70% Viosinho, 20% Arinto, and 10% Gouveio, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and aged on the lees for six months. Bright and vivid on the nose with dried lemon peel, blanched almonds, aromatic herbs, and hints of white peach, it is medium-bodied with zesty acidity, a crunchy and succulent palate, and a flavorful, persistent, mineral finish. Pure, fresh, and beautifully balanced — a benchmark for Douro white wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

• James Suckling — 93 Points: "Bright, vivid and agile. Dried lemon peel, blanched almonds, aromatic herbs and hints of white peaches. Medium-bodied with zesty acidity. Crunchy and succulent, with a flavorful, persistent and minerally finish."
• Wine Advocate — 91 Points: "A mountain wine from high-altitude vineyards at 520–700m in Baixo Corgo. Still very young, fruit-driven, floral and clean, with a medium-bodied palate, tender texture and a dry finish."

Wine Details

• 70% Viosinho, 20% Arinto, 10% Gouveio
• Douro DOC, Baixo Corgo, Portugal — 520–700m altitude, slate soils
• Fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts; 6 months on lees
• Vintage: 2023 | 750ml
• Pairs with: seafood, grilled fish, light pasta, fresh cheeses

Winemaker Description

Very fresh and delicate nose with citric and floral notes. On the palate, the wine shows great texture and minerality, with excellent acidity and complexity.

Because of the Arinto grape’s natural high acidity, this wine is fantastic for food pairing. The best pairings are richer seafood dishes such as Portuguese bacalhau (salt cod), scallops in citrus butter sauce, oysters, lobster or crab dishes. Japanese food, spicy food, curry and grilled vegetables are also wonderful pairing options.

Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc — Burgundy 2024

Faiveley's Bourgogne Blanc is the entry point into one of Burgundy's most storied estates — and it punches well above its appellation. Founded in 1825 and based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Faiveley is among the largest vineyard owners in the Côte d'Or, with holdings spanning the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. That estate access is the secret: fruit from their own vineyards is blended with carefully selected grapes from trusted growers, producing a wine of genuine village-level character at an appellation price. The 2024 vintage delivers everything you want from a Burgundian Chardonnay — freshness, generosity, and a length that defies its price.

The color is a brilliant pale greenish-yellow. The nose is expressive and charming: white flowers, ripe pear, lemon zest, and a whisper of minerality. On the palate, the attack is bold and generous — round and full-bodied with a creamy mid-palate, subtle oak integration, and a finish of exceptional length and persistence for a Bourgogne Blanc. This is the benchmark for what entry-level white Burgundy can be.

"A genuine value wine — exceptional length and persistence for a Bourgogne Blanc." 

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Crisp, generous, expressive entry-level white Burgundy
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, pear, lemon zest, minerality, creamy mid-palate, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, roasted chicken, veal, soft cheeses, mushroom dishes, light pasta with cream sauce

A genuine value from one of Burgundy's great historic maisons — Faiveley's Bourgogne Blanc is the everyday Chardonnay with real Burgundian soul.

Suzor · Sunflower Chardonnay · Willamette Valley · 2021

A textured Oregon Chardonnay with bright citrus, savory herbs, and a lively mineral edge. The 2021 Sunflower balances rich lemon-curd and brioche flavors with tangy acidity, making it an inviting white for a relaxed dinner at home.

Wine & Place

Suzor’s Sunflower Chardonnay comes from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The supplied 2021 reviews highlight a combination of rounded fruit, floral aromatics, and refreshing acidity, with enough depth for the table and a citrus-driven finish.

Tasting Notes

Lemon, rosemary, honeyed flowers, green melon, and chamomile lead into ripe stone fruit, candied citrus, and hints of ginger and butterscotch. A rich, rounded texture is balanced by a salty mineral accent and a fresh, minty-herbal finish.

Expert Reviews · 2021 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast, Michael Alberty, 93 Points | I'm a Kansas kid, so I'm a sucker for a sunflowers. The juice inside this bottle, however, is what will make me buy it again. The Sunflower offers aromas of lemon, rosemary and a wee bit of butterscotch. A rich texture and lemon curd and brioche flavors are counterpointed by tangy acidity. Pour with The Wizard of Oz.

Vinous, Eric Guido, 92 Points | Honeyed flowers, green melon, chamomile and hints of gingery spice waft up from the 2021 Chardonnay The Sunflower. Soothingly round, this impresses with its depths of ripe pit fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a salty tinge of minerality. The 2021 leaves a cheek-puckering freshness and minty herbal tones, finishing with staining length and freshness. Drinking 2024 to 2028.

James Suckling, 91 Points | A refreshing and citrusy chardonnay with notes of lemons, baking spices and some blanched almonds. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Focused and well-made, with a delicious finish. Drink now.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, seared scallops, lemon-butter fish, or a mushroom tart. Serve chilled and allow a little time in the glass for the richer fruit and savory notes to emerge.

Wine Details

• Producer: Suzor
• Cuvée: Sunflower
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Bottle size: 750ml

Richness and refreshment in equal measure, with a distinctly savory Oregon character.

Gundlach Bundschu | Chardonnay | Sonoma Coast AVA | 2024 | Organically Grown

Wine Enthusiast: 90 Points — Soft and charming aromas of Meyer lemon, green pear, chalky minerality and spice mélange. The palate brings a pop of fresh acidity, with flavors of apple skin, nectarine, pineapple sage and citrus blossoms through the meandering finish. —Tom R. Capo

Gundlach Bundschu is one of California's oldest continuously family-owned wineries, founded in 1858 and farming the same Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of Sonoma Valley and Carneros for six generations. Today the estate is Regenerative Organic Certified®, a commitment that goes beyond conventional organic farming to encompass soil health, ecosystem restoration and long-term land stewardship. The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is sourced from cool-climate vineyards along the Pacific-influenced Sonoma Coast AVA, where marine fog and ocean breezes extend the growing season and preserve the natural acidity and freshness that define the appellation's best whites.

The 2024 is vinified to balance the variety's natural richness with the bright, mineral-driven character of the Sonoma Coast. The nose opens with crisp green apple, Meyer lemon and ripe pear, accented by chalky minerality, honey and a whisper of spice. The palate is lively and well structured, with flavors of nectarine, preserved lemon peel, pineapple sage and citrus blossom, carried by bright acidity and a subtle touch of oak through a clean, lingering finish.

Serve at 50–54°F. Pairs beautifully with chicken piccata, roasted squash, grilled fish, shellfish, light pasta with cream or herb sauces and fresh cheeses.

• Producer: Gundlach Bundschu
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA, California
• Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2024
• Farming: Organically grown; Regenerative Organic Certified®
• Estate: Rhinefarm, founded 1858
• Style: Dry white wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Château Pontet-Canet · Pauillac · 2020

Château Pontet-Canet 2020 comes from Pauillac in Bordeaux, France. This 750ml bottling represents the Tesseron family estate, whose approach to vineyard care combines traditional methods with organic and biodynamic farming.

Producer & Vineyard

The estate has passed through just three families over more than three centuries. The existing winery information identifies Alfred Tesseron as owner and his daughter Justine Tesseron as CEO, and describes the use of Percheron workhorses on part of the vineyard to help protect the soils.

Serving & Pairing

Suggested pairings for this Pauillac red include roast lamb, grilled beef, or a mushroom dish. Serve in a generous red-wine glass and taste before deciding how much air it needs.

Details

• Producer: Château Pontet-Canet
• Appellation: Pauillac
• Region: Bordeaux
• Country: France
• Vintage: 2020
• Type: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml

Historical Reviews from the Previous Listing, Not Ratings for the 2020

The following reviews are preserved from the previous 2022-oriented description. Jeb Dunnuck explicitly reviews the 2022; the vintage of the James Suckling and Decanter excerpts is not stated in their supplied text. None is presented here as a verified review of this 2020 bottling.

Jeb Dunnuck, 100 Points · 2022 Vintage
A sensational Pauillac as well as the finest wine from this château since the 2009 (although the 2010 might have something to say about that), the 2022 Château Pontet-Canet sports a deep purple hue as well as a heavenly perfume of crème de cassis, smoke, incense, leafy tobacco, and chocolate. This beauty has sensational purity, a deep, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, flawless balance, and incredible precision and detail in its aromas and flavors. Despite its opulence and power, it has a solid underlying structure, and its tannins are sweet and polished; it has remarkable depth and concentration, and it just does everything right. It should have 40, 50, if not 60 years of overall longevity. The 2022 is based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels, 35% in amphora, and the rest in once-used oak.

James Suckling, 99 Points · Historical Excerpt, Vintage Unconfirmed
The concentration of dried herbs such as thyme, sage and mint with blackcurrants and Spanish cedar is mesmerizing. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate, this has creamy, crunchy tannins and a long and flavorful finish that goes on for minutes. Punchy and rich with lots of power. The real identity of Pontet-Canet comes through despite the hot and dry growing year. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Decanter Magazine, 95 Points · Barrel Sample · Historical Excerpt, Vintage Unconfirmed
Vibrant, vivid purple colour in the glass, rich and deep. Smells bright, super fresh and expressive on the nose with freshly-picked blackcurrants and perfumed purple flowers - the Petit Verdot, really standing out. Clean and clear, creamy, powdery and softly chewy on the palate. The texture is lovely, you can tell they haven't over extracted but there’s still clear concentration with a gentle succulence provided by the acidity, cool freshness and appealing mineral touches alongside liquorice, clove, dried herbs and bitter chocolate. Enjoyable and well defined if still a little compact. 3.85pH. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 15% press wine used. Harvest 8 - 28 September, the earliest and longest ever. 20% lower yields than in 2021. The technical team used a clay sunscreen on the grapes to avoid burning. Tasted twice. Barrel Sample: 95

Historical listing accolade: #85 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025. Its applicability to the 2020 bottling has not been verified.

Expert Reviews 

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The NV Champagne Brut Rose is an attractive pale salmon hue, with a fresh perfume of wild strawberry, ripe peach, white and red flowers, a hint of tropical fruit, and grapefruit. The palate is rounded, with fruit up front and through the mid-palate, and it has a silky and fresh lift. There is a wonderful ease and drinkability to this wine, which delivers balance and finesse. Best after 2022.

93 Points James Suckling | Attractive salmon color with aromas of dried strawberries and lemons, as well as hints of flowers. Full-bodied with tight tension from the fine phenolics that run through the palate. Hints of white pepper, peaches and sliced green strawberries with some candied lemons, too. Always an excellent bottle. 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 30% pinot meunier. Drink now.

91 Points Decanter | Currently based on the 2016 harvest, this is floral and citrussy, showing a lithe, graceful balance. It’s a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Meunier, with about 40% of reserve wine, and red wine accounts for 7% of the blend. Its delicate, subtly expansive flavours of raspberry and strawberry are enlivened by a tangerine-like acidity, and while it feels ripe and full in flavour on the palate, it never loses its sense of refinement and poise, finishing with detailed length and depth.

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | A fine composition of red fruits and taut citrus, this Champagne is poised and fragrant with acidity and light tannins.

90 Points Wine Spectator | Delicate notes of yellow plum, marzipan, verbena and fleur de sel are set in this firm and finely meshed rosé Champagne. Creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now.

Persistent mousse, with fine bubbles rising slowly. Pale salmon pink in color, with a shade of gold. A nose of red fruits and fresh pear. Delicate fruit on the palate, elegant, and showing great finesse. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Lightly touched by wood aging, this ripe Mercurey Blanc is both crisp and rich. Its briskness brings a mineral edge while the ripeness produces generous apple and apricot fruit. Matured on fine lees with regular stirring, the wine possesses remarkable body and smooth richness that are central to its balance. Ready to drink now.

About Philippe Le Hardi

Philippe Le Hardi is one of Burgundy’s most respected négociant-éleveurs, based in Santenay on the southern Côte de Beaune and specializing in wines from the Côte Chalonnaise and Côte d’Or. With deep roots in the region and a commitment to expressing the character of each appellation, Philippe Le Hardi produces wines that balance Burgundian tradition with approachability. Their kosher range — certified Kosher for Passover and Mevushal — is crafted to the same standards as their full portfolio, bringing authentic Burgundy to the kosher table. The Mercurey Blanc is sourced from the Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy’s most underrated appellation for white wine, where Chardonnay on limestone and clay soils produces wines of real depth and mineral character at outstanding value.

Food Pairings

Grilled fish, roasted chicken, veal in cream sauce, soft ripened cheeses, mushroom risotto, and light pasta dishes. A natural match for Shabbat dinners, Passover seders, and holiday tables. A versatile, food-friendly white Burgundy.

Product Details

• Producer: Philippe Le Hardi
• Appellation: Mercurey Blanc AOC, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Aging: Lightly oaked, matured on fine lees with regular stirring
• Certification: Kosher for Passover, Mevushal
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Crisp, rich, mineral white Burgundy
• Format: 750ml

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

This wine displays a pale straw colour with brilliant green edge. On the nose the wine
opens with crisp green apple and lime blossom. This evolves to incorporate a complex
melange of lemongrass, petrichor and subtle blackcurrant leaf. The palate is bright
and refreshing with a focussed tension that suggests longevity and a characteristic
oyster shell salinity.

Food pairing: Best served cold and drunk as an aperitif or with fresh summer oysters,
fresh grilled yellowtail with salsa verde or salmon roses with kewpie mayo and caviar.

Gato Negro | Pinot Noir | Valle Central, Chile

Gato Negro is one of Chile's most beloved everyday wine brands, produced by Viña San Pedro — a winery with roots dating back to 1865 and one of the most established names in South American wine. The iconic Black Cat label has built a global following for delivering consistent, fruit-forward wines at exceptional value.

Valle Central is Chile's heartland wine region, stretching between the Andes and the Coastal Range. The warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir — preserving natural acidity and allowing the grape to develop its signature bright red fruit character without losing freshness or lift.

Gato Negro Pinot Noir is light ruby in the glass with a fresh, inviting nose of strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry, with subtle floral hints. On the palate, light-bodied and lively with smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a clean, fruit-forward finish. Approachable, versatile, and endlessly easy to enjoy — a great everyday Pinot at an unbeatable price.

Pair with pasta, roast turkey, grilled salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie, and light vegetable dishes. Serve slightly chilled for best results.

• Producer: Gato Negro / Viña San Pedro
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Valle Central, Chile
• Style: Light-bodied, fresh, fruit-forward red
• Closure: Screwcap
• Bottle Size: 750ml

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

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the Savage Wines 2023 Savage White is the only wine in the portfolio that sees a little bit (10%) of new oak. The intent is to offer a textural interpretation of these two grapes. The wine shows natural freshness, white flowers, wood spice and a hint of reduction. The 2023 vintage was cooler, like 2017, making for a classical growing season. This wine has a long saline finish with orchard fruit and pear with a mid-weight approach. The wine is left on the lees for as long as possible to augment that impression of salinity and to create longevity.

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.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020.