Explore Critically Acclaimed

91

pts

Vivid red ruby in the glass, this wine opens with aromas of red fruit, cherry, blackberry and hints of earthiness, delicate toast and vanilla spice. The palate is rich, with refined silky tannins, medium acidity and flavors of cherry, red plums, raspberry and subtle notes of allspice on a long elegant finish. The winter rainfall was slightly below average, but we were able to compensate with early spring irrigation to fill soil profiles before budbreak. Warm spring temperatures aided vine growth and they were able to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful, which allowed for gradual ripening of the fruit. It was another remarkable growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, resulting in wines with beautiful color, concentrated flavors, great structure and naturally balanced acidity. The 2021 vintage was crafted using small-lot winemaking techniques to capture a true expression of each vineyard block. Only estate vineyard lots with consistent superior characteristics were selected to ensure exceptional quality of this blend. The grapes were harvested during cool mornings, brought to the winery, destemmed into open-top stainless-steel tanks, cold-soaked and fermented on the skins for 10 days. The wine was then pressed off, settled and racked into a selection of small 60-gallon French oak barrels where it was aged for 14 months. When the wine was ready to be blended, our winemaker selected only the finest barrels that exemplify the aromas and flavors of the Santa Lucia Highlands.

91

pts

Orin Swift Papillon 750ML 2021

It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals, but for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheer unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. The 2021 Papillon is sourced from Napa Valley growers we've worked with for decades-Stagecoach Vineyard, Indian Joe, Morisoli Vineyard and even a touch from the Monte Rosso Vineyard over on Moon Mountain, just to name a few. Our good friend and fellow winemaker, Greg Gorman, photographed the label. The 2021 Papillon fills the glass with an unmistakable dark crimson, a flash of neon purple and a ruby rim. Tears move glacially and the wine opens with aromatics of boysenberry jam, violets, chocolate covered blueberry and hints of Cara Cara rind, graphite and brioche. The entry and mid-palate are bright throughout with considerable weight-tones of cassis, blackberry and baking spices flourish. Enveloping texture, chalky, drying tannins and an enduring finish bows out the wine.

Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana IGT V21 750ML

91

pts

Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana IGT V21 750ML

The Argiano motto “NON CONFUNDITUR" can be found on the family crest in the entrance to our ancient cellars. It means "unique" and truly characterizes this rich, refined, elegant wine with soft tannins and a lovely nose of red berries and “Mediterranean scrub” or "Garrigue", which refers to a mix of vegetation in the ground near the vines that can add herbaceous, peppery or spicy tones to the wine.

90

pts

Hahn SLH Chardonnay V21 750ML

Lively aromas of lemon citrus, pineapple and orange blossom with hints of tropical fruit, caramelized honey and toasty vanilla. On the palate, this wine has an refined texture with a silky, smooth mouthfeel and medium acidity. Notes of Meyer lemon, golden apple and fresh cut pear, combined with delicate notes of toasty oak and creamy minerality, lead to an elegant long finish. The winter rainfall was slightly below average, but we were able to compensate with early spring irrigation to fill soil profiles before budbreak. Warm spring temperatures aided vine growth and they were able to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful, which allowed for gradual ripening of the fruit. It was another remarkable growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, resulting in wines with beautiful color, concentrated flavors, great structure and naturally balanced acidity. After being carefully picked and precisely sorted for quality, the fruit was destemmed, sent direct to press and fermented entirely in small French oak barrels. The wine was hand-stirred on its lees every three weeks for the 10 months it aged in barrel. When the wine was ready to be blended, our winemaker selected only the finest barrels that best express the aromas and flavors of the Santa Lucia Highlands

92

pts

Hahn Arroyo Seco Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 Hahn Appellation Series Arroyo Seco Chardonnay is light gold in appearance with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus peel and vanilla. On the palate, vibrant flavors of pineapple, stone fruit, citrus and notes of honeysuckle and butter, followed by a nuanced toasty spice on the finish. VINEYARDS Grapes for this wine are sourced from Ste. Nicolaus Vineyard & Mission Ranch– certified sustainable vineyards in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Located south of the Santa Lucia Highlands, both vineyards enjoy generous morning sun, with soils that are rocky and well-drained. These soils challenge the vines to yield grapes of depth, character and intensity. The AVA’s extended growing season allows fruit to ripen slowly and leads to well-balanced, flavorful wines. WINEMAKING Picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor, the Chardonnay grapes were destemmed and sent to small French oak barrels for fermentation, of which, 100% underwent a secondary malolactic fermentation to give the wine a soft and creamy texture. The wine aged on the lees in French oak barrels for 11 months

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon V19 750ML

94

pts

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon V19 750ML

The historic Monte Rosso Vineyard is one of California’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon plantings that dates back to 1880. Located in the Moon Mountain subregion of Sonoma Valley, it sits in the shadow of the Mayacama mountain range at 1,300 feet above sea level. This beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon is made from select lots from within this amazing vineyard. Deep ruby in color, this wine leads with aromas of red currants, warmed cherry cobbler, sandal wood, cardamon, and vanilla oak. The rich palate brings notes of black plum, cassis, cola nut and coco dusted truffle. The wine finishes luxuriously with a supple mouthfeel and round tannin structure.

90

pts

Orin Swift Palermo 750ML 2021

Poured as a dark garnet, the wine opens with primary aromas of ripe cassis and blackberry. Supporting hints of dark chocolate, toasted oak and cedar support the typical Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon nose. The entry is flooding with notes of dark fruits and a mid-palate bolstered with redcurrant, bay leaf and a reemergence of cassis. The wine closes with well-developed tannins and a striking minerality despite the supple and soft finish.

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay V21 750ML

93

pts

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 Jayson Chardonnay offers a captivating interplay of richness and finesse, with a soulful complexity revealing itself with each sip. The nose is greeted with aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle, lemon oil, and crushed Marcona almond. Notes of preserved Meyer lemon introduce the bright, finely detailed palate, the integrated oak profile lending a complementing mid-palate richness. Interwoven notes of butterscotch, marzipan, and grilled pineapple slowly emerge and sustain through a long, layered finish.

91

pts

Tornatore Etna Rosso DOC V19 750ML

Tornatore Etna Rosso is ruby red with faint purple color, a typical trait of the Nerello Mascalese variety, which is not known for rich color. The wine has notes of macerated strawberries and raspberries, morello cherries and black plum, which blend with subtle hints of herbs and earth. Surprisingly full in structure, fine tannins and bright acidity give the wine richness, complexity and persistence.

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Red V21 750ML

94

pts

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Red V21 750ML

The 2021 Jayson Red Wine is rich and fleshy, with our mountain-grown Merlot at its core. Expressive aromas of crushed black cherry, mushroom, and leather lead to a ripe, focused palate of black cherry and black currant laced with mocha and toasty spice. The mid-palate is mouth-filling and plush with caressing polished tannins that guide the interlaid flavors long through a pure, persistent finish. – Katie Vogt

Whitehaven Windward Sauvignon Blanc V22 750ML

91

pts

Whitehaven Windward Sauvignon Blanc V22 750ML

Our top expression of Sauvignon Blanc, Windward delivers wonderful aromatic intensity, a generous, layered taste profile and classic Marlborough style. Aromas of white peach, kiwi and lemongrass carry through to the silky palate, blending seamlessly with hints of passion fruit, citrus and crushed fresh green herbs. An attractive mineral backbone and suggestions of sea spray add appealing texture, finishing long and bright. This memorable, food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with creamy cheeses, green salads, fresh seafood or grilled chicken. VITICULTURE NOTES Grown in four exclusive vineyard sites across Marlborough, 55% from three sub-regions within the Wairau Valley (22% Renwick, 22% Spring Creek, 11% Lower Wairau) and 45% from two separate blocks of a single vineyard in Awatere Valley. The 2022 growing season was cool and long, offering optimal conditions for ripening while preserving excellent acidity. A wet winter gave soils ample water resources for the season ahead. Spring arrived with ideal conditions, giving us wonderful fruit set and healthy yields. Summer was dry and lengthy, allowing fruit to hang on the vines while ripening slowly. Grapes were harvested later than usual, delivering fruit with flavor maturity and concentration while retaining pure fruit expression. WINEMAKING NOTES Windward Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of our five best lots of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2022 vintage. Both in the vineyards and in our cellar, these standout blocks stood out above the rest for their aromatic intensity, layered flavor development and incredible structure. Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested in cool conditions, then pressed immediately with minimal skin contact. After cold settling, the clear juice was fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks at very low temperatures with selected yeast strains to preserve inherent varietal characteristics and classic Marlborough flavors. These lots sat on light yeast lees in tank for up to six weeks prior to blending

91

pts

Alamos Malbec V21 750ML

Our 2021 Malbec is a big, full-bodied wine made from Argentina's most famous red grape. Showing dark purple in the glass, this wine radiates aromas of blackberry and semi-sweet chocolate. The palate brims with layers of blackcurrant and red raspberry underscored with hints of white pepper. The mouthfeel is silky, leading to a long finish with touches of pomegranate and vanilla bean. About The Region Some of the most renowned winegrowing regions of Argentina are in Mendoza, a province in the western Cuyo region. Tucked under the massive shoulders of the Andes Mountains, the vines thrive in desert conditions quenched by mineral-rich snowmelt. Altitudes from 3,000 to 5,000 feet surround the vines in cool temperatures, crisp mountain air and sunlight that helps produce the bold flavor characteristics found in Mendoza-grown Malbec. Viticulture Notes The 2021 harvest in Mendoza began with unseasonal frost in early October. This caused a slight reduction in crop size but was mitigated when warm weather kicked in and the regular diurnal temperature shifts came into play. Overall, the grapes were allowed to fully ripen on the vine, resulting in outstanding quality. Winemaking Notes The grapes for our Malbec were hand harvested, de-stemmed and crushed. The must was cold soaked for 72 hours prior to fermentation, which occurred over seven days in both upright and conical tanks at a maximum temperature of 85°F. For optimal extraction of color and flavor, we used pump-overs and the skins were left in contact with the juice for up to 20 days. This wine was aged on a combination of French and American oak before bottling.

92

pts

Pieropan Soave Classico V22 750ML

Our liveliest and most youthful style from Soave Classico, the Pieropan family has been producing this wine since the early 1900’s. Generous, pleasingly fresh and versatile, it is made from the traditional varieties of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grown in family-owned vineyards situated in the Soave Classico region. The 2022 vintage was characterized by a winter without significant rainfall, both snowy and rainy, and mild temperatures that led to an early but always dry spring. The temperatures of the first spring months were above average and this situation of scarcity, almost no rainfall and high temperatures lasted until the month of August. In the summer months we then witnessed prolonged waves of extreme heat which exacerbated the evo-transpiration rates of the plant. This has led to a situation of water stress, mainly in hilly areas, where both the scarcity of substrate and the drainage capacity of the soil have made irrigation vital. The budding was slow due to the shortage of water in the spring, partial in some cases. The setting was poor, with sparse bunches, which accentuates a lack of product and weight. This is more marked in early varieties such as Trebbiano, which was affected by the vintage. The Garganega, thanks to the rains of August and September, only partially recovered as the rains were not such as to make up for the water deficit. The plants finish the final stages of grape ripening in water suffering In our Valpolicella, on the other hand, the situation is a bit different, undoubtedly due to a more favorable climatic condition. The grapes are ripe, with low yields but in any case the position of the vineyard and its altitude have meant that the product is optimal from the point of view of the ripening parameters. We report an optimal state from a phytosanitary point of view of the grapes. As far as the finished product is concerned, it is still premature to say anything, it will certainly be slightly scarcer in terms of quantity.

94

pts

J Brut Rosé 750ML

J Brut Rosé opens with layered characteristics of ripe raspberries, rose petals and a savory note of slivered almonds. The palate is elegant and flavorful, with notes of fresh mandarin orange, roasted strawberries and crème fraîche. Lively acidity and steely minerality frame a crisp, lingering finish. Pair this elegant sparkling rosé with traditional Spanish seafood paella, salmon tartare or camembert with candied kumquats and lavender almonds.

Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay V22 750ML

To craft our Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay, we looked to the premiere, cool climate vineyards of the Russian River Valley, known for elegant Chardonnay of exceptional character. This wine is bright and juicy with refreshing notes of ripe pear and citrus, leading to a luscious and creamy finish with hints of oak and spice.

94

pts

Orin Swift Mercury Head 750ML 2021

When we decided not to make Mercury Head in 2020, the anticipation for the next release was palpable. In the cellar, we were giddy, ready to assemble a blend worthy of the famed dimes. The 2021 vintage was fortuitous in both yield and quality, giving us a lot of components to make trial blends with. We’re very excited to bring back Mercury Head as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from both the Stagecoach and Warnock Vineyards on Atlas Peak, the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Taplin Vineyard in St. Helena. WINEMAKER’S NOTES An almost-black, opaque garnet core sit s in the glass with slow-moving tears falling down the sides. Immediate aromatic notes of ripe cassis, charred ribeye, sandalwood and freshly cut oak pilfer—breathe deeper for more. The first sip is a complex, layered conundrum of blackberry, black plum, fennel, licorice and dark chocolate. More sips peel back the layers to reveal a rich and balanced wine with a deep cassis core. A sweet linger on the finish closes the wine with softly textured chalky tannins.

Ratti Ochetti Langhe Nebbiolo DOC V22 750ML

Fine, delicate and persistent fragrance with trace scents that bring to mind forest strawberries and raspberries. Pleasantly bitter taste, velvety, at once light and full. A juicy and aromatic Nebbiolo from a single vineyard in Roero. The fruit has been purchased from the same handshake contracted grower for 50 years. 100% Nebbiolo from sandy soils. 300m asl. 30 year old vines. Aged for less than a year in neutral Slavonian oak. A wine well suited to red meats on the spit and grilled, game, truffled fondue, agnolotti, Italian gourmet dishes of white and red meats, also with spiced sauces.

Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC V22 750ML

92

pts

Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC V22 750ML

Pinot Grigio is a grape particularly at home in northeast Italy. Aromatic, layered and bright, this 100% Pinot Grigio opens with a tropical flourish on the nose and a striking straw yellow color. Full, smooth and very well balanced, notes of green apple, juicy Bartlett pear and fresh-cut citrus fill the palate, with a crisp mineral edge and hints of honey and melon on the long finish.

92

pts

Fleur de Mer Rosé V22 750ML

Invitingly flavorful and refreshingly crisp, 2022 Fleur de Mer Rosé captures the serene artistry of Provence’s idyllic, sun-washed coastal shores and fragrant, floral hillsides. This versatile, food-friendly Rosé opens with generously aromatic notes of white peach, strawberry and melon. In classic Provençal style, notes of raspberry, cherry and apple layer on the bright palate with nectarine, citrus and a subtle touch of honeysuckle. Hints of sea spray and minerality add balance and attractive texture before a delightfully crisp finish. Enjoy Fleur de Mer on its own or alongside creamy goat cheeses, green salads, sushi or fresh seafood dishes, citrus or herb-roasted chicken or a charcuterie board. Viticulture Notes The world’s best-known region for Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence enjoys a refreshing Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool, brisk nights. Here, vine roots plunge deep below the dry clay soils and limestone gravel, called gravoches, to reach water. Vintage 2022 was outstanding, delivering concentrated, high-quality fruit. An ideal dry spring resulted in a wonderful fruit set, followed by a warm, dry growing season. Careful canopy management allowed clusters to develop bright, expressive flavors, intense aromatics and the crisp structure of Provençal Rosé. Winemaking Notes The grapes selected for our 2022 Fleur de Mer Rosé were harvested at ideal maturity, ensuring layered flavors and delicate structure. Grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours to preserve aromas and acidity, then crushed, immediately pressed and cold settled to maintain the bright, concentrated fruit characteristics and attractive pale-coral hue. Lots were fermented in cool, temperature-controlled tanks. Winemaker Florian Lacroux selected Cinsault, Grenache and Carignan to form the core of the blend, supported by other extraordinary Provençal grapes in a beautifully harmonious, layered Rosé wine.

William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon V19 750ML

91

pts

William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon V19 750ML

Our rich, full bodied 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a savory and darkly fruited expression of our William Hill Estate vineyard. The wine opens with bold notes of wild blackberry bush, plum, mission fig and black cherry reduction, mingling with earthy hints of leather, aniseed, cracked pepper, cinnamon, and clove. The texture of the wine is supported by fine tannins and balanced acidity that help frame the dense, velvety-smooth finish. Enjoy this wine in its youth after an hour of decanting or save in your cellar to age beautifully for 8-10 years.

Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir V23 750ML

The 2022 Kali Hart Pinot Noir is a most fruit-forward expression of California's Central Coast. Notes of crushed blackberry and cherry meld with warm notes of caramelized vanilla and clove. The mouthfeel is silky with hints of wild strawberry and a touch of dried lavender. This wine finishes smooth with a touch of minerality.

Sign in with your social media Account

Sign in with your social media Account

Critically Acclaimed