2018 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Sevens Bench Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
True to its Carneros roots, the 2021 Sevens Bench Chardonnay carries the hallmark of the region – fruit intensity balanced by good acidity. The aromas are driven by classic lemon drop, Meyer lemon, and lemongrass. That fruit style follows in the flavors, with the citrus focus carrying through with candied lemon drop balanced by the mineral and flint characteristics inherent to the region and the clonal selections. Barrel fermentation notes in the background add even more complexity to this elegant wine.
Review:
"A more opulent style with a richer golden hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Sevens Bench Vineyard takes on more tropical ripe fruits in its notes of golden pineapple, baking spice, and orange zest. Full-bodied, with a rich yet clean, viscous texture, ripe peach, honeysuckle, and citrus oil, it's long on the palate and has nice balance. Drink it now or over the next 6-8 years. —Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com, July 2023 94 Points
Hartford Court Three Jacks Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The Three Jacks Vineyard Chardonnay exhibits aromas of lemon curd, orange marmalade, and brioche, with juicy flavors of pear, candied citrus peel, chamomile, and a rich, mineral-driven texture. The wine is full-bodied, weighty, and rich yet remarkably agile on its feet because of firm underlying acidity.
The 2019 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard, from vines planted in 1995, was barrel fermented and matured in 31% new French oak for 14 months. It's one of the best iterations I've tasted, combining expansive flavor and texture with precise, laser-like acidity. It offers delicate, pure scents of apricot, dried tarragon, white pepper and citrus blossoms with a stony undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate has dynamic energy from its oily texture and shimmery acidity, and it finishes with tense, mineral-driven flavors. It has much more to give as it unfurls in bottle and will be long lived in the cellar.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95 Points
Single vineyard Pinot Noir with a dark red brick color. Lots of ripe raspberries, wild strawberries, forest floor, cedar and a salty whiff of pine on the nose. The palate adds both herbal and peppery components as well as roasted coffee notes with a bit of caraway seed. Recommended to serve it slightly chilled in a round glass.
Braised beef with dumplings, lamb crown and brussels sprouts, roasted veal liver with pumpkin squash or tagliatelle with blue cheese.
Review:
"Deep crimson red with a purple hue, a subtle brightening on the rim. Candied violets, a hint of cassis, raspberries, black cherries, subtle notes of vanilla, a floral touch. Juicy, elegant, red cherries, a fresh acidity, a mineral-salty finish, red berry notes in the aftertaste, fresh and mineral, already drinking well, wonderful length, with ageing potential. - Peter MOSER"
- Falstaff (June 24th 2024), 95 pts
Pinot Noir is clearly the dedication of the Hartl Winery.
Strong garnet red, tending a little more towards brick-colored at the edge. On the nose, a complex abundance of herbs and dark berries, raspberry jam, thyme blossoms, dill, sage, violets and marzipan. Juicy on the palate, aromas of ripe raspberries, blueberries, rosehip tea and Mediterranean herbs, as well as hints of Assam tea. The elegant acidity gives a firm framework for the powerful body and highlights the fine-grained tannins. In addition to its classic ripe, typical Pinot fruit, the wine shows subtle notes of toast and smoked bacon in the long finish.
Pair with veal roast, leg of lamb with thyme and lemon, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, wild fowl like pheasant wrapped in bacon or duck with orange zest, prunes, roasted pumpkin and root vegetables.
Review:
"Deep crimson red with a purple hue, brightening on the rim. Ripe red fruit, floral nuances, a hint of cranberries, raspberry pulp and candied mandarin zest. Juicy, good complexity, red berry fruit, an attractive sweetness, well-integrated tannins, lingers, delicate notes of nougat in the aftertaste, full-bodied, versatile. - Peter MOSER"
- Falstaff (June 24th 2024), 93 pts
The everyday Pinot Noir, juicy, ripe cherry and berry fruits. Fine tannins and refreshing accidty, supported by dark cherries, raspberries, black pepper, and dark cocolate add drinking fun. A pleasant companion all day long.
Pair with handmade Pasta with game, boar or hare tomato sauce. Lasagna, Parmigana, or a veggie pie. Also delcious with a grilled rack of lamb.
The everyday Pinot Noir, juicy, ripe cherry and berry fruits. Fine tannins and refreshing accidty, supported by dark cherries, raspberries, black pepper, and dark cocolate add drinking fun. A pleasant companion all day long.
Pair with handmade Pasta with game, boar or hare tomato sauce. Lasagna, Parmigana, or a veggie pie. Also delcious with a grilled rack of lamb.
Review:
"Strong carmine garnet, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Fine herbal savouriness, red forest berries, preserved cherry, with orange zest in the background. Medium body, red berry texture, fine tannins, mineral and accessible, an uncomplicated companion at the table. - Peter MOSER"
- Falstaff (June 30th 2025), 92 pts
Familia Zuccardi 'Finca Piedra Infinita' Supercal is made from
Appellation: Finca Piedra Infinita, IG Paraje Altamira,Valle de Uco, Mendoze
Vinification: Manually selected grapes, filling of tanks by gravity. Fermentation with native yeasts in concrete vessels without epoxy. Aging in concrete vessels. The 2020 was a very particular vintage, characterized by limited yields and a high speed of maturity, which made it one of the fastest and most challenging on record.
In the search for the purest expression of the identity of Finca Piedra Infinita vineyard, we reached this small plot of 0.73 hectares. Located on its north-east side, it shows the typical facet of Paraje Altamira soil, with large gravels and granite stones covered with calcareous material at a depth of 50 cm.
Altitude: 3,609 feet above sea level
Soil Type: Short alluvial soil covered with calcareous materials
Alcohol: 14% Total Acidity: 5.6g/l
TASTING NOTES:
Color: Bright ruby color
Aroma: Dark berries, black olive tapenade, and iron
Flavor: Rich on the palate, with firm tanins
Review:
A very young, beautiful malbec that is still a bit reductive now. Fresh herbs, white pepper, violets, iron and some ripe black cherries to the nose. Full-bodied on the palate with plenty of powerful, fine tannins. Mineral and super fine-grained. Needs time. Better after 2026.
-James Suckling 98 Points
Camus Graves Blanc is made from 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.
A beautiful, brilliant color, this wine offers a great aromatic balance with complex and mineral notes, Offering white fruit (peach and pear), citrus (grapefruit and lemon), and a toasty finish with a delicate oak presence. The mouthfeel is rich and complex with a great minerality, freshness, structure, and a good length to the finish.
Pairs with poultry, fish, and shellfish.