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Le Sciare Primitivo Rocca Normanna — Puglia, Italy 2024

Cantine Due Palme is one of southern Italy's most celebrated cooperatives, founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco in the province of Brindisi by Angelo Maci — a third-generation winemaker whose family has farmed the sun-drenched soils of Salento for decades. Le Sciare Primitivo is sourced from old vines planted on the region's distinctive sandy coastal soils, which stress the vines naturally and concentrate flavor to extraordinary levels. The result is a full-bodied, hedonistic Primitivo that delivers unexpected complexity at its price point — a genuine over-achiever from the heel of Italy's boot.

The nose is perfumed and inviting: rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, warm spice, and dark chocolate fill the glass with an exotic, sun-drenched intensity. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a rich, plush texture, soft tannins, and a surprisingly complex, lingering finish. Juicy, generous, and built for the table.

Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com — "A full bodied, full flavored Primitivo guaranteed to please! Perfumed aromas and flavors of rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, spice and dark chocolate fill the nose and fill the mouth with rich texture and soft tannins on the surprisingly complex finish."

• Producer: Cantine Due Palme, Cellino San Marco, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
• Founded: 1989
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Puglia IGT (Salento)
• Varietal: 100% Primitivo
• Vines: Old vines on sandy coastal soils
• Style: Full-Bodied, Fruit-Forward, Hedonistic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rich blackberry, black cherry, warm spice, dark chocolate, plush texture, soft tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, braised short ribs, pizza, pasta with meat ragù, aged pecorino, charcuterie
• Serve: 62–66°F

Old-vine Primitivo from the heart of Salento — Le Sciare is southern Italy's most satisfying everyday red, full of sun, soul, and flavor.

Winemaker Description

Overall goals and philosophy of wine: Syrah is a beguiling grape with many expressions in the vinous world, from the gamey classics of France to the inkiness of Australia. In the Finger Lakes, it takes a special site to nurture these beautiful vines to full maturity, but in Glacier Ridge we have found just such a vineyard. With intense Vietnamese peppercorn aromatics, bright red cherry flavors, and a brooding minerality underneath, this Syrah is a pure expression of what can be achieved with one of our favorite grapes in a cool climate. Put simply, think northern Rhone rather than Barossa. 

Notable vineyard management details: Glacier Ridge takes a studied minimalist approach in the vineyard; all weed control is manual and allows for some non-grape vegetation for competition as well as insect biodiversity. Crop size are subsequently lower as a result, with a notable difference in increased ripening capability of the grapes. 

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2020

James Suckling 94 Points | Attractive aromas of ripe cherries, dried strawberries, dried orange peel, spices and crushed stones. Medium to full body with compact, firm, finely grained tannins. Smooth and textured with vivid fruit underneath and a lingering finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Rich ruby color. A selection from the best vineyards, aged for two years. Toasted cedar, cherry lozenge, menthol, and spiced orange peel. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins folding into a mineral texture, mouthwatering stony earth, and a long, clean finish.

Robert Parker | Wine Advocate 93 Points | Ripe fruit with measured intensity that never feels heavy or overdone — achieving this level of balance is not easy in a hot growing season. Characterized by an especially linear and direct personality that pushes over the palate with good momentum.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Juicy yet firmly structured with bright cherry and blackberry fruit. Dense tannins inform the finish with accents of earth and mineral. Balanced in a youthful, exuberant way. Best 2025–2039.

Winemaker Notes

Ruby red with a trace of garnet. Elegant nose displaying hints of spice and fruit. Well-structured with smooth tannins and a long finish. Certified organic Sangiovese from one of Chianti Classico’s most historic and beautiful estates.

Tasting & Pairings

Ripe cherry, dried strawberry, orange peel, crushed stones, cedar, menthol, and spice. Medium to full body with firm, finely grained tannins and a mineral finish. Decant or cellar through 2039.

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or grilled lamb — the classic Tuscan pairing for a Riserva of this caliber.
• Wild boar ragù or pappardelle with meat sauce — the tannin structure and earthy notes complement rich, slow-cooked sauces.
• Aged Pecorino Toscano — a regional cheese that mirrors the wine’s earthy, mineral character.

Big Table Farm Pinot Noir — Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023

Big Table Farm is one of Willamette Valley's most beloved small producers — a genuine farm winery run by Brian and Clare Carver, who raise animals, grow vegetables, and make wine with the same hands-on, unhurried philosophy. Their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from a network of trusted growers across the valley, blended to capture the region's signature elegance: bright red fruit, floral lift, and the kind of fine-grained structure that makes Oregon Pinot so compelling at the table. The 2023 vintage produced just 2,154 cases.

The wine pours a translucent ruby. The nose is supple and elegantly complex — delicate raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and dusky spices. On the palate, it's bright and energetic with crunchy tannins and focused acidity, delivering red apple, blood orange, and raspberry with a lovely balance of fruit and savory undertones. Fine-grained tannins carry it through a long, polished finish. Drink now through 2033.

"Supple and elegantly complex, with delicate raspberry and cherry flavors laced with rose petal, orange peel and dusky spices as this glides toward fine-grained tannins." — Wine Spectator, 93 Points

• Producer: Big Table Farm, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Production: 2,154 cases
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Spectator 93 | James Suckling 93
• Drink: Now through 2033
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, rose petal, orange peel, blood orange, dusky spices, fine-grained tannins
• Best Paired With: Roasted duck, mushroom risotto, truffled dishes, lean pork or veal, brie, goat cheese

A dual 93-point Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from one of Oregon's most authentic farm wineries — elegant, precise, and built for the table.

Catena Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina 2024

Bodega Catena Zapata has been the defining force in Argentine fine wine for decades — a trailblazer in high-altitude viticulture since the 1990s, farming vineyards up to 5,000 feet in the Andes foothills where cooler temperatures, intense UV radiation, and dramatic diurnal temperature swings produce Malbec of uncommon elegance, depth, and freshness. The Catena Malbec is the house’s benchmark expression: a wine that has introduced generations of drinkers to the world-class potential of Mendoza Malbec, earning 93 points from the Wine Advocate (prior vintage) and consistently delivering far more than its price suggests.

The color is deep ruby-violet with brilliant clarity. The nose is expressive and inviting: dark plum, blackberry, violet, turned earth, and subtle spice. On the palate, it is juicy and precise — vibrant acidity and a savory, sturdy core frame the dark fruit, with a high-toned, lingering finish of earthy depth and freshness. Elegant, fruit-forward, and endlessly food-friendly.

Wine Advocate 93 — (Prior Vintage 2023). High-altitude, elegant Mendoza Malbec from one of Argentina’s most celebrated estates. Dark plum, blackberry, violet and earthy depth with vibrant acidity and a savory, lingering finish.

• Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Mendoza
• Varietal: 100% Malbec
• Style: High-altitude, elegant & fruit-forward
• Altitude: Up to 5,000 feet in the Andes foothills
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark plum, blackberry, violet, turned earth, subtle spice, vibrant acidity, earthy lingering finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
• Best Paired With: Grilled skirt steak, roasted lamb, beef empanadas, hearty stews, aged cheddar, blue cheese, Manchego

Thirty years of high-altitude mastery, 93 points from the Wine Advocate, and priced for every night of the week — Catena Malbec is the Argentine benchmark that never disappoints.

Experience the elegance of Curio California Pinot Noir 2024

Experience the elegance of Curio California Pinot Noir 2024, an honest expression of Pinot Noir as it was meant to be. Lovingly produced by minimalist winemakers James and Lorenza Allen of Accenti Wines, this wine showcases pure, unblemished Pinot Noir character through spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence. With its lush, fruity aromas and sophisticated tannins, this wine beautifully captures the essence of California, making it an excellent choice for both casual drinkers and discerning connoisseurs.

Professional Review - Bart Hopkins, 67Wine.com

"Curio Pinot Noir is lovingly produced by minimalist winemakers James and Lorenza Allen of Accenti Wines. Spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence are hallmarks of their style in the cellar. They don't add stuff like yeast, bacteria, tannins, or enzymes to the wines because well-farmed fruit and careful attention to detail eliminates the need for additives.

The 2024 Curio is Pinot Noir as it was meant to be. It's an honest expression of the varietal, pure and unblemished, every sip a revelation of flavor. On the nose, inviting aromas of dark cherry, wild strawberry and spiced plum swirl from the glass with elevated anticipation. The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance, revealing a gentle earthiness and savory spice that resonates into the finish like a long Mediterranean sunset.

True to its form, this is a food lover's Pinot Noir. Don't be afraid to be adventurous, this Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility, whether it's a gourmet feast or a simple mid-week excursion."

James & Lorenza Allen - Accenti Wines

Curio Pinot Noir is crafted by James and Lorenza Allen, the talented winemaking duo behind Accenti Wines. Their minimalist approach to winemaking focuses on letting the fruit speak for itself, using spontaneous fermentation and careful attention to detail rather than additives. This philosophy creates wines of exceptional purity and character.

Minimalist Winemaking Philosophy

Spontaneous fermentation, low-extraction, and moderate oak influence are hallmarks of the Allens' style in the cellar. They don't add yeast, bacteria, tannins, or enzymes to the wines because well-farmed fruit and careful attention to detail eliminates the need for additives. This natural approach allows the true character of the Pinot Noir grape to shine through.

Pinot Noir as It Was Meant to Be

The 2024 Curio is Pinot Noir as it was meant to be - an honest expression of the varietal, pure and unblemished. Every sip is a revelation of flavor, showcasing the grape's natural elegance and complexity without manipulation or heavy-handed winemaking techniques.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Bright ruby red characteristic of Pinot Noir
Aroma: Inviting aromas of dark cherry, wild strawberry and spiced plum swirl from the glass with elevated anticipation. Lush, fruity aromas with hints of vanilla
Palate: The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance. Ripe cherries, hints of vanilla, and subtle earthy undertones. Gentle earthiness and savory spice. Well-structured with sophisticated tannins. Vibrant acidity
Finish: Resonates into the finish like a long Mediterranean sunset. Smooth finish that lingers, allowing you to appreciate its depth

Well-Farmed Fruit

The quality of Curio Pinot Noir begins in the vineyard with well-farmed fruit from California's sun-kissed vineyards. Careful attention to viticulture ensures grapes of exceptional quality that require minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir and vintage to express themselves fully.

2024 Vintage Excellence

The 2024 vintage showcases the exceptional quality that Curio wines are known for. This vintage captures the essence of California Pinot Noir with its pure fruit expression, elegant structure, and harmonious balance.

A Food Lover's Pinot Noir

True to its form, this is a food lover's Pinot Noir. Don't be afraid to be adventurous - this Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility, whether it's a gourmet feast or a simple mid-week excursion. The wine's versatility and balance make it perfect for pairing with a wide range of dishes.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This Pinot Noir elevates any meal with its refined character and vibrant acidity:

• Grilled salmon and seafood
• Rich mushroom risotto
• Roasted duck and poultry
• Pork tenderloin
• Earthy vegetable dishes
• Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert
• Charcuterie boards
• Gourmet feasts or simple mid-week meals

Elegant & Harmonious Balance

The flavors coalesce joyfully in the mouth with elegance and harmonious balance. This complexity creates a harmonious balance on the palate and invites you to dive deeper with every sip, revealing layers of flavor that make each glass a discovery.

Pure & Unblemished Expression

Every sip is a revelation of flavor - pure and unblemished Pinot Noir character without additives or manipulation. The minimalist winemaking approach ensures that what you taste is the true expression of the grape and terroir.

California Terroir

Each sip unfolds a story crafted from grapes grown in the sun-kissed vineyards of California. The wine beautifully captures the essence of the region, showcasing California's ability to produce world-class Pinot Noir with elegance and character.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Curio California Pinot Noir is more than just a bottle of wine; it's an experience waiting to be savored. Enjoy it with good company or as a perfect complement to your favorite dishes. It's a wine that enhances occasions, making it a perfect option for gatherings or a cozy night in.

Delectable Agility

This Pinot will take on whatever culinary challenge it meets with delectable agility. The wine's versatility, balanced structure, and vibrant acidity make it adaptable to various cuisines and cooking styles, from elegant fine dining to casual weeknight meals.

A Wine That Tells a Story

The Curio California Pinot Noir tells a story of minimalist winemaking, well-farmed fruit, and the pursuit of pure expression. Let the story of Curio unfold with each glass, revealing the passion and dedication of James and Lorenza Allen in creating an honest, elegant Pinot Noir that honors the varietal and the California terroir.

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.

98 James Suckling: This has a complex array of blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, dried herbs, slate, tobacco, olives and charred bark. Some dried roses and iodine, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm yet refined tannins. Powerful, in an understated way. Long. 73% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 20% sangiovese.

98 Wine Spectator: Youthful, featuring intense fresh black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in accents of cedar, Mediterranean scrub and toasty oak, with a mineral streak underlining everything. Shows a solid spine of tannins that lend support, while the dark fruit returns on the finish. Delivers terrific balance, vigor and excruciating length, yet this needs time in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

97 Decanter: Wonderful raspberry and black cherry fragrance on the nose, ripe and sweet and expressive, aromas bursting from the glass. Fleshy and sweet, sticky and full, this is giving a whole load of ripe, plush tannins and powerful fruit but underpinned by bright acidity that keeps things lifted and vibrant. A very serious wine, this is brooding and confident. It's showcasing lots of elements right now - ample, generous, hefty and stylish with flecks of red flowers, white pepper spice, ground coffee, herbs and chocolate.

The 2019 Solaia is fabulous. Deep and exquisitely layered, the 2019 is so expressive right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, incense, pipe tobacco, chocolate, and grilled herbs all take shape. Here, too, the aromatics are alluring. Cabernet Franc is bumped up a bit in teh blend, and that works so well here. Solaia is often a bombastic, intense wine. The 2019 is incredibly refined and ubttoned up. The 2019 Solaia is the sort of wine I would like to spend a whole evening with. Aging was 18 months in 100% new French oak.

Winemaker Description

The 2019 vintage Solaia is deep ruby red in color. The nose offers complex notes of red fruit, apricots and red oranges with hints of rose petals. Distinct aromas of coffee beans, chocolate, licorice and white pepper complete the rich bouquet of this red wine. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and harmonious with excellent balance and structure. Vibrant tannins lead into an exceptionally long finish. 

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc