2024

Organic/Bio This more or less natural wine estate in Tuscany focuses on biodynamic farming of non-traditional grapes for the region. Like here, a wild blend of Alicante Nero, Mourvedre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet done -... Read More

This is a terrific introduction to Piemonte Nebbiolo done in a nicely open, ready to drink, style. It's made all in tank with the cap held submerged to give lovely aroma, flavor and color with milder-than-expected tannins.... Read More

Arneis is often cited as Piedmont’s own native white grape and you’ll see good examples from most major Barolo and Barbaresco producers. But the grapes thrives not there, but in Roero where lighter soils allow it to... Read More

Organic/Bio A very different take on Willamette Valley Pinot Gris even beyond the depth, richness and character imparted by Stephen Hagen’s very different grazing-based viticulture. Here the wine spends 40 days on the skins... Read More

Organic/Bio As usual, one taste and you'll think, Ah, so THIS is what Willamette Valley Pinot Gris is supposed to taste like! From an organically farmed vineyard south of Salem, it's fermented and aged 50/50 in stainless... Read More

Organic/Bio The wine formerly known by Stephen’s son’s name “Juel” now goes by his nickname, Little Bud. But it still tells the story of this wild vineyard in overview, combining fruit picked from all four... Read More

Organic/Bio There’s something joyfully incongruous about a bearded outdoors guy who wears flannel, farms his vineyard with horses, chickens, sheep, geese and (his own) children, and waxes on passionately about the quality... Read More

Organic/Bio The edges of Antiquum Farm’s “Big Field” vineyard are kind of the far edge of what Pinot Noir can do. The winemaking is simple enough – fully de-stemmed fruit, open top fermenters, a bit of... Read More

Lower ABV A different kind of pink – the label alone tells you that! – that gets to the perfect level of rosé refreshment via a different route. It’s Gaglioppo, the descendent of Sangiovese and sibling... Read More

It was only after the Cowley family purchased their 65 acre vineyard in 1998 that they discovered that it had been the site of the first vinifera grape plantings in all of New Zealand. There's even a tiny winery cellar remaining... Read More

One of the most deliciously savory Proseccos we've ever tasted comes from the very best subzone of the region and brother/sister team making benchmark wines for the past 20 years. The Vinous 91 point review describes it well:... Read More

There aren’t a lot of “great” California Pinot Noirs at this price point; this is one of them. From a vineyard at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains first planted in 1910 and then replanted with cuttings from... Read More

Lower ABV Off and on through the early 20th century, Gamay grew in the Cote d’Or alongside Pinot Noir, so it’s not surprising it can shine in Bjornson’s estate vineyard next to Pinot in the Willamette Valley.... Read More

Cuatro Rayas was founded in 1935 to do one thing - make terrific Verdejo. Back in the beginning, that meant a wine that would seem really...let's say exotic...to us, a white wine aged in glass demijohns in the hot Spanish... Read More

As Wine Advocate said in their 93 point review of the 2021: Here's a wine to stock in your refrigerator for easy access when needed. It’s full of crunchy fruit and stone aromas and flavors with a bit of dried lemon and... Read More

Always one of our favorite Pinot Grigio’s for it's compelling blend of depth, richness, vibrancy and cut. It’s grown by the 143 member/farmers of the Terlano cooperative winery (founded 1893!), each paying lots... Read More

Bellone was the dominant grape of this hills and valleys of Lazio, the region around Rome, in antiquity, made into a strong, sweet, nutty-brown wine consumed Roman elites at day-long symposia. After phylloxera, it was nearly wiped... Read More

This does just what good Languedoc Chardonnay is supposed to do: give you a nice dollop of Chardonnay varietal flavors with no oak or butter to get in the way of thirst-quenching delight. You’ll enjoy the sliced apple, crisp... Read More

Lower ABV A classic Cotes du Rhone Rosé from equal parts Grenache and Syrah that’s plenty fresh but also has a touch more weight that something from Provence – making it a terrific cooler weather choice! Ripe... Read More

With Domaine Tempier, the Portalis family’s Ch Pradeaux defines Bandol’s history and leads the appellation on quality. Their rosé is a 50/50 blend of Mourvedre and Cinsault, giving this both serious intensity... Read More

Lower ABV Nothin' fancy here! Just 100% Trebbiano d'Abruzzo picked at balanced ripeness - so both nice fruit and a crisp, mineral, feel - and done all in steel to lock in the freshness and flavors. The vines are cooled... Read More

Lower ABV The kind of excellent value in all-purpose, clean, fresh, and delicious Pinot Grigio that's getting harder and harder to find. Importer Lia Tolaini-Banville sources fruit from across the Veneto and ferments it cool... Read More

Pecorino was the dominant white grape in the Marche for hundreds of years before it dwindled post-phylloxera in favor of more productive vines. Thought to be extinct, a few plants were rediscovered in the 1980s and today it's... Read More

Organic/Bio Refined, pretty, Pinot Noir from 50 year-old certified organic vines in the north of the Cote d'Or. The old vine fruit ripened to elegant perfection in the difficult 2024 vintage and 12 months in 20% new French... Read More