90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Taittinger La Française Brut Champagne NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Taittinger is one of Champagne’s most distinguished and family-owned houses, founded in 1734 and still guided by the Taittinger family today. Known for a Chardonnay-driven house style of exceptional elegance and finesse, Taittinger has long been a benchmark for what great non-vintage Champagne can be. La Française Brut is the house’s signature expression — a blend of some 30 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards across multiple harvests, crafted to showcase the purity, freshness, and precision that define the Taittinger style.

The blend is 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged three to four years on the lees for exceptional depth and complexity. Bright and lively, with aromas of fresh apple, lemon, and minerals. The palate is crisp, precise, and Chardonnay-driven — racy, elegant, and totally charming — with white pepper and a clean, saline finish. Long and memorable. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle.

Tasting Panel — 95 points

“Bright and lively, this is one of my favorite non-vintage Bruts. Crisp and balanced, with smooth, exuberant, Chardonnay-driven style; racy, elegant, and totally charming; long and memorable.”

James Suckling — 92 points

“A dry, fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, caviar, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, and light appetizers. Perfect as an aperitif or a solo celebration.

Blend: 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV, aged 3–4 years on lees
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 95 points Tasting Panel | 92 points James Suckling

Rémi Leroy | Réserve Blanc de Noirs | Extra Brut | Côte des Bar, Aube, Champagne | 85% 2022 Base | Practicing Organic

Jeb Dunnuck: 92 Points — Concentrated Pinot Noir fruit with bright citrus, a finely textured mousse and a dry, mineral-driven finish. Rated on the current 2022-base release.

Gismondi on Wine: 92 Points — An abundance of fresh raspberry and cherry fruit, supported by vibrant limestone minerality and a precise, energetic finish. Praised for its freshness, clarity and versatility at the table.

Rémi Leroy is one of the Côte des Bar's most compelling young grower-producers. After completing graduate studies in oenology and viticulture in Bordeaux, Leroy returned to his family's vineyards in Meurville in the Aube — the southern reaches of Champagne, where Pinot Noir reigns and the soils bear a striking resemblance to those of nearby Chablis. He farms a selection of carefully chosen parcels across the villages of Meurville, Bergères and Fontaine using practicing-organic methods, with an emphasis on precision, transparency and minimal intervention in the cellar.

The Réserve Blanc de Noirs is made from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vines approximately 30 years old. What sets these vineyards apart is the soil composition: approximately 60% of the fruit comes from Kimmeridgian clay-limestone — the same ancient seabed geology that defines the finest vineyards of Chablis — while the remaining 40% comes from the rarer Portlandian limestone soils found around Meurville. The interplay between these two soil types gives the wine both generous fruit and a firm, chalky mineral backbone.

The current release blends 85% from the 2022 harvest with 15% from 2021, adding complexity and balance while preserving the freshness and ripe red fruit character of the primary base year. Vinification and maturation take place entirely in stainless steel, preserving the clarity and natural character of the Pinot Noir. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full. The wines are generally bottled without fining or filtration. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the Champagne spends approximately 24 months aging on its lees and is disgorged at an exceptionally low dosage of approximately 1 gram per liter — a near-zero addition that keeps the wine bone dry and allows the fruit and mineral terroir to speak without interference.

The wine opens with aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry and crisp red apple, followed by blood orange, citrus peel, dried flowers and fresh bread. Subtle hints of almond, chalk and gentle spice emerge with air. The palate is energetic and finely textured — a lively mousse carries ripe red fruit and citrus freshness, while Pinot Noir provides structure, depth and a lightly savory character. Cranberry, orange peel, toasted grain and green almond lead into a dry, persistent finish marked by limestone minerality and a refreshing saline quality. Immediately expressive, yet with enough concentration and structure to reward short-term cellaring.

Serve as an aperitif or throughout the meal. Pairs beautifully with charcuterie, smoked salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, roast chicken, pork, duck, mushroom dishes, grilled fish and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: Rémi Leroy
• Cuvée: Réserve Blanc de Noirs
• Style: Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Côte des Bar, Aube
• Villages: Meurville, Bergères and Fontaine
• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Base Vintage: 85% 2022 harvest, 15% 2021
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Vine Age: ~30 years
• Soils: 60% Kimmeridgian, 40% Portlandian clay-limestone
• Vinification: Stainless steel; unfined and unfiltered
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: ~24 months
• Dosage: ~1 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a multi-vintage Champagne, base vintages, blending proportions, dosage, lees aging period and disgorgement date may vary by release. Critic ratings may apply to different releases or disgorgements of the same cuvée.

Tellier | Les Massales | Extra-Brut | Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne | 2022

The Tellier family has been growing vines in the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay since 1938, but it was not until 2016 that brothers Clément and Thibault Tellier took 3 hectares of family vines and began vinifying their own micro-cuvées — launching one of the most exciting young grower-producer projects in Champagne. Working with fruit from the villages of Moussy, Pierry, and Chavot-Courcourt in the southern Marne, the Tellier brothers bring a meticulous, terroir-focused approach to a region that is increasingly recognized as a source of exceptional Champagne.

Les Massales is a single-vineyard cuvée from the clay-limestone Massales lieu-dit — a blend of the primary Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) grown across the three villages. The name references the traditional practice of massale selection — propagating vines from the best individual plants in the vineyard rather than from clonal nursery stock — a method that preserves genetic diversity and produces wines of greater complexity and terroir expression.

The 2022 shines with yellow plum, acacia honey, and toasted almond, framed by zesty acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish. The energy, depth, and precision on display here are exactly what make grower Champagne so exciting — a compelling introduction to the Tellier lineup at an exceptional price.

Excellent as an aperitif. Pair with oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, soft cheeses, and light poultry dishes.

• Producer: Tellier
• Cuvée: Les Massales
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne, France
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Vintage: 2022
• Vineyard: Massales lieu-dit; clay-limestone soils
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Chateau Ste. Michelle | Merlot | Columbia Valley, Washington State | 2022

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's founding winery and most iconic producer, with a history stretching back to 1934. Based in Woodinville, the winery has been instrumental in establishing the Columbia Valley as one of America's premier wine regions — and their Columbia Valley Merlot is one of the most consistent and best-value expressions of Washington State red wine available anywhere.

The Columbia Valley AVA is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in the United States, stretching across eastern Washington. Its continental climate — with long, sunny days, cool nights, and low rainfall — allows Merlot to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity and freshness. A touch of Syrah is blended in to add a jammy, fruit-forward character that complements Merlot's natural plushness.

The 2022 offers an almost perfume-like nose of black cherry, sandalwood, worn leather, and spice. On the palate, medium-bodied and supple with sturdy tannins and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, graphite, and black tea, with layers of rich dark red fruit and a long, smooth, sweet finish. Complex yet approachable — a benchmark Columbia Valley Merlot at an exceptional price.

Pair with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck, mushroom dishes, and aged cheeses.

• Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle
• Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State, USA
• Blend: Merlot with a touch of Syrah
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward red
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

• Wine Enthusiast — 91 pts: An almost perfume-like aroma of black cherries, sandalwood and worn leather. Medium-bodied with a supple mouthfeel and sturdy tannins. Boysenberries, blueberries, graphite and black tea. — Michael Alberty

Yann Alexandre Brut Noir — Champagne 2020 Base

Yann and Séverine Alexandre farm their vineyards in the Petite Montagne de Reims with a single goal: to produce Champagne as naturally as possible from healthy, fully mature grapes. Certified sustainable by OCACIA, their parcels grow on calcareous-clay soils with stones, flint, and sand — a varied geology that contributes freshness, mineral tension, and complexity. The Brut Noir is the estate's signature cuvée: a blend of Pinot Meunier for generous fruit and suppleness, Pinot Noir for structure and depth, and Chardonnay for brightness and energy. Each variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then assembled and aged approximately five years on the lees in the Alexandre family's cool cellar before hand riddling and disgorgement. Awarded 92 Points by Decanter and a Silver Award in 2025.

The nose is inviting and layered: subtle brioche and toast, fresh citrus, white peach, and a delicate chalky undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is rich yet precise — generous fruit and creamy texture from the Meunier, lifted by Chardonnay's brightness and framed by Pinot Noir's quiet structure. The mousse is fine and persistent, and the finish is long, chalky, and satisfying. An excellent aperitif and a natural companion at the table.

Decanter 92 • Silver Award 2025 — "Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, and creamy cheeses."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Petite Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne
• Blend: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
• Soil: Calcareous-clay with stones, flint, and sand
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: ~5 years; hand riddled & disgorged
• Alcohol: 12%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Brioche, toast, citrus, white peach, chalky minerality, creamy texture, long finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, creamy cheeses

92 points from Decanter. Five years on the lees. Hand riddled and disgorged. Yann Alexandre's Brut Noir is grower Champagne from the Petite Montagne de Reims at its most honest and expressive.

Nestled in the heart of Pauillac, just north of Château Latour, Château Haut-Bages Libéral occupies one of the appellation's most privileged terroirs — a mosaic of clay-limestone and gravel soils that is atypical for Pauillac, lending the wine a distinctive freshness and minerality that sets it apart from its neighbors. Under biodynamic farming with Demeter certification, the estate has become one of the Left Bank's most compelling stories of terroir-driven winemaking.

The Château Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac Biodynamic 2020 750ml is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, from biodynamically farmed vines on clay-limestone and gravel, with a parcel sandwiched between Pichon-Baron and Lynch-Bages. The 2020 vintage is exceptional: focused, elegant, and concentrated, with a vivid purple hue, a beautiful perfume of cassis, plum, licorice, and violets, and a palate of remarkable depth and length. Built for the cellar, yet already showing its class. Drink from 2027 through 2050.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

• James Suckling — 97 Points: "Blackcurrant, orange peel and green coffee bean aromas follow through to a full body with medium, round tannins. Citrusy, juicy and rose bush finish. Chewy and intense. Some old vine character with bark and dark mushroom. Solid! One for the cellar. Try after 2027."
• Wine Enthusiast — 95 Points: "Vibrant and bright yet it is possible to sense the depth of the tannins. Its tannins underline the line of acidity and lightness that gives the wine a fine structure."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 94 Points: "Beautiful perfume of cassis and plum-like fruits interwoven with licorice, violets, damp earth. Focused, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. Enjoy through 2050."
• Wine Advocate — 94 Points: "Supple and seamless, bursting with aromas of sweet dark berries, petals and licorice. Succulent and polished, it will offer a broad drinking window."
• Decanter — 91 Points: "A ton of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, chewy and concentrated, with a shot of acidity that picks everything up on the finish."

Wine Details

• 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot
• Pauillac AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Biodynamic — Demeter certified
• Clay-limestone & gravel soils, north of Château Latour
• Vintage: 2020 | Drink 2027–2050
• 750ml

Veuve Clicquot · Yellow Label Brut · Limited Edition - ICE JACKET · Champagne, France · NV · 750ml

Veuve Clicquot is one of the great houses of Champagne — founded in Reims in 1772 and forever transformed by the Widow Clicquot herself, who invented the riddling rack and created the first vintage Champagne. The Yellow Label Brut is the house’s signature expression: a Pinot Noir-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier, with up to 45% reserve wines ensuring the consistency and house style that has made it one of the world’s most recognized Champagnes. The ICE JACKET edition wraps the bottle in a redesigned, eco-engineered insulating sleeve — crafted from 100% recycled plastic fibres using 3D knitting technology that reduces production waste by 30% — keeping the bottle perfectly chilled for up to 60 minutes. Lighter, reusable, and customizable. 

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles and an expressive nose of baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, and a thread of fresh citrus and pastry. On the palate: firm and beautifully structured, with a fleshy mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity — sliced apple, green pear, red berry, lemon parfait, and oyster shell minerality carrying through a long, vibrant, mineral-driven finish. Four critics, four 90+ scores: Tasting Panel 93, James Suckling 92, Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 91. Drink now. Pair with oysters, lobster, sushi, fried chicken, aged Comté, or simply on its own to start any celebration.

• Producer: Veuve Clicquot (est. 1772, Reims)
• Wine: Yellow Label Brut · ICE JACKET Edition
• Style: NV Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve wines: Up to 45% in the blend
• ICE JACKET: Recycled plastic fibres · 3D knit · Keeps chilled 60 min · Reusable
• Scores: Tasting Panel 93 · James Suckling 92 · Decanter 91 · Wine Spectator 91
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, citrus, red berry, oyster shell, long mineral finish
• Pair With: Oysters · Lobster · Sushi · Fried chicken · Aged Comté · Aperitif

The Widow’s legacy, wrapped in innovation — Yellow Label Brut in the ICE JACKET that keeps the party going.

Expert Reviews

Tasting Panel — 93 Points
Aromas of baked apple and quince are energetically dappled with salted almond and white blossom, while the fleshy mouthfeel intersects neatly with firm acidity amid intimations of red berry and pastry.

James Suckling — 92 Points
Firm and delicious, showing sliced apples and green pears with some flint and bread dough. Medium-bodied with fine bubbles and a crisp, delicious finish.

Decanter — 91 Points
The nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with lovely creaminess to the bright finish.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
Appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, with notes of patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell. Vibrant acidity and lacy texture carry the profile on the mineral-driven finish.

Hermann J. Wiemer · Semi-Dry Riesling · Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes · 2024

Hermann J. Wiemer is the founding father of Finger Lakes Riesling. A German-born viticulturist who trained in the Mosel before planting vines on the western shore of Seneca Lake in 1979, Wiemer proved that New York could produce world-class Riesling — and the estate he built continues to set the standard decades later. Their Semi-Dry Riesling is the wine that converts skeptics: sourced from early picks in vineyard blocks surrounding Seneca Lake, it carries residual sugar with the grace and balance that only great Riesling terroir can deliver. Certified Sustainable. JS:92. At $24.99, it’s one of the most versatile and crowd-pleasing bottles in the Finger Lakes canon — the wine you bring when you’re not sure what everyone drinks, and it always wins.

The 2024 opens with aromas of wildflower honey, ripe Bosch pear, peach, apricot, and sweet florals. On the palate: succulent and fruit-forward with a refreshing lightness — the residual sugar is perfectly balanced by bright acidity, finishing juicy and barely dry with fantastic vitality. Drink now through 2029.

“Rippling with peach, apricot and sweet floral aromas… succulent but also very fresh in the juicy, barely dry finish. Fantastic balance and vitality at the end. Sustainable.”
— James Suckling, 92 Points (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard (est. 1979)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
• Varietal: 100% Riesling
• Style: Semi-Dry (off-dry)
• Certification: Certified Sustainable
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Wildflower honey, Bosch pear, peach, apricot, sweet florals, bright acidity, juicy barely-dry finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2029
• Food Pairings: Spicy Thai, Vietnamese pho, sushi, soft-ripened cheese, fruit tarts, light charcuterie

JS:92 · Certified Sustainable — Finger Lakes Riesling from the man who started it all.

Roberto Henríquez · 'Rivera del Notro' Blanco · Itata Valley · 2024

Roberto Henríquez is one of Chile's most important natural wine voices — a tireless champion of the Itata Valley, a region in the Bio-Bío that was making wine centuries before Maipo or Colchagua ever appeared on a label. His vineyards are planted with the old-vine field blends that Spanish missionaries brought to Chile in the 16th century: Sémillon, Chasselas, and Moscatel de Alejandría, grown on granite soils by small-scale farmers who have tended these vines for generations. The 'Rivera del Notro' Blanco — named for the notro tree that blooms red along the riverbanks of Itata — is his signature white: a modern-day interpretation of ancestral Chilean winemaking, vinified with extended skin contact that unlocks a depth and complexity no stainless-steel Chardonnay can touch. WA:92. At $20.99, it's one of the most exciting natural whites in South America.

The 2024 opens with a heady, complex bouquet of potpourri, resinous herbs, dried flowers, and a hint of saison beer — the unmistakable signature of skin-contact vinification done right. On the palate: svelte and elegantly concentrated, with a broad, refreshing finish that lingers with phenolic grip, a streak of bright acidity, and retronasal floral notes that keep pulling you back. Serve slightly cool — this is a wine for the table, not the cocktail hour. Drink now through 2027.

“A modern-day interpretation of ancestral Itata white wines… svelte, elegantly concentrated mouthfeel. The finish is broad and refreshing, lingering with phenolic grip laced with a streak of acidity and retronasal floral notes.”
— The Wine Advocate, 92 Points

• Producer: Roberto Henríquez
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Itata Valley, Bio-Bío, Chile
• Blend: Sémillon, Chasselas & Moscatel de Alejandría (old vines, granite soils)
• Style: Skin-contact white (orange wine)
• Vinification: Extended skin contact · Ancestral field blend · Natural winemaking
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Potpourri, resinous herbs, dried flowers, saison beer, phenolic grip, bright acidity, lingering floral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2027
• Food Pairings: Grilled fish, roasted chicken, aged goat cheese, charcuterie, spiced Middle Eastern dishes

WA:92 — ancient Itata field blends, granite soils, and skin-contact depth at a price that makes it a no-brainer.

Gomez Cruzado Viña Dorana Reserva — Alto Najerilla, Rioja, Spain 2018

Gomez Cruzado is one of Rioja's most exciting modern producers, based in Haro and dedicated to rescuing the great wines of yesteryear — old bush vines, high-altitude sites, and traditional blends that honor the region's heritage. Viña Dorana is named for a historic brand from 1930 and sourced from old bush vines in the Alto Najerilla, grown at 600–710 meters above sea level in the triangle formed by the villages of Cordovín, Badarán, and Cárdenas. The 2018 vintage — a cool, fresh year — produced a wine of classical harmony and serious structure. Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points; Jeb Dunnuck 92; James Suckling 92. At $35.99, it is one of the most compelling values in serious Rioja Reserva.

The nose is refined and layered: rich red and dark fruit, dried herbs, subtle balsamic, earthy spice, and a whisper of nutty oak. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied, compact and firm yet round and polished — the freshness of the cool 2018 vintage giving it linear acidity and real tension. Soft, finely grained tannins frame flavors of ripe red fruit, light baking spice, and a textural, earthy depth that builds toward a long, elegant finish. Aged 24 months in French oak, then a minimum of 12 months in bottle. Drink now or cellar with confidence.

Wine Advocate 94 — "Very classical... serious and austere, with the freshness of a cool year... harmonious blend with good ripeness and the freshness from the year. It should improve with time in bottle."

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Finessed, long, and supple... linear acidity and soft texture. Classically flavored in rich red fruit and light baking spice."

James Suckling 92 — "Spiced and earthy, showing rich dark fruit, dried herbs and subtle nutty and balsamic undertones... round and polished mouthfeel."

• Producer: Gomez Cruzado, Haro, Rioja, Spain
• Vineyard: Viña Dorana — Alto Najerilla, 600–710m elevation, old bush vines
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa
• Blend: 60% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha
• Vinification: 4-day cold pre-fermentation maceration; 24 months in French oak (2nd & 3rd fill); 12+ months in bottle
• Production: 29,482 bottles + 710 magnums
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Red fruit, dark fruit, dried herbs, balsamic, baking spice, earthy, finely grained tannins
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 10+ years
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, braised short ribs, Iberian charcuterie, aged Manchego, wild mushroom dishes

A 94-point Rioja Reserva from one of Haro's most principled producers — Viña Dorana is the benchmark for what old-vine Alto Najerilla can achieve.

Roederer Estate Brut Rosé NV Anderson Valley

When Louis Roederer — the Champagne house behind Cristal — established Roederer Estate in California's Anderson Valley in 1982, they chose the region for a reason: its cool, fog-driven climate, elevated acidity, and distinctive soils offered the conditions to make world-class sparkling wine with genuine Old World character. The Brut Rosé is the estate’s most expressive non-vintage bottling — a wine that consistently overdelivers at its price point and has earned a devoted following among sparkling wine lovers.

The multi-vintage blend is 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay, with 10–15% oak-aged reserve wines from the estate’s cellars adding depth and complexity. Disgorged in May 2023 with a dosage of 8 g/L. The result is a wine of delightful precision: fully balanced between red fruit and acidity, with a rounded mid-palate, enduring finesse to the mousse, and the structure to age through 2035 and beyond.

Gorgeous salmon-pink in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of yeasty brioche, fresh raspberry, strawberry, white tea, and spiced orange zest. The palate is firm and focused, with dried raspberry, orange blossom, cranberry, dried rose petal, and mint, gliding into supple orange cream and white grapefruit on a dry, refreshing finish. Graceful, dynamic, and endlessly versatile.

Jeb Dunnuck — 94 pts

“Gorgeously pretty in a salmon hue… delightfully precise in nature, fully balanced between red fruit and acidity, with a rounded mid-palate and enduring finesse to the mousse. The acidity and structure are solidly impressive and should give the wine plenty of time to age through 2035, if not beyond.” — Virginie Boone

Wine Enthusiast — 93 pts

“Pale-pink salmon-hued with aromas of yeasty brioche, fresh raspberry, youthful strawberry, white tea and spiced orange zest. The midpalate is firm mousse, dried raspberry, orange blossom, gliding into supple orange cream and white grapefruit with a dry finish. Pair with life.” — Tonya Pitts

James Suckling — 93 pts

“This wine has gone on my ‘wines that always deliver’ list. Delicious and excellent value.”

Wine Spectator — 92 pts

“Graceful yet dynamic, with pretty strawberry and citrus flavors that take on fresh violet, orange peel and spice accents as this builds vibrancy toward the bright finish.” — Tim Fish

Vinous — 91 pts

“A serious but also very versatile Rosé. Cranberry, spice, dried rose petal and mint grace this understated, resonant Rosé. Fleshes out beautifully with a bit of time in the glass.” — Antonio Galloni

Blend: 56% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay (+ 10–15% oak-aged reserve wines)
Appellation: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California
Style: Brut Rosé NV | Dosage: 8 g/L
Format: 750ml
Scores: 94 JD | 93 WE | 93 JS | 92 WS | 91 Vinous

Expert Review

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | Aromas of lemon-lime, orange blossom and sliced ginger arise from the glass. Ginger transitions to the palate alongside flavors of passion fruit, mango and a pleasing hint of rose petal that lingers on the taste buds. — Mike DeSimone 

Winemaker Description 

Tempranillo, Syrah

ONNA is a red wine made with the Tempranillo and Syrah variety of old vineyards of organic agriculture of our land, the Penedés. The must has macerated and fermented with the skins over a period of 2 weeks. Subsequently the wine has remained 3 months in French oak barrels of Allier. It is a fresh wine with aromas of red and black fruits with light spicy, pleasant and sweet notes.

• GOLD MEDAL – INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2022
• GOLD MEDAL – CATAVINUM WORLD WINES & SPIRITS COMPETITION 2022
• GOLD MEDAL – CATAVINUM WORLD WINES & SPIRITS COMPETITION 2021
• GOLD MEDAL – INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2021

Winemaker Evan Martin has called Koosah “the greatest Chardonnay vineyard in the Willamette Valley” — and the scores agree. Sourced from the Koosah Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, this is Oregon grand cru Chardonnay in every sense: remarkable texture and tension between fruit, minerality, and acidity, with a finish that lingers with persistent freshness and a note of salinity. Martin himself describes it as Oregon’s answer to Puligny-Montrachet — built to drink now or cellar for 15+ years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

“Dazzles with spiced apples, damp earth, a hint of saline, green melon, and subtle notes of white tea. Beautiful structure with a touch of tannins, perfect acidity and balanced sweetness, leading to a long, fruit-forward and saline-infused finish. An outstanding bottle poised for an even brighter future. Editor’s Choice.” — 97 pts, International Wine Cellar

“Bright yellow/silver color. Notes of smoky earth, white peach, lemon oil, and white floral tone. Lovely richness without weight, exceptionally focused length. Drink 2025–2037.” — 96 pts, Jeb Dunnuck

“The floral quality of its aromas balances the somewhat rich mouthfeel. Vibrant energy and nice overall structure — balanced acidity — featuring notes of stone fruits, crispy apples, lemon peel, and herbs. This wine nails both phenolic structure and rich texture.” — 95 pts, Decanter

Winery Notes: Lemon oil, green & gold apple, moss, white flower & minerals. Medium weight while possessing weightlessness. Our ‘Puligny’ — Oregon grand cru Chardonnay to enjoy now or cellar 15+ years.

Food Pairings: Roasted halibut, lobster, scallops, truffle risotto, aged Gruyère, and soft-ripened cheeses.

Varietal: Chardonnay
Producer: Martin Woods
Vineyard: Koosah Vineyard
Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vintage: 2022
Cellar: Drink now or cellar 15+ years
Bottle Size: 750ml

Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 750ml

Explore the excellence of Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, a captivating red wine that expertly balances boldness and finesse. This super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and deep, showcasing the exceptional winemaking that has made Orin Swift one of California's most celebrated producers. With an impressive 96-point score from James Suckling, this vintage reveals an intricate tapestry of flavors that both novice and seasoned wine lovers will appreciate.

Outstanding Critical Acclaim - 96 Points - Vintage 2023

James Suckling - 96 Points
"A super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep, with black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit, graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced."

Orin Swift - California Wine Excellence

Orin Swift is one of California's most celebrated wine producers, known for creating bold, distinctive wines with exceptional quality and character. Founded by winemaker Dave Phinney, Orin Swift has earned a reputation for producing wines that push boundaries while maintaining balance and elegance. The MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of their Cabernet production.

Super-Concentrated & Age-Worthy

As James Suckling notes, this is "a super-concentrated, trim and age-worthy red that's structured and deep." The wine's concentration and structure provide the foundation for exceptional aging potential, making it both enjoyable now and worthy of cellaring for years to come.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Deep, concentrated color
Aroma: Black cherry, graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf. Dark fruits like blackberry and plum with hints of chocolate, tobacco, and spices
Palate: Very focused with supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit. Black cherry flavors on an elegant texture. Graphite, cocoa, black olive and tobacco leaf flavors. Full-bodied but still balanced. Smooth mouthfeel characteristic of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon
Finish: Structured and deep with lingering complexity

Napa Valley Terroir

The careful crafting of this wine allows it to reflect the unique terroir of the Napa Valley, ensuring a full-bodied experience. Napa Valley's ideal climate and soil conditions create the perfect environment for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon with depth, concentration, and elegance.

Very Focused & Elegant Texture

The wine is "very focused, showing supple tannins and slightly restrained fruit" according to James Suckling. This focus and elegance demonstrate the precision winemaking that defines Orin Swift's approach, creating a wine that is powerful yet refined.

Full-Bodied but Still Balanced

Despite its super-concentration and full-bodied character, this Cabernet Sauvignon maintains exceptional balance. This harmony between power and elegance makes it approachable while showcasing the complexity that defines great Cabernet Sauvignon.

Remarkable Aging Potential

One of the standout features of the Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is its remarkable aging potential. Crafted with careful attention to detail, this wine benefits from extended cellaring, allowing the flavors to deepen and evolve over time. It can be enjoyed fresh, revealing its vibrant fruit characters, or aged for several years to develop complex nuances that enhance its profile. Wine enthusiasts will find that this Cabernet evolves gracefully in the bottle.

2023 Vintage Excellence

The 2023 vintage showcases the exceptional quality and character that defines MERCURY HEAD. This vintage reveals an intricate tapestry of flavors, encompassing dark fruits, graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

Food Pairing Suggestions

To fully appreciate the richness of Orin Swift MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, consider pairing it with hearty dishes that match its robust character:

• Grilled meats - ribeye steaks and lamb chops
• Rich pasta dishes
• Aged cheeses
• Charcuterie board with salami and aged cheeses
• Dark chocolate
• Braised short ribs
• Roasted game meats

Perfect for Special Occasions

The wine's bold profile complements the flavors of hearty dishes, creating a harmonious dining experience. Each sip offers a smooth mouthfeel, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions, whether you're celebrating a special moment or enjoying an elevated dinner at home.

Excellent Addition to Any Collection

This age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon makes an excellent addition to any wine collection or a thoughtful gift for wine aficionados. The combination of super-concentration, structure, and aging potential ensures this wine will develop beautifully over time.

Graphite, Cocoa & Black Olive Complexity

The complex flavor profile featuring graphite, cocoa, black olive, and tobacco leaf creates layers of interest that reveal themselves with each sip. This complexity, combined with the elegant texture and supple tannins, demonstrates the artistry of Orin Swift's winemaking.

Structured & Deep Character

The structured and deep character of this wine provides both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging potential. The careful balance between concentration and elegance ensures that MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a memorable experience whether enjoyed young or after years of cellaring.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Brut Nature Reserva blends Macabeo and Xarel·lo from Penedès and was aged 2 years on lees. Citrus, lime, soft herbs and a nutty note define the nose. Dry and vibrant, it has fine, well-integrated bubbles, a touch of malic grip and a saline finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The grapes are pressed directly cold and without de-stemming.

Base wine aged for 7 months in stainless steel tanks and 500L French oak barrels.

Second fermentation is carried out with concentrated must from our own vineyards and minimum aging of 20 months on lees in the bottle.

Manual riddling on pupitres and disgorging without freezing. Zero dosage. 

Memo Summary Notes

The AT Roca Rosat Reserva Brut Nature 2023 is a high-quality sparkling rosé from the Corpinnat collective in the Penedès region of Spain. Crafted by Agustí Torelló Roca, this wine is a standout for those who appreciate precision, organic viticulture, and a bone-dry finish.

You might notice it isn't labeled as "Cava." AT Roca is part of Corpinnat, an elite group of producers who broke away from the Cava DO to maintain stricter quality standards, including 100% organic grapes, hand-harvesting, and vinification entirely on the estate.

Pairing: Its high acidity and bone-dry profile make it incredible with sushi, oily fish (like salmon), or light Mediterranean rice dishes. It’s also sharp enough to cut through fried appetizers or salty cured meats.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Vinous 90 Points | The 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba is impeccable. Bright and floral, with a lovely core of purplish fruit, Scavino's Dolcetto is a delight. Drink it over the next few years while the flavors remain vibrant.

Importer Notes

    •    100% Dolcetto from 70-year-old vines in Marne di Sant’Agata soils (a type of calcareous clay) within the Bricco Ambrogio vineyard of Roddi d’Alba
    •    The grapes are hand-harvested during the second week of September
    •    Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel with temperature control and indigenous yeasts.
    •    Maturation takes place in stainless steel for six months
    •    950 cases produced annually

Memo Summary Notes

The Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2024 is a quintessential Piedmontese "everyday" red. While the Scavino family is world-renowned for their complex, long-aging Barolos, their Dolcetto is designed to be consumed young, vibrant, and fresh.
Pair with this is the ultimate pizza and pasta wine. It also pairs perfectly with charcuterie, roasted pork, or mushroom risotto

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling – 94 Points | “Very pretty blackberries and blackcurrants with a hint of lead pencil. Medium-bodied with creamy, refined tannins and a polished finish. Shows precision and focus, especially in this hot vintage.” Drink after 2027.
• Jeb Dunnuck – 92 Points | “Ripe black cherries, redcurrants, spicy oak, and flowery incense. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe polished tannins, and a great finish. Beautifully done — will evolve gracefully over the coming two decades.”
• Vinous – 92 Points | “Elegant, mid-weight Margaux. Dark-toned fruit, cloves, new leather and sweet spice, nicely lifted throughout. Attractive floral overtones extend the finish. Will drink well with minimal cellaring.”

Tasting Notes

Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, red cherry, and lead pencil with floral incense and spicy oak. On the palate, creamy, refined tannins frame flavors of dark fruit, cloves, and sweet spice with attractive floral overtones on the finish. Precise, polished, and classically Margaux in character.

About the Wine

Château Rauzan-Gassies is a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) from the Margaux appellation, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious classifications dating to 1855. The 2022 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, raised in 57% new oak barrels. The 2022 vintage in Bordeaux is widely regarded as exceptional — and this wine delivers the precision and elegance that defines great Margaux. Now available in bottle as of early 2026.

Cellaring

Drink from 2027 through 2040+. Decant 45–60 minutes if opening now.

Food Pairing

Classic with roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, and aged hard cheeses.

Product Details

• Appellation: Margaux, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classé (1855)
• Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Producer: Château Rauzan-Gassies

Expert Review — Vintage 2017

James Suckling 96 Points | Released after seven years in bottle. Delicate yet complex aromas of finger limes, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemons, gun smoke and salted nuts. The palate is high tension, with an intense concentration of flavors coiled around a textural palate and striking acidity. Made from vines planted in 1965 — this has years of life ahead. Excellent. Drink or hold.

About The Contours Museum Reserve

Pewsey Vale’s The Contours is their flagship museum-release Riesling, sourced from the coolest south-facing slope of the estate in the high-altitude Eden Valley, South Australia. The vines were planted in 1965, making them among the oldest Riesling plantings in the region.

What makes this wine special: Pewsey Vale holds it in their cellars for five to seven years before release, so you receive a bottle that has already begun its transformation into a complex, aged masterpiece — no patience required on your end.

Tasting & Pairings

Finger lime, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemon, gun smoke, and salted nuts. High-tension acidity with intense concentration and a textural, coiled palate. Serve well chilled.

• Kingfish crudo or oysters with lime mignonette — classic pairing for aged Riesling.
• Five-spice duck breast or tofu Pad Thai — the acidity balances spice and oil beautifully.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 96 Points -  #13 in Top 100 Wines of France, 2024 |  It’s hard to imagine a dessert wine that’s better balanced than this, because the acidity and richness seem to dance across your palate. It’s dense and complex, with myriad aromas of dried fruit, candied citrus, floral honey and fresh garden herbs, but the final impression is of incredible clarity and precision. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | Pouring a youthful yellow/golden hue, the 2023 Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont offers spicy notes of ginger, yellow flowers, poached golden apples, hay, and freshly rained-on asphalt. Medium-bodied, it excels and takes things to the next level with its texture, and its sweetness feels both luxurious and weightless. This exceptional offering has tremendous potential for aging and pairings. Drink over the coming 15 years or more.

Vinous Media 95 Points | The 2023 Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont is a ripe, round, serious, suit-wearing wine style that's upright and conservative. It’s sweet (74g/l) but never feels luscious, and yet there's a tropical character to the fruit that gives richness to this reserved style. The effect of the flint is clear in the 2023’s sense of freshness. It's textured, pure, balanced and harmonious.

Memo Summary Notes

Domaine Huet is the spiritual home of Chenin Blanc in Vouvray, and their "Le Mont" Moelleux 2023 is a masterclass in balance. While "Moelleux" denotes a sweet wine, Huet’s style is never syrupy; it relies on the electric acidity of the Chenin grape and the flinty "perron" soils of the Le Mont vineyard to create a wine that feels energetic and precise.

The 2023 vintage was a challenging but rewarding year. A rigorous selection process was required (rejecting 25% of the crop) to ensure only the cleanest, most concentrated fruit made it into the Moelleux bottlings.

Pair with 

he "Classic": Pan-seared foie gras with a quince reduction or a traditional Tarte Tatin.

Savory: Spicy Thai or Szechuan cuisine (the sugar tames the heat, while the acidity cleanses the palate).

Cheese: Matured Roquefort or a long-aged Comté.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Decanter 90 Points | Attractive and perfumed, with wild herb and spiced berry aromatics, vibrant palate of sour cherry, spice and a neat acidity. 

The Wine Enthusiast by Jesica Vargas writes 89 Points | The grapes are sourced from old vines in the Maule Valley. This País preserves its varietal typicity, offering intense strawberry aromas. The earthy palate is shaped by tart berries and hints of linden tea, alongside just enough acidity to make it a good match for Spanish tapas or Margherita pizza. 

Memo Summary Notes

The J. Bouchon "País Viejo" 2023 is a celebrated "rescue wine" from Chile’s Maule Valley. While the Rivera del Notro you looked at earlier is a raw, small-production natural wine, this "Viejo" (Old) bottling is arguably the wine that brought the País grape back into the global spotlight.

It is produced from 100-year-old bush vines that are dry-farmed (no irrigation), forcing the roots deep into granitic soils to find water and nutrients.

Pair with

The "Bouchon Pick": They specifically recommend this with fatty fish (like salmon or tuna) or simple pasta dishes. 

Rustic: Charcuterie, pork sausages (longaniza), or a classic margherita pizza.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Decanter 93 Points | The 2022 is a charming, elegant rendition of the vintage expressing raspberry and strawberry with snaps of coriander and allspice. Seamless in flow, the palate is underscored by sweet acid and framed by soft, silky tannins. Juicy and drinkable now but with enough grip for the next seven to eight years. A blend of the estate's parcels in the distinguished MGAs of Rabajà, Rabajà-bas and Faset, Castello di Verduno's classic Barbaresco ages in large Slavonian oak casks.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a gracious, classy wine that captures the essence of the house style. Crushed flowers, sweet, red-toned fruit, orange peel, spice and rose petals are some of the notes that grace this understated, sensual Barbaresco. Soft tannins add to a feeling of approachability. What a pretty and engaging wine this is.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Pouring a bright medium ruby hue, the 2022 Barbaresco opens to notes of ripe cranberries, cinnamon, orange peel, and fresh flowers. The palate retains very nice freshness in this hot, dry vintage, with refreshing acidity, ripe tannins, and a clean, medium-bodied feel with a graceful and fruity finish. It's a highly charming offering to drink over the coming 6-8 years.

Memo Summary Notes

Verduno is a small town and the histories of the wineries located there are intertwined.

The Castle of Verduno, constructed in the early 1500s, was under the jurisdiction of the House of Savoy for much of its history until the Burlotto family purchased it in 1909.

The winery's philosophy is to produce wines that speak of place in a classic way and are also sustainable and protect the land. As such, they practice organic farming and are meticulous both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Minimal SO2 and also vinifies with indigenous yeast. Their wines are firmly traditional in style though never rustic; in fact just the opposite, they retain a rare elegance and purity.

Pair with

• Traditional: Tajarin pasta with a butter and sage sauce or a rich meat ragù.

• Savory: Roast pork tenderloin, braised beef short ribs, or a wild mushroom risotto.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014

The Wine Spectator 95+ | The Château Suduiraut 2014 may well be one of the best Sauternes of the vintage. This year, it is a blend of 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc with a healthy 145 grams per liter residual sugar and 4.5 grams per liter total acidity. It needed some coaxing on the nose so I afforded the sample five minutes of rigorous swirling. It was worth the effort as it reveals intense clear honey and mineral scents that possess exquisite definition, one of those aromatics that stop you in your tracks. The palate is clean and fresh with vibrant acidity, great depth and power as it fans out in glorious fashion on the bravura finish. The phrase “It will knock your socks off” comes to mind, so wear a couple of pairs.

The Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | Intense and ripe, this is a superb wine from a top Sauternes estate. It has all the expected elements, including concentrated botrytis and honeyed flavors. Seville orange and lemon notes provide contrast, as does its acidity, which is just as intense as the honey character. It will age well, so drink from 2025.

Decanter 94 Points | Marmalade botrytis and smoke mix with ripe peach and honeyed pineapple. Complex and rich, with mouthcoating flavours of ripe peach, mango, honeycomb and tapioca. A rare unctuous quality for Suduiraut in 2014.

James Suckling 94 Points | Candied citrus and pineapple drizzled with acacia honey is how this smells and tastes, and the wine is rich and creamy with excellent concentration. Powerful and flavorful finish. Drink or hold. 

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | Despite a challenging year, half of the crop was lost due to an invasion of Drosophila suzukii, the 2014 Suduiraut is showing very well today, evoking aromas of pineapple, baked white fruits, ripe orchard fruits, lemon and spices. Moderately weighted, layered and round, it’s perfectly balanced with an elegant, fresh mid-palate that is long and ethereal on the finish. This blend of 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc.

Memo Summary Notes

The Chateau Suduiraut 2014 is a highly acclaimed Sauternes from a vintage often described as a "miracle" for the region. While many 2014 red Bordeaux are considered "good but not great," the late-season botrytis (noble rot) in Sauternes was exceptional, producing wines with intense concentration balanced by high acidity.

Classic: Foie gras or blue cheeses (Roquefort or Stilton).

Main: Roast chicken with morels or a spicy Thai curry (the sweetness handles heat beautifully).

Seafood: Lobster or scallops with a citrus-butter sauce.

Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 750ml

The Sichel House is renowned for its high-quality wines, and the Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 is no exception. This wine is a remarkable embodiment of the rich heritage of the Margaux region. Crafted with carefully selected grapes, this vintage delivers a beautiful balance between strength and finesse. The year 2022 yielded exceptional fruit characteristics, allowing the winemakers to produce a wine that showcases both elegance and complexity. The result is a full-bodied red that delights the palate and invites exploration, making it a superb addition to any wine collection.

Expert Recognition - 2022 Vintage

James Suckling - 92 Points
"Plush plums, redcurrants, tobacco and some sweet spices. Fluid and evenly packed on the palate with medium body and juicy, firm tannins. Lightly peppery in the medium-length finish. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink now."

Grape Blend

Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
This classic Bordeaux blend showcases the best of Margaux's terroir and winemaking tradition.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Deep ruby red with deep violet tints indicating richness
Aroma: Expressive, ripe bouquet displaying all the finesse and elegance typical of the Margaux terroir. Complexity on the nose with overripe, jammy red fruit aromas, blackcurrant, plush plums, redcurrants, vanilla, spice, tobacco, and sweet spices. Swirling brings out more oaky, toasty notes denoting traditional ageing in oak barrels which blend harmoniously with the fruity aromas
Palate: Fluid and evenly packed with medium body. Concentrated and generous but not capricious, highly expressive. Rich flavors including chocolate, vanilla, and mild tobacco. Juicy, firm tannins of the highest quality. Well-integrated tannins. Lightly peppery
Finish: Long, lingering finish with medium-length. Lightly peppery character

Margaux Appellation Excellence

Situated 25km from Bordeaux, the Margaux appellation covers five municipalities and is the only one in the Médoc where you find the entire, rich and vast range of wines, from the first to the fifth Grand Cru Classé. Margaux wines are particularly supple and refined. They are characterized by very elegant, fruity aromas, making them the benchmark for generous, sophisticated wines with soft ripe tannins.

Vineyard Terroir

The vineyard area of Margaux is essentially based on the Garonne's layers, made up of gravel and pebbles from the quaternary period. This soil, well protected from the oceanic winds by the forest, benefits from the bracing winds from the Gironde estuary which tempers the climate. The soil's poorness, the gravel's permeability, and the slightly sloping hillsides that provide good drainage allow the vines to be deep rooted, providing the ideal conditions for top quality wines.

Traditional Winemaking

Harvest: When fully mature, the grapes are for the most part hand-picked
Vinification: Grapes are crushed and destemmed, then put into fermenters. The harvest is heated to around 22°C to allow a quick start to fermentation. Twice daily pumping over with aeration takes place to extract maximum color and tannin. After alcoholic fermentation, vats are maintained at around 30°C for 15 to 21 days
Aging: 6 to 8 months aging in French oak barrels with racking every 4 weeks. Traditional aging in oak barrels creates oaky, toasty notes that blend harmoniously with fruity aromas
Finishing: Wines are fined and filtered on earth before bottling

One of the Greatest Bordeaux Vintages

The product of one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages, the 2022 showcases exceptional fruit characteristics and winemaking expertise. The wine's structure is both robust and refined, making it ideal for aging while also being enjoyable now. This vintage offers a delightful experience that evolves over time, showcasing the winemaking expertise of Sichel House.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This exquisite wine pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, enhancing both the food and the wine experience:

• Hearty red meats - grilled lamb or beef
• Rich gourmet cheeses
• Mushroom risotto
• Savory pastas
• Roasted meats
• Elegant dinner parties

Serving Suggestions

For optimal enjoyment, serve the Maison Sichel Margaux 2022 slightly below room temperature, allowing its full bouquet to unfold. This wine promises to elevate any dining occasion and impress even the most discerning palates.

Sichel House Heritage

The Sichel House is renowned for producing high-quality wines that embody the rich heritage and tradition of Bordeaux winemaking. Each sip reveals layers of complexity and elegance, showcasing the finesse typical of the Margaux terroir. With its beautiful balance between strength and refinement, this wine represents the benchmark for generous, sophisticated Bordeaux wines with soft ripe tannins.

Expert Reviews 

The Tastting Panel 91 Points | Smooth with generous fruit and fine bubbles: fresh, juicy, and clean with a tangy style; a delightful wine and an amazing value. 

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | This sleek sparkler is expressive with its floral apple and toasty cinnamon aromas and crisp, layered flavors of lime and mineral.

Memo Summary Notes

The Gruet Brut Gold Label is a legendary value in the American sparkling wine world. While the winery is located in New Mexico, the Gruet family originally hailed from Champagne, France, and they use the strict Méthode Champenoise (secondary fermentation in the bottle) to produce this wine.

Pair with

• Casual: Salty appetizers like popcorn, potato chips, or fried calamari.

• Sophisticated: Oysters on the half shell or a classic Shrimp Cocktail.

• Main: Fried chicken (the acidity cuts right through the richness).

   

   

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast by Elaine Chukan Brown writes 92 Points | Generous and energetic, this Cabernet Sauvignon joins flavors of baked cherries and cranberries with a sprinkle of spice, vanilla and mocha cream, and almost-tobacco spices. Fine, persistent tannins carry through a long finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 growing season began with a mild spring that warmed into a temperate summer. The certified-organic grapes for this 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon matured smoothly and steadily, with a heat spike in early September that helped ripen the fruit to an ideal brix.

95 Points, Double Gold Medal
San Francisco Int'l Wine Competition, 2025
94 Points, Platinum Medal
Monterey Wine Competition, 2025
Gold Medal Pacific Rim Int'l Wine Competition, 2025

Following ZD’s signature style of producing big, ripe, fruit-forward wines, we sourced the grapes from small, organically certified vineyards, each with its own unique “terroir.” Each vineyard lot was fermented separately in small open-top fermenters and punched down three times a day, ensuring a gentle but effective extraction of color and tannins.

The individual lots were then aged in small American Oak cooperage for a year until final blending. The wine was returned to barrel and aged for an additional year before bottling.

This wine has a beautiful, deep ruby color with nuanced aromas blending cassis, anise, cola, black cherry pie, and subtle hints of baking spices complemented with cedar and vanilla. On the palate, red and dark fruits are forward and bright with fine, well-integrated tannins that gives it an unctuous mouthfeel. Lingering hints of blackberry, cocoa and toasty vanilla round out the long, lush finish. The balance of this wine leads to it drinking wonderfully now and it will continue to develop more complexity with age.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Mike DeSimone of The Wine Enthusiast writes 94 Points | Medium straw colored, this wine has a bouquet of carambola, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. A soft floral note joins white peach, jasmine, lemongrass and dried apricot flavors set into a full-textured wine with well-matched acidity. Notes of wildflowers and bright citrus fruit endure on the palate.

Winemaker Description 

Made of 100% Istrian Malvasia grape from four vineyards (Kastanjari, Vrh, Santa Lucia, Baredine) located on the west coast of Istria, in an area called Buje (in Croatian, Bujstina), just 50 miles away from Venice. They are 100 meters high on a little hill, a few miles away from the shore. Aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees. Look for alluring aromas of camomile, acacia, lime zest, quince, pear, apricot and ripe nectarine.
 

Expert Review

The Wine Spectator 94 Points | A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift.

Winemaker Description 

If time is marked by special moments, Kopke’s history is written in exceptional years.
Years that are worth keeping, so they can be relived and celebrated any time. When we retrieve years from Kopke’s history, we are creating more history: the age on the label of this Kopke Port wine is the average age of all the wines in the blend.

The wine should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature uctuations, and the bottle should remain in an upright position. Over time, it is natural that sediment will form at the bottom of a bottle of Port wine.

• Hand-picked at the optimum time, the grapes are then destemmed, crushed and converted into wine through a process of careful maceration to extract their colour, tannins and aromas, enhanced by constant churning during fermentation. This takes place in vats (lagares) at a controlled temperature (between 28-30°C) until the right degree of sweetness (baumé) is achieved. At this point, grape brandy is added to create the final fortified wine. A wine of high quality, made by blending wines of different harvests to achieve the array of sensory qualities that are typical of these aged tawny Port wines. These wines have each matured in oak casks for varied periods of time, with the average age of all the wines in the blend defining the age on the label. The resulting blend expresses the characteristics given by the ageing in wood.

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

James Suckling 93 Points | An enticing but well-balanced wine that combines a super-creamy texture with vivid tropical fruit, poached pears and baking spices. It's all barrel-fermented in about 30% oak and shows the characteristic toast, dough and light butter notes of an excellent chardonnay. Affordable for the quality. Drink now or hold.

Girasole Pinot Noir — Mendocino County, California 2023 | Certified Organic

Girasole Vineyards has been farming organically in Mendocino County since 1986 — long before organic viticulture became fashionable. Named for the sunflowers that grow throughout their estate, this family-owned winery is committed to sustainable, chemical-free farming in one of California’s most naturally beautiful wine regions. Mendocino’s cool coastal influence, diverse soils, and clean mountain air make it an ideal home for Pinot Noir, and Girasole has spent four decades learning to express that terroir with honesty and care. Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2023 vintage 91 points. 

The nose is inviting and expressive: strawberry, cherry, boysenberry, violets, and clove. On the palate, it is soft and fruit-forward, with ripe plum, black cherry, and plush tannins, with just a touch of new French oak lending texture and framing the bright red fruit at the wine’s core. The finish is dry, clean, and lingering — approachable, expressive, and genuinely satisfying.

Wine Enthusiast 91 (Tonya Pitts) — “Deep, rich, with aromas of boysenberry, Bing cherry, violets, and notes of toasty oak. Flavors of strawberry-cherry coulis, blood orange peel, dark chocolate shavings, interwoven with clove, and a dry finish.” (Vintage 2023).

• Producer: Girasole Vineyards, Mendocino County, California (organic farming since 1986)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Mendocino County AVA
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir — Certified Organic
• Aging: Touch of new French oak
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, cherry, boysenberry, violets, clove, ripe plum, black cherry, dry finish
• Best Paired With: Salmon, roast chicken, duck, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, soft cheeses

A 91-point certified organic Mendocino Pinot Noir at an honest price — Girasole is the benchmark for what California organic Pinot can be.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Adelsheim’s single vineyards were planted in the early 2000s on very steep slopes at 485 to 625 feet elevation. The bright red 2022 Pinot Noir Boulder Bluff Vineyard has a fruity and floral profile with notes of candied raspberries, pressed flowers, sweet herbs, and fresh soil. It takes on more tension on the palate, with finely coiled tannins, juicy, ripe fruit, mouthwatering, fresh acidity, and a long feel throughout the finish. It’s focused and has a good, compact, yet elegant feel. Drink 2025-2037.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Boulder Bluff is supple and inviting. Matured for 10 months in 33% new French oak, it opens with wafts of iodine and woodsmoke that give way to wild berry fruit and accents of rose petal and tangerine. Medium-bodied, it offers layer after layer of red fruit, citrus and spice. It’s structured by finely chalky tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, layered finish. 

Expert Review

2018 Jacques Capsouto Cuvee Marco, Grand Vin Rouge – Score: 90 Points |
This wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah. The nose on this wine starts ripe, it is riper than its younger 2019 brother, the Cuvee Samuel. The blend is different as well, and there is much more oak on the Marco. The nose on this wine is ripe, it feels like a Cali Rhone wine more than how the 19 Samuel felt, with black and blue fruit, sweet oak, soy sauce, ripe plum, floral notes, dark and brooding, with roasted animal, and loam. The mouth on this full-bodied wine is ripe, balanced, with good acidity, blackcurrant, blackberry, boysenberry, nice draping tannin, sweet oak, loam, and black tea. The finish on this wine is ripe, with dense black fruit, loam, mushroom, graphite, milk chocolate, and nice smoke. 

40% Grenache Noir 30% Mourvedre 30% Syrah)- Aged in 3-4 yr old barrels for 12 months-

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

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sliced lemons, white pepper, Asian pears and yellow apples. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a saline edge, giving flavors of passion fruit, cut grass and melon. Nicely balanced with a phenolic edge.

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

Decanter 90 Points | Strawberries and cream aromas with some peach and mint leaf. Crisp and inviting palate, with leafy complexity and a lovely strawberry and cherry delicacy on the finish.