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Grape: Tempranillo
Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Spain
Vineyards: Selected mature-vine parcels in Rioja Alta
Aging: 14 months in French and American oak, followed by bottle aging
Style: Full-bodied, rich, structured and polished
Serving Temperature: 61–63°F

The Wine Enthusiast 91 Points: Pleasing and polished, this Tempranillo from Rioja offers a fruit forward, richly flavored, while also mouthwatering palate of pleasure. Dark chocolate wrapped cherries rolled in spices, juicy dark berries, and a refreshing woodsy lift join melting tannins and good overall balance. Enjoy a glass on its own or pair with a range of hearty dishes. — Elaine Chukan Brown

Winery Notes

Quality sparkling wine with very fine bubbles due to its long aging. Complex aroma, fresh notes of pineapple and eucalyptus, toasted cocoa and dried fruits, perfectly blended together. Voluminous, fleshy and fresh in the mouth. Structured and surprisingly fresh, long-lasting and well balanced.

Its high acidity and dry finish make it incredibly versatile:

• Tapas: Excellent with Jamón Ibérico, olives, and aged Spanish cheeses.

• Seafood: Perfect with oysters, sushi, or grilled shrimp.

• Anything Fried: The sharp acidity cuts beautifully through rich, fried foods like calamari or fried chicken.

FARMING

Certified Organic 

Château d'Issan · Blason d'Issan · Margaux · 2022

Blason d'Issan is the second wine of Château d'Issan, the historic Margaux estate classified as a Third Growth in 1855. It offers an accessible introduction to the estate's Margaux character, with the 2022 blend bringing together 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck's review of the 2022 describes ripe red and black currants, leafy herbs, damp earth and tobacco. Medium-bodied, with a round, lush mouthfeel and plenty of fruit, it combines generous texture with a satisfying finish. The wine was raised in 35% new oak.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling, 94 Points: A velvety and fresh wine with silky tannins that flow across the palate. It's medium-bodied with an impression of crunchiness. Creamy texture. Zesty, flavorful finish. Very approachable now but better in two or three years. Second wine of d'Issan. 44% cabernet sauvignon, 55% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Decanter, 92 Points · Barrel Sample: Beautiful aromatics, fresh and floral dark blackcurrant fruit, milk chocolate. Intensely concentrated, a real bite to the fruit with powdery, firm and filling tannins. A gorgeous mouthfeel, fresh but straight and tense, keeps the focus and direction. You can feel his has been well worked with balanced ripeness and acidity. Feels nicely focussed and detailed, juicy and concentrated with purity and strength. Impressive and persistent. This will be great in 5 - 10 years. 1% PV planted in 1982. 14% press wine. Percentage of production: 46%. Total acidity: 3.62. 35% new barrels. 3.60pH.

Jeb Dunnuck, 91 Points · 2022 Vintage: The second wine of this château, the 2022 Blason D'Issan is based on 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot that was raised in 35% new oak. It has a terrific nose of ripe red and black currants, leafy herbs, damp earth, and tobacco. This carries to a medium-bodied 2022 with plenty of fruit, a round, lush mouthfeel, and a great finish.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Château d'Issan
• Wine: Blason d'Issan, the estate's second wine
• Appellation: Margaux, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot
• Maturation: 35% new oak
• Size: 750ml

A generous, polished Margaux for a thoughtfully prepared dinner.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Seamless and supple with vanilla, dark cherry, and a twist of earthy forest. Sourced from several vineyards in San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. Long-lasting, fresh, and approachable with full-bodied weight and breadth supported by supple tannins and spiced oak.

Winemaker Notes

Beautifully lush and supple, this Pinot Noir draws you in with inviting aromas of raspberry, dark cherry, dried sage, and sweet tobacco leaf. Soft, supple tannins frame alluring layers of wild strawberry and Bing cherry, with hints of cracked black pepper and spice on a long, satisfying finish.

About Calera

Calera is one of California’s most storied Pinot Noir producers, founded by Josh Jensen in the 1970s after studying under Burgundy legends. Jensen was among the first to champion limestone soils in California for Pinot Noir — the estate’s name means "lime kiln" in Spanish. This Central Coast bottling blends fruit from across the region to deliver Calera’s signature elegance at an accessible price point.

Tasting & Pairings

Dark cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, dried sage, sweet tobacco, black pepper, and spiced oak. Full-bodied yet supple with soft tannins and a long finish.

• Roasted duck or quail — the dark fruit and sage notes are a natural match for game birds.
• Grilled salmon with herbs — California Pinot and Pacific salmon, always a winner.
• Mushroom risotto or truffle pasta — the earthy forest character complements umami-rich dishes.

Experience the pinnacle of champagne craftsmanship with Krug Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition, an exceptional prestige cuvée presented in an elegant gift box. This iconic champagne represents the artistry of blending 146 separately vinified wines from 11 different vintages, with the 2016 vintage as its foundation.

Why Choose Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition?

• Exceptional Ratings: 98 points Wine Enthusiast, 97 points Decanter & James Suckling, 96 points Wine Spectator
• Perfect for Gifting: Arrives in a luxurious presentation gift box
• Masterful Blend: 51% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Meunier
• Aging Potential: Drink now through 2040 or cellar for 5-10 years

Tasting Profile

Discover a symphony of flavors including toasted brioche, lemon curd, dried apricot, hazelnut, and hints of ginger and white flowers. The palate is rich yet refined, with vivacious bubbles, bright acidity, and an exceptionally long, elegant finish with notes of salted butter and roasted nuts.

Expert Reviews - 172nd Edition

Wine Enthusiast 98 Points | This is the most recent bottling of this iconic Champagne. There is a touch of toast as well as enticing apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, this wine is rich, intense, poised between maturity and ripe white fruits.

Decanter 97 Points | The 172ème édition, based around the 2016 vintage, is a delicate, floral and saline Grande Cuvée at this early stage in its life. The palate it taut, tightly wound, gradually unfurling into toasted fruit bread, rye bread and roasted nuts, wrapped around an intricate and taut lemon core. It's exceptionally long, spicy, rounded and spherical in shape.

James Suckling 97 Points | Beautiful notes of dried citrus fruit, lemon curd and dried apples with hints of spices, dried flowers and subtle brioche. I like the polished and caressing texture and steady, refreshing acidity. It's fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. So vertical and firm. Structured and long.

Wine Spectator 96 Points | This classy Champagne waltzes across the palate with fluid poise and grace. The mousse's pointillismlike beads and a vivid frame of acidity buoy the detailed range of aromas and flavors, including chopped cherry, dried apricot, tangerine peel and plum cake notes, plus fragrant hints of grated ginger, lime blossoms, ground coffee and grilled nuts.

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | Outstanding. It reveals a complex, slightly spicy bouquet of white fruits, beeswax, marzipan, hazelnuts, dried herbs, ripe orchard fruits and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated on the palate, it has a subtly spicy entry, an enrobing and layered texture and a fleshy core of fruit framed around a perfectly balanced, fresh and mineral finish.

Perfect Pairings

Elevate your dining experience by pairing this prestigious champagne with oysters, caviar, aged Comté cheese, roasted poultry, or creamy risotto. Its complexity and structure make it ideal for special celebrations or as a sophisticated aperitif.

About Krug Champagne

Since 1843, Krug has been synonymous with the finest champagne in the world. Each Grande Cuvée is a unique blend that showcases the house's commitment to excellence and the art of blending across multiple vintages.

Bodegas Caro · Aruma Malbec · Mendoza · 2023 · 750ml

The Producer

Bodegas Caro is a partnership between two of the wine world's great families: Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) from France and the Catena family from Argentina. The name Aruma means "night" in the native Quechua language, a nod to the cool mountain nights of the Andes that keep the fruit fresh and bright.

The Wine

The robe is deep red with hints of violet, and the nose opens with plum and red fruit. The palate is fresh and elegant, with remarkable balance between tannins, acidity and alcohol, leading to a long, delicate finish. Overall, a very convivial, attractive wine.

Expert Reviews (2023 Vintage)

"The 2023 Malbec Aruma is sourced from El Peral and Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley. This warm 2023 vintage was balanced by an early harvest, resulting in a subtly lighter palate. After spending a winter on the fine lees, this vibrant Malbec showcases intense purple hues, with pristine notes of fresh herbs, violet, cherry and plum. Juicy and expressive, it features fine tannins and lively fruit flavors, making it an energetic and primary wine."
Vinous, 91 points

"An honest and fruit-driven malbec that shows plump fruit and violet character. Fine-grained tannins on the fruity palate, with a fleshy core of ripe, concentrated purple fruit in the middle. Still fresh and pristine in finish full of fruit."
James Suckling, 91 points

"The 2023 Aruma is a beautiful overview of Argentine Malbec, leading with a dark-fruited nose of mixed berries, turned earth and floral accents that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is elegantly plush and vibrant, transitioning to a rich yet lifted finish with admirable delicacy and nuance."
The Wine Advocate, 90 points

"A nose of wild berries introduces a smooth palate, featuring enough dark fruit and freshness to make it enjoyable. A dash of herbs marks the close."
Wine Enthusiast (Jesica Vargas), 90 points

Pairings & Serving

The perfect bistro wine. Pairs beautifully with grilled skirt steak (carne asada), lamb sliders or a hearty charcuterie board, and its bright acidity makes it a great match for tomato-based pastas and empanadas. Serve around 60–64°F.

Specs

• Producer: Bodegas Caro (Barons de Rothschild Lafite & Catena)
• Wine: Aruma
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina (El Peral & Los Chacayes, Uco Valley)
• Vintage: 2023
• Varietal: Malbec
• Size: 750ml

Rothschild polish meets Andean freshness, and four 90+ scores at an everyday price.

Expert Reviews – Vintage 2022

Decanter 97 Points: Compelling from the first sip, this has excellent balance delivering freshness and lift as well as depth and breadth. Lovely licks of bitterness and salty stones join ripe blackcurrants and juicy plums. The power is undeniable but it’s tempered by a silky frame, making this rich but utterly charming. A great Gruaud at 13.5% ABV.

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: An inky-hued 2022 with a killer nose of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, liquid violets, and crushed stone minerality. Powerful and full-bodied with plenty of mid-palate depth, fine polished tannins, and a great finish. As good as the 2018 and one of the absolute classics from this château. Best hidden in the cellar for a decade if possible.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points: Bottled May 2024. Dark berries, violets, vine smoke, pen ink and tar on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, dense and layered with terrific depth, sweet structuring tannins, and a long expansive finish. The estate’s first organic-certified vintage. 13.6% alcohol.

James Suckling 96 Points: Discreet nose of dark fruit and minerals with excellent depth. Uncoiled power and intensity, full body, firm but polished tannins that dissolve into a long, close-knit finish lasting almost a minute. Try from 2028.

Winemaker Description

The Château Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien 2022 is a landmark vintage for this historic Saint-Julien Second Growth — marking the estate’s first official vintage with organic certification. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (14%), and Cabernet Franc (3%), aged in 95% new French oak barrels. The 2022 has been hailed as a return to the Saint-Julien elite, with critics comparing its quality to legendary vintages like 1982 and 1961.

Pairing Suggestions

• Classic: Rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic or a prime rib roast.
• Savory: Braised short ribs, duck confit, or a truffle-infused beef tenderloin.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Manchego, or a firm Pecorino.

Naturally Fermented Sparkling Red | Copenhagen, Denmark
Size: 750ml  |  ABV: <0.5% (Non-Alcoholic)  |  Sparkling · Light Tannins · Red Berries

Murí is one of Copenhagen’s most celebrated non-alcoholic producers, crafting complex, naturally fermented beverages that belong on any serious table. Founded by Murray Paterson — formerly a distiller at Copenhagen’s legendary Empirical Spirits — Murí celebrates the tradition of Danish gastronomy through beverages that are genuinely novel, deeply considered, and built to honor the ritual of drinking well.

“Fade to Black” is their sparkling red: a dark, fun-yet-grown-up fermented cuvée of red and black currants, chamomile kefir, fig leaf, and pine needle kvass. It pours a deep, inviting red with delightful effervescence — fruity, rich, and earthy, with light tannins and a flavor profile that rewards the same attention you’d give a serious natural wine. Much more pleasant than kombucha. Much more interesting than anything else in the glass.

“For a red wine alternative, I looked for something with wow factor that I could pair with food but also sip by itself — something that would honor the ritual of drinking wine. Murí fits the bill… Fade to Black is fruity, rich, and earthy.”
— Wired.com

Ingredients: Red currants, black currants, chamomile, malt, fig leaf, pine needles, sugar, salt, yeast.
Allergens: Contains gluten · May contain sulfites
Serve: Chilled, as a party aperitif or alongside food.

Pairs with: Mezze spreads, charcuterie, steak tartare, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses.

Winemaker Description

Deep dark purple in color. Leather on the nose. Black plums with tannins and a little heat on the palate. It's medium-bodied with a cleaner finish than you expect it to be. Let it open up a little for the most enjoyment. Pair with grilled meats.

Skouras Moscofilero — Peloponnese, Greece 2024

Domaine Skouras is one of the Peloponnese's most respected estates, founded by George Skouras in the 1980s and widely credited with helping to modernize Greek winemaking. Their Moscofilero is a benchmark expression of this extraordinary indigenous grape — grown at high altitude in the Mantinia plateau of the Peloponnese, where cool temperatures preserve the variety's signature floral intensity and natural acidity. Fermented in stainless steel with short skin contact, no malolactic fermentation, and brief aging on fine lees, it is crafted to showcase the grape's pure, aromatic character without interference.

The nose is immediately captivating: white flowers, honeysuckle, violet, and rose petals with a delicate freshness that is entirely its own. On the palate, it is soft and crisp with intense aromatic flavors that mirror the nose, lively acidity, and a clean, refreshing finish. One of Greece's most distinctive and food-friendly whites — and one of the world's great aromatic varieties.

"Flowery, crisp acidity, intense on aromas and flavors in the nose and mouth. White flowers, soft and fresh, honeysuckle, violets, rose petals, crisp acidity." — Skouras Winemaker

• Producer: Domaine Skouras, Peloponnese, Greece
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Peloponnese PGI (Mantinia plateau)
• Varietal: 100% Moscofilero
• Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, short skin contact, no malolactic, brief lees aging
• Style: Aromatic, crisp, floral
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, honeysuckle, violet, rose petals, crisp acidity, clean finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, seafood, Greek salad, mezze, light pasta, goat cheese, sushi
• Serve: Well chilled, 45–50°F

Greece's most floral white grape at its most expressive — Skouras Moscofilero is the bottle that converts skeptics into believers.

Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles — Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2023

Olivier Leflaive is one of Burgundy's most respected négociant-éleveurs, founded in 1984 in Puligny-Montrachet by a member of the legendary Leflaive family — one of the most storied names in white Burgundy. The maison specializes in white wines from the Côte de Beaune and is known for sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. Les Sétilles — named for the small stones found in the vineyards — is the flagship entry-level wine and one of the most consistently praised value Burgundies on the market. While technically labeled as a Bourgogne Blanc, the fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, two of the Côte de Beaune's most celebrated white wine villages. The result is a wine with the DNA of much more expensive village-level Burgundy at a fraction of the price — a genuine insider's choice for those who know.

The nose offers aromas of white flowers, peach, grilled almond, and lemon peel on a mineral-tinged background, with appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit and a hint of white blossom. The attack is full and warm on the palate, with a surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage — lively acidity driving spicy, bitter citrus through to an elegantly long and lasting finish. Astonishing quality given the volume of production.

Decanter 90 — "Appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit aroma with a hint of white blossom. Surprisingly fresh texture for the vintage, and an elegantly lovely finish — astonishing quality given the volume of production."

Wine Spectator 90 — "Peach, almond, toasty oak and earth notes highlight this plush white. Backed by lively acidity that drives the spicy, bitter citrus finish. Fine balance and length."

• Producer: Olivier Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc AOC
• Fruit Sources: Puligny-Montrachet & Meursault vineyards
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White flowers, peach, grilled almond, lemon peel, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, mineral, lively acidity, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Lobster with drawn butter, seared scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken with tarragon, veal, Brie, aged Comté, light cream pasta

Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault fruit at a Bourgogne Blanc price — Les Sétilles is Burgundy's best-kept secret and one of the great white wine values under $40.

Sandeman · Fine Ruby Porto · Portugal · 750ml

Sandeman Fine Ruby Porto is a rich, rounded Port with fresh plum and red-fruit flavors. Its traditional style and balanced palate make it an inviting companion to creamy cheeses, chocolate desserts or a quiet after-dinner pour.

Winemaker Description

Sandeman: Descended from the fiery Ruby Porto wines originally shipped by George Sandeman in 1790, Sandeman Ruby Porto is still made traditionally, to be rich and robust, yet with a special depth of flavor and the finesse, achieved by expertly blending wines from Sandeman's large and varied stock.

Brilliant red ruby in color, with clean aromas of red fruits, plums and strawberries, Sandeman Porto Fine Ruby has full rich flavors and is very well balanced. Rich, round, balanced in the mouth, with overt flavors of fresh plums and red fruits.

Traditionally matched with full flavored and creamy cheeses, Sandeman Ruby Porto combines well with chocolate desserts, strawberries or berries and fruit pies.

This wine does not require decanting. Serve in a large glass. Can be served slightly chilled, or with a splash of soda, also as a "hot Porto" (served at around 50°C). Once open Sandeman Ruby can remain fresh for up to 4 weeks.

About Sandeman

In 1790, 25-year-old George Sandeman borrowed £300 from his father to establish himself as a wine merchant in London. The son of a Scottish cabinetmaker, he built a business specializing in Port and Sherry, initially trading from Tom's Coffee House on Birchin Lane.

The company grew through the upheavals of the early 19th century. By 1825 it was trading across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. In 1835, its Port shipments reached 4,580 pipes, approximately 12% of the total, establishing Sandeman as a leading Port shipper.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant ruby red, with clean aromas of red fruits, plums and strawberries. Full, rich flavors lead into a rounded, balanced palate marked by fresh plum and red fruit.

Food Pairings & Serving

Pair with full-flavored creamy cheeses, chocolate desserts, berries or fruit pies. No decanting is required. Serve in a large glass, slightly chilled if preferred, or try a splash of soda. The producer advises that the wine can remain fresh for up to four weeks after opening.

Wine Details

• Producer: Sandeman
• Wine: Fine Ruby Porto
• Origin: Portugal
• Region: Douro
• Style: Ruby Port
• Blend: Red Port blend
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Decanting: Not required

Rich plum and red fruit for the cheese board or dessert course.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 96 Points | The density and balance are so attractive here, with sliced apples, white pineapple and crushed stones. Hints of dried flowers, too, such as white roses and lilacs, as well as almonds. Medium-bodied with focus and subtle strength. Seemingly endless, with a bitter-lemon edge and nice reduction in the aftertaste of gun metal. Drink and enjoy.

Decanter 94 Points | Drouhin's Clos des Mouches 2023 exemplifies the vintage's potential for delicious whites. The wine has lush, forward aromas of Mirabelle plums and quince with hints of marzipan, butter and a suggestion of stylishly smoky reduction. The texture is supple and dense, but the richness is kept in balance and the extract carries the wine to a lingering finish. Parts of the 7ha vineyard have been replanted; the old vines that produce this bottling have delivered a wine of great character.

The Wine Advocate 93-94 Points | The 2023 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc (Domaine) is another strong performance, delivering aromas of sweet pear, peach and mandarin mingled with buttered toast and mint. Full-bodied, rich and ample, it's layered and unctuous, with a seamless, satiny, textural profile and a long, lusty finish.

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Stylish and graceful, this white evokes lemon, apple, white flower and honey aromas and flavors. Almost seamless in its texture and balance, with finely meshed acidity providing lift and freshness. Excellent length.

Winemaker Notes

An outstanding wine. Pale yellow color. Complex floral nose of white lilac and white rose. Once open, fruity aromas come to the fore, evolving towards grilled hazelnut and almond. When the wine is more mature, the nose is surprisingly strong and fifteen minutes of aeration produce wonderful notes of white truffle, citron (cedrat), honey and nutmeg, elegantly meshed together. Very lively on the palate. Its rich texture is in evidence, but also its structure and minerality. It is round, but never heavy. Harmonious fullness in the aftertaste. This wine allies remarkably the complexity and elegance of a Bâtard-Montrachet with the power of a Corton-Charlemagne.

Alta Mora Etna Rosso · Mount Etna · 2023

Alta Mora is the Cusumano family’s project on the slopes of Mount Etna, where Nerello Mascalese, an indigenous Sicilian grape, grows in the mountain’s dark volcanic soils. The variety’s combination of vivid fruit, firm tannins and lively acidity has drawn comparisons to Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.

Expert Review · 2022 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast 92 points (2022 vintage): The cool, fresh, floral nose swirls with aromas of violets, lilacs, crushed rocks, earth, herbs, and blackberries. Figs lift a sweet, ripe blackberry element on the palate, while an undertone of salted dark chocolate and hints of chili pepper heat keep you on your toes. Tannins provide structure throughout.

Wine Details

• Producer: Alta Mora (Cusumano)
• Appellation: Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Grapes: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio
• Size: 750ml

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.

Far Niente · Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley 2023

Far Niente’s 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet-led blend of 92.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.4% Petit Verdot, according to the winemaker description.

The winemaker note layers black cherry, black currant, dark plum, rose petal, caramel and toasted oak, followed by blackberry, spiced cherry and cassis. Fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity bring lift, with bay leaf, cocoa and sweet oak across a long, supple finish.

Winemaker Description
The 2023 Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with vibrant aromas of black cherry, black currant, and dark plum, layered with notes of rose petal, caramel, and toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is coating and expansive, unfolding in waves of ripe blackberry, spiced cherry, and cassis. Fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity create balance and lift, while hints of bay leaf, cocoa, and sweet oak weave through the long, supple finish of juicy, spiced cherry. Blend: 92.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.4% Petit Verdot.

James Suckling · 96 Points · 2023
Deep, dark and spicy with aromas of black and red currants, graphite, potpourri, dried flowers, herbs and wet river stones. The palate is full-bodied, offering generous texture, fine-grained tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. Great tension and purity matched by plenty of generosity.

Jeb Dunnuck · 95 Points · 2023
Rocking aromatics of ripe, sweet cassis, graphite, spring flowers, and hints of classy, spicy oak all emerge from the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's medium to full-bodied, has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This is an incredibly classy, satisfying, and classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that should keep for 15-20 years if well stored. Drink 2025-2045.

Wine Spectator · 94 Points · 2023
This is well-realized, with a solidly ripe core of boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit that’s dense yet expressive, while licorice snap, violet, cast iron and menthol notes run through. Solidly grippy, with the vintage’s succulence driving the finish. Best from 2027 through 2038.

Wine Enthusiast · 94 Points · 2023
Focused aromas of blackberry compote, plum skin, violets, and coffee drive the nose of this Cabernet. The palate delivers bright acidity balancing grippy tannic structure and flavors of baked black cherry, currant, cinnamon, tobacco, and flowers across the finish.

• Producer: Far Niente
• Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley, California
• Blend: 92.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.4% Petit Verdot
• Size: 750ml

Dark-fruited and finely structured, with Jeb Dunnuck suggesting a 2025–2045 drinking window.

Winemaker Description

The name "La Tremenda" references the name of the vineyard from which the grapes for this wine are grown and handharvested. Made entirely from mature Monastrell vines, carefullyraised in the harsh, arid landscape of Alicante. "The vine must suffer..." and here it does.

Bright ruby-red in color, this wine shows expressive notes of fresh black cherries and red berries mingled with hints of sweet spice, toast and cocoa. On the palate, this accessible red shows silky texture, liveliness and long length.

Pair it with pork chops Normandy, Kobe beef, or parmesan-crusted asparagus tips.

Memo Summary Notes

Pair With -

• Meats: Grilled hamburgers, pork chops (especially with savory sauces), Kobe beef, or leg of lamb.

• Vegetarian: Rich dishes like mushroom risotto or parmesan-crusted asparagus tips.

• Classic Spanish: Paella with meat, or aged Manchego cheese.

About This Wine

Taittinger Cuvée Prestige Rosé is one of Champagne's most iconic non-vintage rosés — a house that has championed elegance and finesse since 1734. Blended from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and 30% Chardonnay, with 12–15% still red Pinot Noir wine added for color and depth, this cuvée pours a vivid cherry-pink with an endless stream of fine, persistent bubbles.

The nose is classically Pinot — ripe red raspberries, wild strawberries, and blood orange, lifted by delicate floral and earthy nuances. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet refined, with vibrant berry fruit, a silky mousse, and a fresh acidity that carries through to a long, crisp finish. Versatile and celebratory in equal measure.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep cherry-pink with fine, persistent bubbles
• Nose: Red raspberry, wild strawberry, blood orange, fresh flowers, earth
• Palate: Full-bodied, juicy berry fruit, silky mousse, bright acidity
• Finish: Long, crisp, and refreshing with a hint of gastronomic bitterness

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 92 | Full-bodied and juicy all the way through, ripe with loads of wild berry fruit and a long, slightly warming finish. Drink 2024–2034.

James Suckling 92 | Full of flavor, with a full body, sleek bubbles and a deep, beautiful fruit quality. Drink now.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91 | Delicately fleshy with bright acids, a lively and minty mid-palate and a graceful note of gastronomic bitterness on the finish.

Food Pairings

Salmon, tuna tartare, duck, charcuterie, and soft cheeses. Equally stunning as an aperitif or throughout a meal.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: NV (Non-Vintage)
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (30%), Pinot Meunier (20%)
Style: Brut Rosé Champagne
Dosage: 9 g/L

Expert Notes

Stephan Reinhardt writes:  The 2021 Sand & Kalk is a pure Weissburgunder (a.k.a. Pinot Blanc) that was vinified in 600-liter oak barrels (5% new) for almost a year. Bottled in September this year and released in November, the wine offers a clear and aromatic, very elegant and balanced bouquet of ripe, white and yellow seed fruits. Medium-bodied yet dense and intensely fruity, with fine phenolic grip and delicate citrus bitters, this is a textural and very elegant Pinot Blanc with a refreshing and stimulating bitter finish with lingering lemon aromas. This is another excellent white that should be paired with raw fish, freshwater fish, seafood, white meat or cheese. This is a lovely, uncomplicated but structured terroir wine for the Buchertberg in Vulkanland Steiermark. Marketed as Landwein, though. 12.5% stated alcohol. Screw-cap closure.  Drinking 2023 to 2030.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91

Winemaker Description 

Seductively fresh Pinot Blanc with orange zest, honeysuckle flowers, and lemongrass and a luscious texture from the bit of skin contact that we greet us like a big soft hug. He manages to coax an intense amount of flavor out a relatively neutral grape, and we think it could go with anything from a bitter green salad with winter citrus to roasted chicken, pork tenderloin or seared scallops. This could easily be our everyday white! 

Because it has a nice, round body and prominent fruit, it also works as a Chardonnay alternative for those seeking a white with a bit more meat on the bones.

The HERRENHOF was a former wine estate of the Vorau Abbey. I started this project in 2006 from scratch, without vines. It required me 15 years to rebuild the winery. Since I have always been very close to nature, it is clear to me that I grow and vinify my wines exclusively organically. I want to bring the taste of the land where I grew up into the bottle of wine. Gottfried Lamprecht. 

The wine project at the HERRENHOF is pretty young. I've started to recutivate vineyards on this perfect slope in the year 2006 completely from the scratch. My mission: I want to present the Buchertberg, the place where I grew up in a bottle of wine. Because wine just can do that! Everything is harvested by hand of course. What makes me a special wine grower? I ferment 100% in barrels. 50% of my barrels are made of wood from my own forest. This brings my wines much closer to my terroir - closer to the Buchertberg, the place where I grew up. After fermentation the wines stay on their lees till bottling. Prior bottling I just about 20mg of Sulphur or less, or nothing and anything else. It depends on the wine.

Marqués de Riscal is one of Spain's most storied estates, founded in 1858 in the village of Elciego in Rioja Alavesa. Elevated vineyards, meticulous farming across 540 owned hectares, and a cellar housing every vintage back to the 1860s define a house built on permanence and precision. The Frank Gehry–designed hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant on-site speak to the same ambition: world-class in every dimension.

The 2021 Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged 20 months in American oak. The nose opens with licorice, black cherry, cinnamon, and black pepper — expressive and layered, with a balsamic freshness that keeps everything lifted. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet polished, with silky tannins, ripe red and black fruit, and a long, persistent finish with gentle spice. Classic Riscal: structured, elegant, and built to age another 10–15 years.

Expert Ratings

"The winery's flagship wine, the 2021 Reserva has a highly appealing spicy balsamic character and an undertone of freshness... rich in red and black cherry fruit that's textured and layered throughout supple, silky tannins. This is a classic, ready to go another 10-15 years." — Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Points. (Vintage 2021).

"A combination of licorice, blackberries and cherries on the nose... The medium- to full-bodied palate is incisive with polished, focused tannins and a clean, chiseled finish." — James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

"Ripe mulberry and boysenberry fruit is accented by wild thyme, warm spices, mineral and mandarin orange peel in this well-balanced red, with light, taut tannins." — Wine Spectator, 90 Points. (Vintage 2021). 

Winemaker Notes

Intense black-cherry color with good depth and barely any signs of evolution. Very expressive aromas of licorice, cinnamon, and black pepper with a subtle hint of oak, balanced by ripe, concentrated fruit. Fresh and easy to drink, with good backbone, polished tannins, and a long, balsamic finish.

Pairs well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles, bean and pulse dishes, poultry, red meat, grills, and roasts.

Lamberti Prosecco 187ml

Named after one of Verona's oldest noble families, Lamberti has been crafting wines from the Veneto since 1964. This single-serve 187ml Prosecco is a delightful expression of the Glera grape — dry, elegant, and effervescent — perfect for intimate celebrations, aperitivo moments, or anytime you want a glass of Italian sparkle without opening a full bottle.

Tasting Notes

Pale straw yellow with fine, persistent bubbles. Delicate aromas of green apple, honeydew, and fresh pear. On the palate, crisp and dry with a clean, refreshing finish.

Winemaking

Fruit is sourced from hillside vineyards across Treviso in the Veneto, harvested slightly before full maturation to preserve natural acidity. Secondary fermentation follows the Charmat method in pressurized tanks, enhancing the Glera grape's aromatic freshness.

Food Pairings

Ideal as an aperitif or alongside light bites. Pairs beautifully with shrimp, small salads, light soups, and delicate fish dishes.

• Grape: Glera
• Region: Prosecco DOC, Veneto, Italy
• Style: Sparkling, Dry (Brut)
• Size: 187ml

Parés Baltà has been farming the Penedès since the 18th century, and today it is one of Catalonia’s most respected organic estates. Materia Prima — Spanish for “raw ingredients” — is their love letter to Xarel·lo in its most elemental form: a Pétillant Naturel made by the Méthode Ancestrale, the oldest sparkling wine method in existence. No second fermentation, no disgorgement, no additions. The wine is bottled mid-fermentation, trapping natural CO₂ from the first and only fermentation. The result is a hazy, living, gloriously unfiltered sparkling wine that feels like the vineyard in a glass.

Pale golden and lightly cloudy, the 2024 opens with an expressive bouquet of citrus blossom, quince, white pear, and apricot. The bubbles are gentle and creamy — softer than traditional method sparkling, with a playful fizz that animates without overwhelming. The palate is vivacious and dry, with bright, saline acidity and a long, refreshing finish that calls for another pour. 100% organically farmed Xarel·lo from the Penedès. Vegan. Serve well chilled.

• Producer: Parés Baltà, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain
• Style: Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat), Méthode Ancestrale
• Appellation: Penedès DO, Catalonia
• Varietal: 100% Xarel·lo
• Farming: Organic | Vegan
• Appearance: Hazy, undisgorged — natural yeast sediment present
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus blossom, quince, white pear, apricot, creamy bubbles, saline finish
• Food Pairings: Raw oysters, ceviche, grilled prawns, anchovies, fried calamari, fresh goat cheese

Ancient method, living wine — Materia Prima is Catalonia’s most delicious argument for natural sparkling.