Morande Black Series Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Malleco represents the exploration of one of the most extreme valleys in Chile for wine production. A new wine frontier, an ideal terroir to produce high-end Chardonnay in Chile, with a different style from other outstanding origins such as Limarí –which offers wines with marked minerality– or Aconcagua Costa –which delivers sharp acidity and great power. The Traiguen area in the Malleco valley produces wines of great tension and fruity austerity, as well as complexity, balance and finesse. A very typical style of Chardonnay marked by elegance, verticality on the palate and subtlety on the nose and mouth.
The wine offers a bright pale yellow color, intense and elegant aromas of citrus fruits and green apples as well as hints of nuts, such as hazelnuts and roasted chestnuts. A tense and fresh acidity on the palate, and a vertical structure in the mouth. Very fine and complex, its long persistence highlights the austere character of its fruit and a delicate minerality.
Shellfish and fish of intense flavor, such as smoked salmon, swordfish, giant perch, and white meats, poultry.
Review:
"Fresh and pure on the nose with green fruits and lots of star fruit, a hint of flint and a slight creamy edge. Subtle and bright with a tense mid-palate that creates a creamy but fresh mouthfeel. Medium- to full-bodied and long. Drink now."
- James Suckling (February 2023), 94 pts
Mordoree Cotes du Rhone Dame Rousse Rose is made from 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 5% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Color : rosé, slightly orange (mordorée colour).
Aromas : crystallized oranges and cherries, slightly aniseed.
Palate : very rounded, fresh and long finish.
Ageing potential : 2 to 3 years
Surface : 14 Ha. Yield : 45 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 20 years Terroir : clay / chalk,clay / limestone and sandy with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand. Vinification : vat bleeding, temperature control. Estate bottled.
Food pairing: cold meats and delicatessen, fowl, white meats, grilled lamb with Provence herbs, fish soup, fried fish, pastas, pizzas and all Asian dishes.
Review:
This estate makes brilliant rosé, and the 2021 Côtes Du Rhône Rosé might be the best I've tasted from the vintage. Ripe raspberries, white flowers, and beautiful minerality define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a fresh, elegant, almost crystalline-like texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. Seemingly in between a Provencal rosé and a Tavel, it's going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table. Don't miss it.
-Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
Mordoree Cotes du Rhone Dame Rousse Rose is made from 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 5% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Color : rosé, slightly orange (mordorée colour).
Aromas : crystallized oranges and cherries, slightly aniseed.
Palate : very rounded, fresh and long finish.
Ageing potential : 2 to 3 years
Surface : 14 Ha. Yield : 45 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 20 years Terroir : clay / chalk,clay / limestone and sandy with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand. Vinification : vat bleeding, temperature control. Estate bottled.
Food pairing: cold meats and delicatessen, fowl, white meats, grilled lamb with Provence herbs, fish soup, fried fish, pastas, pizzas and all Asian dishes.
Review:
"This rosé appears so pretty in the glass with its watermelon hue and presents a refreshing summery nose. Find notes of watermelon slices and yellow peaches sprinkled with sea salt. Think of pairings similar to prosciutto-wrapped melon. This is a solid rosé to enjoy all summer long."
- Wine Enthusiast (May 2023), 91 pts
Color: Deep Red
Nose : Red fruits (raspberry, black-current) and flowers (violet).
Palate : Full, rich and ample, long finish, nice concentration.
Aging potential : 7 to 9 years
Surface : 22 Ha. Yield : 40 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 40 years Terroir : Clay / chalk, clay / limestone and sandy with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand Vinification : 100% destemmed , long 30 days maceration with a maximum of 34°C temperature
Pairs well with red meats, grilled meats, game and cheeses.
Review:
"Aromas of spiced cherries, forest berries and sweet spices. Medium body with fine tannins. Layered and textured with a velvety mid-palate. Balanced and harmonious with a focused finish and excellent length. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (May 2023), 93 pts
Pago de Carraovejas Cuesta Liebres is made from 100% Tinto Fino. The plot is located on a terraced hillside located at 900 m above sea level with slopes that range between inclines of 30% and 40%. Red cherry color with purple hues. Ripe fruit aromas, vanilla notes. Suave and unctuous in the mouth. A strong and noble character.
The harvest is carried out by hand using small crates and after passing through a refrigerated container it is transferred into tanks via gravity. The alcoholic and malolatic fermentation is carried out in small French “Haute Futaie” Oak casks with unique and original local yeasts and fermenting bacteria from the vineyard itself, to bring out the very best of the terroir, respecting the uniqueness of each and every vintage. Clarified with egg whites and bottled by gravity with natural cork stoppers.
Pago de Carraovejas Cuesta de las Liebres 2019 is a red wine that masterfully blends finesse with a robust flavor profile. Upon olfaction, it unveils a complex array of nuances, with blueberries and blackberries taking center stage, complemented by undertones of sweet spices and hints of graphite and chocolate. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied. This red wine boasts silky tannins, an extensive and enduring finish, and the exquisite signature of an outstanding vintage.
Pago de Carraovejas Ribera Del Duero is made from 90% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot
The Pago de Carraovejas Ribera del Duero vintage marks a turning point in the history of the winery. From now on, the Crianza and Reserva are unified in this wine that focuses on the terroir and character rather than the time of aging. Its renewed label reflects the three key elements of this red: origin, soul and emotion.
Pago de Carraovejas Ribera Del Duero is made with grapes grown in the Botijas River valley, and planted between 1988 and 2011. Our work over the last 30 years has been geared to handcrafted viniculture, that puts as much care as possible into the microclimate conditions and the details. We have placed particular attention on the maintenance of the soil by plant cover that already grows spontaneously. It allows us to develop the ecosystem of the valley, which we respect scrupulously, using organic fertilizer and sulfur as the sole basis of our viticulture.
Depending on which plot they come from and the time they enter the winery, the grapes may be deposited in cold chambers to prevent oxidation and preserve the aroma. We carry out a two-part selection: first on the vine, where we choose the bunches, and then on a belt in the winery, where we remove the grapes that do meet the necessary conditions. The grapes enter the winery and are transported with the assistance of gravity. The deposits are filled slowly and gently. Depending on the characteristics that we detected when tasting the grapes, we ferment them either in stainless steel deposits or French oak barrels. For years we have worked with our own yeast that has been isolated from the vines by our team. This work is also partly responsible for the Carraovejas character.
The wine was aged in barrels for around twelve months.
Review:
This is among the most serious producers in Ribera del Duero, with sizeable production but utterly meticulous attention to detail. The 2020 release is a blend of 92% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot. It reveals its Spanish origins with a heady bouquet of spicy, toasty oak, and yet the fruit is much more restrained and mineral, which is consistent with the track record of this wine, which turns stylistically ever more toward fine Bordeaux as it ages. Although it is very enjoyable already, this will become much more complex for those who can cellar it for at least 5 years, with 10 being even more advisable. Better two days after opening, which is telling.
-Tasting Panel 95 Points
The Special Club concept started in 1971. A dozen wine growers from some old families of Champagne had an idea to familiarize people with the originality of the “Champagne de Vigneron” (Champagne of wine grower), thanks to prestigious vintages.
In the beginning, they created an association called the “Club des Viticulteurs Champenois” and chose a bottle with a special shape, created exclusively for them & used only by then. In 1988, they changed the bottle and the label. In 1999, the Club changed its name to “Club Trésor of Champagne.”
The Club Trésors comprises 28 artisan wine makers, selected from the finest areas of the Champagne region, each one recognized for the quality of their work. The Club Trésors is the only organization in Champagne to select its members according to a set of unrelenting quality standards:
Roland Champion's Special Club selection has rich and structured aromas. Very pleasant and generous roundness, nice length in mouth. Golden color with buttery and fruity aromas. All the expression of a magnificent terroir for your most pleasurable moments.
Terre dei Buth Frizzante Rose Special Cuvee NV is made from 90% Glera and 10% Raboso.
Fresh, fruity with hints of gooseberry and redcurrant.
On top of being "Certified Organic", this is also "Vegan Approved".
Glera and Raboso are blended before foaming process into what we call "Special Cuvée", for its outstanding drinkability and delicate scents. Glera, which is the variety used to make Prosecco, brings the liveliness of the most famous Italian sparkling wine to this cuvée, which reaches perfection thanks to Raboso, which is an indigenous red grape of the Venetian region, well-known for its hints of red berries and smooth taste.
The grapes are coming from vines planted on gravelly soils.
Average age of the vines is about 10 years old.
Grapes are machine-harvested, so that the grapes are pressed about 10 minutes after picking,allowing to preserve the freshness of the fruit, and avoiding micro-fermentation that would take place by leaving the grapes for too much time in the vineyard after picking.
Each grape variety is harvested and vinified individually.
After picking, grapes are soft-pressed, and the primary fermentation is completed in about 10 days. Then fermentation takes place for 5-6 months, where the cuvée reaches the appropriate level of acidity for foaming, which is performed in stainless steel tanks, thermo-conditioned, for about 20-25 days.
Pasta, pizza and summer salads.
Review:
medium-length finish displaying accents of peach gummi bear, edible flowers, dole fruit cup juice, and gooseberry. A more serious take on Glera with the body and richness to pair with diverse cuisines."
- Beverage Testing Institute (November 2022), 90 pts - Gold Medal - Best Buy
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Antica Vigna Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva is made from 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, 5% Merlot.
Amarone DOCG has maintained unchanged its typicality, so that “the essence of the territory” of Valle di Mezzane and Cazzano di Tramigna powerfully emerges. Rich in color, firmly structured but with fresh notes.
WINEMAKING AND AGING:
Manual harvest early October with selection of the best bunches.
Drying: natural drying in fruit cellar for 3/4 months with a sharp drop in weight of around 30%.
Vinification: soft crushing of destemmed grapes in the months of January and February.
Fermentation: at a controlled temperature of 18/21°C. Fermentation time: about 30 days
Aging:· 80% in oak barrels for 30 months of which 2/3 in American and French barriques, half of which are used for the second and third time, 1/3 in large
THE TERRITORY:
Geographical location: Tenuta di Mezzane, Tenuta di Cazzano di Tramigna
Height: 350/400 meters asl
Exposure: south
Soil type: limestone
Vineyard training system: guyot and pergola
Vine planting year: from 1972 to 2009
Vine density: 4,000 to 5,400 vines per hectare Vineyard management: sustainable agriculture and great attention to natural
cycles
Pairs well with grilled and roasted meats, as well as cheese.
Timeless Notes:
Dark cherry in color, firm on the palate with a vibrant acidity underbelly. Thought lush on the palate the flavors are complex and elegant from entry to mid-palate with hints of currant and wild berries. The finish brings in a touch of tobacco and leather notes ,classic examples of this region, with more ripe fruit flavors that linger on long strain tannin finish. Complex with depth and elegance on the palate. This one is drinking now, but can handle more time in the cellar with ease. An excellent value in the Riserva category.
Appasionata Andante Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Arzuaga Ladera del Norte Ribera del Duero is made from 100% Tempranillo.
The grapes come from organic crops and are harvested from the "Valdesardon" farm, owned by the Arzuaga Navarro family, which is the westernmost vineyard of the Ribera del Duero DO, located at an altitude of 800 meters in the village of Olivares de Duero. Clay-limestone soil on a hillside that will mark the characteristics of the wine.
The wine is of medium high intensity in color, a clear and bright cherry with purple flashes. An array of red fruits such as raspberry and cherry predominates with a high aromatic intensity, combining with balsamic tones, coffee and roasted notes coming from the aging in oak barrels without being overwhelming. This is a fresh and elegant wine, with an easy and balanced entry into the mouth followed by juicy and chewy sensations. Slightly sweet and toasted notes, and a pleasant and balanced aftertaste that is reminiscent of the fruity aromas on the nose.
Ideal companion for red meat, white meat, game and game, roasted or in sauce. Blue fish and soft cheeses.
Review:
"Intense cherry color. Aromas of dried herbs, creamy oak, black fruits and lactic notes. In the mouth, ripe fruits, spices, fine tannins, full-bodied."
- Penin 2022, 92 pts
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot Toscana IGT is made from Merlot.
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot has an explosive olfactory impact. The wide aromatic bouquet ranges from cherry and plum jam to notes of black tea, rhubarb and graphite, with small final notes of fermented tobacco. The entrance is bursting. The palate is invested by the imposing and typical structure of Tuscan Merlot, enveloping and warm. Tastefully in symbiosis with the olfactory notes, the dense and linear tannin accompanies hints of coconut and black pepper in retrolfaction.
Review:
James Suckling 94 Points
Belle Glos' first wine under the newly minted West Sonoma Coast AVA and a cellared release, this majestic vineyard brings plum with a slight burnt edge in the glass and boasts aromas of freshly tilled land, a rich oak forest in Autumn, and Crème de Cassis. Once on the palate, the acidity sparks a fire of smoked caramel and cinnamon spiked cranberry sauce. The silky-smooth texture gives way to a long and balanced finish that leaves your senses wanting more.
Review:
Located in the westernmost section of Sonoma County, this rugged, elevated, marine-influenced sub-AVA is the newest in the region. This almost nine-year-old wine immediately delivers a memorable experience through its perfume of jasmine, gardenia, and tangelo; on the palate, notes of brown-sugared cherry join a parade of orange peel and crushed stone. Grainy yet juicy strawberry weaves into vanilla and cedar as white pepper keeps the palate primed for more flavor.
-Tasting Panel 97 Points
Castello di Bossi Gran Selezione is made from 100% Sangiovese.
Gran Selezione is the newest quality designation to have been added to the DOCG classification system in Chianti Classico. Gran Selezione takes quality controls a step further than Riserva-- which previously occupied the top tier-- by banning the use of any purchased, or non-estate-grown fruit, in the inclusion of a wine labeled Gran Selezione. This coupled with longer aging requirements (30 months minimum) and minimum levels of alcohol set to 13% designates a band of wines from Chianti Classico producers representative of the appellation's highest quality potential with often limited availability.
Review:
There’s purity to the cherry, strawberry, rose, mineral and herb aromas and flavors in this solidly built red, which shows excellent balance and length. The muscular finish begs for more time for the beautiful fruit to assimilate. Best from 2025 through 2042.
-Wine Spectator 96 Points
Cave Carod Clairette de Die is made from 75% Muscat Petits Grains and 25% Clairette. Clairette de Die is produced with the ancestral dioise method.
The grapes are rapidly pressed after the harvest and then placed in vats at low temperatures (replicating the process used by the Voconces in ancient times who kept the jars in the icy waters of their local rivers). The half-fermented must is bottled and fermentation continues in the bottle, giving a naturally sparkling wine. Disgorging occurs at least six months after bottling, while the wine still contains sugar and has reached an alcohol content of 7 to 9 %.
This is a sparkling wine with very fine bubbles, light in alcohol (8°), and containing residual sugar (incomplete fermentation). Clairette de Die has been known since ancient times (dates back to 77 A.D.). Clairette brings delicacy and lightness to the wine whereas Muscat gives its typical sweet flavor. The wine displays intense aromas, a refreshing balance of fruit and acidity with peach, orange and white flowers flavors.
This is an ideal wine for all desserts and ice creams, and is very interesting with foie gras. It is especially suitable for daytime meetings and cocktail parties. A great breakfast wine!
Wine to be consumed young, to conserve the full fruity and floral flavors. To be stored flat in a cool room away from light.
GOLD MEDAL - Effervescents du Monde 2010
GOLD MEDAL - Concours General Agricole de Paris 2012
SILVER MEDAL - Concours General Agricole de Paris 2011
Corne Loup Lirac Rouge Cuvee du Gouverneur is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah.
The name of the Cuvee comes from Geraldine's ancestor (7th generation), who was mayor of Tavel in the 1800's and was nicknamed the "governor" (Le Gouverneur in French).
This is a very small cuvée, all aged in oak barrels that makes a sexy, international style of Lirac, with tons of spice and fruit.
Wine produced from grapes coming from the best vineyards from Sierra de Montilla and Moriles Alto (top quality area)
Aged in American Oak for 8 years
Color: Amber color with some topaz reflections.
An intense and elegant expression from the oxidative ageing process, with some dry fruits characters. The aromas are reminiscent of its ancestor - Fino. Velvety, warm, round and well-structured on the palate with almond flavors. A well-balanced wine.
Wonderful as an aperitif and to accompany soups and consommés. Extremely good where its distinctive taste adds unique character to a wide range of dishes. Try also with marinated meats and selfish as aperitif.
Échezeaux is loyal to its appellation through the finesse of its attack on the palate and its overall balance. But it's also a wine with pronounced acidity, which gives it freshness and structure and bestows upon it a sometimes austere finish.
Maison Roy Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir combines fruit from Roy's Dundee and Yamhill-Carlton estates. Gentle and suave, this Pinot offers inviting red fruit, baking spice, and a touch of purple floral tone. On the palate, a soft tannic structure makes this wine friendly and accessible in its youth and will keep drinking very well for the next 5-7years.
Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvee Nicolas is made from 100 percent Syrah.
Deep ruby red color. Nose of red and black currant fruits, pepper, spring flowers, new leather and mineral/earthy nuances. Medium bodied palate of red fruit and spice. Nice balance. Long finish and velvety.
Review:
"Boasting even more striking aromas of blueberries, violets and peppery spice than the La Rochette bottling, the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage La Cuvee Nicolas is almost Côte-Rôtie-like. Medium to full-bodied without seeming at all heavy, ripe without being overdone, silky and fine from start to finish, it's a real beauty and a testament to the potential of the commune of Gervans - a small granitic outpost within the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (May 13th 2021), 93 pts
My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 2% Petit Sirah, 1% Syrah
A homage to Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery became an obsession. Sourced from exceptional vineyard sites around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and south to Edna Valley, this wine is cultivated meticulously by the farmers who have become My Favorite Neighbors. With their dedication to the land, we are able to craft a world class wine without any shortcuts or compromises. Welcome to our Neighborhood. 2020 abundant winter rain and a long, moderate growing season allowed for extended hang times and exceptional fruit quality.
The 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon fills the glass with a seamless culmination of black cherry, cassis and warm spice. On the palate, you are rewarded with a full body displaying blackberry and plum with underlying notes of tobacco. An additional layer of red fruit and a pop of acid, combined with well- integrated tannins and a beautifully crafted structure, leave nothing to be desired. This is a serious wine that can be enjoyed and respected by all.
Review:
Dark berries, cedar, walnuts, sweet spices and pencil shavings on the nose. Full-bodied and so polished and linear, with a chalky texture to the tannins. Wide and layered. Beautiful fruit. Lingering and refined.
-James Suckling 94 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is smoking good, with a full-bodied, rich, opulent wine that has classic cassis and darker blue fruits as well as leafy tobacco, baking spice, and bouquet garni notes. This textured, ripe, sexy wine stays nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome value.
- Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir thrives in Willamette Valley's long growing seasons with cool autumn breezes and sunny days. This culmination of extra time on the vine yields aromatics of crunchy dried leaves, pomegranate molasses, black tea leaves, and tart cherries. Earthy undertones and great textured tannins that continue to smooth out with time - adding to the body and longevity.
Review:
Rich and polished, this Pinot offers multilayered raspberry and blueberry flavors. Shows dusky spice and fresh forest floor accents while building structure toward refined tannins.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points